Member News

May 16, 2018 – Fort Myers, FL – Join Gulf Coast Leisure for the next Art & Poetry Networking Event! APNE is a the perfect place for creative professionals to cultivate their craft and have a positive environment for self expression. Enjoy a night full of the best in local art & poetry with live entertainment, vendors, networking and more on Thursday, July 26th at 8pm! The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District.
Take part in Gulf Coast Leisure’s Art & Poetry Networking Event! Attendees can kick back, have a cocktail, and enjoy the performances! For just $10, event goers can experience some of the best poetry, art, music, and more that Southwest Florida has to offer. Be a part of this showcase, even if you’re not a performer, artist, or vendor. Rub elbows with locals who are a big part of the Southwest Florida arts community!
Each month, Gulf Coast Leisure offers artists, musicians, poets, and more the opportunity to connect with each other and showcase their talents. Plus, hook up with local art vendors and live artists. To be a vendor, artist, or performer, just sign up with GCL. APNE provides performer and vendor sign up in advance via their website. Signing up to perform is absolutely free! Become part of the GCL Movement on Thursday, July 26th!
Since 2012, Gulf Coast Leisure has developed nightlife events, summer celebrations, and community outreach by collaborating with local nonprofits. The first and longest-running event is the renowned Art & Poetry Networking event (APNE) on the fourth Thursday of the month at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. GCL provides the ability to self-express and be yourself on a stage in the SWFL community.
Gulf Coast Leisure’s Art and Poetry Networking Event
Thursday, July 26, 2018
8pm – 11pm • General Admission $10
For info, tickets, and artist registration, visit www.gclmovement.com.

May 16, 2018 – Fort Myers, FLA – Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW), the State Fiscal Agent for Quick Response Training (QRT) grants, has secured a significant grant for Arthrex to train 269 new hires.
“This is a significant grant for Arthrex and our region,” said Dr. Robert R. Jones, regional vice president economic and community development, FSW. “The funds will be used for proprietary supervisory and management training.”
Arthrex is an orthopedic medical device company, and a leader in product development, medical education and a pioneer in arthroscopy, having developed thousands of products and surgical procedures in orthopedic medicine worldwide. The company’s corporate headquarters is located in Naples, Florida, with global divisions in Munich, Germany and Singapore. It also has several subsidiaries and distribution centers throughout the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
“Arthrex is very appreciative of our partnership with Florida SouthWestern State College and the state of Florida. The grant supports Arthrex’s continued growth and investment in southwest Florida,” said Kathy Sparrow, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Arthrex.
Florida SouthWestern State College is the State Fiscal Agent for Quick Response Training (QRT) grants in southwest Florida. This is the second QRT grant awarded to Arthrex in the last two years. By working closely with CareerSource Florida in Tallahassee, and FSW’s School of Business and Technology (SOBT), FSW has been successful in securing $2.4M in QRT funds to train over 1,300 new hires since July 1, 2017. This funding not only directly benefits the companies receiving training funds, but also results in a local economic benefit through the multiplier effect. Since 2013, FSW has secured $12M in QRT funding.
The QRT grant lasts for one year and is targeted on the highly customized training programs that companies need to improve the skill base of new hires. These programs can be instructed by specialists from the company itself or by a one of the SOBT’s extensive portfolio of private and internal subject matter experts.
Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in the fall 2015. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.
Teresa M. Araque
Director of Communications/Public Information Officer
8099 College Parkway
Ste. I-213
Fort Myers, FL  33919
O:  (239) 489-9061
M: (239) 821-3978

TAMPA, Fla. (May 16, 2018) – Stevens Construction has completed a Walgreens pharmacy within Florida Hospital Tampa, announced Troy Hernly, vice president central Florida.

Stevens Construction renovated an existing gift shop into a Walgreens pharmacy with reception, pharmacy, offices and consultation room. Located at 3100 E. Fletcher Ave. in Tampa, the pharmacy opens for business on May 17.

The Stevens Construction team included Dave Wade, project manager; Mike Garland, superintendent and Joann McKendry, project administrator. Architectural services were provided by Stantec Architecture, Inc.

Stevens Construction has completed a multitude of projects for Florida Hospital Tampa, including operating room expansions, equipment upgrades, CT renovations, patient room improvements and the complete exterior façade renovation in 2014.

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.

Connections in health care, public safety key assets for organization
 FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 16, 2018) – The horizons have just become much broader for one of Southwest Florida’s most vital nonprofits. Child Care of Southwest Florida Inc. (CCSWFL) has named longtime Lee Health board member and Lee County Department of Public Safety executive Chris Hansen as its new CEO, and he’s intent on partnering with other community agencies to strengthen, energize and grow the profile of the organization.
Hansen plans to empower CCSWFL’s passionate, solution-driven team to further the organization’s mission of enhancing the lives of children and families. “I’m truly honored to work with the staff, the volunteers, the board and the community partners to advance Child Care of Southwest Florida’s mission and to shine a light on the positive impact the organization makes for the children and families in our community,” Hansen said.
Hansen has made it clear he’s up to the challenge of inheriting the position that retiring CEO Carol Conway has held for the past four years, said John Miller, chair of the CCSWFL Board of Directors.
“I am extremely excited about the opportunities the organization has under the new leadership with Chris,” Miller said. “Carol has done an amazing job of bringing the organization to where it is today, and I fully expect Chris will continue to broaden the community awareness of Child Care of Southwest Florida and its fantastic and important mission.”
 
Collaboration with like-minded agencies that have similar missions is one of the keys to CCSWFL’s ability to grow, said Jordi Tejero, incoming board chair and a member of the selection committee that chose Hansen.
“One of the strengths I see in the most successful not-for-profits locally is they have relationships with so many other community organizations,” Tejero said. “The way Chris speaks to leveraging relationships demonstrates that he has the mindset and the connections to lead us in what we’re looking to accomplish.”
Hansen joined the Lee County Department of Public Safety in 1980, working his way up from EMT to deputy director of public safety in his 28 years with the agency. He served as government liaison in his role as the vice president of operations for Priority Marketing of Southwest Florida Inc. from 2008-14. He was responsible for community relations, marketing, social media and business development for a six-county area as director of business development for Park Royal Hospital the past three years.
He and Tejero see his professional experience and service as a Lee Health board member since 2011 as assets that dovetail with CCSWFL’s focus on child care and nourishment.
“It’s a natural translation, and it presents a great opportunity for synergy, whether it be through nutrition, illness prevention, or wellness and healthy living,” Hansen said. “Those are some of the same missions and objectives that Child Care of Southwest Florida has.”
Hansen believes stewarding CCSWFL’s obligation to children is one of the greatest responsibilities the community has. Tejero is excited about Hansen’s ability to accomplish that in his new role.
“We’re a service-based business. Having a leader who understands that a leader’s role is to serve is hugely impactful to me,” Tejero said. “I feel that with Chris leading the organization, we will be greater than the sum of our parts.”
Hansen is an executive board member for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Lee, Charlotte and Hendry Counties, and he also sits on the board of the First Baptist Church of Fort Myers Inc. He was named 2008 EMS Director of the Year by The Florida Association of County EMS Directors and served as a commissioner appointee on the Community Sustainability Advisory Committee for the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.
Child Care of Southwest Florida Inc.
Child Care of Southwest Florida Inc. runs six early learning centers in Lee and Hendry counties that have been accredited by the National Accrediting Council. CCSWFL helps child care centers qualify for, administer and maintain USDA Child Care Food Programs to provide for the nutritional requirements of early childhood. To ensure the best possible care of children, the organization also provides Florida Department of Children and Families Introductory Child Care Training classes and competency exams to promote the continuing education of teachers and other educational professionals. Sponsorship, volunteer and donation opportunities are available to the public. For more information, visit www.ccswfl.org.
 
Josh Milton, Vice President of Media Relations
CONRIC PR & Marketing
6216 Whiskey Creek Drive, Suite B
Fort Myers, FL 33919
239-690-9840
[email protected] | ConricPR.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 14, 2018) – Gabriela Bell, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank assistant office manager at its Library Way branch on Sanibel, has been recognized as the American Business Women’s Association Sanibel Captiva Charter Chapter 2018 Woman of the Year for her service to the organization.
Bell joined Sanibel Captiva Community Bank in 2006 as a teller and has more than a decade of banking experience, including previous positions as customer service representative and teller supervisor. She assists with daily operations and customer relationships, including business and consumer banking. A Sanibel resident, she earned a bachelor’s degree in labor law from the National Autonomous University of Honduras and a bilingual certificate from Kingston College in London. Bell currently serves as treasurer for the ABWA Sanibel Captiva Charter Chapter executive board.
The American Business Women’s Association mission is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.
Founded in 2003, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has two locations on Sanibel and five locations in Fort Myers. The bank is nationally ranked in the top 20 as a best-performing community bank by S&P Global Market Intelligence out of more than 4,500 banks with assets under $1 billion. It is well-capitalized, with $415 million in total assets, and generates the highest return on equity of all Florida banks in excess of $155 million in total assets.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank’s professionals provide customized individual and business banking services and specialize in residential loans. The bank offers free personal and business checking, deposit accounts with competitive interest rates, safe deposit boxes, and a full array of online banking products and services, including electronic statements, mobile banking apps, CardValet, online bill pay, Positive Pay and ACH Manager. To learn more, visit www.SanCapBank.com.
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 14, 2018) – Shell Point Retirement Community’s 2018 Summer Concert Series will welcome a performance by Southwest Florida Symphony’s Southwest Florida String Trio at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13, in the Grand Cypress Room at The Woodlands at Shell Point, 14441 Woodsong Lane, Fort Myers. The event is open to the public, with tickets available for $20 online at www.shellpoint.org/concerts or by phone at 239-454-2067.

The Southwest Florida String Trio will perform an array of musical selections from great composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Schubert and Piazzolla, in “Baroque and Beyond, Part II.” Listeners will be introduced to insightful background on each composer and will have an opportunity to meet with the musicians following the concert.

To learn more about the upcoming performance by Southwest Florida String Trio, visit www.shellpoint.org/concerts or call 239-454-2067. Tickets purchased online or by phone will be held for pick-up at will call on the night of the performance.

About Shell Point Retirement Community

Shell Point Retirement Community, founded in 1968, is a nonprofit continuing care retirement community located in Fort Myers, Florida. Shell Point offers independent retirement living, assisted living, and skilled nursing for its 2,400 residents in an active, resort-style environment. Lifestyle amenities include deep-water boating access with free dockage, a championship 18-hole golf course, and other recreational and educational activities. To learn more, visit www.shellpoint.org or call 1-800-780-1131.

May 11, 2018 – Fort Myers, FL – In honor of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center’s 10th Anniversary Season, artists were invited to explore the theme “X”. The best submitted pieces were selected for showing, and have a chance at winning Best in Show, SBDAC Pick, or People’s Choice for cash prizes! The June Juried Exhibition opens during Art Walk on June 1st from 6pm-10pm! The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District.
Pieces showing in the exhibition fit the call to artists “X” theme. Icons have power. They evoke memories, experiences, and information stored in the collective unconscious. The icon “X” is evocative of many different meanings. X marks the spot. X speaks of intersections. X is numeric. X is the most controversial rating. X indicates elimination. X is where we sign. X is how we sign. X signals a choice made. X is a variable. X expresses the power of magnification. X is marked of an unknown identity.
Artists submitted statements explaining how their pieces fit the theme. The most innovative, impactful, and thematic pieces were chosen for exhibition in this year’s June Juried show. Join SBDAC for the opening of the 10th Annual June Juried Exhibition! Take part in the exhibit by voting for People’s Choice. Buy two votes for $1! Best in Show and SBDAC Pick will be announced on opening night at 8pm. Then, on June 22nd, People’s Choice will be announced during the Sounds of Summer concert featuring Sheena Brook and Melissa Lee, beginning at 8pm.
June Juried Exhibition: “X”
Opening: Friday, June 1st | 6pm – 10pm
Best in Show and SBDAC Pick Announced: June 1st | 8pm
Closing: Tuesday, June 26th | 5pm
People’s Choice Winner Announced: June 22nd
Free Admission
Visit www.sbdac.com or call 239 333 1933 for more info.

May 14, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FL – Keith Callaghan has been named the Assistant Vice President for Economic Development and External Affairs for Florida SouthWestern State College.
“Keith is a great addition to our college, and he brings a wealth of experience in the areas of raising community awareness and financial support,” said Dr. Robert R. Jones, Vice President, Economic Development and External Affairs at FSW.
In his role, Callaghan will be responsible for community outreach and economic development efforts for the college, with a focus on Charlotte County. Prior to joining FSW, he was the community liaison for Lee Health Foundation and Golisano Children’s Hospital. His Florida career also includes development director positions with Edison State College (now FSW), Florida Gulf Coast University, and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
He is involved with many local charities and serves on the boards of the Fred Lang Foundation, Charlotte Behavioral Health Care, the Boys and Girls Club of Charlotte County, Crossroads Hope Academy, the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce and the Visual Arts Center Endowment Trust.  He has served as a mentor in the Take Stock in Children program and volunteers for the Animal Welfare League, United Way and Leadership Charlotte (Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce). He also has served on the Charlotte County Community Health Improvement Partnership and School Health Advisory committees.
Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in the fall 2015. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.
Teresa M. Araque
Director of Communications/Public Information Officer
8099 College Parkway
Ste. I-213
Fort Myers, FL  33919
O:  (239) 489-9061
M: (239) 821-3978

May 11, 2018 – Fort Myers, FL – In honor of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center’s 10th Anniversary Season, artists were invited to explore the theme “X”. The best submitted pieces were selected for showing, and have a chance at winning Best in Show, SBDAC Pick, or People’s Choice for cash prizes! The June Juried Exhibition opens during Art Walk on June 1st from 6pm-10pm! The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District.
Pieces showing in the exhibition fit the call to artists “X” theme. Icons have power. They evoke memories, experiences, and information stored in the collective unconscious. The icon “X” is evocative of many different meanings. X marks the spot. X speaks of intersections. X is numeric. X is the most controversial rating. X indicates elimination. X is where we sign. X is how we sign. X signals a choice made. X is a variable. X expresses the power of magnification. X is marked of an unknown identity.
Artists submitted statements explaining how their pieces fit the theme. The most innovative, impactful, and thematic pieces were chosen for exhibition in this year’s June Juried show. Join SBDAC for the opening of the 10th Annual June Juried Exhibition! Take part in the exhibit by voting for People’s Choice. Buy two votes for $1! Best in Show and SBDAC Pick will be announced on opening night at 8pm. Then, on June 22nd, People’s Choice will be announced during the Sounds of Summer concert featuring Sheena Brook and Melissa Lee, beginning at 8pm.
June Juried Exhibition: “X”
Opening: Friday, June 1st | 6pm – 10pm
Best in Show and SBDAC Pick Announced: June 1st | 8pm
Closing: Tuesday, June 26th | 5pm
People’s Choice Winner Announced: June 22nd
Free Admission
Visit www.sbdac.com or call 239 333 1933 for more info.

 
FORT MYERS, Fla. – May 21, 2018 – Hodges University is pleased to announce the BB&T Bank Bus will be returning to the Fort Myers campus for the second year in a row to provide community residents with valuable information regarding financial literacy and financial planning.
“We are excited to bring the BB&T Bank Bus back to Hodges University. This is a great way for our Johnson School of Business students to not only obtain valuable financial literacy but directly connect classroom instruction to real-world application,” said Professor Anke Stugk, program chair of business administration at Hodges University.
From 12:00-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, the public is invited to stop by the BB&T Bus on Hodges’ Fort Myers campus and speak with knowledgeable staff from BB&T about financial foundation, credit reviews, investment guidance and mortgage information.
“No matter the age, financial literacy is for everyone,” said Stugk. “Individuals who possess a clear understanding of how to manage their finances, plan for their future and set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely (S.M.A.R.T) goals can make a positive impact on our community, which benefits everyone in Southwest Florida.”
Hodges University and BB&T have been longtime partners. In 2014, Hodges unveiled its state-of-the-art finance lab, which was funded by philanthropist and community activist Wayne Smith as well as BB&T Bank. As a way for the university to show its appreciation, the facility was named the BB&T Finance Lab, which is housed on Hodges’ Fort Myers campus.
To learn more about the BB&T Bank Bus, contact Professor Anke Stugk at [email protected] or (239) 598-6190. You may also contact Toyan Scott, financial wellness consultant for BB&T, at [email protected] or (772) 678-2283.
About the Johnson School of Business:
Hodges University’s Johnson School of Business degree programs present a useful blend of business theory and practical skills at the undergraduate or graduate level. Degree options are available for students who are just beginning their careers or for established business professionals. Our benefactor, Kenneth Oscar Johnson was a distinguished chemical engineer, respected petroleum industry executive and a venture capitalist who helped small companies succeed. To honor his legacy of professional excellence, entrepreneurial ingenuity and generous support of Hodges University’s educational mission, the university renamed its School of Business to the Johnson School of Business at Hodges University in 2006.
About BB&T:
BB&T is one of the largest financial services holding companies in the U.S. with $220.7 billion in assets and market capitalization of approximately $40.6 billion, as of March 31, 2018. Building on a long tradition of excellence in community banking, BB&T offers a wide range of financial services including retail and commercial banking, investments, insurance, wealth management, asset management, mortgage, corporate banking, capital markets and specialized lending. Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., the company operates more than 2,000 financial centers in 15 states and Washington, D.C. A Fortune 500 company, BB&T is recognized consistently for outstanding client service by Greenwich Associates for small business and middle market banking. More information about BB&T and its full line of products and services is available at BBT.com.