CEO Gary Simone [Photo: Mark Wemple]

Last year, construction and property management company 1st Choice Industries acknowledged the down economy but decided to expand anyway. A new division focusing on cabinetry, architectural millwork and custom displays has helped the company grow its revenue and workforce: Sales through October totaled $13.5 million this year, up from $9.4 million in 2009, says CEO Gary Simone. The Sarasota-based company, which won the 2011 Frank G. Berlin Sr. Small Business Award from the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, employs 85, up from 48 last year.