Every community has them - those individuals who are natural leaders, who work tirelessly to improve their neighborhoods, grow their businesses and make a difference in the lives of those around them. Here in North Manatee County, we are blessed with an abundance of civic-minded and business-savvy people who go the extra mile every day to help make Palmetto, Parrish and Ellenton better places for all of us to live. Some are well known with familiar faces, while others take a behind-the-scenes approach. All have accomplished much. In these pages we will meet just a small sampling of the business and community leaders who call North Manatee County "home."
Leslie Wells
Owner & Broker, Leslie Wells Realty
Leslie Wells is a familiar name and face to many residents of North Manatee County. As a long-time resident and owner of a successful real estate agency specializing in north county properties, Leslie is a true community leader who is "driven" in her work.
Not that she doesn't try to relax. Now that her husband Charlie Wells has retired from his post as Manatee County Sheriff and their three children are nearly grown, Leslie finds that life can take a slightly slower pace. For the first time in a long time, the couple is able to plan leisurely weekend getaways. Leslie especially enjoys relaxing at Lake June where she tried to catch up her reading, especially biographies and mafia stories.
When it's time to get back to reality, Leslie finds herself with the task of overseeing a considerable real estate business with three offices and some 45 agents. Originally from Chicago, Leslie has lived in Manatee County for 39 years. She worked in various real estate related fields before deciding to take the entrepreneurial plunge of opening her own office in 2001.
She enjoyed considerable success during the boom real estate years but now that the market has tightened, she has instituted a "back to basics" approach that has everyone in her offices working together to promote each other's listings. Each week she has a local attorney sit down with her staff to explain the intricacies of foreclosures and short sales, believing that having well-trained agents is the best game plan in a difficult market.
"One thing I really love is how everyone at our office gets along and cares about each other and looks out for each other," said Leslie. "It's different from any office that I've ever worked in before. In fact, it's not the norm for real estate offices where people tend to be on their own. It's really quite special."
In addition to her work commitments, Leslie is generous with her time on behalf of many local charities. Her favorites include fundraising efforts for youth sports and serving on the PTO and SAC for her children's schools. She keeps herself organized by sticking to a schedule and relying on staff to help keep her on track.
Looking to the future, Leslie has no plans to retire. In fact, she hopes to pursue other business opportunities as they arise. "Work is important. I want my children to be independent, to understand the value of hard work," she said. "I have no plans to slow down anytime soon."
First Job: Manatee County Property Appraiser's Office
Education: Manatee High and Manatee Community College
Years in the Industry: Realtor, CRB, Manatee County 32 years
Clubs and Civic Associations: Commissioner Sarasota Bradenton Airport Authority, board member of 1st Manatee Bank, Treasurer of the Manatee Association of Realtors, and a member of the Manatee Home Builders Association and the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.
An Accomplishment You're Proud Of: "The incredible agents that work at Leslie Wells Realty. Almost every one of the agents was brand new when they joined our team and I am so fortunate to have such a dedicated group of individuals to work with!"
Tom Hodgson
President and CEO of 1st Manatee Bank
There's something about small banks that appeals to Tom Hodgson. Having been in the industry for 36 years, he has worked for banks both large and small. And while he acknowledges that "big box banks" have their strengths, he prefers the intimacy and independence that comes with a small community bank.
The funny thing is, Tom never planned on being a banker. After graduating from Youngstown State University in Ohio, he intended to pursue a career in industrial sales. A good friend persuaded him to apply for a job at the local bank instead, and before long Tom knew that he had discovered his true calling.
"I just fell in love with the idea of helping people and taking care of the community. It's been something that has kept me going all these years, and I still enjoy it," he said.
Tom and his wife Trudi have lived in Parrish for eight years. They love the rural flavor of the Parrish community and have seen the area change greatly over the years they have lived there. Tom spent most of his banking career working at various branches in west Bradenton, so he is particularly thrilled to be part of 1st Manatee Bank, the first community bank in Parrish. (He also enjoys his drastically reduced commute!) One of Tom's favorite parts of his job is getting to know his customers. "At big banks, they give you an 800 number to call if you need anything special," he said. "At our bank we sit down and talk to our customers, really get to know them, and people usually leave our bank with the information or answer they need."
Tom likes to be involved in the community and is particularly impressed with the good works being done by Southeast Guide Dogs in Palmetto. With their three children grown, Tom and Trudi enjoy serving as temporary "parents" to puppies from the organization. Over the years they have adopted three puppies into their home for two years at a time, helping to train and socialize them towards the goal of becoming guide dogs for the blind. "It's one of most rewarding experiences and one of the hardest things in the world when it's time to return the dog. But it's worth it when you realize the difference the dog will make in the life of a blind person," said Tom. "And you can always get another puppy to take home and start the fun all over again."
Hometown: Sharon, Pennsylvania
Years in Manatee County: 30 years
First Job: Trainee at First National Bank of Pennsylvania in Hermitage, Pa.
Favorite Part of Your Job: Giving quality service to local individuals and businesses
Sarah Ozgun
Marketing Manager at Prime Outlets - Ellenton
When Sarah Ozgun was deciding on a career path during her college days, she never considered working as an administrator at a shopping mall. Malls were places to go shopping and hang out with friends. Period. After graduating with an advertising degree, she discovered the world of mall marketing almost by accident. She became accredited as a Certified Marketing Director through the International Council of Shopping Centers, and the rest is history.
After nine years in the industry and two years in her current position at Prime Outlets - Ellenton, Sarah is enjoying her work more than ever. And she's always busy, busy, busy. Her job description is quite lengthy and covers everything from advertising and public relations to managing guest relations and promoting store openings. She oversees the mall's partnership programs with 56 area hotels and major attractions like Mote Marine and Jungle Gardens. She makes arrangements for tour groups, oversees the Service Desk, coordinates the mall's popular Coupon Book and discount programs, and deftly manages Merchant Relations with 130 different vendors.
Whew! But the variety is what she loves most.
"I like being able to work on multiple projects at once," she said. "It keeps my mind active. There is always something new and different going on."
Sarah began her career at a mall in her home state of Michigan and later moved up the career ladder with a move to a mall in Virginia. But she and her husband longed for Florida's sunny weather and decided to head further south. After discovering an opening at the local Prime Outlets, Sarah flew down to interview for the position and fell in love with the area. The couple moved here shortly afterwards and are happily settled in their new home at Heritage Harbor.
Sarah has made herself at home in her new community. In addition to her work bringing people and new stores to Prime Outlets, she also is a member of the Women's Action Committee at Manatee Memorial Hospital. Prime Outlets has adopted juvenile diabetes as its non-profit cause and Sarah works closely with that group to plan fundraisers and events.
Hometown: Fairgrove, Michigan near Bay City
Family: Husband, one dog and two cats
First job: First job out of college, I was an Advertising Assistant for a European tour company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. First job ever, I worked as a cashier and part-time secretary at a hardware store in Caro, Michigan.
Clubs or Civic Associations: Member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, and active member in Sarasota, Bradenton and Tampa Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Favorite Charity: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Why? Juvenile diabetes is a growing epidemic in this country and we need to stop it now through research! Come join us in April 2009 for the annual JDRF Walk at Prime Outlets - Ellenton.
Favorite Local Landmark: The beaches particularly Siesta Key and Fort DeSoto Park.
An Accomplishment You're Proud Of: Starting at the bottom and working my way up the career ladder with no assistance from anyone.
Favorite Pastimes: Spending time with my husband and pets, Jazzercise, kickboxing, traveling and reading fiction novels.
Gene Hughey
Volunteer at the Florida Railroad Museum
When Gene Hughey was a young boy, he used to walk after school from his junior high in downtown Clearwater to his grandparents' house just a few blocks away. Along his route was a train track, and Gene could never resist stopping to watch the trains roar by. Today he is an active member of the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish and is very close to completing his training to become a conductor. Soon he will be the one driving the trains that he so admired as a youngster.
Gene's fascination with trains began at an early age. He still has the train set his parents gave him when he was just five years old. Now a retired commercial construction supervisor, Gene makes the drive from his home in Clearwater at least twice a week to volunteer at the railroad museum. He enjoys maintaining the track and repairing railroad equipment. He likes the fellowship of working with other volunteers who share his passion. But most of all he enjoys interacting with the people who come to ride the trains.
"We have people come from all over to ride our train," said Gene. "Of course from Manatee and Sarasota counties, but we also have guests from Orlando, Pasco, North Port, even as far away as England. We have a lot of volunteers who come down in winter months from Sun City Center. You meet people from all over the country who enjoy the train experience."
Gene is looking forward to becoming an official train conductor, a post which he described as similar to the captain of a ship. "It's a big responsibility," he said. "You have to start at the bottom as a car host and learn the ropes. There's a safety test, a rule book to memorize, you have to know railroad history. It's pretty extensive."
In addition to his hands-on involvement with the trains themselves, Gene also serves as the museum's point person for advertising and public relations. He hopes to make an announcement in coming months of new equipment being added to the museum as well as a special donation from an undisclosed Manatee County company.
"We always have something going on," he added. "And we're always looking for folks to join us who have a similar interest in Florida railroad history."
Hometown: A fourth generation Floridian who was born in St. Petersburg and grew up in Clearwater.
Family: Wife Judy and two grown sons: Michael, a Corporal with the Pinellas County Sheriff, and Andrew, who just completed his Masters at the London School of Economics.
Education: Graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in personnel management. Taught as an adjunct professor in the Building Arts program at St. Pete College for nine years. Served four years in the United States Air Force.
Church Affiliation: 50+ year member of First United Methodist Church of Clearwater, and serves as Chairperson of the Trustees.
Accomplishment You Are Proud Of: "The Museum and all of its members are proud of the fact that we have operated a safe train experience since we started in Parrish about 16 years ago."
Favorite Pastime: "Twice a week I look forward to volunteering at the railroad and find it a very enjoyable pastime. The people that are affiliated with the railroad are not only hard workers, but we share the friendly camaraderie as part of the enjoyment. The varied backgrounds of our members add to this experience."
Favorite Part of Job: "I think that we all enjoy being with our guests and helping them enjoy their train experience. Working toward museum goals and achieving them is also part of our experience.
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