By: Mike Welch
The East Lee County Chamber of Commerce had its Annual Awards Gala at the Plantation Golf & Country Club on March 19th with close to 230 guests in attendance. Lee County Commissioner and Vice-Chair Ray Sandelli kicked off the event with expressions of thanks to the Chamber and our community servants: teachers, law enforcement, fire and EMS and healthcare providers. Chamber Board Chair Mike Welch gave an overview of the new ventures the Chamber is involved in and the growth of its membership.
The evenings award ceremonies also was capped off with a new category – healthcare professionals. Additionally Lehigh Acres physician Dr. R. Michael Tucker was awarded the “Heart of Lehigh Award” for his over 33 years of dedicated service as a general practitioner in our community. Dr. Tucker has long been active in our community and his office not only cares for over 4,000 residents in East Lee but sponsors such activities as his Golf Tournament that supports residents in need. Congratulations to all award recipients!
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
- Kristie Crews – Donna J. Beasley Technical Academy
- Carmen Toyamo-Nakamura – Palm Acres Charter High School
- Christina Toro – Sunshine Elementary School
- Melissa Tamboureas – East Lee County High School
- Deanna Martin – Gateway Elementary School
- Angela Hunter – G. Weaver Hipps Elementary School
- Tyra Weathersbee – Lehigh Acres Middle School
- Ariel Raybun – River Hall Elementary School
- Elaine Ponzio – Harnes Marsh Elementary School
- Lorna Diaz – Lehigh Acres Elementary School
- Sarah Phillips – Varsity Lakes Middle School
- Allison Searcy – Mirror Lakes Elementary School
- Jill DelRio – Lehigh Senior High School
- Bianca McGinley – Harnes Marsh Middle School
- Nicole-Joly-O’Brien – Tortuga Preserve Elementary School
- Carla Tennant – Veterans Park Academy for the Arts
PUBLIC SERVICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, HEALTH, & CHAMBER
- Neal Thomsen – EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AWARD – Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District
- Tomas Diaz – FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR AWARD – Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District
- Deputy Tyler Davolt – LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD – Lee County Sheriff’s Office – East District
- Greg Fisher – HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD – Lee Health/Lee Memorial Health System
- R. Michael Tucker, MD – HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD – Millennium Physician Group
- Dr. Doron Finn – HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD – Lehigh Regional Medical Center
CREATIVE PET PARLOR, INC – Mindy Santoyo – SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Ruth Anglickis – Landex International Corporation – CHAIRMAN’S AWARD OF THE YEAR
THE HEART OF LEHIGH AWARD – DR. R. MICHAEL TUCKER, MD
