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Business digest

By Times Staff
Published June 19, 2006

Who's news

Colonial Bank recently named Michael Fisette financial consultant for its Inverness and Crystal River offices. He is responsible for wealth management services for private clients, and the trust and business-to-business divisions of the bank, including prospecting and identifying through direct solicitations of existing bank clients. He also focuses on cross-selling opportunities to sell business products, including pension plans, equities and other investment and insurance products.

Seven Rivers Regional Medical has announced three medical staff leadership appointments:

Dr. William R. Gelinas is chief of surgery and Dr. Alex T. Villacastin is chief of medicine. Each will serve a one-year term. Dr. C. Joseph Bennett will serve a two-year term as chief of staff.

Gelinas is board-certified in general vascular surgery and has been on staff since 2000. Villacastin is board-certified in internal medicine and has been on staff since 1997. Bennett is board-certified in radiation oncology and has been on staff since 1993.

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Robin Gelinas has joined the Butler Financial Group LLC as a mortgage originator. She is a lifelong resident of Citrus County and has been active in the real estate business as a closing agent for Fidelity Title and First Title Co.

Briefs

Central Florida Community College Citrus County Campus and the Realtor's Institute of Citrus County have teamed up to offer courses for future and current real estate professionals in July, August and September. Courses will be at the Realtor's Institute, 714 S Scarboro Ave., Lecanto. Register and learn more about the courses at the college campus, 3800 S Lecanto Highway, or by calling Amy Prodan at 352 249-1210.

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Tickets for a drawing that will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs are available for a donation of $100. The winner of a 2006 Corvette donated by Steve and Jewel Lamb of Crystal Motor Co. will be announced July 15. All proceeds go to programming for the clubs in Citrus County. For tickets or information, visit any SunTrust location in the county or call the Boys and Girls Clubs at 621-9225.

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Citrus County Visitors Bureau is seeking information from local tourism businesses in order to update its Web site and Visitor's Center information for tourists in anticipation of the scalloping season, which runs from July 1 through Sept. 10. There are no fees or membership dues. Those who have a service or product that would benefit a scallop seeker, or those who want answers to questions, can contact Tracie Conti at 628-9305.

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The Able Trust will host a Florida BLN EmployAbility Symposium for employers to learn about hiring employees with disabilities Aug. 18 at International Plaza in Tampa. The event will feature speakers from Walt Disney World Co., SunTrust Bank, Hyatt Corp. and the University of South Florida.

The employer track, which will offer recertification credit hours for Professional in Human Resources and Senior Professional in Human Resources credentials through the Human Resource Certificate Institute, is geared toward human resource professionals, diversity managers and other employers who are seeking to hire or retain employees with disabilities.

A special bonus session will address funding opportunities through The Able Trust Grants Program. For information on workshops, available awards, cost information, sponsorships or to register, call Kristen Knapp toll free at 888-838-2253. You may also visit www.abletrust.org.

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The Salvation Army is in need of restaurants willing to provide food for its Wednesday evening program: feeding the hungry from the ministry's mobile canteen. Call 621-5532.

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Habitat for Humanity has an "Everything for the Home Store" at 3685 E Forest Drive, just west of Inverness. All profits from the store help underwrite Habitat's efforts to provide affordable housing for low-income families in the county. Contractors with excess building supplies or materials removed in a remodeling project are encouraged to donate those items. Call 341-1800.

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The Citrus County SCORE Chapter 646 offers free, confidential counseling services to new and existing businesses in the county. The counseling covers a range of business-related topics. For an appointment, call 621-0775.

CALENDAR

Monday

The American Business Women's Association invites businesswomen to network and enhance their business skills by joining Citrus County's Manatee Chapter. The group meets the second Monday of each month at American Legion Post 155, 6585 W Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River. Social time begins at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6 and the business meeting begins at 7. There will be no meeting in July. Call Diane Elswick at 563-2933.

Wednesday

Suncoast Business Masters meets at noon Wednesdays at Romano's Italian Restaurant, 5705 W Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River. Suncoast Business Masters networks through leads from members. Only one business of each type is represented. Call Gailen Spinka, president, at 726-4547.

Thursday

The Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers meets the second Thursday of each month and is open to mortgage industry professionals in Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties. Call John Mince at (352) 666-8225 or e-mail mince@tampabay.rr.com.

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The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Society of Accounting and Tax Professionals meetings are at 5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Wellington Clubhouse, 400 Wexford Road, Spring Hill, and are open to accountants and tax professionals in Hernando, Citrus and Pasco counties. Call Barbara Tremblay at 795-1532.

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The GoSmallBiz Group meets for breakfast at 7:30 a.m. the fourth Thursday of each month at Franklin Realty Consultants, 2965 E Gulf to Lake Highway, Inverness. All business owners and managers are invited to attend. Business cards, coupons and promotional materials will be exchanged and one person will introduce his or her business, services and products. This month, the meeting will be June 29 - instead of the fourth Thursday - and will include a presentation by Dr. Timothy Mescon. There is no charge, but a reply would be appreciated. Call Bud Koehlinger at 527-9790.

Friday

Citrus Business Network meets at 7:30 a.m. Fridays at B & W Rexall, 214 U.S. 41 S (Citrus Plaza), Inverness. The purpose of CBN is to help its members to grow their businesses through the exchange of contacts, leads and ideas. Membership is open to only one member or company for each vocation or discipline. Coffee and breakfast may be purchased. Call Jim Guinn, president, at 746-4825, or Liz Koehlinger, memberships, at 527-9790.

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The Nature Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association meets the first Friday of each month. The lunch meeting is $15 for members and $18 for guests. For information on the time and place, call Amy Kingery at (352) 249-3100 or visit www.fpra-naturecoast.org.

Saturday

Floral City Veterinary Hospital will sponsor an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at 8309 Orange Avenue. All pet owners are welcome to meet Dr. Marilyn Tobey and her staff.

Tobey, who began Suncoast Animal Clinic in 1989, has returned to Citrus County after several years of doing relief work in emergency clinics. She will treat dogs and cats at the new clinic. In July, Dr. Kelly Fredrickson, an equine practitioner, will join Tobey as an associate to care for horses. Call 726-7388 to schedule appointments.

If you have any announcements to share with our readers, please mail the details to Gail Hollenbeck, Citrus Times, 301 W Main St., Inverness, FL 34450. To appear in the Business Digest, announcements must be received by noon on the previous Tuesday. They may also be faxed to (352)860-7320.

[Last modified June 19, 2006, 08:29:29]