Ron Corkish, president of La Plata County Search and Rescue, is in the running for a $10,000 prize through his employer, Aflac.
Corkish, a local district sales coordinator for the insurance company, has served with search and rescue for 30 years, said Amy Buchanan, Aflac agent in Durango. He was nominated as a finalist in Aflac’s southwest territory for his longtime commitment to search and rescue efforts.
Aflac’s Care on Purpose program recognizes Aflac staff members who contribute to their communities. Aflac has four territories across the United States; three finalists have been selected from each territory. Aflac agents vote for the winners.
The winner from each region will receive a cash prize of $10,000 and a trip to San Diego, where another vote will determine the top winner, Buchanan said.
During a meeting in January, Corkish was presented a region finalist award before Aflac CEO Dan Amos and Aflac Vice President Teresa White.
“He just has worked so hard with search and rescue and he’s been on the board of search and rescue for Colorado,” Buchanan said.
She noted how La Plata County Search and Rescue helped to coordinate COVID-19 efforts with San Juan Basin Public Health early in the pandemic in addition to its regular activities in mountain search and rescue.
The vote for Aflac territory finalists concluded Tuesday, Buchanan said. So now, Corkish and the other finalists are waiting to hear who will go to San Diego.
“He (Corkish) is a great human being, and I just couldn’t be more proud of him and the work that he does and the way that he interfaces with the community,” Buchanan said. “He is a very good man, and I’m happy that he is being recognized for his work.”
She said Aflac has about 77,000 agents across the country and the Care on Purpose campaign is meant to encourage community involvement among its agents, and to highlight those who are doing good things in their communities.
cburney@durangoherald.com
