2022 Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 - Gulfshore Business
There's no age requirement for excellence. You might have heard the aphorism "Youth is wasted on the young," but it's generally credited to Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, a famously bitter curmudgeon—and besides, counterexamples can be found all around us. Take a good look at the Southwest Florida workforce and you'll see every profession being elevated and energized through the dedication and drive of younger generations. We're pleased to celebrate their efforts by presenting the Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 for 2022.
Inside you'll see representatives of dozens of industries from law to dentistry, real estate to public education, speech therapy to photography. And while their efforts at those vocations are undeniably impressive, inclusion in this list requires more than professional excellence and comparative youth; each honoree has also dedicated extra energy, time and talent to making his or her community a little better through philanthropic work and volunteer support for nonprofit organizations.
The drive to succeed, the passion to pursue their dreams, the caring and commitment to improve the quality of life for all of us—these young members of our Southwest Florida community are true inspirations, and it's our pleasure to shine a spotlight on this year's 40 Under 40. They've earned it.
Elizabeth Beans
30
Associate Director of Horticulture
Naples Botanical Garden
Drawn by its biodiversity, Elizabeth Beans moved to Southwest Florida seven years ago after studying botany and environmental science at Miami University in Ohio. Now serving as the associate director of horticulture at Naples Botanical Garden, she can truly say that her job is focused on growth.
"This job allows me to express my love of nature and to fulfill my creative instincts by designing landscapes or helping others fulfill their visions. Gardening is a fantastic form of therapy, and I feel like we are in a new age of gardening," she says. "For many people, the Garden serves as an introduction to the natural world. My hope is that a visit to the Garden helps visitors realize the importance of its preservation, motivates them to make more sustainable decisions at home and prompts them to consider the environment when casting ballots at the polls."
In addition to her work at the Garden, Beans has helped with beach dune restoration on Sanibel Island, coordinated Collier Community Foundation plantings from the beaches to local parks and medians and participated in oyster reef restoration near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee.
Stephanie Neurock
32
District Representative
The Office of Congressman Byron Donalds
Plenty of people say they're passionate about their job. But in her career, Stephanie Neurock has been especially passionate about helping veterans. That's because she's an Army veteran herself.
"My goal is to help veteran-owned businesses," she says. "That's why I'm proud to spearhead and co-host the annual SWFL Veterans Expo with FGCU, where we take a holistic approach to ensure veterans know the benefits and resources available to them."
Along with being a volunteer and key stakeholder in many nonprofit organizations, Neurock chairs the Veterans Business Council through SWFL Inc., which holds free monthly workshops and networking events dedicated to building a prosperous business community for all veterans. She also advocates for the interests of veteran businesses on the Horizon Inclusion and Diversity Committee. Neurock now serves as a district representative for Congressman Byron Donalds. In that capacity, she helps constituents remediate issues with the federal government and relays the needs of constituents to the Washington D.C. office.
Steven J. Adamczyk
39
Partner
Varnum LLP
Steve Adamczyk graduated with honors from the University of Florida law school in 2008 and immediately began practicing law in his hometown of Naples. Now a partner at Varnum LLP, he says he's aiming even higher, professionally and personally.
"My dad instilled in me early that if you are going to do something, do it right. I believe that passion and hard work can yield incredible results, and giving your best to every commitment is crucial to achieving great results," he says. "I recently obtained my MBA and want to bring my business-oriented approach to help clients dream big, do great things and achieve their goals with effective legal counsel to partner in their journeys."
In addition to his legal work, Adamczyk also teaches legal classes, publishes articles on legal topics and tries to explain complex legal matters in a simple, fun manner. He has volunteered with the American Heart Association and currently serves on the board of the American Red Cross. Adamczyk said one of his most rewarding moments was his time spent serving as the Red Cross liaison to elected officials in Southwest Florida following the devastation of Hurricane Irma.
Jesi Cason
36
Owner/Branding Photographer
Jesi Cason Photography
Jesi Cason began as a photographer in 2007 and opened her own photography business 13 years later. And, while she said her style lends itself well to loud, proud, impossible-to-ignore clients who want to differentiate themselves from their competitors, the best business advice she ever received had nothing to do with photography.
"When I got my first camera, I reached out to a wedding videographer in my hometown and asked her if I should go to school and study photography. She essentially told me, 'I went to school and studied photography. I should have studied business. You can learn photography on your own, but business and marketing skills are what artists really need,'" she says. "I took this to heart and her advice helped me see the importance of prioritizing good business practices, which made it possible for me to be a full-time professional photographer today."
Away from her business, Cason serves on the Diversity and Inclusion committee of the AAF-SWFL and volunteers for the Neighborhood Accountability Board for Lee County Human & Veteran Services. She also works with Love Your Rebellion to promote marginalized people through the arts.
Stephanie Ahasic
38
Owner
Synergy Health
In 2012, Stephanie Ahasic opened a small chiropractic clinic in Naples with one employee. Today, Synergy Health is a thriving, multidisciplinary practice with more than 30 employees. She also plans to open the Thrive IV Bar to offer a range of therapies including IV drips, cryotherapy, aesthetic treatments and more. But that's just the tip of her passion for quality health care, and for life.
"Our motto at Synergy Health is Make Naples Better, and for me, that goes far beyond just physical health," says Ahasic. "Yes, I am committed to helping people feel better physically. But I am also committed to supporting the people who give so much to this community, like schoolteachers and first responders, as well as the local organizations committed to helping those most in need."
Ahasic's recent community projects include packing meals for school-aged children during the pandemic, annual toy and school supply drives for students at Title I schools throughout Collier County and co-chairing the charity golf outing for David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, or DLC. In addition, at the beginning of each school year, she often sends team members to local schools to provide free massages for teachers and staff.
Justin Lammers
34
Entrepreneur
Grab N Go Kayaks/YouTube
Though he was working full-time as a nurse, Justin Lammers would occasionally upload videos of what he called his "aquatic adventure" to his YouTube channel, called KayakDIY. Over time, his videos of kayaking, fishing, diving and boat building helped turn his passion into a full-time career and garnered the attention of major outdoor and marine companies.
"My father said, 'Do what you love so that you never work a day in your life.' I definitely took that to heart," Lammers says. "In addition to KayakDIY, I run a kayak rental delivery service called Grab N Go Kayaks in Cape Coral, and my fishing genre TikTok account operates as a small business for advertising fishing products."
Aside from his many business endeavors, Lammers has a passion for helping his community and struggling local businesses. Through his YouTube channel, he has funded clean water efforts in Southwest Florida and organized funds from a paid YouTube sponsorship to help feed the homeless. He has also provided fishing gear and kayaks to vacationing families struggling with terminal illness, while also donating his time and marketing skills to struggling local businesses.
Sloan Nagy
31
Asset Management
Brookfield Properties
After growing up in Naples, Sloan Nagy graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York, with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in education. Today, she serves as an asset manager for Brookfield Properties, focusing on the company's strategic plan for Coastland Center.
"The best advice I ever received was 'Listen to learn.' If you're going to be successful at making an impact, it is important to understand the issues and challenges from many points of view," she says. "That's important, because in my work with Coastland Center, I work with the general manager, operations manager and group business development representatives. I also work with tenant coordination, national accounts and city and town officials to ensure effective communication, coordination and programming of business development, strategic partnerships and marketing activities for the center."
When not at work, Nagy enjoys giving back to the community. She is a board member for Habitat for Humanity NextGen, co-chair of the LCF Matching Needs Committee and a member of the CCPS NAF Advisory Board Committee. She also volunteers for STARability Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
Alex Breault
33
Vice President of Teen Initiatives
Boys & Girls Club of Collier County
A Naples native, Alex Breault is the vice president of Teen Initiatives at the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County, or BGCCC. She also works with the FutureMakers Coalition, or FMC, as its partnership manager to help further the agency's goal of ensuring adults in SWFL have high-quality credentials to fill the workforce gaps in the area.
"The best advice I ever received was 'Learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.' To me, this meant asking those difficult questions everyone wants to ask but does not," she says. "I want to apply that to help serve more students and families in our region, to ensure they have an understanding of local career opportunities and have the skills and the knowledge to create a plan or have an idea on how to reach their full potential."
On top of her work, Breault serves on the Early Learning Coalition of SWFL Board and Taste of Immokalee Board, is chair of the CCPS NAF Advisory Board and is a member of FGCU's Advisory Board for PAGES Program. She is also a member of the Child's Path Advisory Board and serves as a co-chair for committees with FMC and Future Ready Collier.
Matt Sellick
39
President
Stock Development Corporation
Originally from Stuart, Florida, Matt Sellick was always drawn to the home building and construction business. After graduation from Florida State University, Sellick accepted a position as a superintendent at Stock Development and began learning the business. But, though he's now president of Stock's building divisions, along the way, Sellick also learned about building relationships.
"My mentor, Brian Stock, instilled in me that you are only as good as your people. Surround yourself with good people and you will be successful. This is something that has stuck with me to this day and something I will continue to do throughout my career," Sellick says. "I learned the value of a strong organizational culture and a commitment to excellence. My goal is to continuously elevate the team and the quality of the homebuilding experience they deliver to customers."
Sellick currently serves as president and a board member of the Collier Building Industry Association, or CBIA, and mentors FGCU students in construction and related career paths. In addition, he raised $250,000 for the construction of the Golisano Children's Hospital in gratitude for their work with his son, who was born prematurely.
Elizabeth Kurtz Isbell
31
Business Development
Kurtz Homes Naples and The Collective Naples
A Naples native, Elizabeth Kurtz Isbell earned a business degree from the University of Central Florida, and currently works at Kurtz Homes Naples and The Collective Naples, a high-end design center, covering marketing, events and business development. It was her grandfather who provided the best business lesson on giving back.
"My Papa, Ron Kurtz, who co-founded Kurtz Home Naples, always said, 'Be a good steward of the things entrusted to you.' My Papa saw everything he was given as something to be given back. He knew the value of relationships and instilling this principle in the next generation," she says. "As his granddaughter, I have seen two generations before me live this out personally and professionally. This is something that will continue to drive what I do and will be a motivating factor in the roles that have been entrusted to me."
Isbell is also invested in the community through the STARability Foundation and as president of the Naples Design District, Southwest Florida's creative quarter. She is currently working to support the refurbishment of the Naples Design District.
Corina Castellano
37
Project Manager
Suffolk Construction
Arriving in the United States from Venezuela to attend college in 2000, Corina Castellano earned a bachelor's degree in arts and landscape architecture and master's in construction management from Florida International University. Although construction ranks among Southwest Florida's top industries, Castellano stands out as one of the few women in that field.
"Women comprise less than 10% of the total construction workforce in Southwest Florida. I want to use my knowledge and experience to empower women in the industry to have a voice and to follow their dreams," she says. "I have always tried to learn something new every day and to not fear change, as with change comes opportunities, new knowledge and growth. I think that is what has helped me develop an ever-evolving portfolio in my career, and to contribute to the construction and development of some wonderful properties."
Away from the construction sites, Castellano volunteers at her church teaching children's Sunday School, by helping to feed the homeless and through a youth-based ministry called Awana. She is also a member of a company fundraising group that supports her fellow Suffolk employees through life-altering tragedies, as well as the company's coastal cleanup and Build-A-Bike project.
John Paul Bratcher
36
Partner
Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP
As an attorney at Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, John Paul Bratcher focuses his legal practice in the areas of private wealth preservation, estate planning, estate and trust administration, business law and fiduciary litigation. But he's always looking for ways to improve, too.
"My college soccer coach always challenged my teammates and me by asking, 'Can it be better? Can you do better?' regarding anything from our quality of play and skill level to our effort and attitude, and even off the field," he says. "My role as an estate planning and private wealth attorney is often described as being 'in-house counsel' to my clients. That means that many times I directly assist my clients and, on occasion, introduce them to a partner or colleague who is better suited to help them with the issue. I'm more capable in that role now than when I started practicing, and I intend to continue that growth throughout my career."
In the community, Bratcher has been involved with the Collier Community Foundation and The Shelter for Abused Women & Children. He has also served as a volunteer assistant track and cross country coach at Gulf Coast High School.
Jennifer Carbajal
30
Co-Owner
Green Cup Cafe
Green Cup Cafe Co-Owner Jennifer Carbajal is a native of Fort Myers and a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University. Her goal for the Green Cup Cafe is to create a positive, peaceful space where people gather, dine healthy and practice sustainability—and her path in the business world actually began before she was born.
"My dad started his business in 1989 in New Jersey, from zero. Migrating from another country, learning the language and culture, opening a business and raising three children was a dream he conquered," she says. "He taught me numerous lessons in my life that shaped who I am today; from mastering resilience [to] gaining confidence, practicing optimism, practicing philanthropy and, most importantly, to always give more and never forget where I came from. I am a contagiously positive person who is optimistic and compassionate toward people, and will continue to strive to fulfill the community through the Green Cup Cafe."
In addition to working to make her business serve as a community hub, Carbajal has also dedicated her time to several local nonprofit organizations. That includes serving as a mentor, teacher and volunteer with Lee Health, Children's Advocacy and United Way.
Lauren Dunford
37
Practice Administrator
Collins Vision
After earning a marketing degree from Stetson University, Sanibel native Lauren Dunford took on a couple of post-graduate jobs. But accepting a new position at Collins Vision, an ophthalmology clinic, helped her see her job and her community differently.
"To market a product or a service successfully, you have to know everything about it, and I knew nothing about eyes. I set out to learn everything I could, and found that the more I learned, the more I wanted to know," she says. "One of my favorite hats to wear has been creating the vision and core values that have become synonymous with the way Collins Vision conducts business. One of those core values states that we are 'Humble Servants of our patients, each other and our community.' Through the years, we've shown tremendous growth, and through it all, we've also been able to create a culture of giving back to a community that has given so much to all of us."
In addition to her work at Collins Vision, Dunford is active in many capacities with United Way. She also donated her time to Special Equestrians, Captains For Clean Water and many other organizations.
Kristen Dimas
32
Physician, Medical Director, Graduate Medical Residency Program
Lee Health
Born at Lee Memorial Hospital and raised in Immokalee, Kristen Dimas grew up with dreams of helping her community. After graduating from Florida State University College of Medicine in 2016, she returned to Southwest Florida to complete her residency training, and today serves as medical director of the Family Medicine residency at Lee Health.
"One of my goals is to address health disparities for underserved populations and to care for all patients, regardless of socio-economic status. And I want to recruit and train more outstanding physicians dedicated to this community mission," she says. "As co-chair for a health disparities sub-committee devoted to positively impacting and evaluating those disparities and developing working solutions to address those disparities, we were able to identify the specific disparity, the key operational issue and resources needed to address the gaps. This collaborative work resulted in a recent $3.2 million grant to support community outreach efforts and partners to impact obesity, diabetes, hypertension, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and more."
The efforts of Dimas and her health disparities committee supported the Barbershop Wellness Program, the Mobile Medicine Program, the Community Partnership School and more.
Daniel Winokur
38
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
WestShore OMS Specialists
Though he grew up in a small beach town in New Jersey and came from a family of pediatric dentists, Daniel Winokur wanted to forge his own path. After playing college golf and graduating from The George Washington University Business School, he worked at an investment bank until 2008. But then, he decided to forge yet another path.
"I wasn't feeling fulfilled in my career, so I decided to leave finance. I then completed my surgical and medical training at Jackson Memorial Hospital and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine specializing in oral and maxillofacial surgery. I am now a partner at WestShore OMS Specialists," he says. "I am double board certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery and anesthesia, and have traveled on mission trips to multiple countries providing health care to those less fortunate."
Winokur also strives to serve the Southwest Florida community and works closely with the Neighborhood Health Clinic. He also volunteers as a study club leader and has been working to encourage decreased narcotic use as a means of postoperative pain management. In addition, Winokur serves as a lecturer and educator regarding opioid addiction with adolescents and anesthesia safety.
Ashley Hancock
37
Owner/Speech Language
Pathologist
Play On Words Therapy
Ashley Hancock grew up in a small Kentucky town that emphasized teamwork, family values and interpersonal connection despite varying backgrounds and beliefs. After earning her master's degree in speech-language pathology from Murray State University, she dreamed of one day opening her own private practice specializing in pediatrics. And when businesses were forced to close during the COVID-19 quarantine, Hancock saw an opening.
"With several schools and therapy clinics closing their doors, a multitude of children were left without necessary therapy services. I wanted to provide these children with the services they needed to thrive in their community. That's when I opened Play on Words Pediatric Therapy and began to see clients one-on-one in the office," she says. "Since then, we have expanded and developed into a comprehensive pediatric clinic, offering speech, occupational, feeding and teletherapy services. The teletherapy branch of the clinic allows our staff to serve not only children in the Naples community, but also the pediatric population throughout the entire state of Florida."
Outside her work in the clinic, Hancock provides free speech and language screenings to local daycares and pre-schools. She also offers teletherapy services to low income and underserved areas such as Labelle and Immokalee.
Kelly Thawley
38
College and Career Specialist, Certified Career Advisor
School District of Lee County
Kelly Thawley graduated from Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, with a bachelor's degree in education and a minor in psychology. As a college and career specialist for the School District of Lee County, Thawley's passion is helping students discover their own passion.
"I oversee work-based learning, career exploration and business partnerships, from kindergarten through 12th grade, within the Career and Technical Education Department. My goal is to help students discover their passions, connecting them to the local workforce in Southwest Florida and encouraging them on the pathway to a successful career," she says. "I am also deeply committed to inspiring young women to follow their dreams and fulfill their true potential."
To fulfill her goal of helping young women grow and thrive, Thawley serves on the planning committee for the LEAD Like a Girl program, on the board of directors for Our Mother's Home and as the chair of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce's Women in Business Committee. She is also a proud FutureMaker and was a member of SWFL Inc.'s Leadership Class of 2020. In the future, she hopes to continue serving the community and students by helping to connect education and workforce development.
Geoffrey Hunter
33
Branch Manager
Raymond James
Born and raised in Naples, Geoff Hunter graduated from Gulf Coast High School and attended Florida State University, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in finance. He started his professional career with Raymond James Financial in its corporate headquarters in St. Petersburg, but when the opportunity arose to manage the company's Naples office, he relocated back to his hometown.
"I believe in having a servant leader mindset in all things, whether it's work, community involvement or my family," he says. "At work, my role is to support my advisors and associates with achieving their goals; my success is tied to and dependent on theirs. Outside the office, I want to stay involved in the community, because this is where I was born and raised. I want to support its continued growth and development."
Hunter volunteers his time and resources serving on the board of directors for Cancer Alliance of Naples and the Seminole Club of Naples. He has also involved his office in food drives, toy drives, Habitat for Humanity builds and volunteering for the Boys and Girls Club and United Way campaigns.
Alexis Barkis
33
Attorney, Labor and Employment Law
Quarles & Brady LLP
A Southwest Florida native, Alexis Barkis works as a management-side employment lawyer at Quarles & Brady LLP, counseling businesses in labor and employment law and representing employers in workplace-related litigation. She also performs pro bono work assisting families seeking asylum in the United States. To handle her busy schedule, Barkis follows some advice she was given in law school.
"A mentor of mine once told me to be 'like a duck.' That might seem like an odd analogy, but the idea is to stay calm, cool and unruffled on the surface while paddling like crazy underneath," she says. "I think this is particularly important in my profession, as it is essential to remain composed and portray confidence to clients, colleagues and opposing counsel, when behind the scenes you may be working frantically to navigate through a difficult matter."
Outside the courtroom, Barkis serves on the board of directors of Fun Time Early Childhood Academy, a nonprofit preschool that provides safe, quality care for children of low-income working parents, and as a board officer for HR Collier, an organization for human resources professionals. She is also active in the local bar associations, including the Lee County Association for Women Lawyers.
Brian Konkel
36
7-Eleven Franchisee/Licensed Real Estate Broker Associate
7-Eleven/MVP Realty
For most people, balancing one full-time job with family life is demanding enough. But Brian Konkel, who owns five 7-Eleven franchise locations in Southwest Florida, sees things differently.
"My wife and I purchased our first 7-Eleven gas station franchise 10 years ago, and we now own and operate five locations in Southwest Florida. I've also been helping clients as a real estate broker with MVP Realty for 10 years," he says. "In all facets of my life, I've always gone back to a quote from motivational speaker Les Brown, who said, 'If you do what is easy, your life will be hard. If you do what is hard, your life will be easy.' That helps me stay focused and take on the hard tasks that will eventually help me have an easy life."
In addition to work, Konkel is passionate about community involvement, and through his 7-Eleven stores, has donated hundreds of pounds of food for food banks and a local mental health facility. He has also raised thousands of dollars through fundraisers for families that have fallen victim to drunk driving and fatal diseases.
W.T. Pearson
33
Owner/Broker
Pearson Commercial
Real Estate Service LLC
A lifelong resident of Naples, William Thomas "W.T." Pearson received his undergraduate degree in business management and real estate. Earning his licensure in 2012, he now represents buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords in commercial transactions all across Southwest Florida. It was his grandfather who gave him the advice he still follows today.
"My grandfather, W.T. Starks, stressed the importance of maintaining a positive mental attitude. No matter the challenges that life throws my way, I always try to re-center myself by intentionally cultivating a positive mental attitude," he says. "I look forward to building my business and my family here in Naples. It has always been home, and I can't imagine raising a family anywhere else."
Pearson also has a passion for giving back to the area where he grew up, as well ...
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