{"id":124026,"date":"2026-01-19T19:19:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T19:19:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/124026\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T19:19:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T19:19:24","slug":"business-notes-sanibel-captiva-island-reporter-islander-and-current-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/124026\/","title":{"rendered":"Business Notes – SANIBEL-CAPTIVA – Island Reporter, Islander and Current"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n
\n
\n \/News
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n

1 \/ 8<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2 \/ 8<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

SANIBEL CAPTIVA BUSINESS WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
\nLauren McCraney<\/p>\n

3 \/ 8<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

4 \/ 8<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

CITY OF SANIBEL<\/p>\n

5 \/ 8<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
\nFrom left, Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors Chief Executive Officer Bill Robinson and Captiva Civic Association Director Lauren McCraney.<\/p>\n

6 \/ 8<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

COMMUNITY HOUSING & RESOURCES
\nCommunity Housing & Resources (CHR) Executive Administrative Assistant Anna Johnson, center, with employees of the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District.<\/p>\n

7 \/ 8<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
\nJames Evans<\/p>\n

8 \/ 8<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

SANIBEL CAPTIVA COMMUNITY BANK
\nKyle DeCicco<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

[expand]<\/p>\n

close
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n

BANK OF THE ISLANDS TO PRESENT SESSION<\/p>\n

Edison National Bank\/Bank of the Islands will host a fraud, scams and identity theft session with local law enforcement on Jan. 24 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at its Sanibel location.<\/p>\n

Presented by a Sanibel Police Department representative, it will entail an open discussion and question-and-answer session to help residents recognize and report scams and detect, protect and report fraud and abuse.<\/p>\n

Seating is limited.<\/p>\n

To RSVP or for more information, contact Liz LaForce at 239-466-1800.<\/p>\n

Bank of the Islands is at 1699 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.<\/p>\n

SCBWA TO HOLD MONTHLY LUNCHEON<\/p>\n

The Sanibel Captiva Business Women\u2019s Association (SCBWA) will hold its monthly luncheon on Jan. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.<\/p>\n

Part of its 2026 Program Series, the guest speaker will be Captiva Civic Association Director Lauren McCraney on \u201cLeading With Care: Women, Community, and the Power of Showing Up.\u201d<\/p>\n

She will share her inspiring journey through community leadership, women\u2019s advocacy and disaster relief. Through vivid stories and video clips, McCraney will connect her work on Captiva with her efforts supporting women\u2019s cooperatives in Guatemala and providing hurricane relief with World Central Kitchen, highlighting how purpose-driven leadership and compassion create lasting impact.<\/p>\n

The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva is sponsoring the luncheon.<\/p>\n

The cost is $35 per person and includes lunch.<\/p>\n

To register or more information, visit https:\/\/bit.ly\/SCBWAJAN<\/a>.<\/p>\n

FLORIDA TRUST TO OFFER SEMINAR SERIES<\/p>\n

Florida Trust Wealth Management will offer Domicile Day \u2014 a seminar series on establishing Florida residency, domicile status and estate planning \u2014 on Jan. 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. at its office at the Bell Tower in Fort Myers.<\/p>\n

The session will be simulcast at its office on Sanibel.<\/p>\n

It will include a presentation and Q&A led by the company\u2019s team members, along with guest presenter and local estate planning attorney Jennifer Hammond. Attendees will also learn about tax, asset protection and creditor benefits of Florida domicile.<\/p>\n

Afterward, the presenters will be available answer additional individual questions.<\/p>\n

Seating is limited, and reservations are required.<\/p>\n

To register, contact Andrea McKiddie at amckiddie@floridatrust.com or 239-472-8300.<\/p>\n

Florida Trust Wealth Management is at 13525 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers, and at 2450 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.<\/p>\n

CITY INTRODUCES QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER<\/p>\n

The city of Sanibel announced the launch of the Sanibel Current, a quarterly newsletter created in partnership with the SanCap Chamber.<\/p>\n

Designed to keep residents, business owners and visitors informed, it will highlight important updates from city departments, along with news and information from around the community.<\/p>\n

The first edition, Winter 2026, offers a fresh way to stay connected with what is happening on Sanibel, from city initiatives and services to community highlights and local updates.<\/p>\n

To read the newsletter, visit https:\/\/indd.adobe.com\/view\/3316c41b-63f8-457d-bee0-e31afe4f8eeb<\/a> or https:\/\/www.mysanibel.com\/611\/Sanibel-Current-Newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Print copies are available at locations throughout the community, including City Hall, the chamber, Sanibel Recreation Center and various local businesses.<\/p>\n

SCIAR HOLDS MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETING<\/p>\n

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) held its monthly Membership Breakfast & West Caravan Meeting on Dec. 18 at its office on Sanibel.<\/p>\n

The guest speaker was Captiva Civic Association Director Lauren McCraney. She shared insights from her more than decade-long career in nonprofit leadership, public programming and grassroots advocacy.<\/p>\n

The event combined professional updates and networking with seasonal fun, including an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest that invited members to showcase their most festive and outrageous attire.<\/p>\n

Bank of the Islands and Noack & Company sponsored the meeting.<\/p>\n

CHR MEETS WITH SANIBEL FIRE DISTRICT<\/p>\n

Community Housing & Resources (CHR) recently met with the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District to share information about affordable housing opportunities available through its organization.<\/p>\n

The presentation was led by Executive Administrative Assistant Anna Johnson, who provided resources, answered questions and encouraged employees to connect with CHR.<\/p>\n

CHR reported that this type of outreach reflects its ongoing commitment to partnering with local nonprofits and public safety departments to support the essential workforce that keeps Sanibel running. By building these relationships, CHR continues to strengthen the island community.<\/p>\n

It thanked the fire district for the opportunity and looks forward to continued collaboration.<\/p>\n

ISLANDS MAKE NYT\u2019S \u2018PLACES TO GO\u2019 LIST<\/p>\n

The New York Times listed Sanibel and Captiva among its \u201c52 Places to Go in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

The islands came in at No. 26 on the list.<\/p>\n

The newspaper noted that after the destruction in recent years from Hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton, Sanibel and Captiva are \u201cembracing visitors who want to be part of their comeback story.\u201d<\/p>\n

It reported establishments that \u201chad not modernized in decades\u201d were forced to renovate as a result, citing the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, Bubble Room and more.<\/p>\n

The newspaper added that \u201cthough reminders of trauma linger, the \u2018now open\u2019 signs everywhere may better describe the celebratory mood.\u201d<\/p>\n

To view the list, visit https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/travel\/places-to-travel-destinations-2026.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n

EVANS NAMED ALUMNUS OF DISTINCTION<\/p>\n

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) recently announced Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) Chief Executive Officer James Evans as its 2026 Alumnus of Distinction.<\/p>\n

As the most prestigious award FGCU\u2019s Alumni Association bestows upon a graduate, it honors alumni who have upheld the tradition of excellence through their personal accomplishment, professional achievement and\/or humanitarian service.<\/p>\n

\u201cJames Evans exemplifies the leadership, vision and dedication needed to guide Southwest Florida and the FGCU community toward a sustainable future,\u201d association President Bonie Montalvo shared. \u201cA proud FGCU alumnus, James has built a career rooted in environmental stewardship, collaborative leadership, and community resilience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Evans earned an undergraduate degree in environmental studies in 1999, making him one of FGCU\u2019s earliest graduates after the university opened in August 1997. He also received a master\u2019s degree in environmental science in 2011.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am deeply honored to serve as this year\u2019s Alumnus of Distinction,\u201d Evans shared. \u201cI credit FGCU and the long list of mentors that I had during my graduate and undergraduate work with my success as an environmental professional. I am proud to be a double-degree Eagle and to represent such a great institution that gave me my start.\u201d<\/p>\n

He, along with seven Soaring Eagle Alumni Award recipients, was selected from a field of 135 nominees. They were to be honored at the Alumni Awards Celebration Dinner on Feb. 17.<\/p>\n

DECICCO LISTED AMONG \u2018PEOPLE TO KNOW\u2019<\/p>\n

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank President and Chef Executive Officer Kyle DeCicco has been named to Florida Trend magazine\u2019s 2025 \u201cPeople to Know in Southwest Florida\u201d list.<\/p>\n

It features business and civic leaders whose expertise, influence and forward-thinking leadership are helping shape the future of Southwest Florida. Honorees represent key sectors including finance, healthcare, education, development and community service.<\/p>\n

DeCicco was selected for guiding the bank through a period of significant growth, including surpassing the $1 billion total asset milestone. Under his direction, the bank has continued to strengthen its financial position, expand its lending portfolio, and deepen its investment in the region\u2019s long-term recovery and economic vitality.<\/p>\n

Beyond financial leadership, DeCicco is recognized for his commitment to service, philanthropy and community partnerships. Under his guidance, the bank continues to prioritize local giving, collaborate with nonprofits and maintain a high loan-to-deposit ratio in the region.<\/p>\n


\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \/News 1 \/ 8 2 \/ 8 SANIBEL CAPTIVA…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":124027,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210],"class_list":{"0":"post-124026","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cape-coral","8":"tag-cape-coral","9":"tag-cape-coral-headlines","10":"tag-cape-coral-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=124026"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124026\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/124027"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=124026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=124026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=124026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}