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Clearwater chamber honors local business and civic leaders

By CHRISTINA K. COSDON
Published February 3, 2007

CLEARWATER - Construction company president and civic leader Judy Mitchell was named Mrs. Clearwater for 2007 by the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce on Thursday evening.

A record crowd of about 500 members and guests applauded and cheered when Mitchell's name was announced at the chamber's 85th annual meeting at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort.

"This is such an honor. I'm speechless to be part of that group (of past winners)," said Mitchell, president of Peter R. Brown Construction.

With the honor, Mitchell joins many individuals and couples in the community who, since 1958, have been recognized by the chamber for their exceptional community service.

Past honorees have included the late Jack Eckerd (1972), Gus Stavros (1987), Alan Bomstein (1991), Dr. William Hale (1992) and, last year, Carroll and Mabel Cheek.

Mitchell, 52, has worked in the construction industry since graduating from Ohio State University with an accounting degree. She has been president of Peter R. Brown Construction since 1993.

Presenter David Stone said Mitchell "truly epitomizes what this award is all about."

In January 2000, Mitchell, along with Eduardo "Tito" Vargas and John Stewart, bought the company when its founder decided to retire.

The company became a minority business enterprise in April 2000. Its revenue in 2004 totaled $100-million.

Along with her business experience, Mitchell has a record of extensive community involvement that began in 1989.

She serves on the boards of the YWCA of Tampa Bay, BayCare Health System, the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, Saint Paul's School, the Bank of Tampa and Florida Investment Advisors.

Moreover, Mitchell also is chairwoman of ClearPac, the chamber's political action committee, as well as Morton Plant/Mease Health Care's Primary Care Inc. and its Hospitals Operating Board.

She also serves on the Pinellas County Economic Development Council and St. Petersburg College's Corporate Training Services Advisory Committee.

Along with Mitchell, the chamber honored several businesses and two people who have contributed significantly to the city's tourism industry.

Named as Tourism Persons of the Year were Clearwater's special events manager, Terry Schmidt, and Ben Fertic, who orchestrated the Ironman race in November.

Callahan Water Solutions, owned by Jack, Mark and Sherri Callahan, was named Small Business of the Year (less than $1-million annual revenue).

Medium Businesses of the Year ($1-million to $5-million annual revenue) went to Pier 60 Concessions, owned and operated by Lisa and Steve Chandler, and D-Mar General Contracting and Development, whose owner and president is Doreen DiPolito.

Colliers Arnold, a full-service commercial real estate firm, was named Large In-state Business of the Year (more than $5-million annual revenue).

Large Out-of-state Business of the Year went to Costco, a global retailer in Issaquah, Wash. The Clearwater store is at Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and U.S. 19.

The last matters of the evening were a farewell to Jeanie Renfrow as the chamber board of directors' chairwoman and handing the gavel to the new chairman, Chester G. "Bud" Elias, president of the Advantage Group, in Clearwater since 1976.

Fast Facts:

Other awards

Tourism Persons of the Year: Terry Schmidt, special events manager for Clearwater; Ben Fertic, Ironman race coordinator.

Small Business of the Year: Callahan Water Solutions, owned by Jack, Mark and Sherri Callahan.

Medium Businesses of the Year:

- Pier 60 Concessions, operated by Lisa and Steve Chandler.

- D-Mar General Contracting and Development of Clearwater, owned by Doreen DiPolito.

Large In-state Business of the Year: Colliers Arnold.

Large Out-of-state Business of the Year: Costco.

Ambassador of the Year: Janelle Strange, outstanding member, chamber Ambassador Committee.

[Last modified February 2, 2007, 21:04:36]