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Ben Roberts
Shannon Rivard
From managing complex manpower schedules to aligning teams across job sites, Ben Roberts works to keep Allen Concrete & Masonry on the front lines of some of Southwest Florida’s biggest projects. And dreaming large, Roberts said, is what drives his work, for the company and the community. “The driving force that keeps me aiming higher in my life, work and community is being surrounded by so much growth and success here in Naples. Seeing how this area continues to evolve inspires me to contribute to its progress and take on bigger, more challenging projects,” he says. “The larger and more complex the structures we build, the greater the impact — not just for my own family, but for the thousands of other families who rely on these projects for their livelihood. It’s rewarding to be part of that cycle of growth, knowing that the work we do doesn’t just shape buildings, it strengthens the entire community.” Roberts’ community commitment is reflected through his work with Capital Wealth Advisors Turkey Drop and Celebration of Grace, which supports Grace Place for Children and Families. He also supports Warrior Health Foundation, STARability Foundation, First Baptist Church of Naples and Baby Basics.
As Sea School director for the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Shannon Rivard leads a team of educators, develops a hands-on curriculum and fosters community partnerships. For Rivard, who cited nature as her inspiration, the connection to the ocean began early. “Since I was a little kid, I dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. I was endlessly fascinated by tide pools, octopuses and scuba diving. That love only grew stronger during college when I worked at an aquarium and discovered how powerful education could be in driving conservation,” she says. “The kids who come to Sanibel Sea School inspire me every single day. Watching them hold a snail for the first time, identify a fish they’ve only seen in books or courageously take a step into the ocean with wide eyes and open hearts — those moments are everything. They give me hope for the future.” Rivard also volunteers on Sanibel for the annual International Coastal Clean Up, as well as the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. In addition, she trains volunteers for the Horseshoe Crab Watch Project, which assists biologists in surveying, tagging and resighting Florida’s nesting horseshoe crab population.
Vice President Allen Concrete & Masonry
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Sanibel Sea School Director Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S