Bill Gildin to Receive Rick Wiedemer Guiding Light Award at 22nd Goombay Bash
The H Foundation has announced that the recipient of the 2024 Rick Wiedemer Guiding Light Award will be Bill Gildin, President of SATCO Products, Inc. The award will be presented at the July 27 Goombay Bash, an annual fundraiser at the Aon Grand Ballroom on Chicago’s Navy Pier benefiting basic science cancer research at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
Since its founding in 2001 by Hortons Home Lighting and other LaGrange, IL, businesses, The H Foundation and the Goombay Bash have been celebrated and supported by a sense of community. This grassroots spirit has underscored the message that “Cancer is Personal,” affecting real people—families, friends, neighbors, partners and patrons.
In 2017, The H Foundation created an opportunity to celebrate one community for its unwavering and continued support. This was not a community defined by geographic boundaries or blood relations, but no less a family and no less connected to the cause. The Lighting Industry at large inspired the creation of the Guiding Light Award to specifically honor companies and individuals in the lighting community for their consistent and enduring efforts supporting The H Foundation’s mission to fund basic science research and find a cure for cancer. SATCO, as a company, was presented with the inaugural award, along with Generation Lighting, Hinkley, Kichler, Quoizel and WAC Lighting. Subsequent recipients have included Lighting One President Gregg Garofalo, Hubbardton Forge CEO Maria Mullen and WAC Lighting Co-CEOs Dirk and Shelley Wald.
In 2022, the award was given posthumously to former Hinkley CEO Rick Wiedemer, for whom the award is now named. The Rick Wiedemer Guiding Light Award is given annually to an individual or company who exemplifies the leadership qualities that will guide others toward a brighter future in which no one will suffer the hardships of this horrible disease that affects one in three people. The lighting industry along with H Foundation supporters are responsible for the $12 million that has been raised by The H Foundation to date, and many members of the lighting industry serve as volunteers and cheerleaders for the cause.
This year, for the first time, nominations were accepted from the entire lighting industry for the Rick Wiedemer Guiding Light Award. These nominations were reviewed by a committee to determine the 2024 recipient.
Cancer is indeed personal for Bill Gildin and his family. Nearly 13 years ago, Bill’s wife Melissa was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Though there was no cure for this type of cancer, the couple lived their lives as extraordinary leaders, facing the disease with strength, determination and grace.
Nominations for Bill Gildin, received shortly after Melissa’s passing, spoke to qualities of leadership, strength, determination and resilience. Her courageous battle and the grace and support that he provided by her side through that journey embodies the Goombay spirit and exemplifies commitment to the cause.
Humbly and selflessly, Bill Gildin, in partnership with SATCO, has quietly and steadfastly supported The H Foundation since its inception. SATCO has supported the cause with sponsorship and he has provided words of inspiration and encouragement before every Goombay Bash.
"Bill is truly an inspiration to The H Foundation and the Lighting Industry,” says Cortney Hausser, Executive Director of The H Foundation. “It is our honor to recognize Bill Gildin as the 2024 Rick Wiedemer Guiding Light Award recipient.”
Tickets for the 22nd Annual Goombay Bash start at general admission tickets ($175) up to ($3,000) for a VIP table of ten and are available online https://www.goombaybash.com. For more information, please visit www.GoombayBash.com or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thehfoundation.
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