JAMES L. DAILEY has made significant and long-term contributions to the Ohio 4-H youth development program as a member of the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board. Although never a 4-H member or a volunteer in a local club, he has become volunteer extraordinary in 4-H/Youth development programs. AS a highly successful businessman, he has been most generous with his time, talents and money in the support of the 4-H youth program in two states.

Mr. Dailey has been a driving force behind many successful fund raising programs to support the Ohio 4-H program including the Ohio 4-H Master Endowment Fund, the Ohio 4-H Center, Canter's Cave 4-H Camp, and the Ohio Valley Bank 4-H Scholarship Program. As a member of the County Endowment Committee, he has made personal visits to counties to explain the advantages to establishing an endowment with The Ohio State University. He has personally given and recruited many other individuals and companies to also invest in positive youth development programs for young people.

Mr. Dailey is described as "a visionary who has the ability to take a thought or an idea and turn it into a tremendous opportunity for young people...and hopes that his investments will lead to a new generation of individuals who contribute to youth in communities across the world."

GENE L. SWACKHAMER has been a lifelong Friend of Extension. He began his Extension association as a 4-H member and this experience made and continues to make a significant impact on his life. In turn, Dr. Swackhamer has contributed his professional expertise, time and personal resources to make an impact on Extension programs for more than 40 years.

In Maryland, Dr. Swackhamer served as ECO of the Farm Credit Bank of Baltimore and was most beneficial to the fledgling Maryland 4-H Foundation when he served on its board in the 1980's. His enthusiasm for Extension youth development continued when he accepted a seat on the National 4-H Council's Board of Trustees, where he served as Treasurer for nine years. When he completed his third term on the National 4-H Council in 1999, he felt that it was a good time to do something more significant for 4-H. The 4-H Salute to Excellence program was born out the vision and dedication of Gene and his wife, Sharon. The fund to support this award has reached and exceeded the original goal of $300,000.

In his role as CEO of a financial institution that focuses on the agricultural community, he understood the value of educational programs that support farms and farm families. These educational programs have included financial seminars and workshops for farmers, the Ag Women's Forum and the Extension Farm Estate Planning programs.

SCOTT B. SWANSON has been a 25-year volunteer with Texas Cooperative Extension in Harris County (Houston). His creative visions have helped shape new models for urban Extension programming. Through his position as Chairman of the Harris County extension Board of Advisors, Mr. Swanson has helped change traditional approaches by forging relationships with new clientele and partners. One example is the highly innovative Inmate Education Program that partners Texas Extension with the Rotary Club of Houston and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to address the educational needs of women inmates.

Mr. Swanson's connections with many community stakeholders have made him a valued member of the Texas Council on Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (T-CARET), for which he also serves as an alternate delegate to the National CARET. He is an articulate spokesperson for Texas Cooperative extension, able to interpret Extension's larger impact to decision-makers, both in Houston and our State Capitol.

Mr. Swanson's long-term volunteer experience and his sincere belief that Extension education is a successful, cost-effective way to make a difference in the lives of people have made him a persuasive spokesperson for Extension's mission and vision.