Eight Members Recognized As 2014-15 Volunteers Of The Year
Florida Citrus Sports recognized eight members who gave superlative efforts during the 2014-15 season through its Member Service Awards, presented at last night’s Member Celebration. John Atwood, Terri Bernhardt, Larry Poleyeff, Ted Ruta, Rob Rogers, Kevin Rinker, Steve Stutzer and Tom Wert have all provided the organization with years of support, both financial and through their volunteerism.
John Atwood (Momentum Marketing Solutions) has been a proud member of 13 years and has dedicated his time by serving on the Associate Board, Membership Sales and Customer Relations Committees. He is a co-chair of the Disability Committee, which received rave reviews for its service to ADA guests during the 2014-15 season. He’s also a regular fixture at nearly every FCSports event throughout the year.
Terri Bernhardt (Orange County Convention Center) has been involved with Florida Citrus Sports for nearly 17 years. She spent five years as a member of the staff before becoming a valuable member of both the Pageantry and Presentation and Media Relations Committees. She was valuable in every role from her ‘to the second’ timing of the college bands pregame and halftime performances, cuing the public address announcer in the booth and escorting performers to and from the field. She also took late night hospitality shifts at the media host hotel when other volunteers weren’t available.
Larry Poleyeff (Ohio National Financial Group) is a member for fourteen years, has dedicated his time by also serving on the Associate Board, Membership Sales and Customer Relations Committees. He co-chaired the Disability Committee alongside John Atwood and together they developed and executed an effective plan to ensure guests had an amazing experience inside the new Orlando Citrus Bowl.
Kevin Rinker (Wyndham Worldwide) has been a member of Florida Citrus Sports since 2006 and has contributed an immeasurable amount of time to the organization as a team host for the SEC. Amidst their hectic and demanding bowl schedule, he finds time to emcee the “Minute Challenge” student-athlete competition at the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl Kickoff Luncheon. Kevin has donated countless items to silent auctions and has sat on multiple committees such as the Orlando Mini Open and Feast on the 50.
As chair of the Feast on the 50 Committee, Rob Rogers (Holland & Knight) developed and executed the second annual Alumni Tailgate Olympics, helped solicit silent auction items and got his hands dirty setting up the event for 3,000 guests. He is also an active volunteer and scout who attends almost every Team Selection meeting and represents the organization in an exceptional manner.
From the moment our on field game officials arrive in Orlando, Ted Ruta (NCAA Officiating) coordinates every aspect of the their experience. A seasoned field official himself, Ted has been a one-man host committee for our referees and their families for many years. He also joined the Team Selection Committee and scouted for the first time this past fall.
Steve Stutzer (Florida Office of Financial Regulation) has been involved in nearly every aspect of FCSports for the past 15 years. He has put in countless hours at the media host hotel and as manager of the Pick’em Contest, providing participants with weekly updates at Team Selection Committee Meetings during football season. He is a veteran field marshal on game days, patrolling the sidelines to ensure a professional working environment for press.
Throughout 22 years as a member, Tom Wert (Roetzel & Andress) has proven to be a great ambassador for the organization. Tom is an active selection committee member who also serves as a combine coordinator to assist in the complex process of assigning games to scouts. In addition, he contributes immeasurable hours during bowl week as a team host for the SEC participant in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, making sure the student-athletes, support staff, coaches and their families enjoy a memorable and first class experience.