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Newsroom Circle
of Life Gala Honors Phil Weber Park Ridge, Illinois (January 21, 2003) — On Friday, January 17, more than 450 people gathered in Albany, New York to honor Phil Weber, Executive Regional Director of Farm Family, as the MDRT Foundation’s Circle of Life Award winner. The gala began with a cocktail reception followed by a dinner program that included check presentations from the MDRT Foundation to two Albany organizations. Phil Weber selected the proceeds from the gala to go to the Child Trauma Unit at Albany Medical Center and the Matthew Christopher Walsh Scholarship Fund at Christian Brothers Academy. “Last February, my Farm Family brother, Tim Walsh, lost his son, Matt, in a skiing accident. Matt was an extraordinary young man. He was a natural born leader with a strong sense of family and patriotism. This award gives me an opportunity to pay a small tribute to his life,” Weber said. The scholarship fund was established at Matthew’s school, Christian Brothers Academy, to promote the virtues that he exemplified in his life. The Child Trauma Unit was chosen for its heroic efforts to revive him as well as its standards for excellence in pediatric care. Each organization received a contribution from the MDRT Foundation in the amount of $30,000. “My hope is that Matt’s family can take comfort through his enduring legacy. Because of these organizations, many other children are going to have opportunities that would have otherwise been closed to them,“ Weber said. Members of MDRT leadership came out to congratulate Weber on his achievement. Donald J. Benedetti, MDRT Foundation Treasurer and 31-year Farm Family agent and member of the Agents Hall of Fame, served as the evening’s master of ceremonies. Other featured speakers included MDRT Foundation President Mitchell W. Ostrove, CLU, ChFC and 2001 MDRT Past President Tony Gordon. Political and community leaders lauded Weber’s as well. Albany’s mayor, the Honorable Gerald D. Jennings officially declared the day “Philip P. Weber Day.” Governor George Pataki wrote a congratulatory letter that was read at the event by his representative, Richard Zimmerman. The town supervisor, Sheila Fuller, presented Weber with a Certificate of Achievement. The MDRT Foundation established the Circle of Life Award to recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the life insurance industry and to their communities. The award honoree embodies the characteristics that the MDRT Foundation has long held in high regard: a generous nature, charitable spirit, strong community involvement, and industry leadership.
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