Men and Women of the Year

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.