Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
Florida Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart recently honored 44 Florida businesses with the Commissioner's Business Recognition Award. This award recognizes businesses for their extraordinary contributions to Florida's public schools.
“I am pleased to present these businesses with the Commissioner’s Business Recognition Award as a token of our appreciation for their ongoing support,” said Commissioner Stewart. “Strong partnerships between the education and business communities are essential to student success, and I hope more businesses will take advantage of this mutually beneficial opportunity.”
Among those honored was Madison's Annett Bus Lines. Annett Bus Lines owner, Brian Annett, serves as an Assistant Baseball Coach for the Madison County High School (MCHS) varsity baseball team. Annett's wife, Christi, has also volunteered many hours as a baseball “team mom,” washing countless loads of baseball uniforms throughout the season. In addition to their work with the baseball team, Brian and Christi are members of the athletic booster club, the School Advisory Council for MCHS, and the PTO. Christi serves on the board of directors for the Madison County Foundation for Excellence in Education. It is not uncommon at all to see either or both Brian and Christi at one of the schools working on a beautification project because one of the schools needs sprucing up. Their company, Annett Bus Lines, purchased every player on the middle school football team button-up white shirts and maroon ties to wear to school one day per week and new uniforms for the baseball and softball teams in order to support the efforts of coaches to instill self respect and pride on and off the field. Annett Bus Lines continues to be a major sponsor of the Teacher of the Year Banquet and has provided transportation for academic and athletic trips throughout the school year.
“It is a blessing to have Annett Bus Lines as a community partner,” said Madison County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Pickles.