The Village Network Hall of Fame Inducts Four
WOOSTER — The Village Network held its Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on May 17 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wooster and recognized four new inductees — Patrick J. Cannon, Lester H. Conner, James T. Miller and Paul M. Williams.
One of the major accomplishments of Cannon, a 1973 Boys Village alumnus, was achieving sobriety. He has used his experiences and values to help others overcome alcohol and drub addictions as part of a support group at Jack Mulhall Center for Sober Living. He also served for 33 years as a firefighter for the city of Cleveland and now volunteers for the Brooklyn Heights Fire Department. He and his wife of 37 years, Loretta, have three children.
Conner has helped to raise $1 million for The Village Network over the last 15 years and is a member of the local chapter of The Fraternal Order of Eagles, which also supports the organization. He has served as a trustee, president and chairman of the Eagles, has been recognized as the Southeast Zone Eagle of the Year and was inducted into the Eagle’s Ohio State Area Hall of Fame. Retired from 20 years in construction, Lester and his wife, Audrey, have four adult children.
Williams has served The Village Network in a variety of ways, including membership on its corporation board for three years, emcee of its annual Sweet Jubilation event, and participant in the Charity Golf Classic. He, too, has helped to raise $1 million over 15 years. Williams also has been a part of community service with Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, Friendtique and Parade of Flags. Williams is president of Wooster Motor Ways, a supporter of The Village Network since 1975, and has two children with his wife of 25 years, Sue.
Miller’s tenure as associate director, clinical director and ultimately president and CEO of The Village Network was replete with developments including the treatment foster care program and certification of sexual offender treatment — the first in Ohio to accomplish it. Boys Village became The Village Network during Miller’s tenure when the organization incorporated treatment for girls and provision of day treatment centers in a state-certified program. Miller also completed the first major capital campaign for the purpose of remodeling residential cottages and the school and construction of the Gault Youth and Family Enrichment Center. While he was at the helm, The Village Network grew to 14 locations across the state before his retirement in 2013. Married to Anita for 37 years, they have five children.
Scott Allen, chairman and CEO of Whittaker Myers Group, was the master of ceremonies for the induction ceremony, which includes video introductions for each inductee.
Village Network president and CEO Richard Graziano and Allen introduced the evening event and welcomed guests.
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Written by: Linda Hall, Staff Writer, The Daily Record. Linda can be reached at lhall@the-daily-record.com.