Simpkins Speaker Series
CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
THE SIMPKINS Speaker Series was created in 2001 by Bernard Simpkins , a long-time supporter of EFSC . He was an active community leader and successful entrepreneur .
In 2008 , he worked with the EFSC Foundation to establish a scholarship for students who demonstrate their interest in entrepreneurship and commitment to earning a degree or certificate from the college . Two students each semester benefit from his generosity .
Originally from Nashville , his parents were very influential in his life and impressed upon him the importance of being charitable . Simpkins received weekly letters while in college from his mother saying , “ Hold your head up high and be somebody .” His mother passed away while he was in college , but her words stayed with him for the rest of his life .
Simpkins served in the US Army , built multiple businesses in Florida , and earned awards and honors in the business and education communities .
He started his own oil business in Cocoa in 1962 and was joined in 1971 by his long-time partner , Fletcher Sheriff . Together , they started S & S Enterprises , Inc .
They expanded their business from gasoline at convenience stores to a Goodyear Tire Store , S & S Toyota Dealership and Thrifty Car rental . They were also involved in real estate .
He left an indelible mark on Brevard County . He served as a member of the then Brevard Community College Board of Trustees and was generous to the college . In fact , the
Fine Arts Building on the Cocoa Campus bears his name .
He was excited about the B . W . Simpkins Speaker Series . Over the years more than 23 CEOs and business founders have come to campus to share their personal stories .
They included Chick-fil-A founder , Truett Cathy ; Al Neuharth , founder of USA Today ; Stedman
Graham , Chairman and CEO of Graham & Associates ; Former Florida Lieutenant
Governor Toni Jennings ; Wally Amos , Founder of Famous Amos Cookies ; L . Gale
Lemerand , founder of Gale Industries ; Don Shula , former Miami Dolphins head coach and founder of Don Shula Steakhouse ; and Carol Craig , CEO and founder of Craig Techologies and Sidus Space Technologies .
Simpkins died in 2020 . Carrying on her father ’ s passion , daughter Jill Simpkins continues to serve on the Simpkins Speaker Series Committee .
Bernard Simpkins , founder of the Simpkins Speaker Series
14 | EFSConnections Fall 2022