Sarasota, Florida – The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange (GCBX), a not-for-profit construction industry trade organization, recently held its 70th annual installation and awards dinner with guest speaker Congressman Vern Buchanan.
On Monday, February 28, over 400 GCBX Members packed the room at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota to hear Congressman Buchanan provide an overview of issues facing the federal government and matters of interest in the construction industry.
Frederick Derr, Chairman & CEO of Frederick Derr & Company, was honored with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, granted to members in recognition of a lifetime of distinguished service and contributions to the GCBX, the commercial contracting industry and the community.
“I am sincerely honored to serve in my role at the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, where I get to work and serve the individuals that build businesses and build our community,” said Mary Dougherty, executive director of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange. “It’s a distinct pleasure to meet leaders in the industry, hear about their contributions, and learn from them. One of those leaders, Fred Derr, was honored with the highest award we bestow for his contributions to this community and to the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange.”
GCBX’s current chairman, Michael S. Bennett, Supervisor of Elections for Manatee County, passed the gavel to the incoming chairman Mark Freeman, President, McIntyre Elwell & Strammer General Contractors. The surprise Chairman’s Award was presented to Marlon Brown, Sarasota City Manager and Jared Hawkins with Atlas Insurance received the Volunteer of the Year Award.
About the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange
The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange was established in 1952 and is a not-for-profit corporation operating as a trade organization under the guidance of a volunteer board of directors as representatives of the industry. The not-for-profit organization represents a broad cross section of the building industry, including contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and others from affiliated industries.
The GCBX membership is comprised of over 400 companies in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. It includes some of the most respected contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, service providers and businesses in construction-affiliated industries. GCBX’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the building industry are conducted in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. For more information, visit www.GCBX.org.