Foundation Reelects Richard J. Walsh to Board of Directors

WINTER PARK, Fla. - Dec. 9, 2015 - PRLog -- The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce that Richard J. “Rick” Walsh has been reelected to its esteemed board of directors, effective immediately. Walsh previously served on the board from 2007 to 2013.

“Rick’s contributions to the Foundation are immeasurable,” said Foundation President and CEO David A. Odahowski. “His dedication to making Central Florida a better place to live and work inspires everyone around him.”

Walsh said, “I’m pleased to serve alongside my passionate and esteemed fellow board members. The Foundation’s history of innovation, accountability and community leadership is something of which I’m proud to be a part.”

Richard Walsh retired in 2007 following a 25-year career with Darden Restaurants. While with Darden and its predecessor company General Mills Restaurants, he served as Senior Vice-President Corporate Affairs, with responsibility for media relations, government relations, the Darden Corporate Foundation, corporate and brand meetings, travel, print and digital, internal communications, community investment, investor communications and served on Darden's Executive Committee. Today he serves as CEO of the Knob Hill Companies, a media, investments, agriculture and business strategy enterprise, assisting established and emerging businesses develop and thrive. He graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1977, a Master's Degree in 1983, the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1985 and an Honorary Doctorate of Commerce Science in 2014.

His current corporate board involvement includes service as a member of the board of directors for Viewpost where he serves as Chairman, Nemours Children Hospital chairing the Operations Committee, Seaside National Bank and Trust chairing the Governance Committee, LSQ Funding Group serving as Vice-Chair and Chair of Strategy and ABC Fine Wine and Spirits. His community boards include Career Source Workforce of Central Florida, the UCF Foundation, Blue Orb Technologies and OneBlood where he serves as Chairman of the Board. Rick was appointed to the University of Central Florida Board of trustees in 2001 by Governor Jeb Bush, and served as Chairman of the Board from 2007-2011. In addition, he previously served as Chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors, the National Employment Policy Institute, the Governor's Task Force on Affordable Health Care, Enterprise Florida and was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles to the Florida State Tourism Council.

The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation was founded in 1973. Since its creation, it has been enriched by the Richard J. Conlee Fund and the H. Clifford Lee Fund. To date, the Foundation has issued more than 3,500 grants to over 830 organizations, primarily in Central Florida, totaling upwards of $105 million. The Association of Fundraising Professionals International Chapter and Central Florida Chapter recently recognized the Foundation as their Outstanding Foundation of the Year. Board members are Gerald F. Hilbrich, Chairman; Herbert W. Holm, Vice Chairman; David A. Odahowski, President; Matthew W. Certo, Corporate Secretary; Elizabeth A. Dvorak; Anne B. Kerr, Ph. D., Harvey L. Massey; and Richard J. Walsh. For more information on the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, please visit www.edythbush.org.