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NAPLES — Hodges University will bestow its Humanitarian of the Year award to retired CEO Alan Korest at a luncheon in March.
Korest founded and later sold Plant Specialties Company in Michigan and subsequently retired to Naples in 1983. “In moving to Naples, I discovered that I wanted to do beneficial things in the community,” Korest says in a statement.
Korest served the City of Naples as councilman, vice mayor and planning advisory board member. “There, I learned how important it is for good people to become involved,” Korest says in a statement. “Leaders should listen to what others say and work collaboratively, and, of course, should have an active sense of humor.”
In addition, Korest served as chairman of the board of Moorings Park; board member of the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation; co-founder and president of the Forum Club; member of the Collier County Tourist Development Council, Big Cypress Basin and the Metropolitan Planning Organization; and director of the Education Foundation Champions for Learning. In 2006, Korest founded the Bower School of Music (now the Bower School of Music and the Arts) at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, donating $2.5 million.
“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,” Korest says in a statement. “It is our job to do good and enjoy doing it while we are here.”
Hodges will present the award to Korest at a luncheon March 22 at the Naples Grande Beach Resort.
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