Business Notes
CHAMBER TO HOST BUSINESS LUNCHEON
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce will hold its next business luncheon on Oct. 13 starting at 11:30 a.m. in an outdoor tent at The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club, at 949 Sand Castle Road, Sanibel.
The guest speakers are J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland and “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge Executive Director Birgie Miller. They will discuss the expanded education staff and their latest efforts onsite at the refuge and through community outreach, as well as touch on DDWS events and activities planned through 2022.
Vector & Ink is sponsoring the luncheon and will unveil the cover for the chamber’s 2022 annual visitor guide.
Face masks are requested.
Cost is $30 for chamber members only. Advanced registration is required by Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. at sanibel-captiva.org or 239-472-8255; walk-ins will not be accepted. Payment is due at time of registration. Attendance will be limited per federal guidelines.
F.I.S.H. STAFF NOMINATED FOR ENPYS)
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva President and Chief Executive Officer Maggi Feiner has been nominated for Nonprofit Executive of the Year and Assistant Executive Director Maria Espinoza has been nominated for Nonprofit Employee of the Year for the Cape Coral Community Foundation’s 5th Annual ENPYs — Excellence in Nonprofit Performance Yearly — awards.
The CCCF believes that too often the ones doing the work to better the community do not get recognized and chose 36 finalists out of over 160 nominations received this year. The ENPY Awards highlight the efforts of Southwest Florida nonprofits and accomplishments of nonprofit leaders.
The awards presentation will broadcast on CTN Television and stream on www.ctntelevision.com on Oct. 19 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
BARRY STARTS NEW ROLE WITH DDWS
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge former visitor services and Wildlife on Wheels intern Jessica Barry started her new role as part-time “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge Development and Outreach Assistant on Oct. 1.
She will be located in the reception area of the DDWS offices and will work with the team on a number of development and outreach tasks and projects.
LCEC AWARDS LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WITH FUNDS
LCEC recently announced that it will provide Environmental Funding Awards to ArtFest Fort Myers, Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, Monofilament Busters, Cypress Cove Landkeepers, Audubon of Southwest Florida, Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and Future Forestry.
Since the program’s inception in 2013, LCEC has awarded over $186,000 to local organizations for a variety of initiatives focused on protecting the environment.
LCEC accepts applications for the awards twice a year in March and September. To apply, visit https://www.lcec.net/about-lcec/community-and-education/environment.
For more information on the program, contact pr@lcec.net.
BANK ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW HIRES
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank recently reported that Tilia Howard has joined the bank as a loan processing coordinator at its downtown Fort Myers branch in Fort Myers, Jasmine Jones as a teller at its Winkler office in Fort Myers, Marianna Marks as a loan processing coordinator at its Bridge Branch in Fort Myers and Caleb Stempel as an information technology assistant at its Operations Center in Fort Myers.
Howard is responsible for processing loan files and ordering services and verifications needed for underwriting review. Prior to joining the bank, she worked for several credit unions in the customer service and consumer lending departments. Howard has an associate’s degree in psychology studies from Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Jones is responsible for assisting customers with personal and business banking transactions. She has over five years of experience working in the customer service and retail industries, as well as in early childhood education. Jones has an associate’s degree in paralegal studies from Florida SouthWestern State College.
Marks is responsible for processing loan files and ordering services and verifications needed for underwriting review. Prior to joining the bank, she worked in the retail industry for six years. In addition to her retail experience, Marks also has a background in event promotion.
Stempel’s primary responsibility is to assist in the implementation, operation and maintenance of the computer and communication systems. He will also provide technology related support for employees. Prior to joining the bank, Stempel worked for the School District of Lee County as a network support specialist. He has over 15 years of information technology experience working in various fields, including the medical, health and fitness industries. Stempel has a Bachelor of Science in information systems and cybersecurity from Columbia Southern University.