Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Florida

Sigma Phi EPSilon FratErnity FloridA AlphA ChApter p.o. Box 12182 gAinesville, Fl 32604-0182 Address Service Requested SigEp Gator Heart HE JUST MIGHT RING YOUR BELL! B rother Bill Bell '77 has accepted the challenge of being our principal one-on- one Campaign for Florida Alpha fundraiser. Working closely with the Foundation and the AVC, Bill will be traveling the country in the next year calling on brothers old and young on behalf Florida Alpha. When Bell rings, please answer. This multi-talented high-energy professional didn't come from outer space—but he could have. Among his many unconventional endeavors was to assist start-up Space Adventures in the successful execution of Cosmonaut training, launch, and return of the world's first paying tourist to the International Space Station. Bill's efforts resulted in the 2001 successful journey of the first paid visitor to ride into space aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. This accomplishment was groundbreaking and has been followed by eight additional millionaires taking the trip at prices of up to $30 million each. Bill is excited about his new adventure: Leading the Florida Alpha effort to raise essential funds to ensure the Fraternity's successful return to campus and a renovated, state-of-the-art home at 5 Fraternity Row. Bill's dedication and love for Florida Alpha and SigEp are palpable. "SigEp has played such a remarkable role in my life. I owe the Fraternity more than I can ever repay. It is my hope to be able to energize our brothers and help them understand why they should support our efforts to bring Florida Alpha back to prominence at the University and why we need to make 5 Fraternity Row the best living-learning facility anywhere," Bill said. To say Bill is qualified to head this effort would be an understatement. Bill has held positions in sales and marketing, from sales representative to vice president of sales and marketing with national and international corporations, as well as small start-ups. Industries he has worked in include film production, fiber optic telecommunications, software development, technology hardware, hospitality, aviation, and travel and tourism. Bill majored in materials science and engineering and minored in business administration at the University of Florida. He also completed University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business executive study program for sales management and marketing strategy. A self-described adrenaline junky, Bill has enjoyed scuba cave diving, skydiving, motorcycle racing, whitewater rafting, and kayaking. His most memorable rushes however were his trips to Russia where he flew supersonic MiG fighters with Russian test pilots and zero- gravity training flights with cosmonauts. "My goal is to bring the same energy and drive for the success of the Campaign for Florida Alpha as I have in previous, successful projects with which I have been involved," Bill said. "SigEp's return to the UF campus, from a colony to a full-fledged Chapter, will require all of us who care about Florida Alpha to rededicate ourselves to making it happen. Fortunately, we have a hard-core group of dedicated alumni, a University administration who wants us to succeed, and a National office all equally working on making our return happen sooner rather than later," Bill says. Bill has a proven record of support for SigEp and Florida Alpha. "Being a part of SigEp was the basis of my closest, lifelong friendships. When I married in 1989, Jeff Wilson'76 was my best man and all of my groomsmen were SigEp brothers: Mike Lobianco '75, who was my big brother; John Elliott '79, my little brother; and Bill Sipala '77. I have done many rewarding things in my life but, other than my beautiful daughter, being a SigEp has been the most lasting and significant of them all," he said. Bill will be working closely with a consultant from Pennington & Company, the highly successful professional fundraising organization that has been working with Florida Alpha for several years. Pennington played a crucial role in getting the initial Campaign for Florida Alpha up and running. In its 20-year history, Pennington & Company has raised more than $390 million (more than all of its competitors combined) for clients representing 60 (inter) national Greek-letter organizations on more than 123 campuses across the U.S. We will have a powerful team with Brother Bill Bell calling on his Florida Alpha brothers, Pennington's powerful fundraising expertise and counsel, and our own energetic capital campaign committee working together to meet our campaign goal. Bill Bell is on an important mission. The success of that mission will depend, in large measure, on all of us. It will depend on us to keep an open mind, an open heart, and, by all means, an open door when Bill rings your bell. Fasten your seat belts. Brother Bill Bell will be flying your way soon. Fraternally, Al Alsobrook '59 sigepflalpha@gmail.com Bill Bell '77 in a supersonic MiG fighter jet with Russian test pilots. Call or e-mail Bill to learn more and discuss the many ways you can support SigEp at UF! Cell: (540) 974-2455 E-mail: ToSpace@visuallink.com

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