George Kozan, former Flushing Mayor and City Council member, was awarded the Rotary Club of Flushing's annual Tommy Award, given to a Rotary Club member who has exemplified service to the club and the community in the past year. Kozan has contributed significantly to both the Rotary Club, as a past president, Club secretary, and Board member, as well as to the community of Flushing as a former mayor and city councilman. The Tommy Award committee selected Kozan given his longstanding commitment to service in Rotary and to the Flushing community he loves. Kozan is a life-long resident of Flushing, and represents the character and values reflective of our community. He is pictured receiving the Tommy Award 'precious gems' from his wife Debby, who surprised him by attending this unanticipated recognition, and 2017 Tommy Award recipient Matt Catlin. Kozan will reign as the 2018-2019 Tommy Award recipient until a new Tommy recipient is determined for the award on the Thursday preceding St. Patrick's Day, the annual date of the event. The award is the first club award bestowed by the Rotary Club of Flushing dating back to the early 1990s when the Club was founded, and is named for the first recipient and former Flushing Rotary member Thomas McNally. The Tommy Award is considered the most prestigious award within the Rotary Club of Flushing, and the recipient is selected by past Tommy Award winners in a secret selection meeting called the "Tom-clave." Tommy recipients are sworn to secrecy until the award is given during a presentation ceremony planned and conducted by the former Tommy Award recipients. The 2019 Tommy Award will be awarded on March 14, 2019.