40 Under 40

Kristin Scholz, 35, owner, C & S Marketing Group, Fort Myers

When marketing professional Kris-tin Scholz moved to Fort Myers from Buffalo, N.Y., six years ago, she immediately recognized the City of Palms was becoming a business hot spot. She made the rounds downtown, brought on clients and became involved with community efforts. Her tenacity paid off. "I came in when [the area] was really starting to grow," she says.

Besides offering her marketing services to local businesses and organizations such as the Humane Society of Lee County, she has produced some popular events, including speed dating and the Women's Wine Club. She serves on the board of directors for Professionals for Leadership and Opportunity. Scholz is a graduate of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders program and sits on the board of directors.

"She really follows through with what she says she is going to do," her friend Sharon Torregrossa says, "and when she gets her mind set on something, she gives it all."

Stephanie Sherman, 36, owner, Davis/Keil Fine Art, Naples

As co-owner of Davis/Keil Fine Art on Fifth Avenue South in Naples, Stephanie Sherman shares her passion for contemporary art with clients every day, whether it's through the half-dozen exhibits she plans each year, or by helping someone find an unforgettable piece.

Tired of the hectic pace of Los Angeles, Sherman moved to Southwest Florida in 2000. In just three years, She has made a mark in the local art scene by introducing the work of some significant contemporary artists. When she's not dealing with the business side of art, Sherman serves on the board of directors of the United Arts Council of Collier County, and is a member of the Naples Art Association. She's also a tireless supporter of arts education. Last summer Sherman introduced a program she created called "Devel-oping" to Collier County. The photography project encouraged children to express their creativity, while learning about the technical aspects of both art and business.

Jessica Stilwell, 31, co-anchor, NBC2news, Fort Myers

Jessica Stilwell's dream to become a television news anchor dates back to her elementary-school years, when she would watch Jane Pauley on NBC's Today Show. That Stillwell made that dream a reality is no surprise to her family and friends.

Stilwell's drive and determination became evident a long time ago, says her father, Lee County manager Don Stilwell, who remembers getting up for his morning jogs at five each morning, only to find young Jessica studying.

Now the evening co-anchor for NBC2news, Stillwell has filed live reports from political conventions, tracked hurricanes and covered numerous breaking stories.

In 1995, she earned a degree in broadcast journalism and political science from the University of Southern California. Her career began at a cable station in Collier County, where she had to shoot, write and edit her own stories. She is on the advisory board for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She lives in Fort Myers with her husband, Samir Cabrera, who was one of last year's 40 under 40.

"She's so genuine," says Don Stilwell. "What you see is what you get."

Shawn Stoneburner, 25, commercial real estate salesman, Grubb & Ellis|VIP, Fort Myers

A year after starting his career as commercial real estate salesman, Shawn Stoneburner was named rookie of the year at Grubb & Ellis|VIP. He generated more than $1.9 million in sales that year.

"He came out of the gate running," says mentor and supervising commercial realtor Gary Tasman of Grubb & Ellis|VIP. "He's worked on many, many complicated transactions that you would only expect a seasoned veteran to be capable of tackling."

Upon graduating with a bachelor's in business administration from the University of Central Florida a few years ago, Stoneburner entered the real estate field; he says his degree in finance with a special emphasis on real estate has helped him immensely. "He's got a personable attitude that people enjoy working with," Tasman says.

Samantha Todd, 32, vice president,

hospitality services, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce

Since joining the chamber five years ago, Samantha Todd has been the driving force behind the Visitor and Information Center. Of the 170,000 visitors who traveled to Naples in the past year, 74 percent of them sought out the visitors' center. That's a testament to Todd's promotional and service skills.

In addition to her hospitality duties, Todd is program manager for the chamber's Leadership Collier, overseeing and organizing 16 full-day sessions on community issues for 40 local leaders. Todd is helping to establish the nonprofit Leadership Collier Found-ation, also affiliated with the chamber. Raised in the north of England, Todd has made her home in Naples. "My commitment is to work hard to try to give back to Collier County in some small measure the benefits I have gained since settling here," she says. When Todd isn't working during her average 60-hour work week, she relaxes by swimming, sailing and jet skiing.

Stacey Trippe, 33, marketing coordinator, Oswald Trippe & Co., Fort Myers

Making a good impression is Stacey Trippe's forte. She has helped mold the Oswald Trippe & Co. image into one of a benevolent company involved in numerous causes. Trippe follows through on a personal level as well.

She's "a team player who goes the extra mile to assist a coworker," says com-pany president John Pollock. "OTC's successful marketing initiatives are reflective of her outstanding skills."

Trippe handles the independent insurance firm's advertising and community involvement. She recently was a sponsorship co-chair of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, and the company was the sponsorship chair for the event.

She was among a group of women who helped to build a home as part of the Habitat for Humanity Women's Build program. She has been active in a Ronald McDonald House program that receives gift baskets from the Junior League of Fort Myers. In addition, she has been active with Junior Achievement. This year she is coordinating the annual Blue Chip Community Business Awards, OTC's recognition of small businesses in Collier and Lee counties.

"She is truly committed to making our community a better place to live," Pollock says.

Mario Valle, 37, president, Creative Homes of Southwest Florida, Naples

Owning a home is the American dream, and Mario Valle helps people achieve that dream every day. Creative Homes of Southwest Florida, the company he started in 1996, caters to first-time homebuyers living east of Naples and in Golden Gate.

Valle was born in Bolivia and grew up in South America before coming to Miami as a teenager. A Florida State University grad, he's a huge Seminoles fan. Just ask his wife: She agreed to move their wedding to a Friday night so Valle and his groomsmen could attend a game on Saturday. But Valle doesn't need a playbook when it comes to helping people in need.

In 2002, Gov. Jeb Bush nominated Valle to the Florida Commission on Human Relations. He's past president of the Golden Gate Chamber of Commerce, a board member with the Collier Business Industry Association, and will once again co-chair the Naples MS Walk in 2005.

Albie Varoski, 33, realtor, John R. Wood, Naples

The real estate world can be dog-eat-dog. But people who know Albie Varoski say his character and kindness put him apart from the pack. Varoski, who always has a smile to share, is known for going the extra mile for his clients and coworkers. He also has a soft spot for people in need.

Varoski donates blood every four months, and each Thursday you'll find him mentoring a student at Lely High School through the Collier County Education Foundation Take Stock in Children program.

He also lends a hand at events for the foundation, where his wife, Jennifer, works. As if his profession and good works didn't take enough of his time, Varoski also coordinates

the Naples Area Board of Realtors' tennis tournament every year to benefit Hope Hospice.

Sandy Waite, 39, co-owner, Platinum Dry Cleaners, Naples

People who know Sandy Waite call her the queen of time management. She and her husband, Joe, started Platinum Dry Cleaners in 1989. At the time, they didn't have money to hire workers, so the couple did everything-from dry cleaning to alterations to bookkeeping-themselves. Today, they manage 50 employees and the business continues to grow.

Waite is also president-elect of the American Business Women's Assoc-iation in Collier County, a member of the Collier Women's Republican Committee and a graduate of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Collier.

She also is active with the Alternative Board, a focus group that helps entrepreneurs find solutions to business problems. But Waite is most proud of her work with Working Wardrobe, an organization she helped start in 2001. Working Wardrobe provides donated business clothes for women getting into the workforce. Waite's business is a drop-off location for donations, and the company provides free dry cleaning. Says co-founder Rachelle Dover: "Her generosity is the only reason this program got off the ground."

Suzanne Willis, 37, area director of public relations, Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Naples

A Fort Myers native, cheerful, outgoing Suzanne Willis knows that good manners never go out of style. Professionally, her work at the world-famous hotel has earned her a Golden Image Award from the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association.