Christopher M. Lazzara Named the 2017 Robert Arleigh White Arts Advocate
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Christopher Lazzara, founder and CEO of MountainStar Capital based in Ponte Vedra, has been named the 2017 Robert Arleigh White Arts Advocate by the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville at its yearly Arts Awards event.
The Robert Arleigh White Arts Advocacy Award is given to those who “…fight tirelessly to advocate for a more vibrant art and cultural scene in Jacksonville.” In 2014 the Cultural Council named the award in honor of its longtime executive director who was specifically impactful and skilled at advocating for funding of the arts through a percentage of the tax dollars collected.
Lazzara is involved in philanthropic efforts that improve quality of life and expand the area’s art and culture. He was recognized for the Lazzara Family Foundation’s and MountainStar Capital’s partnership with University of North Florida to create the public project, Seaside Sculpture Park. The partnership resulted in the first public art installation on private land in the area. MountainStar donated use of the property located near Oceanside Park in Jacksonville Beach. The family foundation and MountainStar provided a $50,000 grant to UNF for the installation, sculptures and artist stipends. The project recently was extended for another year and the second year sculptures are being installed.
Lazzara also serves as the chair of the Community Outreach Committee of UNF’s Student Affairs Community Council. He serves on the Board of Trustee’s Executive Committee for the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation. He directs all operations of the Lazzara Family Foundation, which has provided over $16 million in grants to worthy organizations since 1997. He leads the development of the ART scholarship fund for UNF art students. Lazzara co-chaired the 2016 Cowford Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society.
MountainStar Capital is privately owned and based in Ponte Vedra. Lazzara leads the firm’s investment committee, directs investment strategy and oversees all major initiatives and its affiliated companies. MountainStar Capital has made over 50 acquisitions piloted by Mr. Lazzara since 2013 and expanded to 21 local employees in just four years, becoming one of the largest private equity firms in the area.
MountainStar Capital, with offices in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and Vail, Colorado, is a private equity firm investing across a variety of industries. For more visit www.mountainstarcapital.com or call (904)567-1400.