CHANGES AT WHITNEY
>>Ronald Simon has resigned from the Whitney Information Network Inc. board of directors. Meanwhile, two new independent directors have been named. They are Steven C. Barre and Wallace L. Timmeny. Barre, 48, was the senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of Jacuzzi Brands Inc. from September 2001 until February 2007, when the company was sold to Apollo Management LLC, a private equity firm. Timmeny, 70, was a securities attorney in private practice from 1979 to 2007, most recently as a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Dechert LLP, until his retirement from the law firm in April. The appointments complete a recommendation by a special committee of the board to appoint three independent directors. Murray A. Indick was added on Nov. 21. The company’s board of directors established the committee of independent directors to conduct an internal investigation of the activities that had been the subject of a government investigation. The matter was settled in January.

$6.3 MILLION DEAL
>>Shaw Aero Realty Corp., which is relocating from Naples, has purchased a property in Bonita Springs for $6.33 million. The transaction, arranged by Randal L. Mercer of CB Richard Ellis Fort Myers-Naples, involved the purchase of a 5.98-acre, 50,665-square-foot building from Noland Properties Inc. The property is at 25190 Bernwood Drive in the Bernwood Business Park.

MARINE CENTER
>>J.L. Wallace Inc. has been awarded a contract to build two 13,000-square-foot buildings for Sportboats Marine Inc., a marine retailer at 11250 Summerlin Square Drive in Fort Myers. One building will be used for boat displays and sales and the other for service. A canvas shop will also be included in the service building.

MORTGAGE LENDING
>>Element Funding, a residential housing lender, has formed a partnership with John R. Wood Realtors. The joint-venture mortgage company, SouthView Mortgage Partners, will serve the Wood customers. Element Funding, headquartered in Atlanta, has offices in Georgia and Florida, including the Bonita Springs/Naples market.

PARADE OF HOMES
>>The Lee Building Industry Association’s Parade of Homes will be held March 7 to 16. The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. This year’s event features 55 new models ranging in price from the $150,000s to more than $5 million. The listing of parade models, including floor plans, maps and directions, are available on the BIA website, www.bia.net, and in the Gulfshore Life Homebuyer magazine, which can be obtained free of charge in locations throughout Southwest Florida and at participating models. There is no cost to attend the Parade of Homes.

INTERIOR DESIGN
>>Boran Craig Barber Engel Construction Co. Inc. (BCBE) (www.bcbe.com) has opened a new division dedicated to commercial and residential interior finishing and remodeling. Interiors by BCBE will offer a full range of services, from painting and trim work to cabinetry and garage additions. The 36-year-old, Naples-based company has built 141 condominium towers in Southwest Florida, including two recently completed high-rises for The Lutgert Companies’ Aria on Park Shore and Esperia South in Bonita Bay.

HAPPY 25
>>Habitat for Humanity of Lee County recently celebrated 25 years in the community with a dinner celebration at Harborside Event Center. The CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, Jonathan Reckford, presented the keynote address to a crowd of more than 450 guests. Reckford recognized Lee County for leading Habitat affiliates nationwide by building more than 650 homes overseas as well as producing more than 100 homes a year in Lee County.

BANK BRANCH
>>Riverside Bank of the Gulf Coast celebrated the grand opening of its newest branch in Golden Gate on Friday. Located at 5247 Golden Gate Parkway, this new facility is the company’s first freestanding location in Naples. Currently, Riverside Bank operates a branch inside of Wal-Mart off Collier Boulevard. Toby Buerger will serve as branch manager.

NEW MARKETS
>>Fort Myers-based Herocare (www.herocare.org) has launched 23 new markets across the country. The nonprofit organization assists both retired and active public servants achieve home ownership and financial security.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
>>Jamie M. Pirrello, CEO of Fort Myers-based Vision Homes USA (www.visionhomesusa.com), will be a featured speaker at Hanley Wood’s 2008 Presidential Seminar on April 3 in Aspen, Colo. The seminar, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is for homebuilding presidents and CEOs. It will focus on “The Road to Recovery,” featuring strategies for achieving success during the industry-wide downturn.

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