Louisville Mayor Will Hill Receives DDAA's 2015 Donald R. Myers Humanitarian Award

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2015—Louisville, Mississippi, mayor Will Hill has been chosen by the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) to receive its 2015 Donald R. Myers Humanitarian Award.

The award was dedicated by the DDAA in 2009 in memory of Donald Myers, who was executive director of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association and president of the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance. Known as a dedicated public servant and champion of the people of Appalachia, Myers exemplified the humanitarian spirit the award was created to recognize and honor.

A native of Mississippi's Winston County, Hill graduated from Mississippi State University and began his career in the hospitality industry, eventually moving to hotel management. His experience in that field and entrepreneurial goals led him to purchase and operate a Best Western Hotel in Louisville, and later to establish a restaurant there.

Hill has held a range of leadership roles in the Louisville community, including serving as president of the Louisville Rotary Club and as a member of the boards of directors of the local chamber of commerce and the Winston County Economic Development District Partnership. He was elected mayor of the city of Louisville in June 2009.

Hill was cited by the DDAA for leadership and dedicated efforts that have "greatly contributed to the growth and development of Louisville and Winston County" and that have enhanced the quality of life for many of the region's residents.

The DDAA is a membership organization of the 73 local development districts (LDDs) in the Appalachian Region. The DDAA works to strengthen LDDs and their member governments and to provide leadership to support the Appalachian Regional Commission's federal-state-local partnership.