Fort Myers Beach communications director to leave, town planner departs

The Town of Fort Myers Beach is losing Communications Director Nicole Berzin, who is relocating and taking a new position for a municipality in Wisconsin. Berzin’s last day with the Town of Fort Myers Beach will be Nov. 14. The town also disclosed this week that former town planner Judith Frankel left town government in September.

Berzin, who previously worked in the town’s parks and recreation department, said her family was relocating to Wisconsin.

Before being promoted to be the town’s public information officer, Berzin served for more than three years in the town’s parks and recreation department, including time as the recreation campus manager and supervisor. She worked for the town for five years.

“It has been an incredible experience to start my career here with the Town,” Berzin said, “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and serve such a resilient and caring community. Fort Myers Beach will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’m thankful to have been part of its ongoing recovery and progress.”

Berzin said she particularly enjoyed working at the parks and recreation department.

“Working in Parks and Recreation was one of the most fun and rewarding jobs I’ve had–I loved working with the families and kids on the island, and it really gave me the foundation that helped shape my path as a Public Information Officer and Communications Director,” Berzin said.

“I’ve truly enjoyed serving this community, growing professionally, and working alongside such dedicated colleagues who care deeply about the island and its residents,” she said.

Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Will McKannay thanked Berzin for her service to the town. “Nicole Berzin provided dedicated member to our team for several years, serving in various roles including Recreation Campus Manager and now as our Public Information Officer,” McKannay said.

“Her leadership, adaptability, and commitment to transparent communication have been instrumental during a time of significant transition and recovery for Fort Myers Beach. Nicole played a key role in several important outreach efforts, ensuring residents were informed and engaged. Her service reflects the resilience and professionalism we value in our staff,” McKannay said.

McKannay also credited Frankel for her service to the town, which he sided with benefited Fort Myers Beach.

“Judith Frankel served with professionalism as the town’s Principal Planner,” McKannay said. “She brought a wealth of experience in urban planning, zoning, and historic preservation in Miami-Dade County, the City of Philadelphia, and the Town of Surfside. Judith made a strong impact by helping guide redevelopment efforts and supporting our planning staff through a period of high demand. Her expertise and collaborative approach were essential to helping shape the future of Fort Myers Beach in meaningful ways.”

Frankel had made numerous recommendations for the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council to consider during its review of some major development projects. The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council didn’t adopt many of the recommendations Frankel and staff had suggested.

Frankel had helped lead a planning staff that recommended denial of the Arches Bayfront hotel project at Moss Marina over what she found to be its intrusion into the residential neighborhood, while also finding that more parking was needed by town code than what was approved. Frankel had also recommended more parking for the Lighthouse Resort expansion, which received a variance from the Town Council.

Frankel and town planning staff had more recently recommended denial of the outdoor entertainment and outdoor dining variance at the Beach Theater project for its potential impacts on the nearby residential neighborhood. The Town Council approved the variance anyway.