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Southwest Florida's Hottest Bachelors 2008

By: Shellie Benson


We thought last year’s bachelors were the hottest around, but we’ve found another crop of handsome, charming and intelligent guys to grace the pages of our October issue. This year, we selected a group of single gals to nominate these men and help us narrow our choices. We’d like to express special gratitude to Stephanie Battista, Lois Bolin, Jenny Craig, Yiota Kotokis, Tina Matte and Suzanne Willis. Thanks, ladies, for a job well done.


Dave Aronberg, 37, Green Acres

Florida State Senator (Represents Lee County)
Hometown: Miami
Defines himself as: Passionate, outgoing and driven
Favorite movie: This is Spinal Tap
Last read: The Swamp by Michael Grunwald
Listening to now: Rush, The Killers, Bon Jovi
Causes he fights for: Public safety, the Everglades, consumer protection, ID theft protection
He notices first: Her smileIdeal first date: Something casual—I don’t want it to be a job interview.
Topics to avoid: There is nothing off-limits.
He’s clicked with you when: You both just know.
You’ll know he likes you when: I take her to a political event.
Long-time friend says: "Dave’s getting to the point where he’s ready to settle down, if he finds the right woman."
He’d be a good boyfriend because: Even though I’m driven, I’m easygoing and tolerant.
Dating deal breaker: If she’s judgmental or a gossip
Text or call? I’m a texting addict. I have very strong thumbs.
Dating in Southwest Florida: It’s all about timing, and timing knows no geography.
Favorite hangout: Blu Sushi
Marriage? Someday
Kids? Yes
Women need to know: Men say what they mean and mean what they say.
Type of gal he likes: Fun, non-judgmental and intellectually curious
What do women want? Honesty and stability
Why do women … continue to date Tommy Lee?
We couldn’t help but notice … Dave is very down-to-earth and genuine, putting politician stereotypes to rest.


Donald Quiggle, 26, Naples

Senior program director of aquatics and sports, Bonita Springs YMCA. Owns a pool service business.
Hometown: Sebring, Fla.
Defines himself as: Easygoing, motivated and understanding
Listening to now: Coldplay
He notices first: Her smile
Topic to avoid: Past relationships
He’s clicked with you when: I’m having to hold back from calling her too soon. You’ve got to wait at least one whole day.
You’ll know he likes you when he: Invites you hang out with all of his friends.
Long-time buddy says: "He’s looking for a good girl. He’s tired of all the drama."
He’d be a good boyfriend because: It’s my goal for her to feel secure.
Dating deal breaker: Complaining
Text or call? Texting at first cuts out the awkwardness.
Yes, no or maybe—Marriage? Not no.
Yes, no or maybe—Kids? Yes
Women need to know: You take men too seriously sometimes.
Type of gal he likes: Motivated, adventurous and not afraid to voice her opinion
Sexiest thing she can wear: A little black dress
What do women want? To be kept on their toes
Why do women … expect men to read their minds?
We couldn’t help but notice … he really doesn’t know how handsome he is, which just makes him that much more adorable.


Jay Hartington, 29, Naples

Co-owner, Marissa Collections
Hometown: Naples
Defines himself as: Fun, open-minded and curious
Favorite movie: Caddy Shack
Last read: The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
On his iPod now: My Morning Jacket
Favorite place to travel: He’s world-traveled, but loves Italy most.
He notices first: Her smile Ideal first date: Dinner at Campiello’s
He’s clicked with you when: There’s a sense of familiarity and ease in conversation.
You’ll know he likes you when: I give her 100 percent of my free time.
When she makes the first move: That’s a good thing—I like strong, confident women.
Dating deal breaker: Being rude to service people
Text or call? I’m a notorious texter, and I hate listening to voice mail.
Dating in Southwest Florida: It’s limited. If you overuse any product, you’re going to get tired of it.
Marriage? Someday
Kids? Someday
Women need to know: Men do not talk about women all day long, and we don’t analyze things like women do.
Type of gal he likes: Confident women who aren’t afraid to follow their gut feelings
Sexiest thing she can wear: Oversized men’s watches. It’s a very European look.
What do women want? Someone to turn to no matter what’s going on outside her comfort zone.
Why do women … talk so much about men? We’re not that interesting.
We couldn’t help but notice … he has a lot of respect for his mother—which is a really good sign.


Trent Ryan, 37, Fort Myers

Corporate director of marketing, Robb & Stucky
Hometown: His parents were missionaries, and he’s lived all over the world.
Defines himself as: Funny, genuine and easygoing
Favorite movie: Pulp Fiction
Last read: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
On his iPod now: Metallica
He notices first: Her smile and laugh
Topic to avoid: I’m an open book—in a good way.
He’s clicked with you when: There’s chemistry and common interests connect two people.
You’ll know he likes you when: I’ll flirt and call her nicknames.
Long-time friend says: "I wouldn’t classify him as a player on any level. [The ideal woman] would have to be fun-loving and adventurous."
He’d be a good date because: I’m easy to talk to. I’m uninhibited, spontaneous and a good listener.
When she makes the first move: That’s a fantastic thing. Life is short—if you’re passionate about something, go after it.
Dating deal breaker: Psycho behavior
Text or call? There’s a time and place for both. Texting can be very witty, but there are certain things that need to be heard.
Dating in Southwest Florida: It’s sporadic.
Marriage? Definitely again
Kids? He has eight-year-old twin daughters.
Women need to know: Men can cook and clean, too.
Sexiest thing she can wear: Something she feels comfortable in. If she feels beautiful, her inner beauty comes out.
What do women want? Someone open, honest, caring and attentive.
Why do women … have to go to the bathroom together?
We couldn’t help but notice … his voice is so sexy, he could read the phone book, and we’d still swoon.


Robert Scali, 45, Naples

Independent television producer
Hometown: Boston
Defines himself as: Eccentric, affectionate and funny
Favorite movie: Sleepless in Seattle
Last read: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
On his iPod: Current hip-hop
He notices first: Her hair
Ideal first date: Whatever makes her feel comfortable
Topics to avoid: Past relationships, politics, depressing current events
He’s clicked with you when: I can feel it in my chest—it takes your breath away.
You’ll know he likes you when: I tell her. I’m past the point of playing games.
He’d be a good boyfriend because: I’m loyal, attentive and I really care how she feels.
When she makes the first move: It’s a good thing. It takes the stress off of me.
Dating deal breaker: Unladylike behavior
Text or call? Text—you can be more brave.
Favorite hangout: The Cigar Bar
Marriage? Yes
Kids? He has a 13-year-old son and a nine-year-old daughter.
Women need to know: You can find out everything you need to know if you ask his sister.
Sexiest thing she can wear: A dress
What do women want? A really good guy
Why do women … say they want good guys, but go after bad guys?
We couldn’t help but notice … he’s a great conversationalist, a good listener and has an infectious curiosity about life.


James Kurnik, 29, Naples

Civil litigation attorney
Hometown: Cleveland
Defines himself as: Loyal, stubborn and passionate
Favorite movie: Tristan & Isolde
Last read: Three Weeks With My Brother by Nicholas Sparks
He notices first: How she carries herself—if she’s classy or seeking attention
Ideal first date: It wouldn’t matter, as long as there was great conversation.
Deadly topic: Once you talk about the weather, it means you have nothing left to say.
He’s clicked with you when: I feel open enough to talk about my family.
You’ll know he likes you when: I introduce her to my brother and sister.
Long-time friend says: "James is a relationship guy. I can’t see him not being a father and husband."
He’d be a good boyfriend because: I’ve never, ever cheated; I’m fun, and my friends add a lot.
When she makes the first move: Sometimes she has to. I’m a slow mover, and if I like someone, there’s no rush.
Dating deal breaker: If someone’s overtly racist.
Text or call? If a girl actually calls, that’s huge points for her.
Dating in Southwest Florida: You can meet good people absolutely anywhere.
Favorite hangout: Absinthe
Marriage? Yes
Kids? Yes
Women need to know: A guy can only treat you with as much class as you treat yourself.
Type of gal he likes: Non-drama queens
Sexiest thing she can wear: Jeans and a tank top
What do women want? A nice guy—but they don’t know where to find one or how to act when they do.
Why do women … crave public attention so much?
We couldn’t help but notice … he wants a woman he can respect. How hot is that?


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