Member News

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 12, 2020) – Jodi Huntoon has been promoted to marketing director for Stevens Construction, announced Mark Stevens, company president.
Bringing 17 years of marketing experience, Huntoon oversees all branding, print and digital marketing, external communications, public relations, industry events and community outreach for Stevens Construction’s three Florida locations.
“Jodi’s knowledge, experience and talent has accelerated Stevens Construction’s growth as evidenced by our recognition on Inc. Magazine’s Fastest-Growing Companies in America for five years and being honored as Contractor of the Year for eight years,” said Stevens.
A Stevens Construction team member since 2008, Huntoon has extensive knowledge of Stevens Construction’s portfolio, allowing her to strategically compose qualification packages and presentations.
Earning her Bachelor of Science in marketing from Florida Gulf Coast University, Huntoon is a member of FPRA (Florida Public Relations Association), REIS (Real Estate Investment Society), LBIA (Lee Building Industry Association) and served 10 years in the Junior League of Fort Myers.
About 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.

Duane Chaney is a finalist in Invest in Others Awards in recognition of founding

Madisen’s Match to help pediatric cancer patients

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2020) –– Duane Chaney, financial advisor at Raymond James in Fort Myers, is one of three national finalists for the Community Service Award as part of the 14th Annual Invest in Others Awards. Chaney is being honored for founding Madisen’s Match, a tennis tournament benefiting Barbara’s Friends, Golisano Children’s Hospital cancer fund. Madisen’s Match has raised more than $1.3 million for Lee Health and Golisano Children’s Hospital since 2008.

Because Chaney is a finalist, Barbara’s Friends will receive a $10,000 donation from the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation.

“Duane is a force for good. He is ambitious and energetic and uses that momentum to inspire others. We can’t do what we do without people like Duane who give of their own time, talents and treasure to invest in our children fighting cancer,” said Chris Simoneau, chief foundation and development officer for Lee Health. “We are so proud of Duane and his accomplishments. He’s a leader who also at the end of the day has a tremendous heart and wants to see kids smile and thrive despite the challenge of cancer. He knows what our kids go through; he’s seen it first hand. This is a tremendous honor and we hope the nation recognizes him with well deserved, top honors.”

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.

“I am proud to join such a distinguished group of financial advisors, who have chosen to dedicate much of their time to better their communities,” said Duane Chaney. “Over the past 12 years, our goal at Madisen’s Match has been to bring the community together through the game of tennis to help raise funds for kids with cancer in Southwest Florida. More has been accomplished than what I ever thought possible, and I know we still have more to do to ensure that kids in Southwest Florida receive the care that they deserve.”

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 benefiting 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.

The Invest in Others Awards will be presented digitally from Monday, Sept. 21 to Friday, Sept. 25. The video awards presentation for the Community Service Award will be Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 4:45 p.m. EST on investinothers.org.

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 8,000 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, Fla. (Aug. 27, 2020) – BSSW Architects, a regional leader in religious architectural design, has completed renderings for a new Parish Community Center at St. William Catholic Church in Naples.
The 30,000-square-foot, two-story building will house 12 offices, nine classrooms, a Teen Center, hospitality foyer, catering kitchen, visiting priest accommodations, ministry hall, community room, library, sculpture garden and two-story breezeway entry. The Parish Community Center uses design elements from the main church building, which was completed in 2012, to provide a visual connection and cohesive campus feel to the parish. Design features include energy-efficient elements and a solar panel array as part of the Diocese of Venice’s sustainability initiatives.
“The design challenge of making a modern, efficient Parish Community Center was met in a building that boldly reflects the ecclesiastic education and community outreach functions of St. William, now and well into the future,” said Dan Summers, BSSW’s president and principal architect.
Religious architecture is one of BSSW’s signature services. Designs are created to reflect the strength and personality of the congregation and those who lead it. Recent projects include St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Bonita Springs, North Naples United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples and Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Naples.
St. William Catholic Church was established in 1973 and moved into a permanent facility on Seagate Drive, adjacent to Waterside Shops, in 1980. That structure was demolished in 2012 and replaced with a larger sanctuary to accommodate the growing congregation. The Parish Community Center will blend seamlessly with the existing complex.
The Parish Community Center is projected to cost $12.4 million. St. William Catholic Church is funding construction through its “Building for Mission” campaign and expects to break ground in the coming months.

About BSSW Architects

BSSW Architects, Inc. is a full-service architectural firm founded in 1980 with the same principles that guide the business today: dedication to serving the best interest of clients and the community. The Fort Myers, Florida-based company has served as the lead architect on more than 120 major projects across Southwest Florida, including schools, government facilities, public libraries, hotels, resorts and private communities. BSSW Architects employs a complete team of architects, planners, interior designers and support staff to bring projects from the concept stage through completion. For more information, visit BSSWarchitects.com or call 239-278-3838.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2020) – The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Committee will host an afternoon of fun and networking with virtual BINGO at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2. Guests from across the region are invited to play for a chance to win special prizes, and all proceeds will benefit the Women in Business Scholarship Fund, supporting scholarships for area students.
Registration is $15 for members and nonmembers and includes one BINGO card to play in each of three games. Additional cards are $5 per game. Registration is available at https://bit.ly/WIBBingo. Sponsorships are also available for $150 each and will provide opportunity to lead two 10-minute networking breakout sessions.
“We wanted to find a way for the Women in Business attendees to feel like they’re together again and have some fun,” said Chamber President and CEO Colleen DePasquale. “Breakout rooms are a great way for guests who haven’t seen each other since our last in-person event to connect again and a great way for sponsors to get virtual face time with attendees. Our Chamber members have been very supportive by providing the prizes for the event.”
Women in Business scholarships are awarded annually to nontraditional students from Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida SouthWestern State College and Hodges University. The Women in Business Scholarship Fund depends on fundraising at each event, primarily through raffle ticket sales. Without those events, fundraising has slowed.
“We want to be able to give back to the community, and connect personally at the same time,” said Women in Business Chair Kelly Talamo. “This event is a fun escape from daily Zoom meetings and will help us get back on track with fundraising. It’s a win-win for all.”
Three games of BINGO will be played during the approximately two-hour event. The third game will have multiple chances to win. BINGO cards are limited, so guests are encouraged to register early.
To make a donation or for more information, contact the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce at 239-332-2930 or email [email protected].
About the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce:
Serving Lee County and surrounding areas since 1989, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a business organization of professionals who support and promote a progressive, sustainable community. The Chamber represents over 900 businesses, professionals, and individuals throughout Lee County, providing opportunities for members to participate in a variety of meaningful networking, educational and community- and business-focused programs and events. The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce is located at 2310 Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers. For additional information regarding membership opportunities or events please call 239-332-2930 or visit www.fortmyers.org. For the latest news and updates, follow the Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gfmcc or Twitter at @FtMyersChamber.
About Women in Business:
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.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2020) – Stevens Construction has completed Viscaya-Prado Veterinary Hospital, an 11,630-square-foot, 24-hour facility, announced Dan Adams, vice president and partner.

Located at 1141 Country Club Blvd. in Cape Coral, Viscaya-Prado Veterinary Hospital includes 20 exam rooms, X-ray, four operating rooms, treatment area, outdoor run, pharmacy and lab. Viscaya-Prado Veterinary Hospital also houses separate dog and cat wards.

Stevens Construction was engaged with the client and design team early in their planning, providing preconstruction services such as budgeting and constructability reviews at specific design milestones. Stevens Construction’s early involvement saved the client more than $150,000 and allowed them to open for business ahead of schedule.

The Stevens Construction team includes project manager, Jon Zander; superintendent, Mark Battaglia; and project administrator, Angie Sugg. The architect of record is Ronald J. Melvin.

About 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.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2020) – Priority Marketing, a full-service marketing, advertising, public relations and digital marketing agency, has been named to PRNEWS’ Agency Elite Top 100. The inaugural list spotlights the nation’s most innovative and strategic public relations firms of the year.
Among the top 100 agencies in the U.S., Priority Marketing was one of just eight agencies headquartered in Florida that were named to the list, and the only headquartered along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
“Priority Marketing strives to be a trusted source for innovative solutions that achieve outstanding results,” said Teri Hansen, APR, president and creative director at Priority Marketing. “To be named among the top 100 agencies in the country is an incredible recognition of our team and its efforts to support the long-term success of our clients and community.”
For inclusion in the Agency Elite Top 100 list, PRNEWS scored communications, marketing and digital agencies across more than a dozen criteria to highlight the standout agencies doing the most innovative work. The inaugural list featured a range of boutique firms, mid-sized shops and monolithic, global organizations.
About Priority Marketing
Established in 1992, Priority Marketing is a full-service marketing, advertising, public relations and digital marketing agency located at 12140 Carissa Commerce Court, Suite 201, in Fort Myers. Follow Priority Marketing on social media through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. For industry news and marketing insights, visit PriorityMarketing.com/our-blog and watch the FAQ Fridays video series on YouTube. For more information, call 239-267-2638 or visit PriorityMarketing.com.
– END –
Media Contacts:
Holly Boldrin, APR, CPRC, Priority Marketing, [email protected], 239-267-2638 or 239-887-9335 (cell)
Emily Golden, Priority Marketing, [email protected], 239-267-2638 or 239-565-1595 (cell)

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 24, 2020) – ​Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together, is one of three national nonprofit leaders named to Manhattan Institute’s Civil Society Fellows. Rose will receive a $10,000 fellowship for her efforts to improve local communities as Better Together works to strengthen families and communities by promoting work, protecting children and supporting families in crisis. The institute’s 15-month Civil Society Fellows Program will help Rose and the other fellows raise national awareness for their missions and make the case for the essential nature and value of their nonprofit work.
“Over the last several months our work supporting families in crisis has been more important than ever. We’ve seen demand for our programs that empower parents–like those facing unemployment right now–and keep children safe skyrocket by 155% percent during the pandemic,” said CEO of Better Together, Megan Rose. “We have a track record of success partnering with local churches, community organizations, and compassionate volunteers to help support isolated families, and this offers hope that there is someone out there who you can lean on during this particularly hard time to help you care for your children, avoid foster care, and keep your family together. We are excited to work with the Manhattan Institute to amplify our message, sharing stories of hope and the power of genuine community.”
With the help of hundreds of volunteers and church communities, Better Together builds lasting support systems that help families cope with hardships – job loss, substance abuse, homelessness and even jail time – and ensures that children are cared for in a safe home until the family can be reunited. The organization provides a voluntary and preventive alternative to foster care through its “Better Families” program, which has served more than 2,500 children and kept 98% of them out of the foster care system. Additionally, Better Together’s “Better Jobs” program has helped nearly 28,000 job seekers find employment through church-based job fairs across 20 states.
“These outstanding leaders are filling a need in their community where a government program simply cannot, and they are strengthening our social fabric in the process,” said Annie Dwyer, director of Manhattan Institute’s Civil Society Fellows Program. “Civil society is a fundamental part of America’s foundation, and this year’s fellows and their organizations are critical to the well-being and future of our nation. We hope their work will inspire others in communities around the country to take it upon themselves to assist those in need and help people change the course of their lives.”
Since 2001, the Manhattan Institute has recognized and supported nonprofit organizations and leaders who have developed solutions to some of America’s most pressing public problems. With the help of private philanthropy and volunteers – rather than government support – these organizations continue to empower the poor and disadvantaged, build caring relationships to support those in crisis, prepare the next generation to realize their full potential, restore and revitalize struggling neighborhoods, and much more.
ABOUT THE CIVIL SOCIETY FELLOWS PROGRAM
Based in New York City, the Manhattan Institute is a think tank whose mission is to develop and disseminate new ideas that foster greater economic choice and individual responsibility. The Civil Society Fellows Program is a part of the institute’s Tocqueville Project that seeks to support and advance America’s long tradition of civil society organizations and leaders who, with the help of volunteers and private philanthropy, address and prevent our nation’s most serious public problems. Learn more here. For more information about this program, please contact Annie Dwyer at [email protected].
ABOUT BETTER TOGETHER
Better Together is a nonprofit organization that helps parents going through a hard time keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so that they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. A privately funded and professionally supported organization, Better Together is made up of volunteers who believe helping people help themselves is the best way to restore dignity and bring families together. Through the Better Families program, families are offered a preventive alternative to foster care while they get the help they need. To date, the program has kept 98% of children served out of foster care. The Better Jobs program was created to address the 76% of families that come to Better Together because of economic hardship tied to unemployment. In addition to community job fairs, the program offers job seekers coaching, guidance, support and encouragement through local church partners. For more information, visit BetterTogetherUS.org.
– END –

National CBD retailer, Your CBD Store® celebrates the opening of its store #687 in South Fort Myers. In less than two years, Your CBD Stores® have grown to become the world’s largest brick and mortar CBD retailer with locations in over 600 locations and 40 states. Founded with an emphasis on education and community, Your CBD Store® has helped dismiss misconceptions about its hemp derived products. “Everything we do is focused on improving the lives of our customers, we are a high-quality learning environment where customers can try products and leave knowing what is in their CBD product” said Shannon LeBas-Warren, store owner. “We are not just another retail chain. We are a community of store owners who truly care and are educating CBD consumers around the nation. Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, may be one of the most broadly therapeutic plant extracts of our time. It comes from the cannabis sativa plant, but our CBD is not from the USDA defined marijuana plant, rather it comes from “Industrial Hemp”. This distinction is what makes the extract legal as well as differences in medical applications due to chemical uniqueness with high CBD quantities. Along with its lengthy list of therapeutic properties, it comes with the backing of the medical community, the World Health Organization, the nursing community, and the veterinary community. Since its creation, Your CBD Store® has received thousands of 5-star reviews across Google and Facebook customers. With a focus on quality Your CBD Store® has helped drive legislation in Florida and other states towards transparency and testing. Third Party lab reports as well as lot and batch numbers can be found on every product. Your CBD Store®, offers a variety of CBD infused products that don’t require a prescription or medical card to buy. All stores only sell products manufactured by SunMed, which uses a special CO2 extraction process to eliminate the need for chemical solvents to produce a high-quality, full-spectrum CBD. The CBD is then processed again to remove all traces of THC for the company’s zero-THC products. Your CBD Store of South Fort Myers in Grand Bay Plaza at 19100 S. Tamiami Trail is opening on September 9^th, 2020.
 
ABOUT Your CBD Store®
Your CBD Store® is the nation’s fastest growing retail channel for CBD users with over 600 locations. By the end of 2020, it is expected there will be over 1,000 stores across the country. Rachael Quinn, Your CBD Store® founder, shares her desire to inspire others through the use of natural, hemp-derived products. Each Your CBD Store® offers a comfortable and inviting environment where guests can learn about CBD, try samples and feel empowered to make a confident choice on the best cannabinoid formulation option for them. Their organic growth and dedication to bettering the community through transparent product information from high-quality premium product lines backed by third party laboratory testing make SunMed™ CBD products a refreshing new standard in the CBD space. For more information about the company or to find out how to start a store, visit the company online at https://cbdrx4u.com.
 
For interview opportunities, please contact us at:
239.437.3988
[email protected]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug 10, 2020) – CONRIC PR & Marketing is proud to welcome Chelsea Castoria to its award-winning team as Digital Marketing Coordinator, says president and chief marketing officer Connie Ramos-Williams.

“Chelsea’s diverse background and dynamic personality makes her a great addition to our growing digital marketing department,” says Ramos-Williams. “I look forward to seeing the creative ideas she has in store for our clients and am very excited to collaborate with her in launching our company podcast, something I have envisioned for the past couple years.”

In her role, Castoria will be responsible for enhancing CONRIC and their clients’ online brand presence. She will collaborate closely with CONRIC team members and clients to manage accounts and projects. She will work with the company president to launch CONRIC’s first podcast that will closely align with the agency’s #SWFLStrong campaign.

“Years of radio experience has given me great tools to use in the digital and marketing field. I have a real passion for helping local brands succeed and am glad to be working with the CONRIC team who shares that passion,” said Castoria. “I look forward to getting to know the CONRIC clients, and of course building a podcast that will feature business and life in Southwest Florida.”

Castoria brings more than 10 years of radio, community relations and social media management experience to the team. Most recently, she was the Morning Drive radio presenter for Sun Broadcasting’s 93XFM where she also served as Social Media Director. During her time at Sun, the station’s online presence saw rapid growth and she developed a following with her daily Facebook Live segment, “Coffee with Chelsea.” Castoria has also represented several local brands in the community as a brand ambassador and has her own podcast and blog.

Castoria’s love for life in Southwest Florida is the reason she decided to leave radio and settle down in Cape Coral. In her free time, she volunteers and promotes adoptable dogs and cats from Doghouse Rescue Academy, Gulf Coast Humane Society and Cape Coral Animal Shelter. She can also be seen enjoying the gulf waterways via paddleboard or boat with her boyfriend and three rescue dogs.

CONRIC PR & Marketing

CONRIC PR & Marketing was founded in 2007. The award-winning, full-service PR agency provides strategic brand awareness campaigns, integrated public relations programs, marketing development and consulting services, advertising concepts and campaigns, media buys, custom and niche publishing, creative writing and design, digital marketing strategies, website development and crisis communications strategy and implementation. The firm serves clients in many industry sectors including banking, legal, medical, government, not-for-profit, restaurant, manufacturing, construction, building and development, real estate, professional association, hospitality, salon and spa. CONRIC is a recipient of multiple Image Awards from the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association and Golden Image Awards from its statewide chapter, Charlie Awards from the Florida Magazine Association and MUSE Awards for national excellence in design. For more information, please call 239-690-9840 or visit ConricPR.com.