Two members of Goodwill Manasota’s leadership team have recently been elevated to vice presidential roles in recognition of longtime, dedicated and successful experience with the organization, as well as to increase the capacity of the nonprofit, which serves Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Hardee counties and northwest Charlotte County.

Melissa Carman, who was hired in 2008, began her service as an assistant and has risen steadily through the ranks ever since.

Her new title is vice president of engagement. In that role, her key responsibilities include overseeing the support team, project management and marketing, as well as serving as the liaison between President & CEO Donn Githens and the board of directors.

Alexa Olivas was hired in 2009 on the retail operations side. Since that time, she has been promoted numerous times.

Her new title is vice president of donated goods operations, a new position resulting from the division of donated goods operations and retail.

Carman and Olivas have both been working toward their master’s degrees. Carman recently completed hers in human services and Olivas will complete hers in business administration in August – with tuition provided through Goodwill’s “Pursuit of Education” program aimed at workforce upskilling.

The Otto Group has promoted Michael C. Wood to portfolio analyst. In this role, Wood assists the firm’s financial advisers in the composition and maintenance of investment portfolios.Wood’s responsibilities involve fundamental portfolio analysis, including the understanding and application of historical trends and financial metrics, along with the regulatory and legal aspects of investment portfolio management.A 2021 graduate of the University of South Florida, Wood has a Bachelor of Science in Finance, with a concentration in asset management.

During his final semester at USF, he earned his Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate of Completion. Wood is Series 7 licensed, has completed the Level I exam of the CFA Program and is pursuing the CFA charter.  The Otto Group is a wealth management firm that provides holistic and advanced planning solutions to a select group of families, individuals and business owners.

As the field of construction law continues to grow and change, Shumaker Partner Brett M. Henson will help guide the process of becoming certified in construction law in the state of Florida.

Florida Bar President-Elect Scott Westheimer has appointed Henson to serve on the Construction Law Certification Standing Committee.

Florida is one of only 14 states in the U.S. that certify lawyers in specialty practice areas, such as construction law. In recent years, Florida has seen an increased demand for board certified construction lawyers to support its booming real estate and development sectors. Of the over 100,000 lawyers in Florida, only about 4 percent are board certified in construction law, and of those, only nine are chosen by the Florida Bar President to administer the construction law certification process.

This process includes reviewing applications and peer reviews of prospective lawyers seeking certification, along with drafting and grading the construction law board certification examination.

Henson’s legal practice focuses in the areas of commercial and construction litigation. He devotes a substantial portion of his practice to handling all types of construction disputes.

Timothy J. Rudge has joined Shumaker’s Litigation and Disputes Service Line as a senior attorney in the firm’s Sarasota office.

Rudge focuses his practice on contract, partnership and business, and real property disputes, as well as construction defects. He has tried cases in both jury and bench trials, and his experience includes litigating cases in Ohio and Florida from filing of the action to trial.

HCA Florida Englewood Hospital is proud to recognize the extraordinary work and dedication of colleagues who received the 2023 Dr. Joseph Anders Annual Awards. The awards were named after the late Dr. Joseph Anders, a physician who served patients for more than four decades.

Award recipients were recognized during a ceremony with colleagues, family and members of Dr. Anders’ family in attendance.

Steven Strbich, D.O. was honored as Physician of the Year.  He was recognized for his exceptional care and empathy for patients.

Medical Surgical Nurse Melody Ramirez was recognized for her exceptional nursing knowledge and expert skills.

Cathy Pavan was named Volunteer of the Year. She not only volunteers at the hospital but gives her time selflessly to her community. During Volunteer Month in April, she received the “Biggest Heart Award,” given to an outstanding volunteer.

Clinical Caregiver of the Year was awarded to Sean White, patient care tech, who is passionate about caring for his patients and always finds ways to connect with them.

Michael Matthews, a manager with the Culinary Services team, was named Non-clinical Caregiver of the Year. He consistently cares for all patients like family.

Jackie Stewart, lead mammography technologist, received The Innovator Award for her work to advance the mission of the hospital through innovative ideas to solve problems in new and creative ways.

Additionally, caregivers celebrating milestone years of service were honored.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Longtime employees move on up to VP at Goodwill Manasota