PHOTO PROVIDED Robin Cook

RESIDENCY AND ESTATE PLANNING PROGRAM

Suncoast Prosperity Advisors Senior Vice President Robin Cook and David M. Platt, of SanCap Law, will host a complimentary presentation, “Benefits of Florida Residency and Estate Planning,” on March 22 from 10 a.m. to noon at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

It aims to educate about the benefits of being a Florida resident, new estate planning techniques, time sensitive estate planning strategies and how to capitalize on the opportunities.

The topics covered will include: the steps needed to solidify a Florida domicile; Florida estate planning nuances; federal estate planning opportunities to capture now before potential changes in 2026; pros and cons of the new Florida Community Property Trust; and why it is important to properly title assets.

To register, contact Cook at rcook@suncoastequity.com or 239-246-8124.

PHOTO PROVIDED David M. Platt

Suncoast Prosperity Advisors is a division of Suncoast Equity Management.

HORIZON FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES OFFICERS

The Horizon Foundation recently set its slate of officers for 2024.

They include: Mark Stevens, with Stevens Construction, as president; Ryan Carter, with Scotlynn, as vice president; Holly Smith, Sanibel hotelier and Sanibel city councilmember, as immediate past president; Sandy Stilwell Youngquist, with Stilwell Enterprises, as treasurer; and Fred Edman, with Wright Construction Group, as secretary.

The newly appointed officers will play a crucial role in steering the foundation towards achieving its strategic goals for the year ahead.

PHOTO PROVIDED Holly D. Smith

SAN CAP BANK HIRES MCMULLEN AND HU

Tammy McMullen has joined Sanibel Captiva Community Bank as a customer service representative and teller at its McGregor Branch in Fort Myers, and Ping Hu has joined as a customer service representative and teller at its Main Office on Sanibel.

McMullen is responsible for assisting customers with personal and business banking transactions.

She has experience in the banking and customer service industries.

Hu is responsible for assisting customers with personal and business banking transactions.

PHOTO PROVIDED Sandy Stilwell Youngquist

She has experience in the accounting and customer service industries.

Hu earned her bachelor’s degree in international business and marketing from the University of Missouri — St. Louis.

She has been a Sanibel resident since 2022 and she served on the board of directors of the Children’s Education Center of the Islands from 2022-23.

SCCF PRESENTS AT CLIMATE SUMMIT

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation attended the 2024 Southwest Florida Climate Summit on Feb. 28-29 in Punta Gorda.

PHOTO PROVIDED Tammy McMullen

Marine Lab research associate Mark Thompson presented as part of the “New Regional Climate Science” panel. His talk focused on seagrass loss over time at several SCCF-monitored sites and how the losses relate to increases in annual temperature, macroalgae coverage and nutrient concentrations.

In addition, Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis and Advocacy & Policy Associate Allie Pecenka were in attendance.

TRUST COMPANY TO OFFER SEMINARS

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company will offer “Domicile Day” — sessions on establishing Florida residency and domicile status — on the third Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. at its office, at 2450 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

The programs will include a presentation and Q&A period led by staff and a local estate planning attorney. The sessions are scheduled for March 21, April 18, May 16 and June 20.

PHOTO PROVIDED Ping Hu

The March program will feature Jennifer Scuteri, of the Scuteri Law Group.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required.

The sessions are designed for people with $2 million and higher in investable assets.

To make a reservation, contact 239-472-8300 or festeger@sancaptrustco.com.

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION