Sunday, February 21, 2010

Chamber installs board, bestows awards

The Key West Chamber of Commerce recently installed its 2010 officers. Outgoing President Michael Knowles passed the gavel to Diane Gibson, who will take the reins as president. Gibson will be joined in leadership by President Elect Cara Higgins, Vice President Jim Wilson, Treasurer Catherine Smiley and Secretary Michael Browning.

The 2010 board of directors are John Anderson, Jason Beeman, Joyce Benavides, George Galvan, Bascom Grooms, Sam Holland Jr., Melissa Kendrick, Michael Knowles, Robin Lockwood, Jack Niles, Sharon Moore, Steve Robbins, Mark Rossi, Crystal Ruffo, Robert Spottswood, Greg Sullivan, Lynne Tejeda, Danny Toppino, Esther Tupino and Kim Works.

Local Realtor and past president Bascom Grooms was the surprise recipient of the chamber's prestigious Billy Appelrouth Award. Grooms, a graduate of Florida State University, is principal broker of Bascom Grooms Real Estate and past president of the Key West Association of Realtors.

The Key West Chamber of Commerce also honored Danny Toppino for his commitment to the chamber and the community by inducting him into the organization's Hall of Fame.

Inductees are selected by the organization's past presidents and have served on the chamber board for at least 10 years and been committed to the local business community for 10 to 15 years.

Toppino is a fifth-generation Conch who has worked for the family business of Charley Toppino & Sons Inc.

He has served on the chamber's board of directors since 1993. He created the chamber's Clean Sweep Team 16 years ago and now co-chairs the Clean and Green Committee. He also has served as the chamber's treasurer and worked on the affordable housing committee, the budget and finance committee, several election committees and the hurricane committee, to name a few.

Toppino was heavily involved in the renovation of the chamber's new offices and visitor information center. He has represented the chamber in Cuba and is a major sponsor of the chamber's educational efforts and scholarship priorities.

Mader elected to veterinary conference

Douglas Mader of the Marathon Veterinary Hospital has been elected president of the North American Veterinary Conference. The conference is the premier leader in veterinary continuing education, sponsoring the world's largest veterinary conference in Orlando every January, as well as post-graduate courses for advanced veterinary study throughout the year both in the United States and internationally.

Mader has been lecturing at the conference, organizing the scientific program and been a member of the board of directors for the past 24 years. Mader, a veterinary specialist, is a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners as well as a fellow in the Royal Society of Medicine.

Fincke honored as foundation's Unsung Hero

Candy Fincke, vice president at Mariners Hospital, was honored as an "Unsung Hero" by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. She was among 75 Keys residents recognized for their volunteer work.

Fincke has served on the board of directors for United Way of Monroe County since 2004 and has been instrumental in organizing various fundraisers. In addition, she is responsible for the United Way drive at Mariners Hospital.

Fishermen's honors top quarterly employees

Fishermen's Hospital recently named its Outstanding Employees of the Fourth Quarter 2009: Manager of the Quarter, Materials Management Director Doug Pryor; Employee of the Quarter, Dorothy Hawkins, Nutritional Services Department; Nurse of the Quarter, operating room nurse anesthetist Kathy Sprague; and Volunteer of the Quarter, Joan Hickey.