Prevent Blindness Florida will present its 2016 Person of Vision Award to the Honorable Bob Buckhorn, mayor of Tampa, during a special event on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina.
The Person of Vision Award honors individuals who have made a profound impact on their community or the state of Florida.
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn has focused on the city and region’s economic leadership, stability, and most importantly, business opportunity. Today, Tampa is recognized as the competitive city it is. Our continued success in those efforts will set the stage for how and why we build in tomorrow’s Tampa.
AAA – The Auto Club Group is the Visionary Sponsor for the event; Premier Eye Care is the Signature Sponsor.
Toasters include U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor; former Tampa Chief of Police Jane Caster; and Tampa Bay Lightning CEO Jeffrey Vinik.
Festivities at the Marriott at 700 S. Florida Ave., Tampa, will begin at with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. and continue with dinner and the award program starting at 7 p.m. Business attire is suggested.
Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are Jane Castor, Ana Cruz, and John and Susan Sykes (Honorees 1998).
Event Co-Chairs are Kevin Bakewell of AAA – The Auto Club Group and Lorna Taylor of Premier Eye Care.
Host Committee members are: Russ Alba, Esq., Black Swan Legal Counsel; Bridgette Bello, Tampa Bay Business Journal; Jose Bello, AXA Advisors; Ali Brown, Eventions; Yolie Capin, Tampa City Council; Ron Christaldi, Esq., Shumaker, Chair, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce; Mary Ann Ferenc, Mise en Place, Inc.; Stephen Gay, Smith & Associates; Casa Nova; Bill Goede, Bank of America; Guy King, M. E. Wilson Company, Chair Elect, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce; Joanne Lighter, Prevent Blindness Florida; Joe Lopano, Tampa International Airport; Jasmine Mohadjer, MD, Eye Institute of West Florida; Patrick M. McNamara, Esq., de la Parte & Gilbert; Aakash Patel, Elevate Inc.; Lansing Scriven, Esq., Trenam; John Smith, Retired USF Dean College of Arts; Juel Smith , Ju-el Consulting; Eric Ward , Chief of Tampa Police Department; Bill West, Bank of Tampa.
Prevent Blindness Florida was established as Prevent Blindness Florida in 1957 with the mission to “prevent blindness and preserve sight” by promoting a continuum of vision care as the only statewide provider of vision screenings, vision education, prescription glasses, and vision treatment.