Glad Tidings

September is my favorite month at Gulfshore Business. Each year we honor 40 individuals under 40 years old for their contributions to their professions and the community. (The feature begins on p. 12.) It’s always encouraging to learn who our young leaders are, particularly in the trying economic times we’re experiencing in Southwest Florida.

When you read about the people our panel of judges chose, I’m confident that you, too, will share our feelings. Our job came with a challenge, though. We perused roughly 190 strong nominations and debated several close calls, and we came up with an impressive mix. The group includes doctors, educators, lawyers, a law enforcement officer, entrepreneurs and bankers.  

They all have inspiring stories, including one that got even better during the day of our photo shoot in Naples. A beaming Sgt. Bobbi Jo Edwards of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office walked into the large room at the Naples Grande Resort and let us know that just before arriving, she got the call she had been awaiting for more than two years: She could finally go pick up the 18-month-old daughter she was adopting China.

I know some of the winners, and I certainly look forward to meeting the rest on Sept. 17, when we will salute them at our annual 40-under-40 award ceremony. Until then, congratulations to our winners! You, your family, loved ones and co-workers should be proud of what you’ve accomplished.

Aside from putting our 40-under-40 story to bed after six months in the works—which included gathering nominations, making selections, writing profiles and taking photographs—we have another reason to celebrate. For the second year in a row, the Florida Magazine Association named Gulfshore Business the Best Overall Magazine, Silver Award, for consumer publications with under-20,000 circulation. We also received a bronze for best illustration, a silver for best cover, and first place, known as the Charlie, for our feature offering job-search assistance for four unemployed individuals.

We are thankful for the honors, and we are grateful for people such as our 40-under-40 winners, who inspire us to put our best foot forward.