The Greater Fort Myers Chamber, along with the Southwest Florida community, recognized local businesses and leaders at this year’s annual Chamber Awards, held July 25 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers.
The program celebrated the installation of the Chamber’s 2024-25 board of directors, recognized the 2023-24 committee chairs and featured an award ceremony, check presentation from the Women in Business committee and a gourmet dinner to honor the businesses and community leaders as finalists in a variety of awards categories before naming the overall winners.
“We are honored to recognize nearly two dozen finalists for their collective contributions that support our vision to make our community the best place to live, work and raise a family,” said Robert Goltz, CEO of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber. “The past few years have been extremely challenging for businesses, and we are thrilled to celebrate everything our community, finalists and winners have achieved.”
The Chamber Awards recognized a recipient in each of the following categories:
- Small Business of the Year was awarded to Face It Botox. Owned by Ryann Lavenia, Face It Botox features personalized aesthetic skin care services for both men and women, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a clean and professional environment. Lavenia and her team are committed to supporting local causes, including Blessings in a Backpack, Colon Cancer Run, Dress for Success, Meals of Hope, Partners for Breast Cancer Care, Valerie’s House and others.
- Large Business of the Year Award was awarded to Scotlynn. Led by Ryan Carter, Scotlynn is a multinational transportation and agricultural group specializing in logistics services, refrigerated transportation and fresh produce. Demonstrating a strong sense of corporate social responsibility, Scotlynn’s team members logged over 3,500 volunteer hours last year, participating in community outreach programs, educational initiatives and environmental conservation efforts. The team also raised more than $25,000 through Casual for a Cause, which was shared with various charities.
- The Community Impact Award was awarded to Stefanie Ink-Edwards of Community Cooperative. After being appointed as CEO of Community Cooperative in 2021, Edwards has led the nonprofit through the challenges of the pandemic and the devastation of Hurricane Ian with resilience and compassion. Her ability to unite her team during these trying times ensured continuous service to thousands in need. Under Edwards’ leadership, Community Cooperative served 56,021 individuals with essential food and social services in 2023.
- Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Ryan Carter of Scotlynn. As the co-owner of Scotlynn, Carter has led the company to extraordinary growth and has created hundreds of local employment opportunities. He is extremely involved in the community, which includes sitting on the board for Community Cooperative, Horizon Foundation and Lee Health Foundation. Additionally, Carter has a passion for education and nurturing future leaders, evident through his contributions to Florida Gulf Coast University’s Lutgert College of Business Advisory Council and Supply Chain Management Board.
- The Nonprofit Excellence Award was awarded to Gulf Coast Humane Society. Led by Darcy Andrade, Gulf Coast Humane Society is a no-kill animal welfare organization established as the first animal welfare organization in Southwest Florida in 1947. The shelter relies solely on donations, grants and fundraising events to further its mission of caring for the neglected and abandoned pets of Southwest Florida. In 2023, 2,284 animals were welcomed into the shelter, with 2,182 being adoptions taking place. Gulf Coast Humane Society identified that many families could not afford the rising cost of healthcare for their pets and responded by opening an affordable Veterinary Wellness Clinic and a SpayNeuter Clinic. In 2023, nearly 14,000 animals were treated at the Veterinary Wellness Clinic and 10,000 had surgeries in the SpayNeuter Clinic.
- Young Professional of the Year Award was awarded to Kelly Thawley of Florida Southwestern State College. Thawley is the assistant director of workforce recruitment & scholarships and is an experienced educator, career specialist and program manager with a history of excellence in the education management industry. Her expertise spans nonprofit organizations, coaching, classroom management, college and career readiness, FAFSA and career exploration/advising. She is a board member for Our Mother’s Home and is the founder of LEAD Like a Girl. She also previously served as co-chair of the Chamber’s Women in Business Committee and as the chair for its Level HER Up event.
- APEX Award was awarded to Dr. Sandra Pavelka of Florida Gulf Coast University. Pavelka serves as professor and founding director of the Institute for Youth and Justice Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is the 2023 recipient of the distinguished Lois Haight Award of Excellence and Innovation by the Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus, US Congress and is an internationally recognized restorative justice expert and consultant. She is extremely involved in the community, including sitting as a Pace Center for Girls, Lee advisory board member; Girls Coordinating Council, Lee County board member; chair of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, Twentieth Judicial Circuit; senior advisor for restorative justice for The Peace Alliance along with other organizational involvements.
The presenting sponsor of the 2024 Chamber Awards was Verizon, and the APEX sponsor was Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. Additional event sponsors included The City of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Weekly, Gulfshore Business, Hope Clubhouse of SWFL, Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A., Lake Michigan Credit Union, M&M Multimedia, Prawnbroker, Priority Marketing, Quantum Fiber and Stevens Construction.
To learn more about the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, visit FortMyers.org or call 239-332-2930.
About the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce:
Serving Lee County and surrounding areas since 1989, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a business organization that provides solutions and serves as a catalyst for growing the economy. The Chamber represents nearly 750 professionals and businesses throughout Southwest Florida, empowering, connecting and uniting members through meaningful networking, educational and community- and business-focused programs and events. For additional information regarding membership opportunities or events, please call 239-332-2930 or visit www.fortmyers.org. For the latest news and updates, follow the Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gfmcc.
