Posted on Jan 30, 2018 in
NEWSWORTHY
Mike Rydin, Gene Reed, John Null, Bill Jameson, Scott Parazynski, Betty Baitland, Brent Leftwich and Sunny Sharma.
The Sugar Land Legacy Foundation recently presented Sugar Land Legacy Awards to HCSS and Gene Reed. A special lifetime achievement recognition was awarded to Bob Brown.
The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant, lasting impact on economic development and overall prosperity in Sugar Land. The recipients were announced at the second annual Leadership and Legacy luncheon held at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land. The event featured Dr. Scott Parazynski, a 2016 Hall of Fame astronaut and physician, who served as the keynote speaker.
HCSS was awarded in the organization category. The company was acknowledged for continual expansion efforts and their work as a pioneer in the field of construction software development and support. Currently employing more than 270 people, HCSS has been named a best place to work in Texas for 10 consecutive years and recently organized relief efforts and supplies valued at more than $4 million to assist homeowners affected by Hurricane Harvey. HCSS employees continually dedicate hundreds of volunteer hours to raise funds for local non-profits and charities.
“HCSS proves that the impact of their company goes beyond just economic benefits,” said Sugar Land Legacy Foundation President Sunny Sharma. “They are truly committed to investing in the community of Sugar Land and beyond.”
Reed, founder and CEO of EE Reed Construction, was recognized in the individual category. A Sugar Land resident for over 50 years, he has served on numerous boards in the region, including the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council. He led the effort to create the Veterans Memorial at Sugar Land Memorial Park, one of the Legacy Foundation’s first projects.
“Gene Reed is a leader who doesn’t sing his own praises but shows the community what a humble, service-oriented, civic leader looks like,” said Sharma.
Brown served as president of the Sugar Land Telephone Company, which was later named SLT Communications. Throughout his career, he served on 18 professional boards and 30 community boards. He served as chairman of the Fort Bend Economic Development Council for the past 30 years and has supported numerous causes including the Texas War on Drugs, Child Advocates of Fort Bend County, the Fort Bend Education Foundation and Fort Bend Cares.
“The Sugar Land Legacy Foundation recognizes Bob Brown for his esteemed business career, his unyielding support of this community and his tireless efforts to leave a lasting legacy for the residents of Sugar Land,” said Sharma.
“HCSS, Gene Reed and Bob Brown are great examples of Sugar Land’s vibrant and strong business community,” said Phil Wagner, Director of Economic Development for the City of Sugar Land. “Sugar Land continues to be an economic powerhouse in the Houston region, and the City is appreciative of the Legacy Award recipients’ dedicated commitment to our community.”
Sugar Land City Council created the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation in 2010 to assist in the development of City-owned capital projects and promote community investment in facilities and activities that enhance the long-term prosperity and quality of life for Sugar Land residents. Past projects from the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation include the Remembrance Tower and Honor and Remember engraved brick pavers located within the Veterans Memorial area at Sugar Land Memorial Park, the universally accessible playground in Sugar Land’s First Colony Park, Eldridge Park Trail improvements, City Park skate park enhancements and memorial and the installation of several sculptures throughout Sugar Land.
The foundation focuses on “planned giving opportunities” that do not compete with the fundraising efforts of Fort Bend County’s many charitable organizations. For more information about the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation visit www.sugarlandlegacy.org.
