FORT MYERS CHAMBER LUNCHEON TO HIGHLIGHT LEE TOURISM

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce will highlight the latest updates in Lee County tourism during its luncheon held at 11:30 a.m. on May 16 at Campo Felice Retirement Living in Fort Myers. Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) Deputy Director Pamela Johnson and Marketing Director Brian Ososky will provide a tourism marketing update, sharing a behind-the-scenes look into how the VCB markets the region as a must-see destination. The program will include an overview of the VCB’s initiatives to overcome the worst red tide event that Lee County has seen in half a century, as well as its efforts moving forward. Johnson and Ososky will also showcase the VCB’s 2019 summer campaign and more. The event is sponsored by Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. Admission to the May luncheon is $25 for chamber members and $35 for nonmembers. Free parking is provided in Campo Felice’s parking garage. For more details, visit FortMyers.org or call (239) 332-3624.

Jason Davidson

OASIS SENIOR ADVISORS WELCOMES FRANCHISEES

Bonita Springs-based Oasis Senior Advisors has expanded with four new franchisees. New Clearwater franchisee Jason Davidson previously spent 20 years in the financial services industry. Ben Meyer has become the Oasis Senior Advisor serving the South Hills and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania. Annette Ahtes, the new Brandon-area franchisee, spent many years in health care as a medical supply distributor and as the owner of a health care products company that catered to seniors. Steven Moses previously worked at Walt Disney World Resort and is the new Orlando-area Oasis Senior Advisor. Oasis Senior Advisors, founded in 2014, is on GrowFL’s Companies to Watch list for its success at startup and potential for further development, according to a press release. For more information, visit oasissenioradvisors.com.

BORDERS AWARDED AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR BY NAPLES CHAMBER

Naples Network Services Co-owner Michelle Borders was recognized as an ambassador for the Naples Chamber at the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce’s Wake Up Naples event held on May 8 at Hilton Naples. The Ambassador of the Year Award is given to a person who participates in the Naples Chamber Ambassador Program that exemplifies volunteerism, and attends chamber functions, such as Ribbon Cuttings, Business After Hours, Wake Up Naples, and Accelerated Lunches. This year, Borders’ involvement in other areas of the chamber, such as The Small Business Council and Youth Leadership Collier, was also considered.

Dr. Gary Lawson

RIKAI THERAPEUTICS NAMES CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTOR

RiKai Therapeutics, a private ketamine infusion therapy practice that recently opened in Naples, has announced Dr. Gary Lawson as founder and chief medical director. He will be solely responsible for determining patients’ qualifications for this treatment, which may include their resistance to other forms of treatment for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, opioid dependence and more. Following this consultation, he will administer sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine through an IV. Lawson graduated from and completed his residency at what is now New Jersey’s Rutgers University Medical School, in addition to interning at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital in Maryland. He then joined the U.S. Navy as an anesthesiologist, ranking as lieutenant commander in the Medical Corps. After 10 years at sea, Lawson became board-certified in anesthesiology and served as chief medical officer of Moonlight Anesthesia in Fort Myers and Naples, as well as Quantum Anesthesia in Sarasota — a position he still holds today. Lawson has been published in Outpatient Surgery Magazine, and he is a member of Florida Society of Anesthesiologists, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Collier County Relief Organization and more.

NATA RECOGNIZES NAPLES AVIATION WORKERS

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) honored Naples Aviation FBO Manager Michael Hushek and Line Technician III Scott Seber with Industry Excellence Awards. Hushek received the inaugural Future Leader Award, which recognizes an individual who has shown outstanding promise, passion and professionalism within the general aviation community. Hushek oversees a 24/7 operation and manages a staff of 50. His 15-year aviation career encompasses 10 years of fixed-base operator (FBO) management. Seber received the Safety 1st Certified Line Service Professional Award, the fifth annual award that recognizes the achievements of certified line service professionals demonstrating their positive impact on safety, service, and business success. Seber has been with Naples Aviation for 20 years. Award recipients will be recognized during the June 18 Industry Excellence Awards Presentation Luncheon held in conjunction with the NATA 2019 Annual Meeting and Aviation Business Conference.

LOTUS ARCHITECTURE INC. NAMES NEW VP

Lotus Architecture Inc. has promoted A. Michael Johnson to vice president and senior supervising architect. Johnson is an award-winning architect, specializing in both custom high-end residential work as well as custom commercial projects. He has been living in Naples, Florida since 1991 and worked on projects throughout Southwest Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, Tennessee, Colorado and Bermuda.

HOLOCAUST MUSEUM APPOINTS BOARD

The Holocaust Museum and Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center elected its 2019-2020 board members and officers, effective July 1. The officers include Stephen Strome, chairman; Herb Berkeley, past chair; Maureen Lerner, development chair; Rob Nossen, treasurer; Stuart Price, vice chair; Fred Roth, vice chair; and Richard Yovanovich, secretary. The directors include Hymie Akst, Larry Baer, Goldie Bertone, Rosalee Bogo, Janet G. Cohen, Michael Feldman, Gary Lenchner, Jack Nortman, Michael Seaman, and Ashley Solomon.

Lenchner was elected to a second four-year term. Solomon joins the board as a new member. She was a vice president of the Naples International Film Festival and works with the Guardian ad Litem program. 

CHARITABLE NOTES

Guadalupe Charity Golf Classic raises more than $84,000

The sold-out fifth annual Guadalupe Charity Golf Classic raised more than $84,000 to benefit Guadalupe Center’s three educational programs serving the children of Immokalee. Held April 8 at Vineyards Country Club in Naples, the Golf Classic attracted a record 136 golfers and included lunch and 18 holes of championship golf, followed by an awards party that featured cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and a silent auction. Proceeds from the golf tournament will support Guadalupe Center’s three educational programs: Early Childhood Education, After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment, and Tutor Corps. For more information, visit https://www.guadalupecenter.org/.

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