Pasco EDC Honors Speros, Bauducco Foods and Michael J. Sierra at 38th Annual Awards in Wesley Chapel
WESLEY CHAPEL / PASCO COUNTY, FL — The Pasco EDC 38th Annual Awards brought business and elected leaders to Wesley Chapel on Thursday, Oct. 1, to recognize the companies and people driving Pasco County's growth. The "An Evening in Paris" celebration took place at the Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road.
The Winners
SMARTstart Entrepreneur of the Year: Mary Katherine Mason Alston, Lanky Lassie's Shortbread LLC. Alston baked her first batches in the SMARTstart East Pasco Incubator Kitchen before opening a brick-and-mortar shop in downtown Dade City. Her idea began after her grandmother's shortbread recipe won first place at a Highland Games festival. Today she ships her shortbread internationally.
Industry Impact: Speros. Moffitt Cancer Center's 775-acre research, industrial and clinical development hub in Pasco County opened the Speros Outpatient Center and began treating patients earlier this year, bringing treatment closer to home for county residents.
Economic Excellence Award: Bauducco Foods. The company bought 85 acres of the Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park and expects to invest more than $200 million in a new facility that will produce and distribute its products across the U.S.
Leadership Award: Michael J. Sierra. Over 30 years, Sierra has worked on developments including Cypress Creek Town Center in Pasco County, plus Avila, Tampa Palms and Lakeview Village in the Tampa Bay region. As director of the Sierra Family Foundation, he has been involved with dozens of local and national nonprofits, including the YMCA and the Pasco Education Foundation.
The Sponsors
Winners were announced through videos created by sponsor TradeUp Marketing. Pasco EDC also recognized hospitality sponsor Florida's Sports Coast and presenting sponsors AdventHealth, Speros and YorkBridge Concepts.
"We had a great evening recognizing the businesses and leaders who have made a significant impact in Pasco County," said Bill Cronin, president and CEO of Pasco EDC. "It was truly an honor to recognize Michael J. Sierra with the Leadership Award. His dedication and commitment to our community have made a tremendous contribution to Pasco County and helped make it the place it is today."
Why It Matters for Wesley Chapel
The awards spotlight the projects reshaping the area, from a major cancer-care campus to the retail and community development that has filled in along State Road 56. Hosting the gala at PHSC's Wesley Chapel performing arts center also underscores how central the area has become to Pasco's economic story.
📍 Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center — 8657 Old Pasco Rd., Wesley Chapel, FL
