John Nixon honored with 2025 Walter J. Rudin Downtown Lifetime Achievement Award

Experience Mount Vernon celebrated the individuals, businesses, and organizations that make Downtown Mount Vernon vibrant, welcoming, and strong during its Annual Awards & Investor Reception held on Friday, Jan. 23, at the Woodward Opera House.

The afternoon’s highest honor, the Walter J. Rudin Downtown Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Park National Bank, was presented to John Nixon, recognizing more than 50 years of extraordinary volunteer service and dedication to Mount Vernon’s cultural and civic life.

For generations, Nixon has been a steady, behind-the-scenes presence at some of Mount Vernon’s most beloved institutions and events. His service spans decades with the Mount Vernon Players, the Music & Arts Festival, the Jaycees, Junior Miss/Distinguished Young Women programs, and the Front Porch Concert Series, among countless others. Known for his humility, reliability, and quiet leadership, Nixon exemplifies the spirit of service and commitment to downtown that the Walter J. Rudin Award was created to honor. 

“Anyone who has had the privilege of working with John knows that he is the definition of a community cornerstone,” said Experience Mount Vernon Executive Director Lacey Filkins. “He doesn’t seek recognition, but his impact behind the scenes is immeasurable. Downtown Mount Vernon is better because of him.”

In addition to Nixon’s recognition, Experience Mount Vernon honored the following 2025 award recipients

• Small Business of the Year, sponsored by The Mount Vernon Grand Hotel: Happy Bean Coffee for creating a true community gathering place where connection, kindness, and familiarity are part of the daily experience.

• Mid-Size Business of the Year, sponsored by Knox Community Hospital: Burrata Woodfired for its exceptional generosity, community involvement, and steadfast support of local events, people, and organizations.

• Large Business of the Year, sponsored by Flappers Bar & Grille: CES Credit Union for its outstanding corporate citizenship, staff leadership, and hands-on involvement in community programs, charitable partnerships, and downtown advocacy.

• Non-Profit of the Year, sponsored by Kidwell, Cunningham, & Abrams, Ltd: Habitat for Humanity of Knox County for its transformative investment in downtown Mount Vernon through its ReStore and headquarters, collaborative partnerships, and continued mission-driven impact across Knox County.

• Community Pride Beautification Award, sponsored by Griffin Insurance: Knox County Land Bank for its Founders Food Hall project, which revitalizes the historic Mount Vernon News Building, and its work at breathing life into the former Cooper industrial park, now Heartland Commerce Park, bringing industry and jobs back to the heart of Mount Vernon.

• Spirit of Heritage Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Huntington Bank: Halle Krajenski for her infectious enthusiasm, leadership, and tireless volunteerism, and for bringing creativity, joy, and dedication to downtown events and service organizations throughout the community.

During the reception, Lacey Filkins, unveiled a new staff discretionary award recognizing extraordinary, long-term service to the organization itself. The Legacy Service Award honors individuals whose dedication has shaped Experience Mount Vernon’s mission and future. 

The inaugural award was presented to Lisa Lloyd, who served on the Experience Mount Vernon board of directors for over 11 years, many of those years as treasurer of the organization. In a surprise announcement, the organization revealed that the award will permanently carry the subtitle, “In Honor of Lisa Lloyd,” recognizing her lasting legacy of leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to Experience Mount Vernon.

“Lisa’s impact on Experience Mount Vernon is profound and enduring,” Filkins said. “This award exists because of her service, and it felt right that her name and legacy be part of it forever.”

In addition to celebrating this year’s award recipients, Experience Mount Vernon also celebrated Mount Vernon’s recent designation as one of Ohio Magazine’s Best Hometowns — a statewide honor that reflects the community pride, collaboration, and investment showcased by the day’s honorees.

Experience Mount Vernon extends its gratitude to all nominees, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners who continue to invest in the vitality, pride, and shared experiences that define Downtown Mount Vernon.