Heath Fountain, President of the Deerfield-Windsor School Alumni Association announces the inaugural Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Young Alumni Awards. Created this year by the Alumni Association Board, these awards were presented at Homecoming 2012 on Friday, October 19.
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have provided outstanding leadership or attained recognition on a local, regional, national or international level within their profession or business and/or have provided extraordinary service to their community.
The Young Alumni Award recognizes alumni 40 years or younger at the time of nomination, and have achieved excellence in their business, profession or vocational endeavors and/or have made outstanding contributions to community service locally, regionally, nationally and/or globally.
George Chastain IV ’82 is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Chastain is a 1987 graduate of Emory University in International Affairs. Mr. Chastain has received multiple awards in 24 years in US federal government service for his leadership, analytic, and planning efforts in international affairs, transnational threats, and Homeland security in the United States and abroad. His experience includes the White House, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of State.
Mr. Chastain credits the late DWS teacher Mr. Gerald Peters for serving as his greatest DWS mentor and instilling in him a passion and intellectual curiosity for foreign languages, cultures, and international issues. A student at DWS from fourth through twelfth grade, Mr. Chastain attended Boys State, served as the first student representative on the inaugural Honor Council, and represented DWS on the academic, science, math, and tennis teams. He was also active in the music program.
Rusty Skalla ‘01 will receive the Young Alumni Award. Skalla serves as Chief Operating Officer of SASCO Chemical Group, Inc., Albany, GA. SASCO is a worldwide manufacturer of chemicals used in rubber, food, and industrial facilities and the company currently researches, develops, manufactures, and sells products in 15 countries.
Skalla has played a significant role in SASCO’s dedication to community involvement. The company donates to about forty charities annually, and in 2012 was recognized with the National Merit Award for 47 years of support for the Boys and Girls Club of South Georgia. SASCO also recently donated a new technology center to the Boys and Girls club that is used by 300 children daily.
Mr. Skalla currently sits on the Boards of The Boys and Girls Club, Boulevard Capital Group, and GRAP Inc.