Keely NeSmith Fennell, a lifelong Statesboro resident and tireless advocate for community revitalization, was named the 2025 Rotary Citizen of the Year during a joint luncheon of the Rotary Club of Statesboro and the Rotary Club of Downtown Statesboro. The event was held Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Forest Heights Country Club.
The annual award is one of the highest civic honors in Bulloch County and recognizes individuals who exemplify Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self. The ceremony began with music by Donnie Collins, followed by a welcome from Statesboro Rotary Club President Matt Mathews. Rev. Jimmy Cason led the invocation and Rotary’s Four Way Test. Kathy Spivey introduced past recipients and honored guests before Phyllis Tompson Amason took the podium to present the award.
Amason, a longtime friend of Fennell, described her as a cornerstone of service in the community. “Keely has deep roots in her feet and wide ones in her heart,” she said. “She is the kind of leader who builds legacies for everyone, not just herself.”
Fennell’s long list of volunteer efforts spans more than 20 local, regional, and state organizations, including Rockin’ Out Alzheimer’s, the Boys and Girls Club, Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce, Emmaus, the Food Bank and Soup Kitchen, Georgia Southern, Ogeechee Tech, Bulloch Academy, the Homebuilders Association, Parks and Rec, Relay for Life, and Leadership programs at all levels. She is a graduate of Statesboro High School and the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern.
One of her most visible contributions has been her leadership in the Blue Mile and Creek on the Blue Mile revitalization projects. Since their inception 12 years ago, Fennell has worked alongside city and county officials, GDOT, and volunteers, influencing design, development, and implementation. As Amason noted, “In the time Keely has spent on the Blue Mile alone, she could have built a dozen neighborhoods for the benefit of the family business.”
Fennell is also a third-generation builder and a respected figure in the construction industry. Years ago, she helped lead a statewide effort to improve regulatory standards for builders, resulting in her appointment by Governor Sonny Perdue to the State Board of Licensed Builders and Contractors.
Despite her long resume, Fennell emphasized humility and teamwork in her acceptance speech. “It’s probably nice to say it’s Keely the Citizen of the Year, but really it’s a community award,” she said. “We all work together, and I think working together is what makes this work. I’m just glad to be on your team.”
Fennell also acknowledged the role of her family in supporting her civic involvement. “I could not do this without my family’s support, my dad Donald and brother Kyle, handling the needs of the construction company allow me the opportunities to do my community service,” she said. She also thanked her husband, Bo, saying, “Bless his heart, he gets pulled into all kinds of ventures with me.”
Fennell ended her remarks with a call to action: “Go shop, eat, dine downtown, these people need us. It’s a great investment in our community.”
To further honor her service, the Rotary Clubs jointly presented Fennell with a Paul Harris Fellow, which recognizes significant contributions to the Rotary Foundation and its humanitarian efforts. The meeting closed with final remarks from President Matt Mathews.
A Legacy of Recognition
The Rotary Citizen of the Year Award was established in 1971 and was originally known as “Rotary Man of the Year.” It was expanded in 1993 to include women and non-Rotarians. The award is presented annually to a Bulloch County resident who demonstrates high moral character and contributes meaningfully to the community through voluntary service. Fennell joins a distinguished list of honorees, including last year’s recipient, Don Poe, and past leaders such as Ellis Wood, Charlotte White, Roy and Deborah Thompson, Senator Billy Hickman, and many more.
Previous Honorees
1971 – Donald O. McDonald
1972 – Charles M. Robbins, Jr.
1973 – F. Everett Williams
1974 – Ike Minkovitz
1975 – William H. Smith, Jr. (Posthumously)
1976 – Abram Bird Daniel
1977 – John Mooney, Jr.
1978 – Leodel Coleman
1979 – B. Avant Edenfield
1980 – Lewis P. Rhiver
1981 – Jack N. Averitt
1982 – Virgil Agan
1983 – Walker P. Hill, Jr. (Posthumously)
1984 – Edwin C. Eckles
1985 – Dale W. Lick
1986 – Emory S. Melton
1987 – Erskine Russell
1988 – Father Lawrence Lucree
1989 – Clem Raith
1990 – Robert F. Morris, Sr. (Posthumously)
1991 – Ellis Wood
1992 – Francis W. Allen
1993 – Charlotte White
1994 – Emma Kelly
1995 – Kenny Stone
1996 – Patsy Rocker Bobo
1997 – Emory Bohler
1998 – David H. (Hal) Averitt
1999 – Richard Bird
2000 – Albert Roesel
2001 – John M. (Jack) Wilson
2002 – Kemp Mabry
2003 – Warren F. (Spike) Jones
2004 – William (Bill) Cook
2005 – H. William (Bill) Perry
2006 – Terrell T. Reddick (Posthumously)
2007 – Charles P. Olliff, Jr.
2008 – W.R. (Bobby) Smith
2009 – R. Earl Dabbs
2010 – Joe Bill Brannon
2011 – E. Raybon Anderson
2012 – J. Ray Hendley
2013 – Hudson Powell
2014 – Charles D. Sikes
2015 – Lynda Williamson (Posthumously)
2016 – David Ball
2017 – James A. High
2018 – Delia Mobley
2019 – Roy and Deborah Thompson
2020 – Bruce Yawn
2021 – Henry J. (Jack) Proctor
2022 – Douglas Lambert
2023 – William R. Hickman
2024 – Don Poe
Rotary Club of Downtown Statesboro
Chartered June 22, 1995
Officers 2024–2025
President – Kathy Spivey
President Elect – Scott Bohlke
Past President – Thad Riley
Secretary – Elizabeth Lee
Treasurer – Patricia Hunter
Sergeant-at-Arms – Rafe Waters
Program – Brad Trower
Bulletin Editor – Jim Davis
Social Media – Corbett DeLoach
Public Relations – Hadley Campbell
International Students – Cindi Chance & Ken Wang
Directors
Cindi Chance (2023–2025)
Per Holtze (2024–2025)
Corbett DeLoach (2024–2026)
Ricky Lane (2024–2026)
Rotary Club of Statesboro
Chartered January 25, 1937
Officers 2024–2025
Chair of the Board – Bob Olliff
President – Matt Mathews
President Elect – Robert Benson
Secretary – Perry Zeigler
Treasurer – Doug Collins
Sergeant-at-Arms – Mitchell Hill
Club Bulletin / Communication – Jason Hendley
Programs – Elliott Marsh
Sunshine – Shannon Ramsey
Directors
Club Administration – Amber Stewart
Membership – Jaime Riggs
Public Relations – Brian Steele
Community Service – Shannon Ramsey
Vocational Service – Trey Walker
Music – Russ Lanier
Foundation – Mike Kennedy
