Hillsborough County, FL. (May 5, 2025) - The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners will present the 2025 Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award posthumously to Louis G. Betz Jr., a local civic leader and consultant, at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 7. Betz's wife of 38 years, Jill Betz, will accept the award on his behalf. The award's past winners include distinguished local leaders such as Judge E.J. Salcines, former Gov. Bob Martinez, former Sheriff David Gee, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay CEO Clara Reynolds, and last year's winner, Doretha Edgecomb, former member of the Hillsborough County School Board.
A native of Hillsborough County, Mr. Betz led the charge for the Florida Legislature to pass the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, which allows cities and counties to implement and utilize red light camera safety programs. In 2011, he partnered with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and various other organizations to help convince the Legislature to pass landmark sexual assault legislation, the Walk in Their Shoes Act. In 2014, he established the annual Hillsborough Day in Tallahassee, which showcases the region during the state's legislative session. He was appointed to serve on the Florida State Fair Authority Board, and he founded More Transplant More Life in 2020. In 2023, on behalf of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and while working with Hillsborough County and Sheriff Chad Chronister, Mr. Betz helped facilitate the opening of the second certified rape crisis center in Hillsborough County, located in Ruskin, to serve the growing population in South County. Sadly, Louis G. Betz, Jr. passed away on Jan. 20, 2025, at the age of 61.
About the Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award
In 1996, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners established the Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award, presented annually to an individual or group of individuals who played a significant role in improving government through leadership and vision.
The award was established in honor of Mr. Simmons, a respected government and civic leader who served 21 years on the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. Through his leadership and guidance, new institutions and communities were created in Hillsborough County, including the University of South Florida and Sun City Center. He also helped spearhead the construction of Tampa International Airport, the founding of University Community Hospital, and the expansion of the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County.
For more information, visit the Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award web page.