Men and Women of the Year

Elma, N.Y.

Most important lifetime achievement: Besides having my daughter, Madison, the astronomical number of turtles I have rescued off our Collier County roads over the last 26 years!

Best trait: Being honest and frank.

Worst trait: Being honest and frank.

One thing I'd change about myself: I wish I had a big topspin backhand instead of a wimpy slice.

Unfulfilled dreams: I have so many, but I would love to go to South Africa with Madison and Johan and work on an important project involving an endangered species.

Quality most admired in others: Consideration and respect toward all living things and their environments.

Qualities most disliked: Lack of consideration, and hypocrisy.

Favorite song: "Seminole Wind." John Anderson pretty much sums up the plight of the Everglades.

What keeps you up at night: Cats walking across my face, dogs taking up way too much room on our bed and Johan's occasional snoring.

Favorite spot in Southwest Florida: My home with my family, our four cats, five dogs, one pot-bellied pig, one python, two parrots, one cougar, a horse or two, and numerous polliwogs.

One thing to improve the region: Create more natural preserves for our local wildlife and fauna.

Johan

Naples' top tennis pro hit the courts in his native South Africa when he was three, and his long experience has paid off. This year he capped an outstanding career (two grand-slam titles and more than 30 singles and doubles titles-and eight wins over John McEnroe) with a championship in the over-45 men's doubles competition at Wimbledon. But he's not resting on his laurels. Recently he became WCI Communities' sports ambassador here, and he's also brought the Southern Kingfish Association's popular saltwater fishing tournaments to the Gulfshore.

Born April 5, 1958

Pangola, South Africa

Best trait: Being sincere and honest with people.

Worst trait: Too forgiving!

Unfulfilled dream: To make a major impact on people's lives in southern Africa in housing, healthcare and sustainable economics-and to become a chef.

Quality most admired in others: Quiet, self-assured, confident, successful people.

Quality most disliked: Insecure braggards!

Favorite book, movie, song and saying: The Washing of the Spears; I feel like I'm part Zulu. Gladiator; taught me never to give up! "Imagine" by John Lennon; speaks for itself. And "If you aren't the lead dog, the view never changes."

What people would be surprised to learn about you: That I'm afraid of flying; I would rather cook than go to dinner, and I only have 9 1/4 toes.

Favorite spot in Southwest Florida: Boca Grande.

One thing to improve the region: Make people drive in the right lane!

J. William Meek III

As one of the oldest art galleries in Naples and the state celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, its longtime director-owner is taking Harmon-Meek in a new direction: He's moving it from its former home on Fifth Avenue South to the TIB Financial Centre a few blocks north. Showcasing modern American artists, Meek has organized and lent more than 300 exhibitions to nearly 80 museums across the country.

Born TK

Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

Best trait: Honesty.

Worst trait: Starting too many projects at once.

Hero: The artist Robert Vickrey. He has survived for more than 50 years in a hostile art world as a realist without straying from his style.

Unfulfilled dream: Creating a new art museum (not in Naples since two already exist).

Quality you admire most in others: Quiet sophistication.

Quality you most dislike: Arrogance and egotism.

Favorite artwork: Salvador Dalí's painting Persistence of Memory, upon discovering firsthand just how small the painting actually is and how much impact on the art world it would have for seven decades.

Something people would be surprised to learn about you: That I have lived in Naples since 1966 and graduated from Naples High School.

One thing to improve the region: Coordinate all the traffic lights in the city and county so that one could drive north-south for three to five minutes without stopping.

Advice to newcomers: Don't get a real-estate license.

Thomas S. Monaghan

This one-time orphan who built and sold the Domino's pizza chain and bought and sold the Detroit Tigers baseball team has decided to devote a big chunk of his wealth to creating a brand-new Catholic university between Naples and Immokalee-the first major new Catholic university in the United States in 40 years. Monaghan's faith, hope and charity are sure to have a profound impact on virtually every facet of the Gulfshore's intellectual, cultural, economic and spiritual life.

Born March 25, 1937

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Greatest achievement: Retaining my faith throughout my life.

Best trait: Vision and persistence.

Worst trait: Impatience.

Heroes: Pope John Paul II because of his holiness, intelligence and courage. In business, Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald's. He was never caught up in the Wall Street jargon of debits and credits; he just focused on quality, service and cleanliness.

Unfulfilled dream: Complete fruition of Ave Maria University.

Quality most admired in others: Humility.

Quality most disliked: People who never make mistakes.

Favorite book: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, because it "woke me up."

Favorite spot in Southwest Florida: Being on vacation in Naples with my wife in January, with a ballpoint pen and a legal pad.

One thing to improve the region: Start a great Catholic university.

Advice to newcomers: Look no further.

Gary V. Trippe

Chief executive officer of the biggest independent insurance agency in Southwest Florida, this one-time president of the D.R. Mead and Company agency in Miami built the Gulfshore's regional insurance colossus (with $14.5 million in annual revenue, eight offices and 110 employee-owners) from a home-based business he started with his wife in Fort Myers in 1982. He's known for his involvement in local civic and charitable organizations-more than 30-and ranks as one of the most respected businessmen in the region.

Born Nov. 15, 1943

Warsaw, Mo.

Best trait: My parents instilled a strong sense of loyalty and commitment. My association with the Boy Scouts and Rotary reinforced those traits.

Worst trait: My perfectionist tendencies.

Personal hero: My older brother Billy, who was mentally and physically challenged by cerebral palsy, spent most of his life in a wheelchair. Although his best days consisted of the very basics most of us take for granted, he was always happy, had a smile for everyone and never complained. When I encountered a difficult situation, Billy's example inspired me to make the very best of the challenge and look for positive results. It wasn't until after his death that I recognized the impact of the lessons I learned from him.

Quality you most admire in others: Unpretentiousness.

Quality you most dislike: Tardiness.

Favorite saying: Believe in what you do. Do what you believe.

Advice to newcomers: Find your passion and commit yourself to improving the quality of life in this great place.

Larry R. Willis Sr.

When he's not busy fixing the Gulfshore's phone lines as a Sprint circuit technician, Willis is devoting his evenings and weekends to fixing youngsters' left jabs and right hooks as a volunteer boxing coach and instructor in Fort Myers' predominantly black Dunbar neighborhood. A one-time state welterweight champion, he took up boxing in the 11th grade ("My sister was beating me up all the time and I was trying to defend myself," he explains). Through the Police Athletic League, this father of four has devoted countless hours to helping young fighters, all the while developing not only outstanding prizefighters but pride.

Born Aug. 25, 1958

Lake Wales, Fla.

Best trait: My sense of humor and ability to make friends and touch the lives of almost everyone I meet.

Worst trait: I tend to worry about the small things too much.

Personal hero: My mother gave birth to four children, raised the last two by herself and was always willing to help someone in need.

Unfulfilled dream: To open a youth community center in our neighborhood.

Quality most admired in others: The ability to set goals and do what it takes to accomplish those goals.

Quality most disliked: Having little to no motivation, blaming others or circumstances for mishaps, and unwillingness to take life's lemons and make some lemonade.

Favorite spot in Southwest Florida: Little or Big Carlos Pass, for the fishing.

One thing to improve the region: Create more programs for youth in our community to keep them occupied and out of trouble.

Advice to newcomers: Have breakfast at the Farmer's Market Restaurant while reading Gulfshore Life magazine.