Business Briefs
Emblidge named to policy committee
Margaret Emblidge, director of entitlements and governmental affairs for Bonita Bay Group, has been appointed by the Florida Department of Community Affairs and the Florida Department of Transportation to the Mobility Fee Stakeholders’ Policy Committee.
The committee, comprised of key public agency and private sector representatives, is studying the policy implications of proposed mobility fee methodology alternatives and the calculation of vehicle miles traveled.
Emblidge has more than two decades of experience in the areas of land use planning, entitlements and environmental permitting, policy planning, and legislative initiatives on the federal, state and local levels.
Florida Gulf Bank earns four-star rating
Florida Gulf Bank announces the designation of a four-star rating from Bauer Financial Inc., an independent bank and credit rating firm which has analyzed and reported on the financial condition of the nation’s banking industry since 1983.
No institution pays for the ratings which consist of a one- to five-star scale, four being excellent and five being superior. Bauer only recommends banks with four- or five-star ratings.
In Lee County, one other bank achieved a four-star rating and no bank achieved five stars.
The analysis is based on financial reports filed with federal regulators. Bauer obtains the raw data from the government and compares it with historical data for consistency.
For information, call Florida Gulf Bank at 332-4440.
Southwest Florida Yachts adds cruisers
Southwest Florida Yachts has added two power cruisers to its charter fleet for cruising scenic river and inland waterways, laced with barrier islands from Sanibel/Captiva to Boca Grande.
The company’s power yacht fleet now numbers 15 vessels from 28 feet to 43 feet in length.
The newest vessels in the fleet at Marinatown Marina in North Fort Myers are the Tricia Ann, a 2006 Silverton 43 Sport Bridge cruiser, and the Blue Runner, a 2008 Mainship 40 Expedition Trawler.
Tricia Ann charters for $3,789 for five days in the high season and $3,030 in the summer season, between May 1 and Dec. 14. Blue Runner charters for $3,373 for five days in the high season and $2,699 in the summer.
Founded in 1984, Southwest Florida Yacht also charters sailing yachts from 24 feet to 34 feet, including catamarans, out of Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda.
Southwest Florida Yachts and Florida Sailing & Cruising School is located at 3444 N.W. Marinatown Lane, North Fort Myers.
For information, call 800-262-7939 or 656-1339; e-mail info@swfyachts.com; or visit: www.swfyachts.com,www.flsailandcruiseschool.com or www.swfyachtsales.com.
Builders Care names president
Builders Care, the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association, has appointed Robert B. Bassett as its 2009 board president.
Bassett, Colonial Bank’s area president for Lee and Collier counties, has been actively involved with the organization for the past three years.
Builders Care provides emergency repairs and construction services to elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged people who are unable to obtain home repairs through traditional means.
The group enlists the volunteer services of Lee Building Industry Association members, and leverages grants and donated materials to provide construction and remodeling services to qualified homeowners throughout Lee County.
Builders Care is headquartered at the Lee Building Industry Association offices, 4210 Metro Parkway, Suite 100, Fort Myers.
Donations can be made online at: www.LeeBuildersCare.org or to the Builders Care general fund at any Colonial Bank. For information, call 938-0056.
J. Patrick Buckley III opens own law office
The Law Offices of J. Patrick Buckley III has opened at 1342 Colonial Blvd., Suite 60.
Buckley offers services related to business law including corporate formation and litigation, real estate law and those areas that compliment them.
Buckley is a resident of Fort Myers, where he resides with his wife, Amanda, and sons, Alex, J. Patrick Buckley IV and Sean William F. Prior to opening his own practice, he acted as a partner in another area law firm.
For information, call 278-7700 or visit: buckley@jpbesq.com.
Airport reports January traffic
During January, 732,851 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport, a decrease of 3.9 percent compared to January 2008.
The traffic leader in January was AirTran with 128,087 passengers traveling to and from Fort Myers. Rounding out the top five airlines were: Delta, 89,540; JetBlue, 88,967; US Airways, 72,334; and Southwest, 71,934.
Southwest Florida International Airport had 8,378 aircraft movements including takeoffs and landings, a decrease of 8 percent from January 2008. Page Field General Aviation Airport saw 6,651 movements, a 2.6 percent increase from January 2008.
In addition, nearly 3.1 million pounds of air freight moved through both airports in January.
Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 7.6 million passengers in 2008 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. No ad valorem, or property, taxes are used for airport operation or construction.
For information, visit: www.flylcpa.com.
FineMark National promotes Landfried
Joseph Catti, president and chief executive officer, and David Lucas, board chairman, announce the promotion of Dennis Landfried to president of FineMark National Bank & Trust’s new Coconut Point office at 10010 Coconut Road in the Brooks Town Center.
Landfried joined FineMark in September 2007 as senior vice president in the Fort Myers office. Prior to joining FineMark, Landfried had extensive banking and trust experience in Southwest Florida with another major institution.
His focus includes management of all aspects of the office and delivering FineMark’s service-oriented culture to clients in Estero, Bonita Springs and North Collier counties.
FineMark National Bank & Trust, founded in 2006, offers a comprehensive array of banking, trust and investment services to clients interested in establishing long-term, high-touch relationships.
Firm changes name
The law firm formerly known as Warchol, Merchant, Rollings, Buckley & Pohl announces the change of its name to Warchol, Merchant & Rollings.
Founded in 1988, the firm has strived to provide its clients with the most current, professional and comprehensive legal counsel available.
For information, visit: www.WMRLawOffice.com.
Smith Family Law Center opens office
The Smith Family Law Center has opened its new office at 1534 Jackson St. in Fort Myers.
It offers Southwest Florida a fresh perspective on the practice of family law. Cutting-edge technology coupled with client-centered dispute resolution are its hallmark.
The Smith Family Law Center provides the community with a one-stop location for a variety of family law needs.
Networks UNight present $660 check to local United Way
Networks UNight raised almost $700 for charity at an event held earlier this month at The Hilton Garden.
The event was organized by leaders of BNI, BNN Times, The Bridge Networking, The Hispanic Chamber, eWomensNetwork and CONRIC PR & Marketing.
After reading an article about the United Way’s need for supporting funds in a local publication earlier this month, the committee decided to donate the money directly to the United Way.
On Monday, Networks UNight organizers presented Cliff Smith, president of the United Way, with a check for $660.
Creighton completes construction projects
Creighton Construction & Management has announced the completion of several projects, including Wireless Toyz and Educators Music in the Creighton Plaza on Del Prado Boulevard.
Creighton has recently been hired to perform the construction of Leslie’s Poolmart, Tangles & Tans Salon, Twisted Lemon Cafe, Kobayashi Dojo Martial Arts, Southwest Community and McNoodles Restaurant.
Other projects recently completed include Cape Coral Eye Center, Thomas Jewelers, Kathryn’s Day Spa, One Price Cleaners and Creighton’s own corporate offices in the Bonefish Plaza on Pine Island Road.
Creighton Plaza is located at 1806 Del Prado Blvd. S., and Bonefish Plaza is located at 900 S.W. Pine Island Road. For details, call Brent Evans at 210-0455.
Trade show to help Destiny Diaper Bank
The Bridge Networking Group will hold a Business Trade Show from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 12 at Bianca’s Italian Restaurant, 16251 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers.
The public is welcome to attend. Lunch will be served. Admission is free with donations being accepted in lieu of cash, including diapers or baby supplies for Destiny Diaper Bank. All donations are given to local babies in need.
Display your business for only $45. Limited booth space is available. For information or to RSVP, call 225-5019 or e-mail Margaret@thebridgenetworking.com. Ask how to save $10.
McCaw Wealth Management Group plans free seminars
The McCaw Wealth Manage-ment Group of UBS will host a series of free seminars designed to address topical issues regarding today’s investment environment.
“Financial Planning Helps Weather Any Market” discusses establishing a solid financial plan, and takes place at 9 a.m. Monday at The Colony Golf Club and Tuesday at the Bonita Bay Fireside Room. Both include breakfast.
The same discussion will be offered at 5 p.m. March 9 at Shadow Wood Country Club and includes hors d’oeuvres.
To register for a session, call Philip Artmann at 495-4185.
The McCaw Wealth Management Group offers client services including investment banking, asset management, wealth management and business banking.