Compton, Winn to receive Scouting Award
Rear Adm. Bryan Whitfield Compton Jr. of Demopolis and Luther Winn Jr. of Eutaw are the recipients of the 2022 Hugh A. Lloyd Lifetime Scouting Achievement Award.
The two will be honored by the Black Warrior Council Boy Scouts of American at a luncheon Thursday, March 10, at Soggy Bottom Lodge’s Shack 33 in Linden.
In addition to honoring the two men, the Council will be celebrating 100 years of service to West Central Alabama. Those attending the luncheon also are given the opportunity to use Soggy Bottom’s sporting clay course for $100 per shooter.
From 1951 to 1982, Compton served in the Navy. During his time of service, he commanded thousands of men and flew more than 5,500 flight hours with 1,116 carrier landings. His service did not go unnoticed as he is the holder of the Navy Cross, six Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star Medal, 19 Air Medals, three Navy Unit Commendations and one Navy Commendation Medal.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Compton earned his wings in May 1953. He served numerous missions and commands, including two combat tours of Vietnam. After being sent to the U.S.S. Enterprise, the first nuclear-powered carrier, he was sent to War College and nuclear power school. He then became the first commander of the super-carrier U.S.S. Nimitz. Compton achieved the rank of admiral in 1976.
The admiral has an Associate of Science Degree from Marion Military Institute, a B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.
Born in San Angelo, Texas, Compton spent most of his civilian life in Demopolis with his grandfather. He is married to the former Maxine Anderson. They have four children, Bryan W. III, Mary, David, and Eleanor.
Since 1999 Winn has been the president and CEO of Greenetrack, Inc., the largest African American owned gaming facility in the United States. He brought with him more than 20 years of experience and leadership in the gaming industry and has received numerous awards reflecting his commitment to his community.
Greene County, home to Greenetrack, was singled out in 2008 by the Alabama Bureau of Analysis as the fastest growing county in Alabama. The county was once listed as the poorest in the state. Under Winn’s leadership, Greenetrack and the implementation of gaming saved Greene County, creating four hundred jobs in 2004.
From 1992-1999, Winn served as Director of Racing at Gulf Greyhound Park in LaMarque, Texas. He was the first African American Director of Racing in the United States, he worked closely with the owner to open the facility, and he assisted with the implementation of policies and procedures to ensure best practices.
He also assisted in the opening of gaming facilities in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and in Council Bluff, Iowa.
Winn began his career as a security guard and paddock judge for the Greene County Greyhound Park in 1978. In 1988, he was promoted to overseeing the racing department.
Winn attended Alabama A&M University in Normal. A supporter of the BSA and the American Cancer Society, he also sits on the boards of the Greene County Industrial Development Authority, West Alabama Mental Health and the National Action Network. He is a co-founder, sponsor and mentor of My Brother’s Keeper Boys’ Academy, an organization geared towards uplifting the youth of Greene County.