Gulf Coast Venture Forum Elects 2009 Board of Directors

Naples, FL, December 23, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The Gulf Coast Venture Forum (GCVF) is pleased to announce the election of its 2009 Board of Directors.

Timothy J. Cartwright, Tammie Nemecek, Roger Warren, Fred Klaucke, and Bill Hagman have been elected to serve a one-year term on the board.

Cartwright serves as Managing Director of Fifth Avenue Advisors, LLC in Naples and has served as President of the GCVF for the past 5 years. Nemecek is the President and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Collier County, Warren a is retired division president from Rayovac Corp., Klaucke is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of World of Science, Inc. and Hagman is chairman of a local Naples/Ft. Myers TEC group, a CEO roundtable.

The Gulf Coast Venture Forum has monthly meetings during season. Meetings are scheduled for Thursdays on the following dates: January 8, 2009; February 12, 2009; March 12, 2009; April 9, 2009; and May 14, 2009. These meetings will be held from 4p.m. to 6 p.m. at Tiburon Golf Course Clubhouse, 2620 Tiburon Drive in Naples.

The purpose of the Gulf Coast Venture Forum is to promote the success of Southwest Florida's new and emerging businesses by bringing together the best entrepreneurs, early stage venture capital firms and Angel Investors. They promote the success of the region's new and emerging businesses by bringing together entrepreneurs, educational resources, capital providers, and service providers. The group also offers informative educational programs presented by seasoned, recognized professionals and business people, providing a place for the sharing and exchange of business and technical experience. Members of the GCVF meet monthly to hear about local investment opportunities, and they also offer informative educational programs presented by seasoned, recognized professionals and business people, providing a place for the sharing and exchange of business and technical experience. To encourage capital investments in Southwest Florida businesses, the GCVF seeks to identify sources of private equity investment and venture capital. Gulf Coast Venture Forum is always open to new members. Monthly meetings are scheduled October through June each year. GCVF is also available to provide speakers to local organizations who want to learn more about the purpose of the GCVF and local investment opportunities. Interested parties are encouraged to view www.gcvf.com or call 239-262-6300 for more information.

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