Broward College President Named Seafarers' House Business Leader of the Year

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, August 4, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​Seafarers’ House is pleased to announce that Broward College President J. David Armstrong Jr. has been selected by its Board of Directors as the 2015 South Florida Business Leader of the Year.

Armstrong will be honored at the 20th Annual South Florida Business Leaders’ Luncheon hosted by Holland America Line to benefit Seafarers’ House. The luncheon will take place Nov. 20 at 11:30 a.m. aboard the ms Zuiderdam at Port Everglades. Check-in and boarding begin at 10:45 a.m. This year’s event co-chairs are Molly Hottinger of Seacor Holdings and Ann Burris of Holland America Line.

Mr. Armstrong has recognized the need for initiatives to acknowledge and support an increasingly interconnected business, political and non-profit community. Seafarers' House is honored to acknowledge his vision and leadership."

Ann Burris, Event co-chair

President Armstrong has spent more than a quarter century in higher education. As head of Broward College, he has guided the school to become one of the Top 10 community colleges in the nation, according to the Aspen Institute.

“Under his stewardship Broward College has recognized the need to create a well-trained workforce for business and industry,” said event co-chair Molly Hottinger. “He has recognized the significant role that South Florida’s maritime industry plays in our economy and the need to prepare future generations with the knowledge and expertise to sustain the key role that our maritime community plays in global commerce.”

Event co-chair Ann Burris added: “At the same time, Mr. Armstrong has recognized the need for initiatives to acknowledge and support an increasingly interconnected business, political and non-profit community. Seafarers’ House is honored to acknowledge his vision and leadership.”

Honorees for the South Florida Business Leaders Award are selected by their peers. Acknowledged leadership, entrepreneurial background, philanthropic contributions to the communities where they live and work, as well as long-term contributions to the success, diversity and breadth of the South Florida business community, are all considerations for this award. 

President Armstrong serves in a variety positions with nonprofit, workforce and educational organizations. He is past Chairman of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, as well as past Chairman of Leadership Florida. He is a member of the Council on Competitiveness and he serves on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for Florida’s Future. President Armstrong also serves on the Board of Directors for Broward Workshop, Broward County United Way, and the Broward College Foundation.

President Armstrong joins the ranks of distinguished previous honorees such as: Nikki Englander Grossman, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Denise Johnston, Resolve Maritime Academy/RESOLVE Marine Group, Inc.; Betty Ann Rogacki, International Warehouse Services, Inc.; Lynn Shatas, Florida Power & Light; Phil Allen, Port Director, Port Everglades; Cliff Berry, Sr. of Cliff Berry & Associates; William J. Burke, Paradise Bank; Joseph Farrell, Jr., RESOLVE Marine Group; Robert Toney of National Maritime Services; and Joseph J. “Joe” Rubano of RPM Diesel Engine Company and Diesel Services of America.

The annual luncheon is a fundraiser for the mission of Seafarers' House. Various levels of event sponsorship, individual seating and congratulatory ads are available by visiting www.seafarershouse.org or by calling 954-734-1580.

                                                            ###

ABOUT SEAFARERS’ HOUSE

Seafarers' House at Port Everglades is a non-profit organization supported by the faith-based community as well as by labor, business and civic leaders with a mission "to offer refuge, resources, renewal and respect to the maritime community through multi-faith service." Open throughout the year, Seafarers' House is a safe, friendly place where mariners can connect with their families, relax, or get emergency assistance if needed. With the help of its supporters and volunteers, Seafarers' House offers many services including low cost international phone calls, free transportation, Internet access, counseling services, liaison with authorities as well as recreational facilities. Seafarers' House was honored as the 2015 Seafarer Advocate of the Year by Lloyd’s List North America and received the 2014 Salute to Business award from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, Seafarers’ House was honored with the Seafarers' Center of the Year award from the International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare - the first American agency to receive this international honor. Seafarers' House annually hosts more than 150,000 visits by cruise and cargo ship crewmembers. For additional information visit www.seafarershouse.org.

ABOUT BROWARD COLLEGE

Serving more than 68,000 students annually, Broward College provides residents with certificate programs, two-year university-transfer degrees, two-year career degrees and baccalaureate degrees in selected programs. The mission of the college is to provide high-quality educational programs and services that are affordable and accessible to a diverse community of learners. For more information, visit www.broward.edu.