Todd Wanek Named 2026 Tampa Bay Father of the Year
Honorees included fellow Tampa Bay leaders John Couris, Lavonte David and Oscar Horton at inaugural event
TAMPA, Fla. —The National Father’s Day Council honored Todd Wanek, President & CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries; Oscar Horton, Chairman & CEO of Sun State International Trucks; John Couris, President & CEO of Tampa General Hospital; and Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneer Super Bowl Winner and All-Time Leading Tackler at the First Annual Tampa Bay Father of the Year Awards.
The awards luncheon took place on Wednesday, June 17 in Tampa, with proceeds benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, which creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
“Each year, we are proud to recognize fathers whose leadership extends well beyond their professional accomplishments,” said Michael Haskel, CEO & President of The Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council, Inc. “As we launch this inaugural Tampa Bay celebration, we are honored to recognize four extraordinary leaders whose impact on the region—and devotion to family—truly embody the spirit of this event and the mission it supports.”
Under Todd’s leadership, Ashley has grown to be the world’s largest home furnishings manufacturer and the largest furniture store brand in North America. The company has experienced significant global growth while maintaining a strong commitment to community engagement and philanthropy.
“One of the things that I enjoy in life, more than anything, is being a father,” stated Todd Wanek, President & CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries. “The Father of the Year Award represents people who take responsibility—not just for themselves, but for others, and I’m honored to be recognized alongside so many who live that commitment every day.”
As part of its continued commitment to supporting family-focused philanthropies, The Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council, Inc. has donated more than $39 million to organizations nationwide serving mothers, fathers and children.
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Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC (Ashley) feels that every person deserves more value for their money. Established in 1945, Ashley is the largest manufacturer of home furnishings in the world and strives to be the most innovative and competitive home furnishings company on the planet. From design through fulfillment, Ashley is committed to delivering the world’s best home furnishing values, selection and service, and earning the loyalty and trust of its customers every day. Visit Ashley online at www.ashleyglobal.com and “like” Ashley Furniture Industries on Facebook.
The National Father’s Day Committee is an entity of the Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council and exists for the sole purpose of conferring Father of the Year Honors on contemporary lifestyle leaders of our society. The Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer, noncommercial organization, donates through its committee’s funds raised with presentations of its Annual Awards to meaningful family-related philanthropies dealing with issues affecting mothers, fathers and families. Past honorees have included Presidents Joseph Biden, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, Generals Douglas MacArthur, Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf, retail veteran Terry Lundgren, sports notables Arthur Ashe, Jim Kelly and Michael “Coach K” Krzyzewski, and communications leaders Tim Russert and Harry Smith. For more information, please visit fathersdaymothersday.com
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