SOCIAL: FATHERS OF THE YEAR

This year’s honorees were Randy Gartz, Managing Director of Technology, Recruiting & Consulting at Fairview Search Group; Steve Boland, Managing Director, Head of Consumer Lending at Bank of America; Dwight Gibson, President, Flow Food & Beverage & Industrial at SPX Flow; and Michael Smith, President and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners.

The 2019 Fathers of the Year surrounded by their families.

Father of the Year Steve Boland, Managing Director, Head of Consumer Lending at Bank of America.

Father of the Year Steve Boland and his wife, Katrice.

Father of the Year Steve Boland with his wife and children.

Father of the Year Randy Gartz, Managing Director of Technology, Recruiting & Consulting at Fairview Search Group.

Father of the Year Randy Gartz surrounded by his family.

Father of the Year Dwight Gibson, President, Flow Food & Beverage & Industrial at SPX Flow.

Dwight Gibson and his wife, Erika.

Father of the Year Dwight Gibson surrounded by his family.

Father of the Year Michael Smith, President and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners.

Father of the Year Michael Smith and his wife, Kathleen.

Father of the Year Michael Smith with his wife and children.

Christina Bickley with the American Diabetes Association in Charlotte surrounded by the Fathers of the Year.

Master of Ceremonies was WCCB New Rising host Derek James.

The auctioneer was Col. Benjamin Farrell.

Olivia Fortson, Dianne Roth and Pat Higgins.

Father of the Year Michael Smith and his family.

Photos by Daniel Coston Photography

The Father of the Year Gala presented by the Father’s Day Council to benefit the American Diabetes Association is one of the most special fundraisers of the year because it honors successful businessmen who are also outstanding fathers, and also shines a spotlight on the most important women in their lives who make it all happen: their wives.

This year’s honorees were Steve Boland, Managing Director, Head of Consumer Lending at Bank of America; Randy Gartz, Managing Director of Technology, Recruiting & Consulting at Fairview Search Group; Dwight Gibson, President, Flow Food & Beverage & Industrial at SPX Flow; and Michael Smith, President and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners.

Master of Ceremonies was WCCB New Rising host Derek James, a dad himself who also writes a monthly parenting column for Charlotte Parent magazine. Auctioneer was Col. Benjamin Farrell.

The 2019 honorees join an impressive list of past Fathers of the Year including Kieth Cockrell, Vinay Patel, Chad Utermark, Carl Armato, Richard “Stick” Williams, Jesse Cureton, Dee O’Dell, Rob Engel, Carlos Evans, Michael Marsicano, Brett Carter, H.A. (Humpy) Wheeler, Scott Clark, Stoney Sellars, Mike Minter, John Tate, Felix Sabates, Al de Molina, Alvaro Gurdian, Sam Mills and Richard Vinroot.