Henrico County resident Kelly Winters was one of 12 recipients honored recently at a luncheon at the Virginia Historical Society (VHS), at which VHS presented awards to individuals who have excelled in the fields of research, education, service and support of the Society. A total of ten VHS awards were presented to a teacher, a businessman, an author, students, volunteers, and staff.

Winters received the Howson W. Cole Award, which recognizes staff members who have shown great dedication to the VHS. The award, which was created to honor Howson Cole, senior archivist at the VHS for nearly four decades, is not given annually, but in years in which the award committee feels it is merited.

Starting out as an administrative coordinator for the development department, and later promoted to membership services manager, Winters worked for the Society for nearly 16 years before leaving in June 2011. VHS President and CEO Dr. Paul Levengood said that under her supervision membership doubled to a high of 8,000 members, and during her tenure, the renewal rate climbed to a high of 90 percent.

“Kelly set high standards for exemplary customer service, an impeccable work ethic, and a willingness to go above and beyond the parameters of her published job description time and time again,” said Levengood.