Commentary: Meet the top 20 best communicators of Southwest Florida
A leader's ability to communicate is one of the things that makes them stand out, connect with, and follow. Speeches aren't the only thing that counts. Informal events can take as much skill as a speech in front of an audience of thousands.
A list of the most effective communicators in Southwest Florida is compiled yearly by the Southwest Florida Speakers & Trainers Association. Among its members are professional speakers, thought leaders, industry experts, trainers, consultants, authors, bloggers, and podcasters.
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The group also offers many excellent benefits, such as camaraderie among like-minded thinkers, networking and growth opportunities, and monthly gatherings at Florida Gulf Coast University. There is no affiliation between the group and the university.
The ability to communicate effectively is innate, but Alison Aparo, the program organizer for the annual gathering, believes that everyone can learn these skills.
"It takes practice and a habit of communicating to become an excellent communicator," Aparo said. "By working with leaders, we help them create a competitive advantage."
It is our hope that you can draw inspiration from Southwest Florida's Top 20 Communicators of 2022 to inspire your team, associates, and business to the next level of growth and success.
Our list of Southwest Florida's top communicators who inspire others is as follows:
Dr. Larry Antonucci, President & CEO, Lee Health
Joe North, Esquire, The North Law Firm
Matt Keller, Lead Pastor, Next Level Church
Paul Hiltz, President & CEO, NCH Healthcare System
Dr. Michael Martin, Interim President, The Collaboratory
Reinfold Schmieding, President, Arthrex, Inc.
Dr. Samira Beckwith, President & CEO, Hope Hospice
Dr. Jeffrey Allbritten, President, Florida Southwestern State College
Cory Demmel, Lead Pastor, Cape Christian
Stan Stouder, Founding Partner, CRE Consultants
Trista Sue Kragh, Founder, Agents for Change International
Wendy Fullerton Powell, Executive Editor, News-Press/Naples Daily News
Dr. Randolph Knific, President & CEO, Radiological Regional Center
Dr. Aysegul Timur, President, Florida Gulf Coast University
Molly Langenstein, President & CEO, Chico’s FAS, Inc.
Dr. Leslie C. Ricciardeli, Superintendent of Collier County Schools
Christopher Bernier, Superintendent of Lee County Schools
Martin Schappell, President, Shell Point Retirement Community
Fredrick Fung, CEO & General Manager, Bonita Bay Club
Stacey Cook, President & CEO, SalusCare
Southwest Florida Speakers & Trainers Association, an initiative of The Community Foundation, sponsors an annual gathering every September for professional speakers. For information contact, Alison@capecoralcf.org.
The Community Foundation, founded in Cape Coral, the largest city in Southwest Florida, is the voice and choice of 5,214 nonprofits with a combined workforce of 37,610 employees that generate $4.15 billion in annual revenue. The Community Foundation is also the creator of Generous People; weekly television production that combines entertainment with philanthropy. The television series broadcasts across Lee, Collier, Charlotte, DeSoto, Glades and Hendry counties in Florida to more than 1 million households. Every episode features real-world nonprofit leaders and experts who are working in the trenches of the charitable sector.
Michael Chatman is president & CEO of The Community Foundation, the global center for generosity, and can be reached at michael@capecoralcf.org. The foundation is located at 1405 SE 47th Terrace, Unit 2, Cape Coral. For information, call 239-542-5594 or go to www.capecoralcf.org.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Commentary: Meet the top 20 best communicators of Southwest Florida
