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Jenn and Lewis Bear III Named 
Honorary Chairs for The Big Gala 
2019 Benefi ting Big Brothers Big 
Sisters of Northwest Florida

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest 

Florida has named Jenn and Lewis Bear III as 
Honorary Chairs of the annual Big Gala.

 “Jenn and Lewis are amazing advocates for 

the community,” said Paula Shell, President 
and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of 
Northwest Florida. “With this being our 
30th year, we felt it was important to have 
Honorary Chairs who exemplify that history. 
The Bear Family has been involved since 
the beginning. Belle and Lewis Bear Jr. were 
instrumental in bringing our services to 
Northwest Florida and serving on our board. 
Cyndi Bear Bonner has also served on our 
board, and now Lewis Bear III currently 
serves. Our Littles are blessed by the service 
of this family.”

“We are so happy to support Big Brothers 

Big Sisters of Northwest Florida as they 
begin their 30th year,” said Lewis. “We 
love our Little Brother Sam. We started 
this relationship to help Sam, but we have 
benefi ted far more than we imagined from 
having him in our lives,” shared Jenn.

The Big Gala is Big Brothers Big Sisters of 

Northwest Florida’s signature fundraising 
event and will be held on January 11, 2019 
at Skopelos at New World. The event will 
kick off the agency’s 30th anniversary serving 
kids in the Panhandle. To learn more about 
becoming a sponsor, visit www.bbbsnwfl .org 
or call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest 
Florida at 850-433-5437.

‘Broken Time: Sculpture by Martin 
Payton’ on Exhibit at Pensacola 
State

 
“Broken Time: Sculpture by Martin 

Payton,” a collection of the artist’s most 
sophisticated improvised creations, will be 

on display at Pensacola State College through 
Friday, Nov. 30.

Inspired by New Orleans jazz musicians, 

the exhibition of works created by Payton 
over the last 20 years is in the Charles W. 
Lamar Studio on the Pensacola campus. 
A reception followed by a question-and-
answer session with Payton is set for 6-8 p.m. 
Thursday, Oct. 4, in the Lamar Studio. 

Using scrap metal, Payton welds the 

medium into sparse, lyrical steel sculptures 
that are deeply rooted in the modernist 
tradition. Characteristics of his works include 
striking lines, curves and planes deepened 
with nuanced layers of meaning rooted in 
African symbolism, the African American 
experience and jazz.

Born in New Orleans in 1948, Payton 

lives and maintains a studio in Baton Rouge. 
A professor of art at Southern University 
from 1990 until 2011, he received his BFA 
from Xavier University and MFA from 
Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles. His work 
is in the permanent collections of NOMA, 
the Amistad Research Center, the William 

King Regional 
Arts Center and 
the Rosekrans 
Runnymede 
Sculpture Garden. 

The Charles 

W. Lamar Studio 
gallery hours are 
8 a.m.-9 p.m. 
Monday through 
Thursday and 
8 a.m.-4 p.m. 
Friday. Tours are 
available with prior 

arrangements. Admission is free and open to 
the public. For more information, call 850-
484-2550.

Saltmarsh Named One of the 
Nation’s Top 200 Firms by INSIDE 
Public Accounting 

 
Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund, one of 

the largest CPA-led consulting fi rms in the 
Southeast, has been recognized as one of the 
nation’s Top 200 accounting fi rms according 
to INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA). 

The list is comprised of accounting fi rms 

ranging in size from the multi-billion-dollar 
Big 4 to fi rms of roughly $10 million in net 
revenue. The rankings are compiled using 
data gathered from IPA’s Annual Survey and 
Analysis of Firms, which received over 600 
responses. 

“With our 75th anniversary approaching, 

we are proud that our fi rm has grown to 
become one of the nation’s top accounting 
fi rms. This recognition validates our 
commitment to providing quality service, 
investing in our people for sustainable 
growth, and upholding our shared vision 
and guiding principles,” said President Lee 
Bell. “Our success is driven by our dedicated 
professionals, loyal clients and communities. 
Pensacola can be proud that a fi rm founded 
in our area is being recognized at the national 
level for its continued success.” 

In light of the evolving landscape in the 

accounting industry, Mike Platt, principal 
with IPA, stated: “CPA fi rms continue 
their expansion into services that are not 
traditionally associated with accounting fi rms 
- wealth management, cybersecurity, [and] 
client marketing assistance...” Saltmarsh 
continues to expand and refi ne our services 
to best help our clients achieve success in 
their various industries, both now and in the 
coming years. 

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9/27/18   1:38 PM