SELECT BUSINSS ASSOCIATES was started many years ago with one thing in mind. Our motto is “Select Business Associates where friends Network and Business Prospers.” The Founders were Tom Loury / Debra Jenkins and Bill Stankowsky. The club is by invitation only. One category only which means no one in the meetings will be competing with you. We are nonprofit, our due’s are $40 per year and you buy your own lunch. We meet every first and third Wednesday for lunch (Right now we meet at MOJO’s next to Target on 200 in the small private room) At the end of the year we empty our bank account and give it to a charity. We say the pledge of allegiance and pray at the beginning of each meeting. At meeting’s we try to have a special speaker for five or ten minutes then everyone has a chance to give a one minute elevater speach about your business and what is a good refferal for you.
Some Business Associates are not on the pages. Look for them to appear later. Business Prosper. People you can trust. .(Call Tom and come meet our people 352-804-1223. Read about each Select Business Associates below.
Nick Navetta
Most people in Marion County already know Nick as a financial advisor. I found his background very interesting. He agreed to a bio on what he is doing today and a little about his military career. Here is what we came up with. Colonel Nick Navetta served thirty years in the U.S. Army, with his last duty position as the J7 Training Division Chief for U.S S p e c i a l O p e r a t i o n s C o m m a n d (USSOCOM). A Veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm; Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia; Operation Iraqi Freedom; and Operation Enduring Freedom. His awards include The Army Achievement and Army Commendation Medals; The Meritorious Service Medal; The Bronze Star Medal; and The Legion of Merit Medal. Colonel Navetta was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant upon completing four years of ROTC at The University of Florida. He commanded an 8-Inch , Self-Propelled Howitzer Battery (nuclear capable); a Field Artillery Service Battery; and a Combat Military Police Battalion (with 859 Soldiers assigned) in Kuwait/Iraq. He served as Airfield Commander for Wright Army Airfield in Georgia; J5 Plans Officer at U.S. Southern Command in Miami; Liaison Officer to the Serbian Army for the NATO Joint Military Commission in Bosnia; Deputy Provost Marshal for the Theater Support Command in Kuwait/Iraq (with over 20,000 Troops assigned); Civil Affairs Government Team Chief, U.S. Army Special Operations Command in Pensacola; and Senior Liaison Officer for Multinational Corps-Iraq in Baghdad. . On a local level, Nick presently serves as Vice President of the Military Officers Association of America local chapter and is the former Vice Chairman of Marion Military Academy — the only Charter High School in Marion County over a 12-year period. He is an active member and supporter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Veterans Council, and the Friends of Marion County veterans Park Foundation. He works closely with all Junior ROTC units at Marion County High Schools, acts as a Military Liaison to West Point Military Academy, and assists local recruiters in increasing their ranks. Nick and his wife, Diana, have called Ocala / Dunnellon area their home since 1974. All of their children went on to successful careers after graduating from universities and they have blessed their parents with four Grand babies, so far. Nick serves on a variety of local Boards here in Marion County and looks forward to giving back to the Community. Nick Navetta, Financial Advisor (352) 629-2165 PUBLISHERS NOTE: Thank you for you service!
Christine Calvert
Christine is the Medicare Insurance Agent. Christine has had more than 20 years in the Medicare insurance arena, with focus in the Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage spaces. She comes from a medical background of ten years, so she brings a unique knowledge base to her career as an insurance agent. Christine has built her client base with a one on one approach and makes recommendations based on the needs and goals of her clients. She has operated mainly in the Central Florida area, but does have a client presence statewide. Christine has a home office in Central Ocala and operates out of a satellite office outside On Top of the World, with golf cart access and another office near the Brownwood Community in Wildwood. Since Christine has been a broker for her entire career, she can offer plans based on her client’s needs. Christine’s client loyalty is a testament to her dedication to her clients and the service she provides. She offers an annual review of her client’s policy and reviews any changes as well as any new plans available. She has developed a wealth of knowledge over the years and loves her job. You can reach Christine at Cell – 352-572-8510.
Eddie Levine
Eddie is from New Orleans and received his Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees ( BS and MBA) from Louisiana State University ( LSU in Baton Rouge, LA. ).
Eddie has been an Independent Insurance Agent for 50 years, continuing his education with the CLU Designation for 47 years ( Chartered Life Underwriter ), the ChFC Designation for 46 years ( Chartered Financial Counselor ), and through Membership in the Million Dollar Round Table ( 47 Year Lifetime Member and Member of MDRT’s Quarter of a Century Club ). Eddie is also a long standing member for 47 years of the Society of Financial Service Professionals ( FSP).
In addition to the above many Professional Organizations, Eddie is a member of the Ocala Chamber CEP, The Ocala Business Leaders, member of the Select Business Leaders.
Eddie is an avid tennis player, bike rider, fishing enthusiast, and is a Black Belt in the Martial Art of Shorinjikempo ( a form of Karate which is very similar to Chinese Kung Fu ).
Eddie is married to Sandy ( 56 years), and they have two grown children, Rosemarie and Buster Levin . They also have two Grandchildren.
Eddie and Sandy enjoy their lives spending most of their time in two areas including Inverness, and West Jefferson, North Carolina. In Inverness, they reside downtown in a historic cottage. They enjoy the exceptional Southern Hospitality of the quaint town and the amenities such as the beautiful Withlacoochee Bike Trail.
Sue Fullerton
Sue Fullerton,
Walk Don’t Run Travel
“I help family and friends make memories”
I have been a travel agent for 15 years. I love my job and want my customers have the best experiences and memories possible. I will help you thru the whole process of your trip from booking to the end. I am always available for questions and help. I am prepaid. What do I mean by that? It means that I get paid from Cruise companies, Tour companies, All Inclusive hotels, Hotel and auto rentals. Whether you book it or I book it the cost is still the same to you. If I book it, I do all the work, and they pay me the commission. If you book it, they keep the commission and you do all they work, without the benefit of the expertise of the travel agent. Why not call me to do the work and get you the best deals?
Connie Ann Pendleton
Connie Ann Pendleton has over 30 years of experience helping people buy and sell businesses. She began selling businesses in her hometown of Key West, Florida. She has owned various businesses and has been on both sides of the transactions. Connie understands the challenges and emotions that are common with buying and selling a business. She offers consultation, exit-strategies and business evaluations, to determine the Fair Market Value of a business.
Connie and her family moved to Ocala in 2003 from Denver, Colorado where she was a sales trainer and co-owner of an advertising agency that successfully sold. Connie has won many awards for top sales and listings. Since 2011, she has annually been part of the Million Dollar Recognition status of Florida business brokers. She is one of the Top Fifty Sales agents in Florida and has served on many boards. She is a state officer for Business Brokers of Florida, an ambassador for the CEP, member of Ocala Business Leaders, a participant of SBA. In addition to her career, Connie is a member of Ocala Christian Church and Bible Study Fellowship. As a “seasoned” broker, she is considered one of the most sought-after business brokers in Florida.
Elaine Maiearo
Elaine, an office worker, and her husband Ron, a school administrator, moved to Florida in 1996 and started a trucking business. While driving, they became interested in the FAIRtax after listening to Neil Boortz radio program and reading “The FAIRtax Book” by Boortz & Linder. They started volunteering by attending events and eventually presenting workshops on the FAIRtax and joined the Florida FAIRtax Education Association (501c(3)). They were elevated to Marion County Coordinators, then District Coordinators and then, after selling the trucking business, Ron became President and Elaine became Secretary of the FFTEA for 3 years. The mission of the FAIRtax is to change the way the government is funded by enacting HR 25, the FAIRtax Act. A system based on consumption rather than income. Although Ron has since passed, Elaine is still working toward that goal by educating citizens and politicians of the benefits of the FAIRtax over the current system. The FAIRtax totally REPLACES the income tax. It eliminates personal income taxes, corporate taxes, federal payroll taxes, inheritance taxes… ALL taxes based on income with the bonus of abolishing the IRS. The government is funded by tax on what you consume so YOU control how much you pay in taxes by how you choose to spend your money. For more information go to FAIRtax.org.
Grace Vazul
Grace Vazul is the owner of Vazul Hair Artistry located in the heart of Ocala, on highway 200. Born in Roanoke, VA she has moved to multiple states, however, Grace has been a Florida resident since 2011. She earned her cosmetology education through Paul Mitchell the School Orlando, graduating in July of 2021.
Grace currently resides in Marion County and services the Ocala area, however she does travel state and nation wide to provide services for weddings and other special events. She specializes in Hair and Makeup for weddings, proms, homecomings and more! When not at the salon or on the road traveling, Grace can be found with her boyfriend and family at Universal Studios, Disney or SeaWorld.
Vazul Hair Artistry is a full service salon and spa with services ranging from hair, manicures, pedicures, facials and massages. To schedule your appointment today or to inquire about services you can visit our website, email or call/text us!
Website: www.vazulhairartistry.com
Email: vazulhairartistry@gmail.com
Cell: 352-783-1600
Salon: 352-509-4483
Ron Hipner
Bio: Ron Hipner 2024
Business: Enagic USA: Celebrating 50 yrs in Business! – Enagic.com
Value Proposition: I offer premium upgrades for water lovers.
What my friends think I do: Network 24/7
What I actually do is Strategically Build My Personal Brand.
Official Bio: Born 1965 in Garden City Michigan to a Military family.
We were stationed to California in 1970 and I grew up in beautiful San Diego.
I briefly Attended Southwestern College 1984-85
Became a State Lic. Contractor in 1990, Recognized as an Industry Leader Specializing in Floor and Wall
Installations for Clean Rooms, Medical, Pharmaceutical and Manufacturing Facilities.
Became a Real Estate investor 1997 – current.
Certified as a Master Captain and launced a Charter fishing Service: West Florida Sportfishing 2004-20012
Owner Operator of a small IT services company from 2008-2010
Primary Business: Direct Sales Professional and Global Trainer for Enagic USA 2011 to present.
2 time graduate of Rapport Mastery training under Joe Pici of Pici & Pici. 2016,2017.
Ocala CEP Partner Relations Associate 2023-Present
Guest Speaker for DR. Philip Geist; BYOB hosted by SBDC: Professional Networking
Guest Business Networking Trainer for the Kauffman Foundation sponsored FastTrac program with the Ocala CEP
2022-2024
Where am I From: San Diego, California.
Background: Business / Contractor / Investor/ Professional Networking
Fun Facts or Hobbies: Avid Fisherman, Outdoors Enthusiast, I Play Guitar and enjoy Snowboarding.
Currently Learning Aquaponics and improving my skills at growing food. I have some electronics circuitry design and Computer Skills both inspired by wanting to know how things work. Yes I was that kid that took things apart…
Favorite Quote:
“THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD
LOOK FOR & BUILD NETWORKS.
EVERYONE ELSE LOOKS FOR WORK.”
Tom Loury
Tom Loury
My Bio is
I have been in the Newspaper business most of my life. I delivered Ft Lauderdale news from age 9 until 14. From 18 to 21 I work at a small town paper called Dania Press in Dania Beach Florida. Then work at Hollywood Sun Tattler achieved three apprenticeships.There were some good jobs & some bad jobs, if did not like and left. I ran small presses for several years
Moved to Dunnellon Florida over fifty four years ago, went to work for the Citrus County Chronicle.
My wife work in banking, I work at Newspaper’s, we both work full time until children, She had our first son at forty then another at forty four.
I worked five years at the Chronicle, my job not moving up fast enough so went on my own started and running a print shop. After a couple of years, one day the owner of the Chronicle came to my shop and bought me out if I would go back to work for him. I did! They paid a handsome sum. I did not know it at the time but once I agreed he bought a very large web press, the price was 7 digits. He wanted me to run it and train others to run the press, I was his plant manager, prepress and press.
There was something about when you pushed the go button on a 70’ long press and it started to roll it was a treat to me. Like starting a locomotive. I retire from there from there after 13 years the second time, to much Corperate politics so I had 18 years in that company and retirement.
During all the above I was a part time consultant for newspaper chains to help them with their production side and and bringing down there waste figures. One company I was hired by had
$10,000 per week in newsprint waste. They were running 18 weekly newspapers on a normal week on one press. In one week I brought that down to $3,000 which was good for that shop. Another project I had was to figure out another Company Florida was losing money. The was management theft going on and I exposed it. They were back into the profit mode in no time.
My wife and I live on our farm, I bought twenty acres then bought twenty more, built a house, then bought two more acrage parcels. My wife and I raised two sons on that land and now they have businesses they started are running themselves. My wife and I are both up in years, we have been here 54 years and we are staying on the farm for ever. Our oldest son and his family live right next to us and is part owner operator in charge of the farm.
What I’m doing today as a newspaper publisher I like very much. It can get very exciting now and then when my political view’s get expressed in print. tomlpublishing.com
