Janice Tedder Jones Receives George Jenkins Award at Lakeland Chamber Annual Meeting; The Ruthvens, Lugo's Craft Distillery Also Recognized

The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Janice Tedder Jones as the recipient of its 2025 George Jenkins Award. Presented at the Lakeland Chamber’s 2024 Annual Meeting, this prestigious award celebrates an individual who has provided exemplary leadership and long-standing service to the Chamber and community. Other members of the business community were also recognized for their contributions to Lakeland.

2025 George Jenkins Award Recipient: Janice Tedder Jones
The George Jenkins Award, named for the founder of Publix Super Markets, is considered the Lakeland Chamber’s highest honor for an individual. Todd Jones, Executive Chairman of Publix Super Markets, Inc., presented the award to Tedder Jones.

A dedicated leader, Tedder Jones’ generosity has profoundly impacted the Lakeland community. Though her career began with a passion for music, she ultimately followed in her father’s footsteps, earning an accounting degree and joining his firm. Inspired by his advice to find time to give back through community organizations, she immersed herself in service, starting with volunteering at children’s schools before expanding her involvement to organizations such as Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center and Achievement Academy. Through her leadership, these organizations grew significantly, benefiting countless individuals in the community.
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Her devotion to community advancement extends into the Lakeland Chamber, where she began with ceremonial roles before joining the Board of Directors in 2013 and serving as Board Chair in 2017. Even in retirement, she remains an anchor of the Chamber, actively participating in committees, events, and mentoring future leaders and board chairs.

2025 Kathleen Munson Quality of Life Champion: The Ruthvens
The Kathleen Munson Quality of Life Champion Award honors those businesses that are dedicated to making Lakeland a great place to live, work, and play.

The recipient of the 2025 Quality of Life Champion award, The Ruthvens, has been a cornerstone of Lakeland’s business community for nearly 70 years. Founded in 1957 by Joe P. Ruthven, a WWII Navy veteran, the company would inevitably be woven into the fabric of Lakeland and Polk County. Joe P. Ruthven’s vision of providing functional warehouse spaces while cultivating strong relationships with tenants laid the foundation for a company built on integrity and fairness. Now a third-generation family-run business, The Ruthvens continues to shape Lakeland’s landscape while upholding the values and principles established by its founder.
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Their legacy is not just measured in square footage. The Ruthvens demonstrates a dedication to Lakeland by supporting organizations such as the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, United Way of Central Florida, Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center, the Salvation Army, Peace River Center, Florida Baptist Children’s Homes, and First Presbyterian Church, as well as educational institutions, including Florida Southern College, Southeastern University, and Polk State College, and local Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. Their contributions, including The Ruthven Family Playground at Bonnet Springs Park, reflect their commitment to enhancing Lakeland’s quality of life. Several members of the Ruthven family have served in leadership roles throughout the community, including two members, Joe P. and Joe L., who both served as board chairs of the Lakeland Chamber’s Board of Directors.

2024 P. Scott Linder Small Business of the Year: Lugo’s Craft Distillery
The Small Business of the Year Award is a prestigious award given to a member business in recognition of their accomplishments and entrepreneurial spirit. The recipient is selected from 12 Small Business of the Month recipients from the year prior.

Lugo’s Craft Distillery, the recipient of the 2024 Scott Linder Small Business of the Year award, is a true family business in every sense. Since opening in Lakeland just five years ago, the Lugo family has fully embraced the community, making guests, partners, and fellow business owners feel like part of the family as well. Every aspect of their operation is shaped by a family member with a passion for quality and commitment to ethical business practices. Their signature spirits include Pitorro, a Puerto Rican spirit traditionally infused with fruit and aged, and Risky Rum, aged in charred American Oak barrels (which has earned a loyal following by the Lakeland Whiskey Society). In addition to their tasting room in Lakeland, you can taste their rum at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, as they proudly serve as the official Rum Partner of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Beyond their craft, Lugo’s works closely with other local businesses to foster collaboration. They host maker markets, infuse their spirits into fine chocolates, and partner with local breweries to create new flavors and cocktails. Their commitment to quality and community has made them a standout in Lakeland’s business scene, offering not just exceptional products but also memorable experiences.

2024 Annual Meeting
The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Annual Meeting presented by Suncoast Credit Union brought together business leaders and community advocates to celebrate a successful year of chamber initiatives and usher in a new era of leadership. 2024 Board Chair, Amanda Walls of Peterson & Myers, P.A., led ceremonies as she reflected on the Chamber’s achievements in advocacy, internal excellence, and member-focused initiatives. The event also featured a keynote address from Amy Maguire of the Florida Policy Project (FPP), who shared valuable insights on Florida’s changing demographics and pressing issues in transportation, insurance, and housing affordability.

The evening concluded with the formal passing of the gavel to the Chamber’s 2025 Board Chair, Lori Martini of GiveWell Community Foundation. Surrounded by past chairs, Martini shared her enthusiasm for the year ahead, outlining her priorities and vision for continued business growth. With strong leadership at the helm and a commitment to progress, the Lakeland Chamber looks forward to another year of success.