More than 100 colleagues, friends and family members filled the dining room at the Quail Valley River Club last Tuesday morning for the seventh annual Pinnacle Award Breakfast, unanimous in their endorsement of Sue Tompkins, a Vice President and Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, as the 2014 Pinnacle Award recipient.
The Pinnacle Award, presented by the Indian River Estate Planning Council and the Planned Giving Council of Indian River, recognizes excellence in charitable planning; honoring professional advisors for outstanding voluntary service to local non-profit organizations in promoting charitable giving through estate and gift planning.
Many of the non-profit organization representatives in attendance were from groups Tompkins has counseled over the years, having served on the boards of the Education Foundation of Indian River County, VNA & Hospice Foundation, Indian River Community Foundation, United Way of Indian River County, Dasie Hope Center and Impact 100.
In his opening remarks, event chairman Richard Johnson, Gift Planning Counselor at VNA & Hospice Foundation, thanked sponsors Fidelity Investments, Gould Cooksey Fennell, P.A., Indian River Community Foundation, Offutt Barton Schlitt, LLC, and Vero Insurance, who had underwritten the cost of the breakfast.
Proudly pointing out that he and Tompkins are both University of Connecticut alumni – the only college to have won two National Championships in the same year, in the same sport, and doing so twice – he gave a little good-natured ribbing to his University of Florida friends, adding, “There’s always next year!”
Tompkins was nominated for the award by Cynthia Falardeau, Executive Director, Education Foundation.
“Since 2000, Sue has been an unstoppable force in our community,” said Falardeau. She noted that Tompkins’ steely analytical skills make her a natural leader; highly valued by her peers for her moral values and commitment to serving others.
“That’s our Sue; a great leader, visionary, philanthropist, who gives her heart to the community so that others will have a better tomorrow.”
“Sue’s service to the community is legendary,” said Carol Kanarek, Board Chairman, VNA & Hospice Foundation. “As she joins the other winners of this award, we are honored to recognize Sue as truly being at the top of her profession.”
“Sue believes in the power of philanthropy, which she visibly and continuously demonstrates through her gift of time, talent and treasure along with her commitment to helping clients achieve their charitable giving goals,” said Kerry Bartlett, Executive Director, Indian River Community Foundation.
“I can’t think of anyone who is more truly deserving of this reward,” said 2013 recipient Bill Stewart, before presenting Tompkins with the award.
“The only thing more nerve-wracking than this is the Final Four,” laughed Tompkins, before sharing a few favorite Gators vs. UConn stories about that memorable weekend.
Tompkins’ first job in Vero Beach was in 1986 at Barnett Bank, when Becky Allen served as its president.
“She had a culture of philanthropy and service, and we all bought into it,” said Tompkins, referring to Allen as her ultimate mentor. “It was just an amazing experience.”
Speaking about her various experiences, Tompkins said she realized that little things can add up to a lot – a concept that came into play with Impact 100, where she was a founding member and past president.
“It’s very humbling to receive it and I’m truly, truly thankful,” said Tompkins of the award.
Previous Pinnacle Award recipients were Robin Lloyd, Sam Block, John Moore, Rebecca B. Colton, Vince Boyle and Bill Stewart.
The Planned Giving Council has extended the deadline to May 15, for member and new member nonprofits to be included in the Planned Giving Guide to Indian River Charities. Contact dennis.bartholomew@IAmTheSource.org for more information.