Business Briefs
Stay Secure Systems to introduce
new vehicle inventory control system at convention
Dennis Hampton, CEO of Stay Secure Systems, LLC, will be introducing The Dog, Device On Guard, at the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association in Las Vegas in June. The Dog is a new, comprehensive lot management system especially designed for auto, boat and motorcycle dealers. The easy-to-install Asset Positioning Sensor monitors individual vehicles, keys, dealer tags, salespeople, and customers in one, easy-to-use, real-time system.
The Dog is currently installed and actively monitoring hundreds of autos on dealership lots all across Florida, Indiana, Texas and Utah. No larger than a matchbox, the APS device plugs into the computer’s OBD port of all cars built worldwide since 1996 to deliver real-time status of battery, fuel level and engine diagnostics. For the first time, lot managers will know the location and status of every vehicle in a company’s inventory at all times.
The Dog continually monitors vehicle status to protect inventory investments 24/7/365. Sales personnel can easily prepare for a test drive with computer or hand-held device.
Because dealers know the location and status of every vehicle at all times, The Dog eliminates the need to do costly, time-consuming, physical inventories or manually start and check cars before test drives. Thefts will be reduced because the APS will automatically activate alarms, send text messages, notify the owner, and alert local authorities of the exact time and address of the theft in action all in less than 10 seconds of the intrusion.
For more information about The Dog or to see a demonstration, stop by Booth #1330 at the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association in Las Vegas from June 13-16, visit www.deviceonguard.com or call toll-free 844-484-3364.
SPADA Salon & Day Spa
raises $33,000 for local groups
Judy Williams, co-owner of SPADA Salon & Day Spa along with her husband, Andrew, hosted the spa’s annual fundraiser, SPADA-thon, Tuesday, May 24. The entire staff of SPADA donated its time to the fundraiser.
The event raised $33,300 for PACE Center for Girls, Lee; the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida; and Valerie’s House of Hope.
Admission to the event was a new or gently-worn dress to be donated to Love That Dress! – an annual shopping extravaganza that last year raised more than $120,000 for PACE Center for Girls. Five hundred dresses were collected at this year’s SPADA-thon for the Love That Dress! event, which is set for Aug. 24.
The $33,300 raised at this year’s SPADA-thon surpasses by more than $10,000 last year’s $23,000. The 2015 funds were split between Golisano Children’s Hospital and PACE Center for Girls. This year, Valerie’s House of Hope was added as a recipient of a portion of the proceeds.
The Williamses purchased SPADA in 2011 and, with their staff, developed a culture of giving back to our community.
Located at 13161 McGregor Blvd., SPADA, at 11,000 square feet, is Southwest Florida’s largest day spa, with 12 hair stations, 18 private treatment rooms, five couples’ suites, two lounges, a Vichy room and a steam room. To learn more about this relaxation destination, visit SpadaSpa.com or call (239) 482-1858.
SRMA meeting, membership
drive June 23 at Bury Me Brewing
The Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association will host its next social gathering and membership drive for manufacturers and business professionals from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the newly opened Bury Me Brewing in Fort Myers. This social event provides networking opportunities for prospective members to learn more about the manufacturing organization from its members.
“Our goal is to provide valuable support and opportunities for manufacturers here in Southwest Florida. Monthly roundtable discussions, after-hours socials, plant tours, marketing, awards and recognitions are all part of the annual membership benefits,” said SRMA Executive Director Peter Bagwell. “All manufacturers who sign up or renew membership prior to June 30 will receive additional marketing perks on our regional website.”
The cost to attend the meeting is $20 for guests and $10 for members. Bury Me Brewing is located at 4224 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. To learn more, visit SRMA.net.
The purpose and objective of the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association is to bring together manufacturers to encourage the economic development of Southwest Florida through manufacturing, and to act as a forum for the expression and exchange of ideas and information among its members. The SRMA provides the platform to promote the general welfare of our members in relation to economic, civic, and educational challenges. We encourage the cooperative interchange of information and assistance in all matters of mutual interest, fostering social relationships and community involvement among our membership.
Gravina, Smith, Matte
& Arnold announces staff changes
Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and Public Relations has named Angela Bell and Jennifer Hamilton associate partners and welcomes Maryann Grgic as public relations counselor.
Bell, who has been with the firm since 2008, has been promoted to associate partner. She has expertise in developing and implementing highly successful strategic public relations and marketing programs for leading corporations and nonprofit organizations. She graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a bachelor’s degree in communication and serves on the board of directors for the Florida Gulf Coast University Alumni Association and Tiger Bay Club of Southwest Florida.
Hamilton joins the firm from Hill+Knowlton Strategies, a global public relations agency, where she was an account supervisor in the company’s corporate communications practice in Tampa. She has expertise in media relations and thought leadership programs, internal communications and social marketing/behavior change campaigns. She graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a bachelor’s degree in communication.
Grgic previously served as community relations and governmental affairs director with Neal Communities, where she oversaw the company’s public affairs practice, including community relations programs, public outreach and public policy strategy, media relations and crisis management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Indiana University.
The trio joins Kara Hado Minoui, senior public relations counselor, who has managed strategic marketing and public relations programs for the firm’s clients in various sectors since 2014. Minoui has more than 25 years of experience in publishing, account service, and nonprofit communications and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Pennsylvania State University.
Laurel Smith, APR, who joined the firm in 1984, is stepping back from account management and day-to-day operation of the firm in late-June and will serve of counsel. Tina McCain Matte, who joined the firm in 1999, becomes the sole managing member of the LLC, overseeing the firm’s nine full-time staff and numerous contract professionals.
Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and Public Relations was founded in 1983 and specializes in developing long-term, results-oriented marketing and public relations programs for Southwest Florida’s leading businesses and organizations. For more information, call 239-275-5758 or visit www.GSMA.pro.
Stevens joins staff
for Douglas M. Stevens, MD
Douglas M. Stevens, MD has hired Paula Campbell as licensed aesthetician for its Fort Myers office. Specializing in skin health care and appearance, Campbell performs techniques and treatments to enhance, develop and maintain the healthy appearance of the skin. She also detects skin problems that may require the attention of a medical professional and refer patients to the proper skin care provider.
Campbell has been a licensed aesthetician for more than 20 years, as well as a laser technician for the last five years.
Campbell is originally from Wisconsin, but has lived in Estero for 12 years.
For additional information about Dr. Douglas Stevens, his staff, and services, visit DouglasStevens-MD.com or call 239-481-9292.
Located at 15721 New Hampshire Court in Fort Myers, the practice of Douglas M. Stevens, MD, provides both surgical and non-surgical alternatives for facial rejuvenation and reconstruc-tion. Stevens is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and has practiced in the Fort Myers area for more than 17 years. For more information about Stevens or the practice, call (239) 481-9292 or visit DouglasStevensMD.com.
Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida
recognizes 2015-2016 volunteers and teachers
Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida recognized its 2015-2016 volunteers and teachers during a Volunteer and Teacher Appreciation Event held Thursday, May 19, at the Six Bends Harley-Davidson. The following individuals and businesses were recognized for their specific involvement: Rookie of the Year Lee County: Nancy Korista; Rookie of the Year Collier County: Preeth Chandran; Volunteer of the Year Lee County: Joanne Show; Volunteer of the Year Collier County: Kathleen Hollo-way; Teacher of the Year Lee County: Amy Rothenberg; Teacher of the Year Collier County: Stephanie Irish; Outstanding Business Partners of the Year Lee County: Gold, Valley National Bank; Silver, Regions Lee County; Bronze, SunTrust; and Champion of the year, Fort Myers Miracle; Outstanding Business Partners of the Year Collier County: Gold, Regions Collier County; Silver, BB&T; and Bronze, IBERIABANK; Gratitude Award: Jaime Trotter; Lifetime Achievement Award: Christina Harris Schwinn; and Heart of JA Award: Jennifer Patterson.
“We are honored to bring our volunteers and teachers together and thank them for their commitment to our students and Southwest Florida community,” said Angela Fisher, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. “Volunteers and teachers partnering with Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida impact thousands of students each year by sharing real-life experiences with classes throughout Lee and Collier counties. We are grateful to receive the gift of their time and talent as they prepare our future business leaders for success.”
For more information about volunteering with Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, please contact Lysa Kennedy at LKennedy@jaswfl.org or call 239-225-2590.
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. JA of Southwest Florida programs are delivered to students in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties 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 more than 4.6 million students per year in 113 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.6 million students served by operations in 118 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. Visit www.JA.org for more information. For more information about JA of Southwest Florida visit www.JASWFL.org, call 239-225-2590 or info@jaswfl.org.
American Red Cross recognizes SERVPRO
for participation in Disaster Responder Program
The American Red Cross recently recognized SERVPRO, a cleanup and restoration company, for participation in its Disaster Responder Program1. As a Disaster Responder Program member, SERVPRO pledges a donation to the Red Cross in advance of disasters, allowing the organization to respond quickly and effectively to nearly 66,000 disasters annually, most of which are home fires.
SERVPRO is entering their third year of partnership with the Red Cross; their donations to the organization to date exceed one million dollars.
According to statistics cited by the Red Cross, seven people die in a home fire each day in the U.S. Aiming to reduce deaths and injuries caused by home fires by 25 percent by the end of 2019, the Red Cross launched a Home Fire Campaign in October of 2014. The support of SERVPRO and other Disaster Responder Program members allows the Red Cross to pursue their home fire prevention goals while they continue to provide critical services to disaster victims.
One of the reasons home fires account for the majority of the disasters the Red Cross responds to annually is that the risk for home fires exists all year long,said Mary Ann Rone, owner of SERVPRO of Cape Coral.
Statistics compiled by the National Fire Protection Association 2 show the majority of home fires are related to unattended cooking accidents and cooking is something most people do every day.
Although SERVPRO’s business is helping business and home owners recover from fire, flood and other disasters, the company and its franchisees actively support disaster preparedness education, including fire prevention efforts. When disaster does strike, their relationships with major insurance companies combined with industry-leading job-management technology help smooth the path to rebuilding and restoration for home and business owners affected by the unexpected.
For fire prevention tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, please visit www.servpro.com.
For more information on SERVPRO of Cape Coral, please contact Mary Ann Rone at 239-573-5911 or srone@servpro10407.com.