Newsmakers (Sara/Mana)

Newsmakers (Sara/Mana)

Architecture

• Arif Abdulla joined TOTeMS Architecture as an associate. Adulla will be responsible for project management and construction administration and previously worked as an associate for the formerly Sarasota-based SMRT.

Board of Directors/Officers

• The Suncoast Advertising Federation installed its newly elected officers and directors for 2005-2006. The newly elected officers are Dawn Klee of Creative Design Group, president; Pedro Perez of Nuevo Advertising Group, first vice president; Scott Gardner of Mobiant, second vice president; Sheila Brannan Longo of Thomas & Brannan Communications, treasurer; and Elizabeth Blair of Gravity Free, secretary.

The newly elected directors are David Stein of Marketing By Design, Andy Hooker of Andrew E. Hooker & Associates, Diane Schaefer of Gulf Coast Business Review, Mark Resnick of CurtCo Media/Sarasota Manatee Business Magazine, Bill Merolle of WWSB ABC7, Jason Sherwood of SNN6, Angela Massaro-Fain of Grapevine Communications, Bob Leonard of Bolen Communications, Elisa Graber of Century Bank and Jeff Lawenda of CurtCo Media/Sarasota Magazine. The executive director is Vienna Robinson.

Community Groups

•The Economic Development Council of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce will open a temporary satellite office in Lakewood Ranch and named Jay Brenchick as senior business development manager. Brenchick will be involved in industry expansion, retention and recruitment strategies. He previously worked as business development specialist for the Charlotte County Economic Development Office.

Education

• Gov. Jeb Bush appointed two new members of the Manatee Community College District Board of Trustees: Steve Harner of Venice and former U.S. Rep. Dan Miller of Bradenton. Harner owns and operates the Crow's Nest Marina Restaurant and Bogey's Restaurant & Sports Pub. Miller, U.S. representative from the 13th District, retired from Congress in 2002, currently teaches public policy at the University of South Florida.

Engineering/Planning

• Naples-based WilsonMiller hired Kathleen Prutos as business communications manager. In her new position, Prutos oversees the daily management of the marketing department of the planning, design and engineering firm in Naples. Prior to joining WilsonMiller, Prutos was president and chief executive officer of Prutos Public Relations of Naples.

Financial

• Liberty Savings Bank promoted Patti Shirley to vice president and regional sales manager. Shirley will be responsible for managing the business development and sales culture of the Florida region.

• Investors' Security Trust Co. of Fort Myers announced that Karen Meinen, assistant vice president and trust investment officer, has earned the Certified Financial Planner designation. Meinen joined Investors' Security Trust Co. in 2004.

Health Care

• Nursing Resources hired Maria Gibson as business development director of the firm's Venice office. Gibson will be responsible for referral development in the Venice area and previously worked as Information Systems coordinator for Central Health Services.

Homebuilding

Atlanta-based Beazer Homes has appointed Manny Hermina as project manager for the Fort Myers region. Hermina will oversee the community development operations at Heatherwood Lakes, Crane's Landing, Colony Trace and Sherwood at the Crossroads. Hermina formerly held a management position with Colonial Homes.

Manufacturing

• Tervis Tumbler Co. hired Timothy Desser as controller and Nathan Yoder as head of Tervis' gold division. Desser will be responsible all accounting functions and previously worked as director of financial services and controller for Center For Sight. Yoder is responsible for managing the company's exiting golf customer base and previously worked for PSP Sports Marketing.

Real Estate

• A Paradise Vacation Rentals added the title of vice president to General Manager Liz Andricks. Along with her general manager duties, Andricks will also be responsible for bringing on new properties.