Friday, July 24, 2009

Data Transfer Solutions Awarded Major Contracts from Florida Department of Transportation

Data Transfer Solutions Awarded Major Contracts from Florida Department of Transportation

ORLANDO, Fla. - Data Transfer Solutions, LLC (DTS), the Downtown Avalon Park firm that provides professional GIS and technology services to government agencies, was recently awarded several major contracts from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, said the contracts include:

•FDOT District 4 in Fort Lauderdale awarded DTS a contract for continued data repository support for land use modeling;
•FDOT District 5 in Orlando awarded DTS a contract to develop GIS applications for its interchange System Operational Analysis Report program;
•FDOT’s Central Office at 605 Suwannee Street MS90, Tallahassee, awarded DTS a contract that reauthorizes FDOT’s bus stop database support contract through July, 2010;
•FDOT’s District 6 in Miami-Dade County awarded DTS a contract for ETDM Support as part of the Corradino Team.

Fragala said the contracts have a combined potential value of $500,000.

For more information, contact:
A.M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, Chief Operating Officer, Data Transfer Solutions, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Suite 200, Orlando, 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@edats.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

Crossman & Company Selected as Exclusive Leasing Agent for 10.4 Million Square Foot Publix-Owned Retail Portfolio

Crossman & Company Selected as Exclusive Leasing Agent for 10.4 Million Square Foot Publix-Owned Retail Portfolio

ORLANDO, Fla. - Crossman & Company, which ranks as one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in Florida, has been named the exclusive leasing representatives for all Publix-owned retail properties in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina.

John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company, said the portfolio of retail properties includes more than 10.4 million square feet of retail space, including six centers in Central Florida totaling about 300,000 square feet. “This is the most prestigious portfolio in the Southeast and we are thrilled to be working on it,” stated Crossman.

Crossman & Company will be responsible for leasing small-shop space within Publix-owned shopping centers, leasing outparcels, and all subleasing or lease disposition of former Publix locations in the portfolio of properties, according to Crossman.

Altogether, Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets, Inc. operates more than 1,000 stores in five southeastern states, said Crossman.

One of the largest grocery retailers in the U.S., Publix owns more than 100 stores and retail centers, Crossman said.

“Publix-anchored, Publix-owned shopping centers are the best and most desirable locations for tenants in today’s market,” Crossman added.

About Crossman & Company:
Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in Florida with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lake Nona, PREIT, and LaSalle Investment Management. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

For more information, contact:
John Crossman CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218; jcrossman@crossmanco.com
Justin Greider, Senior Associate, Crossman & Company 407-581-6225; jgreider@crossmanco.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Powerful Education Technologies, Inc. founder Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young wins White House Presidential Award

Powerful Education Technologies, Inc. founder Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young wins White House Presidential Award

ORLANDO, Fla. - Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, founder and president of PowerfulEducation Technologies, Inc. at the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program, was recently named a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

Dr. Crumpton-Young was singled out by the White House and the National Science Foundation for the award, which includes a $10,000 grant to continue her work.

Dr. Crumpton-Young earned her doctorate from Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering, ranked one of the top 10 engineering programs in the U.S.

Dr. Tom O'Neal, founder and executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said PowerfulEducation Technologies, Inc. is a growing part of the UCF Business Incubation Program that recently launched a statewide pilot study to teach underprivileged and troubled youngsters employment skills.

“Dr. Crumpton-Young has dedicated her career to developing ways to empower young students to out-perform their own expectations. PowerfulEducation Technologies is an outgrowth of her work mentoring students at the University of Central Florida that is showing substantial results. All of us at the UCF Business Incubation Program are proud of her work here and delighted with her recognition,” Dr. O’Neal said.

For more information about this release, please contact:
Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, President/CEO PowerfulEducation Technologies 407-649-6702; dryoung@powerfuleducation.com

Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-1577; bizdev@mail.ucf.edu

Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-837-8780 or 407-644-4142

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Social Security Advocates LLC Helps More Clients as the Economy Tightens its Grip on Working Residents

Social Security Advocates LLC Helps More Clients as the Economy Tightens its Grip on Working Residents

ORLANDO, Fla. – When the going gets tough, the familiar adage has it that the tough also get going. And, that’s just what representatives at Social Security Advocates LLC have been doing as more and more workers turn to them for help in gaining disability benefits.

“When the economy is in reverse, more people file for disability,” says Jessica Carrasquillo, a former paralegal who started the company in Cleveland, Tenn. in 2005.

And more filings translate into increased business for Social Security Advocates which opened an Orlando location last year at the Orlando Business Development Center on East Colonial Drive, one of five University of Central Florida Incubation Program locations.

“We’re kind of a recession-proof company; we tend to do well in a bad economy,” Carrasquillo says. “Most people don’t know where to turn or what to do to even begin to file for benefits. That’s where we can help.”

Carrasquillo, a paralegal for 20 years, spent 11 years handling Social Security disability claims for a large law firm. Jeanette Roman, who has 18 years of experience in the same field, runs the Orlando office of Social Security Advocates.

Roman met Carrasquillo 15 years ago while working at an Orlando law firm. The two later co-hosted an Orlando radio show for that law firm, which also helped clients with Social Security issues.

They saw the same thing happening again and again for those trying filing claims: Claim denied; appeal denied; client gives up.

“People have real issues and they deserve personal attention,” Carrasquillo said. “Our clients are individuals with unique problems; they’re not just numbers. And, we get to know them and what they’re going through so we can effectively help them.”

A new company website – www.socialsecurity-advocates.com – often is the first step for clients interested in pursuing a claim. There they will find information on what the company can do for them and answers to important questions.

Social Security Advocates does not charge a fee – other than administrative costs – unless benefits are obtained, Roman said. The company also boasts a 97 percent success rate in obtaining benefits for its clients throughout the United States.

As a full-service agency, Social Security Advocates handles everything for the client, including gathering medical records and filling out all forms, communicating with the appropriate agencies and attending hearings on behalf of clients.

“We do all that for them,” Carrasquillo said. “They already have enough to worry about.”
To find out if you are eligible for disability benefits, contact Roman or Carrasquillo at Social Security Advocates, 321-281-8376 or 423-473-6714, or visit the company’s website at www.socialsecurity-advocates.com.

For more information, please contact:
Jeanette Roman or Jessica Carrasquillo, S.S. Advocates, 321-281-8376 or 423-473-6714

Melissa Wasserman, Site Manager, OBDC District 2/UCF Business Incubation Program; 321-281-8383; mwasserman@mail.ucf.edu

Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-1577; bizdev@mail.ucf.edu

Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-837-8780 or 407-644-4142

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Commercial Florida Management Reports Huge Increase in Commercial Property Management Assignments

Commercial Florida Management Reports Huge Increase in Commercial Property Management Assignments

ORLANDO, Fla. - Commercial Florida Management, based in Orlando, reports it has grown its portfolio of managed properties in Florida from under 500,000 square feet of space a year ago to more than 5.5 million square feet.

Robert R. Horton, vice president of Commercial Florida Management, said the firm’s largest single client is a Boston real estate firm that owns 1.7 million square feet of commercial properties in Florida.

Horton said approximately 12 percent of Commercial Florida Management’s portfolio includes distressed properties from Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale.

About Commercial Florida Management:
Orlando based Commercial Florida Management specializes in property and asset management of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties.

Contact:
Robert Horton, Commercial Florida Management, Vice President, (Office) 407-481-5403 ex.26, 408 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803, www.commercialfl.com

University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program Promotes Gordon H. Hogan to Director of Operations

University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program Promotes Gordon H. Hogan to Director of Operations

ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program has promoted Gordon H. Hogan to director of operations.

Hogan joined the UCF Business Incubation Program ten years ago when it opened and most recently served as business development executive and site manager of the UCF Downtown Orlando Incubator facility and Photonics Incubator. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays Kansas State University in Hays, Kansas and attended the University of Kansas.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said Hogan will oversee UCF Business Incubation Program facilities at Research Park, the Orlando Business Development Center, the UCF Seminole County/Winter Springs facility, the Leesburg Business & Technology Center and the UCF Sanford Business Incubator

The UCF Business Incubation Program which currently serves more than 70 client companies that provide close to 2,000 jobs in Central Florida, plans to soon open the incubator facility in Sanford and in the coming months in St. Cloud.

For more information, contact:
Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-1577, bizdev@mail.ucf.edu

Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LvershelCo@aol.com

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, the City of Orlando, Orange County, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

One factor in recession may hit bottom this summer as new home inventories decline, reports Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Cent. FL division

One factor in recession may hit bottom this summer as new home inventories decline, reports Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida division

TAMPA, Fla. - At least one part of the housing recession appears to be nearing its end, reports one of Florida’s largest home builders.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division, which builds new single-family and town homes priced from the $100s to the $400s in some 35 communities throughout the Central Florida regions of Tampa Bay, Metro Orlando and the Space Coast, reports that it has sold out nearly all of its inventory homes.

“We’re down to the last 25 inventory homes,” said Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division. “That is a sustainable number, and they are spread out over our communities in Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Osceola, Orange, Lake, Seminole and Brevard counties,” he said.

Metheny said new home sales activity is strongest in the active adult sector, and Lennar is planning to expand to accommodate the growing number of active adult and retirement-aged adults moving to Florida.

The home builder announced last week it will expand its active adult communities in Brevard and Lake Counties by some 150 new homes.

In addition, Metheny said, four new communities are planned to start construction before the end of this year.

For more information, contact:
Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida,888-317-7489;

Jassy Friddle, Marketing Manager Lennar, 888-317-7489;

Robert Jesski, Lennar Vice President of Sales-Central Florida, 888-317-7489;

David Parker, VP Sales & Marketing, Lennar-Central Florida 877 205-1102;

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142,lvershelco@aol.com

Dynetech Corporation Names Entrust Administrative Services Authorized Retirement Fund Investor Provider

Dynetech Corporation Names Entrust Administrative Services Authorized Retirement Fund Investor Provider

LAKE MARY, Fla. - Dynetech Corporation’s Capital Division has named Entrust Administrative Services as an authorized provider for its retirement account investors.

Dynetech, headquartered on the 15th and 16th floors of downtown Orlando’s Dynetech Building, is a fully integrated sales and marketing firm specializing in strategic positioning of products and services in the marketplace for businesses.

Glen Mather, president of Lake Mary-based Entrust Administrative Services, said his firm will provide administrative services to Dynetech Corporation’s self-directed retirement account holders.

Entrust Administrative Services provides administrative services for more than 2,000 self-directed retirement accounts worth more than $200 million from offices in Lake Mary, Jacksonville and Boca Raton.

For more information, contact:
Glen Mather, President Entrust Administrative Services, Inc. 407-367-3472; gmather@entrustfl.com

Jason DeBono, Director, Business Development Entrust Administrative Services; 407-368-7878; jdebono@entrustfl.com

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

Only Two Single-Family Homes Remain For Sale at Bethabara Trace in Winston-Salem

Only Two Single-Family Homes Remain For Sale at Bethabara Trace in Winston-Salem

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Only two single-family homes remain for sale at Bethabara Trace, located off University Parkway and Bethabara Park Blvd. on Brian Center Lane in Winston-Salem.

Laura Bailey, vice president of sales and marketing at Mattamy Homes USA, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest home builder, said new one and two-story single-family homes at Bethabara Trace are priced from the $110s and range in size from 1,212 square feet of living space to 2,270 square feet.

For more information contact:
Laura Bailey, VP Sales and Marketing Mattamy Homes USA 407-599-9994;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

About Mattamy Homes:
Mattamy Homes www.mattamyhomes.com expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla. with divisions in Charlotte, Jacksonville, Orlando, Minneapolis and Phoenix. The homebuilder, the largest and most active in Canada with annual revenues exceeding $1.3 billion was ranked among the highest of all homebuilders in the greater Toronto and Ottawa areas in a nationwide customer satisfaction survey conducted by J.D. Power Associates.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Contracts to Remodel Four Food Lion Stores in Richmond, Ettrick, Va.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Contracts to Remodel Four Food Lion Stores in Richmond, Ettrick, Va.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park and designs more than one million square feet of retail space annually, was recently awarded contracts to remodel four Food Lion stores in Richmond and Ettrick, Va.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, said the stores average 30,000 square feet of retail space.

Food Lion LLC awarded the remodeling design contracts as part of Food Lion’s ongoing “Take a Fresh Look” renewal efforts, Peterson said.

For more information, contact:
Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100
Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Crossman & Company Closes on Six Retail Leases in Central Florida totaling 20,280 Square Feet

Crossman & Company Closes on Six Retail Leases in Central Florida totaling 20,280 Square Feet

ORLANDO, Fla. - Crossman & Company, one of the largest property management and leasing firms in Florida, recently closed six lease agreements in Orange, Seminole and Volusia Counties totaling 20,280 square feet of retail space.

John Crossman, president of firm, said Leasing Associate Daniel Germano negotiated all six lease agreements, representing the landlords.

At Colonial Corners Shopping Center, New Kingdom Dominioners Ministries leased suite 302 with 3,000 square feet and Advance America renewed its lease of suite 315 with 1,200 square feet at the center located at 5600 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando. FF Colonial, LLC is the landlord.

Summit Church is the new tenant in Fashion Village Shopping Center at 3855 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando. Germano negotiated a lease for 7,500 square feet on behalf of landlord, F.F. Fashion Village Partnership.

Hollywood Fashionz leased 1,400 square feet of retail space in the Northbridge Apartments building at 4902 Millenia Blvd. in southwest Orlando. Concord Management Limited is the landlord at the facility.

In Seminole County, Germano negotiated a lease for 1,400 square feet with new tenant Earthly Habitat at 990 N. State Road 434, suite 144 in the Shoppes at Brantley Hall in Altamonte Springs where RRC 1 / Brantley Hall, LP is the landlord.

Sports bar Mickey Finn’s renewed its lease of 5,780 square feet at 816-3A Saxon Blvd. at the Orange City Marketplace in West Volusia County where Orange City Marketplace, LLC is the landlord;

For more information please contact:
Daniel Germano, Leasing Associate, Crossman & Company, 407-423-5400 or 407-581-6223

John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

About Crossman & Company:
Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in Florida with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lake Nona, PREIT, and LaSalle Investment Management. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.