Rotary Club of Gainesville announces recipient of its 2026 Ethics in Business Award

Press release from Rotary Club of Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Rotary Club of Gainesville proudly announced at its January 20 meeting that the winner of its annual Ethics in Business Award was Jorge Villalobos, owner and operator of The Best Restoration, LLC, and Area Rug Masters, LLC.

Jorge was born in Colombia, where he worked in the finance and banking industry. He came to the United States in 1999, speaking little English, seeking a safer place to live and raise a family. At first, he worked for a carpet cleaning company in Ft. Lauderdale. He acquired a van with carpet cleaning equipment and came to Gainesville in 2004. Beginning with that one van, he grew The Best Restoration, LLC into a company with 30 employees, and he now owns two other companies, Area Rug Masters, LLC, and Gainesville Turnover Specialists, LLC., with locations in Gainesville and Ocala. The Best Restoration, LLC earned a 5-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was the “Distinguished Latin-Owned Business of the Year” in 2023.

The Ethics in Business Award recognizes members of our community who exemplify Rotary’s longstanding commitment to integrity, fairness, and ethical leadership in every aspect of professional life.

Each October, the Club’s Ethics in Business Committee invites nominations from across the Greater Gainesville community. Once nominations are received, UF’s Ethics Ambassadors conduct formal interviews with each nominee and provide their evaluations to the Committee. Award recipients are then selected based on both the Ambassadors’ recommendations and the Committee’s review.

This annual recognition highlights the power of ethical decision-making and celebrates those whose work strengthens trust, excellence, and service within our community.