In the early 90’s, about 20 years ago, I was just starting my own long career with FAPPS. I was eager to meet process servers, listen to their needs, and take their money in exchange for my software. I found the FAPPS annual meeting in downtown Orlando, and decided to attend. I had met our recipient working at a process service and investigative firm in Orlando, he might have even been the one who encouraged me to go to the FAPPS meeting.

At the annual meeting, about 15 people showed up. The bylaws had a quorum requirement and 15 people was nowhere near enough to actually hold a meeting. I was told that this was the second year in a row and that the association was in danger of folding.

I’m working from memory on this, but I believe that our recipient, together with Bill Gietzen and myself went into a corner for an hour and banged out a slightly revised version of the FAPPS bylaws. I was included despite my status as a newbie, because I had the laptop. The quorum requirement mysteriously disappeared, and we held an election. Chuck Taylor as elected President.

Over the next year I became a lot more involved in what FAPPS was doing. Robert Geitzen was elected President, and our recipient was involved in everything. He had started his own investigative and process serving firm, and was an outspoken voice at every board meeting.

Over the next several years, our recipient amassed a pretty impressive record for FAPPS. He served as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Director. As Vice President when he was President, I got to see him in action and was involved in many issues. Our recipient was a leader, a listener, and a doer.

He has served on the NAPPS board. He has helped FAPPS, NAPPS, and other associations with research on everything from Worker’s Comp to Trespass. He researched and wrote the letter that FAPPS dispersed to hospitals all over the state offering our opinion that they were wrong to accept records subpoenas by mail. He handled the eventual investigation by the Florida Bar when we were accused of giving out legal advice based on those letters.

He has written many articles for The Docket Sheet and The Paper Chase on the proper way to read and apply Chapter 48 and serve process in Florida. He has been a Speaker at the FAPPS, NAPPS and other state associations annual meetings. And he wrote and narrated the audio tape "How to serve Florida Process" that is still for sale on the NAPPS website today.

During the time I was President, and from conversations with Margie and Diana, when they were President, this man was always available to research a point of law, look up case law, or help a new process server who just wanted to learn the ropes in central Florida.

For the 2013 FAPPS Distinguished Service Award, I give you a man that I have known for 20 years, a man who was instrumental in forming my understanding of what service to FAPPS means.

I give you Donald S. Eisenberg.

From the Award itself:

Spirit of a Leader

A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. Leaders, like eagles, don’t flock. You find them one at a time.

2013 FDSA

For your many years of service to FAPPS, for your countless contributions that benefited so many members.

For the Committee,

Bob Musser
Chair, FAPPS Distinguished Award Committee