CHAPTER 192.5
Men We Love
“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” ~ Marcus Aurelius
Rob Funderburg, current board chair of the Collier Community Foundation, co-chaired its ambitious campaign, “Your Passion. Your Collier.,” while also helping to create four surprise grants of $100,000 for standout nonprofits as well as the first-ever $250,000 Provol Award Grant, inspired by a transformational legacy gift.
Co-founder of Leadership Collier Foundation Scott Salley with John’s wife, Sen. Kathleen Passidomo and Leadership Collier Foundation alumna, who accepted the award in his honor.
John Passidomo was named the 2025 recipient of the John Passidomo Distinguished Alumni Award — an annual award created by Leadership Collier Foundation to recognize exceptional community leadership and named in honor of Passidomo’s dedication to Collier County.
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Trey Fletcher
Gary Lapidas
Eric Strachan
Three extraordinary Collier Resource Center appointed board members embody compassion, commitment and tireless dedication as they lead with purpose and heart: Trey Fletcher, Gary Lapidas and Eric Strachan.
Vincent A. Keeys, president of the Collier County NAACP, received Greater Naples Leadership’s 2025 Distinguished Leadership Award in recognition of his significant contributions to civic and charitable organizations throughout Naples, Collier and Lee Counties.
Matt Heinle, general counsel at NCH Healthcare System and a member of the 2025 Leadership Collier class, received the James V. Mudd Award — presented annually by the Leadership Collier Foundation to recognize an outstanding leader whose contributions reflect former County Manager Jim Mudd’s commitment to leadership and stewardship.
Jerry Carlson, chief security advisor at Microsoft Philanthropies, joined the Board of Directors for New Horizons of Southwest Florida.
CEO Megan McCarthy Beauvais with Youth of the Year winner, Elijah
Elijah, a senior at Lely High School, has been named the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County’s 2025 Youth of the Year in recognition of his leadership, service and academic excellence, including his involvement with Junior Men of Initiative, his role as a road code ambassador, and his service as a Junior Culinary staff member.
Andrew Buschle
Dallas Clarke
Andrew Buschle, senior vice president and private client advisor with Bank of America Private Bank, joined Grace Place for Children & Families Board of Directors, and Dallas Clarke was named Chair of its Board of Ambassadors.
Jim Hummer, founder and former president and CEO of Whole Health Management, was appointed to the Board of Directors for Pathways Early Education Center.
Chris Costello
Tom Farrington
Jack Fortnum
Neal Gelfand
Tom Leipzig
Geoff Murphy
Paul Myerson
Joe Trachtenberg
Eric Wallach
Jim Walsh
Greater Naples Leadership announced its 2025-26 slate of Board Officers and Directors, featuring the following appointments
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Chris Costello – Masters Class XXVIII Chair
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Tom Farrington – Member At-Large
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Jack Fortnum – Secretary
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Neal Gelfand – Member At-Large
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Tom Leipzig – President
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Geoff Murphy – Treasurer
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Paul Myerson – ACE Committee Chair
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Joe Trachtenberg – Distinguished Leadership Committee Chair
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Eric Wallach – Community Services Committee Chair
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Jim Walsh – Masters Class XXVIII Vice Chair
Jeff Gage
Jim Hunt
Dan Lane
Jeff Gage, Jim Hunt and Dan Lane were unanimously welcomed onto the Freedom Waters Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Mark Schwab
Gunther Winkler
Mark Schwab, former CEO of the Star Alliance global airline organization, was elected president and Gunther Winkler, a former biotech executive and past president of Greater Naples Leadership, was named president-elect of the Naples Council on World Affairs.
John Turner was appointed to the Immokalee Fair House Alliance Board of Directors.
Wink News Chief Meteorologist Matt Devitt received the Tropical Weather Media Award, recognizing him for his outstanding efforts to educate and inform the public about hurricanes and hurricane preparedness, response, recovery or mitigation in the State of Florida.
Kevin McCabe
Jeff Carr
Kevin McCabe and Jeff Carr were ceremonially sworn in as Commodore and Vice Commodore, respectively, of the Pelican Isle Yacht Club for the 2025–26 term.
Bennett and Aaron Bozman
Aaron and Bennett Bozman, sophomores at Aubrey Rogers High School, comprised half of the championship team that won the prestigious Academic WorldQuest competition at the Community School of Naples, representing the Naples Council on World Affairs and earning fourth place at the national level.
Statement Jewelers owner Brandon Cruz hosted a raffle at his company’s Naples Watchaholics event, with proceeds donated to Youth Haven in support of its mission.
Greater Naples Fire Rescue’s Lieutenant Todd Nugent and Lieutenant Dave Perez received their Golden Ax plaques in recognition of 25 years of dedicated service.
Bill Vaughn, co-owner and head brewer of Kaleidoscope Beer Company, won three medals at the 2025 Best Florida Beer Professional Championship: bronze for the brewery’s honey beer, Hive Life; bronze for its English-style dark mild ale, Modest Mild; and silver for its unpeated scotch ale, Severance Wee Heavy.
Naples resident Peter Wasmer, founder and CEO of Pure Coastal Technologies and Alliance for Florida’s National Parks – Southwest Florida Board member, leads the Planning Committee for the Alliance’s upcoming, dynamic series of community events designed to deepen public appreciation for South Florida’s unique natural heritage.
