Thursday, September 26, 2024
Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts
Mike Duman
Suffolk’s 2024 First Citizen recipient announced
SUFFOLK, Virginia — The Suffolk Rotary Club announced Mike Duman, Auto Sales President and Suffolk Mayor, as the 2024 First Citizen Award recipient winner. The award is given to individuals who best exemplify the spirit of citizenship and have shown significant leadership through their time, talents, and efforts to make Suffolk a better place to live.
A graduate of Old Dominion University, Duman served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve. Starting his business career while still attending college, Duman established his first auto dealership in 1980 as the youngest Ford Mercury Dealer in the country. Duman has supported various nonprofits and volunteer organizations, including the Obici Hospital K-9 Kandystriper Therapy Dog Program, the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots Holiday Wrestling Camp, and Suffolk Youth Athletic Association, among others. Duman also led “The Du-Man Gives Back,” giving $1000 a month to Suffolk area nonprofits over the course of 12 months. Duman was also the recipient of the NAACP Trailblazer Award, the “Hometown Hero” award from the Boy Scouts of America, and the Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership award.
Duman had a chance to share his thoughts on getting news of the award.
“I was actually caught off-guard,” Duman said. “I am a member of the Rotary Club, so I do know that this is about the time of the year that they select a First Citizen. I have attended the last 12 First Citizen events, but I had no idea that I was being considered this year for that recognition. So it really caught me off guard.”
Duman candidly expressed what the award means to him in his various roles in the City of Suffolk.
“So, as far as what it means to me as a citizen of Suffolk for the last 47 years, as a business owner for the last 44 years and looking back on what I have been involved with and how I have attempted to contribute to our community through my time and resources in addition to being Mayor, the recognition is very heartwarming to me,” he said. “because…most [of the] time when you’re volunteering or you’re serving in other capacities, I don’t think I, or most people, really do it for the notoriety or the compensation, and then sometimes you just wonder if anybody really recognizes the time and sacrifice that not only myself but others, give to their community without necessarily expecting anything in return. This is something in return.”
Duman continued. “It is a recognition that I really feel honored and humbled to be selected as the First Citizen of Suffolk. There are a lot of others that serve our community that are probably equally deserving of this recognition, as I may be. When you look at the list of prior recipients, it really puts it into perspective. I see this list of individuals that were all and still are, whether [they’re] here today or not, very well respected and celebrated Suffolkians. And I think it just puts the label Suffolkian on you,” Duman said. “…even though I’ve been here 47 years, sometimes, are you really a Suffolkian? I wasn’t born here, didn’t go to high school here. And it just kind of solidifies, in my mind, that people really, truly consider me a Suffolkian…”
Likewise, Duman about what the award meant to him as a person. “It’s a recognition, and a validation, of a lot of the time and effort and my commitment and my love for the city.” Suffolk’s 2024 First Citizen award presentation will be held Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, at Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts (110 Finney Ave, Suffolk, VA 23434).
Congratulations to Mike Duman, 2024 Suffolk First Citizen recipient.
2023 Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsor $3,000 — Includes 8 tickets plus website link
Diamond $1,500 — Includes 4 tickets plus website link
Gold $500 — Includes 3 tickets
Silver $250 — Includes 2 tickets
Bronze $150 — Includes 2 tickets
Tickets $35 before August 31. Tickets $50 after August 31.
2023 Exclusive Opportunities
Video Presenter $3,500 — Name at video lead and in credits; video stays live year round on the First Citizen website; includes 10 tickets
Website Presenter $2,500 — Name as the presenter on the Official First Citizen website (inaugural opportunity); new website will launch after First Citizen is named; included 6 tickets
Bar Sponsor $2,500 — Signage at bar locations; includes 6 tickets
VIP Social $2,000 — Signage at pre-event location; includes 4 tickets
Servicing Station Sponsor $750— Signage at representative food station; includes 2 tickets
For more information on sponsorship, contact Tom Powell — tom@theaddisongroup.com
Get started HERE for First Citizen of Suffolk sponsorship.
Past First Citizen Honorees
Karla Jean Smith Suffolk First Citizen 2018
Suffolk First Citizen past recipients include:
2024 - Mike Duman
2023 - Mac & Sandra Birdsong
2022 - Harry Lee Cross III
2019 - L.D. Britt, MD MPH
2018 - Karla Smith
2017 - John Harrell
2016 - Lydia Duke
2015 - Billy Chorey Sr.
2014 - Robert W. "Bobby" Harrell, Jr.
2013 - Dr. R. Leroy Howell, Sr.
2012 - M. Caroline Martin
2011 - The Honorable Fred Quayle
2010 - Dr. Douglas C. Naismith
2009 - The Honorable Chris Jones
2008 - Betsy Brothers
2007 - W. Ross Boone
2006 - Whitney Godwin Saunders
2005 - The Honorable Curtis R. Milteer, Sr.
2004 - Susan F. Woodward
2003 - The Honorable E. Dana Dickens III
1998 - Durrell V. Mills
1997 - Jack W. Nurney, Jr.
1996 - George Y. Birdsong
1995 - Al and Georgia Saunders
1994 - J. Samuel Glasscock
1993 - Rev. Melvin R. Boone
1992 - Robert E. Gillette
1991 - Dr. Philip R. Thomas
1990 - Sanford B. Chapman
1989 - Oliver K. Hobbs
1988 - William J. Spain, Jr.
1987 - Dr. George H. Barnett
1986 - William E. Ashley
1985 - Joseph H. Barlow
1984 - Howard D. Mast
1983 - Dr. Margarite W. Reid
1982 - The Honorable Andrew B. Damiani
1981 - S. B. “Bert” Hazelwood
1980 - Arthur E. Jones
1979 - Edwin C. Ferguson, Jr.
1978 - Ted J. LoCascio
1977 - Robert H. Williams
1976 - Robert W. Hundley
1975 - Laura H. Elmore
1974 - William F. Davis
1973 - Dr. Robert B. Marr
1972 - James F. Hope
1971 - James E. Amers
1970 - Muscoe Garnett
1969 - Major T. Benton
1968 - C. M. Flintoff
1967 - Dr. Murray Kantor
1966 - W. G. Saunders, Jr
1965 - Hunter M. Haynes
1964 - Dr. Edward C. Joyner
1963 - Richard M. Williams
1962 - William R. Savage
1961 - Vernon G. Eberwine
1960 - W. P. Griffin
1959 - Mills E. Godwin, Jr.
1958 - Henry M. Pinner
1957 - T. H. Birdsong, Jr.
1956 - R. L. Woodward, Jr.