Alliance, Observer announce finalists

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Judges have selected finalists for the first Sandies Awards, a partnership between the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and The Observer Group Inc.

The Sandies seek to recognize outstanding businesses and citizens within the Lakewood Ranch community. Awards will be given in four categories — Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Corporate Philanthropy and Entrepreneurial Spirit — at an awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5, at The Polo Grill and Bar’s Fête Ballroom, 10670 Boardwalk Loop.

Judges have narrowed each category to three finalists, all of which exhibit the spirit by which the Sandies were created.

“With these finalists, the bar is set high in terms of the caliber of Sandies Award winners,” said Matt Walsh, editor and CEO of the East County Observer.

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President Bobbi Larson agreed.

“The Sandies presents a great opportunity for us to showcase some of Lakewood Ranch’s most outstanding businesses and community leaders,” she said.

Finalists are in alphabetical order.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
1. Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch. Marina and Bill Schmidt opened Kiddie Academy in March 2008. Since then, the Schmidts have won numerous awards from its corporate leaders, including Best Practices recognition in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and Brand Champion in 2010. The academy has earned the national Apple (Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment) accreditation. Its annual revenues have grown from $684,000 in 2008 to $1.5 million in 2010.

2. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Founded in 2004, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is a member of the Manatee Healthcare System and a subsidiary of Universal Health Services Inc. The 30-acre medical campus includes 120 licensed beds, 425 employees, 100 volunteers and more than 300 physicians and healthcare professionals. The hospital has reported steady growth over the last four years, with $53 million in annual revenues in 2008 and an estimated $67 million in 2011.

3. Neal Communities. Led by developer Pat Neal, Neal Communities was founded in 1970. The company, headquartered in Lakewood Ranch, is a homebuilder and community developer in both Manatee and Sarasota counties. To date, the company has built more than 8,000 homes and completed 53 development projects throughout Southwest Florida. And despite the downturn in the real estate market, Neal expects to exhibit growth this year, with estimated revenues of $98,709, 246 in 2011 (compared to $74,706,647 in 2010).

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
1. Julie Aranibar. A member of the Manatee County School Board, Julie Aranibar has been active in Lakewood Ranch since she arrived in 1998. She worked with SMR President and CEO Rex Jensen to address overcrowding issues in East County schools, which led to the construction of McNeal, Willis and Gullett elementary schools. She has supported the American Cancer Society, the Manatee Medical Society Alliance and the Manatee Opportunity Council. She also is active in the Kiwanis Club of Lakewood Ranch, Take Stock for Children and the Manatee Technical Institute foundation board.

2. Don O’Leary. Don O’Leary’s community support stretches back more than a decade. The retired New York City firefighter has served as president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, Civic Action Forum and Lakewood Ranch Community Activities. He is chair of Edgewater Sound, supervisor in Lakewood Ranch CDD 2 and is active with Florida Blood Services, the SMR Advisory Board, the Manatee Community Fund, East Manatee Fire Rescue and Meals on Wheels. He received the John Clarke Humanitarian Award in 2006.

3. Dick Vitale. Through his V Foundation for Cancer Research, Dick Vitale has raised millions of dollars for cancer research. In Lakewood Ranch, he has used his celebrity to turn a national and international spotlight on the Payton Wright Foundation, an organization dedicated to pediatric brain-cancer research in honor of Lakewood Ranch 5-year-old Payton Wright, who in 2007 died of a rare brain tumor. Recently, Vitale spoke at a memorial service for Adrian Littlejohn, the 1-year-old son of Lakewood Ranch High School football coach Anthony Littlejohn, who died in May from cancer.

CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY
1. Gold Coast Eagle Distributing. The Lakewood Ranch-based Anheuser-Busch/InBev distributor supports about 400 community, non-profit and charitable events each year. The company’s Budweiser Hospitality Center offers a place at which organizations can host benefits and fundraisers. The company supports many organizations, including SERTOMA, Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Junior League and more.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates/Bradenton Marauders. The Pittsburgh Pirates/Bradenton Marauders teams have a long and rich history of philanthropy in Manatee County. Through the organization’s annual Pirates Charities Golf Tournament, the team raises nearly $30,000 annually for a variety of programs in Manatee. All players are required to serve 10 hours of community service each season, which results in a myriad of events throughout the community.

3. Willis A. Smith Construction. Founded in 1972, Willis A. Smith Construction is the oldest construction firm in Manatee and Sarasota counties. It is a recipient of the 2010 President’s Volunteer Service Award at the Gold Level for contributing more than 2,000 hours of community service in one year. The company’s employees support dozens of organizations throughout the region, including more than 10 years of support for the Cancer Support Community (formerly the Wellness Community).

ENTREPRENURIAL SPIRIT
1. The Polo Grill and Bar. In 2007, at the exact time when virtually every other company was tightening its budget, Tommy and Jaymie Klauber opened The Polo Grill and Bar. Building on Tommy Klauber’s family’s history at The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort on Longboat Key, The Polo Grill has enjoyed success in Lakewood Ranch. The restaurant has posted steady growth in revenues in the last four years. The business is on pace to generate $3.2 million in 2011.

2. Tidemark Financial Services and Insurance. Tidemark owner and President Amanda Panico started the business at age 27 after three years as a financial professional with Prudential. Using savings she had accumulated through bonuses at Prudential, Panico launched Tidemark in September 2007, in Lakewood Ranch. Today, the full-service financial planning firm employs four full-time employees and one part-time employee. The company reported annual revenues of $345,000 in 2008 and is on pace for $550,000 this year.

3. Waste Pro of Florida (Bradenton/Sarasota). In May 2008, District Manager Andy Toller moved his pregnant wife and 2-year-old son into a Manatee County hotel room so he could open the company’s new operation in Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. That September — in addition to hiring a full staff and readying the new Waste Pro operation — Toller purchased his family’s new home, welcomed his new son, Andrew, Sept. 17, and assumed the company’s municipal contract with Manatee County Oct. 1. Under Toller, Waste Pro has grown from annual revenues of $8.6 million in 2009 to an estimated $10.5 million this year.

Sandies Awards
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5
WHERE: The Polo Grill and Bar’s Fête Ballroom, 10670 Boardwalk Loop
TICKETS: $65
INFORMATION: www.LWRBA.org or www.YourObserver.com