"We are proud to celebrate these amazing alumni whose dedication and accomplishments reflect the very best of Flagler College,” Director of Alumni Engagement Whitney Shafer (‘07) said, opening the luncheon.
Laura Neal, ‘98 – Professional Achievement Award
The Professional Achievement Award is presented to alumni who have demonstrated significant accomplishments in their fields and have achieved national and/or regional recognition.
Laura Neal serves as Executive Vice President, Content & Creative for the PGA TOUR, which encompasses oversight and strategic integration of Communications, Content, Publicity, Creative, and Advertising Strategy for the world’s preeminent professional golf league. She is the youngest member – and one of three women – who make up the TOUR’s Commissioner’s Committee, which helps shape the strategic direction of the organization.
Neal serves as chief spokesperson for the TOUR and is responsible for developing and implementing all messaging – internal and external – that has the potential to reach the TOUR’s fans and further grow and diversify its global fanbase.
Retired Flagler College Sport Management professor Dr. Bernadette Twardy presented Neal’s award, recounting the story of Neal’s mom cornering her about why she gave her a B in her class. “Who knew it would be the only B you would earn at Flagler College,” Twardy said.
This spring marks 25 years since Neal graduated from Flagler with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Sports Management. Soon after graduation, she began her career with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), where she started as an intern while still at Flagler, and ascended to senior director of concept development, serving as the association’s “in-house publicity” leader to secure high-profile player appearances and media placements.
In 2007, Neal was recruited by the PGA TOUR to oversee all communications and PR plans for 18 tournaments, including THE PLAYERS Championship, the TOUR Championship, and six playings of the Presidents Cups. During her tenure in that role, she worked with Presidents Clinton, G.W. Bush, Obama, and Trump, as well as heads of state from Canada, Australia, and Korea.
In her current role, she leads a team of more than 120 TOUR colleagues to drive awareness of players, tournaments, and TOUR initiatives.
Neal helped create Flagler College’s endowment to honor the retirement of Dr. Twardy, whom she shared in her remarks had so much “influence over my college and professional career, even though you did give me a B my first semester and my mom, rest in peace, never forgave you.”
Neal has held positions on numerous boards of charitable organizations, has served within the Care Team at her church and is currently active with the DONNA Foundation, whose mission is to provide financial assistance and support to those living with breast cancer and fund groundbreaking breast cancer research. (Neal’s mother passed away in July 2020 after a second battle with breast cancer.)
As Neal closed her acceptance speech, she read the notes her daughter Haly wrote for her.
“Thank you so much for choosing me to get this award. I’m so happy and so proud of myself. I had really big dreams for my life, but if I didn’t choose this school & didn’t choose to do this job, I don’t know where I would’ve ended up. I wouldn’t have met Billy or had Haly or even met Daisy or Gadsby. Those are our dogs. Because of Flagler, my life has turned out pretty great. Thank you so much for choosing me and I can’t wait to see what life has in store for me next.”
Ed Lombard, ‘97 – Flagler College Service Award
The Service Award is presented to alumni who have rendered a high degree of service to Flagler College for over 10 years.
Ed Lombard’s dedication and service to Flagler College has included volunteering, personal financial contributions, and making connections to personal contacts which leads to more service and financial support. He began his volunteer service to the College in 2016 when he joined the Alumni Board of Directors. He served on the board until 2023 and then transitioned into other volunteer leadership roles by joining the Saints Club Advisory Board and LEAD Fund Advisory Board in 2022, followed by the Science Advisory Board in 2023.
In presenting Lombard’s award, Flagler College Trustee and alum Viv Helwig (‘08) shared stories of Lombard's involvement with the men’s basketball team, serving as a mentor and friend to the players.
“Ed is a hype-man of all hype-men,” Helwig said. “A couple of times a year, I get to experience going in the locker room after a big win, and there is no hype man like Ed Lombard. It is truly remarkable.”
As part of his service with the Saints Club, Lombard attends almost every basketball game and has even traveled to away games to support the team. He has met with the student-athletes on the team to share motivational speeches and brings friends to the games to grow the support and fan base.
For the LEAD Fund, Lombard has served as a mentor for students and participated in professional development opportunities that have helped students learn about being successful in interviews and how to dress for success. Finally, he has also been active with Flagler’s Science board by connecting faculty with science leaders and making sure they have the support necessary to educate students.
Financially, Lombard has served the advancement of Flagler by making numerous personal gifts to Flagler Athletics, Science, the LEAD Fund, and the Flagler Fund, and even established his own personally named endowed scholarship. He has also reached out to a network of friends and has encouraged them to support the College. Through his efforts, additional support over the last 3 years has totaled more than $120,000 and includes gifts to support Men’s Basketball, the Visual and Performing Arts Fund for Excellence, and even a newly endowed scholarship fund.
Lombard’s overall philosophy is “service above self” and he exemplifies this day in and day out through his support for his alma mater.
When accepting his award, Lombard shared a message to all in attendance: “Continue to be the light you all are. Be the light of positivity in a divided world and keep helping Flagler take it to the next level.”
Lombard has built a successful career in the financial services industry through his work as a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services and now as a Managing Partner with Agility Wealth Management.
Honoring Outgoing Alumni Board Members
Additionally, three alumni board members, Tony Lippi (‘00), Guy Garbarino (‘98), and Vice President of the Board, Jacob Harding (‘07) were recognized for their service as they completed their terms.
“These alumni serve, promote, and support Flagler College on a daily basis,” President of the Alumni Board, Dr. Mary Beth Albritton (‘01), said. “I have great affection for this board and they’re absolutely vital to the College.”
