Local manufacturer honored for volunteer work

TAVARES –  Greg Schultz, CEO of G.W. Schultz in Tavares, received the Richard L. McLaughlin Volunteer of the Year award during the 2014 Florida Economic Development Conference in Tampa.
The Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) honored nine volunteers including Schultz for their contributions to economic development in Florida. Schultz helped lead the private sector push for the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Lake Technical College (Lake Tech), in partnership with Lake County. The center, set to open this fall, will train Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinists, welders and fabricators and is set to be one of the premiere workforce training facilities in Central Florida.

“Greg is a top advocate for expanding Lake County’s manufacturing base and works tirelessly to ensure we develop and retain the skilled workforce needed to facilitate our economic growth,” said Adam Sumner, manager,  Lake County’s Economic Development & Tourism Department. Schultz is currently a member of the Lake Tech Advisory Committee and has been active with the Lake County Manufacturing Taskforce since its creation in 2011.  He has worked to save the center around $500,000 in equipment costs by incorporating a training simulator, and has personally donated over $100,000 worth of equipment.

“In Florida’s economic development community we know the critical role our volunteers play as stewards for Florida,” said Amy Evancho, president and CEO of FEDC. “Every year, we thank and honor the work they do, not just as volunteers, but as investors in Florida’s growth.”

The 2014 Florida Economic Development Conference is the premier professional development event attended by economic, workforce and community developers from Florida.
For information on starting, relocating or expanding a business in Lake County, call Lake County’s Economic Development and Tourism Department at 352-742-3918 or visit www.BusinessInLakeFL.com.