Fort Myers: Ethics in Business: Sponsor by Brian Rist, Smart Companies

The Above Board Chamber brings to Ft. Myers "Ethics in Business". Our panel will help define the definition of business ethics as the set of moral rules that govern how businesses operate, how business decisions are made and how people are treated.In business, there are many different people you have to answer to: customers, shareholders and clients.

Please note that this meeting has been moved to Ft. Myers City Pier 1300 Monroe Street 33901

Meet our panelists:

Wayne Kirkwood, President of Kirkwood Electrics. Wayne is a pioneer resident of Cape Coral, being a resident since 1960. He has an Associate of Arts Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and has been Licensed Certified Electrical Contractor since 1979. Currently, he and his wife Mary live in South West Cape Coral. They have two daughters, Melissa and Jennifer. Both are college graduates and are currently pursuing their careers in Fashion Design and the CIA, respectively. Wayne is the fourth generation of Kirkwood Electric established in Pittsburgh, Pa by his great grandfather in 1899. Wayne joined Kirkwood Electric, with his father, Ralph H. Kirkwood while Wayne was still in college, in 1976. After receiving his degree, Wayne joined his father full-time. In 1989, Wayne became the President and Sole owner of Kirkwood Electric, which has become one of SW Florida’s largest electrical contracting firms. In 2004 he and a group of businessmen opened Community Bank of Cape Coral, of which he is Chairman of the Board. Wayne’s philosophies; “Be a Culture of YES”, “Do More for the Client then what is Expected” and “Always give back to the Community”. Wayne participates in numerous organizations and serves on numerous Boards and Committees throughout the City and County:

Henry Lee Paul, P.A., Former Florida Bar Council on the grievance committee and deals with many issues including ethics. Henry Lee Paul has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1985. He has a history of representing plaintiffs and defendants involved in business disputes including complex litigation. As a founder and former General Counsel of The Tampa Bay Lightning, he has the benefit of hands on business experience. Paul also served as Bar Counsel for The Florida Bar for over six years and served as liaison to grievance committees in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Fort Myers. Paul has tried numerous bar cases and has presented oral arguments before the Florida Supreme Court. Paul also represents applicants before the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. Paul was appointed to serve on the Supreme Court Commission of Professionalism for a four-year term starting July 1, 2012. Paul was appointed to serve on the Board of Governors Standing Committee on Professionalism for a three-year term stating July 1, 2012. Paul is A/V rated by Martindale Hubbell.

Brian Rist is the President & CEO of The Smart Companies whose largest subsidiary is Storm Smart Building Systems. Storm Smart has one of the most, if not the most, comprehensive hurricane protection product line in the industry. Brian is considered an expert in the field of innovate hurricane protection. He is certified and licensed as a general contractor, building inspector, aluminum contractor, mobile home installation contractor, lead abatement removal contractor and as a hurricane shelter evaluator. Since founding Storm Smart in 1996, Brian has been committed to customer service, product development and community involvement. He serves as the President of the Cape Coral Construction Industry Association and the Vice President of the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Exterior Shade & Shutter Association, Lee County’s Horizon Council, Cape Coral Council for Progress, and the International Hurricane Protection Association. Four Time Honoree Top 500/5000 INC Magazine Fastest Growing Privately Held Corporations in America Four Time Honoree Top 500/5000 INC Magazine Fastest Growing Privately Held Corporations in America. Brian is a Two time winner of The Governor’s Award for Corporate Leadership, Small Business Man of the Year by the SBA 2009, Three times Finalist Manufacturer of the Year State of Florida, Two Time Honoree the Horizon Council for Manufacturing and Growth, Top 50 Companies to watch in the State of Florida by Florida Grow, Top 10 Employers in Lee County last 9 years, Best of Industry 10 years running News press

Ita M. Neymotin, Regional Conflict Counsel, Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel Ita M. Neymotin was born June 1, 1972. She was raised in Ohio. Ms. Neymotin earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, holding academic honors at Ohio State University. She also received her Juris Doctorate and an LLM in Business Law from Capital University Law School. Ms. Neymotin began her career as a state attorney in the Office of the State Attorney for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. She then served as a public defender with the Office of the Public Defender for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit for several years. Later, she became the managing partner of the Kremenchuker Law Group where she handled a variety of cases in subject matters including corporate law, insurance law, real estate, personal injury, commercial transactions, intellectual property, immigration, family law, contract litigation, criminal litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and trials. Ms. Neymotin has also taught legal courses as an assistant professor at Ave Maria School of Law. In December 2011, Ms. Neymotin was nominated by the Supreme Court of Florida’s Judicial Nominating Commission and then appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the position of Regional Conflict Counsel for the 2nd DCA. Recently, the Florida Senate confirmed her appointment for a four year term. Ms. Neymotin’s professional memberships include the Florida State Bar, Florida Supreme Court of the United States, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, US District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the New Jersey State Bar, and the New Jersey Federal Bar. Most recently, Ms. Neymotin traveled to Kiev, Ukraine to participate in discussions with government officials on how to further the advancement of democratic laws in the Ukraine. Ms. Neymotin is a strong legal advocate and active member of her community. She currently lives in Ft. Myers with her husband and their two children

Emcee: Connie Ramos Williams, President of CONRIC PR & Marketing/Publishing

Updates for Ingrid Fuller, President of Fuller Online Solutions

Networking from 11:30 am to 11:40 am
Meeting starts at 11:45 am
Ends at 1:00 pm

Please note there will be no refunds if you do not show up as this is a sit down lunch and the food has to be pre-ordered

Non-Profits can put up a free table
Members can put up a table for $25
Call Jeanne for details 910-7426

The Above Board Chamber of Florida is the 2012 and 2013 winner for THE BEST for Professional Organization at the 10th Annual SW Florida Choice Awards fom the Naples Daily News

Non-members are encouraged to attend two meetings, then we would like them to consider joining us and to be part of the Above Board Chamber of Florida. For information, call 239-910-7426 or visit our website at www.aboveboardchamber.com

Afterhours this Wednesday, November 11 from 5:7 to Celebrate Veteran Day at the Hawthorn Suite in Naples. RSVP at this link http://tinyurl.com/puj6erx or go to www.aboveboardchamber.com

Exclusive Business Growth Event! Thursday, November 12th from 4-5:30 at Florida Gulf Coast Univerity. Southwest Florida business professionals are invited to a FREE business event. You will learn practical cutting-edge business growth strategies RSVP here to attend http://tinyurl.com/pacmjyw or go to www.aboveboardchamber.com

Note from the Chamber office!

Our Advisory Board is getting ready to meet for the upcoming year. Let us know if you have a business topic you would like to learn more about in 2016. We also welcome suggested panelists too! Send your suggestions to Jeanne@aboveboardchamber.com with the subject being "Suggestions!" Thanks

Thank you to our 2015 Sponsors
CONRIC PR & Marketing\Publishing
Fuller Online Solutions