40 Under 40 (Lee-Collier)

By Business Observer Staff
| 6:00 p.m. July 20, 2007
| 2 Free Articles Remaining!

Entrepreneurs

From attorneys to veterinarians, you can bet this year's class of 40 Under 40 profiled in the following pages will be tomorrow's Gulf Coast leaders. Many of them already are. Selected by the Review editors from more than 200 nominations, their influence is now felt in a wide range of industries throughout the Gulf Coast.

Women make up nearly half the group. Seven are in their 20s. In the case of Sarasota-based LexJet (see page 1 photo), 17 senior staffers are under the age of 40 and many are barely 30. There are three bankers, five attorneys and three developers.

Some skydive to let off steam while others devote free time to their growing families. A common thread is active community involvement. Our favorite line from the bunch: Asked what he would do with a magic wand, one respondent said, "I'd give everybody a 'do-over' every five years."

LEE/COLLIER

Jason Breed, 35

Senior director of sales operations,

Neighborhood America

Education: B.S. in management, University of South Carolina

First job: Stocking shelves at Walgreens in high school

Years on Gulf Coast: 4

Marital Status: Married 10 years, three children

Hours worked per week: 55

Favorite book: "The Great Plains Series" (6 books) by Mari Sandoz

Business person you most admire: Warren Buffet

Most useful Web sites for work: Linked In, Jigsaw, Salesforce, ZoomInfo

What book has helped you do your job better or has inspired you most professionally: "Execution" by Larry Bossidy

Best place to network: Meetups (www.meetup.com) in New York City

I can't live without: My family

How do you let off steam: Build furniture in the garage, running

Favorite Web sites: My Yahoo, Google, Shutterfly, News Sites (Wall Street Journal, Naples News), CNET, overstock.com, waybackmachine.com

Community involvement: Head Coach with Greater Naples Little League; Knights of Columbus; board member of my homeowners association

Most important issue affecting the Gulf Coast: Affordable housing including property taxes, insurance (it affects business growth and has the biggest impact on improving people's standard of living in the region)

Three words that describe you: Driven, compassionate, helpful

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Bring peace to the Middle East and get our troops home to their families

When I grow up I want to be: A great dad

Favorite restaurant: USS Nemo

Troy D. Buhs, 36

Vice president of operations,

Vanderbilt Bay Construction

Education: B.S., business administration, University of Florida (1994)

First job: Construction laborer

Years on Gulf Coast: 18

Marital Status: Single

Hours worked per week: 55 to 60

Favorite book: "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill

Business person you most admire: Father, Daniel J. Buhs

Most useful Web sites for work: www.agc.org; www.construction.com; www.abcflgulf.org

Best place to network: Chamber events; ABC meetings

I can't live without: Gulf of Mexico

How do you let off steam: Running

Favorite Web sites: www.fidelity.com; www.msn.com; www.espn.com

Community involvement: Rotary

Most important issue affecting the Gulf Coast: Affordable housing for people in the construction industry

Three words that describe you: Problem-solver, hardworking, caring

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Buy a horse farm in Ocala

When I grow up I want to be: Contractor

Favorite restaurant: Fleming's

Thomas L. Burt, 28

Financial adviser, Morgan Stanley

Education: B.S., finance, marketing and multinational business operations, Florida State University; investment consultant, The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania; certified financial planner, The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.; charted financial consultant, The American College; charted life underwriter, The American College

First job: Owner, Greener Pastures Sprinklers

Years on Gulf Coast: 5 1/2

Marital Status: Engaged to Dr. Nina Akins

Hours worked per week: 55 (career), 15 (volunteer)

Favorite book: "For Whom the Bell Tolls," Ernest Hemingway

Business person you most admire: Jesse Livermore, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and my father.

Most useful Web sites for work: Google

What book has helped you do your job better or has inspired you most professionally: "How to Win Friends and Influence People," Dale Carnegie

Best place to network: Any organization or event that you truly care about and where you're not trying to network.

I can't live without: Opportunity to grow

How do you let off steam: Boating and Boxing. Nothing's better than beating the stuffing out of a heavy bag.

Favorite Web sites: YPFL.com, Ebay.com, Cars.com

Community involvement: President of the Young Professionals of Lee County 2005-2007; treasurer, Eric Feichthaler for Mayor of Cape Coral; member of Professional Advisory Board to The American College; member of the Planned Giving Council of Lee County; public relations officer Fort Myers Power Squadron; chair of the Rotary Foundation, member of The Rotary Club of Cape Coral; bell ringer and coordinator for the Salvation Army

Most important issue affecting the Gulf Coast: Diversifying the job base by recruiting national corporations to set up their headquarters locally.

Three words that describe you: Ambitious, humorous and energetic

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Fix my golf game

When I grow up I want to be: A kid again

Favorite restaurant: The Beached Whale, Fort Myers Beach

Paul McCullers, 27

President, Innovative Medical, Inc.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology

First job: Sweeping the floor and cleaning the machines in the machine shop for Youngquist Brothers Inc.

Years on Gulf Coast: Born and raised in Fort Myers. I've lived here other than my time in college and three years in Spain.

Marital Status: Married. My wife and I are the proud parents of our eight-month-old baby girl Laila Ann.

Hours worked per week: Probably an average of 70.

Favorite book: "Blue Ocean Strategy" by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne

Business person you most admire: Tim Youngquist

Most useful Web sites for work: Orthosupplier.com

What book has helped you do your job better or has inspired you most professionally: "Blue Ocean Strategy"

Best place to network: The interesting thing about the medical industry is that everyone either has had first-hand experience or knows someone who has, so networking can virtually take place anywhere.

I can't live without: The love and support of my friends and family.

How do you let off steam: I enjoy boating on the waterways of Southwest Florida.

Favorite Web sites: Yahoo.

Community involvement: Member of Summit Church.

Most important issue affecting the Gulf Coast: The skyrocketing cost of living makes it increasingly difficult for young families to move to the area.

Three words that describe you: Diligent and success driven

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Help bring affordable housing back to the area.

When I grow up I want to be: Someone who my children can look up to and be proud of.

Favorite restaurant: Tommy Bahamas in Naples

Tammie Nemecek, 38

President, Economic Development Council of Collier County

Education: B.S., management, Hodges University

First job: Carrying my mother's briefcase. She was an accountant and I received 50-cent pieces from her clients for helping.

Years on Gulf Coast: 35 Marital Status: Single

Hours worked per week: Too many

Favorite book: "Good to Great" by Jim Collins

Business person you most admire: John Passidomo, Mike Davis and John Streitmatter

Most useful Web sites for work: Google.com

What book has helped you do your job better or has inspired you most professionally: "Good to Great" by Jim Collins

Best place to network: Economic Development Council of Collier County events

I can't live without: Blackberry

How do you let off steam: Sip Margaritas by the pool

Favorite Web sites: Yahoo! Games

Community involvement: Through my position at the EDC, I am fortunate to be involved in a number of issues, including workforce housing, Immokalee master-planning, education and workforce, early childhood education and general business climate issues. Locally, I am a graduate of Leadership Collier and involved on a number of boards, including the Gulf Coast Venture Forum. Regionally, I am on the board of the Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board. Statewide, I am a graduate of Leadership Florida Class XXV, on the board of directors for the Florida Economic Development Council and a member of Enterprise Florida's Stakeholder's Council.

Three words that describe you: Motivated, assertive, passionate

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Make it as easy as possible for a business to open, expand or move to Collier County

When I grow up I want to be: Marine biologist

Favorite restaurant: Andres Steakhouse

Dino Redzic, 35

Chef owner, Wahoo's Bar & Grill, Dino's Restaurant, Donnas Sports Pub Pizza & Grill, Momento Italian Bistro New York

Education: Hotel and restaurant management

First job: Hotel Gregory's Restaurant Granitta, Brooklyn New York

Years on Gulf Coast: 4

Marital Status: Yes

Hours worked per week: 90

Favorite book: "Kane and Able"

Business person you most admire: Joseph Boum of the Rainbow Room in New York

Most useful Web sites for work: www.dinosrestaurantnaples.com

What book has helped you do your job better or has inspired you most professionally: "Lidia Bastianich Italian Table"

Best place to network: Street

I can't live without: My family, wife and kids

How do you let off steam: Deep breath

Favorite Web sites: CNN

Community involvement: Raising funds for charities

Most important issue affecting the Gulf Coast: Red tide

Three words that describe you: Go-getter, outgoing, knowledgeable

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Make world peace

When I grow up I want to be: President of the United States

Favorite restaurant: Amici Amore I New York

Michael Smith, 36

President, Smith Plastering Inc., Owner, Wahoo's Bar & Grill

Education: Business

First job: Dishwasher at Hightop Country Club

Years on Gulf Coast: 15

Marital Status: Married

Hours worked per week: 60

Favorite book: "The Little Engine That Could"

Business person you most admire: My father

Most useful Web sites for work: Google

Best place to network: Social gatherings

I can't live without: My wife and two daughters

How do you let off steam: Powerboating

Favorite Web sites: Offshoreonly.com

Community involvement: Donating to charity

Most important issue affecting the Gulf Coast: Development keeping up with growth

Three words that describe you: Honest, dependable, aggressive

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Be famous

When I grow up I want to be: Retired

Favorite restaurant: Wahoo's Bar & Grill

Christian Spilker, 35

Vice president, Hamilton Harbor

for Collier Enterprises

Education: M.S., environmental science, University of Houston

First job: Dog walking

Years on Gulf Coast: 7

Marital Status: Married

Hours worked per week: As many as are necessary

Favorite book: "A Game of Thrones"

Business person you most admire: Warren Buffett

Most useful Web sites for work: Google

What book has helped you do your job better or has inspired you most professionally: "John Adams" by David McCullough

Best place to network: Professional organizations

I can't live without: My family and a good bottle of wine

How do you let off steam: Camping and fishing

Favorite Web sites: Salon.com and Amazon.com

Community involvement: Vice chair of the Collier County Habitat Conservation Plan Committee; board member of Friends of Rookery Bay; board member of Collier County East of 951 Horizon Committee; committee member of Naples Multiple Sclerosis Walk and Licensed Foster Parent with the state of Florida.

Most important issue affecting the Gulf Coast: The lack of proactive planning for the eldercare and healthcare needs of an unprecedented number of retirees.

Three words that describe you: Ambitious, honest, contemplative

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Ban questions about magic wands

When I grow up I want to be: Celebrating my 50th wedding anniversary

Favorite restaurant: Nemos

Milissa Sprecher, 35

CEO, NOISE, Inc.

First job: Tom's Main St. Market (produce section)

Years on Gulf Coast: Three full-time; Part-time and vacationing since I was 5 years old

Marital Status: Married

Hours worked per week: At least 40

Favorite book: "The Giving Tree," Shel Silverstein

Business person I most admire: My husband

Most useful Web sites for work: Creative Manager Pro (project trafficking); Chase.com (banking); BISYS (401k administration)

What book has helped you do your job better or has inspired you most professionally: "The Girl's Guide to Being A Boss (Without Being A Bitch)" by Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio; Final Cut Pro HD.

Best place to network: My children's pre-school, the Children's Education Center of the Islands

I can't live without: My family

How do I let off steam: Walking the beach

Favorite Web sites: All of them. The Internet is invaluable for research, education and, yes, even shopping.

Community involvement: Sanibel-Captiva Cares committee member; vice president, Children's Education Center of the Islands; vice president, Special Kids Co. (videos for children with autism and other special needs)

Most important issue affecting the Gulf Coast: Water quality, water runoff from our communities, releases from Lake Okeechobee, red drift algae lining the beaches and the effect all of this has on tourism.

Three words that describe me: Determined, passionate, honest

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Bring peace on earth (how's that for a pageant answer?), or at least make it so that my children (3 and almost 5 years old) never fight (peace in my own house).

When I grow up I want to be: A whale trainer (I've been saying that since my first visit to Sea World)

Favorite restaurant: Gramma Dot's, Sanibel

Comer Turley, 39

President, founder, Turley Flooring Systems, Inc. and EcoFloor, Inc.

Education: A.S., emergency services management, Paramedic.

First job: Chick-Fil-A chicken batterer when I was 15.

Years on Gulf Coast: 11

Marital Status: Married to Kimberly for 16 years with four beautiful kids that look like her and not me.

Hours worked per week: 70

Favorite book: J.R.R. Tolkein's "The Silmarillion"

Business person you most admire: My grandfather, who was the ultimate salesman

Most useful Web sites for work: Construction Journal for leads on projects and USGBC

What book has helped you do your job better or has inspired you most professionally: The Bible first and then any of Jeffrey Gitomer's books

Best place to network: BIA meetings and chamber of commerce meetings

I can't live without: Biscuits and gravy

How do you let off steam: Take it home and dump it on the kitchen table so my wife can deal with it

Favorite Web sites: www.turleyflooring.com, obviously

Community involvement: Elder in my church; Christian Chamber of Commerce; Support Evangelical Christian School; United Christian Giving, Suncoast Presbytery; BIA member; Way FM

Most important issue affecting the Gulf Coast: Environmental impact of development

Three words that describe you: Christian husband, father

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Retire

When I grow up I want to be: Successful at something that I can leave for my kids

Favorite restaurant: Ruth's Chris Steak House

Brian Lucas, 33

In just three years, Brian Lucas has witnessed the best and the worst of the real estate development business.

Lucas, 33, joined his father, David Lucas, who runs the family's residential development business, The Bonita Bay Group in Bonita Springs, in 2004.

Home sales were roaring in 2004 as homebuilders gobbled up lots in Bonita Bay communities. Today, as everyone knows, the market has slowed dramatically.

"For the last three years I've been in listening mode," says Lucas. "Succession is baked into that."

Officially, Lucas' title is vice president of business development and chief information officer. But Lucas is involved in many parts of the business, including quarterly board meetings. He'll have to become even more familiar with the company before he takes on more responsibilities from his father.

A graduate of Canterbury High School in Fort Myers, Lucas earned a degree in entrepreneurial management with a minor in information technology from Stetson University. From 1996 to 2002, Lucas was a consultant with Andersen Consulting, now Accenture.

At Accenture, Lucas worked with companies in health care and utilities. He lived in Maryland, where his wife, Lee, was working at the National Institutes of Health on the human genome project. They have two young children.

But in 2004, Lucas says he decided to move back to Fort Myers and work alongside his father, David Lucas, who is chairman of the board. "I've always known this would be where I'd end up," he says.

The biggest adjustment from consulting to land development has been the time. Generally, consulting projects take only three to six months. At Bonita Bay, it can take six years to create a new community. "It's a lot more complicated on the inside than when you're looking in from the outside," he says.

Lucas has started subsidiaries such as a golf-management company called New Leaf. He is also scouting new opportunities for development in other areas of Florida, as well as outside the state in places such as Georgia and the Carolinas. He credits the Florida Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Florida program for opening doors to contacts throughout the state.

A computer wizard who can't live without Diet Coke, Lucas is always looking for ways to improve the technology within his own company and throughout Bonita Bay's five existing communities. That includes his house, which itself is crowded with computers and servers.

-Jean Gruss

Blake Gable, 36

More than $400 million had been invested in the new town of Ave Maria in eastern Collier County before the first resident moved in this summer.

The town, built around the new Catholic university endowed by Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan, is rising from the tomato fields near Immokalee, roughly 40 miles from the heart of Naples.

The task of getting the massive project started is squarely on the shoulders of Blake Gable, 36. He is Barron Collier Co.'s vice president of real estate and Ave Maria's project manager.

Gable has a vested interest in the success of Ave Maria: He's the fourth generation of the Collier family to be involved in the land development business in the county that bears their name. He is the son of Lamar Gable, chairman of Barron Collier Co.

Eventually, there will be enough room for 11,000 homes and 6,000 students at Ave Maria. But Gable acknowledges it won't happen overnight and his main focus now is to implement a marketing plan looking out to 2010. The residential downturn is temporary, he says. "Those of us in the business knew it was going to happen."

Gable didn't set foot in the family business upon graduation from Tulane University, where he majored in history and English and played goalie on the soccer team. He was a ski instructor in Colorado and then was the legislative director for an Arizona congressman in Washington for six years.

But the family business called eight years ago. "I spent months learning what the company was doing," says Gable, who is married with two children.

Before leading Ave Maria, Gable led smaller projects such as building Creekside Medical, a 24,000-square-foot medical-office building in Naples. In 2002, Gable and three others were assigned Ave Maria. "When it started, no one had any concept of what it would be," he says.

Gable is quick to credit the team of 30 now working on Ave Maria, including another under-40 project engineer David Genson, 36.

Gable realizes his good fortune in leading such a massive project and concedes that it consumes a large part of his life. "This is not something that comes every day."

-Jean Gruss

Orlando Rosales, 37

Mayela Rosales, 35

When Orlando and Mayela Rosales moved to Naples from Venezuela 11 years ago, Spanish media was nonexistent. In fact, Spanish speakers were rare.

Today, the couple runs a Spanish-language television station that reaches more than 300,000 Hispanic viewers from Charlotte to Collier counties.

In just a decade, Collier's Hispanics now make up about a quarter of the county's total population. In Lee, Hispanics make up 13% of the population.

Orlando, 37, and Mayela, 35, started small. With her public-relations background and his technical abilities, the couple started a small television production company called Media Vista in 2001.

Their local news show appeared on the local UPN network affiliate owned by Comcast and was an instant hit with viewers. Advertisers were attracted too and included NCH Healthcare System and McDonald's.

Their show, called D'Latinos, started with a half hour on Saturdays and grew to 90 minutes every day. It focused on local issues important to the Hispanic community and developed a loyal following.

The couple then teamed up with Miami entrepreneur Gaston Cantens and started a television station affiliated with the growing Azteca America network in December. At least 15% of the programming will be local, the Rosales say. Advertisers are willing to pay 20% more to advertise on local shows than nationally syndicated ones because of audience loyalty.

"If this model works here, it can work in other places," says Orlando.

The Rosales and Cantens are scouting other markets in Florida and the Southeast where they can create new television stations for the fast-growing Hispanic population. Other areas with potential include Central Florida and the Carolinas.

Meanwhile, Mayela Rosales is an increasingly visible person on the Naples philanthropic and business scene. She's on the board of the Children's Museum of Naples and is co-chairing a campaign to raise $1 million. She's also joined the local board of Fifth Third Bank, which is funding the business' expansion.

-Jean Gruss