My Blog

Every week, more than 100 of our nation’s youth die as a result of suicide. To provide educators, law enforcement, youth leaders and anyone who works closely with young people with the tools and resources to recognize the warning signs and identify at-risk behavior, the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition will present a free suicide prevention training seminar on July 21 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the United Way, 7275 Concourse Dr. in Fort Myers.

Designed for those working with youth in grades seven through 12, “A Promise for Tomorrow” is presented by Melissa Krone, an expert on suicide prevention from the University Behavioral Center and the Jason Foundation, a nationally recognized, not-for-profit provider of educational curriculums and training programs for students, educators, youth workers and parents. Krone will give guidance on the following topics:

-Recognizing the warning signs of depression or suicide risk

-Identifying at-risk behavior and elevated risk groups

-Finding resources to help a depressed or suicidal student

“This seminar focuses on the relationships and interactions that exist between adult leaders and youth and how to recognize the warning signs for depression and suicide,” says Syndi Bultman, chairperson of the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition. “Anyone who works closely with young people cannot afford to miss ‘A Promise for Tomorrow.’”

If you plan to attend the free seminar or would like more information, call Bultman at 239-336-6797 to reserve a seat. Space is limited.

The Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition has been working to prevent injuries in Lee County since 1995 under the auspices of the Lee County Health Department. Today the group is comprised of more than 80 different health and safety agencies and experts. The coalition is a multi-disciplinary cooperative of private and public partners that include fire and rescue agencies, emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies, hospital outreach programs, health agencies, and public and private schools. This strong partnership provides increased resources, efficiency, and consistent delivery of unified safety messages to the public. For more information, visit http://leecountyinjuryprevention.org/.

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida announces the members of its 2010 Business Hall of Fame, Collier County, Advisory Board. The chair is Craig Sherman, executive vice president/chief loan officer of EverBank.

Other members selected to this year’s board include: Lisa Barnett Van Dien, attorney with Cheffy Passidomo, P.A.; Wilma Boyd, president/CEO of Preferred Travel of Naples; Carleton Case, vice president, business development of Brown & Brown Benefits; Clay W. Cone, president of Cone Communications Company; Kristin Conroy, attorney with Conroy, Conroy & Durrant; John English, PE, vice president/principal of WilsonMiller Inc.; Carl Howes, vice president/controller of Pachira Company; Dr. Paul Jones of Dr. Paul Jones, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.; Jerry F. Nichols, executive vice president of Brown & Brown Benefits; David Port, senior vice president of Northern Trust Bank; Katie Sproul, vice president of real estate for Barron Collier Companies; and Len Zaiser IV, senior vice president and general manager of Structure Medical LLC.

The advisory board selects laureates for the 2010 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, Collier County, which recognizes individuals who have served as positive role models and have made significant contributions to the local business community. The 2010 Business Hall of Fame, Collier County event will take place October 27 at the Naples Grande Beach Resort.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students that focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Today, 138 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional five million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. For more information, contact the local office at 239-225-2590 or visit http://www.jaswfl.org/ on the Web.

Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center will be closed to the public Aug. 1 – Oct. 3 due to major renovations for the $17 million Sustainable Campus initiative. Normal operating hours will resume at 9 a.m. on Oct. 4.  Please note that the Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic is not affected by this closure and will be open as usual, seven days a week from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.  Business and Administrative offices are also open for business as usual.

“We are making some exciting progress on the new “green” Nature Center,” said Andrew McElwaine, president and CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.  “Once completed, sometime in 2012, guests will be able to enjoy one of the most complete experiences of the Southwest Florida environment and leave with the understanding of why it is so important to protect our water, land and wildlife.”

The renovation, part of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida “Saving Southwest Florida” Capital Campaign, is designed to transform the 21-acre Conservancy Nature Center into a model for sustainable design and environmental responsibility. Its many features will include a new two new buildings:  the Sugden Gomez Environmental Planning Center and von Arx Wildlife Clinic.  Three other buildings we undergo extensive renovations:  Dalton Discovery Center, Eaton Conservation Hall featuring the Jeannie Meg Smith Theater, and the Ferguson Interactive Learning Lab.  Other sustainable features include several new filter marshes designed to enhance Gordon River and Naples Bay water quality. Plans for the new Nature Center can be found at www.conservancy.org/campaign. Construction is expected to be complete in early 2012.

For those interested in being a part of the “Saving Southwest Florida” Campaign, numerous naming opportunities at different levels are still available. For more information on naming opportunities, contact Rob Moher, vice-president of development and marketing for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida at 239-403-4205.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Sustainable Campus Initiative:
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has begun a new sustainable campus initiative launched in April 2009 as part of its Saving Southwest Florida Capital Campaign. The 21-acre Conservancy Nature Center is being transformed into a model for sustainable design and environmental responsibility, with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for both buildings and the Nature Center. Once completed, the new Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center will include two new buildings and three major rehabilitation project.

• A new Wildlife Clinic with more space, improved treatment areas and modern equipment
• Totally remodeled Discovery Center with new and exciting environmental exhibits
• A new Environmental Planning Center with updated research laboratories
• Conservation Hall and theater will be created from the existing auditorium space and will be used for increased environmental education programming, meetings and events
• Interactive Learning Lab for hands-on learning about environmental topics and sustainability
• Two constructed wetlands areas serving as natural filter marshes to cleanse storm water before being released into the Gordon River and Naples Bay
• New trails, gardens and walkways with native landscaping
• New environmental education and programming

The project also includes a new entrance to the Conservancy Nature Center, Smith Preserve Way, from Goodlette-Frank Road that will bring the vision of a “Naples Central Park” closer to reality. The new entrance will potentially provide access to the Gordon River Greenway Park and the Naples Zoo.

Green building practices, sustainability features and best management practices are being incorporated into all aspects of the construction and building designs. Key features include:

• All new buildings will be built to rigorous LEED standards.
• LEED standards will be applied across the overall for Nature Center.
• Water conservation will be emphasized and best management practices for stormwater management applied. Storm water will be captured for re-use or filtered before naturally flowing into the Gordon River.
• Energy efficiency will be incorporated at every opportunity with a multi-year goal to achieve “net zero” energy cost.

The project is being funded through the ongoing multi-million dollar capital campaign. Campus construction will be phased over several years to minimize the impact on Conservancy guests and staff. Completion is expected sometime in the first quarter of 2012.

The construction project team members bring a variety of backgrounds and specialization in sustainable design, advanced building construction and applied technology to the project. All contractors working on the project have achieved or are pursuing personal LEED accreditation. The construction partners all have adapted their own business philosophies and practices to meet the demands of the project. They also have committed to using their experience with sustainability practices on the Conservancy campus to extend that concept into future projects for other Southwest Florida clients. Team members include:

• Curtis Cafiso, Conservancy of Southwest Florida (Project Executive)
• Keith Predmore, Keith Predmore & Associates (Owner’s Representative)
• Casey Neurock, Neugreen LLC (LEED Consultant)
• Fernando Zabala and Brian Leaders, Larry Warner Architects (Master Planning and Building Design) and the late Larry Warner
• Alex Lopez, JALRW Engineering Group (MEP Engineers)
• Derry Berrigan, DBLD Sustainable Lighting Design (LED Lighting)
• Peter Kuttner, Cambridge 7 Associates (Discovery Center Exhibit Design and Campus Interpretive Design)
• Walter Crawford, Heatherwood Construction (Construction Managers)
• Frank Feeney, Hole Montes (Civil Engineer)

High resolution images of the new Nature Center and building renderings are available to the media by contacting Barbara Wilson, Conservancy director of marketing and communications: barbaraw@conservancy.org; or 239-403-4216.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida:

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida began in 1964 when community leaders came together to defeat a proposed “Road to Nowhere” and spearheaded the acquisition and protection of Rookery Bay.

The Conservancy is a grassroots organization focused on the critical environmental issues of the Southwest Florida region. Partnering with like-minded organizations, the Conservancy works to manage growth and protect area waters, land and wildlife. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida promotes sound environmental policies and practices based on solid scientific research while providing environmental education to residents and visitors. The Wildlife Clinic treats more than 2,400 injured, sick and orphaned animals each year and releases about half back into their native habitats.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Conservancy Nature Center are located in Naples, Florida at 1450 Merrihue Drive, off Goodlette-Frank Road at 14^th Avenue North. For information about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, call 239-262-0304 or visit http://www.conservancy.org/.

Just in time for Independence Day, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Wildlife Clinic released a rehabilitated bald eagle that was recently treated for injuries back into its native environment.

Conservancy Wildlife Clinic volunteer Tim Healy and his wife, Norma, brought the injured bird to the clinic on May 3. The juvenile bald eagle was found in North Naples near Immokalee Road and U.S. 41 suffering from severe wounds to its right leg, right wing and tail. The cause of the injuries is unknown. The eagle’s injuries were treated with a therapeutic low level laser for several weeks to help heal its wounds.

“It’s always a great feeling when one of our patients is fully rehabilitated and able to be released back into the wild, especially an animal with such extensive injuries,” said Conservancy Wildlife Clinic Director Joanna Fitzgerald. “This case was truly unique because it was a bald eagle regaining its ‘independence’ just as we head into the Fourth of July weekend.”

The Conservancy Wildlife Clinic used a Multi Radiance TQ Solo laser to produce deep tissue stimulation, vital to restoring and proliferating healthy cells at the wound site. The bald eagle was placed in an outdoor recovery area on May 30 to complete its healing process.

“When we found the eagle it was in really bad shape; we honestly weren’t sure if it would make it,” said Healy. “It was a wonderful to see it fully recuperated and going home.”

On June 30 Healy did the honors of releasing the eagle back into the wild at the general area where it was originally found. Although reluctant to fly at first, the bald eagle eventually returned to the woods behind Wiggins Pass Road. Prior to its release, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) banded the eagle with identification for possible future research. If the eagle is found injured in the future, the banding allows for information to be tracked back to FWC.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida:

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida began in 1964 when community leaders came together to defeat a proposed “Road to Nowhere” and spearheaded the acquisition and protection of Rookery Bay.

The Conservancy is a grassroots organization focused on the critical environmental issues of the Southwest Florida region. Partnering with like-minded organizations, the Conservancy works to manage growth and protect area waters, land and wildlife. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida promotes sound environmental policies and practices based on solid scientific research while providing environmental education to residents and visitors. The Wildlife Clinic treats more than 2,400 injured, sick and orphaned animals each year and releases about half back into their native habitats.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Conservancy Nature Center are located in Naples, Florida at 1450 Merrihue Drive, off Goodlette-Frank Road at 14^th Avenue North. For information about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, call 239-262-0304 or visit http://www.conservancy.org/.

Technology changes things rapidly. The moment a new tech tool comes along it’s almost instantly made obsolete by a better one taking its place. With this innovation comes the opportunity for do-it-yourselfers to publish, print and post without the technical support of a professional marketing team. However, the technology doesn’t guarantee results. So, yes, you can do it yourself. The question is… Should you?

One thing technology doesn’t come with is a marketing degree, never mind the experience necessary to strategically use new technology to a company’s advantage.

Yes, you can start a blog, but do you really need a blog? Do you know what to put in your blog? Do you have time to maintain a blog?

Yes, you can maintain your Facebook page, but do you know how the page’s capabilities changed since yesterday? Do you know how to use it to enhance search engine optimization? Do you know when to use it for sales and when not to?

Yes, you can build your own website, but do you wonder why your website comes up on page 1,002 when you Google your company’s name? Do you know who is visiting and why? Do you know how long they are staying and why they left? Do you know how easy it is for a competitor to copy it?

Yes, you can purchase your own advertising, but do you know how much you could save if a professional media buyer negotiated the price for you? Do you know how to manage the design process and get the ad to the publication on time? Do you know if the ad will work because it has the right headline, graphics and call to action?

These are just a few of the questions do-it-yourselfers should ask, and Priority Marketing has the answers. With more than 25 years of experience in providing top-notch advertising, marketing and public relations services, one of the benefits we offer clients is the knowledge and understanding necessary to achieve results. We apply this hard-earned expertise each and every day, staying on top of new technologies, opportunities and trends through hands-on work, industry publications, networking and seminars.

We also have established relationships with vendors, advertising reps and the media, personal connections that open doors to better results and cost savings for clients. We know what questions to ask every step of the way, what details to pay attention to and when to step back and look at the big picture.

While following new technology and innovations is vitally important, the advantages of having Priority Marketing on your side will never become obsolete.

Do you have a do-it-yourself marketing experience to share? We hope it was successful, but if it wasn’t, we can help turn it around for you. Call us today, 239-267-2638.

Lisa Sands, advisor and manager at VIP Realty, Commercial announces the appointment of Mark L. Morris as advisor.

 “As a close friend of Paul Sands, the former senior advisor of VIP  Commercial who recently passed away, Mark is familiar with the core values of the firm including the team’s attention to personal relationships, accountability and integrity,” says Sands. “Mark’s expertise in the financial arena will be a great asset to our clients. He brings a unique perspective to the commercial real estate arena given his contacts in the local banking industry and his knowledge of financing commercial real estate properties.”

 As advisor, Morris will be part of the full-service commercial real estate brokerage team at VIP Realty, Commercial, which provides real estate services for commercial land, office, retail and industrial properties.

 “I am more than happy to become part of this exceptional team,” says Morris. “As a longtime resident, I have watched this area grow to what it is today and believe there are currently tremendous opportunities in real estate for those willing to recognize them.”

A native of Fort Myers, Morris graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in accounting and began his banking career in Lexington. He spent almost 15 years in Atlanta with a large financial institution before returning to Southwest Florida. Since then, he has served in leadership positions for three local banks and has extensive commercial real estate experience through his management and lending activities.

Morris has also been a strong contributor to the local community, having served on the boards of the Southwest Florida Museum of History Foundation, The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers, Southwest Florida American Heart Association, United Way and Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. He is currently vice chair of the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades counties and past president and board member of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.

 VIP Realty, Commercial provides a full range of real estate services for land, office, retail and industrial properties. Specialties include sales and acquisitions, 1031 exchanges, investments, retail and office site analysis, and market and financial feasibility studies. For more information about VIP Realty, Commercial, located at 13131 University Dr. in Fort Myers, call 239-489-3303 or visit http://www.vipcommercial.com/.

Stevens Construction Inc. has completed interior renovations at Florida Heart Associates, announced Mark Stevens, company president.

Stevens Construction retrofitted the facility to accommodate the addition of a Cardiac PET Imaging Scanner, which allows the cardiovascular practice to introduce a pioneer diagnostic test that evaluates blood flow and cardiac performance. Located at 1550 Barkley Circle, Florida Heart Associates is the only facility in Lee County to offer Cardiac PET Stress testing.

Completed while the facility remained in operation, the Stevens Construction team consisted of JP Pencil and Todd Welle. The project was designed by Burt Hill/Pollock Krieg Architects, Inc.

With offices in Fort Myers and Maitland, Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals. Other services include site and design team selection, budgeting, project scheduling, permitting, cost and quality control and warranty service. The company builds healthcare, commercial, public and hospitality facilities. For information, visit http://www.stevensconstructioninc.com/ or call 239-936-9006.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida hosted a ceremonial wildlife release to celebrate the start of construction on the new von Arx Wildlife Clinic, the latest phase of its multi-million-dollar sustainable campus initiative, part of its “Saving Southwest Florida” Capital Campaign. Namesakes Sharon and Dolph von Arx, Conservancy staff, board members, donors and Capital Campaign Committee members participated in a ceremonial release of a rehabilitated mourning dove into the wild, symbolizing the mission of the new clinic: to treat and release injured wildlife back into its native habitat.

Sharon and Dolph von Arx provided a generous $1.5 million leadership gift to the “Saving Southwest Florida” Capital Campaign to fund a large portion of the new wildlife clinic which, once complete, will provide the essential room, tools and resources to treat and save diverse native wildlife species. The von Arx’s also pledged $50,000 to fund the Sharon von Arx Flight Recovery Aviary.

“The Wildlife Clinic has an important dual role in caring for and rehabilitating wildlife, but also introduces more people to the Conservancy than any other program,” said the von Arx’s. “We hope the new clinic will enable the Conservancy to expand and enhance its work.”

Other major donors helping to fund the new wildlife clinic include Barbara W. Moore, Sidney and Nancy Sapakie, Fred and Sue Schulte, Deki Stephenson, Edward and Susan Yawney and one anonymous donor. Additional support was provided by Dr. Robert Schultheis, and Chuck and Jean Zboril. The total cost of the new Wildlife Clinic is $2.6 million.

The current Conservancy of Southwest Florida Wildlife Clinic was built to handle approximately 600-800 animals per year, but is now treating more than 2,500 injured, sick and orphaned wildlife annually in outdated, cramped quarters. The new von Arx Wildlife Clinic will have the capacity to treat more than double that number. The expanded, 4,500-square-foot clinic will include larger medical facilities and an upgraded interpretive area to educate visitors about the important wildlife rehabilitation work of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

“The Wildlife Clinic will be a significant enhancement to our Nature Center, enabling us to treat animals in a less stressful environment – and increase their chances to be released into the wild,” says Andrew McElwaine, president and CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. “The new facility will be one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation facilities in this part of the country.”

The space will include separate recovery areas for mammals, reptiles and birds, an animal nursery and new operating and x-ray rooms. The clinic will also serve as an education center, allowing the public learn about rehabilitation without disturbing the wildlife or their treatments.

While almost half of the “patients” are released back into the wild, native wildlife that are either recovering or not able to care for themselves will be placed in an outdoor viewing area. Completion of the von Arx Wildlife Clinic is estimated for second quarter of 2011. In the interim, the existing Wildlife Clinic will remain operational.

“We are grateful to Sharon and Dolph von Arx for their leadership gift to the ‘Saving Southwest Florida’ Capital Campaign,” said Rob Moher, vice-president of development and marketing for the Conservancy. “Other generous donors have contributed toward this project and their contributions have been vital in allowing us to start construction of this wildlife clinic.”

For others interested in being a part of the campus renovation project, additional naming opportunities are still available. Information can be found on at http://www.conservancy.org/.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Sustainable Campus Initiative:
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has begun a new sustainable campus initiative launched in April 2009 as part of its Saving Southwest Florida Capital Campaign. The 21-acre Conservancy Nature Center is being transformed into a model for sustainable design and environmental responsibility, with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for both buildings and the Nature Center. Once completed, the new Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center will include two new buildings and three major rehabilitation project.

• A new Wildlife Clinic with more space, improved treatment areas and modern equipment
• Totally remodeled Discovery Center with new and exciting environmental exhibits
• A new Environmental Planning Center with updated research laboratories
• Conservation Hall and theater will be created from the existing auditorium space and will be used for increased environmental education programming, meetings and events
• Interactive Learning Lab for hands-on learning about environmental topics and sustainability
• Two constructed wetlands areas serving as natural filter marshes to cleanse storm water before being released into the Gordon River and Naples Bay
• New trails, gardens and walkways with native landscaping
• New environmental education and programming

The project also includes a new entrance to the Conservancy Nature Center, Smith Preserve Way, from Goodlette-Frank Road that will bring the vision of a “Naples Central Park” closer to reality. The new entrance will potentially provide access to the Gordon River Greenway Park and the Naples Zoo.

Green building practices, sustainability features and best management practices are being incorporated into all aspects of the construction and building designs. Key features include:

• All new buildings will be built to rigorous LEED standards.
• LEED standards will be applied across the overall for Nature Center.
• Water conservation will be emphasized and best management practices for stormwater management applied. Storm water will be captured for re-use or filtered before naturally flowing into the Gordon River.
• Energy efficiency will be incorporated at every opportunity with a multi-year goal to achieve “net zero” energy cost.

The project is being funded through the ongoing multi-million dollar capital campaign. Campus construction will be phased over several years to minimize the impact on Conservancy guests and staff. Completion is expected sometime in the first quarter of 2012.

The construction project team members bring a variety of backgrounds and specialization in sustainable design, advanced building construction and applied technology to the project. All contractors working on the project have achieved or are pursuing personal LEED accreditation. The construction partners all have adapted their own business philosophies and practices to meet the demands of the project. They also have committed to using their experience with sustainability practices on the Conservancy campus to extend that concept into future projects for other Southwest Florida clients. Team members include:

• Curtis Cafiso, Conservancy of Southwest Florida (Project Executive)
• Keith Predmore, Keith Predmore & Associates (Owner’s Representative)
• Casey Neurock, Neugreen LLC (LEED Consultant)
• Fernando Zabala and Brian Leaders, Larry Warner Architects (Master Planning and Building Design)
• Alex Lopez, JALRW Engineering Group (MEP Engineers)
• Derry Berrigan, DBLD Sustainable Lighting Design (LED Lighting)
• Peter Kuttner, Cambridge 7 Associates (Discovery Center Exhibit Design and Campus Interpretive Design)
• Walter Crawford, Heatherwood Construction (Construction Managers)
• Frank Feeney, Hole Montes (Civil Engineer)

High resolution images of the new Wildlife Clinic renderings are available to the media by contacting Barbara Wilson, Director of Marketing and Communications: barbaraw@conservancy.org; or 239-403-4216.

More information about the “Saving Southwest Florida” Capital Campaign is available at www.conservancy.org/campaign.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida:

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida began in 1964 when community leaders came together to defeat a proposed “Road to Nowhere” and spearheaded the acquisition and protection of Rookery Bay.

The Conservancy is a grassroots organization focused on the critical environmental issues of the Southwest Florida region. Partnering with like-minded organizations, the Conservancy works to manage growth and protect area waters, land and wildlife. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida promotes sound environmental policies and practices based on solid scientific research while providing environmental education to residents and visitors. The Wildlife Clinic treats more than 2,400 injured, sick and orphaned animals each year and releases about half back into their native habitats.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Conservancy Nature Center are located in Naples, Florida at 1450 Merrihue Drive, off Goodlette-Frank Road at 14^th Avenue North. For information about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, call 239-262-0304 or visit http://www.conservancy.org/.

Owen-Ames-Kimball Company (O-A-K) has begun construction on renovations of Bonair Towers for the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers.

The project will involve modernization of the elevators and a new sprinkler system as well as upgrades to the fire alarm system and a new fire pump in the 100-unit, multiple story building located on Halgrim Avenue in Fort Myers. O-A-K will be the Authority’s partner in the performance of this contract, adhering to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines and Section 3 requirements. O-A-K has made every effort to meet the requirements of Section 3 through the employment of low income residents and local minority business firms.

The O-A-K team for this project is Jay Zwack as job site superintendent; Tom Misotti as project manager; and Frank Bell as general superintendent.

Owen-Ames-Kimball Company has provided premier general contracting, design-build and construction management services in Southwest Florida since 1982. O-A-K’s Florida operation is an affiliate of its parent company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Florida operation has offices in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. Its Lee County office is located at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers. Learn more about O-A-K at http://www.owen-ames-kimball.com/.

Entrepreneurial-minded teens discovered what it takes to be a successful business leader at CEO Academy, an exclusive one-week summer camp for high school juniors and seniors. The program was presented by Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida and took place at the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University. Following the week-long camp, students presented their business plans to a panel of prominent business leaders.

“This is a rare opportunity for students to learn from the area’s most successful entrepreneurs who enjoy sharing their passion for business,” says Victoria Stephan, president of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida.

Participants first learned about business from these experienced professionals by participating in hands-on activities such as creating business plans and marketing packages based on case studies of specialized corporations. Twenty students from Collier and Lee counties attended the 2010 CEO Academy. Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy.

Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students, which focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. In the 2009-2010 school year, more than 9,500 students in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties will be reached. Today, 138 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional five million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. For more information, contact the local office at 239-225-2590, or visit www.JASWFL.org on the Web.