provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber (GFMCC) has announced Gulf Coast News ABC anchor Lisa Spooner as emcee for its 2026 Chamber Awards on Thursday, July 30, at 5 p.m. at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers.
Spooner joined the Gulf Coast News team in 2014 after hosting the nationally syndicated morning show, The Daily Buzz. During her time there, she had one-on-one interviews with some of the biggest names in Hollywood such as Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Connelly, and Colin Farrell.
The newsperson spent a decade of her childhood overseas. Spooner was born in England, but before she was six weeks old, her family moved to the Island of Borneo. She then spent 10 years in different countries in Southeast Asia before moving to the United States.
Spooner received her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Texas A&M University and began her career in television at a station in the Houston area, where she served as primary anchor.
After spending more than five years in East Texas, she moved to Southwest Florida and anchored the morning show at another station in the community for a few years before heading to Orlando and the Daily Buzz.
“Lisa has become a valuable, outgoing, and energetic part of the Southwest Florida community, and we are thrilled she can join us for this exciting evening of recognition for the Fort Myers business community,” said John Lai, president and chief executive officer of the GFMCC and SanCap Chamber. “The program will feature an award ceremony to honor finalists and name honorees for their impact in several categories.”
The finalists for each category are as follows:
APEX Award:
• Anjali Van Drie – Family Initiative
• Alicia Shannon – Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFL
• Gina Dengler – Collaboratory
Community Impact:
• Dr. Arie Dosoretz – Advocate Radiation Oncology
• Kathryn Kelly – The Heights Foundation
• Robbie Roepstorff – Edison National Bank / Bank of the Islands
Entrepreneur of the Year:
• Cole Peacock – Seed & Bean Market
• Dean Piccirillo – HBKS Wealth Advisors
• Melissa Severance – Inspire Big Dreams
Large Business of the Year:
• Entech
• Florida Trust Wealth Management
• Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach
Nonprofit Excellence:
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County
• The Heights Foundation
• Partners for Breast Cancer Care
Small Business of the Year:
• Bay Street Yard
• Northwestern Mutual: The Bouchard Financial Group
• RG Architects, P.A.
Volunteer of the Year:
• Amanda Berens – Children’s Advocacy Center of SWFL
• Janet Collier – Our Mother’s Home of SWFL
• Jesi Jarosz – Northwestern Mutual: The Bouchard Financial Group
Young Professional of the Year:
• Ashleigh Droz – Florida Gulf Coast University
• Crystal Maldonado – Collaboratory
• Madison Mitchell – United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades
In addition to the award ceremony, the event will feature a cash-bar reception and the Chamber Foundation check presentations.
The presenting sponsor of the 2026 Chamber Awards is Verizon. Additional sponsors include The City of Fort Myers, M&M Multimedia, Stevens Construction, Lake Michigan Credit Union, CRS Technology Consultants, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, Quantum Fiber, State Insurance USA, and McKinnis Roofing and Sheet Metal. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Tickets for the Chamber Awards celebration are $150 per person and $1,350 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit FortMyers.org or call 239-332-2930.
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