Becky Rutledge named 2018 Athena Leadership Award
Published 9:45 am Wednesday, May 16, 2018
- Dawn Burleigh/The Orange Leader Becky Rutledge accepts the 2018 Athena Award from Stephen Lee at the annual ceremony on Tuesday at the Brown Center.
By Dawn Burleigh
The Orange Leader
A large crowd awaited the announcement of the 2018 Athena Leadership Award recipient at the Brown Center on Tuesday afternoon. The annual event changed the time of the presentation this year to a luncheon instead of breakfast.
Becky Rutledge was named the winner this year.
Becky Rutledge has dedicated her life to community service. She was born in Orange and spent her early years here as a sports-crazed tomboy. In 1973, she graduated from Bridge City High School and began a 45 year career in the road materials business. She is currently the Materials Sales Manager for Gulf Coast, an Oldcastle company, according to a press release.
Becky is married to her high school sweetheart, David who is currently the Mayor of Bridge City. She is the mother of three daughters – Kara Hagen, Annie Reeves, and Erin Wheat. She is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren – Reilly Shaw; Emmet and Becca Hagen; Kade Wheat; and Aiden Reeves.
For many years St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has been the major focus of her family life. She currently serves on the Vestry (governing board) and Altar Guild. She is also a member of the Daughters of the King, a group dedicated to prayer and service to others.
Becky has served on the Bridge City ISD School Board since her election in 1997. She is a 2013 graduate of Leadership TASB (Texas Association of School Boards) and was recognized in 2013 as a Master Trustee.
In 2007, Becky became involved with Leadership Southeast Texas (LSET), a leadership organization dedicated to promoting regional cooperation among the nine counties that comprise Southeast Texas. Each class program examines the strengths, weaknesses, obstacles, and opportunities for economic development, regional unity, and quality of life. She is currently serving as Chairman of the Advisory Council. In 2014, she was awarded the prestigious Francis K Monk award for her leadership role in LSET.
For over 25 years Becky has served the City of Bridge City as Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission. She is also the current Secretary on the South East Texas Tennis Association (SETTA) board.
When not serving on a board or committee, Becky enjoys cooking, gardening, and playing tennis.
“I am in awe of the previous winners,” Rutledge said. “To have my name called with them is an honor.”
Rutledge added she accepted the award humbly.
“I hope to live up to this award.”
Stephen Lee ,of First Financial Bank, said it was an honor and privilege to honor the women each year.
“My dad brought this award to Orange many years ago. We have so many incredible women leaders in this community.”
The Athena Leadership Award is presented annually to a person that is being honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting others in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. This year’s ceremony at the Brown Estate was sponsored by First Financial Bank and Capital Title.
Past winners of the Athena award:
Pam Crew Honeycutt 1993
Gisela Houseman 1994
Anna Jean Caffey 1995
Marcelle Adams 1996
Louise Maberry 1997
Alexine Adams 1998
Jane Whitfield 1999
Cecily Varner 2000
Eula Hoffpauer 2001
Mary McKenna 2002
Vivian Kelly 2003
Pauline Hargrove 2004
Debbie Hughes 2005
Betty Harmon 2006
Beth Rach 2007
Katherine Frey 2008
Ruby Wimberly 2009
Theresa Beauchamps 2009
Cecil Broom 2010
Nancy Vincent 2011
Mary Behnke 2012
Beverly Perry 2013
Honorable Judge Courtney Arkeen 2015
Elaine Meyers 2016
Loretta Hughes 2017