Bruce Ferguson, president and CEO of WorkSource, received the Richard L. McLaughlin Volunteer of the Year award for Florida Economic Development Council, District 4. The award was given at the 2004 FEDC Silver Anniversary Workshop (FEDW) and Annual Conference held in Orlando, June 26-30th.

The Florida Economic Development Council, Inc. presents the Richard L. McLaughlin Awards annually to recognize outstanding volunteer achievements in furthering economic development in a community or the state of Florida. A Richard L. McLaughlin recipient is recognized in each FEDC district. The awards are named in honor of Richard L. McLaughlin, who firmly believed in the role volunteers play in assisting professional economic developers in making Florida an outstanding state. McLaughlin was the second president of FEDC (1965).

"We are extemely pleased that Bruce and WorkSource have been recognized for their very significant efforts in economic development in the entire region. As a volunteer to six partner counties and our regional partnership, Cornerstone, Bruce and his staff have consistently provided support above and beyond in both our recruitment and existing business growth and retention efforts," stated Sally Wade, vice president of existing business and workforce development of Cornerstone.

Ferguson joined the management team of WorkSource in 1996, when the organization was created to take the place of the Jacksonville and Northeast Florida Private Industry Councils. He became CEO in October 2003.