Community News - Manatee Movers and Shakers, 6/16/2011

Posted Thursday, June 18, 2015 12:00 am

S.W.A.T Names New President

Sarah Gaudette owner of Paradise Therapy in Bradenton has been named as the new President of the Bradenton Chapter of the SWAT Networking group. SWAT (Successful Women Aligning Together) has three chapters in the Manatee-Sarasota area. Director, Dr. Robyn Spirtas stated ”Sarah is going to be an excellent addition to our Bradenton Chapter. She has a wonderful spirit and her smile will keep the group positive and upbeat. We are so happy she accepted the position.“ SWAT is a networking organization for women in Manatee and Sarasota to support each other in business and personal affairs. More info about SWAT can be found at www.swatnetworking.com.

MRHS Opens New OB/GYN Clinic

"On June 8th, Manatee County Rural Health Services, Inc. opened its doors to it’s newest obstetrics and gynecology location at 2318 Manatee Ave. Many local elected officials came out to show encouragement and also address and concerns of the district. Manatee County Rural Health Services delivers over two-thirds of the children in Manatee County."

Mark Gilluly named First Vice President for the Bradenton Merrill lynch Office

Merrill Lynch has proudly promoted Senior Advisor and Merrill Lynch veteran of 30 years in Bradenton, Mark Gilluly to title of First Vice President effectively immediately. Mark received his Master of Business Administration from The University of Florida and has been serving in his advisor’s role to regional Wealth Management clients his entire career in the local branch office. An avid golfer outside of the office, he is a former Manatee County Amateur champion and club champion at both Bradenton Country Club and Lake of Isles in Connecticut. Mr. Gilluly’s long term ongoing success is a direct result of knowledge and acumen in the financial markets. His career reflects our approach philosophy of working closely with clients to not just understand client goals, but their family interests and passions as well.

1^st Choice Industries Wins Small Business of the Year Award

1^st Choice Industries, a premier provider of construction, property management and business solutions, has been awarded the 2011 Frank G. Berlin, Sr., Small Business Award by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. 1^st Choice Industries CEO Gary Simone accepted the award at the annual Small Business Awards luncheon ceremony June 2, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

”I started our family business with my father in New Jersey in 1983,“ said Gary. ”My family and I made the Sarasota-Bradenton area our home about seven years ago, and a few years later my partners Darrin Simone, George Rutigliano and I decided to relocate our main headquarters here. This award confirms that we made a great move. We are honored to be a part of this business community, where we employ 40 local residents and offer a diverse range of services.“

This award is the most recent good news for 1^st Choice Industries, which announced in January 2011 that its total company sales had jumped 28 percent over the previous year, prompting the hiring of eight new employees in its Sarasota office and in the field. The company is looking forward to seeing sales numbers increase throughout 2011, as it continues to expand its local business and completes projects for major national clients such as Starbucks, Denny’s and Michaels Stores.

Manatee Chamber of Commerce Scores on 10 of Top 14 Issues

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce recently completed a 2011 Business Agenda Legislative Report Card based upon the outcomes of the 2011 Florida legislative session. The Manatee Chamber was successful with 10 of its top 14 issues.

The Chamber supported a pro-jobs, pro-economic development agenda supporting a strong quality of life for our state. More than 2,100 bills were filed this session with 230 bills passing. The Manatee Chamber was pleased overall with the outcome of the 2011 session and thanked the Manatee County Legislative Delegation for their leadership, according to Neil Spirtas, Vice President, Public Policy & Small Business at the Manatee Chamber.

Important bills passed from the Manatee Chamber's agenda included Tech School Equity which will provide Manatee Technical School 75 cents on the dollar (up from 55 cents this past fiscal year) equating to $1.9 million more for MTI in the next fiscal year, Port Manatee’s submerged sovereign lands, economic development research and development tax credits, unemployment compensation changes and the defeat of the repeal of the Mark Wandall Safety Act.

HH Staffing Services Announces New Hire

Anita Robles

Anita Robles brings over 12 years professional Staffing and Recruiting experience in Manufacturing, Technical, Professional and Administrative industries. Anita is known in the community for her passion to unite top talent with client companies who are seeking to hire. Anita is well versed in recruiting/servicing client companies who have a need for permanent, temporary, seasonal and/or flexible staffing needs. She is committed to bringing the highest level of service to both Clients and Associates. We at HH Staffing welcome her addition to our team.

Manatee names former Island Branch Manger Ava Ehde head of Library Services

Former Anna Maria Island Library Branch Manager Ava Ehde has been selected as Manatee County Library Services Manager with responsibility for the leadership and operations of the five libraries in the system.

Ehde has been the supervisor at the Anna Maria Island Library since 2003. Prior to coming to Manatee County, she was the Head of Reference and Systems at D'Youville College Library in Buffalo, N.Y. Ehde earned a bachelor’s degree in History and German and a master’s degree in Information and Library Science from State University of New York at Buffalo where she also served as an adjunct faculty member for four years.

Manatee County Neighborhood Services Director Cheri Coyea said Ehde was selected for her wide range of experience during an extensive career in libraries. Ehde has been employed by the Manatee County Public Library since 2002 and has been the Island Library branch manager since 2003.

"Ms. Ehde brings just the right balance of background and knowledge of the Library Services industry in a time where budget constraints, technology advances and consumer needs are at a high level of flux,“ Coryea said. ”We anticipate a smooth transition for her and the current staff with an attention to quality custom service for Manatee County Library patrons."

Previously, Ehde worked as Director of the Rachel R. Savarino Library at Trocaire College, as a local history librarian for Niagara Falls Public Library and as a substitute librarian for the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System.

”I’ve done a little of everything, from technology working as a systems librarian, to cataloguing, circulation, reference, and local history which helps me better direct, mentor and coach staff,“ said Ehde.

Ehde will initially focus on making several personnel decisions where there are vacancies, including hiring her replacement as manager at the Island library.

”I have a great deal of energy and enthusiasm and I’m hoping to infuse that into the Library System and to bring more of a positive and productive direction for the system,“ Ehde said. ”I’m also very big on customer service, so that’s definitely a top priority.“

Ehde takes over a County Library System that last year accommodated more than 1 million patrons and oversaw more than 2.4 million materials used. During the same year, librarians at the Central Library and five branch libraries answered more than 451,000 reference questions. Volunteers contributed more than 25,000 hours.

Ehde can be reached at (941) 748-5555 ext. 6301. For more information on the Manatee County Library System or to browse more than 460,000 volumes, visit www.mymanatee.org/library