July 2023 Southwest Florida Business Today

Legal & Security

Experts help you navigate changes in the law & security protocol that could impact your business.

Commercial Real Estate

A quarterly 4-page section that gives a SWFL Commercial Real Estate market overview.

Businesses grade SBA’s response to Ian

Special to SWFBT

Submitted by Karen

P. Moore, Publisher

Lee County business and community leaders recently attended a meeting lead by Small Business Administration executives. It was the first report card, if you will, for local SBA management, on how the SBA has done and is doing with helping Lee County businesses get back on their feet.

Rafaela Monchek, SBA Deputy Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance, explained, “The reason we’re here today is to listen to how the SBA has done so far from all of you, and to talk about a target business analysis we’re starting to help businesses become more resilient through

specialized trainings we offer and access to the not-disaster SBA programs we offer, through a targeted outreach program.”

Dana Brunett, Lee County Economic Development Office, shared, “With the amount of damage from Hurricane Ian, a Category 5 storm, having six months to submit an SBA business loan application is not enough time. I really think you should consider a policy change on that because these people are trying to put their lives back together—a lot of them lost their home and their business and they just didn’t have enough time to react to it. And many of them lost records.”

SBA See page 5

Sanibel Captiva Chamber reopens

During the past months since Hurricane Ian hit in September 2022, the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce has had strung yellow ribbon across about 50 island businesses for owners and staff to snip in celebration of their triumph over storm destruction. On Tuesday, June 6, Chamber Board Chair Calli Johnson was doing

IN THE NEWS

State DOE: SWFL continuing to add jobs in midst of Ian recovery

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Fort Myers’ private sector employment increased by 4.7% over the year, adding 11,800 jobs, despite being one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ian. As of May 2023, with the exception of October 2022, Florida employers have added jobs for 36 months since May 2020. Industries gaining the most jobs over the year in the Naples area were education

and health services, adding 1,300 jobs, and construction, adding 1,000 jobs.

The Naples area’s unemployment rate was 2.5% in May 2023, a 0.1 percentage point increase from 2.4% one year ago. The Naples area’s private sector employment was 151,500 in May 2023, a decrease of 300 jobs (-0.2%) over the year. In May 2023, the Naples area’s labor force was 190,375, down 547 (-0.3%) over the year.

the snipping as an estimated 125 chamber members and residents gathered to cheer the reopening of the Francis P. Bailey, Jr., Chamber Visitor Center on Causeway Road.

“It’s hard to believe that on October 5, the first day we were allowed back on the island after Ian, my board members and I came back on island by boat,”

Chamber President and CEO John Lai told gathered celebrators. “Eight months seems like forever, and it seems like yesterday all at the same time. If you would have told me that we would be here eight months from that day for this occasion, I would have wanted to sip whatever it was you were drinking.”

CHAMBER See page 14

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The Sanibel Captiva Chamber Visitor Center ribbon-cutting brought the community out to celebrate.

LEGAL & SECURITY

Lee County Bar Association holds inclusion, equality panel

Local legal professionals recently gathered for a lively panel discussion entitled, “Inclusion & Equality: A Look From All Angles.”

Left: The panel addresses audience-provided questions. Moderator Kelly Fayer, Esq.; Hon. Charles Williams; Scott Westheimer, Esq.; Ita Neymotin, Esq.; Hon. Josephine Gagliardi; Hon. Gilberto Perez.

Right: LBCA President, Spencer Cordeil, Esq. addresses the audience.

Photos by Jim Jett

GUEST COMMENTARY

Mission accomplished: New resolution for enforcement of liens, fines

I’m pleased to report the new “beefed up” resolution I recently introduced to my fellow Commissioners passed unanimously. This now puts more teeth into our County Ordinance which dictates the collection of fines and imposed liens on property when an owner has broken the law. This newly unanimously passed document also gives more specific guidance to our Code Enforcement Board and county staff concerning our expectations on collecting liens and fines to ensure all know our starting position is collection in full and any extenuating circumstances are the exception — not the rule.

Soon after I was elected in November 2020, it became immediately apparent Collier County had a solid operation when it came to “issuing fines or liens” but a horrible record actually enforcing and collecting. We work hard to balance the budget and save dollars and dimes so we can best utilize taxpayer money, but when it comes to collecting legitimate fines (money owed to taxpayers that can be utilized by the County elsewhere) we somehow have been “Santa Claus” for many years. Not any longer.

There are always unique and extenuating circum-

stances. A citizen who possibly hasn’t mowed their grass because they’ve been in the hospital for a significant period of time and a ticket was taped to their door — we’re not looking to stretch those citizens over hot coals and demand the money. Bringing the property into compliance once they are able or working with them (or a neighbor) to find a solution is our expectation — that’s the exception. However, legitimate fines can pile up daily but are often ignored. Often when the contractor or citizen finally fixes it (and brings the violation into compliance) current County precedence either greatly reduced the total or wiped out the fine completely. Not any longer.

ance — but the fines for violation still have merit. We shouldn’t quickly excuse them because they “finally” decided to follow the law. As a Commissioner I wanted to make it clear to our Code Enforcement Board they shouldn’t quickly or exponentially reduce any fines as their first course of action. A graduated reduction can be considered (or not) — but our initial going in position should be payment in full, especially if there are NOT extenuating circumstances but rather a clear case of ignoring the law.

BY RICK LOCASTRO Guest Columnist

We have developers, landowners, etc., who often knowingly violate County code and also ignore the exponentially increasing fines that accumulate as they ignore the violation. It’s commendable if months or even years later they bring the issue into compli-

Flowing Flowing with possibilities with possibilities

Just in the last five years, Code Enforcement has issued tens of millions of dollars in liens and fines. However, unbelievably our County only collected a few hundred thousand dollars. That is money owed to our taxpayers for laws broken. This new resolution, along with specific details concerning our renewed County expectations, have been presented to our Code Enforcement Board and county staff to ensure these current expectations are clear.

Rick LoCastro is chairman of the Collier County Commission. Contact Rick.LoCastro@CollierCountyFL. gov or (239) 252-8601.

LEGAL & SECURITY

Locking digital front door protects businesses

Businesses spend a great deal of time and resources trying to avoid theft, so they install security cameras, place valuables in lock boxes and safes, and attach security tags to expensive items. Some even hire 24-hour security guards.

Unfortunately, at a time when many employees are accessing their work accounts, emails and servers remotely, businesses often leave their digital front doors wide open.

When employees log in, they want to enter their username and password, then immediately get to work. There is a cost to that convenience, and that cost could amount to your personal and professional livelihood. Cybercriminals are continuously on the prowl, looking for weak links. They want your usernames, passwords, bank account and credit card numbers, tax documents, emails and social media access. They also want data from your customers and clients.

Locking your company’s digital front door is just as critical as locking the physical front door. Here are six simple steps that Southwest Florida businesses can take to protect their digital systems:

• Multi-Factor Authentication: This step requires users to verify their identity, typically via text or a telephone call, before being able to access an account. Even if hackers have obtained an employee’s username and password, they still don’t have access to an employee’s cell phone to see the verification code.

• Virtual Private Network: Connecting through a VPN encrypts all data. Even if hackers can access

BY JOHN JOYCE Guest Columnist

your system, the data they see on their end is meaningless.

• Software updates: Operating systems for Macs, PCs and cell phones contain regular updates to fix bugs and add security measures based on recent activity from cybercriminals.

• Security software: Free or inexpensive programs run 24/7 and protect your data even when you’re not paying attention.

• Shut it down: Turn off computers when not in use. That breaks a connection if hackers already have gotten access to your network.

• Change passwords: Require employees to change passwords every 30 to 90 days. Passwords should contain a mix of letters, numbers and characters, or even entire sentences.

Cybercriminals can pull millions of pieces of data in one day. That’s why it can take hackers weeks, months or even years before they attempt to do anything with your data. The best way to prevent any type of breach or theft is simply by locking the door. Cybercriminals are opportunistic; if you’re putting up a good digital fight, they’ll just move along to an easier target.

John Joyce is an owner of CRS Technology Consultants, a Cape Coral-based IT company founded in 1988. Visit CRSTC.com or call (239) 542-8450.

Goodwill holds Breakthrough Awards

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida’s annual Breakthrough Award Ceremony honored the community members, organizations and individuals that personify the organization’s mission services throughout the prior year. This ceremony raised mission awareness and funds to support services.

Goodwill celebrated this annual event on May 25 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, where the organization raised $64,000 to support the more than 35,000 individuals helped in 2022.

2022 Breakthrough Award winners included:

• Chet Perry Breakthrough Achiever: Cheryl Fischer

• William J. Barrett Breakthrough Graduate: Chevone Peterson

• Breakthrough Employer: Lee County School District

• Breakthrough Business: Florida Wholesale

• Breakthrough Volunteer: Texas Roadhouse’s Alex Damerell

• Breakthrough Goodwill Employee Award: Brad Ellena

• Breakthrough Goodwill Employee Award: Kim Yape

• Breakthrough Philanthropist: Pet Therapy

Goodwill celebrated its Breakthrough Award Ceremony on May 25 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center.

Olivo talks tort reform at attractions conference

Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, a full-service law firm in Florida, announced Gerald “Jerry” Olivo, a stockholder and litigation attorney, was a featured presenter at the 2023 Florida Attractions Association’s Conference.

The conference, which took place June 11-14, was held at the Luminary in Downtown Fort Myers. Olivo shared insight on the critical topic of tort reform. Tort reform has become an increasingly significant subject in the legal landscape.

Olivo’s involvement in the conference exemplifies Henderson Franklin’s commitment to providing exceptional thought leadership in the community. His extensive experience in litigation matters and deep understanding of tort law made Olivo the ideal choice to address the attendees.

He shared, “I am honored to have been a featured presenter at the 2023 Florida Attractions Association Conference. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss the pressing issue of tort reform and share insights and strategies to help protect the industry’s interests while promoting fairness and balance in our legal system. The attractions industry plays a vital role in our state’s economy, and we must navigate the legal challenges it faces effectively.”

Olivo brings a wealth of trial experience to the table, having participated in over 80 trials across a wide range of case types. His perspective stems from his background as both a former prosecutor and a defense litigator. With a diverse legal practice, he has represented clients in matters encompassing creditor’s rights, criminal law, family law, civil litigation, civil rights, employment law, and education law.

Olivo’s experience also extends to mediation, as he holds certifications from the Florida Supreme Court as a County Civil, Circuit Civil, and Family Law Mediator. He utilizes this knowledge to facilitate resolutions in family law and general civil litigation cases. Beyond his legal career, Olivo takes pride in his involvement in various community organizations. He is honored to serve as a member of the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools’ Golden Apple Selection Committee. Additionally, he actively contributes his time and expertise to the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee, serving on an allocation’s team.

Olivo earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences with a specialization in Sport Management from the University of Florida. He also holds a certificate from the National Sports Law Institute. Olivo went on to complete his law degree at Marquette University Law School.

Henderson Franklin is one of the largest, locally-based law firms between Tampa and Miami with over 55 attorneys dedicated to providing a wide range of legal services in the areas of business and tax planning, estate planning, family law, business and civil litigation, eminent domain, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, employment law, real estate, and land use and environmental law. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples and Sarasota. Visit www.henlaw.com.

Cybersecurity news & to dos

This cybersecurity “To Do” goes out to everyday, accidental procrastinators. Like me, you’re perfectly capable of managing your iPhone settings, but something always comes up to prevent you from finishing routine tasks - like getting TikTok completely off your device for the past 6 months.

Applications like this (even if they sit on personal devices), enable threat actors to infiltrate your corporate network, so the time to act is now.

We are grateful for the explanation provided in the short YouTube video “How to Remove App from App Library” and permanently removed TikTok halfway through the demo.

Why does this matter? You can easily remove an app from your home screen but removing it from your app library is another story. To completely remove an unwanted iPhone app:

• Go to Settings.

• Scroll down and press Screen Time.

• Scroll down and press Content & Privacy Restrictions.

• Click on iTunes & App Store Purchases.

• Enable (Allow) Deleting Apps.

• Then go to your home screen, click on the app you wish to remove, and it’s gone for good.

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Estero High seniors complete personal finance program

Reprinted from Engage Estero e-newsletter.

There were 95 Estero High School Seniors who participated in the eightweek Junior Achievement program on Personal Finance. The content was taught by six Engage Estero volunteers with the support of two high school teachers in four separate class periods, each for eight weeks.

The program included budgeting, credit/debit card usage, debt/loan management, credit scores, insurance, risk management, and investing. Classes had videos, interactive slides, and student discussions. At the start of the 2023 / 2024 school year, high school students must complete a financial literacy course to receive a high school diploma.

The Senate Bill 1054, titled the Dorothy L. Hukill Financial Literacy Act, signed in March of 2022, will require high school students to earn onehalf credit in personal financial literacy and money management, including instruction on types of bank accounts, credit scores, taxes, and managing debt.

Engage Estero (formerly the ECCL) has worked with Junior Achievement and Estero Schools on Personal Finance programs since 2018.

Don’t forget to post your in-person and virtual event on our B2B events calendar at www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com/ calendar

Olivo

Lee County projects are underway

Recently, Lee County Commissioners approved a contract to build the first section of the four-lane extension of Three Oaks Parkway that will eventually connect to Daniels Parkway. The project also includes a new bridge crossing over the Fiddlesticks canal, two on-road bike lanes, concrete sidewalks, and street lighting. Construction is estimated to begin in June.

The second phase will widen Daniels Parkway to eight lanes from east of Pinto Lane to the I-75 interchange. We expect to start construction in 2025 in coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation’s plans to improve the Daniels Parkway interchange.

Also in the works is a Project Development and Environment Study to assess improvements to the Cape Coral Bridge. The existing westbound and eastbound bridges over the Caloosahatchee River were built in 1964 and 1989, respectively. The study will be focusing on the bridges and roadway approaches from Del Prado Boulevard to McGregor Boulevard. This project is needed to improve roadway capacity and overall traffic operations to reduce traffic congestion, improve safety conditions, and enhance bicycle and pedestrian connections.

I’m happy to report that the redevelopment in North Fort Myers continues to move forward with three exciting projects. The Hancock Bridge Apartments development is planned for the old Hancock Bridge Square Plaza site where Office Depot used to be. The existing buildings and paved areas will be fully demolished in order to construct 320 multi-family residential units within 8 buildings with heights of 3-4 stories. A club-

BY BRIAN HAMMAN Guest Columnist

house and other residential amenities are also proposed, including approximately 5 acres of green space and lakes - twice the amount of open space that exists there today. Also at this location, we recently learned that there is interest to purchase the old supermarket and retrofit the existing space for a high-end gymnasium with a restaurant and other amenities.

Merchants Crossing is also moving forward. That project will include 279 multi-family dwelling units in four 4-story mid-rise buildings which will be connected by pedestrian paths to the collection of stores already on-site. Amenities for new residents include a clubhouse, pool, and public plazas. This mixed-use development with an in-place set of residents to support Planet Fitness, the AMC movie theater, etc. is really a key component of bringing U.S. 41 back.

The third project is the waterfront property owned by the county in Waterway Estates. This property will be leased to Safe Harbor Marinas who in turn will put in about $9 million of capital improvements to return this piece of property to its original use which included a marina with dry storage, boat slips and a waterfront restaurant.

Brian Hamman is chairman of the Lee County Commission. Contact (239) 533-2226 or dist4@leegov.com.

North Port celebrates small businesses

The City of North Port celebrated another successful Quarterly Business Welcome, reinforcing our business-friendly community standing. With a remarkable population increase of 6.6% between July 2021 and July 2022, North Port ranks in the top ten on the U.S. Census Bureau’s list of fastestgrowing large cities, boasting a total population of 85,099.

During January through March 2023, an impressive 84 new businesses opened their doors in the city.

“The rate at which small businesses are sprouting and thriving here is nothing short of phenomenal,” said City Manager Jerome Fletcher. “It’s not just growth, it’s transformative growth – reshaping our economic landscape at a pace that’s been both exciting and inspiring.”

North Port’s commitment to supporting businesses, facilitating growth and nurturing entrepreneurial endeavors has solidified its reputation as an emerging powerhouse in the business world.

He continued, “And the other thing is that term, ‘denied.’ To a lot of small businesses, ‘Mom and Pops,’ that means it’s over. So consider changing the terminology so they understand that it’s not over, that there’s still a chance.

“We’re sitting here nine months after the storm and the SBA business loan approval rates stand at around 18% on the applications submitted right now. But there’s a lot more need out there. So I hope the SBA looks back at this event and says, what can we fix?”

Kem Fleming, SBA Director of Field Operations and Disaster Assistance, responded, “You’re absolutely right, that’s why Executive Director (Isabel) Guzman has changed things and that’s why I’m still here. We just need to figure out how to have the most impact, and that’s why we’re all sitting here today. A lot of people probably got denied simply because they did not do the paperwork. So we have to see how we can fix that moving forward.”

Lee Ford of Southwest Florida Impact Partners, a small-business support organization, shared his thoughts. “We all talk a language of our own in our own worlds,” he said. “But we need to explain the acronyms to applicants; we can’t assume that people know what we’re talking about. It doesn’t work that way. We have to be willing to and understand that we have to break down language so that people can truly understand and comprehend what

as possible.”

— Rafaela Monchek, SBA Deputy Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance

is being communicated.”

After the meeting, Fleming stated, “My biggest takeaway today was validation, that we’re going in the right direction and the attendees also validated that what we thought we weren’t doing so well, we’re going to try to change, that was validated today as well. This meeting will help us as we put together our plan moving forward.”

Monchek added, “There are a lot of resources out there to support disaster survivors and we need to figure out the best way to connect business owners to these resources to help them get through the recovery and get back on their feet as soon as possible.”

She continued, “SBA Administrator Guzman has really gotten us to think differently about how we respond after an event, and thinking about that longer term impact. So we’re excited to be implementing this new approach of being here for the longer term recovery, making sure we provide a much bigger service, through and beyond our disaster recovery services.”

The City’s business-friendly culture has placed North Port in the top 3% nationwide of WalletHub’s 2023 Best Small Sized Cities to Start a Business. As the city continues to flourish, its strategic approach and collaborative efforts aim to ensure North Port’s entrepreneurial community thrives.

North Port celebrates small businesses with Business Welcome event.

“There are a lot of resources out there to support disaster survivors and we need to figure out the best way to connect business owners to these resources to help them get through the recovery and get back on their feet as soon

Greater Fort Myers Chamber announces APEX Awards finalists

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce named the finalists for its 2023 APEX Awards and announced the date for its 2023 Chamber Awards, to be held July 27 in Fort Myers.

Organized by the Chamber’s Women in Business Committee, the APEX Awards recognize local women with outstanding reputations for professionalism, philanthropy and leadership. The five finalists for the 2023 awards are Darla Bonk, Alicia Miller, Marilyn Santiago, Anjali Van Drie and Jen Whyte. All finalists will be recognized and the APEX Award recipient will be named at the Chamber Awards.

Bonk is the founder and CEO of a successful business consulting company, Darla Bonk Consulting, and partners with her husband in Architectural Metal Flashings, serves on the Fort Myers City Council as the representative for Ward 6, and is the founder and host of the podcast, “On Your Way.” Her professional experience has taken her from Executive Sales Leadership in Fortune 200 companies traveling the country, to Executive Director for the American Cancer Society, to coaching and consulting.

Miller is the Executive Director of Our Mother’s Home of SWFL, whose mission is to empower young mothers in the foster care and human trafficking systems to break the generational cycle for themselves and their children. She is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic planning of the organization as well as fundraising, marketing and community outreach to help support the unique environ -

ment for young mothers in foster care and their babies.

Santiago currently owns two companies, Sunshine Integrated Solutions, where she leverages her expertise in branded content, promotional campaigns and talent management, and Creative Architectural Resin Products, serving the construction industry by providing

beautiful resin-based faux architectural trims and accents. She volunteers, sits on the board of directors for several local and national organizations and is a recipient of multiple awards and recognitions.

Van Drie is co-founder and vice president of Family Initiative, a master’s level social worker and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.

She has worked for more than a decade with families involved in the child welfare system and children with disabilities. Van Drie has also worked collaboratively with thousands of families across Florida and community-based care agencies. A sought-after expert, Van Drie has led presentations around the state and across the country to educate parents and professionals on best practices.

Whyte is founder and owner of Fort Myers Brewing Company, Lee County’s first microbrewery. When Whyte and her husband Rob moved to Southwest Florida, they found there was untapped potential for a local brewery in Fort Myers, and couldn’t pass up this opportunity to turn their passion into a business. Fort Myers Brewing opened in 2013, and 10 years later is one of the busiest taprooms in the state with beers and seltzers at more than 1,600 restaurant and retail outlets across the state.

Recognizing Chamber members for their outstanding contributions to the greater Fort Myers community, the 2023 Chamber Awards will be held on Wednesday, July 27 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center and Amphitheater in Downtown Fort Myers. In addition to naming the APEX Awards winner, the program will also include an installation ceremony for the Chamber’s 2023-24 board of directors and will recognize winners in a variety of awards categories including Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Community Impact Award, Entrepreneur of the Year, Nonprofit Excellence Award and Young Professional of the Year.

Guests attend the 2022 APEX Awards at an event hosted by the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.

Bonk Miller Whyte Santiago Van Drie

Getting ‘the scoop’ on the next phase of Skyplex

Special

Submitted by Karen P. Moore, Publisher

We’ve been hearing about Skyplex at the regional airport in Fort Myers, and how it is going to change the region, for the past 10 years.

What we’ve actually seen is a few office buildings by major players going up there, like Neogenomics and Gartner.

So when I got the opportunity to hear from Ben Siegel, executive director of the Lee County Port Authority, as well as Gary Tasman, head of the local branch of the national commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield, that is helping with what is being called the re-visioning of Skyplex, I knew I needed to be there.

“Skyplex, for those of you that don’t know, is basically the 1,800 acres on the north side of the runway where the old terminal was so it’s basically between the runway and Daniels Parkway,” Tasman explained. “It goes out to Treeline and east way past the Red Sox Stadium.”

Siegel framed the situation.

“With the board’s vision, we decided we wanted to team up with a firm to really help us move Skyplex along and we recognized Skyplex needed a little bit of re-vision as well. And that’s really the point we’re at right now.

“It needs to be more than an office complex. This first phase that we’ve taken on and wrapping up just shows that there’s just tremendous opportunity for Skyplex. So we’re really excited.”

Tasman shared the roll-out of the plan.

“We broke it down into four phases...We’re done with Phase 1.”

The four phases include: 1) looking at existing conditions, including the market, 2) studying local economic factors, 3) a real estate market analysis, and finally, 4) recommended positioning.

He then talked about the region’s

Seagate completes complex for ABC Supply

Seagate Development Group’s Commercial Division announced completion of Phases One and Two for American Builders and Contractors Supply – completing and turning the project over to the company. ABC Supply is the nation’s largest wholesale distributor of roofing supplies and one of the largest of siding, windows and select exterior and interior building products, tools and supplies.

Phase One, the spacious 60,000-plus square-foot warehouse on Commerce Parkway near the Punta Gorda Airport was completed and turned over two months ago. Besides warehouse space, the structure includes over 6,000 square feet of office space, a large customer product showroom and customer sales and distribution center. The six-acre development also features a high-security fenced outdoor yard.

Phase Two is now complete with the addition of a two-acre lay-down storage site to bring the total area ABC Supply covers to nearly 9 acres. ABC Supply will service area construction businesses and contractors with a bevy of outdoor building supplies and much needed services such as covered ground drops, express pick-up and rooftop delivery. The mega-wholesale supply company is heavily stocking up on roofing and exterior supplies to accommodate Southwest Florida’s post-Hurricane Ian and future needs.

Site work was completed on both phases by Earth Tech Enterprises, a Seagate Development Group Company.

“ABC Supply has served companies like ours for 40 years, so it’s our pleasure to serve them,” said Matt Price, CEO & Partner of Seagate Development Group.

Reduced For Quick Sale Ready-to-build Commercial

potential economic growth in the next few years.

“This tri-county economic system or eco-system provides over 700,000 jobs and grown by almost 50% over the last 20 years. Add to that the $6090 billion of additional investment that’s heading our way over the next five years and you start to get an understanding of the magnitude that Skyplex can be.”

The recommendations from the study under consideration include a major high-end hotel and meeting space, retail dining and leisure hub and a flex/tech campus, as well as the region’s emerging bio-life sciences clus-

ter that can utilize and benefit from Skyplex’s proximity to the airport, and a potential employment campus opportunity.

Randy Krise, a local commercial realtor and developer, and long-time member of the Lee County Port Authority Airport Special Management Committee, noted, “Over the last 10 years Ben has been a visionary for Skyplex and with his leadership we’ve built the infrastructure to be able to do what Gary’s team has done.”

He continued, “So the infrastructure is in, the water retention is in, the permitting is in: all that takes a long time and now we’re actually ready to capitalize on all that investment Ben’s been able to get the money for over the last 10 years.”

This re-visioning of Skyplex is not something that just happened; it’s been part of a process—and now the vision will start to take shape.

Tasman concluded, “This isn’t a pipe dream, this is not us just waking up one day and saying ‘Wow, we should have that.’ This is the most data-driven conclusion that’s ever been studied, in our opinion, in Southwest Florida and it’s really been done by a team of world class leaders. I’m excited to move on to the next phase that I hope to be reporting on by the end of the year.”

Renderings show the ultimate vision for SkyPlex at the regional airport in Fort Myers. The forces behind the business park see a revisioning for the project evolving in a post-pandemic world.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET

A look at commercial real estate trends & topics in Southwest Florida

MICHAEL

CCIM

CCIM

clients’ needs.

RE/MAX REALTY GROUP

239-281-0441 mfrye@ccim.net www.michaeljfrye.com

If you are a CCIM-SWFL Chapter Designee, as a benefit, you are eligible to participate in this section. Contact 2023 CCIM-SWFL President Theresa Blauch for details at theresa@ccim.net

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET

A look at commercial real estate trends & topics in Southwest Florida

PHIL FISCHLER, CCIM

We put clients in the best position to maximize their investment, minimize risk and build the life they desire.

Best of Business - CRE Sales and Leasing.

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CCIM is the most prestigious designation commercial real estate professionals can achieve within the industry. Graduate-level education, coupled with industry-leading technology tools, practical proven experience, and in-depth knowledge of their local markets, gives CCIMs the ability and the credibility to conduct business confidently and successfully. By partnering with a CCIM, you effectively utilize the top-level, most reliable performers in the industry: with an average of 19 years of experience, 70% of CCIM members hold executive-level positions and 90% of members refer clients to other business services. When you use a CCIM, you choose the most credible professional in the business.

COMMUNITY

Today there are CCIMs in every state, across Canada and Mexico, and in more than 30 countries around the world. Domestically, the network encompasses more than 1,000 markets, from large metropolitan ar-

About Southwest Florida CCIM District

eas to small cities and towns. A truly global network, CCIMs are a powerful force in markets large and small. When you use a CCIM, you choose a trusted community of real estate professionals that are consistently sought for their dependability, intelligence, success and confidence.

INTEGRITY

CCIM designees are bound to the strictest ethical guidelines and standards of practice in the industry today. In addition, each CCIM has successfully completed a graduate level program comprised of 160 hours of education. If you ask around the industry, you’ll learn that companies and other real estate professionals are more likely to seek out experts who possess the CCIM designation, as they know CCIM stands for trust, knowledge and reliability. When you use a CCIM, you choose experts with integrity.

MEASUREMENT

Overall, CCIM’s global network enables members

to close thousands of transactions annually, representing more than $200 billion in value. But closing transactions is only part of what CCIMs can do. In addition to holding dealmaking occupations in every property sector, CCIMs are also found in’ leasing, asset management, development, lending, financing, property management, site selection and corporate real estate positions. So, whatever assistance your real estate project requires, a CCIM can help you achieve a better result. In fact, only 6 percent of all commercial real estate practitioners hold the elite CCIM designation, which reflects not only the caliber of the program, but why it is one of the most respected designations in the industry. When you use a CCIM, you choose a professional who produces measurable results.

The CCIM designation is conferred by the Chicagobased CCIM Institute, a commercial real estate affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS. Learn more about the value of working with a CCIM at www.flccim.com/districts/southwest-district.

The Southwest Florida CCIM District is a chapter of the CCIM Institute, Commercial Real Estate’s Global Standard for Professional Development. The CCIM Institute was established in 1954 to give practitioners of Commercial Real Estate the valuable opportunity to further their business practices through focused education and networking opportunities. Today, with the addition of advanced technology resources, CCIM is the Global leader in Commercial and Investment Real Estate education and services. The Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation is recognized as the hallmark of professional competency. Belonging to CCIM means being part of an ethical and knowledgeable network that fosters lasting relationships based on mutual respect.

RANDY KRISE, CCIM

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET

A look at commercial real estate trends & topics in Southwest Florida

Crowne Plaza Fort Myers set to convert to DoubleTree

Cooper Hotels, owners of the Crowne Plaza hotel located at the upscale Bell Tower Shops, announced the hotel will join the Hilton portfolio by year-end 2023. The property’s conversion to a DoubleTree by Hilton will consist of major renovations to the lobby, meeting rooms and its Shoeless Joe’s Sports Café. The hotel’s 225 guest rooms recently underwent extensive renovations.

Mayhugh Commercial secures leasing for Cape Coral shopping center

Mayhugh Commercial Advisors recently secured the leasing for a new 30,000-square-foot retail project in the heart of Cape Coral’s commercial corridor.

The Shops at Del Mar will consist of four single-story buildings with over 370 feet of frontage on the heavily traveled Pine Island Road corridor. The shopping center also offers a drive-through unit, ample parking and easy access at the intersection of SW Pine Island Road and SW 10th Place near Skyline Boulevard.

Currently under construction, the new retail center is scheduled to break ground this summer, with an anticipated fall 2024 completion date. Individual units are available starting at 1,500 square feet up to 19,000 square

Stevens

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feet at a location where daily traffic counts exceed 40,000 vehicles.

“It’s no surprise that even at this early stage, such a high-profile property is already attracting significant interest from prospective tenants,” said listing agent Bryan Burchers, a senior advisor at Mayhugh Commercial Advisors. “With several prominent restaurants and grocery stores nearby, and plenty of parking and easy access and frontage on Pine Island Road, we’re confident that this project will deliver in a big way for Cape Coral.”

The DoubleTree by Hilton hotel will continue to be operated by Memphisbased Cooper Hotels, and there will be no staff changes. DoubleTree by Hilton is famous for its tradition of greeting guests with its signature warm DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie at checkin, symbolizing a warm welcome and comfortable stay.

“Our entire team is excited to partner with the iconic Hilton hospitality brand,” said Jim Larkin, general manager of the property. “The entry of the

first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Fort Myers will bring a fresh, new lodging and gathering option to the city.”

Renovations underway include the addition of an expanded lobby market, a yoga room and Peloton bikes in the updated fitness center. Meeting rooms will be refurbished and undergo modernization. A new media wall will be installed in the hotel’s popular Shoeless Joe’s Sports Café, along with a complete renovation. The popular outside deck portion of the restaurant will be completely replaced, and a new outdoor bar will be built.

Located on Bell Tower Drive, the DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers will offer an outdoor pool with water feature, a fitness center and a business center, with complimentary Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel. Guest rooms will feature microwave ovens, refrigerators, coffee makers and 55-inch TVs with premium entertainment options.

Call It Closed launches commercial division

Call It Closed International Realty, a cloud-based real estate brokerage that operates in 16 states, is launching a new division focused on commercial real estate.

Call It Closed Commercial builds on the innovative company’s model as a 100% commission brokerage with a multi-tiered revenue sharing platform.

Founded by Chad and Aprile Osborne, the company offers integral real estate solutions to buyers, sellers, investors and developers, as well as other existing brokerages.

“Call It Closed succeeds by leading with innovation,” Chad Osborne said. “Our impact on residential markets has been tremendous. Now we can now offer the same great benefits of Call It Closed to commercial agents.”

Call It Closed Commercial will begin operations in Virginia, where its parent company recently partnered with broker Eddie Jackson Jr., founder of Blue Ocean Realty and Blue Whale Commercial, along with top producing agent Venus Bolton.

Construction completes East and Greenwell Insurance

Stevens Construction has completed the construction of a 12,123-square-foot building for East and Greenwell Insurance, located on University Plaza Drive within Gulf Coast Town Center in Fort Myers, announced Dan Adams, executive vice president/principal, Stevens Construction.

Offering homeowners, flood and an array of insurance coverages. East and Greenwell features a welcoming lobby, 14 private offices and conference rooms. To promote collaboration while allowing room for growth, East and Greenwell also houses

multiple open concept training and work areas and a spacious employee lounge. East and Greenwell provides a modern workplace with dropped ceilings, exposed drywall, reclaimed wood accent walls, quartz countertops and pendant lighting.

The remaining 5,536 square feet of the building is situated into four private suites, ranging from 1,200 to 1,460 square feet, of which three are available for lease. Contact Trinity Group for additional lease information at 239-334-3040.

Stevens Construction provided $346,000 in

cost-savings suggestions during seven months of preconstruction, working closely with agency principals, Jeff East and Kevin Greenwell, and the architect, Studio for Architecture, to ensure their project achieved their budget and schedule goals before construction began. East and Greenwell was delivered to the client two weeks ahead of schedule.

The Stevens Construction team included Project Manager Mark Pelafas, Superintendent Ken Redman and Project Administrator Gina Varner.

The Shops at Del Mar will consist of four single-story buildings with over 370 feet of frontage on the heavily traveled Pine Island Road corridor.

SWFL students win invention awards

Eight students from the Fort Myers area were honored for their ingenuity at the seventh annual Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention U.S. Nationals. They were among over 70 award-winning K-12 inventors from across the nation who were celebrated on June 9 at the awards ceremony hosted by The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation correspondent Albert Lawrence, with astrobiologist and aquanaut Alyssa Carson as keynote.

Amaya E., 11th Grade, Bonita Springs

CantorColburn - Detroit Patent Application Award, Originality Award and Technology of Tomorrow Award, presented by Raytheon Technologies for Biopurication

“This system utilizes a consortium of Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina major algae to create an open system photobioreactor. The consortium of algae has already been determined to be reliable in improving air quality and decreasing common pollutant concentrations. The system uses photosynthesis, naturally performed by the algae, to generate electricity to power both and air pump for the system, as well as an external illuminator. This invention was created with the final idea of it being used as a modular system to wrap around streetlights to power the streetlight while simultaneously improving air quality and decreasing pollution concentrations along roadways.”

Wally V., 2nd Grade, Fort Myers

First Place in the Second Grade Category for Squeaky Clean Machines

“Squeaky Clean Machines is a train toy for kids that they can use safely in the bath. I created silicone molds based on my wooden train tracks in order to create different colored linking tracks made from soap with train engines and coal cars made from sponges. Children, like my little brother, can now enjoy playing with this toy in their baths while also getting clean.”

Alessandra C., Second Grade, Fort Myers

Second Place in the Second Grade Category for The Cane Catcher

“Cane toads (Bufo Toads) are a destructive invasive species in Florida. They are bad for the environment. They eat small mammals, birds, frogs, other toads, pet food, human garbage…and almost anything else! They are also toxic to humans and deadly to dogs. I used a bug light, fly fishing lures and a cage to trap them. We euthanized all toads without pain using the guidelines from the University of Florida and the Florida Wildlife Commission. Eventually, I trapped all of the Cane Toads in our yard and nearby pond.”

Kurukulasuriya N., 9th Grade, Fort Myers

Second Place in the Ninth Grade Category for KESS: Kinetic Energy Storage System

“My invention is made of metal components, including rods, a rotating mass, a motor, a rubber belt, nails and bolts, bearings and couplings. The device can be charged when power is available and then used when the power supply is lost. The energy will be stored in the form of kinetic energy in the rotating mass. The device does not need an additional energy source to function when releasing its stored energy, so there is no operating cost once installed. This device will have a positive impact, especially due to the vast number of people worldwide who experience power interruptions.”

Dhruva S., 10th Grade, Fort Myers

First Place in the Tenth Grade Category and the Transportation Industry Award for FLOW: A Deep Reinforcement Learning ML Algorithm To Make Traffic Management More Effectual

“The goal of this invention is to improve the efficiency of traffic flow by leveraging the strengths of Artificial Intelligence (AI), determine the best Machine Learning algorithm for improving traffic efficiency, and the benefit of implementing such processes.”

Yusef M., 11th Grade, Fort Myers

Second Place in the Eleventh Grade Category, Cantor Colburn - Detroit Patent Application Award and the Environmental and Social Impact Award for Synovial Saver

“Knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease, affecting 32.5 million US adults. Early detection of OA is crucial as the disease acts rapidly and there is no cure after the window of opportunity has passed. Synovial Saver offers a uKNEEque, low-cost and non-invasive method of detecting knee joint OA. In fact, within 30 seconds Synovial Saver can accurately diagnose OA. After countless iterations, the final device structure is incorporated by two systems: an input system and a computational system. The input system gathers vibration frequencies emitted from the bending of the knee using dual piezoelectric accelerometers and a piezoelectric disk. The efficiency of the vibration sensing devices were tested, with the data collected being 98% accurate. The computational system includes an Arduino Uno Rev3 Microcontroller, which computes the data through various scripts, datasets, etc.”

Aum D., 12th Grade, Fort Myers

Second Place in the Twelfth Grade Category for Medibound

“The investigator’s development of low-cost machine learning algorithms, paired with a novel device and application, have the potential to mitigate diabetic retinopathy. To elaborate, the investigator’s k-nearest neighbors were more accurate in lower training sample sizes and his convolutional neural networks were more accurate in higher training sample sizes, indicating that an efficient approach for the device would be incorporating a KNN algorithm to recognize the retina when in-view and a CNN algorithm to discern between that sample’s particular stage of DR. Once a patient is diagnosed, the testing results are exported via an NFC transmitter placed under the device’s charging port. This technology allows users to hover their phones over the labeled NFC area and receive trial results over the app.”

Dhira S., 6th Grade, Fort Myers

Animal Care and Pets Industry Award for PetBFound

“PetBFound is an on-demand all-in-one pet tracking smart device with audio, video, GPS and LED light features that can attach to an existing dog harness. The PetBFound mobile app is the interface for the device and allows the user to remotely turn on features to track a pet. The default is off-mode for the device and can be activated remotely to track a lost pet. The device can be charged using solar power with backup battery provision.”

Chastity Culver, Marketing Director at TLC Marketing & Creative Services, was honored individually.

TLC wins multiple awards at Estero chamber awards

TLC Marketing & Creative Services, a leading marketing agency in Bonita Springs, participated in the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner and Leadership Graduation on June 2 at Shadow Wood Country Club. The event, attended by over 150 distinguished guests and local business leaders, celebrated the achievements of the Estero community and honored outstanding individuals and businesses.

The evening highlighted TLC Marketing and Creative Services’ success, as the company was recognized with two prestigious awards. TLC Marketing & Creative Services was honored to receive the Small Business Excellence of the Year award.

In addition to the company’s achievement, Chastity Culver, the Marketing Director at TLC Marketing & Creative Services, was celebrated as the recipient of the Young Professional of the Year award. Culver’s remarkable talent, expertise and significant contributions to the community were acknowledged and celebrated.

TLC Marketing & Creative Services also announced the graduation of Trish Leonard, the company’s owner, from the Charter Class of Leadership Estero. Leonard’s participation in this esteemed leadership program exemplifies her personal and professional growth commitment. It highlights TLC Marketing & Creative Services’ dedication to positively impacting the Estero community.

“We are extremely proud and honored to be recognized as the Small Business Excellence of the Year by the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce,” Leonard said. “I am so proud of Chastity’s success and ongoing growth; her award was very well-deserving. “ In January 2024, the company will celebrate its 15 years in business.

Subchapter V and the story of Lisa’s Pizza

We need to take a break from Lisa’s Pizza for a moment and learn about proofs of claim, and the different types of claims that get asserted in a bankruptcy case. A proof of claim is a very simple form that creditors are required to file with the bankruptcy court to have their debt recognized. Among other things, it requires the creditors to identify their name, the amount of the debt, the nature of the debt and whether the debt is secured or unsecured.

A secured creditor is the most powerful type of creditor in a bankruptcy case. Repayment of their debt is secured by property known as collateral. Importantly, the value of a secured creditor’s debt is limited to the value of the collateral. For example, Mr. Smith owns a home worth $300,000 with a mortgage of $250,000. The mortgage lender is, therefore, fully secured. If the housing market crashes, however, and the value of Mr. Smith’s home drops to $225,000, then the mortgage is “upside down” and the mortgage lender’s secured debt is only $225,000 (i.e., the value of its collateral). The $25,000 deficiency is unsecured.

Further, there are two types of unsecured debt:

JOBS PAGE 1

In May 2023, the Fort Myers area’s labor force in May 2023 was up 4.0% (+15,080) over the year. The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were: education and health services (+3,900 jobs); professional and business services (+2,800 jobs); leisure and hospitality (+2,000 jobs) and construction (+1,900 jobs). May 2023 unemployment rate was 2.8%, up 0.1 percentage point from the year ago rate of 2.7 percent.

In May 2023, Florida’s unemployment rate remains at a low 2.6% for the fifth consecutive month as long-term growth continues. In May 2023, Florida’s labor force grew by 246,000 (+2.3%) over the year since May 2022, faster than the national labor force growth rate of 1.5% during the same time period.

Over the month in May 2023, Florida’s labor force grew by 38,000 (+0.3%), which is faster than the nation’s labor force growth rate of 0.1% during the same time period. As of May 2023, with the exception of October 2022, Florida employers have added jobs for 36 months since May 2020.

Florida’s over-the-year private sector job growth rate has exceeded the nation’s for 26 consecutive months. In May 2023, total private sector employment increased by 17,200 over the month, an increase of 0.2% from the previous month.

priority and general unsecured. A good example of a priority debt is taxes or wages. Similarly, a good example of unsecured debt is rent, or money owed to vendors.

Therefore, Mean Bank’s claim gets bifurcated. It will have a secured claim in the amount $25,000 (the remaining value of the collateral after accounting for Nice Bank) and a general unsecured claim in the amount of $125,000.

BY MIKE DAL LAGO Guest Columnist

Back to Lisa’s Pizza. Both Mean Bank and Nice Bank timely file their proofs of claim (as does Mean Landlord). Mean Bank asserts that it is a secured creditor in the amount of its $150,000 loan. Nice Bank, meanwhile, asserts that it is a secured creditor in the amount of its $250,000 loan. For Mean Bank and Nice Bank to both be fully secured, the collateral (just like Mr. Smith’s house) must be worth $400,000 or more. Lisa knows that her assets can’t be worth much, so she files a motion asking the Court to determine the secured status of Mean Bank. The Court determines Lisa’s Pizza’s assets are only worth $275,000. Thus, Nice Bank’s $250,000 debt is fully secured, and Mean Bank’s debt is only partially secured up to the remaining value of the assets (i.e., $25,000).

What about Mean Landlord’s claim? It filed a claim for the entire balance owed under the five-year lease. Assume that the rent was $20,000 per month and—at the time of the filing—there was 4½ years’ worth of rent still owing. Mean Landlord, therefore, files a claim in the amount of $1,080,000 ($20,000 multiplied by 54 months). Lisa’s Pizza objects to this claim because she knows that Section 502(b)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code limits damages sustained under leases to one year’s worth of rent, generally. The Court, therefore, reduces Mean Landlord’s claim to $240,000. Ouch!

Now Lisa’s Pizza must file its plan.

Mike Dal Lago is the founder and managing partner of Dal Lago Law, a leading Business Law and Business Bankruptcy law firm in Naples, with 22 years of experience in insolvency matters. Contact Mike@dallagolaw.com.

LEGAL & SECURITY

Bank industry uncertainty raises cybersecurity risk

In light of the failures and strains in the bank industry, organizations should be alert for cybercriminals looking to exploit this uncertainty to commit criminal activities.

Watch for social engineering and phishing attacks

An organization’s most valuable assets are at risk: data and reputation. The criminals want the data and will try to damage reputations to get it.

The most successful method of attack continues to be social engineering. Phishing attacks often provoke emotional responses, which may cause the target to not think critically.

Uncertainty around financial markets could lead reasonable individuals to click a link in an email that says their bank is closing or their account has a zero balance. These links could lead to a spoofed website where they may be asked to enter usernames, passwords or to download a malicious file. These files may contain malware that could setup a backdoor from the target’s computer where the cybercriminal could run commands remotely.

Be on the lookout for suspicious phone calls

These criminals also may call a financial institution pretending to be a representative from a government regulator requesting sensitive or private

information or try to get the target to break other security protocols. In this attempt, the attacker could then use this information, or unauthorized access, to perpetrate a deeper attack.

Cybercriminals also may email or call a customer pretending to be a representative from the financial institution informing them of a branch shutdown and demanding sensitive or private information.

In times of high stress, cybercriminals will leverage news platforms, social media applications, email and business websites to identify targets and develop new and uncommon attack methods.

Take steps to help protect your organization from cyber threats

To counter the risks of social engineering, consider these steps:

• Actively train employees and customers to identify email phishing, fictitious phone calls, and malicious websites.

• Continue to strengthen technical controls, including preventing malicious emails from reaching an employee’s inbox, blocking newly registered domains, removing malicious file types like executables (.exe) and inserting banners that warn to be cautious of emails from senders outside the organization.

• Have the information technology department adopt hardening standards

on networks, business applications, servers and end points and remediate vulnerabilities with regular scanning and patching.

• Cultivate a proactive cybersecurity culture by leveraging intelligence platforms, regulatory guidance, and peer networks to maintain a mature, informed, and prepared security posture.

Remember, the cybersecurity risks of tomorrow will not be limited to highprofile bank closures.

Cyber threats will continue to test the mettle of organizations across all industries. You’ll need constant vigilance from management, layered security controls, informed customers, and savvy employees to help protect assets and preserve the organization’s reputation.

How we can help

Protecting your critical assets from cybersecurity threats is not getting easier. CLA has experienced industry specialized teams, supporting various organizations not only to evaluate controls but also assist with handling cyber incident responses and important technical infrastructure to protect the perimeters of the organization.

CliftonLarsonAllen Global is an international organization of independent accounting and advisory firms. Contact CLA Fort Myers at (239) 226-9900 and CLA Naples at (239) 262-8686

How you can significantly reduce risk

Moving to a new home can be an exciting but stressful time in anyone’s life. Whether you’re planning a permanent move or not, a change of scenery opens the door to new possibilities and lifestyle changes. Amidst the chaos of packing boxes and coordinating logistics, there’s one essential task that should be at the top of your priority list: filing a change of address form with the United States Postal Service.

Even if you’re not planning on moving soon, creating an online account with USPS offers a range of benefits when it comes to keeping your mail safe from the hands of criminals. In this email, we’ll explain how taking a few minutes out of your day to set up an account with USPS can significantly reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud, providing peace of mind for both movers and non-movers alike.

Filing a Change of Address Form

If you are moving soon, or if you move seasonally, we recommend filing a change of address form with USPS whenever you do so.

As you may know if you’ve moved before, it’s crucial to inform financial and government institutions about your new address. Although doing this is necessary for you to obtain identifying documents like your driver’s license and an up-to-date billing address, it doesn’t always result in a smooth transition for your mail.

Failing to notify USPS of your new address means you’re relying on these institutions to report the details of the move for you. This can result in mail being held for months at a time until the post office receives all the necessary information about the move, and in worst case scenar-

of mail theft or fraud

ios, your mail may still be forwarded to your old address.

Not only is this a major inconvenience, but it also poses a significant risk to the security of your personal information.

Enabling Informed Delivery

Whether you’re moving or not, Informed Delivery is a free tool you can take advantage of by creating an account with USPS.

Contact MAIKEL DELGADO at (239) 945-9988 or email mdelgado@employeecare.us www.employeecare.us

BY CARRIE KERSKIE Guest Columnist

By proactively filing a Change of Address form, you ensure that your mail is rerouted to your new address, minimizing the chances of important documents falling into the wrong hands. This applies not only to permanent moves but also to seasonal relocations. By changing your forwarding address prior to moving to your summer or winter address, you can prevent mail from piling up in your mailbox while you’re away.

USPS has recently started increasing the security of identity verification questions and is now asking you to provide more sensitive information when filing for a Change of Address.

They even go as far as to ask you for some of the digits in your credit card to confirm that it’s actually you applying for the change of address.

While this may seem intimidating, it’s completely legitimate and is a step in the right direction for protecting against identity theft.

Now criminals can no longer file change of address forms as easily as the could have before.

Thanks to modern technology, USPS offers a valuable tool for defending against mail theft—Informed Delivery. By setting up an online account, you can opt to enable this feature, which provides you with notifications of the mail expected to arrive in your mailbox each day. Before the mail carrier even leaves the post office, you receive a picture of any mail scheduled for delivery.

Imagine you’re expecting a new credit card to be delivered by mail. Without Informed Delivery, you’d have no way of knowing when it will arrive or be able to suspect the possibility of theft. With this feature enabled, simply checking your email allows you to see if the credit card is being delivered that day. If it doesn’t appear, you can expect the possibility of fraud and take action before it’s too late.

Creating an account takes minutes and can give you the peace of mind of knowing that your mail is safe. So, if you haven’t already, take the time to create an online account with USPS, enable Informed Delivery, and don’t forget to file a change of address form next time you move.

Carrie Kerskie, a nationally recognized identity theft and privacy expert located in Southwest Florida, founded the Kerskie Group in 2001, which she now operates with son Kyle Kerskie. The firm is a private investigation agency dedicated to helping identity theft victims to recover effectively and efficiently. Contact her at ck@kerskie.com.

Data trends predict Southwest Florida’s population, job growth

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company’s fourpart 2023 Speaker Series concluded with an indepth examination of data predicting Southwest Florida’s future population and job growth.

The session, titled “The Past, Present and Future of Southwest Florida,” explored two decades of population data. From 2000 to 2010, the fivecounty region grew 30%. From 2010 to 2020, the region’s growth was 20%.

“In economics, a lot is based on historical data – where things are now and where they are going,” said featured speaker Aysegul Timur, then vice president and vice provost for strategy and program innovation at Florida Gulf Coast University.

The region’s three largest age groups are 65 to 74 years old, 55 to 64 years old and 75 to 84 years

old, respectively, across Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.

“It’s important to recognize that our population is aging, so we can start preparing for that now,” said Timur, who recently was selected to serve as FGCU’s next president. “Right now, the workforce we will need to support our population is less than where it needs to be.”

FGCU, along with other local universities, colleges, technical centers and high schools, are implementing academic and training programs to prepare graduates for the jobs of tomorrow. Given the region’s aging population, that means

Martin to step in as interim lead of Collaboratory

Dr. Michael V. Martin, outgoing president of Florida Gulf Coast University, will step in as interim president and CEO of Collaboratory on July 1.

Martin served as the institution’s fourth president since July 1, 2017.

Before joining FGCU, Martin served as Chancellor Emeritus and Senior Fellow at Colorado State University. Prior to this, he was Chancellor of Louisiana State University; President of New Mexico State University; Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources at University of Florida; Vice President for Agricultural Policy at University of Minnesota; and served 15 years on the faculty, including a term as Faculty Senate president, at Oregon State University.

A native of Crosby, Minnesota, Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in business and economics and a master’s degree in economics at Mankato State College (now Minnesota State University). He received his Ph.D. in applied economics from the University of Minnesota in 1977. His areas of specialization are prices, international trade, public policy, transportation and business logistics.

“Dr. Martin’s involvement in local, state and national boards and organizations spans decades of service,” said

Gail Markham, vice chairman of Collaboratory Board of Trustees. “We are incredibly fortunate that he has decided to stay active in local boards and vital issues. We are looking forward to him guiding the Collaboratory team with his experience and leadership while we secure our next CEO.”

“I hope to assist the great crew at the Collaboratory to continue their important work during this period of transition,” said Martin.

In late March, current CEO Sarah Owen announced her plans to step down nearly 12 years after she joined Collaboratory in 2011 when she was recruited to create a community foundation of the future. Under her lead

ership, Collaboratory’s assets have grown by $130 million, the organization has shifted from transactional to transformational giving, creating a new identity committed to coordinating the solving of all the region’s social problems on a deadline.

Martin will work with the Collaboratory Board over the next few months as they continue to search for the organization’s eventual new leadership.

more jobs in health care, as well as construction jobs to build senior communities and medical facilities. Additional retirees and seniors moving here, along with the aging of the region’s current population, also means more jobs in hospitality, including restaurants, retail and entertainment.

Overall, the proportion of adults ages 65 and above is predicted to continue growing:2020: 32%; 2030: 36%; 2040: 38%; and 2050: 40%

When considering births minus deaths, Timur said Southwest Florida had a net decline of 8,826 people from 2020 to 2021.

However, migration to the region – people moving here vs. people moving away – amounted to a one-year gain of 55,806 people. By 2050, the five-county region will be home to an estimated 2.2 million people.

Chico’s hires new CFO

Chico’s FAS announced David M. Oliver has been appointed as executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer, effective June 24.

Current Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Patrick J. Guido resigned to accept a position at another company. Guido’s last day was June 23. CEO and President Molly Langenstein stated, “We are excited about David’s appointment. David was instrumental in stewarding the Company for a year and a half as interim CFO during the early phase of the pandemic. His deep knowledge of Chico’s FAS, as well as his impressive financial experience and steady hand, will benefit the Company as we continue to make progress against our long-term strategic plan.”

Oliver is currently the company’s senior vice president, finance, controller and chief accounting officer. Oliver joined the company in 2012 and has held multiple leadership roles within the company.

CHAMBER PAGE 1

Nearly four feet of water destroyed the digital displays and interactive guides, furnishings and interior structure in the downstairs visitor center. Chamber staff renovated the space with a little bit of the old and a lot of new.

“You’ll find the same bright colors, same friendly faces, and same new bright technology, but new improvements as well,” Lai said. “We reconfigured the front desk area so that there is a flow of foot traffic and restored the all-popular restrooms. We’ve added comfortable seating areas so both our visitors and our residents can find respite here with family and friends.”

Johnson also spoke, thanking the city of Sanibel and council members

for their help and introducing District 80 State Rep. Adam Botana, R-Bonita Springs, who spoke on behalf of the state’s $350 million allocation to local recovery efforts.

Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson made the surprise announcement that Sanibel’s Lighthouse Beach Park would open June 16 to resounding applause. “This is an emotional occasion,” he said of the ribbon-cutting. “This signifies another step in recovery. This signifies the return to our visitorbased economy. It signifies we are open for business.”

Lai invited attendees to enjoy food and drink provided by Blue Giraffe Restaurant following the ribbon-cutting and confetti cannon hurrah, where a mood of near-giddy joy, gratitude and optimism prevailed.

Business coaches are our secret sauce! Learn from the best or join our team of the best.

Martin

Strayhorn anchored to the past, focused on the future

Take one step into the Downtown offices of Strayhorn, Persons-Mulicka & Fisher, and it’s clear this is not your typical Fort Myers law firm.

Nineteenth-century plat maps of Florida line the walls, stretching back nearly as far as the territory becoming the 27th state in 1845. A framed blackand-white photo depicts a 1929 family hunting excursion in the Everglades, while assorted campaign memorabilia traces the 115-year-old firm’s political bona fides — from a 1950 constituent letter penned by state Rep. Norwood Strayhorn (whose father, firm founder Guy M. Strayhorn, also served as state representative), to more recent literature outlining the leadership of firm partner Jenna Persons-Mulicka, now in her second term as a state representative.

A Fort Myers native, Bruce Strayhorn shows no sign of slowing down, said his daughter Megan, who joined the four-attorney firm in September after several years at the Public Defender’s Office of Florida’s 20th Judicial Circuit. The familial hire ensures the next generation will endure at the Strayhorn firm — but it wasn’t necessarily a fait accompli.

“My Dad finally coaxed me to come on over. It was my destiny – but I was very reluctant to admit it,” said Megan Strayhorn, an Ave Maria School of Law graduate.

Like father, like daughter. Bruce Strayhorn too flirted with not following his predecessors with a career in law, he recalled in a 2015 interview, acknowledging his father and grandfather “were using reverse psychology.” The 1977 Stetson Law graduate returned home and never looked back.

True to a practice whose founder served as Lee County prosecuting attorney, state attorney, state representative and city attorney for Fort Myers, the Strayhorn firm’s early focus included criminal and civil law, as well as about any legal matter to arise in a city emerging from the scrub pines in the earlyand mid-20th century.

As the surrounding area grew, the firm’s focus narrowed. Now focusing on land-use and development, the rebranded firm emerged as an authority on planning, zoning and building codes; real estate; tax increment financing; contracts; and business law.

“When a developer comes in with a great idea, we’re able to help them refine their project to determine what’s going to work here, to benefit the local community,” said Jennifer Fisher, who joined the practice in 2015 and was named partner in January. “Our firm gets to help shape the skyline.”

That includes the decades-long revitalization of Downtown Fort Myers and its River District, spurred by a Community Redevelopment Agency designation in the mid-1980s. That’s also when the firm designed and built its current First Street location.

That community service is evident in Bruce Strayhorn’s work as a 35-year board member of the Fort Myers Housing Authority. A lifelong commitment to social and racial justice is one he instilled deeply in both family and colleagues, Fisher said.

“Bruce passes on the stories of injustices that have occurred in the past, to make sure we never forget from whence we came,” she said.

Those values include surrounding himself with strong women in leadership. In January, the family firm changed its name from Strayhorn & Persons to its present incarnation, an acknowledgement that a new crop of 30- and 40-something women will lead the firm squarely into the 21st century.

For Persons-Mulicka, the fit is a natural one. A sixth-generation Lee County resident (ancestors John and Penelope Powell were among the area’s first settlers; John Powell was elected to serve on the first Lee County Commission), the state representative boasts a commitment to public service that aligns ideally with the firm’s mission.

“Practicing land use and development law here truly is an extension of my commitment to public service,” said Persons-Mulicka, whose grandmother Myrtle Persons was a beloved local artist, and whose dad Armor is Lee County School Board chairman.

“Clients know that our legal team isn’t just looking for the best deal — as lifelong residents of Lee County, we’re dedicated to ensuring that any projects we pursue will best serve the community’s needs and protect our piece of paradise for generations to come.”

Fisher, who heads up the real estate transaction department, issued over $118 million in title insurance and is versed in real estate transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, entitlements, commercial leasing and complex commercial financing. With seven years as a paralegal, her career trajectory was atypical. “I was able to start handling large transactions out of the gate,” she said.

Eight years into the firm’s second century, Bruce Strayhorn is bullish on its future.

“I can think of no finer group of colleagues to lead the charge into the community’s future,” he said. “The legacy of our family firm is one that I cherish. We honor our forebearers, but are also firmly focused on the road ahead.”

Jenna Persons-Mulicka, Megan Strayhorn, Bruce Strayhorn and Jennifer Fisher.

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