Southwest Florida's 50 Top Power Players

47. Bill Valenti
The pleasant, high-energy fellow, who has described himself as an "overactive adult," is founder of Florida Gulf Bank, a $90 million-asset company based in Fort Myers. Valenti has received numerous community accolades, including induction into the Junior Achievement’s Lee Business Leadership Hall of Fame.

48. Dolph von Arx
The former president and CEO of Planters LifeSavers Company hasn’t slowed down since retiring roughly 15 years ago. The Naples resident has been involved in leadership positions with NCH Healthcare System Foundation, the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts and other groups. Von Arx is a board member of the Regional Business Alliance of Southwest Florida, which seeks to recruit small-to medium-sized businesses to the area.

49. Janet Watermeier
As Lee County’s former economic development director, Watermeier established herself as an approachable and knowledgeable advocate for the region. Now an economic and real estate development consultant, she puts her expertise and influence to work on a local and state level to help shape the region and its future, serving organizations that include the Southwest Florida Regional Planning County and the state Transportation Commission.

50. Jerry Williams
He’s the straight-talking chief of Naples-based Orion Bancorp who built his company from a spot in the Keys into a $2.7 billion-asset powerhouse with 22 locations across South Florida. Last year, the American Bankers Association’s (ABA) Banking Journal ranked Orion fifth in the nation for outstanding financial performance. The native Texan’s leadership roles include chairman of the Florida Bankers Association and member of the ABA’s government relations council.