Gulfshore Business September 2024

DECEMBER 14th, 2024 ❘ 5 - 10 PM ❘

Goo goo Dolls

Alaina

TIBURÓN GOLF CLUB AT THE RITZ-CARLTON NAPLES , TIBURÓN

Lauren

Photo illustration

By Sinelab

Congratulations Kyle Lee

“Thank you to my loving family for always being supportive, especially my wife Carol who I work alongside everyday. A special thank you to our wonderful staff at Lee Auto Group who come in and make it happen day in and day out. Without our employees we would not be where we are today. Finally, thank you to ALL of our customers in the community for supporting us and giving us a chance.”

PUBLISHER Carin Keane

PRESIDENT Jim Schwartzel

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Heidi Rambo Centrella

Digital Editor Adam Regan

Associate Editor Kaitlin Regan

Senior Editors Tim Aten, David Dorsey, Therese McDevitt, Nancy Semon

Copy Editor Steve Gill

CONTRIBUTORS

Artis Henderson, Melanie Pagan, Justin Paprocki, James Raia, Bill Wasinger

ART

Creative Directors Scott Glick, Jerry Pomales

Photo Editor Mary Rich

ADVERTISING

Associate Publisher Chris Renstrom

CIRCULATION

Director of Audience Development Kerri Nolan

PRODUCTION

Production Manager Martha Leavitt

ADMINISTRATION

Advertising Services Manager Subscriptions & Distribution Kathleen Hill

READER SERVICES

Office Address

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Contact Us

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WEBSITE

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Group health plans with

FROM THE EDITOR

IN THEIR PRIMES

I always look forward to the end of summer. It might seem slightly premature to start thinking about pumpkin spice lattes when the temperature is still this high, but as Artis Henderson points out on p. 100, the season officially changes Sept. 22. And this timeframe is more a mental shift than meteorological, a sort of pregame to fall and all its mirth and merriment. One notable inclusion to that list is our annual 40 Under 40 celebration, Sept. 27 at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, when Gulfshore Business will congratulate and celebrate the class of 2024.

Even more than usual, the selection process for this year’s honors proved difficult if not downright grueling, given the sheer volume of nominations received, coupled with the aptitude of so many deserving candidates. From attorneys to entrepreneurs, a surgical oncologist to a mental health

therapist to a senior policy adviser for the Defense Intelligence Agency, this year’s honorees are Southwest Florida residents who excel in their chosen fields while giving the benefit of their skills and energy back to the community—and they’re only entering their primes. Brief summaries of the backstories, accomplishments and unconquerable attitudes of this group begin on p. 34, and just know that the information here represents the tip of some very impressive icebergs.

Since the award is age-based, it tends to concentrate on Floridians at a particular stage of their careers. So this year, we decided to widen the focus and check in with a group of 40 Under 40 honorees from previous classes for an update. They’ve each earned experience and wisdom along their journeys toward success, whether that has meant steady professional development and career ascension or significant personal reinvention. Their conversations with Melanie Pagan (“After the Award,” p. 60) make clear that life will throw unexpected curveballs, but it’s important to focus on what’s truly meaningful, including a sense of mindfulness in the present.

We hope you’ll join us in honoring this year’s class of 40 Under 40. For more information about or to purchase tickets to the celebration Sept. 27, please visit gulfshorebusiness.com.

HEIDI RAMBO CENTRELLA EDITOR IN CHIEF

i c h a e l S c o t t

S e n i o r P a r t n e r

E S T A T E P L A N N I N G

C H A R I T A B L E P L A N N I N G

B U S I N E S S P L A N N I N G

A S S E T P R O T E C T I O N

E L D E R L A W

P R O B A T E

P o r t C h a r l o t t e

S a r a s o t a T a m p a

In the239

NEWS BITES / TRENDLINES / MAKERS / ENTREPRENEURSHIP / ECONOMIC COMMENTARY / TECHNOLOGY

p_20

By Justin Paprocki

Marcela Cavaglieri’s crafty reinvention

NewsBites

LEE COUNTY

RSW LAWSUIT

Private Sky Aviation, which has leased property at Southwest Florida International Airport for more than two decades, filed a lawsuit against its landlord, Lee County Port Authority, over it requesting bids for competition. Private Sky said competition would ruin its ability to operate and fulfill its lease—which doesn’t expire until 2060— as the south Fort Myers airport’s only Fixed-Base Operator. Private Sky seeks an injunction to preclude the Authority from developing a second FBO at RSW, at least until the Retail Jet-A fuel volume meets the industry standard to support two FBOs at one airport, according to the complaint.

ENTREPRENEURIAL ADVICE

“I’ve always loved being in control of my destiny. But it’s not always easy. If you don’t succeed, it’s your fault. The buck stops here, and if you don’t like that then you shouldn’t be doing this.”

—

COMING NEXT MONTH

Check back next month as Gulfshore Business provides an update on Southwest Florida’s construction and development. What has changed over the past two years, and what does the multifamily market look like since Hurricane Ian?

Ken Weiner, Chloe’s Cookies owner

COLLIER COUNTY / LEE COUNTY / CHARLOTTE COUNTY

TOURISM UPDATE

Collier County’s tourism tax collections are up 13.29% this fiscal year. With $38.16 million collected, the county is edging toward eclipsing last fiscal year’s total of $41 million. For May, $4,267,727 in tourist taxes from hotels, motels, Realtors, apartments, condos and single-family homes was collected, compared with $4,046,154 in May 2023, a 5.47% increase. The Midwest and Northeast continue to be the main U.S. regions from which outof-state residents visit, accounting for nearly half of May’s visitors; international travelers, including top players Canada, Germany and the U.K., represented 17%.

NEW SHOPPING CENTER

Babcock Ranch developer Kitson & Partners announced its second shopping center is fully leased and will include more than 12,000 square feet of medical space. Set to open in 2025, The Shoppes at Yellow Pine consists of 120,000 square feet that will house seven new eateries, multiple national big box and regional retailers, a medical center staffed with primary care and pediatric physicians and an urgent care facility among other tenants, according to Kitson & Partners officials. The medical space is a partnership between the master-planned community and Tampa General Hospital system that is expanding services into Babcock Ranch.

SANIBEL OUTLETS’ FUTURE

With Sanibel Outlets shopping center destroyed by Hurricane Ian, details have emerged of the 22.6-acre site’s potential to be redeveloped as a 498-unit apartment complex that includes 200 affordable units. Calusa Grande, as the proposed development at 20350 Summerlin Road is tentatively called, also plans for 72,025 square feet of office space and 52,418 square feet of retail, including 21,209 square feet of restaurant space, according to a development order filed with Lee County.

LEE COUNTY

COLLIER COUNTY

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

IN THE 239

NewsBites

GREAT WOLF LODGE OPENING

Great Wolf Lodge is making a big splash this month with the opening of its first Florida indoor water park resort Sept. 25 in the Naples area, according to its website. The $250 million resort is expected to bring more than 600 jobs to the area with 500 themed suites, a 92,000-square-foot indoor water park and 62,000 square feet of family-friendly attractions and restaurants, as well as a convention center and other amenities. With slides, pools and water features for every age and thrill level, the indoor water park is the marquee attraction at every Great Wolf location. The Naples water park will debut a new design and theme, with immersive and interactive storytelling elements to enhance the overall experience.

FC NAPLES HIRES HEAD COACH

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

YOUTH CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Charlotte County commissioners will launch the Fall 2024 Junior Commission youth civic education program this month. Running from Sept. 12 to Nov. 19, selected students will learn the functions of their local government by meeting with commissioners; touring county facilities; attending a commission meeting, preagenda meeting, workshop and code enforcement special magistrate hearing; and holding a Junior Commission mock commission meeting. The program is open to high school juniors and seniors enrolled full-time in a Charlotte County school or accredited homeschool program.

Matt Poland has been named head coach and sporting director of the FC Naples professional soccer team. In his role, Poland is charged with building a new club from the ground up. The 13-year Marco Island resident has played professionally in Europe and coached in European and American leagues. During the offseason, Poland coached girls’ and boys’ teams at Marco Island Academy, Naples United and local U8. Poland will be building out FC Naples’ team, which has a network of agents and players in Europe and South America but also will be looking to find and develop local talent.

COLLIER COUNTY / LEE COUNTY / CHARLOTTE COUNTY

COLLIER COUNTY

COLLIER COUNTY

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

“ “ Having a service mindset means realizing it’s not about you; it’s about how you help the current and next generation of professionals meet their goals.

— Jackie

In the past 12 years, Jackie Larocque has climbed the ladder from Permit Coordinator to her current role as Senior Director of Civil Engineering and is the youngest woman to achieve that title across Atwell’s 40-plus offices and 1,800-plus employees nationwide. We are proud of all that she has and will continue to accomplish as a professional engineer, project manager, mentor, and leader.

CORE MARKETS

REAL ESTATE & LAND DEVELOPMENT

POWER & ENERGY

HYDROCARBONS

SERVICES

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

PLANNING

SURVEY

ENVIRONMENTAL

NATURAL RESOURCES

GIS MAPPING

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

LAND SOLUTIONS

CONSTRUCTION

LIVING CONDITIONS

By Justin Paprocki

Housing is still expensive in Florida, but at least it’s not as bad as it once was.

Average rent cost and housing value have stabilized over the last two years, but they still remain high. This is according to indexes that measure the current value of homes and cost of rent nationwide, and compare them to a historical projection of what costs should be if they had developed at a steadier pace.

For example, the average home price in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metro area was actually undervalued after the Great Recession. But during the pandemic, prices shot up about 50% above expected value. Home prices have stabilized since, but, as of April, the average cost of a home in Fort Myers was about $399,339, which is about 37.6% over the expected price. That’s high—even by Florida standards. In better news, rents have actually gone down in the area compared to last year and are only slightly above the expected cost of rent.

TRE NDLINES

Some stabilization in Florida’s housing prices

$2,791 $2,400 $2,183

$2,097

$2,049

Source: Waller, Weeks and Johnson Rental Index

Source: Beracha and Johnson Housing Market Ranking

MAKERS

CREATIVITY ON THE ROCKS

Marcela Cavaglieri’s crafty reinvention

By Justin Paprocki

Like many of us, Marcela Cavaglieri needed a hobby during the pandemic. She and her husband moved to Naples full time from her native Argentina in spring 2020.

“I just got really bored,” she says now with a laugh. She was a psychologist by practice but enjoyed working with her hands in her off hours. She spent decades refurbishing furniture, and even wrote two books on the subject.

Always looking for a new adventure, she started experimenting with resin when she was in Naples. She had come across a YouTube video of an artist working with the material and it sparked her creativity. She started making coasters, just for fun. A friend and fellow crafter saw her work and told her she should start selling at farmers markets. “I looked at her and said, ‘Who is going to buy resin coasters?’” she says.

At that first farmers market, she brought six sets of coasters and sold them all.

Kevin Bires

A psychologist by practice, Marcela Cavaglieri grew bored during the pandemic and ended up turning her hobby into a business, On The Rocks, where she handmakes resinbased trays, coasters, napkin holders and other glittery household items.

MAKERS

Cavaglieri started experimenting with resin just for fun, but then she started selling at farmers markets. By having a robust social media presence and attending a trade show, she delved into the wholesale market, and now On The Rocks is featured in 100 stores across the country.

Kevin Bires

It was the start of her business, On The Rocks. Cavaglieri handmakes resin-based trays, coasters, napkin holders and other glittery household items that resemble geodes at first glance. She’s built the business through selling at farmers markets locally and keeping up a robust social media and digital presence. After attending a trade show in Dallas, she started to get into the wholesale business, and now On The Rocks is featured in 100 stores across the country.

She’s found pleasure in working with the material itself. Unlike some of her other crafts, she has less control over the material and has had to take a different mindset to the work. “Resin is a very peculiar material; it does what it wants,” she says. “I had to have more patience working with it. I had to make myself let go. But I suppose that’s what we had to do during COVID; we all had to reinvent ourselves a bit.”

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

SEEKING THE NEXT STEP

Ryan Van Horn on staying engaged by working for yourself

By Artis Henderson

Ryan Van Horn never planned to go into the family business. In fact, it wasn’t even an option—at first. When Van Horn graduated college, his father, who had founded Fort Myers-based Custom Packaging & Products the same year Ryan was born, told him he needed to go to work for somebody else before he could even consider joining the family business. So, that’s what Van Horn did.

His educational background was in agriculture, so he started at a large agricultural company that sold feed, seed and chemicals. He worked as a warehouse manager, running a team of 16 people. But eventually the monotony of the job wore on him. “I got bored,” Van Horn says. “It didn’t fulfill me.”

Ryan Van Horn, CEO of Custom Packaging & Products, started out with an educational background in agriculture. He worked in his related field for a time before it became monotonous and he realized he wanted to work for himself.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Next, he took a job working for an aquascape company, managing a team for the southeast region. But he felt the same dissatisfaction he’d felt with his earlier job. And that’s when his father’s wisdom sank in.

“By working for other companies, I learned that I wanted to work for myself,” Van Horn says. “I realized how monotonous some companies can be. I worked for some pretty large corporations, and it was hard to see the bigger vision. I had a specific job, and I was just doing that.” Being an entrepreneur, he realized, required a completely different mindset.

“You’re always asking yourself about next steps. How can I grow my business? What programs can I put in place for my employees so that their lives are better? When you become an entrepreneur, the monotony is not there.”

Van Horn joined Custom Packaging & Products when he was 30 years old, and this year, as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary, he’ll turn 50 as its CEO.

Find Your Niche

The most important piece of advice Van Horn gives other entrepreneurs—especially those just starting out—is to

Van Horn didn’t plan on getting into the family business his father started nearly 50 years ago, but at the age of 30 he joined Custom Packaging & Products. Now he is the CEO, and loving every minute of it.

find an unexplored niche in the market. “Something nobody else does or something you can do better,” as he puts it. How does someone find that niche? Keep your eyes open. Pay attention. Listen to customers and vendors, as well as people in the wider world. Inspiration comes from unexpected sources, Van Horn said.

Love the Process

“I didn’t use to know anything about paper,” Van Horn admits. “I didn’t know I was going to love this.” What he did know was that he had drive, and he enjoyed the process of goal-setting. “My head is always spinning,” Van Horn says. “And I like that. I’m constantly trying to make things better, more efficient and more profitable.”

The old adage goes “Do what you love,” and entrepreneurs often get stuck trying to find a product they love. But they might have more luck finding a process they love, Van Horn said. That’s been the key to his success. “No day is the same. That’s what makes it fun. Even after 20 years.”

ECONOMIC COMMENTARY

MONEY MOVEMENT

How unequal inflation feeds expectation feeds political division

By Christopher Westley

Back in the days when I ran Florida Gulf Coast University’s Regional Economic Research Institute, I made regular presentations on Southwest Florida’s economy. I’d occasionally introduce monetary theory in my talks, which is not something recommended for aspiring young economists. While these concepts cause some economists’ hearts to pitter-patter, they don’t connect with the rank and file who consider monetary anything synonymous with boredom. So, I treaded lightly in those presentations.

But the monetary lesson is important for understanding our region’s economy and even its broader culture. Then and now, the monetary models guiding policy invoke the neutrality assumption, which is the idea that increases in the money supply affect the economy equally. If true, we can instead turn our attention to more pressing concerns such as Taylor Swift’s relationship status or the lat-

est diet fads, and not on Fed policy—if its effects are the same from Maine to Florida to California.

The neutrality assumption has deep roots in economic theory, going back at least to David Hume and updated by Milton Friedman’s helicopter theory. The problem is that new money isn’t distributed equally across the economy. Rather, it goes from pocket to pocket, and the first recipients of the new money benefit because they spend it early in the business cycle before it causes prices to rise. Wall Street and urban areas receive the brunt of the benefit relative to, say, small-town Main Street or Appalachia.

This explains why, when the national economy is growing, Florida tends to grow at an accelerated pace and why Southwest Florida often outpaces the rest of the state. That would be the extent of monetary theory brought into my presentations. I’d move on to airport data and hope eyes weren’t glazing too much.

Fast forward to today. Elites are finally asking what’s feeding yawning ideological and political chasms, why they happen and what they portend. This discussion usually focuses on how technology—and especially social media algorithms—has changed how we consume the news, feeding disagreement and disunity relative to the landscape existing before individualized newsfeeds were invented.

But monetary theory also feeds these divisions, especially if money is not neutral and favors some groups or regions over others—a lesson supported in “Partisan Expectations and COVID-Era Inflation,” a new research paper by Carola Binder, Rupal Kamdar and Jane Ryngaert. These economists (from Haverford College, Indiana University-Bloomington and Notre Dame, respectively), found that

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ECONOMIC COMMENTARY

U.S. metropolitan areas dominated by Republican and independent voters tended to have more inflation in 2022 than those dominated by Democrats.

The paper’s authors emphasize the economic point that inflationary expectations often lead to higher prices as businesses respond to rising costs. They write: “[H]ouseholds of different partisan leanings interpreted macroeconomic conditions and information about the inflationary impact of shocks differently. Regional variation in political composition means that different parts of the country were differentially exposed to these differences in interpretations. Thus, even though the United States is a monetary union with a common monetary policy regime

across regions, expectations of longrun inflation vary across regions.”

An uncanny Wall Street Journal analysis of the paper supported this conclusion, finding that the 25 states voting for Donald Trump in 2020 tended to have higher price increases from December 2019 to April 2024 than the 25 voting for Joe Biden. (It also reported on a March 2024 survey finding concern in swing states that inflation was still moving in the wrong direction.)

What to conclude?

First, if money were neutral, increases in the money supply would flow equally in Immokalee and Naples, or on Sanibel and in Lehigh. But capital

tends to go where it’s most protected and productive.

Second, money’s non-neutrality feeds the political division in ways not possible when government spending— and the inflation making it possible— were constrained. It’s not just Facebook algorithms feeding these silos.

One is reminded of economist Murray Rothbard’s point that the correct money supply is whatever amount necessary to satisfy desired transactions— and increasing it above this amount confers no long-run social benefit. Is mainstream economic analysis catching on?

Christopher Westley is dean of the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University.

When new money is distributed, it tends to go to urban areas first. The first recipients benefit because they spend it early in the business cycle before it causes prices to rise, which is why Southwest Florida tends to outpace the rest of the state.

Dr. Chethana Gottam

TECHNOLOGY

AI IN ADVERTISING

Artificial intelligence can create. But can it be creative?

By Bill Wasinger

Almost immediately upon its introduction, ChatGPT and other forms of generative artificial intelligence quickly demonstrated the ability to create written content, images, artwork and even music. Since then, a number of national and direct-to-consumer brands have generated advertising campaigns using artificial intelligence, leading some to believe it may one day eliminate the need for advertising agencies. However, far from putting agencies out of business, advertising creatives are instead finding new ways to put artificial intelligence to work.

“[ChatGPT] has the potential to enhance our creative output. We are using it to push our envelope of creative copywriting; making sure that we’re putting out the best version of copy,” says Peggy Wilson, president and CEO of Wilson Creative Group, a full-service advertising agency in Naples. “It’s a thought starter for us as well as a brainstorming tool. It’s

almost like there’s another person at the table who’s helping us along, making our work the best it possibly can be. We’re appreciating what it’s putting back out to us and bringing to us the sort of personality and style that we’re looking for.”

Though it can augment her agency’s creative work, Wilson said ChatGPT is just one of many tools used in her firm’s workflow. It may be a helpful resource, she said, but ChatGPT can’t replace the human element.

“[Our clients] hire us for marketing services. They’re not hiring us for AI prompt capabilities. So, it’s one factor in many tools that we use for providing those marketing services,” Wilson says. “We’re plugging it in a variety of ways, whether that’s social media, content marketing, public relations or print advertising. There’s a great deal that ChatGPT can’t do, and we pick up where it leaves off. This all comes down to talent and the marketing instincts to know what is the best move to make for our clients.”

In addition to enhancing creativity, advertising agencies also are utilizing artificial intelligence to expand what they provide their clients. And,

while it may sound counterintuitive, agencies using AI to produce more work can help their clients spend less.

“We significantly reduced [a client’s] production costs by being able to take a live model, film her saying three different scripts, shoot photography front and side and put her in three different outfits. We were able to upload that to a virtual video production service,” says Christopher Spiro, president and CEO of Spiro & Associates, an advertising, marketing and public relations firm in Fort Myers. “We type in the script of what we want her to say, she smiles, she pauses, we can change her look, we can change the backgrounds—and we were able to produce multiple online videos that we deployed in both e-blasts and via social media. We own it. It’s custom, it’s real and it looks excellent. But we did it for significantly less time and significantly less money.”

While Spiro said artificial intelligence allows his agency to do more for less for its clients, he doesn’t see it taking a human’s job. Instead, he believes artificial intelligence can help optimize his team to work smarter and more efficiently.

“As an ad agency, our biggest commodity is our billable time. But in order to stay competitive, some of what we’re doing has had to be streamlined,”

Peggy Wilson Wilson Creative Group president and CEO

he says. “As an example, when we want to go in and heavily manipulate a photo, I can put a staff member on it. They can manipulate that photo for four hours or I can upload it to this one [AI] website. I tell them what they’re doing, it costs 10 bucks and I have it back the next morning, freeing up one of my senior art directors to be out there billing out on our hourly rate.”

Spiro and Wilson both agree that artificial intelligence will continue

While AI is one of the many tools used at Wilson Creative Group advertising agency, President and CEO Peggy Wilson says it’s a resource that can’t replace the human element.

to grow and improve as an asset to creative work. However, while AI can use its existing database to create, they also agree it may never be able to re-create the emotion and intelligence a human can deliver.

“Artificial intelligence is being more widely adopted. There are better tools, but also higher standards we’re setting all the time. If we’re not careful and wise about how we’re using these tools, brands can begin to look

and sound awfully homogenized and the differentiators agencies bring to the table must be better and more creative,” Wilson says. “It’s up to agencies to remind their clients of the importance of maintaining a unique brand and their unique differentiators because otherwise, you’ll all look, feel and sound exactly the same. That’s the difference between what everybody [with AI] can do versus what an ad agency can provide.”

Christopher Spiro Spiro & Associates president and CEO

CLASS OF 2024

Whether crafting cakes or kombucha or focusing on a courtroom or cockpit, the individuals who have earned recognition among the Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 all stand out in their respective fields. And, while each honoree has made a unique contribution in their career, they all also share a determination to contribute to their communities.

More than just their chronological age, career achievements or emerging leadership qualities, the individuals on this list have also demonstrated a commitment to enriching the areas where they live and work. Through their community service and volunteer efforts with local nonprofits, each honoree has shown their dedication to improving the place we all call home.

While there are many people worthy of consideration for the 40 Under 40 list, we’re proud to recognize the Southwest Florida residents who stand out for both their career excellence and their community engagement. Please join us in honoring the Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 for 2024 not just for their age, but for their ability and achievements, as well.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN TIETZ

Matthew Boggan

Managing Partner and CEO

Stix Sushi & Seafood,

Gulf Coast Agency

At age 15, Matt Boggan began his entrepreneurial journey when he founded his first marketing company, Design MNB. As the firm evolved into Gulf Coast Agency, Boggan expanded his portfolio in 2023 with the opening of Stix Sushi & Seafood in Naples. Though the leap from marketer to restaurateur may not be all that common, for Boggan, it was a natural extension of his entrepreneurial drive.

“From a young age, I was fascinated by the intersection of technology and communication. The challenge of creating innovative solutions for diverse businesses is what keeps me engaged and driven in my work,” Boggan says. “The dynamic and ever-evolving nature of my industries keeps me motivated to learn and adapt, ensuring that I can provide the best possible outcomes for my clients and community.”

Boggan’s service to the community is as varied as his businesses. He was a Best Buddies Champion of the Year 2021 for his work promoting inclusion and acceptance of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He also is the current president of Chabad on Campus, a member of the Associate Leadership Collier Class of 2024 and an active member of the East Naples Civic and Commerce Association.

Daniel Peregrin

Owner/Founder

LaBelle Yacht Club, Rocket Cooling, First Plate

As the owner and founder of a restaurant group, a construction/ air conditioning company and a hotel/yacht club, which employ almost 200 people combined, Daniel Peregrin obviously has a passion for business. He also has a passion for solving problems.

“There’s an opportunity in every problem. I look for problems that can be solved, and problems present themselves frequently. The ones I choose to work on are the ones I feel like I had some resources to help solve that problem by orchestrating positive change with a positive attitude,” Peregrin says.

“I learned my passion for making people happy by solving their problems. There are few better examples in South Florida of making someone happy than walking into a hot house and making the air conditioner work again.”

On top of his varied business interests, Peregrin supports several organizations in the community. That includes serving on the Hendry County Tourism Development Council, the LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Board, PACE Center for Girls Collier at Immokalee and the Hendry County School Board Oversight Committee. Peregrin also is a corporate supporter of the LaBelle Little League.

William

(Bill) Robinson

CEO

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of REALTORS

A Southwest Florida native, Bill Robinson originally joined the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of REALTORS to teach technology. Though he has since risen through the ranks to serve as CEO of the organization, teaching is still an important part of Robinson’s life.

“I was originally a teacher and after spending a year in the classroom, I decided to take a job teaching technology to Realtors. That is where I found a passion for helping Realtors succeed,” Robinson says. “My mother was a teacher for more than 35 years and was always going the extra mile for her students. Helping where I can and when I can has always been ingrained in me, and working to help Realtors assist their clients find their dream home is pretty rewarding.”

Robinson also believes in helping others in the community. Those efforts include leading volunteer efforts and fundraisers for Meals of Hope, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel, Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation and Bedz 4 Kidz of SWFL. He has also organized events to benefit Captains For Clean Water, Friends Who Care of Sanibel and Abuse, Counseling & Treatment Inc.

Julia Cuny

Product Manager

Arthrex

As a product manager for Arthrex, Julia Cuny currently holds one patent and has two more pending as she works on developing medical devices that push the boundaries of sports medicine. And while Cuny said she’s driven to have a lasting effect on the patients Arthrex serves, she also works to make a difference in her community.

“I hear success stories of the impact our work has created that fuels my excitement to tackle the next project. Seeing the fruits of your labor is an excellent motivator for me,” Cuny says. “When I see and hear testimony of what I have built with my team, both through my career and through time spent with various nonprofits after hours, it only drives me to want to take on more aspirational goals. A sense of community, and passion from those around me, keeps me motivated and moving forward.”

Cuny graduated from the Associate Leadership Collier program and now serves in multiple roles with various community organizations and nonprofits. She is currently chair of the Grace Place Ambassadors, and session chair for the Youth Leadership Collier growth management and environment day.

Anthony Matonti Principal/Owner Urban Seed

Many people dream of making the world a better place. For Anthony Matonti, owner of planning and building company Urban Seed, that dream became a career.

“I was born and raised in south Florida and I love my state, but I often imagined how we could collectively do and plan things better; transportation infrastructure, highway connectivity, environmental stewardship, development patterns, construction methods and honoring the shoulders we stand on today. I knew I wanted to be part of those decisions and help shape the world around me,” Matonti says. “I love what I do, I love to build, I love the process, I love seeing a project come to fruition and I am excited for the future. Ten, 20 or 50 years from now, I want to reflect on the times I pursued my passions instead of thinking, ‘What if?’”

Matonti’s commitment to improving the world isn’t only limited to work. He also volunteers as a board member for the city of Naples and Collier County, the Naples Redevelopment Community Agency Advisory Board and the Collier County MPO Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee. In addition, Matonti volunteers as a T-ball coach for the North Naples Little League.

Emily Sumpmann

Senior Director of Philanthropy Guadalupe Center

Though she now works as the senior director of philanthropy for Guadalupe Center, Emily Sumpmann admits that few people say, “I want to be a fundraiser when I grow up.” However, for Sumpmann, it turned out to be a natural fit.

“As I was collecting coins for a classmate going through cancer treatment in high school or soliciting local businesses to sponsor my college dance team, I was setting the stage for a career I didn’t even know existed at the time. After earning my master’s in nonprofit management and making the official transition into a fundraising role, I knew I found my calling. Years later, I still feel the same way,” she says. “Making the world a better place isn’t such an abstract idea. Philanthropy proves that everyone has the opportunity to improve the world for even just one person.”

Sumpmann also serves as a mentor with Guadalupe Center’s Tutor Corps Program and has previously mentored through Boys & Girls Club of Collier County’s Junior Women of Initiative. She volunteers with several other organizations, including Naples Junior Woman’s Club and Grace Place for Children and Families, and as an information desk attendant for Naples Comprehensive Health.

Blake Day

President/Owner

Day Adjusting & Consulting

With a background in the insurance industry, Blake Day opened his own adjusting and consulting firm to be an advocate for local home and business owners with their claims. For Day, helping people is part of a bigger goal.

“I saw a need for adequate representation on the policyholder side of the industry. I worked for large insurance companies for 10 years and knew I could use my insider knowledge to help those in need with their insurance claims,” Day says. “I’ve employed a lot of my friends and family who count on me and have believed in the vision since day one. They’ve helped me build the company into what it is today. Being able to help those in the community affected by natural disasters is a very rewarding feeling.”

His business aside, Day works to help people through a variety of nonprofits. He is a sponsor of the Boots in the Sand event and supports the Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs Heroes Fund, which helps veterans who were affected by Hurricane Ian with living expenses. Day also supports AVOW, REACH Assembly in Immokalee, Gentle’men Against Domestic Violence and The Shelter for Abused Women and Children.

Gabriela Timis

Attorney

Dentons Cohen & Grigsby

After working as a server and bartender to put herself through law school, Gabriela Timis now works in the area of commercial litigation. But, as a child of Romanian immigrants and the first member of her family to attend college, she's still working hard for the community.

Timis serves as an advisory committee member for The Uyeno Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization that grants funds to support the efforts of local mental health services in Southwest Florida. She has also volunteered with Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue Inc., working at the kennels, assisting with fundraising events and grants and providing pro bono legal services to the rescue.

In addition, Timis serves as a committee member of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers’ project in partnership with Guardians ad Litem, FAWL in Love with GAL, a partnership that pairs Florida attorney mentors with teenagers before they age out of foster care to provide mentorship and guidance on their transition out of the foster care system and into adulthood. She also volunteers as a high school mock trial coach for a Collier County High School and dedicates her time to various pro bono matters, including appeals of the denial of veterans’ benefits and assisting with habeas petitions.

Amy Rohde

Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor Regions Bank

Growing up, Amy Rohde enjoyed working with numbers and helping people. And for Rohde today, working as a wealth advisor offers the best of both worlds.

“After finishing up my degree, I became a trust officer, which allowed me to pursue what I realized was a passion of mine: working closely with families and helping them achieve their goals for multiple generations,” Rohde says. “While I truly enjoyed this line of work, I started to do more financial planning with my clients. That still gave me the chance to discuss estate planning, but also allowed me to work on a much more personal level with my clients. Hearing my clients are assured by the planning we do and helping them to feel confident they’re on the right financial track reinforced to me that I indeed found my dream career.”

In the community, Rohde has previously served on the board of the American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball and is cochair of the 2024 event. She has also served with the Ware Bluegrass Foundation, United Way Allocations Committee, Collier County Community Foundation and Fort Myers Women’s Community Club.

Lisa Brown

Founder/Owner/Private Chef/ Health and Lifestyle Coach Free Flowing Health

As a teenager, Free Flowing Health owner and founder Lisa Brown struggled with a variety of health issues—and those ailments, as well as her parents’ illnesses later on, ignited her passion to explore how food, movement and mindfulness could not only heal but also empower individuals to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

“The driving force behind my work is the desire to create a better world for both people and animals. I believe in the transformative power of a plant-based lifestyle, not only for individual health but also for the health of our environment,” Brown says. “I am motivated by the potential to make a difference—whether it’s through teaching a yoga class, coaching someone on their wellness journey or preparing a nourishing meal. By challenging myself and others, I hope to inspire a ripple effect of positive change in our communities, our health and the world we share.”

As part of that commitment, Brown served more than 200 meals to those in need after Hurricane Ian. She also volunteers with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, The Family Cafe, Lee Health’s Complete Health Improvement Program and the Cape Coral Animal Shelter.

Heather Doane

Product Marketing Manager

Arthrex

As a child, Heather Doane loved stories and even created her own story books and magazines, often featuring her pets. While Doane’s childhood hobby turned into a career, first as a journalist and now as a product marketing manager with Arthrex, today her inspiration comes from those around her.

“I inherited my drive and work ethic from my parents, who run a restaurant. I really don’t know how they do it all,” Doane says. “In my current role, I am surrounded by gifted, brilliant people who are genuinely passionate about what they do and how our company and its mission impact peoples’ lives. It’s important to me that what I do gives back to the world in some way, and working with other people striving for the same means I can’t help but feel inspired.”

Doane’s commitment to giving back includes serving on the communications committee of Engage Estero, as co-chair and newsletter chair of the Florida Public Relations Association and as lead of the Arthrex Women’s Network. She also volunteers with Naples Pride, World Central Kitchen and as a board member with the Humane Society Naples “Pawfessionals” young professional group.

Greg Debski

Principal and Portfolio Manager Naples Global Advisors

As a partner at Naples Global Advisors, Greg Debski is a trusted advisor to his clients and helps manage assets totaling more than $1.5 billion. However, though he’s always been committed to continuous learning and professional development in his career, Debski simply considers himself a “fixer.”

“I’ve always enjoyed and been drawn to ‘fixing things’—solving problems and working to understand complexity. While that’s a useful skill for my own life, I have found it very rewarding when my work also benefits others,” Debski says. “I believe that an innate desire to learn, improve and ‘fix things’ is a driving force that keeps me aiming higher in all aspects of my life. I’m thrilled to have found a job that has become a calling and enjoy having a meaningful positive impact on the lives of our clients.”

For Debski, fixing things and making an impact also drive his work away from the office, in Naples and beyond. After joining the Naples Zoo Zoobilee committee in 2018, he now serves on the zoo’s board of directors. In addition, he also serves on the board of the Elizabeth K. Galeana Foundation and volunteers as a fundraiser and strategic planner at Saint Ann School.

Janette Dulaney

Owner/Cake Artist

Soul by Janette Dulaney

Growing up, Janette Dulaney loved art. And, though she studied biomedical engineering in college, her children helped reignite her love for art and ultimately helped begin her career as a cake artist.

“For my son’s 4th birthday, I made a cake that was supposed to be a shark on a cake—but it looked like a rock, which became a joke within my family. So my competitive nature told everyone I could do better,” Dulaney says. “I made another cake the following week, and it was definitely better. It then turned into a business and took off from there. I do this alongside my kids, so I’m able to teach them how to stay balanced, mostly through nature and mindset, so they can live a life they love.”

Once she learned how to sculpt cakes, Dulaney quickly became a Food Network artist and was named an American Cake Awards Rising Star. But she still finds time to give back. Dulaney volunteers as a Guardian for the Collier Lee Honor Flight, while also assisting in a variety of fundraisers and donating cakes to a number of organizations and events.

Vivian Grimes Warwick CEO and Founder Henri Noël Jewelry

As the founder of Henri Noël Jewelry, Vivian Grimes Warwick said her business was founded to share her passion for diamonds and showcase the intricate process behind the company’s jewelry designs. But for Grimes Warwick, creating generational jewelry is also a family affair.

“As a third-generation jeweler, my passion is to create timeless pieces that can be treasured for generations, not just a season. More than just a business, it represents a treasured family collaboration, allowing me to work closely with my father and brother, blending our talents and love for jewelry into something truly special,” she says. “When I think of my most cherished jewelry, it’s not just my designs, but the beautiful creations my mother and father have lovingly crafted and gifted to me. Knowing that my creations will bring a bit of joy into someone else’s life is incredibly fulfilling.”

Grimes Warwick also lends her time and energy to several charitable organizations, including St. Matthew’s House, All Hands and Hearts, Garrett LaForce Foundation and United Arts Collier. In addition, she has volunteered with the Angel Ball fundraiser with the Community School of Naples, American Heart Association, Cancer Alliance of Naples and Naples Botanical Garden.

Kyle Selbach Director of Operations

While a college student at Florida Gulf Coast University, Kyle Selbach studied biology and worried about what to do after graduation. As he was weighing a post-college career in medical device sales, one phone call changed everything.

“My mentor, a well-established retired businessman named Steve, called me, informed me he was interested in buying a pest control company and wondered if I would join in on his adventure. As strange as the idea was to get into pest control, I was reserved and nervous, but I couldn’t say no knowing his previous business success,” Selbach says. “I started as a 21-year-old door-to-door sales rep, pitching and selling pest control. Nothing was handed to me and everything took hard work. Fast forward from door-todoor sales, I am one seat under Steve, running the business and all day-to-day operations.”

In addition to helping All U Need Pest Control grow to 155 employees and 11 locations, Selbach serves as vice president of the board of directors for Abuse Counseling and Treatment. He also is on the board of the Florida Pest Management Association and an advisory member of the Pathfinder Network—FieldRoutes.

Sean M. Hetrick Nash

Executive Charter Consultant Elite Jets of Naples

Growing up watching his uncle fly for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds military demonstration team, Sean M. Hetrick Nash caught the aviation bug at a young age. Now, as a private pilot and executive charter consultant for Elite Jets of Naples, Nash works to help others take to the skies.

“Gratitude is my main driving force when it comes to giving back to the community. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work in the industry I am most passionate about and to realize my dream of becoming a pilot much earlier than I ever anticipated,” Nash says. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without others helping me along the way, and it is out of that gratitude that I feel called to do my part to provide the same opportunities to the next generation.”

To help that next generation, Nash serves as president of the Naples chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, which offers the Young Eagles program to introduce local youths to the wonders of aviation. Nash also is vice president of the Seminole Club of Naples, a Florida State University alumni group that supports high school graduates attending the university with scholarship funds.

Daisy Gonzalez

Early Childhood Development Specialist Healthcare Network

Working as an early childhood development specialist for the Healthcare Network, Daisy Gonzalez works with families completing developmental screenings, assessing maternal depression and social determinants of health affecting the family, while also helping connect families with early intervention services. And as she works to complete her second master’s degree in social work, she’s still working to serve others.

“My goal is to serve my community, especially those who are traditionally underserved, and to address the significant disparities in behavioral health care. I am deeply passionate about my work and dedicated to making a tangible difference in people’s lives,”

Gonzalez says. “I cherish the opportunity to work directly in the field and witness change firsthand, but I also aspire to train future generations of behavioral health providers. By doing so, I hope to create a lasting impact and ensure that quality care reaches everyone who needs it most.”

Gonzalez began volunteering at St. Matthew’s House and the Humane Society while in high school. As a first-generation college student, she worked with various community agencies, such as NAMI and Trafficking Awareness Partnerships. She has also served with Abuse Counseling and Treatment, providing therapeutic services to survivors of abuse and human trafficking.

Natalia Spinelli

Breast Surgical Oncologist

Precision Healthcare Specialists

As a breast surgeon, Dr. Natalia Spinelli typically sees patients after they’ve received a diagnosis of breast cancer or other disease of the breast. It is the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, and save lives, that drives her every day.

“During my surgical training, I had the opportunity to work at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. While I was there, I saw very advanced and neglected breast cancers, and it was life-changing for me,” Spinelli says. “I had incredible mentors who crossed all barriers to provide access to care to a very vulnerable population. To this day, I work with many local organizations to help uninsured patients receive care.”

Spinelli participates in United Way’s WeCare program, which provides pro bono medical services to those who otherwise could not afford medical care. She also speaks to local organizations on the modifiable risk factors that can reduce a woman’s risk of getting breast cancer. Noting disparities in cancer rates along racial, ethnic and geographical lines, she specifically targets these groups in her education campaign. Being bilingual, Spinelli has made a special effort to continually reach Southwest Florida’s Hispanic population.

Tyland Hunter

Senior Policy Advisor Defense Intelligence Agency

After serving in the military in both Afghanistan and Iraq, Tyland Hunter earned a degree in government and received his Juris Doctorate from Ava Maria Law School. But it was his military experience that ultimately guided his path to the Defense Intelligence Agency.

“I was compelled to get into my line of work after witnessing global human suffering during my time in the military. Those experiences made me realize the fragility of life and the importance of using my gifts to make a positive impact,” Hunter says. “I am guided by the desire to give back more than I've taken in this world. I aim to make kindness a habit and consistently donate my time, energy and resources to worthy causes that create positive change.”

For Hunter, creating positive change led to his role as founder and CEO of Take the Hill Academy, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls through STEM education, fostering a legacy of love, humility and intellect in Southwest Florida and in Africa. That effort was highlighted by Hunter’s recent trip to Ghana to donate food, clothing and educational supplies to several remote villages.

Kyle Lee Dealer/Principal Lee Auto Group

After graduating from Florida Gulf Coast University with a business management degree, Kyle Lee wanted to go into business immediately. Investing his savings to start a different business and then getting his auto dealer’s license, Lee quickly grew his Lee Auto Group to three locations, more than 70 employees and sales in all 50 states. Fortunately, Lee said, the car business was already in his blood.

“My father was in the car business from the time he was 13 years old. He worked his way up through management and eventually owned his own franchise dealerships here in Fort Myers. He sold his dealerships and was out of the car business before I was even born,” Lee says. “While growing up around it, hearing stories and listening to the family talk about the car business, I always thought it was interesting, but never imagined I would follow in my dad’s footsteps.”

Lee is proud to have built his business in Southwest Florida, and also is active in the community. That includes donations to the Lee County Sheriff to purchase school supplies, and toy donations to the Salvation Army at Christmas and the SWFL chapter of Blessings in a Backpack.

Jillian Young President

Premiere Plus Realty

From the outside, a real estate brokerage may appear to be a group of people focused on selling homes. For Jillian Young, president of Premiere Plus Realty, it’s a far more personal experience.

“Real estate agents are small business owners themselves. In addition to helping the brokerage, I get to help 1,500 small business owners support their families doing what they love. Every decision we make is to benefit their ability to become better. When they get better, the brokerage wins,” Young says. “We’ve helped hundreds of newly licensed real estate agents leave their 9-5 and earn a full-time income from their business. We’ve had women in abusive relationships earn enough to leave a dangerous situation or put their child in the special needs school they couldn’t otherwise afford. Those agents are my inspiration to keep making our brokerage better and to help them reach their goals.”

In addition to helping her agents with their pursuits, Young serves on the board of the Pregnancy Resource Center. She also works with her company’s outreach group, PPR Cares, which coordinates “Serve Days” for the group to perform a variety of service projects in the community.

Deborah Houk Physician NCH

When Deborah Houk was born, a nurse predicted to her mother that the baby would one day become a doctor. While Dr. Houk says it was her family’s emphasis on education that ultimately led her into medicine, the idea of improving people’s lives, helping them feel better and potentially extending their lives was even more compelling.

“Every day, I am motivated by the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives and to help them achieve better health and well-being,” she says. “Many of my patients have faced and overcome incredible odds, battling severe illnesses with resilience and courage—and that inspires me. Their strength and determination in the face of adversity are powerful reminders of the human spirit’s capacity for endurance and recovery.”

Houk also strives to make her own positive difference, serving as a Youth Haven board member, an American Heart Association Go Red campaign volunteer and a member of the 2024 Leadership Collier class. She was also among the Haute 100’s inaugural list of most powerful individuals in Naples for her community service and philanthropic efforts.

Kayla Richmond

Florida Bar Board Certified Marital and Family Law Expert Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A

Kayla Richmond works as a family law attorney for Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. Given that, it should be no surprise that family has played a big role in her career.

“I was undecided as to what I was going to do with my undergraduate degrees in business management and political science, so I went to lunch to meet my mother’s business lawyer and learn about the law. By the end of the meal, I knew I was going to be a lawyer,” Richmond says. “I am the first attorney in my family. I was captivated by the profession and the opportunity to educate and advocate for individuals or businesses who were wronged in some way and needed representation to navigate through the legal process.”

With a desire to set an example for her own family, Richmond volunteers with the Lee County Association for Women Lawyers, the Lee County Bar Association and the Association of Family Law Professionals. She also is a supporter of Harry Chapin Food Bank, the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, the YMCA, PACE Center for Girls and United Way.

Kevin Karnes

Lee County Clerk of Court and Comptroller

Lee County Clerk of Circuit Court

Winning election as the Lee County Clerk of Court and comptroller at age 34, Kevin Karnes became one of the youngest people ever to be elected as a Florida Clerk of Courts. But he said his service began long before that.

“Public service has been my calling since I was a child. I’ve always been drawn to ‘the greater good’ and putting service above self,” Karnes says. “Initially, my career goals were focused on being a juvenile court judge, but I found that serving my community through the Clerk’s Office was my higher purpose all along. I love that my team and I get to help citizens at every critical milestone in their lives.”

Karnes’ service to the public isn’t limited to the clerk’s office. He serves on the board of the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades and is active in Big Brothers Big Sisters. He also speaks at community industry events across Lee County and partnered with the Southwest Florida Leadership Institute at Florida Gulf Coast University to sponsor the development of the “Emerging Leaders in the Public Sector” micro-credential course, a program that will soon be rolled out to public leaders across the five-county region.

Sonia Telusnord Chief Operations Officer

Vite Walls

Most marriage coaches counsel against the idea of building walls. But as COO of Vite Walls and founder of Power Couples 2.0, Sonia Telusnord successfully does both.

“The drive to enact change and improve lives is what drew me into marriage coaching. The opportunity to guide couples toward deeper understanding and lasting happiness is what truly compelled me to pursue this rewarding line of work,” Telusnord says. “My entrepreneurial spirit led me into the construction industry and the desire to help build something from the ground up, figuratively and literally. The dynamic nature of the industry and the chance to innovate and make a significant impact on communities cemented my commitment to this path.”

Beyond her businesses, Telusnord is a director and host of several women’s groups at Pursue Church, as well as being actively involved in The Posh Mama Club. In addition, she led Vite Walls in offering lowcost repair services to those affected by Hurricanes Ian and Idalia. And as the first Black woman to co-own a construction company in Naples, she continues to inspire others and pave the way for greater diversity and inclusion in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Joe Ryan

System Director Lee Health

Coconut Point

Lee Health

Joe Ryan was initially drawn to a career in physical therapy based on his own sports-related injuries. Today, as system director Lee Health Coconut Point, that experience as a physical therapist still drives him.

“The ability to play a role in helping someone to recover from what is often the worst point in their life, and helping them to move through those dark moments and realize their full potential for recovery, was the best way imaginable to start a career. That helped me learn how to inspire and motivate others, even in the midst of devastating circumstances,” Ryan says. “Now I take immense pride in knowing that by doing my job well, and making the right decisions, we will create the opportunity for hundreds of clinicians, and thousands of patients, to benefit from those same interactions and experiences.”

Ryan serves on the Estero Chamber of Commerce board of directors and on the Leadership Estero Steering Committee. He also led the Lee Health Habitat for Humanity program, enlisting volunteers who donated hours of support to assist another Lee Health employee in the process of building a home.

Maddy Eagle Founder and CEO Flying Eagle Kombucha

For Maddy Eagle, what started as a mission to heal herself turned into Flying Eagle Kombucha. And while that’s now a successful retail and wholesale business, Eagle said it also turned into a community movement that combines a mission of wholesome health with a dedication to supporting the network of local farms in Southwest Florida.

“As a kid, I always felt I could change the world. I imagined being an entrepreneur like my dad, but I wanted to take it a step further and make positive change through business,” Eagle says. “As an adult, struggling with digestive and inflammatory issues had me brewing home-brewed kombucha and natural remedies. I launched my first kombucha at a farmers market and realized I had a platform to educate on the gut, its effect on the immune system and mood, nonalcoholic alternatives and botanicals harvested locally.”

As is the case for so many businesses in Southwest Florida, pandemic shortages and Hurricane Ian have provided many hurdles for Flying Eagle Kombucha. However, though the hurricane caused a loss of inventory and months of production, Eagle organized cleanup groups in her neighborhood and raised funds for the SWFL Hurricane Relief Fund.

Christopher Lee

Partner/Owner

CMC Hospitality

After moving from Long Island, New York, in 2008, Christopher Lee landed a job at Ritz-Carlton, Naples, immediately dove headfirst into hospitality and absorbed everything he could. While that propelled him to become a partner in the CMC Hospitality restaurant group, his inclination toward business actually began much earlier.

“I watched my father start a business when I was young and I was always intrigued with the business operations and finances. At age 10 I started selling candy to the neighborhood kids and fell in love with the business, which I operated all through secondary school,” Lee says. “My passion for business seemed to align with my passion for service and hospitality, so I now have the pleasure of fulfilling multiple passions in my life. Today, I have a relentless drive to improve in all facets of my life. This constant pursuit of growth and betterment keeps me moving forward.”

Currently operating three unique CMC Hospitality restaurant and bar concepts, Lee has also enthusiastically teamed up with good causes. In addition to donations of time and food, he has hosted fundraisers for Captains For Clean Water, the Naples Women’s Shelter and the Naples Pier.

Holly Rice Of Counsel

Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C.

Working as an attorney with Saxe Doernberger & Vita, P.C., Holly Rice is dedicated to representing policyholders in a wide range of industries and complex insurance claims, with a particular focus on advocating for commercial policyholders within the construction industry. But she also advocates for those in her community, as well.

Rice volunteers to help build homes with Habitat for Humanity and helps her elderly neighbor with errands, companionship and even cooking. She also helps raise funds for Goodwill, the Golisano Children’s Hospital and Humane Society Naples, and serves as co-chair of the Naples Fundraising Committee for the Relay For Life. In addition, Rice volunteers as a youth soccer coach for the Optimist Club of Naples and recently participated in a soccer tournament to support the YMCA of South Florida.

Rice is a 2018 graduate of Associate Leadership Collier and was named a “Top Lawyer” in Southwest Florida by Naples Illustrated. She is a member of the Collier County Bar Association and the Collier County Women’s Bar Association, previously serving as the chair and vice chair of the Collier County Bar Association Family Law Section.

Ivica Milanoski

Restaurateur

Turco Taco

Born in North Macedonia, Turco Taco owner Ivica Milanoski started working in the restaurant industry in high school. In addition to serving as an introduction, Milanoski said that job sparked a greater goal to be a restaurateur.

“It all started as a passion for food and beverage because of the fast-paced environment that allowed me to learn new skills, learn people and time management and better understand the psychology of human connections. From there, it grew into a passion to be part of the community and to be able to make a positive change in people’s lives on a daily basis,” Milanoski says. “I am inspired by the love of good and healthy food that makes a difference in my life, as well as the lives of the people in our community. Our company’s philosophy is that the choices we make about the food we eat, and where it comes from, have a direct impact on our health and the environment.”

Milanoski also serves as a mentor and educator to young professionals to help future generations live healthier lifestyles. Beyond his culinary work, he also supports Sunshine Kids, St. Paul Orthodox Church, Naples Zoo and Collier County Public Schools.

Aome Keough

Director of Brand Engagement

Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce

With 17 years of experience in sales and business development, Aome Keough works as the director of brand engagement for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce—the latest step in an engagement, marketing and community involvement journey that began much earlier.

“My marketing professor at Colorado Mesa University taught me that everything in life is marketing and branding, including the way you interact with others. The impressions and relationships you build with others are a form of marketing. By positioning yourself as a voice in marketing, you can help anyone, in any industry,” Keough says. “As someone who feels their purpose in life is to help others, I felt I could help other businesses and organizations succeed. My goal in life is to truly help others succeed, and marketing is an avenue to do so.”

Keough has also applied her skills through her volunteer work with David Lawrence Centers Advocates, Youth Haven and STARability, and as a mentor with Champions for Learning. In addition, she is a member of PRSA Gulf Coast Chapter and Young Professionals of Naples, and currently serves as co-chair of the Blue Zones of Southwest Florida Engagement Committee.

Jake Bowman Partner

The Baldwin Group

With a background as an NCAA football coach, Jake Bowman learned to recruit and guide athletes. Those same skills have helped him succeed as a partner with insurance advisory firm The Baldwin Group.

“Building relationships that are long-term partnerships in business has been the most natural transition in the evolution of my career, and that has allowed me to meet some amazing people in our community. Helping my clients solve complex problems, seeing them thrive and watching them fuel our economy has been the most rewarding thing for me, professionally,” Bowman says. “One quote that has really resonated with me is, ‘The man who loves walking will go farther than the man who loves the destination.’ My overarching aim is to cultivate a legacy that resonates with my family and those close to me, but also have a long-lasting impression on our community members, as well.”

Bowman’s involvement in the community includes serving as vice chair of the Fort Myers YMCA Community Board, coaching various YMCA youth teams and acting as a volunteer with Watch D.O.G.S., an organization dedicated to involving fathers in their children’s education. He also works with New Horizons of SWFL and St. Matthew’s House.

Jackie Larocque

Senior Director of Civil Engineering

Atwell LLC

While community engagement is a common thread among 40 Under 40 honorees, Jackie Larocque is unique: Working as a licensed professional engineer for Atwell, Larocque is not only active in the community, she helps build and strengthen Southwest Florida, too.

“I have dedicated myself and my career to designing and developing infrastructure that supports and enhances our community. Working on a variety of projects, ranging from residential neighborhoods to commercial spaces, amenity centers and community facilities, and seeing their tangible results, continues to fuel my passion for community development and civil engineering,” Larocque says. “As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I am driven by the goal of advancing and making a positive impact on future female leaders. I hope to inspire and empower the next generation of engineers and leaders.”

As a proud Florida Gulf Coast University graduate, Larocque mentors civil engineering students at the school and works with alumni panels for new students entering the civil engineering program. In addition, she was honored with FGCU’s Soaring Eagle Award as a high-achieving College of Engineering alumna. Larocque also volunteers at Florida Engineering Society MATHCOUNTS competitions and FGCU STEM and GEMS summer camps.

Red Gamso

Digital Media and Design Manager Gingrich 360

Working as the digital media and design manager in the Naples office of Gingrich 360, Red Gamso shapes digital campaigns and maintains the brand identity for Speaker Newt Gingrich and Ambassador Callista L. Gingrich. But the professional world isn’t the only place where Gamso uses her skills to have an effect.

“My unwavering commitment to making a positive difference. I have the desire to innovate, connect people and create lasting impacts through personal, professional and community engagements. Seeing tangible results of my efforts in helping businesses reach their goals also provides a continuous source of inspiration,” she says. “This is why I’ve started EventsSWFL.com—an event aggregator website for the area to keep the people of Southwest Florida connected and engaged with events happening by our local businesses.”

Gamso’s positive influence also is notable in the community, where she is a board member of the David Lawrence Centers Advocates to help advance the center’s mission of providing mental health and addiction recovery services. In addition, she serves on the Disaster Ready Collier County board of directors and Blue Zones SWFL, and as the program chair for the Associate Leadership Collier program.

Jarred D. Duke

Founding Partner

Davies Duke, PLLC

As a founding partner of Davies Duke, Jarred Duke practices in the area of business litigation, leading companies and individuals through their most intimate and complex legal problems. He is a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University and the New York University School of Law. Duke also is a proud graduate of Evangelical Christian School and, as a Southwest Florida native, he remains committed to serving the community. He currently serves as the chair of the board of trustees of Evangelical Christian School and has previously served as social chair of the Lee County Bar Association and as a member of The Florida Bar’s Young Lawyers. His firm has also supported the Naples Area Board of Realtors golf tournament for Wounded Warriors of Collier County, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida Business Hall of Fame, Humane Society Naples, David Lawrence Centers, Collier Community Foundation and Community Cooperative. Professionally, Duke has been recognized by Florida Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” in 2019 and 2020, and as “One to Watch” in 2021 by Best Lawyers in America.

Sarah Owen Advancement Officer: Events and Donor Engagement Gulfshore Playhouse

Sarah Owen originally aspired to be a psychologist. Though she completed her psychology degree, Owen ultimately found her passion in helping people, building relationships and making a difference as a nonprofit fundraiser and event planner.

“I’ve come to realize that true motivation for me lies in happiness. A conversation with my husband made me see that my focus on future achievements was causing unnecessary stress and preventing me from appreciating my current accomplishments,” Owen says. “My favorite quote, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”’ by Martin Luther King Jr., sits in a frame on my desk, reminding me that true fulfillment comes not just from personal success, but from contributing to something larger and making a meaningful difference.”

As part of her work with the Gulfshore Playhouse, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Owen has helped raise more than $70 million in the last 12 years. While at JDRF, she was honored with the National Mission Award, recognizing “an individual who made the most significant contribution of the organization overall to the JDRF mission inclusive of fundraising.”

Katherine Gutierrez Licensed Mental Health Therapist Awakened Counseling Services

A licensed mental health therapist specializing in trauma and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Katherine Gutierrez helps clients 12 and older experience healing in immeasurable ways. Her drive and her guidance come from her own experience.

“My mother, Candida, taught me that there are no limits to what I can do and inspires me to always strive for personal growth regardless of the circumstance. I am a byproduct of my lived experiences and a walking, breathing testimony that with faith, a supportive village and hard work, all things are possible. It is this mindset that I carry with me into the therapy room and all spaces of my life,” Gutierrez says. “The evidence of change and healing that I see in the people I work with is what fuels and drives me to do more and aim higher.”

Outside her practice, Gutierrez mentors high school-age students to prepare for college success through the Take Stock in Children program. As a crisis counselor, she also provides support for residents and first responders after natural disasters, most recently spending numerous weekends supporting those affected by Hurricane Idalia.

Michael A. Scott

Attorney—Senior Partner Dorcey Law Firm, PLC

An attorney specializing in transactional practice in estate planning, business planning and asset protection, Michael A. Scott uses his education and life experience to counsel individuals, businesses and families to help resolve their legal issues. And, while the legal field can be confusing to an outsider, Scott said his goal is to make it accessible and simple for all his clients.

“I practice law primarily on two basic principles. The first is the thought that proper estate and business planning is not reserved for the ultra-wealthy. It is a critical process for everyone, regardless of financial status, to safeguard their assets and secure their family’s future,” Scott says. “Second, I aim to demystify what often seem to be complex legal issues for my clients, and strive to ensure that people feel comfortable and confident in their planning by explaining things clearly, concisely and with minimal legalese.”

Apart from serving his clients, Scott strives to leave a legacy of service through community involvement. He serves on the board of SWFL Heroes Foundation and Military Support Foundation Inc. In addition, he supports the SWFL Heroes Foundation and serves on the Hendry County Board of County Commissioners’ Airport Advisory Committee.

Rachel Kaduk

Residential Loan Officer

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank

Before becoming a residential loan officer with Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Rachel Kaduk worked in business development. In that position, Kaduk said, she learned how to help businesses and the community; skills she still uses today.

“Life is a journey of continuous growth, and for me, aiming higher is fueled by the desire to make a meaningful impact on my community, in my profession and among family and friends. I believe that by setting ambitious goals and striving to achieve them, I push myself to contribute positively to my community and evolve in my career,” Kaduk says. “This sense of purpose gives me the energy and determination to push beyond limitations. I see every challenge as an opportunity to learn and develop new skills and build resilience, a sense of fulfillment and produce results.”

In addition to her career growth, Kaduk has also produced results in the community. She has served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Guardian Angels for Special Populations, the Southwest Florida Symphony and the Fort Myers Community Concert Association. She has also volunteered with both the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral.

Alina Donahue

Human Trafficking Expert and Consultant

Alina Donahue LLC

As a human trafficking instructor and consultant, Alina Donahue travels the country to train law enforcement on the interdiction of human trafficking. However, while teaching others the indicators of human trafficking and the trauma and PTSD experienced by victims, Donahue’s career developed from personal experience.

“As a survivor of human trafficking, I knew that I did not want to be another statistic. I didn’t want to be another story lost in the shadows of such a compelling topic,” Donahue says. “I left my sales job in 2018 to be an advocate. After being an advocate and helping other survivors, I knew that I could make the biggest difference by teaching law enforcement how to interact and identify victims of human trafficking. I manifested this until one day I got a phone call from a past client who said ‘We need another instructor. Are you in?’ I quickly replied, ‘Yes!’”

Beyond her work as an instructor, Donahue also co-created the Shelly Stayer 18-month Human Trafficking residential program at The Shelter for Abused Women and Children. She also serves on the national board for Operation Light Shine and teaches a healthy relationships class to the female inmates in Project Recovery and Cell Dog program.

After the Award

For more than two decades, Gulfshore Business has been recognizing the rising stars of Southwest Florida through its annual 40 Under 40 honors, which showcase leadership, ambition and community care. Those attributes should be beneficial to their careers and lives, propelling them forward professionally and personally … so we decided to check in with some previous winners for an update.

We caught up with a set of 40 Under 40 honorees from years past, individuals who have carved their paths to success through determination and hard work, and have won a bit of wisdom thereby that they’re happy to share.

By Melanie Pagan

AFTER THE AWARD

Managing Mental Health

David Plazas, opinion and engagement director, USA Today Network Tennessee

David Plazas, a 2008 40 Under 40 honoree, was in his early 30s when he was recognized for his outstanding contributions. At the time, he was juggling his role as community conversation editor of The News-Press, pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Florida Gulf Coast University and navigating the early years of marriage.

Now, he’s an award-winning national expert on civil discourse and community engagement, overseeing the opinion section of the entire USA Today Network Tennessee statewide publications.

“The new move transformed my life,” he says of relocating to Nashville in 2014.

Plazas ascended in an ever-challenging—and ever-dwindling—industry. More than 16,000 newsroom jobs were lost in the U.S. alone in 2020, according to Pew Research Center, representing a 26% decline in newsroom employment since 2008.

Plazas attributes his success to constant learning and perseverance through uncertainty. “I have had many ups professionally, but some downs—and I have learned to get up.”

He also started therapy in 2023 to deal with anxiety—a less common self-development tool in 2008, when 8.3% of adults reportedly received

mental health treatment or counseling, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, compared with 14% in 2019.

“It was an important move in my personal development, which has contributed to a better life-work balance for me,” Plazas says, adding that it’s the one thing he would have done sooner when he looks back at his life from his 2008 commendation to now.

“I think I would have started therapy a long time ago to help me better deal with adversity,” Plazas says. Today, he helps ascending professionals manage their own complex inner worlds.

“What I can teach young people is how to hone their anger, drive and energy to be more disciplined about achieving results in the face of challenges and difficult realities,” he says. “Young people tend to be incredibly impatient, and that desire to act is good.”

QUOTE TO LIVE BY:

“Learn from the past, live in the present, better the future.”

MESSAGE TO YOUNGER SELF:

“Keep having fun but do better at saving your money.”

FEELINGS ON THE NEXT GENERATION:

“They give me a lot of energy and hope.”

Thriving in a challenging and dwindling industry, David Plazas is now the opinion and engagement director for USA Today Network Tennessee and attributes his success to constant learning and perseverance through uncertainty.

Heather Donlan, owner and artist of Heather Donlan Art, encourages business owners who are just starting out to trust their inner compass for decision-making and to follow their intuition.

Brian Tietz; Heather Donlan

QUOTE

TO LIVE BY:

“What you seek is seeking you.” The Rumi quote is “a reminder to me to be mindful of where I place my energy and attention,” Donlan says.

Adapting & Expanding

Heather Donlan said it’s difficult not to wonder where she would be now if she had started her gift and home decor business sooner.

However, had it been in 2012—when Donlan won a 40 Under 40 award—it would have been another addition to her balancing act.

“I was pregnant with my third baby when I won 40 Under 40. Juggling two small children, a newborn and my own company was not an easy task,” she says. “Looking back, I wish I had given myself more grace with acknowledging just how much I was doing all at once.”

Donlan developed her business’ retail arm after recovering from losses due to the pandemic and Hurricane Ian.

“Everything came to an abrupt halt. I realized very quickly that my business model had to expand to offer a tangible product if I wanted to keep my business afloat,” she recalls.

She encourages budding business owners to trust their inner compass for decision-making, too. “Follow your intuition—it will never lead you astray.”

Donlan hopes to inspire the young minds of growing girls with a new book slated to debut next year. “It’s a personal project called Tutu Beautiful, which showcases my artwork with the underlying theme of empowering young girls through fine art photography.”

“I believe in you.”

MESSAGE TO YOUNGER SELF: FEELINGS ON THE NEXT GENERATION:

“Inspiring.”

Perhaps it will encourage efforts in others similar to those that led to Donlan’s sense of success. “Twenty-nine years ago, I could have never known the sense of pride I would feel having owned and operated my own business like I have,” she says. “My business, after all, is really my first baby. And it has grown and blossomed in ways I could have never imagined.”

Heather Donlan, owner and artist, Heather Donlan Art

Witnessing The Next Wave

Between 2010, when Brant won a 40 Under 40 award, and now, she said the pandemic was the most heartbreaking event to endure as an educator.

Teaching socially distanced students at the same time as those online was a skillset I hope to never use again,” she says. “School spirit dropped to an all-time low as many of the events that make a high school experience were canceled or presented virtually.”

She said today’s attendance rate is still low, but some aspects within the school system are looking up.

“The good news is school spirit is slowly returning. Smiles are back, and teenage egocentrism is slowly returning,” Brant says. And if the stories of our select 40 Under 40 alumni tell us anything, it’s that the most life-changing circumstances yield the most profound truth: that every challenge provides a vital perspective.

Angela Brant, department chair, Fort Myers High School

department chair, says the most heartbreaking event as an educator was the pandemic, but every challenge provides a vital perspective.

Angela Brant, Fort Myers High School

Practicing More Mindfulness

Samantha Scott, president, Pushing the Envelope

The unexpected death of Samantha Scott’s newborn shuttered her old approach to success.

“As a business owner and driven person, I hustled my entire life. It was always about achieving the next thing, meeting the next challenge, growing, etc. Asher changed all of that,” Scott says.

Her son was born in May 2019 with a rare intracranial cervical teratoma and passed away two days before turning four months old.

“Learning we were expecting was life-changing, then learning of his health challenges altered our lives in more ways than one. But losing him changed us permanently,” she says five years later.

Now, her family—a husband and two daughters—comes first; “before any boards, networking or work commitments,” she says. “This has carried over into how I run my business and the life-work balance and work style we provide for our entire team.”

However, when Gulfshore Business honored Scott as a 40 Under 40 in 2010, she was still in hustle mode for her then 4-year-old marketing company, Pushing the Envelope.

“In the moment, I was proud and excited, but I didn’t fully appreciate it. I was working hard and working a lot,” she remembers. “Now, I am more mindful of those special moments and try to really soak them in—give myself the opportunity to pause to relish the reward.”

The award-winning marketing veteran encourages rising leaders to do the same while aligning with the bigger picture.

“Keep the first things first. Work hard but not at the sacrifice of yourself or those you love,” Scott says. “Also, don’t expect or look for handouts; rather, accept the hands up that may come along your way and be prepared to do the same for others. We’re all in this together.”

QUOTE TO LIVE BY:

“You teach what you tolerate.” It applies at work and at home, Scott said.

MESSAGE TO YOUNGER SELF:

“Don’t be so hard on yourself; prioritize your limited time and energy.”

FEELINGS ON THE NEXT GENERATION:

“They have a lot going for them with the advancements in technology and resources. I’m hopeful they will use those to their advantage to change the world in positive ways.”

Samantha Scott, Pushing the Envelope president, hustled her entire life, but now she encourages others to look at the bigger picture and not to put work before yourself or the ones you love.

At the beginning of her career, Brittany Cohill, Shockwave Medical executive account manager, had a difficult time saying no, and her ego was being fed by friends, Facebook and accolades. Now, she has changed her perspective and is more at peace.

QUOTE TO LIVE BY:

Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.”

MESSAGE TO YOUNGER SELF:

“You are not the center of the world—God is.”

FEELINGS ON THE NEXT GENERATION:

“Stay grounded and focused on the bigger picture. This is only a snapshot of your life. Don’t let it take over your life. How many likes or friends you have does not define who you are.”

Heeding A Higher Understanding

Brittany Cohill’s “professional and personal mountaintop” caved shortly after receiving her 40 Under 40 award in 2013.

“I realized that supporting friends and businesses while maintaining a busy territory at work was not sustainable,” she recalls. “It was very difficult for me to say no. My ego was being fed by friends, Facebook and accolades.”

Community involvement and work were the centers of Cohill’s life, as she chaired events and ran a top territory for the global health care company Abbott.

That changed when she moved to St. Petersburg following her divorce in 2016 and found her faith. Two years later, “the greatest joy I’ve ever had” came in the form of her son, Tucker.

“Having a child and switching jobs were two major changes and really helped me change my perspective on my day-to-day life and what I want for the back half of it.” Cohill leaned into Christianity, quit Facebook for a year and called on her community for support as she led a life of new intentions and gained a new work position.

“I needed to learn to ask for help and leverage all of my resources. I needed my nanny and son’s grandparents and my mom to help take care of my son,” she says. “In addition, I realized I didn’t want to work forever, and to be present in my son’s life, I put a retirement plan in place to retire at 55.”

The efforts paid off palpably. “Today, I’m more at peace since I’ve been to the top. I’m not fueled by awards and likes on my Facebook page,” she says. “Those awards are still special to me and have helped to shape who I am, but they are not my day-to-day aspirations.”

Brittany Cohill, executive account manager, Shockwave Medical

Leading With Loyalty

Robert Zivkovic, owner/broker, Zivkovic & Associates

Robert Zivkovic still has the staff he had 10 years ago when he became a 40 Under 40 honoree in 2014, even as the business expanded.

Through all the lessons he’s gained in business and world travels (including a recent 90-day family excursion from Tahiti to Cape Town, South Africa), tradition and connections are top areas he encouraged the next generation to remember.

“Do your best to learn the history of your business, profession and country. A lot of folks have put in hard work to get things where they are,” he says. “There is a lot of prosperity and opportunity out there—learn how we got here and build on that. Try not to reinvent the wheel or try shortcuts that many have tried before.”

An effective way of doing that, he suggested, is by staying involved in the community.

“A lot of times, that may just be voting. Paying attention to your vote and how it could affect our systems and social norms is important,” he says.

In a time of great division, “we have to remember it shouldn’t be an all-or-nothing mentality—we have to relearn how to work together for the greater good,” he says.

Delegating tasks and prioritizing life with his family have led to Zivkovic’s most significant accolades to date. “My rewards have been enjoying the memories we’re making as a family.”

MESSAGE TO YOUNGER SELF:

“Be a better listener. Focus on the now as much as possible and practice doing it.”

Brian Tietz

Robert Zivkovic, Zivkovic & Associates owner/broker, encourages the next generation to remember tradition and connections, as well as to work together for the greater good.

With Structure Comes Simplicity. With Clarity Comes Confidence.

Simplicity isn’t always simple to achieve, which is why Clarity Wealth has developed its own propriety systems to achieve clarity and create structures that instill confidence in the families we serve.

With Clarity Wealth, an entire team of financial professionals collaborates in our process known as Family Wealth Advantage™—a comprehensive framework for managing wealth both efficiently and effectively.

Throughout the process, families enjoy confidential guidance, personalized service, and direct access to a highly experienced team of professionals with over 950 years of combined experience. With offices in Naples, Fort Myers and Pittsburgh, the team includes:

(CIMA®)

• 2 Chartered Retirement Planning Counselors™ (CRPC®)

• 1 Chartered Financial Consultant™ (ChFC®)

• 1 Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA®)

Additionally, through our Family Wealth Counsel™, Clarity Wealth has built a legacy of managing the assets of affluent families for as many as four generations!

Clarity Wealth is honored to be part of its families’ success, and the fact that Forbes has named us the #7 wealth management firm in the nation is a direct reflection of their trust, proving the fidelity of our systems and confirming our team’s distinguished service career.

Honored to be Voted as a Finalist for “BEST FINANCIAL ADVISORY TEAM”

BY GULFSHORE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Our recognition as a finalist for our financial advisory services is a shared honor with the families we proudly serve. Clarity Wealth helps the best families live their best lives, and we are thrilled to be a part of their successes. Your trust and confidence in our team are the driving forces behind this recognition, and we are committed to building upon that foundation to protect and nurture the legacy of your family for generations to come.

2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/22 - 3/31/23 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. Fee paid for use of marketing materials.

2023 Forbes Top Wealth Management Teams: Awarded November 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/22 - 3/31/23 (Source: Forbes.com). High Net Worth designates advisors whose account sizes are typically under $10mm, though may have accounts with higher amounts. The Forbes Top Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. Fee paid for use of marketing materials.

2024 Barron’s Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams: Awarded May 2024; Data Compiled by Barron’s based on the time period from Jan. 2023 – Dec. 2023 (Source: Barrons.com). Fee paid for use of marketing materials. The Barron’s Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams are evaluated on a range of factors for the Financial Advisory and their team, who specialize in serving individuals and families. Factors included in the ratings include their previous year’s size and shape, the regulatory records and credentials of their members, and the resources they have at their disposal to serve their client bases. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.

and

Mark Benskin, J.D., MST, LL.M. Tax

Senior Vice President, Florida Market Executive

Mark Benskin, J.D., MST, LL.M. Tax Senior Vice President, Florida Market Executive mark.benskin@commercebank.com www.commercetrustcompany.com

Mark Benskin is the Florida Market Executive for Commerce Trust, based in our new office location in Naples. As Florida Market Executive, Mark is responsible for ensuring client needs and service standards are met across all areas of the trust, investment, and private banking business. Mark and the Florida-based team collaborate with their partners across the company to ensure the growth, protection and preservation of client assets, while delivering an outstanding client experience.

For more than a century, Commerce Trust has been a leading provider of financial planning, estate and tax planning, investment management, private banking, and trust administration services. Our clients benefit from the insights gained from our experience administering over $69 billion in total client assets through all market cycles.*

Connect with Mark Benskin, your dedicated Florida Market Executive for Commerce Trust in Naples.

*As of June 30, 2024.

(239) 383-6417 commercetrustcompany.com/Florida

It takes a team to unlock true opportunity

For more than 100 years, the Commerce Trust team of experienced wealth specialists has helped both individuals and institutions uncover opportunity amid increasing complexity to achieve their long-term financial goals.

Learn more about our team-based approach at commercetrustcompany.com/Florida.

DSB Rock Island Wealth Management

Boland, President

DSB Rock Island Wealth Management serves business owners and their families. We have clients in Minnesota as well as the Ft. Myers area. If your wealth management firm shares our focus on managing wealth, preserving legacies and enjoying the future, let’s talk.

“…a trusted relationship and mutual clients led to our merger with DSB Rock Island.” —New Partner

Let’s start a relationship that is connected, proactive and accessible.

• Cross-referral opportunities today

• Succession planning for your future

(612)

North Shore

Fifth Third Private Bank

At Fifth Third Private Bank, we’re here to help you write your story. It starts with a dedicated, local Wealth Management Advisor, backed by a team of financial professionals and digitally enabled solutions.

For individuals and families with complex banking needs, Fifth Third Private Bank offers a comprehensive suite of deposit accounts, lending options, and credit cards available exclusively to our Private Bank clients.

We bring more than 165 years of experience as trusted advisors to high net worth and ultrahigh net worth individuals and families. We’ve been named one of the World’s Best Private Banks by Global Finance for five consecutive years.* Selecting the right wealth management firm is a complicated and personal decision. We’re here to answer any questions you may have. To get in touch with a local advisor, call 239-591-6421.

You have a passion to follow. You have a world to explore. You have a desire to get more out of life. And at Fifth Third Private Bank, we’re here to help write your story.

When you partner with us, we’ll provide you with a dedicated, local advisor, backed by a team of financial professionals and digital solutions.

Together, we can achieve even more.

Let’s write your story. 53.com/privatebank

Experience the full possibility that your wealth creates

Experience the full possibility that your wealth creates

J.P. Morgan Private Bank specializes in providing personalized financial strategies to help the world’s wealthiest individuals and families achieve their goals. No matter how complex your financial picture, we bring you a team equipped with the knowledge and experience you need. Leveraging a unique blend of global reach and local insight, our team in Naples offers tailored financial strategies, exclusive investment opportunities and dedicated personal service to help you meet your specific needs.

J.P. Morgan Private Bank specializes in providing personalized financial strategies to help the world’s wealthiest individuals and families achieve their goals. No matter how complex your financial picture, we bring you a team equipped with the knowledge and experience you need. Leveraging a unique blend of global reach and local insight, our team in Naples offers tailored financial strategies, exclusive investment opportunities and dedicated personal service to help you meet your specific needs.

Whether you’re focused on building, preserving or transferring your wealth, we are committed to helping you pursue your financial goals. Our private banking service is specifically designed around you and your family, backed by the strength, scale and global resources of JPMorganChase.

Whether you’re focused on building, preserving or transferring your wealth, we are committed to helping you pursue your financial goals. Our private banking service is specifically designed around you and your family, backed by the strength, scale and global resources of JPMorganChase.

Discover the difference of a private banking service that truly understands and caters to your unique financial requirements.

Discover the difference of a private banking service that truly understands and caters to your unique financial requirements.

Key Private Bank welcomes Jay Santos to its Florida team

Jay Santos recently joined Key Private Bank as an Associate Relationship Manager, providing wealth management services to full-time and seasonal residents throughout Collier, Lee, and Palm Beach counties. He joins Key Private Bank from Busey Bank, bringing to his new role more than seven years of experience working with clients to meet their financial needs.

Jay is committed to serving his community as a board member for the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties and the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral. Additionally, he holds an officer position on the Lee County School District Independent Sales Surtax Oversight Committee and is a member of the Gulf Elementary Watch D.O.G.S. Program.

Jay can be reached in Key Private Bank’s Fort Myers office at Jay_Santos@keybank.com and 239-466-2513.

True wealth is more than just money. It’s time well spent. It’s pursuing the things that are important to you and your life purpose. It’s confidence in your future.

At Key Private Bank, our wealth management team is here to support you every step of the way. We’ll handle the numbers, graphs, and charts and help you stay on track as your priorities shift, new opportunities appear, and should challenges arise. No matter where you are or where you want to go, we’ll help you get there.

key.com/kpb

MAI Capital Management

MAI Capital Management was founded in 1973 with the sole purpose of making clients’ lives easier. While many things have changed over the past 50 years, our mission has not. MAI works to empower clients to simplify, protect, and grow their wealth. As a fiduciary, we are driven to act in our clients’ best interests and have developed a variety of solutions to serve the breadth of their needs.

Matt Mathias serves as Regional President, bringing over 30 years of experience advising individuals, families, and their foundations as well as charitable endowments to his role.

Interested in learning about working with Matt at MAI Capital Management? Contact him today: Matt Mathias, (239) 451-3245, matt.mathias@mai.capital

(612) 451-3245 MAIcapital

Leandro Soler Relationship Manager, Wintrust Banking Center

Leandro Soler Relationship Manager, Wintrust Banking Center

Leandro Soler Relationship Manager, Wintrust Banking Center

Community is everything to Leandro Soler. An active commuity member who works with Naples SCORE, FGCU Small Business Development Center, and others, Leo has direct experience with the unique needs and goals of local businesses. Nothing brings him more satisfaction than helping businesses grow—something he does every day at Wintrust Banking Center.

Community is everything to Leandro Soler. An active community member who works with Naples SCORE, FGCU Small Business Development Center, and others, Leo has direct experience with the unique needs and goals of local businesses. Nothing brings him more satisfaction than helping businesses grow—something he does every day at Wintrust Banking Center.

“To me, community banking is all about being there for our local businesses,” said Soler. “Seeing small businesses start growing is the most rewarding part of our work.”

Community is everything to Leandro Soler. An active community member who works with Naples SCORE, FGCU Small Business Development Center, and others, Leo has direct experience with the unique needs and goals of local businesses. Nothing brings him more satisfaction than helping businesses grow—something he does every day at Wintrust Banking Center.

“To me, community banking is all about being there for our local businesses,” said Soler. “Seeing small businesses start growing is the most rewarding part of our work.”

“To me, community banking is all about being there for our local businesses,” said Soler. “Seeing small businesses start growing is the most rewarding part of our work.”

With a robust selection of products and services, Leo sets customers up for success through tailored lending solutions. Building your own business? Reach out today to see how we can help!

With a robust selection of products and services, Leo sets customers up for success through tailored lending solutions. Building your own business? Reach out today to see how we can help!

(239) 687-5200 wintrustflorida.com

With a robust selection of products and services, Leo sets customers up for success through tailored lending solutions. Building your own business? Reach out today to see how we can help!

ask

Your one-stop shop for financial planning

We are proud to provide ongoing advice, plan monitoring, and personalized support alongside our 50+ year investment track record. Our firm will develop a customized financial plan tailored to your unique needs.

Sharon Treiser and Chelsea Seibel understand you’ve got a lot going on. As busy Naples-based professionals and moms, they’ve been there too.

That’s why they take care of all aspects of your financial planning. Their firm, Manning & Napier, provides comprehensive wealth management, considering your investments, taxes, estate planning, and more. Whether you’re ready for a no-obligation or just a second opinion on an existing plan, they’re ready to listen.

Since 2001, The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company has been rooted in the communities we serve. As one of Florida’s largest independent trust companies, we help clients from Tampa Bay to Naples with investments, trusts and Family Office Services. Two new offices located on Sanibel Island and Fort Myers at Bell Tower allow us to deliver exceptional service to our growing client base.

AfterHOURS

By James Raia

HORSEPOWER

UNDER-THE-RADAR LUXURY

Genesis refines its winning approach with the 2024 G90

By James Raia

A large segment of the automotive industry is fixated on gas mileage averages, emission efficiency and alternative fuels that may one day make internal combustion engines the outliers. It’s all fine—but until then, here’s to the open road and full-sized, gas-powered luxury sedans, represented well by the 7-year-old Genesis G90.

In terms of brands, Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo are the aging stalwarts with loyalist buyers. Genesis is a confident newcomer, comfortable for its occupants and confident transporting them.

The 2024 Genesis G90, in the second year of its second generation, continues its role as the automaker’s flagship and most luxurious sedan. It’s the automotive equivalent of a young endurance athlete, respectful of its European elders but perfectly capable of leading the pack if the opportunity arises.

Offered as the 3.5T and 3.5T E-Supercharger, the 2024 Genesis in both trims is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Supercharger version

FACTS & FIGURES

Acceleration: 0-60 mph, 5.2 seconds

Airbags: 10

Gas mileage: 17 mpg city, 24 mpg hwy

Horsepower: 375 or 409

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $90,450

Price as tested: $100,695

Manufacturer’s website: genesis.com

Warranty:

Bumper-to-Bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles; Powertrain, 10 years/100,000 miles; Maintenance, 3 years/36,000 miles; Corrosion, 7 years, unlimited miles

HORSEPOWER

adds air suspension and reclining rear seats with heat, ventilation and a massage feature.

Although it’s been a stand-alone brand for nearly a decade, Genesis is still largely unknown to some car buyers. The Genesis was the former top-end sedan for Hyundai, only outdone by the low-selling and also now-defunct Equus. The latter became Genesis G90 and debuted with the brand’s arrival in 2015 as the top-line spinoff. The GV80 and GV90 debuted in the United States in 2016 as 2017 models. The carmaker now has eight different vehicles. What defines luxury? The G90 has plush and well-contoured Nappa leather seats that highlight the interior. Several heating and massage functions are standard; even the tilting and telescoping steering wheel has available heating. Further comfort

Way to Go,Emily!

We are thrilled to congratulate our very own Emily Sumpmann, Senior Director of Philanthropy, for being honored as one of Gulfshore Business’s 40 Under 40. Since joining our team in 2020, Emily has made a transformational impact by connecting our generous supporters with meaningful opportunities, creating endless possibilities for students in Immokalee. She leads with her heart and is truly a rising star in Southwest Florida.

and convenience are provided by tri-zone climate control, power sunshades, a UV sanitation chamber for phones, a premium 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and customizable ambient lighting. An onboard fragrance diffuser offers a pleasant scent while an air purifier works to prevent outdoor odors from filtering in.

For those needing yet more pampering, Genesis also has a “mood curator” that changes the ambient lighting, climate setting, seat controls and sound levels to match the desired mood. The upgraded E-Supercharger trim adds a massage feature to the second row, a 26-speaker audio system and power-closing doors that shut with a button. (Opening the seats requires human interaction after the doors partially open.)

Lightning-fast loans for your small business.

HORSEPOWER

Major automotive safety assessment organizations have lauded Genesis throughout its short tenure. It’s warranted. The driver-assistance suite includes forward collision warning, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-keeping assistance and a rearview camera. Parking obstruction warning, driver monitoring, automatic high beams, rear cross-traffic warning, and safe exit assist are also in the mix.

Rear passengers have individual climate and seat controls with a small touchscreen interface, as well as the option to change radio stations and control the volume. With all of its impressive amenities, the Genesis’ road presence throughout its lineup is what has further given the newcomer its rising status. The G90 embodies that appeal: It’s big, smooth, classy and provides refuge in the automotive jungle. Genesis

A big round of applause for Gulfshore Playhouse Advancement Officer: Events and Donor Engagement on being named one of the regions’

Henderson Franklin Congratulates Kayla Richmond

For being recognized as one of Southwest Florida’s 40 Under 40 by Gulfshore Business magazine.

“ Kayla’s recognition is well-deserved. Her relentless dedication to her clients, her family, and her community set a high standard for all of us. She exemplifies what it means to be a compassionate and tenacious advocate. We are incredibly proud to have her as part of our team and celebrate this honor with her.”

O’Brien, Chair, Divorce, Marital and Family

Department,

AFTER HOURS

WELLNESS

Kathy Feinstein KAF Consulting owner

TOO MUCH TRAINING?

The health risks of over-exercising

By James Raia

When Dave Scott was a young boy, a first-class stamp cost five cents. But Scott’s father, a frugal man, gave his son the responsibility of delivering the family’s outgoing local mail by bicycle. The youngster challenged himself to complete the route increasingly faster. It was Scott’s unofficial indoctrination into endurance sports.

He played team sports in high school in the early 1970s, but preferred individual pursuits, notably swimming, bicycling and running. He swam competitively at the University of California-Davis and combined sports in his workouts; he was among the pioneers of triathlon, the continuous threesport endeavor.

Scott, now age 70, became the sport’s best. He won events in several countries including the 140.6-mile Hawaiian Ironman World Championship—the sport’s most

Often called Overtraining Syndrome, exercising too much can be dangerous. Without proper rest, Overtraining Syndrome can lead to many health issues, including anemia, chronic dehydration, diminished libido, heart arrhythmias, hormonal imbalance and loss of appetite.

prestigious event—six times, beginning in 1980. He trained scientifically, combining rigorous daylong endurance workouts with a regimented diet. Scott’s routines were diverse but he swam, bicycled and ran with one philosophy: More was better.

Scott is a self-described “endorphin lunatic.” A renowned coach in Boulder, Colorado, he’s maintained his superior fitness—to an extreme. And his decades of extreme exercise proved unwise.

In June, Scott underwent open heart surgery to repair two aneurysms and two valves. Decades of overtraining damaged his heart, a life-threatening scenario he now shares with numerous other endurance athletes.

“If I don’t get it (exercise), it just makes me go haywire,” Scott once said in an Outside magazine article. “It rules my

Getty; Kathy Feinstein

LOCAL DECISION MAKERS. A BETTER WAY TO BORROW.

Like Thomas Edison, we believe there is always “a better way.” To us, that means being attentive, invested and involved in the efforts of our community’s business owners and residents as we provide them with lending services that empower them to reach their goals.

As a bank with a 5-Star Superior Rating from Bauer Financial, we are standing strong with money to lend. With a history of long-term stability and resilience, we are absolutely committed to remaining well-positioned to honor our promises and protect our banking customers.

Richard Shera

Kim Nyberg

Michael Greenhoe

Greg Blurton

WELLNESS

life. It’s a powerful drug for me. It’s huge. It’s gigantic.

“When I feel good about my exercise, I feel invincible. I can handle any kind of hurdle and I can meet any kind of challenge head-on. And when I don’t have that morphine-like endorphin feeling that resonates throughout my body, it affects everything. It affects my personality, it affects my confidence and it affects my ability to interact with other people.”

In recent years, Scott joined many champion endurance sport proponents in discussing the dangers of too much exercise. But overtraining isn’t limited to professional athletes whose livelihoods depend on their successes; it’s also problemat -

ic among recreational athletes and is often called Overtraining Syndrome, or OTS.

“Part of the healthy mindset is really valuing recovery, and I think that sometimes athletes think recovery is wasting time or is not an important part of training,” says Kathy Feinstein, Ph.D., a licensed mental health counselor and certified sport performance consultant and owner of KAF Consulting in Naples. “I think that athletes, particularly adult amateurs, should really understand recovery and how it contributes to getting stronger, getting faster and getting better.”

Without balance, including proper rest, OTS can quickly become problematic. Anemia, chronic de-

hydration, diminished libido, heart arrhythmias, hormonal imbalances, loss of appetite, “mysterious pains” and staleness in the legs are among the symptoms.

Athletes experiencing sudden bouts of anger, lethargy and repeated colds, coughs and low-grade upper respiratory infections are also exhibiting potential signs of OTS.

The American Council on Exercise, or ACE, headquartered in San Diego, is a nonprofit organization promoting healthy lifestyles and their positive effects on the mind, body and spirit. But the organization also knows well the dangers of overtraining. It details potential warnings, including restlessness during sleep, mood

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WELLNESS

swings and lack of motivation. If performance isn’t improving, it could mean more rest is necessary. The ACE equates training too hard to hearing a popular song too often. Overtraining can ruin the enjoyment of exercise; repeatedly hearing the same song often can make the tune irritating.

“I don’t think we ask the question about overtraining often enough,” says Feinstein, who has provided sport and exercise psychology consulting services to teams, coaches and youth, high school, collegiate, adult amateur and professional athletes since 1998. “One of the telltale signs is fatigue; another is muscle fatigue that doesn’t resolve normally or illness. Athletes will get colds a lot. Sleep disturbance is huge.

“Increase in their resting heart [rate] is common. With the monitoring we can do now with the Apple Watch or a Fitbit when there are notices of increases in resting heart rates and sleep changes, those are signs you are overtraining. Awareness is the key. But the challenge is that when athletes are overtraining, they really don’t want to recognize it. What’s happening over time is burnout.”

According to Healthline, the online health information provider headquartered in San Francisco, exercise addiction can occur from a variety of unhealthy exercise practices, from negative body image to working out because of feelings of anxiety or guilt.

Dr. Dermot Phelan, a cardiologist and sports medicine expert in Char-

lotte, North Carolina, succinctly stated the growing concern.

“The concept of overtraining is that any form of exercise, when practiced in excess, can contribute to harmful levels of inflammation of the body,” he says.

Feinstein, whose clients include many young team athletes, adds the predicament of “perfectionism.”

“If you think about a kid whose parents or a coach have really high expectations, they are going to drive themselves really, really hard based on those external factors,” she says. “Perfectionism is athletes who only want to get it perfect. They don’t want to give it (training) up. But your body is going to say ‘no’ and that’s what happens. It starts to break down.”

UNWIND

HELLO, FALL

Anticipating a cozier season

By Artis Henderson

The autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere is Sept. 22, and though Southwest Florida is still deep in our hottest season, we can’t help but get caught up in the fall spirit. This month we’re celebrating the shorter, darker days of autumn—even if it’s still 100 degrees outside.

LITERARY THROWBACKS

Three luminaries of the literary world celebrate birthdays this month, and we love the ominous notes of their most famous works. Truman Capote (born Sept. 30, 1924) wrote In Cold Blood in the early 1960s, and this true-crime pageturner still holds up today. Another September literary baby, William Faulkner (pictured) has some of the most compelling literature in the Southern gothic tradition. His short story “A Rose for Emily” is perfect for any fall reading list. It’s over quickly, but the haunting atmosphere will last long after the season ends. And British novelist Agatha Christie, born Sept. 15, has written some of the most famous detective novels in the world. Curl up with 1934’s Murder on the Orient Express for a delightfully cozy and crime-filled fall evening.

THE SCENTS OF FALL

This autumn, skip the pumpkin spice candles. In fact, skip candles in general. Trendsetters are burning incense these days, and it’s not the old-school patchouli kind. Incense has gotten sophisticated with complex blends of scents including tobacco, black pepper and oud. We’re obsessed with the pine and leather incense cones from Commonwealth Provisions, as well as the Spark line from Particle Goods, which leans into the scents of pink peppercorn and saffron. Both brands are available at Remedies Parlor near downtown Fort Myers. Prefer to wear autumnal scents instead? Check out the Replica unisex colognes from luxury French perfume brand Maison Margiela. The house’s Jazz Club and By the Fireplace offer some of the most on-trend scents available today with warm and spicy notes of wood and amber.

LOCALLY BREWED UNWIND

Craft brews made in SWFL strike exactly the right balance between the equinox vibe and our still-hot September. We’re fans of Coastal Dayz Brewery in Fort Myers for its pup-friendly outdoor seating and its mix of tap staples and small-batch seasonal releases. Try the Pirate’s Porter, a robust dark beer that feels in-line with the autumnal spirit. Or swing by Ankrolab in Naples, a beer garden and tap room that features everything from ales to IPAs to sours, stouts and ciders.

HARVEST MOON

September is the month of the harvest moon, and traditionally this is a time for reaping. In Europe, it’s often the month for harvesting wine grapes. In the spirit of the wine season, we love a good road trip to the Schnebly Winery in the Redlands, just outside Miami. The winery carries a variety of wines crafted from locally grown Florida produce: avocados, lychees, carambolas and guavas. Plus, the sprawling grounds of the winery offer a stunning space to spend an afternoon or an evening. With weekend brunches and live music on Saturdays and Sundays, it’s an ideal getaway.

AUTHORITY WEATHER THE

Zach Maloch WINK Meteorologist

Matt Devitt WINK Chief Meteorologist

Backstory

MINIATURE MAIL

Ochopee is pretty easy to miss nowadays. Its main attraction is the nation’s smallest post office. But at the size of a small shed, that building is pretty easy to miss, as well.

At one time, though, Ochopee was actually a bustling farming community. Shortly after the Tamiami Trail connected the coasts in 1928, small communities started popping up roadside to support the growth of new businesses. The Gaunt family, farmers formerly of New Jersey, had purchased about 250 acres from Miami businessman James Franklin Jaudon in eastern Collier Coun-

By Justin Paprocki

ty and started growing tomatoes in what was essentially the middle of the Everglades.

The community soon had a general store, gas station and living quarters for laborers brought in from across the Southeast to work. By 1940, Gaunt’s company employed close to 1,000 people. The company employed many from the nearby Seminole tribe, and legend has it that the name of the community came from a rough translation of the Seminole word for farm: O-chopp-ee.

In 1953, fire swept through many of the buildings in town, including

the general store that also housed the post office. The next day, a shed used to store irrigation pipes and hoses became a makeshift replacement (pictured, with postmaster Sidney Brown).

The farms and families that once constituted Ochopee are gone, most of the land becoming part of the Big Cypress National Preserve. A few roadside restaurants and tourist attractions still stand along that stretch of road, including that old shed. It still serves as a functional post office, primarily servicing the Miccosukee and Seminole communities nearby.

Ochopee’s minor claim to postal fame

AFTER HOURS

Deep experience and true personalization

At Commerce Trust, we build a team of financial specialists to provide personalized wealth and investment management planning based on your unique financial goals. For more than 100 years, the Commerce Trust team of experienced wealth specialists has helped to guide clients through changing market and economic conditions so they are positioned to stay on track, take advantage of new opportunities, and achieve their long-term financial goals. Experience the difference.

Connect with Mark Benskin, your dedicated Florida Market Executive for Commerce Trust in Naples, at (239) 383-6417 or mark.benskin@commercebank.com.

Learn more about our team approach to wealth management at commercetrustcompany.com/Florida. ®