QUINT AND RISHY STUDER NAMED GULF BREEZE ROTARY CITIZENS OF THE YEAR

On March 13, 2012 the members of Gulf Breeze Rotary Club recognized Quint and Rishy Studer as their 2011 Gulf Breeze Rotary Citizens of the Year. This year's distinction was given to the deserving couple not for their tremendous business success, but more as an acknowledgement of their decade long commitment to making Gulf Breeze and the surrounding area a better place to work and live. They could have established and grown their business anywhere in the United States, but they invested their time, talents and finances in Gulf Breeze where Studer Group is headquartered.

After a career in teaching and hospital administration, Quint joined Rishy in building the Studer Group, an internationally respected healthcare consulting firm. In addition to locating their business here, the Studer's also brought minor league baseball to the area, owning and maintaining support for the Pensacola Pelicans for many years. They have since kicked it up a notch by investing in the much anticipated Blue Wahoos baseball team. The AA Cincinnati affiliate is making their Gulf Coast debut in the new Maritime Park facility in April 2012.

Based on their personal successes and tapping into their own resources, Quint and Rishy now hope to inspire others in the community. Two notable efforts recognized by the Gulf Breeze Rotary Club, were the Studers efforts to revitalize Pensacola's historic urban areas and their ongoing support and encouragement of local entrepreneurs and other individuals trying to make a difference in the community.

The Studers have invested and rehabilitated multiple downtown properties. They have also been major contributors to one of the City of Pensacola's most ambitious efforts to spur local commerce, The Maritime Park. It is estimated that the Studers' combined personal investment in the new park and their new AA baseball team exceeds $21 million. The Wahoos and the new multipurpose venue will certainly complement the beach and other local amenities and will add significantly to the area as a year round family entertainment destination.

The Studers have also invested in individuals. Initiatives they have sponsored include a recent contest to foster innovation in small business in the area. They have financially underwritten numerous other programs geared to recognize individuals that have made a difference in the community such as the Gulf Breeze News own Community Difference Makers Award. On top of all that, the Studers have donated millions of dollars to fund scholarships here in our area and in their home state of Wisconsin.

The Studers have seen many challenges over the years. Quint alone has been tested by a speech impediment, a hearing disability and alcoholism, and more recently by community skepticism. He knows that everyone has the ability to overcome obstacles to be successful.

Having met many of their own personal goals; they now press ahead with a heartfelt desire to share and make things better for the entire community. A quote from Shirley and Fred Cornett of the Good Samaritan Clinic and Interfaith Ministries say it best; "For many years we have appreciated the Studer's commitment to help make our community a better place in which to work and live," "Quint and Rishy's passion for identifying and publicly recognizing those who provide assistance to low-income families is a most valuable asset to all of us who strive to improve the quality of life for our citizens. Their generous community spirit benefits all of us and we are deeply grateful for their outstanding support."