Business Notes
REC CENTER SEEKING EVENT PARTICIPANTS
The Sanibel Recreation Center is seeking additional health, wellness and fitness partners to participate in its 2nd Annual Health Fair, which will take place on Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sanibel.
Free and open to the public, the event is being held in partnership with Lee Health and the Sanibel-Captiva Business Women’s Association (SCBWA). It will bring together residents and visitors to learn more about resources that support healthy, active living for all ages and stages of life.
Exhibitors will have the opportunity to connect with attendees, offer hands on testing and screenings, share information about their services and programs, and engage with the community. Participation is free, and space is limited.
Those interested in participating can fill out the form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCHWQQ9StNUb391XgjJpuFwlwlCjbyP4QJ7agc5WWzx788Aw/viewform?usp=send_form.
For more information, call the rec center at 239-472-0345.
The SCBWA is also seeking volunteers for the event. For more information, contact Taylor Clarey at taylor@customgoodsultd.com.
The Sanibel Recreation Center is at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
FISH EARNS NONPROFIT RECOGNITION
FISH of Sanibel-Captiva announced that it has been named a “2025 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, a platform for community-sourced reviews of charities.
The recognition reflects consistent, high-quality feedback shared throughout the year and speaks to the role FISH continues to play on Sanibel and Captiva. It noted that the reviews describe not only the help received, but the way it is delivered — with care, respect, and a genuine sense of connection.
“This recognition means so much because it comes directly from our community. Every review reflects a real moment in someone’s life when help mattered,” Executive Director Maria Espinoza said. “We’re grateful to our donors, partners, volunteers and staff who make it possible for FISH to continue showing up for our neighbors, day in and day out.”
To read the reviews, visit https://greatnonprofits.org/org/f-i-s-h-of-sanibel-captiva-inc.
SCIAR HOLDS EAST CARAVAN MEETING
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) held its East Caravan Meeting on Jan. 8 at its office on Sanibel.
The guest speaker was R.L.R. Investments Director of Commercial Leasing and Community Relations Ali Kendall. She provided members with insights into commercial leasing trends and community development across the islands.
The meeting also offered members and affiliate businesses an opportunity to network and the chance to preview upcoming and current east-end listings through the caravan tour.
CHR NAMES BOYD AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Community Housing & Resources (CHR) has appointed Becky Boyd as deputy director.
She shared that she is excited by the opportunity to connect even more deeply with the organization’s mission to provide safe, affordable, quality housing on the islands, as well as getting to work more closely with staff to better support their efforts and strengthen CHR’s impact.
“I believe deeply in CHR’s mission and the impact this organization has on Sanibel and Captiva,” Boyd said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to help lead, collaborate and grow alongside such a dedicated team.”
Executive Director Nicole McHale said Boyd’s experience in nonprofit leadership and development make her the right person for the new role.
“Becky has more than a decade of outstanding work in nonprofit service,” she said. “More than that, she has a heart for our community, for the work of CHR and for the people we serve.”
Boyd grew up in Naples and is a lifelong resident of Southwest Florida. She studied environmental education, which has shaped her appreciation for Sanibel and its preserved natural beauty.
Boyd served in a variety of nonprofit roles in recent years before joining CHR last year as grant writer and development director.
SHELL MUSEUM WELCOMES BOARD MEMBERS
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium announced two new trustees with terms beginning this year: Sharon Gilkey and Cameron Samuel.
“The museum is delighted to welcome Sharon and Cameron to the board,” Executive Director Sam Ankerson said. “They represent a terrific combination of professional expertise, community involvement and commitment to the museum’s educational mission.”
Gilkey is founder and principal of Montanna Interior Design. Since joining the Sanibel community, she has become actively involved in the nonprofit community and a generous supporter of the museum. Gilkey’s experience and expertise in design, marketing, business and the Naples market are attributes that align with the museum’s goals.
Samuel graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in advertising. He began his career in enterprise digital marketing at IPG Mediabrands in New York City, later working across major and boutique agencies. Samuel later served as marketing manager at Party City before joining Congress Jewelers as marketing director.
ROTARY CLUB WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club announced two new members.
David Laning and Terry Gustafson were recently inducted.
The club reported that both share its commitment to service above self. Their diverse talents and dedication will strengthen the club and expand its impact in the community.
For more information, visit sanibelrotary.org or www.facebook.com/sancaprotary.
CITY MANAGER EARNS ICMA DESIGNATION
The city of Sanibel announced that City Manager Dana Souza earned the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
He is one of more than 1,300 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA’s Voluntary Credentialing Program.
The ICMA’s mission is to advance professional local government through leadership, management, innovation and ethics, while increasing the proficiency of chief administrative officers, assistant administrators and other employees serving local governments and regional entities worldwide.
The Credentialed Manager designation is a recognition that reflects a commitment to professional excellence. To earn the credential, a member must have significant experience as a senior local government executive; possess a degree, preferably in public administration or a related field; and demonstrate a strong commitment to integrity, lifelong learning and professional development.
Souza brings 34 years of professional local government executive experience, with more than 40 years of total municipal service, to his role. Prior to his appointment in 2022, he served in leadership positions in Naples and Marco Island; Greenville, South Carolina; Portland, Maine; New Bedford, Massachusetts; and the Town of Union, New York.
SANIBEL SEA SCHOOL STAFFER AWARDED
The Sanibel Sea School announced that camp counselor Jake Raterman was awarded Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) Excellence in Civic Engagement Award for his service to the island organization.
The award is a highly competitive honor bestowed to 10 graduating seniors each semester. Although a minimum number of service-learning hours is required to be considered, it primarily recognizes the impact of a student’s service-learning experiences on their own growth, development and career preparation, as well as on specific social issues in the community.
Raterman grew up spending his summers at the Sanibel Sea School. After graduating from high school, he returned as a summer camp counselor to share his love of the ocean and help create memories with other children.
In addition, Raterman volunteered over 200 hours at the Sanibel Sea School during his senior year to teach youths in the day courses, on field trips, after school, and in the A Chance to Sea program.
He graduated from FGCU in December with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre and Bachelor of Science in child and youth studies.
JOHN R. WOOD’S PRESIDENT RECOGNIZED
John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate announced that President Corey McCloskey has been honored on the 2026 Swanepoel Power 200 list (SP 200), ranking No. 115 among the top executives.
In 2024, she was promoted to the position of president. McCloskey joined the company in 2003 as a staff member, became an agent, transitioned back to the staff side of the business and moved through the operational ranks, most recently serving as executive vice president of operations.
In 2022, she was named Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) Realtor of the Year. McCloskey 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.
The SP 200 recognizes the most powerful and influential executives in the residential real estate industry. Published by real estate consulting firm T3 Sixty, the annual list evaluates leadership impact, organizational influence and long-term significance across brokerage, portals, mortgage, technology and adjacent sectors.
BANK PROMOTES BALL, HIRES HULTQUIST
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank announced the promotion of Erin Ball to office manager at the Bridge Branch in Fort Myers, along with the hiring of Taylor Hultquist as a junior loan underwriter at the Winkler Branch in Fort Myers.
Ball will manage daily operations and customer relationships, including business and consumer banking.
She previously served as the branch’s interim branch manager and retail training coordinator. Ball joined the bank in 2020 as a teller and customer service representative at the Winkler Branch.
She is a Southwest Florida native and has previous experience in the real estate, mortgage lending and customer service industries.
As a junior loan underwriter, Hultquist will assist in reviewing and analyzing borrower information, preparing credit packages, and supporting the underwriting process to ensure timely and accurate loan decisions. She will work closely with loan officers, processors and credit administration to help meet the borrowing needs of customers.
Hultquist brings nearly a decade of financial services experience to her new role, including positions as a loan administrator, loan officer assistant and banker with regional financial institutions and mortgage companies. Her diverse lending background and strong customer service approach will support the bank’s growing residential and commercial lending teams.