The Hernando Board of County Commissioners spoke in glowing terms about the late Dr. Dennis Wilfong during the June 11 board meeting.
Wilfong’s widow, Pam Wilfong, appeared in front of the board as it accepted her donation of $60,000 for the marquee entrance sign of the Dr. Dennis Wilfong Center of Success. “I want to thank everyone in this county who has stood behind Dennis and behind this vision and this dream that he had of doing things for the county,” Pam Wilfong said. “It’s a great honor to be here. We have always loved this county. They’ve done so much for us, and Dennis would be so proud and honored, and I am very honored for the recognition he has gotten from this.”
The commissioners took turns expressing their admiration for Dr. Wilfong to his wife of 55 years.
“The time that I got to spend with your husband was inspirational,” Commissioner John Allocco said. “His story is amazing. It’s about perseverance and just knowing that the right things will happen if they’re supposed to happen.”
“… I appreciate your contribution to the marquee sign. I think this center is going to be a game-breaker in the near future for Hernando County, it really is. It’s going to provide educational opportunities that are going to really improve the overall lifestyle and life direction for many people in Hernando County.”
The BOCC named the center after Dr. Wilfong in 2021. He founded Innovative Technology, Inc., a manufacturing firm headquartered in Hernando County that grew into a multi-million-dollar company working with organizations such as the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA and Ford Motor Company.
Wilfong, who passed away from COVID-19 in 2021 at age 74, was instrumental in the vision of creating the workforce development site that now bears his name.
Currently under construction on Helicopter Drive in the area of the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport, the Dr. Dennis Wilfong Center for Success is a joint project between the BOCC, Hernando County School Board, and Pasco-Hernando State College. Its purpose is to boost the local workforce by providing affordable vocational and technical education
options.
“Mrs. Wilfong, I can’t thank you enough for all the contributions that the Wilfong family has made to Hernando County,” Commissioner Jerry Campbell said. “Dennis and yourself have both been the epitome for servant leaders. Successful businesspeople that when they decided to slow down just a little bit in the business world, they then shifted their energy into giving back and serving our community, and serving our community well.
“… I know you are, and Dennis is, and we all are proud to have his name on that complex.”
The first phase of the project associated with infrastructure and the Wilton Simpson Technical College is almost complete. Future phases of the project envision a Space Hub Business Incubator and continued expansion of workforce training facilities. The School Board will be coordinating the sign construction.
“This is an honor for you and your family, and well-deserved,” Commissioner Steve Champion told Pam Wilfong. “I look forward to seeing that for generations to come, his name on there.”
