POSITIONS TAKEN

Kelly Kirschner, dean of special programs, Eckerd College.

Tom Esselman, CEO, The Institute for the Ages.

Jennifer Steube, vice president and senior investment adviser; and David Dettmann, vice president and senior banking adviser, PNC Wealth management.

Mark Barnebey and Scott Rudacille, principals, law firm of Blalock Walters, P.A.

Diane Lawson, senior adviser, Sperry Van Ness Commercial Advisory Group.

Dr. Ranjay Halder, clinical medical director, Manatee Glens.

Paul Blackketter, chief operating officer, SunCoast Aquatic Nature Center.

Deborah Getzoff, of counsel, law firm of Lewis, Longman & Walker.

Cheryl J. Andrews, executive director, Forty Carrots Family Center.

Christine Desiree, director of interiors, DSDG Architects.

Pamela Kellerman, sales, Trigon Refrigerant Group.

Elise Lipoff Ramer, community relations specialist, and Jennifer Barclay, customer service associate, Home-Tech.

Alice Cislo, mortgage consultant, and Yvonne Aronin, loan processor, Blue Skye Lending.

Sean Dreznin and Richard Sellers, commercial real estate specialists, NAI Manasota.

Kenneth M. Kinzie, administrative director, Tidewell Hospice Grief Education and Support center.

Mary Beth Wallace, dean of students, USF Sarasota-Manatee.

Michelle Graber, event planner, Gecko’s Signature Room private dining facility.

Alison Gutek, Dan Harris, David King and Matt Reynell, promoted to supervisor; Katie Pogorelskaya and Cory Reeves, promoted to senior accountant; Amity Hoffman, Stephen Mixon, Erin Prasnjak and Nicole Vander Clay, promoted to in-charge accountant; and Crystal Riganati, promoted to administration superviser, Kerkering, Barberio & Co.

 

ACCOLADES

Drum Circle Distilling’s Siesta Key Rum won Best in Class in the national Rum Renaissance competition, and has expanded distribution to include Publix and all tier-one ABC stores across Florida.

The Sarasota County Library System was named 2012 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association.

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce was recognized as the largest chamber in the Tampa Bay region.

Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida and Willis A. Smith Construction have been awarded the 2011 national President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Doctors Hospital and Sarasota Memorial Hospital have been named among Thomson Reuters’ 100 Top Hospitals in the nation.

The Sarasota County chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors was honored by the national organization by placing No. 1 in the nation for new membership recruitment among the largest chapters, and No. 2 in the nation for membership retention.

Jewish Family & Children’s Services elected these new board members: Karin Grablin, Mike Harshman and Nora Patterson.

Tom Shults of the law firm of Kirk-Pinkerton has been appointed chairman of the Code and Rules of Evidence committee of the Florida Bar.

Michael’s On East has been awarded its 23rd consecutive Four Diamond rating by AAA.

John McIntyre and Joseph Schortz have been elected to the board of SunTrust Bank Southwest Florida.

The Tedd Todd Insurance Agency won Allstate’s Agency Achievement Award for the Florida region.

Caldwell Trust Company, Dr. Ken Pfahler and Cardiology Center of Englewood each pledged $10,000 to the South County Family YMCA’s SKY Academy for the purchase of laptop computers.

Thomas F. Icard Jr. was named the 2012 “Best Lawyers Mediation Lawyer of the Year” for the Tampa area by The Best Lawyers in America.

The law firm of Kallins, Little & Delgado awarded scholarships totaling $17,000 to 12 graduating Manatee County high school seniors.

Iberia Bank donated nearly 160 used cell phones to Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center and Family Promise of Manatee County.

Malcolm J. Pitchford has been certified by the Florida Bar as a program arbitrator for the Bar’s grievance mediation and fee arbitration program.

 

MOVING AND OPENING

YachtSea Grill has opened at Plaza Del Rio, 101 Riverfront Blvd. in downtown Bradenton.

Southwest Solutions, a geriatric care management company, has opened at 2803 Fruitville Road in Sarasota.

Carmel Café & Wine Bar has opened at 8433 Cooper Creek Blvd. in The Shoppes of University Town Center.

Chris and Dee Waters have launched Coach, Counseling and Consulting, Inc.

The Coffee Loft has opened at 5025 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.

Commercial Air & Refrigeration has changed its name to Modern Air & Refrigeration to reflect its residential focus.

The Aesthetic Arts Institute has opened at 2163 Main St. in downtown Sarasota.

Les Ciseaux full-service spa has opened at Hotel Indigo, 1223 Boulevard of the Arts in Sarasota.

Candice McElyea has launched 360 Degrees PR & Marketing.

The Cancer Support Community Florida Suncoast has changed its name to the Center for Building Hope.

Clifford M. Scholz Architects and interior designer Susan Hritz Scholz of SHS Design have moved their office to 300 S. Orange Ave. in downtown Sarasota.

Anexio has moved to 1413 Boulevard of the Arts in downtown Sarasota.

Dr. Lisa LaPresti has opened Sea of Smiles children’s dentistry at 6060 S.R. 70, Suite A, in Bradenton.

Medical Resource Association has moved to 1549 State St. in downtown Sarasota.

Dr. Wally Dabasinskas has opened the Coastal Animal Medical Center at 6010 111th St. E. in Lakewood Ranch.

Bob Carter has launched a nonprofit consultation service, Bob Carter Companies, LLC.

Royal Maid Service has opened at 4911 14th St. W., No. 102, in Bradenton.

Susan Lewis has launched WeightManagementCoaching.com.