By MICHAEL BUSHNELL
Northeast News
November 27, 2013

Annual luncheons are all part of the duty roster for area non-profit agencies. Put on the suit, say some kind words, eat some rubber chicken and call it done. Last week’s annual luncheon for the Mattie Rhodes Center, however, was a different story for long-time Chief Executive John Fierro.

Michael Kaste, FBI special agent in charge of the Kansas City region, was a guest at the luncheon, and he had a big surprise for Fierro who was unaware that anything different was afoot for the day. Kaste voiced high praise for Fierro and his work in the Westside and here in Historic Northeast – work that ultimately led to the development of the Belvedere Park soccer fields. During the 2010 national Citizens Academy convention in Kansas City, Fierro spearheaded an effort with convention attendees to clean up area soccer fields and alleyways. For that work, Fierro was awarded the FBI’s Director’s Community Leadership Award, one of 55 awarded nationally to people who have made a sizable contribution to the betterment of the quality of life in their communities.

According to an FBI spokesperson, each FBI Field Office selects one individual or organization that makes “extraordinary contributions to their communities across the United States. Every year, the FBI honors the very best among them with its Director’s Community Leadership Award.”

Fierro, who’s been with Mattie Rhodes since 1998 was named the organization’s CEO in 2006 was both surprised and humbled by the award.

“I’ve worked in the non-profit sector my entire career,” said Fierro. “It’s not about making money or getting rich; it’s about making the quality of life better in our communities.”

Fierro will be flown to Washington, D.C. in 2014 where he will be part of a national ceremony that will honor all of the Director’s Award recipients from the FBI’s 55 regions.