Five outstanding individuals/groups will be inducted into the 2024 Dayton Region Walk of Fame: The Breeders, Clay and MaryAnn Mathile, Idotha “Bootsie” Neal, The Osborne Brothers, and G. Douglas Talbo . “I’m thrilled to announce that this year’s inductees come from an astonishing array of backgrounds,” exclaimed Harry Seifert, President of Wright Dunbar, Inc. “These remarkable individuals have left an indelible mark on the greater Dayton community and beyond, and their stories are nothing short of extraordinary.”
The nominees were selected based on their contributions to the region, the nation and the world, and the impact they made over many years:
● The Breeders ○ Kim and Kelley Deal, of Huber Heights and Dayton, are twin sisters who formed the core of the influen al alterna ve rock band The Breeders. After Kim’s success as bassist/vocalist with Pixies, she formed The Breeders in 1988. Her sister Kelley joined in 1992, becoming the lead guitarist and backing vocalist. Together, the Deal sisters, Josephine Wiggs, and Jim MacPherson defined The Breeders’ signature sound of raw energy, catchy melodies, and harmonized vocals. Their breakthrough came in 1993 with the cri cally-acclaimed album “Last Splash” and hit single “Cannonball.” The Breeders became one of the leading and most unique bands of the 90s alterna ve rock scene.
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Clay and MaryAnn Mathile ○ Clay and MaryAnn Mathile are celebrated philanthropists and business leaders. Clay Mathile, born in 1941 in Ohio, graduated with a business degree from Ohio Northern University. He joined The Iams Company in 1970, becoming CEO and transforming it into a global pet food leader before selling it to Procter & Gamble in 1999 for over $2 billion. MaryAnn Mathile, has been his partner in business, philanthropy and in life.
Together, they founded the Mathile Family Foundation, Aileron and The Glen at St. Joseph. In total, the Mathiles have donated more than $500 million to alleviating poverty and improving the quality of life in our community. Renowned for their generosity, Clay and MaryAnn have received numerous accolades for their philanthropic work, leaving a lasting legacy of social responsibility and positivesocietal impact.
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Idotha “Bootsie” Neal ○ Idotha “Bootsie” Neal was a pioneer who made history as the first African American woman elected to the Dayton City Commission. She advocated for underserved communities, social justice, and economic development, focusing on initiatives around education, healthcare, housing, jobs, poverty, and discrimination. Neal’s leadership and public service were widely respected, paving the way for future African American women in civic roles. Her legacy inspires engagement in public service and more equitable communities.
● The Osborne Brothers ○ Bobby and Sonny Osborne were pioneering 
bluegrass musicians who formed the hugely influen al Osborne Brothers duo. Blending tradi onal bluegrass with country and rockabilly, their dis nc ve sound produced iconic hits like “Rocky Top.” Sonny’s vocals and mandolin paired with Bobby’s banjo skills made them trailblazers inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. The Osborne Brothers left an enduring legacy through their innova ve ar stry, advancement of the genre, and dedication to preserving American roots music traditions.
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G. Douglas Talbott ○ Dr. G. Douglas Talbott was a pioneering physician who made transformative contributions to trea ng alcoholism and substance abuse disorders, especially among medical professionals. In the 1950s he was a captain in the Air Force and Chief of Medicine at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. He began his work here with the Na onal Aeronau cs and Space Administra on (NASA) to help select suitable crews for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs. In the 1960s he founded and became Director of the Cox Heart Ins tute, a na onally recognized cardiac research ins tute. After an accomplished career as a cardiologist, he established the first treatment program tailored for addicted physicians and became a leading advocate for recognizing alcoholism as a disease. His comprehensive approach to addiction treatment set new standards.
The inductees will be recognized at the annual Dayton Region Walk of Fame luncheon which will be held on October 15, 2024 at Sinclair Community College. Tickets for the event are now available online.
The actual engraved stones on the Walk of Fame will be installed after the event.
