As always, we looked for people who not only excel in their fields but are improving the quality of life in this region. We found that and more in our final winners. High achievers in areas ranging from the arts and business to media and philanthropy, they're also original-and sometimes inspirational-thinkers, as you'll see from their candid comments below. We are proud to honor them on the pages of Gulfshore Life, and we predict they'll leave a lasting impression upon our ever-changing shores.

Jean Barclay

This one-time teacher and past president of the Naples Philharmonic League has spread her love of music and learning to thousands of children along the Gulfshore. Her energy and fundraising skills continue to help bring more than 9,000 local schoolchildren to the Phil each year, support a youth chorale and youth orchestra, and underwrite a conductor committed to bringing music into young people's lives.

Born Aug. 17 ("year confidential!")

Harrisburg, Pa.

Best trait: Being well organized.

Worst trait: Taking on too many responsibilities.

Hero: My father. At an early age he encouraged me to be flexible (we moved a lot) and independent (I am an only child).

One thing you would change: I would have begun golf lessons much sooner!

Unfulfilled ambition: To have a hole in one.

Quality most admired in others: To adjust to the changes life brings to all of us with good humor and a positive attitude.

Quality most disliked: A negative attitude, constant complaining.

Favorite book or movie: To Kill a Mockingbird, which addressed a very relevant issue years ago that is still being strongly debated today.

One thing to improve the region: Improve the literacy rate so that all individuals can compete for jobs on an equal basis.

Advice to newcomers: Get involved!

Shirlene Elkins

A founder of the Naples Winter Wine Festival and its chairman for 2004, Elkins leads one of the Gulfshore's outstanding social, cultural and charitable events. In just three years, the glamorous gathering has brought top chefs and vintners to Naples from around the world and raised more than $11 million for children's charities.

Born Aug. 29, 1954

Southgate, Calif.

Best trait: Persistence. I never take no for an answer.

Worst trait: I tend to worry about everything: things I can control and others I cannot.

Hero: Superwoman! She can get 48 hours' worth of work done in a matter of hours.

Unfulfilled dream: To sing and dance on Broadway.

Quality most admired in others: Kindness is the number-one quality that I admire in people.

Quality most disliked: When people are two-faced.

Favorite TV show: The I Love Lucy Show is a piece of art.

Something people would be surprised to learn about you: My first job was singing, dancing and dressing up like characters in Disney.

What keeps you up at night? E-mail! I stay up all night with my mind racing. The ladies at the office tease me when they receive a 3 a.m. e-mail, which is often.

Advice to newcomers: This is a very philanthropic community, so open your hearts!

Gary William Gardner

The general manager of Fort Myers-based WINK-TV has helped revamp the station's news offerings and leveraged the tiny tube to bolster his civic responsibilities. As a director of both the Lee and Collier Education foundations, he's helped publicize the efforts of outstanding teachers here with special broadcasts of the Golden Apple awards.

Born May 25, 1952

Queens, N.Y.

Best trait: I'm always trying to grow, in my relationships, in my different roles in life, and as a member of society.

Worst trait: I sometimes set the bar too high, especially for myself.

Heroes: My parents.

Unfulfilled dream: I would like to teach someday.

Quality most admired in others: Compassion.

Quality most disliked: Arrogance.

Favorite art exhibit: Thomas Cole's Voyage of Life series at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. I am still amazed by how his early-19th-century paintings depicting the innocence of childhood, the overconfidence of youth, the trials and tribulations of middle age, and the prayerful salvation of old age hold true today.

What would most surprise people about you? My first career after college was as a securities analyst.

What keeps you up at night? Too much caffeine and the stock market.

Favorite spot in Southwest Florida: Watching a sunset on the beach at South Seas Plantation.

Advice to newcomers: Do everything you can to preserve the natural beauty and wonderful lifestyle that attracted you to Southwest Florida. Get involved in your community and in your children's education.

Todd E. Gates

The hard-driving president of Gates McVey Builders, a company he co-founded in 1995, has helped build one of the biggest and most respected development, construction, real estate and capital companies in the region. Also president of the Collier Building Industry Association, Gates has led the organization to the highest membership count in its history.

Born March 20, 1962

Hopewell, Va.

Best trait: Never, ever giving up.

Worst trait: Being overly critical of myself and others.

One thing you would change: Spend more time with my family and enjoy the outdoors.

Unfulfilled dream: Realizing and being comfortable with the journey and the climb versus always thinking about the peak.

Quality most admired in others: Keeping cool under pressure.

Quality most disliked: Rudeness and being disrespectful to others.

Favorite books: The Bible, for laying the moral foundation for every human being. Patton on Leadership-Strategic Lessons for Corporate Warfare: Action is always preferable to inaction.

Favorite spot in Southwest Florida: Being on the water watching the sun come up.

Advice to newcomers: Be patient and respectful to all your existing and future neighbors. We all want the same thing: to live in peace, raise our families in a positive way, and enjoy the quality of life which surrounds us in this paradise we are fortunate to call home.

David H. Graham

As vice president of planning and development for the Bonita Bay Group, Graham has succeeded at a big job: overseeing design, engineering, planning, permitting, budgeting and construction of all projects and amenities for one of Southwest Florida's premier developers of master-planned communities. Described by fellow employees as "The Great Compromiser" and "Senator Graham," he's also used his talent for consensus-building to spur government and industry to work together to address Southwest Florida's seasonal traffic woes.

Born Dec. 15, 1946

Cranston, R.I.

Best trait: Optimism.

Worst trait: Impatience.

One thing you would change: I would like to become more patient.

Unfulfilled dream: To tour the balance of the United States with my wife, pulling an Airstream trailer.

Quality most admired in others: Life/work balance-being successful in job performance and balancing that with family life.

Quality most disliked: Boastful arrogance.

Favorite passage and book: Passage: 1 Peter 5:2-4: "Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraints but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock." Book: The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York City by Robert A. Caro. This book outlines the complex processes necessary to accomplish large public works projects. Planning and politics are necessary.

Something people would be surprised to learn about you: I enjoy being a "hermit."

Favorite spot in Southwest Florida: Pine Island Sound.

Advice to newcomers: Learn to appreciate the beauty of our region as well as the efforts of people who have come before you.

Carol O. Hudler

The one-time advertising director of the News-Press returned to Fort Myers in 2000 to become president and publisher of the Gulfshore's biggest daily. Her efforts in improving the paper's financial performance, editorial content and circulation won her the Publisher of the Year award from parent company Gannett in 2002.

Born Oct. 6, 1955

Onanga, Kan.

Best trait: I am down-to-earth.

Worst trait: I over-schedule, and as a result run late.

Quality most admired in others: Discipline.

Quality most disliked: I don't mind arrogance unless it's coupled with self-deception.

Favorite words: Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech. His choice of words and the imagery they evoke are just incredible. It was a powerful message delivered in a powerful way.

Something people would be surprised to learn about you: When I lived in Southern California, I was a member of the Unknown Shoppers, a group that performed precision drills with shopping carts, with paper sacks cloaking our identity. We were best known for our appearances in Pasadena's Do-Dah parade.

What keeps you up at night: The really tough decisions.

Favorite spot: Cayo Costa. To me, it's magical.

One thing to improve the region: Help coordinate economic growth and environmental preservation in ways that allow us to live in a vibrant, beautiful place.

Advice to newcomers: Buy your house now, and take advantage of Lee County's parks. They are among the best in the world.

Johan and Tish Kriek

Tish

A fine-art consultant for Native Visions Gallery on Fifth Avenue South, Tish Kriek may be best known for her love and support of animals. A certified equine massage therapist, she also chairs the Naples Equestrian Challenge (a nonprofit, therapeutic horse-riding program for the disabled), volunteers for Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary in Punta Gorda, helps with native animal rescue efforts, and patiently baby-sits young exotic animals while they await permanent homes.

Born April 9, 1960

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.