Education / Business

UWF Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business and Combined Rotary Clubs Name 2026 Ethics in Business Award Recipients

Sam Young of Pensacola Habitat and Tom Vaughn of Vaughn Brinkley Wealth Strategies Group were honored at the 24th Combined Rotary Luncheon at the Pensacola Yacht Club.

The University of West Florida Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business and the Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola named Sam Young and Tom Vaughn as the 2026 recipients of the annual Ethics in Business Award during the 24th Combined Rotary Luncheon at the Pensacola Yacht Club.

• The Ethics in Business Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the concept of “service above self” and work to build a positive sense of self-worth within both the business community and the broader community. Criteria include adherence to high ethical standards of honesty, integrity, and consistency in dealing with employees, contractors, and customers, while positively enhancing the economic well-being of the firm’s stakeholders and providing jobs, opportunities, and profits.

Large Business Sector Winner: Sam Young, Pensacola Habitat

Sam Young, president and CEO of Pensacola Habitat, received the award in the large business sector—organizations with 50 or more employees. Under Young’s leadership, Pensacola Habitat is now ranked eighth out of 1,000 competitors across the nation.

That growth stems from Young’s mission to double home production, shorten construction timelines, and reduce per-home costs—lowering barriers to homeownership for families in the Pensacola community. Young also established the Northwest Florida Community Land Trust and a rental housing program aimed at creating affordable homes sustainable for decades to come.

“At Pensacola Habitat, ethics is not a separate part of the work—it is central to how we serve families, steward community resources, and build trust with our partners. This award reflects the commitment of our entire team, board, volunteers and supporters who believe that expanding access to affordable homeownership is one of the most meaningful ways we can strengthen this community.”
— Sam Young, President & CEO, Pensacola Habitat

Small Business Sector Winner: Tom Vaughn, Vaughn Brinkley Wealth Strategies Group

Tom Vaughn, president and co-founder of Vaughn Brinkley Wealth Strategies Group of Northwestern Mutual, was named the small business division winner. For 45 years, Vaughn has served his clients and employees with selflessness, honesty, and fairness.

Under his direction, the group was again recognized by Forbes as the Best in State Wealth Management firm for 2026. Vaughn also actively serves the community as a Paul Harris Fellow sponsor, long-term member of the Gulf Breeze Rotary, and member of both the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business Advisory Council and the UWF Executive Mentor program.

“As a Certified Financial Planner, I’m held to a fiduciary standard, but to me, that’s never been a burden—it’s simply the right way to do business. Rotary’s ‘Four-Way Test’ aligns perfectly with that belief, and it’s a standard I believe every business should strive to uphold.”
— Tom Vaughn, President & Co-Founder, Vaughn Brinkley Wealth Strategies Group