The Lawrence J. Del Papa Community Leader Award recognizes a Company employee who is a selfless and dedicated volunteer in their community! Chad Ledlow has been named this year’s winner for his contribution to Yoakum Youth Football and the development of student athletes.
Chad has worked at Del Papa Distributing for 20 years, working in both delivery and sales. He began his involvement with Yoakum Youth Football when his stepson started playing in 2006 and Chad helped out with the team. He has been a head coach ever since! Chad has coached every age group, starting with 5-year-olds then following them through their elementary football careers. His favorite thing about coaching is seeing the kids grow up and move on. He will often be shopping in the local grocery store and hear, “Hi Coach Chad,” from former players. It fills him with pride!
Community Leadership
Chad is a relationship builder: it is his favorite thing about working at Del Papa Distributing and is demonstrated through his consistent community involvement with Yoakum Youth Football. The secret to Chad’s success? Teamwork. He says with good leadership and good teammates, good things happen. And while he credits his professional success to this core tenet, the same lessons are applied to the football field. Chad hopes kids will learn to be good teammates, good students, and all-around good kids. Chad teaches his athletes, “If you are taking out the trash, be the best at it. If you are studying for a test, be the best at it. It’s all about respect and teamwork.”
A highlight from Chad’s youth football career is his 2015 appearance in the select league championship game in Florida. While they didn’t take home the win, Chad says the experience is one he will always remember. Chad’s football accomplishments and personal involvement are known by all who work with him, making his nomination for the Community Leader Award natural. We congratulate Chad on all his accomplishments and another trophy to add to his case.
A lEgacy of Community Leadership
The recipient of the award is selected on a competitive basis with criteria highlighting an individual who gives freely and unselfishly of their time and talents towards the betterment of their local community. A selection committee of senior Del Papa Distributing leaders determines our annual award winner. In recognition, the Company will make a $2,500 donation to a charity designated by our recipient. Chad has selected Yoakum Youth Football to receive his contribution.
The formal announcement of the winner of this year’s Lawrence J. Del Papa Community Leader Award was announced during the Company’s annual Business Meeting in February. The Community Leader Award honors Lawrence J. Del Papa who at the age of eleven began working in the family business that is today’s Del Papa Distributing. He followed the family tradition of giving back to his church and his community through personal service and financial support. Lawrence served in numerous civic organizations over the years as both a member and an officer. He was once quoted as saying “There’s more to the business than selling beer. Being a good and conscientious corporate citizen is high on our list of priorities as an organization.” That still rings true today!
