FPL Group’s Jeff Bartel Receives Humanitarian of the Year Award Presented by the March of Dimes Florida Chapter

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jeff Bartel, FPL Group Vice President of Corporate Compliance, based in Juno Beach and Miami, has been named recipient of the 2009 Humanitarian of the Year Award presented by the March of Dimes Florida Chapter. The award honors individuals who exemplify genuine and meaningful leadership and whose efforts, on behalf of others, have significantly contributed to the betterment of the South Florida community.

“Through his positive and inclusive leadership style, his personal commitment and involvement throughout the state, and his investment in people and mentorship of others, he has truly made a difference.”

“Jeff Bartel is a tremendously respected, inspiring and impactful business leader who possesses exceptional talents, judgment and broad experience. He sets a great example for other leaders of industry with his vision, dedication, commitment to excellence and integrity – and he does so with passion, purpose and a heart of gold,” said Gus Berenblum, March of Dimes board member and co-chair of the Building Our Community Awards. “Through his positive and inclusive leadership style, his personal commitment and involvement throughout the state, and his investment in people and mentorship of others, he has truly made a difference.”

Bartel is being honored as Humanitarian of the Year for his sustained contributions and record of service, for his recognized role as a statesman in Florida, for demonstrating social and ethical responsibility in business, and for his outstanding track record and high impact in his professional and community life. “I am truly honored and humbled by this recognition, and so very proud to work for a company as deeply committed to customer service and social responsibility as FPL. The March of Dimes is tremendous organization which we should all support in its mission to improve the health of babies,” said Bartel.

Past recipients of the award have included Jackson Health System president and CEO Marvin O'Quinn; Regions Bank president & CEO Angel Medina; former NBA star and founder of Alonzo Mourning Charities, Alonzo Mourning; Ocean Bank president and CEO Jose Concepcion; and Miami Project to Cure Paralysis co-founder Dr. Barth Green.

Bartel recently received Leadership Florida’s 2009 Distinguished Member Award, the organization’s highest honor, for his character, vision, service, influence and statesmanship, as recognized by Florida’s top leaders of business, government, education and non-profits. In 2007, he was named Leader of the Year by the Beacon Council for his distinguished contributions to the Miami-Dade economy and community. Bartel holds a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in economics and government from Harvard University, where he was named Harvard Scholar for outstanding academic achievement, and holds a law degree with highest honors from the University of Florida, where he was named the university’s Darrey Davis Scholar for superlative academic achievement and public service, and inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame and Florida Blue Key. Bartel has served in many leadership roles in statewide and local business, educational, nonprofit and arts organizations, as well as utility industry associations, university and company boards.

Bartel shares this distinguished honor with Manny Diaz, Mayor of the City of Miami; Javier Hernandez-Lichtl, CEO of South Miami Hospital at Baptist Health Systems; Howard Lucas, CEO of Goldstein Schechter Koch; Octavio Hernandez, President of U.S. Century Bank; Bob Berkowitz, President of Multivision Video and Film; Neisen Kasdin, Chairman of Akerman Senterfitt in South Florida; and Gilbert Salguero, Station Manager for Radio Disney. The honorees will be joined by other top business and thought leaders at a luncheon event in their honor on November 20, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL.