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Florida CPA to Receive Award from Florida Community Foundation

Fort Myers CPA Gene Solomon will be presented with the 2012 John W. Sheppard Award at the Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s annual meeting and reception on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, at Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers.

Gene Solomon, a CPA in Fort Myers, Florida, will be presented with the 2012 John W. Sheppard Award at the Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s annual meeting and reception on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, at Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers.

The John W. Sheppard Award is given annually to an outstanding individual who has given selfless dedication to humanity and made significant contributions to the SWFLCF. Past recipients include John Sheppard, David Lucas, Peter Kleist, Arnold Sarlo, Frank Bireley, Jim Nathan, Sam Galloway, Jr., Tom Smoot, David G. Robinson and Bill Frey.

Solomon has spent more than 40 years as a practicing CPA. His field of expertise includes income, estate and gift-tax planning. He has worked closely with individuals and nonprofit organizations in Southwest Florida to expand the philanthropic goals of our community. He has and continues to serve as a consultant and tax advisor to many local nonprofit charities including the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Lee Memorial Health System, Lee HealthCare Resources, Cypress Cove at Health Park Florida, Southwest Florida Children’s Charities, International Circle of Friends Foundation, Community Cancer Foundation, John & Aliese Price Foundation, Francis Pew Hayes Family Foundation and several other public and private foundations.

Solomon received a bachelor’s degree in accountancy and economics from Stetson and his juris doctorate degree from Northwestern School of Law in Chicago. He began his career in the tax department of Arthur Anderson in Tampa before joining the firm of Taylor Edenfield Gilliam & Wiltshire firm in Fort Myers in 1975. He became the tax partner in charge of the firm before opening his sole practice of accounting. Solomon is a member of the American Institute of CPA’s, Florida Institute of CPA’s and the Florida Bar Association.

He joined the Southwest Florida Community Foundation Board in 1982 and has served on many committees as well as vice president and president of the foundation’s board. He currently serves as a senior advisor.

Solomon also served on the board of trustees for the Edison Community College Foundation, Inc., for nearly 15 years. He helped form and served as president of the Health Education Center, now a part of Florida Gulf Coast University, and the Teddy Bear Museum of Naples.

More than 300 foundation donors and supporters are expected to attend this year’s event, which will begin with the annual meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. followed by a cocktail reception.

This year’s event will coincide with Community Foundation Week Nov. 12 to 18, a week aimed at showing foundation’s critical roles in supporting thriving local communities. The week also coincides with National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 15, which is sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

As part of the SWFLCF’s 36th Anniversary, the theme of this year’s event will be Give Differently.

The annual meeting will include updates by Owen and the chairman of the board as well as the presentation of the 2012 John W. Sheppard Award.

The event is free and by invitation only. For more information, call 239-274-5900 or visit www.floridacommunity.com.