HONORS

Swanson Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will honor Steven Pontius, executive vice president and general manager of Waterman Broadcasting, and Duane Swanson, chief executive officer for Raymond Building Supply Corporation, as the 2007 Lee County Business Leadership Hall of Fame Laureates. The laureates will be honored at a reception to benefit local children on Wednesday, May 9, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs.

Pontius began working for Waterman Broadcasting in 1985 as general sales manager. Today, he serves as executive vice president and general manager. He is responsible for all aspects of day-to-day operation of television stations and related media holdings including WBBHTV and WZVN-TV of Fort Myers and WVIR-TV in Charlottesville, Va.

Swanson moved to Southwest Florida in 1978 to become owner and chief executive officer of Raymond Building Supply Corporation. Swanson has built the company into the second largest residential construction supplier in Florida. Raymond has doubled its revenues every three years for the past 10 years, with sales reaching $270 million in 2006.

Each year, the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Advisory Board selects outstanding local individuals who throughout the year have demonstrated superior leadership and entrepreneurship. The board nominates candidates who are positive role models not only at the companies that they represent, but also in the community and for the students of Junior Achievement.

Pontius