Business Briefs
Physicians’ Primary Care doctors recognized
Two physicians with Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida have been named among the “Best Doctors in America” for the third time by Castle Connolly Medical in New York.
Gynecologist Mary Yankaskas, M.D., and Obstetri-cian/Gynecologist Heather Auld, M.D., are featured in the June issue of Gulfshore Life magazine. Both physicians also were included in the 2006, 2008 and 2009 lists as well.
Selections are made through a national survey of physicians and hospital administrators conducted by Castle Connolly Medical, an independent research and information company that is the nation’s leading provider of information on physicians. After the votes are tallied, Castle Connolly ensures that the physicians meet the company’s criteria, which include board certification, years of experience in their specialties, and a clean disciplinary record.
Both physicians will be honored by Gulfshore Life magazine at an awards banquet June 17.
Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida, a physician-owned and operated medical practice, was formed in 1996 by many long practicing local physicians and has grown to become the largest independent multi-specialty practice in Southwest Florida with more than 45 medical professionals.
Medical specialties include internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics. Ten offices are conveniently located in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Lehigh Acres.
Cape Coral martial arts master appointed to international review board
Cape Coral martial arts master and the director of Martial Arts Training Institute Inc., Steven A. Berkowitz, was recently appointed to the verification and review board of the World Budo Development Society, located in Great Britain. WBDS is comprised of hundreds of well-known master from over 80 countries.
In this capacity, Berkowitz, along with nine other long-time martial arts masters, will be responsible for reviewing and vetting the martial arts ranks and training histories of numerous martial arts instructors from around the world, in order that they may be licensed and insured in their various countries to teach the public, police and military.
Berkowitz began his martial arts training at age 9 in New Jersey where he grew up, and over the last 46 years has earned black belt master ranks in at least seven martial arts systems, currently holder of a Shihan Menkyo Kaiden, Kyoshi (licensed master of the scroll, 8th degree) in three Okinawan/Japanese arts.
He currently directs the Cape Coral institute and oversees other schools directly under his tutelage in New Jersey, Oklahoma, Washington State, Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee and Indiana.
He is also the Hanshi (master of masters) of the Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Kobudo Association(www.OGKKA.com), having been granted his ninth-degree black belt in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate by Seiki Irei Sensei of ChatanHa, Okinawa earlier this year.
Grand opening held for Shine Hair Studio
Shine Hair Studio, a Paul Mitchell Model Salon located in Cypress Square at 13451 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers across from Blu Sushi, held its grand opening Saturday, June 12.
Shine is a full-service salon owned by Ia Divens with a team of eight stylists featuring color design, texture and style. For more information, call 239-362-0253. www.ShineFortMyers.com
Edward Jones named No. 1 full-service broker by SmartMoney Magazine
The financial services firm Edward Jones was named the No. 1 full-service brokerage firm in the June edition of SmartMoney magazine, according to Cape Coral-area Edward Jones financial advisors.
“Across-the-board strength vaults Edward Jones into first place,” the magazine said. “The St. Louis-based firm ranks first in three survey categories this year: stock picking, brokerage statement and customer satisfaction.”
The magazine lauded Edward Jones for growing the number of financial advisors – up more than 500 since last year – to meet investor needs.
Edward Jones consistently has been ranked highly in the SmartMoney survey as No. 1 in 2005 and 2007 and No. 2 in 2008 and 2009.
For more information about Edward Jones, please contact Terry Frith at 39-542-6629; Sam Mazzotti at 239-772-7575 or Adam Hromiak at 239-731-6338
Technology consulting firm earns United Way ‘excellence’ award
CRS Technology Consultants in Cape Coral has been recognized by United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades with the Circle of Excellence Platinum Award for providing the highest donation per capita for companies with 15-24 employees, announced company president Carol P. Conway.
CRS Technology Consultants was recognized for its achievement during the Annual Circle of Excellence Awards on June 1.
Established in 1986, the technology company provides networking, remote security and administration, data protection and storage, consultation and other information technology services to businesses in Florida, other U.S. states and Mexico.
United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades is a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people in our community.
For more information, visit www.crs-tc.com or call (239) 542-8450.
TIB shareholders re-elect directors
The shareholders of TIB Financial Corp., holding company for TIB Bank and Naples Capital Advisors Inc., re-elected four directors to a two-year term through 2012.
At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 25, shareholders re-elected Otis T. Wallace of Florida City, Fla.; Marvin F. Schindler of Marathon, Fla.; John G. Parks, Jr. of Key West and Bradley A. Boaz of Naples to the holding company’s board of directors.
Headquartered in Naples, Fla, TIB Financial Corp. is a financial services company with 28 full-service banking offices throughout the Florida Keys, Homestead, Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Nokomis and Venice.
Higdon top producer for Numis Network
Ray Higdon has been named the No. 1 producer and top income earner for Numis Network, an international gold and silver multilevel marketing company (www.coinsmlm.com) after only nine months with the firm. His feat also earned him the MLM’s incentive reward – a brand new BMW 750li.
Numis Network, based in Tampa, and boasting more than 10,000 independent representatives worldwide, singled Higdon out last month. Numis Network is the only network marketing company that markets gold and silver assets in the form of numismatic (collectible) coins.
A 20-year resident of Southwest Florida, Higdon is a well-known figure in the business communities of Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties -as a former real estate investor, a marketing consultant, a speaker in the motivation industry who has made presentations around the nation and the founder of the Forever Wealth Club, a wealth education and networking group with members stretching from Southwest Florida to West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Higdon joined Numis Network not long after the company launched in May 2009.
For more information on Numis Network, contact Higdon, visit www.coinsmlm.com or email rayhigdon@rayhigdon.com.
Cut-a-thon to help save gulf
Creative Ends Hair Salon is hosting a cut-a-thon Monday, June 28, from noon to 3 p.m., in hopes to help save the Gulf of Mexico. The local salon is teaming up with approximately 150 salons state wide. All the hair collected will be donated to the Gulf Relief Matter of Trust, along with the hair being collected all donations will be sent to Matter of Trust.
Creative Ends Hair Salon is located in the Publix Plaza at the intersection of Pine Island and Burnt Store roads.
Stevens Construction Inc. building Collins Vision
Stevens Construction Inc. has started construction on Collins Vision, a 10,440-square-foot medical office building, announced Mark Stevens, company president.
Located at 6900 International Blvd., Collins Vision will feature eight exam rooms (with the capability to add four additional rooms), a procedure room, multiple rooms for state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, lobby, reception area, staff lounge, an eyewear retail area and administrative offices. Slated for completion in late 2010, this facility will serve as the new location for Collins Vision, currently located at 6150 Diamond Centre Court, Building 100.
Christopher Lee Architects, Inc. is providing the design services.
This is the second project awarded to Stevens Construction by Dr. Michael J. Collins. The company completed St. Mark’s Surgery Center, a 9,290-square-foot facility to serve a multi-specialty group of physicians in 2007.
With offices in Fort Myers and Maitland, Fla., Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals.
For information, visit www.stevensconstructioninc.com or call 239-936-9006.
The Center for Natural Healing open for business
The Center for Natural Healing, 4632 Vincennes Blvd., a natural health clinic, is open for business.
The clinic, which is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, specializes in acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care and micro nutrient testing. It also offers smoking cessation programs.
For additional information, contact Noneen O’Rafferty at 239-265-2440.
New hours at Manta Ray Swimwear Company
Manta Ray Swimwear Company, 1529 S.E. 47th Terrace, Unit B, now features new hours of operation. The store is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Sunday and Monday. For additional information, call 239-945-7946.
Taylor joins pearl
pearl, a brand communications firm with offices in Cape Coral and Bonita Springs, welcomes Kathleen Taylor, APR, as its brand communications manager. She will be working with the firm to craft integrated public relations strategies and build relationships for their clients.
With her eight years of business communications experience, most recently as an independent public relations consultant, Taylor has counseled clients in the creation of their public relations programs, including effective ways to approach relevant content development and traditional and social media relations. She brings this expertise to the table as a strategic partner with pearl.
She currently serves as president of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association.
For more information about pearl, visit discoverpearl.com
Cypress Middle School students create Dunkin Donuts commercials
Cypress Lake Middle School’s media class has created commercials revolving around the theme that Dunkin Donuts has the best coffee nationwide.
The six classes broke into groups of four students and took three weeks to create 23 commercials.
The commercials were given to Dunkin Donuts June 10, 2010. COO Robert Hensley and Director of Operations Nick Serianni judged and narrowed them down to the top 10.
The principal, along with some of her faculty, will judge the winning group.
The award presentation will be Saturday, June 19, at 2 p.m., at Dunkin Donuts, 4726 S. Cleveland Ave., near the corner of U.S. 41 and Colonial Boulevard, in Fort Myers
Each student in the winning group will win $50 and the school will be presented with a check for $300 to use toward the media program.
The local franchise owner is David McNulty. His company Boston Coffee (Dunkin Donuts) has 17 locations in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres.