Annual Historic Westville Legacy Awards

2011 Westville Legacy Awards

Historic Westville held its 2011 Westville Legacy Awards Gala on September 20, 2011 at the Columbus Country Club to honor three community leaders for their support of Westville, history, culture and historic preservation. This year's award winners were: Joey Loudermilk, Billy Turner, and Robert Poydasheff. The evening, emceed by Mamie Pound, began with a social mixer, dinner, and a video produced by Pope-Johnson Productions of the three honorees. Following the video presentation, Westville board chair, Tripp Blankenship and executive director Leo Goodsell presented each recipient with their Legacy Award followed by comments by each recipient.

Joey M. Loudermilk

Joey M. Loudermilk, General Counsel for Aflac. Joey provides servant leadership in the community and service to a company he loves, Aflac. A graduate of the Muscogee County schools, he went on to receive his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1978. He joined Aflac in 1983 to head up the newly formed legal department. He is very active in a number of charitable organizations in town to include the Columbus Regional Medical Foundation and the Rotary Club of Columbus. He served as president of the Columbus Rotary Club. He served a term on the board of the Georgia Board of Education, and of the Georgia Humanities Council where he gained the respect and admiration of the staff and his colleagues on the board.

Billy G. Turner

Billy G. Turner came to Columbus in 1989, and in his 20 years in our community, has left a legacy of leadership and service. He served as President of the Columbus Water Works until his retirement in 2009 and continues to serve the community as a consultant in the areas of utility and project management. Though not native to Columbus, he has made Columbus his home and was welcomed as one of ours. One of the lasting legacies of his tenure as president of the Columbus Water Works is the creation of the Riverwalk. It was a huge accomplishment that not only beautified the river frontage, but provided a great venue for recreation and exercise. The Riverwalk helps to bring people to the historic downtown of Columbus every day.

Robert S. Poydasheff

Robert S. "Bob" Poydasheff has had a long career of service whether it was an officer in the Army, banker, private attorney, or as the 66th mayor of Columbus. When asked to step forward to serve for the better good, He never refuses. Bob graduated from the Citadel in 1954 and received his law degree from Tulane in 1957. He began his military career as an infantry paratrooper in the army. He finished his career as a JAG officer and was involved in some high profile cases. His long standing service in the army developed the man he is today. Bob remains committed to improving in the Columbus, as well as continuing support of the Fort Benning community. He remains active with the National Infantry Museum. Bob has been recognized with awards from several organizations. Most recently, Bob was awarded the Silver Patrick Henry Award for patriotism from the Military Order of the World Wars.

Historic Westville was honored to present the Legacy Award to these three dedicated and deserving honorees.