2011 Business Award Winners Announced

May 27, 2011 - PRLog -- In celebration of May being Small Business Month, the Chamber held its Annual Business Awards Breakfast with over 400 community and business leaders at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.  These awards recognize Palm Beach County companies that lead with confidence, demonstrating a solid commitment to their business goals, their employees and their local community. This year, the awards were presented by PNC Bank, a division of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. , one of the nation’s largest diversified financial services organizations.

“PNC recognizes the vital importance that small-business owners have on our regional and national economy, and our support of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches and its 2011 Business Awards ceremony continues our commitment to small business owners to help them grow their businesses and achieve their financial goals,” said Craig Grant, regional president of PNC for Florida.

The Non-Profit of the Year award was presented to the Coalition for Independent Living Options, Inc. (CILO), Genevieve Cousminer, Esq., Executive Director. CILO’s mission is to promote independence for people with disabilities.

The Small Business Person of the Year award was presented to Robin Gianantonio Blakeman, President of Foliage Design Systems of Palm Beach County. FDS is an interior landscaping company that enhances businesses and commercial property environments with the beauty and benefits of plants.

The Business of the Year award  was presented to Rybovich Boat Company. The service center has made Palm Beach County an international destination for Superyachts and current estimated annual economic impact to this area is over $150 million.  

The Health/Science Professional award was presented to Mark Nosacka, Chief Executive Officer of  Good Samaritan Medical Center.  During his tenure, Mr. Nosacka has overseen significant capital investments that have expanded the hospital’s service lines to meet the community’s health needs, including establishing a Certified Primary Stroke Center.

As previously announced, this year’s Community Leader of the Year is George Wedgworth, Chief Executive Officer and President of the 54-grower Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida. The Cooperative is the largest single employer in Belle Glade and has an economic impact exceeding $285 million annually. He and his family also own Wedgworth’s Inc., the state’s largest fertilizer company.

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Founded in 1913 the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches is a private, not-for-profit association of businesses that have come together to advance the economic, industrial and civic interests of the Palm Beaches.