Carol Marinovich, former Mayor and CEO of the Unified Wyandotte County, was honored by the Southtown Foundation on December 12 as its 2008 American Citizen. Marinovich was selected for her leadership and vision that changed the face of local government, and drew remarkable levels of investment to Wyandotte County, principally in the form of the Kansas Speedway and the Village West redevelopment area.
But the luncheon also recognized Ms. Marinovich as a quintessential hometown girl. Carol was raised in the Croatian-American community of Strawberry Hill in KCK, and during her years of public service she has been a tireless promoter of both KCK and the entire metro. In introducing the honoree, 2003 American Citizen recipient and Luncheon Co-Chair Anita Gorman spoke of Marinovich’s quiet but determined leadership style, adding “Carol brought a no-nonsense approach to public service that should serve as an example for today’s officials.”
Marinovich was joined at the luncheon by her husband, Judge Ernest Johnson, and his parents, and many friends and peers, including her current colleagues at the PR firm of Fleishman Hilliard, where she serves today as Senior Vice-President. Joining Anita Gorman as Luncheon Co-Chair was Carl DiCapo, himself a 2001 winner of the Foundation’s award. Major sponsors for the event included Bank Midwest, Commerce Bank, BKS Real Estate/Cosentino’s Food Markets, HCA Midwest Health System, the Shirley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation, J.E. Dunn Construction, Swope Community Enterprises and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
The American Citizen Award was initiated by the Southtown Foundation in 1998 to carry out the public service and charitable functions of the Southtown Council, focused on preserving and supporting the institutional and neighborhood legacies of Southtown. Prior recipients of the American Citizen Award include Al Mauro, Jerry Cohen, Carl DiCapo, John “Woody” Cozad, Mamie Hughes, Rev. Emanuel Cleaver, Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond, Anita Gorman, Father