For the Seventh year in a row our region has maintained the distinction of being one of the top regions in the WORLD! BNI Southwest Florida members passed over $43 Million in closed business to each other in just these 3 counties during the last 12 months! We currently have about 772 members in 24 chapters, with an average chapter size of 32. Today we have over 600 members in attendance for these Excellence Awards. We’ve had an amazing year.
Congratulations to the this year's 5 year members.
Aimee Bahk from Referrals in Paradise
Glenn Barich from Success in Numbers
Nancy Bellisle from Trusted Professionals
George Bowe from Professional Biz Connections
David Brown from Business by the Bay
Gena Caldwell from Referrals in Paradise
Mitzi Cemovich from Premier Professionals
Yvette Clermont from Power Connections
Kati Council from Rapid Referrals Plus
Tad Cromley from Professional Biz Connections
Tiffany Farrell from Business by the Bay
Mick Garza from Trusted Professionals
Jill Geisdorf from Business by the Bay
Lynne Glace from Rapid Referrals Plus
Louise Hanaoka from Power House
Jakob Hart from Business by the Bay
Stacy Holweger from Success in Numbers
Devin Johnson from Endless Referrals
Al Jung from Business by the Bay
Lisa Kennedy from Money in the Morning
Jeremy Kudritz from Money in the Morning
Jason Lovley from Reapid Referrals Plus
Lynn Luken from Top Shelf Professionals
Jim McDonald from Referrals in Paradise
Jennifer McSharry from Money in the Morning
Irene Meehan from Rain Makers
Jamie Meirowsky from Top Shelf Professionals
Lisa Michel from Top Shelf Professionals
Julia Miller from Success in Numbers
Mike O'Toole from Partners for Profit
Cynthia Perkins from Premier Professionals
Chris Pizzolato from Master Connnectors
Dan Prieto from Referrals in Paradise
Bonnie Raad from Cutting Edge Professionals
Randi Sanders from Success in Numbers
Glenn Scharf from Key Referrals
Daryl Schmucker from Business by the Bay
Gil Sullivan from Rain Makers
Joseph Tine from Money in the Morning
Terri West from Business by the Bay
Shane Whitmore from Premier Professionals
Steve Williamson from Key Referrals
Andrew Zaccagnino from Referrals in Paradise
Michael Zahl from Referrals to Riches
These BNI SWFL veterans have been members for 10 years.
Gregg Brown from Power House
Gary Kauffman from Business by the Bay
Victor Freyer from Premier Professionals
Gratia Schroeder from Premier Professionals
Annette Gustin from Rapid Referrals Plus
Scott van der Kooy from Business by the Bay
Kevin Robbins from Business by the Bay
Director Consultant Becky Brantner, with Purple Monkey Print and Design, and Ambassador Sarah Tar, with BB&T Bank, presented this year's Education Equals Excellence Awards (E Squared). To qualify for this award a member needs to have attended all five of the Advanced Training Modules.
Alan Garceau with Eric Peterson & Associates from Cutting Edge Professionals
Andre Ellen with LifeVantage from Key Referrals
Andrew Whitley with Amplify Online from Cutting Edge Professionals
Anne Woodward with Send Out Cards from Master Connectors
Bo Mortensen with SRQ Detailers LLC, Pure Detailers from Circle of Success
Bonnie Raad with Amaryllis Marketing from Cutting Edge Professionals
Charlene Parlett with Seamless Coaching Service from Cutting Edge Professionals
Denise Holland with We Fix Computers from Circle of Success
Donna Kennedy with DK Bookkeeping Service from Rain Makers
Gayle Williams with Vision Marketing from Referral Champions
Holly Hearn with H2 Concierge Marketing, LLC from Referral Champions
Ivan Gould with Ivan J. Gould PA from Key Referrals
Jeff Twigg with Bright Realty from Key Referrals
Kimmi van der Veen with Absolute Window & Door from Rapid Referrals Plus
Lynne Glace with Aurora PT from Rapid Referrals Plus
Paul Jorgensen with Farm Bureau Insurance from Partners for Profit
Susan Fletcher with Bass Fletcher & Associates from Professional Biz Connections
Tami Goudy with Veritas! Pest Management from Cutting Edge Professionals
Theresa Goodman with VIPet Services from Master Connectors
William Wilson with WEW Enterprises Inc dba The Woodcrafters from Cutting Edge Professionals
Ambassodors Paul Blucher, with Blucher Law Group, and Robert Richardson, with AppStar Financial, announced the names of the 23 members who had perfect attendance this year. In order to qualify members must have been a member for the entire year from October 1, 2017 - Sept 30, 2018. These members did not miss ANY meetings, they were not late, had no medicals, and did not have any subs.
Alexis Meininghaus with Chris Black Insurance from Referral Champions
Andrew Zaccagnino with Customized Insurance Needs from Referrals in Paradise
Cheryl Wilson with NutraMetrix Custom Health Solutions from Money in the Morning
Cindi Werts with Point of Balance Business Solutions from Circle of Success
Craig Clark with LaMaison Inspections from Professional Business Connections
David Wallwork with Meilus Precision Therapy from Key Referrals
Edward Godfrey with Godfrey Remodeling and Repair from Rapid Referrals Plus
Eric Larson with Larson Natural Health Center from Partners for Profit
Gregg Brown with Nu-Sons Electric Corp from Power House
Holly Hearn with H2 Concierge Marketing, LLC from Referral Champions
John R. King from Referrals in Paradise
Kathryn Scott with Coldwell Banker Realtor from Endless Referrals
Mary Conway with Breaking Barriers to Learning from BNI Cutting Edge Professionals
Mathew Dill with Stellar Web Productions from Money in the Morning
Michael Murphy from Professional Biz Connections
Neil Heim with ADIO Chiropractic from Money in the Morning
Nimie Gill with Suncoast Web Marketing LLC from Top Shelf Professionals
Rich Suggs with The Suggs Group from Master Connectors
Rob DeForge with Daniel's Plumbing Service from Key Referrals
Sandra Visser with Anthony's Cooling-Heating-Electrical from Cutting Edge Professionals
Theresa Goodman with VIPet Services from Master Connectors
Tricia Gibbs with Precise Painting from Master Connectors
Uriel Quiles with Q Concept Group from Endless Referrals
Bill Rhodes, with Payment Systems of Florida and an Ambassador with BNI Southwest Florida, presented awards to the members who invited the most visitors to their chapter. Visitors are the lifeline of our chapters, and members who have worked very hard to help your chapters grow and your referrals increase are vital to our success.
18 Visitors - Becky Brantner with Purple Monkey Print and Design from Power Connections
17 Visitors - Holly Hearn with H2 Concierge Marketing from Referral Champions
14 Visitors - Shana Tibi with Non-Stop Locksmith from Key Referrals
13 Visitors - Nimie Gill with Suncoast Web Marketing LLC from Top Shelf Professionals
12 Visitors - Carey Beychok with RE/MAX Alliance Group from Referral Champions
12 Visitors - Glenn Scharf with The Scharf Group from Key Referrals
12 Visitors - Julie Woodard with Julia International Real Estate from Business Focus
Director Consultant Paul Jorgensen, with Farm Bureau Insurance announced the top five members who passed the most referrals to their members.
537 Referrals Given
Annette Gustin with Aquatech Pools from Rapid Referrals Plus
361 Referrals Given
Jane Mendola with RE/MAX Palm Realty from Money in the Morning
310 Referrals Given
Jennifer McSharry with Burnett 1-800 Painting from Money in the Morning
310 Referrals Given
Carey Baychock with RE/MAX Alliance Group from Referral Champions
282 Referrals Given
Russell LeGrande with LaMaison Homes from Circle of Success
Ambassador Lori Anderson, with Moore, Fowinkle Schroer Insurance Agency, announced the top five members who passed the most Thank You for Closed Business to their members. This is the epitome of Givers Gain®. Most of these members will tell you that the ability to have reliable people they can refer their clients to is just as important as the business they receive.
$1,571,607
Liz Arme with Premier Sotheby's International Realty from Trusted Professionals
$1,153,176
Marcia Harper with Bacon's Furniture from Money in the Morning
$1,065,728
Yvette Clermont with Inlanta Mortgage from Power Connections
$610,788
Gene Burwood with Paradise Palms Property Management from Success in Action
$527,935
Greg Miller with Ruoff Home Mortgage from Personal Biz Connections
Ambassadors Mary Taylor, with Mary Kay Cosmetics, and Brian Drechsler, with D&D Air Conditioning, announced this year's Medallion Chapters, recognized based on the number of members. Chapters needed to maintain their size for 3 consecutive months from July 1- October 1, 2018.
Silver Medallion, 35-44 Members
Money in the Morning Rain Makers
Referral Champions Referrals in Paradise
Power Conncections Rapid Referrals Plus
Gold Medallion, 45-54 Members
Business by the Bay Circle of Success
Cutting Edge Professionals
Director Consultant Nimie Gill, with Suncoast Web Marketing, LLC, announced the Platinum Presidents. These members served in the role for the entire term and to qualify Presidents participated in weekly calls with their Director Consultant, attended monthly Roundtables or had representation, ran the meeting according to the BNI Agenda, and demonstrated Leadership Skills that resulted in success during the year.
Andrew Zaccagnino with Customized Insurance Needs from Referrals in Paradise
Beau Walker with Home & Condo Rentals & Property Mgmt. Intl. from Money in the Morning
Karen McLean with Hair Habit from Referral Champions
Karen Walker with Regions Bank from Success in Action
Lisa Michel with Heritage Family Chiropractic from Top Shelf Professionals
Paul Blucher with Blucher Law Group, PLLC from Circle of Success
Rob DeForge with Daniel's Plumbing Service, Inc. from Key Referrals
Shane Whitmore with Reliable Cabinet Desings from Premier Professionals
Shannon Padgett with Express Employment Professionals from Cutting Edge Professionals
Director Consultant Randy Coryell, with WRC and Associates, announced this year's Platinum Vice Presidents. These members served in the role for the entire term and to qualify Vice Presidents proved to be organized and effective in managing and maintaining the Membership Committee. They entered and audited PALMS reports in a timely and accurate manner. They had open communication with the Membership Committee, Chapter Members and their Director Consultant. Along with the Membership Committee, they demonstrated skill and diplomacy in handling situations that arose within the chapter. They also displayed a positive attitude.
Alexis Meininghaus with Chris Black Insurance from Referral Champions
Dr. Eric Larson with Larson Natural Health Center from Partners for Profit
Gene Burwood with Paradise Palms Property Management from Success in Action
Gregg Brown with Nu-Sons Electric from Power House
Jennifer McSharry with Burnett 1-800 Painting from Money in the Morning
Julie Woodard with Julia International Real Estate from Business Focus
Lyndi Wickerson with T&H Comptrollers, CPA from Premier Professionals
Nimie Gill with Suncoast Web Marketing, LLC from Top Shelf Professionals
Sandra Visser with Anthony's Cooling-Heating-Electrical from Cutting Edge Professionals
Nadine Schleicher, Regional Administrator with BNI Southwest Florida, announced the Platinum Secretary Treasurers. These members served in the role for the entire term and the awards were based on the following: Submitting reports and applications to the Regional Office in a timely and effective manner, communicating effectively with the Regional Office and Director Consultant, entering the speaker rotation in BNI Connect and maintaining accurate records.
Cindi Werts with Point of Balance Solutions from Circle of Success
Corey Cyr with Modern Woodman of America from Master Connectors
Joe Muscatell with True U Fitness from Business By the Bay
Todd Schleicher with Elite Laser Engraving Inc. from Business Focus
Victor Freyer with Lemon Bay Computer Service LLC from Premier Professionals
Director Consultant Marc Miles, with Law Offices of Marc J. Miles, PA, and Ambassador Tricia Gibbs, with Precise Painting, announced the Most Valuable Rookie for each Chapter as well as the winner of Rookie of the Year. Each chapter submitted a name of a member who has been in the chapter for less than one year. Their nominating committee made up of the President, Vice President, Secretary Treasurer and Membership Committee chose their nominees based on referrals given, visitors brought, willingness to serve and, most importantly, showing a Givers Gain® attitude right from the first day.
Jenny Shaw with SuperGreen Solutions from Business By the Bay
Adrian Tolentino of DryPro Inc. from Business Focus
Tony Daum with EXCELLence Perfomance Coaching, Inc. from Circle of Success
Michelle Tourjee with Michelle Tourjee CPA & Tax Svcs LLC from Cutting Edge Professionals
Leona Hauer with Professional Mobile Massage Therapy by Leona Hauer from Endless Referrals
Jeffrey Kuhns with Kuhns Law Firm PLLC from Harbor Professionals
Alice Rothbauer with Mary Kay from Key Referrals
Fred Rizzo with Green Light Home Inspections from Master Connectors
Teri Brach with Sunsational Cleaning LLC from Money in the Morning
Kelly Goldstein with Full Spectrum Financial Group from Partners for Profit
Sierra Butler with Ferrari, Butler & Moneymaker, PLLC from Power Connections
Dr. Jacob Stock of Feder Health Clinic from Power House
Alan Razza with Elite Home Watch of Venice, LLC from Premier Professionals
Jordan Dieterle with Family Chiropractic from Professional Biz Connections
Cathy Bleakly with Arbonne International from Rain Makers
Erica Gustin with Puttin on the Ritz from Rapid Referrals Plus
Angela Thebert of Paradise Kitchens SRQ from Referral Champions
Andrew Elbrecht with North River Pools from Referrals in Action
Grace Reeves with Legler & Flynn from Referrals in Paradise
Karina DeOliveira with K Clean & More from Referrals to Riches
Janet Blum with J Blum and Associates from Success in Action
Karie Backman with Keller Williams on the Water from Success in Numbers
Angie Vance with Gulfside Mortgage from Top Shelf Professionals
Kelly Brown with ComForCare Home Care Sarasota North from Trusted Professionals
The Rookie of the Year is chosen from the nominees by our Director Consultant based on what was submitted by the nominating committee and their personal knowledge of the nominees. This year’s winner of the Rookie of the Year for Charlotte, Sarasota and Manatee Counties definitely has the right attitude. This member was a member for only 20 weeks, passed 25 referrals, brought visitors and stepped up to take over the Vice President role this month. Her membership in the chapter has been a great value to her chapter.
WINNER
Kelly Goldtein with Full Spectrum Financial Group from Partners for Profit
Ambassadors Patti Guerzo, with Guerzo Business Consulting, and Darcy Woods, with Charlotte County Homeless Coalition, announced the Nominees for Most Valuable Member as well as the winner. Each name was submitted by the nominating committee. Most of the nominees have served in a leadership position at some time during their membership. Many have been members for several years and continue to pass referrals, bring visitors, mentor new members, serve their chapters and, most importantly, exude a Givers Gain® attitude. Each nominee was been a member prior to Oct 1, 2017, but most have been members for much longer.
Pat Tan with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate from Business by the Bay
Julia Woodard with Julia Intenational Real Estate from Business in Focus
Denise Holland with We Fix Computers from Circle of Success
Judy Vobroucek with Discount Med Direct from Cutting Edge Professionals
Andrea Needham with LaMaison Homes and Inspections from Endless Referrals
Karl Anderson with Truly Nolen from Harbor Professionals
Tom Pessemier with Guaranteed Rate Mortgage from Key Referrals
Tricia Gibbs with Precise Painting from Master Connectors
Marsha Harper with Bacon's Furniture from Money in the Morning
Paul Jorgensen with Farm Bureau Insurance from Partners for Profit
Anne Ridings wthh Ridings Case Management & Fiduciary Solutions, Inc. from Power Connections
Alexia Martin with Whitco Insurance Agency from Power House
Kathleen Jarosik with Xpertech Auto Repair, Inc. from Premier Professionals
Craig Clark with LaMaison Inspections from Professional Biz Connections
Jessica Thompson with Chapman Insurance Group from Rain Makers
Kimmi van der Veen with Absolute Window & Door from Rapid Referrals Plus
Holly Hearn with H2 Concierge Marketing from Referral Champions
Ken Burke with Hometown News USA from Referrals in Action
Sharon Cirillo with Alliance Insurance of Sarasota Inc. from Referrals in Paradise
Tim Donohue with Bill the Plumber, Inc from Referrals to Riches
Jessica Napoli with Chic on the Cheap from Success in Action
Lisa Karrat with Just Be Therapeutic Massage from Success in Numbers
Keith Faris with Keith Faris Medicare Specialist from Top Shelf Professionals
Liz Arme with Premier Sotheby's International Realty from Trusted Professionals
The Most Valuable Member was chosen by the Director Consultants based on chapter submissions, BNI Connect data and our personal experiences with the member. This member has been applauded by the members of their chapter for their professionalism, positive attitude, and eagerness to serve. They brought the most visitors in their chapter, is E-Squared, had perfect attendance and believes in BNI’s Core Values and lives Givers Gain®! She served on the leadership team last year and is continuing this year as well.
WINNER
Holly Hearn with H2 Concierge Marketing from Referral Champions
Director Consultant Glenn Scharf, with the Scharf Group, announced the Nominees for Most Improved Chapter as well as the winner. Criteria for this award includes: upward movement in the Traffic Lights, implementing policies and procedures, member growth, increase in retention, and communication with Directors.
NOMINEES
Success in Numbers Top Shelf Professionals
This year's Most Improved Chapter is the prime example of the importance of emphasizing the right culture and persistence. The leadership team was consistent throughout the year which resulted in a great experience for all the chapter members. The chapter went from 25 and grey in the traffic lights to 50 and yellow at the end of the year. The goals presented by the chapter for the upcoming year show that the chapter wants to continue all the positive trends for an even better year to come.
WINNER
Success in Numbers
Director Consultant Robert Lauser, with Grim Reaper Pest Solutions, announced the final award of the day, Chapter of the Year. Nominees for Chapter of The Year were based on the following: Chapters must be in the Yellow or Green in the Traffic Lights all year. They must maintain an average of 35 or more members and have at least 1 Million dollars in TYFCB. A willingness to work side by side with their Director Consultant, enforce policies, encourage growth and mentor their members to increase retention all with a positive attitude were also considered.
NOMINEES
Business By the Bay Cutting Edge Professionals
Money in the Morning Rain Makers
Rapid Referrals Plus Referral Champions
Referrals in Paradise Success in Action
2018's Chapter of the Years has not only been Green in Traffic lights 21 of the last 22 months, but they also have a culture of education. They’ve increased the number of CEU’s by 49% over the last year. They went from 42 to 49 members, and their retention increased 10% to 74%. They tracked almost $2.5 million in Thank You for Closed Business this year
WINNER
Cutting Edge Professionals
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