On July 27, 2012, longtime Festival of Faiths supporter George Fischer was honored as the 2012 Louisvillian of the Year by the Louisville Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. Three hundred well-wishers representing organizations throughout the city joined him in a celebrative luncheon, which was held at the Olmsted.
As one of the founders of the Festival of Faiths and longtime member of its governing board, George continues to play a pivotal role in the Festival’s development and ongoing success. In recent years, he has devoted his efforts primarily to fundraising and strategic planning. The first Festival was presented in 1995, and one has taken place every year since, bringing thousands of people together to celebrate the religious and cultural diversity of the city of Louisville.
George’s service to the Festival of Faiths is just one of many ways that he has served his community over the past 30 years as an inspired and compassionate leader and as a tireless social entrepreneur. Following his service as a Navy pilot, George embarked upon a successful corporate career with such organizations as IBM, Metri Data and Servend. In the 1980s, he began another career in public service when he joined Governor John Y. Brown’s administration as Secretary of the Executive Cabinet.
In addition to the Festival of Faiths, George has participated as a volunteer member on more than 15 of Louisville’s most important not-for-profit boards, including the University of Louisville and Jewish Hospital. He is the co-founder of such organizations as Governor’s Scholars, Louisville’s School Choice Scholarship and, most recently, the Family Community Clinic, which is now in its first year of supplying free medical services to more than 1,000 Louisvillians. His interest in enhancing the quality of life in his community is apparent in the Frederick Hart-University of Louisville citywide art exhibit and in the lovely George Garvin Brown Garden in downtown Louisville. George’s impressive awards attest to the breadth and quality of his services. He was named Inc. magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 1990, and two years later, he was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame.
It is with great enthusiasm that the Festival of Faiths joins our community in honoring George Fischer as the 2012 Louisvillian of the Year. We look forward to working with George on our current and future Festivals, and we are grateful for his dedication and service to our organization and to a community which he loves so much.