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, April 27
FSW Foundation Names CFO
Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) Foundation has appointed Dr. Ami Desamours as chief financial officer. In this role, she is responsible for operations of the foundation’s budget, financial accounting and procurement, as well as communication to all stakeholders regarding how funds are used, and impact of funds donated to the Foundation. Desamours has more than 15 years of nonprofit financial leadership experience in Southwest Florida. Prior to joining FSW, she was the CFO of School District of Lee County. Desamours earned her bachelor of science and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Florida. She then earned her doctor of education from Nova Southeastern University.
Thursday, April 26
Cape Coral EDO Launches BizWalks
Cape Coral has launched Cape Coral EDO BizWalks, held from 9 a.m. to noon on the third Wednesday of each month, to connect the Cape Coral Economic Development Office and partner agencies with local businesses to hear first-hand successes and challenges and share local resources. The new Cape Coral EDO initiative-based program is based on proven best practices from the International Economic Development Council and designed to help the city and partners get a pulse on local businesses. The EDO team has partnered with the Cape Coral Community Development Department, Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce, CareerSource Southwest Florida and the Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University. The goal of this initiative is to visit local businesses on their turf, make them aware of free resources that are available to them, and hear first-hand experiences. Each walk concentrates on specific hubs and target industries. Cape Coral EDO BizWalks are coordinated by Nita Whaley at (239) 574-0443.
Wednesday, April 25
Hoffmann Family Buys The Bevy
The Hoffmann family has expanded its ongoing investments in Naples with the purchase of a popular restaurant. The recent acquisition comes on the heels of three additional local business acquisitions. The family recently closed on Sunmaster of Naples, Adelheidi’s Organic Sweets, and Naples Princess Cruises. The Bevy, located just off of Third Street South in the heart of old Naples, is the newest business purchased by Osprey Capital, LLC, the private family office for the Hoffmanns. Hoffmann Commercial Real Estate, an Osprey Capital company, is the largest owner of commercial real estate in Naples with more than 20 properties valued in excess of $300 million. David Hoffmann and his wife, Jerri, are both immersed in civic and philanthropic activities in the community. Jerri serves on the Fifth Avenue South BID board of directors and Sugden Community Theatre board of directors, and is a trustee of the Naples Children & Education Foundation. David is a director at the Artis—Naples and also a trustee at the Naples Children & Education Foundation.
Tuesday, April 24
Survey Responses Requested from Tech Employers
The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership (RTP) and CareerSource Southwest Florida request the assistance of employers who utilize technology in Lee, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte and Glades counties to complete their Information Technology Skills Gap Survey. Career Source Southwest Florida has recently been awarded a grant to identify gaps in technology-related certifications and provide technology-related training and testing in Southwest Florida. Businesses participating in the survey will help identify the types of technology training and certifications needed by their current and future employees. The grant includes funding for training and testing for both employed and unemployed technology professionals, as well as end-user training resulting in certifications. Certifications will be offered in 2018 and will be available to workers in the aforementioned counties. To participate in the survey, go to swfrtp.org. Completion of this survey does not guarantee access to funding to survey participants. For questions regarding the grant and funding of information technology-related training, contact Peg Elmore at pelmore@careersourcesouthwestflorida.com. Questions regarding the survey may be submitted to Tina LaFreniere at tinalafreniere@swfrtp.org.
Monday, April 23
Chrysalis Awardees Celebrated
The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) and the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce honored six local individuals and businesses with Chrysalis Awards at the Celebration of Business & Tourism Awards Luncheon and Trade Show held April 19 at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village. The event celebrates the successful collaboration between tourism and the community to maintain and enhance tourism as the major economic engine for Lee County. The 2018 Chrysalis honorees were: Business Development: Sanibel Captiva Community Bank; Cultural Achievement: Alliance for the Arts; Eco-Innovation: Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW); Education: The Laboratory Theater of Florida; Sales & Marketing: HelloSWFL; and BusinessTourism Leader: Courtney Fraser/Eat Local Lee. The 19 businesses and four individuals nominated for Chrysalis Awards were judged on innovation in their respective category. The judges also focused on how the nominees distinguished themselves in the community, the results of their efforts to promote the destination and their contributions to business and tourism partnerships for the overall benefit of the county. Tourism brings an estimated $3 billion annually into the local economy and accounts for one in five jobs in Lee County.
Q1 Income Reports
Allegiant Travel Co. Earnings up
Allegiant Travel Co. has reported its financial results for the first quarter 2018. The company received a net income of $55.2 million in the three months ended March 31, up 30.9 percent from $42.2 million during the same period last year. Dividends of $0.70 per share will be paid on June 1 to shareholders of record as of May 18. Allegiant recently hosted a conference call with analysts to discuss its first quarter 2018 financial results. A live broadcast of the conference call is available via the company’s investor relations website homepage at http://ir.allegiantair.com.
TGR Financial Inc. Earnings up
TGR Financial Inc. (TGRF), the holding company for First Florida Integrity Bank, has released its first quarter 2018 results. Common shares of TGRF closed yesterday at $11.85. Net income for the quarter was $3.2 million compared with $1.8 million for the first quarter 2017. Net interest income increased by $1.2 million, or 13 percent. The yield on loans increased to 4.47 percent, from 4.16 percent for first quarter 2017. The composition of total loans and resulting yield reflects the continued increase in factored accounts receivable and asset-based lending which return significantly higher yields over traditional lending products.
In other news…
Best of Business Nominations Open
Voting has commenced for the 2018 Gulfshore Business magazine Best of Business Awards. The readers’ poll covers more than 45 categories. The ballot is available by clicking here, and will be posted at the top right square of Gulfshore Business Daily and on the homepage of our website through the deadline of May 15. Rules are noted at the top of the nomination form. Winners will be announced in the August issue.
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