EDC honors Neal Johnson for ‘Distinguished Service’

During its Annual Meeting on February 2, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) awarded the Gary R. Cunningham Distinguished Service Award for Economic Development to Mr. Neal E. Johnson, Branch Manager, Union Home Mortgage, Neal Johnson Mortgage Team and its EDC Volunteer of the Year award to Ms. Angela Neal, Senior Manager, Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zones of Hiring Our Heroes and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

“The EDC draws strength from its investors and volunteers and the contributions of this year’s award recipients were particularly strong,” said EDC President and CEO Lynda L. Weatherman. “Whenever the EDC asks for his help, Neal Johnson stands as a ready, willing and able community leader. The Space Coast is a better place because of him. Angela Neal, too, exhibits a solutions-oriented attitude that makes our community more military-friendly and improves our ability to tap the talent brought here through service to our country. Thank you both for your efforts.”

“Brevard County enjoys the vibrant economy that it does because of those that had the foresight many years ago to create an organization that wakes up every day thinking about economic development and what that means to our continued prosperity. It was Gary R. Cunningham and many others like him that had that vision to create what we know today as The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. On that foundation we have built an organization that goes head-to-head with much larger EDC’s to recruit, expand and retain high paying, high tech jobs for our community and because of that we are what I consider the premiere place in the United States to live, work and play,” said Johnson.

The Gary R. Cunningham Distinguished Service Award for Economic Development was established in 2006 and is presented to an individual who has made long standing, consistent, and highly valued contributions to further economic development through community efforts on the Space Coast. Johnson joins individuals such as William Potter, Bjornar Hermansen, Eugene McCarthy, Robin Fisher, Fred Sutton and Bill Ellis in receiving this prestigious award.

“It is truly an honor and very humbling to receive this award named after Gary. It has been a privilege over the years to get to know so many people that share his vision, which I intend to continue. I want to thank the Officers, Board of Directors and Staff of the EDC for this tremendous recognition, and I hope this serves as an inspiration to the many others that support this great organization.” continued Johnson.

Johnson has been a consistent supporter of economic development efforts on Florida’s Space Coast for over two decades. In addition to serving multiple positions on the EDC’s Board of Directors, he has spent time attending important policy meetings, new business relocation and expansion announcements, and many legislative visits to Washington D.C. to advocate for economic development throughout Brevard County. In addition, as Chair of the Board for the EDC in its Fiscal Year 2004/2005, Johnson played a key role in the EDC’s successful efforts to keep Patrick Air Force Base off the BRAC closure list - reversing the decision to close the Naval Ordinance Test Unit. This has proven to be a huge win for Brevard County, resulting in the addition of thousands of jobs over the years.

Pictured: EDC Chair Elect, Kirk Hall CEO/CFO Sentry View Systems (Left) presents the Gary R. Cunningham Distinguished Service Award for Economic Development to Mr. Neal E. Johnson (Right) Branch Manager, Union Home Mortgage, Neal Johnson Mortgage Team.