Hobson named Lee-Collier Business Businesswoman of Year
Suzann “Suzi” Hobson of North Fort Myers is no stranger to prestigious awards.
In 2006, she was named Crime Prevention Practitioner of the Year by the Southwest Florida Crime Prevention Policing Association when she worked for the Sheriff’s Office.
This year she was named Buinesswoman of the Year by the The Lee-Collier Business Women group.
The Lee-Collier Business Women is an established organization of business women seeking to grow their business through qualified referrals and networking, and – in Hobson’s case – helping the community.
“I was very humbled and surprised with the honor,” she said.
Anyone who knows Hobson knows she works tirelessly for numerous community and charitable organizations and causes, and that she is a savvy and extremely personable business woman.
She is the director of Public Relations and Patient Care Coordinator of Tucker Vision Center North Fort Myers. “She is probably the most dynamic, hard-working employee I have ever had in 27 years of practice,” said employer Dr. Terry L. Tucker.
The award was bestowed at the sixth annual anniversary luncheon for the businesswomen’s group.
“We have about 450 members, so I was completely speechless when I got the award. There are so many talented women who belong to the organization. I mean that wholeheartedly.”
The group has members from throughout Southwest Florida and Hobson serves as an ambassador.
“We are in Marco Island, Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero and Fort Myers, and are moving into Port Charlotte next month.”
Her affiliations are many but a local cause near and dear to her heart is the North Fort Myers Suncoast Task Force.
“I’m very passionate about the Suncoast Food Bank,” she said. A board member, the annual Halloween candy drive is a favorite cause, along with working with both Suncoast and Angel Food Ministries to feed the local residents that need help in this economy.
An estimated 39,000 Lee County residents, including 600 children, have received much-needed food in some of her campaigns.
She also works on a committee for the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation on Madisen’s Match, a premiere tennis event bringing out big names in tennis, is a member of the Lee County Chamber of Commerce, a past board member of the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and has worked with the North Fort Myers Civic Association. She enjoys networking with many such groups. “The Bridge Network with Michelle Andre took 100 kids from Suncoast last year and adopted them out for holidays,” Hobson said.
“If all of these groups and individuals did not come together and give of themselves so selflessly, we would not be able to serve the community in the manner of the true need.”
Of Lee County, she said, she enjoys both the giving people and the area itself. “There is so much to do here that people aren’t aware of.”
At her job at the Tucker Vision Center she is known as the person who is always smiling, and never says no. Patients travel from Naples, Sarasota and more to see Hobson, well-liked Dr. Tucker and the rest of the staff for vision issues.
Her good work isn’t limited to the human kind. When she lived in Tennessee she was part of Critter Cavalry Rescue. “I still have five dogs and enjoy spending time with them.”