Awards & Recognition

Naples man honored with FAA’s Wright Brothers Award

04/20/2026

Norman Coffman II, a Naples resident and longtime aviator, was awarded the FAA’s prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award during a private ceremony at Naples Airport. Named in honor of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the award celebrates pilots with 50+ years of aviation experience who exhibit professionalism, skill and an unwavering commitment to safety. “The…

Boys & Girls Clubs names Telicia Carter as its 2026 Youth of the Year

04/20/2026

Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County has selected Telicia Carter as its 2026 Youth of the Year, an honor given annually to a club member who exemplifies leadership, academic excellence, community service and healthy lifestyles. During a celebratory event on March 7 at the Park Meadows Community Club in Fort Myers, club leadership commended…

Youth Haven awarded $500,000 grant from the Naples Children Foundation

04/20/2026

Youth Haven is honored to announce it has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Naples Children Foundation during its annual grant ceremony held in March. This generous and vital funding for fiscal year 2027 supports Youth Haven’s mission of providing home, hope and healing for youth who have experienced abuse, neglect or homelessness. “Through…

San-Cap Chamber annual meeting recaps 2025, looks forward to more success stories

04/15/2026

Florida’s tourism outlook, board introductions, community awards, and a year of successes gave the SanCap Chamber reason to celebrate at its annual meeting held April 8 at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers. Chamber 2025-26 board chair Katy Forret introduced incoming chair Michael Nachef after summarizing a year of achievements and…

Christopher Alan Homes advances to No. 80 on national homebuilder rankings

04/06/2026

Christopher Alan Homes has ranked No. 80 overall among both public and private U.S. homebuilders on Home Builder Executive’s “Top 100 Home Builders” list based on 2025 closings, continuing its steady climb among the nation’s leading homebuilders. The recognition underscores Christopher Alan Homes’ commitment to building better homes and delivering exceptional quality, trust and service…

COTI names Lai 2026 Person of the Year

04/01/2026

At its recent annual meeting, the Committee of the Islands (COTI) named SanCap Chamber president and chief executive officer John Lai as its 2026 Person of the Year. COTI board president Bill Millar presented the award, commending Lai for his leadership since he took his current position in 2018 and then seeing the chamber through…

Priority Marketing’s Teri Hansen honored as Distinguished Artist

04/01/2026

The International Network of Creatives recognized Teri Hansen as one of its 2026 Distinguished Artists for her steadfast leadership, community impact and unrivaled ability to turn creative ideas into meaningful impact across Southwest Florida and beyond. Hansen, founder, president and chief creative officer of Priority Marketing, was honored at the organization’s Spring into the Arts…

Amy Turner receives 2025 ENPY Partnership Builder Award

03/27/2026

The Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center (DHHC) announces Executive Director Amy Turner was honored with the 2025 ENPY Partnership Builder Award from The Community Foundation. She was recognized recently during the annual ENPY Awards celebration held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers. The…

STARability Foundation presents STAR Award to Connor+Gaskins

03/25/2026

STARability Foundation recently presented a STAR Award to Connor+Gaskins, a dedicated community partner and the builder behind the nonprofit’s first-of-its-kind inclusive campus in Naples. The award was presented by STARability participant and current Connor+Gaskins employee Joseph S., alongside his job coach, Rebecca Warner, and Elisabeth Del Pero, chief development officer. “We are grateful for STARability…

David Lawrence Centers receives grant from the Naples Woman’s Club

03/25/2026

David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider, has been awarded a $7,885 grant from the Naples Woman’s Club (NWC) to help ensure that uninsured and underinsured children in crisis receive timely access to evidence-based lifesaving and life-changing crisis care. DLC provides 24-hour emergency mental health and crisis stabilization…