Having first learned the value of community service as a Girl Scout, Penny Boldrey was honored Friday for her professional and volunteer accomplishments by being named the 2009 Athena Award recipient.

The award, now in its 15th year in Alpena, recognizes an individual who has attained a high level of professional excellence and who has given back to the community in a meaningful way.

In accepting the award, Boldrey said she was humbled and honored to be nominated along with this year's other two nominees, Linda Sansom and Joyce McCoy. She credited the two organizations she has worked for over the past 30 years - Alpena Regional Medical Center and Alpena Community College with helping her to gain leadership skills.

"When it comes to making a living, I have had the privilege of working for two outstanding organizations over the past 30 years," said Boldrey, who currently serves as executive director of the ACC Foundation.

As for her commitment to volunteerism, Boldey said she learned about the value of community service during her 13 years as a Girl Scout. She continues to be involved in Girl Scouting, where she recently was elected to a three-year term on the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Council board of directors and also served as an adviser to Senior Girl Scout Troop 40992 as they earned their Gold Award, the highest and most prestigious award a Girl Scout can earn.

"The Girl Scout program provided me with many life long skills and numerous opportunities to make our community and the world a better place," Boldrey said.

As a member of the Zonta Club of Alpena, Boldrey currently serves as the club's president and has co-chaired the Zonta Walks for Women Breast Cancer Awareness event for the past three years. She has volunteered for the Alpena chapter of the American Red Cross, is a past president of the Thunder Bay Junior High School Band Boosters and served for four years on the Art in the Loft board of directors.

Boldrey expressed her appreciation of both her family and friends for being supportive of her volunteer activities.

"As many of you know, you've all gotten recruited to help me with some little project from time to time," she said. "And, that is really true for my husband, Jim. He can be found removing trees from the river so that a troop of Girl Scouts can go canoeing, hauling large signs for the ACC Foundation's annual golf event, moving staging up to the gallery at Art in the Loft or driving the golf cart for our annual Zonta Walks for Women Breast Cancer Walk."

Friday's Athena Award luncheon took place at the Holiday Inn and featured a talk on human trafficking by guest speaker Heidi Miller, a member of the Michigan Anti-Trafficking Law Enforcement Task Force.

Marsha Hoppe, the 2008 Athena recipient, provided the invocation prior to a Greek-style meal. The 2007 Athena recipient, Barb Wilmot, introduced the nominees and praised them collectively.

"As always, we have a dedicated, intelligent group of individuals who make a difference in our community," Wilmot said. "Each was nominated by someone in the community who believes they fulfill the Athena mission."

Cindi Bauer, the 2006 Athena recipient, introduced the guest speaker. Michael Nunneley and Michelle McEwen, both of National City Bank, provided a welcome and an overview of the Athena Award. National City Bank, along with the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce and DeVere Construction Co., sponsor the award.

Serving on the award selection committee were David Dziubinski of LaFarge Alpena Plant, 2004 Athena recipient Dr. Richard Bates, Bernie Lamp of Straley, Ilsley & Lamp, P.C., 1997 Athena recipient Kathleen Stepaniak and Marie William of Boldrey, Senchuk, Rouleau & Williams, CPA, P.C.