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Since 1953, the Torrance Chamber has selected the citizen of Torrance whose achievements have been significant to the community and to the general welfare of the people to receive the Chamber’s “Distinguished Citizen of the Year” award. In 2015, no one fit that bill more appropriately than South Bay Volunteer Center President and CEO, Dolores “De De” Hicks. The iconic community leader is a true gem in the city of Torrance whose 28-year tenure as President and CEO of the Volunteer Center has been a tour de force of leadership excellence and dedicated service.
While at the helm of the Volunteer Center, De De increased the Center’s operational capabilities to serve as the hub of volunteer activities for 600 nonprofit organizations across 43 cities. De De also grew the Center’s operational budget from $136,000 to $2,000,000. But results-generating leadership is only the tip of the iceberg of the legacy De De will leave behind when she retires from her Volunteer Center post later this year, the people she has impacted throughout her career is what’s most remarkable.
“The more I learn about her life, the more I admire her,” says TerriAnn Ferren of the city of Torrance. “She walks a straight line for others in her philanthropic work and in her life. She is a role model for the modern woman.”
Barbara Graham of Exxon Mobil Corporation credits De De as a tremendous mentor. “De De is a woman with warmth, charm, intelligence and grace who has had a strong impact on my life, both professionally and personally. Some of the most memorable years of my career have been spent in support of her vision to improve the lives of children in our South Bay community,” states Graham.
Even the Torrance Mayor is eager to share the stage with De De during his upcoming State of the City Address. “De De is such a great icon in our community,” comments Mayor Patrick Furey. “It’s really my honor to be giving my State of the City Address the same day the Chamber is honoring her.”
De De will receive her recognition following the Mayor’s State of the City Address on September 24th. Presenting the award to De De will be last year’s Distinguished Citizen(s) of the Year, Bob and Laurie Brandt, owners of Red Car Brewery and Restaurant. Tickets can be purchased for the event from the Torrance Chamber by calling 310-540-5858 or online here. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator height_2=”25″ height=”25″ show_border=”yes_border”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
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posted by
Brandon Matson
Brandon is the Governmental Affairs Coordinator for the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce. His primary responsibilities include facilitating the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Policy (GAP) group, planning Chamber events with legislators, and facilitating the Chamber’s Political Action Committee (PAC). Feel free to contact him at any time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
