Business Observer 09.30.10

+ Saunders Realtor earns PMN designation
Marianne LeBar, a Realtor with Michael Saunders & Company, has been awarded the Performance Management Network Designation by the Women’s Council of Realtors.

The PMN is a next-generation designation designed to deliver the skills to keep an agent’s business on top of an evolving market. The curriculum is driven by the following topics: negotiating strategies and tactics, networking and referrals, business planning and systems, personal performance management and cultural differences in buying and selling.

LeBar has been a member of Sarasota Association of Realtors since 1995.

+ Miracle League names new partners
The Miracle League of Manasota, a new 501(c) (3) non-profit, has selected three partners to help launch a number of marketing initiatives.

The companies selected include Lakewood Ranch-based Aker Advertising & Public Relations, GravityFree Web Design and Internet Marketing, and CreatingaRippleEffect.com.

“These three firms will be an integral part of the growth of our league,” said Bob Mitchell, president of the board of directors for The Miracle League of Manasota.

The Miracle League of Manasota is an organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for all children and adults to play baseball, regardless of their abilities. For the 14,000 school-age children with disabilities and their adult counterparts in Sarasota and Manatee counties, The Miracle League of Manasota will build a synthetically surfaced baseball field and all the requisite amenities in Longwood Park off University Parkway in the East County.

For more information about The Miracle League of Manasota please visit www.miracleleaguemanasota.org or call Bob Mitchell, 284-7624.

+ Workshop to assist Manatee families
Families and property owners facing foreclosure can get assistance during a Florida Housing Help workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 2, at the Imagine School of Palmer Ranch, 6220 McIntosh Road, Sarasota.

Several major lenders — including Bank of America, Wells Fargo/Wachovia, JP Morgan/Chase, EMC, Ally Financial Inc. (formerly GMAC), Sun Trust, Sun Coast FTCU and M&I Bank — will be available to offer loan modification reviews.

“It’s going to be a great chance for families who want to avoid foreclosure to find options,” Manatee County Housing and Community Development Coordinator Denise Thomas said.

Those attending should bring:

• Recent paycheck stubs and bank account statements
• Driver’s license or picture ID and Social Security cards
• Income tax returns along with W-2 forms
• Hardship letter explaining delinquency of mortgage payments or any gap in employment
• Statements or bills documenting all household expenses
• Recent correspondence from your mortgage company and last mortgage statement
• Current property tax bill and proof of homeowners insurance

For more information, call Thomas, 749-9029, visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com or call (877) MY-FL-CFO (877-693-5236).

+ Lakewood Ranch company changes name
Biological Tree Services, located in Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park, recently changed its name to Biological Tree and Landscape Services.

“The new name better aligns with the spectrum of services that we provide,” said owner Tammy Kovar. “We often receive calls asking if we offer landscape services. Now the name clearly shows that we do.”

BTLS is a specialty landscape maintenance service provider focused on the utilization of natural biological products and environmentally responsible integrated pest management practices.

For more information, visit www.biologicaltreeservices.com.