Last updated 5 hours 53 minutes ago
In case you haven't heard, after tallying almost 1,500 ballots, the three Outstanding Local Businesses Award nominees with the most votes were: Chefs on the Run; Rodbenders Raw Bar & Grill and White Lion Café.
These nominees worked hard to campaign for votes and will now move forward to be judged by an independent panel of community leaders. They will be scored based on their business’s story, obstacles they have overcome, innovation and community involvement.
We encourage you to visit all three of these local restaurants to learn more about them and taste their fabulous food. On May 25, 2012 Community Bank of Florida will hold an award luncheon honoring all 3 nominees and announce the big winner!
Last updated 3 days ago
CBF is pleased to announce Lisa Greer has been promoted to First Vice President of the Commercial Lending Department. Mrs. Greer has been part of the financial family for over ten years and has extensive banking experience, ranging from Human Resources to Branch Operations and Lending. Her current responsibilities include business development activities, managing a commercial loan portfolio and participating in training and growth opportunities.
Lisa was born in Massachusetts and raised in Homestead as a child of Air Force parents. She has kept to her military roots by serving as a Board Member and past Chairperson of the Chamber South Military Affairs Committee. She is also active in the agricultural and business communities, serving as a Board Member and past Chairperson of the Economic Development Council of South Miami Dade and Board Member of the Miami-Dade County Chapter Florida Nursery Growers and Landscapers Association (FNGLA). In 2009, the FNGLA awarded her “Chapter Treasurer of the Year.” In her free time, Lisa enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family.
Looking forward to her promotion, Lisa stated, “Community Bank is a unique company to work for- family and community oriented with a culture of excellence in service. Our culture instills a sense of worth, which is so important to growth and happiness. It’s a pleasure to be a part of this family and a part of such a meaningful culture.”
Last updated 10 days ago
Visiting Robert Cummings & Bud Cornell at their resort in Key Largo was more like a field trip than work. Their hammock, sandy beach, tiki bar and interesting animal sculptures made it hard to leave. The two gentlemen have a long history with CBF and shared more about how their business started:
“Bud and I both moved to the Keys from the midwest in the late 70’s, in search of nice weather and a relaxed atmosphere. We met as time-share salesmen and became best friends and business partners. We began specializing in the lodging industry in the late 80’s, then became hoteliers at the turn of the millenium. After 30 years in the hospitality business, we now own Sunset Cove Resort in Key Largo, as well as the Drop Anchor Resort in Islamorada. This is our 10th year of owning Sunset Cove and we enjoy its quaint history of being the first motel ever built in Key Largo. The old Key Largo Theater is now our laundry facility. Running the resorts has become more than just a career, it is a way of life. It’s also become a family business; our kids grew up here and our sons now work alongside of us.
We’re both very involved in local business. I am active in the hospitality industry and Bud is active in the real estate market. We’ve financed several properties with Community Bank and it’s been a pleasure every time. It’s great to have a relationship with your banker and your lender, but it’s even nicer to be able to call the President of the bank and be on a first-name basis. That’s how our relationship is at Community Bank, and that’s why we feel they are the last of the community banks.”
Visit Sunset Cove Resort in Key Largo at MM 99.5 Bayside. Rooms go fast, better call (305) 451-0705 to make a reservation first.
Last updated 14 days ago
CBF is proud to celebrate Karen Houtz’s 5th Anniversary! Ms. Houtz is currently a Commercial Relationship Officer at the Lakeland Financial Center. She manages the commercial loan portfolio and is responsible for the origination of all commercial loans in Polk County.
Karen is a seasoned banker, with over 16 years of financial services experience. She is also a third generation Lakeland native. In her free time, Karen enjoys helping rescued animals find adoptive families and serves as a board member of the local SPCA. She is also very active in local organizations, including the Kiwanis Club of Lakeland, Leadership Lakeland Class XXVIII, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, where she is a Chamber Champion, and she is the Incoming Vice-Chair of EMERGE Lakeland. Karen expressed, “Lakeland is a wonderful place to grow up and call home. There are so many opportunities here and being involved in civic organizations allows me to meet many business owners. My goal is to help them expand and succeed!”
Last updated 18 days ago
If you live in the South Dade area, you've probably met Moe Hakssa. He gives his time to volunteer for many organizations and it was our pleasure to feature him in our latest testimonial. We asked him to tell us more about his history:
“In 1981, I started my own business, Lumo Printing. I operated as a one-man show in a small office of a large building. Things went so well I expanded into the sign business in ‘95. As time went on, I realized my customers needed a place they could go to for all their promotional needs. That is when I decided to add t-shirts and embroidery to my business line. My goal has been to do all the work in-house, so that my customers get the fastest turn around possible. Most recently I’ve added trophies, awards and engraving. It’s been 30 years and I’m in the same location, except that my business has grown so much I now have a staff of nine.
From the first year I opened, Community Bank was there for me. Every time I’ve expanded into a new line, they were there. My business has survived over the years because of them. They’ve always helped, even with things I did not expect. They know my name and treat me like family. Everywhere I go, I see them. In fact, they taught me to be charitable. I realized long ago that being successful includes being giving and helping the community. I’m proud to be involved in the community and proud to refer my bank.”
If you need t-shirts, signs, printing or trophies, visit Lumo Graphics at 27750 S. Dixie Highway or call (305) 246-0003.
