Business briefs: Teacher honored; Realtors reach milestones

Presenting Erin Wheeler her award were, from left, Meghan Magamoll, executive director of PEFMC; Sue Eatmon, assistant principal of Marion Oaks Elementary School; Lisa Dreher, principal; Beth Abel, Golden Apple Academy member; Emily Brazill, student services manager at the school; Wheeler; Emily Cook, Golden Apple Academy chairwoman; and Kaitlyn Wilson-Butler, communications and community engagement director for the two hospitals. [Photo courtesy HCA Florida Healthcare]

Hospitals and foundation honor Ocala teacher
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, recently honored Erin Wheeler of Marion Oaks Elementary School as the latest recipient of the Thank a Teacher award.
Wheeler, a third-grade teacher, was selected from a pool of nominees compiled and judged by previous winners of the Golden Apple Award, a prestigious honor given to public school teachers in Marion County. She was recognized during an event at the school on Dec. 13 with PEFMC Executive Director Meghan Magamoll and representatives from the school district and HCA Florida Healthcare.

“Through the Thank a Teacher program this school year, we are honored to recognize teachers who truly are an inspiration to their students and school communities,” said HCA Florida Ocala Hospital CEO Alan Keesee, in the news release. “Ms. Wheeler’s commitment to her students and the respect she receives from other educators at Marion Oaks Elementary School was evident in the many nominations she received.”

Throughout the 2024-25 school year, students, families and staff members are encouraged to share stories about a teacher’s inspiring actions, supportive words, creative lessons or overall positive impact.

To learn more, go to pefmc.org/thank-a-teacher

Showcase Properties Realtors achieve milestones
Noris Roche, a Realtor and Showcase Properties agent, has been selected to serve a four-year term as a global ambassador for the National Association of Realtors. Realtor Dawn Bowman is now a certified and licensed broker in Florida.

Roche is a fluent speaker of Spanish and will represent NAR in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Ambassadors serve as liaisons, building relationships with real estate communities in their assigned countries and facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices.

“This appointment is a testament to Noris’ dedication and expertise,” said Valerie Dailey, owner/broker of Showcase Properties, in the news release. “She will excel in her role as a global ambassador and make significant contributions to NAR’s international initiatives. Showcase is proud and fortunate to have such an amazing advocate on our team.”
Bowman devoted months of intense study and demanding qualifications to become a broker associate. She facilitated multiple transactions in high-end real estate as well as commercial deals and closed more than $2.9 million in sales during 2024, the news release noted.

“Dawn has a wonderful gift for mentoring,” Dailey noted. “She’s really good at building relationships and collaborating with people. I’m looking forward to the team she’ll create and seeing what they do for the community.”
Bowman also has worked at the Ocala Chamber and Economic Partnership since 2012 and is the director of the Ocala Downtown Market.