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Tom Hayden
Tom Hayden

EDITOR’S NOTE: In observance of Labor Day, Gulfshore Business Daily will not be published on Monday.

 

CHICO’S REPORTS Q2 NET LOSS

Chico’s FAS Inc. has announced its financial results for the fiscal 2019 second quarter ended Aug. 3. For the 13-week period, the company reported a net loss of $2.3 million, or $0.02 loss per diluted share, compared with net income of $16.8 million, or $0.13 earnings per diluted share, for the 13 weeks ended Aug. 4, 2018. For the 26 weeks ended Aug. 3, the company reported a net loss of $0.3 million, or $0.00 earnings per diluted share, compared to net income of $45.8 million, or $0.36 earnings per diluted share, for the 26 weeks ended Aug. 4, 2018.

 

COLLIER RANKED AMONG BEST PLACES FOR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Collier County has ranked No. 5 on SmartAsset’s Best Places for Employee Benefits list in Florida. The new study from the New York financial technology company measured the unemployment rate and cost of living in each county as well as the percentage of the population securing health insurance and retirement funds through their employer. Collier County was listed with an unemployment rate of 5.30%, health insurance coverage rate of 32.76%, cost of living rate of 61.20%, and retirement savings contribution of 51.97%, resulting in a Best Places for Employee Benefits Index of 43.12. Additional study details including the methodology and interactive map can be found here

 

IONA LAKES SELLS FOR $53 MILLION

Northland Investment Corp. has sold Iona Lakes in Fort Myers. JBM Institutional Multifamily Advisors facilitated the sale of Iona Lakes, totaling 350 units. The property sold for a purchase price of $53 million, or $151,429 per unit. The property was purchased by Cardone Capital, who owns 2,543 units throughout Florida. Iona Lakes was completed in 1986 and offers a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with an average unit size of 811 square feet. There is a total of 50 two-story residential buildings, one clubhouse, and one laundry building, most of which are situated around two large lakes. The amenity package includes a 24-hour laundry facility, clubhouse with WiFi and a billiards room, fitness center with cardio and weight equipment, grill area, mini golf, pet park, swimming pool and spa and a lakeside trellis. The JBM Institutional Multifamily Advisors team has listed and sold over 77,624 units within Southwest Florida, and over 157,000 units throughout Florida.

 

EARN TO LEARN FL LAUNCHES ONLINE FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM

Earn to Learn FL has launched an online platform to administer financial literacy training for students to improve their money management skills and budget for their technical training, professional certifications, or college degree programs. To qualify for financial assistance, Earn to Learn FL requires students pursuing postsecondary education to successfully complete a series of financial literacy training courses. These courses are now available online. Learning plans are customized based on each students’ skills and knowledge, and lessons progress until students demonstrate a mastery of financial concepts and the ability to be financially independent. Upon completion of required coursework, students and their families deposit up to $500 into a savings account. Earn to Learn FL’s supporters match savings at an 8-to-1 rate. Students then have access to as much as $4,500 that can be applied toward tuition, fees, books, and equipment required to complete a credentialed course of study or training. Students who remain eligible for Earn to Learn FL funding may renew financial assistance until they complete their postsecondary education.

 

VOLUNTEER FLORIDA CEO TO SPEAK AT WAKE UP NAPLES 

The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce will host Volunteer Florida CEO Clay Ingram for a conversation about volunteerism during Wake Up Naples. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 4 at the Hilton Naples, with the program beginning at 8 a.m. Attendees will learn about the important role volunteerism plays in Collier County and Florida. The event is sponsored by the United Way of Collier County. Ingram was appointed as the Volunteer Florida CEO in January 2019 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 until 2018, representing his hometown of Pensacola and surrounding areas. Prior to joining Volunteer Florida, Ingram served as the CEO of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. Register online by Sept. 2 at www.napleschamber.org/events. The cost to attend is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers and registrants at the door. A limited number of exhibitor tables are available for $125 (event admission included). For more information, contact Nikkie Dvorchak at (239) 403-2909 or nikkie@napleschamber.org.

 

HERNANDEZ APPOINTED BANK VICE PRESIDENT

Elizabeth Hernandez has been named a vice president of Charlotte State Bank & Trust, after becoming assistant vice president in January. In addition, she has been promoted from retail operations officer to branch administration manager. Hernandez is supervising the managers of all six Charlotte State Bank & Trust branch offices: Charlotte Harbor (Sara Perri), Murdock (Kim Maddy), North Port (Kelly Louke), Parkside (Jacqueline Benjamin), Peachland (Polly Johnson) and Punta Gorda (Alyson Burch). Hernandez worked in Connecticut as a customer service representative for American Airlines, the Hartford Courant newspaper and other companies prior to moving to Charlotte County in 2001. She joined Charlotte State Bank & Trust in 2003, advancing from teller to head teller in four months. She also spent time as a personal banker, bookkeeping specialist and supervisor.

 

Tom Hayden

CONRIC PR & MARKETING HIRES HAYDEN

CONRIC PR & Marketing has named Tom Hayden communications editor. Hayden will spearhead editorial content for Res Gestae, the monthly magazine of the Lee County Bar Association, as well as write and edit press releases, blogs, social media posts and more. Over his four decades as a journalist, Hayden wrote and coordinated sports and news coverage at newspapers in three states. Most recently, he was senior engagement editor at The News-Press. His journey at The News-Press also included 11 years as Cape Coral editor and five years as sports editor. He has interviewed sports legends like Muhammad Ali, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Mario Andretti. He has covered prominent sporting events like the Super Bowl, U.S. Open in golf, the Indianapolis 500, several U.S. Figure Skating Championships, as well as the Pan-American Games.

 

Zachary Bouchard

BOUCHARD JOINS VINEYARDS COUNTRY CLUB

Zachary Bouchard recently joined Vineyards Country Club as digital marketing manager. In his new position, Bouchard is responsible for developing and directing digital marketing efforts across multiple platforms, as well as digital and print content strategy, production of advertising, publicity and communications for the master-planned community. Prior to joining Vineyards Country Club, Bouchard served as vice president of business development and marketing for Naples-based KTS Custom Homes. He also served as marketing manager with Lennar Homes throughout its successful merger with WCI Communities and subsequent rebranding. Bouchard’s projects were consistently ranked among Lennar’s top five and top two of 46 divisions for all digital marketing and social media results, respectively. He has a bachelor’s degree in communications and marketing from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and an associate’s degree from Edison Community College (now Florida SouthWestern State College). Bouchard is a member of the 2019 FGCU Leadership Academy and FGCU Alumni Association.

 

CHARITABLE NOTES

Doctor’s Choice Home Care Inc. raises nearly $4,000 through internal fundraiser

Doctor’s Choice Home Care Inc. raised nearly $4,000 to benefit local charities through an internal “Core Values” fundraiser. Each Doctor’s Choice branch was given $100 to create a basket that represented and reflected the company’s core values. Raffle tickets for the baskets were sold to raise funds that were then donated to a charity of each branch’s choice. Charities that benefited from the donations include HOPE Family Services, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Mothers Helping Mothers, Project 52, Suncoast Humane Society, Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Lighthouse Ministries, St. Matthew’s House, Helping Hands, Center for Abuse Rape and Emergencies (C.A.R.E.), Alzheimer’s Foundation, Family of Roman Miller, and NU-HOPE Elder Care Services Inc.

 

FIRPTA Solutions reaches school fundraising goal with Westcor donation  

Westcor Land Title Insurance Co. donated enough school supplies to fill 24 backpacks, helping the team at FIRPTA Solutions reach its fundraising goal during the first week of its school drive for The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. Julie Lepore, director of FIRPTA Solutions, recently brought educational seminars regarding FIRPTA requirements to policy issuing agents of Westcor in three different cities. This is FIRPTA Solutions’ first community fundraising event, but the company plans to commit to the supply drive on an ongoing, annual basis. The drive will end on Aug. 30. Donations can be dropped off in FIRTA Solutions’ yellow school bus box between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays at 709 Cape Coral Pkwy. W., Cape Coral.

 

Evening at Woodhouse Day Spa supports Neighborhood Health Clinic’s efforts

The Neighborhood Health Clinic will receive funds raised during a Neighborhood Health Clinic Evening at Woodhouse Day Spa, held from 5:30–7:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at 2059 Ninth Street N., Naples. All of the $20 ticket fee will be donated directly to the clinic. Some of the activities for the evening will include chances for spa services and merchandise, complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres, and specials on all services booked during the event. Additionally, guests may enjoy mini-spa services (chair massage, reflexology, hand massage, facial demonstrations) with 100% of gratuity donated to clinic. Woodhouse Day Spa is owned by LeAnn Bridges Toth and Diana Bridges Smith.

 

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