SANIBEL CAPTIVA COMMUNITY BANK

SAN CAP COMMUNITY BANK NAMED TOP LENDER

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank reported that it has been named to the Independent Community Bankers Association’s 2024 top lenders list.

The national list recognizes community banks that are successful loan producers in different lending categories and asset sizes. The bank is ranked second in the consumer mortgage category for banks with $300 million to $1 billion in assets — the only one in Florida — and earned an 92.4 consumer lender score.

Using 2023 FDIC data, a lender score was calculated out of 100 for every community bank in the nation. The score combines the average of the bank’s percentile rank for lending concentration and loan growth over the past year in various lending categories.

SHELL MUSEUM STAFFERS APPOINTED TO AZA

BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM & AQUARIUM From left, Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium Director of Finance and Operations Ryan Powell and senior aquarist Carly Hulse.

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium announced that two staff members were recently appointed to leadership positions with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Senior aquarist Carly Hulse was elected to the Aquatic Invertebrate Taxonomic Advisory Group Steering Committee. It shapes national industry policy and recommendations for the care of aquatic invertebrate animals, which include mollusks, in zoos and aquariums. The committee prioritizes species for conservation action, provides resources for proper aquatic invertebrate care and develops methods that ensure a sustainable supply of naturally abundant but difficult to obtain species.

Director of Finance and Operations Ryan Powell was elected treasurer of the board for AZA’s Florida chapter. It focuses on collaboration and promoting the high ethical standards established by AZA in zoos, aquariums and animal parks in the state. Member institutions, which include the shell museum, collaborate on maintaining populations of rare species and contributing to wildlife conservation efforts.

Founded in 1924, AZA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science and recreation. It represents the highest international ethical, operational and educational standards for zoos and aquariums.

SCCF POLICY DIRECTOR PRESENTS TO SCIAR

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis recently joined the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors to give an update on local water quality.

He discussed the current status of Lake Okeechobee, blue-green algae, hurricane season and the transition to La Nina.