Horizons Fall 2013

27 HORIZONS director of its Convenience Store and Fuel Operations. Under his leadership, the Jack in the Box gas station/ convenience store brand known as Quick Stuff grew from 9 to 61 units. In 2006, Comma became regional vice president of the Southern California region. A year later, he was promoted to vice president of Operations, Division II, overseeing close to 1,200 restaurants. He became senior vice president and chief operating officer in February 2010 and was promoted to his current position in May 2012. Comma added that his success is also because of his relationship with his employees and the unique business culture at the company. The leaders are “humble and approachable,” he said, and the atmosphere feels more like a family-run business than a typical corporation. “I love what I do, and I love the people I work with,” he said. “We have a large brain trust of talented employees here. As a leader, I value that and treat everyone with respect. At the same time, I hold them accountable to achieve a fair amount of success.” Comma also gives his time to community service and is a devoted family man. He joined the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in 2012. Jack in the Box has been a longtime supporter of the organiza- tion and Comma had participated in his local chapter. When the national board recruited him because they thought he could assist their growing organization, he was glad to help. A New York native, Comma married his high school sweetheart, Alison, and they have three sons: Lenny, Jr., 17; Jordon, 13; and Cameron, 10. Comma coaches his chil- dren’s sports teams on weekends and supports them in their other activities, which include surfing and an alternative rock band. Being successful is all about balance, Comma says, and that’s what he wants today’s students entering the business world to know. “By taking the time to enjoy my faith, to exercise, spend time with my family, and just enjoy life, I have high energy, am focused, creative, and better able to solve problems,” Comma said. “I find that the more balanced my life is, the better I am at everything. You just have to trust that.” n AROUND NSU PLAN UNVEILED FOR RESEARCH AND MEDICAL CENTER Nova Southeastern University may become the site of Broward County’s first Research and Medical Center on a university campus. HCA East Florida has filed an application for a Certificate of Need with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration for approval to build and operate a hospital of 100 beds. If approved, the facility would be built entirely with private dollars. University students would gain real-world experience in medical professions through practicums, internships, and residencies. The proposed $120-million hospital, which will become part of NSU’s Research and Medical Center, will be privately owned by HCA East Florida. The facility will take advantage of the latest technology and NSU’s world-class research to offer full health care services to South Florida residents. “This collaboration creates an unrivaled opportunity for Broward County and beyond to have access to the constellation of health care fields, research, and a hospital, creating a true medical home for patients’ access and choice,” said George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., NSU’s president and chief executive officer. The hospital will anchor NSU’s Academical Village, expected to break ground in 2014 with the Center for Collaborative Research, which eventually will include residential areas, medical offices, retail space, and a hotel/conferencing center. In conjunction with NSU’s Academical Village, the project would provide up to 5,000 new jobs—bringing doctors, nurses, health care practitioners, and other businesses to the area, university officials said.