Chamber Officer of the Month: Joe Whalen, left, president and chief executive officer of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, presents the Member of the Month Award to Lt. James Loethen of the Lee County Sheriff’s office in Lehigh. Photo by Andrea Adams

Lt. James Loethen, the second in command at the Lee County Sheriff’s Bravo District substation in Lehigh, was honored by the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce as its Officer of the Month. He had been nominated by Capt. Ed Tamayo, Bravo District commander.

Joe Whalen, president and chief executive officer at the Chamber, read the nominating letter from Tamayo at the luncheon last week at the monthly Chamber meeting at the Majestic Gulf Club on Homestead Rd.

The Chamber also honored Mike Arcentales as its member of the Month, and Jennifer Baughman as its Employee of the Month.

Tamayo called Loethen “a stalwart leader in the community, a true law enforcement profession.”

Loethen is involved with many groups in Lehigh and just recently became a member of the Architectural Review Board of the Lehigh Acres Community Planning Panel.

Mike Arcentales was Member of the Month

Tamayo said Loethen has been his second in command, easing much of the burden of the first few years experienced by the command of Bravo District.

“He has a constant ‘can-do’ attitude, and whatever assignment comes his way, he welcomes it with vigor and competiveness, whether it is personnel or logistical matters,” Tamayo wrote.

Tamayo has been with the Bravo District for six years, except for 10 months in 2009 when he served in another capacity, and during that time, crime was high but according to statistics, the crime rate in Lehigh is half of what it once was.

Tamayo said that in the past two years, Loethen has carried on with the operations of the district set forth before his arrival.

“He also added much to the successful operations (of the district),” Tamayo said.

Jennifer Baughman was Employee of the Month

Loethen has been involved with the Weed and Seed program, now called the Lehigh Community Initiative, which has been instrumental in obtaining federal grants to enhance law enforcement in Lehigh. He also oversees another federal grant that was in place before his arrival. Loethen has organized the successful traffic and security detail for the March Spring Festival Parade, as well as several other major community events.

He works very closely with the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, the Lehigh Acres Planning Council and the Community Initiative, Tamayo said.

Loethen has earned the respect of many business and community leaders. Tamayo said he does all this while also being a member of the LCSO Swat team, which is a challenging duty, but willingly met.

Loethen continues to work hard and takes on numerous duties with a good attitude,” Chamber President Don Whalen told the group.

Meanwhile Mike Arcentales of State Farm Insurance, who is the chairman of Viva! Lehigh was recognized as Member of the Month for his work putting together the musical event that was held this past weekend. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Chamber.

Jennifer Baughman, who works for SDS Accounting & Tax Solutions in Lehigh, was recognized as the Employee of the Month. She was active as a volunteer in helping at the January Gala for the Chamber and also helps out at Chamber events like this past weekend’s Viva! Lehigh.

Guest speaker Curt Bradbury talked about putting Lehigh Acres back to work for no cost. He is with Business Development of southwest Florida Works. He spoke of funding that is available to employers to help hire local people.

Members were reminded of the Kentucky Derby Party scheduled for Saturday, May 7 at the Majestic Golf Club. There will be games, Mint Juleps, free hats and raffles with the fun starting at 4 p.m. You can watch the 137th Kentucky Derby on TV in style. For reservations call 369-3322.

It was also announced that the Chamber’s Spring golf Tournament will be held Saturday, May 21 at the Majestic Golf Club with a 7 a.m. open registration and an 8 a.m. shotgun start and scramble. The cost is $60 per player and $240 per foursome, with the benefits going to the Chamber. Call the Chamber at 369-3322 to sign up.

A teachers Award Dinner will be held Saturday, May 21 at Microtel Inn & Suites on Business Way in Lehigh to recognized outstanding local teachers. The buffet dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. with a cash bar. Cost is $40 a person. Call the Chamber for reservations.