CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Michael Marsicano is sitting at a conference table in a Foundation For The Carolinas conference room. He’s holding his face in his hands. He takes a deep breath and looks up.
“Thank you,” he said, the words coming slowly. Then, silence as he takes another deep breath.
He’s just been told — for the second time — that he is the Charlotte Business Journal’s 2019 Business Person of the Year.
The story of Marsicano’s initial selection is a simple one — the CEO of the Foundation For The Carolinas since 1999 has been the catalyst for many positive changes and initiatives in Charlotte. He is the connection between the business, government, civic, religious and nonprofit worlds here — and any other worlds you care to throw into the mix. He was the unanimous selection of the CBJ newsroom for his work to build community consensus around affordable-housing initiatives.
Then a controversy surfaced that stirred debate about whether the honor should stand, just a week after the selection had been made.
Read more here to go inside CBJ’s decision to stand by the award and learn about Marsicano’s year of soaring highs — including leading roles in Charlotte’s affordable-housing push and the Carolina Theatre restoration project — as well as the lows.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- East Charlotte school abruptly closes, leaving parents, students in limbo
- ‘Please turn yourself in’: Suspect trying to steal car attacks NC woman with baseball bat, police say
- Loved ones to say final goodbyes to 13-year-old girl killed in Concord Mills shooting
- FORECAST: Light showers remain in metro; Winter Weather Advisory issued in High Country
- Why this Italian restaurant’s owner decided to close after New Year’s Eve
© 2020 Cox Media Group
