Community News - Manatee Movers and Shakers, 7/28/2011

Red Cross Southwest Florida Chapter Announces New CEO

Florida’s West Coast Region of the American Red Cross has announced that Megarie D. van Sickel has been chosen to be the Chief Executive Officer for the Southwest Florida Chapter.  Megarie has been the Executive Director of the Charlotte County Chapter for the last twelve years and has served as the Interim Chief Operating Officer of the Southwest Florida Chapter for the last eight months.

The Southwest Florida Chapter was recently a consolidation of the Manatee, Southwest Florida and Charlotte County chapters which covers Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee and Sarasota counties.  The Southwest Florida Chapter is part of Florida’s West Coast Region which also includes the Tampa Bay Chapter covering Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

A search committee appointed by the newly elected Board of Directors of the Southwest Florida Chapter conducted a nationwide search for the position and unanimously agreed to recommend Ms. van Sickel for the position to the Division Vice President.  During her tenure with the Red Cross, Ms. van Sickel has supervised all lines of service including Services to Armed Forces, Disaster Services, Health & Safety, International Services, Volunteer Services, and successfully lead the Charlotte County Chapter’s response to Hurricane Charley.   She has worked effectively in the community to build collaboration among various groups to enhance service delivery, increase visibility, and raise funds.

”Megarie brings a strong staff orientated management style and has built a strong volunteer leadership base in Charlotte and will continue the process within the newly consolidated Southwest Florida Chapter,“ said Linda Carbone, CEO of the Florida’s West Coast Region. ”Megarie has been and will continue to be an indispensable part of the leadership team for Florida’s West Coast Region.“

Ms. van Sickel is ”very excited about having the opportunity to get this new chapter moving forward!“

In addition to her duties with at the chapter, Ms. van Sickel currently holds board positions on The Governor’s Hurricane Conference and Association of Florida Chapters.

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Steve Ryon Joins Cadence Bank as the Sarasota Branch Office Manager

In the Financial Services business for 14 years, he began his career as a financial advisor with A.G. Edwards in Sarasota, FL, where he worked for five years.  He then joined Wachovia Securities where he served as a financial advisor for three years.  In 2005, he moved to the banking side of Wachovia as a Licensed Financial Consultant

Prior to his financial services career, Ryon obtained a successful Retail Management career with Staples and Scotty’s, a home building supply company.  He was the first store manager to open a Scotty’s in Dade County, FL and was actively involved in three store openings.  While working with Staple’s, he was involved in eight new store openings and was the store manager for the first Staple’s stores in Sarasota, Florida and Bradenton, Florida.

Ryon, a native of Winter Haven, Florida, attended The Citadel and received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1981.

He currently resides in Sarasota.  He and his wife Stephanie have one daughter, Ashley Ryon Kirkham, who is an attorney in Columbia, South Carolina.  He is a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and is actively involved in the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch, the Clemson Parents Council, and the Manatee County Republican Executive Committee.

Cadence Bank has been setting the pace for financial products and exceptional service since 1889.  Cadence provides personalized financial services including banking, investments, and trust solutions across five southeastern states.

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CS&L CPAs Announces Promotions

 

Nicole Franklin

Christopher, Smith, Leonard, Bristow & Stanell, P.A. CPAs is pleased to announce the following staff promotions. ”We are very excited for these individuals,“ said Bob Stanell, Managing Partner. ”Each has demonstrated the commitment to client service and professional excellence that we hold as the cornerstone for our firm. We look forward to their continued success.“

Nicole Franklin was promoted to Audit Supervisor. Mrs. Franklin served as Audit Senior previously and joined CS&L in 2007. Nicole graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Kinga Huse

Kinga Huse was promoted to Tax Senior from Tax Staff. Ms. Huse joined CS&L in 2010. Kinga is a cum laude graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting.

Marta Pinheiro was promoted to Audit Manager from Audit Supervisor. Mrs. Pinheiro specializes in audit services for for-profit companies, manufacturing, and 401(k) plan audits.  She joined CS&L in 2008 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Elon University.

David Reali has been promoted to Tax Senior from Tax Staff. Mr. Reali has served as a Tax Staff since joining the firm in 2009. David is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting.

Lindsey Schuster was promoted to Tax Supervisor from Tax Senior. Ms. Schuster joined CS&L in 2007 as an intern, and graduated from University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. Lindsey practices in all areas of tax consulting and compliance and specializes in flow-through entities such as S-Corporations and partnerships.

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Coastal Welcomes Manatee County’s Only Fellowship-Trained, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Coastal Orthopedics & Sports Medicine | Pain Management is pleased to announce the addition of orthopedic spine surgeon, William L. Tontz, JR., MD to their medical team.    Dr. Tontz is the only spine specialist in Manatee County who completed a fellowship in orthopedic spine surgery, and is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. Tontz specializes in kyphoplasty, minimally invasive cervical and lumbar surgery, non-operative spinal care, and outpatient spinal decompression surgery.  While his expertise lies in adult spine trauma and reconstruction, Dr. Tontz says 90% of his patients do not require surgery.  ”I approach each patient’s treatment, individually, as if I were in their shoes. For me, surgery is a last resort. There are minimally invasive, non-operative procedures that are available for the treatment of spinal disorders and pain that can be just as effective as surgery,“ said Dr. Tontz.

Dr. Tontz was recently elected to a 3-year term on the North American Spine Society’s Evidence Based Guideline Committee. The committee reviews and reports on current industry guidelines and protocols to provide evidence-based analysis and recommendations.  The clinical guidelines are used industry-wide to assist physicians in the treatment and management of back pain.

Prior to joining Coastal, Dr. Tontz worked at Crystal Lake Orthopedics in Illinois, and San Diego Orthopaedic Associates - the oldest orthopedic medical practice in San Diego County, California.  He completed his spine fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, and took part in surgical and research residency programs at the University of California, San Diego.  He received his medical degree from University of Southern California School of Medicine.

”Dr. Tontz is at the forefront of his field.  We’re extremely fortunate to have someone with his experience, credentials, and dedication to patients, join our practice,“ said Coastal Orthopedics chief executive officer, Paul M. Duck, ”We firmly believe that Dr. Tontz will lead the way in creating a spine center of excellence that will allow our region to enjoy national prominence in cutting-edge medical treatment."

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USF Sarasota-Manatee helps local school districts comply with new state law requiring online coursework

A new Florida state law requires incoming 9th grade students to take at least one online course before they graduate.  The law, effective this fall, will also have an impact on teachers, specifically those who do not know how to teach an online course.  The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee is addressing this need by offering to teach the teachers.

”Teaching a course online differs from teaching a course in a physical classroom,“ said Dr. Terry Osborn, Dean of the College of Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee.  ”The demands on educators today differ from those only a few years ago, and advances in technology are central to the future of teaching.  The educational community has asked for this program, and we are pleased to provide it.“

The certificate program offered at USF Sarasota-Manatee, called Online Pedagogy, will be offered starting this fall to current USFSM students along with any interested local teachers.  Inquiries about this and other classes in the College of Education should be directed to the Academic Advising Office at 941-359-4330.  Information can also be found online at www.sarasota.usf.edu.  

”We are excited to be offering the Online Pedagogy certificate,“ said Dr. Osborn.  ”Ultimately, the children of the USF Sarasota-Manatee region are the ones who benefit.“

USF Sarasota-Manatee’s College of Education is NCATE Accredited and home to undergraduate and graduate programs preparing teachers and administrators as well as professionals who can assume roles related to education in a variety of fields.  Programs leading to state certification include Elementary Education (Undergraduate and graduate level); Educational Leadership, and Reading.

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Schuyler Re-Opens Integrative Medical Center

Giving patients care in both traditional and alternative medicine

Carol Schuyler, R.N., M.M.T., recently re-opened Palma Sola Therapies after returning to the Bradenton area from Flagstaff, Arizona where she operated a successful integrative medical center. Schuyler is associated with a team of professionals including John P. Monhollon, M.D., and Brian Brader, DOM, who allow Palma Sola Therapies to offer a range of traditional to alternative medicine modalities to help patients achieve the best outcomes. Schuyler has had advanced training and over 30 years of experience in medical massage, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, prenatal and other forms of massage.

Palma Sola Therapies is located in Bradenton at 515 36th Street West, Suite D, and is openby appointment only. Insurance may cover treatments depending on the individual’s policy. Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury Protection cases (automobile accidents) are accepted. Palma Sola Therapies can be reached at 941-745-1313.

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