Thursday, February 3, 2011

BDG Construction Services Earns Contract to Build out Interior for New Simply Frozen Yogurt Store in Altamonte Springs

ORLANDO - BDG Construction Services, LLC in Winter Springs was awarded a contract to build out the interior for a new Simply Frozen Yogurt store in the Renaissance Retail Center at 397 E. Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs.

Kevin Guffee, president of BDG Construction Services, said construction is underway on the 2,210 square foot retail shop and is expected to be completed by mid March.

BDG Construction Services, LLC is headquartered at the University of Central Florida Business Incubator in Winter Springs at 1511 East State Road 434.
* * *

For more information, contact: Kevin Guffee, Principal, BDG Construction Services, LLC, 407-729-5832; Esther Vargas-Davis, Site Manager, UCF Business Incubator–Winter Springs, 407-278-4881, evargasd@mail.ucf.edu

About BDG Construction Services, LLC: BDG Construction Services, LLC is a Florida based general contractor that builds and renovates a variety of commercial construction projects including retail shopping centers, restaurants, office spaces, and medical facilities.

About the UCF Incubation Program: Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 160 assisted emerging companies (including nearly 100 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight – and soon nine – facilities opened across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and will be adding Volusia County. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Ashton Woods Homes Opens Five Ready-to-Move-In Homes Priced From the $160s at McCormick Woods in Northwest Orange County

ORLANDO - Ashton Woods Homes has opened five ready-to-move-in single family homes at McCormick Woods, located near Lake Apopka on McCormick Woods Road east of SR 429, the Western Beltway in Ocoee.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said the three, four and five bedroom homes are priced from $169,900 and range in size from 1,769 square feet of living space to 2,550 square feet.

Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Austin, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Raleigh, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando.

Visit www.ashtonwoodshomes.com.
* * *

For more information, contact: Michael Roche, VP Sales & Marketing Ashton Woods Homes Orlando-Tampa 407-647-3700; John Reny, President, Ashton Woods Homes Orlando-Tampa 407-647-3700

Beazer Homes to unveil five new floor plans for single family homes at Sawgrass in southeast Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla – Beazer Homes is unveiling five new floor plans for single family homes at Sawgrass, located on Sawgrass Plantation Blvd. off Landstar Blvd. south of E. Wetherbee Rd. in southeast Orlando.

David Byrnes, president of Beazer Homes in Florida, said the new floor plans, priced from the $160s to the $180s range in size from 1,395 square feet of living space to 3,226 square feet.

All single-family homes at Sawgrass feature Beazer’s eSMART energy-saving engineering with programmable thermostats, cost-saving CFL light bulbs, water-saving Moen low flow shower heads and faucets, MERV 8 air filters, and low VOC paints and carpets.
* * *

For more information, contact: Theresa Tilton, Vice President of Sales Beazer Homes /Florida Division 407-339-4114; ttilton@beazer.com; David Byrnes President Beazer Homes / Florida Division - 407-339-4114 dbyrnes@beazer.com

About Beazer Homes: Beazer Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."

EXIT Realty of Daytona Predicts Quick Sell-Out of Opus Condominium in Daytona Beach Shores

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES - More than 500 prospective buyers have already toured Opus Condominium, the luxury ocean front high-rise condominium that opened recently on S. Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores.

Aswin Suri, owner of Exit Realty of Daytona, which serves as exclusive sales and marketing representatives at Opus Condominium, said 13 prospective buyers have already posted offers on luxury condominiums there.

“We expect to announce the first sales by early February and we project we will sell out Opus Condominium by the fall,” Suri said.

“We have been seeing fantastic response to the condominiums since our grand opening and we don’t expect to see a slowdown anytime soon,” said Glen Herring, Team Leader at Exit Realty of Daytona with offices at the Opus Condominium.

Opus Condominium is the first luxury condominium community to open in Daytona Beach Shores in more than three years, with 53 three-bedroom, three-bath condominiums that starting at 1,700 square feet of living space in three distinctive floor plans with ocean views and prices starting from the low $200,000s. A 4,000 square foot penthouse is also available.
* * *

For more information, contact: Glen Herring, Team Leader, Exit Realty of Daytona 386-566-1974 or Glenwherring@gmail.com; Aswin Suri, MHA, B.A., Owner, Exit Realty of Daytona 386-383-3000 or aswinsuri@gmail.com

Data Transfer Solutions, LLC Awarded Contract to Develop Web-based GIS Applications to Support the National Center for Safe Routes to School Program

ORLANDO - Data Transfer Solutions, LLC (DTS), based in Orlando’s Avalon Park, was recently awarded a contract valued at $35,000 to develop a web-based GIS application to support the National Center for Safe Routes to School.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, PMP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, said the firm serves as a sub-consultant to Toole Design Group, one of the nation’s leading planning and design firms specializing in multi-model transportation.

DTS provides asset management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), transportation planning/engineering, web design, database/software applications, and video and multi media production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S.
* * *

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

Providence Golf Club in Polk County to Sponsor Realtor Golf Marathon in Spring with Prizes, Awards

PROVIDENCE - Providence Golf Club in Davenport in Polk County plans to host a Providence Club Marathon for Central Florida Realtors in early spring with prizes, awards and a midnight “shot in the dark” hole in one contest to win a new Cadillac Escalade.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, which is developing Providence, said the Providence Golf Marathon will help raise money for Breast Cancer Research.

“Central Florida Realtors are the lifeblood of the home building industry and we want to give them a memorable weekend event that they will appreciate,” Kohn said.

The date for the shot gun tournament will be announced in mid-Feburary.

Kohn said prizes will be awarded for best round, most rounds, and best scores after six rounds, along with the “shot in the dark” hole in one contest for the Cadillac.

Tours of the model homes in eight Providence neighborhoods will also be provided.

“We plan to have a great weekend that will allow every Central Florida Realtor the chance to golf their hearts out,” Kohn explained.

Kohn said he believes as many as 250 area realtors will participate in the Providence Golf Marathon tourney.

Realtors interested in the Providence Golf Marathon should contact ABD Development Company at 863-420-2100.
* * *
For more information, contact: Alene Raskin, Marketing Manager, ABD Development Company 863-420-2100; David Kohn, President, ABD Development Company 863-420-2100

Former Florida Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Joins Board of Advisors at Excel Recruiting

ORLANDO - Charles (Chuck) Drago, who served as deputy chief of staff to Florida Governor Charlie Crist and secretary of the Florida Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation, has joined the Board of Advisors of Excel Recruiting, of Orlando.

Excel Recruiting provides full service staffing specializing in technical specialists in aerospace and defense, simulation and training, gaming technology, healthcare, information technology and manufacturing.

Jay Weaver, vice president of operations at Excel Recruiting said Drago served as the governor’s senior advisor on law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Corrections, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and Juvenile Justice.

Drago was responsible for the licensing and regulation of more than one million Florida businesses including the gaming, beverage and hospitality industries, Weaver said.

Drago, who has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, was appointed assistant chief of police for the Fort Lauderdale Police Dept. In 2004 he was named chief of police for the City of Oviedo.

Drago stated that “Excel Recruiting has a proven record of high ethical standards and a commitment to customer service. The strong management team and experienced recruiters have fostered an environment of innovation and continued business development. I am thrilled to be associated with Excel Recruiting and I am looking forward to a great year.”

Excel Recruiting is a client of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.
* * *

For more information about this press release, contact: Jay Weaver, Vice President of Operations, Excel Recruiting 321-293-3333, jweaver@excelrecruiting.com; Mark Piccini, President, Excel Recruiting 321-293-3330, mpiccini@excelrecruiting.com; Carol Ann Dykes, Site Manager UCF Business Incubation Program 407-882-1120 cdykes@mail.ucf.edu

About Excel Recruiting, Inc: Excel Recruiting, founded by principals Mark Piccini and Jay Weaver, delivers highly qualified professionals that specialize in aerospace, defense, simulation/training, casino and gaming technology, information technology/applications and manufacturing and design. Excel’s goal is to provide highly qualified contract, contract-to-hire and direct hire opportunities to its clients and candidates. www.excelrecruiting.com

About the UCF Incubation Program: Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 160 assisted emerging companies (including nearly 100 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight – and soon nine – facilities opened across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and will be adding Volusia County. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Stirling Sotheby’s Top Executive Says Housing Prices in Central Florida Stabilizing, Establishing a New Pricing Normal in The Market

ORLANDO - Central Florida’s housing slump may have bottomed out and housing prices are stabilizing, says one industry expert, though it may be some time before housing values begin to climb again.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in Orlando, said Central Florida’s five-year market decline has left prices down 40-60 percent from the market high and many home sellers have held off placing their homes on the market hoping for a recovery.

“Pricing stabilization has taken a long time, and price increases won’t be realized until sometime in the future,” Soderstrom said. “Home sellers who are holding off waiting for better market conditions may miss out on the greatest buying opportunity if they are looking to purchase a new residence,” he said.

While sellers may realize a lower price than they might hope for, they also have the opportunity to acquire another residence for much less than they could before.

“The market is adjusting and today we are at the point where we have a new pricing normal,” Soderstrom explained.

“Real estate remains a neighborhood business. Some neighborhoods with homes less distressed are performing better than other neighborhoods. Property owners who are selling in today’s market and repurchasing are finding themselves in a win-win situation,” he added.
* * *

For more information contact: Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890; rsoderstrom@stirlingSIR.com

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty: Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates three performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

Data Transfer Solutions opens office in Portland

ORLANDO - Data Transfer Solutions, LLC (DTS), based in Orlando’s Avalon Park, recently opened an office in Portland, Ore.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, PMP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, said the firm’s Portland office will support the firm’s contract work in the region.

DTS is currently working on several contracts in the northwestern U.S., mainly in the asset management and software integration areas. We are also working on projects in support of the wildfire risk assessment for state agencies.

The firm currently has offices in Orlando, San Antonio, Dallas, Nashville, Fort Collins, Colorado, Washington, D.C. and Zurich, Switzerland in addition to Portland.

DTS provides asset management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), transportation planning/engineering, web design, database/software applications, and video and multi media production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S.
* * *

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

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Named Exclusive Sales, Marketing Agents for $525,000 Condominium in Southwest Orlando

ORLANDO - Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty was recently named exclusive sales and marketing agents for a $525,000 luxury condominium on the 10th floor at Bay View Reserve, overlooking Spring Lake in southwest Orlando off Dr. Phillips Blvd. at Sand Lake Rd.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the residence was recently professionally renovated with hardwood floors, custom European-style cabinets and granite countertops.

“The luxury condominium at Bay View Reserve features spacious rooms and large windows with dramatic views of Spring Lake, the downtown Orlando skyline and the fireworks at Disney World,” Soderstrom said.

The 2,650 square foot condominium offers two bedrooms, three full baths a study and a gourmet kitchen.

Bay View Reserve condominium offers VIP owner services with 24 hour security, Soderstrom said, along with a community swimming pool, tennis courts and exercise room.

The property was listed by Carolyn Burgiel and Daniel Natoli of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty’s LR Team.

To see photos of Bay View Reserve, visit http://www.stirlingsir.com/index.php?action=listingview&listingID=49287
* * *

For more information, contact: Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty: Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates three performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com