Annual William E. (Bill) Hanson Collaboration Award
The William E. (Bill) Hanson Collaboration Award was established in 2008 to honor Bill Hanson for his decades of service to Cobb County. He is recognized for his collaborative spirit and bringing the Cobb non-profit organizations together to tackle issues and concerns. Bill was one of the founders of the Cobb Human Services Coalition, a forerunner of the Cobb Collaborative and served in a variety of leadership positions with the Collaborative.
Unlike the annual Jack Vaughan, Jr. Human Services Awards, this award is not given by nomination, but is a recognition selected by the Collaborative Board and staff.
2024 William E. (Bill) Hanson Collaboration Award Winner
Gayle Battersby, Operations Director of the McClesky Family YMCA, was awarded the 2024 William E. Hanson Collaboration Award.
2023 William E. (Bill) Hanson Collaboration Award Winner
Kim Scofi, Founder and President of United Military Care was awarded the 2023 William E. Hanson Collaboration Award.
2022 William E. (Bill) Hanson Collaboration Award Winner
The 2022 William E. (Bill) Hanson Collaboration Award was presented to four individuals who pioneered the Cobb PATH (Partnership for Assistance, Treatment and Health) program. Cobb PATH pairs a licensed mental health clinician with a uniformed Cobb County Police Department officer to respond to 911 calls involving individuals in behavioral health crises.Those honored from the Cobb PATH team included: therapists from Highland Rivers Behavioral Health, Mr. Matt Dames and Mr. Kevin Elmore, and from the Cobb County Police Department, Officer Jacob King and Officer Bill Hurtado.
2021 William E. (Bill) Hanson Collaboration Award Winner
The 2021 William E. (Bill) Hanson Collaboration Award winner was Shari Martin, President and CEO of the Cobb Community Foundation. In March 2020, Cobb Community Foundation convened a cross-sector group of individuals to identify the most pressing issues of the day. Efforts were initiated and implemented to organize data and supply chain management approaches to scarce resources. Additionally, people and organizations were connected to encourage collaboration on working together to solve the pressing issues. Shari Martin was instrumental in the first round of funding from the county government being approved and continues to advocate for responsible investments from a variety of funders to this day.
