Page 38 - February_2016_Life_In_Naples_Magazine

2016 NAMES ALAN KOREST
HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR

A lan R. Korest, Naples civic leader and philanthropist, has been named ALAN R. KOREST
Hodges University’s 2016 Humanitarian of the Year. “Chosen
unanimously by the selection committee comprised of past award of the Apple.
winners, Korest will join a distinguished fraternity of Collier County citizens who “We are pleased to honor Alan Korest for
have had a profound, positive impact of the quality of life in our community,” says
Phil Memoli, vice president of university advancement at Hodges. The award will his years of service to our community. He has
be presented at the 20th Annual Humanitarian of the Year Luncheon on March been a tireless supporter of education and is
22, 2016. the epitome of the kind of special person
that we choose as a Hodges University
Born in Illinois and raised in Detroit, Korest earned a bachelor’s degree in Humanitarian,” said Dr. David Borofsky,
business from Northwestern University. There, he came to understand the president of Hodges University.
importance of education, later calling it “the single most important part of our
lives.” After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, attending Officer Baird Private Wealth Management
Candidate School and serving in air reconnaissance over the South China Sea Robert W. Baird & Co. generously presents
during the Korean War. Hodges University’s Humanitarian of
the Year Award Luncheon. Baird is an
Returning to the United States after three years of service, he first worked employee-owned, international wealth
for his father’s small business. In 1958, he created his own company, which management, capital markets, private equity
specialized in industrial sales and manufacturing, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. and asset management firm with offices in
He served as its chief executive officer for nearly 25 years before selling the the United States, Europe and Asia.
company and retiring.
Korest will be formally recognized at an
Korest and his late wife, Marilyn, moved to Naples in 1983. “This was a new award luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on March 22,
beginning,” he said. “In moving to Naples, I discovered that I wanted to do 2016, at the Naples Grande Beach Resort.
beneficial things in the community.” For the City of Naples, he was planning
advisory board member, councilman and vice mayor. “There, I learned how Tickets for the event are $175 per person.
important it is for good people to become involved,” he commented. For more information on ticket reservations
or sponsorship opportunities, call April May
Tangible results of his philanthropic efforts are evident throughout the at 239.598.6153 or visit www.hodges.edu.
community.The Korests envisioned and oversaw the creation of the Bower Chapel
at Moorings Park, which was donated to the community by his late father-in-law,
Edwin Bower. Housing the world-class Fenner Douglass organ, the chapel serves
as a center of spirituality, music and camaraderie.

“There are many opportunities to give back in this community. My father-in-
law was the most unselfishly generous person I’ve ever met, and he taught me just
how important philanthropy is,” comments Korest. “It is our job to do good - and
enjoy doing it - while we are here,” he said.

In 2006, the Korests founded the Bower School of Music (now the Bower
School of Music and the Arts) at Florida Gulf Coast University, donating $2.5
million to its creation and naming it in honor of the late Mr. Bower.

Passionate about using music to help children learn, Korest supports
MusicScores!, a Pre-K program that uses violin training and has proved highly
effective in increasing kindergarten readiness. Other programs in which he
has been actively involved include Take Stock in Children, a scholarship and
mentoring program of The Education Foundation - Champions for Learning,
and Music in America, for which he served as founding chair.

Earlier, Korest received numerous community awards, including the 2011
Outstanding Citizen of the Year, the Order of the Majestic Eagle and 2013 Heart

38 Life in Naples | February 2016