(MENAFNEditorial) Lisa Almeida one of Jacksonville’s most energetic business and civic advocates has received Flagler College’s Professional Achievement Award for 2015.
Almeida a 1980 graduate of Flagler was honored at the Alumni Weekend’s annual awards luncheon held earlier this month. She was recognized for “her efforts in changing careers pursuing a lifelong passion and rescuing a struggling boat business.”
“I am very humbled to receive this special recognition from my alma mater” Almeida said. “Flagler College provided me with a great education and foundation for my career and will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
After enjoying a successful career as a sales executive with BellSouth Almeida
Took early retirement in 2007 but did not remain inactive for long. In 2009 she took over the struggling Freedom Boat Club franchise in Jacksonville and quickly turned the business around. In 2011 she purchased the Jacksonville and St. Augustine locations along with her business partner.
The Jacksonville-St. Augustine franchise has been among the fast-growing and most successful in Freedom Boat Club’s national network of 87 locations.
Almeida has become well-known across northeast Florida by her alter-ego The Boatanista. She has been a passionate promoter of Jacksonville taking a lead role in saving the annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade from budget cuts and also working to bring a major aquarium to the city.
In 2013 Almeida was named Jacksonville’s Up and Coming Entrepreneur of the Year at the Women in Business Awards. She was also awarded Women in Business Entrepreneur of the Year 2014. And in 2012 she raised $11000 for Special Olympics while finishing in second place in Jacksonville’s Dancing with the Stars competition.
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