Joanne Batson, chief executive officer for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, was named the 2013 Network Leader of the Year at the Feeding America National Executive Directors’ Forum that took place this week in Nashville.

The award is given to the year’s most outstanding leader among the 202 food banks that constitute the Feeding America network.

The service area of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia includes the city of Suffolk.

“Joanne embodies the idea that it takes many hands and minds to achieve our mission of eliminating hunger,” said Bob Aiken, president and CEO of the anti-hunger organization Feeding America.

“In her community — and in our network — she is an unrivaled leader, using her vast talents to bring groups together to help solve the issues that affect her community and our nation. “She is a collaborator in every sense of the word, and her leadership this past year at the food bank has been unparalleled.”

“What an honor to receive this wonderful recognition from Feeding America,” Batson said. “It is because of a strong professional team, supportive board, partner agencies, volunteers, donors, and community collaboration that the Foodbank is able to fulfill our mission of eliminating hunger in our community.”