Keep Brevard Beautiful, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on litter reduction and community beautification, recently announced that Connie Herring joined the organization as executive director.
Herring is an experienced nonprofit leader with than 20 years of experience. Most recently she was associate director of Strategic Partnerships at East Coast Zoological Foundation, where she was responsible for designing and managing the organization’s partnership strategy, as well as managing a portfolio of 200 major donors. She also led implementation of the Brevard Zoo’s successful 2026 Safari Under The Stars, which set a fundraising record.
Herring is a native of Brevard County, having graduated from Merritt Island High School and the University of Florida, but spent many years working for non-profit organizations in North Carolina before returning home in 2025.
“I was attracted to KBB because of its decades-long legacy of community impact and environmental stewardship, as well as by the unique opportunity to work with the board of directors, sponsors and volunteers to shape the organization’s future to match Brevard’s growing challenges,” Herring said.
This October KBB, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, will celebrate 45 years of service in the local community. Last year, the group’s staff and volunteers removed more than 412 tons of litter and debris from Brevard County’s roadsides, waterways and beaches.
Prior to relocating back to Merritt Island, Connie was executive director of the Piedmont Opera in Winston-Salem, having ascended to that role after also serving as Director of Advancement and Community Engagement, Director of Development, and Director of Operations. She also served in leadership or key development roles for other non-profit organizations to include The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, and the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County
“Connie is an outstanding leader and nonprofit professional. We expect her formidable experience and proven track record to lend new energy for growing KBB’s mission and impact to the community,” said Deb Harmon, who served as interim executive director since December.
Proctor named chair of United Way Space Coast board
Longtime Space Coast business leader, and United Way Space Coast board member (including being the 2024 Campaign Chair,) Travis Proctor recently was named chair of the United Way Space Coast board of directors.
This is an exciting new chapter for United Way Space Coast,” Proctor said. “Our new CEO Kathryn Rudloff brings the strategic vision and leadership needed to help guide the organization into its future. I am excited to partner with her, our dedicated Board of Directors, and our exceptional staff team to build an even stronger United Way. Together, we have the opportunity to deepen our impact, strengthen our culture of excellence, grow community investment, and bring businesses, nonprofits, government, and volunteers together to address the Space Coast’s most pressing challenges.”
Proctor is the CEO and founder of Artemis IT, a premier information technology services firm serving businesses throughout Florida’s Space Coast. A recognized entrepreneur and business leader, Proctor has guided Artemis IT to numerous honors, including the GrowFL Companies to Watch Awards, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast Innovative Company of the Year award, and the Space Coast Chamber Business of the Year Awards.
Proctor also previously served as chair of the Board of Trustees for Florida Institute of Technology and the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. In addition to United Way Space Coast, his community leadership includes service on the boards of organizations such as CivMil, Brevard Achievement Center, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, The Salvation Army, the Space Coast Chamber of Commerce, and Junior Achievement.
Proctor’s dedication to entrepreneurship, education, and community service has earned recognition from numerous organizations. Among many honors in his career, he was recognized recently as a finalist for FLORIDA TODAY’s Citizen of the Year award in 2019, inducted into the Junior Achievement of the Space Coast Business Hall of Fame in 2022, received the Space Coast Chamber Legacy Award in 2025, and was honored with the Scouting America Golden Eagle Award in April of this year.
“Travis has been an incredible champion for United Way Space Coast and the community we serve,” said Kathryn Staczek Rudloff, president of United Way Space Coast. “His leadership, entrepreneurial mindset, and passion for bringing people together will be invaluable as we continue to expand our impact and address the evolving needs of our community.”
Perdue acquires Melbourne-based ABI
Perdue Inc., a commercial interiors firm and premier Steelcase dealer, and part of The Suddath Companies operating in North Florida, has acquired American Business Interiors (ABI), a Melbourne-based commercial interiors firm founded in 1969.
Perdue said the acquisition advances its mission to “deliver fully integrated workplace, healthcare and education environments—from strategy and design to furnishings, architectural solutions, project delivery and ongoing support—all through a single partner.”
“As organizations rethink workplace, education and healthcare environments, the physical environment has never been more important,” said Rob Lau, president of Perdue, Inc. “Our goal is to create spaces that are not just functional, but genuinely inspiring places where people want to work, learn, heal and connect. With ABI, we’re enhancing our ability to deliver seamless, start-to-finish solutions for our clients.”
“Joining Perdue allows us to build on what we’ve created over the past several decades,” said Rob Peres, ABI’s general manager. “Our clients will continue working with the same team they trust, while gaining access to expanded resources and capabilities that support their long-term workplace needs.”
Perdue said the combined organization brings together two experienced teams – with ABI’s deep expertise in commercial interiors and trusted manufacturer partnerships that complement Perdue’s integrated approach, creating a more comprehensive offering for clients.
ABI’s presence on Florida’s Space Coast expands Perdue’s geographic reach into one of the state’s fastest-growing markets, supporting industries such as aerospace, defense and healthcare that demand complex, high-performance environments.
“This acquisition strengthens Perdue’s position as a workplace partner and allows us to grow more intentionally with Steelcase, while expanding our footprint in Florida and supporting clients on a broader scale. ABI’s market presence and cultural alignment make this a natural fit.”
“This acquisition strengthens Perdue’s position as a workplace partner and allows us to grow more intentionally with Steelcase, while expanding our footprint in Florida and supporting clients on a broader scale,” said Richard Greco, president of Suddath Workplace Solutions. “ ABI’s market presence and cultural alignment make this a natural fit.”
If you have a Business Newsmakers item you’d like to publish, please email details to Wayne T. Price at wtpkansas@yahoo.com or contact him at 321-223-0230.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Herring leading Keep Brevard Beautiful
Reporting by Compiled by Wayne T. Price, For FLORIDA TODAY / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Compiled by Wayne T. Price, For FLORIDA TODAY | USA TODAY Network
