Fifth Third Bank has named Jennifer Novakovich vice president and retail regional manager for the bank’s North Naples region. She previously served as retail operations manager for the bank’s Florida region. Novakovich joined the bank in 1998 as a retail associate in Fifth Third Bank’s Cleveland affiliate and has held various positions within its retail and education divisions. In 2004, she relocated to Florida as retail operations manager.
Wagner Realty President Davic Eckel has been named chairman of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee’s community leadership council. The 43-member council meets quarterly to advise USF officials about service and program priorities.
Right Accord Private Duty-Home Health Care has hired certified nursing assistants and home health aides. They include Karen Lagon, Simone Montinat, Ofra Nunez, Paula Smalley, Susana Valencia, Stacey Annucci, Nina Kharitonenko, Maria Martin, Elmire Neptune, Juliane Rosenhaus.
The Caregiver of the Month for April was Elmire Neptune and for May Maria Casanova.
Michael C. Jones was recently honored for his performance as a Comfort Keepers franchise owner. Jones and his team was recognized during a celebration dinner and awards ceremony at the company’s annual conference in Orlando. Jones and team received the President’s Club Award.
Jason A. Collier, associate in the Sarasota law office of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP has been certified in labor and employment law by the Florida Board of Legal Specialization and Education. There are only eight attorneys in Sarasota with this certification.
Dr. Debra K. Carter, licensed psychologist, president and co-founder of The National Cooperative Parenting Center received the John E. Van Duzer Distinguished Service Award at the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts 47th annual conference in Denver. Dr. Carter was honored for her advocacy work and advancement of services to children and families.
Parks Robinson, owner and general manager of Fit2Run, was recently honored by Sporting Goods Business Magazine and SportsOneSource Media Group in South Beach Miami as a 40 Under 40 recipient. The award honors the next generation of sporting goods industry’s best and brightest professionals under the age of 40.
Mike J. Bellinger has joined DooleyMack Constructors as business development account executive. Bellinger has more than eight years experience in the commercial real estate industry. As an account executive, he has responsibility for strategic planning, marketing, and sales, as well as building and maintaining long-term client relationships.
H. Hamilton “Chip” Rice Jr., and Dennis M. Stotts of Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A., have been selected as 2010 Florida Super Lawyers. Rice was selected in the area of government, cities and municipalities and Stotts was selected in the area of environment. Only 5 percent of the attorneys in Florida have gained this recognition.
The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a not-for-profit organization representing locally owned restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee counties, recently elected new board officers, including the appointment of Angela Rodocker, co-founder and chief executive officer of The Sun House Restaurant and Bar on Anna Maria Island, as its new board chairman.
The new board includes Christine Harman of Vertori’s Pizza House, as vice president; Dolly Hiller representing Sharky’s on the Pier as secretary; and Beth Owen-Cipielewski of Siesta Key Oyster Bar, as treasurer. D’Arcy Arpke, co-owner of Euphemia, returns as community outreach chair; and Bob Kirscher, owner of The Broken Egg, returns as membership chair.
Candice McElyea, formerly the public relations and promotions manager at Lakewood Ranch, is assuming the newly created position of director of marketing and public relations. Lisa Barnott, formerly communications editor and publisher of Around the Ranch and LWRLife magazine, is assuming the newly created position of director of publications, events and community affairs and will play the lead role in events and communications.
Jimmy Stewart, formerly of Gibraltar Homes, has accepted the newly created position of director of sales and project management. Stewart will assist with further developing and overseeing the lot sales process.
Mary A. Pedersen, human resources manager for Take Care Private Duty Home Health Care, received senior professional in human resources certification, which is the highest level of professional certification granted by the Human Resources Certification Institute with the credentialing arm of the Society of Human Resources Management.
The Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants has appointed Lorna Pierce, CPA, to the Construction Industry Conference Committee.
Selection on the committees is based on active involvement with the FICPA and the construction industry. This is Pierce’s third year on the Construction Industry Conference Committee. The committee is responsible for securing speakers and organizing continuing education training for certified public accountants, certified financial officers, controllers, and other accounting professionals that specialize in accounting and tax compliance for the construction industry.
Names & Faces, which spotlights the achievements of business persons in Manatee and Sarasota counties, runs every Monday. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday for the next edition. Send submissions toBusiness Editor Jennifer Rich at jrich@bradenton.com.
