Business Notes
SALE EVENT TO SUPPORT CROW, MISSION
J.McLaughlin will host a sale event on Jan. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sanibel.
Ten percent of all purchases will benefit the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), supporting its mission to protect Florida’s native and migratory wildlife.
J.McLaughlin is at 1616 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
SCIAR HOLDS EAST CARAVAN MEETING
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) held its East Caravan Meeting on Dec. 11 at its office on Sanibel.
The guest speaker was city of Sanibel engineer Oisin Dolley.
He provided insights into current city engineering projects and infrastructure updates, plus answered questions from SCIAR members about upcoming initiatives impacting the Sanibel community.
The SCIAR’s caravan schedule alternates between “East” and “West” routes, allowing Realtors from Sanibel and Captiva to showcase listings and connect with fellow members.
For more information, visit www.SanibelRealtors.com or follow @sanibelcaptivarealtors.
THREE NEW STAFFERS JOIN SHELL MUSEUM
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium recently welcomed staff members Jacob Chase, Elizabeth Marx Swatfigure and Sean Pierce.
In the role of senior aquarist, Chase is responsible for managing all aspects of daily care for the marine life in the Living Gallery of Aquariums. His career has included positions in Florida, New York City and Hawaii and at aquariums, including the New York Aquarium, The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot, and others. Chase’s favorite animals to work with and learn about are the class cephalopoda, which includes octopuses, squids and cuttlefish, but he enjoys working with all marine animals.
In the role of guest services manager, Marx Swatfigure oversees admissions and orienting visitors to the museum experience. She is a former elementary school teacher and longtime museum enthusiast. She and her husband moved from Colorado to Sanibel in April 2025, and she joined the museum in the summer. One of her favorite things about the job is learning about mollusks and their contributions to the ecosystem and environment.
In the role of chief financial officer, Pierce provides oversight and guidance to all financial matters. In addition, he manages many of the operational activities to ensure the museum runs smoothly for guests and staff. Pierce brings accounting and operational experience that spans three decades in a variety of industries, with nonprofit accounting being a particular specialty. He was a member of the museum’s Board of Trustees from 2015-21.
JOHN R. WOOD WELCOMES TEAM MEMBER
John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate announced that Trish Biehl has joined the team.
She is located at the Sanibel office.
For more information, call 239-472-2411 or visit JohnRWood.com.
John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate is at 1019 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
CHR PRESENTS NEWEST AMBASSADOR
Community Housing & Resources (CHR) announced that Tom Uhler is a new ambassador.
In the role, he will help to advance CHR’s outreach and engagement efforts, connecting residents, businesses and community partners with opportunities to support the organization’s work.
A longtime supporter of the Sanibel and Captiva, Uhler brings a record of compassion, philanthropy and leadership to CHR’s mission of providing affordable housing and fostering a strong, inclusive island community. CHR noted that his deep commitment to giving back and his understanding of the importance of community make him an ideal representative for CHR.
CITY AWARDED FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING
The city of Sanibel was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).
It received the certificate for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2024.
The report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.
The certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
DECICCO HONORED WITH ROTARY AWARD
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank reported that President and Chief Executive Officer Kyle DeCicco was recognized with the Paul Harris Fellow Award by the Rotary Club of Fort Myers — Sunrise.
The award is among the club’s’s highest distinctions and acknowledges individuals whose efforts go beyond professional success to create meaningful community impact.
DeCicco was honored for his outstanding commitment to community service, leadership and financial stewardship in Southwest Florida.
Calling the recognition “an incredible honor,” he credited the bank’s entire team for the award.