Business Notes
CHAMBERS, FRLA TO HOLD LUNCHEON
The Greater Fort Myers and Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) will hold a joint luncheon meeting on Aug. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, at 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel.
New Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) Executive Director Pamela Johnson will present on “Tourism Today & Tomorrow — A VCB Update.” She will bring to light the fresh perspective of the county’s newest tourism industry leader.
Johnson joined the VCB team in 2015 and most recently served as deputy director. She stepped up to the new position upon former Executive Director Tamara Pigott’s retirement in July.
As deputy director, Johnson played a key role in advancing the destination’s tourism, working with the sales and marketing teams to position the area as a premier destination for leisure and business travel.
In her new role, she leads the strategic direction and operations of the VCB, oversees the investment of tourist development tax dollars, guides destination marketing and builds partnerships to strengthen Lee County’s visitor economy.
Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and she has earned the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) credential.
HBKS Wealth Advisors and Simple Social are sponsoring the luncheon.
The cost is $40 for members and $50 for non-members before Aug. 21. Afterward, it is $50 for members and $60 for non-members.
To register or for more information, visit tinyurl.com/vcblunch.
CFI CELEBRATES OPENING OF NEW OFFICE
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) recently announced the opening of its new office, located in the Pfeifer Realty and Hahn Construction office complex on Sanibel.
The new location will provide a welcoming, centrally located space where donors, nonprofit partners, professional advisors, volunteers and community members can connect with the CFI team.
CFI noted that the office reflects its continued commitment to being accessible to the community it serves, while advancing philanthropy throughout Sanibel and Captiva.
With its new office, CFI looks forward to meeting with donors, nonprofit partners, professional advisors and community members by appointment to discuss charitable giving, share the foundation’s programs and explore ways to strengthen the islands through philanthropy.
The new office is at 1630 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
SANIBEL PILATES & SPA HOSTS EVENT
Sanibel Pilates & Spa hosted a Wine and Weave Night on July 22 on Sanibel.
Local artist Marcia Chauvet walked participants through creating a paper weaving work of art that they got to take home. They also sampled two Italian wines, which are available at A Bit of Bailey’s.
SCIAR HOLDS OPEN CARAVAN, BREAKFAST
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) held its Membership Breakfast and Open Caravan on July 23 at its office on Sanibel.
The guest speaker was Captains for Clean Water co-founder Capt. Chris Wittman.
He shared the history of the nonprofit and its ongoing fight against water mismanagement. Drawing on his experience as a tournament angler and TV producer, Wittman detailed how he engages major industry brands and highlighted actionable ways that attendees can support the organization’s mission to protect and preserve Florida’s vital waterways.
Dry Zone sponsored the meeting.
FLORIDA TRUST WELCOMES GOODMAN
Florida Trust Wealth Management announced the addition of Rowen Goodman as vice president and wealth services advisor to the Sanibel-Captiva team.
He advises and provides comprehensive financial planning solutions to high-net-worth clients. His expertise is in taxable and retirement portfolios, trust structures, alternative investments, and coordinated tax and estate planning strategies.
Goodman joins the company from Rockefeller Capital Management’s Strategic Wealth Partners in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served as associate vice president and wealth manager. He was advisor to over 100 client households, covering financial planning, portfolio construction, trading and ongoing relationship management.
Goodman holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics, with a minor in business, from Florida State University.
His office is located at Florida Trust’s Sanibel location, at 2450 Periwinkle Way.
TWO JOIN BOARD FOR TRAILWAYS CAMPS
Trailways Camps announced the appointment of two individuals to its board of directors.
A Fort Myers resident, Tina Gelpi holds an extensive professional career in the occupational therapy practice, college-level teaching, and nonprofit and volunteer service. She joins the board after serving as an advisory committee member and camp session and event volunteer. Gelpi was recognized with the 2025 Volunteer of the Year at the Annual “I Am Special” Trailways Camper Reunion.
A Shell Point Retirement Community resident, Brenda Frazer holds an extensive professional health care administration career and a history of volunteer service at Shell Point and at Trailways Camp events. She served daily at the camp in May on Sanibel.
HARRISON MARKS 25 YEARS WITH BANK
Bank of the Islands Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Roepstorff and President Robbie Roepstorff surprised lead teller Heather Harrison with a celebration marking her 25th anniversary as an employee.
The bank reported that she has been a valued member of the customer service team. Harrison is the friendly face that customers — and their pets — have enjoyed visiting in the drive-thru over the years.
Because her Aug. 1 anniversary date fell on a Saturday, she was surprised with a luncheon and recognition gift on July 31.
Harrison has been a Southwest Florida resident since 1982.
She has volunteered at many island events over the years, including the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife’s (CROW) Taste of the Islands, The Sanibel School Fund’s Seahorse Festival, and the Fourth of July Parade on Sanibel, just to name a few.
SAN CAP BANK DONATES TO CAMPAIGN
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank donated $5,000 to United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades in support of its One in a Million Campaign.
The campaign was an effort to help close a critical funding gap and sustain essential programs and services throughout the region.
As a United Way supporter through employee payroll contributions and a community partner to many of its affiliated agencies, the bank was proud to answer the call to help address the organization’s funding challenges.
United Way was working to close a $1.3 million funding gap, while continuing to support 92 partner agencies and United Way-operated programs that serve over 500,000 people across the community.
CROW STAFFER ATTENDS CONFERENCE
Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) Director of Operations and Human Resources Michelle Menendez attended the 2026 Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Annual Conference in June at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
The annual event brings together HR professionals from around the world to explore leadership, employee engagement, workplace culture, compliance and artificial intelligence (AI).
Menendez shared that leadership expert Simon Sinek’s keynote address on purpose-driven workplace culture was a highlight for her. She returned with practical ideas to help strengthen CROW’s workplace, support employees, and ultimately enhance the care that it provides to Florida’s native and migratory wildlife.
Menendez attended the conference through a professional development grant awarded by the Sanibel Captiva Business Women’s Association (SCBWA).
LCEC WELCOMES DIRECTOR TO TEAM
LCEC announced the appointment of Charmaine Smith as human resources director.
She brings extensive leadership experience spanning the utility, technology, manufacturing and global business sectors. Throughout her career, Smith has led strategic initiatives that strengthen organizational culture, enhance employee engagement and align workforce strategies with business objectives.
Most recently, she served as director of human resources for the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), where she oversaw compensation and benefits, employee relations, HR systems, and workforce strategy. In the role, Smith partnered with leaders across the organization to support talent development, operational excellence and long-term workforce planning.
LCEC noted that her collaborative leadership style, commitment to professional growth, and focus on building inclusive, high-performing workplaces will help advance its mission and support the cooperative’s continued success.