The Richardson East Rotary Club (RERC) honored two former club presidents for their service to Rotary and the Richardson community at the annual Richardson EDGE Awards luncheon recently.

The Unsung Hero Award went to Tom Brooks, who was a RERC member for 29 years and held most of the organization’s offices, including president and fund-raising chair (twice). The Service Above Self award was given to Bruce MacPherson, also a past president and currently the chair of the club’s signature project, the Inclusive Playground to be built at Cottonwood Park.

Brooks owned and operated Alphagraphics, a print and marketing services company, for 29 years in Richardson prior to his sale and retirement from the business in 2013.  He has remained active in the community through participation in multiple nonprofit organizations, including providing public relations support for the Inclusive Playground project.

MacPherson is the managing director of the Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts, a position he assumed prior to construction of the facility.

“Whether he is at work as the director of the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson, or being the best Grandpa ever, Bruce is most in his element when he is giving back to the community,” said D. Schieferstein, current president of RERC, who presented the awards.

Schieferstein cited Brooks’ work with Rotary, along with the Richardson Real Heroes organization and the Leadership Richardson Advisory Board, with which he worked to help recruit the past four Leadership Richardson classes.

“Few have loved this city more or will leave a stronger legacy than Tom Brooks,” Schieferstein said.

EDGE is the Economic Development, Growth & Expansion initiative of the Richardson Economic Development Partnership (REDP). Each year, REDP, the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, and the Richardson Rotary Clubs recognize Richardson companies and organizations that have achieved extraordinary success and/or made a significant investment in Richardson.