Hodges honors Chico's executive

NAPLES — Hodges University recognized Gillian Cummings Beck, director of insurance and risk management for Fort Myers-based women's retailer Chico's, with its Founders Award.

Hodges presents its Founders Award annually to a Hodges graduate from Lee County who has provided outstanding and distinguished service to the community.

Gillian earned her MBA (summa cum laude) from Hodges University, was inducted into Sigma Beta Delta and was recognized as the Johnson School of Business 2010 MBA Student of the Year. Prior to relocating to Florida 10 years ago, Gillian worked for the Navy, where she was coordinator for one of the largest military air shows in the country. She also served as the deputy comptroller for Naval Special Warfare Command, Group One.

“I use the skills I learned from Hodges University every day,” says Cummings-Beck, in a statement. “Through all of the research and writing assignments required by her professors during my time at Hodges, that hard work helps me in my role at Chico's. I'm also very supportive of the efforts made by Hodges University to assist veterans and their families in their pursuit of higher educational goals.”