Brian West
PUBLIX EXECUTIVE TO SPEAK AT PRSA LUNCHEON
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Gulf Coast Chapter will host Brian West, media and community relations manager of Publix, at its May 28 luncheon at Hilton Naples. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. and the program begins at noon. West began his career with Publix Super Markets in 1991, working in the deli kitchen. He will speak about the history of Publix, customer service and the company’s approach to public relations. The cost to attend is $30 for PRSA members, $38 for non-members, and $25 for students. Reservations must be made by May 24. For additional information or to register, visit www.gulfcoastprsa.org or click here.
NAPLES INVESTMENT FIRM AWARDED SUB-ADVISORY ROLE
Pelican Bay Capital Management has been hired to act as the investment sub-advisor for a new income fund for Regal Investment Advisors of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Pelican Bay Capital will operate this fund utilizing its Dynamic Income Allocation investment strategy that is designed for investors looking for income and wealth preservation. This strategy invests in a diversified portfolio of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) utilizing equities, bonds, preferred stocks, master limited partnerships, REITs and other global securities. Tyler Hardt will serve as portfolio manager of the fund.
FRIENDS OF ROOKERY BAY, RISING TIDE EXPLORERS PARTNER
Friends of Rookery Bay has entered into an agreement with Rising Tide Explorers to provide boat and kayak tours led by certified naturalist guides in the 110,000-acre Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve beginning May 1. Rising Tide Explorers was founded in 2016 by a group of local biologists looking to raise the bar of the outdoor recreation industry in Southwest Florida and share their passion for Florida’s ecological landscape. All guides are biologists, ecologists and/or certified master naturalists who are also certified by the American Canoe Association (ACA). A variety of kayak tours are available. Trips can be booked at www.rookerybay.org or by calling Friends of Rookery Bay at (239) 530-5972. To celebrate the new partnership, Friends of Rookery Bay is offering 10 percent off trips for the month of May when booked online at rookerybay.org.
ABWA CHAPTER MEETING UPCOMING
The ABWA Neapolitan May Chapter Meeting will be held from 6-7:45 p.m. on May 28 at Hilton Naples. Networking lasts from 5:15-5:55 p.m. Carolie Burroughs will present “Brainworks – Simple Solutions for Staying Sharp,” during the event. Burroughs is a financial advisor with Raymond James. Over the past 30 years, Burroughs has held various positions in insurance and investment management before becoming a trusted advisor. Her mission is to help people achieve the success and financial independence they desire through proper planning and mindset, according to a press release. Register here. For more information, contact Sam Black at (314) 517-0447 or sam@samblack.com.
MOSSBARGER JOINS LEADING EDGE BENEFIT ADVISORS
Leading Edge Benefit Advisors LLC has hired Kyle Mossbarger as an advisor. In this role, he is responsible for consulting with business owners and executives to develop strategic plans that effectively manage costs and compliance processes associated with employee benefits, including assessing overall business impact, future planning and risk management. Mossbarger has worked as a consultant in the IT and legal sectors for Fortune 500 companies, where he was a top-performer and earned a Circle of Excellence award. Prior to joining Leading Edge Benefit Advisors, he spent two years as a human capital management consultant with Paycor. Mossbarger earned a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational leadership from Wright State University and holds a Florida 2-15 Life, Health and Variable Annuities license. He is active in the community serving as a mentor at local schools and youth baseball camps.
VACCARIELLO GRADUATES FROM FLORIDA FELLOWS INSTITUTE
Rebecca M. Vaccariello, a Naples attorney focusing on guardianship and fiduciary litigation, has graduated from Class IV of the Florida Fellows Institute of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Vaccariello successfully completed three two-day sessions over seven months; the educational presentations on trust and estate law were taught by ACTEC Fellows. Vaccariello has been practicing law for 20 years and has been practicing in Naples since 2012. Her office is located at 780 Fifth Ave. S., Suite 200, Naples. She represents clients in guardianship proceedings and trust and estate litigation, in addition to advising fiduciaries and health surrogates in non-litigation settings. She is the current president of the Collier County Women’s Bar Association, was named 2017 Attorney of the Year by Legal Aid, and sits on the Florida Bar’s Guardianship and Probate Litigation Committees.
Lisa Davenport
DESIGN FIRM JOINS NAPLES DESIGN DISTRICT
Lisa Davenport Designs LLC has opened new studio space in the Design District of Naples. The new studio is a collaborative space within the studio currently held by designer Joan Simonsen-Hickok of Simonsen-Hickok Interiors. Simonsen-Hickok has been designing spaces for more than 50 years, with projects including the Florida governor’s mansion, a Gulfstream jet and more. Lisa Davenport, principal and lead designer of Lisa Davenport Designs LLC, has more than 25 years of experience in fine interior design. Lisa Davenport Designs and Simonsen-Hickok Interiors will host an opening reception later this spring. The studios, located at 380 10th St. S., are by appointment. For more information, visit www.lisadavenportdesigns.com.
THE SHIP STORE COMPLETES RENOVATION
The Naples Bay Resort Ship Store, located at The Marina at the Naples Bay Resort, recently underwent major renovations and upgraded its product offerings to provide added convenience to resort and marina guests. The store now includes new counters, shelving, racks and cabinetry. In addition, the store will be carrying new product inventory, including the Tommy Bahama clothing line for men, women and children. The store currently carries brands like Panama Jack, J. Valdi, Native Outfitters, and Antigua, and non-clothing items such as beach towels and select beverages. The Ship Store is in the process of adding a line of screen printed T-shirts and Yeti products.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Naples Children & Education Foundation awards $1 million-plus to Guadalupe Center
Guadalupe Center has received two grants from the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) totaling more than $1 million. The NCEF provided $524,000 to support Guadalupe Center’s early Childhood Education Program, which serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. The NCEF, founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, also awarded Guadalupe Center a $520,000 share of its “Children’s Out-of-School Time Initiative,” which will support the center’s After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Program for children in kindergarten through second grade, as well as its college-preparatory Tutor Corps Program for Immokalee High School students.
Annual VA2K event upcoming
The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (BPVAHCS) will host its ninth annual VA2K event on May 15 at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center and the Lee County Healthcare Center. The Lee County Healthcare Center event will be held from 8:30-10:30 a.m. The C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The events are being held to help raise awareness of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) commitment to ending veteran homelessness. The events also coincide with National Employee Health and Fitness Day. The VA2K is free and open to everyone. In lieu of a registration fee, participants are encouraged to bring a donation to help support homeless veterans program participants. Donation items needed include: toiletries, new clothing and shoes, backpacks, sun screen, bug repellant, and rain gear. For more information, contact Bay Pines VAHCS Occupational Health at (727) 398-6661, ext. 4225.
2019 Southwest Florida Heart Ball raises more than $500,000
The 2019 Southwest Florida Heart Ball raised more than $500,000. The 38th annual black-tie gala, held on April 6 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Estero, generated more than $207,000 through its live and silent auctions, as well as a special mission appeal held during the evening. Chaired by Jason Stephens, with auction co-chairs Shelly Church and Deanna Wallin, the 2019 Southwest Florida Heart Ball featured a “Heart of Gold” theme, with décor by the Garden District. Funds raised at the Southwest Florida Heart Ball support the American Heart Heroes program, a unique Florida program that serves local children with congenital heart defects and their families. Sponsors of the Southwest Florida Heart Ball include Presenting Sponsor UBS—The Stephens Group and Premier Sponsor Lee Health. The 2020 Southwest Florida Heart Ball will be held on March 28.
Physician Led Access Network of Collier County receives League Club grant.
Physician Led Access Network of Collier County awarded League Club grant
The League Club Inc. of Naples has awarded Physician Led Access Network of Collier County (PLAN) a 2019 grant from its community trust fund. These funds will directly support PLAN’s mission of increasing access to healthcare for uninsured residents of Collier County. PLAN serves uninsured Collier residents ages 19 to 64 who have an immediate medical need and whose individual and family income is below 200 percent of Federal Poverty Level Guidelines. The grant funds will be used to provide patient care for those who qualify.
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