2008 revenues: $77.7 million

2007 revenues: $75 million

Total employees: 168

Founded: 1958

Stock symbol: NSE: LLL

www.L-3com.com

33 Herald-Tribune
Media Group

(Sarasota) Multimedia news organization.

Publisher: Diane McFarlin

2008 revenues: Estimated, $75 million

Total employees: 365

Founded: 1925

www.heraldtribune.com

Subsidiary of The New York Times Regional Newspaper Group.

34  APAC-Southeast Inc.

(Manatee) Highway/road contractor and asphalt manufacturer.

Chief executive: Jeffrey J. Reeves

2008 revenues: Estimated, $75 million

2007 revenues: $150 million

Total employees: Estimated, 800 statewide

Founded: 1962

Stock symbol: CRH

www.apac.com

Last year’s figures were supplied by the company; this year’s were estimated using outside resources.

35 Florikan E.S.A. Corporation

(Sarasota) Manufacturer of Dynamite Plant Food and long-term, controlled-release fertilizers.

Chief executives: Jonathan Rosenthal and Eric Rosenthal

2008 revenues: $70 million

2007 revenues: $70 million

Total employees: 90

Founded: 1982

www.florikan.com and
www.dynamiteplantfood.com

2008 and 2005 Gulf Guardian Award given by a program administered by the EPA; 2005 Manufacturer of the Year for Sarasota County; winner of Sarasota 2001 Excellence in Industry Award; winner of the Florida Governor’s Award for Most Innovative New Product of 2002 and runner-up for Gulf Coast Business Review Entrepreneur of the Year, 2003; winner of the National Society of Professional Engineers’ Most Innovative Product in the U.S., 2004; winner of the American Nursery Landscaping Association’s National Allied Association Award, 2004; Southern Nursery Association’s Best New Product of 2004.

36 Neal Communities

(Manatee) Land developer/
home builder.

Chief executive: Patrick K. Neal

2008 revenues: $65.9 million

2007 revenues: $102 million (closings)

Total employees: 56

Founded: 1970

www.nealcommunities.com

The company turned around in the first quarter of 2009, with strong sales of new homes from $106,900, making the first half of 2009 the best sales period in its history.

37  METI

(Sarasota) World’s leading provider of patient and surgical simulation technology and related software for heathcare education. METI products are used by thousands of leading healthcare organizations around the world.

Chief executive: Lou Oberndorf

2008 revenues: $63 million

Total employees: 218

Founded: 1996

www.meti.com

This is METI’s first appearance on the Top Companies’ list. The company was purchased in October 2008 by Lou Oberndorf and Baird Capital Partners of Chicago. The previous owner was L-3 Communications.

38 Sarasota
Kennel Club

(Sarasota) Dog racing, poker room.

Chief executives: Jack Collins Sr.
and Jack Collins Jr.

2008 revenues: $61.8 million

2007 revenues: $61.8 million

Total employees: 219

Founded: 1944

www.sarasotakennelclub.com

Gives more than $50,000 to local charities every year; open year-round for racing and poker.

39 Westra
Construction Corp.

(Manatee) Underground utilities, water and sewer treatment plants.

Chief executive: Kenneth Beukema

2008 revenues: $57 million

2007 revenues: $60 million

Total employees: 75

Founded: 1977

www.westraconst.com

40 Buchanan Automotive Group and Buchanan Enterprises

(Sarasota) Retail auto, new and used—Toyota, Scion, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Ford, Dodge.

Chief executive: John Tosh

2008 revenues: Estimated $56.4 million

2007 revenues: Estimated, $303 million

Total employees: Estimated, 150

Founded: 1992

www.buchananautomotivegroup.com

Consists of six dealerships throughout Florida and one in North Carolina. Since 2007, Buchanan has sold 10 dealerships.

41 Southern Agricultural Insecticides

(Manatee) Formulates and distributes lawn and garden and agricultural chemicals.

Chief executive: John R. Diem

2008 revenues: $52.7 million

2007 revenues: $52.2 million

Total employees: 95

Founded: 1947

www.southernag.com

42 Willis A. Smith
Construction Inc.

(Sarasota) Construction management specializing in commercial, industrial, educational, healthcare facilities, green structures and museums.

President: David E. Sessions

2008 revenues: $52.3 million

2007 revenues: Estimated, $55 million

Total employees: 48

Founded: 1972

www.willissmith.com

Museum construction specialists with extensive history in educational facilities, church and civic buildings.

43 C & D Fruit &
Vegetable Co.

(Manatee) Grower, packer, shipper
of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Chief executive: Thomas O’Brien

2008 revenues: $48.1 million

2007 revenues: $52 million

Total employees: 75 to 150 seasonally

Founded: 1971

www.cdveg.com

Member of Red Book, Blue Book and Gold Circle produce marketing.

44 John Cannon
Homes Inc.

(Sarasota) Custom home builder.

Chief executive: John K. Cannon

2008 revenues: $48 million

2007 revenues: $100 million

Total employees: 35

Founded: 1987

www.johncannonhomes.com

Reader’s Choice Award from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune for 14 consecutive years. Currently ranked 15 in the nation’s “Best Companies to Work For” in the residential construction industry by Professional Builder magazine. Now building in The Concession, The Founders Club, The Forest at Hi-Hat Ranch, The Lake Club, La Cantera in The Country Club at Lakewood Ranch, Antigua Cove at Little Harbor, Riviera Dunes, Stonelake Ranch, MiraBay, Rive Isle, Country Club East, Riverstrand, Sarasota National and Sanctuary Cove. Named a 2006 Excellence Award winner by Residential Design & Build magazine.