SUN COUNTRY AIRLINES ANNOUNCES NEW SERVICE
Sun Country Airlines has added a seasonal route to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers. Flights are on sale now to Sun Country Rewards members at www.suncountry.com with fares starting at $59 one-way. To join the rewards program, visit www.suncountry.com/rewards. Nonstop service to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) starts July 19 and operates two times per week on Monday and Friday.
KISSINGER ACCEPTED TO LEADERSHIP FLORIDA CORNERSTONE PROGRAM
Steven Kissinger, chief operating officer of k, has been selected to the Leadership Florida Cornerstone Program. Through the Cornerstone class, leaders participate in an educational program about issues critical to Florida, along with leadership skills assessment and training, and relevant information on Florida’s history, demography, diversities and opportunities. Participants are selected based on commitment, motivation, and interest in serving Florida and a concern for Florida’s welfare, demonstrated by past community and statewide activities. Kissinger brings nearly 20 years of service to the local nonprofit community. Before joining Meals of Hope, the largest food pantry provider in Southwest Florida, he previously served as executive director of The Immokalee Foundation and chief financial officer of Children’s Advocacy Center of Collier County. Kissinger received degrees from University of Florida and Florida Gulf Coast University.
PUBLIC RELATIONS LUNCHEON UPCOMING
The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) will host its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 9 at the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center in Fort Myers. The event will include information on measuring and interpreting public relations data, from research and numbers, to post-event evaluation. Angela Bell, associate partner with Gravina, Smith, Matte and Arnold Marketing and Public Relations, will be the featured speaker at the luncheon. Bell will discuss examples of quantitative strategies and give take-aways from her own experiences. Also joining the event is Mike Haley, founder and president of M&M Multimedia, who will provide some tips and tools on how to measure and report the success of a campaign. Cost is $30 for FPRA members, $40 for future members and $25 for students. Register for the luncheon at www.fpraswfl.org.
J R Philp
GREATER NAPLES LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCES BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Greater Naples Leadership (GNL) has announced its 2019-2020 slate of board officers and directors elected during the GNL annual meeting on March 21. The nonprofit’s newly elected board assumed office on May 1. Officers include president J R Philp; president-elect, Linda Penniman; secretary, Loreen Sellitto; treasurer, Shelley Rhoads Perry; assistant treasurer; Doug Draeseke; and immediate past president Jean Foster. Directors include Ricki Baker; Maria Dines; Jackie Faffer; Jeremy Farmer; Sandie Fleming; Jerry Godshaw; Bill Hogan; Barbara Hurt-Simmons; Mary Beth Jones; John Mancuso; Donna Messer; Ruth Seydel; Mark Schwab; Beth Stein; Stephen Teaford; Gunther Winkler; and Betsy Wolf Maher.
FPA HOSTS PHILANTHROPY ON TAP
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) of SW Florida will host “Philanthropy on Tap,” a free networking event for all professionals in the SW Florida financial services industry, from 4:30-6 p.m. on July 10 at the Collaboratory in downtown Fort Myers. In partnership with the SW Florida Community Foundation, guests will take a short tour of the state-of the-art facility, learn about the foundation’s work as well as how it partners with planners to meet the needs of its clients. Following the tour, guests will enjoy networking, craft beer, drinks and appetizers. Registration is required at www.fpa-swfl.org.
Dave Cato
CATO JOINS SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLORIDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dave Cato, chief administrative officer of outpatient services for Lee Health, will join the Special Olympics Florida board of directors. Cato has previously volunteered as a clinical director with Special Olympics Florida. In 2018, Cato was awarded the Golisano Health Leadership Award, Special Olympics’ highest honor for health partners and health care professionals. He was recognized for his extraordinary efforts and dedication to improving the health of people with intellectual disabilities and advancing Special Olympics’ movement and vision towards inclusive health, a press release states. In addition to his role at Lee Health, Cato serves on the leadership team of the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Florida Physical Therapy Association.
Dr. Anais Aurora Badia
BADIA RECOGNIZED BY VASCULITIS FOUNDATION
The founder and chief medical officer of Florida Skin Center, Dr. Anais Aurora Badia, has received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Vasculitis Foundation’s 2019 Recognizing Excellence in Diagnostics (RED) Program. The RED program celebrates medical professionals who make a quick diagnosis of vasculitis, potentially prompting a life-saving result. In this case, Badia’s vasculitis patient nominated her, following the service she received at Florida Skin Center’s Cape Coral office. Badia shares a certificate of this kind with medical professionals throughout the U.S. and around the word. The Vasculitis Foundation was inspired to develop the RED program in 2011 after the diagnosis of a board member’s son, according to a press release.
CHARITABLE NOTES
The Immokalee Foundation receives The League Club grant
The Immokalee Foundation recently received a $14,800 grant from The League Club that will help 1,300 Immokalee students in various foundation programs. The Community Trust Fund of The League Club Inc. awarded $343,743 to 35 area charities during an April 4 event made on behalf of its 600 members, and enabled The Immokalee Foundation to purchase 46 laptop computers and rechargeable storage for the computer lab used by sixth-grade and post-secondary students. These students will use the laptops at the foundation offices in lessons and exercises that serve its programs’ goals. For more information, visit https://immokaleefoundation.org.
Golf to Give a Wish to benefit Make-A-Wish Southern Florida
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida will benefit from the inaugural “Golf to Give a Wish” golf tournament, held on Aug. 17 at Tiburón Golf Club. The event is being organized by two members of the Make-A-Wish SWFL Youth Leadership committee, Lauren and Grant Juda. The fundraiser will include a continental breakfast, lunch and a raffle, as well as putting and hole-in-one challenges. Admission is $150 per player, with sponsorship opportunities still available. Click here to register. For more information, call (239) 992-9474 ext. 24 or email esumpmann@sfla.wish.org.
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