Oh, What a Night!

Dean Mead’s Viera office commemorates silver anniversary with gift to Florida Tech.

Dean Mead’s Brevard office hosted its 25^th anniversary celebration for more than 200 clients and business leaders at their new location in Viera on January 28, 2015. As part of the festivities, attorneys Kim Rezanka, Mason Blake, Claudia Haines Jones, Rob Naberhaus and Laura Young announced that the firm has established The Dean Mead Scholarship at Florida Tech for $100,000 to benefit S.T.E.M. students from Central Florida.

“Dean Mead has supported the Florida Institute of Technology nearly 20 years, and we’re honored to carry on the tradition today,” said Kim Rezanka, managing shareholder at Dean Mead. “Many of us have deep roots in the Space Coast and are passionate about giving back to our community and helping the next generation succeed. This donation will bring additional opportunities to STEM students, and we hope to continue to support the institute and its mission for many years to come.”

During the event, Claudia Haines Jones, corporate lawyer at Dean Mead, recognized Dr. Anthony J. Catanese, President of Florida Institute of Technology, for his extraordinary vision, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. Added Jones, “The success of our firm, much like the success of Florida Tech, was built on the foundation to create a better community and afford opportunities to the next generation.”

“Florida Tech has relied upon the expertise of Dean Mead for many years, and we are proud of the partnership that has grown,” said Catanese. “We are appreciative of the firm in general, and Mason Blake in particular, for this generous gift to support student scholarships. Creating endowed opportunities for students to earn their education is an important component of our Create the Future $100 million capital campaign — and Dean Mead is helping to make that dream a reality.”

Since its inception, Dean Mead has supported hundreds of philanthropic and civic organizations throughout Florida.  One area, in particular, has been especially meaningful to the attorneys – the gift of an education.  As such, the firm invests heavily in enriching the lives of students at the college level. For example, Dean Mead established the first endowed scholarship at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and led the effort to provide full funding for all 41 students in its inaugural class. Additionally the firm has gifted numerous scholarships through the University of Florida Foundation and the UF College of Law.

Party guests toured the new facilities at 7380 Murrell Road in Viera while enjoying great food, lively conversation and the unique offerings of local artists. A violin quartet, made up of talented student musicians from Florida Tech’s School of Arts and Communication, provided entertainment throughout the evening. Additionally, the Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) installed artwork in the new office as part of their #ArtinPublicPlaces program, many of which are pieces characteristic of Florida’s natural habitat. The artwork is on display at Dean Mead through May 23^rd.

Please visit the photo gallery to see all the highlights HERE.

Video of the presentation is provided below: