Telesis, the leadership program of the Marietta Chamber of Commerce, named Bret Bicoy the 2004 Community Leader of the Year at their annual Graduation Banquet last night.  Bret Bicoy is the President & CEO of the Marietta Community Foundation, Inc. 

"Whatever I may have done to earn this honor pales in comparison to what this community has given to me and my family," said Bicoy after receiving the award.  "This recognition really belongs to the professional staff and donors of the Marietta Community Foundation." 

Each year, the Chamber of Commerce Telesis program selects the Community Leader of the year. Previous year's honorees include two other individuals affiliated with the Marietta Community Foundation.  Teri Ann Zide, Chair of the Foundation's Board of Directors and owner of Teri Ann's, was named Community Leader of the Year in 1996.  Jack Moberg, Vice-Chair of the Foundation's Board and former President of the Marietta Chamber of Commerce, received the honor in 2001. 

Other recipients include distinguished businessman Jack Haessly (2000), former Marietta Mayor Joe Matthews (1995), another former Marietta Mayor and Ohio Lieutenant Governor Nancy Hollister (1989), the late businessman Jim Christy (1990), and former President of Washington State Community College Dr. Carson Miller (1997).

This year also marks the first time the Chamber of Commerce has honored two individuals during the same event.  Al Lang, President of Greenleaf Landscaping, was also recognized by Telesis.

Telesis was formed in 1988 when the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce received a grant from the Gannett Foundation. Since that first year the program has been underwritten by various corporate sponsors within the community.

For more information about the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce visit their web site at www.mariettachamber.com.  To apply for a future Telesis classs, email Charmel Wesel at wesel@mariettachamber.com.