Contact: Julie Mann Director of Communications United Way of West Alabama 2720 6th Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Phone: (205) 345-6640 For Immediate Release.

Tocqueville Society Members Honor Susan and Brad Cork

Tuscaloosa, AL—(March 28, 2016) – The United Way of West Alabama’s (UWWA) Alexis de Tocqueville Society (ADT) has selected Susan and Brad Cork as the recipients of the annual Family of the Year honor. The Corks, longtime supporters of UWWA and many of its partner agencies, will be presented the award during the ADT spring dinner at the home of Karen and Jim Brooks on Tuesday, April 26th.

The ADT Board seeks nominations from its membership of the most deserving honorees. The selected family must have made significant contributions in improving health, education or financial stability for residents of West Alabama. Susan and Brad, through personal gifts and donations from Phifer Inc. and the Reese Phifer, Jr. Memorial Foundation, have funded charitable, educational and literacy projects and needs in their home city of Tuscaloosa and beyond. They have a family history of supporting UWWA and, along with family members Beverly Phifer and Karen and Jim Brooks, were charter members of UWWA’s ADT Society. Susan has also recently finished serving as three-term Chairman of the ADT Executive Committee where under her leadership ADT membership grew 40%.

“Susan’s leadership as Chairman of United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society will have a lasting impact on the quality of life in West Alabama,” says Jackie Wuska, President & CEO of UWWA. “Brad and Susan’s lives are outstanding examples of giving of one’s talents and resources to benefit others. United Way is proud to recognize them as our Family of the Year, and we are honored to be associated with their service to our community. “

Both Susan and Brad are employed at her family’s business Phifer Inc., where they have been submersed in its culture of giving back. They are committed to the importance of continuing the charitable work the Phifer family began in the community through the business and the Foundation. They have also generated a scholarship for the children of Phifer employees who wish to be college bound.

“It’s just what we do,” says Susan. “We are blessed to be able to give back to our community.”

Susan was instrumental in raising funds for and building the Tuscaloosa Children’s Center. Brad has long been involved with The Boys & Girls Club and the West Community Soup Kitchen. His other areas of leadership and service include the Tuscaloosa Symphony Board of Directors, The University of Alabama’s President’s Cabinet, University of Alabama’s College of Community & Health Science’s Board of Visitors, founding Board member of Bank of Tuscaloosa and the Alabama Productivity Center’s Board of Directors. Along with Susan, they are both active in various areas at Christ Episcopal Church.

And after many years of involvement with UWWA and many of its partner agencies, both Susan and Brad are relentless supporters. Susan feels that United Way is worthy of support because when she donates, she “knows the money is going to a lot of organizations that need help.”

For more information about ADT of West Alabama, please contact Laura Dulek Green at 205- 345-6640 or [email protected].