Fort Myers, Fla. – August 27, 2018 – The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce Teri Hansen, APR as the recipient of this year’s APEX Awards. The 13th Annual APEX Awards, presented by Vector & Ink, took place on Saturday, August 25th at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. The black tie optional awards ceremony is designed to honor a local individual who demonstrates career excellence and ingenuity, gives back to the community, and supports others in attaining their professional goals.
Teri Hansen, APR is the owner and president of Priority Marketing. Her entrepreneurial dream began in 1992 and recently celebrated 25 years in business. Teri is a Fort Myers native and started her business shortly after the birth of her daughter. Teri ran her business from home until her daughter reached school age, at which time she opened an office and hired a small staff.
Since then, Teri has grown Priority Marketing to become one of the region’s largest full-service marketing, advertising, and public relations firms with 35 employees. In 2001, this nominee faced the greatest challenge of her life when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Throughout her 15-month cancer treatment, Teri continued to work full-time in a hands-on leadership role at her company. The company was awarded the Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award in 2003 in recognition of its ability to overcome adversity to achieve success. A cancer survivor for nearly 17 years now, she has provided countless hours of heartfelt support and encouragement to more than 20 women who have faced the same diagnosis. She also continues to serve as a role model for the way she balances her priorities, even as the family and business continue to grow.
Teri is one of the founding members of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), and a member of FPRA’s Counselor’s Network. Recently, Teri was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the SWFL FPRA and is one of four recipients to have received this award. This award is reserved for public relations professionals who have dedicated their career to the profession and the advancement of it.
Aside from her professional accomplishments, what shines through is the character in which she leads her company and community. The first thing people notice is how her fun-loving spirit lights up the room, whether she’s leading a meeting or working hand-in-hand with her staff. And as everyone who has worked with her knows, she is also smart, passionate, and hardworking – additional qualities that serve as the driving force behind the company and its ability to provide innovative and creative solutions to its clients.
Teri Hansen, APR is now among previous APEX Awards recipients including Sandra Stilwell-Youngquist of Stilwell Enterprises, Samira Beckwith of Hope Healthcare Services, Gail Markham of Markham, Norton, Mosteller, Wright & Company, P.A., Sarah Owen of SWFL Community Foundation, Dr. Mary Kay Peterson of Radiology Regional Center, Rose Bernal-Tchekmeian, Christin Collins of Lee Health, Mei-Mei Chan, Kathryn Kelly of The Heights Foundation, Sonya Sawyer of Home-Tech, Connie Ramos-Williams of CONRIC PR & Marketing, Diana Willis of Jason’s Deli, Cyndi Doragh of Molloy Financial Group, Tessa LeSage of SWFL Community Foundation, Barbara Dell founder of Dress For Success, and Samantha Scott of Pushing the Envelope, Inc.
This year’s APEX Awards finalists included (in no particular order) Susan Bennett of Susan Bennett Marketing and Media LC, Kelly L. Fayer of Kelly L. Fayer, P.A, Teri Hansen, APR of Priority Marketing, Christina Harris Schwinn of Pavese Law Firm, and Judy Williams of SPADA Salon and Day Spa.
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following companies for their support of this year’s Apex Awards: Vector & Ink, HelloSWFL, IBERIABANK, Molloy Financial Group, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, iPartnerMedia, Inc., Bell Tower Shops, Planned Perfection, Mark Loren Designs, Harmon’s Audio Visual, and PACE Center for Girls, Lee.
For more information please contact the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Colleen DePasquale at (239) 332-3624 ext. 210 or via email at [email protected].
ABOUT THE APEX AWARDS
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and its Women In Business Committee are proud to hold this occasion to honor the inspirational and hard working professionals of Lee County. This black tie optional celebration is a tribute to a local individual for their professional excellence, community service and support of helping others attain their goals. To nominate a deserving woman for the prestigious APEX Award please visit www.fortmyers.org.
ABOUT THE GREATER FORT MYERS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Serving Lee County and surrounding areas since 1989, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a business organization of professionals who support and promote a progressive, sustainable community. The Chamber represents nearly 800 businesses, professionals and individuals throughout Lee County, providing opportunities for members to participate in a variety of meaningful networking, educational and community- and business-focused programs and events. The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce is located at 2310 Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers. For additional information regarding membership opportunities or events please call 239-332-3624 or visit www.fortmyers.org. For the latest news and updates, follow the Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gfmcc or Twitter at @FtMyersChamber.