44th Mid-Florida Business Hall of Fame
Re-Imagined Celebration
Event Completed!
When: Thursday, November 04, 2021
Since 1977, we have inducted over 121 Hall of Fame Honorees who are forward-thinking entrepreneurs and accomplished community leaders for their contributions to our region’s economic development and their commitment to business excellence. This event supports the mission of Junior Achievement of Central Florida and helps us continue our impact on the lives of our youth across Central Florida.
Please join us as we honor five forward-thinking entrepreneurs and accomplished community leaders for their contributions to our region’s economic development and their commitment to business excellence.
Our five Honorees are:
Dick Batchelor
Laureate
Ronald Rogers
Laureate Posthumous
Beverly Seay
Laureate
James Tharp
Spirit of Achievement
Suneera Madhani
Entrepreneurial Vanguard
In addition, we are celebrating our 60th anniversary! Our roots date back to 1961, when several community leaders and entrepreneurs: Linton Allen, First National Bank (now Truist); Dr. Phillips, a renowned citrus grower; Frank Hubbard, Hubbard Construction; and G.T. Willey of the Martin Co. (now Lockheed Martin) came together to create JACF to help 150 students better understand business and economics in Orlando. Today, we served over 2.2 million students across Central Florida.
Sponsorship of our Hall of Fame event directly funds the mission of Junior Achievement of Central Florida and helps us continue to deepen and impact the lives of youth across Central Florida. This is JA's signiture event for fundrasing. Our sponsorship levels vary from $15,000 - $2,500. Investing at $10,000 and above will secure seating* at the LIVE show.
Please join us for this hybrid* celebration
MID- FLORIDA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME RE-IMAGINED CELEBRATION
Thursday, November 4, 2021
4:55 p.m. Preshow
5:00–6:15 p.m. Program and Celebration
6:15–6:45 p.m. Honoree Panel Discussion
RSVP by October 27th to secure your Livestream registration link*
*Limited seating is available at Full Sail University.
Spirit Of Achievement
The Spirit of Achievement award distinguishes an active business person. This award is presented at the Mid-Florida Business Hall of Fame, but is NOT to be confused with the Hall of Fame laureate inductions. Spirit of Achievement provides JA an opportunity to honor and thank a local business person for significant contributions to private enterprise in Central Florida. The candidate must demonstrate: a) Business excellence
b) Courageous thinking and actions
c) Vision and innovation
d) Inspiring leadership
e) Community-mindedness
f) Their actions serve as role models for those who follow
Stated more simply, the Spirit of Achievement winners are individuals whose work has nudged the Central Florida community in a better, stronger direction.
Philip Crosby
Philip Crosby Associates, Inc.Buell G. Duncan*
SunTrust BankPatricia Engfer
Hyatt Regency Orlando International AirportM.A. -Manny- Garcia III
Atlantic Coast ManagementAlan Helman
Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock Architects, Inc.Gerald Hilbrich
KPMG Peat Marwick, LLPJames Hinson*
Dr. Phillips CharitiesDr. John Hitt
University of Central FloridaSandra Hostetter
SunTrust BankC.T. Hsu
C. T. Hsu & AssociatesDavid H. Hughes
Hughes Supply, Inc.Tony Jenkins
Florida BlueThe Honorable Toni Jennings
Jack Jennings & Sons/ Former Lt. GovernorJoe Lee
Darden RestaurantsJim Lewis
Disney Vacation ClubJohn Lowndes
Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, Inc.Ronald Magruder
The Olive GardenThe Honorable Mel Martinez
JP Morgan ChaseTony Massey
Massey ServicesHarvey L. Massey
Massey Services, Inc.Harold Mills
ZeroChaosDick Nunis
Walt Disney AttractionsClarence Otis
Darden RestaurantsHarris Rosen
Rosen Hotels and Resorts, Inc.Joan Ruffier
Accountant and Community LeaderJoanie Schirm
Geotechnical and Environmental Consultants, Inc.James Seneff
CNLTom Sittema
CNL Financial GroupJacob V. Stuart Sr.
Central Florida PartnershipThe Honorable Bill Sublette
Orange County School Board, ChairmanRasesh Thakkar
Tavistock GroupAl Weiss
Walt Disney Parks and ResortsThomas L. Werner
Adventist Health SystemEntrepreneurial Vanguard
The Entrepreneurial Vanguard award distinguishes an entrepreneur whose vision and courage built a lasting business here in Central Florida. This award is presented at the Mid-Florida Business Hall of Fame, but is NOT to be confused with the Hall of Fame Laureate or Spirit of Achievement inductions. It provides JACF an opportunity to honor and thank a local entrepreneur who is ensuring the success of private enterprise in Central Florida. To be considered as an Entrepreneurial Vanguard nominee, an individual’s record of must demonstrate:
a) Successful entrepreneurial endeavors
b) Innovative thinking and vision
c) Commitment and courage to develop new ideas
d) Inspiring leadership within their business
e) Community-mindedness
f) Excellent moral character, and
g) Serve as role models for those who follow.
The business started by the awardee needs to have been started in Central Florida and is at least 10 years old. The individual does not have to remain the owner of the business, nor do they need to be the sole proprietor of the initial startup.
Angela Alban - 2020
SIMETRIWaymon Armstrong - 2018
Engineering & Computer SimulationsShari Costantini
Avant Healthcare ProfessionalsJason Eichenholz - 2019
LuminarRobert Palmer - 2017
RP FundingBrian Wheeler - 2016
Tijuana FlatsBecome a Sponsor!
Sponsorships for these events are critical for Junior Achievement to continue providing life-changing programs to students in our community. These programs are delivered at no cost to students. You can make a difference in the lives of these students by participating in this world-class event! Contact us to get more information on how to sponsor a JA Event!Select a button below to see how you or your organization can get involved with Junior Achievement of Central Florida.
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