Jun 28, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jennifer Dunn, Economic Development
             (239)  461-6803  (office)
             (239)  851-8973  (cell)

Note :    Photo of Steve Shimp available on request

Southwest Florida Business Leader Recipient of McLaughlin Award

Fort Myers, Fla.  (June 28, 2005)---Southwest Florida business leader, Steve Shimp, President, Owen-Ames-Kimball Company, has been named a 2005 recipient of the prestigious Richard L. McLaughlin Volunteer of the Year award from the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC).

Presented today at the Florida Economic Development Workshop and Annual Conference in St. Petersburg, FEDC's Richard L. McLaughlin Volunteer of the Year awards recognize individuals committed to driving change and success in Florida's economy.  Recipients of this award generously donate hundreds of hours annually to improving the state's business climate through their involvement in local, regional and state business and economic organizations.

This week's award from FEDC places Shimp in an elite group of nine outstanding volunteers, representing the nine districts of the Florida Economic Development Council.  Shimp represents District VII, comprised of 10 counties stretching from Sarasota, Hardee and Highlands Counties in the north to Collier County in the south.
  
Shimp was named a McLaughlin recipient in recognition of more than 15 years of service to the business community in Southwest Florida.  For more than a decade he has served in many different leadership capacities on the Horizon Council, a public-private board that advises Lee County Commissioners on economic development issues. As a key player with the Horizon Council he has helped promote the mission of the Horizon Council which is to improve the overall health of Lee County's business environment, retain and encourage expansion of existing businesses and attract new and diversified employment to the area.

Steve has also contributed to the economic growth of Lee County through a number of other organizations including:  Chamber of Southwest Florida; Florida Chamber of Commerce; Edison Community College Foundation; Foundation for Lee County Public Schools; the Constitutional Advisory Committee, among others.

About the Florida Economic Development Council

The Florida Economic Development Council is committed to advancing economic development in Florida and to enhancing the professionalism of its members through education, interaction, and the exchange of information with business, government, and all other appropriate organizations. 
www.fedc.net

About the Economic Development Office of Lee County

The Economic Development Office of Lee County works to attract new and diversified businesses resulting in high-wage, high-skilled jobs; retain and encourage expansion of existing businesses; and improve the overall business environment in Lee County.   Additional information is available at www.LeeCountyBusiness.com

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