Sean Dotson, 39

Sean Dotson is a deft combination of optimistic and opportunistic.

That’s why he continues to reinvest in his manufacturing company, Sarasota-based RND Automation & Engineering, even with the uncertainty that clouds the economy. Late last year, for instance, RND purchased the majority of the assets of Baytool Inc., a Bradenton-based machine shop that shut down after 20 years in business. RND bought the bulk of Baytool’s machinery, and Dotson hired two of its machinists.