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The Florida Grantor, Fall 2006

Foundation News

Governor Bush Appoints New Members to Able Trust Board of Directors

Governor Jeb Bush recently appointed Sharlyn Lauby, SPHR, and Richard Cole to The Able Trust Board of Directors. Lauby is currently the president of ITM Group, Inc., (ITM), a Ft. Lauderdale-based business specializing in consulting clients on human resource and business development issues. Previous to starting ITM, Lauby held various senior level human resources positions in the hospitality, transportation, entertainment, and business services industries.

A resident of Weston, Lauby, also serves as President-Elect of HR Florida's Council Executive Committee. Lauby has been an Ambassador for The Able Trust for the past year and is immediate past chair of The Able Trust's Florida Business Leadership Network.

Richard Cole is a retired attorney and has served as the chief counsel for the Department of Labor and Industry in Pennsylvania. Cole has also worked with the Pennsylvania governor to develop a vocational rehabilitation plan for the state.

The Able Trust Announces New Board of Directors Executive Committee

The Able Trust Board of Directors recently elected its executive committee for the Board of Directors. These individuals will serve a two-year term in these leadership positions.

Bridget Pallango of Miami has been named Chair of the Board. Florence Seiler of Palm Beach Gardens has been named Vice Chair. James Dolan of Jacksonville has been named Treasurer and Jeannie Amendola of Lake Buena Vista has been named Secretary. Additionally, former directors Sherra Payne and James Saunders have been appointed by the Board to serve as Ambassadors for The Able Trust.

Board of Directors Chair, Bridget Pallango, is Senior Vice President of Goodwill Industries of South Florida, Inc. - a non-profit organization that serves over 4,800 people with disabilities annually in overcoming barriers to employment.

Pallango's responsibilities at Goodwill span services across Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward counties and include directing the functions of the Rehabilitation Division which include Intake, Evaluation, Vocational Training, Job Placement and Work Services. Pallango also directs the Human Resources Department, the Medical Department, Risk Management, Loss Prevention and agency-wide quality control and compliance.

The Able Trust Welcomes New Staff

Roy Monk has been hired as The Able Trust's Regional Endowment Director. Monk will specialize in cultivating relationships with individuals, corporations and affiliate groups that share an interest and commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities. Monk can be reached at roy@abletrust.org.

Alana Hill joins The Able Trust as the new Public Relations & Events Specialist. Hill will assist with creating and distributing promotional and press materials and coordinating public awareness events. Hill can be reached at alana@abletrust.org.

Sally Whittaker, MS, ATR, has been hired as the Florida High School/High Tech (HS/HT) Assistant Program Manager. Whittaker will assist the program manager in overseeing activities for existing HS/HT programs and aid in the development of new sites and program features across the state. Whittaker can be reached at sally@abletrust.org.

Celebrities Join The Able Trust for a Journey Through Africa

National Football League Hall of Famer Joe Namath and senior PGA golfer Bruce Fleisher will join The Able Trust as Honorary Chair and Honorary Gala Committee member for this year's ninth annual gala. These celebrities will join gala chairs Edward and Leslie Sacks for the event on Friday, March 16, 2007 at the Mar- a- Lago Club in Palm Beach. Sunset on the Savannah: An African Adventure will offer guests the pleasures and mystery of a world a continent away. Proceeds from the event will benefit the youth programs of The Able Trust and more than 1,000 youth with disabilities across Florida.

This year's gala will feature a silent and live auction for guests, with items such as round trip tickets to Europe, a 10-day cruise on Holland America line, a Gardens Mall shopping spree, a fabulous Walt Disney World getaway, stunning jewelry and much more. A five-course meal, casino gaming, authentic African décor and sounds will round out an incredible evening.

Tickets to the black tie event can be purchased online at The Able Trust's new gala website, www.abletrustgala.org.

Special thanks to Advantage Services for donating the website design.

Sponsors for this year's gala includes: Walt Disney World Co.; Saks Fifth Avenue; The Kurland Family; Barrier Wall of Florida; Leslie and Edward Sacks and Dr. Sheila Buchbinder and Mr. David Befeler; the Bobbie Bailey Foundation, Inc. and Sanofi-Aventis. Additional honorary committee members include: Mr. Donald Trump; Mr. Clarence Clemons; Mr. Charlie Lapson; Mrs. Jane Ponterelli; Mr. and Mrs. Barry Kaye and Ms. Mary Courim.

For more information about the Sunset on the Savannah: An African Adventure Gala, visit www.abletrustgala.org.