Business Notes
SCIAR HOLDS OPEN CARAVAN MEETING
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) held its Open Caravan Meeting on Aug. 13 at its office on Sanibel.
The guest speaker was Susan Andrews.
Part of SCIAR’s Broker Tips & Tales Series, she shared valuable lessons, real-world stories and strategic market insights drawn from her career as an experienced broker.
The event offered a morning of networking and industry updates.
CFI, FGCU PRESENT AI WORKSHOP
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) and Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) Ain Technology & Design Hub hosted an artificial intelligence (AI) workshop on July 20 at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) on Sanibel.
The first session in the AI series brought together nonprofit leaders, business professionals and community members for practical ideas, conversation and new ways to put AI to work.
In addition, an optional AI Deep Dive was offered afterward for attendees who wanted personalized assistance with specific AI questions, projects or challenges.
CFI extended a thank you to everyone who took part.
It also expressed its gratitude to FGCU’s Ain Technology & Design Hub for sharing its expertise and leading an engaging, approachable session.
The series is made possible through CFI’s Community Impact Fund.
PFEIFER REALTY WELCOMES TEAM MEMBER
The Pfeifer Realty Group announced that island Realtor Teresa Baker has joined its team.
With nearly 20 years of real estate experience and four decades as a Sanibel resident, she brings extensive local knowledge and a strong reputation for exceptional client service.
Baker moved to the island with her family in 1986.
She earned her Florida Real Estate License in 2006. Baker has since earned the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist designation and the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) designation. She obtained her Broker’s license in 2016.
Baker spent the majority of her real estate career with VIP Realty Sanibel and Captiva, where she consistently ranked among the firm’s top-producing agents. She earned membership in both the Chairman’s Club and President’s Club and was named VIP Realty’s Associate of the Year in 2022.
CURRAN YOUNG RECOGNIZED FOR PROJECT
Curran Young Construction reported that it received a Grand Aurora Award for Best Commercial Project for the Beach House at South Seas on Captiva.
Presented at the Southeast Building Conference’s (SEBC) 2026 Aurora Awards Gala on July 31 in Orlando, the awards recognize the top projects in their categories among entries from across the southeastern United States.
The Beach House is a 6,667-square-foot beachfront restaurant that serves as a signature, resort dining destination. The project blends resilient coastal construction with an open-air guest experience.
Built with concrete masonry walls, concrete slabs and a metal roof designed to withstand harsh coastal conditions, the restaurant features porcelain tile flooring, exposed ceilings and four oversized bifold doors that open to a Gulf-front patio. Natural wood accents and coastal-inspired finishes create a relaxed atmosphere while maximizing panoramic beachfront views from nearly every table.
The Aurora Awards are presented annually by the Florida Home Builders Association. Established in 1979, the program recognizes excellence in construction, architecture, design, remodeling, development and marketing throughout the southeastern United States.
FPHRA ELECTS CITY STAFFER AS PRESIDENT
The city of Sanibel announced that Human Resources Director Crystal Mansell has been elected president of the Florida Public Human Resources Association (FPHRA).
It is a statewide professional organization serving public-sector human resources professionals.
As president, she will lead FPHRA’s executive board and support professional development, certification, information sharing and collaboration among human resources professionals serving Florida’s cities, counties and other public-sector agencies.
Mansell has served as human resources director since 2021 and has more than 25 years of public-sector experience. She joined the city in 2001 and has held several positions during her tenure, including human resources generalist and human resources & risk management director.
Mansell previously served as FPHRA’s president-elect and a member of its executive board.
She holds the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) designation, FPHRA Public Human Resources Professional (PHRP) certification and Florida Public Employer Labor Relations Association Labor Relations Professional (FLRP) certification.
Mansell earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration, with human resources management certification, from Barry University.
Throughout her career, she has also been recognized for her professional accomplishments, public service, and contributions to the city and broader community.