The Argus Foundation will honor two Sarasota business leaders with Lifetime Achievement Awards on Nov. 11 at The Ora.
The annual awards celebrate individuals who have made valuable contributions to the community throughout their business and personal lives. This year’s honorees are Sarasota restaurateur Mike Quillen and Roland George Caldwell, founder of Caldwell Trust Company.
Quillen founded his first hospitality company, Gecko’s Hospitality Group, in 1992. With a roll-up-your-sleeves leadership style, Quillen navigated economic cycles and the challenges inherent to the industry and reinvigorated his portfolio with the founding of Watershed Hospitality Concepts in 2022 and Cashiers Mountain Holdings in 2023.
"I’m deeply honored to receive this
award from The Argus Foundation, an organization that has played such a pivotal role in shaping the direction of Sarasota and the robust business climate we all work hard to nurture together," said Quillen, president of 15 restaurants with a workforce of 800. "I share this recognition with the incredible team members and local partners that I’ve had the privilege to work alongside of over the years.”
Quillen, who grew up in Sarasota, serves on several local boards, including the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Selby Gardens, and Visit Sarasota County. He is a founder and current chair of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Charitable Foundation. He was awarded the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Neighbor Florida Cornerstone Humanitarian award four consecutive years and in 2017 earned national recognition with the Restaurant Neighbor Award.
In 2025, Quillen was honored as Restaurateur of the Year and inducted into the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Hall of Fame.
"Our [employees'] shared dedication, passion for hospitality and hard work have made this possible and I’m grateful to share this award with them,” Quillen said.
A legacy of giving
Caldwell, a longtime leader in the region’s financial community who passed away in 2023 at age 89, was a visionary entrepreneur who built his life and career on exceptional fiduciary responsibility. From humble beginnings during the Great Depression, his journey reflected resilience, independence, and a deep sense of purpose shared throughout his life with his wife, Annette.
Caldwell’s influence extended beyond the institution he founded. He instilled a culture of honoring commitments, fostering multigenerational relationships, and investing in the community. A lifelong learner, writer, and thinker, he was always guided by his personal motto, “Do and hope.”
“My father believed that being a fiduciary was not just what you do, but who you are,” said R.G. “Kelly” Caldwell Jr., chairman, president and CEO of Caldwell Trust Company. “His commitment to integrity, to keeping promises, and to serving families continues to guide everything we do today and for generations to come.”
Caldwell Trust Company serves more than 3,000 clients and oversees more than $2 billion in assets under management, reflecting the enduring strength of his vision. The firm’s leadership remains committed to carrying forward the principles he established while continuing to serve future generations. Beyond financial services, Caldwell Trust Company has contributed nearly $2 million to nonprofit organizations supporting youth and social causes across the region.
The Argus Foundation, established in 1983, applies business leadership to identify, educate, advocate, and collaborate on solutions for community issues that will enhance the quality of life, environment, and economic well-being of Sarasota County. For more information, visit argusfoundation.org.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota business leaders earn lifetime awards from Argus Foundation
