Junior Achievement to honor Todd Gates, Paul Marinelli

Gates Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will induct Todd E. Gates of GATES and the late Paul J. Marinelli of Barron Collier Companies into the 2008 Business Hall of Fame, Collier County, at a dinner and awards ceremony Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Naples Grande Beach Resort.

The award recognizes business leaders who serve as role models for youth through their professional accomplishments and commitment to the community. Gates and Marinelli will join a distinguished group of individuals who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1987.

Since 1993, Gates has been a principal of GATES, a construction, development and real estate company. In addition to managing this successful company and serving as leader in his field, he has made significant contributions as a community volunteer. At the state level, he has participated in efforts such as Leadership Florida 2007 and the State of Florida Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the boards for many Southwest Florida non-profits.

A New York native and a magna cum laude graduate of Fordham University, Marinelli was president and CEO of the Barron Collier Companies in Naples. After joining the company in June 1986 as assistant chief financial officer, he was promoted to chief operating officer in December 1992. In December 1997, he assumed the CEO role, a position he held until his death in April 2008.

Marinelli Marinelli's contributions and his abilities to bring diverse communities together extended well beyond his company. His professional and community leadership extended to organizations ranging from the American Heart Association and Audubon of Florida to Florida Gulf Coast University College of Business and Florida TaxWatch. Among the many awards Marinelli received were the Urban Land Institute Pathfinder Award and Distinguished Alumni of Leadership Collier Award.