Commons dedicated to honor Starfish board member

The Webster family at the dedication of the Rick and Patti Webster Commons

June 1, 2009 – A former Starfish board member was honored on May 30, 2009, as the new Commons was dedicated in his memory.

The Commons — part of the overall redesign of the Starfish Initiative offices — was named Saturday as the Rick and Patti Webster Commons to commemorate Rick’s service to Starfish as a board member and his work on the redesign project.

Rick Webster was the CEO of DesignPlan and the catalyst behind the renovation project. Webster inspired Starfish staff to “dream big” about what the office space could be like and how it could serve as a transition space for Starfish Scholars between high school and college.

Webster was also instrumental in the project by donating half of his company’s time and talent to the design project and finding the other companies — d2p, CiSolutions and Leo Brown Group — who would also participate in the project and donate 50% percent of the products and services as a gift to Starfish. Webster passed away before the project was completed.

To honor his involvement with Starfish, the board voted unaninmously to name the Commons — Webster’s favorite part of the redesign project — as the Rick and Patti Webster Commons. The Commons is a former two-car garage converted to a large group meeting room with a small kitchenette and round tables and chairs.

The dedication was attended by about 60 people, including many members of the Webster family, board members and special guests.

websterfamilyTo conclude the redesign project, an open house was held after the dedication for Scholars, mentors, families and the public. More than 160 people toured the new building on Saturday.