WHY I GIVE: ORLANDO OJEDA

In 2022, Orlando Ojeda became the first individual donor to the BOMA Georgia Foundation to be recognized as a Dean’s List donor making an annual donation of $25,000 or more to support scholarships and research. In this picture, Orlando can be seen wearing his Foundation Donor pin, that recognizes individual annual donors to the BOMA Georgia Foundation contributing $125 or more to the BOMA Georgia Foundation in a year. The 2022 pin features the motto “Building The Future,” which is a firm belief that Orlando embraces. Giving back can start small, and the Foundation Pin Donor program is an excellent place to start! Learn more by scanning the QR Code below or visit www.bomageorgiafoundation.org/pin22

“It’s all about giving back,” says Orlando Ojeda when asked about why he gives to BOMA Georgia and the BOMA Georgia Foundation.

Orlando Ojeda is president and founder of Full Circle Restoration a Cotton Company, a disaster recovery and restoration services provider headquartered in Duluth, GA.

“BOMA Georgia and the commercial real estate industry have been an integral part of our success over the past years,” says Ojeda. “It’s important to Full Circle that we give back to that community.”

Orlando and his company have been members of BOMA Georgia for over two decades dating back to the early 1990s. During his company’s tenure, Orlando has served as an active volunteer of the association and insists that the other members from his company play a forward-facing role in BOMA and the real estate industry.

A regular smiling face at BOMA luncheons, trade shows and networking events, Orlando hasn’t just received the benefits of BOMA Georgia, his volunteerism has been vital to the success of the association and the opportunities created for other members of the industry.

From very early in his membership, Orlando could be found serving and leading on committees of the organization. In fact, he has probably completed a term on nearly all the association’s committees, including key roles in leadership on BOMA Georgia’s Industry Insight Committee, Allied Member Resource Group, BOMA Technical Organization Council, Community Service Committee, Sports Outing, Government Affairs, Trade Show and Foundation Development Committee.

His reputation for dedicated service to the association did not go unnoticed by the BOMA Family and the association’s leadership. To help strategically move the association forward, Orlando was selected to serve on several special task forces that were needed to keep the association flourishing. These special assignments included the 2017 and 2019 Southern Region Conference Sponsorship Task Force and Foundation Fundraising Task Force.

“What an incredible honor it is to serve the association through these impactful initiatives,” Orlando said. “Not only do these opportunities allow me to give back to the association that has given so much to me, my employees and my family, but I can continue to plant and grow new relationships and connections that have allowed by company to be so successful.”

Orlando Ojeda addresses attendees of the 2022 BOMA Georgia TOBY & Association Awards Luncheon.

Orlando encourages all members to pursue active membership in the association. He suggests starting simply on a BOMA Georgia committee. From there, members can take on additional responsibility and pursue leadership roles within the association’s governance.

With demonstrated care for the association and servant leadership through committee service, Orlando would eventually be nominated to serve as one of the allied member representatives on BOMA Georgia’s board of directors for a two-year term from 2015 to 2016. His board service helped foster relationships across the state as part of BOMA Georgia’s statewide expansion effort; expanded and enhanced the association’s educational services; and supported the decision by the association to have the BOMA Georgia Foundation host the 2017 BOMA Southern Region Conference.

When Orlando completed his board service, it would have been easy for him to rest on his laurels; however, he ‘got back to work’ finding new opportunities to serve and give.

In recent years, Orlando and his team have invested substantial portions of their budget into both the association and the foundation. In 2019, Orlando’s company became the BOMA Georgia Platinum Sponsor, a commitment that they will continue through 2023. Additionally, you can find Orlando and his company supporting various association and foundation programs and fundraisers throughout the year from flagship events like the Sports Outing to educational programs that are enhancing the professionalism and value of BOMA members.

“When you think about legacy, it is not just mine,” says Orlando. “It is also the legacy of association and real estate industry members that we must consider. You hear the constant worry voiced by many about finding the next generation of talent and leaders for our industry. We want to help alleviate that worry by providing the support needed to help foster that next generation.” Perhaps one of the most remarkable investments that Orlando has made is in his donations to the BOMA Georgia Foundation. As a champion of the BOMA Georgia Foundation, Orlando and his company have demonstrated leadership in giving by being annual donors to the foundation since its founding in 2014.

In 2022, Orlando became the first-ever Dean’s list donor to the BOMA Georgia Foundation making a personal donation exceeding $25,000. His company is also supporting the BOMA Georgia Foundation as a doctorate-level donor signifying an annual donation between $5,000 and $9,999 to the Foundation in a year.

Orlando went a step further and surprised the BOMA Georgia Family at the BOMA Georgia Trade Show Luncheon in May of 2022 by announcing that his parent company’s philanthropic organization, The Cotton Foundation, made a $10,000 donation to the Foundation earning The Cotton Foundation recognition as a post-doctorate level donor in 2022.

Solidifying his leadership in giving, Orlando and his company Full Circle Restoration became one of the founding members of the BOMA Georgia Foundation’s Leadership Society. Membership in this special society highlights a commitment to serve others and signifies a leadership role in advancing the real estate industry. Individuals and companies commit to making an annual tax-deductible donation over three years.

“We often hear words like ‘family’ and ‘legacy’ used when referring to BOMA,” says Orlando. “This is what family does. Family members are generous, committed, and mindful of their family’s future. I give because my BOMA family has done so much for me and my company; so, it is only fitting that I should be just as generous, committed, and mindful with the blessings I have received.”