NEWS & PRESS

What's New? November 1, 2004

Michael Saunders, president and founder of the Gulf Coast’s largest independently-owned real estate company, has received Ernst & Young’s prestigious, statewide Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Selected from a pool of approximately 100 candidates in eight categories, Saunders was honored and recognized for her accomplishments in the real estate and construction category at a ceremony in Orlando June 24. She was among 24 finalists chosen by an independent judging panel to become eligible for the National Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which will be announced in November. Ernst & Young presents its annual Entrepreneur of the Year Award to the most successful and innovative business leaders in 35 countries around the globe. Recipients of the award, according to Ernst & Young, embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and determination necessary to achieve success. “I am extremely honored to receive such a distinguished award,” Saunders said. “It is a fitting acknowledgement of the hard work, expertise and excellence of our almost 500 sales agents and 160 staff members at Michael Saunders & Company.” Saunders founded the Sarasota company in 1976, and it has since grown to include 17 offices from Anna Maria Island in Manatee County to Boca Grande in Charlotte County.