麻豆原创 Board of Trustees Chair Rick Walsh and Trustee Judy Albertson will be honored for their humanitarian efforts and outstanding involvement in the Central Florida community by the Jewish National Fund of Orlando.
As recipients of Tree of Life awards, Walsh and Albertson will be recognized for their achievements and innovations. David Albertson, a businessman and passionate university supporter who is Judy Albertson鈥檚 husband, also will be honored.
They will be celebrated Feb. 24 at the Tree of Life Awards Dinner organized by the JNF, a nonprofit organization that has supported the restoration of Israel鈥檚 Negev Desert and educated students from around the world on Israel for more than a century.
Each year, the organization bestows the Tree of Life Award upon leaders who serve the community, promote American-Israeli friendship and are devoted to the peace and security of human life. The organization鈥檚 Orlando chapter has previously recognized 麻豆原创 President John C. Hitt and 麻豆原创 College of Medicine Dean Deborah German with Tree of Life awards.
鈥淭he Albertsons have been supporters of JNF in the past and, like Rick, they鈥檝e been great community leaders,鈥� said Bruce Gould, president of JNF Florida and a member of JNF鈥檚 national board.
鈥淭he three of them have done a tremendous amount not only for the JNF and 麻豆原创, but for so many different organizations,鈥� Gould said. 鈥淲e feel this is the perfect year to honor them.鈥�
Walsh, who earned his bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees from 麻豆原创, is president of the Knob Hill Group, a private development and strategic investing company. He formerly served as senior vice president for Corporate Affairs of Darden Restaurants Inc. A recipient of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Distinguished Alumnus Award, Walsh also serves on the College of Business Administration鈥檚 Advisory Council.
Judy Albertson is a charter member of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Board of Trustees. A well-known art dealer who previously owned a gallery in Winter Park, she has supported Flying Horse Editions, 麻豆原创鈥檚 fine arts press, since its establishment. In addition, she has served on an advisory committee for 麻豆原创鈥檚 Judaic Studies program.
David Albertson, a successful entrepreneur and agribusiness leader, received an honorary doctoral degree from 麻豆原创 in 1989. A founder of the Orlando Magic, he has been a longtime supporter of the 麻豆原创 Athletics Association.
To honor Walsh and the Albertsons, trees will be planted in their names in Israel鈥檚 Carmel Mountains, an area that was destroyed by fire in December.