2025 Good Scout Award Luncheon

Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 at Cincinnati Music Hall

1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Networking: 10:30am | Program: 11:30am-1:00pm

The Good Scout Award Luncheon is the biggest annual fundraising event for the Dan Beard Council, Scouting America, and is attended by nearly 1,000 business leaders from our community who gather to support local Scouting programs in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Each year, the Good Scout Award is presented to a business or individual who has made a lasting impact in our community over the years.

Congratulations to Our 2025 Good Scout Award Luncheon Honoree

Each year, the Good Scout Award is presented at this event to a business or individual who has made a lasting impact in our community over the years. This year, we are thrilled to honor Gary Heiman, Chairman and CEO of Standard Textile, at our 2025 Good Scout Award Luncheon.

HONOREE | Gary Heiman
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Gary Heiman serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Textile, a global leader in innovative textiles and technologies for healthcare, hospitality, interiors, and industrial applications. Since stepping into leadership as President in 1988 and CEO in 1994, he has transformed the company from a regional textile distributor into a vertically integrated powerhouse with 24 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

In 1973, Gary founded Standard Textile’s first manufacturing facility in Israel’s Negev Desert. This venture propelled the company to become the largest manufacturer of healthcare and hospitality textiles in Israel, earning him accolades such as “Industrialist of the Year” and “Pioneer of the Negev.” A dual citizen of the U.S. and Israel, Gary’s service in the elite search-and-rescue unit of the Israel Defense Forces helped shape his strategic, resilient, and collaborative leadership approach.

Gary’s leadership philosophy centers on innovation, global collaboration, and social impact. In 1997, he expanded Standard Textile’s global presence by establishing the first U.S.-based manufacturing facility in Irbid, Jordan —a groundbreaking initiative supporting regional economic development and symbolizing progress after the Jordan-Israel peace treaty. Under his guidance, the company has balanced its global reach with a steadfast commitment to revitalizing U.S. manufacturing, reopening and modernizing production facilities in Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas.

As a technology-driven leader, Gary has positioned Standard Textile at the forefront of innovation in textile manufacturing, securing over 150 patents in product and process development. By leveraging advanced polymers, robotics, automation, and vision-control systems, the company consistently delivers cutting-edge solutions. For Gary, innovation is not merely a business imperative —it is a means to redefine industry standards and deliver unparalleled value to customers.

Building on a family legacy of entrepreneurship, Gary carries forward the vision of his grandfather Charles, who escaped from the Dachau Concentration Camp, made a perilous journey across Europe, and secured a visa for his family before founding Standard Textile in Cincinnati in 1940. Under the leadership of Gary’s father Paul, the company emerged as a healthcare market leader. Today, Gary works alongside his son, Alex, the company’s President, to drive its mission of innovation, operational excellence, and commitment to customers and communities around the world.

Gary holds a degree from Washington University in St. Louis and has pursued advanced studies in industrial and mechanical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Saurer Institute, and the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

A passionate advocate for community impact, Gary actively contributes to organizations shaping the region’s progress. He is a member of the Cincinnati Business Committee and has held leadership roles with organizations including the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, The Jewish Hospital, and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Trustees at the University of Cincinnati. Gary’s unwavering commitment to aligning business success with societal progress continues to inspire and shape Standard Textile’s vision for the future.

Gary and his wife, Kim, are proud parents of three adult children: Danielle, Alex, and Thea.

Troy Smith: 2025 Keynote Speaker

2006 Heisman Trophy Winner, Ohio State University National Championship Quarterback

KEYNOTE | Troy Smith
2006 Heisman Trophy Winner

Troy Smith played high school football at Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, before embarking on his successful collegiate and professional football career. Glenville High School has a reputation for producing talented football players, and Troy Smith was no exception.

Under the coaching of Ted Ginn Sr., who is also the father of former NFL player Ted Ginn Jr., Troy Smith developed his skills as a quarterback at Glenville. Ted Ginn Sr. is renowned for his coaching prowess and his ability to mentor young athletes, contributing to the development of several football talents, including Troy Smith.

Smith’s time at Glenville High School set the foundation for his future success in football. His skills, leadership, and accomplishments at the high school level played a crucial role in attracting attention from college recruiters, ultimately leading him to play for The Ohio State University

Smith played college football at The Ohio State University, where he had a remarkable tenure as the starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes. In 2006, he had a standout season, leading the Buckeyes to an undefeated regular season and securing a spot in the BCS National Championship Game against the Florida Gators.

His exceptional performance on the field earned him the prestigious Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. His achievements extend to receiving prestigious honors such as the Walter Camp Award and the Davey O’Brien Award for his outstanding quarterbacking skills. Smith became the first Ohio State player to win the Heisman since Eddie George in 1995. His ability to lead the team, combined with impressive passing skills and on-field intelligence, contributed significantly to his Heisman win.

The recognition and success at the collegiate level propelled Troy Smith into the National Football League (NFL). Despite facing challenges in the professional ranks, Smith’s legacy remains firmly established in college football history, marked by his Heisman Trophy and his impact as a standout quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Kyle Inskeep: Master of Ceremonies

MC | Kyle Inskeep
Local 12 Anchor

Kyle Inskeep joined the Local 12 News team in June 2018. He anchors the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts with Paula Toti.

Prior to moving to Cincinnati, Kyle worked as a morning reporter/fill-in anchor for FOX59 in Indianapolis for three years. While there he covered the 2017 Presidential Inauguration, the 100th running of the Indy 500 and the sentencing of former Subway pitchman Jared Fogle.

During his first year out of college, Kyle worked for NBC News in Washington, D.C. He was selected as the 2012 Tim Russert Fellow. As part of this program, Kyle worked as a researcher for the network’s “political unit,” assisted correspondents and field producers and worked alongside the Meet The Press digital team.

Kyle graduated magna cum laude from Butler University with a degree in Electronic Journalism.