People & Business : Wednesday 2/20/19

Friday, March 29th
THE SARASOTA SCENE
People & Business
To submit your news for consideration, please send press info to scenemagazine@scenesarasota.com

Orioles’ Economic Impact in Sarasota Tops $360 Million Since 2015
 
The Orioles have generated more than $360 million in cumulative economic impact in Sarasota since 2015, the first year Sarasota County Government analyzed comprehensive data on the team’s impact.
 
The county’s analysis measures the total tourism impact created by the Orioles, combined with the club’s business operations and spending in Sarasota County. At $92 million for the most recent reporting period, the Orioles’ annual impact is nearly three times the figure projected when the Orioles moved Major League spring training to Sarasota County in 2010.
 
“The entire Orioles organization takes pride in providing the greatest economic impact to the Sarasota community of any sports organization in history,” said JOHN ANGELOS, Orioles Executive Vice President. “As Sarasota County’s preeminent sports tourism generator, the club has created more than $360 million and counting in public return on investment during the last four years of our training facility’s operation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to producing year-round Major and Minor League Baseball games, world-class arts and cultural events, and year-round youth training and family recreational programming in the Sarasota community.”
 
The economic impact delivered to Sarasota County taxpayers and residents results from the club’s marketing and promotion of Sarasota tourism to its fan base across seven Mid-Atlantic states, combined with the commercial activity and corporate presence of the Orioles’ athletic training headquarters, production of public sporting and other entertainment events, and management of youth sports tournaments and recreational programs.
 
The Orioles’ results have been bolstered by record attendance at spring training games. This season, the Orioles will celebrate the “One Millionth Fan” to attend Orioles games in Sarasota since 2010 – the fastest pace to reach that milestone of any franchise in Sarasota’s nearly century long history of Major League Spring Training.
 
Through tourism-focused media and promotional programs pioneered by the Orioles to support Visit Sarasota, the number of yearly first-quarter visitors from the Mid-Atlantic region has grown by more than 300 percent since 2009. In the first quarter of 2015, the Orioles were credited by Sarasota travel authorities for making history in yet another way, when the club’s Sarasota 365 campaign catapulted the Orioles’ Mid-Atlantic region to become the number one source of Sarasota tourism. In 2017, the Baltimore-Washington market generated the second most out-of-state visitors to Sarasota County, surpassed by only the New York City market.
 
Since the Orioles moved Major League spring training operations to Sarasota in 2010, more than 985,000 fans have enjoyed Orioles Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium. Additionally, each year more than 27,000 participants and spectators visit the Orioles complex to participate in youth tournaments, baseball clinics, sports leagues, and other family-friendly and charitable events, which are professionally managed, supported, and frequently financially subsidized by the Orioles.
 
The attached infographic provides additional details about the year-round impact of the Orioles’ Sarasota 365 initiatives through which the Orioles, MASN, and OriolesREACH demonstrate the club’s 365-day-a-year engagement with the Greater Sarasota Community. For more information on the Orioles’ year-round activities at Ed Smith Stadium and the Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex, visit Orioles.com/Sarasota.
 

Florida Philanthropic Network Names Teri A Hansen Vice Chair

Charles & Margery Barancik President | CEO Teri A Hansen has been elected as Vice Chair to the board of directors of the Florida Philanthropic Network. Previously, Hansen served as the organization’s Treasurer. FPN is a statewide membership network of philanthropic organizations working to build philanthropy to build a better Florida through research, education and public policy.

Teri A Hansen manages the daily work of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation as it strives to make a difference in Sarasota and beyond. Teri has more than 25 years of experience in philanthropic leadership. Prior to joining the Barancik Foundation, she was president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. During her 13-year tenure the foundation awarded nearly $200 million in grants and initiatives. Hansen has represented organizations as a member of FPN for many years and served as the founding president of Community Foundations of Florida, a network of the state’s community foundations that operates as a part of FPN.

Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation Seeking Volunteers in Sarasota

The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation has volunteer opportunities for client support and special events at the FCS Foundation office located at 5204 Paylor Lane, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240. Volunteers must be 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license and commit to a minimum of three hours per week for at least six months. Training is provided, and internships are also available. The volunteer application is available at http://foundation.FLCancer.com/volunteer, or email inquiries to volunteerprogram@FLCancer.com.

CLIENT SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers assist Client Services by processing patient applications and verifying documentation to determine their eligibility to receive non-medical, financial assistance from the Foundation. The volunteer is also responsible for data entry and assisting patients with the application process over the phone. Requirements include customer service, strong computer skills, familiarity with Microsoft Excel and database input.

EVENTS AND DEVELOLPMENT VOLUNTEERS: Assist the FCS Foundation Event and Development Manager at with event details such as tracking sponsors, corresponding with guests, logistics, research on entertainment or local resources in key cities, etc. May assist onsite at the event itself.  Additionally, assists in data entry, processing donations and payroll deductions, maintaining the donor database up to date, researching grant opportunities, assisting in grant writing and applications. 

Public Invited to Attend Voting System Testing

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner invites the public to observe the logic and accuracy testing of the county’s voting and tabulating equipment that will be used in the March 12 elections, including the Town of Longboat Key general election and the Holiday Park Park & Recreation District election.

The testing is scheduled for Thursday, February 28, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the office of the Supervisor of Elections, Sarasota County Terrace Building, 1st floor, 2001 Adams Lane, Sarasota. 

Florida law requires the supervisor of elections to conduct a public test on a random sample of the county’s automatic tabulating equipment and reporting software to ensure that both are operating and recording accurately.  The test will include equipment that will be fielded on election day and during early voting, and used to tabulate vote-by-mail ballots.    

In addition and prior to the public test, elections staff thoroughly test all equipment used in the county to determine that the system is properly programmed for the election and that all system input, output and communication devices are working properly.

High-Level Human Resources Executive Joins Jewish Family and Children’s Services

 Jewish Family and Children’s Service of the Suncoast, Inc., a fully accredited, community-based social service nonprofit, recently appointed Deborah Hedde-Croce as its chief people and culture officer.

With more than 40 years of experience within the human resources sector, Hedde-Croce brings extensive knowledge in talent management, employee and labor relations, succession planning and strategic planning to the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of the Suncoast (JFCS). The talent management company, MBJ Group, led the nonprofit’s search for the position.

In her new role, she will support the CEO and further the agency’s mission by increasing the attraction and retention of outstanding talent through a comprehensive human resource program. Hedde-Croce will be responsible for directing the development and implementation of an employee-oriented, high-performance culture and provide top-level leadership and direction for the nonprofit’s 100-plus employees.

“Deborah is a recognized leader and champion of employee engagement with a history of building talent pipelines that identifies and unleashes previously untapped potential,” said Heidi Brown, the chief executive officer of JFCS. “A trusted human resources business partner and community collaborator, we are thrilled to welcome Debbie to the JFCS team.” 

Prior to joining JFCS, Hedde-Croce served as the director of human resources for The Resort at Longboat Key Club and The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park and also acted as a human resources consultant. She has managed staffing, implemented policies, training and development programs and executed Forbes 5-Star initiatives.

“My new role with the Jewish Family and Children’s Services will allow me to positively impact the internal team and also touch the lives of those in our community,” said Hedde-Croce.

Hedde-Croce earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the State University of New York, College at Brockport. She has been a guest lecturer at Florida State University, New York University and the Institute for Culinary Education. Hedde-Croce was honored with the Women in Lodging, Leader of the Year award from the American Hotel & Lodging Association in 2016 and has received accolades by other organizations within the tourism and hospitality industry.

JFCS delivers a broad range of mental health and social services to individuals, families, seniors, adults, children and veterans on a secular, non-denominational basis. Through comprehensive counseling and social service programs, the nonprofit empowers individuals by helping them make life-altering changes to improve the quality of their lives. JFCS promotes self-sufficiency, providing people with the resources not only to cope but also to overcome life’s challenges.

Long-time Plymouth Harbor Employee Promoted to Administrator of Assisted Living and Memory Care

Brandi Burgess, an employee of Plymouth Harbor for the past 20 years, has officially been named the Administrator of Assisted Living and Memory Care for Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay.

With a degree in Sociology and Psychology from the College of William and Mary, Brandi started working at Plymouth Harbor in 1999 as an activities coordinator. She also helped manage the social services in the Smith Care Center. When the SCC was opened up to the community, Burgess moved into the role of Admissions and Marketing Coordinator and helped Plymouth Harbor earn a reputation for being not only a great retirement community, but also an excellent skilled nursing and rehab center. She worked as Plymouth Harbor’s social worker and the Positive Approach® to Care educator before being asked to step into the role of Interim Administrator of Assisted Living and Memory Care in late 2018.

“Over the last five months, Brandi has lead by example and worked effectively with residents, family members, staff, and contractors to help our Seaside Assisted Living and Starr Memory Care Residence complete a successful first full year of operation,” said Joe Devore, Senior Vice President of Health Services.

Now, after completing her ALF regulatory training and earning her license, she officially takes on her role of Administrator of Assisted Living, the Seaside and the Starr Memory Care Residences.

“As we began our search for an Administrator for Assisted Living and Memory Care, we profiled a professional who had all of the credentials required, coupled with the strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills necessary to administer our Positive Approach® to Care philosophy,” said Harry Hobson, CEO. “We identified Brandi early on as THAT person and so much more. We know Brandi’s heart aligns with our Plymouth Harbor mission, and we are so pleased to see Brandi move into this important leadership position.”

“I am grateful for the support of my husband, Warren, who takes such good care of our family while I have taken on more responsibilities here,” Burgess said. “I am proud and blessed to be a part of what I believe will be the premier Assisted Living and Memory Care home in the Southeast.”

To learn more about Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay, visit www.PlymouthHarbor.org

Nautilus Homes Welcomes New Vice President of Operations

Ryan Perrone, the owner/founder of Nautilus Homes, recently announced that he has welcomed Abbie Forrest as vice president of operations. In his new role, Forrest will oversee day-to-day operations to support the growth of the company, while also being responsible for the coordination of Nautilus Home’s strategic goals.

“Due to our exceptional growth over the past few years, it makes sense to refine and enhance our leadership team,” says Perrone. “Abbie joins a well-seasoned team that is defined by our fierce commitment to delivering the one-on-one concierge-level construction experience expected of a luxury residential and commercial builder.”

A Sarasota native, Forrest formerly served as operation manager for Nautilus, before he stepped away for a year and half to work with a large commercial company. He says he plans to bring “some of the systematic ways of commercial building into the residential side, while helping grow our commercial side of the business at the same time. I’m very energized to help lead Nautilus Homes to its next phase of excellence.”

For more information, visit Nautilus-Homes.com or call 941-366-3650.

 USFSM Conference on Opiate Abuse Set Saturday

Opiate abuse has become a national health crisis in this country, which is why on Saturday USF Sarasota-Manatee will host an important discussion about this issue with professionals from health and human services, community service programs and law enforcement.

WHAT: “Releasing the Chokehold: Opiate Use Nationally and in our Communities,” a daylong conference featuring panels of experts and open to the public with pre-paid registration.

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

WHO:  Professionals from health and human services, community service programs and law enforcement will participate in panel discussions. Notable panelists include Nathan Scott, the child-welfare policy coordinator at the Family Safety Alliance; Sara Smith, a marriage and family therapist at the Miami Rescue Mission; and Det. Carl Jones of the Bradenton Police Department. Behavioral health advocate and activist Leah Hill will deliver the keynote address.

Huisking Foundation Donates $28,000 for SCF Studio for the Performing Arts

The Huisking family Foundation has donated $28,000 to the State College of Florida Foundation to build acoustically correct music practice studios in the future $3.8 million Studio for the Performing Arts at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF). The $28,000 donation will receive an equal match, making the donation a $56,000 gift.

The practice studios, which allow for one-on-one tutoring as well as individual practice time, are essential for students to meet their coursework requirements. Plans for the new building include a total of 10 practice studios. The 15,000-square-foot building at SCF Bradenton will support the growth of music, art and theatre programs in Sarasota and Manatee counties. It also will provide an outreach to all populations, including those with limited access to such amenities, meeting a critical need for SCF and the community.

The Huisking Foundation supports arts and culture, education, the environment, animal protection, hospitals, health and human services and religious purposes. The Foundation was established to perpetuate and preserve the memory of the late lieutenant. Frank R. Huisking, who served as co-captain of a B-24 bomber during World War II and was lost, along with his crew, when the bomber went down over Italy in 1944.

The building where music students currently practice is more than 50 years old and was originally designed for classrooms only, offers minimal functionality and has poor acoustics. In 2010 the Department of Education performed a facilities study, and based on the results, determined it was not suitable for college music program needs. The college received state approval for replacement, but without funding.

Any contribution of $10,000 or more to the Studio for the Performing Arts will be matched. To donate or for more information, contact Barbara Bourgoin, development director, at BourgoB@SCF.edu or 941-752-5398.

Sarasota Crew Races Well at American Youth Cup 1

 Sarasota Crew’s varsity, freshmen, middle school and elementary school athletes raced at American Youth Cup 1 on Saturday February 16th at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.  Sarasota Crew raced against 12 other teams and had 95 entries which included athletes from our elementary school program who raced 1000m in the U15 1x event.  All other events were 2000m long, this regatta is the first of 3 regattas in this race series.
 
“The American Youth Cup series is a great way for us, and others, to check speed.  As well as help guide and determine where our focusses should be”, stated Head Coach Casey Galvanek. “It is a great opportunity to race multiple times at one regatta and give the kids an awesome experience against top National competition early in the season”
 
Sarasota Crew came home with 2​5 first place finishes, 19 second place finishes, and 13 third place finishes. 
 

Selah Freedom To Complete One Of The Largest Safe Houses in the Nation

Sex trafficking is a $32 BILLION crime industry in America, second only to drug trafficking and is a problem that touches every county in Wisconsin. The number of commercial sex trafficking offenses reported in the state nearly doubled from 34 in 2016 to 59 in 2017 and recently, 120 incidents involving children have been confirmed in Wisconsin, state officials say. The general public and even educators do not realize the magnitude of American teens being trafficked across the country. One month of sex trafficking leads to 90 to 150 sexual assaults, loss of education, severe trauma, and sexually transmitted diseases. Childhood ends when sex trafficking begins!

This is where Elizabeth Melendez Fisher, CEO & Co-founder of Selah Freedom and The Selah Way Foundation comes in. Fisher has launched four nationally renowned programs: Safe Housing, Teen Prevention, Awareness and Outreach, through which Selah Freedom partners with and trains the FBI, local law enforcement and States Attorney’s offices throughout the nation. Fisher and the Selah Freedom team educates thousands on this issue every year including children, adults, community stakeholders, NPOs, government officials, school systems and is a regular speaker in Washington. Congress has named Selah Freedom the model for how to effectively bring solutions to survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation. Just recently, 40 traffickers were arrested in Atlanta just days before the Super Bowl thanks to their training of law enforcement!

Fisher is focusing on saving lives all over the country. The more awareness she can bring to this topic, the more victims can be saved. I would like to request an interview with Fisher to speak on the topic and spread awareness as they complete a 7,700 square foot home in the Midwest in order to provide Safe Housing for survivors. Fisher is the recipient of the prestigious Tampa Bay Business Woman of the Year Award and has been featured in the Herald Tribune, Huffington Post, Tampa Times, Chicago Women Magazine, SRQ Magazine, WGN-TV and Radio, ABC, FOX, NBC News, METV, WBEZ Chicago, Bay News 9 and other notable publications and broadcasts. Elizabeth has her Bachelor’s in Communications and her Master’s in Clinical Psychology.  

Ambassadors of the organization are NBA Champion Trent Tucker, NFL Legend Tony Richardson and WNBA Champion & Gold Medalist Asjha Jones. Recently, Super Bowl Champions Tyrone Keys and Matt Stover, NBA All-Stars Charles Oakley and WNBA Rushia Brown, American Soccer Player Mark Bloom, Actor Nicholas Smoot, Miss Universe 2017/Tim Tebow’s fiancé Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and Afro-merge Artist Marenikae have become advocates of Selah Freedom.  

Accolades of the organization include being identified by the Attorney General and Governor’s offices of Florida as setting the highest standards and measurements statewide and being upheld as the model for best practices as an organization nationally. This ability to scale, allows them not only to train countless other organizations, but to replicate their services and reach survivors from all over the country. Fisher oversees each programmatic arm of the organization nationally, incorporating hundreds of volunteers, faith partners and community leaders impacting the fight to end this crime and bring light to the root issue of childhood sexual abuse and trauma.

Two USFSM professors receive PAInT Pilot Research Grants
 
 USF Sarasota-Manatee professors Dr. Helene Robinson and Dr. Phillip Wagner have been selected to receive Pilot Research Grants of $5,000 each from the Florida Center for Partnerships for Arts-Integrated Teaching (PAInT Center).

Dr. Robinson, the arts integration curriculum coordinator and an instructor at USFSM’s School of Education, is conducting a project, “Evaluating the School of Education’s Positive Behavioral and Academic Methods Project in Manatee Partnership Schools.” The grant will assist her in measuring the impact of arts integration in Manatee County schools that partner with the School of Education. Arts integration is a teaching method that combines the arts with academics to help children understand and retain the academic material.

Dr. Wagner, an instructor in the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, is examining how programs at the YMCA in Lakewood Ranch support Manatee County residents, particularly the county’s most vulnerable. His project, “Picture Perfect Partnerships: Using Arts-Based Research in Program Evaluation of the Manatee County YMCA,” also delves into how small, group-fitness dynamics impact the drive for fitness, health and wellness and facilitate character development. He’s also examining how sport, particularly non-competitive sport, promotes healthy lifestyle standards and leadership values for youth, including at-risk youth.

“It was encouraging to see the range of research ideas from faculty representing several departments,” said Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton, director of the PAInT Center, which is based at USFSM. “I hope that the PAInT Center will be able to fund more of these research grants in the future.”

Dr. Sandra Justice, USFSM’s director of research, said of the grants: “PAInT awards are critically important as they provide seed funds so that faculty can generate much needed pilot data, paving the way for competitive extramural grants.”

She continued: “These PAInT Pilot Research Grant projects align with the center’s purpose, to increase knowledge and research of arts-integrated instruction, provide analysis of arts-integrated programs statewide and to partner with arts and educational organizations to grow arts-integrated programs in Florida schools.”