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Tickets and sponsorships for the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida 2010 Business Hall of Fame, Collier County are now available.

At the dinner and awards ceremony on Oct. 27 at the Naples Grande Beach Resort, Junior Achievement will induct Dr. William Figlesthaler, managing partner/shareholder at Specialists in Urology, and Len Zaiser III, president, CEO and founder of Structure Medical, into the 2010 Business Hall of Fame, Collier County. The prestigious award recognizes prominent business leaders who are outstanding entrepreneurs and serve as role models for youth through their professional accomplishments and commitment to the community. Figlesthaler and Zaiser will join a distinguished group of individuals who have been inducted into the Business Hall of Fame since it was founded in 1987.

Business sponsorships are available and include tickets to the event. Tables of 10, which include two reserved seats for students, are available for $1,800 (silver sponsor level). Tables of five are available for $900 (bronze sponsor level) and include a reserved seat for one student.

Sponsors also are needed to support student admission, which is $125 per ticket. Junior Achievement students who attend the event have an opportunity to interact with local professionals and practice their etiquette skills. Additionally, half-page advertisements are available in the event program book for $500. To reserve tables or individual tickets or to become a sponsor, call the Junior Achievement office at 239-225-2590. Proceeds benefit local Junior Achievement programs.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, Inc. provides in-school and after-school programs for students in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties that focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Today, 126 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional five million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. If you would like to become a part of this thriving agency, contact the local office at 239-225-2590 or visit http://www.jaswfl.org/ on the Web.

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will induct Dr. William Figlesthaler, managing partner/shareholder at Specialists in Urology, and Len Zaiser III, president, CEO and founder of Structure Medical, into the 2010 Business Hall of Fame, Collier County, at a dinner and awards ceremony Oct. 27 at the Naples Grande Beach Resort. The prestigious award recognizes prominent business leaders who are outstanding entrepreneurs and serve as role models for youth through their professional accomplishments and commitment to the community.

Figlesthaler and Zaiser will join a distinguished group of individuals who have been inducted into the Business Hall of Fame since it was founded in 1987.

Figlesthaler started the small Naples urology group Specialists in Urology in 1997. Over the past 13 years, the practice has grown considerably to include 15 physicians, more than 250 employees and seven full service facilities from Fort Myers to Marco Island. The focus has been expanded to include surgery centers, radiation oncology centers and a clinical pathology lab. Currently, the practice provides Southwest Florida patients with the most advanced state-of-the-art technology and treatments for urological and other types of cancers. Specialists in Urology has an extensive clinical research department that participates in 15 to 20 clinical trials at any given time, which allows the practice to offer international cutting-edge treatments to patients even before they are available to the general population.

Supporting employees, through an exceptional benefits program, and giving back to the community are priorities for Figelsthaler. The Specialists in Urology team participates in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and supports organizations that help those suffering from abuse and breast cancer. The company is also a major sponsor of the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County. For seven years running, Specialists in Urology has provided free prostate cancer screenings with thousands of free exams and blood tests in Lee and Collier counties. They also lead the local chapters of both “Us Too International” and “Man to Man,” which are national prostate cancer educational and support groups.

Zaiser is a lifelong entrepreneur who has founded many companies within the medical device and aerospace industries and holds multiple patents for his inventions. He has been recognized for his unique engineering talent and creative ability using state-of-the-art precision machine tools and equipment. Currently, he is founder, president and CEO of Structure Medical LLC, a leading manufacturer of medical implant products that are used by orthopedic surgeons to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use these medical devices to treat trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, tumor and congenital conditions.

Zaiser founded the Naples-based company in 2004 and established a second facility in Mooresville, N.C. two years later. The company was quickly recognized and rewarded with significant market share due to its unique design and manufacturing ability, and today it is a top one-percent supplier to global industry leaders. Zaiser is also a philanthropist, giving back to the community through organizations such as Boys & Girls Club of Collier County, Naples High School Academic Booster Club and The Community School of Naples.

Many Collier County students involved with Junior Achievement will attend the Hall of Fame event, where they can interact with local professionals and practice their etiquette skills. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the event are now available. Proceeds benefit local Junior Achievement programs. For event tickets and sponsorship information, call the Junior Achievement office at 239-225-2590.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, Inc. provides in-school and after-school programs for students in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties that focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Today, 126 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional five million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. If you would like to become a part of this thriving agency, contact the local office at 239-225-2590 or visit http://www.jaswfl.org/ on the Web.

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida announces the members of its 2010 Business Hall of Fame, Collier County, Advisory Board. The chair is Craig Sherman, executive vice president/chief loan officer of EverBank.

Other members selected to this year’s board include: Lisa Barnett Van Dien, attorney with Cheffy Passidomo, P.A.; Wilma Boyd, president/CEO of Preferred Travel of Naples; Carleton Case, vice president, business development of Brown & Brown Benefits; Clay W. Cone, president of Cone Communications Company; Kristin Conroy, attorney with Conroy, Conroy & Durrant; John English, PE, vice president/principal of WilsonMiller Inc.; Carl Howes, vice president/controller of Pachira Company; Dr. Paul Jones of Dr. Paul Jones, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.; Jerry F. Nichols, executive vice president of Brown & Brown Benefits; David Port, senior vice president of Northern Trust Bank; Katie Sproul, vice president of real estate for Barron Collier Companies; and Len Zaiser IV, senior vice president and general manager of Structure Medical LLC.

The advisory board selects laureates for the 2010 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, Collier County, which recognizes individuals who have served as positive role models and have made significant contributions to the local business community. The 2010 Business Hall of Fame, Collier County event will take place October 27 at the Naples Grande Beach Resort.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students that focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Today, 138 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional five million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. For more information, contact the local office at 239-225-2590 or visit http://www.jaswfl.org/ on the Web.

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida is being honored with the worldwide organization’s Peak Performance Award for 2009. The award recognizes 12 of Junior Achievement’s 149 area offices for superior annual performance in contributing to the overall growth and development of the organization.

To qualify for the award, the 12 winning offices had to earn Junior Achievement’s Summit Award for fiscal year 2008-2009 and fiscal year 2007-2008, show growth in student participation and report a current year operating surplus.

“We are grateful to all our supporters for making this accomplishment possible during these challenging economic times,” says Victoria Stephan, president of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. “Our entire staff also deserves much credit for their hard work and commitment to achieving excellence.”

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students that focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Today, 138 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional five million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. For more information, contact the local office at 239-225-2590 or visit http://www.jaswfl.org/ on the Web.

Tickets still are available for Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida’s Business Hall of Fame, 2010 Lee County. The dinner and awards ceremony will take place May 5 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Estero.

At the event, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida (JA) will induct Jim Nathan, president of Lee Memorial Health System, and Tom Uhler, a founding principal of Uhler and Vertich Financial Planners into the Business Hall of Fame. The prestigious honor recognizes prominent business leaders for their professional accomplishments and commitment to the community.

Sponsorships are still available as well. Platinum sponsorships are available for $7,500. Gold sponsorships are $5,000, while silver and bronze sponsorships are $1,650 and $850, respectively. Each sponsorship level offers a variety of benefits designed to provide sponsors with exposure in the business community. In addition, student sponsorships are available at the cost of $125 per ticket. By attending the event, students have a first-hand opportunity to practice business etiquette skills and interact with local professionals.

BB&T Insurance Services/Oswald Trippe & Company is the title sponsor for the event. Currently, Edison National Bank, FineMark National Bank & Trust, Hope Hospice and Lee Memorial Health System in conjunction with Lee Memorial Health System Foundation are gold sponsors.

Individual tickets are $250. Half-page advertisements for the event program book are $500. All proceeds benefit JA programs. To sponsor the event or purchase tickets, call the Junior Achievement office at 239-225-2590.

About Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students that focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Today, 138 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional five million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. For more information, contact the local office at 239-225-2590 or visit www.JASWFL.org on the Web.

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida announces BB&T Insurance Services/Oswald Trippe & Company will be the title sponsor for the organization’s Business Hall of Fame, 2010 Lee County. In addition, Edison National Bank, Hope Hospice and Lee Memorial Health System in conjunction with Lee Memorial Health System Foundation will be gold sponsors.

The Business Hall of Fame, 2010 Lee County dinner and awards ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on May 5 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Estero. At the event, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will induct Jim Nathan of Lee Memorial Health System and Tom Uhler of Uhler and Vertich Financial Planners LLC. into the Lee County Business Hall of Fame. The prestigious honor recognizes prominent business leaders for their professional accomplishments and commitment to the community.

Gold sponsorships are still available for $5,000, while silver and bronze sponsorships are $1,650 and $850 respectively. Each sponsorship level offers a variety of benefits designed to provide sponsors with exposure in the business community. In addition, student sponsorships are available at the cost of $125 per ticket. By attending the event, students have a first-hand opportunity to practice business etiquette skills and interact with local professionals. Additionally, advertisements are available in the event program book for $500 for a half-page and $1,000 for a full-page.

Proceeds benefit Junior Achievement youth programs. To reserve tables or individual tickets or to become a sponsor, call the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida office at 239-225-2590.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students that focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Today, 138 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional five million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. For more information, contact the local office at 239-225-2590 or visit http://www.jaswfl.org/ on the Web.

Tickets and sponsorships now are available for Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida’s 2010 Business Hall of Fame, Lee County. The dinner and awards ceremony will take place May 5 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Estero.

At the event, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida (JA) will induct Jim Nathan, president of Lee Memorial Health System, and Tom Uhler, a founding principal of Uhler and Vertich Financial Planners into the Business Hall of Fame. The prestigious award recognizes prominent business leaders for their professional accomplishments and commitment to the community.

Gold sponsorships are available for $5,000, while silver and bronze sponsorships are $1,650 and $850 respectively. Each sponsorship level offers a variety of benefits designed to provide sponsors with exposure in the business community. In addition, student sponsorships are available at the cost of $125 per ticket. By attending the event, students have a first-hand opportunity to practice business etiquette skills and interact with local professionals.

Individual seats are $250. Half-page advertisements for the event program book are $500. All proceeds benefit JA programs. To sponsor the event or purchase tickets, call the Junior Achievement office at 239-225-2590.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students that focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Today, 138 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional five million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. For more information, contact the local office at 239-225-2590 or visit http://www.jaswfl.org/ on the Web.

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will induct Jim Nathan, president of Lee Memorial Health System, and Tom Uhler, a founding principal of Uhler and Vertich Financial Planners, into the 2010 Business Hall of Fame, Lee County, at a dinner and awards ceremony on May 5 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Estero. The prestigious award recognizes prominent business leaders who are outstanding entrepreneurs and serve as role models for youth through their professional accomplishments and commitment to the community.

Nathan and Uhler will join a distinguished group of individuals who have been inducted into the Business Hall of Fame since it was founded in 1987.

After a six-year career selling cars in his family’s automobile business and serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, Nathan earned master’s degrees from Xavier University and moved to Lee County to begin a one-year residency at Lee Memorial Hospital. Upon completion of his residency, he was offered the position of vice president at Lee Memorial Hospital and went on to become president and CEO in 1981. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a single hospital to a large system of acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a skilled nursing facility, home health services, outpatient facilities and physician group practices. Nathan left the company in 1997 to provide leadership consulting and pursue interests in national healthcare reform, including testimony before the U.S. Senate. He returned to Lee Memorial Health System in 2000 and continues to serve as president. Nathan holds a bachelor’s degree from Miami University and master’s degrees in business administration and health care administration from Xavier University. Nathan is a leader in professional organizations such as Hospital Safety Net Alliance of Florida, Florida Hospital Association, VHA-Southeast and American College of Healthcare Executives. He serves the community as a board member for Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, American Heart Association of Lee County, Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Coalition for a Drug-Free Lee County and The American Red Cross of Lee County.  Most recently, he was named in Gulfshore Life magazine’s “Men and Women of the Decade” and received the title “A Champion of the Movement” by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee.

A 30-year veteran of the financial services profession and a member of the Financial Planning Association, Uhler is founding principal of Uhler and Vertich Financial Planners, an independent firm specializing in comprehensive estate, financial, retirement and investment planning for successful families. This entrepreneur also founded The Wine Merchant in Fort Myers and is a member of the Society of Wine Educators. A frequent speaker on financial planning, investments and food and wine, Uhler is frequently called upon by local media as a resource for stories on food, vintner’s specialities and wine collecting. Uhler holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Susquehanna University. A resident of Sanibel Island since 1977, Uhler has been an active community leader, serving on the boards for organizations such as Kiwanis Club of Sanibel-Captiva Islands, Good Neighbor Community Foundation of Sanibel-Captiva, Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Association, United Way of Lee County and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF). He has a special interest in assisting nonprofit organizations with planned giving efforts and has helped a number of Lee County groups identify, educate and establish long term relationships with donors. He is a life member of the National Eagle Scout Association, a former Cub master and serves on the Council Executive Board and Endowment Investment Committee of the Southwest Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Many Lee County students involved with Junior Achievement will attend the Hall of Fame event, where they can interact with local professionals and practice their etiquette skills. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the event are now available. Proceeds benefit Junior Achievement programs. For event tickets and sponsorship information, call the Junior Achievement office at 239-225-2590.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students which focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Today, 138 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional five million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. For more information, contact the local office at 239-225-2590, or visit http://www.jaswfl.org/ on the Web.

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will honor prominent business leaders and induct them into the 2010 Business Hall of Fame, Lee County, at a dinner and awards ceremony on May 5 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Estero. The prestigious award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who serve as role models for youth through their professional accomplishments and commitment to the community.

Many Lee County students involved with Junior Achievement will attend the Hall of Fame event, where they can interact with local professionals and practice their etiquette skills. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the event now are available. Proceeds benefit Junior Achievement programs. For event tickets and sponsorship information, call the Junior Achievement office at 239-225-2590.

About Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students which focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Locally, Junior Achievement will reach more than 10,000 students in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties during 2009-2010 school year. Today, 138 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional five million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. For more information, contact the local office at 239-225-2590, or visit www.JASWFL.org on the Web.

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida announces its Business Hall of Fame Advisory Board, Lee County co-chairs and members for 2010.

Richard Durnwald, president of Northwestern Mutual/Durnwald & Associates, and Dilman Thomas, executive vice president and director of client relations for Oswald Trippe & Company, will serve as co-chairs. Other members selected to this year’s board include: Cliff Chaipel of Larson Allen; Jamie Gates, MS, RD of Wayne M. Burr, M.D., PL; Marcia Hobe of US Trust Private Wealth Management; Butch McGovern of McGovern Group LLC; Charlotte Miller of Florida Power & Light; Steven Pontius of Waterman Broadcasting; Robbie Roepstorff of Edison National Bank; and Laurel Smith of Gravina Smith & Matte.

The advisory board selects laureates for the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals who have served as positive role models and have made significant contributions to the program.

In 2010, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will serve more than 9,500 students in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties with the help of more than 350 volunteers. Junior Achievement’s in-school and after-school programs are designed to educate students in grades K-12 with age-appropriate curricula focused on work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.JASWFL.org or call the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida office at 239-225-2590.