What is ORC?
Owen Richard Colan was known to his friends and work associates as Mr. C. He founded O. R. Colan Associates (ORC) in 1969. The company started in South Florida and now has a national footprint. Today ORC continues as a family-owned company under the leadership of his daughter, Catherine Colan Muth and his granddaughter, Karen Ammar. With a legacy of more than 50 years of providing right of way services for public infrastructure, ORC has always been involved in giving back to the communities in which we work.
Catherine Colan Muth formed the ORC Family Foundation to expand on a partnership that developed between Catherine Muth and Jackie and Kim Ford over more than a decade. Their friendship was formed while working together at Collins Elementary School in Broward County, Florida. Over time, they realized that they have a shared vision for programs that will enhance the potential of students and families within the Title 1 School communities.
Why Broward County Title 1 School Communities?
Catherine Muth, a resident of Broward County, observed that the schools her grandchildren attended had an active population of parents who supported the school both financially and as volunteers. Rather than add her volunteer activities to the schools her grandchildren attended, she decided to volunteer at a school in a low-income neighborhood where the parents were unable to contribute what was needed. She chose Collins Elementary and has donated financial support to programs at that school since 2005. Over the years of working together, a friendship developed between Catherine and Mr. and Mrs. Ford. Collins Elementary, located in Dania Beach, is named for Kimberly Ford’s grandmother. Collins Elementary is a unique school because it has a smaller than average student population and a higher student academic performance than average as compared to other Title 1 schools.
Mrs. Kimberly Ford is a Director of the Foundation along with Catherine Muth and Karen Ammar. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ford are partnered with the Foundation to identify the best way to benefit the Collins community and others like it. Mr. Ford has worked within the Broward County School system for more than 20 years as a community liaison and understands what the Foundation can do to benefit these communities. We have a shared mission to empower students, schools and families in low-income communities in Broward County that have a vision of greatness for their future.
Our Staff
Catherine Colan Muth,
Director
Catherine Colan Muth is the CEO of O. R. Colan Associates, LLC and ORC Utility & Infrastructure Land Services, LLC (ORC). Founded in 1969, ORC provides real estate solutions for public infrastructure projects for utilities and the public sector nationwide. The ORC Family Foundation is the expansion of community work that Catherine has been doing with Broward County Schools for more than a decade.
Karen S. Ammar,
Director
Karen S. Ammar is the Chairman of O. R. Colan Associates, LLC and ORC Utility & Infrastructure Land Services, LLC (ORC), right of way companies that focus on public sector and utilities work nationally. In addition to raising four children in the Broward County Magnet School Program, Karen has been a member of the Self Discovery Life Mastery community in Fort Lauderdale for over 10 years and brings leadership through empowerment to the Board.
Kimberly Collins Ford,
Director
Kimberly Collins Ford, principal of Ford Anderson Creative Services, is a designer with 35 years’ experience in print and digital media, and an administrator for the historic New Jerusalem Church in Hollywood, Florida. Through advocacy and volunteer service, Kimberly is a supporter of educational and cultural initiatives for community development and improvement.
Jackie Ford,
Community Liaison
Jackie Ford has worked within the Broward County School system for more than 20 years as a community liaison and understands what the Foundation can do to benefit these communities.