Tech meeting

“The services that Home-Tech offers; air conditioning, appliance repair, plumbing and electrical are getting a lot of respect from people who are entering the workforce.  These services will always be needed by homeowners and Home-Tech is dedicated to providing those services,” says Steve Marino, founder of Home-Tech.

Lee Wilcox was hired into Home-Tech’s Apprenticeship Program seven years ago.  Since then, he has mastered all of the practical aspects of this highly skilled trade and recently was named Field Service Manager for the Sarasota/Manatee County office, which provides service to Sarasota, Venice and Bradenton. 

New apprentices begin their education process by undergoing a rigorous six-week “boot camp” program in the company’s in-house training facility, managed and supervised by Home-Tech’s full time trainer.   After completing the initial program, apprentices are assigned to a senior technician/mentor that they will ride with for 45 days before they begin to handle specific calls on their own.  The apprentices continue their educational process during the first year for a total of 260 hours of training.  From there they are required to complete continuing education classes.  To become skilled tradesmen, who have mastered all of the complex skills necessary to provide elite service, requires years of continuing education and on-the-job training. 

 Wilcox says, ““I did ‘clean and checks’ on air conditioning systems for the first year and was also in the classroom at least once a month, receiving continued training.  My second year on the job, I was able to work on additional appliances. By my third year at Home-Tech, I received recognition as an elite technician.  I highly recommend this program.  The opportunities to learn and grow are endless.  It’s worked out great for me!”   

“Our apprentices earn while they learn.  In many ways our training program is better than a college education,” says Marino.  “A free education is as good as gold.  No experience is necessary.  If a young person has “the right stuff” and a passion for knowledge, our apprenticeship program is a good investment for Home-Tech.  We are looking for applicants who are at least 21, drug free, with a good driving record and no criminal record.  The most important quality is a willingness to work hard and for as long as it takes.  You have to earn your right to become a Home-Tech technician.”

Any interested candidates can download the application at http://www.home-tech.com/index.php/employment/.  Applications can then be emailed to apprentice@home-tech.com, or mailed/dropped off at Home-Tech’s regional office at 6400 Techster Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL  33966.  Background checks will be performed on qualified applicants.  Applications will be accepted and carefully evaluated. Apprentices will be chosen once the final interview process is completed.  Classes begin in August.

About Home-Tech

Based in Fort Myers, employee-owned Home-Tech celebrates its 30^th year in business as an industry leader and trendsetter in the fields of home service agreements, air-conditioning and major appliance sales and service.  Founded in 1981 by Steve Marino, who continues as President and Chairman of the Board, the privately held company has 130 employees.  Home-Tech provides service to Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Sarasota and Manatee Counties in Southwest Florida.  Home-Tech’s headquarters, training facility and appliance showroom are located at 6400 Techster Boulevard in Fort Myers.  A second office is located on Lena Road in Bradenton and serves Manatee and Sarasota Counties.  For more information about Home-Tech, visit www.home-tech.com, Find them on Facebook, or call (239) 433-3344.

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Besty Alderman, Chris Nesheim, and Tina Parker

  (FORT MYERS, Fla. June 13, 2011) – The 2010 Class of the Chamber of Southwest Florida’s Leadership Lee County program led the way to kick off the final phase of fundraising for The Heights Foundation in its mission to restart construction on the Harlem Heights Cultural Arts & Community Center.  The group raised $37,000 in donations from the Community UP Rising event held on June 1 at the Heights Center.  The Center will provide with enhanced access to the arts and improved education, training and enrichment programs for the residents of Harlem Heights and surrounding neighborhoods of Harlem Heights. With nearly $450,000 of the $6.5 million capital campaign goal remaining to be raised, members of Leadership Lee County are still asking the community to support the building the project.

In addition to expressive arts and education, the Center will feature a 250-seat auditorium, a culinary arts training kitchen and a computer learning center.

About the Heights FoundationLocated off Gladiolus Drive and bordered by Summerlin Road and McGregor Blvd., approximately 1,200 children live within the boundaries of Harlem Heights. Most of the residents are economically challenged and many are unemployed.  According to the 2000 census, over one-third (36%) live below the Federal poverty level, a rate that is 100% greater than the Lee County average. The Heights Foundation is a grassroots organization that works to break the cycle of poverty in the Harlem Heights neighborhood.  The Foundation’s mission is to promote family and community development, support education and wellness, and provide the benefits of the cultural and expressive arts.   The Foundation is working to build a cultural arts and community center in Harlem Heights.

Jane Kelly, Muni Reynoldson, Michele Eddy, Kathryn Kelly and Pam Beckman

Recognized for his skill and his caring demeanor, Lee Memorial board members, the Regional Advisory Committee on Trauma Services, colleagues and former patients honored Dr. Leach for being dedicated to his profession, and for going the extra mile taking the time to educate patients offering all surgical and non-surgical options.

Trauma Surgeon Patrick B. Leach, MD, with Lee Memorial Health System Board member Chris Hansen at the Inaugural Second Chance Awards Luncheon

Victims of a golf cart hit and run accident while on vacation, Diane and Dave Schaeffer, of Buffalo, NY, were thrown 30 feet and both ended up with a 30 day hospital stay.  “Dr. Leach pulled up a chair and spent hours discussing our cases with us,” said Mr. Schaeffer via videotape at the luncheon.  “Our doctors at home are amazed and complimented Dr. Leach on his skill, we feel blessed as if he was our guardian angel.

Dr. Glancy, the namesake of the awards program, was honored posthumously for his dedication to his career in trauma surgery, most of which was at Lee Memorial.

About Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida

Since opening in 2000, Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida has grown into our area’s only group medical practice with fellowship-trained surgeons.  Using the latest technology and proven techniques in orthopedic medicine, the physicians and staff of Orthopedic Specialists strive to provide the best possible care and service to patients suffering from bone, joint, muscle and back and spine problems. Its comprehensive office in Fort Myers includes foot and ankle, hand and upper extremity, joint replacement, spine and sports medicine centers of excellence along with a physical medicine and rehabilitation program and physical, occupational and hand therapy.   The office is located at 2531 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 1, in Ft. Myers.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.osswf.com, or call 239-334-7000

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 (Fort Myers, Fla. –May 31, 2011) – Dr. Constantine Mantz, chief medical officer of 21^st Century Oncology, presented an emerging treatment for early stage prostate cancer at the American Urological Association annual meeting  in Washington D.C. on May 15  and 16. More than 20,000 surgeons, urologists, radiation oncologists and researchers from around the world attended the five day symposium. 

 The development of stereotactic radiosurgery, a sophisticated form of radiation therapy, has opened up new possibilities for the non-invasive treatment of prostate cancer.  Dr. Mantz’s research on stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) uses imaging and beam-shaping technology to compress the typical two month course of radiation therapy down to only five visits over the course of two weeks.

According to Dr. Mantz, stereotactic radiosurgery is showing promising results. “SABR may enable improved outcomes while maintaining, if not further reducing, the already low complication rates that we have seen with earlier advances in prostate cancer.” 

The SABR study, conducted by Dr. Mantz, is also the first time that stereotactic research has been combined with the Calypso 4D Localization System.  The Calypso system is a real-time tracking system used to monitor any slight movement of the prostate during radiation therapy to ensure the cancer is receiving the full effect of the radiation while preventing damage to nearby healthy tissue and organs.  Dr. Mantz has conducted previous research with the Calypso system that has proved it reduces the side effects of radiation therapy.  His research in this area was published in Urology, the journal for the International Society of Urologists.

“Prostate cancer is, unfortunately, a very prevalent disease in our society. That is why continued research is so important,” Dr. Mantz says. “It’s an honor to present our research findings at national symposiums and to inform the medical community about these advancements in treatment.”

About 21st Century Oncology

Headquartered in Fort Myers, 21st Century Oncology, Inc. is a leading developer and operator of radiation therapy centers in the U.S. For 30 years, 21st Century Oncology has been committed to providing premier, quality, cost-effective radiation therapy services that are responsive to the needs of its patients through continuous improvement and innovation. The company operates in 16 states and has more than 20 offices in Southwest Florida.

The Mike Calbot International Golf Studio and Golf Schools at Old Corkscrew Golf Club

(Fort Myers, Fla. –May 31, 2011) – Rodney Bungartz, a PGA Teaching Golf Professional with long roots in the Southwest Florida golf community, has joined The Mike Calbot International Golf Studio and Schools at Old Corkscrew Golf Club as head golf instructor. Bungartz will provide private lessons, group lessons, clinics and coaching sessions for both adults and junior players.

                Bungartz is a Naples native who has been a part of the local golf scene for more than 20 years. He began golfing at the age of four. As a junior golfer, he competed in the S.W. Florida Junior Golf Association, local and state amateur tournaments, and national events like the Junior World and Future Masters. He then went on to pursue a golf career and played in the German Open and golf tournaments in Austria, Switzerland and Canada.

                His previous positions as a teaching professional include Gateway Golf Club, Arrowhead Golf Club, and Pine Trace golf club in Michigan. He previously worked at The Mike Calbot International Golf Studio for several years at two different locations and has known Mike Calbot since he was nine years old. “Mike was one of my early instructors and has been very influential on my game and on my teaching of the game.” says Bungartz. “I’m looking forward to working with him again.”

                “Having a great I professional like Rodney Bungartz join our team is a great benefit to our clients. He brings a big talent as an instructor, along with great management and organization skills,” says Mike Calbot, Director of Instruction at Old Corkscrew Golf Club and President of The Mike Calbot International Golf Studio.

                Over the years, Bungartz has had the opportunity to introduce golf to more than 20,000 kids in southwest Florida through after-school clinics, junior summer programs, and other programs.  In recognition of these efforts, he has been awarded the PGA President’s Council on Growing the Game honor award in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 and the Southwest Chapter PGA Junior Leader Award in 2007 and 2008.

                According to Calbot, Bungartz will be building a family golf instruction program for the Calbot golf studio. “Family golf and junior golf are the fastest growing areas of the sport today. Rodney is going to be a big asset in establishing the most sought after junior programs southwest Florida has to offer.”

About Old Corkscrew

Old Corkscrew is an 18-hole golf facility located on Corkscrew Road between Fort Myers and Naples, Florida. The Jack Nicklaus Signature designed golf course was created in harmony with the natural terrain of the Florida environment and provides a challenging, enjoyable golf experience for players of all levels. The par-72 championship golf course is a free-standing recreational facility with no residential development on the site.

Old Corkscrew opened for play in February of 2007 and has quickly been recognized as one of the nation’s finest golf courses and included on a number of prestigious lists. It is the winner of the 2008 Florida Golf Course of the Year award by the National Golf Course Owners Association, recognized by Golf Digest magazine on its prestigious list of America’s Top 10 Best New Courses, listed as a Best Course Near You by Golf Magazine, included in the sixth edition of the Zagat guide to America’s Top Golf Courses and it has been certified by Audubon International as a Signature Sanctuary golf course.

Jack Nicklaus Signature design golf courses are the highest standard of design offered by Nicklaus Design and include Jack Nicklaus’ personal oversight and involvement in every step of the design and construction.

Old Corkscrew offers semi-private access with flexible tee times for member’s guests and visitors to the area who want to experience a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course.  membership plans are considered the most accessible in Southwest Florida with one, three and ten year plans.  Corporate and seasonal memberships are available.  For more information or to book a tee time to evaluate the course, please call 239-949-4700.  More information can be found at www.OldCorkscrew.com.

Muni Reynoldson receiving the Community Service Award from Nechamie and Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowitz at the annual Grand Founder Dinner.

(Fort Myers, Fl. May 27,2011)- Muni Reynoldson was honored with the Annual Community Service Award from Nechamie and Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowitz at the annual Grand Founder Dinner of the Chabad Lubavitch held April 3 in Fort Myers.

She was recognized because of her long standing support of Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida. Reynoldson and her company, Muni Interiors, have pledged to donate design services for the interior of the new Chabad Jewish Community Center Currently under construction.  Located on Winker Road in Fort Myers, the Chabad Lubavitch is part of the Hasidic movements of Orthodox Judiasm.   

“Muni has given endless hours of her expertise and talent to create a beautiful flow of energy to our center,” said Rabbi Minkowitz. “Muni does it all with a smile.”

Top Trane A/C Dealer

                (Fort Myers – May 24, 2011) — Home-Tech, an employee-owned air conditioning and appliance service and sales company headquartered in Fort Myers, was recently awarded the “trifecta” of Trane Air Conditioning Awards at the Annual Gulf Coast Sales District Awards Meeting in Clearwater.  The Home-Tech sales staff brought home the three top awards among more than 200 Trane dealers in 15 counties located along the west coast of Florida.

            Home-Tech was awarded the prestigious 2010 XLi Top Ten Dealer Award for finishing in the top ten of premium equipment sales for Trane air conditioning systems.  Trane’s XLi equipment is among the industry’s most efficient and highest quality air conditioning systems.  This is the 10^th consecutive year that Home-Tech has finished in the top ten. 

            In addition, Home-Tech received the 2010 Dealer Performance Award for outstanding performance in 2010 and continued growth in sales, and also received the 2010 Top Sales Award for Connected Home Solutions.  Home-Tech was the 2010 sales leader in the nation for connected home solutions which includes luxury services such as home automation and comfort link remote thermostats.  

            “We’re proud to win these sales awards but it’s the quality of the service after the sale that truly sets Home-Tech apart,” said Mike Hendershott, regional sales manager for Home-Tech.  “Our training program for repair technicians is by far the best in the industry so when we sell an air conditioning system, we really know the product and its qualities and know what the homeowner can expect from the product.”

 About Home-Tech

Employee-owned, Home-Tech has been an industry leader and trendsetter for 30 years in the fields of home-service agreements, air conditioning and major appliance sales and service.  Founded in 1981 by Steve Marino, who continues as President and Chairman of the Board, the privately held Home-Tech employs 135 people and provides service in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Sarasota and Manatee counties in Southwest Florida. Home-Tech operates from two principal locations.  The headquarters, tech training facility and appliance showroom are located at 6400 Techster Boulevard in Fort Myers.  A second office on Lena Road, in Bradenton, services Manatee and Sarasota counties.  For more information about Home-Tech, visit www.Home-Tech.com, find them on Facebook, or call (239) 433-3344.

 If your mother or someone special goes above and beyond for you, enter her by May 31,2011 to win complimentary Botox® and therapeutic facial treatments for one full year. Enter your mother’s story online at www.DrKreegel.com or have an entry form faxed or e-mailed to you, or pick one up at Kreegel Aesthetic Surgery at 16410 HealthPark Commons Drive, Fort Myers, Florida 33908.

 Botox® is a popular nonsurgical treatment that is designed to reduce the visible signs of aging. Visible results of Botox® last up to four months. Since Botox® was introduced in 2002; more than 11.8 million Botox® procedures have been administrated.

For more information call Kreegel Aesthetic Surgery at 239-343-9777.

 About Kreegel Aesthetic Surgery

Under the direction of Medical Director, Drew A. Kreegel, MD, FACS, a plastic surgeon with over 20 years experience, Kreegel Aesthetics’ skin care team includes a licensed esthetician certified in microdermabrasion and advanced medical peels. Kreegel Aesthetics offers a wide array of non-surgical medical spa treatments in a comfortable environment as well as cosmetic surgical procedures performed in a state-of-the-art licensed and accredited surgical facility.

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 There is an estimated 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. “Advances are being made in breast cancer treatment, but early detection is key,” says Blackwell. “The most recent statistics show that the survival rate is as high as 98 percent if it’s caught early, before it has spread.”

 According to The American Cancer Society, more women with breast cancer chose to remove only part of the breast tissue, but some women have mastectomy. After having the mastectomy, women are looking to have reconstructive surgery to rebuild. “Women choose to have breast reconstruction for many reasons,” says Kreegel. “Approximately 75 percent of women who have mastectomies have surgical reconstruction on one or both breasts.”

 Seating is limited, reservations are required. 

For reservations or more information, call 239-343-9777.

 Date:                    Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Time:                     5-7pm

Location:           Regional Cancer Center

                        8931 Colonial Center Drive, Fort Myers, Florida 33905

Reservations:    239-343-9777

About Drew Kreegel, M.D.

Drew Kreegel, M.D. is board certified and has been dedicated to providing quality, state of the art plastic surgery since he began practicing in 1991. He specializes in cosmetic (aesthetic) surgery, breast reconstruction (following mastectomy), hand surgery, head and neck surgery, skin cancer surgery and general reconstruction. Dr. Kreegel is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an active member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Inc., and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

 About Lea Blackwell, M.D.

Originally from Panama City, Fla., Lea Blackwell, M.D. earned her medical degree from and completed a surgical residency at Louisiana State University. She also completed a surgical breast oncology fellowship at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. prior to joining Associates in General & Vascular Surgery in Fort Myers. She is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology, and the American Society of Breast Disease. Dr. Blackwell specializes in breast cancer treatment and monitoring high risk patients for evidence of breast disease.

 About Dara Leichter, RN

With nearly 35 years of health care experience, Dara Leichter, RN, is uniquely qualified to serve as Lee Memorial Health System’s breast cancer navigator. For the past 20 years, she has devoted herself to oncologic roles as a nurse, administrator and navigator. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Leadership and master’s degree in Health Care Administration from National-Louis University of Chicago.  She completed her nursing education at Raleigh County Vocational-Technical Center in Beckley, West Virginia, and Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla.