Gulf Coast Builders Exchange gathers for drinks, awards and leadership changes

The GCBX awards dinner was hosted on Feb. 1 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 12:29 p.m. February 2, 2018
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The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange held their annual installation and awards dinner to give out awards and watch the gavel exchange hands on Feb. 1.

In the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, GCBX chairman Kevin Hicks, CEO of Gator Grading & Paving, passed his leadership role onto incoming chairman Brian Leaver, senior vice president for Tandem Construction. Awards were also given out, including the chairman’s award to Ed Hunzeker, the Manatee County administrator.

The speaker for the night was Jimmy Patronis, chief financial officer of Florida. Patronis discussed the financial health of Florida and other issues surrounding the business community.

White hydrangeas made for big centerpieces on a few of the tables.
White hydrangeas made for big centerpieces on a few of the tables.
The GCBX membership is made up of around 400 companies in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties.
The GCBX membership is made up of around 400 companies in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties.
Nate and Leah Yoder with Amy and Neil Rainford.
Nate and Leah Yoder with Amy and Neil Rainford.
Chip Swider, Admir Veljacic and Mirza Velic
Chip Swider, Admir Veljacic and Mirza Velic
Wesley Benman, Joe Hembree and William Russell
Wesley Benman, Joe Hembree and William Russell
Nick Romano and Paul Ciambriello
Nick Romano and Paul Ciambriello
Michael Bennett and Jimmy Patronis
Michael Bennett and Jimmy Patronis
Executive director Mary Doughtery and incoming chairman Brian Leaver
Executive director Mary Doughtery and incoming chairman Brian Leaver
Doug Sutter and Chuck Jacobson
Doug Sutter and Chuck Jacobson
Coleen Miller and Beth Kairns
Coleen Miller and Beth Kairns
Brian and Katherine Leaver, Kirk Bauer and Shannon Barrier
Brian and Katherine Leaver, Kirk Bauer and Shannon Barrier
Tracy Meeham and Shean Jennings
Tracy Meeham and Shean Jennings
Incoming Chairman Brian Leaver, Executive Director Mary Doughtery and Outgoing Chairman Kevin Hicks
Incoming Chairman Brian Leaver, Executive Director Mary Doughtery and Outgoing Chairman Kevin Hicks
Ron Beck, Will Robinson, John Lacivita and David Sessions
Ron Beck, Will Robinson, John Lacivita and David Sessions

 

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