Business Notes
CFI, FGCU TO PRESENT AI WORKSHOP
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) and Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) Ain Technology & Design Hub will host an artificial intelligence (AI) workshop on July 20 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) on Sanibel.
In addition, an optional AI Deep Dive will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. for attendees who would like personalized assistance with specific AI questions, projects or challenges.
The workshop is open to nonprofit professionals, business owners, volunteers, community leaders and those interested in learning more about AI. It is the first in a four-part AI education series that CFI is bringing to the islands in partnership with the team at the Ain Technology & Design Hub.
In the series, attendees will explore practical ways to integrate AI into their daily work, including improving productivity, streamlining operations, enhancing communications, and leveraging emerging technologies that can help them better serve their audiences.
The workshop is made possible through CFI’s Community Impact Fund.
CFI expended its gratitude to the donors who support the fund.
Space is limited.
To RSVP or for more information, contact info@sancapcfi.org.
SCIAR is at 2353 Periwinkle Way, Suite 201, Sanibel.
BUSINESSES INVITED TO PROMOTE TRIBUTE
The city of Sanibel is asking local businesses, organizations, places of worship and community gathering spaces to help spread awareness of A Field of Heroes, a community-wide tribute commemorating the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.
It is seeking partners willing to display posters and flyers in their businesses and facilities throughout the summer to help inform residents and visitors about the meaningful remembrance project.
A Field of Heroes will feature 2,977 American flags — one for every life lost on 9/11 — and be installed at the Sanibel Community Park beginning on Sept. 1. The memorial will serve as a powerful visual reminder of the lives lost and the heroes who emerged on that historic day.
Businesses willing to display a poster or provide space for informational flyers will help to ensure that the tribute reaches as many members of the community as possible.
To download and print the poster for display, visit https://files.constantcontact.com/97af97e6001/aeb11815-6ff4-4ac9-bf7b-1fbb67576088.pdf.
In addition, community members have the opportunity to sponsor the flags in honor of first responders, military members, loved ones or heroes of 9/11. Funds raised through the project will support the creation and presentation of the memorial.
As of July 7, the city had sponsors for 25% of the flags for the display.
To sponsor a flag, visit https://app.seemylegacy.com/community/2787/campaign/9060.
For more information, call the center at 239-472-0345.
SCIAR HOLDS OPEN CARAVAN, BREAKFAST
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) held its Membership Breakfast and Open Caravan on June 25 at its office on Sanibel.
It featured a panel of insurance experts.
Guest speakers Dave Arter, with Gallagher Private Client, and Chris Heidrick, with Heidrick & Co. Insurance and Risk Management, shared their extensive industry expertise. The discussion focused on navigating common insurance challenges, understanding NFIP flood policies, and analyzing historical market conditions to help real estate professionals better serve their clients.
Regions Bank sponsored the meeting.
HISTORICAL VILLAGE WELCOMES HOWARD
The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village’s Board of Directors announced the hiring of Vacharee Howard as the new executive director.
She is a nonprofit veteran with almost 20 years of leadership experience. Howard’s most recent role was as chief executive officer of NAMI Southwest Florida, where she focused on organizational growth, fundraising, community engagement and strategic planning.
She possesses a stealthy history in all aspects of nonprofit management, including operational stewardship, donor and stakeholder engagement, and communications.
Howard also understands the value of developing productive relationships with boards and fostering effective collaborations.
She shared that she is honored and excited to join the Sanibel historical village.
“The village plays a vital role in preserving Sanibel’s history and strengthening the community’s connection to its unique heritage,” Howard added. “I look forward to partnering with all stakeholders to build upon the village’s strong foundation, expand its impact, and ensure its stories continue to inspire future generations.”
Board President Gail Migliorini welcomed her as the organization begins a new chapter.
“As we continue our mission to preserve and share the stories that define our community, we are confident that Vacharee’s vision and dedication will strengthen our impact, expand our reach, and inspire new generations to appreciate the importance of our local heritage,” she added.
Howard’s first day was on July 13.
Hailing from Naples, she will commute until a home is found on Sanibel as her preference is to integrate fully into the community.
Howard has lived in Southwest Florida since 2006.
CROW ANNOUNCES NEW TEAM MEMBER
The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) welcomed Jarrett Larraga as a wildlife rehabilitator.
Originally from San Diego, he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Lewis & Clark College and has built an impressive background in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.
Larraga’s experience includes work with organizations in Oregon, Maine and Costa Rica, where he ran an enrichment program and collected data using ethogram-based behavioral surveys of rehabilitated primates and parrots.
A self-described “bird nerd,” he is excited to work with Florida’s native and migratory wildlife and continue helping injured and orphaned animals return to the wild.
BANK OF THE ISLANDS TO OFFER SESSION
Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands will host a fraud, scams and identity theft session with local law enforcement on July 18 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at its River District Office in Fort Myers.
Presented by a Lee County Sheriff’s Office representative, it will entail an open discussion and question-and-answer session to help residents recognize and report scams and detect, protect and report fraud and abuse.
Seating is limited.
To RSVP or for more information, contact John Ammons at 239-466-1800.
Edison National Bank is at 2105 First St., Fort Myers.
GFMCC ANNOUNCES AWARD FINALISTS
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce (GFMCC) recently named the finalists for its 2026 Chamber Awards on July 30 at 5 p.m. at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers.
Recognizing members for their outstanding contributions to the Fort Myers community, it will feature an award ceremony to honor finalists and name honorees for their impact in several categories.
The following categories have finalists from the islands:
– Community Impact: Dr. Arie Dosoretz with Advocate Radiation Oncology; Kathryn Kelly with The Heights Foundation, and Robbie Roepstorff with Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands
– Large Business of the Year: Entech, Florida Trust Wealth Management, and Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach
Additional categories include: APEX Award, Entrepreneur of the Year, Nonprofit Excellence, Small Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Young Professional of the Year.
Gulf Coast News ABC anchor Lisa Spooner will serve as the emcee.
The event will also feature a cash-bar reception and the Chamber Foundation check presentations.
The presenting sponsor is Verizon.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.
Tickets are $150 per person and $1,350 for a table of 10.
For tickets or more information about sponsorships, visit FortMyers.org or call 239-332-2930.
The Caloosa Sound Convention Center is at 1375 Monroe St., Fort Myers.
JOHN R. WOOD HITS OVER $3B IN SALES
John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate announced that it had surpassed $3 billion in closed residential sales volume by the end of June, according to data from the Southwest Florida Multiple Listing Service (SWFLMLS).
The company reported $4.1 billion in closed sales for all of 2025. Surpassing the $3 billion mark by the end of June positions the brokerage to build upon last year’s performance.
The milestone also comes as the company reached another benchmark: for the first time, John R. Wood ranked among the top five brokerages in every market that it serves across Collier and Lee counties.
SAN CAP BANK AWARDS EMPLOYEE BONUS
For the ninth consecutive year, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank’s board of directors and executive leadership awarded a midyear bonus to employees, supported by its continued savings under the federal tax law.
The bonus serves as a tangible expression of appreciation for the dedication and contributions of the bank’s team. All employees, excluding executive management, were eligible to receive the bonus.
The bank’s workforce reflects a strong culture of stability and engagement, with an average employee tenure of over eight years. Over 65% of team members have been with the bank for five or more years; 35% have been with it for over a decade; and six employees have remained since its founding in 2003.
HM RESTAURANT GROUP PROMOTES COOK
The HM Restaurant Group has promoted Ryan Cook to the new position of leadership director.
Former general manager of the Doc Ford’s Fort Myers Beach, he has been with the company for 17 years and will now oversee management teams at HM’s six establishments in his new role.
Cook will collaborate with the general managers and their management teams at each restaurant to continue to develop and elevate employees and their skills.
The HM Restaurant Group noted that Cook has earned the respect of the teams by leading from experience, consistency and a deep understanding of the restaurants.
It added that the new role will give him the opportunity to share that experience across the locations and help the management teams continue building on the standards that define an HM restaurant.
The company manages Doc Ford’s, the Dixie Fish Company and Bonita Fish Company.