BRADENTON – Jim O’Connell, president of Vinik Family Office in Tampa, will be the keynote speaker at the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. (EDC) 2018 Annual Update Luncheon on Friday, November 2, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at GROVE, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch.
The event also will include a briefing from EDC leaders on results from the organization’s work to foster job creation and diversify Manatee County’s economy. Additionally, the EDC will present the 2018 Rick Fawley Economic Development Award of Distinction to Rick Piccolo, president and CEO of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The award recognizes an individual’s outstanding contributions to moving the local economy forward.
Vinik Family Office is the umbrella company for business, investment and philanthropic initiatives of Jeff and Penny Vinik, owners of the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL). Before joining Vinik Family Office, O’Connell worked for the president of Wake Forest University and was on the vetting team for the Obama White House. Born and raised in Tampa, O’Connell attended Wake Forest University and Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.
The event’s presenting sponsor is Lakewood Ranch Commercial. Supporting sponsors are Gettel Automotive and Mosaic. Additional sponsors include Synovus Bank, speaker sponsor; Fawley Bryant Architecture, award sponsor; Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency, highlights video sponsor; Herald-Tribune Media Group, media sponsor; and WRA Engineering, venue sponsor.
Also supporting the event are Ad-Vance Talent Solutions, BBVA Compass, Blalock Walters P.A., CenterState Bank, FPL, Grimes Goebel Grimes Hawkins Gladfelter & Galvano PL, Ian Black Real Estate, Mauldin & Jenkins LLC CPAs, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, Willis Smith Construction, and University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. Sponsorships are available by contacting cindyu@thinkbradentonarea.com.
The cost to attend is $75 for EDC investors and $85 for others. Tables of eight also may be reserved. To register online, visit BradentonAreaEDC.com and click on “Events.” For more information, call (941) 803-9037.
About the Bradenton Area EDC
The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. (EDC) is the lead economic development organization for the Bradenton area’s nine communities located on the south side of Tampa Bay. The EDC works to diversify the local economy by attracting and retaining high-wage jobs for area residents, and connecting existing businesses to the resources they need to succeed. Information: BradentonAreaEDC.com.
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