Wright steps down at Palm Beach Civic Association; Pucillo will take the reins

Andrew J. Davis, Palm Beach Daily News
·4 min read

After 13 years, Bob Wright is stepping down as head of the Palm Beach Civic Association.

Michael Pucillo, who has been vice chairman for about three years, is his replacement. He will take the reins starting at the organization's April 17 annual meeting.

The changes were announced after the Feb. 22 meeting of the Civic Association’s Executive Committee. Wright will become chairman emeritus.

"I've been there as chairman for 13 years," Wright said. "It's been an honor. I never had a bad day in 13 years."

The association has about 2,000 members, 140 directors and 10 committees. "It's a lot of effort to do all that," Wright said of keeping the different parts of the organization running in sync.

The Palm Beach Civic Association "aims to protect and improve the quality of life in the Town of Palm Beach by taking proactive stands on civic affairs; informing, educating, and engaging residents on key town issues; working with local government; and encouraging citizen involvement in the community," according to its mission statement.

Bob Wright and his wife Susan attended the Jan. 23 Palm Beach Civic Association's Signature Speaker Series Luncheon at The Beach Club. He is stepping down as chairman of the association.
Bob Wright and his wife Susan attended the Jan. 23 Palm Beach Civic Association's Signature Speaker Series Luncheon at The Beach Club. He is stepping down as chairman of the association.

Pucillo, 69, is a former president of the Town Council. He was elected to three terms before leaving public office in 2017. A retired securities lawyer and a lifelong resident, he will take control of the Civic Association as the nonprofit organization enters its 80th year.

Pucillo said in an interview that he will continue to guide the organization in the same way that Wright has done. Among his priorities, he said, will be working "collaboratively" with the town on issues that include whether the town will continue to contract with West Palm Beach as its supplier of water; helping the town in its rewrite of its 40-year-old zoning codes; strategic planning; and traffic congestion.

The retired attorney also is a member of the town's Strategic Planning Board and co-chairman of the association's water committee.

"I'm very honored. Bob has done great things for the organization," he said of Wright. "He's done a great job. They're big shoes to fill."

Michael Pucillo, a former Town Council president, has been named the new president of the Palm Beach Civic Association. He is shown with Mayor Danielle Moore in January at the association's Signature Speaker Series Luncheon at The Beach Club.
Michael Pucillo, a former Town Council president, has been named the new president of the Palm Beach Civic Association. He is shown with Mayor Danielle Moore in January at the association's Signature Speaker Series Luncheon at The Beach Club.

Wright, 79, is a former president and CEO of NBC, and was chairman and CEO of NBC Universal until 2007. He retired as vice chairman of General Electric in 2008.

Wright said he was confident the Civic Association will continue to prosper under the leadership of Pucillo, Vice Chairman Michele Kessler, and President and Chief Operating Officer Mary Robosson.

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“We’ve accomplished a great deal and there’s no reason to think it can’t keep going with the right leadership and the right support,” Wright said in a press release.

He also praised Pucillo's qualifications.

"I encouraged him [Pucillo] to join us," Wright said. "He's diligent. I feel very comfortable Michael can do the job."

He said he is most proud of how "much stronger" the organization has become during his tenure."We have excellent financials, We're able to handle all kinds of things," said Wright, who will devote his time to other charities such as Autism Speaks, which was co-founded in 2005 by him and his late first wife, Suzanne.

He also said he was proud of how well the Civic Association works with the Town Council. "We don't run the town. We just want to help."

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Robosson said Wright cultivated long-lasting relationships that strengthened the Civic Association’s standing in the community.

“To work for Bob has been a true honor — his expertise, his high regard for our community, and his service to our members and directors,” Robosson said in a press release.

Kessler was among the Executive Committee members who thanked Wright for his years of leadership. She will remain as vice chairwoman.

“What you’ve done for this organization is just light years from where it was when we came,” Kessler said in a press release.

A native of Hempstead, New York, Wright has been a resident since 1998. He and his wife, Susan, a Civic Association director, live in the North End.

Pucillo joined the Civic Association’s Executive Committee in 2017. He and his wife, Deborah, a retired Palm Beach County judge, live on Dunbar Road.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Wright steps down at Palm Beach Civic Association; Pucillo will take the reins