2. Taylor Morrison Inc.
(Manatee) Home builder and developer.
Chief executive: Sheryl Palmer
Annual sales: Estimated by company,
$2 billion
Previous year: $2.2 billion
Employees: More than 1,500 across North America
Founded: 1936 in North America; 2007
as Taylor Morrison
Web site: www.taylormorrison.com
Stock symbol: LSE: TW
One of the top home builders in North America, specializing in building first-time, mid-market and mid-to-upscale housing in both master-planned and urban-infill neighborhoods. Local projects include Artisan Lakes, Palma Sola Trace, Pacifico, Bradford Manor and River Plantation. In 2007, Taylor Woodrow merged with Morrison Homes to create Taylor Morrison.

3. GE Security
(Manatee) GE Security, a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of the General Electric Company, is a leading supplier of security and life safety technologies, with operations in more than 35 countries. GE Security offers one of the industry’s broadest portfolios, covering explosives and narcotics detection, intrusion and access control, video surveillance, key management and fire detection.
President and CEO: Dean Seavers
Annual sales: Estimated by company,
$1.8 billion
Previous year: Estimated by company,
$2 billion
Employees: 6,800; 230 in Bradenton
Founded: 1878, GE; 2002, GE Security
Web site: www.gesecurity.com
Stock symbol: NYSE: GE
GE Security’s headquarters is located in Lakewood Ranch.

4. Roper
(Sarasota) Manufactures energy systems and controls, scientific and industrial imaging products and software, industrial technology products, radio frequency products and others.
Chief executive: Brian D. Jellison
Annual sales: $1.7 billion
Previous year: $1.5 billion
Employees: 6,900; 15 locally
Founded: Late 1800s
Stock symbol: NYSE: ROP
5. Bealls
(Manatee) Retailer of family apparel, footwear, gifts and home items.
Chief executive: Stephen M. Knopik
Annual sales: $1.2 billion
Previous year: $1.1 billion
Employees: 11,423
Founded: 1915
Web site: www.beallsinc.com
Bealls operates a mix of department and outlet stores in Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Tennessee, Missouri, New Mexico and Arkansas.

6. Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Inc.
(Sarasota) Manufactures premium delicatessen meats and cheeses.
Chief executive: Robert S. Martin
Annual sales: Estimated, $813 million
Previous year: Estimated, $824 million
Employees: 2,100; 100 locally
Founded: 1905
Web site: www.boarshead.com

7. Intertape Polymer Group
(Manatee) Develops and manufactures specialized plastic and paper products and complementary packaging systems for industrial and retail use.
Chief executive: Melbourne Yull
Annual sales: $802 million
Previous year: $630 million
Employees: 2,600
Founded: 1981
Web site: www.intertapepolymer.com
Stock symbol: NYSE and TSE: ITP
ISO 9002 certified, operations throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Portugal with 16 facilities, including 12 manufacturing locations.

8. Gevity HR Inc.
(Manatee) Serves as a full-service HR department for small and mid-size businesses.
Chief executive: Michael J. Lavington
Annual sales: $614.5 million (figure includes first three quarters of 2007 and fourth quarter of 2006)
Previous year: $648 million
Employees: 915 internally
Founded: 1984
Web site: www.gevity.com
Stock symbol: NASDAQ: GVHR
Community involvement includes contributions to and participation in fund raisers for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Junior Achievement, American Cancer Society and American Red Cross.
9. Progressive Employer Services
(Sarasota) Professional employer organization providing outsourced solutions to other businesses for payroll administration, workers’ comp risk management, benefits and human resources.
Chief executive: Steve Herrig
Annual sales: $600 million
Previous year: $562 million
Employees: 183
Founded: 1999
Web site: www.progressiveemployer.com

10. Blake Medical Center
(Manatee) 383-bed acute care, top 100 hospital; services include open-heart procedures to inpatient, rehabilitation and community screenings.
Chief executive: Daniel J. Friedrich III
Annual sales: $588 million
Previous year: $544 million
Employees: 1,100
Founded: 1973
Web site: www.blakemedicalcenter.com
Blake Medical Center is part of HCA, one
of the largest corporate operators of hospitals in the U.S., consisting of 170 hospitals and 113 outpatient centers in 20 states and England.

11. FCCI Insurance Group
(Sarasota) Commercial property and casualty insurance throughout the Southeast and Midwest.
Chief executive: G.W. Jacobs
Annual sales: $581 million
Previous year: $550 million
Employees: 678
Founded: 1959
Web site: www.fcci-group.com
Corporate headquarters located in a state-of-the-art office complex in Lakewood Ranch.

12. Manatee Memorial Hospital
(Manatee) Licensed 319-bed acute care hospital.
Chief executive: Moody L. Chisholm
Annual sales: $578 million
Previous year: $547 million
Employees: 1,400
Founded: 1953
Web site: www.manateememorial.com
Stock symbol: UHS
One of only 31 hospitals in the U.S. to win the annual Performance Achievement Award at the 2007 International Stroke Conference of the American Stroke Association; United Way of Manatee County Board of Directors Award; 2007 Lifelink Donor Recognition Award.