Neil L. Rose: a Charitable Champion

Bruce Bradley, board chair, (left) and Deborah DiCroce, president and CEO, present Neil with a wood turned piece of art by Mike Dennis of Virginia Beach made from a Norfolk Island pine tree.

Attorney Neil L. Rose of Virginia Beach likes helping his clients "use their assets to make their corner of the world a better place."

Neil, a member of Willcox Savage, specializes in trust and estates, tax and business law. He was honored on November 7 by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation for his work as one of southeastern Virginia's top charitable champions.The event was held at the new Zeiders American Dream Theater in Virginia Beach.

Neil was the 12th person to receive the annual Barron F. Black Community Builder Award named for the founding board chair of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.

Barron Black, who led the board until he passed away in 1974, was an attorney known for leading the charge that started Eastern Virginia Medical School and for his work with libraries and saving historic homes in the region. Barron, a founder of the Vandeventer Black law firm, inspired his clients to find lasting ways to be generous and benefit their community.

Like Barron, Neil is an attorney known for his community work. He served as vice chair of the Virginia Beach School Board and the volunteer head of the Kiwanis Club of Norfolk, Virginia Beach Education Foundation and Temple Beth El. He currently serves on the board of Zeiders American Dream Theater,Temple Beth El Foundation, his Kiwanis Club and the Education Foundation.

"I do community work because it is fun," Neil says. "I get to volunteer with fun people, build relationships and have a good time" while dong something positive to improve the community.

Also like Barron, Neil revels in helping his clients be generous. "My work is like a puzzle that starts with me getting people to tell me their stories so I can figure out how to help them meet their objectives," Neil says.

Neil, a graduate of the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce and its School of Law started his career in Washington, D.C., working for the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service. He moved to Hampton Roads in 1987 and has done private legal work ever since.

Neil's award included an original piece of art -- a wood turned piece by Mike Dennis of Virginia Beach made from a Norfolk Island pine tree felled by Hurricane Matthew. Neil also got to recommend a $5,000 grant to a nonprofit. He chose Zeiders American Dream Theater, which opened in October in Virginia Beach's Town Center area. Neil is a member of board of the Dream Theater, which provides a venue for emerging artists.

Past Barron F. Black Community Builder Award Winners are:

2007 Anita O. Poston	2011 Anne B. Shumadine*	2015 Morris H. Fine
2008 Robert C. Nusbaum*	2012 Toy D. Savage Jr.*	2016 Kirkland M. Kelley
2009 Guilford D. Ware	2013 Robert C. Goodman Jr.	2017 Amy G. Pesesky
2010 Allan G. Donn	2014 Peter M. Huber

* deceased