The Naples 100 | 2023

Chairman | CEO | CIO

Thomas M. Moran AIF ®

Moran Wealth Management®, LLC is a registered investment adviser. For additional information about Moran Wealth Management®, LLC, including its services and fees, request the firm’s disclosure brochure using the contact information above or visit advisorinfo.sec.gov

Congratulations to Brian Stock, in recognition of your achievement as one of Naples top 100 influential leaders.

For over 20 years, the STOCK name has been synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship and incomparable lifestyle. We are proud of our award-winning excellence and continue to set the standard for high-quality real estate throughout Florida.

Thank you for leading and growing our company for over 20 years.

To learn more about STOCK, its history and its communities, visit StockDevelopment.com

“We’re excited for what’s ahead for the next 20 years.”

Brian Stock CEO, Stock Development

PUBLISHER Kathy Beuttel

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Daphne Nikolopoulos

EDITOR Cathy Chestnut CREATIVE DIRECTOR Olga M. Gustine DESIGN DIRECTOR Laurie Spector DIGITAL IMAGING SPECIALIST George Davis WEB EDITOR Abigail Duffy

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Gaylene Salomons

ADVERTISING

ACCOUNT MANAGERS Kathy Beuttel, 239-298-7506, kbeuttel@naplesillustrated.com Meegan Wyatt, 239-298-7511, mwyatt@naplesillustrated.com

ADVERTISING SERVICES COORDINATOR Pamela Schultz, Elizabeth Hackney MARKETING MANAGER Rebecca Desir

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Selene M. Ceballo PRODUCTION MANAGER Lourdes Linares DIGITAL PRE-PRESS SPECIALIST George Davis ADVERTISING DESIGN COORDINATORS Anaely J. Perez-Vargas, Jeffrey Rey PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Ileana Caban DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Tyler Sansone SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Roxy Rooney

OPERATIONS

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Todd Schmidt ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST Mary Beth Cook ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SPECIALIST Ana Coronel DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Judy Heflin LOGISTICS MANAGER Omar Morales CIRCULATION MANAGER Marjorie Leiva CIRCULATION ASSISTANT Britney Stinson CIRCULATION PROMOTIONS MANAGER David Supple IT MANAGER Keith Gonzalez

GROUP PUBLISHER Terry Duffy SUBSCRIPTIONS 800-308-7346

IN MEMORIAM Ronald J. Woods (1935-2013)

PUBLISHERS OF Florida Design | Florida Design Miami | Florida Design Naples | Florida Design Sourcebook Palm Beach Illustrated | Naples Illustrated | Fort Lauderdale Illustrated | Palm Beach Charity Register | Naples Charity Register Palm Beach Relocation Guide | Southwest Florida Relocation Guide | Fifth Avenue South

Traditions: The Breakers | Palm Beach 100 | Naples 100 | Stuart | Jupiter | Aventura | Vero Beach Magazine | Art & Culture: Cultural Council for Palm Beach County | Pinnacle: Jupiter Medical Center Foundation | Naples Realtor: Naples Area Board of Realtors

Advances: Tampa General Hospital | Naples on the Gulf: Greater Naples Chamber | Waypoints: Naples Yacht Club Official XII FIP World Polo Championship Magazine | Community Report: Collier Community Foundation

HOUR MEDIA, LLC CEO Stefan Wanczyk PRESIDENT John Balardo Naples Illustrated 3066 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 102, Naples, FL 34103 • 239-434-6966 • Fax 239-435-0409

Naples Illustrated is a registered trademark of Palm Beach Media Group North, LLC • Corporate Headquarters: P.O. Box 3344, Palm Beach, FL 33480 naplesillustrated.com

We’ve Come a Long Way

Welcome to The Naples 100 —a showcase of the top business and community leaders who make Collier County a special place to live

This is a very special year. Collier County, the City of Naples, Everglades City, and Collier County Public Schools are all celebrating the same milestone: Marking their 100th anniversaries in 2023.

In honor of these centennials, the staff at Naples Illustrated, the publisher of The Naples 100, faced a daunting task: Choosing our top 100 favorite places, organizations, and amenities in Collier County to highlight in these pages. It is an equally daunting endeavor to highlight only 100 who make Collier County a special place to live because of the impressive caliber of local talent and commitment.

The individuals honored in The Naples 100 and “A Family Affair” are not only successful in their professions, but they’re also leaders who volunteer their time, money, and expertise to enhance the quality of life in Naples. They’re leaders who listen, inspire, and encourage those around them to overcome assumptions and complacency.

One hallmark of Collier County is collaboration. Philanthropic foundations, local government, educational institutions, nonprofits, and civic organizations team up to tackle education and career training, the arts, the environment, mental health, and housing. These leaders consistently pull together to meet issues headon—most recently, rebuilding after Hurricane Ian wrought historic destruction.

That’s who we are: resilient, resourceful, compassionate, and eager to roll up our sleeves. That’s who The Naples 100 are, too. Congratulations to these community leaders who make Collier County a truly special place. We hope this issue inspires the leader in you.

Cathy Chestnut EDITOR

WHA T INSPIRE S YOU INSPIRES US.

We are inspired by the people and passion of our beloved Naples today as we were when we opened our doors more than 35 years ago. That inspiration is infused into every design we create along with the hopes and dreams of our clientele. To our clients, design team, artisan partners, family and friends, thank you for making this prestigious honor possible.

Collier County: A Centenarian

How do we love thee? Let us count 100 ways

By Gaylene Salomons and Cathy Chestnut

Collier County, carved from a vast, swampy backcountry and named for the man who owned most of the region—Barron Gift Collier Sr.— is marking the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2023. Since Collier undertook the arduous project of connecting both sides of the state by completing the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) a century ago, the 2,305-square-mile county has become an international destination that boasts sun, fun, and culture.

The staff of Naples Illustrated and The Naples 100, with a combined total of 94 years of living the local sweet life, got together to enumerate all the things we love about the greater Naples area. Although there are many more than 100 reasons why we love Collier County

and Naples (which is also celebrating its centennial milestone), we capped it at that. Enjoy!

SAVORING THE FLAVORS

Fabrizio and Ingrid Aielli have achieved gastronomical success with their four high-end, yet diverse, restaurants: Barbatella, Dorona, Grappino, and Sea Salt. An upscale (and colorful) oasis on Naples Bay, Bayfront of Naples offers visitors shops, restaurants, and even a cabana bar. Live music, people watching, and specialty martinis make for entertaining evenings at Blue Martini Lounge. Come for dinner and stay for the dancing at Cavo Lounge , one of Naples’ hottest nightclubs. Sample a myriad of food truck specialties at the open-air

NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN

BARRON

Celebration Park where artisan brews and good vibes are always on tap. While you’re there, don’t miss the bright green Three60 Market , where you’ll fi nd a wine shop and café offering gourmet goodies.

Campiello, a shining star in the D’Amico Family of Restaurants, can’t be beat for alfresco dining and people watching while savoring gastronomical greatness. From roasted gulf grouper to grilled hogfish, some of Naples’ freshest seafood is served at Hog sh Harry’s. Good things come in threes, like Vincenzo Betulia’s popular restaurants on Naples’ famous Fifth Avenue South: Osteria Tulia, Bar Tulia , and The French Brasserie Rustique. (Bar Tulia even has a second location at Mercato.) Cigar aficionados drop into Burn by Rocky Patel , a dark and dreamy cigar lounge that plays great music. Believe the locals when they tell you the Island Gypsy Café and Marina Bar,with its comfy dockside vibe, is a special place—it’s billed as “locally world famous.” Find tinga con pollo tacos (and more) made with local, organic produce at the fast-casual

Passion for Excellence

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA BLOOM

VINCENZO BETULIA

BAR TULIA

Turco Taco, serving two locations in Naples with a focus on hormone- and antibiotic-free premium meats. La Playa Beach & Golf Resort is the perfect place to meet for a cocktail with the setting sun as a backdrop. It’s a culinary celebration at Seed to Table , a 75,000-square-foot farmers market-inspired food and drink shopping emporium. Be sure to indulge at one of many outstanding dining venues along Fifth Avenue South while shopping at its high-end boutiques and art galleries.

ON THE HUNT

With 60 retail, dining, and entertainment venues, from a Silverspot Cinema to Whole Foods and everything in between, Mercato doesn’t disappoint. A superbly curated selection of luxury clothing and jewelry is always on display at Marissa Collections in the hard-to-miss pink building on the corner of Third Street South and Broad Avenue. For more designer fashion and high-end merchandise, head to Waterside Shops , where you’ll find Gucci, Hermès, Saks, and more. The Village Shops on Venetian Bay offer more waterfront shopping and dining options than any other destination in Naples. The historic Tin City waterfront marketplace is a whimsical shopping destination specializing in local handmade novelties. Each Saturday, the Third Street South Farmers Market overflows with fresh produce, flowers, cheeses, and baked goods.

AVE MARIA FARMERS MARKET

BAKER PARK

PHOTOS BY JOHN EDER

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARRON COLLIER COMPANIES

ROMP OUTDOORS

Wade through a tidal lagoon and explore the coastal habitat of Tigertail Beach on Marco Island. When you want to spend a quiet day sitting at the edge of turquoise waters, Via Miramar Beach , just north of Doctor’s Pass, is the place to be. Pet lovers rejoice when they discover Baker Park , a 15-acre dog-friendly park located on the Gordon River. With nearly two miles of trails to explore, the Gordon River Greenway is an ecological corridor in the heart of Naples. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center connects people and nature at its 21-acre nature preserve through interactive exhibits, boat tours, and educational programs. Spot an alligator and other native wildlife along the boardwalk at Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Hidden from view, a wooden boardwalk meanders through 50 acres of restored wetlands at Freedom Park in the center of Naples. Grab a front-row seat on the always-popular primate expedition cruise at the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens East Naples Community Park is a hub for adult and youth activities, and it’s also home of the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships—a world-class event. It’s a 40,000-square-foot concrete jungle at The Edge Johnny

Nocera Skate Park with a variety of wood and concrete structures from flow to street style—for beginner to advanced skaters. A stone’s throw from Fifth Avenue South, Cambier Park boasts a playground, baseball diamond, bandshell, and tennis courts. Kayaking and paddleboarding options are plentiful in the many channels that wind through the

CARS ON FIFTH CONCOURS

PHOTO BY CHRIS CORTEZ

mangrove-fringed and open shorelines along the Gulf of Mexico. Choose from a variety of cruises (from small boats to large catamarans and yachts) to explore the waterways in our backyard: Miss Naples, Sweet Liberty, Naples Princess, and Pure Florida

DROP IN

Ave Maria , a quaint college town built around a spectacular church and bustling town center, is just a lazy afternoon drive away. Crayton Cove harbors fun restaurants and shops, while sheltering a bevy of moored boats and yachts. Goodland is a quaint fishing village with a relaxed weekend vibe visitors covet. Keewaydin Island , a barrier island with miles of untouched white sand between Naples and Marco Island, is the favored destination of local boaters. A world-class garden

paradise spanning 170 acres is found at the Naples Botanical Garden . Exercise your creative expression skills at Naples Art Institute. Stroll through the Naples Art District and discover a vibrant hub of artists and galleries showcasing their works. Naples Design District is a shopping destination dedicated to innovative design, art, architecture, and dining. Walk the boardwalk through a natural Florida habitat while you search for gopher tortoises at Naples Preserve , located in the bustling urban heart of Naples. Built in 1895, the charming Historic Palm Cottage—Naples’ oldest home—serves as the headquarters for the Naples Historical Society, which offers tours of the building and the downtown historic district. Paradise Coast Sports Complex , with its synthetic turf fields, provides the best outdoor workout facility, called The Factory, in Southwest Florida. Step back in

NAPLES PRESERVE

above and left: THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

PHOTO BY JOHN EDER

NAPLES PRINCESS

A COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY

Congratulations to Claudine Léger-Wetzel, in recognition of your achievement as one of Naples top 100 influential leaders.

As one of Southwest Florida’s most dedicated community partners, Stock Development donates time and financial resources to assist those in need. Our core values guide us to create homes and communities that people are proud to call home.

Thank you for your enduring commitment to excellence and to giving back to the community.

Léger-Wetzel

To learn more about STOCK, its history and its communities, visit StockDevelopment.com

“Proud to be part of this vibrant community.”

Claudine

Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Stock Development

time at the Rod & Gun Club in Everglades City; stay over, fish, dine, and watch the sun set. Learn about coastal habitats at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve , a protected site spanning over 110,000 acres of mangrove forest, uplands, and coastline. Reserve a tour to visit Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center where wild animals are humanely rescued and rehabilitated. For lots of wet fun, visit Sun N Fun Lagoon water park’s lazy river and diving pools open seasonally. Who else can claim Ten Thousand Islands—a sprawling chain of mangrove islets and barrier islands boasting some of the region’s best fishing? Reserve a room and ride the water slides at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón for a family-friendly staycation. Hop aboard a vintage trolley and learn all about the area on Naples Trolley Tours. The biggest names in comedy visit O the Hook Comedy Club. For an interesting and academic immersion in automotive history, make an appointment to visit Revs Institute

IN THE KNOW

The glossy Naples Illustrated has perfectly captured the luxury lifestyle of Neapolitans for more than 20 years. Visitors and residents depend on the Naples Daily News for local news, sports, and entertainment. A comprehensive listing of gala events and social calendar are highlighted each fall in the annual Naples Charity Register for those who want to party for a cause. With its A rating, Collier County Public Schools is one of the top five districts statewide. Local students can attend two large and respected educational institutions that work in tandem: Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida SouthWestern State College

AND ALL THAT JAZZ

Home of the Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic, Artis— Naples is the area’s leading cultural resource with more than 300 productions every year. Cars on Fifth Concours is the largest annual one-day event in Naples featuring more than 650 exotic and classic cars. Explore the area’s rich history at five Collier County Museums: Museum of the Everglades; Naples Depot; Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch; Marco Island Historical Museum; and Collier Museum at Government Center. Community celebrations abound in this town: Celebrate the Fourth of July with a downtown parade and evening fi reworks on the beach or a St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Fifth Avenue South or come together for Naples Pride Fest in Cambier Park. Make sure to visit Fifth Avenue South the third Thursday evening of every month for an array of live musical performances up and down the sidewalks during Evenings on Fifth. Gulfshore Playhouse offers worldclass productions with Equity actors and educational programs at The Norris Center as it works to build the $60 million Baker Theatre and

THE BAKER MUSEUM AT ARTIS-NAPLES

A WOODEN HUMAN FIGURE AND THE

MARCO

ON

AT MARCO ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM PHOTO BY JOHN EDER

COURTESY OF PENN MUSEUM

COURTESY OF DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUION

No. 1 again.

Porsche Naples

Winner of the Porsche Premier dealer award.

Education Center downtown with plans to open in 2024. Country music fans clap knowing Naples plays host to outdoor performances by country legends such as Brad Paisley and Jake Owen at the annual Live Fest presented by the QBE Shootout . Dedicated to making learning fun, the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is a 30,000-square-foot, two-story museum filled with interactive exhibits for kids of all ages, traveling exhibitions, and of the largest children’s art collections. Since 1953, The Naples Players has provided enriching community theater to the greater Naples area, as well as classes for adults and children. It is based at the Sugden Community Theatre in downtown Naples, which is being completely renovated and expanded. Opera Naples at Wang Opera Center and Gulfshore Opera keep the classical art form alive for new audiences. You can find Broadway-quality productions in Naples at TheatreZone , in residence at the G&L Theatre on the Community School of Naples campus.

#COLLIERSTRONG

Over 700 funds established by charitable individuals, corporations, and organizations are managed by the Collier Community Foundation to address the community’s needs, while the Women’s Foundation of Collier County focuses on improving the lives of local girls and women. David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health has provided much-needed mental health and substance abuse care for the community for over 50 years. NCH Healthcare System is a nationally ranked health care system that has provided healing care throughout

Collier County since Naples Community Hospital opened in 1956. The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce successfully cultivates a business-friendly environment for those who choose to work, live, play, and invest in the community. It’s a party of epic proportions at the exclusive annual Naples Winter Wine Festival where all proceeds benefit the Naples Children & Education Foundation, whose mission is to transform the lives of the county’s underserved children. St. Matthew’s House provides a large umbrella of services for those facing homelessness, hunger, substance abuse, and poverty. Habitat for Humanity of Collier County has built more than 2,000 homes in the community since it was formed in 1978; it is one of the oldest and most successful affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International. Richard M. Schulze, founder of Best Buys, enriches Southwest Florida nonprofits with vital grants through the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Generous philanthropists who give, and give, and give some more, are always willing to share with their community.

Find out about events and happenings honoring Collier County’s centennial: colliercounty100.com.

WORLD CAFÉ AT GOLISANO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF NAPLES

•

•

•

Since 1938, we have been honored by the continued support and patronage of our community. We take great in offering the finest shopping experience and always aim to give our customers extra personal service and attention. Thank you for shopping local and for supporting our family business. We are honored to be Naples' neighborhood supermarket and to be recognized as Naples Top 100!

Thank you for choosing Wynn’s Market!

NAPLES, FL BONITA SPRINGS, FL

Jeff Wynn Wynn's Family Market, Inc.

The Naples 100 ORIGINALS

independent and creative in thought or action

- Albert Einstein

“ The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination .”

FABRIZIO AIELLI

Chef and Owner Aielli Group

Fabrizio Aielli began his culinary career working in his mother’s kitchen in Venice, Italy, before traveling the world to gain more experience. In 1995, Fabrizio and his wife Ingrid opened their rst restaurant in Washington D.C. In 2007, the couple moved to Naples, seeking a location for their next restaurant. Sea Salt opened in November 2008. It was followed by Barbatella, Sea Salt St. Pete, Dorona, and Grappino. The group employs more than 300 today.

FIRST JOBS: Delivering flowers in Venice, Italy, and working in the kitchen

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I like to create, cook, and make people happy.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Listen.

MOST INSPIRING PEOPLE: My father, my mother, and my wife

SECRET TO SUCCESS: My sta and my wife

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Listen, learn, and love what you do.

BUCKET LIST: To drive a Formula 1 car while listening to Pink Floyd

PAUL ARSENAULT

Born in Montreal, Canada, Paul Arsenault grew up in Massachusetts, where his love for the sea and travel converged. After graduating from the Art Institute of Boston in 1973, he worked as a deckhand on a research vessel, signing o in Florida. For half a century, Arsenault’s paintings of local vignettes and landscapes have recorded the region’s natural, cultural, and architectural gems. His skill for capturing the essence of coastal communities is enhanced by his passion for history and storytelling.

EDUCATION: Art Institute of Boston

FIRST JOB: Paper delivery boy for the Quincy Patriot Ledger in Massachusetts

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Whenever you get a chance to travel, take it (from my great-uncle Joe, who I only met once).

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Pablo Picasso

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Hard work and lucky breaks

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Any tropical island with waterfalls and parrots

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Believe in yourself.

BUCKET LIST: Finishing a book about the centennial of Naples and Collier County

BRYCE ALEXANDER

Executive Artistic Director

The Naples Players

Since Bryce Alexander arrived at The Naples Players in 2017, the nonprofit community theater organization has experienced significant growth through community partnerships. Its home, Sugden Community Theatre, is undergoing a $15 million expansion and renovation with the goal to make The Naples Players a national model for engaging the community. Alexander was named “Man of the Year” by Gulfshore Life in 2021 for finding innovative ways to serve the community during the pandemic.

EDUCATION: University of Colorado

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: Performing arts have a tremendous power to transform and empower a community, and our community deserves that opportunity.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My mother, who raised four sons by herself

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Great community support

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I enjoy chicken tenders more than any other meal.

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Don’t grow up too soon.

FAVORITE MOVIE: The Shawshank Redemption BUCKET LIST: Canoeing down the Amazon River

VINCENZO BETULIA

Chef and Owner

The French Brasserie Rustique, Osteria Tulia, and Bar Tulia (two locations)

Vincenzo Betulia’s parents wanted him to start working at a young age “in case something bad happened to them.” When he was 14, his father found him a job at a mom-and-pop Italian restaurant where he “fell in love with the action of the business.” Today, the 46-year-old owns and operates four restaurants through Campagna Hospitality Group and is proud of the fun company culture he’s created for his 400 employees.

EDUCATION: Kendall College

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Do it with passion or don’t do it at all.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Being a hard worker; success isn’t gifted. You won’t succeed at business if you don’t want to roll up your sleeves and do it yourself.

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: I would ask myself, “Are you sure you still wanna be in this business?” The restaurant business is not for the faint of heart. You work when everyone else plays. It’s a passion business where the drive comes from the soul.

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I’m a crazy soccer fan and live vicariously through my soccer-playing twins. I play guitar and was a bowling coach. I have a mean hook.

BUCKET LIST: To open a catering division of Campagna Hospitality Group

Artist

PAULA BRODY Artist and President Naples Art District

Paula Brody’s career leading several nonprofit organizations has enabled her to excel in her position as president of Naples Art District. Brody has achieved increased growth and visibility for the vibrant community of 100 artists with working studios north of Pine Ridge Road. The district is designated by Collier County as a unique regional cultural arts destination. Brody specializes in textured mixed-media paintings and collages and teaches at her studio in the district.

EDUCATION: Boston University (EdD) and University of Michigan (MSW)

FIRST JOB: I was a clinical social worker at the National Institute for Burn Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Never let a day go by without telling your husband that you love him!

HIDDEN TALENT: I’m a passionate gardener of large perennial gardens at my summer home on Cape Cod.

FAVORITE BOOK: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Pelagos Café for Greek food

BUCKET LIST: I would like to be a resident artist on a cruise ship.

KRISTEN COURY

Founder, CEO, and Producing Artistic Director Gulfshore Playhouse

Kristen Coury has spearheaded the development of the new Baker Theatre and Education Center, which will have an operating budget of $10 million and create a $20 million annual economic impact when it opens in 2024. She’s come a long in creating this gateway campus to downtown Naples—one of the region’s largest public-private partnerships—since moving to Naples from New York City and founding the nonprofit equity company in a municipal building in 2004.

EDUCATION: University at Albany – State University of New York

FIRST JOB: Selling shoes for Thom McAn at the local mall at the age of 16.

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: It was the only thing I ever wanted to do, and to this day, is what keeps me getting up in the morning and about which I am truly passionate.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: The Merlin Principle: Visualizing the end goal, seeing it in perfect detail, and then working your way backwards so that you very clearly see all the next steps that are needed to make your dream a reality.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: London, England ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Don’t ever give up!

BUCKET LIST: Istanbul

KIM COLLINS

Kim Collins is a licensed Florida interior designer with more than 40 years of experience designing interiors worldwide. After earning her bachelor’s in interior design, Collins attended Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. In 1987, Collins cofounded the Bonita Springs design firm bearing her name along with partner Sherri DuPont. Collins DuPont—which has won more than 100 awards, including from the American Society of Interior Designers-Florida South Chapter—recently celebrated its thirty-fifth year in business in Southwest Florida.

EDUCATION: Colorado State University, Harvard University Graduate School of Design

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Faith does not make things easy; it makes them possible (Luke:37). HOBBIES: Boating and biking

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: In the midst of your di culty lies opportunity and learning.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANTS: Sea Salt and Dorona

BUCKET LIST: The Baltic, especially St. Petersburg, the Hermitage Museum

SHERRI DUPONT

Sherri DuPont is a licensed Florida interior designer with over 40 years of experience designing interiors worldwide. After college, DuPont attended the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. In 1987, she founded the design firm bearing her name along with partner Kim Collins. She finds inspiration from her travels throughout Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, and most recently, a study tour in Cuba. The award-winning design firm recently celebrated its thirty-fifth year in business in Southwest Florida.

EDUCATION: Florida State University

HOBBIES: Cooking and traveling

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: The death of my parents. I learned that life continues on despite the heartbreak.

HIDDEN TALENT: I raced cars when I was young.

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Marry a rich man!

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Naples Botanical Garden

Vice President, Principal, and Owner Collins DuPont Design Group

President, Principal, and Owner Collins DuPont Design Group

DAVID FRUSCIONE Founder and Creative Director Republic of Decor

With degrees in interior architecture, marketing, and buying and merchandising, David Fruscione was well suited to create Republic of Decor in 2015. His shop in the Naples Design District is a popular stop for savvy customers seeking unique products for their homes. Fruscione also provides residential interior design services. His forte is transforming spaces using his natural intuition, out-of-thebox thinking, and extensive educational background. Fruscione is a founding member and past president of the Naples Design District.

EDUCATION: California College of the Arts/University of San Francisco

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS: Design Excellence Award from the American Society of Interior Designers; two-time finalist for the National Interior Design Society’s Interior Designer of the Year Award; twice named among Retail Rockstar’s Top 50 Independent Home Furnishings Store in the United States

FIRST JOB: Salesperson at the Gap, where I learned how to fold a perfect stack of chinos WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I believe my purpose in life is to use my creative talents and expertise to create spaces that people can thrive in.

CHARITIES: I participated in the design of the SWFL Ronald McDonald House. It was very rewarding to provide unexpected joy and a moment of peace for families.

RUFINO HERNANDEZ

Rufino Hernandez launched the Garden District, a floral, event, and personalized home and garden design store in Naples in 2004. He also co-owns and runs Golden Gate Nursery, which his Cuba-born parents established, with his brother, Jorge. Hernandez has garnered a loyal legion of high-end clients for his creative designs for large events and intimate residential interiors. Garden District creates stunning designs for multimillion-dollar events for the likes of Swarovski, Royal Bank of Scotland, and March of Dimes.

EDUCATION: Johnson & Wales University

FIRST JOB: Program director for a neighborhood redevelopment nonprofit

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Stay flexible and adaptable to capitalize on opportunities.

HOBBIES: Boating and cooking

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Don’t just look for your path on the road that’s before you. Look around, turn over stones, and see what lies beneath. The universe will open for you.

BUCKET LIST: Southeast Asia

RENÉE GADDIS

Since Renée Gaddis founded her eponymous Naples firm in 2012, it has garnered more than 80 design awards, and more than a dozen projects have been featured in national and regional publications. She pushes design boundaries to provide unique living spaces and believes each client’s home should represent their personality and be a true sanctuary. Gaddis has traveled extensively throughout Europe, from Iceland to Spain to Switzerland, as well as Croatia and Chile.

EDUCATION: Iowa State University

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: My passion for interior design was fueled by my undergraduate studies in apparel design.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: When you follow people and copy what they do, you will always be one step behind. Instead, just focus on being the best you!

SECRET TO SUCCESS: I sweat the small stu . There are many times when the little things matter.

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I love animals and would love to have a farm someday.

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Slow down and enjoy being in the moment; life is not a race.

CHARITIES: American Heart Association, Southwest Florida Children’s Charities

EMILY JAMES

and Owner Emily James Art Gallery

As a native Floridian, Emily James specializes in Florida scenes with an abstract twist. She says she enjoys “capturing the beauty found throughout the state. Our unique ecosystems, colors, and wildlife are a constant source of inspiration to me.” Her eponymous working gallery featuring her original paintings and fine art prints is consistently voted as one of the best galleries in Naples. James works in acrylics and oil on canvas and consults with clients and collectors.

EDUCATION: Florida State University

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS: Two of her images have been among the 50 top-selling prints worldwide; exhibited at the High Museum in Atlanta; selected as an “Outstanding American Woman in the Arts”; a signature member of the Florida Watercolor Society; accepted into the competitive Watercolor U.S.A. exhibition; and featured in the book, The Best of Watercolor WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: It was a marvelous gift I was given. I arrived in this world as an artist, and I’ve loved every second.

FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: I needed a heavy painting moved and told someone at Vergina Restaurant I needed his muscles, and he thought I meant mussels and brought me a bowlful!

Principal and Owner Renée Gaddis Interiors

Creative Director and Managing Partner Garden District

Artist

Congratulations Congratulations Joe

Matina!

FOR BEING HONORED AS ONE OF THE NAPLES TOP 100 BUSINESS LEADERS. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO AND PASSION FOR OUR NAPLES COMMUNITY!

Love, Your wife Dana, Ava, Charlotte and Grace

MATTHEW KRAGH Founder and President MHK Architecture & Planning

Mattew Kragh launched MHK Architecture & Planning in Naples in 2009, and it has grown into a far-reaching rm with four studios in Florida—Naples, Palm Beach, Sarasota, and Islamorada—and four others in North and South Carolina and Colorado creating award-winning commercial and residential designs. Kragh worked under the guidance of Chicago-based architect Helmut Jahn before moving to Naples in 1997. MHK has earned the American Institute of Architects’ Firm of the Year and President’s Award.

EDUCATION: Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago (MArch)

FIRST JOB: Cleaning golf clubs and serving hot dogs at a country club

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Never burn bridges.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Reputation is everything.

HIDDEN TALENT: I was an NCAA Division 1 diver.

BUCKET LIST: Play Augusta National Golf Club

DANIEL LUBNER

Cofounder and CEO

Clive Daniel Home Principal Lubner Group

Daniel Lubner was born in South Africa and his family moved to the United States when he was 4 years old. He is the fourth generation of a family with roots in furniture making and retail sales. Lubner began his career in advertising and guides marketing and business development. Clive Daniel Home was launched in 2011 and today has three showrooms. He oversees the company’s hospitality design division, which has completed projects on ve continents, including three hotels in Croatia.

EDUCATION: University of South Florida

FIRST JOB: Sweeping furniture warehouses at age 12

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Don’t worry about your competition; they are not your client nor your concern.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Embrace failure. Don’t be afraid of it—and hopefully learn from it.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: My wife loves to travel; I just carry the bags. We do seem to find our way out to Napa every year.

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Don’t spend money on hair products.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Sea Salt

JUDITH LIEGEOIS

Principal Designer and Owner Judith Liegeois Designs

Inspired by the colors, textures, and spirit of places she experiences during her extensive travels, Judith Liegeois enjoys collaborating with clients in all aspects of the design process. The New Zealand native is lauded for her sense of color, style, and placement, and detail. Liegeois’ team approaches each project with fresh enthusiasm. Roundtable discussions for all aspects of the design process create an environment that is personable and comfortable for each client.

EDUCATION: University of Auckland

FIRST JOB: At a hair salon called Hair We Are in Australia

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Be true to yourself.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Supporting the artists represented at Judith Liegeois Designs and incorporated into design projects. I see their talent and honor it as a collaboration through my design work.

HOBBIES: Gardening

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Chez Böet

CHARITIES: Naples Children & Education Foundation, Youth Haven

GLENN MIDNET

President and CEO Design West

Glenn Midnet established Design West in Naples in 1994, launching a 29-year career that includes nationally and internationally renowned interior design projects. He lends his world-class design expertise and leadership to the design process, creating award-winning interiors as part of the team at Design West. Midnet has a passion for philanthropy, particularly breast cancer research. He is the creator of Furniture for the Cure, a sophisticated furniture line that artistically incorporates the breast cancer ribbon.

EDUCATION: Indiana State University

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: You get to use your creativity and imagination while working for some of the most successful people in the world.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Whatever you do, give it 100 percent.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Facing, overcoming, and beating cancer

HIDDEN TALENT: Cooking—I love creating in the kitchen.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: French Riviera ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

on being recognized as one of The Naples 100.

where plants • and people • thrive together™

Congratulations Donna McGinnis, President & CEO of Naples Botanical Garden,

JETT THOMPSON Owner and Principal Designer Jett Thompson Home

Jett Thompson Home is lled with antiques from around the world, furniture, artwork, lighting, jewelry, gifts, and accessories for the home and garden. A sixthgeneration Floridian, Jett Thompson had a 25-year design career in Atlanta before moving to Naples and opening her rst design showroom in Naples in 2012. After ve years, she doubled her showroom and studio space, expanding again in December 2022 with a second location. In addition to private estates, she has accessorized a Ralph Lauren Home and Ritz-Carlton residence.

EDUCATION: Florida State University

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Do what you do best and what you love. Hire the best people to do the things that slow you down, and that are outside of your skill sets.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My mother, Nelda Thompson

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Never be afraid of taking a risk; it gives you back the greatest reward.

HOBBIES: Pilates, gardening, and travel

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Trust your instincts.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Naples Botanical Garden

FRANK VERPOORTEN

Executive Director and Chief Curator

Naples Art Institute

KATHLEEN VAN BERGEN

Now in her twelfth season at the helm of Artis—Naples, home of The Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic, Kathleen van Bergen continues to chart an ambitious course for the regional destination. She has broadened the organization’s multidisciplinary programming, with a mission dedicated to the visual and performing arts while ensuring scal stability. During her tenure, organizational debt has been eliminated and the balance sheet has more than doubled. She holds a degree in violin performance.

EDUCATION: Eastman School of Music

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Before you can think out of the box, you have to master what is in the box.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: A collaborative approach: No one accomplishes anything alone; people get things done with other people.

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I have heard performances in 100-plus concert halls in more than 35 countries.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: A new one in my goal to visit 50 countries before I turn 50 FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: The beach from Doctor’s Pass to Third Avenue during that magical golden hour.

MARK D. WILSON President and CEO London Bay

Frank Verpoorten

more than 20 years of curatorial and artistic leadership to his role at the Naples Art Institute, home of the 69-year-old Naples Art Association. Verpoorten has organized more than 100 exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and facilitated The Baker Museum at Artis—Naples’ acquisition of the Olga Hirshhorn collection. Verpoorten champions arts education for all.

EDUCATION: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium (two MAs), City University of New York

HOMETOWN: Brussels, Belgium

FIRST JOB: Research associate in the Museum of Musical Instruments in Brussels

HOBBIES: Cooking, tennis, running, hiking, and collecting Belgian comic strips and graphic novels

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I am a long-distance runner and love participating in ultra-trail races.

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Expand your mind, travel internationally and across continents to form a global perspective on the human experience.

With a business and construction background, England native Mark D. Wilson founded Naples-based London Bay with his wife Gemma to build luxury homes in 1990. Today, it encompasses a growing family of companies: Homes, Renovation, Romanza Interior Design, and Development Group. Its latest project is Saltleaf on Estero Bay featuring The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay. Other recent projects include a luxury mid-rise tower in Grandview at Bay Beach, Moorings Park Grande Lake, and the single-family Cambridge Park neighborhood in Orange Blossom.

EDUCATION: Manchester Business School (MBA)

FIRST JOB: At age 16, I worked on a construction site as a day laborer, which certainly encouraged me to get a good education.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: The 2008 housing downturn was an extremely tough time for the business and an important learning lesson. Fortunately, we came out strong and continue to build the company.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: No favorite. Travel opens the mind and allows for very rich experiences and o ers a welcome break from the hectic business environment.

CEO and President Artis—Naples

brings

The

PIONEERS

- Condoleezza Rice

Naples 100 opening new lines of thought...or being FIRST

“ People who end up as ‘first’ don’t actually set out to be first. They set out to do something they LOVE.”

INGRID

AIELLI

Owner and Restaurateur Aielli Group

Ingrid Aielli is responsible for business operations and marketing at Aielli Group, which she co-owns with her chef-husband, Fabrizio. She’s the force behind its growing corporate brand and philanthropic involvement in the community. Aielli was named one of Naples’ “First Ladies of Food” in 2021 by Naples Illustrated and was inducted into the 2022 Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida Business Hall of Fame. Aielli Group supports several charities, including Youth Haven, Cancer Alliance of Naples, and the Women’s Foundation of Collier County.

HOMETOWN: Bratislava, Slovakia

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: Being married to a chef and considering my communication skills, it just made sense to be responsible for the front of the house as well as for community engagements.

FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: We had a bird in the o ce of our first restaurant, Theatro Goldoni, in Washington DC. That bird became famous for telling President Bill Clinton (who happened to use our o ce during his visit) to “pick up the phone” when it was ringing. The Secret Service rushed to the o ce thinking that another person was in the o ce.

BUCKET LIST: Skydiving

SCOTT LUTGERT Chairman The Lutgert Companies

Since 1970, Scott Lutgert has been a resident and real estate developer in Naples. He developed Park Shore and its 17 beachfront high-rises, six high-rises in Bonita Bay, and two golf course communities: The Estuary at Grey Oaks in Naples and Linville Ridge in North Carolina. His foresight shaped the local landscape with The Village on Venetian Bay, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, and Mercato. At the Lutgert Companies, he has led Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, Premier Commercial, Lutgert Construction, and Lutgert Title.

EDUCATION: University of Chicago (MBA)

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT: A founder of the Naples Winter Wine Festival in 2001, which has raised $244 million since its inception to improve the lives of underserved children in Collier County; inducted into the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida Business Leadership Hall of Fame; 12-year member of the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees; and longtime NCH Healthcare System Board of Trustees member, serving as 2021-2022 chair

FIRST JOB: Road construction laborer

BEST ADVICE: Listen, listen, listen.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Navigating the Great Recession of 2008

SUKIE HONEYCUTT

Co-owner and Wine Director

Ridgway Grill, Bayside Seafood Grill, Tony’s O Third, and Sukie’s Wine Shop

Sukie Honeycutt came to Naples in 1979 and was hired as a manager for The Chef’s Garden and Tru es—an iconic restaurant in the space Ridgway Bar & Grill occupies. In 1981, she became a partner and director of operations. She currently owns, along with Tony Ridgway, Ridgway Grill, Bayside Seafood Grill, Tony’s O Third, and Sukie’s Wine Shop. Honeycutt has created an impeccable selection of wines at all four venues. She also oversees front-of-the-house operations and renovations.

EDUCATION: Manhattanville College

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I love interacting with people.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: My work ethic. Thanks, mom and dad.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Closing an unsuccessful restaurant

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I was a recording artist with Motown in the ‘70s.

HOBBIES: Hiking, tasting new wines, and dining out

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

CHARITIES: The Shelter for Abused Women & Children, animal rescue organizations

REBECCA J. MADDOX

Rebecca J. Maddox successfully navigated careers in the competitive New York nance world. Her career included executive marketing and coaching roles, consultant, published author, and business and motivational speaker. Maddox turned her focus on new opportunities in Naples; her latest projects include a private 300-member social club and a wine bar. Celebration Park has become a landmark that draws visitors to the Bayshore neighborhood. She hopes to elevate the local culinary landscape while connecting her three passions: people, wine, and food.

EDUCATION: Columbia University (MBA)

FIRST JOB: Arthur Andersen audit sta , New York City

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Character matters.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Anyone who is willing to sacrifice for others.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: I never take no as the final answer. And I work hard.

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I have an extraordinarily strong sixth sense which I always listen to.

CHARITIES: I support as many as I can. I feel blessed to be a part of this incredible community.

DALE MULLIN

President and Founder Wounded Warriors of Collier County

Dale Mullin served three years in the U.S. Army and completed one tour in Vietnam. He moved to Naples in 1991 and has served as president of his homeowner association, case manager at St. Matthew’s House, and member of Collier County’s Mental Health and Addiction Ad Hoc Advisory Committee. In 2014, Mullin started the nonprofit Wounded Warriors of Collier County to provide veterans and their families with housing, education, and mental health assistance.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Copy people who are successful in your workplace.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Christ

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Work smarter and harder than everyone around you.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Campiello

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Keep reinventing yourself.

BUCKET LIST: Visit Normandy

REINHOLD SCHMIEDING

Reinhold Schmieding founded Arthrex in 1981 with his own savings and a drafting table in an apartment in the Olympic Village in Munich, Germany. The Naples-headquartered Arthrex—with the mission of “helping surgeons treat their patients better”—has become a global leader in arthroscopic surgery and minimally invasive orthopedics. Arthrex develops more than 1,000 innovative products and procedures each year. In recent years, it has expanded its campus to include the Arthrex One Conference Center and Innovation Hotel.

EDUCATION: Michigan State University

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: For seven consecutive years, Arthrex has ranked among Fortune’s “Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production.” Arthrex is a major employer in the area—one recognized for providing high-paying jobs and pushing for innovation in local manufacturing training. Nearly 3,000 of Arthrex’s 4,500-plus employees are based in Collier County. The company actively supports the Naples community. Privately held, Arthrex had an estimated 2022 revenue of $3.1 billion. It ranks among the top 200 largest private companies in the United States.

MICHELLE L. REED-SPITZER

As a 25-year-old college student, Michelle L. Reed-Spitzer cleaned houses to earn extra money when she was assigned, in a 1995 Hodges University class, to write a business plan. She parlayed that assignment into the ninth MaidPro franchise in 1999 and worked closely with her franchisor to establish best practices that are now used in 150-plus franchise locations in the U.S. and Canada. MaidPro of Southwest Florida serves six counties and has been a number-one revenue producer for a decade. Reed-Spitzer recently launched two divisions offering six additional services.

EDUCATION: Hodges University

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I love to help people, and in this business, we are improving the quality of our clients’ lives.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: From cosmetic entrepreneur, Mary Kay Ash: “To be successful, you can be an ordinary person with an extraordinary amount of determination.”

HIDDEN TALENT: I write and eat with my left hand, but throw a ball and play golf right-handed. HOBBIES: Golf and boating

MITCHELL SIEGEL

Mitchell Siegel established Cocoon Gallery more than 20 years ago in Greenwich, Connecticut, and is the creative brain behind the brand. He moved his showroom to Naples in 2020, followed by the move of his Greenwich workshop. Siegel travels the world, primarily to Southeast Asia, to source the raw materials for Cocoon’s one-of-a kind furnishings and accents. He is hands-on, from the showroom to the woodshop, where artisans craft live-edge tables and mirrors, root sculptures, wall art, and mineral-based decor.

FIRST JOB: Pumping gas in Mamaroneck, New York

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My father. He gave me a good work ethic and was generous at the same time.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Hard work and pride HOBBIES: I like sports, especially tennis and F1 car racing.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Southeast Asia, where I source the raw materials for my artisans to create functional art for furniture and decor

CHARITIES: We are supportive of our partners in Southeast Asia and are philanthropic with the desperate needs in the countries in which we work.

BUCKET LIST: Expanding Cocoon to other markets, especially on Florida’s East Coast

Owner and CEO MaidPro of SWFL

Founder and CEO Arthrex

Founder Cocoon Gallery

BRIAN

K. STOCK CEO Stock Development

Stock Development is a diversi ed real estate company celebrating 20 years in Southwest Florida. Brian K. Stock learned the business from the bottom-up, working in the family-owned company and growing it with his father, K.C. Stock. The company has built more than 6,000 luxury and custom estate homes in Southwest Florida. Its newest venture is One Naples, a resort-style apartment community of 128 residences on Vanderbilt Beach. The rm has been honored with more than 500 awards.

EDUCATION: St. Norbert College

FIRST JOB: Picking up garbage at the lumberyard

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: It is fulfilling and rewarding. When you build a client a house, you are a part of a major decision in their lives and it is fun to bring a customer’s dream to fruition.

CHARITIES: Boys & Girls Club of Collier County, Pace Collier, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, Champions For Learning, Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, and others

JEFF D. WYNN President Wynn

Properties, Inc.

Blue Zones Project of Southwest Florida.

EDUCATION: University of Florida (MBA)

HOMETOWN: Naples

FIRST JOB: Bagging groceries at 12 years old at Wynn’s Market on Fifth Avenue South

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Take care of your employees and they will take care of you.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Taking over and being expected to continue the prior success of our family company

HOBBIES: Golf, running, and spending time with my wife and three sons

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Croatia

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Don’t stress over situations outside of your control. Enjoy the moment.

PHIL WOOD

Phil Wood was born in Arkansas but grew up in Naples, where he attended local schools. After graduating from college, he returned to Naples in 1976 and joined his father’s real estate rm as the ninth agent. The company now boasts more than 700 personnel and 21 o ces in Southwest Florida, with a written sales volume in 2022 of $5.8 billion. As CEO for the past 20-plus years, Wood has led the company into the modern, high-tech era.

EDUCATION: Admiral Farragut Naval Academy, Emory University

FIRST JOB: Pulling weeds at the company o ce building

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: Flexible hours and a great place to live

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Don’t spend the commission until you know the check has cleared.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My parents. They were hard working, determined, and generous to those in need.

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Get organized early in life and you’ll reap the benefits.

BUCKET LIST: Galapagos Islands

MICHAEL A. WYNN

Michael A. Wynn grew up around the family’s Naples business, Wynn’s Family Market, founded by his grandfather, Don Wynn. He experienced rsthand the results of hard work and community involvement. As president of Sunshine Ace Hardware since 2005, he has overseen the company’s expansion to ve counties and vastly grown company sales. He was recognized as Business Observer’s 2019 “Icons of Business” and the 2019 Naples Daily News “Outstanding Citizen of the Year.”

EDUCATION: Florida Gulf Coast University (MS)

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Immediate past chair of the Miami branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta board; second vice chair of the NCH Healthcare System board; member of the Florida Council of 100 and Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Live like you’ll die tomorrow and plan like you’ll live forever.

HOBBIES: Fishing and paddleboarding

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Lake Como, Italy

ADVICE FOR A RECENT GRADUATE: Surround yourself with people of integrity and strong values as it helps shape your character.

BUCKET LIST: Visiting historical sites in Turkey

President and CEO

John R. Wood Properties

Je D. Wynn grew stepped into the role of president of Wynn Properties, which owns and manages commercial real estate in Collier and Lee Counties, during the Great Recession in 2008. He has experience in commercial real estate sales, leasing, development, and management, specializing in nancing. Wynn serves on the Wynn Family Board of Directors and Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District, as well as the

President Sunshine Ace Hardware

like our graduates, you’re focused on achieving your career goals. With the Hodges University Wheel, you can earn your bachelor’s degree in organizational management in one year.

the college credits you’ve already earned and we’ll apply them towards this degree. Start in the fall, spring or summer. Class is just once a week, where you’ll learn and network with your classmates. Your classes are exactly what you need to be an impactful and successful leader in management.

Adria

OUR PEOPLE MAKE IT POSSIBLE

NCH Healthcare System celebrates Paul Hiltz, President & CEO and Ilia Echevarria, PhD, Chief Nursing Officer on being named to the prestigious Naples 100. Their tireless efforts have contributed to NCH being recognized as an Advanced Community Healthcare System™.

Join us as we congratulate Paul and Ilia on this well-earned honor.

ANNE FLEMING

General Manager Waterside Shops

Anne Fleming has over 40 years of luxury retail experience. As general manager of Waterside Shops, she partners with luxury retailers and local nonprofits to raise more than $400,000 annually for Collier County on behalf of Waterside Shops. Fleming also serves the local community as a graduate of Greater Naples Leadership, and as a board director of the STARability Foundation and Women’s Foundation of Collier County. Fleming’s interests include gardening, entertaining, and advocating for people with intellectual disabilities.

EDUCATION: University of California, Los Angeles

FIRST JOB: At a small dress shop in San Clemente, California

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Try. Try harder. Try again.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Leonard Lauder—my first and best mentor

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Set the example of hard work infused with joy.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Relocating 20 times to 18 di erent states.

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I’m obsessed with Wordle and Quordle.

BUCKET LIST: Taking a train trip through the Canadian Rockies

JAY HARTINGTON

Following college graduation, Jay Hartington worked in investment banking with Bank of America, specializing in the energy sector. A Gemological Institute of America Accredited Jewelry Professional, Hartington then joined his parents, Marissa and Burt Hartington, in marketing and operations at the luxe boutique they had founded on Third Street South in 1975. A second boutique opened in Palm Beach in 2021. Hartington serves on the Couture Retail Advisory Council and the Naples Zoo board, where he was chair of its successful $25 million capital campaign.

EDUCATION: Emory University, Gemological Institute of America

FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: Every day at Marissa Collections!

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My parents

SECRET TO SUCCESS: No days o

LESSON LEARNED: Don’t throw good money after bad—cut your losses as soon as possible.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Italy

KAREN GOVERN CEO STARability Foundation

Karen Govern is a regional leader in life-transforming social, vocational, and educational programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. During her six-year tenure at STARability, Govern has led the organization through remarkable growth in people served, programs, and community awareness. STARability plans a major facility expansion—a first-of-its-kind community center in Collier County to expand programs that include workshops, wellness classes, continuing education, and family support services.

EDUCATION: John Jay College of Criminal Justice at City University of New York (MPA)

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Never burn bridges.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My father. He recently received an award from the government of my hometown for 50 years of public service. He taught me the value of giving back and serving your community.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Do what you say you are going to do; be accountable for your actions, and give credit where credit is due.

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Absolutely Fabulous

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Stay flexible and always believe you have value to add.

ONUR HAYTEC

CEO LINGA

As a Florida Gulf Coast University student, Onur Haytec parlayed a late-night computer fix for a Subway franchisee into a thriving global business. In 2004, he founded LINGA, now part of PNC Financial Services Group, which creates innovative point-of-sale software systems for Windows, iOS, and browser platforms. His flagship product is the cloud-based LINGA rOS, a restaurant operating system. The native of Turkey travels to 60-plus countries, securing deals for hardware components, setting up international offices, and meeting with industry leaders.

EDUCATION: Florida Gulf Coast University (MS)

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I’ve never been bored sitting in front of a computer.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Coming to the United States as an immigrant student, I had no choice but to succeed. So, I tapped into passion and dedicated thousands of hours to my work.

HOBBIES: I play flamenco guitar, race exotic cars, and love swimming.

FAVORITE BOOK: Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter was the reason I started my own company.

CHARITIES: I created a LINGA Scholarship for Florida Gulf Coast University students and support many charities focused on providing resources to women and children.

Owner and CEO Marissa Collections Cofounder

RumbaTime, MakeupDrop, Ballast, Topanga Project LLC

KIM CICCARELLI KANTOR Cofounder, President,

and CEO Ciccarelli Advisory Services, Inc.

Kim Ciccarelli Kantor cofounded Ciccarelli Advisory Services 40 years ago to strengthen legacy planning between family members and bridge communication with the financial and personal successes of each generation. Since its inception, the firm’s focus has been on providing comprehensive financial planning paired with lifetime concierge services. With a deep respect for families served, the multi-generational Ciccarelli family and the Ciccarelli Advisory Services team are committed to providing services to a client’s family during every stage of their life.

FIRST JOB: Assisting my dad with corporate books and running software programs on the State University of New York’s mainframe computer

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My parents. As individuals they were amazing, but as a couple they were extraordinary.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Doing what I love to the best of my ability while surrounded and assisted by family and trusted team members

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Losing my husband at a very early age, giving me a second chance to savor every moment.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: With a maiden name of Ciccarelli, anywhere in Italy!

JARRED KAPLAN

Managing Partner

Fort Myers and Naples, Provident Jewelry

With six locations in South Florida, Provident Jewelry is a recognized leader in the jewelry industry. Jarred Kaplan—a Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist—joined the company in 1994. He supports local charities and philanthropic events, working closely with the Humane Society Naples and Community School of Naples. In 2021, the Naples showroom was expanded to 6,000 square foot to provide a more luxurious shopping experience. He works with his wife Melissa; they have three daughters.

EDUCATION: The New School of Social Research, Gemological Institute of America

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I enjoy learning about the history and the memories that jewelry holds for people.

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I play the drums and attended the New School in New York City for jazz drums.

HOBBIES: Hot yoga and fostering kittens for the Humane Society Naples

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Bhutan

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Maria’s Tacos y Mas

DANIEL KAO Managing Partner Porsche Naples

Daniel Kao joined Porsche Naples in 2019, after working his way up in the luxury automotive market for 13 years. He is now a member of the prestigious Porsche Cars North America Board of Regents. As a full-time Naples resident, Kao is actively involved in the community and many charity organizations. In 2021 and 2022, he led Porsche Naples to receive the No. 1 Porsche Premier Dealer recognition in the United States.

HOMETOWN: Rancho Santa Fe, California

FIRST JOB: Tennis hitting partner to twin boys that were ranked among the top 10 juniors in California

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Be ready to put in more than you wish to take out.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Taking care of people and treating them like family

HOBBIES: Golf, tennis, and travel

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I would make a great house husband because I do all the housework.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Chops City Grill

MELISSA KAPLAN

Marketing Director

West Coast, Provident Jewelry

Melissa Kaplan joined Provident Jewelry in 2014. She is skilled in media and communications, negotiation, event planning, customer service, sales, and strategic planning. With six locations in Florida today, Provident Jewelry was founded in West Palm Beach in 1993. In Naples, supports local charities and philanthropic events, working closely with the Humane Society Naples and Community School of Naples, where she is a trustee. Kaplan works with her husband Jarred; they have three daughters.

EDUCATION: Florida Gulf Coast University

FIRST JOB: Summer nanny in Martha’s Vineyard

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Michelle Obama

HOBBIES: Reading, traveling, kickboxing, and I love board games.

FAVORITE BOOK: Educated by Tara Westover. It is an amazing true story of resilience, determination, and the undeniable importance of education and the freedoms it allows you.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Japan

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Believe in yourself and don’t seek answers from others.

BENJAMIN KENDALL

President Yamron Jewelers

In 2022, Yamron Jewelers celebrated 50 years of establishing a standard of excellence in the Naples community. Benjamin Kendall moved to Naples more than a decade ago to oversee the revered family-owned company. With his wife, Laura Kendall, who is Yamron’s director of operations, the couple combine both their business savvy and their drive to supporting their community, particularly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Boys & Girls Club of Collier County.

EDUCATION: Penn State

FIRST JOB: After graduation from college, I took a job as a tennis pro at a club in Boca Raton.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Tony Robbins because he has overcome so many challenges in his life and yet he remains a positive and creative person

HOBBIES: Playing golf, collecting watches, and spending time with my family

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Iceland. One of our favorite experiences was visiting a horse farm and horseback riding in the countryside for hours.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: When I’m craving pasta, Molto Trattoria is my go-to place. Laura and I go once a week and I always like to try something new.

GARRETT RICHTER

Florida Market President First Foundation Bank

Garrett Richter spent his career in nance before founding First Florida Integrity Bank in 2009; it merged with First Foundation Bank in 2021. Previously, he was president of First National Bank of Florida and founding director of First National Bank of Naples. Richter also served as a Florida state senator for two terms, including as president pro tempore, and as a state representative. Richter served in Vietnam with the 75th Rangers, earning a Combat Infantry Badge and a Bronze Star.

EDUCATION: University of Madison-Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking

FIRST JOB: As a child, cutting grass and delivering newspapers. First job as an adult was as a janitor at Mellon Bank.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Don’t dress for the job you have done, dress for the job you want.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Diana Richter, my wife of 48 years

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Hard work and honesty

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE FACED: Providing leadership during a hurricane, as people have varied levels of stress in an emergency.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Home

BUCKET LIST: To dance with my granddaughter at her wedding

GRANT PHELAN

President and CEO Phelan Family Brands

A respected restaurateur in Florida, Grant has over 25 years of experience in the industry. Grant Phelan created the company’s rst concept—Pinchers—along with his parents in 1997. Since their humble beginning with a 12-table restaurant, the company has grown to include 22 restaurants spanning from Tampa to Key West in the Sunshine State. Today, Phelan leads a team of over 1,300 representing seven successful brands. This impressive growth has been built on his passion for the industry and his hands-on leadership approach.

EDUCATION: Cornell University

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: Growing up, my parents had restaurants in Texas. Once it is in your blood, you can’t get it out!

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Your word is your bond. If you tell someone you are going to do it, then do it.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Whitefish, Montana

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: My wife Laurie and I started dating when we were seniors at Barron Collier High School. We have been together ever since.

FAVORITE BOOK: Good to Great by Jim Collins

KAREN VAN ARSDALE

Real Estate Advisor

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

Karen Van Arsdale moved to Naples in 1981 and began her real estate career in 1983. Her primary focus is to provide her clients with up-to-date market knowledge. She has participated in over two billion in residential sales and was inducted into the Sotheby’s International Global Partnership in 2012. An avid tennis player and art enthusiast, Van Arsdale supports the Humane Society Naples, Everglades Foundation, Audubon Society, and Naples Botanical Garden.

EDUCATION: University of Virginia

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: It actually happened by default. I wanted to be a stockbroker, but they weren’t hiring women in 1981.

FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: Early in my career, I had an appointment to show a home. When I arrived, it was filthy, so I cleaned it up and made all the beds. Then a man walked in and asked why I was cleaning his house. I was at the wrong house (no one locked their doors then).

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Keep it fun and surround yourself with interesting people.

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Follow your gut; it is always right.

BUCKET LIST: Travel to Australia to see the Australian Open, followed by a trip to New Zealand

Cgratulatis

The Naples 100

COMMUNITY BUILDERS

- Edith Wharton

“There are two ways of SPREADING LIGHT: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”

committed to making Collier County healthy, prosperous, and RESILIENT

RANDY ANTIK Cofounder and CEO Imagine Solutions Conference

Imagine Solutions Conference is a foundation created by Randy Antik, a former executive, and Tom Everist to o er big ideas to audiences that have the power to make a di erence in the world. Imagine Solutions brings in national and international experts in health care, technology, social entrepreneurship, busines and economy, leadership, history and civics, the environment and conservation, and the arts for conferences and associated seminars.

EDUCATION: Harvard University (MBA)

FIRST JOB: Mowed lawns at age 12

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: Strong philanthropy activities are in my DNA; the foundation combines my love of curiosity, respect for learning, and for positively impacting others.

FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: During a fireside chat at the 2021 conference, I was interviewing the doctor for the Grateful Dead—he wouldn’t answer any questions until I mentioned the band, then the incredible stories started.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Always listen first; speak later.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Sharing my passion for learning

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: No father around…mothers are everything.

MICHAEL DALBY

Michael Dalby was named President and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce in 2016. He also serves as president of both the Leadership Collier Foundation and Partnership for Collier’s Future Economy. Dalby leads a 10-person sta serving 1,100 members with business growth connections, public policy advocacy, economic development resources, and workforce initiatives. Dalby has 28 years of Chamber of Commerce experience and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

EDUCATION: University of Nebraska (MA)

HOMETOWN: Stephenville, Texas

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I love working with businesses and organizations that are providing jobs and making communities great.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Don’t take yourself too seriously.

FAVORITE BOOK: The Magicians of Main Street: America and its Chambers of Commerce 1768-1945 by Chris Mead

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Lake Park Diner

EILEEN CONNOLLY-KEESLER

President and CEO Collier Community Foundation

Since 2013, Eileen Connolly-Keesler has led the Collier Community Foundation (CCF), overseeing the foundation’s mission, addressing community needs, and providing collaborative leadership. During the past decade, assets have grown from $62 million to more than $247 million. In 2022, CCF distributed $43.1 million in grants and scholarships. Connolly-Keesler has coordinated Collier Comes Together emergency relief funds in the wake of natural disasters and the pandemic. The foundation manages 850-plus funds.

EDUCATION: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (MPA)

FIRST JOB: Cleaning the locker rooms and shining shoes at a country club; eventually I graduated to cocktail waitress.

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I worked at a domestic violence shelter for 15 years. My current position allows me to address a broad range of needs in the community.

BEST ADVICE: Find a career niche.

FUNNIEST WORK EXPERIENCE: Returning from lunch to find a sticky note on my computer from an employee saying they quit. This was not at Collier Community Foundation!

FAVORITE RESTAURANT: BrickTop’s

JEFFREY DAVID FELD

President and CEO

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

Je rey David Feld tookthe helm of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples in 2014. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for promoting better communication, tolerance, and inclusiveness, and bringing diverse groups together. The organization, with 2,300 members, recently opened the $10.5 million Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. After college, Feld was director at the Nashville Jewish Community Center and B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. In 2009, Feld received the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.

EDUCATION: University of Maryland, Baltimore (MSW)

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: My father died when I was a young kid and we were poor; if it had not been for scholarships from the synagogue and camps, I would not be where I am. Serving in this way gives me the opportunity to help others and give back to the community.

FAVORITE MOVIE: The Frisco Kid and Silverado—I like Westerns.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS: Bermuda, where I went with my wife for our honeymoon, Israel, where I have been at least 30 times, often for work, and wherever my kids are

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANTS: Swan River Seafood Restaurant & Fish Market and Shula’s Steakhouse

President and CEO, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce

MARY BETH GEIER Florida Director Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation

Mary Beth Geier is responsible for the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation’s Southwest Florida areas of interest in grant making and community initiatives, including social services, education, and healthcare. She also heads up the foundation’s philanthropic work in Anguilla. She is a proud graduate of the Leadership Collier Class of 2016, and serves on several local boards, including YMCA of Southwest Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, and Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.

EDUCATION: Florida Gulf Coast University (MEd)

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: It chose me and I’m very lucky. However, it’s a perfect fit because I am a true believer in working in service to others.

FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: It’s too long to go into detail but it involved Palm Sunday, the bomb squad, and blowing up a gym bag.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Life is all about having a great attitude. If you have a great attitude, you will be assured a great life.

FAVORITE BOOK: A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman by Joan Anderson ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Believe in yourself—you can do more than you imagine!

FRAN P. MAINELLA Visiting Scholar Clemson University President Fran Mainella Consulting

Fran P. Mainella is a visiting scholar at Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. Previously, she served as the sixteenth director and rst woman to lead the National Park Service—a presidential appointment con rmed by the U.S. Senate. While she served as the rst female director of Florida’s State Parks, it was recognized as the best state park system in the country. Mainella was recently appointed the director of environment for the newly formed Bonita-Estero Woman’s Club.

EDUCATION: Central Connecticut State University (PhD)

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS: Serving as the president of many organizations, such as the National Recreation and Park Association and National Association of State Park Directors; currently serving on the board The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks as West Coast Committee chair

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I love the outdoors from my days as a Girl Scout. As a child, our family vacations were traveling and going to parks. My dad, who is turning 97 years-old, was born in New Mexico, so we travelled west and visited Carlsbad Caverns and other national parks.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Use the 3 C’s of leadership as you go forward: courage, communication, and contacts.

MARIA JIMENEZ-LARA

CEO Naples Children & Education Foundation

Maria Jimenez-Lara has devoted her career to improving the lives of children in need. She developed ve charter schools for at-risk students and two housing developments for low-income families in Collier, Hillsborough, and Miami-Dade counties. In 2012, she joined the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival. As CEO since 2015, Jimenez-Lara has overseen the opening of NCEF’s rst permanent headquarters and expanded partnerships to streamline children’s services into systems of care.

EDUCATION: Hodges University (MPA)

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: Helping children is innate for me. Education has always been a way to open doors to opportunities and is life changing. Through NCEF’s work in the community, I can help thousands of children every day.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Always assume the positive in all situations.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Reviewing the objective and mission when facing di cult situations and challenges.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Turning around low-performing schools

HOBBIES: Hiking, boating, reading

MIKE MARTIN

President

Florida Gulf Coast University

Hired in 2017, Mike Martin is Florida Gulf Coast University’s fourth president. When he retires this year, he will be wrapping up 52 years in higher education. During his tenure, Martin focused on shoring up the university’s nances; improving student outcomes; and steering campus growth. In recent years, Martin presided over the opening of a student Counseling and Psychological Services building and Community Counseling Center for the public, the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, Lucas Hall, and The Water School.

EDUCATION: University of Minnesota (PhD)

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Acknowledging it’s time to retire

FAVORITE BOOK: Catch 22 by Joseph Heller

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Minnesota to hang with my grandsons ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Don’t over plan; make life an adventure.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: The Capital Grille

BUCKET LIST: A road trip across the U.S.

DONNA MCGINNIS

President and CEO Naples Botanical Garden

Donna McGinnis assumed leadership at the Naples Botanical Garden in 2016. Under her leadership, the garden has been instrumental in several public-private partnerships, such as planting trees at East Naples Community Park, distributing 35,000 free trees to the public during the pandemic, and inviting Florida Gulf Coast University’s Everglades Wetland Research Park onsite.

EDUCATION: Webster University (MBA)

FIRST JOB: Server at an independent drive-in restaurant; we wore calico headscarves and aprons!

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: Botanical gardens are both cultural institutions and environmental organizations; it’s an incredibly rewarding combination of professional experiences found in no other field.

HOBBIES: When I have free time, I devour fiction.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest.

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: This is the time to try new things: travel, foods, styles, majors, friends, work experiences—you may find a passion you’ve never heard of.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Exploring Southwest Florida’s natural spaces; my favorite weekend walks are CREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail and Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

ROB MOHER

President and CEO Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Rob Moher has more than 32 years of experience in local, regional, and international conservation. He has served in various roles during his time at the conservancy and has raised more than $140 million in philanthropic support. With almost a decade at the helm, Moher is the conservancy’s longest serving CEO. His key focus is to build upon its history while keeping a keen eye on future environmental challenges. Moher believes in collaborative and science-based approaches to balancing economic growth with environmental conservation.

EDUCATION: Carleton University (MA)

FIRST JOB: Delivering the Globe and Mail every morning in Toronto at 6 a.m.

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: After spending time in Eastern Europe working after finishing my undergraduate degree, and seeing firsthand devastation to the forests and human health from acid rain, I decided this was a calling worth pursuing.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Forget every word someone says before the “but”…the real truth follows in the second half of the sentence.

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I used to be a ski patroller in Canada.

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Go see some part of the world, and then come back and make it a better place.

JOHN MEYER President Hodges University

John Meyer is president of the private, nonprofit university focused on adult learners where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in accounting. After obtaining his PhD, he taught management for 12 years before being named Hodges University’s president in 2017. Under his leadership the university has undergone a rebranding, introduced new workforce programs, and built a dedicated health sciences building. The university recently launched Florida’s first and only Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree program.

EDUCATION: Hodges University (MBA), Argosy University (DBA)

SECRET TO SUCCESS: To always believe that nothing is out of reach or cannot be done.

FAVORITE MOVIE: The Bourne Supremacy

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Pursue what you want to now, but be ready for a seismic shift later. That’s OK. Accept the shift.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Anywhere in the Caribbean, but St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Aruba are both fabulous

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Fernandez the Bull BUCKET LIST: Travel to Japan, both coasts of Australia, and New Zealand

DAWN MONTECALVO

President and CEO Guadalupe Center

With two decades of nonprofit experience, Dawn Montecalvo took the helm in 2016 at Guadalupe Center, which has a mission to break the cycle of poverty through education for children in Immokalee so they can achieve their dreams. Annually, the nonprofit offers educational programs to more than 1,750 students. Montecalvo has served Southwest Florida’s underprivileged population through leadership roles at Guadalupe Center, Naples Children & Education Foundation, and through her consulting firm, Montecalvo & Associates.

EDUCATION: American University (MA)

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: As the daughter of immigrants, I know firsthand how education changes lives. Being a part of initiatives that create educational opportunities and empower children motivates me.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE/LESSON LEARNED: The aftermath of Hurricane Irma was the toughest trial I have ever experienced. Through it all I learned that we are stronger together. The new collaborations and relationships created during the recovery helped address critical needs, navigate challenges and enhance resources that built a better, stronger and more resilient Immokalee. These same collaborations were instrumental in helping the community face the challenges of COVID-19.

JACK MULVENA President and CEO Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

Since joining Naples Zoo in 2013, Jack Mulvena has building a strong team in Naples that has invested millions of dollars in improvements, including new animal exhibits and upgrades to exhibit areas. He is a national conservation leader with a focus on education and motivating young people to get involved in wildlife conservation; he facilitates traveling exhibits and collaborates with Collier County Public Schools to provide conservation education to children in grades K-5.

EDUCATION: University of Rhode Island (MBA)

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I love animals and the outdoors, and I always wanted to work for a nonprofit that serves the community in a significant way.

FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: Helping to prepare an African elephant for artificial insemination…it involved an arm-length protective glove

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Surround yourself with the best people.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My two daughters, Maggie and Amy HOBBIES: Fishing, hiking, kayaking, and tennis BUCKET LIST: Building an endowment for Naples Zoo

NOEMI Y. PEREZ

President and CEO

The Immokalee Foundation

Noemi Y. Perez is an Immokalee native who has worked at the foundation since 2008, becoming CEO in 2019. The Immokalee Foundation is a 31-year-old nonprofit organization that focuses on education, career readiness, and professional development for students growing up in the impoverished community. Perez was named Florida College Access Network’s 2022 College Ready Florida Innovator for redesigning the foundation’s college-preparatory programs to ensure students acquire technical skills, hands-on experience, and credentials that lead to careers and financial independence.

EDUCATION: Hodges University

FIRST JOB: Working at a produce stand at the Immokalee Farmer’s Market

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: It’s OK to make mistakes. Learn from them; they will help define who you are in the future.

HOBBIES: Reading and cycling on my Peloton

BUCKET LIST: Travel to Tuscany, Italy

KAMELA PATTON

Superintendent Collier County Public Schools

The first female Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) superintendent, Kamela Patton joined the district in 2011 and stepped down in December 2022, capping a 35-year career in public education. During her tenure, Patton instituted new technological tools, improved communications, and initiated new programs that resulted in increased student achievement. She oversaw the district’s shift to online learning during the pandemic and the opening of school shelters for hurricanes. CCPS ties for fifth among 67 counties in Florida.

EDUCATION: University of Miami (PhD)

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The Collier County Public School district’s graduation rate rose over 20 percent by 2021 under Patton’s leadership; the percentage of students exceeding the state average skyrocketed from 30 percent to 100 percent.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: In the spring of 2020, when schools across Florida closed, CCPS quickly pivoted to online learning and made sure all our families had at least one device and internet access in order to minimize learning gaps. In September 2017, CCPS opened 28 shelters in 29 hours for Hurricane Irma and ultimately sheltered 17,000 community members. CCPS found solutions despite only originally having supplies and training for 10 shelters.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Abraham Lincoln for his constant perseverance

KEVIN RAMBOSK

Sheri Collier County Sheri ’s O ce

Kevin Rambosk has come a long way since starting out in as a Naples Police Department officer in 1978. He has been Collier County sheriff since 2009. Throughout his career, he’s served as assistant city manager, chief of Naples Police & Emergency Services, and Naples City Manager from 1999 to 2003. He joined the Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) in 2005 as second-in-command. He believes that selflessly helping someone else succeed is a reward itself and an authentic measure of one’s own successes—a guiding philosophy at CCSO.

EDUCATION: Nova University (MBA), FBI National Academy

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: We don’t learn from talking; we learn from listening.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: It’s a very simple but impactful philosophy I have held all of my life: Service to others before self.

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: In my teens, I created a rock and roll band called The Inner Sanctum. I was the drummer and singer.

FAVORITE BOOK: A Land Remembered by Patrick D. Smith

BUCKET LIST: I would really like to travel to Europe to see the D-Day landing beaches and pay respects to the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation.

CONGRATULATIONS, NOEMI Y. PEREZ!

The Immokalee Foundation President and CEO, Noemi Y. Perez is a native of Immokalee, Florida. Having experienced the challenges of growing up in a migrant farming family, and overcoming adversity, she passionately supports the dreams of 1,300+ students whose story is not unlike hers.

For over 31 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on education, career readiness, and professional development for students in Immokalee— from kindergarten to postsecondary education.

Among her many successes, Noemi has led the implementation of The Immokalee Foundation’s award-winning Career Pathways Program, an innovative approach to education that prepares students for well-paying, in-demand professional careers in four specific pathways: Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management, and Healthcare.

On behalf of The Immokalee Foundation family of staff, students, mentors, volunteers and donors, we congratulate you on this well-deserved honor.

ELAINE L. REED President and CEO Naples Historical Society

Elaine Reed possesses over three decades of strategic marketing management and economic development experience in the U.S. private sector and on USAID-funded non-governmental and nonprofit projects in Central and Eastern Europe. Under Reed’s leadership, since 2007, the Naples Historical Society has experienced unprecedented growth. She has ensured the society’s role as the central voice of Naples’ history and the Historic Palm Cottage as the portal to the area’s history. She is focused on crafting a long-term sustainability plan.

EDUCATION: Hodges University (MPA)

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The recent $4.2 million purchase of an historic property adjacent to Historic Palm Cottage that will become a permanent museum display, called the Smith Exhibit Hall. This will protect Historic Palm Cottage, the city’s oldest home, in perpetuity.

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: Nonprofit leadership is compelling for many reasons, but my motivation in Naples is dual: I have always appreciated the local history wherever I have lived and I enjoy a good challenge. Preserving history in Naples is a massive challenge.

HOBBIES: I am one of the many new pickleball players.

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Leading isn’t telling people what to do. Leading is inspiring people to do what is best for the company.

SUSAN L. SUAREZ President and CEO Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center

Susan L. Suarez joined the team at The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center in August 2017. She has more than 30 years of nonprofit experience including running a successful consulting practice for 15 years. Originally from Stanford, California, Suarez and her family moved to Naples in 2000. During her tenure, the museum conducted a successful capital campaign to purchase, renovate, and move to a larger facility. She also has increased partnerships to extend the reach of the museum.

EDUCATION: Santa Clara University (MBA)

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: As a recent graduate, I was working at a high-tech company in Silicon Valley and realized that I was very interested in marketing, but I needed to care about the product or service I was marketing. I left that job and started working for a nonprofit. I was immediately motivated and satisfied—I never looked back!

HIDDEN TALENT: Singing karaoke is my guilty pleasure.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Asheville, North Carolina, and New Zealand

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Keep an open mind. Sometimes things don’t work out as you planned, but often that leads to something even better.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Vergina

K.C. SCHULBERG

Collier County Waterkeeper Waterkeeper Alliance

K.C. Schulberg is an award-winning media specialist, entertainment executive, and entrepreneur who has worked on more than 200 movies, miniseries, television movies, and documentaries, many while serving as an executive for Hallmark Entertainment in the United States and Pandora Cinema in France. Schulberg also is a passionate environmentalist who has lectured widely on climate change. As the Collier County Waterkeeper, part of the international Waterkeeper Alliance., he advocates for maintaining a healthy water quality in Collier County.

EDUCATION: Carnegie-Mellon University

FIRST JOB: Building stage sets for a theater tour company, and driving a taxi at night in New York City

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: Filmmaking is a family a air—I am third generation.

FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: Being insulted by Nick Nolte on the set of Trixie MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Nelson Mandela

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Know your place in the universe. Be humble and respectful. Lead by example.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Morocco

AMELIA VASQUEZ

Executive Director Collier Building Industry Association

The Collier Building Industry Association (CBIA), established in 1953, provides behind-the-scenes support to its 450 member companies, which include builders, developers, remodelers, designers, subcontractors, and suppliers. Amelia Vasquez has been involved with the CBIA since 2012 and was named executive director in 2020, bringing 25 years of professional expertise in budgeting, staff training and development, human resource management, marketing, public relations, and fundraising.

EDUCATION: Hodges University (MBA)

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My father—he spent his life doing charitable work and was one of the kindest and most selfless individuals you could ever meet.

HIDDEN TALENT: I enjoy making fruitcakes.

HOBBIES: Couponing and spending time with family

BUCKET LIST: Ireland

GOLD STANDARD

“ONCE IN A RARE WHILE , somebody comes along who doesn’t just RAISE THE BAR , THEY CREATE AN ENTIRELY NEW STANDARD OF MEASUREMENT. ”

- Dick Costolo

The Naples 100

SETTING A standard by which others may be judged

WILLIAM N. BEYNON Partner, President, and CEO Capital Wealth Advisors

As president and CEO of Capital Wealth Advisors, William “Bill” N. Beynon leads a team of more than 45 professionals focused on wealth management and estate planning. During his 25-year career, Beynon was director of estate planning at Creative Asset Services in Pittsburgh and a partner at First Financial Resources in Naples. Beynon cofounded Capital Wealth Advisors in 2004. He and his wife Nena are co-chairs of the 2023 Naples Winter Wine Festival.

EDUCATION: West Virginia University

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Named in 2022 among Forbes’ “Best In-state Wealth Advisors” and “Top Financial Security Professionals”

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: When I was 16 years old, my father passed away unexpectedly, and I saw the impact financial planning has on a family.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Be yourself.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: I wake up every day with the intention to learn and grow.

HOBBIES: Golf, cycling, fishing, hunting

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: There is no substitute for hard work.

BUCKET LIST: Complete my travel to all 50 states—three left!

RUSSELL BUDD

A graduate of Naples High School, Russell Budd earned a bachelor’s degree in building construction before becoming a state-certified general contractor. He founded PBS Contractors in 1986. PBS approaches each commercial or residential project by focusing on lifelong relationships. An active member of the Naples community, Budd has established a set of 28 fundamental practices known as the “PBS Way” to provide a stable company culture and excellent client services.

EDUCATION: University of Florida

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I went to college for three and a half years as a marine biology major. In my senior year, I started looking at employment opportunities but there were limited opportunities in that field. Having worked my way through college in construction jobs that I liked, I decided to change focus and get a degree in construction management.

FAVORITE BOOK: I read more than one book a week, but do not have one favorite.

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Manage your personal finances like a business. A budget is a good start, but you will be rewarded if you take a more active engagement in your future.

CHARITIES: Serves on the boards of Avow Hospice, David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, Collier 100 Club, and Farm-City BBQ

GREG BRISSON President BCB Homes

Greg Brisson moved to Southwest Florida in 1975; he left to study architecture and fine art and returned to start a career and a family. For 16 years, Brisson has worked with BCB clients to build their dream home. He helped brainstorm The Immokalee Foundation’s Career Pathways Learning Lab—an 18-home subdivision that provides students with paid, on-the-job training—and serves as the general contractor. BCB Homes has donated more than $350,000 of in-kind contributions and hires program graduates.

EDUCATION: Rhode Island School of Design

FIRST JOB: I was a draftsman in my father’s architecture firm (Steven J. Brisson Architecture). It was the first exposure I had to the intimate client relationships that still drive me today.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: The Amalfi Coast, where culture, history, and beauty are all woven into a rugged environment

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Be passionate and never give up.

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Be honest with yourself. Find what you are passionate about and commit. Own what you do.

FAVORITE BOOK: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig

CHARITIES: The Immokalee Foundation, Laces of Love, STARability Foundation

JOHN P. CARDILLO Of Counsel Cardillo

Law PLLC

A native of Fort Lee, New Jersey, John P. Cardillo has been associated with dozens of professional, charitable, and social organizations throughout the country and has been recognized by his peers and others for his achievements and humanitarian work throughout his career. Cardillo serves as the chair of both the Neighborhood Health Clinic board of directors and president of the Terra Cotta Charities and on the board of the Florida Bar Foundation. He has served on many professional boards and was cofounder of Big Brothers of Collier County.

EDUCATION: University of South Carolina (JD)

FIRST JOB: Cardillo and Corbett in New York City, in maritime law

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I could make a greater positive impact on society as a lawyer.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Persistence and determination

HIDDEN TALENT: I play the piano.

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Pay attention.

BUCKET LIST: Egypt, Jerusalem, Jordan, and Dubai

Founder PBS Contractors

(Photo: Erik Kellar)

JOHN DEANGELIS

President and Cofounder DeAngelis Diamond

As the son of a builder in West Virginia, John remembers painting and mowing at properties when he was 10 years old. He teamed up with David Diamond in 1996 to establish DeAngelis Diamond in Naples, which has grown into an awardwinning national construction firm. He continues to establish new ventures and is the recipient of numerous accolades for his leadership and innovation. DeAngelis is active in Summit Church and supports at-risk youth in foster care and human trafficking.

EDUCATION: University of Florida

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: My father was a builder and I remember being fascinated by the buildings he built.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Always surround yourself with people who are smarter than yourself.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Jesus Christ

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Serve and love others unconditionally, and honor God in all things.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Sails

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Raising five kids (also biggest blessing)

BUCKET LIST: Race in the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway

DAVID DIAMOND Cofounder and CEO DeAngelis Diamond Cofounder

Venture X

David Diamond was inspired by Walt Disney’s innovation and creative spirit. The creation of EPCOT inspired David toward a career in architecture and large-scale developments. He cofounded DeAngelis Diamond with John DeAngelis in 1996. Today, it is one of Florida’s largest companies. Diamond has launched more than 20 start-ups, including Venture X with his son, Brett, which they recently sold while maintaining a financial stake. Diamond was ordained as a deacon at the age of 29.

HOMETOWN: West Palm Beach

EDUCATION: University of Florida

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: My grandfather, who lived through the Great Depression and owned a wholesale fish market, decided to never borrow money or take on debt, not even a home mortgage or car loan. I started my first company DeAngelis Diamond with that principle. I sacrificed and saved for 10 years to start the business. Twenty-six year later, we have never borrowed money or received outside investments.

HIDDEN TALENT: I was a paid extra in the movie Smokey and the Bandit; I was also invited to join Elton John on stage in concert to sing next to him at his piano.

ASHLEY DEWJI

Vice President and Banker JPMorgan Chase & Co.

When she was only 16 years old, Ashley Dewji joined JPMorgan as a receptionist in 2007 in Boston. Since then, she has held roles in the firm’s Los Angeles and Dallas offices. In 2017, Ashley relocated to the Naples office, where she has developed a solid reputation in investment, capital, and wealth advisory for private clients and family trust and estate strategies. Dewji is highly regarded by her clients as a knowledgeable professional, advocate, and friend.

EDUCATION: York University

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I love learning from the success stories of others; my clients, many of whom are the most successful in their field, teach me something new every day.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: The only thing equal among all humans is the number of hours in a day. How you use the hours will determine your success.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My dad—he is both my cheerleader and my coach.

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: You are going to accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Molto Trattoria. My fiance Tyler Smith and I tend to celebrate most of our exciting occasions there. The servers are always wonderful and the food is delicious.

BOB EDWARDS

CEO, Chief Investment Officer, and Senior PIM Portfolio Manager Edwards Asset Management

Bob Edwards has been in business in Naples for nearly 40 years, and his grandchildren are fourth-generation Neapolitans. As a financial advisor, he helps clients achieve their goals of a sustainable income. Edwards and his wife Terry are regulars in the local charitable fundraising community, have served on various nonprofit boards, and as chairpersons for numerous local galas. They have been publicly recognized for helping to raise more than $50 million for nonprofits that serve the community.

FIRST JOB: At age 10, I got a Naples Daily News delivery route and at 11, I made a career pivot to hawk wayward range balls and clean golf clubs for at the Naples Golf & Beach Club. The pay wasn’t much, but the perks were being able to practice and play golf.

HOBBIES: I love to build collections: art, rare books, wine, vintage cars, even a portfolio of stocks bought at reasonable prices. I’ve applied “value investing” principles to collecting for several decades and it works in a compounding fashion.

FAVORITE BOOK: The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

CHARITIES: Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Artis—Naples and The Baker Museum, Naples Zoo, Naples Botanical Garden, Naples Children & Education Foundation

(Photo: Brian Tietz)

BLAKE GABLE

CEO Barron Collier Companies

Barron Collier Companies is a fourth-generation private investment, agriculture, and land development company. Blake Gable joined his family’s company in 1999 after graduating with his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University. Gable is chair of the Florida Gulf Coast University board of trustees and chair-elect for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce board. A graduate of the Leadership Collier and Leadership Florida programs, he spends his free time with his wife and their two children.

EDUCATION: Florida Gulf Coast University (MBA)

HOMETOWN: Naples

FIRST JOB: Pumping gas at Gulf Oil Station on U.S. 41

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: My old boss, U.S. Representative Ed Pastor, used to say, “Treat people well. You never know when you will cross paths with them again.”

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: U.S. Representative Ed Pastor, the first in his family to graduate high school and college and first Hispanic American elected to the U.S. Congress from Arizona

FAVORITE BOOK: Red Notice by Bill Browder

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Molto Trattoria

CHARITIES: Friends of Foster Children Forever, St. Matthew’s House, and RCMA (formerly known as Redlands Christian Migrant Association), among others.

CLAUDINE LEGER-WETZEL

Originally from Montréal, Canada, Claudine Leger-Wetzel has called Naples home since 1985. For 20 years, Leger-Wetzel has been an integral part of Stock Development, a diversified real estate company. She is involved in all aspects of the company, including master community planning, product design, hospitality, amenities, sales, and marketing. Stock was recently named the thirteenth largest privately held company in Southwest Florida and it continues to expand in Florida and beyond.

EDUCATION: Florida State University

FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: For my birthday, a coworker hired a provocative dancer to come to the o ce—and she had no idea how embarrassed I could possibly be.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My mother raised 10 children as a widow. She taught us that hard work, honesty, resilience, faith, and family are the most important rules for success.

HIDDEN TALENT: I am the consummate hostess.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS: Montana and Montréal

CHARITIES: Pace Collier, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, Champions For Learning, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, Collier Building Industry Association

MICHAEL G. LAWLER

Luxury Real Estate Consultant Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Michael G. Lawler began his real estate career in 1988, moving to Naples in 1999 where he began focusing on luxury residential properties in coastal communities. With a keen knowledge of the industry and an established network, Lawler is consistently recognized as a top agent in Southwest Florida, ranking No. 21 in 2022 RealTrends “The Thousand.” Lawler has built a team of qualified experts working in conjunction to cultivate a trusted reputation.

FIRST JOB: Server

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I have a natural ability to work with people and after working in corporate relocation, I developed a passion for the real estate industry.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: I have been blessed to know many influential people so, although I get great advice all the time, I always remember to stay tenacious.

LESSON LEARNED: Although you cannot hold everyone to your same standards, it’s always best to take the high road.

HOBBIES: I’m an outdoor enthusiast and appreciate nature.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Montana

JOSEPH MATINA

Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor UBS Private Wealth Management

Joseph Matina founded The Matina Group, an 11-person UBS Private Wealth Management team, in 2000. Matina has more than 30 years of investment industry experience and he and his team are nationally recognized for developing best-in-class, customized solutions for individuals and families. Matina and his wife Dana support local women’s and children’s causes. The Matina Group partnered with Barron’s to provide its Investing in Education Program digital financial literacy curriculum to students and faculty at Ave Maria University.

EDUCATION: Albright College

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Consistently named to Financial Times’ “Top 400 Financial Advisors;” Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors;” and Forbes’ “Top 250 Financial Advisors” and “Best-in-State”

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Work harder than anyone else and the rest will take care of itself.

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I started skiing at age 50.

BUCKET LIST: To live in various cities worldwide for at least a month when I retire.

CHARITIES: Naples Children & Education Foundation, Youth Haven, The Shelter for Abused Women & Children, Boys & Girls Club of Collier County, Path2Freedom, Women’s Foundation of Collier County, The Ireland Fund, NCH Healthcare System, Humane Society Naples

Vice President, Sales and Marketing Stock Development

THOMAS M. MORAN

Chairman, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer

Moran Wealth Management®

Moran Wealth Management® is an independent registered investment advisor based in Naples with more than 36 professionals, including many equity partners. The boutique practice founded by Thomas “Tom” M. Moran is responsible for client assets exceeding $4 billion (as of 5/31/2022) and provides comprehensive investment services for sophisticated investors through personalized, customizable proprietary investment portfolios. Moran and his team rank among the top 100 advisors nationwide and he is member of Barron’s Hall of Fame.

EDUCATION: University of Colorado

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I enjoy the educational aspect of helping my clients make informed decisions about their investments.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Don’t sweat the small stu . Try to always look at life from others’ perspective.

HIDDEN TALENT: I tell great “dad jokes.”

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Linville Ridge, North Carolina

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Find a career that you truly love and not necessarily one that pays the most.

CHARITIES: Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples Children & Education Foundation, Youth Haven

WILLIAM M. RAVEIS

JR. CEO William Raveis, Inc.

William “Bill” M. Raveis Jr. launched William Raveis Real Estate in 1974 in a single o ce above a grocery store in his hometown of Fair eld, Connecticut, with a $2,000 bank loan. Today, his eponymous rm is the eighth largest real estate company in the United Sates with a network of more than 5,000 employees and sales associates in eight states. In 2021, the company achieved $21 billion in real estate sales. He’s been named among the “Most In uential Real Estate Executives in America” by Real Estate Executive magazine.

EDUCATION: University of Dayton

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Relationships. Relationships. Relationships. A successful business is built with a foundation of strong and loyal relationships.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Tibet and Kathmandu

FAVORITE BOOK: My newest book, The Vision and The Passion, comes out this fall and is my favorite read right now. Also, I always recommend Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People.

HOBBIES: Golf, collecting Revolutionary War memorabilia and artifacts, and studying history and world religions

BUCKET LIST: I would love to see my grandchildren enter the family business.

F. FRED PEZESHKAN

Owner, Naples Bay Resort & Marina Summit Management Group of Florida

F. Fred Pezeshkan has been a resident of Southwest Florida for 40 years. With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, he served for 40 years as president, CEO, and chairman of KRAFT/Manhattan Construction Company. Since 2008, he has developed large o ces, medical buildings, and mixed-use projects. His current project is Metropolitan Naples, a cluster of four mid- and high-rises, including the 15-story Aura condo tower. Pezeshkan has served on many civic and charitable boards, currently for the Sanibel Captiva Trust Company and Lee Health.

EDUCATION: Ohio State University

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Keep pushing the envelope.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Revolution in my home country (Iran) changed my life; I lost everything.

LESSON LEARNED: With a good education and hard work, you can restart your life.

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I’m passionate about backgammon and dancing.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: London

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Take the time to think things through. Don’t make emotional or spontaneous decisions.

TIM SAVAGE

Owner and Principal Gulf Coast International Properties

Born in Champaign, Illinois, Tim Savage was raised in Naples and is a graduate of Florida State University. He started Gulf Coast International Properties in 2009 with a fellow Realtor. Today his company is one of the leading boutique rms in Naples specializing in luxury waterfront estates with an emphasis on new construction. Savage has continually grown his business and currently leads more than 88 agents and employees. He consistently ranks among the nation’s most successful Realtors in luxury real estate sales.

EDUCATION: Florida State University

FIRST JOB: Dipper Dell ice cream shop on Vanderbilt Beach when I was 12 years old. I could walk there. There weren’t a lot of options.

HIDDEN TALENT: I’m not terrible at karaoke.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Osteria Tulia

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Keewaydin Island

CHARITIES: Hope for Haiti, Child Evangelism Ministries, Naples Children & Education Foundation, STARability Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, Sons of the American Legion

BUCKET LIST: To race in the Porsche Sprint Cup Challenge series

JULIE A. SCHMELZLE

Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager Bank of America

Since joining Bank of America in 1989, Julie A. Schmelzle has served commercial clients in a variety of roles. Today, she is responsible for corporate client relationships with $50 million to $2 billion in revenues across diversified industry sectors with deep expertise in agribusiness, retail, and financial intermediaries. Schmelzle is actively involved in local civic organizations focused on economic development and workforce housing and volunteers to teach financial literacy. She is a long-time board trustee at the Community School of Naples.

EDUCATION: Bowling Green State University

FIRST JOB: Car wash attendant for Sohio—the bright blue jumpsuits were awesome.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: From a business colleague early in my career: Always take the high road and have grace. From my mother: Be kind and say please and thank you.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Nelson Mandela

LESSON LEARNED: Learning to give myself (and others) a break. Perfectionism doesn’t exist and mistakes are opportunities.

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Be open to new experiences even if it feels daunting or uncertain that you will succeed.

BUCKET LIST: Scotland and England for a walk through history

ANTHONY SOLOMON President and Owner The Ronto Group

Anthony Solomon grew up in Toronto, Canada, and moved to Southwest Florida in 1997 to become an integral part of The Ronto Group after finishing college. The development company has been well-known in the local market for more than 30 years, and today it is one of the largest real estate developers in Southwest Florida, with projects from Naples to Tampa. The company, headquartered in Naples, has been recognized internationally for building communities that exemplify the luxury lifestyle, thoughtful planning, and dedicated craftsmanship.

EDUCATION: Concordia University

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT: Since assuming the role of president, Solomon has sourced and executed $1.5 billion in real estate ventures.

FIRST JOB: Washing and waxing cars

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: There’s always another streetcar (always more opportunities).

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Tenacity

HIDDEN TALENT: I can cook!

CHARITIES: Guardian ad Litem

CHRIS SHUCART

President JCS Realty Group

From an early age, Christopher Shucart was drawn to building and construction, an interest that led him to various jobs in the industry throughout the country. After relocating to Naples in 2003, he and his father James launched JCS Realty Group. The Naples-based, full-service commercial real estate investment and development company provides management, leasing, and construction services. The firm’s philosophy is guided by “28 rules” which include, “Ignoring the facts does not change the facts.”

EDUCATION: Arizona State University

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: East Naples Civic Association board member, past treasurer, and past president; Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District board member, past treasurer, past vice president, and current president

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: 1. When banks stop lending money, buy. 2. Common sense is not so common.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Working hard. The harder I work, the luckier I get!

HOBBIES: Spending time with my family, traveling, concert events, and outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, jogging, and tennis

BUCKET LIST: To attend the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon

ADRIA D. STARKEY

Collier County President FineMark National Bank and Trust Company

Adria D. Starkey has three decades of experience in financial services. Prior to joining FineMark, Starkey was COO of The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company and president of The Naples Trust Company. During her career, Starkey has held executive positions at major banking institutions. Starkey serves on the boards of Florida Prepaid College Board, Suncoast Chapter of the International Women’s Forum, and Forum Club of Southwest Florida. She is chair of the Healthcare Network Development and Community Awareness Committee.

EDUCATION: University of Florida

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: Out of college, I had no interest in banking. I originally got involved because of a training program that seemed like an opportunity I could not pass up. It worked out to be even better than I imagined. The reason I still love it so many years later is because I have the opportunity to help people make dreams come true every day.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: 1. Speak up; don’t be afraid to share your thoughts with others. 2. MOPFI—make other people feel important.

FAVORITE BOOK: I love to read, and I have so many favorite books. I read Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh annually.

HEALERS

THOSE WHO HEAL

- Buddha

“ Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion . ”

SCOTT BURGESS

President and CEO David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health

With more than 30 years of health care experience, Scott Burgess works closely with the mental health nonprofit’s board of directors to manage the center’s operations and development. He provides administrative, clinical, and strategic direction for more than 375 professional staff who offer mental health, substance abuse, and integrated solutions for more than 9,000 children and adults every year. He is working with county officials to build a $25 million mental health treatment center to expand local services.

EDUCATION: Concordia University (MA)

FIRST JOB: Golf caddie

FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: During summers while in college, I worked in a cereal factory that made Lucky Charms, Cocoa Pu s, and Golden Grahams.

MOST INSPIRING PEOPLE: Jesus and Abraham Lincoln

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Italy, Ireland, and England

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Lowdermilk Beach

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Watermark Grille

JACLYNN FAFFER President and CEO Naples Senior Center

Jaclynn Faffer has been a visionary human services leader for 30-plus years. A Naples resident since 2010, she has extensive community involvement, including as past chair of the Collier County Leadership Coalition on Aging and as a graduate of the Greater Naples Leadership Class of XVIII. Faffer and her team shifted all programs and services to a virtual platform during the pandemic and offered post-Hurricane Ian counseling. She spearheaded the recent development of a new building on a 13-acre campus.

EDUCATION: Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University (DSW)

FIRST JOB: Providing support services to migrant farmers working in apple orchards in New Jersey

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I was attending a summer leadership program when I was 16 years old and heard a lecture on the profession. I was struck by the various ways in which social workers could help individuals and society. My path was set.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Be the best student you can be, but don’t forget to have a good time.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary— for the beauty of the ancient trees, the wildlife, and of course, the ghost orchid

ILIA M. ECHEVARRIA

Chief Nursing O cer North Naples Hospital

As chief nursing officer for the NCH Healthcare System, Ilia M. Echevarria has direct oversight of the hospital’s nursing workforce. She is an award-winning and accomplished clinician, administrator, and educator with over two decades of nursing experience. During the pandemic, Echevarria was appointed as the Director of NCH COVID-19 Task Force and established the first hospital-based COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Collier County, leading efforts to vaccinate thousands of employees and community members.

EDUCATION: Widener University (PhD), Thomas Je erson University (MSN), St. Joseph’s University (MS)

FIRST JOB: I worked at White Palace Bakery in Philadelphia at the age of 14 operating the bread slicer machine.

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I enjoy making a di erence in others’ lives.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Remain coachable. There is always something to learn.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: Completing my PhD in nursing science HOBBIES: Spending time with family, writing, and outdoor activities

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Take the hard jobs—they build grit.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: The Everglades

PAUL C. HILTZ

NCH Healthcare System

Paul C. Hiltz took the helm at NCH Healthcare System, Collier County’s largest non-government employer, in 2019. Backed by a 30-year career, Hiltz, a boardcertified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, has led NCH through impressive growth. In 2022, NCH announced its partnership with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to provide ICU support for infants and children and with the top-rated, New York-based Hospital for Special Surgery, along with plans to build a state-of-the-art orthopedic center.

EDUCATION: Xavier University (MFA)

FIRST JOB: Burger Chef

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Surround yourself with great people and teammates.

HOBBIES: Tennis and reading

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Italy

BUCKET LIST: Ireland

President and CEO

KRISTINE HOLLINGSWORTH

As the spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health in Collier County, Kristine Hollingsworth is enthusiastic about speaking with the media to protect, promote, and improve the health of residents and visitors. She is driven to spread awareness and educate the public on emerging and growing health issues in Collier County. Hollingsworth has spearheaded several health department initiatives, including human tra cking outreach and the Cover Up Collier! and Crush COVID, Collier! COVID-19 campaigns.

EDUCATION: Oakland University, Carnegie Institute

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS: 2017 Prudential Productivity Award for the “Shoo the Flu Challenge”; 2019 de Beaumont Foundation “40 Under 40 in Public Health”

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: I spent over a decade in various aspects of the medical field; I have always had a passion for learning new things and sharing that information with others. Becoming a public information o cer was the natural next step.

LESSON LEARNED: Not everyone is going to like you, respect you, or trust what you say. Surround yourself with those who care for you and keep your village close. The COVID-19 pandemic response quickly taught me that something as simple as a global public health threat could be very polarizing.

LESLIE LASCHEID CEO

Neighborhood Health Clinic

Raised in a medical family, Leslie Lascheid developed compassion for others early on. When her parents founded the Neighborhood Health Clinic in 1999 in Naples, Lascheid embraced their vision, becoming CEO in 2012. In 2021, the clinic opened the Van Domelen Education and Wellness Building to meets expanding patient needs and celebrated the completion of its $12.8 million Help, Hope and Healing Campaign. Prior to moving to Naples, Lascheid was global vice president and chief operations o cer as Vestar Capital Partners.

EDUCATION: Carnegie Mellon University, Wharton School

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Good fortune has given me a very satisfying career, bringing immense fulfillment into my life. Challenges have o ered opportunities, giving me the privilege to work around the globe, which resulted in exposure to many di erent people and cultures.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE/LESSON LEARNED: Soon after giving birth to my youngest child, she faced a terrible medical challenge. Navigating the health care system was daunting, even with a family of medical professionals. Thankfully, we found a physician who managed her case and is still in our lives 32 years later. That experience heightened my level of empathy for our patients because when I see their confusion and discomfort, I know what they’re going through.

ANN HUGHES

Ann Hughes took the helm of Friends of Foster Children Forever—which serves more than 1,200 foster children annually—in 2019. In 2022, Collier County Public Schools announced that the graduation rate for high school seniors in foster care is a record-breaking 78 percent—exceeding the national average of 50 percent. Students in Friends’ tutoring program achieved a 100 percent graduation rate. Hughes, who has two decades of nonpro t experience, has enhanced the organization’s free tutoring, mentorship, and enrichment programs.

EDUCATION: Pace University

FIRST JOB: A cashier at McDonald’s

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: It is fulfilling and rewarding to help foster children grow and succeed.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Be passionate about what you do every day and always be excited to learn something new.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: My father passed away while I was in high school. I had to grow up pretty fast.

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Never give up on your dreams.

BUCKET LIST: Visit Ireland with my kids

DAN LAVENDER President and

CEO

Moorings Park

Founded more than 45 years ago, Moorings Park Institute encompasses three life plan communities in Naples. Its newest campus, Moorings Park Grande Lake, was named among the Top 25 “Best in Wellness” in North America in 2021. Moorings Park is recognized as a Fortune “100 Great Companies to Work For.” Dan Lavender has served as the CEO since 2009. He is a community leader who collaborates with other nonpro ts on signi cant projects, such as a public-private workforce housing development.

EDUCATION: Ohio University (MBA)

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS: Member of the boards of directors of the Miami branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the Naples Zoo; chair of Novare, a national consortium of senior living providers

FIRST JOB: Cleaning out horse stalls and bailing hay.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Don’t worry about your next assignment; focus on the existing assignment.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Surround yourself with smarter people.

BUCKET LIST: Visiting Israel and skydiving

Public Information O cer Florida Department of Health in Collier County

Executive Director Friends of Foster Children Forever

DEB

LOGAN

Blue Zones Project, a well-being initiative sponsored by NCH Healthcare System, encourages changes in a community that lead to healthier options. Under Deb Logan’s leadership, Southwest Florida earned Blue Zones certification in 2022, meaning more than 300,000 individuals, 830 organizations, and 62 policies support making healthier choices easier for residents and visitors. The organization’s work has resulted in more than $190 million in medical and productivity savings by lowering risks related to chronic disease.

EDUCATION: University of North Carolina-Greensboro (MEd)

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Be kind; everyone is climbing uphill.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: My team—locally and nationally, at Blue Zones Project, our sponsor, and our thousands of community champions who say yes to well-being

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Always be kind, practice gratitude, lean into your passion, and stretch outside your comfort zone.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Naples Botanical Garden

BUCKET LIST: Achieving work-life balance

LINDA A. OBERHAUS CEO The Shelter for Abused Women & Children

Linda A. Oberhaus got her start as a lifelong advocate for vulnerable populations as a peer counselor in high school. For more than 30 years, she has worked in social justice. In addition to her master’s degree, Oberhaus furthered her education with courses at Harvard Business School and the FBI Citizen’s Academy. Oberhaus collaborates with the community to prevent, protect, and prevail over domestic violence and human trafficking. She is a certified auxiliary deputy with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

EDUCATION: University of South Florida (MSW)

BEST ADVICE: Stay in school.

FAVORITE BOOK: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Relax. You are going to be fine!

KEITH MAPLES

Chief Development O cer Neighborhood Health Clinic

Since joining the Neighborhood Health Clinic in 2015, Keith Maples has increased the community’s awareness of the nonprofit health care service provider and the size of its donor base. Recently, he spearheaded the completion of a $12.8 million capital campaign to increase and enhance patient services at the clinic for the working poor. Maples has more than 25 years of nonprofit experience, including helping St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital raise upwards of $200 million annually.

EDUCATION: University of Kentucky

FIRST JOB: Youth baseball umpire

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: It’s rewarding to have a purpose helping others, having the ability to give back, and to make a di erence.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Never ask someone to do something you first aren’t willing to do yourself.

HOBBIES: Golf, sports, dining out, being a foster parent, traveling, and family SECRET TO SUCCESS: Believe in and be passionate about whatever you do.

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Enjoy what you do and give it your all; this is not a dress rehearsal.

CAROL A. O’CALLAGHAN

Carol A. O’Callaghan joined Legal Aid Service of Collier County, which provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualified residents, as a staff attorney in 2005. She became managing attorney in 2010 and deputy executive director in 2021, when evictions, layoffs, and other legal and financial issues became widespread in the wake of the pandemic. O’Callaghan is past president of both the Collier County Women’s Bar Association and the Young Lawyers Section of the Collier County Bar Association.

EDUCATION: University of Florida (BA, MA, JD)

FIRST JOB: Outside of babysitting when I was in high school, my first job was as an o ce assistant in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida

HOBBIES: Travel, photography, and reading

FAVORITE BOOK: My favorite reads this year have been The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai and The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne. Both are devastating in places but so very good.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANTS: There are so many great ones, but for a special occasion, my choices include Bha Bha! Persian Bistro, 21 Spices by Chef Asif, Kareem’s Lebanese Kitchen, or Barbatella.

Executive Director Blue Zones Project SWFL by Sharecare

Deputy Executive Director Legal Aid Service of Collier County

JAYSEN F. ROA President and CEO Avow Hospice

Since joining Avow in 2015, Jaysen Roa has overseen the growth of its palliative care services, children’s grief and loss program, and the Avow Foundation. He is a founding member of the Synthase collaborative of not-for-profit hospice and palliative care organizations that serves 23 Florida counties. For a third year, Avow has been named a Great Place to Work. Avow instituted a minimum wage of $15.25 an hour in 2020 (it’s now $16.50) and provides free health care and health savings account contributions for employees and free daily lunch to onthe-job staff members.

EDUCATION: Webster University (MBA and MHA)

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: My grandparents always told me I could do anything I set my mind to and worked hard to achieve.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Having great colleagues and friends throughout my career.

LESSON LEARNED: If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen.

HIDDEN TALENT: I’m great at movie trivia.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary BUCKET LIST: Antarctica

ANA STEVENSON

Founder and President Path2Freedom

Ana Stevenson has been a resident of Naples since 1962. Although she was in the banking business for many years, her most treasured role is being a wife to her husband Jon for 25 years and mother to their four daughters, and grandmother to six grandchildren. Stevenson set out to meet a need in the community and started the nonprofit Path2Freedom with Jon in 2015. They raised $150,000 to open a group home safe house just as the pandemic started in 2020.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Believe you can, and you are halfway there.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Myra Janco Daniels

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Be fearless and have a whole lot of grit.

SOMETHING FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I was born in Havana, Cuba.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Bora Bora

ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Pursue your calling and you will succeed.

FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Sea Salt

BUCKET LIST: To build an 80-acre safe house campus in Florida

MEGAN ROSE

CEO Better Together

Megan Rose has dedicated her life and career to strengthening families and reminding people of their dignity and worth. She developed a Prevention Partnership with the Florida Department of Children and Families that allows Better Together to step in before foster care becomes necessary. Rose has led the nonprofit in serving over 4,000 children and keeping 98 percent of those families together, while helping nearly 38,000 job seekers find employment. The nonprofit began seven years ago in Naples and now serves 15 counties.

EDUCATION: Liberty University (MA)

FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: Ripping my dress before speaking at a big event and having to duct tape it back together. Thankfully, my husband is a pro, and no one knew!

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Focus on three key things at a time.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON: Mother Teresa

SECRET TO SUCCESS: My faith and my family

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: French Riviera

ADVICE TO A RECENT GRADUATE: Find a great mentor.

JAMIE ULMER

President and CEO Healthcare Network

Jamie Ulmer arrived in July 2022 to lead the nonprofit Healthcare Network, a Federally Qualified Health Center that ensures primary medical care is accessible to everyone in the community, regardless of job or insurance status. Ulmer most recently served as CEO for Heart of Florida in Marion County, Florida. His wealth of health care leadership includes 24 years of service in the military, where he progressed from a combat medic to a Medical Service Corps officer; he was assigned to multiple deployments.

FIRST JOB: Fish fryer at Capt. D’s

WHY I CHOSE THIS FIELD: When I was a little kid, I would hold my mom’s hand through the halls of the hospitals and say to myself I want to do this one day. I was not sure specifically what I would do but knew helping people through their medical challenges was it.

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: Do not waste your brain power on the small things. Save your brain for those harder, more challenging, decisions.

SECRET TO SUCCESS: Being technically competent and execution. I always say to my team I prefer “ed” over “ing.” Ing means we are still working, fixing, and trying; we should be past tense, completed, finished, and mission complete. Execution has always been a hallmark trait of mine.

The Naples 100

A FAMILY AFFAIR

in life and in business

- Warren Buffett

“ Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

EMILY K. BUA AND TADE BUA-BELL

REAL ESTATE HAS provided a sound source of income and independence for Emily Bua, who runs the Bua Bell Group with her oldest daughter, Tade Bua-Bell. When she relocated to Naples in 1993, Emily brought with her 16 years of luxury real estate experience—and she’s been a top, award-winning producer ever since. “Naples has been a blessing to me,” she says. “Almost everyone I’m friendly with is someone I’ve done real estate with. When I hear from them less, I realize that they are settling in and meeting new people.” When the single mother of four was raising her children, they all apparently understood the value of real estate. Her son, Shane Bua and his wife Taylor Meritt, moved to Naples from Los Angeles and have joined the Bua Bell Group.

Tade says she was always interested in real estate, so after receiving a marketing degree from the University of Pittsburgh, she jumped into the field by facilitating corporate relocations for two major corporations in Pittsburgh and was a regional manager running up to 13 offices for a national real estate company.

Tade joined her mom after managing 125 agents in a Pittsburgh-area real estate office. When Tade’s husband Brad was transferred to Naples for his career in 2005, she jumped at the chance to work with her mother. By then, she had established her own professional style which was blended with her mother’s to create the Bua Bell Group.

Emily and Tade are firm believers in giving back. Both have served on various charitable boards in Naples and donate to a local charity with every closing. The Bua Bell Group was honored in 2022 with the Lifetime Achievement Award from John R. Wood Properties for their expertise, spirit of support, and caring concierge service.

MATT AND BEN RILEY

Thomas Riley Artisans’ Guild

THROUGH MORE THAN THREE DECADES, the Naples-based Thomas Riley Artisans’ Guild evolved from furniture restoration and finishing into a full-service woodworking company with a sterling reputation for artisanal millwork and cabinetry. Its namesake founder, Thomas Riley, set the bar high with his core principle of “providing nothing less than monumental quality products and white-glove customer service.” Today, his sons, Matt and Ben, have continued to grow and evolve the company as both mainstream and ultra-high-end design tastes change for their clients stretching from Beverly Hills to Greenwich to Palm Beach.

Both were born and raised in Naples, worked alongside their father, went off to college, and returned in 2003. Today, Ben is president/COO, with a focus on engineering, technology, efficiency, and quality, and Matt is CEO. He is the public face of the company and is involved in estimating and project management. “We both love the business we are in—creating beautiful surroundings for clients who appreciate the craftsmanship our team delivers,” Matt says. He and Ben remain inspired by the company’s core principle and the ideals that guide their workplace culture: “love and kindness, fairness and honesty.” While interior accents and furniture are still hand-planed, carved, and hand-shaped at Thomas Riley Artisans’ Guild, the shop has grown to incorporate high-tech carpentry equipment. They are also partners in the Naples design studio and gallery Method & Concept.

The brothers feel rewarded by carrying on their father’s torch with confidence and integrity—together. “Like all good partnerships, it comes down to mutual respect. We use our strengths to complement each other for the benefit of the company, our team, and our clients,” Matt says. “Ben and I hang out away from the office, play soccer and music together, and have an amazing, loving, and supportive family. Our life together is not just limited to the business. That balance is key.”

— Cathy Chestnut

PHOTO BY ZACH STOVALL

Bua Bell Group

Matt Riley and Ben Riley

Emily K. Bua and Tade Bua-Bell

JINX AND MINKA MCDONALD

Jinx McDonald Interior Designs

DURING THE PAST TWO decades, Jinx McDonald carefully built her firm’s reputation as an industry leader from the ground up, working tirelessly and striving for perfection with each client. When she decided to retire a few years ago, her daughter, Minka, enthusiastically took over as the president of Jinx McDonald Interior Designs. Minka, who grew up in Naples, earned her master’s in interior design at Florida State University before designing in Orange County, California. She has worked alongside her mother for more than a decade.

Both women are proud of the tight-knit group of designers who continue to thrive under Minka’s leadership. Since Minka has taken the helm, the Naples-based firm has continued to add prestigious Aurora, Sand Dollar, and Pinnacle awards to its growing collection of accolades.

“I am thrilled that the transition was seamless, and that Jinx McDonald Interior Designs has kept the strong client relationships and industry partnerships that my mom spent years building,” Minka says. “I look forward to taking the company to the next level while creating unique design schemes that achieve the goal of casual elegance, which we are known for.”

SCHULZE FAMILY

IN 2004, BEST BUY founder Richard “Dick” M. Schulze established the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation (RMSFF) to give back to the communities where he and his family grew up—in Minnesota and in Florida, now his permanent residence. Schulze and his family believe that a good education, a supportive family, and a strong work ethic prepare children for a successful future. As a result, RMSFF supports organizations focused on human and social services, education, health, and medicine. Truly a family foundation, Schulze’s four adult children rotate participating on the board of trustees that makes funding decisions, and seven of his grandchildren are participating on the Next Generation Board, making philanthropic grants to support the overall goals of RMSFF. The Next Generation framework will provide a vehicle to inspire giving in the next generations and continue the family legacy into the future. Schulze and two of his children and their families call Naples home. Supporting their Southwest Florida community is most certainly a family affair.

Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation

Nancy Tellor, Susan Hoff, Dick Schulze, Debra Schulze, Rick Schulze

Minka McDonald

Jinx McDonald

The Naples 100

PAST HONOREES 2019-2022

Albritten, Jefferey Alves, Antonio Arkhangelskaya, Leeza Avola-Brown, Michelle Barnett, Bill Barone Jr, Bruce Bay, Susan Bidireanu, Laura Bigham, Kathy Box, Ilona Boyajian, William Brown, Andrea Clark Burns, Laura Campbell, Patricia Cartwright, Timothy J. Castana, Alejandro Cheffy, Edward K. Cieply, Kevin Cooney, John Corban, David Danni, Karen Molnar Danni, Mark DePasquale, Vin Di Falco, Luca Dieu, Mackindy Donahue, Alina Donahue, April Eido, Rachid Ellison, Vann R. Gates, Todd E. Goetz, Ellin Goodlette, J. Dudley

Gordley, David Hartington, Marissa Herman, Tim Hughes, Mike Ice, Christopher P. Jensen, Chad Jon McGuann Labbe, Ron Lefkow, Rev. Lisa Lowe, Scott Lubner, Clive Martin, Janiece McCabe, Phil McManus, Susan Meek, Bill Mir, Michael Moll, Gerri Mueller, Charlie Oakes, Alfie Passidomo, John M. Perry, Marco Ptaszek, Emily Rachid, Eido Reiter, Tim Ridgway, Tony Ross, Don Saunders, Burt L. Smallwood, Joseph C., Jr Spencer, Brooke Staros, Ed Stofft, Randall Stoneburner, Kevin L.

Summers, Shari Syed, Asif R. Taylor, Elliot Tobin, Joan Towey, Jim Wallace, Dave Wallin, Deanna Watkins III, Henry Watkins, Mike Wert, Jack Wood, April Woodward, Craig R. Woodward, Mark J. Wynn, Tim

Legends of Philanthropy

Baker, Jay and Patty Cohen, Janet Dalton, Sue Daniels, Myra Janco Gaynor, Lavern Norris Golisano, Tom Hodges, Thelma Kapnick, Scott B. and Kathleen Korest, Alan Monaghan, Tom Schulze, Richard M. Stayer, Shelly and Ralph von Arx, Dolph and Sharon

2023 Honorees Index

Aielli, Fabrizio .................26

Aielli, Ingrid ....................34

Alexander, Br yce .............26

Antik, Randy ...................46

Arsenault, Paul ................26

Betulia, Vincenzo............. 26

Beynon, William N ..........56

Brisson, Greg ...................56 Brody, Paula .....................27

Budd, Russell ...................56 Burgess, Scott ..................63

Bua, Emily K. ...................68

Bua-Bell, Tade .................68 Cardillo, John P. ..............56 Collins, Kim .....................27 Connolly-Keesler, Eileen 46

Coury, Kris ten. .................27

Dalby, Michael ................46

DeAngelis, John ............... 57

Dewji, Ashle y 57

Diamond, David 57

DuPont, Sherri .................27

Echevarria, Ilia M ............63

Edwards, Bob ................... 57

Faffer, Jaclynn .................63

Feld, Je ffrey David ..........46

Fleming, Anne ................40

Fruscione, David ..............28

Gable, Blake .....................58

Gaddis, Renée 28

Geier, Mary Beth ............. 47 Govern, Karen ................40 Harting ton, Jay ...............40 Haytac, Onur ..................40 Hernandez, Rufino ..........28 Hiltz, Paul C 63

Hollingswor th, Kristine . 64

Honey cutt, Sukie .............34 Hughes, Ann ...................64 James, Emily ....................28

Jimenez-Lar a, Maria 47 Kantor, Kim Ciccarelli .....41 Kao, Daniel ......................41 Kaplan, Jarred .................41 Kaplan, Melissa ...............41 Kendall, Benjamin ...........42 Kragh, Ma tthew ..............30

Lascheid, Leslie ..............64 Lavender, Dan ................64

Lawler, Michael G. ..........58

Leger-Wetzel, Claudine ...58 Liegeois, Judith ..............30 Logan, Deb....................... 65 Lubner, Daniel ................30 Lutgert, Scott ...................34 Maddox, Rebecca J ..........34 Mainella, Fr an P 47 Maples, Keith ...................65 Martin, M ike 47 Matina, Joseph ................58 McDonald, Jinx ...............69 McDonald, Minka ............69 McGinnis, Donna ............48 Meyer, John .....................48 Midnet, Glenn ................30 Moher, Rob ......................48 Montecalvo, Dawn ...........48 Moran, T homas M. .........60

Mullin, Dale .....................35 Mulvena, Jack .................50

O’Callaghan, Carol A. ......65 Oberhaus, Linda A ..........65

Patton, Kamela ...............50

Perez, Noemi Y ...............50

Pezeshkan, F. Fred ..........60 Phelan, Grant ..................42

Rambosk, Kevin ..............50

Raveis Jr, William M ......60

Reed, Elaine L .................52

Reed-Spitzer, Michelle L . 35 Richter, Garre tt ...............42

Riley, Ben .........................68

Riley, Matt .......................68

Roa, Jaysen F ..................66

Rose, Megan ....................66

Savag e, Tim .....................60

Schmieding, Reinhold .....35

Schmelzle, Julie A ...........61

Schulberg, K.C. ................52

Schulze, Richard M. ........69

Shucart, Chris topher. ......61

Siegel, Mitchell ................35

Solomon, Anthony ...........61

Starkey, Adria D. .............61

Stevenson, Ana ................66

Stock, Brian K .................36

Suarez, Susan L ...............52

Thompson, Je tt ................32

Ulmer, Jamie ...................66

van Arsdale, Karen ..........42

van Bergen, Ka thleen ......32

Vasquez, Amelia ...............52

Verpoorten, Frank ...........32

Wilson, Mark D ...............32

Wood, Phil .......................36

Wynn, Je ff D ................... 36

Wynn, Michael A ............ 36

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

A dozen The Naples 100 honorees tell us about the shared wisdom that has helped lead them to success

The only equal thing among all humans is the number of hours in a day. How you use the hours will determine your success.

—Ashley Dewji

Try. Try harder. Try again.

—Anne Fleming

MOPFI (Make other people feel important.)

—Adria D. Starkey

Treat people well. You never know when you will cross paths with them again.

—Blake Gable

We don’t learn from talking; we learn from listening.

—Kevin Rambosk

DO IT WITH PASSION OR DON’T DO IT AT ALL.

—Vincenzo Betulia

Always surround yourself with people who are smarter than yourself.

—John DeAngelis

Live like you’ll die tomorrow and plan like you’ll live forever.

—Michael A. Wynn

KEEP PUSHING THE ENVELOPE.

—F. Fred Pzeshkan

Use the 3 C’s of leadership: courage, communication, and contacts.

—Fran P. Mainella

Be kind. Everyone is climbing uphill.

—Deb Logan

Remain coachable. There is always something to learn.

—Ilia M. Echevarria

Congratulations

TIMOTHY P. SAVAGE, P.A.

Owner and Principal of Gulf Coast International Properties® in recognition of your achievements as one of Naples Top 100 Influential Leaders. Your commitment to excellence in Luxury Real Estate and GCIP’s record setting sales, award winning marketing strategies are commendable. Your principled ethics, family values and philanthropic endeavors in the Naples community are inspirational.

1144 Third Street South Naples, Florida 34102 239.434.2558

® www.gcipnaples.com www.portroyalwaterfronthomes.com www.gcipluxuryrentals.com