Meet the newest additions to the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame
Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will induct three new business leaders into its 2023 Business Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
JoAnn Elardo, founder of Cape Spirits Inc., Tom Moran, CEO and CIO of Moran Wealth Management, and Mark Stevens, president of Stevens Construction Inc. are the newest laureates.
Junior Achievement is a nonprofit organization that offers programs that educate young people on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work-readiness. The programs are led by community business leaders and volunteers.
The Business Hall of Fame recognizes leaders who "have made a significant impact, created new opportunities and elevated the educational landscape for youth in their communities in regards to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work-readiness."
Elardo, Moran, and Stevens will be honored at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. Here is more about the newest inductees:
JoAnn Elardo, Cape Spirits Inc.
Elardo and her husband Bob moved to Cape Coral full time in 2008. Two years later, Elardo wanted to create a rum that used Florida ingredients — so she began Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery. In 2011, Elardo purchased a building in Cape Coral that she converted into a working distillery. The distillery grew over the years, expanding locations and winning awards such as USA TODAY's #1 Craft Rum Distillery in the USA.
But in 2020, Elardo had to shift gears because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wicked Dolphin received a call from a Lee Health board member asking to help source hand sanitizer and surface cleaners. Elardo stopped manufacturing spirits and began producing hand sanitizer for local hospitals and businesses.
Wicked Dolphin is back to creating craft rum and Elardo frequently hosts fundraisers for the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, which she founded in 2016.
Tom Moran, Moran Wealth Management
Tom Moran is the chairman, CEO, and CIO of Moran Wealth Management, a registered investment advisory firm based in Southwest Florida. Financial news source Barron's has ranked Moran as the #1 Financial Adviser in Southwest Florida for more than 10 years and even placed him in the Barron's Hall of Fame.
Moran and his wife Sandi are devoted to children's charities and the arts. Moran serves on the Naples Board of Advisors for the James Madison Institute and is chairman emeritus of the board for Opera Naples.
Mark Stevens, Stevens Construction Inc.
Mark Stevens has lived in Lee County since 1974. In 2003, he founded Stevens Construction Inc. after working with another construction firm for 14 years.
Stevens Construction Inc. has four locations and Stevens leads operations and business development for all of them. Stevens' management process has proven successful with 80% of the company's business coming from repeat and referred clients.
He previously sat on the board of directors for Lee Building Industry Association, Builders Care, Page Healthcare, and JDRF. He currently serves as the chair of the Horizon Council.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Junior Achievement Hall of Fame inducts three new members
