Title
To Congratulate Joe Begeny as the 2026 George Meany Community Leadership Award Recipient
Body
WHEREAS, the George Meany Awards Banquet, the largest labor recognition of its kind in the country, is a night for the Central Ohio AFL-CIO and the United Way Community Services Department to recognize local business and labor leaders who have given outstanding volunteer service to the community; and
WHEREAS, the George Meany Awards, named after the late George Meany, former President of the national AFL-CIO, are presented by the Central Ohio AFL-CIO to a labor person for outstanding leadership and support of health, welfare, and recreation services to the Central Ohio Community; and
WHEREAS, initially elected to office in 2019, and re-elected in 2023, Mayor Joe Begeny has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service through his work as a Columbus City Schools teacher, a UPS HR Supervisor, and President of Reynoldsburg City School Board; and
WHEREAS, as Mayor, he leads a dedicated team focused on improving city services for residents of Reynoldsburg while working diligently to attract career focused jobs, improving amenities for residents, updating infrastructure throughout the city, and expanding and improving the city’s park system; and
WHEREAS, at the regional and state level, Mayor Begeny serves as co-chair of the Ohio Mayor’s Alliance Education Committee, and Chairs the Central Ohio Mayors and Managers Association, where he advocates for home rule and regional success. In 2025, he joined the Franklin County Convention and Facility Authority to promote top-tier facilities and hospitality throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Begeny lives in Reynoldsburg with his wife Tori and two children-Jonathan and Alex-along with their playful dog and independent cat; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That we hereby congratulate Mayor Joe Begeny as the 2026 George Meany Community Leadership Award recipient.