Past Award Recipients
Past Pacesetter Award Recipients
A Pacesetter is an individual who has achieved a level of excellence within their community or industry that provides a new benchmark to follow. Their contributions to our community in time, talents and innovation have made an impact in our quality of life to live, work and play in Charlotte County.
Pacesetter Award Receipients
2024 – Roger Eaton
2023 – Mark Martella
2022 – Angela Hogan
2021 – Kristy Smith
2020 - Peter Keating
2019 – Michael Grant
2018 – Sue Sifirt
2017 – Harvey Goldberg
2016 – Maryann Mize
2015 – Tom Rice
2014 – W. Kevin Russell
2013 – Ralph Allen
2012 – Mike Riley
2011 – Linda & Phil Wilson
2010 – Donald Ashley
2009 – Bill Wishard
2008 – Melinda & Lane Diedrick
2007 – Ana Romillo
2006 – Mark Asperilla, MD
2005 – David Gayler
2004 – Ron Thomas
2003 – Randy Dunn
2002 – Dick Yarger
2001 – Jerry Ross
2001 – Father Nickolas McLaughlin
2000 – Kathy Hollinger Strayton
1999 – David Klein, MD
1998 – Roseann Samson
1997 – Paula Hess
1996 – JoAnn & Bob Helphenstine
1995 – Derick Dunn-Rankin
1994 – Jack O. Hackett, II
1994 – Don Ross
1993 – Michael Cronin
1992 – Ray Jorgenson
1992 – Dave Powell
1991 – Peter F. Taylor
1990 – Bill Bacon
1989 – Melvyn Katzen, MD
1988 – J. Lynn Stephens
1988 – Bucky McQueen
1987 – Ryland Lovett
1987 – Dave Bitner
1986 – Robert Elliot
1986 – Don Witter
Past Business of the Year Recipients
Each year we recognize businesses and organizations who contribute to the success of our community. They help to drive our economy and improve our quality of life through their impact.
Large Business of the Year
Charlotte State Bank & Trust 2003
DayStar Communications 2004
First Financial Employee Leasing 2005
Fishermen's Village 2006
Pies & Plates/Prepped & Ready 2007
Ambitrans Ambulance 2008
Millennium Physician Group 2009
Calusa National Bank 2010
RE/MAX Anchor of Marina Park 2011
Integrity Employee Leasing 2012
Farr Law Firm 2013
St. Andrews South Golf Club 2014
Smugglers Enterprises 2015
Fawcett Memorial Hospital 2016
Charlotte Stone Crabs/Tampa
Bay Rays 2017
Solaris HealthCare 2018
Air Trek 2019
Chick-fil-A 2019
All Members Recognized 2020
Roger D. Eaton, Charlotte County
Clerk of the Circuit Court &
County Comptroller 2021
Suncoast One Title & Closings 2022
Chapman Insurance Agency 2023
Suncoast One Title & Closings 2023
Integrity Employee Leasing 2024
Non-Profit Business of the Year
Sea Grape Gallery 2009
Visual Arts Center 2010
Homeless Coalition 2011
Small Business Development
Center at FGCU 2012
Charlotte County Airport Authority 2013
United Way of Charlotte County 2014
Animal Welfare League 2015
Boys & Girls Clubs 2016
Charlotte Local Education Foundation 2017
Center for Abuse & Rape Emergencies (C.A.R.E.) 2018
Yah Yah Girls, Back Pack Kids 2019
All Members Recognized 2020
Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic 2021
Gator Wilderness Camp School 2022
Center for Abuse & Rape Emergencies (C.A.R.E.) 2023
Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic 2024
Medium Business of the Year
Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral
Homes & Cremation Services 2015
State Insurance Agency 2016
Security Alarm Corportion 2017
Port Charlotte Florist 2018
Suncoast One Title and Closings 2019
All Members Recognized 2020
Nix & Associates Real Estate 2021
Integrity Employee Leasing 2022
Lake Michigan Credit Union 2023
Pool Boy, Inc. 2024
Small Business of the Year
West Coast Financial Services 2003
Koch & Company, CPAs, PA 2004
Buffalo Graffix 2005
New Hope Natural Healing 2006
Acme Bicycle Shop 2007
Bicycle Center 2008
The Tropical Store 2009
King Fisher Fleet 2010
Arthur Rutenberg Homes/
Sandstar Homes, LLC 2011
Port Charlotte Florist 2012
Just Counters & other stuff, inc. 2013
Firehouse Subs 2014
McCrory Law Firm 2015
Harborwalk Scoops & Bites 2016
Friendly Floors 2017
Tiki Tom Entertainment 2018
Premier Photographic Events 2019
All Members Recognized 2020
Rita’s Italian Ice 2021
The Purple House Salon
by Shawn Gilstad 2022
Grannie Nannies Senior
Home Care 2022
Thornberry Custom Builders 2023
Big Shot Marketing & Design 2024
Truex Preferred Construction 2024