Winners Circle: 2026 Martin County Business Awards winners announced
STUART—The Business Development Board of Martin County is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Martin County Business Awards.
Bank of America is presenting sponsor of the event, which will take place from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Oct. 26 at Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa in Jensen Beach.
The award celebration is also supported by Gold sponsors Ashley Capital, Cleveland Clinic, C&W Technologies, FPL, and TD Bank.
Silver sponsors include Carr, Riggs & Ingram, EW Consultants, Mattamy Homes, SouthState Bank, Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce, Value Tool & Engineering, Village of Indiantown and Waterpointe Realty Group.
While its awards tradition dates back to 2001, BDBMC was founded 35 years ago and will recognize this milestone during the awards ceremony.
Business Excellence Award: Stuart-based Seatorque Control Systems earned the award for more than 20 years in operation designing and manufacturing marine inboard driveline systems renowned worldwide for helping a variety of vessels reduce noise, drag, engine load, fuel burn and maintenance costs. Seatorque is also a local partner in workforce training programs, advocating for environmental sustainability and supporting numerous local nonprofits.
Company to Watch: Yellowpine Truss Corp. is attracting admirers for pioneering a way to manufacture trusses at its Indiantown facility in a process that’s highly precise and streamlined, ensuring the trusses provide increased strength, reliability and flexibility for application in a variety of projects.
Entrepreneur of the Year: For more than 25 years, Palm City resident Frank Poma has operated various local businesses, employing more than 100 people in his companies, which include manufacturing high-end glass and metal railing systems, perforated metal designs, patented structural precast concrete and steel wall systems, to name a few.
Headquarters of the Year: Headquartered in Jensen Beach, STS Aviation Group is acclaimed for excellence in aircraft services, engineering and manufacturing support. Founded in 1984 by CEO Philip Anson Jr., the company has grown from a regional provider into a global aerospace enterprise serving commercial airlines, military organizations, aircraft manufacturers and aviation operators around the world.
Innovation in Workforce Development, our newest award category, goes to the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce’s Career Connect program. Its original program, Career Connect, offers concierge-style recruitment and training programs for jobseekers in underserved areas of the county while teaming with employers on placement and training opportunities. Jobseekers benefit from professional coaching and on-the-job training. They’re then connected with participating employers, who are further incentivized to hire the vetted prospects thanks to the additional advantage of grant-enabled wage assistance.
Manufacturer of the Year: Weedoo Boats, which BDBMC assisted in opening a facility this year in Martin County, specializes in manufacturing its array of work vessels and equipment that’s uniquely engineered to safely remove harmful and invasive species from waterways without the need to apply harmful herbicides.
Newcomer of the Year: Hanwha Power, formerly Power Systems Manufacturing, supports critical power generation infrastructure through its innovative turbine upgrades and innovations in sustainable clean energy. Originally founded in Martin County in the 1990s, Hanwha Power relocated to Martin County late last year with help from BDBMC. The company invested $17 million in a 180,000-square-foot facility at the South Florida Gateway Distribution Center in Stuart, complementing its offices in Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. PSM aims to create more than 100 jobs locally in skilled engineering and manufacturing.
Youth Entrepreneur of the Year: Only 16, Julian Delvalle created the company, Flicks by JD, which combines his love of sports and showcases his photography skills. The company is further defined by Julian’s distinct editing style. He also works as a camp counselor over the summer for Martin County PAL.
The only category that remains under wraps until the moment it’s revealed at the ceremony is the Charlene Hoag Leadership Award. Named in honor of the late Martin County commissioner beloved for prioritizing the interests of the community, the award honors individuals whose emphasis on service rivals their business achievements.
Other supporters deserving recognition are Bronze sponsors Daher, HBK CPAs & Consultants, Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, Merrill Lynch Wealth Advisors, and Tami Karol Insurance. Patron sponsors include Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce, Indiantown Chamber of Commerce, Palm City Chamber of Commerce and SLC Commercial.
Contact us at (772) 221-1380 for tickets and sponsorship information.
Learn more about how the Business Development Board of Martin County supports local businesses at www.BDBMC.org