Dr. Alan Holden, United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties (UWLSC) was elected the Business Supporter of the Year during the 2019 ACE Conference Awards Luncheon. The work of the UWLSC focuses on developing a healthier, safer community with a skilled workforce that contributes to the local economy and a generation that is educated and equipped for the opportunities of tomorrow. Through collaboration with a variety of community partners, including Lake Technical College, the UWLSC is able to leverage resources and services to impact and improve the lives of those in our two counties. Over the years, the UWLSC funded adult education instructors in many of Lake Technical College’s off-site locations across Lake County. Most recently, they have been instrumental in supporting the “Correction Connections” project which allows Lake Technical College to fund an instructor in the Lake County Jail. This instructor helps prepare the inmates for the GED® test and over the past two years, over 201 inmates were served with 77% obtaining literacy gains or obtaining their high school equivalency diploma which opened the door to increased opportunities for further education and success upon their release. In addition, the UWLSC is involved with our Adult Education Advisory Committee and assists in any way that they can to serve students who may need some special assistance in order to succeed in their classes.