Compiled by Wayne T. Price
Wright founds Indigo Strategic Consulting
Catherine Wright recently launched Indigo Strategic Consulting.
Indigo Strategic Consulting focuses on helping organizations with business transformation initiatives including strategic marketing and communications, change management, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions.
Wright joined Harris Corp. in 1996 after earning a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She later earned her Masters of Business Administration from Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida.
Originally hired as a mechanical engineer to design deployable space reflectors, she expanded her business acumen and experience through other key roles including Senior Engineering Manager, Acquisition Business Analyst, Business Development Manager and Senior Director of Marketing and Communications.
In her strategic planning and business development role for Harris CapRock, Wright led the annual strategic planning process as well as the cross-selling of the broader Harris portfolio into the organization.
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On the $7 billion acquisition of Exelis, Wright served as communications project manager, overseeing all stakeholder communications, deliverables and timelines.
After the acquisition, she led the creation of the unified external website, the organization of all strategic trade fairs and the establishment of corporate branding standards.
Wright also served as communications project manager for the $17 billion L3/Harris merger, which included overseeing and managing all marketing and communications workflows and developing a comprehensive employee intranet.
Most recently, she was in charge of management and internal communications at L3Harris’ corporate headquarters.
For more information on Indigo Strategic Consulting, visit www.indigo-sc.com.
Shell appointed Senior Account Executive at Griffin Communications
Sarah Shell recently joined Griffin Communications Group as a Senior Account Executive.
She will work with Griffin’s aerospace clients and develop strategic communications and PR campaigns.
Before joining Griffin, Shell spent more than six years as a public relations manager at Space Florida. She was the organization’s lead for media relations, communications, social media, project announcements and company-wide events.
With a background in journalism, Shell has also worked as a reporter for the Sun-Sentinel, the Virginia Gazette and the Virginian-Pilot, covering both sports and community news.
Shell holds a master’s degree in sports management from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia and a bachelor of arts degree in English with a minor in communications from Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia.
Shell is also the special events chair of the Space Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. She also volunteers at United Way of Brevard and was previously the staff campaign manager for Space Florida.
Hopkins honored by the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce was recently recognized John Hopkins as this year’s recipient of the William R. “Bill” Ellis Legacy Award.
This award is given each year to an individual whose dedication and commitment to the Melbourne Regional Chamber and community has impacted the quality of life and business climate on the Space Coast.
Hopkins is a founding partner of Berman Hopkins Wright & LaHam CPAs and Associates LLP, which now has offices in Viera and Orlando.
Promise appoints Ivey as Advisor to the President/CEO
Promise Inc. has appointed the Sheriff of Brevard County Wayne Ivey to a newly created role as an advisor to the Promise President/CEO and the Promise Board of Directors in support of the special needs community.
In this role, Ivey – who has a long-standing relationship with Promise – will provide guidance on safety practices on the Promise campus and Promise social enterprises, as needed, as well as other matters impacting the Promise community.
“I’ve known Sheriff Ivey since moving to Brevard County in 2012 and have had the opportunity to work with him on many matters, including my joint leadership role on the United Way Board of Directors,” he said Jeff Kiel, President/CEO of Promise in Brevard. “Sheriff Ivey clearly has a passion for those in need in our community and has a special place in his heart for the community we serve at Promise, which will provide added comfort to Promise residents and their families.”
Promise offers one of only six completed planned communities currently operating throughout Florida for people with disabilities and one of fewer than 60 completed planned communities for people with disabilities in the country with availability or “waiting list” status.
Promise is also leading the nation as one of the first planned communities to provide a more affordable, accessible and innovative supportive housing model for people with intellectual disabilities.
It is the only planned community for people with intellectual disabilities in Florida that focuses on employment as a core value and develops social enterprises to ensure residents have multiple opportunities for work training and experience.
“I am truly honored to serve as an advisory board member for Promise at Brevard as they continue to serve those in our community with special needs,” said Ivey. “Since its inception, Promise’s goal has been to bring security to families of people with special needs. From providing safe, affordable housing to providing employment opportunities for its residents, Promise is helping to bridge the gap for some of Brevard’s most vulnerable citizens and I’m really excited to be a part of the initiative.”
In addition to the Promise in Brevard Affordable Housing Community in West Melbourne, Promise runs several social businesses that employ Promise residents along with others from the community, including the Promise Treasures Thrift Shoppe, Aves’ Place Ice Cream at the Promise Café & Bakery, and the Sweet Sue’s Salon.
All of these companies are publicly available and directly support Promise, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Founded in 2009, Promise aims to provide affordable, independent housing for people with cognitive and physical disabilities by leveraging public and private partnerships to develop a model community.
Promise at Brevard in West Melbourne is home to 125 adults with special needs and also offers residents vocational training and employment opportunities, as well as an extensive community program with more than 60 on-site and off-site activities per week. This includes courses in life skills such as money management, nutrition, cooking, sewing and social skills.
For more information about Promise and its mission to provide opportunities for people with special needs, visit www.promiseinbrevard.com.
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