POSITIONS TAKEN

Pamela Tope, president, Verizon Wireless Florida region.

Robin K. Knuth, certified public accountant; and Michelle Cherp and Christopher Alesi, staff accountants, Miles & Thirion, CPA.

Mark Walker, vice president of operations, Robert Harris Homes Florida Division, based in Sarasota.

Pete Szelwach, vice president/general manager, Earthworks Land

Development.

Stephen G. Perry, principal, law firm of Blalock, Walters, Held & Johnson.

Karissa Mayer, director of marketing and certified veterinary technician, Veterinary Neuro Services.

F. Fred Pezeshkan, chairman, Kraft Construction Company. Pezeshkan continues as CEO.

Ann Roggero, campus executive officer, MCC Venice.

Mark W. Leetzow, district manager, National City Mortgage.

Walt Primer, Florida area marketing director, based in Sarasota, American Institute of Steel Construction.

Jeff Birnbach, CEO and senior managing partner, Collingwood Construction Group. Birnbach and Collingwood COO Keith Zolner orchestrated a recent buyout of the company by a group of managers and investors.

John Swencki, executive director, The Eye Associates.

Mike Sandstrum, director of IT and consulting, CS&L, PA.

Jay Andrews, general manager landscape division, Turner Tree and Landscape.

Albert Rosa, project manager, Hennessy Construction Services.

Debra Kilpatrick, marketing director, Bradenton Hardwood Floors.

Lori F. Gyson, shareholder, CPA Consultants.

Mary F. Colonese, residential mortgage loan officer, Insignia Bank's new residential mortgage lending group.

Barbara Kanoza, franchise development coordinator, and Phil LeBlanc, director of franchise development, Signs Now.

ACCOLADES

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce 2007 board of directors is: Thomas G. Dabney, chair; Pam Truitt, chair-elect; Diane McFarlin, immediate past chair; Nick Gladding, legal counsel; Sean Powers, treasurer and chair of the finance committee; divisional chairs Tom Quale, Bob Messick, John Cranor and Shaun Merriman; and new volunteer leaders Rick Clary, Vance Dickinson, Lisl Liang, Robert Ludwig, Jeff Maultsby, Jim McManemon, Bob Meade, Dan Perka and Drayton Saunders.

Joseph D. Bruno, president of Key Business Strategies/Sandler Sales Institute, was named the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce 2006 Partner of the Year.

Jerry J. Williams, founder and chairman of Orion Bancorp, was elected vice chair of the board of directors, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.

Mott & Associates wealth management firm celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Larry Face received the 2006 Trainer of the Year Award from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County Nonprofit Resource Center.

The Sarasota Chapter of the Women's Council of Realtors installed its 2007 officers: Michelle Crabtree, president; Cari Faanes, president-elect; Janice Litke, vice president membership; Tonna Gruber, treasurer; Cathleen Acosta, recording secretary; and Steve Bennion, corresponding secretary. The chapter also announced its 2006 award winners: Cari Faanes, member of the year; Cindi Jackson, affiliate of the year; Cathleen Acosta and Christine Harman, rising star awards; Mike LaBarre and Susan Retzke, extra effort awards; and Mary Lewis, founders award.

Anthony J. Abate, Benjamin R. Hanan and Kenneth D. Doerr were elected to serve on the law firm of Abel Band 2007 executive committee, and Jan Walters Pitchford was elected managing shareholder.

The law firm of Nelson Hesse received the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Customer Service Award in January.

Benjamin Jones of Kerkering Barberio Financial Services passed the Series 7 examination to become a registered representative.

Doctors Hospital's stroke care program has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Mark Leetzow, Joey Cormier and Rae Berry of National City Mortgage are members of the Million Dollar Month Club, each closing over $1 million in loans in December.

New College of Florida president Mike Michalson was named to the Tampa Bay Business Journal's list of leaders expected to have the biggest impact on Florida in 2007.

The Sarasota Season of Sculpture's 2007 board of directors are Tim Clarke, chair; Susan McLeod, vice-chair; Jay Tallman, treasurer; and directors James Braun, Ron Burks, Carol Carmenier, Billy Johnson, Charles Kuykendall, Rita Shewer, Elsie Souza and Larry Thompson.

Mary Anne Servian and Robert "Bo" Mott III have joined The Pines of Sarasota Foundation board of trustees.

Dr. Robert L. Kantor of Kantor Eye Institute & Laser Center has been named a Distinguished Physician by the Florida Medical Association.

Jay Lockaby, executive director of the Wellness Community, has been elected to the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals board of directors. The Wellness Community was also one of three locations globally to receive the Center for Excellence award from The Wellness Community-National.

Keep Sarasota County Beautiful received the Keep America Beautiful President's Circle Award.

Ken Klefenz has joined the board of the Volunteer Center of Manatee County.

Chef Paul Mattison of Mattison's Steakhouse received Florida Trend's Golden Spoon award.

David Voss of Voss & Associates was awarded a contract to assist in communications for the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota earned the AAA Five Diamond award for excellence in 2007.

MOVING AND OPENING

Peter Paul Gallery has reopened in Mira Mar Plaza, 45 S. Palm Ave. in downtown Sarasota.