Jennifer Bocker, MD, is the new chief medical officer at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital.
Dr. Bocker is a board-certified general surgeon with specialty training in level one trauma surgery and head and neck surgical oncology.
Bocker received her medical degree from Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago and performed her general surgery residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center in New York and her fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
In her spare time, Bocker is an avid skydiver who has performed thousands of jumps. She currently holds one world record for skydiving and is training for another world record attempt.
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The Florida Swimming Pool Association recently honored six outstanding individuals in the pool and spa industry during the organization’s annual Design Awards Competition as part of the 50th anniversary “Everything Under the Sun Expo.”
The winners were decided by FSPA leadership and staff in acknowledgment of each individual’s outstanding achievements and contributions to the organization and profession as a whole over the past year.
The local winner was Jonathan Mosher, of Signet Pool in Sarasota. He was awarded Young Professional of the Year. Mosher served as the inaugural chair of the Young Professionals group in 2021.
He has spearheaded several marketing and rebranding priorities for the organization, including website redesign and new domain name acquisition.
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The Florida Swimming Pool Association recognized nine individuals as Chapter Directors of the Year during its recent 50th anniversary “Everything Under the Sun Expo.”
Each year, chapters statewide select a member who has given exemplary service locally and statewide to be chosen as Chapter Director of the Year.
The winners from local chapters were:
•Charlotte Harbor Chapter: Nicki Pressley-Rice.
•Florida Gulf Coast Chapter: Michele Moser.
•Florida West Coast Chapter: Tim Converse.
•Manasota Chapter: Jonathan Mosher.
FSPA also recognized two members serving on governor-appointed boards.
Jim Batts was highlighted for his work on the Florida Building Commission. Don Cesarone was noted for his service on the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
The Florida Swimming Pool Association is a trade association for the pool and spa industry in Florida.
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Gulf Coast Community Foundation, in Venice, has promoted Kelly Carlstein to vice president of brand strategy. Carlstein was director of strategic marketing and public relations for over three years and launched Gulf Coast’s 25th anniversary campaign and brand.
She will lead the public relations and communications efforts that enhance and position the Gulf Coast brand across the region.
Before joining Gulf Coast, Carlstein worked on the marketing and public relations team at Healthcare Corporation of America’s Blake Medical Center, in Bradenton.
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Joseph McElmeel, chairman and CEO of executive search firm Brooke Chase Associates, Inc., has promoted Rick Mohrman to vice president of sales and marketing as part of the company’s strategic growth initiative.
During his 17-year career at the company, Mohrman has held the positions of researcher, recruiter, senior executive recruiter and director of administration/operations.
In his new role, he will be overseeing Brooke Chase Associates’ continued growth and marketing programs.
Mohrman has had a presence in the executive search industry for over 21 years.
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Melinda Haney, director of sales and marketing at Aviva Senior Life, has been appointed by the Sarasota County Commission to serve a three-year term on the Seniors Advisory Council, as a Business/Professional Interest in Serving Elders representative, effective through December 2024.
The purpose of the council is to provide a conduit for citizen input to the County Commission to make recommendations or provide advice on issues and conditions affecting Sarasota County’s older adult community.
Haney began working in the senior living industry nearly 20 years ago, working in a variety of centers along the Gulf Coast, before joining Aviva one year ago.
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Rita Lowman, a banking powerhouse in the Tampa Bay area for over four decades, has joined the board of directors of regionally based Caldwell Trust Co., the leading wealth management company in Venice with a significant presence in Sarasota and the central Gulf Coast area.
Lowman began her banking career 45 years ago as state administration executive for NationsBank/Bank of America and has blazed trails ever since – especially for women – up to her most recent position as president of Pilot Bank.
Having managed over 20 acquisitions during her career, including the Nations Bank-Barnett Bank merger in 1997, she brings valuable experience in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, branding and community involvement.
In 2017, she was elected as only the third woman in the 130-year history of the Florida Bankers Association to serve as its chair.
Caldwell Trust Co. is an independent trust company that currently manages over $1.5 billion in assets for clients throughout the United States.
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The law firm Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC has named four new partners: Natasha Selvaraj, Rachel Drude-Tomori, Daniel Guarnieri and Andrew Conaboy.
Selvaraj focuses on commercial and residential real estate transactions, condominium development, and developer representation. In addition, Selvaraj manages the firm’s Lakewood Ranch office.
Drude-Tomori leads Berlin Patten Ebling’s probate and trust administration practice from the St. Petersburg office. Her focus is on estate planning, and probate and elder law, including will contests and Florida’s elective share laws.
Conaboy is the partner managing the firm’s office in Venice. His practice is focused mainly on residential and commercial real estate transactions.
Guarnieri manages the Sarasota litigation group. His practice includes residential and commercial litigation, corporate matters and maritime litigation.
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The Otto Group, of Sarasota, has hired two seasoned professionals and promoted a third to optimize the firm for continued growth while delivering an enhanced client experience.
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. The investment in new talent will enable the company to continue its growth trajectory while staying true to meaningful outcomes for its clients and professional partners.
Kimberlie Buchanan has been hired as client relationship director. A certified public accountant and professional adviser for nearly 30 years, Buchanan oversees business development and community activities through partnerships with centers of influence, philanthropic organizations and clients.
Hannah Starr has been hired as a private wealth adviser. Highly focused on financial planning and serving the investment needs of the firm’s clients, Starr works with the team to find appropriate financial solutions for each investor based on his or her long-term goals and predilection to risk.
Laurel Corriveau has been promoted to client experience officer. With 30 years of professional service experience in banking, legal and finance, Corriveau now guides practice management for the firm, focusing on daily operations along with business plan creation and execution of marketing, growth, fiscal and organizational plans.
