HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 08 11 Consent 301 - 2025 Hometown Hero NominationCONSENT AGENDA ITEM 301
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA | AUGUST 11, 2025 REGULAR MEETING
TITLE
2025 Hometown Hero Nomination
SUMMARY
The City of Winter Springs hosts an Annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Winter
Springs Veterans Memorial, during which a local resident is recognized for their
exemplary military service and unwavering support of the Winter Springs community.
In 2025, the nomination of the Winter Springs Hometown Hero has been awarded to
Sean Richards. His nomination was carefully reviewed and selected by our Veterans
and Veteran Family Advisory Committee.
FUNDING SOURCE
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Commission approve Sean Richards as the 2025 "Winter
Springs Hometown Hero".
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2025 Hometown Hero Nominee Info:
SEAN RICHARDS
Submitted By:
KEITH BATCHELDER
Sean is a highly decorated and combat wounded military veteran who dedicated twenty
years of service to the United States Army and ultimately served with the most elite special
operations unit in the Department of Defense, Delta Force. While assigned to Delta Force,
Sean deployed multiple times to various combat zones and participated in the most
complex, covert, and dangerous national-level missions directed by the President of the
United States and the Secretary of Defense.
Sean enlisted as an Infantryman and began his career at Fort Campbell, Kentucky with the
101st Airborne Division. During his time at Fort Campbell, his leadership selected Sean to
attend the highly-demanding Ranger School. He successfully passed Ranger School and
subsequently served as a Ranger Instructor at 6th Ranger Training Battalion at Eglin Air
Force Base, Florida. During this period, the United States Army Special Operations
Command invited Sean to attend a selection assessment course for Delta Force. Sean
successfully passed the Operator Training Course and became a member of the elite unit.
During his deployments, Sean consistently displayed his courageous actions during fierce
firefights and received two Bronze Star Medals with Valor Devices and the Purple Heart for
wounds sustained during these dangerous missions. Sean rose through the ranks and
retired as a Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted rank in the United States Army.
Following his military retirement in 2021, Sean and his wife, Sarah, along with daughter,
Ashlynn, moved from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Winter Springs, FL. Upon settling in
Winter Springs, Sean demonstrated the same characteristics in his post-military life that
made him one of the most elite members of the U.S. military as he embarked on a
challenging entrepreneurial endeavor, building and growing a successful company that
remains tied to the local community.
Sean successfully launched his own home inspection business, Tier-1 Pro Inspections,
within Winter Springs and consistently and tirelessly donates time, services, and funds to
multiple charitable organizations that are near and dear to his heart. These organizations
include, but are not limited to:
Dave’s House, which provides permanent supportive housing that integrates affordable
homes with essential mental health services, which empowers residents to thrive with
dignity and purpose.
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Seminole Kids House, which partners with law enforcement, the state attorney's office,
medical personnel, child protection professionals, social workers, and licensed mental
health counselors to break the cycle of violence often seen in child abuse cases.
Annabel’s Closet, which helps families who have left abusive situations start over by
providing essential furniture and household items they can’t afford on their own.
Additionally, Sean and his wife regularly host several networking events within Seminole
and Orange County that seek to strengthen relationships in the real estate / home
improvement industries.
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