Member News

Three-day workshop to be offered July 18-20 on Hodges’ Fort Myers campus
FORT MYERS, Fla. – June 18, 2018 – In partnership with the Society for Diversity, Hodges University will host a three-day Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)™ prep course from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. July 18-20 on the university’s Fort Myers campus, which is located at 4501 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33966. Diversity officers, practitioners, consultants, human resource personnel and individuals working in the field of diversity and inclusion are encouraged to register.
Candidates must pass the uniform exam and meet experience requirements in order to receive CDP certification through the Institute of Diversity Certification (IDC)™. Experience may include working in a variety of fields such as diversity, human resources, recruiting, strategic planning, consulting and more.
The IDC designates the following requirements for the CDP credential:

• At least two years of experience
• A passing score of at least 80 percent on the CDP exam
• Completion of a candidate project

“There is an urgency to have qualified and certified diversity professionals and certified diversity executives to fulfill this need. I am hosting the CDP workshop for the Society for Diversity to help address this need,” said Gail Williams, chief diversity officer and certified diversity executive at Hodges University.
The cost to attend is $3,999 for non-members and $3,199 for Society for Diversity members. If three or more participants from the same organization register for the course, the cost is $2,799. A study guide, preparation course, continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments, candidate project and CDP exam are included in the cost. Participants must register online at www.diversitycertification.org.
About the Office of Diversity and Inclusion:
Hodges University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion is dedicated to increasing diversity and promoting cultural competency among its students, faculty, staff and administration through education and activities. It builds bridges to the larger community by serving as the catalyst for social change and transformation as it relates to diversity and inclusion.

Rotary Club of Fort Myers South to Host Gala on Sept. 15 to Honor Local Law Enforcement
Fort Myers, Fla. – June 15, 2018 – The Rotary Club of Fort Myers South is excited to announce the nominees for the 2018 Officer of the Year award, recognized annually at the Law & Order Ball. Now in its fifth year, the Law & Order Ball pays tribute to seven of Lee County’s local law enforcement agencies for their commitment to public safety.
Participating agencies may nominate up to five officers for the Officer of the Year award. To be considered, a nominee must be a full-time sworn officer who is in employed by and in good standing with their nominating agency. Nominees must also consistently go beyond the call of duty, as characterized by serving as a role model for others, the totality of their contribution to the agency and community throughout the year, and extraordinary actions considered beyond their expected job responsibilities.
The following law enforcement officers were nominated to be the 2018 Officer of the Year:

• K-9 Officer Stephen Scrobe, Cape Coral Police Department
• Detective Nick Jones, Cape Coral Police Department
• Sergeant Domonic Zammit, Fort Myers Police Department
• Officer Emelia Lock, Fort Myers Police Department
• Patrolman Lamar Campbell, Fort Myers Police Department
• Detective Joe Anderson, Florida Gulf Coast University Police Department
• Sergeant Sylvester Smalls, Lee County Sheriff’s Office
• Deputy First Class Michael B. Elkady, Lee County Sheriff’s Office
• Deputy Sheriff Michael Truscott, Lee County Sheriff’s Office
• Deputy Sheriff Alexander Aguilar, Lee County Sheriff’s Office
• Deputy First Class Richard Castellon, Lee County Sheriff’s Office
• Officer Kory McCloughen, Sanibel Police Department

Five finalists will be announced in advance of this year’s Law and Order Ball, and one officer will be announced as the prestigious Officer of the Year at the gala. Nominees were selected from the following Lee County agencies: Cape Coral Police Department, Florida Gulf Coast University Police Department, Florida Southwestern State College Police Department, Fort Myers Police Department, Lee County Port Authority Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and Sanibel Police Department.
The Law & Order Ball will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 at Germain Arena, located at 11000 Everblades Parkway in Estero. Individual registration for the evening celebration is $175 per person and $1,750 for a table seating 10 guests. Now in its fifth year, the black-tie optional gala is hosted annually by the Rotary Club of Fort Myers South and is open to the public. Paying tribute to Lee County law enforcement officers, the event raises funds for the Rotary Club of Fort Myers South Foundation, which provides grants to Lee County law enforcement agencies and local non-profit organizations.
Creighton Construction and Development has returned as the Law & Order Ball’s presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors include: The Eventful Company, RapidPrint, Edison National Bank, Fort Myers Police Department, Henderson, Franklin Attorneys at Law, Siesta Pebble, Southwest Florida Public Service Academy, Suncoast Credit Union, Aubuchon Team of Companies, Bank of the Ozarks, Finemark Bank, Florida Power & Light, Markham Norton Mosteller & Wright, Millennium Physicians Group, Round Table Provisions, and Pushing the Envelope.
Sponsors, silent auction items, and other contributions are still needed for this year’s program. For more information about the event, to become a sponsor, or to make a contribution, visit LawAndOrderBall.org or contact [email protected].

About Rotary Club of Fort Myers South
Rotary Club of Fort Myers South has more than 150 members, who are among the 1.3 million Rotarians worldwide. “Service Above Self” is the motto of Rotary International, which has contributed more than $1.2 billion and tens of thousands of volunteer hours toward polio eradication, in addition to projects such as water quality, world peace, and literacy. Meetings are held each Monday at noon at the Crowne Plaza, 13051 Bell Tower Drive. For more information, visit http://www.rotarysouth.org/.

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla., (June, 15, 2018) – GATES Construction is pleased to announce the addition of Traci Christensen as Project Coordinator. Christensen will be responsible for permitting, submittals, drawings, contracts, purchase order processes and direct material purchase procedures. She will work closely with Superintendents and Project Managers, assisting them in jobsite set-up, subcontractor meeting management, safety meetings and project close-out. Christensen has over 19 years of experience in the construction industry. Christensen will be based out of GATES Construction’s Headquarters in Bonita Springs.
Celebrating 25 years in south Florida, GATES Construction provides construction management, general contracting and design-build services.  Their diverse portfolio of commercial, healthcare, multi-family, club and hospitality, institutional and special projects showcases numerous landmarks successfully constructed over the past quarter of a century.  As Florida’s premier builder, GATES serves its clients from offices in Bonita Springs, Sarasota and Palm Beach Gardens, and operates throughout the Southeast United States and Latin America.  For more information on GATES, please call (239) 593-3777 or visit the website at www.GATESinc.com.

FORT MYERS, FL (June 13, 2018) – Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties has been awarded $50,000 from the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs and Rotary District 6960 to support the Disaster Recovery Program.
After Hurricane Irma devastated Lee and Hendry Counties, it became evident to Habitat for Humanity that there was no local organization better suited than Habitat for Humanity to help low-income families repair their homes.
“We chose to work with Habitat, not only because there was no other nonprofit working to solve our housing crisis, but because of their excellent track record at selecting the neediest families and completing the building in a safe and cost-effective manner,” explained Sandra Hemstead, Rotary District 6960 Governor-Elect.
Habitat for Humanity of Lee & Hendry Counties created the Disaster Recovery Program (DRP) to aid in the recovery efforts of residents in Lee and Hendry Counties who need home repairs because of a major natural disaster. The program is operational with construction and intake staff, forty-three active client repair projects, and over $800,000 committed to support the program.
“Immediately after Irma, our seven Rotary Clubs in southwest Florida worked in chain saw teams to cut trees that fell due to wind damage and gutted homes flooded with water,” explained Vince Modarelli, Rotarian and Major Gifts Officer for Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties. “All in all, local Rotarians assisted 200 families with immediate needs after the storm.”
Funding from Rotary District 6960 will be used for critical repairs of fifteen owner-occupied homes in southwest Florida. This funding will offset the cost to repair or replace roofs, repair water or flood damage, replace windows and doors, and more.
“Most of the disaster victims we see are very low income, and many are elderly,” explained Modarelli. “If the homeowner has insurance or FEMA funds, those must be applied to the work first. Then we fill in what is lacking to cover the cost required for repairs. We require Disaster Recovery Program applicants to participate in some way, whether financially or through ‘sweat equity’.”
Additionally, DRP program applicants in Lee and Hendry Counties must meet eligibility requirements including earning less than 80% of the area median income, unless they are veterans, in which case they can make up to 100% of AMI.
“This $50,000 funding marks Rotary’s cornerstone investment in our partnership efforts to build a long-term recovery tool utilizing Habitat’s local experience rehabilitating homes in need,” shared Modarelli. “We are excited about our growing partnership in southwest Florida because it is laying a local framework that can be replicated and utilized throughout the United States as part of Habitat for Humanity International’s recent partnership with Rotary International.”
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About Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties
Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties is one of the largest Habitat affiliates in the country. Since 1982, 1,500 families in need of a hand up have partnered with Habitat Lee and Hendry to build or improve their home. Habitat homeowners, alongside volunteers, help build their own home and pay an affordable mortgage. Through volunteering, financial or material donations, everyone can help Lee and Hendry county families achieve strength, stability and independence. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit www.habitat4humanity.org
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About Rotary District 6960
Rotary districts are groups of clubs. We’re a grassroots organization that carries out our most meaningful service work through our Rotary clubs. Each club elects its own officers and enjoys considerable autonomy within the framework of Rotary’s constitution and bylaws. Rotary districts support these efforts and are led by district governors. What we know today as District 6960 is the result of 13 areas regrouping over many years, each one resulting in smaller geographical areas. The most recent regrouping in 1991 established District 6960 in Southwest Florida with 44 clubs. Since that time, we have grown to over 50 clubs.
Photo captions
Photo 1 – On May 18, a group of Rotary Leaders from several clubs in District 6960 (from Bradenton to Marco Island) volunteered to paint a Habitat home in San Carlos Park for Ivonne, a single mother of 5 who lost her rental home of 8 years to Hurricane Irma.
Photo 2 – (May 18) Rotary District Governor-Elect Sandra Hemstead painting the home of Ivonne.
Photo 3 – On June 6, Habitat for Humanity Lee and Hendry Counties’ CEO Kitty Green accepted a $50,000 donation from District 6960 Governor Bobbi Bird, which was presented on behalf of the Hurricane Irma Donor Advised Fund of Rotary International while Rotarians from six area clubs look on. (L-R; Rotary Club Treasurer Jack Alexander of Sanibel-Captiva, Rotarian Roger Dick of Naples Bay, Rotary Club President Cindy Cedeno of Bonita Springs Noon, Rotary District Governor Nominee Rich Kirschner of Naples, Habitat for Humanity Lee and Hendry Counties CEO Kitty Green, Rotary District Governor-Elect Sandra Hemstead of Bonita Springs, Rotary Club President Tom Patricca of Estero, Rotary District Governor Bobbi Bird of Bonita Springs, Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties Major Gifts Officer Vince Modarelli)
Photo 4 – (June 6) Habitat for Humanity Lee and Hendry Counties’ CEO Kitty Green accepts a $50,000 donation from District 6960 Governor Bobbi Bird. (L-R; Rotary District Governor Nominee Rich Kirschner of Naples, Rotary Club President Tom Patricca of Estero, Habitat for Humanity Lee and Hendry Counties CEO Kitty Green, Rotary District Governor-Elect Sandra Hemstead of Bonita Springs, Habitat for Humanity Lee and Hendry Counties Major Gifts Officer Vince Modarelli, Rotary District Governor Bobbi Bird of Bonita Springs)
 
 
 

Fort Myers, Florida — Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is pleased to announce that Attorney Suzanne Boy has become Florida Bar Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law. Certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar. Only seven percent of eligible Florida lawyers are board certified. Douglas Szabo, Chair of Henderson Franklin’s Business Litigation department, shares “We are all proud of Suzanne’s accomplishment, but not surprised. Suzanne has been providing superior employment law advice to her clients for years and has established herself as an expert in her field.”
Suzanne assists clients with all aspects of employment-related litigation, claims, and counseling, and she is passionate about helping her clients proactively and cost-effectively resolve workplace issues. She frequently conducts workplace training sessions, and she speaks to businesses and professional groups on various employment matters. Boy is the editor of the Southwest Florida Employment Law Blog and chair of the firm’s HR Law & Solutions annual conference.
Boy has been recognized for her professional achievements and community involvement. She was honored as one of Gulfshore Business Magazine’s 40 Under 40 and Business Observer’s 40 Under 40; recognized by Florida Super Lawyers magazine every year since 2010; and, named an “Up and Comer” by Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite. She also holds the highest AV rating by Martindale Hubbell.
Boy is the Legislative Director for the SHRM SWFL Board of Directors. She is a graduate of the 2012 Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Leadership class and serves on its Board of Directors. Boy is also a Trustee for the Canterbury School. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida (with honors, 2002), and her law degree from Stetson University College of Law (2006). Boy may be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 239.344.1403.
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 to 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 Boy or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com.
 
 

Friday, July 6, 2018 • There’s Something in the Water: Group Exhibition featuring Bob Halstead
The group art show, “There’s Something in the Water,” features the underwater works of artists Arturo Sameniego, Mila Bridger, Katy Dancagalli, and world-renown underwater photographer, Bob Halstead. Enjoy this free art opening show during Art Walk on Friday, July 6th from 6pm – 10pm in the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center’s Grand Atrium. Visit www.sbdac.com for more info.
Opens: Friday, July 6, 2018 | 6pm – 10pm
Closes: Tuesday, July 24th | 5pm
 
Friday, July 6, 2018 • Bradford Hermann: “A Head of the Past”
This July, Bradford Hermann brings his eccentric art to downtown Fort Myers. Opening Friday, July 6th at 6pm, “A Head of the Past” features Hermann’s mask collection. Take part in this inquisitive show that examines the masks we wear in the Capital Gallery. Visit www.sbdac.com for more info.
Opens: Friday, July 6, 2018 | 6pm – 10pm
Closes: Tuesday, July 24th | 5pm
 
Saturday, July 7, 2018 • Glam Bam Burlesque presents Show Me the Honeys
Glam! Bam! Burlesque! is ready to grace the stage for you once again with their sparkly costumes, beautiful props, sensual solo acts, sexy group dances, sassy vocal stripteases and other erotic visualization techniques. Visit www.sbdac.com for more info.
Glam! Bam! Burlesque! presents Show Me the Honeys
8pm – 11pm
Tickets: General Admission: $35 | Table of 4: $250 | Table of 8: $500
 
Friday, July 13, 2018 • Sounds of Summer feat. the Woodwork and Mountain Holler
From June – August, beat the heat at the Sounds of Summer concert series. This bi-weekly event features some of SWFL’s best original musicians! Experience jazzy quartet the Woodwork and folk artist Mountain Holler. Visit www.sbdac.com for info.
7:30pm | Doors • 8pm – 10pm | Music • Tickets: $5
Friday, July 20, 2018 • Just Dance
At July’s Music Walk, it’s all about the dance party! SBDAC invites you to get down on the dance floor to dance hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, featuring music from DJ Sol Productions. Plus, enjoy door prizes, food, and cocktails! Visit www.sbdac.com for info.
6pm – 10pm | Tickets: $10
 
Thursday, July 26, 2018 • Art and Poetry Networking Event
Join Gulf Coast Leisure at SBDAC for the Art & Poetry Networking Event! Mixed media artists, music, spoken word, and vendors are all highlighted each month. Attendees also have a chance to network and connect with other like minded people in the arts community. Sign up early to perform, or be a part of the audience and enjoy this interactive music and art showcase! Visit www.sbdac.com for info.
8pm | Tickets: $10
 
Friday, July 27, 2018 • Sounds of Summer: Curate SWFL Takeover
From June – August, beat the heat at the Sounds of Summer concert series. This bi-weekly event features some of SWFL’s best original musicians! For this special engagement, Curate SWFL will feature a great lineup of artists. Check www.sbdac.com for the showcase lineup!
7:30pm | Doors • 8pm – 10pm | Music • Tickets: $5
 
 

SARASOTA, Fla., (June 13^th, 2018) – GATES Construction is pleased to announce the addition of Abraham Velazquez as Senior Project Manager. Velazquez is responsible for the overall project coordination from the pre-construction and permitting stage through to owner occupancy. Velazquez has 20 years of construction experience with a wide variety of project types and particular expertise in multi-family, hospitality, and healthcare construction. Velazquez received a degree in Construction Project Management. Velazquez will be based out of GATES Construction’s office in downtown Sarasota.
 
GATES Construction serves its clients from offices in Bonita Springs, Sarasota, and Palm Beach Gardens providing construction management, general contracting and design-build services. Their diverse portfolio of commercial, healthcare, multi-family, hospitality, institutional and special projects, showcases numerous landmarks successfully constructed over the past quarter of century. As Florida’s premier builder, GATES also operates throughout the Southeast United States and Latin America. For more information on GATES, please call (239) 593-3777 or visit the website at www.GATESinc.com.
 
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Sunday, June 17th
10:00AM – 3:00PM
Brunch Starting at
$18.95 Plus Tax and Gratuity
Bottomless Mimosas
$7.00
 
Free Mimosas to ALL Dads 

Other Ways to Make Reservations:
Email: [email protected]
or
Phone: 239.263.6979
We are Located off of I-75 and Bonita Beach Road
in the Home Depot Plaza!
See You All Sunday 

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/.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 12, 2018) – Thirty-seven students from 15 area high schools recently came together to learn the ins and outs of running a business at Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida’s annual CEO Academy, a model week-long business school summer camp held for rising high school juniors and seniors.

Presented by Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida in partnership with the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University, CEO Academy teaches students the basics of starting and operating a business, preparing them for success in the global economy.

Students had the opportunity to interact with experienced local business leaders, entrepreneurs, FGCU professors and fellow high school students to complete high-energy team building activities covering the topics of economics, entrepreneurship, ethics, finance, global economy, marketing and international trade.

Throughout the week, students worked in teams to develop a unique business concept and comprehensive business plan. At the end of CEO Academy, seven groups of entrepreneurial teens presented business plans for these concepts to a panel of judges, distinguished Junior Achievement Laureates and exceptional entrepreneurs: Gary Tasman of Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property of Southwest Florida, Scott Fischer of Scott Fischer Enterprises, and Pason Gaddis of Florida Media Group, LLC.

The first-place team presented a model business plan for their proposed company, GiftR, a gift registry platform featuring individualized profiles with gift suggestions for birthdays, anniversaries and more. The service pulls users’ wish lists from current online shopping platforms to create one complete registry list, making gifting an easier process for friends and family. The GiftR team consisted of high school students Helena Karst, Isabel Karst and Adam Mirzoev (Cape Coral High School) and Jacob Guard (Fort Myers High School). Each member of the winning team was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to be used at the college of their choice.

The second-place team presented a model business plan for their proposed company, SkyBites, an application that allows travelers to view a map of restaurants available in an airport they are visiting, order food, pay and have the meal delivered right to their gate. The SkyBites team consisted of high school students Ryan Recla (home-schooled), Maxwell Ahmadi (Cape Coral High School), Luz Alonso (Gulf Coast High School), Athenna Addis (Bishop Verot High School) and John Kane (Estero High School). Each member of the team was awarded a $500 scholarship to be used at the college of their choice.

To learn more about Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida and its programs, visit www.JASWFL.org or call 239-225-2590.

About Junior Achievement:

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future and make smart academic and economic choices. Junior Achievement programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches 4.8 million students per year in more than 100 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.6 million students served by operations in over 100 countries worldwide. Locally, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida partnered with more than 280 classroom business volunteers during the 2016-2017 school year to provide more than 10,600 students with Junior Achievement programs in excess of 440 classes throughout Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. For more information on Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida visit www.JASWFL.org, call 239-225-2590 or email [email protected].