Michael Logsdon
Louisville Visitor Center
WHY MICHAEL WAS NOMINATED
Michael Logsdon is a longtime Louisville resident, tracing his roots back to his birth in Not only has Michael been an integral part of the local Louisville and Jefferson County workforce, he has volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America for 25 years, he sits on the non-profit Board of the Kentucky Heritage Music Foundation, is on the Board of the Butchertown Neighborhood Association helping organize annual events such as Butchertown Art Fair, is a show host on public radio WCHQ-Crescent Hill Radio station, and is also a partner in Lettersong Calligraphy Studio & Gallery located in Butchertown (and also sings and plays his guitar!).One would think that Michael’s schedule does not allow for much else, but back in 2005 Michael asked to be a part of the Ambassador Program at the Louisville Convention & Visitor Bureau and has been one of the Louisville CVB’s top volunteers for the last 11 years. Michael volunteers inside the Louisville Visitor Center, at local festivals inside our Louisville Booth, and with our conventions and sporting groups and events. Michael is a treasured volunteer and asset to Louisville and it is evident in his own words how much he loves his hometown: Michael Logsdon is the most giving person of his time and talents. He has not only volunteered hundreds of hours for the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau Volunteer Team, but shares his time with local organizations, such as the Kentucky Heritage Music Foundation, Butchertown Neighborhood Association, Lettersong Calligraphy Studio & Gallery, and even participates in a public radio show on WCHQ-Crescent Hill Radio. Michael’s love for the music, arts, community, and his own hometown, and others have noticed this about him. Michael is exactly the type of person that makes up our Compassionate City because every ounce of him is utilized to better his hometown of Louisville. Always with a smile on his face and an infectious laugh, Michael Logsdon is not only the guy everyone wants to volunteer with, he’s the guy we want representing Louisville.
Allen Sheppard
Louisville Regional Airport
WHY ALLEN WAS NOMINATED
Allen Sheppard has served as an integral part of the volunteer Ambassador Program at the Louisville International Airport since May 2009. Since this time, he has logged more than 3,300 hours in the Information Booth. In the Booth, Allen’s welcoming attitude is obvious as he greets visitors to Louisville and helps weary travelers find their luggage, ground transportation, hotel information and answers a variety of questions about the airport and our community. In addition, whenever necessary, he readily assists travelers in finding solutions to unique and unusual problems they may be facing. Allen says one of the most rewarding things about volunteering in the Information Booth is helping people and his many friendly interactions with passengers. As an Airport Ambassador for more than eight years, he has logged 461+ hours annually by volunteering each week and picking-up additional shifts in the airport’s Information Booth on evenings and weekends. Our staff and his fellow volunteers regularly notice Allen is always ready to go the extra mile for airport visitors and his fellow Ambassadors. His patience with travelers and willingness to assist is always apparent when spending time with him in the Information Booth. Staff know they can count on Allen when needed – even for last-minute openings with little to no prior notice especially during the 8 p.m. – Midnight shift. Allen is always willing to help at the airport including during winter weather; he knows how important it is to ensure travelers are cared for even in some of the most difficult situations. Countless compliments from passengers, guests and others have been received about Allen as he is truly an asset to the Airport Ambassador Program and our community. To us, he is an ideal Ambassador – one who is approachable and friendly, knowledgeable about and proud of our airport and community, generous with his time and is never afraid to try new challenges. Staff members say that Allen is kind, dependable and flexible. Other Ambassadors enjoy working with him and say he is a wonderful mentor to new volunteers. Allen is happy to share his knowledge and builds confidence among his fellow volunteers. Allen has also dedicated time each year welcoming thousands of Kentucky Derby guests. In addition, he helps guests departing as early as 4 a.m. on the Sunday after Derby. He and his fellow Ambassadors provide complimentary bubble wrap® and a cheerful “thanks for visiting” as guests leave our city. Those who know him well say he is very generous with his time and expects nothing in return – Allen simply wants to help others.
Christine Cook
The Kentucky Center for the Arts
WHY CHRISTINE WAS NOMINATED
Christine suffered a stroke many years ago while she was a young woman, which resulted in limiting her use of one side of her body. She has since walked with a cane and cannot use one hand. Despite this, Chris has given back to the community in so many ways. Her spirit is unwavering and her desire to serve the community deeply ingrained. Christine goes above and beyond the call of duty in everything that she does. In providing live Audio Description at performances for the Kentucky Center for the Arts program, she is making the arts accessible to people who are blind or who have low vision for shows presented by PNC Broadway in Louisville, Kentucky Opera, Louisville Ballet, StageOne, Actors Theatre of Louisville and Kentucky Shakespeare. At one event, her patrons for the service were left at the theater when their cab failed to show and Christine stepped in and took them home in her car. In her 15 and a half years at the Kentucky Center, she has served hundreds of patrons with visual disabilities and has given over 900 hours of service. She also has served as the voice on all the Kentucky Center’s voice recordings of print materials for people with visual disabilities during the last 15 years. She is the voice of our Audio Described tour on iPod, a 30-minute self-guided tour of the Centers Art Collection that is available to people who are blind or who have low vision. Christine’s many contributions to The Kentucky Center have greatly expanded the number of men and women who can enjoy Louisville’s thriving arts scene. Her dedication to excellent service is a gift not only to The Kentucky Center, but to our entire community.
Joe Grant
Taxi Cab University
WHY JOE WAS NOMINATED
Dr. Joe Grant is a 24-year veteran of law enforcement, serving 14 years with Jeffersonville City Police Department and 10 years with Louisville Metro Police Department, during the last 8 years of his career he served on LMPD’s training unit. Since his years at the police department, Dr. Grant was a professor at University of Louisville and is currently a professor at Indiana University Southeast. Since 2006, Dr. Joe Grant has enthusiastically taught the Taxi University class each month. Annually, he teaches 400 taxi drivers. He started volunteering while he was on the Louisville Metro Police department and has continued to help with the program after becoming a professor. Each month he comes in with a great attitude and provides the drivers with safety tips and best practices. The drivers look forward to his portion of the presentation. His innate ability to connect with people of all backgrounds instantly garners trust and respect. Not only does he volunteer with IPL, he has volunteered with conventions in town including teaching a self-defense class at the NSRA Ladies Tea to over 1,000 ladies. He never hesitates to volunteer his time especially in matters related to safety and conflict resolution. Dr. Grant is a tremendous asset to the hospitality community and a wonderful ambassador to our destination.
Tom Sellmer
Vintage Fire Museum
WHY TOM WAS NOMINATED
Tom is a retired career firefighter for Clarksville, Indiana, and served for many years as a fire department chaplain. He still serves as a department chaplain – now on a volunteer basis. Tom has been a volunteer host and tour guide at the Vintage Fire Museum for three years and works one or more days per week offering delightful and educational tours for individuals and groups. He always brings with him his service dog, “Precious,” which children and adults absolutely adore. He is very good with children, but he offers cheerful, insightful tours for everyone. The Vintage Fire Museum has many historic firefighting pumpers and other engines dating back to 1756, so a good tour guide must have a lot of specialized knowledge. Tom does a great job with both the general concepts and the details. Everyone raves about his warmth and his tours. And Precious plays a significant role in all of this, too. Tom gives of his whole self to make the visits of the Museum guests wonderful. He does all of this on a volunteer basis, and his enthusiasm shows through to everyone. He is a great ambassador for us.