The winners
Lifetime Achievement: W.W. “Bill” Gay, W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractors.
Service: Greg Matovina, Matovina & Co.
Passion: Barbara Jenness, Coastal River Realty.
Integrity: Wendell Davis, Watson Realty.
Respect: Richard Dostie, retired builder.
Initiative: Judy Hicks, Re/Max Coastal Real Estate.
Teamwork: Ken Kuester, Lumber Unlimited.
Seven industry leaders in the North Florida area have been chosen to receive SPIRIT awards.
The awards are made by Bailey Publishing & Communications Inc. to honor people who serve the real estate and construction industries. The winners are selected by a committee headed by Jim Bailey, president of the company.
“We received dozens of nominations and, as you can imagine, we had a difficult time deciding on the winners, “ said Bailey, publisher of Realty/Builder Connection that sponsors the awards. “The quality of these individuals is tremendous.”
There are six awards following the acronym of the word “spirit” plus a Lifetime Achievement award. Winners will receive a specially-designed trophy.
The Lifetime award went to W.W. Gay, owner of the mechanical contracting company bearing his name.
“Bill’s company, and his personal work, have benefited every citizen of this area,” said Bailey. “Our industries have had great benefits from all he has done.”
Three Realtors, two builders and a supplier will receive SPIRIT awards, which will be presented by Bailey at the recipient’s company.
Barbara Jenness of St. Augustine’s Coastal River Realty was honored for Passion due to her extensive community service, Watson’s Wendell Davis got the Integrity award after being elected to two major office’s in 2008 and Judy Hicks of Re/Max Coastal Real Estate was selected for the Initiative award for a number of accomplishments, including a major effort to bring Realtors and site agents closer together.
Builders honored were Greg Matovina of Matovina & Co., who led the efforts to build homes for Habitat for Humanity and to refurbish the headquarters of Jacksonville’s Trinity Mission; and Richard Dostie, now retired but active in local builder initiatives including taking over the Northeast Florida Builders Association’s annual Gala and making it one of the year’s successes.
The supplier is Ken Kuester of Lumber Unlimited, the volunteer leader of Builders Care.
Bailey said the SPIRIT awards will continue and that he expects even greater participation for the ‘09 awards.