Thomas B. Hagen Honored with 2009 Tocqueville Award

United Way of Erie County presented Thomas B. Hagen with the 2009 Tocqueville Award during a dinner ceremony at Lake Shore Country Club on Tuesday, June 23.  This prestigious award recognizes outstanding volunteer service to our community through personal leadership and long-time commitment. The award dinner brings together Tocqueville Society (donors of $10,000+ annually) and Leadership Giving Society ($1,000+ annually) members, along with agency directors, past award recipients and guests of the honoree to pay tribute to the recipient of United Way’s highest honor. 

Long identified with community revitalization and historic building restoration, Tom was a founder and President of the former Erie Tomorrow Corporation, and a founder and past Vice Chairman of the Bayfront East Side Taskforce (B.E.S.T.) in Erie.  “Tom is a shining example of what it means to Live United,” said Alan Perez, President of United Way of Erie County. “He has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to advancing the common good in Erie County and throughout Pennsylvania. Tom’s leadership and vision have made our community a better place for all of us.”

A member and past Chairman of the Council of Fellows of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, Tom also is a past President and a Director Emeritus of the Erie Philharmonic and a former Board Member of the Arts Council of Erie, United Way of Erie County and WQLN.

Tom is retired from ERIE INSURANCE GROUP, where he rose from part-time file clerk to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He served on the Boards of Directors of the various ERIE companies between 1972 and 1998, and returned to the Boards in 2007 where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board.  He served in the Ridge Administration as the 28th and last Secretary of Commerce and the first Secretary of Community and Economic Development for Pennsylvania. 

Since 1983, the Tocqueville Award has been given each year to an individual whose outstanding volunteer service has demonstrated commitment and creativity and has inspired others to serve in the community. The service must have been sustained over a number of years, and should be of significance to the Erie community. Recent honorees include Marlene Mosco, Sister Margaret Ann Hardner and Samuel P. “Pat” Black III.