The Columbus Award
Recognizing Outstanding Business and Community Leadership
Leadership is the essence of the Columbus Award. Since 1964, this award has been presented by the Chairman of the Columbus Chamber to individuals who have enjoyed business success or provided outstanding community leadership.
The Columbus Award Hall of Fame
| 2024 | Melissa Ingwersen | 1993 | John F. Wolfe | |
| 2023 | Stephen D. Steinour | 1992 | Vern Riffe | |
| 2022 | Guy Worley | 1991 | Richard Moore Ross and Elizabeth McKeever Ross | |
| 2021 | Stephanie Hightower | 1990 | Robert M. Duncan | |
| 2020 | Lisa Bachmann | 1989 | Melvin L. Schottenstein | |
| 2019 | Cathy Lyttle | 1988 | Daniel M. Galbreath | |
| 2018 | Jim Kunk | 1987 | John W. Kessler | |
| 2017 | Steve Rasmussen | 1986 | John E. Fisher | |
| 2016 | David Blom | 1985 | Robert Lazarus, Jr. | |
| 2015 | Jack Partridge | 1984 | Frank Wobst | |
| 2014 | Tanny Crane | 1983 | Rep. Chalmers P. Wylie | |
| 2013 | Michael B. Coleman | 1982 | German Village Society | |
| 2012 | John P. McConnell | 1981 | John H. McConnell | |
| 2011 | Michael Curtin | 1980 | Dr. Joseph L. Davis | |
| 2010 | Michael Morris | 1979 | C. Kenneth Smith | |
| 2009 | Carl Kohrt | 1978 | Rowland C. W. Brown, Mayor Tom Moody | |
| 2008 | David Meuse | 1977 | Walter English, Robert S. Crane, Jr. | |
| 2007 | Alex Shumate, Esq. | 1976 | Walter C. Mercer, Clair E. Fultz, John G. McCoy | |
| 2006 | Jerry Jurgensen | 1975 | Sherwood L. Fawcett, Dean W. Jeffers | |
| 2005 | Don M. Casto III | 1974 | Chief Justice C. William O’Neill, John C. Elam | |
| 2004 | William J. Lhota | 1973 | Edward F. Wagner, James Ralph Riley, Robert K. Levy, Sr. | |
| 2003 | Dimon McFerson | 1972 | Charles Y. Lazarus, William S. Guthrie | |
| 2002 | E. Linn Draper, Jr., Ph.D. | 1971 | Novice G. Fawcett | |
| 2001 | Robert D. Walter | 1970 | Harrison M. Sayre, Paul R. Gingher | |
| 2000 | Ronald A. Pizzuti | 1969 | W.W. “Woody” Hayes | |
| 1999 | Paula Spence | 1968 | Everett D. Reese | |
| 1998 | Jo Ann Davidson | 1967 | Gov. James A. Rhodes | |
| 1997 | Bob and Dorothy Teater | 1966 | Mayor M.E. Sensenbrenner | |
| 1996 | John B. Gerlach | 1965 | Bertram D. Thomas, Jack Nicklaus, William E. Knepper | |
| 1995 | John B. McCoy | 1964 | Jerrie Mock, Robert Lazarus Sr., John W. Galbreath | |
| 1994 | Leslie H. Wexner |
