The Hot 100

To compile the Hot 100, we enlisted 20 community-minded people from Collier and Lee counties who have been in and around the scene for years. Though our panel recommended these 100, we know there are many, many more deserving people—and wish we had the room to celebrate them all.   

Heidi and Alan Farrugia These college sweethearts met at the University of Florida before moving to Pensacola, where Alan began his dentistry practice. Seven years ago, they relocated to Quail West in Naples (Heidi grew up on Marco Island), and together they run Complete Dental Care and Orthodontics. Their children, ages seven, 10 and 13, attend Community School, where the Farrugias focus much of their philanthropic efforts. Heidi will also throw a fundraising party for the Children’s Museum of Naples this fall, and Alan continues offering dental services to those who have suffered from a traumatic experience. You’ll also likely catch the Farrugias at the Naples Winter Wine Festival—where Heidi has been known to sport some of the most fabulous designer fashions.

Arthur Allen This software mogul came out of retirement in 1986 to found Allen Systems Group, a world-class provider of software solutions. Allen has a passion for tennis—he funded his namesake tennis center at Cambier Park and even employs a few players at ASG.

Dave Aronberg This Harvard graduate became the youngest member of the state senate in 2002; and, despite a large Republican majority, the Democrat was reelected in 2004. While a state assistant attorney general for economic crimes, he prosecuted TV psychic "Miss Cleo," who claimed to be a Jamaican shaman, for fraud. He’s a member of the Young Professionals of Lee County and participates in the Cattle Barons’ Ball bachelor auction for the American Cancer Society.

Patty & Jay Baker The former president and CEO of Kohl’s, Jay and his wife, Patty, have a strong focus on the community. They funded the Naples Museum of Art and donate to NCH Healthcare Systems, where Jay serves on the board. The down-to-earth Bakers bring an upbeat spirit to all their philanthropic work.

Harold Balink The owner and chef of the upscale hotspot H2 Tapas and Wine Bar on Bay Street in the downtown Fort Myers River District. Extremely generous, he’s known for donating food and wine to charitable events around town.

Bill & Chris Barnett This political power-couple stays busy: Bill is in his fourth term as mayor of Naples, and the couple has four children and eight grandchildren. Bill is an ace poker player who’s raised thousands for Gulfshore charities as a celebrity auctioneer, and Chris is a fundraiser for The Fun Time Early Learning Academy.

Mitch Belding & Maria Paterno Owners of All Out Bail Bonds in Fort Myers, they attend all the big Fort Myers fundraising events and throw an annual Christmas party to raise money for Toys for Tots.

Jerry Berry When the Naples elite have a run-in with the law, their first call is usually to Berry, who has practiced criminal law in Collier County for more than 20 years and received the Donald E. Van Koughnet Lion of the Law Award for professionalism. He’s defended many high-profile cases including Alex Lifeson, guitar player for Rush, after a drunken brawl at The Ritz.

Bob Beville Director of sales for Waterman Broadcasting, which operates NBC2 and ABC7. He is a director of the Rotary Club of Fort Myers and is active in the Rotary’s Southwest Florida Wine Fest.

Jack & Shelley Blais Jack is retired from the high-tech precision optics industry. They split their time between Fort Myers, where they are big supporters of the Boston Red Sox Children’s Hospital Celebrity Classic, and Framingham, Mass., where they also support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Wilson Bradshaw The former president of Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minn., was selected as the third president of Florida Gulf Coast University in August 2007. Although he may seem reserved at first blush, listen to him speak and you’ll discover his great sense of humor and social presence.

Kellie Burns News anchor for NBC2 and Gulfshore Life’s very own "Scene & Heard" columnist. She is a much sought-after emcee, entertaining the crowds for charity events around town.

Robert Cacioppo Producing artistic director of Florida Repertory Theatre in the downtown Fort Myers River District. He and his wife, Carrie Lund, are famous for post-opening night parties at their Fort Myers home with Robert acting as master chef.

Joseph Catti CEO of FineMark Bank and board member of the Florida Gulf Coast University and Lee Memorial Health System foundations. He is a major donor to many local charities and spent about 50 Saturday nights in the past year at various charity events.

Dr. Susan Cera This Georgetown graduate is nationally known for her expertise as a colorectal surgeon, using the hi-tech Da Vinci-S robot in the operating room at Physicians Regional in Naples. She has been published in numerous medical publications, prominent books and appeared on TV to speak on colon cancer. She’s also an avid runner who has competed in the Marine Corps Marathon.

Suzanne & Bob Chute Suzanne is the founder of the Magnolia Ball to benefit the Magnolia Education and Research Endowment Fund. Avid philanthropists, the couple supports many causes including The Shelter for Abused Women and Children, The David Lawrence Foundation, Saint Ann School, the Immokalee Foundation, the new pediatric tower at NCH North Naples Hospital, the prevention of missing and exploited children, and Wrenwood Farms International Hunter Derby benefitting the Naples Equestrian Challenge.

Mary Susan & J.D. Clinton Former stockbroker Mary Susan founded the award-winning international documentary company Gallien Global Vision and the medical skin-care line Renaitre. She and J.D., INSOUTH Bank chairman and CEO, are founding trustees of the Naples
Children and Education Foundation’s Naples Winter Wine Festival, and both have served on its executive board. J.D. is also the foundation’s past grant chairman. The couple’s community involvement includes Boys and Girls Club of Collier County, First Baptist Church of Naples, Youth Haven, The Immokalee Foundation, The Community School of Naples and Children’s Museum of Naples.

Denise & Brian Cobb This philanthropic couple serves on the board of trustees of the Naples Children and Education Foundation, both chairing numerous committees for the foundation’s famous Naples Winter Wine Festival. Brian has chaired both the wine festival and the foundation’s grant committee. He is also a trustee at Florida Gulf Coast University. Denise is a trustee for the Guadalupe Center of Immokalee and chair of the center’s public relations committee. She is also a member of the Board of Regents at Ave Maria University.

Joe Cox As an attorney for more than 39 years, Cox has helped the Naples elite with customized arrangements for estate planning, banking insurance, trusts and taxation. He is everyone’s go-to-guy for children’s charities, having raised money for Youth Haven, helped organize the creation of the Community School of Naples and was named Child Advocate of the Year.

Pam & Tom Cronin Owners of the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers. Tom, a real estate developer and bank chairman, plays the harmonica and is the life of the party; while Pam co-chairs the North Fort Myers Relay for Life and hosts monthly "Girlee Girlz" cocktail parties.

Bob & Barbara Crown Bob is founder and former president and CEO of Crown Communications, the world’s largest radio and wireless tower provider, and Barbara is president of Crown Management Services, a property management company. They are trustees for the Naples Winter Wine Festival, which raises money for the Naples Children and Education Foundation, and Barbara volunteers to raise money for cancer research.

Myra Janco Daniels She is the driving force behind the cultural arts community in Naples, a visionary who made her dream come true. In the 1980s, she raised $21 million to build the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. A decade later, she was at it again, collecting the funds to create the Naples Museum of Art.

Bill Davey The 1997 Mr. America, 15-year personal trainer and partner in Omni Club in Fort Myers created Billy’s Boot Camp, a class mixing intense cardiovascular and resistance training with high-energy music. Davey is a commanding presence at the gym but has a soft spot for children’s causes, especially The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

Berne Davis She and her late husband are the namesakes of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, and her love of gardening made possible the healing garden at Lee Memorial Health System’s new cancer center. Though in her 90s, she can still be found in the midst of the city’s social scene.

Stephanie Davis Better known by her alias as a columnist for The News-Press, "Downtown Diva," she’s on the invite list for dozens of parties, galas and festivals every month—dishing about fellow guests’ fabulousness in print.