EDC awards Potter, Ciuro at 2019 Annual Meeting

COCOA BEACH, Fla. (October 22, 2019) – During its 2019 Annual Meeting on October 16, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) awarded the Gary R. Cunningham Distinguished Service Award for Economic Development to Mr. William (Bill) C. Potter and its 2019 Volunteer of the Year to Mr. Daniel Ciuro.

“Securing Brevard County’s economic future is the mission of the EDC and its success would not be possible without dedicated partners like Bill Potter and Daniel Ciuro,” said EDC President and CEO Lynda Weatherman. “Their character and contributions make the Space Coast a stronger community and both gentlemen are worthy recipients of this recognition.”

“It’s very moving and very humbling to receive this award from the EDC. It’s doubly rewarding to receive an award named after my friend and colleague, Gary Cunningham,” said Potter. “The vibrant economy we enjoy today with engineering and manufacturing jobs that are envied around the nation- one can only conclude that a lot of people in this county were diligently and intelligently working to turn despair into prosperity. I look forward to even greater things from the EDC.”

“This award came as such a surprise and honor. I’ve always kept things simple growing up – live with integrity and help people, and I appreciate the opportunity to put my words to action as the Chairman of the SCDA and as a financial advisor,” said Ciuro. “A sincere thank you to my wife and daughter for being my place of stability. To the entire EDC staff, I thank you for your recognition. I look forward to our continued work together to help keep our military and economic engine pushing forward. Let us continue to live and work with the utmost integrity, while helping all people of Brevard County.”

“We not only congratulate Bill Potter, but also thank him,” said Melbourne Airport Authority Chairman Jack L. Ryals. “His decades of dedication have resulted in the creation of countless jobs positioning Orlando Melbourne International Airport as a vital economic pillar of Brevard County.”

In 1970, Mr. Potter was appointed to the Brevard Economic Development Council and served as a member for 20 years and as chairman for four terms. During his tenure, Collins Avionics (now Collins Aerospace), Northrop Grumman and the headquarters of Harris Corporation (now L3Harris) all located to Brevard County. As a current member-at-large on the Melbourne Airport Authority, Mr. Potter continues to guide the airport in a direction to attract more economic development and jobs to Brevard County, including working closely with the EDC to bring successful projects that to this day still create positive impacts throughout the Space Coast. Notable projects include Project Jaguar which brought the recruitment of Embraer Executive Jets’ Phenom assembly operations to Melbourne, creating hundreds of jobs and millions in capital investment, and in 2014, Project Magellan, in which the EDC announced that Northrop Grumman would create an additional 1,800 jobs and a $500 million capital investment.

Mr. Daniel Ciuro, Financial Advisor, Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., has served on the EDC’s Board of Directors since January 2017, and currently serves as the EDC’s Space Coast Defense Alliance (SCDA) Chair. Through this role, Mr. Ciuro has worked with EDC staff on several initiatives and continues to be an imperative member of the EDC’s annual Community Leaders Trip to Washington D.C. to advocate for Brevard County’s space programs and military installations. Most recently, Mr. Ciuro provided expertise and guidance for the EDC’s “Space Coast Salutes” campaign, a military appreciation effort which encourages the community to show support of local members in the armed services, veterans, and military families.

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About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high-tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.

Image: EDC Chair Elect, Julie Song, presents Daniel Ciuro with the EDC’s 2019 Volunteer of the Year Award

Image: EDC Immediate Past Chair, Dana Kilborne, presents William Potter with the Gary R. Cunningham Distinguished Service Award for Economic Development