Description

Check-in & Networking 11:30AM-12:00PM
Program 12:00-1:00PM

Nearly 30 years ago, as Lakewood Ranch began to take shape, a handful of visionary businesses made the bold decision to lay down roots in this emerging community. Join us for an engaging conversation with representatives from some of these founding companies as they reflect on what drew them to Lakewood Ranch, what the area was like in those formative years, how they've witnessed its remarkable growth and hear firsthand from some of the region’s largest employers who continue to grow and thrive in the place they chose to call home.

Moderator

Mark Gordon, Managing Editor - Business Observer

Mark Gordon is the Managing Editor of the Business Observer. Mark has been with the Business Observer since 2005. He has written about companies, development, entrepreneurs and how government intersects with business, among other topics. He currently oversees the paper’s coverage from Tampa to Naples, in print and online, overseeing a staff of reporters and photographers, in addition to writing stories. He has written a biweekly leadership column, Leadership Matters, since 2021 in the Business Observer. And in 2023 he began hosting a weekly podcast for the Business Observer, From the Corner Office.

Speakers

Joseph Najmy, Firm Principal - Najmy Thompson

Joseph L. Najmy is a seasoned attorney and Certified Public Accountant with a distinguished career spanning taxation, corporate law, estate planning, and probate and trust administration. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1990, he earned his J.D. with honors from Florida State University College of Law, where he received the American Jurisprudence Book Award in Federal Estate and Gift Taxation. He also holds a B.A. in Accounting from the University of South Florida and has been a licensed CPA in Florida since 1985.

Joseph is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar, the Manatee County Bar Association, and both the Florida and American Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. He has held leadership roles in numerous civic and community organizations, such as the Easter Seals Society of Southwest Florida, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, and the Estate Planning Council of Manatee County, where he served as President.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Joseph brings decades of experience, legal insight, and financial expertise to clients across Florida.

Andrea Saputo Cox, President & Owner - Gold Coast Eagle Distributing

Andrea Saputo Cox is President and Owner of Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties as the exclusive distributor for Anheuser-Busch, Constellation, and a wide portfolio of local, imported, and non-alcoholic beverages. Under her leadership, the company sells more than 6.2 million cases annually and partners with over 100 suppliers.

Andrea holds an Equity Manager Certification with Anheuser-Busch and has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including the Southeast Region Beyond Beer Award and the Constellation Gold Standard Award.

She serves on the boards of the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, Better Together, and is actively engaged with the National Beer Wholesalers Association, the Center for Alcohol Policy, and BREW/Women in Beer.

A graduate of the University of Florida, Andrea earned dual degrees in Finance and Decision & Information Sciences, graduating cum laude.

Outside of work, Andrea enjoys time with her two children, John and Meghan, and is passionate about travel, outdoor activities, and supporting local community initiatives.

David Sessions, Chairman - Willis Smith Construction

David E. Sessions is the Chairman and a Shareholder of Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc., a Sarasota-based construction management firm with more than five decades of service to the region. With over 40 years of multi-disciplined experience in educational, healthcare, religious, sustainable/green, industrial, and commercial construction, David has played a key role in shaping the company’s growth and reputation for excellence.

A graduate of the University of Florida with a B.S. in Building Construction, David brings both technical expertise and community-driven leadership to his role. Known for his steady and conservative demeanor, he is widely recognized as a trusted leader who gets things done. Deeply committed to strengthening the local community, David believes in “keeping all things local” and consistently encourages Willis A. Smith Construction to support the causes and organizations most important to its employees. By empowering his team to contribute in their own ways, he has fostered a culture of integrity, purpose, and service that continues to guide the company’s mission: “to promote excellence and integrity in the construction industry while simultaneously contributing to the betterment of the communities we serve.”

David’s influence extends well beyond the firm through his significant involvement in regional boards and civic organizations. He has held leadership positions with the Bradenton Area EDC, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Bishop Museum, Sarasota County EDC, American Red Cross SW Florida Chapter, Sarasota Education Foundation, and the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, among others. His service history also includes roles with Leadership Florida (Class 30), Leadership Manatee, the Peace River Electric Cooperative Board, the Sarasota Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizens Advisory Group, and the Manatee County Construction Code Board of Appeals.

Through his professional leadership and civic engagement, David continues to champion both Willis Smith Construction’s legacy and the betterment of the Sarasota-Manatee community.