DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The Community Foundation of Volusia & Flagler didn't have to search long and hard to come up with a prominent business leader as its 2015 recipient of the "Herbert M. Davidson Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service."
The selection by the Foundation, a division of the United Way of Volusia - Flagler Counties, was a no-brainer: Mori Hosseini, chairman and CEO of ICI Homes, one of Florida’s largest residential homebuilders and developers.
“Mr. Hosseini and his wife, Forough, have been tireless advocates of our community’s welfare, successfully raising its profile not only as a world-class source of education and talent, but also as a place where leaders pull together to advance the common good of all its citizens, “ Bruce Teeters, chair of the Community Foundation of Volusia & Flagler, said in written statement emailed to Headline Surfer and other local daily media outlets.
“Mori’s active support of health and human services are deeply appreciated by all of us at the Foundation and the United Way, as a great example of volunteer leadership in our home area,” Teeters added.
“Mr. Hosseini and his wife, Forough, have been tireless advocates of our community’s welfare, successfully raising its profile not only as a world-class source of education and talent, but also as a place where leaders pull together to advance the common good of all its citizens, “ Bruce Teeters, chair of the Community Foundation of Volusia & Flagler, said in written statement emailed to Headline Surfer and other local daily media outlets. “Mori’s active support of health and human services are deeply appreciated by all of us at the Foundation and the United Way, as a great example of volunteer leadership in our home area.”
Born in Iran, Hosseini was primarily educated in London, England, where he received a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Chelsea College of Aeronautical Engineering. He then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he received both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Studies and a Master of Business Administration. He is currently chairman of the Embry-Riddle Board of Trustees.
Hosseini founded ICI Homes in 1980. Consistently ranked by Builder Magazine among the nation’s Top 100 Homebuilders, ICI Homes has built thousands of homes and created some of the largest master development communities in Florida, markets including the counties of Volusia (corporate headquarters), Flagler, St. Johns, Duval, Nassau, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and Brevard. In addition to master development and homebuilding operations, Hosseini is involved in many enterprises throughout Florida including a lumber company and a title insurance company.
In addition to the previously-mentioned chairmanship of the Embry-Riddle board, Hosseini serves as the chairman of the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida. He was former chairman and board Member of Halifax Health Medical Center.
Hosseini serves serves on the Board of Directors of the International Speedway Corporation that is headquartered in Daytona Beach, and is former chairman and board Member of Pinnacle Bank.
During his 35-year business career in Volusia and Flagler Counties, Hosseini has been recognized for his countless professional, industry, civic, and personal contributions to the community and the nation. He is the recipient of many honors, including Builder Magazine's “2011 Hearthstone Humanitarian Award,” the 2010 Glenn & Connie Ritchey Community Service Award – Council on Aging, the 2006 Lou Fuchs Award – Daytona Area Chamber of Commerce, the 2009 Spirit of Hope Award – Habitat for Humanity, a 2007 induction into the Home Builders Association Hall of Fame,and the 2007 Opening & Dedication of “The Mori Hosseini Center” at Daytona State College.
In 2006, Hosseini was entered into the U.S. Congressional Record as the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Mori Hosseini, his wife Forough and three daughters, are longtime residents of Ormond Beach.
This year will mark the 23rd annual presentation of the Davidson Memorial Award since its inception. It is presented to recognize individuals like Mori Hosseini, who have demonstrated a career of exceptional service to the community. The award dinner will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at the Henderson Center of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. For more information, please call Bill Ward, director of the Community Foundation of Volusia & Flagler Counties, at 386- 275-1943.