United Way of IRC Honors Local Leaders

Business, government, non-profit and community leaders gather en mass every year to recognize contributions made on behalf of United Way agencies, and this year’s capacity crowd proved no exception.  The 17th Annual United Way Community Leaders Breakfast, held at Oak Harbor and sponsored by Seacoast National Bank, honors local companies, volunteers and United Way agencies with the Spirit of Indian River County, Richardson and Agency Excellence Awards. Following opening remarks by retired Seacoast executive Bill Curtis and United Way CEO Michael Kint, the current United Way board chair Michael Kmetz, senior director at O’Haire, Kmetz, Nuttall, Elwell & Co., introduced the audience to Pat O’Connor, the event’s keynote speaker.  Mr. O’Connor, president and CEO of Minor League Baseball, spoke of the MiLB plans to keep baseball in Vero Beach while continuing to honor and preserve the legacy of Historic Dodgertown.   The keynote address was followed by the Spirit of Indian River County Awards program.  Mr. Kmetz was joined by  Jim Davis, vice president and general manager, Vero Beach Broadcasters, LLC in presenting the awards. 2009 Award Winners: Richardson “Espirit de Vie” Award, for excellence in volunteerism – BNY Mellon Wealth Management Group Richardson Essence Award, for excellence in community contributions – Harris, Cotherman, Jones, Price & Associates Richardson Enterprise Award, for excellence in a companywide United Way employee campaign – Construction Data Company Special Recognition Award – Stewart Evans Stewart & Emmons 2009 United Way Community Leaders Breakfast By Mary Schenkel Veronews.com