西瓜视频

Robert 鈥淏ob鈥� Stork Named 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year

February 26, 2020 Suzanne Seldes

Robert 鈥淏ob鈥� Stork, founder and CEO of Communications International (Ci), has been named Entrepreneur of the Year for 2020 by the 西瓜视频 (西瓜视频) Foundation. Stork was recognized for the honor on Wednesday, February 26, at a gala dinner at the Richardson Center, located at 西瓜视频 Mueller Campus in Vero Beach. Bank of America is the presenting sponsor of this year鈥檚 gala.

An industry veteran with a degree in electrical sciences, Stork has spent his career creating designs and delivering essential emergency systems for federal, state and local governmental agencies throughout the United States and across the globe. With his late partner Howard Culver, Stork founded Communications of Vero Beach in 1975 and grew it into a leading wireless systems integrator specializing in the design and implementation of mission critical communications systems for the federal, state and local public safety, utility and transit industries. In 1979, the company incorporated as Communications International, Inc. (Ci).

鈥淗oward Culver retired in 1982, and Bob was only 32 years old when he acquired the business,鈥� remarks Ann Decker, Executive Director of the 西瓜视频 Foundation. 鈥淐i flourished due to Bob鈥檚 remarkable entrepreneur spirit and authentic leadership. These qualities, ingrained in him by his parents, led to tremendous growth for the company and for its employees.鈥� Today Ci has nine locations throughout the southeast and  is the largest distributor of Harris public safety radio equipment for the southeastern United States.鈥�

In 2010, Bob Stork transitioned out of the role of company owner, passing the business on to the people who cared about it most鈥攊ts employees. Today, Ci is a 100% employee-owned company and its employee owners share in the success of the business and have the ability to influence its performance through their individual contributions.

鈥淏ob is not only a successful entrepreneur, he is an incredible philanthropist whose devotion to serving others has made this community a better place for us all,鈥� said Doug Sherman, Treasure Coast market president for Bank of America. 鈥淲e are delighted to see Bob receive this honor and share his belief that addressing the Treasure Coast鈥檚 greatest issues, including workforce development and community development, will help this region thrive.鈥�

Stork is active in numerous community, church, and charitable organizations, and served on the executive board of Florida TaxWatch, a private, non-profit, non-partisan research institute that promotes the productivity and accountability of Florida government. He also serves as Trustee of Florida Polytechnic University. During his career, Stork has served in many key advisory and leadership positions including appointment to the State Governmental Efficiency Task Force by the Senate President, and to the Florida Task Force Initiative on Gang Reduction by the Attorney General. In 2010, he was distinguished as Citizen of the Year by the Brevard County Sheriff鈥檚 Office in recognition of his caring and compassionate actions for Brevard County鈥檚 children by supporting many Sheriff鈥檚 Office initiatives to protect them. He also earned the honor of Special Deputy by the Sheriff of Broward County.

Stork resides in Vero Beach with his wife Carmen. They have two children, Robyn and Ryan, and eight grandchildren.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award program recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit, business excellence, and community involvement鈥攃entral elements of the Dan K. Richardson Entrepreneurship Program established by the 西瓜视频 Foundation and 13 other founding members to promote awareness and appreciation of the free enterprise system. Nominations for the Entrepreneur of the Year can be made at . 

For more information, contact the 西瓜视频 Foundation at 772-462-4786.

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Entrepreneurs of the Year

2019鈥擬ichael 鈥淢ike鈥� Brown, Retired CEO Harbor Community Bank and Director, CenterState Bank

2018鈥擜llen Osteen, East Coast Lumber

2017鈥擳imothy Girard, Girard Equipment

2016鈥擲cott Deal, Maverick Boat Group

2015鈥擝obby and Marygrace Sexton, Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company

2014鈥擱onald L. Edwards, Evans Properties

2013鈥擳homas L. Corr, George E. Warren Corporation

2012鈥擩im Coffey*, Commercial Realtor and Developer, Earman Oil

2011鈥擠r. Richard A. Houghten, Torrey Pines Institute of Molecular Studies

2010鈥擜lma Lee Loy, Alma Lee's Children's Clothing Center

2009鈥擣rank "Sonny" W. Williamson, Jr., Williamson Cattle Company

2008鈥擵ernon D. Smith, Riverside Bank

2007鈥擠onald C. Proctor, Proctor Construction Company

2006鈥擲idney M. Banack, Jr., Sid Banack Insurance

2005鈥擩ohn J. Schumann, Jr., Press Journal

2004鈥擝arnette E.* and Hariot H. Greene*, Greene Groves and Ranch

2003鈥擜lto "Bud" Adams, Jr.*, Adams Ranch

2002鈥擱aymond J. Oglethorpe, America Online

2001鈥擱obert L. Brackett, Credit Data Services

2000鈥擠an K. Richardson*, Gracewood Fruit Company

*deceased