United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County has named Doug Odom as the recipient of its 2024 Board Member of the Year Award.

Odom, business analyst at mTrade, has been a member of the UWOLC Board of Directors since January 2019.

Odom is on the organization’s community impact committee in addition to serving as chair of its financial stability advisory committee and co-chair of its Flashback Bash committee following his recent appointment as vice president for campaigns. Odom previously served as UWOLC’s president, president-elect and past president as 2024 was the first year since 2020 he has not served on the UWOLC Executive Committee.

UWOLC Executive Director Kurt Brummett announced the award during the organization’s board of directors meeting on January 27. In doing so, Brummett noted Odom’s many contributions to UWOLC and the Lafayette-Oxford-University community as well as the exceptional leadership and service he provides.

“Doug is a phenomenal person who uplifts those around him as his positivity, empathy and character shine through in every situation as well as setting,” Brummett said. “He has been a valued leader of our local United Way team since joining the board and a true blessing to our organization and community.”

The UWOLC Board of Directors created the board member of the year award in 2019 to annually recognize the exemplary service of a selected board member. Board members submit nominations for the award at the end of each year and the organization’s executive committee reviews the submissions before selecting the annual recipient.

“Doug is so incredibly deserving of this award and recognition,” board member Chase Buchanan said in nominating Odom. “He is the first to volunteer for a project no matter how menial or difficult, and he is so generous, caring and selfless to all those around him.”

“I was very surprised and honored to be selected for this award, especially when so many on our board are so deserving,” Odom said. “I was drawn to our local branch of the United Way several years ago after learning just how many partner organizations have programs that are funded by its efforts,” Odom said. “Children, homeless people and domestic violence survivors are all demographics that are served by United Way grant awards, just to name a few.”

In addition to his roles with UWOLC and mTrade, Odom enjoys playing tennis, swimming and hanging out with his family, who have increasingly been moving nearby. Odom and his girlfriend, Sonia, live in Oxford with their two rescue pups, Lily and Waffles.

“Doug embodies all of the values of United Way and does so much for this awesome organization and his community,” Buchanan said following the award announcement. “I am honored to serve with him on the board, and delighted to see him get the spotlight that he humbly avoids but definitely deserves.”

As UWOLC’s evergreen campaign efforts continue, Odom strongly encourages those who have not previously supported the organization to do so to enable it to assist even more LOU residents.

“It is no secret that Oxford and Lafayette County have a lot of people who genuinely care about helping others,” Odom said. “Having the chance to serve an organization that helps so many actualize those efforts is a wonderful and humbling experience.”