Now in its 41st year, Leadership Lakeland is an annual program to cultivate and enhance local leadership. Joe G. Tedder, a graduate of Leadership Lakeland class XIII, was humbled if not entirely surprised to receive the organization’s highest honor, the Jere Annis Leadership Award. While the winner is usually kept secret, in his acceptance speech, Tedder said a locator app gave him a clue that he might be the one to receive the honor when he went to check where his parents were having dinner and realized that they, too, were at the event. Tedder also thanked his “amazing, beautiful and more-successful-than-me” wife, Tracy Tedder, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Florida Southern College.
“I’ve been to many of these nights and so admired the people who have received this award,” he said. “I am deeply humbled to be included among them.”
Tedder was recently elected to his eighth term as Polk County Tax Collector, a position he has held since 1997.
He is the 32nd alum to receive the award since it was established in 1989 to honor the late Dr. Jere Annis, founder of Watson Clinic and one of the original organizers of the Leadership Lakeland Program.
“I’m so proud that the Leadership Lakeland Alumni Association continues to honor Dr. Annis and his contributions to Lakeland’s culture of engaged leaders,” said Lakeland Chamber President Amy Wiggins. “His vision for generations of strong, informed & supportive leaders is realized in each of the individuals honored with the Jere Annis Award, including Joe. He is a tremendous example of the careful and generous leader Dr. Annis believed in.”
The Leadership Lakeland Alumni Association gives $1,000 to a local charity selected by the Jere Annis recipient. Tedder has pledged his to be split between Parker Street Ministries and VISTE.
Award recipients are nominated by alumni members and voted on by past award winners. Last year’s winner, Gow Fields, presented Tedder with the award in a speech that praised Tedder’s work ethic and recalled his time in the drum line at Lakeland High School and Florida State University as well as his achievements in the Florida Legislature.
Also recognized during the evening were Ginny Aycock with the President’s Award, Chrissanne Long with the Legacy Leadership Award, and Class XXX with the newly created Best Class Ever Award.
“For over 40 years, Leadership Lakeland has connected some of the most successful and influential members of our community to create a powerful network of leaders committed to giving back. By fostering these connections across generations, the Alumni Association serves as a bridge between experienced professionals and emerging leaders, ensuring the needs of our community are met with empathy, wisdom and action. This network effect amplifies awareness, drives volunteerism, and cultivates a lasting mindset of service that will continue to benefit Lakeland for years to come,” said Chrissanne Long, current president of the Leadership Lakeland Alumni Association.