Community Leader Forum - Orlando - Dean Christopher Silver (2/26/09)

ORLANDO, Fla. (February 26, 2009) -- "We cannot talk about urban transport until we know what type of city we want. The important questions are not about engineering but about ways to live," quoted Dean Christopher Silver to a packed room of high-profile business and community leaders last Thursday at GrayRobinson's Community Leader Forum.

The professor and dean of the University of Florida's College of Design, Construction and Planning opened his comments with an introduction of himself, including his work as an urban development advisor to Indonesia and an academic appointment to the University of Illinois before launching into the impact the College has had on the community.

Consistently ranked among the best in the nation for its degree programs, Silver focused on the multi-disciplinary design studio and research center created in partnership with the University of Florida, University of Central Florida, and Valencia Community College with support from the city of Orlando. Citi-Lab offers innovative solutions to problems and opportunities within the built environment that best serve metro Orlando.

The firm's Community Leader Forum is hosted on a quarterly basis with the intentions of bringing together clients, attorneys and friends of the firm to hear high profile business and community leaders discussing issues of importance to the community. The Community Leader Forums are a longstanding tradition of the firm throughout our offices. The forum provides an opportunity for our guests to meet with Orlando's leadership and stay informed about matters that affect the community.

Previous speakers have included: Dr. Anne Kerr, president of Florida Southern College; Congressman Jim Davis; former Mayor Pam Iorio; former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich; General Tommy Franks; former Tampa Bay Bucs General Manager Rich McKay and Ed Turanchik, president and CEO of Florida 2012.

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