James “Jim” Smith

A native of Naples, Jim Smith formed Investors Research & Development Corporation in 1968. The company specialized in market studies, real estate appraisals, land syndication, and permitting and zoning for larger scale, mixed use developments from Tampa to Naples. Jim retired in 2006, but continues to consult and manage select real properties under the trade name RE/quest. He has been actively involved in downtown redevelopment and improvement activities since 1993.

Stefania Martin

The Martin and Furetta family are continuing a family tradition on Fifth that started in 1995 with the opening of Bellini on Fifth Italian Ristorante. Stefania joined the business in 1998 after working as corporate public relations executive in Milan, London, Hong Kong and Basil, Switzerland. Bellini celebrated 17 years in 2012 and opened Bellini Cocktail Club to further enhance the business. Mrs. Martin represents the merchant category on the board of directors.

Lou Vlasho

Mr. Vlasho’s career as an Executive has span over 50 years in positions with Fortune 400 corporations, and privately owned companies. In addition he is an entrepreneur with practical small business experience. Mr. Vlasho is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). In 1982 he was elected President of Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), the world’s leading management accounting organization. Mr. Vlasho has devoted his time over the last 50 years to many civic and community organizations and affairs in the communities in which he has resided.

Lou currently serves as The Honorary Consul to The United States from the Republic of Macedonia, and is President of The Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District. He has been honored by his University, Ohio University, with the Distinguished Service Award, selected as Troy, Ohio Outstanding Young Man, and by his Canton High School as Distinguished Alumnus.

Rod Castan

Rod has twenty five years of experience in commercial property development, sales, leasing, and management. He is the President of the Leasing and Property Management Division and a Partner with Courtelis Company, a Miami based commercial and multi-family real estate development firm. He is responsible for the leasing and management of 25 existing properties and multiple new development projects, totaling almost 2.5 million square feet in Florida and Colorado. Courtelis currently manages the largest real estate holdings on Fifth Avenue South. He is a graduate of Florida International University, B.B.A. in Finance.

Skip Quillen

Skip is the owner of Culinary Concepts, a restaurant company that started on 5th Avenue with Pazzo! Italian Café 15 years ago. Culinary Concepts has grown into a company of 5 award winning restaurants (Pazzo! Italian Café, Chops City Grill, Blue Water Bistro and Yabba Island Grill) and its own charity, Culinary Concepts Karma Club. Skip employs more than 400 people, many who live and work in downtown Naples and Karma Club which has raised and donated over two million dollars to various local charities. Mr. Quillen represents the merchant category on the board of directors.

Chip Olson

Chip Olson is the owner of Colonial Square Realty. Chip has been heavily involved in real estate problem solving and management since 1989. Educated in accounting and trained in advertising sales, Chip brings a unique blend of fiscal understanding and marketing operations. Chip started Colonial Square Realty in 1990 specializing in property management, development logistics and brokerage. Chip has successfully developed multiple projects in Southwest Florida and consulted on projects in Washington State, Colorado, Tennessee, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Thomas “Tom” Graney

Tom Graney is a Vice President and Branch Manager with Fidelity Investments. Tom began his career with Fidelity in March of 1991. He worked in Boston prior to being recruited for the Naples position in 1999. In May of 2007, Tom earned his CFP designation. In August of 2007, he was recruited to open a new Fidelity office in Palm Beach. He was asked to return to Naples in January 2011 to open a second Fidelity Investments Office in Downtown Naples. Tom currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and is participating in the Ladership Collier Class of 2013. Tom and his wife Mary Ellen have a 15 year old daughter that attends Baron Collier High School.