14th Annual WLP Fall Symposium Program

PAGE 14
2019 WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP & PHILANTHROPY
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD
LINDA
SIMMONS ’75
Linda Simmons is a successful businesswoman and philanthropist — with a hand in building the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus enjoyed
by so many today.
Simmons serves as the President and CEO of R.R. Simmons Construction Corporation, which specializes in design, engineering and construction
management services for corporate clients ranging from Volkswagen of America and Coca-Cola to the Tampa Port Authority and her alma mater, USF.
The firm is responsible for the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center, several athletics facilities and a wing of the Gibbons Alumni Center, cementing their
legacy on campus.
Though she was born outside of the state, Simmons’ father moved the family to his native Florida when she was just six months old and Simmons grew
up in the Tampa Bay area, attending schools in Hillsborough County. Then, when she was just 15, her father suddenly passed away.
In the years that followed, Simmons’ mother put herself through college at USF while raising three children, earning her undergraduate degree in 1971,
the same year Simmons graduated high school. In the following years, they attended USF together — without the benefit of financial aid — and in 1975,
Simmons graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.
Linda began her career in finance, graduating from the American Bankers Association Stonier School of Banking and blazing a trail as a female leader
in the Tampa Bay banking industry before joining her husband, Randy Simmons, in the family construction business.
Under Simmons’ leadership, the company has received a number of accolades for its projects, including numerous NAIOP Best of the Best Awards,
Tilt-Up Concrete Association Awards and Design/Build Institute of America awards. The U.S. company’s headquarters building earned the Green
Building Council’s LEED Silver Certification (2010),
Simmons relationship with USF came full circle when she was invited to become a member of the USF Alumni Association Board. She went on to
help found and chair USF’s Women in Leadership and Philanthropy, serve as a member and chair of the USF Foundation board of directors and join
the board of the Gus A. Stavros Center. Simmons was honored with the USF Alumni Association’s Donald A. Gifford Service Award in 2011, which
recognizes individuals who have provided unparalleled volunteer leadership and service to the university.
The Simmons have generously given to USF to advance athletics as Iron Bull members, have supported Women in Leadership & Philanthropy
programming, the Stavros Center and the USF Research Foundation, but the bulk of their efforts have focused on scholarships. Remembering her
mother’s struggle to finish school, they established the Carolyn A. O’Steen Memorial Scholarship in WLP, which benefits single parents, in memory of
her mother, as well as the Linda and Randy Simmons Endowed Athletic Scholarship that provides full scholarships to one female and one male athlete
annually.
Outside of USF, Simmons has used her skill for rethinking organizational structure and service delivery on a number of nonprofit boards, including
the United Way, the American Heart Association, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, Friends of Boca Grande Community Center, IWF Florida
Suncoast, Grow Financial, Associated General Contractors, Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Brandon, and others. Linda’s professional
achievements, her tremendous service to the University of South Florida, and her significant community leadership contributions make her a fitting
recipient of the 2019 WLP Community Leadership Award.
PAST RECIPIENTS
Liz Kennedy ’80 (2018), Debbie Sembler (2017), Elaine Shimberg (2016), Hon. Pam Iorio ’01 (2015), Elizabeth Fowler (2014),
Barbara Sparks-McGlinchy ’78, ’83, ’91 (2013), Susan W. Leisner (2012), Dr. Mona Jain ’84 (2010), Carol D. Morsani (2008),
Pamela S. Muma (co-awarded in 2008), Dr. Kay Glasser (2007). (Not Awarded in 2011 and 2009).
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ANNUAL WLP FALL SYMPOSIUM