Bill Pope presents plaque to Allen Blezek
Blezek Receives International Recognition
Baton Rouge, LA – Allen Blezek, President of the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, Inc. and Director of the Nebraska LEAD Program, received the prestigious "Outstanding Program Director Leadership Award" at the recent annual meeting of the International Association of Programs for Agricultural Leadership (IAPAL) recognizing him for his "ongoing commitment to quality leadership development and programming excellence in not only his state but in working with colleagues and programs in other states, provinces and countries."
Joyce Watson, Master of Ceremonies and President of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation, said that the final selection of the recipient is conducted by a committee of the IAPAL organization and is based on creativity, leadership, and vision as well as program quality and integrity.
Watson said that "after twenty years in this leadership business, I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with so many terrific people – those in high places and with lots of titles, degrees and notoriety. All of this is wonderful, but in those hours of need for sound advice and judgement – when you really need someone you can trust and who knows what they are talking about – I can always count on Allen."
J.D. Dunbar, CEO of the Pennsylvania Rural Leadership Program (RULE) stated that "in leadership, some of us are drum majors: strident, living out loud, thumping percussion instruments at the head of the parade – often unconscious that we may as well be a one person procession. Allen Blezek is not a drum major. Allen is a parade Marshall – quietly, expertly, efficiently, marshaling the resources of leadership as it unfolds both in his state and in our international leadership arena. One compliment from Allen is worth a dozen from anyone else. Allen, you have left an irrevocable impact on all of us – you personify this quote by Winston Churchill "we make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." To you, who has given so much, Allen, we honor you – intellectually, we thank you personally."
L.S. "Bill" Pope, Executive Secretary of the IAPAL organization, applauded Blezek by saying that the Nebraska program is one of the very finest and most respected programs in the country and is such for one reason – our honoree here today. He is one of those rare individuals who is respected by all and who has served as a role model and mentor for so many in our ranks. I know I am one of many who regularly seeks out well seasoned counsel from Allen who was, just a few short years ago, recognized as the Dean of agricultural leadership programs by our organization."
Blezek has been recognized around the country for an exceptionally long and sustained record of program innovation and quality. He has served as Director of the Nebraska LEAD Program for nearly two decades.
Bill Pope presents plaque to Allen Blezek