During the “Showcase Awards” dinner at the annual meeting of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association, Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and myregion.org’s President Jacob Stuart was presented with the Regional Community Builder Award.

In his presentation remarks, Orlando Regional Realtor Association Past-President Dick Fryer stated . . .

“This award recognizes a remarkable and dedicated individual who has devoted most of his adult life to public service and community leadership in one form or another. A native of Orlando, he has become a passionate champion for what he calls ‘Building Community.’

One of the best things our Association has done to increase our visibility and community impact in recent years has been to align with the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, where Jacob Stuart serves as president.

Over the past several years, I’ve listened as he has articulated the problems Central Florida is facing in education, transportation, economic development and a regional approach to planning. Then, I’ve watched as he has carefully pulled together just the right people and inspired them to take the lead in addressing these challenges, whether its organizing the WorldClass Schools initiative, being the convener of our area’s first ever Regional Leadership Conference, or somehow getting business, government and community leaders from seven counties together as myregion.org to design a regional vision and plan for the future.

This Association and Central Florida’s business people owe you a tremendous debt for your willingness to help us engage in the serious work of building our region, while at the same time showing that you are unafraid and unapologetic about advancing the business community’s agenda.”

In sharing the news with his staff, Jacob said, “I properly and proudly accepted the award on behalf of everyone at the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce. It was a very special moment for me and for every member of the ‘Chamber Team’ and I wanted to write and let you know of this very wonderful acknowledgement of our continued service to our community. Please accept my sincere thanks and appreciation for your hard work and support!”