RON EVANS
President & CEO

Ron Evans is synonymous with experience, knowledge, passion, growth and innovation.

Ron moved to Charlotte County in 1976 to manage the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club. After a year in Fort Myers at the Royal Palm Yacht Club, Evans moved back to Punta Gorda to partner with Earl Nightingale, Don Donelson and Bob Anderson to design and build Charlotte County's first true fine dining establishment; Nightingale's Restaurant at Fishermen's Village. With its grand opening in 1979, Nightingale's became an instant success and culinary phenomenon.

Over the course of several years, Evans evolved his personal passions and philosophies into more than a restaurant, but an entire enterprise...quite literally; 1992 marked the birth of Smuggler's Enterprises, Inc; Evans' flagship dining venture.

Renowned for the motto he learned from Earl Nightingale, "plan your work and work your plan", Evans lived by his words. His first move transforming Nightingale's into The Captain's Table, intermingling a combination of updated Nightingale's classics, with prime steaks and seafood, using the highest-quality, local ingredients, whenever possible.

The following year 1993, Evans partnered with Harry Carson to design and build Harpoon Harry's the first-of-its-kind. Since it's inception, Harpoon Harry's has received numerous awards including; "Best Waterfront Restaurant," "Best Open-Air Restaurant," "Best Place to Have a Beer," "Best Sports Bar," and "Best Bar & Night Spot" by the Charlotte Sun Herald readers.

The Smuggler's empire includes: fine dining, casual dining, waterfront dining, catering, live entertainment, a jazz and blues lounge, event sponsorship, souvenir clothing, and community involvement, just to name a few.

Evans', proven record of delivering growth and knowledge of the Smuggler's brands and customers make him the perfect leader. He has done an outstanding job of spearheading the Smuggler's expansion. His broad experience in operations management, restaurant design and development, sales and marketing enable Smuggler's Enterprises Inc. to drive growth and bring company-wide focus to areas that are crucial for long-term success.

The plan for 2008 & 2009 is the opening of the Laishley Crab House with partners Bruce Laishley, Rick Treworgy and John Hall, at the Punta Gorda Marina in downtown Punta Gorda.

Evans has taken the Smuggler's Enterprises Inc., brand to a level that restaurateurs only dream of. The labors of "planning his work, and working his plan" have transpired into quite possibly one of the most successful privately owned/operated food and beverage operations in southwest Florida!