EDC’s Weatherman Honored as JA Laureate

Award recognizes her significant economic impact on Brevard County.

Space Coast, FL (March 4, 2019) – Over the weekend, the Space Coast witnessed another historical launch, taking our county one step closer to restoring the nation’s ability to fly astronauts into Space. This launch is among many milestones reached by local industry, which have all been true celebrations for the Space Coast. Eight years ago, as Brevard County faced the retirement of the Space Shuttle Program alongside the longest recession in our nation’s history, leaders in the community were already planning an economic comeback. One of these leaders, Lynda Weatherman, President and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC), was inducted Saturday night as a Laureate at the 2019 Junior Achievement of the Space Coast (JA) Business Hall of Fame Awards.

To be considered as a Business Hall of Fame Laureate, an individual’s record of business achievements must demonstrate business excellence, courageous thinking and actions, vision and innovation, inspiring leadership, and community mindedness. Since 1986, JA has inducted such notable individuals as Joseph H. Wickham, Jesse J. Parrish, Jr., W. Lansing Gleason, B.W. “Bernie” Simpkins, Dr. Maxwell C. King, Joseph Duda and John Hopkins. Notable Laureates from the Space Coast, Wayne Huizenga of Blockbuster Entertainment Group and Al Neuharth of USA TODAY/FLORIDA TODAY, went on to be inducted into the US Business Hall of Fame.

Weatherman has served as the EDC’s President and CEO since 1994. Since 2010, under Weatherman’s leadership, EDC projects have led to the creation of 8,843 new jobs, 7,337 retained jobs, and a capital investment of $1.62 billion. Notable accomplishments also include the retention of the Space Coast’s Naval Ordnance Test Unit through the reversal of a BRAC Commission decision, attainment of the assembly and checkout of NASA’s Crew Exploration Vehicle, and the creation of multiple programs fostering a competitive business environment.

During the black-tie gala event at the Hilton Rialto in Melbourne, which also celebrated the 100th birthday of Junior Achievement, Weatherman said, “what we have done as a community and as an EDC typically takes a generation, and we’ve been able to do it in less than ten years. It’s not only because of me or the EDC, it’s because of you. I thank JA for this honor.”

JA President, Anne Conroy-Baiter, commented “Lynda Weatherman’s record of accomplishment in economic development stands on its own. When nominations were being considered by a panel of past Laureates, hers rose to the top in terms of sheer impact on the day to day lives of Brevard’s citizens. Economic recoveries don’t typically happen in ten years, but thanks to Lynda’s vision and hard work, the Space Coast is not only thriving, but is actively planning for a future strategically positioned to continue that growth.”

To learn more about JA and the JA Business Hall of Fame visit www.JASpaceCoast.org

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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 Junior Achievement of the Space Coast (JA)
During the past 100 years, Junior Achievement has evolved from an organization operating primarily in the Northeastern United States and teaching teens how to start a business into a multinational organization reaching more than 10 million students in 100 countries with programs that promote entrepreneurship, career and work readiness and financial literacy. In the United States, JA reaches nearly 5 million students each year in grades K-12. Here on the Space Coast, JA is celebrating its 35th year of enabling more than 298,000 Brevard youth to own their economic futures. In the 2018-19 school year, JA is on track to reach 12,000 students in Brevard County and is an active player in creating the workforce of Brevard’s future partnering with the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. To learn more, visit www.JASpaceCoast.org