Boss in the house: Breakers CEO recognized with inaugural award from youth mentoring charity
The first presentation of an award for "servant leadership" highlighted a dinner-dance to benefit First Serve of the Palm Beaches.
The event took place Dec. 9 at The Breakers and honored Paul Leone, CEO of The Breakers and Flagler Systems.
The evening included a cocktail reception, dinner, and entertainment by the Comedy Central TV channel’s Michael Kosta.
More Palm Beach society news here.
Highlighting the night was the recognition of Leone as recipient of the inaugural Paul Van der Grift Servant Leadership Award.
The award was presented to Leone by Fritz Van der Grift in honor of his late father, who was the board president of First Serve for many years.
“Our first-ever recipient is the definition of a servant leader," Van der Grift said when introducing the honoree.
"When asked if he would be willing to accept the award, he agreed with the stipulation that his whole organization must be included in the recognition.”
According to the Servant Leadership Center at Seton Hall University, a servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of the pyramid,” the servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people to develop and perform as highly as possible.
The night continued with dessert and dancing.
More then 200 people attended, including Sherri and Jack Grace, Debbie and Phillipe Dauman, Anne and Chris Flowers, Julie and Brian Simmons, Susan and Burke Ross, Kellye and and Jay Woodford, Aimee Merszei, James Maher, Suzanne Niedland, Lori and Ian Huschle, Jane and Bill Williams, Kristen and Charles Krusen, Kim and Greg Dryer, Cecilia and Steven Owen, Robin and Richard Patton, Kim and Ray Celedinas, Kathryne and Bill Eyre, Suki Bolton and Tom Blake, Lori and Ian Huschle, and Caroline and Oliver Grace.
Proceeds from the evening are earmarked for First Serve, founded more than 30 years ago with a mission to help youth in Belle Glade, Hobe Sound and West Palm Beach to develop into servant leaders in their own communities.
The organization uses mentorship to break the cycle of crime, poverty, and violence by creating lasting, sustainable change, one student at a time.
More than 90% of the organization's mentees advance to college, trade school or serve in the military.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Breakers CEO receives Paul Van der Grift Servant Leadership award.
