News

Transforming the experiences of our Leadership Orlando participants during the last eight months into actionable community service was the goal for our final session on April 5. As Class 82 drew to a close with its final session held at the Crummer Graduate School of Business, class member, Ed Bustos was already making news as an example of "Leadership and Service," the topic for the day.

Leadership Orlando graduate, Edward A. Bustos, Director of International Admission, is a leader on Rollins College campus and in the lives of those around him. He was featured in a recent Rollins' profile of graduating student Jeremy Sharpe ‘12.

The Rollins article profiled Jeremy Sharpe, raised in Ohio's foster care system, who was alone and without a support system. Ready to ‘throw in the towel' during the winter break of his freshman year at Rollins, he met Ed Bustos. "I thought this kid needs help, guidance. A lot of individuals can fall through the cracks in this situation," Bustos said. "But now he's become family; he is like my son, in a sense."  

Through the years since the informal mentorship began, Bustos has helped Sharpe get grants and financial aid, as well as become a Florida resident. He's attended all of Sharpe's basketball games home and away, connected him with resources he's needed, and he has given him the guidance, support, and encouragement that was lacking in his life.  

"Meeting Ed was a game-changer for me," the psychology major said. "I was graced with a talent to get me through school, but probably would have gone into debt and wouldn't have developed the same way as a person if it wasn't for him."  

Click here to read the entire profile, With a Little Help from His Friends.

If you have been looking for the "right" time to participate in Leadership Orlando, or know someone who should be in the room for these discussions, now is indeed the perfect time to be a part of America's largest Community Leadership program, Leadership Orlando. Preparing for the future of our region is up to each of us. Now is the time to learn about the issues, participate in the difficult conversations and help in guiding our future.

Class 84 begins in September, with Adrian Jones, General Manager of LEGOLAND Florida serving as Class Chair. The online enrollment form and the full schedule may be accessed at www.LeadershipOrlando.org. Should you have questions, contact Kathy Panter at 407.835.2499 or via email at Kathy.Panter@ideastoresults.org.

About Leadership Orlando
Developing regional leaders is important to the future success of the Central Florida Region. That is why "Regional Leadership" is a primary line of business for the Central Florida Partnership. With over thirty years of proven success, Leadership Orlando, America's largest "Community Leadership Program," continues to recruit, cultivate and encourage emerging leaders to better serve the Central Florida Region.

Working together with Orlando, Inc., (Regional Entrepreneurship), BusinessForce (Public Policy Advocacy), and myregion.org (Regional Research & Resolves), the Central Florida Partnership is moving "Ideas to Results."

Click here to learn more about Leadership Orlando
Click here for a listing of the 2012 Leadership Team