U.S. Navy vet Bruen will fill in throughout search for permanent leader

MANATEE -- Sixty years ago in Queens, N.Y., Jim Bruen enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

"I later discovered if you are going to get ahead in life, you need a college education," said Bruen, who will turn 77 on Jan. 30.

Bruen earned an education and, after a long career as director of business research at Eastman Kodak Co. in Rochester, N.Y., has been named interim executive director of the Manatee Community Foundation.

Bruen said his mission is to guide the Foundation over the next four months during a search to find a permanent director by April.

"I am honored," Bruen said Wednesday. "I look forward to helping the Manatee Community Foundation as it continues to grow the success it has achieved over the years."

Bruen replaces founding Executive Director Marilyn Howard who retired Dec. 31.

For the past 17 years, the Foundation has connected the charitable interests of donors with needs in the Manatee County community. The Foundation handles more than 200 donor funds and $36 million in assets.

Bruen and his wife, Jane, moved to Bradenton 10 years ago and, for the past three years, have been active participants in the Foundation, said Karen Miller, president of the Foundation Board.

During the last decade, Jim Bruen has served on the board of Take Stock in Children. He is also a board member for Bradenton's Turning Points.

As Bruen comes aboard, the Foundation is roughly halfway toward its $1.2 million capital campaign goal to purchase, renovate and furnish new headquarters at 2820 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Move-in is anticipated for the middle of February, Bruen said.

Bruen must also make sure several big events go smoothly, including the Feb. 4 Legacy Lunch and the Spirit of Manatee Awards on March 2.

"This is our most active time of the year," Bruen said.

After getting his bachelor's degree from Syracuse University, Bruen earned a master's degree in business administration from the University of Rochester.

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7072 or contact him via Twitter@RichardDymond.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 6:44 PM with the headline "U.S. Navy vet Bruen will fill in throughout search for permanent leader ."