Need to catch up on business news in Southwest Florida? No problem, here are the top stories of the week, pulled from our daily newsletter, Gulfshore Business Daily.
Friday, Jan. 26
Minichiello Named Executive Chef at Sale e Pepe
Sale e Pepe at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort has named Antonio Minichiello as executive chef. Raised in the southern Italian town of Avellino, Minichiello developed a love for cooking at an early age alongside his mother and grandmother, eventually leading him to enter culinary school at age 15. After graduation, he spent many years honing his skills at acclaimed restaurants throughout Europe and the United States, including the Four Seasons in London and the two-Michelin-starred Four Seasons in Prague. Most recently, he served as executive chef at Veranda Restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas.
Thursday, Jan. 25
Harry Chapin Food Bank Maintains Top Honor
The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida has once again achieved the Platinum GuideStar Nonprofit Profile Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. The Harry Chapin Food Bank earned the accolade because of its superior transparency, financial accountability and impact. The food bank’s GuideStar profile includes in-depth financial information as well as qualitative information about its mission and goals. This information helps provide donors and funders meaningful data to evaluate the food bank. GuideStar’s database provides information on about 2.5 million organizations. For more information, visit guidestar.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 24
Reception to be Held for FGCU President
The Southwest Florida Economic Development Alliance, Horizon Council and Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce are hosting a reception for Michael Martin, president of Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the Club at Grandezza. Martin will provide a six-month recap of his time at the helm of FGCU. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased here using code “paid166.” For more information, contact Melanie Geenan at MGeenen@bandiflorida.com.
Tuesday, Jan. 23
March of Dimes Names Board of Directors
March of Dimes has announced its 2018 board of directors. They are: Chairman Gary Eskin with Eskin Business Solutions; Dean Piccirillo with HBKS Wealth Advisors; Susan Ryckman with Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida; Ryan Carter with Scotlynn USA Division Inc.; Dr. William Liu with Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida; Bryon McCartney with Be Brilliant Marketing; Josh Dorcey, Esq. with Dorcey Law Firm PLC.; Ivy Brown with Waterman Broadcasting; Jackie Chang with The Chang Group–Real Estate; Jeremy D. King, first vice president with Genesis Wealth Management, UBS Financial Services Inc.; and Lee Golden with Sanibel Captiva Community Bank.
Monday, Jan. 22
NABOR Report: Closed Sales up in 2017
Total closed home sales increased 4 percent in 2017, to 8,815 from 8,510 in 2016, and the median closed price increased 3 percent, according to the Year End 2017 Market Report released by the Naples Area Board of REALTORS® (NABOR®), which tracks home listings and sales within Collier County (excluding Marco Island). The report also showed heightened activity in the high-end market, with closed sales of homes in the $2 million and above price category skyrocketing 20 percent in 2017. There were 9,121 total pending sales in 2017, up 2 percent from 8,903 in 2016. Report analysts said above average employment rates, low inflation, positive stock market activity, and increased consumer confidence contributed to the annual results. Increasing values in market sectors with tightening inventories may emerge in 2018, Cindy Carroll, SRA of Carroll & Carroll Appraisers and Consultants LLC added. To view the entire report, visit www.NaplesArea.com.
