These nine selfless individuals consistently go above and beyond to better their communities.

Most people have a hard enough time taking care of themselves and their loved ones on a daily basis, but every community is lucky enough to have those special individuals who find a way to give more. Central Florida seems to have more of its share, which is why Orlando Family Magazine finds it important every year to honor local men who are dedicated to serving others. Whether it’s supporting families in need, giving sick children the vacation of a lifetime, donating professional services or promoting diversity, these area residents are certainly worthy of recognition.

MAN OF THE YEAR: Jordan Lomas
As a supporter of various causes for the past 25 years, Lomas has learned that community service doesn’t just help others, but also “fills your own heart in ways you can’t imagine.”
A longtime resident of Southwest Orlando, he got started in philanthropy when he witnessed firsthand that many Central Florida teachers had to use their own money to supply their classrooms, which led to students not getting the proper tools to further their education. So Lomas became a founding member of the board of directors for A Gift of Teaching (AGFT), an organization that ensures that students in need receive the school supplies necessary to be successful. Lomas’ retirement last year from his role as senior vice president of information technology at Darden Restaurants has only opened up more time to give back, enabling him to become a board member for Give Kids the World (GKTW), an 89-acre nonprofit resort that provides cost-free, one-week vacations to families with children battling critical illnesses. Since January, he added the title of interim CEO, helping to keep the nonprofit focused on its mission during the search for a permanent CEO. Also an adjunct professor at the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business, Lomas considers his support of the community he calls home with his wife Ann and children Elizabeth and Jimmy to be his greatest achievement. “Ultimately, giving back provides me with a sense of purpose,” he says. “Supporting children at both AGFT and GKTW is meaningful because doing so aligns closely with my values, and this service has allowed me to see the real impact that we can make for children and families in our community—and beyond.”

Dr. David Lach
In more than three decades as an orthodontist in Central Florida, Dr. Lach has helped to boost the confidence of tens of thousands of patients through life-changing smile transformations. Also during that time, he has set a prime example for how a local business can support its community, sponsoring countless programs and events related to schools, youth athletics and philanthropic efforts. He took that concept to a whole other level when he created his own charitable organization, the Smiles for Hope Foundation, which provides pro bono orthodontic treatment for underprivileged children and families in the area who would otherwise not be able to afford braces and dental care. Every year, multiple applicants are chosen for the program based on criteria such as financial need, community involvement and special circumstances, and Dr. Lach has also partnered with other businesses to offer transportation to and from appointments, video game entertainment, pizza and dessert, and even hairstyling, so that visits to his office are truly memorable. “This opportunity isn’t so much about straightening teeth as it is about giving impoverished children a chance at a happier, more successful future than they otherwise would not have had without the benefits of a beautiful smile,” he says.

Kelvin Curry
Curry believes that “there is no higher calling than making a difference in the life of a child,” and he has backed that statement up by dedicating his career to nonprofit management for nearly 25 years, including the last 14 at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida. In his current role as the director of Middle School Programs, the graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh strives to help children of all races, ethnicities and backgrounds to reach their full potential and to blossom into caring adults. Curry oversees 16 programs in Orange County Public Schools serving 4,500 students and leads a diverse team of more than 200 employees. He is also an effective public speaker who shares his experience and knowledge with afterschool professionals at state and national conferences to positively impact their interactions with children. “The life-changing work that we do at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida of investing in the lives of young people who need us most has a profound impact on the communities we serve,” he says. “Providing our club members with academic support, extracurricular opportunities and positive adult role models equips and empowers them to be successful in life.”

Eddy Moratin
In 2013, Moratin was one of the visionary co-founders of Lift Orlando, a nonprofit that was established with the goal of strengthening historic neighborhoods in the heart of the city that have long been neglected. He continues that mission today as the president of the organization, which believes a community’s strongest asset is its people and that real change can occur when business and community leaders are inspired to invest in local impact. Moratin has spearheaded the creation of new mixed-income housing, a state-of-the-art Boys & Girls Club and early learning centers in some of the region’s highest-priority neighborhoods, and he continues to advocate for further business-led social innovation through various speaking engagements. He is also a board member and advisor to multiple organizations focused on economic mobility, education and community health, and is most proud of his wife of 21 years and his two children. “Giving back is not just an act of charity, it is an act of stewardship,” he says. “Each of us has been entrusted with gifts, whether talents, resources or opportunities, and I believe our greatest calling is to use them to lift others. Our legacy is not measured by what we achieve for ourselves but by what we build together for future generations.”

Esu Ma’at
A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Ma’at went on to earn his master’s degree in sports management from Columbia University and completed his diversity & inclusion training at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He has since embarked on an influential career in the athletic realm, including a stint leading the Diversion and Inclusion department at the United States Tennis Association Eastern Region. Since 2020, he has served as the chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer for the Orlando Magic, where his responsibilities include integrating DEI strategy with the team’s values, attracting and retaining diverse talent, and enhancing organizational culture and social impact. His work to build a workforce reflective of Central Florida’s demographics along with a diverse fan base has been celebrated often, with the Magic earning the SPORTY Award for Sponsorship Activation of the Year in 2022 and the African American Chamber of Commerce Corporate Recognition Award in 2023. Ma’at also is a member of the board of directors for the Coalition for the Homeless and Central Florida Community Arts, and served as the class chair for Leadership Orlando Class 101.

Dr. George Cope
A leader of both faith and nonprofit organizations throughout the country for the past 51 years, Dr. Cope came to Central Florida in 2006 and has continued his life’s work here. He pastored Calvary Orlando Church for seven years and spent a decade at Vision Orlando, a nonprofit that brings leaders in faith, business and government together to change the city for the better and to unify churches across denominational lines. Dr. Cope, who has a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and a master’s and doctor of ministry in leadership, mentors business faith leaders both locally and nationally and has taught in more than 40 countries. He is currently establishing a nonprofit to train faith communities to engage in the social service space and serves on the boards of several notable organizations. Married for 53 years to his wife Cheryl, he has one daughter and three grown grandchildren, and he has a simple motto that applies to both his family and his charitable causes. “My passion is building meaningful and lasting relationships,” he says.

Steve Hogan
Hogan serves as the CEO for Florida Citrus Sports (FCS), a nonprofit sports and entertainment organization that is well known by college football fans for hosting the Pop-Tarts Bowl and the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. But Hogan is equally passionate about his team’s impact far beyond the field, centered on the belief that athletic venues and events can create lasting benefits to the community. He was part of a group of local leaders responsible for establishing Lift Orlando 12 years ago, and FCS was a founding partner of the nonprofit, which has driven the transformation of historically underserved neighborhoods surrounding Camping World Stadium. Its accomplishments include Pendana at West Lakes, a mixed-income community that opened in 2018, as well as an affordable senior living community; Lake Lorna Doone Park, a 12-acre green space; and Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art health facility. FCS holds fundraising events throughout the year to support Lift, and is currently partnering with the College Football Playoff Foundation to generate $1 million in education projects across Central Florida.

Brian Adams
A native Canadian, Adams graduated from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, before earning his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Central Florida. He has dedicated his career to health care and has worked at AdventHealth for more than 20 years, serving in various leadership positions. In his current role as president and CEO for the Central Florida Division, Adams oversees eight hospitals and nine off-site ERs across the four-county region, treating nearly six million patient visits per year, more than any other health care system in the area. AdventHealth is also a major supporter of local nonprofits, and under Adams’ guidance, the organization invested more than $1 billion into Central Florida in 2024. AdventHealth gave more than $9 million in community grants or gifts to local nonprofits working to address homelessness and workforce development, including The Salvation Army of Orlando, Special Hearts Farm, The Sharing Center, Cristo Rey High School and United Global Outreach. Adams is also a board member for Lift Orlando, a community development organization that seeks to strengthen underserved communities through mixed-income housing, education pathways, health and wellness services, and economic viability opportunities.

Luis Martinez
Martinez has been dedicated to helping others since his childhood in Puerto Rico, and in college he and his two brothers founded the nonprofit Starlight Productions, which encouraged children to embrace the arts and hone their skills. A job opportunity at Walt Disney World brought him to Orlando in 2000, where he furthered his education with a master’s in business administration from Ana G. Mendez University. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer appointed Martinez director of multicultural affairs in 2012, making him the highest-ranking Hispanic employee of the city. He jumped into the job with both feet, establishing the Office of Multicultural Affairs and building strong relationships with the area’s diverse minority communities while providing much-needed resources to the underserved populations. Martinez coordinates multicultural events, hosts community meetings, helps to implement outreach initiatives and serves as the city’s Hispanic liaison and spokesperson. He considers it an honor to assist all of Orlando’s residents, visitors and businesses regardless of race of cultural background. “Giving back is so important to me because it’s a unique opportunity and joy that gives a profound fulfillment that comes not from recognition but from the desire to help selflessly to those in need,” he says. “It’s a reflection of our shared humanity, a spiritual connection with God and a belief that we are all, in some way, responsible for one another. It reminds us that leadership is not about power, but about purpose and our collective well-being.”