CBA alumnus named FPL’s Volunteer of the Year

Longtime FPL employee Alex Perdomo was recognized with the company’s award on Sept. 13 for his work as volunteer soccer coach and his efforts on behalf of the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity.

For Alex Perdomo ’92, MS ’94, giving back has always been a priority.

FPL’s Pam Rauch, vice president of corporate & external affairs (far left) and Marlene Santos, vice president of customer service, presented Alex Perdomo with his Volunteer of the Year Award and a donation to Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity on behalf of Florida Power & Light Company on Sept. 13.

Since childhood, the College of Business Administration grad was taught by his Cuban-born parents (Perdomo’s father is a realtor; his mother works with him doing the accounting) the importance of giving back to his community.

“My father has always been very involved with his church and Kiwanis, for many years,” said the 43-year-old Florida Power & Light rate analyst (he is part of a team that does consumption research for the company). “He and my mother always told us that no matter how much we had there are others who have less.”

Five years ago, Perdomo went to sign up his now-12-year-old son for soccer at the Optimist Club of West Kendall. One of the coaches there approached him to ask if he would be interested in helping coach the kids. Although he knew very little about soccer – “I had to go out and buy some books!” – he said yes.

He never imagined how rewarding he would find the experience to be. He organizes practices and scrimmages; coordinates schedules with parents; and makes sure the kids have snacks and refreshments handy. He has even honed his soccer skills in the process, and become one of the most requested coaches on the league.

“What I liked most about Optimist is they don’t emphasize winning, but rather team work and camaraderie,” he said. “I make sure that all my kids get a chance to go out on the field and that, win or lose, they do their best and are kind to the other team and to one another.”

To date, Perdomo has logged more than 500 volunteer hours on and off the soccer field and has also been volunteering with Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity for the last 10 years. Last year when the soccer season finished, he became involved in FPL’s Community Volunteer Corp and was one of the top fundraisers for Team FPL at the ALS Walk last year. This year, he is co-chairing the team and the company’s upcoming holiday.

For his efforts, FPL recently named him the 2010 Volunteer of the Year.

“I was extremely honored that they selected me in recognition of my service to West Kendall Optimist, Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and the company’s Community Volunteer Corp and their service projects,” he said. “I just hope my recognition inspires others to give of themselves because I believe that if everyone gave of themselves just a little to help others, this would be a very different world.”