Simon VP recognized for mall efforts, vision

Meg Judge, the Estero Chamber of Commerce CEO and chairman of the board, congratulates Tom Schneider, the 2007 Person of the Year award recipient, during a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. Schneider is the executive vice president for new development of Simon Property Group Inc.

Tom Schneider is the 2007 Person of the Year in Estero.

He was selected by the Estero Chamber of Commerce for his efforts and vision in bringing Coconut Point mall to Estero.

"It was humbling to get the call because I look at this as a team effort," said Schneider, the executive vice president for new development of Simon Property Group Inc. "A lot of work went into it and it's a terrific project."

Schneider's effort is what promoted the chamber's Board of Directors to select him for the award he was given during a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa on Wednesday.

"We always pick a person who is in charge of development that has impact in
the community," said Meg Judge, the chamber's CEO and chairman on the board.

Judge credits the developer with picking Estero as the location for the new 1.2-million-square-foot mall at U.S. 41 and Coconut Road.

And, causing the big surge of business and growth in the area.

"He is part of the reason we say this area is the retail capital of Southwest Florida," she said. "We have three regional malls .... in this area alone."

The kind of interest Schneider showed when first selecting Estero as the development site is why he was recognized, said Dave Anderson.

"This pays tribute to his efforts ...," said Anderson, the general manager at Coconut Point. "It's a time to give thanks to someone who helped make Coconut Point a reality in Estero."

During his acceptance speech, Schneider spoke about his first seeing the area in 1992 via helicopter.

"I could never have imagined how quickly the area has grown ... from that first helicopter ride to now," he said. "One of the things that impressed me is how many people get out there and work for the community. That made this project easier."

Coconut Point mall had its grand opening in November.

Although he was honored by the award, Schneider said there is still work to be done.

"I just hope people in the community enjoy it for years to come," he said. "We will continue to do things there to keep it everything it can be."