PROCLAMATION
Whereas… Gordon Lee Salmon exemplified the qualities of a compassionate leader in all of his professional works, and
Whereas… Gordon Lee Salmon passionately recognized that the energy, devotion and talents of executive coaches will contribute to a sustainable world for our children’s children’s children, and
Whereas… Gordon Lee Salmon willingly offered his mind, body and spirit to fulfill the needs of others, and
Whereas… The Library of Professional Coaching wishes to recognize Gordon Lee Salmon’s dedication to the field of executive coaching and to a sustainable world with a meaningful, long-lasting tribute;
Be it therefore resolved that The Gordon Lee Salmon Sustainable Leadership Award is hereby established and presented to
Mary Ann Gasaway, Gordon Lee Salmon’s beloved wife.
PROCLAIMED this 20th day of September, 2014.
Honoring Gordon Lee Salmon
Lee’s legacy is the profound difference he made as a leader in the Federal Government as well as his leadership in the profession of executive coaching. He had more than 35 years’ experience in the public, non-profit, and private sectors as a former executive, manager, and scientist. Lee retired from his roles in three federal government agencies after 22 years of service and began his career as a certified executive coach in 2010. During his last 10 years in the Federal Government, he was the manager for Leadership Development and Executive Coaching in the Federal Consulting Group, a fee-for-service consultancy within the National Business Center in the Department of Interior where he managed a national network of over 100 executive coaches. He was passionately committed to excellence in public service as well as sustainability, leadership, and executive coaching.
A black belt in Aikido, he applied that presence, focus, and knowledge while coaching executives and leaders, imparting his wisdom and experience in creating better working relationships for themselves and within their organizations.
In addition, Lee served on the board of the International Consortium for Coaching in Organizations, and was a valued contributor and collaborative partner to the Library of Professional Coaching.
His passion for the profession and industry of executive coaching, and his passion for leadership were matched by his enormous care for environmental and sustainability issues, and surpassed only by his deep love for his family. Lee made a huge difference in the coaching world, yet was also a quiet adventurer; he could often be found traveling the world, sailing, camping, scuba diving, and RVing with Mary Ann and various grandkids.
His gentle soul, unassuming yet focused presence, loving wisdom, commitment to stewardship, and his mischievous sense of humor exemplify the best of what leadership can be. Thus, we created an award to honor Lee and his unwavering commitment and passion to profoundly impacting and transforming leadership through coaching. Through this award, we keep Lee’s memory alive and honor those individuals who, like Lee, exemplify the best of what leadership can be.
The Gathering
On a gorgeous, sunny, Saturday (September 20, 2014), a gathering of executive coaches met in tribute to Lee Salmon, to share stories, honor his life and contributions to leadership and sustainability, and to present his wife, Mary Ann Gasaway, with the first Gordon Lee Salmon Sustainable Leadership Award. A picture is worth a thousand words, thus the photos will tell you the rest of the story:
Gordon Lee Salmon Obituary
On Wednesday, April 16, 2014, Lee Salmon of Fairfax, Virginia beloved husband of Mary Ann Gasaway, loving father of Christopher (Malia) Salmon of Kaneohe, Hawaii and Beth (John) Luthi of Castleton, Virginia, devoted Grandpa of Kiana, Ryann, Samantha, Payton, Judah and Ari, died in his home. He is also survived by his sister, Nikki Van Velson and a large circle of extended family and friends. Born in California on September 8, 1942, Lee moved to the DC area in 1988 to work as a health physicist for the EPA, switching careers in 1996 by receiving his certification as an executive coach, he went on to work with the Federal Consulting Group, retiring in 2010 and developing a private coaching practice. He was passionate about his family, executive coaching and environmental issues. A memorial celebration of Lee’s life was held at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, Virginia on Saturday April 26, 2014 at 10am In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to the Blue Ridge Educational Center at www.blueridgeeducation.org.