Local CFO Named Grand Marshall of Swamp Fox Festival

From the City of Marion

The 24th annual celebration of Marion’s heritage will take place Sept. 6-7, 2013.

The theme for this year’s festival is Blue Acres: Marion…It’s the Place to Be. It celebrates Marion’s designation as a Blue Zones Project™ demonstration site beginning in 2014 and a new exhibit at the Marion Heritage Center that tells the story of the agricultural roots of the region.

To honor his contributions toward achieving the Blue Zones designation for Marion, Swamp Fox Festival organizers selected Ray Brown, CFO of the ESCO Group, as grand marshal of the community parade.

“Ray is a true leader and is the perfect person to serve as this year’s grand marshal,” said Jill Ackerman, president of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. “He has worked to make wellness a priority at the ESCO Group and I am confident his involvement will help us do the same as a community.”

ESCO Group is an electrical and engineering contractor that provides electrical and engineering services to food and beverage companies, including commercial manufacturing industries. Brown has been with the company for 21 years.

In that time, ESCO Group has become a leader in helping their employees achieve a healthy lifestyle.  They have included biometric testing in conjunction with health screenings since 2008, transformed their vending machines to feature healthy choices, and added a fitness center to their new facility in northern Marion. These efforts and others have qualified ESCO Group for Blue Zones Worksite™ designation.

As a Blue Zones Project demonstration site, the city will have access to professional advisors that help guide Marion toward a healthier future. When Blue Zones staff begin their work in Marion early next year, they will also be housed at the ESCO Group offices, another example of the leadership and community-mindedness that Brown demonstrates.

Humbled to serve as the grand marshal, Brown insists there a number of other community leaders that should accompany him.

“We are fortunate to have progressive leadership in this community,” said Brown. “I’m proud of our heritage, our Uptown and all the commercial and retail development possibilities. There’s great momentum in our community and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Look for Ray near the beginning of the Swamp Fox Festival parade on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 10:15 a.m. For the complete listing of events, visit www.cityofmarion.org.