Men and Women of the Year

But in the end, 12 people stood out. They represent about as wide a variety of occupations and fields of interest as you could imagine-the hospitality industry, philanthropy, construction and development, media, education and the arts. And from their number we also chose one individual to be the first recipient of our "Lifetime Achievement Award." Join us now in recognizing them not only for being so good at what they do, but for enriching our community.

Kellie Burns

The ebullient 34-year-old anchor for WBBH-TV (NBC) is not only a big hit in the ratings, she's a tireless supporter of civic and charitable organizations.

You can quote me: I think a big part of me is defined by what I do. I don't have a family yet-I would like to someday soon, my biological clock is ticking-so work is my life. I'm lucky enough to have a job where I can make a difference in the com-munity and meet such great people.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? A 14-year-old boy named TJ, my little brother in Big Brothers/Big Sisters. We met six years ago, when he was a little kid taking care of a sick mother. I could offer him guidance and a refuge when he faced difficult situations at home. A little more than a year ago, TJ's mom got sick and I was able to get her in hospice care, while I took care of him at my home. His mom died a few months later, but not before we found TJ a wonderful new home, with two loving parents. Now this frightened, neglected 8 year old is an "A" student with a whole new family.

How would you improve the quality of life in Southwest Florida? I would make sure every woman in Southwest Florida gives herself a monthly self-breast exam, and all woman over 40 get an annual mammogram. Simple things can save the lives of our mothers, daughters and sisters.

Who are your personal heroes? My mother, who worked her way up from humble beginnings, put herself through school while working third shift and raising three children. She gave me the encouragement, the confidence and the love to get me where I am today.

What is your most notable characteristic? Enthusiasm.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would buy myself some patience.

What are you most afraid of? Missed opportunities.

What gives you the most pleasure in life? My dogs Billie and Cody, and the beach at sunset.

Michael E.Watkins - LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Grandson of the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club FOUNDER, the 48 year old serves as president of the family business and has overseen some $40 million in additions and renovations at the resort. He has also served as director of more than a dozen civic and charitable organizations.

You can quote me: I have always believed in the importance of giving back to one's community, and that has been the guiding principle of our family business.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Keeping a Watkins family tradition alive by positioning The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club as a major player in an ever changing business climate.

How would you improve the quality of life in Southwest Florida? Slow down the relentless growth, and shape it with more concern for quality of life issues. Keep the focus on that precarious balance between "nature" and "us."

Who are your personal heroes? Roberto Clemente, the greatest player of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

If you could trade places for a day with another person, who would it be? I like my life and don't desire to trade.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Develop an ability to get everything done on time, including this biographical sketch.

What is your all-time favorite book? "Everyone Poops" [a children's picture book].

What is the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? I was a math major-one of six in my graduating class at Williams College.

What are you most afraid of?

Amherst defeating Williams in football.

What gives you the most pleasure in life? A good profit margin on the year end.

Describe your perfect day: An early morning departure from Naples on a fishing expedition to the Ten Thousand Islands, then spending the day trying to catch fish.

Jim Rideoutte

As executive director of the Naples Players, this wry 70-year-old native of South Carolina is a guiding light OF the Sugden Theatre.

You can quote me: You only get one crack at this life, so if there is some contribution you want to make or some pleasure you want to enjoy, you better get about it. If you are really lucky, your pleasure and contribution are one and the same.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Translating "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" into Swahili.

How would you improve the quality of life in Southwest Florida? Develop a plan for intelligent growth that would maintain those items which attracted most of us here while not violating property rights or bankrupting the country.

If you could trade places for a day with another person, who would it be? I would trade places with Bill Gates because I would then write a check for $10 million to each of the worthwhile organizations here in Naples.

What is the quality you look for most in other people?

Whether they be a saint or a sinner, they must have a sense of humor.

What would you change about yourself? My impatience.

What is your all-time favorite book, film and song? Book: None. Film: Guns of Navarone. Song: "Seventy-Six Trombones."

What are you most afraid of? Boredom.

Describe your perfect day: Have a score of 72 on the golf course in the morning; receive a phone call in the afternoon that a contributor has just donated $1 million to the theater and spend the evening with my wife and friends at dinner and a play at the Sugden Theater.

Edward V.Staros

As vice president and managing director of the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, this veteran HOTELIER has led his properties to worldwide acclaim while finding time

to serve on numerous university advisory boards.

You can quote me: My guiding philosophy is to be the best you can be every day using the principle of trying to create something excellent every day of your life.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Winning the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards in 1992 and 1999 (the only hotel company ever to win and the only service company to win twice). In my personal life, marrying my wife Patricia and the birth and development of our two children.

How would you improve the quality of life in Southwest Florida? I would dismantle the primitive process of excluding children with special needs in our public schools and segregating them from the typical classroom.

Who are your personal heroes? The original astronauts: Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, John Glenn.

If you could trade places for a day with another person, who would it be? I would like to spend a week in a U.S. space station and develop with NASA the space hotels of the future.

What one thing would you change about yourself? I would like to be able to read, write and converse in Greek, Italian, Japanese, German and French.

Describe your perfect day:

No phone calls, faxes, e-mail, mail or memos, just spending the entire day enriching the lives of those you touch, be it family, friends or total strangers.

Darryl Pottorf

In addition to his growing international acclaim as an artist, the Captiva- based Pottorf supports SEVERAL humanitarian causes and is honorary chair of Arts for ACT (Abuse Counseling Treatment, inc.).

You can quote me: Art is my passion. I am so visually oriented, I sometimes can't hear. My joy comes in the studio-alone, without critics or agendas. The studio is my true lover. For some fortunate reason, I have been able to share this.

How would you improve the quality of life in Southwest Florida? I can't do anything except use my art for worthwhile causes, but my wishes are that people would recognize why they came here, respect it and maintain it.

Who are your personal heroes?

Souls who have the strength to fulfill their dreams.

What is your all-time favorite book, film and song? Book: Homer's "Odyssey." Film: To Kill a Mockingbird. Songs: Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child," and "You Can't Always Get What You Want," by the Rolling Stones.

What is the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? I don't like surprises.

What are you most afraid of? Me.

What gives you the most pleasure in life?

Making art, using it to raise funds, traveling the world, cigarettes, Johnnie Walker Black, Iranian caviar and sex at least once every six months.