Monday, February 14, 2011

Data Transfer Solutions names Nick Hutton Director of Asset Management

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Data Transfer Solutions, LLC (DTS), based in downtown Avalon Park in east Orlando, has named Nick Hutton director of asset management.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, PMP, chief operating officer at DTS, said Hutton will be attached to the firm’s Avalon Park headquarters but will telecommute from his home in New Jersey.

Hutton graduated from Mercer College with a degree in Civil Engineering and has more than 15 years of experience in asset management.

Hutton will focus on GIS infrastructure implementation and asset management Fragala said.
Data Transfer Solutions provides asset management, geographic information systems (GIS), transportation planning/engineering, web design, database/software applications, and video and multimedia production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S.
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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, 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@dtsgis.com

New University Club of Orlando President Has Eyes on Growth, Expansion, Emphasis on Younger Members

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Jennifer Nichols Kennedy, who was recently named president of The University Club of Orlando, said the area’s oldest and largest social club for business leaders and corporate executives added more than 100 new members in 2010 and she plans to focus on growth, expansion and adding younger members during her one year term.

Kennedy, a partner at TJNG Interior Designs in Maitland, said she has been working with the U committee to explore ways The University Club can expand long range.

“We have looked at several options and we think if the market is right, an expansion of the facility is possible within the next two to five years,” Kennedy said.

Expansion options include selling or tearing down the club’s existing site on the corner of Central Blvd and Rosalind Ave. across from the Orlando Public Library and moving to a new location or redeveloping the choice downtown site.

“Our successful campaign to grow our membership has resulted in a whole new vitality and can do attitude at the club,” Kennedy explained.

“We expect our membership will continue to grow and we have a strong need to expand our facilities,” she said.
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For more information about this press release, contact: Jennifer Nichols Kennedy, President, The University Club of Orlando, 407-425-2514, jkennedy@tjng.com; Susan Greene, General Manager, The University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514, gm@ucluborlando.com

Hal Warren at Hendricks & Partners in Orlando Awarded Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor Professional Designation

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Hal Warren, associate partner at Hendricks & Partners in Orlando, was recently awarded the prestigious Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS) professional designation by the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI).

Warren said the NAAEI’s CAPS professional designation---one of the Institute’s most difficult professional qualification---requires the successful completion of five rigorous educational courses that total more than 40 hours of classroom time.

CAPS certification also requires two years of experience managing a portfolio of apartment properties.

“CAPS is the industry’s highest certification for professional portfolio managers and according to Cole Whitaker, who heads Hendricks & Partners southeast region, “Warren is one of a few multi-family investment sales brokers in the U.S. to earn the CAPS certification,”
Warren, who earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the College of Business at Florida State University in Tallahassee and his MBA from the University of Central Florida, joined Hendricks & Partners in 2008 and ranks as one of the most active investment sales brokers of multi-family properties and development sites in Florida.

Warren has almost 20 years of experience in the field, in the Florida region at United Dominion Realty Trust, The Apartment Group and Cushman & Wakefield.

Currently Warren is serving a second term as chairman of the City of Orlando’s Historical Preservation Board.
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For more information contact: Hal Warren, Associate Partner, Hendricks & Partners 407-218-8881 hwarren@HPAPTS.com

Henin Signature Homes Starts Construction of Two New Luxury Ready-To-Move-In Homes at Riveria Bella in DeBary

DEBARY, Fla. – Henin Signature Homes, a division of the Henin Group, has started construction to two new luxury homes at Riviera Bella, the unique community overlooking the St. Johns River in DeBary.

Jerome Henin, founder and president of the Henin Group, said both homes will be available for sale and ready-to-move-in by April.

One home, with four bedrooms and two baths in 1,868 square feet of living space, offers a two car garage priced from $187,900.

The other ready-to-move-in home offers five bedrooms and three baths in 3,570 square feet of living space priced from $259,900 with a two car garage.
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For more information, contact: Jerome Henin, Founder & President, Henin Group, 407-425-7888

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Contract to Design Interior for Supercuts Store at Jacaranda Commons in Venice

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, was recently awarded a contract to design an interior buildout for a Supercuts store at Jacaranda Commons, the retail center located at Jacaranda Blvd. and Venice Ave. in Venice.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said Primerica Development Group 1, which owns Jacaranda Commons, awarded the contract to design the 1,200 square foot hair styling salon space.
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For more information, contact: Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100; Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100

Celebration Golf Launches Fairways for Warriors Golf Program to Help Wounded Vets

CELEBRATION - Celebration Golf Management, Inc., which owns and operates five golf clubs in the Central Florida area, has launched Fairways for Warriors, a 10-week program of intensive golf instruction to help wounded military veterans and their families.

Kenny Nairn, executive vice president of golf for Celebration Golf Management, said the Organization is offering the free intensive golf course instruction on Saturdays at one of its five clubs: Celebration Golf Club at Celebration, Stoneybrook West Golf Club in Winter Garden, Legends Golf Club and Kings Ridge Golf Club in Clermont, and Golden Bear Golf Club in Windermere.

Nairn said eight veterans have already joined the Fairways for Warriors program and he is expecting more veterans with their families at each event.

Fairways for Warriors is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) company focused on providing golf to wounded warriors. Tom Underdown is president, Bob Hurley and Alan Darty are directors. Visit http://www.fairwaysforwarriors.org/ for additional information.

“Golf professionals from each of our golf academies at each of our courses are providing the instruction for this wonderful organization,” Nairn said.
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For more information about this press release contact: Kenny Nairn, Scottish PGA Golf Professional / EVP of Golf Celebration Golf Management 407-566-9877; knairn@celebrationgolf.com; Gene Garrote, President, Celebration Golf Management, 407-566-1045

Downtown Avalon Park to Welcome Bayridge Sushi

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Avalon Park Group’s Vice President Rich Browning recently negotiated a long-term lease agreement with Bayridge Sushi for 5,427 square feet of retail space at 3680 Avalon Park Blvd. East in downtown Avalon Park.

Stephanie Hodson, marketing director at Avalon Park Group, said this will be owner Ben Lu’s third Bayridge Sushi location in Central Florida.

“Ben Lu moved to New York City when he was a teenager to work in his Master Sushi Chef’s restaurant,” Hodson explained. “He started the first Bayridge Sushi restaurant in Bayridge, NY which was rated 4 stars (****) by the New York Daily News.

Ten years ago he opened his first Central Florida restaurant in Longwood to great reviews including the Orlando Sentinel which commented “If raw fish is your dish, this is your place” and Orlando Weekly which stated “Bayridge Sushi…swimmingly good.” He later opened a second Central Florida location on SR 436 near Apopka, which was voted by a local newspaper “Best Sushi 2010,” she said.

Buildout will commence during the first quarter and the restaurant will offer a full bar, hibachi tables and outdoor seating. Hodson said the restaurant is expected to open by the end of September or October 2011.

Bayridge Sushi was represented by Frank Thomas of Fact Business & Realty, Inc.
For more information about Bayridge Sushi visit http://www.bayridgesushionline.com/
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For more information contact:
Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Director Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565 stephanie@avalonparkgroup.com; http://www.avalonpark.com/;Rich Browning, Vice President Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565, richb@avalonparkgroup.com; Frank Thomas, Founder Fact Companies, 407-333-3305 factinvest@cfl.rr.com

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Lease Agreement with Nemours at La Vina Marketplace in Southeast Orlando

MAITLAND - NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement with Nemours for 7,099 square feet of office space at La Vina Marketplace, 9145 Narcoossee Rd. in southeast Orlando.

Senior Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Orlando-based Ripley’s International LLC.

The tenant, who already occupies 5,246 square feet for its Nemours Children’s Hospital Preview Center on the first floor of La Vina Marketplace, is expanding into second floor suites A200, 201, 202 and 206. The expansion will bring the total square footage Nemours occupies to 12,345 square feet at the La Vina Marketplace. Mickey Hage of Mickey Hage, Inc. represented Nemours in the transaction.
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For more information, contact: Mary Frances West, CCIM, Senior Broker-Associate NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 mwest@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, Chief Operating Officer NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com

About NAI Realvest: NAI Realvest, covering all of central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more,

Ashton Woods Homes opens new single family model home at Grand Hampton in New Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has opened a new single family model home and started construction of two ready-to-move-in homes at Grand Hampton, located on Dunham Station Drive off County Line Rd. west of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said the two story Oxford model home offers four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, 2,822 square feet of living space with a two-car garage.

The Oxford model home features a large front porch with columns, formal living and dining rooms and large open family room and kitchen with optional island.

Two ready-to-move-in homes — one with three bedrooms and one with four — will open in April priced from $219,900, Roche said.

Grand Hampton features a community clubhouse with multi-use aquatic center, tennis and basketball courts, park areas and lakes.

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. * * *

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

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Donates Design of Residential Handicap Ramps

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently donated design work for five residential handicap ramps to the Center for Independent Living of Central Florida (CIL).

Jed Downs, president of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC said this is the second year the firm has donated design work to the Center for Independent Living.

Many of our team members will also be participating in building the ramps at RAMPAGE event during February. RAMPAGE (http://www.cilorlando.org/) is CIL's signature special event that brings together volunteers and CIL staff to build wheelchair ramps for people with disabilities.

“Some of the people we have served have been virtual prisoners in their own homes because they lack the resources to afford ramps,” Downs said.
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For more information contact: Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100; Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100

ICI Homes Names Tom Chambers Purchasing Agent

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. --- ICI Homes has named Tom Chambers purchasing agent at its corporate headquarters in Daytona Beach.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing at ICI Homes, said Chambers has 36 years of experience in the new home construction industry. He was previously a purchasing agent for Centex Homes and received the 2002 Presidents Award for exemplary service.

Chambers is a Palm Coast resident and most recently was the owner/operator of his own company – Cherokee Construction Consultants – in Palm Coast.
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For more information, contact: Lisa A. Egle, Marketing Manager ICI Homes-Daytona Beach, 386-236-4273; Rosemary Messina, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, ICI Homes, 386-236-4231

About ICI Homes: ICI Homes is ranked by Builder magazine as one of the top 100 privately owned homebuilders in the nation. The 30-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as in Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.

Celebration Golf Management Makes Major Appointments at Legends, Kings Ridge, Stoneybrook West Golf Clubs

CELEBRATION, Fla. – Legends Golf Club in Clermont has appointed Jason Morris Golf Superintendent.

Gene Garrote, president and principal of Celebration Golf Management, which manages and owns Legends Golf Club, said Morris has 17 years of golf experience and six years in golf course management and maintenance. Morris formerly served as superintendent at Kings Ridge Golf Club, also in Clermont.

At the same time, Garrote promoted Chad Ferguson Golf Superintendent at Kings Ridge. Ferguson has three years of experience with Celebration Golf Management as a mechanic and was most recently the assistant superintendent at Stoneybrook West Golf Club. He replaced outgoing golf superintendent Jason Morris, who was promoted to golf superintendent at Legends.

Garrote also promoted Chris Howell to Events Manager at Stoneybrook West Golf Club in Winter Garden. Howell has 12 years of experience in the golf industry, the last three as a member of the golf course staff at Legends.

Nick Hall was promoted to Lead Merchandise Supervisor at Legends Golf Course. Hall, who has three years of experience in golf – one year with Celebration Golf Management – formerly served as a member of the golf course staff at Stoneybrook West.
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For media information, contact: Gene Garrote, President, Celebration Golf Management, 407-566-1045

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects of Orlando completes design of 45,000 square foot Publix Supermarket in Valrico

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, completed the design of a 45,000 square foot Publix Supermarket in Valrico at Valrico Commons on SR 60 and S. Valrico Rd.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said construction of the Publix Supermarket facility is underway and expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year.
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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, Inc. 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

Lennar Unveils New “Everything’s Included Homes”–Upgrades at no extra charge–in all Tampa Bay Area Communities including Lakeland

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar has unveiled its “Everything’s Included Homes” with valuable upgrades and extras in each of its 17 Tampa Bay area communities including Pasco County and Lakeland.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said “Everything’s Included” means just that--- all appliances – refrigerator, range, microwave, washer and dryer, along with upgraded counters, cabinetry, crown moulding and even premium landscaping.

“In these economic times, homebuyers are doing everything they can to stretch their dollars,”
Metheny said. “Lennar’s ‘Everything’s Included Homes’ afford homebuyers more upgrades and extras at no additional charge, along with record low pricing and interest rates,” he added.

Lennar sells single-family homes and town homes priced from under $100,000 to more than $300,000 in 17 communities in the Tampa Bay region, including active adult communities.

Visit www.Lennar.com.
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For more information, contact: Francine Miller, Director of Sales & Marketing Lennar-Tampa Region, 727-479-1747; Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 727-479-1700