Atlanta, GA (September 2011) – John Yates, Chair of the Corporate Technology Practice at Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, has received the Turknett Leadership Character Award in the Executive/Manager category.
The criteria for the award, bestowed by the Turknett Leadership Group, include integrity, respect, responsibility and leadership character. The award ceremony was held Thursday, September 15 at the Georgia Aquarium.
Kent C. “Oz” Nelson, retired Chairman and CEO of UPS, presented the award, saying that Yates represented the very best example of the Turknett character model
“There are very few here who don’t know him,” Nelson said. “He has a stellar reputation in business and the civic community. He’s a connector extraordinaire, constantly making positive connections and partnerships... and stressing honesty and integrity.”
Nelson also read comments from Metro Atlanta Chamber President Sam Williams, who noted that Yates has helped galvanize numerous leaders to agree on a common message, without injecting his ego or taking credit.
In accepting the award, Yates expressed how much he and his wife Ellen love the Atlanta community. He also expressed his appreciation for the work done by the Turknett Leadership Group.
“Thank you for inspiring me, and thank you for this recognition,” Yates said.
Yates holds a number of leadership positions within the Atlanta community, including chairing the 2013 Atlanta Basketball Host Committee and the Local Organizing Committee for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four Tournament. He also serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and chairs several Chamber committees. He is extremely active in the technology community, and heads both the Development Committee and Duke Initiative for his alma mater, the Duke University School of Law. He is also listed nationally as a top lawyer in venture capital in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.
“I don't know anyone who works harder both for their clients and the community than John Yates," said Morris, Manning & Martin Managing Partner Louise Wells. "He has an amazing amount of energy; in addition to delivering excellent legal work, he is constantly reaching out to help entrepreneurs and the community as a whole. We are extremely proud of him. This honor is well-deserved.”
About Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP
Morris, Manning & Martin (www.mmmlaw.com) is a full-service law firm with national and international reach. We dedicate ourselves to the constant pursuit of our clients’ success. To provide our clients with optimal value, we combine market-leading legal services with a total understanding of their needs to maximize effectiveness, efficiency and opportunity. MMM enjoys national prominence for its real estate, litigation, technology, healthcare, intellectual property, capital markets, environmental, green industry, insurance, mergers & acquisitions and timberland & forest products practices. MMM has offices in Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham, Savannah, Taipei, Beijing and Washington, D.C. and now an alliance with FGCN in São Paulo, Brazil.
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Media Contact: Terri Thornton, Thornton Communications (404) 932-4347
terri@territhornton.com
