Industry Appreciation Awards announces 2026 winners
The Horizon Foundation, Horizon Council and Lee County Economic Development Office have announced winners of the 2026 Industry Appreciation Awards.
The 34th annual awards program was held Oct. 23 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers, where local dignitaries joined business and community leaders in honoring Lee County businesses and individuals that drive the local economy, employ the workforce and shape their industries.
The program recognized 21 finalists across seven categories before honoring the following winners:
• Bob Dean Supply Inc. received the Lee Trailblazer Award. This award recognizes a business founded in Lee County that has demonstrated exceptional growth while embodying values that strengthen the broader business community, expand opportunities, cultivate local partnerships and promote long-term, inclusive success. Bob Dean Supply was founded in 1947 as a welding and machine shop. Over the last 79 years it has expanded to include a wider range of shop services and capabilities, including fabrication, pump repair and motor rewind, and Computer Numeric Control manufacturing. The company sets itself apart from competitors due to three distinct advantages: diversification, customer service and its vast knowledge base. It has diversified into seven divisions, which makes it a one-stop shop for many customers. It continues to invest in sales, service and support staff to provide excellent customer service. While competitors are cutting knowledgeable staff, Bob Dean Supply remains committed to providing additional education and training of employees in addition to the recent advantages new technology has afforded the company.
• Southwest Florida Proton was awarded Startup of the Year. This award celebrates a business founded in Lee County that has launched within the past three years and is already demonstrating strong momentum and community impact. Southwest Florida Proton began delivering proton treatments in 2025 and was the first proton center on Florida’s entire west coast. The state-of-the-art cancer treatment center features IBA’s ProteusONE, widely considered the most innovative and effective cancer-fighting machine in the world. Its board-certified physicians use cutting-edge technology to deliver world-class care to patients with a range of cancers, including prostate, head and neck, breast, brain, spine, esophageal, liver, lung, eye, pancreas, lymphomas and soft tissue sarcomas, as well as pediatric cancers.
• ADDMAN Group won the Tech Catalyst Award. This award recognizes a company with a strong and sustained presence in Lee County that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to strengthening the technology ecosystem in Southwest Florida. Founded in 2020, ADDMAN Group – a gold award winner at the 2026 Edison Awards – delivers true end-to-end manufacturing solutions by integrating metal and polymer 3D printing with precision machining and injection molding. Its downstream capabilities allow the company to finish, refine and produce additive components at production scale, supporting aerospace, defense, medical and industrial customers with fully engineered, ready-to-deploy parts.
• NORTHSTAR Technologies Group was recognized as Small Manufacturer of the Year. This award celebrates a small manufacturing business with 50 or fewer employees that has achieved remarkable growth in output and scale over the last three years. NORTHSTAR Technologies was founded in 2020 and is an industry-leading construction technology company that pioneers high-performance composite building systems. Since its founding six years ago, NORTHSTAR Technologies’ strategic partner ecosystem has helped it to widen the gap with competitors. A strategic investment in 2024 validated NORTHSTAR’s technology at the highest level, while partnerships with Strongwell, Creative Composites, IBM, 3M, Dell and others have created an integrated solution stack spanning materials, engineering, technology, infrastructure and enterprise distribution.
· PRAVADA Private Label was awarded Large Manufacturer of the Year. This award celebrates a large manufacturing business with 51 or more employees that has achieved remarkable growth in output and scale over the last three years. PRAVADA is a full-service private label cosmetic manufacturer founded in 2011. It operates a full in-house development and manufacturing facility, giving emerging and established brands access to professional clean beauty formulations, expert research and development, and end-to-end batching and filling. Since its founding, PRAVADA has invested in state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and infrastructure designed to improve production efficiency, increase capacity and support continued growth. These investments have allowed the company to scale operations while maintaining the quality standards its customers expect.
· Sun Harvest Citrus won Small Business of the Year. This award recognizes a small business with up to 50 employees that has demonstrated exceptional growth in revenue, workforce, products or services over the past three years. Sun Harvest opened in 1940 and sells fresh citrus fruits and juices. Since 2022, the company has seen a significant increase in revenue. Over the past three years, its staff has grown 56% and its Shake Shop is now moving 240,000 servings annually – demonstrating more than 15% growth in the past three years. Sun Harvest Citrus has evolved from a seasonal retailer into a year-round Florida destination.
· South Seas was honored as Large Business of the Year. This award recognizes a large business with 51 or more employees that has demonstrated exceptional growth in revenue, workforce, products or services over the past three years. Opened in 1946, South Seas is a 330-acre world-class resort on the shores of Captiva Island offering villas, beach homes, world-class amenities and beautiful Gulf views. In the wake of Hurricane Ian, South Seas has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to recovery, investing significantly in the restoration and enhancement of the iconic Captiva Island resort. As accommodations, amenities and experiences continue to be revitalized, the resort is reclaiming its role as a premier destination for travelers while strengthening its position as a major employer and economic driver for Lee County.
“These outstanding businesses are making a meaningful impact in our community,” said Ben Spence, chair of the Horizon Council and president and CEO of Lee Health. “Their commitment and contributions help make Southwest Florida one of the premier places to live, work and play, and they are truly deserving of today’s recognition. These remarkable businesses and their leaders reflect the dedication and innovation that keep our community moving forward.”
Additionally, Dr. Larry Antonucci was awarded the Horizon Council Lifetime Achievement Award for his tremendous contributions to health care in Lee County. Antonucci was the president and CEO of Lee Health from 2017 until his retirement earlier this year. He spent 40 years on the Lee Health medical staff, including 24 years as a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist (OB-GYN). He was a driving force in Lee Health’s patient safety program, which has won numerous awards and consistently ranks high in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service’s Five-Star Quality Rating System. Prior to joining Lee Health, Antonucci co-founded Physicians’ Primary Care in Lee County in 1995.
To learn more about the Industry Appreciation Awards, please visit IndustryAppreciationAwards.com.
About the Horizon Council
The Horizon Council is a public-private board established in 1991 to advise the Lee Board of County Commissioners on economic development issues. The Council has up to 80 members representing cities; chambers of commerce; economic development and trade organizations; community, business, and education organizations; along with various officers and at-large members. The Horizon Council is the voice of business in Lee County. The Council’s mission is to improve Lee County’s business environment, retain and encourage the expansion of existing businesses, and attract new and diversified employers. It is the only public-private partnership of Lee County Government and business leaders. Visit LeeCountyBusiness.com/Horizon-Council for more information.
About the Horizon Foundation
The Horizon Foundation was established in 1995-96 to provide a funding vehicle for businesses to invest in Lee County’s long-term economic development and vitality. In 2000, the Horizon Foundation received its IRS ruling as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation raises private-sector money to support efforts of the Lee County Economic Development Office and the Horizon Council to improve the area’s business climate. For more information, please visit HorizonCouncilFoundation.com, or call 239-533-6806.
About the Lee County Economic Development Office
The Lee County Economic Development Office provides business assistance to retain existing businesses, encourage entrepreneurship and attract new business to provide a strong economy and thriving communities. The office also works to improve opportunities for the workforce to advance skills and have access to career ladders. Lee EDO has published a Development Activity Story Map that allows the public to explore new private development projects and investment activity in the county. Visit LeeCountyBusiness.com for more information.
