Laureates Edward V. Staros and Mark Wilson inducted into Business Hall of Fame
Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida recently raised $100,000 during its 2017 Business Hall of Fame, Collier County event at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples beach resort in Naples. Funds will benefit local Junior Achievement programs, which prepare students for business success through hands-on lessons on work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
During the event, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida inducted laureates Edward V. Staros, vice president and managing director of The Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Naples, and Mark Wilson, president and CEO of London Bay Homes, into its Business Hall of Fame, Collier County. Staros and Wilson joined a distinguished group of individuals who have been inducted into the Business Hall of Fame since it was founded in 1988. Approximately 500 local business professionals attended the event, along with 50 Collier County students involved with Junior Achievement, to recognize these outstanding entrepreneurs who serve as role models for youth through their professional accomplishments and commitment to the community.
“Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida is honored to recognize this year’s laureates for their tremendous professional accomplishments and dedication to the community,” said Angela Fisher, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. “We are grateful for all who came together to celebrate this year’s laureates and support Junior Achievement programs, as we work to empower the future generation of Southwest Florida business leaders.”
This year’s event title sponsors were Mutual of Omaha and Mutual of Omaha Bank. Encore Urology and Structure Medical were the diamond sponsors and Arthrex, Inc. and London Bay Homes were the platinum sponsors. Gold sponsors included Barron Collier Companies, BMO Harris Bank, Collier Enterprises, Florida Community Bank, IBERIABANK, Naples Daily News and Stock Development.
About Junior Achievement:
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. Junior Achievement programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches 4.8 million students per year in more than 100 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.6 million students served by operations over 100 other countries worldwide. Locally, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida partnered with more than 280 classroom business volunteers during the 2016-2017 school year to provide more than 10,600 students with Junior Achievement programs in more than 440 classes throughout Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. For more information on Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida visit www.JASWFL.org, call 239-225-2590 or email info@jaswfl.org.
