Names and faces: Dec. 11, 2017

Kathryn Cooper joined RE/MAX Alliance Group as a realtor for the Cleary Group. She will specialize in downtown Sarasota, the beaches and Lakewood Ranch, as well as new construction. Cooper has 20 years of local experience, most recently with Dwell Real Estate, and brings extensive knowledge, an emphasis on customer service, collaboration and a commitment to the highest practices in real estate.

Rob Hartwell, a Palmetto resident and a former U.S. House of Representatives chief of staff and seasoned lobbyist, was hired by Bradenton-based Trace Eye-D as its chief marketing officer. Earlier this year, the security technology company retained Hartwell to serve as Trace Eye-D’s head of governmental affairs by signing on as a client of Hartwell Capitol Consulting. Hartwell brings more than 33 years of Congressional, political and legislative experience, having served on Capitol Hill in 1978 and from 1983-93. Since then, he has worked within the private sector in lobbying and political leadership positions.

Jacki Dezelski and the Manatee Chamber of Commerce received an award from the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association for their commitment to public education and behind-the-scenes support for the past two decades. During the past five years, the Chamber has created an environment of positive change in four key areas: student achievement, connecting the community to schools, education advocacy, and career and technical education.

Alex Miller was named manager of the customer-experience team for Sarasota’s JMX Brands, which sells Amish furniture online under the DutchCrafters brand name. In his new role, Miller will oversee customer service, delivery and sales aspects. Miller has been with JMX since 2009 and was the digital advertising specialist and a customer-experience assistant manager before being promoted to manager of the customer-experience team.

Karen Russell joined MBJ Group in Sarasota and will help the talent management company expand. She has more than 30 years of leadership experience in event and sales management, marketing, business development and communications. In her role, Russell will support MBJ Group with operations, administration, marketing, data management and résumé development for its clients.

Wagner Realty announced its top producers for November. Listing honors went to Richard Barnhill (El Conquistador office); Earl Cowdrey (Greiner Group at Cortez Road); Dia Wilson (Longboat Key); Lynda Melnick (Melnick Property Group at State Road 64 East); Sherry Flathman (Manatee Avenue West); Rae Ellen Hayo (Anna Maria Island); David Foster (First Street in Sarasota); Margaret Watson (Lakewood Ranch) and Duane Henderson (Commercial Division). Tops in sales honors went to Mary Collandra (El Conquistador); Cindy Greco (Greco Team at Cortez Road); Mary Moore (Longboat Key); Lynda Melnick (Melnick Property Group at State Road 64 East); Sherry Flathman (Manatee Avenue West); Carol Codella (Anna Maria Island); Jon Patella and Alex Morel (First Street in Sarasota); Linda Paulson and Lynda Wagner (Lakewood Ranch) and David Fletcher (Commercial Division).

This story was originally published December 10, 2017 at 8:40 AM with the headline "Names and faces: Dec. 11, 2017."