Business Briefs

+ Mike Holland joins Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty hired Mike Holland as its managing broker of its Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch branch sales offices. 

“I am excited and proud to have the opportunity to work with the sales professionals and team members in this capacity for Berkshire Hathaway Florida Realty,” said Holland in a release. “I feel honored to be a part of such an outstanding and reputable real estate organization and look forward to the continued growth of the Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch markets.”

Before relocating in 2012 to Sarasota, Holland had a successful career managing and growing three offices for a large Prudential/Berkshire Hathaway affiliate based in Pennsylvania. Holland has also been a top-producing Realtor in the Sarasota area with Michael Saunders & Co.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty (formerly Prudential Florida Realty) is a full-service brokerage with more than 1,500 sales professionals servicing 17 counties throughout Florida and is a wholly owned subsidiary of WCI Communities Inc. The company’s Sarasota branch sales office is located at 3192 Fruitville Road.

+ Parishioner named Member of the Year
Sarasota businessman and Church of the Redeemer parishioner Michael Forbes was recently named Member of the Year by the Manasota Chapter of the C12 Group, a national network of Christian business owners and executives committed to applying biblical principles to their plans and operations.

Forbes, who joined C12 in 2008, has built several businesses over the years, including Transamerica Lubricants and FARO Bearings and Paneolio in Sarasota.

Forbes also leads the Men of Redeemer group and has served on Redeemer’s Evangelism Committee. He is currently responsible for recruiting ushers for holiday services and volunteers with Caritas, which provides emergency assistance to those in need.

Originally from Portland, Ore., Forbes moved in 1997 to Sarasota.

+ Salvation Army Advisory Board installs new officers
Dr. Richard Rehmeyer was installed as the chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board.
Executive Committee member Neil Scott moved to vice chairman, and Dale Woodling moved to secretary. New committee member Paul Sutton is now the treasurer.

In addition, four new advisory board members were approved for a three-year term: Dr. Bill Brian, Chief of Police Bernadette DiPino, Col. Stephen Moyer and Michelle Burke-Phillips.

In addition to meeting basic human needs for families and individuals by providing emergency and intermediate shelter, food, clothing, counseling, training and health care, the Salvation Army also provides prevention programs and emergency disaster services.
For information, call 364-8845, Ext. 221.

+ Stowe joins RE/MAX Alliance Group
Linda Stowe has joined the Siesta Key office of RE/MAX Alliance Group as a broker/associate. Previously with Michael Saunders & Co., she specializes in residential properties in Sarasota and Manatee counties, especially Siesta Key.

Stowe has nine years of local real estate experience. Her continuing education certifications include the Graduate, REALTOR Institute, Certified International Property Specialist, Accredited Buyer’s Representative, Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist, Accredited Luxury Home Specialist, Certified Home Marketing Specialist and Transnational Referral Certification designations.

Stowe holds two bachelor’s degrees from Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, Penn., one for math and computer science and another for business administration.

 The RE/MAX Alliance Group Siesta Key office is located at 5140 Ocean Blvd.

+ PrimeLending adds downtown location
National residential mortgage lender PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Co., has opened an office at 1819 Main St., in Sarasota.

“We are especially proud of our expansion into the dynamic Sarasota market,” says PrimeLending Production Manager Bob Ward. “As a leader in the mortgage-lending industry, we look forward to bringing an enhanced level of products, service and professionalism to this area of tremendous potential and growth.”

+ First Federal Bank welcomes Mark Rosenthal
First Federal Bank of Florida has appointed Mark J. Rosenthal its vice president relationship development officer. Rosenthal will be based at First Federal’s branch location at 8307 Lockwood Ridge Road, where he will work with commercial and small-business owners.

Rosenthal brings more than 31 years of experience in retail and business banking. He was a branch manager in Sarasota and Manatee counties for more than 25 years and a small-business banker for six years.