Mentor of the Year Awards recognize local business professionals who have served as trusted advisors to United Way Young Philanthropists (YPs), both in business and in life. In turn, YP members are encouraged to reach up and seek out a mentor if they do not already have one, or reach back and mentor someone else coming up the career and life ladder.

On February 23rd, at a special Mentor of the Year Awards Ceremony presented by Michelin North America, this year’s nominees, finalists and the 2012 YP Mentor of the Year will be recognized. Coach Herman Boone, the inspiration for the hit film "Remember the Titans" will be the keynote speaker.

2012 Finalists

2012 Nominees

Robin Blackwood Jeff Dezen Public Relations Tom Brennan Michelin North America Larry Brewer H & L Accessory, Inc. Daniel N. Brown Rolling Green Nursing Home Merl F. Code Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC Jenea Cook GE Energy Jeff Dezen Jeff Dezen Public Relations Chandra Dillard Furman University Dr. Shawn Foster Spartanburg County School District #7 Michael Gabriele UBS Clark Gallivan UBS Harold F. Gallivan III UBS Douglas J. Greenlaw One Minute News Debbie Harris Michelin North America Mark Holmes Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP Dennis Hurt Fluor Corporation

Curtis Johnson Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church Bob Jones First Presbyterian Church Clarence Kegler Michelin North America Terry Knause Deloitte & Touche LLP Matt Kneeland Greenville First Bank William Luce Alfred Williams & Company Jonda Mason Independent Consultant Gayle Sparks Miller Michelin North America Mary Rankin GE Energy Ethel Renew GHS Kurt M. Rozelsky Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP Michael J. Spitzmiller South Carolina Bank and Trust TJ Trojan SYNNEX Information Technologies John Warner Innoventure Mack I. Whittle Jr. Whittle Advisors LLC