Craig Menzl Scholarship

Last modified on January 3rd, 2025

FFVA Mutual’s Scholarship with Kids’ Chance of Florida

In 2021, FFVA Mutual established the annual FFVA Mutual | Craig Menzl Scholarship with Kids’ Chance of Florida. This named scholarship is offered through the Florida state chapter of Kids’ Chance of America, a non-profit whose mission is to provide college scholarships to children of seriously or fatally injured workers.

“We’ve established this scholarship to honor FFVA Mutual’s past president, Craig Menzl. During his 20 year tenure with our company, Craig’s efforts and contributions contributed to  FFVA Mutual’s growth from a single-state, single industry insurer to a financially-strong and regional workers’ comp carrier licensed in ten states,” said FFVA Mutual president and CEO Alan Hair. “This scholarship also recognizes our Solutionists who are dedicated to keeping employees safe at work and to providing the quality medical care and other benefits necessary to return individuals to work if they are injured on the job.”

“As we continue to grow in the state of Florida, it is wonderful to see the support of the workers’ compensation industry continue to expand,” said Stacy Hosman, past Vice President of Kids’ Chance of Florida, Inc. “With the strong support of companies like FFVA Mutual, we are making a real difference in the lives of families that are truly in need. We are extremely grateful for their generosity and support.”

The annual scholarship covers state college tuition for four years for one student whose parent was hurt on the job in Florida.

Melissa Cuervo was the first recipient of the Kids’ Chance of Florida FFVA Mutual | Craig Menzl Scholarship. Melissa graduated from University of Florida in the Spring of 2021 with a degree in Microbiology and Cell Science and went on to attend and graduate from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in May 2024.

Abbey Gentile is the 2024/2025 recipient of the Craig Menzl scholarship. Abbey is currently a chemistry major with a criminology minor at the University of North Florida and plans to become a forensic chemist after she graduates in May 2027. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for her future!

Learn about Kids’ Chance of Florida scholarship recipients.

About Kids’ Chance of Florida 

Kids’ Chance of Florida is a state chapter of Kids’ Chance of America, a charitable organization dedicated to making a significant difference in the lives of all children affected by a workplace injury by helping them pursue and achieve their educational goals. Children of these workers can no longer count on the income of the injured or deceased parent. Since its founding in 2015, Kids’ Chance of Florida has awarded 40 scholarships totaling $170,000 and has a current graduation rate of 100%.