OUR TEAM

Terry J. Awls is a strategist, community advocate & liaison, speaker and college basketball coach. He currently serves as a Managing Partner of Legacy Partners of Northwest Ohio, LLC, a boutique consulting firm focused on climate, collaboration and culture.

Terry served as the Director of Facility Operations for the LEED Silver Class A building of La-Z-Boy, Inc. in Monroe Michigan for six years where he was responsible for delivering first class service to occupants and guests that meet the needs of a dynamic and growing culture. Additionally, Awls oversees various corporate vendors and departments including housekeeping, security, landscaping, maintenance, travel and mail services. He manages a $5 million operational and capital expenditure budget to deliver a safe, secure and environmentally sound facility.

Prior to joining La-Z-Boy, Awls spent four years as corporate facility manager for the LEED Platinum building of Health Care REIT, Inc. in Toledo, Ohio. In this role, he was responsible for all property management and maintenance aspects and delivering hospitality services associated with the company’s corporate headquarters.

Past experience includes serving as one of the youngest general managers for Sylvania Country Club, one of the finest country clubs, in Northwest Ohio. Awls also broke barriers by becoming the first African American to hold this position. There, Awls oversaw a staff of six department heads, 120 employees and a $3 million annual budget. Areas of responsibility included clubhouse, maintenance, kid’s camp, food and beverage, locker rooms, tennis and pool.

Awls started his service career with Inverness Club in Toledo. He spent 12 years with the club and held various positions of increasing responsibility including Garde Manger Supervisor, Banquet Supervisor and Service Manager. During his tenure at Inverness, Awls worked the 1993 PGA Championships and the 2003 U.S. Senior Open and is a former USGA and CMAA member. Awls also served as a Past President for the NWO Local Chapter of CMAA (Club Managers Association of America)

He graduated from Monroe Community College where he specialized in culinary arts and business management, and where he was awarded the Escoffier scholarship for top culinary student; he was named to the USA Today All – USA Academic team; and is a current Phi Theta Kappa member. He is currently a member of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), International Facility Management Association (IFMA), and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Awls has a passion for coaching basketball and has been involved for 20+years. In June of 2019, he traveled to the Dominican Republic as a coach for American Team Sports, representing the USA. Awls is currently coaching in the Hopson Elite 17U AAU program as well as the JV Head Basketball Coach for Lourdes University. He has earned his USA Gold basketball certification and Interscholastic Certification through the National Federation of High Schools. Awls 17U Ohio Celtics won a Silver Medal in Canada in 2019, as well as US Amatuer Basketball National Championship in 2019 as well. Awls was an inductee of the 2009 Birmingham Hall of Fame class and was a 2013 Jefferson Award nominee. Awls also coached golf for seven years at St. John’s Jesuit High School. Awls was honored by Morrison R. Waite High School with the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award for Community and Business.

Beyond work and sports, Awls works to serve his community in various ways. He established the Joyce Lee Awls memorial scholarship in honor of his late mother for students who wish to enter the hospitality field. In addition, he serves on the AAA Board of Northwest Ohio, the ProMedica Children’s Hospital Board, Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Ohio and is on the Monroe County Community College Culinary Advisory Board. Awls also served on the African American Leadership Council (AALC) for the United Way. He is currently working with a Motown Publicist and author Tajuana Ross on a book deal about his life story.

Awls has been featured on several national and local TV shows and in local papers and during his career, including: The Coco Melvin Show, Gigi I am Show, 102.9 Fairways & Greens Show with Bob Steele, 1370 WSPD with Fred Lefebvre, Roundtable with Jeff Smith, Bridges with Doni Miller, The Sojourner Truth and The Toledo Blade. Awls is also the 2018 nominee for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man of the Year.

Terry and Annika reside in Sylvania Ohio with their have five children, Jasmine, Cameron, Braden, Amanda and Adin.