Louis Dreyfus Commodities
MS Hope Award Recipient
Award accepted by Erik Anderson, Chief Executive Officer North American Region
Louis Dreyfus Commodities is the recipient of the 2009 MS Hope Award, presented by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter, to honor exceptional individuals or organizations exemplifying extraordinary leadership, outstanding civic and community service and a long-standing commitment to humanitarian endeavors.
The Wilton, Conn., subsidiary of The Louis Dreyfus Group has been a leading corporate supporter for the Connecticut Chapter. An integral participant in the yearly MS Bike Ride since 1992, a team of over 50 Louis Dreyfus employees, family members and friends take part in the event and continuously rank among the event’s top fundraisers. Louis Dreyfus Commodities has also generously supported the MS Dinner of Champions throughout its 18 year involvement with the chapter. Collectively, Louis Dreyfus and its staff have contributed more than one million dollars to benefit programs and services of the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter.
Kevin Segalla
Founder & President, Connecticut Film Center
MS Champion of the Arts Award Recipient
Kevin Segalla is the recipient of the 2009 Champion of the Arts Award, presented by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter, to honor individuals who have made a significant contribution to advancing the arts and art appreciation in our community.
Kevin founded the Connecticut Film Center (CFC), the leading provider of financial and production services and facilities for the motion picture and television industries in Connecticut. CFC’s flagship facilities in Stamford and Norwalk have served as the epicenter of the recent Connecticut production boom. In addition to his support of numerous other charitable organizations, Kevin has championed the Chapter’s Gala event for many years.
Bobby Valentine
Baseball Great
Master of Ceremonies
We are honored to have with us again this year a longtime supporter and friend to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter. Bobby, who was born and raised in Stamford, Conn., is known as somewhat of a “hometown Hero” in the area. Having begun his career in 1968 when he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers he has made headlines from LA to New York to Japan throughout the past 40 years. Bobby is currently the manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan. First (and still only) manager in world baseball history to lead a team to the NPB Nippon Series and the MLB World Series (his 2000 New York Mets lost to the Yankees).
Constantly recognized for his charitable endeavors, among them his being awarded a key to New York City after his extraordinary relief efforts following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Bobby Valentine has been an active member in the efforts of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the MS Dinner of Champions for more than 20 years. Bobby has served as the Master of Ceremonies seven times and was honored in 1982 with the Leonard Schine Memorial Award. We thank Bobby for being with us this year and for his many years of dedicated service to MS Dinner of Champions.