UT's Center for Ethics honors Premier Eye Care CEO

The University of Tampa Center for Ethics recently presented Premier Eye Care CEO Lorna Taylor with its Tampa Bay Ethics Award.

The center recognized Taylor for her business approach that integrates a commitment to "people, planet and profit" as a proven business strategy for sustainability and success.

With more than $110 million in 2016 revenue, Premier was named one of "Florida's Fastest Growing Companies" by Florida Business Journals in 2015 and 2016, reflecting the company's national expansion. Premier also has been ranked for six consecutive years as one of "Florida's Best Companies to Work For" by Florida Trend magazine.

The company, which manages full-risk medical and routine ophthalmic care for more than 4 million people, is recognized for its technology solutions that have enhanced the quality of medical and customer care in a highly competitive industry. Taylor has built a forward-thinking, self-directed team rooted in innovation. Half of her staff is made up of millennials.

Taylor, a St. Petersburg resident, is involved in a number of key community initiatives. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Dalí Museum, and on the Boards of Directors of Preserve Vision Florida, Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence Foundation, Arts Conservatory for Teens and Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts. She also sits on the University of Tampa Board of Trustees as well as the Board of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute Moffitt Medical Group.

In total, she has directed over $3 million in support to critical Tampa Bay and Florida nonprofits. However, she chose to honor the Premier employees, especially those in attendance at the Oct. 6 breakfast at the Vaughn Center.

"This is a shared award, with each of you and with all of our associates," Taylor said. "Premier is more than a common work experience. It is a place where together we ever expand our expertise and express innovation — where we are part of something noble and greater than ourselves.

"Thank you for your commitment to our corporate culture that embraces ethical leadership . . ."

In receiving the award, Taylor had four local residents introduce her with glowing and sometimes humorous tributes: architect Yann Weymouth, former University of South Florida president Betty Castor, Tampa Bay Times columnist Ernest Hooper and St. Petersburg poet laureate Helen Pruitt Wallace.