On Wednesday, August 28, 2019, PTI Chairman Steve Showfety received two distinct honors at the annual Greensboro Chamber of Commerce State of the Community: The Order of the Long Leaf Pine and the Stanley Frank Economic Workforce Development Award. To honor him and his accomplishments, we would like to share some information about him and his contributions to the Piedmont Triad Region.
Who is Steve Showfety?
Stephen D. Showfety is the Chairman of the Board of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority and President and a member of the Board of Directors of Koury Corporation. A native of Greensboro and a 1970 Graduate of East Carolina University, he spent eight years in the field of real estate finance prior to joining Koury Corporation in 1978.
He served three terms as Treasurer of the Greensboro Regional Realtors Association and is past Chairman of the Commercial and Industrial Division. He is a 1982 graduate of Leadership Greensboro and has served on the Boards of the UNC-G Human Environmental Sciences Foundation, the Greensboro Merchants Association, the Greensboro Area Chamber of Commerce and the Central North Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
For many years, Mr. Showfety was a board member or Chairman of the Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Greensboro Sports Commission, the YMCA of Greensboro, the Steering Committee of The Forward Greensboro Economic Development Organization and the Triad Real Estate Building Industry Coalition. He is past President and Chairman of the Greensboro Sports Council and has served as a Board member of the North Carolina Chamber and the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance and is currently a long-term member of the Guilford Technical Community College Foundation Board. He also served as a member of the Piedmont Triad Leadership Group.
Mr. Showfety served six years as an officer of the East Carolina University Board of Visitors. He was an eight-year member of the Board of Trustees where he served as an officer for six years and Chairman for two. He currently serves as a member of the Board of the ECU Foundation. Mr. Showfety is the recipient of the 2008 ECU Distinguished Service Award and 2018 Advocacy Award.
He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greensboro Regional Realtors Association and the Greater Greensboro Builders Association. The Triad Business Journal has repeatedly identified him as one of the area’s “Most Influential People”. Business North Carolina lists Mr. Showfety among the 2018 “Power 100”.
Stephen’s career has exemplified the highest standard of integrity, and his positive influence can be seen throughout the state – from his service at East Carolina University to the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine
Among the honors and awards the Governor of North Carolina can bestow, none is more valued than The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Since its creation in 1963, it has been presented to honor persons who have a proven record of service to the State of North Carolina or some other special achievement, and to others as a gesture of friendship and good will.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your career of public service to our state. Both in your leadership of the Koury Corporation and your numerous volunteer efforts, you have been a tireless champion to make the Triad and North Carolina an even better place to live. You are most deserving of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Your alma mater, East Carolina University, the Piedmont Triad [International] Airport and all of North Carolina have benefited from your leadership.
Other current Airport Authority board members who have received this award, include Linda O. Shaw in 1992 and 2008, Paul K. Mengert in 2012, and William (Bill) S. Bencini, Jr. in 2017
In the Board’s endorsement of Mr. Showfety, they provided the following statement on his contribution:
Steve has served on the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority Board of Directors since 2009, serving as Chairman for the last five years. During his chairmanship he has led with determination, wisdom, transparency and a constant sense of cooperation. Under his leadership, the Piedmont Triad International Airport has continued to grow into one of the most critical centers of economic development in our region and state. Each of us has developed enormous respect for his commitment to the airport, the Piedmont Triad region, and the state of North Carolina.
It is Steve’s commitment to the community that we admire the most. He has spent his entire life engaged in volunteer organizations all of which were focused on improving the community and the state he loves. Steve has tirelessly led many such organizations and has given generously of his time, treasure and talents.
My grandfather is a great person and has made a lasting impact on my story.
Mr. Showfety was also honored with the 2019 Stanley Frank Economic and Workforce Development Award. Click HERE to watch a video on this award and insights about Steve from prominent members of our community
I am extremely humbled and would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Chamber of Commerce and to Governor Roy Cooper for these distinguished honors. It means so much to me to be recognized for my work at Koury Corporation, at the Piedmont Triad International Airport and at so many other remarkable organizations where I have had the honor and privilege to serve.