Florida Agenda

WILTON MANORS – In a special reception held on Sunday, March 18, Paul Hyman, former Executive Director of The Pride Center at Equality Park said his goodbyes to the not-for-profit’s volunteers, staff, and Board of Directors. He was the organization’s longest-serving executive director.

Hyman served for seven years, bringing The Pride Center—which was then known as the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida, or GLCC–out of its toughest times, and in the process making it one of the largest and most respected LGBT community centers in the country.

Hyman inherited an organization that had a building with leaking roofs, intermittent air conditioning, and dwindling community support. A new staff and expanded program services were soon followed by increased donations and memberships. In 2010, Hyman moved the GLCC to a 2.2 acre complex of five buildings and renamed the organization “The Pride Center at Equality Park.”

He is leaving South Florida to become the Executive Director of the Stonewall Foundation in New York City, a public charity for the Big Apple’s LGBT community which provides funding to other LGBT organizations.

Robert Boo will become The Pride Center’s new executive director. He worked with Hyman for five of the last six years as the center’s Director of Development as well as currently serving on its board.

“I’m so thrilled to be leaving the Center in such capable hands,” Hyman said at his farewell. “With Robert [Boo], the staff, the volunteers and the board, there is just no doubt about the bright future that’s in store for the Center and this community.”

WILTON MANORS, FL – The Pride Center at Equality Park has announced there will be some administrative changes to help them in grant writing.

The position of Major Gifts Officer will be restructured in order to create two positions.

Paul Hyman, Executive Director of the Pride Center, said that as they plan for enhanced service to the LGBT community in the New Year, it is important to proactively apply for grant funding. In order to do so, he said, funds must be budgeted to expand its capacity to prospect and apply for grants.

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Paul Hyman, Executive Director of the Pride Center at Equality Park, was recognized for his dedication to the community at the annual Lambda Legal Recognition Dinner on Saturday, March 27. Over 300 people were in attendance at this year’s annual event, which was held at the Bonnet House.

Hyman became Executive Director of the Pride Center (then know as the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida) six ye ars

ago during a period of time when the future of the center was in doubt. Since then, the Pride Center moved into its new, larger headquarters in Wilton Manors and has flourished and greatly expanded its programs to serve a larger portion of the community.

The Pride Center is proud to introduce new leadership team members and structure for 2011

By PAUL HYMAN

Returning Board members Richard Stoll and David Feinberg have assumed officer roles on the Board. Richard began his term as Board President in January and David serves as the new Board Secretary. As the Board grows, the Center is supported by their solid leadership. Kristofer Fegenbush has served as PALS Project Manager at the Center for the last five years. In January 2011, he began his new role as the Center’s Deputy Director. Kristofer’s established record as a seasoned manager and strong leader, renders him a well-prepared candidate to oversee the Center’s programs and operations.

Newly appointed Board member, Lea Krauss — originally from Long Island, NY, has resided in Greater Fort Lauderdale since 2000. Lea is also a Director of the Gay & Lesbian Lawyer’s Network of Broward County, has her own Criminal Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale and is a former Broward County prosecutor. Ms. Krauss focuses her law practice in the areas of general criminal defense, domestic violence restraining orders and traffic ticket defense. Ms. Krauss resides in Fort Lauderdale and enjoys the companionship of her long-term partner and their two dogs.

The Center also welcomes Jason Burns to the new Major Gifts Officer role at the Center.

Jason comes to the Pride Center with a strong work history, most recently as a member of the Development Team at United Way of Broward County. With significant experience in local community involvement and political activism, Jason was a police officer for more than four years until an injury on the job introduced the need for career change. In his role as Major Gifts Officer, Jason’s primary focus will be on both Founders Circle membership development and on the Center’s Vision 2015 Capital Campaign, as well as related corporate and foundation sponsorships. Jason looks forward to blending his passion for his career with achieving ever increasing fiscal sustainability at The Pride Center.

By BOB KECSKEMETY

Robert Boo, director of development for the Pride Center in Wilton Manors, will be leaving his position at the Center effective Friday, Decc 10. Boo has been with the Pride Center for five years.

Boo accepted the position of senior general manager with Sodexo Inc., an international managed services provider handling the Jackson Health System Nutrition Services Department in Miami-Dade County. In this capacity, Boo will be responsible for the six hospitals and one skilled care facility which comprise the internationally recognized health system.

During the past five years, Boo’s record of success as the center’s director of development included overseeing a dramatic and sustained expansion of Founders Circle membership, innovating the center’s branding and marketing, and laying the groundwork for a successful capital campaign. Boo is remaining committed to the future and success of the Center and has been approved to join the center’s Board of Directors in order to continue to cultivate donors, members and sponsors.

“I would like to thank the community for their kindness and generosity over the past five years,” said Boo. “It has been extremely rewarding for me to work with the staff and volunteers who have helped make a dream of the Pride Center at Equality Park become a reality. The Pride Center came together because so many dedicated people worked as a healthy, functioning community. I look forward to my new role as a board member at the center and being a part of its continued growth.”

With Boo’s departure, Paul Hyman, executive director of the Pride Center, is restructuring executive positions. The new deputy director position will be filled by Kristofer Fegenbush, who is in his fifth year and will oversee programs, operations, facilities and various administrative functions. Frank Gurucharri, PALS Project behavior health specialist, will replace Fegenbush as manager of the PALS Project.

The center is searching for a major gifts officer, which will take over many of the other duties of the former director of development. The focus of the major gifts officer will include: Founders Circle, corporate sponsorships, the Vision 2015 Capital Campaign and Planned Giving/Estate Planning.