Four Longstanding Large Businesses are Finalists for CFDC Success in Large Business Award

August 25, 2025 • News

Four long-time large businesses that continue to grow and serve the community are finalists for the Central Florida Development Council’s George W. Harris Jr. Economic Development Award for Success in Large Business.

Companies must have at least 100 employees to be recognized. The 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.

Camp Margaritaville, award recipients at the 2024 Annual Meeting.

Winners are announced at the CFDC annual meeting. This year Camp Margaritaville RV Resort in Auburndale will play host on September 25. Last year, Camp Margaritaville won the award. This year’s large business nominees, listed in alphabetical order, are:

“These companies represent the best of the large businesses in Polk County,” said Sean Malott, President & CEO of the CFDC. “Three are repeat finalists, showcasing their continuing work for the betterment of Polk County while taking care of their employees. We are thrilled to be able to honor them.”

About the Large Business Award Finalists

Central Florida Health Care (CFHC)

CFHC is a finalist for the second year in a row.

“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 health care, which is why we are continuing to add new services and facilities.”

CFHC has had a busy 2025, focusing on growth. “As we look at our year-over-year growth, we want to prepare as best we can to meet the needs of the community. Last year, we provided care for 80,015 patients, 271,123 visits and filled 384,647 prescriptions,” she said.

Claussen recapped building projects in the works:

It is constructing the Lakeland Community Health Center, a 33,600-square-foot, four-story building at the site of its Missouri Avenue location. The new health center will combine the Lakeland Pediatrics and Lakeland Hills Dental Health Centers, “creating a true patient-centered medical home for our patients and their families.” It also will expand other services there, including adult medical, behavioral health, lab and X-ray. “We are very excited to be adding a Diabetes Center of Excellence with endocrinology services and a certified dietician/nutritionist to provide educational classes and cooking classes for our diabetic patients,” Claussen said. “The new teaching kitchen will allow us to focus on healthy cooking for food preparation for the local community.”
It will provide similar services at a 14,000-square-foot building it purchased in Mulberry/South Lakeland that it is renovating and a 14,000-square-foot building it will soon break ground on at its new Dundee Health Center.

Campaigning & Events

CFHC is in the middle of a $30 million capital campaign “to raise awareness and funds for our new Lakeland Health Center and our new Winter Haven Health Center,” Claussen said. “The need is great as Polk County continues to be one of the fastest growing counties in the country. We serve everyone and want to continue to focus on expansion and growth to ensure a healthy community.”

It is also planning its second annual “Classy & Comfy” Gala on Oct. 9 at Adam’s Estates in Lake Alfred to help raise money for its sites. For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-central-florida-health-care-classy-comfy-gala-tickets-1557529144599.

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)

CLA is “ecstatic to be nominated again” for the award, according to Brent Parrish, Principal of the firm.

“Being recognized in back-to-back years is a testament to the consistency of our efforts —not just in delivering exceptional professional services, but in contributing meaningfully to the region’s growth,” Parrish said. “It affirms that our team continues to uphold the values of innovation, collaboration and service that align with the CFDC’s mission. We’re honored to be considered among the leading businesses in Central Florida. We are grateful for the opportunity to help shape a thriving future for our community.”

Parrish said 2025 has been a year of resilience and growth. “Our leadership continues to implement our master solutions plan to ensure continued success for the second half of the year.”

He pointed out several success stories:

“Our Lakeland office scored the highest of all CLA offices nationwide in our employee engagement survey. 98% of our employees strongly agreed that CLA is a great place to work. People are treated fairly and our leadership is approachable and ethical.
Lakeland hosted six school interns over the summer who learned that “CLA is more than just tax and audit. They not only learned about other services the firm offers, but also about our community involvement and culture.”
The Lakeland office is growing and continues to host interns from local institutions like Florida Southern College, Southeastern University and the University of South Florida.

Parrish said he’s proud and excited to be presenting to CFDC members on Oct. 16 to “share how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will impact the people and businesses of Central Florida.”

Lakeland Regional Health (LRH)

The regional health care system with one of the busiest emergency departments in the state. President & CEO Danielle Drummond said LRH is “deeply honored to be considered” for the award.

“Inspired by George Harris’ dedication to this community, we proudly live out a similar mission by placing people at the heart of all we do,” said Drummond. “Every day, our team is privileged to work in providing exceptional care to help the people in our community live healthier, fuller lives. For more than 100 years, we’ve been advancing, innovating and growing across Polk County and beyond to deliver world-class care.”

The three-time finalist continues to grow. It provides top-notch service wherever it’s needed.

“Over the past year, LRH has:

Expanded access to our nationally recognized care with new locations, including the new Freestanding Emergency Department in South Lakeland.
Launched innovative programs like LRH at Home.
Welcomed our third class of GME residents. (The Graduate Medical Education (GME) program’s designed to alleviate the shortage of doctors in Polk County.)
Continued to earn national recognition for excellence in healthcare.”

“Our team of 8,000+ employees is dedicated to continuing to meet the evolving needs of our community with compassion and expertise,” Drummond said.

Spherion Staffing & Recruiting

Rachael Maldonado is Spherion’s business development manager. She said the company, a finalist for the first time, is “deeply honored” for the recognition. “What a privilege it is to support our business community, drive our local workforce and contribute to the economic growth of Polk County.”

She said the company’s highlights for 2025 include:

“Being recognized on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Recruiting and Temporary Staffing Firms for the fifth year in a row.
Receiving the Reputation 900 Award, which honors business locations with unparalleled commitment to customer satisfaction. Only 0.8% — the very best of the best — earned a place in the exclusive 900 Club.
Giving back to our community through meaningful partnerships, including working with One More Child to prepare their food pantry and sponsoring a kindergarten class at North Lakeland Elementary to provide school supplies for the new school year.

“These accomplishments and all we do are a reflection of our vision. To drive careers, build businesses and better the communities we call home. We’re honored to do it here in Polk County,” she said.

The finalists in this year’s Success in Large Business Economic Development Award represent the powerful impact that established enterprises can have on job creation, community investment, and long-term economic resilience. Their leadership, innovation, and commitment to local growth set a high standard for corporate responsibility and success. We commend these industry leaders for their contributions and celebrate the ways they’re helping to shape a stronger, more prosperous future for Polk County.