JON C. CECIL

of Lee Memorial Health System

WINS STEVIE^TM AWARD IN

3rd ANNUAL AMERICAN BUSINESS AWARDS^SM

 Cape Coral, FL – June 9, 2005 – Jon C. Cecil of Lee Memorial Health System won a Stevie Award for Best Human Resources Executive at The 2005 American Business Awards Monday Night in New York City.

 Hailed as “the business world’s own Oscars” by the New York Post (April 27, 2005), The American Business Awards are the first national, all-encompassing business awards program honoring great performances in the workplace.  Members of the Awards' Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors and their staffs selected Stevie winners from among the Finalists.  Finalists were chosen by business professionals nationwide during preliminary judging in February through April.

 Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word “crowned,” the awards were presented during ceremonies at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.  The ceremonies were hosted by CNN personality Ali Velshi, videocast live on the Internet, and broadcast nationwide on radio.  Donald J. Trump received the first Lifetime Achievement Stevie Award.  The elegant Stevie trophy was designed by R. S. Owens, the same company that makes the Oscar® and the Emmyä.

 “Tonight we honored outstanding companies and the individuals and teams within them,” said Michael Gallagher, founder and president of The Stevie Awards, the organization that runs The American Business Awards.  "The American Business Awards have grown so quickly because there was a need for a program such as this, to shine a spotlight on executives and businesses that too often go unheralded.  Congratulations to all of our 2005 Finalists and Stevie Award winners.”  

 In winning the Stevie, Jon Cecil was selected over the other Human Resource finalists representing Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Humana, Inc., and the Office of State Personnel for Raleigh, North Carolina.  Jon Cecil, Chief Human Resources Officer of Lee Memorial Health System was presented the Stevie before a packed ballroom by Jack Conrad, CEO of the Veritude Corporation.  In accepting the Stevie, Jon Cecil said, “It is an honor to receive this award for Lee Memorial Health System.  It could not have become a reality without a phenomenal organization and employer dedicated to serving its community and patients; the personal support and guidance I received over my 33- year career from a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Jim Nathan; and lastly, the very best Human Resources Department and team in the country!”

 More than 100 Stevies were presented in over 40 categories including Best Overall Company, Best Executive, Best Support Staffer, and Best Corporate Web Site.  More than 1,200 nominations from companies of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration.  

 Jon Cecil has contributed to the HR profession as a whole in countless ways during his 33-year career.  Recent highlights include the Employee Benefit Crisis Program, created as a result of an Employee Disaster Relief Program implemented in the wake of the 2004 hurricanes (Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jean) and the Employee Satisfaction Survey, which, under Jon’s direction, implements an annual System-wide employee satisfaction survey as well as monthly surveys of randomly selected employees.  In addition to his many other accomplishments, Jon was selected and published by the editorial board of Aspatore Books, based in Boston, as a leader in Human Resources management.  He recently received national Honor Roll status from HR Executive Magazine.

 “All of us at Lee Memorial Health System are proud of Jon Cecil for receiving this national mark of distinction,” said Jim Nathan, LMHS CEO.  “For 33 years, Jon has helped shape the culture of Lee Memorial into what has been recognized as a Premier Healthcare Employer and Employer of Choice.  All of our hospitals have been identified among the Top 100 in the nation and our clinical programs are among the most innovative in focusing on improving clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.  Jon’s leadership has been and continues to be exceptional.”

 Details about The American Business Awards and the list of Finalists and Stevie Award winners are available at www.stevieawards.com/aba.   

About LEE MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM

Lee Memorial Health System is the leading provider of healthcare services in Southwest Florida, and has served the citizens of Lee County and surrounding communities for 89 years.  The largest and only community-owned healthcare system in the area, Lee Memorial Health System is governed by a publicly elected 10-member Board of Directors, and is the largest public system in Florida that receives no direct tax support.  Lee Memorial Health System is committed to providing high quality, cost effective services and achieving its mission and vision.

 About The Stevie Awards
Hailed as “the business world’s own Oscars” by the New York Post (April 27, 2005), Stevie Awards are conferred in three programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, and The Stevie Awards for Women Entrepreneurs.  Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.  Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.

 Premier sponsors of The 3^rd Annual American Business Awards include Rogen International, ValueVision Associates, Veritude, Ultimate Software, HB Group, and The Professional Society for Sales & Marketing Training.

Media sponsors include the Business TalkRadio Network, Hoover's Online, Selling Power Magazine and Wired Magazine.  Speedera Networks and HB Group teamed to videocast the awards ceremonies live on the Internet.

Press contact information

Karen Krieger, Director of Public Affairs

Phone: 239-454-8765   Fax: 239-454-8775