Sheila Hodges, sole owner of SH Enterprises which is the parent company of Meyer Vacation Rentals, CENTURY 21 Meyer Real Estate, Meyer Services and Starr Textile Services, was among ten area leaders in Mobile and Baldwin County to receive the first Connecting Coastal Alabama Award. Creators of the award state that it recognizes and honors the accomplishments of local leaders who have reached across municipal, county and even state lines to improve the region.”

According to an article in the July issue of Coastal Alabama magazine announcing the award winners, “This award seeks to recognize those who have championed the betterment of our coastal region. And our panel of independent judges was presented with the difficult task of choosing 10 recipients from among this group (of nominees) at the vanguard of their professions and interests.”

The article further states, “The calamity created by the oil spill propelled industry leaders and everyday citizens alike to apply their skills and talents to remarkable effect, all working together to right this offense. As a result, our community now shows signs of steady recovery and unprecedented solidarity – thanks to the many men and women who stepped up to lead the way.”

Sheila Hodges, who served on the executive committee of the Coastal Recovery Commission and was active in creating a strategic plan for the area called “A Roadmap to Resilience: Towards a Healthier Environment, Society and Economy for South Alabama, says “Just like a tropical occurrence, this BP thing bought people together. What happens when people get together depends on focus and leadership.” Her philosophy is simple: “Together we can do more.”