Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's Sandies award winners celebrate.
Photo by Liz Ramos
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Lakewood Ranch's Cherri Kessler remembered being a part of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance committee that created the Sandies.
She explained the Sandies are named after the Sandhill cranes that roam around Lakewood Ranch.
After 18 years as a member of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Kessler was awarded with her own Sandies award during the annual awards luncheon Nov. 15 at the Grove.
She received the Networking Queen award, which is given to a "female member who embodies the 'power of connection' by connecting members with each other and provides referrals for future opportunities."
Kessler said winning the award was overwhelming.
"It's just very flattering," she said. "I'm very honored because I've just been a part of this organization for so long. It's like family."
Kessler said initially, to her, networking was about simply going into the community to obtain more business. But it has evolved into building connections and relationships and using all the businesses as tools for her clients, family and neighbors.
The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance handed out 10 awards in total.
Eric Konovalov with The Goal Guide won the top award, the Volunteer of the Year.
Volunteer of the Year goes to "a volunteer who has shown the most extraordinary dedication and commitment to the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and its mission throughout the last year."
Konovalov said the alliance reminded him of the U.S. Marine Corps., which he joined at 17 years old.
"The reason why I don't even feel like I'm volunteering here is because (Alliance President and CEO) Brittany's (Lamont) leadership and her small but mighty team embody all those values," he said. "It's like I'm working with the Marines again. They get the mission done no matter what."
Maribeth Phillips, who has been guiding Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee through post-hurricane recovery, was awarded the Bull by the Horns award, and Lakewood Ranch Communities' own Nicole Hackel was presented with the Rising Star award.
The other winners were:
Lee Kotwicki of State College of Florida, Sarasota-Manatee (Above and Beyond)
Jamie Kahns of Bank of America (Community Champion)
Henry Decoo of Entech (Networking King)
River Young of Mauldin & Jenkin (Ray of Sunshine)
Annemarie Graff of Bank of OZK (Best Rancher)
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (Company Community Champion)
Brittany Lamont, the president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, congratulates Lee Kotwicki of the State College of Florida, Sarasota-Bradenton for winning the Above and Beyond award, after Bryan Boudreaux with the Bank of Tampa presents the award.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Maribeth Phillips (center) of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee accepts the Bull by the Horns award from Gareth Stevenson of Rite Technology and Brittany Lamont, the president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
Photo by Liz Ramos
David Otterness of Willis Smith Construction presents the Community Champion award to Bank of America's Jamie Kahns.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Brittany Lamont, the president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, laughs as Networking King Henry Decoo commemorates his win with a selfie of him and the guests at the Sandies.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Cherri Kessler of Hancock Whitney Bank hugs Brittany Lamont, the president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, after winning the Networking Queen award.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Brittany Lamont, the president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, and alliance member Wayne Parrish present the Company Community Champion award to Rick Piccolo (center), the president and CEO of the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Eric Konovalov of The Goal Guide accepts the Volunteer of the Year award, the top award at the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's Sandies.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Jamie Kahns of Bank of America says she hopes people can "give the gift of kindness." Kahns won the Community Champion award.
Photo by Liz Ramos
After being a member of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance for 18 years and being a member of the committee that created the Sandies, Cherri Kessler of Hancock Whitney Bank has won her own award, Networking Queen.
Photo by Liz Ramos
This year's Nextworking King is Henry Decoo of Entech.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Maribeth Phillips with Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee says she's shocked to receive the Bull by the Horns award.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lee Kotwicki of State College of Florida, Sarasota-Manatee says her first event with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance was the Sandies. Now she's celebrating winning the Above and Beyond award.
Photo by Liz Ramos
River Young of Mauldin & Jenkin is radiant after receiving the Ray of Sunshine award.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Eric Konovalov of The Goal Guide says volunteering for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance reminds him of his days in the Marine Corps. as it's a small but mighty team leading the charge at the alliance.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Nicole Hackel of Lakewood Ranch Communities receives the Rising Star award, which is given to a member "already making significant professional contributions that showcase their talents, enthusiasm and dedication" to the community.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Annemarie Graff of Bank OZK says she is proud to be a part of the community and the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance for nine years.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's Sandies award winners celebrate.
Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.
