Busscher finalist for Florida Related Employee of the Year

The School District of Lee County has announced that James Busscher, building supervisor at Franklin Park Elementary School, is a finalist for Florida School Related Employee of the Year. Busscher was named the School District of Lee County’s School Related Employee of the Year in December and entered into the state competition.

“It is an honor, privilege and a blessing to be a finalist,” Busscher said. “I am truly grateful and happy to have the honor to represent the School District of Lee County. I am just one part of the puzzle that makes Franklin Park great!”

This state program recognizes outstanding education support personnel for the significant contributions they make to their schools and district school systems. The program honors one state representative and four finalists. The winner will be announced later this spring.

Busscher was nominated for the district award by his school administrators for his hard work and dedication to the school, students and staff at Franklin Park. Known as “Mr. James” on campus, he maintains a safe and clean school while also creating a welcoming environment. In addition to serving as building supervisor, Busscher is the co-sponsor of the school’s Young Gentlemen’s Club where he teaches 4th and 5th graders the importance of a strong work ethic and engages them in community service projects.

“Our Franklin Park school family is very proud of Mr. James Busscher,” said Principal Michelle Freeman. “He goes above and beyond to support all staff, students, families and community. It is a well-deserved honor.”

Busscher began his career with the School District as a head custodian in 2014. Due to his work with students through the Young Gentlemen’s Club and some small group instruction he is considering becoming a teacher.

The district has had one recent winner of Florida School Related Employee of the Year. In 2014, James Lefko was honored for his work as the food service manager at Bayshore Elementary School.

Four finalists announced for FGCU presidential search

Florida Gulf Coast University’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee is recommending four finalists be considered by the Board of Trustees for the university’s top position, with final public interviews scheduled May 4.

The finalists are:

• Henry Mack III, Ed.D. – senior chancellor, Florida Department of Education

• Neil J. MacKinnon, Ph.D. – executive vice president for Academic Affairs and provost, Augusta University

• Joseph A. “Jay” Morgan, Ph.D. – president, Morehead State University

• Aysegul Timur, Ph.D. – vice president and vice provost for Strategy and Program Innovation, Florida Gulf Coast University

“FGCU’s search committee members have risen once more to the challenge of ensuring our finalists reflect the interests of our various stakeholders and the visions they have for the future of FGCU,” said Edward Morton, the chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee and vice chair of the Board of Trustees. “Throughout this year-long process, our committee has approached the task at hand with unparalleled dedication and sincerity, and I am proud of the passion, candor and thoughtfulness they brought to the table.”

Information submitted by each finalist through the application process can be found on FGCU’s presidential search website. All other candidate information will remain exempt and confidential, according to Section 1004.098, Florida Statutes.

In the coming weeks, finalists will spend a full day on campus and conduct public forums to engage with students, faculty, staff and community stakeholders. FGCU will share the details for public meet-and-greets as they are arranged by executive search firm Greenwood Asher & Associates.

Final interviews will take place May 4 during a public meeting of the FGCU Board of Trustees. A selection will be made at the conclusion of the meeting, with the president-elect going before the Board of Governors on May 10 for confirmation as FGCU’s fifth president.

According to the search timeline, the transfer of duties is expected to take place July 1, following the retirement of President Mike Martin. He took office at FGCU in 2017 and is retiring after dedicating more than five decades to higher education.

TD Bank donates $150,000 to SBDC at FGCU

TD Bank has generously donated $150,000 to the Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University to provide technical assistance to area small businesses to help them recover from Hurricane Ian. The contribution will greatly assist the SBDC at FGCU in its mission to help local small businesses grow and succeed.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of the TD Bank,” said Dorian Zwierewicz, regional director of the SBDC at FGCU. “This donation will make a significant impact in our community, helping us to support small businesses affected by Hurricane Ian and provide essential technical assistance and training opportunities to help them recover and thrive. We are honored to partner with TD in this effort.”

The SBDC at FGCU is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations dedicated to providing emerging and established businesses with confidential, no-cost consulting and resources to help them grow and succeed. The SBDC at FGCU has served southwest Florida businesses in Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Hendry, and Glades counties since its inception in 1997.

“TD Bank is proud to stand with SBDC at FGCU as they work to assist small businesses in the recovery effort following Hurricane Ian,” said Nick Miceli, regional president, Metro Florida, TD Bank. “We know that small businesses are the backbone of our communities and we are committed to helping them achieve economic success.”

For more about the SBDC at FGCU, visit fsbdcswfl.org. For more information about the TD Charitable Foundation, visit td.com.