Greater Fort Myers Chamber honors community members at annual Chamber Awards

FORT MYERS, Fla. - July 29, 2024 - PRLog -- The Greater Fort Myers Chamber, along with the Southwest Florida community, recognized local businesses and leaders at this year's annual Chamber Awards, held July 25 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers.

The program celebrated the installation of the Chamber's 2024-25 board of directors, recognized the 2023-24 committee chairs and featured an award ceremony, check presentation from the Women in Business committee and a gourmet dinner to honor the businesses and community leaders as finalists in a variety of awards categories before naming the overall winners.

"We are honored to recognize nearly two dozen finalists for their collective contributions that support our vision to make our community the best place to live, work and raise a family," said Robert Goltz, CEO of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber. "The past few years have been extremely challenging for businesses, and we are thrilled to celebrate everything our community, finalists and winners have achieved."

The Chamber Awards recognized a recipient in each of the following categories:

• Small Business of the Year was awarded to Face It Botox. Other category finalists were Global Strategies and Tech in a Flash.
• Large Business of the Year Award was awarded to Scotlynn. Other category finalists were Drake Ready Mix and Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.
• The Community Impact Award was awarded to Stefanie Ink-Edwards of Community Cooperative. Other category finalists were Dr. Nadine "Deanie" Singh (Premier Mobile Health Services) and Roz Barminski (Hope Clubhouse of SWFL).
• Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Ryan Carter of Scotlynn. Other category finalists were Matthew Rebstock (Tech in a Flash) and Janelle Miley (Global Strategies).
• The Nonprofit Excellence Award was awarded to Gulf Coast Humane Society. Other category finalists were Boys & Girls Club of Lee County and Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida.
• Young Professional of the Year Award was awarded to Kelly Thawley of Florida Southwestern State College. Other category finalists were Meagan Baskin (Florida Gulf Coast University) and Melissa Mitchell (Priority Marketing).
• APEX Award was awarded to Dr. Sandra Pavelka of Florida Gulf Coast University. Other category finalists were Jeannine Joy (United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades) and Debra Mathinos (The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center).

The presenting sponsor of the 2024 Chamber Awards was Verizon, and the APEX sponsor was Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. Additional event sponsors included The City of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Weekly, Gulfshore Business, Hope Clubhouse of SWFL, Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A., Lake Michigan Credit Union, M&M Multimedia, Prawnbroker, Priority Marketing, Quantum Fiber and Stevens Construction.

To learn more about the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, visit FortMyers.org or call 239-332-2930.