Corporate report

SARASOTA-MANATEE
Credit union named finalist for six-figure prize
Manatee Community Federal Credit Union is one of four finalists for the Wells Fargo NEXT Seed Capital Award, a $100,000 grant to the community development financial institution with the best idea for expanding coverage.

The credit union is in contention for its new app, CreditConnect Daily, which it says packages its financial services into an easy-to-use mobile app. The app, according to a statement, will “transform the ability for the average consumer to manage their financial life, including daily credit score updates and a variety of credit building resources and loan products.”

Finalists for the award will make their final presentations to a committee July 12. The winner will be announced by the end of July.

The Wells Fargo NEXT Awards for Opportunity Finance are presented in partnership with Prudential, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Kresge Foundation. The group has awarded more than $70 million in competitive awards over the past nine years.

Community foundation elects board members
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County added three people to its board.

New members include:

Daniel DeLeo, a board certified lawyer in business litigation. DeLeo's practice is primarily devoted to representing businesses in state and federal courts;

Marilyn Thompson, a retired human resources executive from Johnson & Johnson. Thompson spent 23 years with Johnson & Johnson, and she has additional HR management experience with General Electric;

Mary Lou Winnick, who has been board president for the Asolo Repertory Theatre since 2014. Winnick previously was board president for the Harvard Club of Sarasota from 2013 to 2015.

Founded in 1979, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has assets of more than $292 million in more than 1,300 charitable funds. It awarded more than $16 million in grants and scholarships last year.

CHARLOTTE-LEE-COLLIER
Construction firm selected for expansion project
Fort Myers-based Stevens Construction was named construction manager for Ingman Marine's sales department expansion.

Stevens will convert an existing fuel station into a 2,800-square-foot boat dealership sales office, according to a statement. The project, at 14531 N. Cleveland Ave., is expected to be complete in August.

Stevens Construction has offices in Fort Myers, Tampa and Orlando. It has 38 employees and had $34 million in 2015 revenues.

Hospital expands cardiac rehab center
Cape Coral Hospital is expanding its cardiac rehabilitation center and it will open for patients June 20.

“The newly renovated space is designed to create an exceptional experience and optimal healing environment for patients and families with lots of natural light, inviting colors, 120-foot track, men's and ladies' locker rooms, reflection room, consult rooms and all new equipment,” says Sandy Childress, system director of cardiac rehabilitation for Lee Memorial Health System, in a statement. “We are so excited to have this beautiful environment, and even more thrilled to double our capacity for outpatient cardiac rehab.”

The cardiac rehabilitation program is designed to improve the quality of life for people who have had recent heart problems such as angina, heart attack, angioplasty and open-heart surgery. A physician referral is required for entry into the program, which is usually 12 weeks or 36 visits.

New equipment includes treadmills, a variety of bicycles, elliptical machines, rowing machines, cross-trainer equipment and hand weights.

TAMPA BAY
Virtual reality firm brings in executive
Virtual and augmented reality firm Marxent Labs expanded its leadership team, with the addition of Stephanie Fresonke as vice president of client partnerships.

Fresonke will oversee growth of Marxent's sales organization and will lead client relationship development as the company scales. Her previous work experience is primarily in wireless and mobile sales.

Fresonke most recently worked as southeast director of sales and strategic accounts for Sprint, where she led a team of 75 people. She's also held leadership roles at Nextel Communications, AT&T and McCaw Cellular.

Tampa manufacturer hires CFO
Nicopure Labs LLC, a manufacturer of liquids for electronic cigarettes, named Jim Caci as CFO.

Caci joins Nicopure with more than 20 years of leadership experience, according to a statement. He oversaw finance and the IPO process for two technology firms.

Founded in 2009, Tampa-based Nicopure Labs has operations in the United States and Europe. The company distributes its products to more than 90 countries.