Business notes (09/16)
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank sponsored Blessings in a Backpack packing event
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank recently sponsored a Blessings in a Backpack Southwest Florida Chapter packing event to provide weekend meals to approximately 300 students at Franklin Park Elementary School.
Twenty bank employees gathered to assemble food bags filled with nutritious, shelf-stable items for students who may otherwise face food insecurity when school is not in session. Through Blessings in a Backpack, participating students receive food to help bridge the gap between Friday’s school lunch and Monday’s school breakfast, ensuring they have access to nourishment over the weekend.
Pfeifer Realty Group’s August top producers
Greg Demaras and Tanner Miller were recognized for their outstanding performance during August 2026 by Pfeifer Realty Group.
Demaras earned two of the month’s top honors, finishing as both Top Producer and Top Selling Agent. His strong August reflects his continued commitment to his customers and his ability to successfully guide buyers and sellers through the Southwest Florida real estate market.
Miller was named Top Listing Agent for August, recognizing his success in helping property owners bring their homes to market and positioning them for a successful sale.
Market Smarter with AI
The AI marketing conversation continues with a hands-on workshop presented by Florida Gulf Coast University’s AIN Technology & Design Hub and powered by the Charitable Foundation of the Islands.
Local business owners, nonprofit leaders, marketing teams, and professionals are invited to join the workshop on Friday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon for a practical and engaging session focused on using AI in marketing and communications.
Participants will explore useful tools and ideas to help organizations, save time on everyday marketing tasks; strengthen messaging and written communications; develop content more efficiently; connect more effectively with customers, donors, supporters, and community members and use AI with greater confidence in business and nonprofit settings
The workshop is made possible through a partnership with the Sanibel-Captiva Island Association of REALTORS and support from the Community Impact Fund.
To register, visit https://www.charitablefoundationoftheislands.org/nonprofitresources.
Greater Fort Myers and Sanibel-Captiva Chamber hires chief membership officer
As the Greater Fort Myers and Sanibel-Captiva Chamber hires Andy Wood as chief membership officer.
Wood, a 2012 graduate from Kent State University, Ohio, in sports administration, worked as chamber director of sales from April 2021 to May 2022, following administrational positions with sports teams, including the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. He returns to chamber staff from his most recent work as an account executive in advertising sales at Comcast Advertising. Before and after his previous position with the chamber, he served a total of six years as ambassador.
Wood said he is committed not only to member recruitment, but to making sure the current members are happy and seeing the success that they hope they do with the additional opportunities the chambers are providing by coming together.
Anyone interested in contacting him about membership or the chamber can reach him at Andy@fortmyers.org.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank hires Smith
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has added Keshawn Smith as teller and customer service representative at the bank’s Bridge Branch, located at 9311 College Parkway in Fort Myers. In this role, Smith is responsible for processing customer transactions, assisting with account inquiries and providing high-quality service to customers.
Smith brings a background in operations, logistics and financial administration, with experience in process improvement, financial management and customer relationship-building.
Founded in 2003, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has nine locations open throughout Lee County. To learn more, visit sancapbank.com.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank sponsors 36th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is proud to announce its $5,000 gold sponsorship of the 36th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship taking place Nov. 19-23 at DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach.
The championship event showcases the talents of world-class master sand sculptors, including an advanced amateur state championship and an amateur contest. The event also features shopping, children’s activities, food and live music, and is pet-friendly. To purchase tickets and learn more about the event, visit fmbsandsculpting.com.
Kingfisher names top agents for July
Sue Plein was named the top selling agent and Kersten Royal Cap was named the top listing agent for the month of July for Kingfisher Real Estate, Inc.
With more than 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, Plein brings knowledge and expertise to clients seeking waterfront and coastal luxury homes. She began her career as a licensed mortgage broker on the islands, and has earned certifications as a Sanibel-Captiva Island Specialist and in Second Home Resort Properties. A portion of every closing goes toward supporting CROW, a wildlife rehabilitation organization, and Special Equestrians, a cause close to her heart.
Royal Cap is a fifth generation Southwest Florida local and fourth generation realtor specializing in luxury, waterfront, and historic properties across Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers, and the surrounding coastal markets. She has more than $50 million in career sales, and is known for blending deep local roots with a strategic, data-driven approach that positions her clients for success in every market.
CareerTech Ribbon Cutting
Periwinkle Park was proud to be part of the ribbon cutting for the Heights CareerTech Institute, an important new project from the Heights Foundation.
The institute will help create new opportunities for students while strengthening the future workforce of Southwest Florida. The celebration brought together community leaders, business owners and friends in support of this exciting milestone.
Periwinkle Park is honored to celebrate initiatives that invest in local students, expand career pathways, and help build a stronger community.
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of REALTORS hosts membership breakfast caravan
The Sanibel Captiva Islands Association of REALTORS hosted its Membership Breakfast and Caravan on Thursday, Aug. 27, featuring Jeff Decker, Philanthropic Director of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, as the guest speaker.
Attendees gathered to learn about the nonprofit organization’s ongoing conservation efforts, land preservation initiatives, and community environmental education programs supporting the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
The well-attended event provided valuable insight into local wildlife preservation and was generously sponsored by Trademark Roofing.
Benchmark General Contractors breaks ground on 14-unit Gulf Beach Condominium
Benchmark General Contractors broke ground Sept. 4 on Gulf Beach Condominium, a $6.5 million, 14-unit residential condominium building at 527 E. Gulf Drive on Sanibel Island. The project, awarded by Gulf Beach Condominium Association in April 2026, marks another significant milestone in the ongoing rebuilding of Sanibel following Hurricane Ian.
The new building will replace the original Gulf Beach Condominium, which sustained catastrophic damage when Hurricane Ian struck Southwest Florida in September 2022. Benchmark is rebuilding the structure to its original design while bringing it into compliance with current flood regulations and updated resilient building codes. It’s an approach that preserves the character of the property while equipping it to withstand future storms.
The 28,542-square-foot development will rise two stories above parking on a single building footprint and will offer residential condominium living for full-time and seasonal residents. Amenities will include a pool and a dune crossover ramp, providing direct beach access for residents. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2027.
“It’s been four whole years since the storm, and it’s amazing how long it takes for everything to come back. These are homeowners who have been out of their homes for the last four years, so the chance to finally start bringing it back is great,” said Ryan Johnson, vice president of commercial construction at Benchmark General Contractors. “This project marks our 160th project on the island since Hurricane Ian. Our own office was five feet underwater from the storm, so we’re part of this community, too. It’s a significant milestone in being able to help bring this community back stronger than it was before.”
The groundbreaking ceremony drew city officials, business leaders and members of the Gulf Beach Condominium Association. Johnson welcomed guests, followed by remarks from Sanibel Mayor Mike Miller and John Lai, president of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce and Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.
“Every time we come out to a groundbreaking or ribbon cutting here on Sanibel and Captiva, we feel a weightiness that has existed since Hurricane Ian — but this is a weight lifted, as opposed to a weight placed on,” Lai said. “We’re at the last 25% of recovery. We know it’s the hardest 25%, but that’s the percent where we see all the brand-new buildings coming out of the ground. The flora and the fauna were the first to come back, and now the buildings like Gulf Beach are brand new, beautiful and state of the art.”
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank serves as corporate sponsor of Generosity Breakfast
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is the exclusive corporate sponsor of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands’ Generosity Breakfast taking place Monday, Nov. 16, at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel.
Held on National Philanthropy Day, the event brings together island residents, business leaders and nonprofit organizations to celebrate the spirit of generosity that helps strengthen Sanibel and Captiva. Proceeds from the breakfast will support the Charitable Foundation of the Islands’ Community Impact Fund.
“Generosity has always been one of the qualities that makes our island community so special,” said Kyle DeCicco, president and CEO of Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. “As the corporate sponsor of the Generosity Breakfast, we’re proud to support an event that celebrates the individuals, businesses and nonprofits who give their time, talents and resources to help our community thrive. It’s an honor to partner with the Charitable Foundation of the Islands in recognizing and inspiring that spirit of giving.”
The event will feature keynote speaker Lynne Wester, the Generosity Champions Awards and stories of impact from CFI’s 2026 Community Impact Fund grantees. The event is designed to inspire giving, foster connections and celebrate the collective impact of local philanthropy.
Breakfast begins at 8 a.m., with the program running from 9 to 11 a.m. Individual tickets are $225 and a table of eight is $2,000. Tickets are available for purchase at charitablefoundationoftheislands.org.
Marina at Bonita Fish Company adds shore power for vessels leasing slips
The Marina at Bonita Fish Company, managed by HM Restaurant Group, has added shore power for vessels leasing slips at the marina and is now pre-leasing for November.
Located on Fisherman’s Wharf on Fort Myers Beach, the 30-slip deep-water marina offers direct Gulf access and accommodates vessels up to 100 feet and provides long and short-term rentals, including overnight availability. It has 20- to 50-amp shore power and freshwater hookups, dockside pump-out service and wide stable floating docks with cleats and bumpers for secure tie-ups. The facility also offers slips for day boaters visiting any of the three HM Restaurant Group restaurants along the wharf. A fuel dock is located nearby.
Rentals are available through bonitafishco.com/marina and the Dockwa app. Boaters who sign a slip lease with a Nov. 1 start date will receive their first month free.
Bonita Fish Company is thinking pink this September with a specialty cocktail benefiting Cancer Alliance Network, a Southwest Florida nonprofit providing financial assistance and support to individuals and families facing cancer.
Throughout September, Bonita Fish Company will donate $1 from every Pink Lady cocktail sold to Cancer Alliance Network, also known as CAN. The specialty drink features Wicked Dolphin Pineapple Rum and amaretto liqueur, along with orange and pineapple juices, raspberry puree and coconut cream.
Proceeds will help CAN provide financial assistance and other resources to local cancer patients and their families during treatment.
Bonita Fish Company is also partnering with CAN on two upcoming events at the restaurant, giving the community additional ways to support the organization. Those include Sunrise Yoga, Sept. 19 and a Beach Walk & Brunch, on Oct. 3.
Registration and additional information for the events are available through SoulBody Studios at soulbodystudios.com/schedule-events.