CONTACT:
Brian Baluta
Director, Communications and Partner Relations
(321) 638-2000
BBaluta@sSpaceCoastEDC.org

EDC awards Susin, Hall at 2020 Annual Meeting

Space Coast, FL (October 30, 2020) – During its virtual 2020 Annual Meeting on October 28, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) awarded the Thomas E. Gamble Excellence in Education for Economic Development Impact award to Mr. Matt Susin, and the 2020 EDC Volunteer of the Year award to Mr. Jesse Hall.

“The competition for these awards is always fierce, but in the end, the contributions of these two worthy recipients rose to the top, and we were thrilled to be able to recognize them for it,” said EDC President and CEO Lynda L. Weatherman. “The EDC and Brevard County are made stronger thanks to the dedication of Matt Susin and Jesse Hall.”

“I am humbled and honored to receive the Thomas E. Gamble award, but do not do so alone. Lynda Weatherman deserves to be awarded for her tenacity and resolve in creating the CPT program that I am honored to chair, Dr. Mullins and Brevard Schools for an $11 million investment in capital trades program infrastructure, and Lindy Sinka from employU  for implementing the largest high school jobs program in the state of Florida,” said Susin. “My success is only a direct result of their hard work and innovative approaches. We are now at a crossroads. It is time to align our programs and build the pipeline to respond to the future Space Coast workforce needs, and become the largest and most effective workforce pipeline in the country.”

“Being recognized as the volunteer of the year is both a surprise and a deep honor. I am so privileged to be able to help the EDC reach more of an audience in a fun and popular manner,” said Hall. “The EDC functions as the heartbeat of the community, giving a pulse to the many industries, and if I can act as the arteries delivering the needed information to the masses, then my ambition is satisfied. I want to thank my wife Aggi especially, for continuing to believe in my dream of making Space Coast Podcast the number one content creation destination in Brevard County.”

The Thomas E. Gamble Excellence in Education for Economic Development Impact award was established in 2007 and is presented to an individual who has improved the field of education or the way our students are served in Brevard County. The recipient will have made long-standing, consistent, and highly valued contributions to further educational programs, supporting a comprehensive talent pipeline for our existing industry. Susin joins individuals such as Dr. Richard DiPatri, Dr. Al Koller, Dr. Katherine Cobb, Dr. Linda Miedema and Mr. Art Hoelke in receiving this prestigious award.

Susin, who has served the Brevard County school district in several capacities, continues to connect the business community with the school system to create practical learning opportunities for Space Coast students. His championed efforts, including the EDC’s Certified Production Technician (CPT) course and Eau Gallie High School’s Aviation Assembly and Fabrication program, help to organically grow the local workforce.

The EDC’s Volunteer of the Year award is presented annually to an individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty for the betterment of the Space Coast. Hall, owner and producer of Space Coast Podcast, continuously promotes Brevard County as the place to live, work, play and do business. Through his personal program, Business Elite: Brevard Edition, Hall highlights the progress of the local business community, educating his audience on the positive effects of the continued job growth and economic development on the Space Coast.  In addition to local business and community leaders, Hall uses his platform to promote multiple Space Coast charitable programs and events.

To learn more about the awards, and to see videos from the recipients, visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org/Annual-Meeting.

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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.

About the Thomas E. Gamble Excellence in Education for Economic Development Impact award

This award is named after one of Brevard County’s leading educational professionals, Dr. Thomas E. Gamble, who in 1999, was appointed President of Brevard Community College (BCC) now known as Eastern Florida State College. Dr. Gamble devoted his career to serving undergraduates from all levels and walks of life, embracing the open-door philosophy of the comprehensive community college. At BCC, he was instrumental in the development of the Aerospace Technology program, the National Center of Excellence of the National Science Foundation, a variety of curricular and technology enhancements, as well as significant facility enhancements at all four college campuses. He also was a champion for the expansion of the partnerships, with the University of Central Florida in Brevard County, improving upper division and graduate level offerings. Active in a broad spectrum of community support and educational efforts, Dr. Gamble expanded the college’s dual enrollment programs serving high school students. This resulted in the largest number of dual enrollments in the state of Florida, further creating additional avenues for students in Brevard County to continue their education at the highest level.