South Broward County Realtor named Education Volunteer of the Year

Lynn Hartley, a Realtor® based in Fort Walton Beach, has been named Humanitarian of the Year for her extensive support of Building Homes for Heroes. Over the past two years, Hartley has chaired the Building Homes for Heroes Task Force, which constructs or modifies homes and gifts them mortgage-free to injured veterans, first responders, and their families. The organization also provides support services aimed at helping recipients build better lives.

In nominating Johnson, her local association described her as “a consummate leader and a key proponent of bridging the divide between commercial and residential real estate through education, board involvement, committee service and networking.” She achieves multi-million dollars in annual sales in both commercial and residential real estate, which is uncommon in the industry.

Florida Realtors® Honors 2024 Award Winners

Galavis has effectively utilized her background in political science and passion for political issues throughout her career. She served as the 2023 president of NEFAR and remains highly active in her local association. As chair of NEFAR’s Legislative Committee in 2015, she attended numerous City Council meetings with local representatives to discuss key community issues and continues to support and partner on local projects.

The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is celebrating National Assisted Living Week from September 8 to 14, with this year’s theme being “Inspiring Generations.” Throughout the week, FHCA will highlight caregivers who go above and beyond on social media in recognition of the national observance, which begins each year on National Grandparents’ Day.

Fifteen realtors have joined the ranks of Florida Realtors' Board Certified Professionals for 2024. The newly certified members include Cathy Alley, Michele Bailey, Hollie Billero Buldo, Cindy Birge, Eddie Blanco, Sandra Fernandez, Benjamin Gilbert, Erin Halstead, Patti E. Ketcham, Gonzalo Mejia, Catherine "Cookie" Miller, Charles Sowers, Tula Tucker, Sue Vasquez and Mary Anne Windes.

Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA), was inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame during the Chairman’s Dinner at the annual VISIT FLORIDA Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Tampa. The induction recognizes individuals "whose vision, creativity, and drive have had a positive and significant impact on the development of Florida as a desirable visitor destination."

Jaime Caballero, a real estate professional in Key West, has built a notable career through her dedication to property management and community involvement. Initially entering the field out of necessity, Caballero explained, “I became a real estate agent only because I [needed my license] when I changed companies.” After managing properties for a prominent local family, she joined Century 21, which required her to obtain an agent's license.

Closed sales of existing single-family homes statewide totaled 23,353, up 5.2% year-over-year, while existing condo-townhouse sales totaled 8,364, down 1.2% over July 2023, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales may occur from 30 to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written.

When it comes to ensuring that Floridians have access to critical commodities like food, fuel, and healthcare supplies, Florida’s seaports are the essential supply chain leader.

Nearly 800 people gathered at Port Canaveral’s Jetty Park to bid “Bon Voyage” to Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas as it embarked on its first revenue sailing from the port. The event, dubbed “The World’s Biggest Wave Out,” was organized by the port for the local community, campground guests, and beachgoers. Attendees enjoyed a festive afternoon featuring a DJ, bubble machine, giveaways, and refreshments provided by local vendors.

Gerard van den Heuvel was recently appointed to the Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company (POMTOC) as its new Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Carlos Arocha, who recently retired after a distinguished career with the organization.

With growing complexity in supply chain management, a realignment of infrastructure supporting global trade routes is underway at the Port of Pensacola. The port is seeking $53 million in Triumph Gulf Coast grant funding to complete the first phase of its three-phase Supply Chain Enhancement Project. This project consists of engineering and construction elements intended to maximize the use of 75 percent of the port while achieving goals set forth by the portside Vision Plan for the remaining 25 percent.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved Port Tampa Bay's General Reevaluation Report to deepen its shipping channels. This decision will allow the main portions of the navigable waterways serving Port Tampa Bay to be deepened from 43 to 47 feet. The Tampa Harbor Navigation Improvement Study, which began three years ago, received approval on August 14, 2024.

Contractors for Southeast Toyota Distributors, the world’s largest independent distributor of Toyotas, are making significant progress on a new 340,000-square-foot auto processing facility at JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal. J.E. Dunn Construction has completed the foundations and is now beginning construction of the concrete walls in preparation for the installation of structural steel framing in late July.

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is introducing a new four-night itinerary from Port of Palm Beach, Florida, featuring a new port of call to Key West and a day at sea.

Advent eModal (AeM), the world’s largest port community system serving the intermodal supply chain, recently announced the successful implementation of its eModal® Community Portal (eCP) at Florida International Terminal (FIT) at Port Everglades. This deployment introduces the advanced PreGate and Fee Manager applications into the comprehensive eCP system, enhancing port operations and intermodal logistics.

Today, FloridaCommerce announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Debby and who are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Eligible Floridians are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) has endorsed Representative Tom Leek, a Republican from Ormond Beach, for the Florida Senate District 7 seat. Carol Dover, President & CEO of FRLA, stated, "On behalf of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Florida’s premier hospitality and tourism industry, I am proud to endorse Representative Tom Leek for Florida’s open seat in Senate District 7." She highlighted Leek's leadership in promoting business-friendly policies and his role in advancing the state's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.