Member News

Fort Myers, Florida — The law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is pleased to announce that Attorney Kayla Richmond was elected to the Florida Bar Board of Governors, Young Lawyers Division (“YLD”). She is one of two Governors for the 20^th Judicial Circuit. Richmond has also been sworn in as the President of the Lee County Association for Women Lawyers.
Richmond focuses her practice in the areas of divorce, marital and family law. She handles dissolution of marriage (divorce), custody, paternity, child support and domestic violence cases. Richmond has received many accolades, including being selected to the 2018 Class of Leaders in the Law by the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, named a “Rising Star” by Florida Super Lawyers® magazine (2016-2018), selected as an “Up & Comer” by Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite (2017), and honored with the Outstanding Alumni Representative Award from the Stetson University College of Law (2016).
In the local community, Richmond serves on the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida’s Board of Directors and is Chair of the Hunger Walk Committee. She is also a mentor for Girls Going Places and is a volunteer coach for Fort Myers High School’s Track and Field Team. Richmond is Immediate Past President of the Lee County Bar Association’s Young Lawyer’s Division.
Richmond graduated from Fort Myers High School in 2006; received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida (B.A., 2010, magna cum laude); her law degree from Stetson University College of Law (J.D., 2013); and, her graduate degree from Stetson University (M.B.A., 2013, summa cum laude). Richmond may be reached at 239.344.1156 or via email at [email protected].
Henderson Franklin is the largest, locally-based law firm between Tampa and Miami with over 55 attorneys dedicated to providing a wide range of legal services in the areas of business and tax planning, estate planning, family law, business and civil litigation, eminent domain, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, employment law, real estate, and land use and environmental law. Since 1924, Henderson Franklin has been assisting clients build their homes, businesses and communities in Southwest Florida. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples and Sanibel Island. For more information on Richmond or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com.
 
 
 

Performances are at the Zig Zag Lounge. No cover for live entertainment. TVs throughout the Zig Zag bar air sporting events and other entertainment. Zig Zag Lounge is Southwest Florida’s premier destination to catch your favorite teams during the NFL season. Entertainment is subject to change. For complete details, visit moreinparadise.com.
 

About Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
Open 24/7; 365 days a year, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is Southwest Florida’s premier gaming and entertainment destination. The 51,000-square-foot plus casino offers 1,300 slots, including Tarzan, Wheel of Fortune and Crazy Money, and 38 live table games including Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, Blackjack Switch and Spanish 21. Dining options include the award-winning 1^st Street Deli, Asian fusion restaurant Lucky Mi Noodle House, and The EE-TO-LEET-KE (“The Camp”) Grill. Nightly entertainment is highlighted by the Zig Zag lounge, home of the Zig Zag Girlz, “where the party never ends” featuring nightly live entertainment and no last call. Additional entertainment and events are held at the Seminole Center, an indoor/outdoor special event center featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting system designed by Technomedia Solutions. The new Seminole Casino Hotel is the first upscale hotel to open in or near Immokalee and offers suites and deluxe guestrooms with modern décor and features, plus amenities including a swimming pool with adjacent private Seminole Chickee cabana huts, 24-hour fitness studio, free Wi-Fi, and desk concierge services.
Located at 506 South 1^st Street in Immokalee, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is easily accessible to all of Southwest Florida via I-75 and Southwest Florida International Airport is only a 45-minute drive from the casino. Located between Miami and Naples, north of Alligator Alley on Highway 846, it is five blocks south of Highway 29. Approximately 30 minutes from Naples and Fort Myers, the casino is a 90-minute drive from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee participates in the Seminole Players Club Wild Card Rewards Program whereby players earn and redeem comp dollars at all Seminole Casinos in Florida. For more information, call toll-free (800) 218-0007 or visit moreinparadise.com or https://www.facebook.com/SeminoleCasinoHotel/.

AUGUST 16, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – Wil Schmidt, global director of New Client Engagement for Gartner, Inc., presents “Critical Thinking in the Digital Age” during Florida SouthWestern State College’s (FSW) Critical Thinking Lecture Series at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the FSW Thomas Edison Campus, Building AA-177, Fort Myers. Additionally, the presentation can be viewed digitally at the FSW Charlotte Campus, Building E, Room 105; the FSW Collier Campus, Building G, Room 109; and the FSW Hendry/Glades Curtis Center, Building A, Room 106.
Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company. Gartner delivers the technology-related insight necessary for clients to make the right decisions, every day. Schmidt’s Strategic Accounts Team supports IT professionals employed at organizations with annual revenues of over $10 billion within the banking, finance, insurance, healthcare, and life sciences verticals.
Prior to his role at Gartner, Schmidt held sales and management roles within the finance, retail and advertising industries, including founding and selling a mortgage brokerage in Nevada. His prior experience as both an entrepreneur and as an employee of a global firm offers a distinct perspective on critical thinking competencies required for a successful business career. Schmidt has also had two articles published by Gartner, the latest titled “Fostering an Innovative Culture That Meets Business Requirements.” In addition to his Gartner leadership role, Schmidt is a disciple of the Dale Carnegie teachings; an avid residential real estate investor; a basketball coach within a co-ed youth league; and a boater.
The FSW Critical Thinking Lecture Series features college and community leaders who discuss how they use critical thinking skills in their profession or focus on critical topics from their area of career or academic interest. The series is free and open to the public. Presentations take place weekly, and the fall series runs September through November.
For more information on the FSW Critical Thinking Lecture Series, contact Whitney Rhyne, director, Strategic Initiatives, at (239) 433-6943 or [email protected].

September is BOGO month at The Shell Factory & Nature Park. During the month of September The Shell Factory will be celebrating over 80 years in business with great BOGO’s throughout the property. Over 100 daily BOGO items in the 68,000 square foot Retail Store, along with BOGO Pretzels at Gulf Coast Fudge. 3 different Daily BOGO Specials and Specialty Drink’s at Capt’n Fishbones restaurant. Bring the kids and get buy one get one at The Nature Park. Then take the whole Family to the Fun Park for the buy one get one Special Fun Park Package. As The Number 1 Family Entertainment Destination in SW Florida The Shell Factory offers Mon – Sat entertainment 4-7pm and Sunday’s 1-4pm at The Swamp Bar, Happy Hour 3-6pm everyday, and 2 Dog friendly outdoor Bar’s. With the kids going back to school treat them to a great STAYCATION at The Shell Factory & Nature Park. For all the  Shell Factory’s Family Friendly Events go to www.shellfactory.com or visit The Shell Factory Facebook page.

(Fort Myers, Fl. August 15, 2018) – The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Committee (WIB) will host its September networking meeting from 4-6pm on Wednesday, September 5th at IBERIABANK, located at 9101 College Pointe Court in Fort Myers.
Susan Minaya will present on the subject of “Developing Your Whole Self.” Minaya is the COO and Chief Learning Strategist of Minaya Learning Global Solutions LLC, a training and education products and services company providing Fortune 500 companies around the globe, nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions.
Says Minaya, “Every day we show up and do what we do to either get through or make a difference in the day.  Based on research and our own Women in Business  survey around developing the whole self, we seem to be missing a secret ingredient.  Most of us are not in balance and find ourselves stagnant in one or more of the critical domains of our whole self:  Physical, Mental, and Spiritual.  Balancing these domains is important for our own self-development and fosters wellbeing in other external areas of our life.”
Minaya will share research, some practical perspectives, and success stories of developing the whole self and bring to light the glue that holds it all together.
There will be an opportunity to network with area business leaders, enjoy a complimentary beverage, and light appetizers.
IBERIABANK is both the host and sponsor of the September Women in Business meeting. The non-profit spotlight is PACE Center for Girls.  All business professionals are invited to attend. Admission is $10 for Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce (GFMCC) members and $20 for future GFMCC members. To register, call (239) 332-3624 or visit www.fortmyers.org.
ABOUT WIB:
Part of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, the Women in Business committee is dedicated to helping women achieve their fullest professional and personal potential.  A variety of networking and educational programs are offered throughout the year, typically the first Wednesday of every month from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
ABOUT GREATER FORT MYERS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
Located at 2310 Edwards Drive in Downtown Fort Myers, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. has been serving Lee County and surrounding areas since 1989. The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce is a business organization of professionals who support and promote a progressive, sustainable community.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 14, 2018) – Stevens Construction has been awarded the construction management services contract for Performance Health Surgery Center, announced Mark Stevens, company president.
Construction is underway for a new 17,000-square-foot, four operating room, 17-bed, orthopedic and spine-based surgery center located at 16501 Three Oaks Parkway in Fort Myers, just off the I-75 Alico Road exit. Upon completion in winter of 2018, the project will be licensed and inspected by the Agency for Health Care Administration, which ensures regulatory compliance for health care facilities throughout Florida.
Performance Health Surgery Center is a partnership managed by Compass Surgical Partners of Raleigh, North Carolina, and anchored by surgeons Edward Humbert, Dennis Sagini, James Bynum, David Eichten and Jeffrey Henn.
The Stevens Construction team includes project manager, Michael Waskiewicz, project administrator, Angie Sugg, and superintendent, Mike Garland. Architectural services were provided by Joseph J. Sziabowski.
Performance Health Surgery Center will be the 10^th surgical facility completed by Stevens Construction.
With offices in Fort Myers, Tampa and Orlando, Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals. Other services include site and design team selection, budgeting, project scheduling, permitting, cost and quality control and warranty service. The company builds healthcare, commercial and hospitality facilities. For information, visit www.stevensconstructioninc.com or call 239-936-9006.
 
       
 

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (August 15, 2018) – Nominations are now being accepted for the second annual Excellence in Nonprofit Performance Yearly awards, better known as the ENPYs. The Cape Coral Community Foundation will recognize outstanding local nonprofit organizations, leaders and partners at an awards luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Bell Tower at 13051 Bell Tower Drive in Fort Myers.
 
A panel of judges will select as many as three finalists in each of the following categories:
 

• Nonprofit Organization of the Year (for organizations established more than three years ago)
• Nonprofit Rising Organization of the Year (for organizations established fewer than three years ago)
• Nonprofit Executive of the Year (CEO, president, executive director)
• Nonprofit Board Leader of the Year (board member)
• Nonprofit Employee of the year (paid staff member)
• Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year (individual who serves an organization and/or community)
• Nonprofit Business Partner of the Year (business that supports nonprofits and the community)
• Community Impact Award (individual who makes a positive impact)
• Paul Sanborn Service Above Self Award (individual who exemplifies “service above self”)
• Elmer Tabor Generosity Award (individual who shows exceptional generosity)

 
The Cape Coral Community Foundation will award grants to the Organization of the Year and Rising Organization of the Year.
 
Application submissions are due Friday, Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. Criteria, instructions and nomination forms are available at TheENPYs.com.
 
Sponsorships are also available until Sept. 10. For information on becoming a sponsor, visit TheENPYs.com.
 
The Cape Coral Community Foundation, also known as the Global Center for Generosity, is a nonprofit organization created to help generous civic-minded donors who make a positive impact on their community and beyond. It works to grow philanthropy and strengthen society by encouraging endowments, addressing public needs and providing community leadership. For more information, call 239-542-5594 or visit CapeCoralCF.org.
 
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Bennett’s Bites now available in half dozen bags

 
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 7, 2018) – Due to overwhelming customer demand, Bennett’s Fresh Roast has begun selling donut holes.
 
Bennett’s Bites are bagged by the half dozen and available in cinnamon sugar or glazed for $2.50 each day while supplies last.
 
“We have gotten so many requests from our customers over the years and we asked ourselves ‘why not?’,” said Bennett’s owner Bob Grissinger.
 
Bennett’s Fresh Roast has also prided itself on its fresh-from-scratch donuts made daily and being the only Fort Myers donut shop to serve fresh roasted coffee from the finest beans, resulting in the most flavorful and freshest cup of coffee around.
 
In addition to fresh roasted coffee and hand-cut-from-scratch donuts, Bennett’s also offers packaged whole bean or ground coffees, breakfast muffins, oatmeal, Cajun grit bowls and breakfast sandwiches. On the weekends, Bennett’s Strata (a layered baked breakfast dish) is a regular sellout. Tea lovers may choose from a large variety of Harney & Sons Fine Teas. Lunch offerings, including paninis, soups, sandwiches, two signature salads and Bennett’s ‘Lobster Roll’ and ‘Donut Dog,’ are available Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bennett’s is located at 2011 Bayside Parkway in downtown Fort Myers and is open Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
For more information, visit www.BennettsFreshRoast.com.
 
 
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 15, 2018) – Pavese Law Firm partners William T. Haverfield II, Neale Montgomery and Christopher J. Shields were selected by peers for inclusion in the 25^th edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Haverfield was selected in the practice area of Family Law, Montgomery was recognized in the practice area of Land Use and Zoning Law, and Shields was selected in the practice area of Real Estate Law.
Board Certified in Marital and Family Law, Haverfield focuses on complex marital litigation including business valuations and real estate appraisal issues related to dissolution of marriage. He joined Pavese Law Firm in 1969 and served as managing partner from 1990 until 2011.
In addition to Land Use and Zoning, Montgomery’s practice areas are local government, environmental, water and real estate law. She is involved with real estate development and permitting issues at the local, regional, state and federal level. Montgomery joined Pavese Law Firm in 1986 and became a partner in 1991.
Shields is Florida Bar Certified in both Real Estate Law and Condominium & Planned Development Law. His primary area of focus is residential and commercial condominium, cooperative and homeowners’ association law, and provides legal counsel to developers, builders, community associations and lenders throughout Southwest Florida. He joined Pavese Law Firm in 1984 and became a partner in 1990.
First published in 1983, selection for Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey comprised of more than three million confidential evaluations by the top attorneys in the country.
About Pavese Law Firm
Pavese Law Firm is a full-service law firm with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and West Palm Beach. The firm provides a broad range of legal services for individuals, families, small businesses and large corporations. Practice areas include agricultural, banking and finance, bankruptcy, business and corporate, civil litigation, condominium and homeowners’ association law, construction, employment, environmental and water, estate planning, probate and trusts, marital and family, land use and government, and real estate law. Established in 1949 as a one-person general practice firm, Pavese Law Firm has grown into one of the largest legal practices in Southwest Florida. With a long history of service to Southwest Florida, Pavese Law Firm has played a significant role in the growth of local businesses, communities and major development projects. For more information, visit paveselaw.com.
 
 

FORT MYERS, FLA., August 13, 2018 –  The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida Southwest Chapter honored six students with scholarships August 9 at a special presentation hosted by Richlin Interiors at Miromar Design Center in Estero.
 
Financial assistance totaled $6,000 to six students who are either enrolled in a Bachelor of Architecture or a Master of Architecture program at a university or college.  The scholarships are funded through local member donations and dues.
 
“We have a very vibrant and thriving building and architecture industry in Southwest Florida and we want to help our local students and let them know that we are here as an organization to support them now and in the future,” said Art Castellanos, president of the AIA Florida Southwest Chapter.
 
Scholarships were presented to:
 

• Allie Stefanick of Fort Myers, a $2,500 scholarship to assist in her architectural studies at the University of South Florida in Tampa;
• Christian Alonso of Bonita Springs, a $1,500 scholarship to continue his studies toward a  Master of Arts degree in architecture at the University of Florida in Gainesville;
• Dylan Scallan of Naples, a $500 scholarship to study architecture at the University of Florida;
• Emma Pritchett of Port Charlotte, a $500 scholarship to pursue a degree in architecture at the University of South Florida in Tampa;
• Sydney Matsumoto of Fort Myers, a $500 scholarship to continue her studies toward a Master of Arts degree in architecture at the University of Miami; and
• Kaci Seitzinger of Naples, a $500 scholarship toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in architecture at the University of Florida.

 
The AIA Florida Southwest is the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects and consists of 140 architect members and 100 allied and associate members in Southwest Florida.  For more information, visit WWW.AIAFLASW.ORG.