Matthew Zwack, President of Owen‑Ames‑Kimball (O‑A‑K) Florida, and Taylor Sawatzky, O‑A‑K’s Director of Strategic Development, recently graduated from Leadership Collier.
Leadership Collier was formed by the Naples Chamber in 1988. The nine-month program includes 11 full-day sessions where participants fully explore local government, education, economic development, agriculture, arts, and more. Leadership Collier is a transformational community leadership experience for participants and their organizations. Class members hear from experienced area leaders who deal with our community’s most significant opportunities and challenges. With new perspectives and connections, graduates are prepared to take their places as influential community leaders for a better future.
“Leadership Collier gave me a broader and deeper perspective of Collier County and my role in the community,” said Zwack. “I made strong connections with fellow leaders and expanded my network. I look forward to becoming an active Leadership Collier Alumni Association member.”
“Leadership Collier allowed me to discover issues I am passionate about and to become more involved by experiencing them firsthand,” said Sawatzky. “My goal is to positively contribute to Collier County post-graduation.”
Zwack joined O‑A‑K Florida in 2005 as an assistant superintendent and was promoted to job site superintendent overseeing public and private work. He served as the chief safety officer and general superintendent, overseeing all superintendents within O‑A‑K Florida. He was appointed to the O‑A‑K Florida board of directors in 2016. In 2019, Zwack was named Vice President of Operations, responsible for every O‑A‑K Florida project’s safety, schedule, quality, and on-site activities. He was named president in 2021. He is a LEED Accredited Professional Certified in Building Design and Construction. Zwack is an at-large member of The Horizon Council, a board member of The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee and The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools.
Sawatzky joined O‑A‑K Florida in 2023. He has dedicated his career to maintaining and expanding relationships with regional partners in business development and project management. He earned his Master of Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance, Master of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Business Administration and Management from Florida Gulf Coast University. He is a proud veteran of the United States Armed Forces. In addition, he received his Certified Project Management Professional Certification from the Project Management Institute and his Certified Public Management Certificate from Florida State University and has earned Google Analytics certification.
Owen‑Ames‑Kimball Company has been providing premier general contracting, design-build, and construction management services in Southwest Florida since 1982. An employee-owned company, O‑A‑K Florida, Inc.’s board of directors comprises members from the company’s Florida operations.
O‑A‑K’s Florida operation is an affiliate of its parent company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Florida operation has offices in Collier and Lee counties. Its Lee County office is at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers. Learn more about O‑A‑K at www.owen‑ames‑kimball.com or call (239) 561-4141.