Business Notes
CHAMBER TO HOST BUSINESS LUNCHEON
The SanCap Chamber will hold its next business luncheon on Feb. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, at 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel.
The guest speaker will be Coastal Watch Director Kealy Pfau, with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF). She will provide an update on how Coastal Watch’s programs benefit the islands’ shorelines and post-hurricane restoration, as well as talk about the SCCF’s new voluntourism initiative.
The SCCF is sponsoring the luncheon.
Cost is $35 for chamber members.
Registration is required by Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. at sanibel-captiva.org or by contacting Aaron Walton at aaron@sanibel-captiva.org or 239-472-8759. Payment is due at the time of registration.
LOCAL AUTHOR TO SPEAK AT WOW SERIES
The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company’s 2024-25 Wisdom of Women (WOW) Series will feature local author and acclaimed journalist Annabelle Tometich on Feb. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Bell Tower Office, at 13525 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers.
Her debut book, “The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony” was released in April to high acclaim. Former food writer, editor and restaurant critic for The News-Press, Tometich’s work has been featured in publications such as the Washington Post, USA Today, Catapult and others. Over her 18-year professional career, she has received more than a dozen awards for her writing.
Refreshments will begin at 4 p.m.
MacIntosh Books + Paper will sell copies of her book.
Seating is limited, and reservations are required.
The event is designed for people with $2 million and higher in investable assets.
To register, contact Frances Steger at 239-472-8300 or 239-472-8300.
BIG ARTS WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR
BIG ARTS announced the appointment of Elizabeth A. Gromko as director of development.
She is a skilled communicator and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge.
Gromko was recently director of development of United Way in Everett, Washington. Prior to that, she served as director of development at the Edmonds Center for the Arts in Edmonds, Washington.
In her early career, Gromko spent many years in Honolulu in positions of leadership.
She received her bachelor’s degree in art history from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and her master’s degree in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Executive Director Lee Ellen Harder shared that BIG ARTS is fortunate to have Gromko join the team. It looks forward to having her help it continue to enhance its contribution to the community.
BANK ANNOUNCES PROMOTION, HIRE
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank announced the promotion of Addisyn Kelly to senior commercial lending assistant and the hiring of Susan Cantalupo as a teller.
Kelly is in the commercial lending division at the Bridge Branch in Fort Myers. In her role, she plays a crucial part in implementing new commercial loans and collaborating with existing borrowers on loan renewals.
Kelly joined the bank in 2021 and has prior experience in retail sales.
Cantalupo is at the Main Office, at 2406 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. In her role, she is responsible for assisting customers with personal and business banking transactions.
Cantalupo has a background in the medical administration field, including coding, advocacy, billing and customer service. She studied medical billing and coding at the Cape Coral Institute of Technology and attended the University of Massachusetts, where she studied fine arts with an emphasis on anatomy, kinesiology and dance productions.
DDWS REPRESENTED AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Several representatives from the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) attended the 40th annual Everglades Coalition Conference (EVCO) on Jan. 30 in Miami.
The largest forum for discussing Everglades restoration progress, challenges and opportunities, it brings together conservation groups; elected officials; business leaders; local, state, tribal and federal partners; scientists; and students to engage in meaningful dialogue about restoring the Everglades.
The DDWS also sponsored a luncheon at the EVCO featuring Eric Bush, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as the speaker.
WOOD AND MCCLOSKEY RECOGNIZED
John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate announced that Chief Executive Officer Phil Wood and President Corey McCloskey have been honored on the 2024 Swanepoel Power 200 list (SP200), ranking No. 118 among the residential brokerage industry’s most influential leaders.
In addition, McCloskey was recognized as No. 29 among the 57 top women executives on the SP 200. A subset of the ranking, the list acknowledges women leaders who hold the most power in the residential real estate industry.
Wood joined the firm in 1977 and has led it since 1986.
Last year, McCloskey was promoted to president. She joined the company in 2003 as a staff member, became an agent, transitioned back to the staff side and moved through the ranks, most recently serving as executive vice president of operations. In 2022, McCloskey was named Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) Realtor of the Year. She has served as the Florida Realtors District Five vice president and NABOR president, and she contributes to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Florida Realtors by serving on various committees.
Released annually the SP200 recognizes the most powerful and influential executives in the residential real estate industry for the preceding year. It is published by real estate consulting firm T3 Sixty.