Mimi Richards, 2024 Board of Governors Award Recipient

It is said of Mimi Richards, if there is a cause, she is the first to show up, raise her hand and open her heart to whatever is needed. She uses her platform to help get the word out about difficult causes and events going on in the community.

A native of Rome, and a graduate of West Rome High, she has always resided within 3 miles of Rome,
She has in some cases had the idea for many of the listed projects. Over the years she has participated in the following:

• Cancer Navigators Board
• Chieftain’s Museum
• Downtown Merchants Association
• Floyd Healthcare Foundation
• Georgia and National Association of Realtors
• First Floyd Bank Advisory Board
• Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
• Heart of the Community Board
• Leadership Georgia
• Leadership Rome
• Rome-Floyd Chamber of Commerce
• Rome Streetscape Project
• Rome Symphony Orchestra, Past Chair, Debutante Ball
• United Way of Rome

A recognized realtor, Mimi and her husband, Hal, have recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and the 50th anniversary of their store Lodge Menswear.

Nominator: “Mimi remains one of the most well-respected members of the Rome-Floyd County community, the real estate community, and any cause that she has ever supported with her investment of time and resources.”

 


 

Villa Sulzbacher Hizer, 2022 Board of Governors’ Award Recipient

Villa Sulzbacher Hizer,
Board of Governors’ Award

A native Roman whose family came to Rome in the 1830s,  Villa graduated Thornwood School, now Darlington, and earned her B.A. degree in mathematics at the University of Georgia.  She and her late husband, Courtney, owned and operated North Georgia Distributing Co., a beer and wine wholesale company for 28 years.

She continues to serve on the following Board of Directors:

Boys & Girls Clubs of NW GA -38 years -Received a Distinguished Service Award Chieftains Museum serving as President and Treasurer and now on advisory board
Community Foundation for Greater Rome
University of Georgia Libraries Board of Visitors

Other community involvement has included:
Greater Rome Chamber
Women in Management
Leadership Rome
Darlington School Alumni Council
Darlington Distinguished Alumni Award
Leadership Darlington
American Cancer Society
Heart of the Community
Rome Area Heritage Foundation
Summit Quest
Regions Bank
Junior Service League   Sustainer of the Year 1997
Historic Desoto Theatre Foundation
Georgia Beer Wholesalers

Supporter of many non-profits

Leisure Activities:
Seven Hills Garden Club
Co-Vestors Investment Club
Bonneville Land Speed Racing

2022 Award Recipients:

Libby and Ira Levy, 2018 HOC Board of Governors Recipients

Together the Levys have participated in::

  • Rome Symphony Orchestra
  • Ira as past president.
  • Libby with “Symphony Supper” series.
  • Hosted “President’s Luncheons” for Rome Symphony debutantes.
  • Honored by the Georgia Trust For Historic Preservation.
  • Fairview E.S. Brown School project.
  • Darlington School’s “Rome Parents Program” for boarding students.
  • Renovation of residential & commercial bldgs., Between-The-Rivers Historic District.
  • Georgia Cities Foundation Renaissance Award for Forrest Hotel renovation.
  • Rome Shakespeare Festival.
  • Hosted members of the Moscow Children’s Theater during their stay in Rome.
  • Hosted delegates from Ueki-town, Japan during Rome’s City-to-City Exchange.

Ira’s additional activities:

  • Leadership Rome
  • Past president, Rodeph Shalom Congregation.
  • Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce
  • Past member of Exchange and Rotary Clubs.
  • Former board member DeSoto Theater Foundation.
  • Sports teams sponsor.
  • Spaghetti Suppers for Angel Express.
  • Past Chairman of Georgia Trust For Historic Preservation.
  • Emeritus board member of Georgia Trust For Historic Preservation.

Libby’s additional activities:

  • Past president Camellia Garden Club.
  • Friendship Force’s Georgia to Georgia Exchange in 1990.
  • Independently collected and took relief to Georgia for many years.
  • Designed the logos for Rome Federation of Garden Clubs & Symphony Debutantes.
  • Former board member Rome History Museum.
  • New Romans.
  • Volunteered time, art, food and design work for many Rome organizations’ fundraisers.

Ira and Libby have three children: Sam, Ben and Liz.

Nominated by Shane Walley, who says, ”From a very young age, I have seen firsthand the love, generosity and devotion Ira and Libby have displayed toward Rome and its citizens. I am extremely proud they are being honored by the Heart of the Community. I can’t think of a more  deserving couple.”