Tampa Bay Business Journal

June 26, 2008

The Tampa Bay Business Journal has named its finalists for the highly coveted 2008 BusinessWoman of the Year awards.

An independent panel of judges has named finalists in 9 categories.

Finalists will be feted, and category winners, as well as an overall winner, will be named August 15 at an Oscar-style, black-tie gala at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa.

TBBJ Publisher Bridgette Mill and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio will emcee.

The event's presenting sponsors include Bank of America, Robert W. Baird & Co., Fowler White Boggs Banker, Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance and Audi.

By category, the 2008 finalists are:

Manufacturing:

• Deborah Schuck, Manor Steel Fabricators
• Barbara Smith, Gerdau Ameristeel
• Tammy Young, LaBonita Ole Inc.

Information Technology:

• Charlotte Baker, Digital Hands
• Debra Curtiss, Peak 10
• January Dennison, Technology Research Consultants, Inc./Pozee Playzle, LLC
• Pamela Kauten, FloridaHomeLINK.com
• Cindy McGathey, FrankCrum
• Avani Mehta-Desai, KPMG LLP
• Shawna Vercher, Vti Group Inc.

Business Services:

• Karin Arden, JFD Advertising
• Lisa Brock, Brock Communications
• Linda Carbone, Fowler White Boggs Banker
• Ruth Fanovich, RMF Care Management Inc.
• Joy Gendusa, PostcardMania
• Tammy Levent, Elite Travel Group
• Anne Madden, Blue Ibis Consulting
• Angela Massaro-Fain, Grapevine Communications
• Johna Perez, Capco Real Estate Inc.
• Paola Schifino, Schifino Lee Advertising & Branding

Young:

• Lan Ha, Kaleisia Tea Lounge
• Dina Lomagno, Belleview Biltmore Hotel & Resort
• Maddy McNaughton, The Science Center of Pinellas County
• Tunvi Patel, Ativas Development Group
• Kamilah Perry, Phelps Dunbar LLP
• Ginger Reichl, Pinstripe Marketing
• Jennifer Williams, SunTrust Bank
• Meredith Zdon, Power Design

Government:

• Michele Baker, Pasco County, West Pasco Government Center
• Sandra Bradbury, City of Pinellas Park
• Caroline Stricklin, City of Largo

Media:

• Nancy Alexander, WMTX 100.7 FM
• Bevv Beirl, Bay Area Business Magazine
• Jolie Gonzalez, Latin Times

Nonprofit:

• Stacey Allaster, Women's Tennis Association
• Calvina Fay, Drug Free America Foundation
• Jody Johnston, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida
• Norrine Russell, The Ophelia Project and Boys Initiative of Tampa Bay

Financial Services:

• Kathleen Batson, Bankers Insurance Group
• Rita Lowman, American Momentum Bank
• Pamala McCoy, TCM Bank, N.A. and BONA5D Credit Consultants
• Deborah Sheridan, Synovus Bank
• Allison Tutwiler, Bank of Florida