In 2020, RUSH introduced a touching way to pay tribute to the memory of our esteemed 'Godfather,' the former Board Chairman, Dr. Ray Thomson, who left us all too suddenly four years ago. Dr. Thomson was a visionary who embraced every opportunity, exemplified unwavering determination in the pursuit of success, and possessed the rare combination of humility, authenticity, and charisma.

During our annual mid-winter celebration, we established The Godfather Award, a prestigious recognition presented to the RUSH Person of the Year, honouring individuals who demonstrate excellence in craft, teamwork, innovation, leadership, humility, and sustained performance. Nominated by peers and selected through a voting process by our Senior Leadership Team, this award holds a special place in our hearts.

This year's recipient of The Godfather Award has been an invaluable member of the RUSH family for four and a half years, steadily progressing from Senior Back-end to People Lead, and finally to the role of Technical Director. Last year, he was a deserving runner-up, and this year, he has gone above and beyond. Always embodying a growth mindset, he exudes a positive attitude and consistently strives for excellence in his own work and inspires others to do the same.

In his peer nominations, he was described as a silent yet powerful guardian figure, always ready to step up whenever tasks need to be done or when his colleagues require support. He embodies all the values at RUSH and serves as a role model for his peers. Putting the team's interests above his own, he excels in his craft and shares his knowledge with modesty. Furthermore, his willingness to speak up “saying it like it is”, and his reputation as a fantastic cook, known for making pizzas for the office on numerous occasions, have further endeared him to the entire team.

His dedication, talent, and humility make him the perfect recipient of The Godfather Award, and we know that Dr. Ray Thomson would be proud to see his legacy carried on through exceptional individuals like Mikhail.

Congratulations to the 2022 Godfather Award winner, Mikhail Diatchenko (Technical Director).