SW Regional Manufacturers Association announces summer event series

The Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association has announced its summer series of events to help support and unite manufacturers and those who do business with them. A plant tour is scheduled in May, brewery social in June and an international trade webinar scheduled in July.

There is no cost to attend the events, but space is limited, and online registration required.

SRMA’s summer event series kicks off with a plant tour and networking event at S4J Manufacturing, at 2685 N.E. 9th Ave. in Cape Coral, Wednesday, May 19, from 8-9:30 a.m. S4J specializes in the production of ultra-precision components, reusable Luer Lock connectors, and adapters. Many of its products are used in medical equipment and devices for the more than 1,000 companies they serve. Guests will enjoy networking, refreshments and tours of the manufacturing plant.

On June 16, join SRMA after hours for cold brews, food and networking from 5:30-7 p.m. at Riptide Brewing, formerly Momentum Brewing, in Bonita Springs. Family-owned Riptide Brewing is located at 28120 Hunters Ridge Blvd.

On July 28, from 8-9:30 a.m., SRMA has lined up a panel of speakers who will discuss international trade. Panelists include Elena Mendez of EXIM Bank, Dan Bierk at the Department of Commerce, Kevin Brady with FGCU FSBDC, and Gary McKinley of Craters and Freighters. International certifications, EXIM Bank, vetting international firms, quality standards and imports/exports will be discussed. This event is graciously sponsored by Craters & Freighters.

To register for these free events or for more information about the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association, visit SRMA.net, call 239-258-1385 or email info@srma.net.

Greater Fort Myers Chamber luncheon May 27

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon Thursday, May 27, will explore the unique ways companies are helping their communities in Southwest Florida.

Attendees of the luncheon will hear from a panel of local business professionals, who have implemented creative ways to serve their community. The four guest speakers include Jennifer Balliet, chief culture officer of NeoGenomics Laboratories; Joe Ramsay, owner, and Rusty Smith, marketing manager of Pit Stop Auto Repair; and Julio Barina, firm partner with Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A.

During the panel, Balliet will discuss NeoGenomics’ collaboration with the biomedical program at Dunbar High School and how it offers students an opportunity to get a jump start in their future careers. Ramsay and Smith will talk about Pit Stop’s partnership with the Salvation Army to help provide auto repair assistance for people in need. Barina will share the important role of community service and helping others within the company culture at Markham Norton.

The chamber luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza at Bell Tower, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, in Fort Myers. Admission is $25 for Chamber members and $35 for future members. Registration in advance is encouraged.

To learn more or to register for the event, visit FortMyers.org or call 239-332-2930.

Enterprise announces vanpooling in Southwest Florida with Commute

Commute with Enterprise has partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation’s mobility program in southwest Florida to provide commuters with a new service: vanpooling. Commute Connector is a program focused on improving shared mobility in southwestern Florida.

Workers who share a similar commute and schedule can create a vanpool of four or more people. Each rider pays a set fee per month, which covers all costs including gas, insurance and repairs.

The new vanpooling service enhances regional transportation options for workers living in the following counties: Charlotte, Collier, De Soto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Manatee, Okeechobee, Polk, and Sarasota.

Commute with Enterprise helps segment employees into groups, based on where they live and the shifts they work. Commute with Enterprise also provides 24-hour roadside assistance, liability insurance, and scheduled maintenance.

Commuters interested in joining the Commute Connector program may call 866-585-RIDE or download the app to find vanpool options. Program participants can earn rewards by tracking their trips through the app.

MNMW welcomes Lozano  

Daisy Lozano recently joined Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A. after working with the firm as a Florida Gulf Coast University intern. Lozano works in the accounting and tax division, helping to prepare business tax returns and provide supportive accounting services.  

Lozano is working towards her bachelor of science degree in accounting at FGCU, with anticipated graduation in May of this year. In the future Lozano has goals to pursue her masters in accounting and taxation, and later obtain her certified public accountant license.

Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. is a public accounting and consulting firm with offices in both Fort Myers and Naples. Along with traditional tax and accounting services, the firm offers a wide range of other services, including general business consulting, construction business consulting, human resources consulting, medical practice consulting, not-for-profit services, elder services, family mediation services, forensic accounting, litigation support, marketing and public relations consulting. For more information, call 239-433-5554 or visit www.Markham-Norton.com. 

Zekri to serve on Florida Bar committee

Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., has announced that divorce, marital and family law attorney Iman Zekri will begin serving on The Florida Bar’s Student Education & Admissions to the Bar Committee. The committee is tasked with determining whether Florida law schools are adequately preparing their students for the practice of law.

If the Student Education & Admissions to the Bar Committee concludes that a law school is insufficiently training its students, the committee makes specific recommendations to The Florida Bar’s Board of Governors and Florida law school deans. The committee also monitors and reviews proposed legislation affecting legal education and has established a means to track the success of minority scholarship programs to help law schools disburse scholarships in a way that maximizes the benefits of minority scholarship programs.practitioners.”

Zekri graduated from Riverdale High School’s International Baccalaureate program, Florida Gulf Coast University (B.A., summa cum laude), and the University of Florida Levin College of Law (J.D., cum laude). Zekri may be reached at iman.zekri@henlaw.com or by phone at 239-344-1119.

Henderson Franklin is one of the largest, locally-based law firms between Tampa and Miami with over 60 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. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples, and Sarasota (by appointment only). For more information on Zekri or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com.

Edison Mall to host springtime job fair May 22

As spring turns to summer, Edison Mall stores are looking to hire additional part-time and full-time associates to join their respective teams during the Edison Mall Job Fair being held on Saturday, May 22, from 1-4 p.m.

Many of your favorite retailers will be in attendance including , but not limited to, Aeropostale, JCPenney and Carters. Guests can expect on-site interviews, store information and fill out applications with participating retailers.

Edison Mall remains focused on providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. In the continued need to address COVID-19, the town center has proactively implemented additions to the Code of Conduct, effective immediately and until further notice.

These additions include the following guidelines practice social distancing and stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people, covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover is recommended, do not gather in groups, adhere to each individual tenant’s COVID-19 policies and adhere to all federal, state and local regulations, recommendations and mandates regarding COVID-19.

The Code of Conduct is posted at the town center and available online.

Edison Mall’s already rigorous disinfectant and cleaning practices will also continue many times per day, including periodically disinfecting areas most susceptible to the spread of germs. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers are located in highly-trafficked areas and walkways for public use.

For additional information on Edison Mall’s please visit shopedisonmall.com

Edison Mall is Southwest Florida’s only enclosed and climate-controlled shopping destination serving the Greater Fort Myers and Naples area. The community center is home to more than 160 national and local retail, dining and entertainment options, as well as numerous events and activities throughout the year. A dynamic offering of things to do along with things to buy keeps guests engaged and returning often.

Priority Marketing adds Fender as media relations specialist

Priority has added former TV reporter Noelani Fender to its growing public relations team as a media relations specialist.

In her role, Fender will help tell clients’ stories through television, print, digital and social media. Her responsibilities include writing news releases, guest articles and op-eds, as well as pitching stories to target media. As a former TV journalist, Fender also produces and edits video interviews and B-roll video to provide content for media outlets and social media sites.

Fender’s media experience includes roles as a features and enterprise reporter for FOX4 in Southwest Florida, as well as a bureau multimedia journalist for WCTV Eyewitness News in Tallahassee and WALB News 10 in Albany, Georgia. Prior roles include social media manager, media specialist and public information intern. Fender is profiled in the journalism textbook “Broadcast News Writing, Reporting and Producing,” which gives readers a glimpse into the working life of today’s broadcast journalist.

Fender earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in mass media from Valdosta State University, minoring in speech communication.

Priority Marketing’s public relations department helps businesses and nonprofit organizations achieve their goals through a variety of communication mediums, focusing on earned media strategies. The team’s services include communications strategy, media relations, spokesperson training, audio/visual presentations, copywriting, special event planning, community relations, government relations, crisis communications, internal and external communications, fundraising, editorial services and ghostwriting.

Established in 1992, Priority Marketing is located at 12140 Carissa Commerce Court, Suite 201, in Fort Myers. For more information, call 239-267-2638 or visit PriorityMarketing.com.

Wall joins Iron Ridge Insurance Services as marketing executive

Ann Wall, CPCU, a risk management professional with more than 30 years of industry experience, has joined Iron Ridge Insurance Services’ team of insurance authorities. As marketing executive, Wall will focus on building Iron Ridge’s presence in the condominium and homeowners’ associations and religious organizations.

Iron Ridge is a boutique independent insurance agency headquartered in Fort Myers. It primarily serves commercial clients, with particular focus on healthcare, architects and engineers, condominium and homeowners’ associations, legal practices, and religious organizations. The Iron Ridge team of insurance professionals has a wealth of experience in both commercial and personal insurance.

Wall’s resume includes experience as treaty underwriter for Latin America and the Caribbean with GE Insurance Solutions, and as corporate insurance risk manager for Del Monte Fresh Produce in Coral Gables. Most recently, Wall was the risk management property and casualty manager for Miami-Dade County, the seventh-largest county in the U.S. In that role, she was responsible for setting and ensuring compliance of insurance requirements for more than 6,000 county contracts.

For an evaluation of your commercial or personal insurance coverage, contact Iron Ridge Insurance Services at 800-775-8526 or info@IronRidgeInsurance.com.

Established in 2011, Iron Ridge Insurance Services (www.IronRidgeInsurance.com) helps clients manage risk through professional liability, management liability, data breach liability, general liability, commercial property, workers’ compensation, and commercial auto insurance programs.

The agency also offers competitive personal insurance solutions for individuals and families.