John Passidomo named recipient of 2025 Leadership Collier Distinguished Alumni Award

The Leadership Collier Foundation, an affiliate of the Greater Naples Chamber, is proud to announce that John Passidomo, a graduate of the Leadership Collier Class of 1990, has been selected as recipient of the 2025 Leadership Collier Distinguished Alumni award. Passidomo will be recognized posthumously at the Leadership Collier and Associate Leadership Collier graduation on May 21. The event begins at 5 p.m. and will be held at Gulfshore Playhouse, 100 Goodlette-Frank Road in Naples.

The Distinguished Alumni award is presented annually to an individual who fulfills the mission of the Leadership Collier Foundation through continued education and work toward community solutions in the public interest.

“John Passidomo truly exemplified the mission of the Leadership Collier Foundation, working tirelessly to activate the potential of leaders to build a stronger Collier County,” said Kristina Park, the president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber. “His dedication to Collier County – from his time on Naples City Council and distinguished legal career to his extensive involvement in nonprofits and continued mentorship – embodies the LCF’s mission to give alumni the tools they need to be informed, be engaged and be the difference in our community.”

John Passidomo passed away in April of 2024.

A New York native, John Passidomo moved to Naples in 1979. A real estate lawyer who specialized in land use and zoning, he opened his own practice with partner Ed Cheffy in 1993. As an attorney, he played a role in virtually every major development project in Naples over the past 40 years and was instrumental in the redevelopment of Fifth Avenue South and its emergence as one of the premier destinations in the United States.

A dedicated public servant, John Passidomo served as chair of the Naples Planning Advisory Board from 1986 to 1990; a member of Naples City Council, including serving as vice mayor, from 1990 to 1992; chairman of the Economic Development Council of Collier County from 1995 to 1997; and chairman of Community Foundation of Collier County from 1998 to 2001. He also served as the president of the Collier Bar Association and chairman of the Real Estate Attorney’s Section. In 2000, he and his wife, Kathleen Passidomo, were named Outstanding Collier County Citizens of the Year by the Naples Daily News. In 2003, he was selected as a Laureate in the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida Leadership Hall of Fame.

“John was the type of leader whose legacy is not defined by the titles he held, but by the people he inspired. John was so meaningful to everyone who knew him. He was the love of my life. He was a guiding light for our girls. He was a transformational leader for our community,” said state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo. “I am so grateful for this recognition of his impact.”

Scott Salley, one of the co-founders of Leadership Collier, will present the award to the Passidomo family during Leadership Collier and Associate Leadership Collier graduation. Graduation is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the Leadership Collier and Associate Leadership Collier classes of 2025.
Tickets to graduation are $45 and are available for purchase.

For more information on Leadership Collier and Associate Leadership Collier graduations, visit business.napleschamber.org/LCFgraduationassociateleadershipcollier.