Person of Vision Announcements

A recent history (2015-2022) of our announcements about honorees:

 


Richard Gonzmart, Andrea Gonzmart Williams to be Honored as 2024 Persons of Vision

A Gala Reception & Dinner to be held February 5, 2024 at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre, 4121 N 50th St, Tampa, FL 33610. Reception at 6 p.m. Dinner and awards at 7 p.m.  Preserve Vision Florida has selected Richard Gonzmart and Andrea Gonzmart Williams, above, as its 2024 Persons of Vision in recognition of their visionary leadership in Tampa Bay’s history and its future. The 45th Annual Person of Vision Award Gala will be Monday, February 5 at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre in Tampa. Richard Gonzmart and daughter Andrea Gonzmart Williams are the fourth- and fifth-generation caretakers of the 1905 Family Of…

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David Yates, 2023 Person of Vision

Thank you for joining us in honoring David Yates as our 2023 Person of Vision, and celebrating the life-changing work of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The Person of Vision Award annually honors a Florida visionary who has had a profound impact on the community, region, state or world. David Yates was CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) from 2006 – 2020, where he Co-Produced Dolphin Tale and Executive Produced Dolphin Tale 2. CMA is internationally recognized thanks to these blockbuster movies, starring the aquarium’s most famous resident, Winter the dolphin, along with Harry Connick, Jr., Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Kris…

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2022 Person of Vision: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor

Mayor Jane Castor

Preserve Vision Florida honored Tampa Mayor Jane Castor as our 2022 Person of Vision on April 13. At that time, we also celebrated Preserve Vision Florida’s 65th Anniversary of providing vision services to Florida’s children and adults. The Person of Vision award annually honors visionary leaders who have had a profound impact on the region or the State of Florida through true community leadership and vision. Established in 1979, the Person of Vision Award has recognized visionary leadership in the arts, business, education, public service and community engagement. Recent recipients include: Banker and Chair of the State University System of…

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Brian Lamb, Our 2020 Person of Vision

Preserve Vision Florida is proud to announce that on February 3, 2020 the Board of Governors will honor Brian Lamb as its 2020 Person of Vision. The Person of Vision Award has been presented annually since 1979 to honor an individual who has had a profound impact on the Tampa Bay region or the State of Florida through true community leadership and vision. Brian Lamb serves as executive vice president of Fifth Third Bank, heading Retail Banking and Retail Brokerage. He has held a variety of leadership roles since joining Fifth Third, including head of Wealth & Asset Management and…

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H. Lee Moffitt, Our 2019 Person of Vision

The Person of Vision Award has been presented annually since 1979 to honor an individual who has had profound impact on the Tampa Bay region or the State of Florida through true community leadership and vision. Preserve Vision Florida honored H. Lee Moffitt as its 2019 Person of Vision on February 11, 2019 and celebrated the life-saving work of Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. About H. Lee Moffitt A native of Tampa, Lee has practiced law throughout his career while providing a decade of public service in the Florida legislature, championing and supporting initiatives that greatly benefited Florida’s residents….

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2018 Person of Vision: Judith Lisi

Judith Lisi

Judith Lisi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, was honored as our 2018 Person of Vision on February 19, 2018 at the Tampa Airport Marriott. Judith Lisi joined the Straz Center in 1992. Through her leadership, the Straz Center has significantly expanded its programming, established financial stability, retired an accumulated debt, and has met the goals of three five-year, long-range plans. Lisi’s arts management philosophy includes a belief in, and a commitment to, the community and to ensuring outreach, accessibility, and audience development for the entire community through multicultural and educational programming. Lisi has directed more…

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Meet Joseph W. Lopano

Joseph W. Lopano

Get to know our 2017 Person of Vision! Read the Tampa Bay Times article about him, published February 3. Preserve Vision Florida will honor Joseph W. Lopano as the 2017 Person of Vision at the Person of Vision Award Dinner on Monday, February 13 at the Tampa Airport Marriott. Learn more

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Preserve Vision Florida to Honor Joseph W. Lopano

Preserve Vision Florida will honor Joseph W. Lopano, Chief Executive Officer of Tampa International Airport, as the 2017 Person of Vision at the Person of Vision Award Dinner on Monday, February 13 at the Tampa Airport Marriott. View the invitation Preserve Vision Florida hosts the annual dinner to honor a person of vision who has had a profound impact on the region or state of Florida through true community leadership and vision. Previous honorees have included Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn (2016), Jeff and Penny Vinik (2015), Betty Castor and US Representative Kathy Castor (2014), and many other luminaries. Joseph W….

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Meet Our Persons of Vision

Prevent Blindness Florida (now Preserve Vision Florida) presented its first Person of Vision Award in 1979 and has honored over 60 of Florida’s visionary leaders who have made a profound impact on Florida and the Tampa Bay community.  

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