Plant City restaurateur praised, roasted at award banquet

A man whose name is synonymous with barbecue got roasted Aug. 31 by friends and family at the 2010 YMCA Strong Leader Award dinner.

Fred Johnson, this year's recipient, helped draw sponsorships, donations from individuals and businesses, and about 200 people to the $75 per person dinner at the Red Rose Ballroom. The day after the event Johnson said he was humbled and honored to hear all the good things that were said about him.

"I was comfortable but it was for a good cause and I was happy to do it," Johnson said.

The YMCA presents the award each year to a community leader. Previous winners have included City Commissioner Mike Sparkman and Plant City's First Baptist Church associate pastor Tommy Warnock.

Humor was liberally sprinkled with sincerity, as is the normal recipe of this event, as friends and family took turns scorching and the praising the honoree.

Mayor Dan Raulerson, a member of a gourmet cooking club with Johnson, began the roast with a tale about how this year's award winner advised him to not worry so much about following recipes when cooking a personal dish.

"Do you like garlic? Then put in some garlic. Do you like Tabasco sauce? Then pour it on, you work by feel," Johnson told him.

And as recounted by Raulerson he followed the advice of his good friend and restaurateur.

In spite of that expert and hands on support Raulerson insisted that the desert dish he was preparing was ruined.

"Fred is a dear friend," Raulerson said. "He is what Plant City is all about."

Johnson, who with his brother Buddy founded BuddyFreddys, learned the restaurant business from their parents, Elton and Evelyn. Over the years, he has proven himself as a leader in business and the community with his generous support for such organizations as the Boy Scouts.

The family no longer owns BuddyFreddys but Johnson operates several eateries, including Fred's Market Restaurant in Plant City. His previous awards include 2008 Plant City Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

Gene deManincor, a senior vice president/chief operating officer at the Tampa YMCA, kept his comments straight up as he said the Plant City YMCA and community was at the top of his list. He noted that Plant City has recognized strong leaders in the community since 2003 and the choice of Fred Johnson as the 2010 honoree was a continuation of that tradition.

"Fred Johnson is first and foremost about service. Fred is about serving his employees, his family and friends and his community; whether he is helping the Boy Scouts, the chamber of commerce or the YMCA," he said. "Dwight Eisenhower said a good leader gets others to do what he wants done because they want to do it. Doesn't that sound like Fred? Fred has vision, commitment, integrity and he thinks of others first. He knows that is the way to get things done. These are values the YMCA holds dear. Thank you Mr. Johnson for making a big difference in the lives of those people who live in your community."

Gary Pike, Johnson's golfing partner at Lone Palm Golf Club in Lakeland brought his take with a video shown on a big screen on stage.

"Fred's been citizen of the year and now strong leader of the year, and won many other accolades," Pike said. "But the best we have ever done at the Lone Palm member/member best ball tournament is a tie for next to last place. You'll always be citizen of the year and strong leader of the year. They can't take that away. But come on Fred, let's win that trophy."

Johnny Dean Page, a longtime Tampa Electric employee and governmental liaison spoke by video from St. Augustine where he is on vacation with his family. Page is a first cousin to Johnson. He has known Johnson since he was born and let everyone know their relationship was intimate.

"I changed your diaper back in 1956," Page said as the audience roared. "I assure you I won't be doing that in the future. You have great leadership skills, Fred. You and Tammy are a great asset to this community."

Many of the speakers including his brother and former partner Buddy, his sons Michael, Caleb and Allen continued the humorous roasting and praising of Johnson. Former mayor and city commissioner Randy Larson, the 2005 recipient of the Strong Leader Award, and also a member of the gourmet cooking club, took a more serious route, albeit a lengthy one, sharing with the audience "Fred's Way," a written declaration that spells out activities and actions Johnson expects from all his employees at several restaurants he owns and manages in this area.

"I have struggled to understand why this night is so special," Larson said. "And then it hit me like one of your day-old biscuits. It's your tireless, selfless dedication to community service that makes you such a special person. You are a strong leader."
Rhett Rollyson, the board chairman of the Plant City Family YMCA put an end to the roasting when he introduced the recipient.

"I think it's fair to say the Fred's way is the right way," Rollyson said, and called Johnson out of the audience to get his award.

Johnson said he appreciated the board for asking him to accept the award. He appreciated their offer and was thankful for their consideration. He was happy to help the local YMCA "make a few bucks."

"Tonight isn't about me," Johnson said. "It's about values and principle. It's about character and doing the right thing. It's about giving back. Plant City is a great place to live. That isn't a slogan on the back of a brochure. That is what Jesus taught us. That is part of our character. One of the reasons we are here tonight is that we recognize quality in character, and values in the individual and in the community. It's not us, individually, it's God, really, who has given us this standard of character through Jesus."

Johnson thanked the sponsors and YMCA, and credited his parents as "the ones who taught us to be willing to serve. They taught us to treat people right; to give without expecting anything in return."

He called his wife Tammy the strong leader in the family.

"She is always there to help. She has always supported my wishes. She keeps me in line and there is not a tougher person in this world than Tammy. She is my strong leader."