NEWS RELEASE April 6, 2016 Contact: Lee Hughes (901) 754-1615

Keynote Speaker Named for Dunavant Public Service Awards Event

Spence Wilson, a business pioneer, philanthropist and well-regarded civic leader will keynote the 13th Annual Bobby Dunavant Public Servant awards luncheon this year. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Memphis East and the Daily News, this annual event will take place at a luncheon on Wednesday, May 11, 2016.

Wilson is Chairman of the Board of Kemmons Wilson Inc., a private real estate and investment firm. He oversees the many businesses that comprise national operations of the Kemmons Wilson Companies.

Much of Wilson’s experience is in the area of real estate development. He has been involved in the development of many , office and multi-family buildings, retail centers, residential subdivisions and home building in , Colorado, and Florida. Wilson also has broad experience in manufacturing operations; and under his leadership, company interests at different times have included banking, printing, workers compensation pharmacy services operations, highway sign and striping operations, software development, as well as many others.

(More information about Mr. Wilson in addendum on page 3)

Nominations for this honor can be submitted by anyone, including previous winners, co-workers and families of nominees and Rotarians. A nomination form is available at http://www.rotaryclubofmemphiseast.org/dunavant-nomination-form.cfm or, by contacting the executive director of the Rotary Club of Memphis East, Lee Hughes at (901) 754-1615 or [email protected]. Ms. Hughes can also arrange for reservations (required) to the awards luncheon. It will begin at 11:45 AM on May 11 at the University on Central Avenue near the .

Press Release April 6, 2016 p. 2

Previous winners include such figures as: Retired Judge Robert Lanier, former Shelby County District Attorney General Bill Gibbons, Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft, David Barber, Shelby County Division of Corrections, Brian Kuhn, Shelby County Attorney, Ted Illsley, Shelby County Code Enforcement, James Lewellen, Collierville town administrator and Steve Shular, Shelby County public affairs officer.

This event attracts an audience of 500 or so Rotarians, educators, attorneys, public figures and public service employees. Two winners are chosen by a selection committee, one elected public servant and one person employed or appointed to a position in service to the public.

Previous keynote speakers have included: former Mayor A C Wharton, Jr., former Governor Phil Bredesen, Federal Express Chairman Fred Smith, former Senator Harold Baker, Jr., former Mississippi Governor Haley Barber, AutoZone CEO William H. Rhodes, III, former Senator Philip Gramm, Tennessee Governor , Retired CEO of Saks, Inc., R. Brad Martin, Church Health Center CEO Dr. Scott Morris, Senator , former Congressman Harold Ford, Jr.

SPENCE L. WILSON

Personal Information  Born November 10, 1942 in Memphis, TN

Family  Married to Becky Webb of Jackson, TN

 Four children and nine grandchildren

Education  East High School (1960)

(1964); Bachelor of Arts with a major in economics; Minor in Business Administration

 Harvard Business School (1968); Masters of Business Administration

Professional  Chairman of the Board: Kemmons Wilson Companies LLC, family office, real estate development and investment firm in Memphis, Tennessee   Chairman of the Board: Orange Lake Country Club, Inc., an award- winning timeshare business headquartered in Orlando, Florida

 One of three brothers who, along with his two sons, a daughter, and two of his nephews, oversee numerous businesses comprising the Kemmons Wilson Companies. Major business activities include development and management, resort timesharing, aviation, insurance, home building and subdivision development, and private investments

Other Business and Community Activities  Director: Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation  Director: Thomas W. Briggs Foundation  Former Trustee and Board Chair: Rhodes College  Director: BMHC Metropolitan Board of Directors  Trustee: Baptist Memorial Health Care System, Inc.  Member: The Society of Entrepreneurs  Member: Second Baptist Church

Military Lt. Colonel Retired/Command Pilot: Tennessee Air National Guard

Hobbies and Interests Golf, flying, hunting, bird watching, adventure travel, western art, and autograph collecting