NEWS

Pat Millen (center), his wife Eileen Keeley (left) and daughter Franny Millen (right)

Wednesday, May 13, Davidson resident Pat Millen was awarded the Stanley Frank Class Award. Millen is one of 55 members of the 2026 cohort of the Leadership North Carolina Program. Millen, the Executive Director of the local nonprofit E2D, is the thirty-third recipient of the annual award.

According to the Leadership North Carolina website, the organization's goal is to Equip Leaders for Our Future, by "work(ing) with individuals across the private and public sectors to develop leaders who want to drive improvements and influence outcomes. The program takes a comprehensive, integrated approach that showcases how its six focus areas are deeply intertwined. Program participants collaborate on solving real challenges, and they roll up their sleeves to volunteer in ways that enrich and support citizens across the state."

Stanley Frank Class Award

The Stanley Frank Class Award is presented annually in honor of the late Stanley Frank, chair of the LNC founding committee, who gave his time, talents, and resources to make our state a better place to live and to work. Mr. Frank was a Greensboro businessman and a civic giant who was one of the earliest and strongest supporters of LNC. There are many organizations in the Greensboro community on which Stanley Frank left his mark. He was known as a compassionate, modest, and generous gentleman.

Mr. Frank was chairman and chief executive officer of Carolina By-Products. In addition to his corporate service, he chaired the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority, was a 36-year member of the Guilford College Board of Trustees, served as president of the United Community Services (now the United Way), chaired the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, and served on the board of LNC until he passed on January 2, 2006. Stanley Frank was dedicated to providing opportunities to others in all that he did.

The recipient of this annual award is a member of the current class of LNC. He or she is selected by fellow class members as someone who exemplifies the spirit of Stanley Frank. The Stanley Frank Class Award is presented during each class’s graduation ceremony.