Member News

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 29, 2020) – Golisano Children’s Hospital has published the latest issue of Kids First magazine, a free resource for Southwest Florida’s families and the region’s only publication solely dedicated to sharing expert-sourced pediatric health and wellness information. The special COVID-19 issue is complete with seasonal advice and tips from local physicians and health care providers with a focus on the timely challenges that families are facing during the pandemic and current events. Articles include:

• Health Care Can’t Wait: Don’t let fear of COVID-19 keep you from getting emergency care
• Telemedicine is Here to Stay: How to make it work for you and your child
• Presence of Mind: Help your kids deal with the psychological impacts of the pandemic
• Raising Strong, Informed Kids: How to talk with your children about challenging topics and teach them resiliency
• Staying Safe While Learning: Protect your kids whether in the classroom or virtually

Additional topics include healthy habits, mental health, technology, innovations in treatment, advances in local services and nutritious, kid-approved recipes.
“Much has changed in our world since we first began this publication,” said Armando Llechu, chief officer, hospital operations and women’s and children’s services at Lee Health. “More than ever, we felt compelled to produce a series of articles and advice from pediatric experts to help us all adjust to what has quickly become our new normal in this pandemic era.”
The purpose of the magazine is to help ensure children are the healthiest they can be, thus keeping hospital admissions down and experiencing better outcomes if hospitalization is ever necessary. Kids First is made possible in partnership with TOTI Media, longtime leader in award-winning high-quality magazines in Southwest Florida, and the incredible support of area businesses and advertisers who believe in and enable the mission and vision of Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Parents can also download the Kids First app from the app store for the latest issue. Kids First magazine current and past issue are available digitally at KidsFirstMagazine.org.
About Golisano Children’s Hospital
Established in 1994, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has been named a “Top Hospital” three consecutive years by The Leapfrog Group. It is the only recognized children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. Lee Health opened the new 134-bed Golisano Children’s Hospital in May 2017, relocating the children’s hospital from the adjacent HealthPark Medical Center. It includes comprehensive pediatric services including a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, milk lab, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 70 private rooms. Golisano Children’s Hospital is proud to have been named Soliant’s 2018 Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S., a recognition determined by popular vote. For more information, visit GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.

September 29, 2020, Fort Myers, Florida — Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is pleased to announce that litigation attorney Monica Schmucker was featured in the article: “How Attorney Monica Schmucker Tackles The Extreme Work Life Balance Of Being A Woman Business Leader During Covid-19,” published by Authority Magazine.
Authority Magazine shares empowering interviews and insights of people who are authorities and leaders in their respective industries. The publication is an advocate for the work that Arianna Huffington and Thrive Global are doing to help individuals, companies and communities improve their well-being and performance and unlock their greatest potential. Since 2018, Authority Magazine has conducted nearly 15,000 interviews with prominent authorities like Filmmaker Ava DuVernay, Grammy-Award winner singer Kelly Rowland, Shark Tank’s Lori Greiner, and MSNBC’s Morning Joe Co-Host Mika Brzezinski, and thousands of others.
Schmucker is a former Deputy Attorney General in Indiana. She uses her experience to assist clients in the defense of negligence, personal injury, premises liability, vehicle negligence, and wrongful death claims. Schmucker is a member of the Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club Board of Directors and Chair of the Social Committee. She is also a member of the Lee County Bar Association and Lee County Association for Women’s Lawyers.
Schmucker received her undergraduate degree from Florida International University and her law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School (cum laude). She may be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 239-344-1181.
Henderson Franklin is the largest, locally-based law firm between Tampa and Miami with 60 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 to build their homes, businesses, and communities in Southwest Florida. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Naples. For more information Schmucker or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com or connect with us on social media on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 23, 2020) – Stevens Construction has started construction of a new operations building for Truly Nolen, announced Dan Adams, vice president/principal, Stevens Construction, Inc.
Stevens Construction is building a two-story, 9,722-square-foot facility, which will house Truly Nolen’s Fort Myers sales, service and administration departments, as well as provide warehouse storage. Located at 2715 Edison Ave., the project is slated for completion in summer 2021.
The Stevens Construction team worked in preconstruction for six months prior to construction starting, providing due diligence on the project site, budgeting, constructability reviews and cost-savings suggestions to ensure Truly Nolen’s budget, schedule and quality goals are achieved.
The Stevens Construction team includes project manager, Michael Brooks; superintendent, Jamie Bridges; and project administrator, Rebeccah Cabana. The project was designed by Studio A.D. Architect.
About Stevens Construction, Inc.
With offices in Fort Myers, Tampa and Orlando, Fla., 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.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 24, 2020) –– Duane Chaney, financial advisor at Raymond James in Fort Myers, was awarded the Community Service Award at the national 14th Annual Invest in Others Awards. Chaney was honored in a video presentation and watch party Tuesday at Lee Health Foundation for founding Madisen’s Match, a tennis tournament benefitting Barbara’s Friends, the cancer fund for Golisano Children’s Hospital. Madisen’s Match has raised more than $1.3 million for Lee Health and Golisano Children’s Hospital since 2008.
Because Chaney was selected for the award from three finalists, Barbara’s Friends will receive a $45,000 donation from the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation. Chaney presented an additional check Wednesday at Golisano Children’s Hospital for $40,622.56, which he raised this year from donors to Madisen’s Match, despite having to cancel the event due to the pandemic. Chaney also delivered a second “Madisen’s Match Tesla,” a child-size version of the Tesla Model S wrapped in the Madisen’s Match colors and logo purchased using funds from donors to Madisen’s Match. The mini electric vehicle will be used by children staying at the hospital.
“It’s invaluable to have a volunteer like Duane Chaney as part of our extended Lee Health Foundation family,” said Chris Simoneau, chief foundation and development officer for Lee Health. “He is driven and passionate, not only leading Madisen’s Match, but in sharing our mission of excellent health and well-being with the community. His philanthropic leadership is outstanding. Golisano Children’s Hospital has diagnosed 36 children in SWFL with cancer since March, and Duane’s support of Barbara’s Friends enables us to help these children and families as they get care at Golisano.”
The Invest in Others Awards program recognizes the charitable work of financial advisors in communities across the country and around the world. Advisors are nominated for actively giving back to nonprofits to improve their communities and make a difference in the lives of others. Finalists are selected based on their leadership, dedication, contribution, inspiration and impact on a nonprofit and the community it serves. There are five categories of awards: Catalyst, Community Service, Global Impact, Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement.
“We’ve worked really hard to build Madisen’s Match to what it is today,” Chaney said. “To be able to raise this much money through this award for Lee Health Foundation and kids with cancer, especially with COVID-19, is what it is all about. The recognition is great but it’s more knowing we can make a difference in a really tough year. I’m humbled, honored, and speechless. To be considered with this class of advisors and be chosen as the winner for being a person who values giving back to their community is a real honor.”
In 2008, Chaney’s niece Madisen was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at the age of three. Duane decided to use the energy and emotion from this experience to create a fundraising event benefitting Lee Health Foundation and better equip doctors to fight pediatric cancer. Chaney logs hundreds of hours each year organizing the many facets of the event and enjoys connecting with the children who have been helped by the fundraising efforts of events like Madisen’s Match.
Madisen’s Match is a thriving pro-class tennis tournament featuring some of the best tennis players worldwide. The event has grown over the past 12 years to include a gala, live and silent auctions, tennis clinics with the pros, a kid’s clinic and a full pro-class exhibition hosted in a college arena.
About Barbara’s Friends – Helping Kids with Cancer at Golisano Children’s Hospital
Established in 1995, Barbara’s Friends provides equipment, staffing and services to support lifesaving cancer care for children from across Southwest Florida at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program is the only program of its kind in Southwest Florida and has served over 10,000 patients since opening. No child is denied treatment or turned away as a result of their family’s inability to pay for care. For more information about the Barbara’s Friends fund and supporting child patients in your community, please call Lee Health Foundation at (239) 343-6950 or visit BarbarasFriends.org.
About Golisano Children’s Hospital
Established in 1994, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has been named a “Top Hospital” by The Leapfrog Group for the past three years. It is the only recognized children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. Lee Health opened the new 134-bed Golisano Children’s Hospital in May 2017, relocating the children’s hospital from the adjacent HealthPark Medical Center. It includes comprehensive pediatric services including a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, milk lab, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 70 private rooms. Golisano Children’s Hospital is proud to have been named Soliant’s 2019 Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S., a recognition determined by popular vote. For more information, visit GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.
About the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation
The inspiration for the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation came directly from the financial advisors who invest in others by giving back to their communities with overwhelming generosity and dedication. Since its founding in 2006, Invest in Others has amplified these efforts by providing a platform for advisors to increase awareness, visibility, and funding to their favorite nonprofits. For more information, visit investinothers.org or follow Invest in Others on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

FORT MYERS, FL (September 24, 2020) – Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A. (MNMW) will partner with Secure Shredding, Inc. to host its fourth annual FREE Community Shred Day event on Friday, October 30, from 9am until noon. The Secure Shredding, Inc. truck will be on site at the Fort Myers MNMW location, 8961 Conference Drive. There will be a two-box maximum per person for shredding.
This is a FREE event; however, MNMW encourages participants to consider a donation to the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties or the Cape Coral Animal Shelter when dropping off shred items. Donations for United Way can be in monetary form, canned or non-perishable goods, or new/gently used clothing. Donations for the Cape Coral Animal Shelter can be in monetary form or pet food/supplies. Cape Coral Animal Shelter also has a wish list on Amazon for donations, https://amzn.to/32X35IN.  Representatives from both organizations will be on site to receive the donations and answer questions.
“We are happy to provide this service to not only help individuals shred important documents, but to help our community as well,” said Tami Cindrich, CPA, CHBC and Partner at MNMW. “Shredding sensitive documents is a safe way to eliminate clutter while safeguarding personal information. We hope that by offering this free service, it also provides additional awareness to the local United Way, its partner agencies, and the Cape Coral Animal Shelter.”
Items that can be shredded are limited to paperwork such as statements, tax records, contracts, blank checks, etc. A good rule to determine if an item is “shreddable” is “if it tears, it can be destroyed.” Items NOT suitable for shredding include hard drives, cell phones, batteries, etc. All shredded material will be recycled to support an eco-friendly environment.
Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. is a public accounting and consulting firm with offices in both Fort Myers and Naples. Along with traditional tax and accounting services, the firm offers a wide range of other services including general business consulting, construction business consulting, medical practice consulting, not-for-profit services, elder services, family mediation services, forensic accounting, litigation support, marketing and public relations consulting, and technology consulting. For more information, call (239) 433-5554 or visit www.Markham-Norton.com.
Secure Shredding, Inc. is a locally owned and industry certified document destruction company that has serviced the southwest Florida area since 2002. For more information about shredding services, visit www.floridashredding.com.
United Way Campaign funds remain in our local community to help support the local human service network of 96 agencies and over 260 programs. United Way partner agencies and initiatives serve a diverse range of needs such as nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, meeting critical needs, and empowering communities.  The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee has raised and distributed over $188 million since 1957.  For more information, please call (239) 433-2000 or visit www.UnitedWayLee.org.
The Cape Coral Animal Shelter provides a safe place where animals receive the care they need and remain until they are placed in a qualified, forever home. The Cape Coral Animal Shelter is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill shelter. For more information, please call (239) 573-2002 or visit https://www.capecoralanimalshelter.com/.
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 10, 2020) – Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples and Port Charlotte, has launched a redesigned website, JusticeStartsNow.com that offers a fresh look, improved functionality and user-friendly navigation to create an enhanced experience.
With the launch of site, the attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz can more effectively provide access to their legal services to prospective clients. The website features a unique homepage design and intuitive navigation system compatible with all devices, including mobile and tablets. The website offers:

• Simple and clean navigation
• Detailed practice area information to help prospective clients identify their area of need
• Past results to help prospects evaluate the firm’s strengths
• Detailed attorney profiles
• Client reviews
• An easy contact form for a free attorney consultation
• Frequently asked questions
• Justice Starts Now blog
• Information on the firm’s community commitment

“While our firm has been supporting the community for nearly 60 years, we continue to modernize and update our practice to the benefit of our clients,” said Christopher J. Smith, managing partner. “The new site makes it easier for people to find the information they need to make decisions on representation.”
About Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A., has offered a full complement of professional legal services to Southwest Florida clients since 1962. The firm’s experienced attorneys are board certified by the Florida Bar, and their areas of practice include personal injury and accidents, fall and premises liability, wrongful death, motorcycle and truck accidents, medical malpractice, real estate, commercial litigation, construction law, wills, estate planning and administration, social security law and criminal law. With offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte, attorneys can be reached by calling 239-334-1146 or visiting JusticeStartsNow.com.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 11, 2020) – The Florida Tax Collector Association (FTCA) recently awarded Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart with the ‘Matt Langley Bell III’ award. This honor is given to a tax collector who has made a lasting and significant impact both on the FTCA and the citizens of Florida.
The award, named after the late Escambia County official, was established in 1999. Hart is just the 7^th recipient of the award, as honorees are chosen based on their entire body of work within the FTCA and their time as tax collectors. During his time as a member of the FTCA, Hart has served as the organization’s President and Legislative Chair.
Nassau County Tax Collector John Drew and Brevard County Tax Collector Lisa Cullen nominated Hart for the award. “Larry has tirelessly volunteered his time and energy to better our profession and the elected office of tax collector,” said Drew.
Hart, who is retiring as Lee County Tax Collector this year, was surprised to be honored by the FTCA. “The Matt Bell award is something that isn’t given every year, so it came as quite a shock when my name was called,” said Hart. “Matt was a pillar of both his county and the Tax Collector Association, so I’m incredibly honored and grateful to join the small group of people who have received this award.”
About Lee County Tax Collector
The Lee County Tax Collector (LCTC) exists to serve the citizens of Lee County. The office takes pride in organizational excellence and offering exemplary customer service and operates by the credo of “We’ve got your back.” The LCTC operates leetc.com, the official interactive website of the tax collector, which allows county residents to quickly and easily take care of motor vehicle and vessel registration, pay property taxes, make appointments for concealed weapon permits and more. The agency operates seven service centers throughout the county to provide efficient, convenient services. The LCTC works to provide innovative and quality service that supports the growth and sustainability of the community. For more information, visit leetc.com or follow Lee County Tax Collector on social media.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 14, 2020) – Special Equestrians’ 17th annual culinary extravaganza, Taste of Love raised $190,000 for the therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving program.  Due to COVID-19 concerns, the event was held virtually online.   Ticket holders picked up food and wine at The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon prior to the event so they could enjoy it while watching the broadcast from home.  Harmon’s Audio Visual provided the video production for Taste of Love.
All proceeds from Taste of Love benefit Special Equestrians, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and adults with disabilities by providing a structured therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving program and other equine assisted activities.  Special Equestrians has been awarded Premier Accredited Center status by PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). Serving Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties, Special Equestrians is a United Way Partner Agency that has been serving southwest Florida for more than 30 years.
The event was hosted by celebrity auctioneer Jay Severson and emceed by award-winning radio and television personality Gina Birch, and featured live and silent auction items.
“We are so appreciative of our patrons, sponsors, auction donors, volunteers, committee members and the staff at The Ranch Concert Hall and Saloon,” said Adele Smith, event co-chair. “Our culinary participants provided wonderful food and we served 300 To Go bags to our guests.  Everyone was able to watch the livestream of the event while enjoying their delicious food and wine from the comfort and safety of their homes.”
Culinary participants:

• Mastello and A Touch of Italy, Chef Carlo Rao
• Blue Pointe Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill, Chef Andy Brown
• Fancy’s Southern Café, Chef Daniel Glick
• Cantina Laredo, Chef Martin Galvan
• Señor Pepe’s Paella Catering, Chef Pepe
• Jordan Webster Catering, Chef Jordan Webster
• European American Bakery Café, Chef Ariel Garcia and Chef Sam Savich
• The Melting Pot, Chef Chris Keys
• Custom C.A.K.E.S. by Kayla, Kayla Mateo
• Greg’s Buckeyes, Greg Kurt
• Le Macaron French Pastries, Florence Del Fondo
• Wine presented by Breakthru Beverage Group
• Beer Provided by Suncoast Beverage Company

Event Sponsors include:  Karon Rathgeber – Wells Fargo Advisors, Garden Street Iron & Metal, John S. Fifer, M.D., Seminole Casino, Mark Loren Designs and Frey Valet.  Platinum Sponsors: Architectural Metals of SW Florida, Everglades Farm Equipment, Henderson Franklin, Lovelace Farms, MVP Realty/Lee and Marie Kitsberg, Sarlo Mowers, The Dorcey Law Firm, The LaPorta Family, UBS Maurillo Rhoades Group, Sweet Cypress Ranch, and Waterside Aesthetic Dentistry.  Gold Sponsors:  Club Care, C-2-C Landscaping and Riverdale Dental Associates/Gateway Dental Suites  Silver Sponsor:  Cummings Law  Bronze Sponsors:  Bechtol Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Dave & Cheryl Copham, Edison National Bank, Green Schoenfeld & Kyle, LLP, Hair by Chris, ISEC Incorporated, Jason’s Deli, Lawhon’s Grocery, Lee Dental Care, Moon Plumbing, Northern Contracting, Pulte Group, Taylor Carpet One, Toll Law, Vein Specialists – Dr. Magnant.  Media Sponsors include The News-Press, Florida Country Magazine, Florida Weekly, Palm Printing and Signs Now.  Restaurants who were bronze sponsors include: Cantina Laredo, European/American Bakery Café, Mastello Ristorante, and Fancy’s Southern Café.
Taste of Love 2021 is scheduled for March 14, 2021.
For more information about Special Equestrians visit www.specialequestrians.net

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2020) – Renewing your truck in Florida is about to get easier. On September 1, Florida House Bill 87 took effect, changing the renewal date for all trucks weighing between 5,000 and 7,999 lbs. from December of each year to the birth month of the vehicle’s registered owner.
Prior to the bill’s passage, all heavy truck owners had to wait to renew their vehicles at the end of the year. By moving heavy truck renewals to the birth month of the owner, renewing heavy truck registration will be faster and easier.
“It just makes sense to move heavy truck renewal in line with other passenger vehicles,” said Larry Hart, Lee County Tax Collector and heavy truck owner. “Moving truck registration to the owner’s birth month offers more flexibility and, in light of COVID-19, allows us to maintain CDC guidelines in our service centers while still providing the highest standard of customer service.”
Customers should visit http://www.leetc.com/heavy/truck for information on how this update will affect them and for examples of how their renewal this December will change. It should be noted that House Bill 87 does not apply to heavy trucks used for business; the renewal date for commercial trucks will remain December of each year.
About Lee County Tax Collector
The Lee County Tax Collector (LCTC) exists to serve the citizens of Lee County. The office takes pride in organizational excellence and offering exemplary customer service and operates by the credo of “We’ve got your back.” The LCTC operates leetc.com, the official interactive website of the tax collector, which allows county residents to quickly and easily take care of motor vehicle and vessel registration, pay property taxes, make appointments for concealed weapon permits and more. The agency operates seven service centers throughout the county to provide efficient, convenient services. The LCTC works to provide innovative and quality service that supports the growth and sustainability of the community. For more information, visit leetc.com or follow Lee County Tax Collector on social media.

September 23, 2020, Fort Myers, Florida — Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is pleased to announce that Gulfshore Business Magazine selected Registered Patent Attorney Luca Hickman as one of its 40 Under 40 Honorees. Now in its 18th year, the magazine selects 40 business professionals younger than 40 and salutes Southwest Florida’s most distinguished young achievers.
“Luca is a compassionate, energetic, and self-motivated young lawyer. He has the respect and admiration of his clients, colleagues and peers. He is a rising star that just keeps climbing higher,” shares Michael Corso, former chair of Henderson Franklin’s Tort & Insurance Litigation Division.
Hickman advises inventors, artists, and musicians and works on high profile business and contractual matters, including multi-million dollar mergers and acquisitions involving publicly traded companies and celebrities. He assists clients with the creation and management of intellectual property portfolios, brand licensing, anti-infringement matters – including anti-counterfeiting work – and creating and overseeing global trademark portfolios. With his background as an electrical engineer, Hickman understands the underlying technical issues involved in his client’s inventions and helps them prosecute, license, and litigate United States and foreign patent rights.
Hickman serves on the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Board of Directors, is the President and Director of the Fresh Foundation, Inc. He is a member of the Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section of the Florida Bar, Lee County Bar Association, the Southwest Florida Federal Court Bar Association, the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Catholic Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute, where he is a member of the Intellectual Property Litigation Committee.
Hickman received his undergraduate degrees from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (with high honors) and Lübeck University of Applied Sciences. He also graduated valedictorian and first in his class from Ave Maria School of Law. Hickman may be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 239-344-1307.
Henderson Franklin is the largest, locally-based law firm between Tampa and Miami with nearly 60 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 to build their homes, businesses, and communities in Southwest Florida. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Naples. For more information about Hickman or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com or connect with us on social media on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.