At the conclusion of the International Hearing Society Convention Saturday afternoon, members gathered for a luncheon and awards presentation and I was there to do more than just rub shoulders and enjoy the food. Charged with presenting The Hearing Review Professional Leadership Award for 2008, it was a task for which I was up into the late evening hours following the first presidential debate pulling together a tribute speech to the recipient IHS President Jim Ogurek -- a fine fellow who by that time I had the pleasure of knowing for all of about 72 hours when we met for the first time and then golfed together that previous Wednesday.
He was as gracious in play then as he was in accepting the award today and on behalf of The Hearing Review and it's editor Karl Strom he has my congratulations and appreciation.
The text of my speech follows:
Like Henry the Eighth said to his wives: I won't keep you long.
Good afternoon. My name is Will Campbell and I’m the editor of Hearing Products Report magazine, sister publication to The Hearing Review whose annual Professional Leadership Award I am here to present today to a gentleman I’d like to say I go way back with, but truth is we only go back to Wednesday at about 12:45, when we found ourselves in the same foursome right before the golf tournament started.
But the game of golf, and one played on such a demanding course – especially to someone like myself with so little skill – can sometimes seem to take a lifetime and in it you can learn a lot about a fellow. For instance with the exception of the rare good shot I learned about myself that I really had no business being out there with real golfers. And about our recipient I learned he was entirely congenial, gracious, encouraging, patient, and could really wallop the ball.
But on to the task at hand: The Hearing Review Professional Leadership Award is presented annually to an individual whose outstanding contributions to the field have advanced the status of hearing care professionals, while providing excellent service to those suffering from hearing loss, and I thank the International Hearing Society and its members for providing the opportunity to make this presentation.
Past recipients of this award -- and please stand or wave or hoot if you are present -- include Jon Durkin, Alan Lowell, Sam Hopmeier, Kathy Harvey, Floyd Willoughby, Scott Austin, Dr. Richard Nodar, John Letts, Harlan Cato, and Denny Dingler. Without doubt an esteemed group of leaders in the profession.
The person joining them as this year’s honoree comes with his own distinguishing resume:
A second-generation hearing instrument specialist, and a licensed hearing instrument dispenser since 1977, he is president of Hearing Solutions, serving 13 Wisconsin counties since 1984. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and his master’s degree in applied economics from Marquette University. He has also served numerous posts on both the Wisconsin Hearing and Speech Examining Board and the Wisconsin Alliance of Hearing Professionals. An IHS member since 1991, previous service includes his work as its treasurer and central region governor and presently as its president.
So on behalf of The Hearing Review and its editor Karl Strom, it’s my pleasure to present the 2008 Professional Leadership Award to Jim Ogurek.
