Cover Article | By Jocklyn Mundy | Photos by Windermere Photography
In 1983, Brian Buckley’s life took a fateful turn when he noticed a beautiful brunette in the front row of a West Buffalo church. Brian, the eldest of four siblings—two brothers and one sister—had grown up just a few miles away in a middle-class neighborhood in Williamsville, New York.
The brunette, Lorrie Ann Sciandra, came from a less affluent part of West Buffalo, where she lived with her two sisters, mother, and grandmother. Their connection was immediate and undeniable. In less than a year, they were married, coordinating their wedding with Brian's college graduation so that his mother, who lived in Orlando, would only need to make one trip to New York.
Brian smiles when he reminisces, “I’m like Wow, I’m married, this is serious. I’m taking on some big responsibilities here, I gotta get a job. I started out in discount retail, and I found that operating a Kmart was not my calling. So, I went into the insurance industry as an underwriter.”
The Buckleys began their married life modestly, living with Lorrie Ann’s grandmother for $175 monthly rent. Lorrie fondly recalls, “Brian and I lived above my grandmother, Mom lived next door, and one of my sisters lived right behind us." Brian and Lorrie Ann often reminisce about those early days, laughing about rolling pennies to help make ends meet. Instead of being a source of struggle, these experiences became cherished memories, highlighting their resilience and commitment to each other. In 1986, they were overjoyed to welcome their son, David, into the world, embracing parenthood wholeheartedly. David became their only child, and while they cherished every moment with him, as a newly married couple they struggled facing they were unable to have more children.
By 1994, Brian was ready for a career and a latitude change. After spending eight years in insurance underwriting, his natural gift as a people person made transitioning to the agency side of insurance a logical step. Brian saw this career shift as an opportunity for a lifestyle change as well. The Buckleys had always enjoyed visiting Brian’s mother in Orlando, and they loved the area, particularly the warm weather. Despite the difficulty of leaving family behind in Buffalo, they decided to move south. Brian joined a local Orlando firm and began his new career in commercial insurance. They settled into a beautiful home in Waterford Lakes, expecting it to be their forever home.
As their business grew, so did their involvement in the community. Lorrie Ann and Brian's home was often filled with guests, they took great pleasure in welcoming new members to their church and community and enjoyed having neighbors over for themed dinner nights. Their monthly new-member church outreach grew to about a hundred people. Brian recalls with a chuckle, “I noticed the same faces month after month, even though they were no longer new to the church. Turns out, they were coming back for Lorrie Ann’s food!”
Lorrie Ann, Maximus, Elmo (AKA Brian), Emma Grace, David and Andrenia Buckley
Lorrie Ann shares, "Coming from an Italian family, food is a big part of our culture and who we are. Our house was always full of people, with meatballs and sauce on the stove. Every week my mom would feed the entire church, and the neighborhood was always welcome. As a single mother, she didn't give out of abundance, many times it was her last dollar. She would use whatever money she had, and even our families’ food stamps to feed the community. I didn't appreciate it then, but later I wondered if that’s not why I love to feed and host people. I did some soul-searching and realized it was probably because I knew what it was like not to have food. That must have stuck with me subconsciously.”
A defining moment came when Lorrie Ann was away on a women's retreat. The group was asked, "What do you feel God is calling you to do in ministry?" Lorrie Ann listened as the women shared how God used their past to help others in similar situations, facilitating healing. She recalls, "The topics were really deep, and as they shared their stories, it was very emotional."
Lorrie Ann was the last to share and humbly quipped, "All I do is make pasta." A close friend, surprised by her response, gently admonished, "Lorrie Ann, you are more than pasta!” What Lorrie Ann couldn’t see was the profound impact of her gift of hospitality. She welcomed others with warmth and generosity, creating an environment where they felt valued and at ease. Her cooking wasn't just a task but a heartfelt expression of care that filled the heart as much as the stomach. Through her passion for serving others, Lorrie Ann fostered deep connections, encouraged belonging, and uplifted spirits, leaving a lasting sense of community and togetherness.
Lorrie Ann came to understand that what came naturally to her was more than just a simple act—it was a Ministry. Her gift of hospitality was a powerful way for God to work through her, touching the lives of others in profound and meaningful ways.
As Lorrie Ann embraced this newfound understanding of her calling, life around her continued to unfold with an unexpected turn. Brian's career had been thriving, he had been with the same firm since moving to Orlando seven years earlier. He had steadily progressed through the ranks, building a strong portfolio of commercial business, and envisioning his retirement with that firm. However, a sudden disagreement with the CEO left Brian packing his things and unexpectedly unemployed.
As Brian faced this unexpected upheaval, the first name that came to his mind was John Ritenour, the owner of the Insurance Office of America (IOA), a rapidly growing local agency in Longwood. The next morning, Brian made John his first call. Ritenour, known for surrounding himself with some of the industry's brightest insurance professionals, did not hesitate. When they met at a First Watch restaurant, he hired Brian on the spot.
Although Brian had to start over from scratch, most of his clients followed him. Since then, he has never looked back. Working his way up to become a Senior Partner at IOA. Reflecting, Brian says, "The Lord has just so marvelously blessed me with the relationships I've built over the years. God gave me a passion for pouring into people's lives, not wanting something from relationships, but giving."
A few years later, Brian's passion expanded. In 2004, he launched the Better Man Event—a dynamic gathering designed to inspire men to pursue lives of greater meaning and impact. Brian’s journey to creating the Better Man Event was fueled by his frustration with low attendance and uninspiring content in traditional men’s ministries. The Better Man Event (BME) features a diverse lineup of speakers—from athletes and business moguls to spiritual leaders and entertainers—all sharing personal stories of overcoming adversity and striving for higher standards. This unique approach has transformed BME into a powerful multi-national movement that resonates with men from all walks of life, encouraging them to aspire to greatness and live with purpose.
As Brian’s career with the Insurance Office of America and his Better Man ministry continued to grow, he and Lorrie Ann stayed busy. Now living in Dr. Phillips, Lorrie Ann created a warm and loving environment that made their home the heart of the neighborhood- a place where their teenage son David and his friends always felt welcome and fed. When David graduated from Dr. Phillips High School and decided to attend Auburn University in the fall, Lorrie Ann was filled with pride for his aspirations. Yet, as excited as she was for David's future, she found herself grappling with the transition. Like many mothers facing an empty nest, Lorrie Ann sought a new sense of purpose. During this time of soul-searching, she turned to her love for cooking, a passion she had always nurtured. She decided to pursue it further. Brian had always recognized her talent, and now driven by a desire to grow, with Brian's unwavering support, she enrolled in the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School, fulfilling a long-cherished dream and embracing a new chapter in her life.
As Lorrie Ann busily prepared for her and David's upcoming college plans, which were just a couple of months away, she was caught off guard by an unexpected call from David, asking her to meet him and Brian at a house for sale in Windermere. The request surprised her, as moving hadn't been on their agenda, and they already had plenty to manage. However, when Brian stumbled upon the listing, he couldn’t resist checking it out. The property was truly unique, located on the west shores of Lake Butler with an east-facing orientation that offered breathtaking sunrise views. Living on the water had always been Brian's dream, and this view was everything he had imagined. Despite the house being older and in need of extensive upgrades, Brian was instantly captivated by the land, the water, and the view, knowing this was the perfect location for their next chapter.
Adding to its charm, the home featured a historic 100-year-old boathouse. Originally built by the Pounds family as a fish camp, it had survived numerous hurricanes and stood as a monument to “Old Windermere” and the families that founded the Southwest community.
Brian told Lorrie, “If you allow me to have the land of my dreams, when I can, I will give you the house of your dreams.” Brian's enthusiasm for the property's potential and its breathtaking location began to win Lorrie Ann over, his passion and vision convinced Lorrie Ann that moving to Windermere was the right choice for their family. They moved in just a few weeks before the fall session of college began.
For the next two years, Lorrie Ann dedicated herself to her studies, excelling in the Cordon Bleu program. At 43, she became the first in her family to earn a college degree. After graduating, Chef Lorrie Ann worked at JW Marriott while also running her small catering company, "Taste and See." With Marriott’s blessing, she eventually decided to focus entirely on her catering business.
What began as a modest venture quickly blossomed, with Chef Lorrie Ann becoming a beloved figure in the community, known for her exceptional culinary skills and her unique talent for uniting people through food. Whether catering for an intimate 15-person dinner or a grand 150-person event, she approached each occasion with unwavering dedication and a commitment to perfection. Her catering business connected her with many notable figures, including Arnold Palmer, Tim Tebow, several Magic players, R.C. Sproul and his family, the Ligonier Ministry, and Brian Head Welch of the band Korn.
Pastor A.R. Bernard, Lorrie Ann, Brian and Denzel Washington, Behind the scenes at The Better Man Event
Brian’s unwavering backing was crucial to Taste and See’s success, from assisting with the business structure to pitching in and helping with whatever was needed, from set up to tear down, and everything in between, Brian did whatever he could. Brian reflects, “Lorrie Ann was always my greatest source of support, whatever we did, we did together. That is part of the blessing of our marriage.”
In 2015, Brian set out to fulfill the promise he had made ten years earlier. They embarked on an ambitious new project, moving into the 900-square-foot boathouse while their home was completely taken down to the ground for a full reconstruction.
Their new home was meticulously designed with entertaining in mind, featuring an open floor plan, stunning lake views, and a custom chef’s kitchen. Reflecting on the transformation, Lorrie Ann says, “It’s a dream come true. Rebuilding our home allowed me to create a space that’s uniquely ours. The satisfaction of transforming a house into a personalized sanctuary is an incredibly rewarding experience.”
In 2020, amid the industry changes brought on by the pandemic, the Buckleys made the difficult decision to close Taste and See Catering. What began as intimate social gatherings in their home, eventually blossomed into a thriving business. Although closing it was a tough choice, they found peace in knowing it was the right one. Reflecting on her journey, Lorrie Ann says, “It was everything—from celebrations to funerals, from achievements to graduations and weddings. These special moments became a part of people’s lives, the most important part. Food brings people together; it's a gift.”
A few years later, their son David married his love, Andrenia who has become an integral part of their family. Today, their greatest joy comes from being "Poppa" and "Nanita," they delight in their roles as grandparents to two-year-old Emma Grace and six-month-old Maximus Thomas. With David and Andrenia living nearby in Oakland Park, they cherish the frequent opportunities to spend time with their beloved grandchildren.
Emma Grace, 2 years old
Maximus Thomas, 6 months
Brian’s professional journey continues to thrive. He remains a Senior Partner at the Insurance Office of America, where his dedication and expertise have contributed to the firm's status as the third-largest insurance broker in the nation, now with an international presence. Additionally, Brian is still deeply involved with The Better Man Ministry he founded, a few years ago he decided to bring on a new team and has since brought on an executive director. Although he chose to take a step back, his leadership and strategic vision continue to drive its success and innovation.
Looking back, Lorrie Ann and Brian reflect on their journey with gratitude and humility. They recognize the blessings they have received and the importance of using their gifts and resources to bless others. Their home remains a place of hospitality and community, reflecting their values and the life they have built together.
