Media contact: Ike Crumpler (772) 201-9996
The Big Reveal
STUART—The Business Development Board of Martin County is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Martin County Business of the Year Awards.
“It’s an incredible privilege to share in the process of selecting the winners of these awards, which not only celebrate our community’s innovators and job creators but really testify to how equipped we are as a location for catering to world-class companies, professionals and product production,” says Joan Goodrich, executive director of the BDB. “Even though my team and I have personally visited nearly 150 local businesses in the last couple years, I’m still regularly amazed by the caliber of leadership and diversity of talent that powers our economy’s producers.”
The panel of judges pored over more than 60 community nominations, whose categories encompassed such mainstays as Headquarters of the Year, built on the new Nonprofit of the Year category, and debuted the inspiring Youth Entrepreneur of the Year.
Recipients will be honored at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 9 at the BDB’s annual Martin County Business Awards gathering at Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa in Jensen Beach. The winner of the elite Charlene Hoag Leadership Award, named in honor of the late beloved Martin County commissioner, is revealed at the event.
Business of the Year: Blue Stream Fiber is honored for its remarkable feat of building underground fiber throughout rural western Martin County in areas unserved by large national providers, availing rural residents to access increased Internet connectivity for education, enterprise and entrepreneurship and equipping rural regions for increased business investment.
Company to Watch: Willis Custom Yachts operates a 63-acre facility in Stuart, employs more than 150 technicians and specializes in yacht design engineering, fiberglass construction and repair, hydraulics, carpentry, electrical services and more.
Manufacturer of the Year: WMR Performance Products with its top brand Nihilo Concepts manufactures custom products uniquely designed to give competitive motorcycle racers advantages on the track from its stunning state-of-the-art facility in Stuart. The company is a fan favorite of professional racers, mechanics and motorcycle riders.
Newcomer of the Year: French aviation company Daher, which acquired the aerostructures facility at Witham Field formerly occupied by Triumph earlier this year, employs 400 people locally and further fortifies Martin County’s essential aviation industry.
Nonprofit of the Year: Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County is a juggernaut in youth leadership, educational and workforce development serving thousands of students with in-school mentoring for reading, science and math, hosting culinary programs for members of its four clubs, operating its Fork in the Road food truck enterprise that the kids run, and launching its newest drone certification program in partnership with Indian River State College.
Headquarters of the Year: A top souvenir merchandiser nationwide, Team IP creates decorated clothing and branded promotional products for championship events, digital services and corporate promotional products for leading athletic associations and Fortune 50 companies. The company, founded in Rio in 1992, recently expanded its Stuart headquarters and opened a 20,000-square-foot warehouse on the Treasure Coast.
Entrepreneur of the Year: John Justak of Advanced Technologies Group (ATGI) in Stuart operates the engineering research and development firm that holds 14 patents in the United States and abroad thanks to a team of scientists and engineers dedicated to developing innovative means to analyze and solve complex tech challenges.
Youth Entrepreneur of the Year: For her company K Soap, 11-year-old and Student Middle Schooler Keegan Nunes creates original soaps using a cold process known as saponification. She recently complemented her artisan soap brands by expanding into candle production. Shoppers can find her products at Market on Main each month in downtown Stuart. In her spare time, she takes piano and kung-fu.
About the Business Development Board of Martin County
Strengthening and championing Martin County’s economy is the Business Development Board’s top mission. Organized as a 501(c)6 not-for-profit public-private partnership, the BDB provides confidential, complimentary, professional services to job creators, investors and their representatives with designs to launch and grow in Martin County. Touting Martin County is open for business; fostering leading industries and good jobs; growing our own businesses, entrepreneurs and talent; and promoting strategic economic development areas are regular activities we’re engaged in with the support of our executive leaders, investors and partners. To learn more, call 772.221.1380 or visit bdbmc.org.
