AT A GLANCE
IN THE NEWS
“America’s entrepreneurs are doing their part to power our
nation’s historic economic comeback,” Richards said. “Many small
businesses were able to successfully pivot and with tenacity and
resilience have not only survived the pandemic but have thrived.
Corporate Air, under the leadership of Rodger Pridgeon, is a perfect
example of such resiliency. These awards honor those in our
community who have excelled in business ownership, demonstrating
these virtues that are among the hallmarks of successful
entrepreneurship.”
Debbie Petrell, senior vice president of Florida First Capital
Finance Corp., nominated Pridgeon for the award.
“As one of many in our portfolio of exceptional small business
owners, Rodger Pridgeon of Corporate Air soars as a trendsetting
entrepreneur and community advocate,” Petrell said. “His leadership,
innovation and commitment to the local community, both
in the business and nonprofit sectors, is exemplary, and we are
delighted he is this year’s award recipient.”
An aircraft maintenance technician by trade, Pridgeon grew
up in western New York state and moved to Vero Beach in 1980,
working for Chautauqua Airlines as director of maintenance.
Anticipating the airline’s withdrawal from the region, Pridgeon
started an aircraft maintenance business on the side, transitioning
into a full time job when Chautauqua Airlines closed its Vero
Beach office in 1987. What began as a one-man company has
grown to an award-winning, thriving business with 15 employees.
Running a successful and growing business wasn’t the only
criteria considered for the award. Being an active contributor to
the community was also a factor. Pridgeon served on the board of
directors of the Children’s Home Society of the Treasure Coast for
10 years, including as board chairman for two years.
“Of course I’m honored to be recognized as the 2022 South
Florida District SBA Small Business Person of the Year, but whether
I am recognized or not, I will always continue doing what I love
to do: Invest in my business, including the people who help make
it happen, and in my community, which I love,” Pridgeon said.
TCBusiness.com 1
AQUAFARM RECEIVES JOBS GRANT
VERO BEACH — Lemnature AquaFarms, a plant-based ingredient
supplier to the food market, has received a jobs grant as it
expands its operations in Indian River County.
The grant was unanimously approved by the Indian River
County Commission and pays up to $7,000 per new job created,
based on the average wages paid to new hires. At least five new
jobs must be created, paying a minimum of 75% of the county’s
average annual wage. Based on county staff calculations, the
company is eligible for up to $200,000 in grant funds. The award
is paid out over a period of 3-5 years, after the jobs are in place
and confirmed by county staff.
Lemnature AquaFarms has three locations in Indian River
County, including its corporate headquarters, a research and
development facility in Fellsmere, plus a large aqua farming and
processing operation in western Indian River County. The company
anticipates adding 46 employees to its base of 115 workers
by the end of the year, at an average annual wage of $59,800,
excluding benefits.
“We appreciate and value the partnerships with the chamber
and its economic development office, and the board of county
commissioners, as we build and scale our highly sustainable,
plant-based food business and aquafarm within Indian River
County,’’ said Frank Jimenez, CEO of Lemnature AquaFarms. “We
believe in building innovative farming solutions to help accelerate
the transition to a regenerative food system, while assisting
our customers in the achievement
of sustainability development
goals through a more
efficient agricultural process
based on aquaculture.”
The company grows and processes
the all-natural Lemnaceae
aquatic plant, also known
as water lentils, which grows
DO YOU HAVE
NEWS TO REPORT?
Report promotions, new hires,
grand openings, anniversaries,
accomplishments
and good deeds to
staff@tcbusiness.com
in Indian River County. This aquatic plant doubles its biomass
every 48 hours so harvesting can be done daily, year-round in the
county’s tropical type of climate.
The company will be producing a plant-based protein and fiber
to be included as ingredients in superfood drinks, protein powders
and nutritional beverages. As a way to promote the company
and its mission, Helene Caseltine, the chamber’s economic
development director, arranged for the company’s CEO to give a
presentation to the commissioners at their regular April meeting.
CORPORATE AIR OWNER NAMED BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Rodger Pridgeon, owner and president of Corporate Air Inc.,
has been named the 2022 South Florida District SBA Small Business
Person of the Year.
Corporate Air Inc. is a fixed base operator that provides fuel,
aircraft maintenance, hangar space and charter jet services at the
Vero Beach Regional Airport.
This year’s National Small Business Week awards celebrate the
sacrifices and achievements of small business owners and their significant
contributions to the economy and communities, according
to J. Malcolm Richards, director of the SBA South Florida District.
SCOTT FINNEY
Rodger Pridgeon, left, accepts the 2022 South Florida District SBA Small Business
Person of the Year from Lonnie Koyama of the Small Business Administration
during the recent 2022 National Small Business Week Summit in Melbourne.
/TCBusiness.com
link