Doug Harwood, editor of The Rockbridge Advocate, was named the inaugural winner of the chamber of commerce’s G. Otis Mead III Business Individual of the Year Award. Named recently in honor of Mead, the late businessman and community leader, the award was presented Feb. 21 at the 89th annual chamber dinner dance and auction.
Originally established by the chamber in 1985, the award’s first recipient was actually Mead himself, “recognizing his extraordinary leadership and commitment to strengthening local business and community life,” according to a spokesperson. Earlier this year, the award was officially renamed to carry forward Mead’s “legacy and celebrate individuals who embody his spirit of civic dedication, entrepreneurial leadership, and unwavering community pride.”
The spokesperson noted that “It is especially fitting that the inaugural recipient of the renamed award is someone who knew Otis personally – his longtime friend and regular lunch companion, Doug Harwood.”
For 34 years, Harwood has served as editor-in-chief of The Rockbridge Advocate, “building a fiercely independent publication that has become woven into the fabric of Rockbridge County. Each month, he unites a network of writers and contributors to produce the paper – a true grassroots effort reflecting the voice and character of the community.
“Behind the scenes, his dedication has been relentless. Over three decades, he has attended thousands of municipal meetings, covered hundreds of court cases, and spent countless hours researching deeds, wills, tax records, and archives — all driven by a deep curiosity about people and how communities function.”
As Harwood once said, “I’m curious about things, and I’m fascinated with human behavior, and being a journalist is a fine way to get paid for being curious… I get to learn about all sorts of things that I would never learn about and then write – it’s fun.”
That curiosity has earned him statewide recognition. In 1997, Harwood received first place for editorial writing and second place for investigative reporting from the Virginia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, the only time he has ever entered such a contest. In 2013, he was inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame, the first small-town reporter ever to be inducted.
His contributions extend beyond print. For more than 50 years, the Washington and Lee University graduate has hosted “The Anti-Headache Machine” on 91.5 WLURFM, sharing music each Saturday from his own collection — another reflection of his authenticity and independence.
Most telling is his philosophy: “I never wanted any power or influence… I’ve just run a community paper. But if a paper runs stories that’ll stick to your ribs, it holds up in a mirror. Real communities need real mirrors.”
The spokesperson stated, “That belief mirrors the values Otis Mead championed – that strong communities are built by people who show up, stay curious, work hard and care deeply.”
