TGRF INCOME UP IN Q2
TGR Financial Inc. (TGRF), the holding company for First Florida Integrity Bank, has reported a second-quarter net income of $3.6 million for the three months ended June 30, up $1.4 million compared to the three months ended June 30. Net earnings improved to $3.6 million or $0.19 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, resulting in a 64 percent increase over the second quarter of 2017. Common shares of TGRF closed on July 24 at $12.50.
FLORIDA COMMUNITY BANK OWNER AND SYNOVUS ENTER MERGER AGREEMENT
Synovus Financial Corp. and FCB Financial Holdings Inc. have jointly announced their entry into a definitive merger agreement under which Synovus will acquire FCB Financial Holdings Inc., owner of Florida Community Bank (FCB), which has branches in Southwest Florida. With the addition of FCB, Synovus will become a top five regional bank by deposits in the Southeast region with pro forma $36 billion in deposits and $44 billion in assets. The transaction is expected to close by the first quarter of 2019. Following the closing, FCB will merge with Synovus Bank and operate under the Synovus brand, and FCB Financial Holdings President and CEO Kent Ellert will be executive vice president of Synovus and Florida market president. Under the terms of the merger agreement, FCB shareholders will receive a fixed ratio of 1.055 shares of Synovus common stock for each common share of FCB in an all-stock transaction. Based on Synovus’ closing share price on July 23, the transaction is valued at $58.15 per FCB share or $2.9 billion in aggregate. Following completion of the merger, former FCB shareholders will own approximately 30 percent of the combined company. In addition, based on the exchange ratio, Synovus' most recent quarterly dividend translates to a pro forma annualized dividend of $1.06 per FCB share. The transaction is expected to be tax free to FCB shareholders.
VOGELSANG NAMED FAMILY LAW DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A. attorney Beth Vogelsang is the new chair of the firm’s family law department, a role that David Sims has held since 2005. With more than 30 years of experience in the courtroom, Vogelsang represents clients in all aspects of divorce proceedings. Her clients include business owners, professional athletes, physicians, lawyers, teachers, managers, homemakers and retirees. Vogelsang also represents clients needing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and handles international and interstate child custody disputes. She is also a former member of Henderson Franklin’s executive committee. Vogelsang has been honored by Florida Super Lawyers magazine and was named one of the Top 50 Women Attorneys in Florida. In addition, she has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America and was named the "Fort Myers Family Law Lawyer of the Year" in 2015 and 2017. She also holds the highest AV rating by Martindale Hubbell. Vogelsang received her undergraduate degree from Pepperdine University and her law degree from the University of Miami School of Law.
SUNTER ACCEPTED TO ACTEC PROGRAM
Will W. Sunter, partner at Farr Law Firm, has been selected for the 2018-19 class of the Florida Fellows Institute by the Florida Fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). The program is designed to develop trusts and estates attorneys to become future leaders of the profession. Sunter received his Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Stetson University College of Law and his Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Florida. Sunter has been with Farr Law Firm since 2004 and practices in the areas of litigation with an emphasis on civil, real property and probate matters as well as guardianship.
BONITA BEACH ACCESS, BONITA BEACH PARK CLOSE BRIEFLY
Bonita Beach Access No. 1, located just north of Bonita Beach Park, will be closed temporarily from July 30 through Aug. 1, for routine parking lot maintenance. The access will reopen at 7 a.m. on Aug. 2, weather permitting. Bonita Beach Park will be closed temporarily from Aug. 2-3, for routine parking lot maintenance. The park will reopen at 7 a.m. on Aug. 4, weather permitting. Alternate locations for Bonita beach parking are Bonita Beach Access No. 2 through No. 9, located along Hickory Boulevard, Bonita Springs; or Little Hickory Island Beach Park. For more information, visit www.leeparks.org, call (239) 533-7275 or email leeparks@leegov.com.
NOYES JOINS SEMINOLE GULF ROADWAY, FLORIDA FREEZER
Dan N. Noyes has joined the Seminole Gulf Railway and Florida Freezer as vice president—third-party logistics sales and marketing. Based in Fort Myers, Seminole Gulf Railway is the freight railroad serving all of Southwest Florida from Sarasota to Naples, while Florida Freezer is a cold storage warehousing and transportation company with operations in North Fort Myers, Miami and Lakeland. Noyes has more than 20 years of proven success in sales, account management, customer service and business development, most recently at R&L Global Logistics. Noyes will be responsible for third-party logistics (warehousing and trucking) development, client satisfaction, and guiding the 30-year-old railroad and warehousing companies toward new revenue opportunities.
LEADERSHIP NEXT EVENT HELD AT HAMMOND STADIUM
Leadership NEXT, a monthly program for advancing business leaders, will host a session and networking opportunity from 5-7 p.m. on Aug. 14 in Suites 3 and 4 of held in the upper-level suites three and four of the Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Sponsored by Tortuga Capital, the program will be led by Chris Peters, the Miracle’s new president and general manager. Peters will cover his love for the game and sports management, review his first season with the Miracle and share upcoming partnership opportunities. The program will conclude with a networking session that features light snacks and prize drawings. Following the program, Leadership NEXT attendees can enjoy free admission to the Fort Myers Miracle’s 7 p.m. game against the Charlotte Stone Crabs. It will be Miracle’s Christmas in August promotion, when guests are encouraged to come dressed in their most festive holiday attire. It’s also Two-for-One Tuesday, which offers 2two-for-one tacos, domestic draft beer and fountain soda. Leadership NEXT is free to attend for members of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and $10 for nonmembers. Stadium parking for the August program is $5. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance at fortmyers.org.
Charitable Notes
Charity Clay Shoot returns in November
Lee BIA Builders Care has opened registration for its second annual Charity Clay Shoot, beginning at 9 a.m. on Nov. 30 at Bermont Shooting Club. The tournament will begin at 10 a.m. and individual shooters and teams will navigate a 14-station course. Participants will receive a barbecue luncheon at 1 p.m., featuring live music, prize drawings and an awards ceremony to name the top individuals and teams. Proceeds from the event will support Lee BIA Builders Care, the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA), and its efforts to provide emergency home repairs and construction services at no cost to elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged people who are unable to obtain home repairs through traditional means. The entry cost is $200 for individual shooters and $650 for a four-person shooting team, and both options include lunch. Cart rentals are an additional $50. Shooters may bring their own ammunition or purchase ammo at the event. Sponsorships are still available. For more information, contact Lee BIA Builders Care at (239) 938-0056 or BuildersCare@bia.net.
Mothers invited to join Lee Health for the Global Big Latch On
Lee Health is once again inviting mothers to participate in the Global Big Latch On to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and need for global support. The annual event is held during World Breastfeeding Week in various locations around the world. This year, Lee Health’s Global Big Latch On events will take place at 10 a.m. on Aug. 3 at the Healthy Life Center in Cape Coral and 10 a.m. on Aug. 4 at the Healthy Life Center in Estero. There will also be Mommy and Me Yoga held from 9-10 a.m. before the Estero event; registration is required at (239) 495-4475.
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