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Alexis Hocevar Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award Recipient
“Anything you can do needs to be done, so pick up the tool of your choice and get started,” engineer Ben Linder once said. This idea is exemplified in the work of United Way. United Way is a leadership and support organization engaged in nearly 1,800 communities worldwide that works to advance the common good and create opportunities for a better life for all. One facet of United Way is the Alexis de Tocqueville Society. The Society, named for the Frenchman Alexis Charles Henri Clérel de Tocqueville, is an international group made of individuals who donate significant resources to aid United Way’s cause. The Southeastern Louisiana branch of United Way currently has approximately 150 civic and philanthropic leaders in the Tocqueville Society, all of whom understand our community’s 62
Inside New Orleans
challenges and seek to be a part of the solution. Every year, the society awards one of its members who has shown exceptional community leadership, volunteerism and philanthropy. This year, the Alexis de Tocqueville award goes to Alexis Hocevar. In the ’80s, Alexis, born and raised in New Orleans, began working at Enterprise Holdings Inc., which he credits with instilling in him the philanthropic spirit he is honored for today. Alexis was first involved with United Way through Enterprise as a young employee. He gradually became more active in the organization, ultimately joining the board in 1995. Alexis has since held numerous positions within the charity, including campaign chair and board chairman of both UWSELA and the Alexis de Tocqueville Society. As the co-chair of the De Tocqueville committee, he has made great progress in recruiting local philanthropists to the UWSELA Million Dollar Roundtable. Alexis focused on nurturing and developing the relationship with those generous benefactors; there are now five. As the liaison between United Way and Enterprise, Alexis has also concentrated on continuing the tradition of fostering humanitarianism in employees. Besides the employee drive, Alexis sought to engage them in volunteer projects around the community. “For young people, it’s important to see the impact, to know that you’re really helping people and to see how much they appreciate it,” explains Alexis. “Donating money is amazing, but you don’t get the experience of seeing a
photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
by Ellen Thomas