Flynn, Gravina honored for business achievement

Flynn Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida named Paul Flynn, past president and CEO of Southwest Florida Community Foundation, and Amy Gravina, president of Gravina, Smith & Matte, as the 2008 Business Leadership Hall of Fame laureates. The award recognizes business leaders for their professional accomplishments and community involvement.

In 1983, Gravina founded the public relations firm known today as Gravina, Smith & Matte. Under her leadership, the Fort Myers-based firm has become one of the oldest and most respected businesses in Southwest Florida. As president, Gravina consults with clients on the strategic planning and implementation of local, state, national and international public relations and marketing programs.

Gravina is a founder of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association and the first female member of the board for Alico Inc. In 1987, she was named FPRA's first PR Professional of the Year, and the organization has awarded top honors to numerous public relations projects completed under her direction. She has served for 10 years on the Boy Scouts Distinguished Citizen Award Committee and is on the advisory board for Florida Gulf Coast University's Resort & Hospitality Management Program. Additionally, Gravina serves on the boards of directors for Hope Hospice and Community Services, Uncommon Friends Foundation and Florida Gulf Bank.

Gravina In 1977, Flynn arrived in Fort Myers to serve as publisher of The News-Press. During his seven-year tenure, he played an influential role in the community's growth and development, as well as in the newspaper's success. In 1984 he left Fort Myers to help launch another Gannett newspaper, USA Today, and served as president of the national publication. Flynn returned to Fort Myers in 1995 to retire, but he continued to work in the community for many years. Most recently, he served 10 years as president and CEO of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.

Flynn is the honored recipient of numerous awards for his professional achievements and community service. A former Boy Scout, he has been a lifelong supporter of the organization, and he has been a leader in more than 13 other community service organizations during his lifetime. Among them are United Way of Lee County, Edison Community College Foundation, Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Senior Friendship Centers (Fort Myers), Rotary Club of Fort Myers, Florida Council of Community Foundations, and the Planned Giving Council of Lee County. Most notably, he was a member of the task force that brought the first four-year college campus to Fort Myers, acted as a trustee of his alma mater Stonehill College (Easton, Mass.), and served on the board of the International Newspaper Promotion Association.

Junior Achievement's 2008 Business Leadership Hall of Fame, Lee County event will take place April 9 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Pointe. Festivities will begin with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the event are now available by calling the Junior Achievement office at (239) 225-2590. Event proceeds benefit Junior Achievement programs.

This year, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will serve approximately 7,500 students in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties with the help of more than 300 volunteers. Junior Achievement's in-school and after-school programs are designed to educate students in grades K-12 on global economics through age-appropriate curricula focused on business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics/ character, financial literacy and career development. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.JASWFL.org or call the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida office at 239-225-2590.