‘FREE SPEECH, FREE PRESS’ FESTIVAL UPCOMING
The “Free speech. Free press. 2018 First Amendment Festival” will be held from 7-9:30 a.m. on Nov. 13 at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). The event will feature NPR’s Mara Liasson, Fox News Channel’s Phil Keating, The News-Press’ Amy Bennett Williams, the Miami Herald’s Jeff Kleinman, FGCU’s Lyn Millner, CBS News’ Alex Pena and WGCU’s Rachel Iacovone. Its four events are designed to give the public the chance to engage with journalists on the state of the freedom of the press, free speech and access to information within the U.S. Headlining the festival is NPR national political correspondent Liasson, who will speak at a free event at 7:30 a.m. in FGCU’s Cohen Center. Attendees will have the chance to meet various news reporters. Tickets are $25, with proceeds going to the FGCU Journalism Program, at .
OCEAN PRIME NAPLES NAMES EXECUTIVE CHEF
Ocean Prime Naples has hired Vladimir Trivunovic as its new executive chef. Trivunovic brings more than eight years of culinary experience to his new role. Born and raised in Serbia, Trivunovic joined Ocean Prime Naples during its opening in 2016, serving as its executive sous chef before taking on the role of executive chef. He earned a culinary arts degree at the University of Novi Sad and gained experience as a sous chef in Serbia prior to relocating to the U.S. to advance his career. Since moving to Southwest Florida, Trivunovic gained experience in country clubs, hotels, and restaurants, including Avenue 5, a fine-dining concept that previously occupied the current Ocean Prime location next to Inn on Fifth. Since taking on his new role, Trivunovic launched Ocean Prime’s seasonal lunch menu, available daily beginning at 11:30 a.m.
HENDERSON FRANKLIN WELCOMES ALLEN
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P.A. has hired attorney Madison Allen to its tort and insurance litigation department. She returns to the firm after serving as a summer associate in 2017. Allen will focus her practice in premises liability, construction litigation, personal injury defense, intellectual property and insurance coverage issues. While in law school, Allen served as chairperson for the pro bono committee and was a representative for the student bar association. Prior to joining Henderson Franklin, Allen was a legal intern in the Middle District of Florida and a law clerk at an intellectual property firm in St. Petersburg. Allen was honored as the 2017 recipient of the Lee County Association of Women Lawyer’s Scholarship. Allen was born in LaBelle and graduated from LaBelle High School in 2012 with her associates degree. She received her undergraduate degree from Florida Gulf Coast University, cum laude, in 2015, and her law degree from Stetson University College of Law, cum laude, in 2018.
FFIB EXECUTIVE NAMED PRESIDENT OF LSU GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BANKING
First Florida Integrity Bank Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer Joseph “Jody” Hudgins has been named president of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. Hudgins has been on the faculty at the banking school for the past 12 years. As president, Hudgins will lead the executive committee of the school. The committee is responsible for the budget of the school and all policies relating to the operation of the school. He will also assist all state trustees in recruitment of students. The graduate program was formed in 1950, and the school has produced more community bank CEO’s in the south than any other banking school, a press release states. Hudgins has spent more than 40 years in banking and has served as president and CEO of banks in Alabama and Florida for most of his career. As senior executive vice president and chief credit officer, Hudgins is responsible for providing leadership, direction and guidance for all loan originations, underwriting, management, asset quality and policy.
ENTREPRENEURIAL EVENT TO DEBUT IN NAPLES
1MC Naples will debut at 9 a.m. on Nov. 14 at the Naples Accelerator. The event, held during Global Entrepreneurship Week, aims to bring together Southwest Florida entrepreneurs, startups and the community Over a cup of coffee, 1 Million Cups (https://www.1millioncups.com) allows entrepreneurs and startups to present information about their businesses or ideas, get feedback and make connections with potential customers and investors. During a 1 Million Cups event, two entrepreneurs are given six minutes each to pitch an innovative idea, product or business and tell the audience how their product or service can help people. Audience members then get 20 minutes to ask questions, toss out ideas, and ask how they can help. The first event features Logiscool, a gamified computer-coding school for kids and teens that is franchising in Florida, and Marvee, a voice-first design company that specializes in building voice experiences for older adults, families and senior living, through Alexa and Google. Businesses less than 5 years old can present at 1 Million Cups by visit www.1millioncups.com/present.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Lutheran Services Florida holding toy drive for SWFL children
Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) is collecting toys at its offices in Fort Myers, Sarasota and Naples for kids who would otherwise go without this holiday season. LSF’s goal is to give at least 200 children with two toys each. The public is asked to donate new, unused toys appropriate for children age 9 and under. Dolls and miniature cars and trucks are accepted, but items like books and puzzles are preferred. Toys may be dropped off at 3661 Central Ave., Fort Myers; 3050 Horseshoe Drive, N Building, Suite 197, Naples; or the Sarasota location on weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., through Dec. 17. The toys will be distributed at a Christmas Celebration sponsored by StayWell on Dec. 22 at the LSF office in Fort Myers. Children will be able to have their picture taken with Santa Claus at the event, which will also include free haircuts, music and candy. LSF will also hold celebrations for toy distribution in their Naples and Sarasota offices. LSF is working with partners to arrange donations of bicycles for middle school children and gift cards for high school students. For more information, call Jacquie Matthews Williams at (239) 217-4453 or Jacqueline.MatthewsWilliams@LSFnet.org.
Hamilton to chair Magic Under the Mangroves
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida announces Robin Hamilton as the chair for the 2019 Magic Under the Mangroves gala. Hamilton is a long-time Conservancy supporter and member of the Magic Under the Mangroves event committee. The 2019 Magic Under the Mangroves gala is set for March 7 at the Conservancy Nature Center. The event will feature a seated dinner by award-winning, certified green caterer Windows Catering, of Washington D.C. Patron packages are available. Magic Under the Mangroves supports the Conservancy’s mission to protect the water, land, wildlife and future in Southwest Florida. For more information, call (239) 403-4200 or visit www.conservancy.org/magic.
Allyn International donates to Hope Healthcare’s bereavement camp
Each quarter at Allyn International, an employee volunteers to raise funds for a local nonprofit organization of their choice. Employee Danielle Brazil-Hudson chose to benefit Hope Healthcare’s Rainbow Trail Bereavement Camp for the third quarter of 2018. Hope Healthcare’s Rainbow Trail Bereavement Camp is a nonprofit designed to help children grieve the loss of their loved ones by providing new friendships, fun activities and specialized counseling with Hope professionals. Brazil-Hudson raised a total of $1,736.50 through various employee events, including Taco Trivia, Allyn Camp Day and a Super Bowl-themed dress-down day, from July through September. She also worked with a member of her team, Harmony Lange, a professional harpist, to put together a “Christmas in July” harp concert. While there, attendees were able to place an additional donation for baked goods that Brazil-Hudson and other team members crafted. Allyn matched the amount Brazil-Hudson raised for a total donation of $3,473. Allyn has now donated more than $150,000 to charities worldwide.
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