Mattison's Restaurants, Grill, Steakhouse & Catering in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and Bradenton, Wedding Caterer

Gulf Coast Business Review
40 Under 40, 2005
2005 Honorees
July 29-August 4, 2005

By Isabelle Gan / Contributing Writer

Recognized as a mecca for retirees, Greater Sarasota-Manatee isn't known for its allure to the young professional. But little by little that's changing. Since 2000, U.S. Census figures show Greater Sarasota¹s 20-to-40 age group grew 1% while the 60-and-over group shrunk by 1.4%. The 20- to 40-year-olds,in fact, held their ground in terms of the total percentage of population here (25% ) while retirees, clearly the dominant group, shrunk from 35% to 32% of total population. Those aren't dramatic shifts, but the perception and reality is that as the Gulf Coast continues to grow, more and more working people are choosing Manatee and Sarasota counties as the place they want to raise their families. Indeed, in this year's class of the Gulf Coast Business Review's 40 under 40 (our sixth) one of the common responses to what they love about this area was this: the big-city amenities and the small-town feel. They especially want to preserve the latter. As in previous years, the 2005 Class consists of entrepreneurs, lawyers, health care professionals, artists, environmentalists, builders, Realtors
and corporate executives. They're an optimistic group. They want to make a difference. We received more than 100 nominations, the most we've received since we started publishing the list in 2000. GCBR's editors evaluated each of the candidates on the basis of career accomplishments, levels of expertise and responsibility in their fields and community involvement. With scores assigned to each, we narrowed the list (but not without difficulty.) This year's list contains not just 40, but 41 accomplished and promising professionals who help make our community a vibrant place to live. Why 41? In two instances, the nominees were co-founders of businesses. And in both cases they were difficult to separate (like separating salt and pepper, milk and cereal. One goes with the other.) In some cases, we simply had to make choices on the basis of rules (we were unable to reach or hear from all of the nominees before our deadline.) With this year's Class of 40 under 40, we reached a milestone. For the first time in the history of the Review's 40 under 40, there are more women than men (23 women.) One is the youngest woman to own a real estate company in Sarasota; another is the first woman to receive a coveted management award in her industry. Yet another is the first woman bank officer and vice president of her company.
They were born all over (14 states and three foreign countries.) Six are Sarasota natives (the largest contingent.) Five are native Floridians. New York, Massachusetts and Ohio produced the next largest contingents. Three are native Canadians; one was born in Great Britain; and one was born in Saigon, Vietnam. Many of the young professionals in this list are here to stay. The climate,the beaches and the quality of life have helped them decide to plant roots here. Many told us they like it here so much they wouldn¹t change a thing. As one 40 under 40 honoree wrote: "It is so easy and enjoyable to live here. I appreciate the sophistication of work in this community, balanced with a simple lifestyle. I also love the natural beauty of the area and the interesting people who live here. I truly think that we have something very special here. We have a vibrant community that truly cares about improving our living conditions."
Other common themes:
- Affordable housing was one of the buzz phrases. The escalating price of real estate was touted as one of the biggest obstacles to luring young professionals. Without it, they say, more of their kind will go elsewhere.
- Many want to preserve the environment. They have trepidations about growth. Said one: "Development is great for our future. I am worried that we will unintentionally become a big city, like so many other destinations."
- Some of the parents in the group are concerned about the quality of the schools.
- Three said they want better airline service.
- Some had simple changes in mind: More shopping opportunities. One would change "the noise ordinance." One wants medians on Bee Ridge Road. Asked what she would change here, one of the honorees said: "We need a Cheesecake Factory!" Another said: "I¹d also love to see regular Flamenco performances at the Columbia Restaurant in St. Armands Circle."
A clear pattern among this year¹s honorees was a desire for a community where work, family and leisure co-exist. They want a community that emphasizes a balanced life.

Anna Pohl
Company/Title: Mattison¹s and Mattison¹s Catering Company, catering director
Education: MBA, management, University of Phoenix On-line; BFA, art,University of Texas at Austin
Professional Achievements/Honors: Who's Who in America (2000-20004); Who's Who of American Women (2000, 2001); certified corporate event planner, International Society of Meeting Planers (2005)
Professional Goals: To increase Mattison¹s catering business and services while simultaneously remaining at the top of the industry. Plan more and more corporate events and weddings to keep building the Mattison's brand. Every day I strive to present exciting catering ideas to my clients, which continually challenges me. I want to evolve with Mattison's and contributeto its growth. In doing so, I can in turn, give back to the community which has given so much to me.
Mentor or Business Hero: Paul Mattison is without a doubt my mentor. As I¹ve told many of my Mattison's clients, Chef Paul is an excellent chef and ingenious business leader. He has encouraged me in merging my creative and analytical aspirations in heading up Mattison's Catering Company. He gives to charities throughout the Sarasota/Manatee area, and I strongly support
these efforts. Years before I met Paul Mattison, I observed Howard Schultz, the leader to the Starbucks Coffee chain, and I studied his company for my MBA and found their marketing strategies and belief in social corporate responsibility inspiring.
Formula for Success: Hard work! Lots of hard work! When I was a child and teenager, I practiced the piano every day so I could achieve excellence. My philosophy was to practice only on the days that I ate. If you love your work, work is something that you want to do as much as eating. My exact formula for success, I suppose, is to work at something you love and in
which you believe and then work hard. A wonderful life will follow.
Hometown: San Marcos, Texas; now residing in Bradenton
Place/Date of Birth: Austin Texas, November 6, 1971
First Job: Dance Instructor
Years on Gulf Coast: Three and a half
Motivation to Come to Gulf Coast: I moved to work with a biotech company. Through great fortune, I became the events and fund raising coordinator of the Ringling Museum (a wonderful experience) and met Chef Paul Mattison. Now I have the best job in the world. I love Sarasota/Gulf Coast area and cannot imagine living any place else.
What you love about Sarasota/Manatee: The water is my number one reason for loving the area. I also love the weather. It reminds me of Texas. Finally, the people who live here are the friendliest I have found.
What you'd love to change about Sarasota/Manatee: I would I only like to try to make it closer to where my family lives in Texas.
Marital Status/Family: Single
Community Involvement: Young Professionals of Manatee (2003-present); UnGala Gala Executive Committee (2003-present); Junior League of Manatee County (2002-present); Elegant Sarasota Weddings, member (2004-present); Wedding of Sarasota, member (2004-present); Texas State Historical Association, member (1998-present)
Hours Worked Per Week: Non-stop party planning hours
Hobbies: Reading, walking the beach, art projects that I never seem to finish
Favorite Book: This changes all of the time. I recently read The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood and really liked it.
Book on Night stand: Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
Favorite Web Sites: amazon.com and Yahoo.com
Greatest Fear: I haven¹t thought of this too busy
Describe Yourself in One Word or Phrase: Always thinking
If I Could Travel Anywhere in The World: I would travel throughout China and visit many of the historic sites
If I Had to Do It All Over Again: I would be even more adventuresome