FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: County Commission, Ray Judah's Office
              (239) 335-2223

COMMISSIONER RAY JUDAH NAMED ESTERO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
 "PERSON OF THE YEAR"

ESTERO, Fla. (June 4, 2003) - The Estero Chamber of Commerce recently honored Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah as its Person of the Year at its annual Estero Chamber Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point. This is the first year that a government official has received this honor given by the chamber

The Estero Chamber recognized Commissioner Judah for being instrumental in several projects that helped the Estero Community. These projects include bringing a sidewalk to a dangerous street; being instrumental in approving additional funding to make TECO Arena a hurricane shelter; and working to widen Corkscrew Road.

Judah has been a member of the Lee County Board of County Commissioner since 1988 and represents District 3, which includes Estero. Commissioner Judah is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Fort Myers and The Florida Native Plant Society and is a Coach with the Fort Myers Little League.

Every year the Directors and Board members of Estero Chamber of Commerce select the Person of the Year. The nominees are carefully examined and discussed based on the criteria and overall theme of who has helped "put Estero on the map."

The year 2003 marks the fifth year that the Estero Chamber of Commerce has named a "Person of the Year." Past recipients of the honor include Meg Judge, the current Director of the Estero Chamber of Commerce; Craig Brush of TECO Arena; Margaret Miller of Miromar Development; and Carlos Cabrera of the Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point.

The mission of the Estero Chamber of Commerce includes fostering and achieving a healthy business and economic climate for all the citizens of the Estero area and representing Estero at the local, state, and national levels.