EDC Awards Celebration Provides Rich Memories
Two richly deserving individuals were honored Thursday evening during the EDC's Annual Awards Celebration. Rich Crotty, recently retired Mayor of Orange County, received the prestigious James B. Greene Economic Development Award. Rich Fulton, legal service partner with the Law Firm of Baker & Hostetler, was presented with the EDC Chairman's Award. The celebration took place at The Peabody Orlando.
David Pace, President/CEO of New Broad Street Companies, who currently serves as both EDC Chairman of the Board and interim CEO, set the tone for the evening. He emphasized the potential of the Metro Orlando region in leading the state out of recession and into international economic prominence. But, he remonstrated, this will only be achieved through cooperation and true partnership. "To me," said Pace, "becoming maniacal about economic regionalism is the key to our transition to excellence."
Pace's first major introduction of the evening was the individual recently hired to lead our region's economic development program of work: Rick Weddle, who takes the helm as new EDC CEO on Monday, March 14. Weddle received a warm welcome. In brief comments he said, "I truly believe this region has all the ingredients to be a winner; that is what brought me here."
Focus then turned to our award winners.
Since 1990, the James B. Greene Award has been given by the EDC to recognize an individual for significant contributions to Central Florida's growth and quality of life. This year's recipient, former Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty (pictured right), well reflects the rich legacy of that award. He is a true community champion who has served Central Florida in the Florida Legislature, as both a state representative and senator; as Orange County Property Appraiser; and, for the past decade, as Mayor of Orange County. In that time, his fingerprints have been left on many of the most critical community achievements of three decades: from establishment of the Central Florida Research Park and the UCF College of Medicine, to recruitment of Sanford-Burnham and expansion of Darden Restaurant's corporate headquarters, to advancement of 'century decisions' ranging from community venues to commuter rail. "Those who have watched Mayor Crotty's long career selflessly serving the people of Orange County and all of Central Florida use one to describe him: tireless," said Pace.
The EDC Chairman's Award, which was first presented in 2007, recognizes an individual who has contributed selflessly to the work of the Economic Development Commission. Another Rich, attorney Richard T. Fulton (pictured left), was this year's much-deserving recipient. In addition to a key lead partner role in his national law firm, Baker & Hostetler, Fulton is a long-time and invaluable contributor to the EDC. He served as Chairman of the Board in 2004, and has been an active participant on that board for over 15 years. He is the catalyst behind the EDC's Government Liaison Team initiative, a program which he still chairs; and he most recently chaired the organization's Governance Task Force, which was one of five working groups resulting from the Board-led Leadership Charter Initiative. In the words of David Pace: "What sets Rich apart for myself and so many others connected to the EDC is that he has an extraordinary inability to say 'No'. This is the guy who will take on any task, from big to small, and do it flawlessly."
Two feature films are currently in production in our region. Tooth Fairy 2, which stars Sanford's own "Larry the Cable Guy" (pictured right), is currently filming on locations throughout Metro Orlando. It is the first studio feature to take advantage of the new entertainment incentive in Central Florida. And, production is now underway on the second feature to leverage the incentive. The still untitled "RENEE" project by Two Streets Entertainment began shooting last week. This independently produced feature film tells the inspirational true story of Renee Yohe, a young Florida woman who overcame drug addiction, alcohol abuse and self-injury. Production is anticipated to wrap on March 29.
Two richly deserving individuals were honored Thursday evening during the EDC's Annual Awards Celebration. Rich Crotty, recently retired Mayor of Orange County, received the prestigious James B. Greene Economic Development Award. Rich Fulton, legal service partner with the Law Firm of Baker & Hostetler, was presented with the EDC Chairman's Award. The celebration took place at The Peabody Orlando.
David Pace, President/CEO of New Broad Street Companies, who currently serves as both EDC Chairman of the Board and interim CEO, set the tone for the evening. He emphasized the potential of the Metro Orlando region in leading the state out of recession and into international economic prominence. But, he remonstrated, this will only be achieved through cooperation and true partnership. "To me," said Pace, "becoming maniacal about economic regionalism is the key to our transition to excellence."
Pace's first major introduction of the evening was the individual recently hired to lead our region's economic development program of work: Rick Weddle, who takes the helm as new EDC CEO on Monday, March 14. Weddle received a warm welcome. In brief comments he said, "I truly believe this region has all the ingredients to be a winner; that is what brought me here."
Focus then turned to our award winners.
Since 1990, the James B. Greene Award has been given by the EDC to recognize an individual for significant contributions to Central Florida's growth and quality of life. This year's recipient, former Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty (pictured right), well reflects the rich legacy of that award. He is a true community champion who has served Central Florida in the Florida Legislature, as both a state representative and senator; as Orange County Property Appraiser; and, for the past decade, as Mayor of Orange County. In that time, his fingerprints have been left on many of the most critical community achievements of three decades: from establishment of the Central Florida Research Park and the UCF College of Medicine, to recruitment of Sanford-Burnham and expansion of Darden Restaurant's corporate headquarters, to advancement of 'century decisions' ranging from community venues to commuter rail. "Those who have watched Mayor Crotty's long career selflessly serving the people of Orange County and all of Central Florida use one to describe him: tireless," said Pace.
The EDC Chairman's Award, which was first presented in 2007, recognizes an individual who has contributed selflessly to the work of the Economic Development Commission. Another Rich, attorney Richard T. Fulton (pictured left), was this year's much-deserving recipient. In addition to a key lead partner role in his national law firm, Baker & Hostetler, Fulton is a long-time and invaluable contributor to the EDC. He served as Chairman of the Board in 2004, and has been an active participant on that board for over 15 years. He is the catalyst behind the EDC's Government Liaison Team initiative, a program which he still chairs; and he most recently chaired the organization's Governance Task Force, which was one of five working groups resulting from the Board-led Leadership Charter Initiative. In the words of David Pace: "What sets Rich apart for myself and so many others connected to the EDC is that he has an extraordinary inability to say 'No'. This is the guy who will take on any task, from big to small, and do it flawlessly."One interesting outcome of the evening was the discovery that these award winners share more than an event in their honor. They not only have the same first name, Richard, and the same nickname, Rich. They also have the same middle name, Thomas. Even more uncanny, they discovered that they were born on the same day, August 30, in the very same year. A RICH coincidence!
Congratulations to our 2011 award winners and sincere thanks to all who attended. Special thanks to the EDC Governors Council members who sponsored this memorable event: CNL, Darden, Florida Hospital, Harvard Development Co., Lockheed Martin, Orlando Health, Orlando Magic, Orlando Regional Realtor Association, Siemens, SunTrust, Tavistock Group, Tupperware Brands, University of Central Florida, and Walt Disney World. Thanks also to our event partners: WKMG-TV 6, The Peabody Orlando, and AVI-SPL.
Lights. Camera. Action!
When the Florida Legislature funded the new Florida Film & Entertainment Industry Financial Incentive last year, it was with the intent of attracting additional high-value productions into the state. That strategy appears to be paying off for Metro Orlando.
Two feature films are currently in production in our region. Tooth Fairy 2, which stars Sanford's own "Larry the Cable Guy" (pictured right), is currently filming on locations throughout Metro Orlando. It is the first studio feature to take advantage of the new entertainment incentive in Central Florida. And, production is now underway on the second feature to leverage the incentive. The still untitled "RENEE" project by Two Streets Entertainment began shooting last week. This independently produced feature film tells the inspirational true story of Renee Yohe, a young Florida woman who overcame drug addiction, alcohol abuse and self-injury. Production is anticipated to wrap on March 29. Television pilot season is well underway, and Metro Orlando is in that mix as well. Sony Television recently opened production offices for their pilot, Big Mike; filming is scheduled to begin at the end of March. And ABC has announced that production on their pilot, Bad Mom, will be based at Universal Studios Florida, with production also slated to begin at the end of this month. In addition, MTV is currently considering Orlando for an untitled pilot episode, and is deciding whether to move into full production on a series titled The Inbetweeners, which shot its pilot in Orlando last month.
The EDC's Metro Orlando Film & Entertainment Commission has worked closely with the producers and studios executives on all the above mentioned projects, helping to secure crew, locations and permits. Those television pilot projects are particularly significant, as their success could lead to long term production, and the corresponding economic impact, in our region.
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