Member News

Contribution of $7,500 from M.E. Wilson will support reintegration into civilian life and free career services for area veterans

BRADENTON, FL – Goodwill Manasota recently received a grant of $7,500 from M.E. Wilson to support its Veterans Services Program, which provides full case management and vocational services that address barriers to employment, disabilities, mental health issues, housing, education and training. The program, which was created in 2013, helps veterans to navigate a wide array of available programs and to secure the benefits to which they are entitled.

"M.E. Wilson and its employees are proud members of the Sarasota-Manatee community and we firmly believe in giving back,” said Robin Moch, CIC, a partner with M.E. Wilson. “We are confident that Goodwill will put our contribution to very good use in serving our returning heroes and their families.” 

The Veterans Services Program was created to help eliminate barriers to employment, provide opportunities for higher-paying positions for veterans and their families, and connect veterans with needed social services. The program is staffed by veterans, ensuring those who seek help are receiving it from those who understand the challenges they face.

“Goodwill Manasota is so proud to be able to honor and assist the men and women who have so bravely and selflessly served our country,” said Margie Genter, vice president of mission services. “We thank the team at M.E. Wilson for this generous donation, which will be used to help area veterans with needs regarding housing, family, education and other challenges while also helping them to become more self-sufficient and productive members of society.”

For more information about Goodwill’s veterans program, go to experiencegoodwill.org or call (941) 355-2721, ext. 451.

Photo ID: Goodwill Manasota vice president Gray Videnka (left) with Robin Moch, a partner at M.E. Wilson

About Goodwill Manasota

Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2017, Goodwill Manasota served 11,672 people, placed 555 people in jobs, assisted 360 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce, and provided 19,540 hours of on-the-clock training for its employees. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $92.1 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted more than 41 million pounds out of the landfill. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota, in essence, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org. 

In 2019, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast is committed to making 250 new matches between Bigs and Littles in SRQ/Manatee, and inspiring potential in every young person in our mentoring programs.  Interested in becoming a mentor and changing a child’s life for the better?  Contact Shelly Van Dusen (Sarasota Office) at 941-331-4376 or Andrea Delsanto (Manatee Office) at 941-746-7000.

Allegiant Private Advisors, an independent firm offering fiduciary-level financial planning and investment advisory services, today announces the promotion of Benjamin W. Jones, CFP, AIF to the role of president. Jones, who currently serves as Allegiant’s chief investment officer, will formally transition into the leadership position by the year’s end. Allegiant Private Advisors Co-Founder Martin Kossoff, CFP, AIF, who has served as President since the firm was established in 1997, will assume the role of chairman.

Jones joined Allegiant Private Advisors in 2005, and has been active in the community through local nonprofit organizations and professional associations, including the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Young Leaders Alliance, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Forty Carrots Family Center. He is an alumnus of Leadership Sarasota, was named to the prestigious 40 Under 40 list by the Gulf Coast Business Review in 2009, and recognized in Forbes’ Top 1,000 Next-Generation Wealth Advisors List in 2018.

Local nonprofit recognized for maximizing revenue to support mission of changing lives through the power of work

SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – Goodwill Manasota earned significant recognition during the Goodwill Industries International summer conference in Austin, Texas. The organization won the “Retail Excellence: Market Leadership by Share of Used Goods” award for having the highest market penetration of its donor market, and “Market Leadership by Donations” award for capitalizing on the highest proportion of its available used goods market.

Goodwill Manasota has received the “Market Leadership by Share of Used Goods” for five years running; this was Goodwill’s fourth “Market Leadership by Donations” award. The organization is evaluated in the medium-sized agency category, which includes Goodwill agencies with revenues between $26.9 and $57.3 million, one of the largest categories.

During the annual conference, Goodwill Industries International recognizes Goodwill agencies that have maximized revenues, capitalized on the highest proportion of the available used goods market, and been efficient in running their operations. Goodwill agencies turn donated goods into revenue; this revenue is used to strengthen the community by offering services and programs that assist people in all walks of life, whether they are trying to find employment, better themselves through education, or transition from military to civilian life.

“We are extremely proud of our organization and the great things that we are able to do because of the leadership from our board of directors and hard work of our professional team, powered by the generosity of our community,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “We are pleased to be recognized as a top achiever in the Goodwill system, generating revenue that stays in our local community to help support job training and placement, and other needed services for people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, or others with barriers to employment.”

To learn more about Goodwill, call (941) 355-2721 or go to experiencegoodwill.org.

Photo ID: Goodwill Manasota president and CEO Bob Rosinsky (left) and vice president Donn Githens with the Goodwill International Industries awards

About Goodwill Manasota

Sarasota, FL – Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, Inc announces the addition of Jay W. Berman as their Major Gifts Officer.

In this newly created position, Berman is responsible for cultivating donors to support the fundraising goal of $7 million toward Lives Transformed: The Campaign for Hammock Place.

Berman is a Sarasota native with a 30-year career as a financial advisor. A community leader, Berman has served on the Sarasota County Human Services Advisory Council; is alumni of Leadership Sarasota County; and raised his two sons in Sarasota. Berman received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida.

“We are pleased to welcome Jay to our Habitat Sarasota team. His relationships within the community will elevate our fundraising initiative toward the Hammock Place neighborhood.” says Renee Snyder, president & CEO.

Berman joins Habitat Sarasota as Major Gifts Officer to support Lives Transformed: The Campaign for Hammock Place, an initiative to build a 40-home neighborhood. The fundraising goal for the campaign is $7 million and was started with a $3 million commitment through a partnership with the Kolter Group and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Jay comments, “I am fortunate to be joining such a respected organization that prides itself on providing permanent affordable housing.” 

About Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, Inc.

The mission of Habitat for Humanity Sarasota is to partner with God and community to provide decent, affordable housing for people in need so they may build better lives for their families. Habitat Sarasota homebuyers are qualified based on their need for improved decent and affordable housing, their willingness to partner by completing a minimum of 300 volunteer hours, participation in a series of homebuyer classes, and their ability to pay back a zero percent interest home loan. A dedicated, volunteer workforce provides on average 2,500 labor-hours per home. The organization builds new homes (and renovates purchased properties) with an emphasis on energy efficient features using building materials and techniques for sustainability, culminating in lower monthly expenses for homeowners. The ReStore sells gently used furniture and home improvement materials to fund their mission. To learn more about Habitat Sarasota visit www.habitatsrq.org.

SARASOTA, FL. – Conditioned Air announced that Chairman W. Theodore Etzel, III presented at the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Service Leadership conference in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 8^th. The session on “Company Culture and the Leader’s Influence Factor” provided real life examples and discussions around leadership style and why company culture is so critical.

The Service Leadership conference began 11 years ago and has been one of the most successful annual contractor conferences of its kind. More than 300 attendees heard from business owners, service leaders and other industry experts on how to beat competition.

A native Floridian, Etzel graduated from Stetson University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in economics and finance from the university’s School of Business. He has served as the Chairman and as an owner of Conditioned Air since 1995, helping to guide the company into the region’s largest air-conditioning contracting and service firm with more than 350 employees in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Etzel is author of the book “Invest Your Heartbeats Wisely,” which focuses on practical, philosophical and principled leadership concepts for business and life. He has spoken to several groups recently on entrepreneurship, including Florida Gulf Coast University and Ave Maria Law School. He also is a part of Vistage, an international association of CEOs dedicated to constant improvement of business practices and personal development.

Conditioned Air offers local expertise in light commercial and residential HVAC systems, including design, engineer, estimate, installation and maintenance of new construction, refrigeration, indoor air quality and dehumidification systems. For more details or to schedule service, call 1-888-COLD-AIR or visit  www.conditionedair.com.

SARASOTA, Fla. (December 3, 2018) – Visit Sarasota County (VSC) has appointed Britney Guertin communications & content manager and Adam Cellini content coordinator. The new additions will be responsible for all aspects of the communications, public relations and content creation and will work in concert to increase the visibility and recognition of Sarasota County as a visitor destination.

“These are very key roles in telling the stories of our area which directly leads to generating quality tourism,” said President Virginia Haley. “I am particularly delighted that we were able to find local talent to fill these roles and am confident that these two experienced and enthusiastic professionals will work diligently and passionately on behalf of Sarasota County.”

In her role with VSC, Guertin will manage all domestic and international PR initiatives, including press relations, visitor information, partner and stakeholder communications and event and campaign promotions. Guertin most recently worked as the PR & Social Media Director with Grapevine Communications. She is the incoming Chair with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance’s Young Leaders Alliance and the current VP with Designing Daughters of Sarasota.

As Content Coordinator Cellini will develop, optimize and maintain the content for VSC including, websites, social media and all other marketing and advertising needs. Cellini spent the last three years as a reporter and weekend anchor for Sarasota’s television news station, WWSB-TV. A former college baseball player and fundraiser host, he will be an asset with VSC’s spring training partners old and new as well as the many local nonprofits and charities.

About Sarasota County

Visit Sarasota County leads and supports the tourism industry in Sarasota County by providing the highest quality, and most innovative, marketing programs and promotions to ensure the continued growth of tourism and travel from visitors around the world. It is the mission of VSC is to make Sarasota County the must experience destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast. To learn more, visit www.visitsarasota.com.

Robyn Faucy-Washington, executive director of the Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s, was recently elected vice chair of the national Alliance of Independent Regional Parkinson Organizations. Faucy-Washington is slated to become the organization’s chair for 2020. The Alliance is a consortium of regional independent nonprofits that work to enrich programs available to the Parkinson’s disease community across the country. Neuro Challenge has been improving the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers since 2008.

VENICE, FL: Caldwell Trust Company’s vice president of marketing and public relations has been named a 2018 Finalist for the national PR People “Marketer of the Year” award by PR News. A seven-year veteran of the trust company, Sheryl Vieira is one of only five finalists nationwide who have been short-listed in this classification. PR News will highlight the top talent and their achievements at the PR People Awards Luncheon December 4 at the historic National Press Club in Washington, DC.  

Vieira has also been honored locally this year for her professional accomplishments. Most recently she received the Ginnie Duffey Troyer Award of Professionalism by the Central West Coast Chapter of Florida Public Relations Association. Vieira also secured an ADDY for excellence in advertising by AdFed Suncoast, the local chapter of the American Advertising Federation. Caldwell Trust Company was also awarded the Top Trust Banking Firm and the Top 500 Largest Companies on the Gulf Coast this year, all while celebrating monumental milestones as the company surpassed a billion dollars in assets under management and marked its 25^th anniversary.

“I’m honored to be chosen as a finalist and to have the work carried out by our firm recognized,” Vieira said. “It’s sure to be an exciting occasion and I’m looking forward to meeting some of the other finalists chosen from across the country.”

Sheryl is a member of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) and Florida Bankers Association. She was appointed as a member of the RESIDENCE International Marketing Advisory Committee representing this region of the United States. She has received The President’s Volunteer Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in conjunction with the National & Community Service and USA Freedom Corps. She was a member of the Young Professionals of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and was also a member of the Junior League of Sarasota.

BRADENTON, FL – Three decades ago, Margie Genter got involved with Goodwill Manasota as an intern. Little did she know that she would still be at Goodwill 30 years later – continuing to grow in and love her work, and changing lives through the power of work. The organization feted her milestone anniversary during a recent Recognition Breakfast.

From Genter’s beginnings as an intern, she rose through the ranks in positions including work adjustment training counselor, store manager, and director of housing before earning her current post of vice president of mission services. She has been instrumental in bolstering the local community by creating resources to empower persons with disabilities and other barriers to employment to become more self-sufficient through programs that enhance skills, move students towards degrees and certifications, and assist in obtaining and retaining jobs.

Genter develops, plans, and executes activities and programs that focus on employment, including Job Connection, which provides free job-placement services to individuals seeking community-based jobs; the Good Partner Coach Program, which provides mentoring and coaching services to all Goodwill team members; the Goodwill Works Program, which helps people who need extra help in developing job skills; the Workforce Education Program, which provides opportunities for people to earn a high school diploma; and the Veterans Services Program, which helps veterans to transition back into civilian life.

Additionally, she is the direct supervisor of the Commission on Accreditation and Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International accreditation for the Goodwill Job Connection career services program; she has helped secure this certification for Goodwill Manasota since 1988.

“We appreciate the work Margie does every day to help community members become more employable and move toward financial stability,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “Goodwill is fortunate to have someone of Margie’s caliber who has dedicated nearly her entire professional career to changing lives through the power of work.”

She is dedicated to the well-being of others outside the workplace as well: Genter donates her time and leadership to numerous area nonprofits. She serves on the board of directors for Turning Points, which provides, coordinates and facilitates services to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in Manatee County. She serves on the board for Beneva Oaks Apartments, which offers affordable, barrier-free living options for people with disabilities.

She has a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Certified Vocational Evaluator, and Certified Occupancy Specialist. She has served as president of the local and state chapters of the Florida Rehabilitation Association and president of the Florida Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Association, which represents the interest and needs of human service professionals who work with people in support of their endeavors in training, employment and education to enhance successful attainment of career goals.

“When I came to Goodwill Manasota 30 years ago, I was looking forward to assisting the organization with delivering its mission of ‘changing lives through the power of work.’ Little did I know that the first life I would change would be my own,” she said. “It has been a privilege to get up every day and go to a job that provides me with real meaning and purpose, one that has had an enormous positive impact on so many in our community.”

For more about Goodwill, please go to experiencegoodwill.org or call (941) 355-2721.

Photo ID: Margie Genter (front, tan jacket), vice president of mission services for Goodwill Manasota, with Goodwill’s mission services team