George W. Harris, Jr. Success in Large Business Award Spotlights Four Finalists with Large-Scale Impact on Polk County  

Selected by fellow CFDC members, the 2026 winner will be announced at the CFDC Annual Meeting on September 24. The event will be hosted at the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus, Skylight Hangar. 

This year’s Success in Large Business Award will go to one of four businesses that have been nominated based on their dedication and impact on the Polk County community. Companies must have at least 100 employees to be recognized. 

The George W. Harris Jr. Success in Large Business Award is named for George Harris, a former CFDC chairman and president of Citrus and Chemical Bank. Businesses were nominated based on their community service, commitment to growth in business, economic stability, and promotion of free enterprise. 

The finalists, in alphabetical order, are: 

• Central Florida Health Care 
• GMF Steel Group 
• Kimley-Horn 
• Suncoast Credit Union 

“These finalists exemplify the strength and innovation of Polk County’s large business community,” said Sean Malott, President & CEO of the CFDC. “Their continued investment in our workforce, their commitment to excellence, and the jobs and opportunities they create are helping drive Polk County’s economic growth and competitiveness. We are proud to recognize these outstanding companies and the meaningful impact they have on our community.” 

About the Large Business Award Finalists 

Central Florida Health Care 

Central Florida Health Care (CFHC) is once again a finalist for the Success in Large Business Award. 

“It is truly an honor for Central Florida Health Care to be nominated,” said CEO Ann Claussen. “CFHC has approximately 700 employees who truly have a heart and passion for serving its patients. To be recognized for the important work we do every day is a proud moment for us. It also is an opportunity to spread awareness that CFHC provides affordable preventive healthcare, which is why we are continuing to add new services and facilities.” 

This has already been a milestone year for the organization. In May, CFHC opened its 18th health center—the Mulberry Primary & Specialty Care Health Center—expanding access to adult medical, rheumatology, podiatry, behavioral health services, and a convenient drive-thru pharmacy. In June, they celebrated the groundbreaking of their new Dundee Health Center, which will bring a larger, more advanced facility to the community in 2027. Looking ahead, the CFHC team is preparing to open the Lakeland Primary Care Health Center later this summer, which will feature Polk County’s first Diabetes Center of Excellence and a teaching kitchen. 

Healthcare is at the heart of everything we do.

Sherrie Pratt

“In 2025, Central Florida Health Care served more than 85,000 patients, underscoring the growing need for expanded access to care. Healthcare is at the heart of everything we do, and we remain committed to meeting the needs of our communities and continuing to grow alongside them,” said Sherrie Pratt, Media & Communications Specialist. 

GMF Steel Group 

GMF Steel Group is a certified steel fabricator and erector recognized by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), headquartered in Lakeland, FL. It is the largest structural steel fabricator and erector in Florida, and one of the top three in the Southeastern U.S. GMF has worked on several high-profile projects such as Toy Story Land, Harry Potter World, JW Marriott Water Street, University of Florida Baseball Stadium, and more. 

“Over the past year, GMF has been most excited to see our Department Heads expand their operations and develop leadership across their teams,” said Andy Norman, CEO & President. “These efforts have resulted in tremendous successes and company milestones, including record-breaking revenue, major project awards, industry recognition for quality, safety, and craft training, significant leadership promotions, and our recognition for our team members’ industry contributions and community service.” 

Their dedication to the community is emphasized by their apprenticeship program (Florida’s only merit-shop DOE-accredited apprenticeship school), which prepares Polk County’s youth for successful careers in steelwork and welding. The company offers internships twice a year, utilizing recruiting teams that recruit and hire students from all over the Southeast and relocating them to Lakeland. Apprentices learn more than the trade; the GMF team takes great pride in their tenacious work ethic, professionalism, and an absolute commitment to customer service. 

Norman shared his pride in the company’s nomination for the award:  

“To be recognized as a finalist is a tremendous honor and meaningful reminder of not only the privilege but also the responsibility that comes with being a leading employer in our community. This distinction energizes our leaders and team members to continue pushing forward in pursuing excellence, stewarding meaningful careers, and making a lasting impact on our community.” 

Andy Norman, CEO & President

Kimley-Horn 

Kimley-Horn returns as a finalist for the Success in Large Business Award and is one of the nation’s premier engineering, planning, and design consulting firms, with offices nationwide. In Florida, the firm has more than 1,300 employees across 22 offices.  Its Lakeland office, which serves Central Florida, has grown from approximately 14 employees to 62 over the past decade. Its recently opened, 21,000 square-foot office in downtown Lakeland has capacity for more than 100 employees. According to Jared Wynn, PE, this creates “room for continued growth, collaboration, and service to clients throughout the region.” 

Beyond its continued growth, Kimley-Horn is helping shape Lakeland’s future through projects across Polk County. Among its notable efforts is its role as a project partner on the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency’s Restore the Core initiative, which is guiding the long-term vision for the Downtown, Midtown, and Dixieland redevelopment districts. This work underscores Kimley-Horn’s long-term commitment to Central Florida, combining the expertise and resources of a national firm with a strong local, community-centered approach. 

Being recognized as a finalist for the Success in Large Business Award is meaningful because it reflects not only our growth, but also our commitment to the clients and communities we serve.

Jared Wynn, PE

“Being recognized as a finalist for the Success in Large Business Award is meaningful because it reflects not only our growth, but also our commitment to the clients and communities we serve,” said Wynn.  “Kimley-Horn brings the resources of a national firm while maintaining the relationships, responsiveness, and local understanding that allow us to serve each community differently. We are proud of what our firm has accomplished and even more proud of the impact our people continue to have across Central Florida.” 

Suncoast Credit Union 

Suncoast Credit Union was founded in 1934 and has since become Florida’s largest credit union. Even with such a long history, 2026 has been a year of significant growth and milestones for the credit union.  

This year, Suncoast Credit Union has expanded its economic development efforts by scaling its Economic Development Officer (EDO) model across key Florida markets, strengthening partnerships with municipalities, chambers of commerce, workforce organizations, and community stakeholders. The credit union also increased access to capital through its SBA and Microenterprise programs, helping entrepreneurs launch, grow, and sustain their businesses while supporting underserved markets and local economic growth. 

Through strategic investments in Central Florida, Suncoast helped preserve a long-standing downtown Lakeland coffee shop, supported the creation of a new arts and entertainment venue, and enabled an emerging food entrepreneur to expand into a permanent storefront. In addition, the credit union advanced workforce development, financial wellness, workplace banking, and affordable housing initiatives through collaborative partnerships that continue to strengthen communities across the region. 

“Being named a finalist for the CFDC Success in Business Award is an incredible honor and a reflection of Suncoast Credit Union’s commitment to driving meaningful economic impact across the communities we serve,” said Lady Alisha Martin, Vice President of Business & Economic Development. 

“This recognition represents more than business growth; it highlights our intentional focus on financial inclusion, small business support, workforce development, and community partnerships that create lasting change. We are proud to stand alongside other organizations making a difference and remain committed to expanding opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities throughout Florida.”

Lady Alisha Martin

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These finalists exemplify the spirit of large business excellence and the vital role they play in driving economic growth. We applaud their achievements and look forward to seeing the continued impact of their work in the months and years to come. Join us at the CFDC Annual Meeting to find out which finalist will be honored with the 2026 George W. Harris Jr. Success in Large Business Award!