More than 100 attorneys, bankers, CPAs, estate planning advisors, and fund development representatives from non-profit organizations gathered to applaud William N. Kirk, an attorney at Gould Cooksey Fennell in their Estate Planning & Tax Group, as the recipient of the 2015 Pinnacle Award.
Kirk, nominated by the United Way Foundation of Indian River County, was honored at the eighth annual Pinnacle Award Breakfast, held last Tuesday at Quail Valley River Club.
Presented by the Indian River Estate Planning Council and the Planned Giving Council of Indian River, the award honors professional advisors for outstanding voluntary service to local non-profit organizations in promoting charitable gift and estate planning.
In his opening remarks, Pinnacle planning committee chairman David Osgood thanked the sponsors, Fidelity Investments, Gould Cooksey Fennell, Indian River Community Foundation, Offutt Barton Schlitt, and Vero Insurance, and credited Richard Johnson for conceptualizing the award.
A native of Kansas, Kirk graduated first in his class at Washburn University School of Law, earned an LL.M. in Estate Planning from the University of Miami, School of Law, and was recognized as an Estate Planning Fellow.
“In his time in our community, Will Kirk has spent countless hours volunteering,” said Michelle Malyn, UWF Chief Development Officer. Kirk has served in a number of leadership roles with the United Way, and was instrumental in establishing the United Way Foundation.
“I think everyone in this room knows Will to be a man of integrity, fierce intelligence, professionalism and wit,” added Malyn. “He has spent countless hours, over many years, guiding us through this transformational process. No other individual has done more to advance the United Way Planned Giving program than Will Kirk. It has been my privilege to work with him.”
Kirk has also aided the VNA & Hospice Foundation Planned Giving Active Council, Indian River Community Foundation Professional Advisors Council, Vero Beach Museum of Art Advisory Council, Indian River Medical Center Foundation Professional Circle, Indian River Estate Planning Council, and Planned Giving Council of Indian River.
“OK Will, we’re not in Kansas anymore,” joked Beverly Sanders, Indian River Medical Center Foundation Director of Gift Planning, who teased him good-naturedly about growing up as a “farm boy” and “bleeding purple,” a nod to the colors of his alma mater, Kansas State University.
“It goes with everything!” Kirk quipped back.
Sanders said the IRCMF appreciated Kirk’s participation as a member of its Professional Circle, and presented him with a Green Egg cooker recipe book (sharing that Kirk is a Green Egg aficionado) and a case of purple file folders.
“We feel so strongly about what he’s done for the community and what he’s done for our firm,” said Todd Fennell.
Fennell said he first saw the other side to Kirk’s hard-working, conservative, Midwest tax attorney demeanor at an office Christmas party, where Kirk became the life of a party, complete with a feathered purple hat.
“He’s a renaissance man,” said Fennell, noting that he made up a new definition of the term for the multi-talented Kirk. “He is humble, helpful, dedicated, selfless, professional, a partner and a friend. He works for others, he’s loyal, honest, talented, incredibly intellectual, and that laugh – it’s the best laugh in Vero Beach.”
First teasing that Kirk’s given name was really Willie Nelson Kirk, Fennell also presented a letter of commendation from Kanas State coach William Snyder to “Willie the Wildcat Kirk” which said, “You’re the original power cat, and you’ve made us proud.”
“I am both honored and humbled by my selection,” said Kirk, accepting the award from Sue Tompkins, last year’s recipient, and recognizing all involved.
He closed by paraphrasing quotes from galaxies far away, saying, “So that all of us and the rest of the community may live long and prosper, may the force of charity be with you all, always.”
Previous recipients are Robin A. Lloyd, Sr., Samuel A. Block, John E. Moore III, Rebecca B. Colton (posthumously), J. Vincent Boyle, William J. Stewart, Jr., and Sue Tompkins.
