Extraordinary Leaders Celebrated at EDC Annual Event

Gary R. Cunningham Distinguished Service Award & Volunteer of the Year Recipients Announced

Brevard County, FL (October 20, 2016) – The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is pleased to announce that its 2016 Annual Meeting was met with a full house at the Harris Technology Center in Palm Bay as the EDC celebrated another year of success.

During the evening’s presentation, the EDC honored two distinguished individuals who have made a profound impact on economic development and the community.

The 2016 EDC Volunteer of the Year was presented to Mike Ennis, EDC Industry Council Chair and Manufacturing Engineer for Harris Government Communications Systems. Mike significantly contributed to the recent formation of the Regional Manufacturing Association of the Space Coast (MASC). He worked closely with the EDC to help reshape the way we address the needs of our manufacturing industry.

“The contributions Mike has made to the EDC are immeasurable and demonstrate his dedication to his craft and to the EDC. We are fortunate to tap into his expertise and look forward to his future contributions to our organization and the community,” stated Lynda Weatherman, president & CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.

The Gary R. Cunningham Distinguished Service Award for Economic Development aims to highlight an individual who has contributed significantly to the economic advancement of Brevard County. The EDC recognized the late Bjornar Hermansen with the award.

Mr. Hermansen’s business savvy shaped a platform on which others could build to support the development of Port Canaveral as the 2nd largest cruise port in the country. Bjornar, however, was more than a successful entrepreneur, Bjornar and his wife Bjorg dedicated their time, talent and treasure to a wide range of causes in Brevard County. Accepting the award on Bjornar’s behalf, was his son Tom Hermansen, Partner, Ocean Partners Associates, LTD.

During his acceptance speech, Tom stated, “He (Bjornar) was never one to seek out recognition for what he did, but was humble when recognized for his contributions to the community, something he valued more than any success he had in his career.”

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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.