Island Influence

The people who make things happen, who have the biggest influence on Sanibel and Captiva, come from a cross section of the community. Some are politicians and government administrators, others head not-for-profit organizations, and some-perhaps fewer than in other places-come from the business world. And, not surprisingly, given the islands' allure for successful retirees, a number of those completed their "real" careers before reinventing themselves as passionate advocates for their new home's economy and character.

To identify the 25 biggest players on the islands, Gulfshore Business canvassed a variety of sources, from politicians and journalists to hoteliers and long-time entrepreneurs. We asked them to name the men and women who are shaping the character of their community, not just through business but socially, politically and philanthropically. They're not all universally popular-especially those who have been leaders in the battle over incorporation on Captiva-but every one is influential. Although the islands hold their share of celebrities, we did not include those whose sphere of influence lies far beyond the Gulfshore. That's why such nationally known figures as Ted Koppel and Willard Scott didn't make the list. Neither did U.S. Rep. Porter Goss or Lee County Commissioner Bob Janes. Both former mayors who still carry a lot of weight on the islands, their focus is now broader-regional for Janes, global for Goss. But when it comes to local fame, look no further than this list of 25.

Bailey, Francis and Sam. The Bailey brothers are as much of an island institution as Bailey's General Store, the business their father started on Sanibel in 1899. Over the years, they've donated land and money to community causes, and a number of island landmarks bear the Bailey name. Sam and Francis have helped shape the community through business, policy and philanthropy. Their business sponsors sports teams and contributes to a host of nonprofit organizations, from The Sanibel School to BIG Arts and Habitat for Humanity. Francis, a charter member of the Sanibel City Council, was also founding president of the Community Foundation of Sanibel-Captiva-whose Bailey Society is dedicated to island causes. Sam serves on Sanibel's Historical Committee and has played a big part in a long list of other business and civic activities.

Brown, Steve. As Sanibel's mayor, this retired physician now spends most of his time caring for his community. He's noted for his ability to bring disparate voices together, and has been known, when citizens bring problems to him, to appear in person to take matters in hand himself. Among the civic and nonprofit boards he's served and led are CROW, Old Schoolhouse Theater Foundation, Community Association of Sanibel and Captiva, Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club and Student Advisory Council for The Sanibel School. As an M.D., Brown has been deeply involved in Lee County's medical issues, including lobbying for the failed half-cent "trauma tax" and, as chair of the Children's Hospital Advisory Board, setting up a network of children's hospitals from Miami to Tampa. Closest to his heart is the Chrissy Brown In-Patient Cancer Unit at the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida, which he and his wife, Lena, established in memory of their daughter, who lost her battle with cancer in 2001 at age 33.

Fleming, Virginia. A consummate mover and shaker, Fleming has lent her energy and love for the arts to a dozen or so philanthropic and civic organizations. Influential on the islands politically, socially and philanthropically, she's known as someone who gets things done. Among the boards she has served: the Old Schoolhouse Theater Foundation, Friends of Gulfshore Ballet, the Sanibel Music Festival, BIG Arts, The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, several community foundations, CROW-and that's far from all.

Fowler, Liz. The executive director of BIG Arts, the cultural heart of the community, has won plaudits from many island transplants from metropolitan areas, where arts and culture carry a lot of weight. Those who want to get involved locally will probably end up working with Fowler. She's also active with The Sanibel School, where she volunteers weekly and serves on an advisory committee, and with business, sports and charitable organizations.

Giattini, Cheryl. An ace professional fund-raiser and consultant to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Giattini has been a major force in raising millions of dollars in the past few years to acquire hundreds of acres for conservation and to enhance the foundation's marine lab. She's also active with island arts organizations.

Gibson, Ron and Phyllis. Ron's one of the few to successfully bridge Captiva's acrimonious pro- and anti-incorporation camps. The battle over incorporation sharply divided the community, with pro-incorporation forces generally represented by the Captiva Civic Association and those against it by the Captiva Property Owners Association. Although Ron favored the failed attempt at incorporation, he now sits with former opponents on the Captiva Community Panel, whose role is to recommend land-use policy for the island. He also has served on the board of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and co-chaired its successful campaign to raise money for the acquisition of Buck Key, an environmentally valuable island beside Captiva. Active with the Captiva Fire District and with church and charity groups, Ron and his wife, Phyllis, have served on the Captiva Civic Association, of which he was president. Not only interested in setting lofty policy, he's a volunteer firefighter and frequently loads up his pick-up with groceries to help Wake Up America supply soup kitchens and shelters, and both Phyllis and Ron have completed the sheriff's Citizens Academy course.

Greenstein, Steve. Greenstein is the go-to guy who can always be depended on to serve at spaghetti dinners, usher for fund-raisers, umpire youth baseball games and take on the jobs no one else wants. Some even insist he agreed to become executive director of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce because it was a job no one else would-or could-do as well, he's helped bring island residents together. His leadership helped keep the islands from shutting down last winter when the causeway closed due to the bridge's structural problems.

Hanser, Albert. This big-hearted, solid citizen knows a lot of people and can round up their support when it's needed. He's founder of The Sanibel-Captiva Trust Company, which has sponsored several major fund-raisers for island organizations such as CROW and the Old Schoolhouse Theater Foundation. He's held leading positions in the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club, Lee Memorial Health System Foundation, the Old Schoolhouse Theater Foundation and the Community Foundation of Sanibel-Captiva.

Harrity, Marty. Owner of the Island House and Bungalow restaurant and bar on Sanibel and the Beached Whale restaurant on Fort Myers Beach, Harrity is well known as vice mayor of Sanibel and liaison to more city committees than any other council member. A strong advocate for sports and recreation, he coaches youth sports on the islands and freshman football at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers.

Jensen, Dave-and family. Everybody knows brothers Dave, John and Jimmy Jensen are the guys who run Jensen's Twin Palms Cottages and Marina, the laid-back, old-timey place on Captiva Island that their parents bought 27 years ago. Jensen's is something of a barbershop of the islands, where people gather and swap information. Dave serves on a couple of Captiva government panels, and the family supports island conservation charities and has helped raise money to preserve pristine Buck Key.

Jess, Rob. Since 2002, Jess has been manager of the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, something of a benevolent 300-pound gorilla on Sanibel. It occupies about half of the island and answers more to federal than local law. Aside from the beaches, it's probably the number-one visitors' attraction on the islands, and Jess's decisions can have big effects. What happens in the refuge can have direct and indirect impacts on the islands, economically and environmentally.

La Gorce, Deborah. Since stepping into the big shoes of the former long-time president of BIG Arts about two years La Gorce has been getting credit for injecting new vitality into the islands' cultural center with new offerings and events, including some edgier productions and nationally known performers. In this very visible position, she's already built a reputation for diplomacy, open-mindedness and hard-working dedication.

Lapi, Tony. As chairman of the board of Rochester Resorts, which includes the landmark 'Tween Waters Inn on Captiva, and The Castaways and Beachview Cottages on Sanibel, Lapi is embedded in the islands' major economic force-the hospitality industry. He's augmented his influence by serving as treasurer of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce and as president of Sanibel's chapter of the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association.

Madden, John. The new president of the Community Foundation of Sanibel-Captiva has a track record of service on the islands and is a generous donor. He's known as a smart businessman and idea person who seems to think that nothing is impossible. He supports local organizations, most notably the Sanibel Community Association and Captiva's governing organizations.