By Cliff Peale
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Incoming Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce board chair Janet Reid (left), a member of Links Inc., is greeted by close friend and president of Links Theresa Henderson of Bond Hill during the annual chamber dinner at the Hyatt Regency downtown Thursday. Links is an international African-American women's service organization. The Cincinnati Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER

A banker and two doctors were honored as Great Living Cincinnatians, and an African-American woman took the helm of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce for the first time Thursday night.

Janet Reid, managing partner of Global Lead Management Consulting, was installed as chairwoman of the chamber's board of trustees at its annual business dinner. She replaced Bob Hoverson, president and chief executive officer of Provident Financial Group Inc.

"I caution us not to be satisfied with where we are, but we have to keep a positive spirit as we all work like crazy to achieve the chamber's purpose of growing our regional economy and community, stimulating opportunities for all," Reid said.

Also, the chamber honored Oliver Birckhead, Dr. George Hale and Dr. William Schubert as Great Living Cincinnatians. They joined 96 prior recipients of the chamber's highest honor for community service, business success and leadership.

"We are highly pleased that I am thought of as someone who has contributed in a meaningful way to improving the quality of life for others in Cincinnati," Hale, former president of the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine, said. "Hopefully, this will inspire younger people and others to give up time, talents and treasure to make positive differences in the community."

Hale, of St. Bernard, was the second African-American to lead the Academy of Medicine. He was affiliated with several local hospitals, and worked as an assistant clinical professor of medicine in the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Birckhead, of Indian Hill, was chief executive officer of Central Trust, the bank that eventually was bought by PNC Bank Corp. He helped lead the original financing to form the Cincinnati Bengals here.

Schubert started at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1963 and eventually became president and CEO. He retired in 1996.

During his tenure, Children's became recognized as one of the nation's top-ranked pediatric medical centers. He lives in Clifton.

E-mail cpeale@enquirer.com