2023 Business Hall of Fame Program Book

Where there’s hope, there’s a way.

A child’s will to succeed often grows from the possibilities he or she sees in the people around them. At First Horizon, we’d like to thank Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida and its volunteers for creating valuable relationships and investing in the greatest cause of all – a child’s hope.

Bryan Simmering Ft. Myers Market President 239-403-5117

David Gordley Naples Market President 239-403-6672

Welcome

to the 2023

Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame

This prestigious event was established in 1988 by the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. Tonight, we will be honoring influential and visionary leaders from the business community. Thank you to everyone who have made a significant impact, created new opportunities, and elevated the educational landscape for youth in their communities regarding financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness. All proceeds support local Junior Achievement programs that teach students the importance of financial literacy, career and work readiness, and entrepreneurship.

P rogram THIS EVENING’S

I. WELCOME

II. OUR MISSION

III. DINNER

IV. TRIBUTE TO LAUREATES

V. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

VI. ADJOURN

CHAIRS

Stacey L. Herring Chair

Michael Wynn Laureate Chair

EMCEES

Rachel Pierce

Rachel Pierce Art Gallery

Scott Robertson CAI, BAS Champion Fundraising Auctions

Please welcome Junior Achievement of SWFL’s Business Hall of Fame 2023 Laureates. An Advisory Board of business leaders and past Laureate’s nominates selects each year’s Laureate selection.

JoAnn Elardo Founder Cape Spirits Inc.

Thomas M. Moran AIF® Chairman | CEO | CIO Moran Wealth Management®

Mark Stevens President Stevens Construction Inc.

BUSINESS HALL OF FAME

2023

JoAnn Elardo, Thomas M. Moran, and Mark Stevens

2022

Ingrid Aielli & Chef Fabrizio Aielli, Larry Lipman, Brian Rist

2020-2021

James J. Guerra M.D., Sarah Owen, Senator Kathleen C. Passidomo, William T. Prather

2019

Dave Copham, Huntley “Bud” Hornbeck II, Dan Lavender, Scott & Diana Willis

2018

Jeff Fridkin, Pason Gaddis, Gary Griffin, Adria Starkey

2017

Teri Hansen, Edward V. Staros, Mark Wilson, Sandra Stilwell Youngquist

2016

Gary Aubuchon, Kathy Bigham, Steven Marino, Garrett Richter

2015

Joseph Catti, Elaine Hawkins, Reinhold Schmieding, Brian Stock

2014

Laura and Jim Dixon, Mark Loren, Norman Love, The Wynn Family

2013

John DeAngelis, David Diamond, Gail Markham, Orlando Rosales, Mayela Rosales, Bob Simpson

2012

Richard B. Akin, Scott Fischer, Philip J. McCabe, Barbara Watt-Biggs

2011

George G. Beasley, Daniel Dosoretz M.D., Theo Etzel, Tony Lapi

2010

William Figlesthaler M.D., Jim Nathan, J. Thomas Uhler, Len Zaiser

2009

Carol Hudler, Charles Idelson, William Schoen, Michael Schroeder, Martin Wasmer

2008

Paul Flynn, Todd Gates, Amy Gravina, Paul Marinelli

2007

Terry McMahan, Gerri Moll, Steven Pontius, Duane Swanson Sr.

2006

Mike Adams, Scott Edmonds, Tom O’Reilly, Al Reynolds, Robbie Roepstorff

2005

Samira K. Beckwith, Russell A. Budd, Steve Shimp

2004

Dennis Gilkey, Thomas S. Riley, John Scanlon, Judy Sproul

2003

Edward K. Cheffy, Dr. Paul Jones, John M. Passidomo, Gay Rebel Thompson, William P. Valenti

2002

Earl G. Hodges, Scott Lutgert

2001

Richard Ackert, Robert L. Carsello, John T. Conroy Jr., Sam Galloway Jr., F. Fred Pezeshkan

2000

Thomas Hart, Jerry F. Nichols, Bill Ryan, Gary Trippe

1999

David Brown M.D., J. Dudley Goodlette, David Lucas, Michael Watkins

1998

Wilma Boyd, Gary Tice

1997

Arthur Allen, Myra Janco Daniels

1996

Donald R. Barber, Vin DePasquale, Edward Frank

1995

William L. “Bill” Barton, Dewey Oliver Gargiulo, JoAnn M. Smallwood

1994

Richard “Dick” DeVoe, Rosemary Robinson

1993

Raymond Lutgert, Holland T. Salley

1992

Andrew Beirne Brown, Anthony Wayne Ridgeway, Don Q. Wynn

1991

W. Roy Smith, William Robert “Bob” Wilson, John R. Wood

1990

Norman A. Herren, Henry B. Watkins, Sr.

1989

Addison B. Miller, William G. Price

1988

Barron G. Collier Sr., John F. Humphrey, Mamie B. Tooke

KNOWLEDGE. INVESTING IN

We’re proud to support those who work toward a brighter tomorrow.

JoAnn Elardo

Founder

Cape Spirits Inc.

1990, JoAnn Elardo watched the Berlin Wall come down and traveled to Warsaw, Poland, to explore business opportunities. In June of 1991, she opened AmerSport S.P., with her husband Bob, which started as a sporting goods retail shop and Distribution Company in Warsaw, Poland. Between 1993 and 2008, the operation expanded to eleven Eastern Europe countries, and over 60 locations throughout Poland, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. In 1996, Elardo won Licensee of the Year for Converse Shoe & Apparel Licensee. In 2004 Elardo was awarded Best Distributor CAT Shoes & Apparel. JoAnn & Bob Sold AmerSport S.P.z.o.o in 2008 to Empik Media, a Russian Fortune 500 Company.

JoAnn has a passion for charity work and has worked on many projects — Toast for Hope, Hope Hospice in Cape Coral, Animal Refuge Center & Gulf Coast Humane Society. JoAnn had a great working relationship with her family’s friend Fr. Ignace Loleke, together they built a school in the Congo.

In 2010 she started a new project to build the area’s first Clinic by 2015. Happy to report, in January 2018 the Nkamba Medical Clinic welcomed Doctors Without Borders which helped with a Cholera outbreak in the region.

In 2010 JoAnn Elardo started a Florida Rum Distillery concentrating on Florida ingredients, Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery. The family-run distillery produces seven award-winning rums & vodka making it one of the largest Craft Distilleries in Florida.

2020 was a year of Change! JoAnn & her team at Wicked Dolphin was asked to help with the shortage of hand sanitizers for our Hospitals and First Responders, Nursing homes, Schools, etc. All production for Spirits stopped immediately and the company switched gears. They also handed out over 10,000 free bottles of sanitizers to the local community and businesses.

JoAnn is the Founder and President of the Board of the Cape Coral Animal Shelter. In March 2020, the shelter building was completed with a 9,000 sq. ft. modern state-of-the-art Medical Clinic & Shelter, one of the newest in Florida. Within 1 year the Shelter has saved over 1,400 animals. They are now expanding the Shelter with another 16,000 sq. ft. building.

In 2021 JoAnn joined the Board of Gulf Coast Business Bank. The bank became fully funded and approved in April of 2022 and opened its doors on June 6th 2022 with the first location in Fort Myers, FL.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Tom Moran is Chairman, CEO and CIO of Moran Wealth Management®, an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm with a comprehensive team of more than 35 professionals. As an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), Tom is sworn to act in the best interests of every client, an obligation he accepts humbly and enthusiastically.

A recognized industry leader who has called Naples home for more than 40 years, Tom has authored articles and been interviewed for Barron’s, The Wall Street Journal, Gulfshore Business, and Naples Daily News and frequently lectures throughout the nation on the economy and financial markets.

Highly respected nationally for his experience, professional conduct, and success, Tom has received important accolades from industry giants. Barron’s has ranked Tom as the #1 Financial Advisor in

Chairman | CEO | CIO Moran Wealth Management®

Thomas M. Moran AIF®

Southwest Florida for more than 10 years, earning him placement in the Barron’s Hall of Fame. Additionally, he has been ranked a Top 100 Independent Advisor in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Barron’s also recognized Moran Wealth Management® as a Top 100 Team in 2021 and 2022. He was ranked by Forbes as a Best-in-State Wealth Advisor in 2020-2022, complementing his inclusion on the 2016–2021 Top 250 Wealth Advisor List.

Chairman Emeritus of the Board for Opera Naples, Moran has long exhibited a dedication to supporting charities and nonprofit organizations throughout the region. Educational initiatives include Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bloomberg Research Lab which provides students with hands-on experience in financial analysis and research. Moran Wealth is a partner of Barron’s in Education which works to improve the financial proficiency for the next generation of business leaders and advisors, specifically at FGCU.

Tom along with Sandi, his wife of 35 years, is also particularly devoted to children’s charities and the arts. They are Lifetime Trustees of the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), and twice, in 2015 and 2016, served as co-chairs of NCEF’s Naples Winter Wine Festival. Each of those years the event earned the distinction of being the #1 charitable wine festival in the United States raising over $24 million dollars. Their support of myriad charitable and arts-oriented organizations includes recently pledging $5 million towards construction of the Moran Main Stage of the new Baker Theatre and Education Center at Gulfshore Playhouse.

Mark Stevens, a resident of Lee County since 1974, returned to Fort Myers after graduating from the University of Florida to build his family, career and business. A Florida Certified General Contractor, Mark established Stevens Construction in 2003 after 14 years with another construction firm. Mark and the Stevens Construction team have grown the company to a business with an annual revenue in excess of $126M and offices in Orlando, Sarasota and headquarters in Fort Myers.

A 35-year construction veteran, Mark leads operations and business development for the Company. He has created a unique construction management process that has proven successful with all of Stevens Construction’s clients, allowing the Company to earn more than 80% of its business from repeat or referred clients.

Mark is most passionate about helping clients early in their development and construction process which has the most impact

President Stevens Construction Inc

Mark Stevens

on the schedule and budget. Oftentimes business owners do not know where to begin with an undertaking like the construction of a new building, renovation or expansion. Mark truly enjoys helping clients with due diligence of a potential site or evaluation of an existing building before a property is purchased to ensure what they want to build is possible on that location. Providing more than just construction, Mark also provides recommendations to clients for the architect and engineers best suited for their project because of his vast design team network. He then guides clients through the design of their project allowing them to make educated decisions that align with their budget and schedule and the project can move forward and stay on track throughout construction.

Not only is Mark committed to his company, but also the community he serves. He is chair of the Horizon Council and has been a board member since 2006. Mark has previously served on the board of directors for Lee Building Industry Association, Builders Care, Page Healthcare, and JDRF. Mark has also been recognized as an Earn to Learn Mentor of Impact, “40 Under 40” recipient by Gulfshore Business, “Top Entrepreneur” by the Fort Myers News-Press and “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Business Observer.

Mark and his wife, Nicole have seven kids, and on the weekends; they’re often relaxing at camp, on the water or cheering on kids at various sporting events. Mark enjoys fishing, hunting and just being outdoors with his family.

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Chair: Jeff Fusco

SWFL Area Executive

First Citizens Bank

Immediate Past Chair: Scott Fischer CEO

Scott Fischer Enterprises

Treasurer: Tom Pitser Vice President & PIM Manager

Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.

Secretary: Suzanne Specht Small Business Consultant FSBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University

Members

Carlos Artime Executive Director, Teaching & Learning Collier County Public Schools

Jason Duke Senior Vice President

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Nancy Korista VP of Human Resources

SHRM Representative

Justin Land Managing Director, Municipal Analytics Assured Guaranty

Benjamin Levene Owner/Manager Center Pharmacy

Member at Large: Jason Brewer Southwest Florida Market President Seacoast Bank

Member at Large: Andrew Buschle Senior Vice President Bank of America Private Bank

Member at Large: Gary Tasman CEO/Principal Broker Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property SWFL

Member at Large: Curt Todd SVP, Wealth Advisor Wells Fargo

Member at Large: Earnest Wilks SVP, Market Executive Regions Bank

Linda Maere Executive Director, School Support The School District of Lee County

Ryan Mitchell Senior Director, Brand Marketing and Partnerships

Hertz

Mathew L. Sheep, Ph.D.

Associate Dean and Professor of Management

Lutgert College of Business, FGCU

Sandy Stilwell-Youngquist Owner

Stilwell Enterprises and Restaurant Group

Michael Traficante Shareholder

Gunster

Advisory Board

Event Chair: Stacey Herring

Morgan Stanley Private Bank

Laureate Chair: Michael Wynn Sunshine Ace Hardware

Jason Brewer Seacoast Bank

Andrew Buschle Bank of America Private Bank

Jenny Lynn Dunn

Charles Schwab Investment Management

Talisha Faber SVN Commercial Partners

2023 HALL OF FAME STAFF

Jan-Erik Hustulid Skanska USA Building Inc.

Gail Markham

Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A.

Craig Sherman Cogent Bank

Sharon Torregrossa VIP Realty Group, Inc.

Michael Traficante Gunster

Junior Achievement

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Angela Fisher President and CEO

Stephanie Hoffman Director of Operations

Theresa Reich

Development Manager

Danielle Freeman

Education Coordinator

Lesley Mufalli

Education Coordinator

Sponsors

PRESENTING SPONSOR

DIAMOND SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSOR

MEDIA SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

Arthur J. Gallagher / Lutgert Insurance • Bank of America

Davies Duke /Juniper Landscaping • DeAngelis Diamond

Edison National Bank • Entech • FGCU-Lutgert College of Business

First Citizen Bank • First Foundation Bank • Gulf Coast Business Bank

Gunster, formerly known as Grant, Fridkin, Pearson, P.A. in Naples.

Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP • Internet Essentials

Jason Duke / Benjamin Levene

Jason’s Deli / Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A.

Lake Michigan Credit Union • Lee County Sheriff’s Office • Lee Health

MHK Architecture • Owen-Ames-Kimball Co• Preferred Travel of Naples, Inc

Seacoast Bank • Skanska USA Building Inc. • State Farm Insurance

Stevens Construction, Inc. • Sunshine Ace Hardware

Wasmer Schroeder Strategies / Charles Schwab

Wicked Dolphin Distillery / Cape Spirit Brands Inc.

AREA SCHOOLS & AFTER-SCHOOL

Organizations

Lee County

Allen Park Elementary School

Bonita Springs Charter Elementary School

Bonita Springs Elementary School

Bonita Springs High School

Bonita Springs Middle School

Canterbury School

De LaSalle Academy

Dunbar High School

East Lee County High School

Estero High School

Fort Myers Beach Elementary School

Franklin Park Elementary School

Gulf Elementary School

Heights Elementary School

Ida Baker High School

Lee Adolescent Mothers Program (L.A.M.P.)

Lehigh Acres Middle School

Lehigh Senior High School

Littleton Elementary School

Lutheran Services Florida

Mirror Lakes Elementary School

Pace Center for Girls

Pinewoods Elementary School

South Fort Myers High School

St. Michael Lutheran High School

Three Oaks Elementary School

Villas Elementary School

Charlotte County

Deep Creek Elementary School

Collier County

Avalon Elementary School

Barron G. Collier High School

Big Cypress Elementary School

Calusa Park Elementary School

Collier Juvenile Detention Center

Everglades City School

Golden Gate Elementary School

Golden Gate Middle School

Golden Terrace Elementary School

Grace Place for Children and Families

Immokalee Community School

Immokalee High School

Immokalee Middle School

Juvenile Justice Department

Laurel Oak Elementary School

Lely Elementary School

Lely High School

Lorenzo Walker Technical High School

Manatee Middle School

Mike Davis Elementary School

North Naples Middle School

Osceola Elementary School

Parkside Elementary School

Pine Ridge Middle School

Shadowlawn Elementary School

Tommie Barfield Elementary School

Veteran’s Memorial Elementary School

Vineyards Elementary School