Saturday, November 5, 2011

Handex Consulting & Remediation, LLC, Relocates to New Office in Winter Park

WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Handex Consulting & Remediation LLC, (HCR) which specializes in petroleum-environmental cleanup services along the East Coast from New Jersey through Florida, recently relocated from Mount Dora to new offices on Orange Ave. in Winter Park.

The firm, which was recently named to the Zweig Letter Hot Firm list for 2011 after a survey of nearly 90,000 architects, engineering, and environmental consulting firms in the U.S., is a leading provider of environmental cleanup and remediation services

HCR has 160 employees in Florida and New Jersey.

About HCR:
HCR, a division of Demetree Global, is headquartered in Winter Park with offices in Tallahassee, Tampa and Delray, Fla. and in central New Jersey. HCR has 160 employees serving clients along the Eastern Seaboard from New Jersey through Florida that range from state environmental protection agencies, industrial and commercial firms to some of the largest U.S. major and independent oil corporations and convenience store operators. Due to potential stimulus project work, HCR is also focused on providing services to the transportation and construction business sectors. As HCR’s record shows, the company can perform all environmental component work.

First Green Bank Launches Door-To-Door Campaign to Herald New Headquarters Facility in Mount Dora

EUSTIS, Fla. – First Green Bank, which has facilities in Clermont and Eustis, has launched a highly successful door-to-door greeting campaign to let potential customers know it is opening a new headquarters facility on U.S. 441 in Mount Dora very soon.

Kenneth E. LaRoe, chairman and chief executive officer of First Green Bank, said the door-to-door campaign is a part of First Green Bank’s “person to person” approach to personal and business banking.

“First Green Bank believes in direct community outreach,” LaRoe said.

LaRoe said 20 First Green Bank associates went door-to-door on Saturday, October 22nd in Eustis and Mount Dora, and the response was phenomenal.

“We knocked on more than 700 doors, and people were very gracious,” LaRoe said. “They welcomed us and they appreciate our community-based approach to banking,” he said.

LaRoe said the next door-to-door campaign is set for Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

First Green Bank is known for its culture of community enhancement and environmental responsibility, as well as its innovative approach to marketing.

Celebration Golf Management Launches Centralfloridagolftrips.Com to Book Travel, Golf Packages

CELEBRATION, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Management, which owns or operates six Central Florida golf courses, launched CentralFloridaGolfTrips.com, a website that helps golfers find available golf courses, tee times, amenities and prices, along with visitor information, resort and hotel accommodations and a wide range of “off the beaten path” restaurants and entertainment venues.

Gene Garrote, president of Celebration Golf Management said Alan Darty heads CentralFloridaGolfTrips.com and the site was officially launched recently.

“We are here to help golfers create their ultimate dream golf vacation to Central Florida,” Garrote said.

“The site will help golfers find out about all of our golf courses and resorts and provide information on things to do in the area, including off-the-beaten-path restaurants, shops and activities,” Garrote added.

The CentralFloridaGolfTrips.com staff has first hand experience with all of the Celebration Golf Management clubs and will take time to respond to all questions and needs of customers because they understand their requirements and will recommend the best possible course and accommodations. The CGM staff has access to the latest tee time sheets and as well as accommodation promotions and they can provide the best customized golf vacation planning at the lowest possible price.

Handex Consulting & Remediation, named to Zweig Letter List of “Hot Firms” for 2011

WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Winter Park based Handex Consulting & Remediation LLC, (HCR) which specializes in petroleum-environmental cleanup services along the East Coast from New Jersey through Florida, was recently named to the Zweig Letter Hot Firm List for 2011.

HCR President Irvin Heath said the Zweig Letter list surveys close to 90,000 architects, engineering, and environmental consulting firms in the U.S., to pick the fastest growing companies based on percentage of revenue growth and absolute dollar revenue growth over a four year period.

HCR currently employs 160 specialists in Florida and New Jersey.

About HCR:
HCR, a division of Demetree Global, is headquartered in Winter Park with offices in Tallahassee, Tampa and Delray, Fla. and in central New Jersey. HCR has 160 employees serving clients along the Eastern Seaboard from New Jersey through Florida that range from state environmental protection agencies, industrial and commercial firms to some of the largest U.S. major and independent oil corporations and convenience store operators. Due to potential stimulus project work, HCR is also focused on providing services to the transportation and construction business sectors. As HCR’s record shows, the company can perform all environmental component work.

Volusia Law Firm a Sponsor of This Year’s Palm Coast Seafood Festival

PALM COAST – The Port Orange-based law firm of Rue & Ziffra is a supporting sponsor of the 2nd annual Palm Coast Seafood Festival Nov. 5 and 6 at Town Center’s Central Park.

The family-oriented festival – which runs from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday – will feature fresh Florida seafood, as well as live concerts and events for adults and children alike, according to Kim Bouck, a partner in the personal-injury firm.

A highlight of the two-day event will be concerts by Jimmy Buffet tribute band The Caribbean Chillers at 6 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday.

“We’re excited to help bring this event to the people of Flagler County,” Bouck said. “Because we opened a Palm Coast office earlier this year, we’re also happy to be a part of the event and the community.”

Other activities at the festival will be Frisbee dog competition, carnival rides, remote-controlled boat races, antique car show, arts and crafts, dog shows, hermit crab races, face painting for kids, and a firework display.

In addition to shrimp, a variety of fresh fish and lobster pizza provided by local restaurants, festivalgoers also can choose from a number of craft beers and tropical rum beverages.

Admission is $3 for adults and free to children 12 and under. For details, call 386-986-2341 or click on www.beach927.com.

About Rue & Ziffra:
Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange, DeLand and Palm Coast. For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

UCF BUSINESS INCUBATOR IN ST. CLOUD TO HOST ENTREPRENEUR OPEN HOUSE NOV. 14

ST. CLOUD, Fla. – An Entrepreneur Open House, hosted by the University of Central Florida Business Incubator in St. Cloud, will be held Nov. 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the incubator offices at 3201 Budinger Ave.

Jim Bowie, site manager for the UCF Business Incubation Program in St. Cloud, said the open house will feature the “Discovery Tour” to see if your business is the right fit for the program that offers facilities, services, resources and coaching.

Bowie said all entrepreneurs are invited to attend. There is no admission charge and no RSVP is needed.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program -
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities 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, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.

Volusia Law Firm Sponsors Free Barbecue Festival Nov. 10 in New Smyrna Beach

NEW SMYRNA BEACH – The law firm of Rue & Ziffra will present the “Grill Master Classic” barbecue festival Thursday, Nov. 10 on Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach.

From 5 to 9 p.m. a number of local restaurants known for their tasty barbecue dishes will offer up a variety of foods including ribs, pork, chicken, as well as festival standards like hot dogs, pizza and sausage.

In addition to great barbecue and all the fixin’s that will be available, the event also will include live entertainment provided by three bands, according to Luis Gracia, a partner in the Port Orange-based, personal-injury firm.

Rue & Ziffra is the presenting sponsor of the festival, but more than a dozen other local businesses are participating in the event or acting as additional sponsors.

“We’re hoping that lots of hungry people come out just to have a good time and enjoy some really great food,” Gracia said.

About Rue & Ziffra:
Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange, DeLand and Palm Coast. For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

Pulte Homes starts construction of Town Homes at Greenbrier at Bartram Park, Carriage Homes at Twinleaf at Bartram Park

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Pulte Homes has started construction of 16 new townhomes at Greenbrier at Bartram Park in South Jacksonville and eight new carriage homes at Twinleaf at Bartram Park.

Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for Pulte Homes in the North Florida region, said the homebuilder plans to start construction of six more new town homes at Greenbrier at Bartram Park in December and 10 new carriage homes at Twinleaf in January.

Strickler said new two and three bedroom townhomes at Greenbrier offer two-and-a-half baths and one and two car garages priced from the $130s.

Four different floor plans will range in size from 1,546 square feet of living space to 1,761 square feet.

Two-bedroom, two-bath carriage homes at Twinleaf will offer one car garages, Strickler said.

Ranging in size from 1,438 square feet to 1,857 square feet, the new carriage homes at Twinleaf are priced from the $130s.

Recently, Pulte announced it would start construction of more than 40 new town homes and carriage homes in five Jacksonville area communities.

About Pulte Homes
Award-winning Pulte Homes communities are designed to deliver the best quality of life for home owners. By combining innovative life-enhancing designs, an unwavering commitment to quality and attention to detail, Pulte Homes is the nation’s premier home brand for upwardly mobile home buyers in 26 states and the District of Columbia. As the most awarded homebuilder in customer satisfaction, Pulte Homes has ranked tops in the annual JD Power and Associates® New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Studysm more than 75 times since 2000. For more information about Pulte Homes, visit www.pultehomes.com.

Crossman & Company VP Justin Greider negotiates 10 Long-Term Lease Transactions in Third Quarter that Total More Than 20,000 Square Feet

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Crossman & Company vice president Justin Greider closed on nine lease agreements at six Publix anchored retail centers in Florida and South Carolina during the third quarter. He also teamed up with associate Craig Katterfield in negotiating a 10th lease for a total of more than 20,000 square feet of retail space.

Greider’s lease transactions, which were all long-term – three to five years and one 20-year lease – include:

At 3,322 square feet the largest single lease agreement, a new five-year deal that will bring a new Five Guys Burgers & Fries restaurant to Island Crossing, a Publix anchored retail center located at 11 Palmetto Bay Rd. on Hilton Head, S.C.

Three new five-year leases at Stadium Corners at Viera, a Publix anchored retail center currently under development on Viera Blvd. at Stadium Parkway in Rockledge. Kim Bo Chinese Restaurant will open a new 1,400 square foot dining room there; Fantastic Sam’s will open a 1,200 square foot styling salon, and Island Animal Clinic a 1,200 square foot facility. The center and these Tenants should open in the first quarter of 2012.

At Lake Miriam Square, a Publix anchored retail center located at 4730 S. Florida Ave. in Lakeland -- Jynelle’s Salon & Spa leased 1,950 square feet for three years, and a Healthy Habits health food store leased 1,300 square feet for five years.

A new 20-year lease of 1.1 acres that will bring a new PNC Bank branch to the Publix anchored Cooper City Commons, located at 9359 Sheridan St. in Cooper City. A new three-year lease of 1,200 square feet of retail space to MetroPCS at Publix in the Highlands, located at 2125 E. CR 540a in Lakeland.

A new five-year lease of 7,318 square feet to Office Depot at Northeast Park, a Publix anchored retail center at 200 37th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg.

Greider and Katterfield teamed up at Rockledge Crossings, a Publix anchored retail center located at Murrell Rd. in Rockledge, to negotiate a new five-year lease agreement that will bring a new 1,225 square foot MetroPCS store to the center

And for the largest transaction of the year for Greider, he negotiated the lease termination of a 47,955 square foot closed Publix location at Horizon Village, located at 2855 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road in Suwanee, Ga., just outside of Atlanta. The former Publix space will be converted into a movie theater concept which includes full-menu food offerings for patrons along with first-run movies.

John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company said Greider ranks as one of the firm’s most productive leasing specialists.

“Justin has a broad network of contacts, he is thoroughly committed to our industry and he is very good at what he does,” Crossman said.

“Altogether, it has been a busy quarter,” Crossman added. “and we are seeing many positive signs of economic recovery,” he added.

About Crossman & Company:
Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Crossman & Company is a commercial real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the retail industry. Currently their portfolio under leasing and/or management exceeds 150 shopping centers throughout the Southeast U.S. Founded in 1990, Crossman & Company focuses solely on landlord representation and serves clients including Publix, PREIT, and GE. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

EMERSON INTERNATIONAL OPENS NEW LUXURY MODEL HOME AT KEENE'S POINT IN WINDERMERE

Altamonte Springs, Fla. --- Emerson International, which develops upscale office properties, luxury condominiums and luxury communities throughout Central Florida, recently opened a new luxury model home at Keene’s Point in Windermere.

Eric Emerson, vice president and general manager at Emerson International, said the four-bedroom, 4,500 square foot luxury home is called “the Manchester” and features a custom swimming pool and fully furnished interiors by Kay Green.

Centerline Homes built the $800,000 luxury model home.

Emerson International is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Emerson Group, the global corporation that is one of the largest privately-owned property development companies.

Lennar’s Big Year End Closeout Event is Underway in 22 Orlando area communities: Zero down, Zero Closing Costs, up to $34,000 in Savings

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lennar, which will close its fiscal year on Nov. 30, is offering a year end closeout on select ready-to-move-in homes in 22 Orlando area communities that includes zero down payments, zero closing costs and additional savings of up to $34,000.

Mark Metheny, president of the Central Florida division, said Lennar’s big year end close out sale got underway Nov. 1 and is good on move-in ready homes that are sold and go to contract by Nov. 30

“We have an inventory of ready-to-move in homes at our communities in the Orlando, Clermont and Space Coast areas that we hope to sell before the end of our fiscal year,” Metheny explained.

Metheny said home buyer incentives offered at select Lennar communities include no down payment required, no closing costs, additional price reductions and free upgrades that total up to $34,000.

All new homes come with Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” offer as well as Lennar’s “No Worry” home builder’s warranty.

“We are making the best buyer incentive offer available anywhere in Florida and we’re prepared to accommodate record year-end sales,” Metheny said.

Visit www.Lennar.com.

Newmark Knight Frank’s Southeast Capital Group Negotiates $3.42 Million Sale of Holcomb Woods Village Retail Center in Roswell, Ga.

ATLANTA, Ga. --- Whitney Knoll, Mark Hillis and Fred Victor of Newmark Knight Frank’s Southeast Capital Group brokered the $3.42 million sale of the Holcomb Woods Village, located at 1570 Holcomb Woods Rd. in Roswell, Ga.

Knoll, a principal who heads the Southeast Capital Markets Group at Newmark Knight Frank, said Hawthorne Retail Partners acquired the retail center from the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company through special servicer GE Capital Realty Group, Inc.

Knoll, Hillis and Victor represented GE Capital Realty Group in the REO transaction.

The 102,888 square foot neighborhood retail center is 45 percent occupied by tenants including Joseph & Friends and Tuscany Fine Furnishings, Knoll said.

“This transaction exemplifies the investment community’s continued attraction to REO foreclosure listings,” Knoll said.

“There was very high interest in the property, and the performance of Hawthorne Retail Partners in the transaction was exemplary,” Knoll said.

Villages of Royal Palm Offers One Year Closing Delay, Six Months Mortgage Moratorium on Ready-To-Move-In Homes

PORT ORANGE, Fla. --- The Villages of Royal Palm, the luxury active adult community Winston James Development is developing in Port Orange, is offering a special discount to active adult buyers of ready-to-move-in homes priced from the $160s.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, Inc., said buyers of ready-to-move-in homes can take advantage of special financing that allows no mortgage payments for the first six months.

For people who have a home to sell, Royal Palm offers a one-year delay in closing.

Schwartz said a 10 percent down payment qualifies buyers for the special financing.

“We are making this offer to give active adults – who plan to sell their current homes so they can move to Florida – plenty of time to conduct the sale,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz said the offer is good through Nov. 15.

Eight finished ready-to-move-in homes are now available.

Top Producing Associates at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Rack up 10 Home Sales in Three Months

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Rachel McGrath and Debbie Keilin are fast making a name for themselves as top producers at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in Volusia County.

Roger Soderstrom founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty said McGrath and Keilin posted sales of 10 properties that totaled more than $4.45 million during the third quarter of 2011. (Per the Daytona Beach MLS Aug 1-Oct 31 2011)

Some of Keilin and McGrath’s largest sales include --
• The last known residence of Lear Jet fame, William P. Lear, Jr. at Spruce Creek Fly-In community in Port Orange. The luxury home and private aircraft hangar sold for $785,000.
• A second Spruce Creek Fly-In luxury home purchased by an Argentinian businesswoman for $545,000.
• A luxury oceanfront condominium in Daytona Beach with more than 5,000 square feet of living space for $1.46 million.

“Rachel McGrath and Debbie Keilin are just dynamic,” Soderstrom said. “They are two of the most enthusiastic, well-educated and highly motivated real estate professionals I know,” Soderstrom said.

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, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

Mercantile Capital Corporation Reports Four Commercial Loans Closed in October Financing Projects Valued at More Than $9.4 Million

Altamonte Springs, Fla. --- Mercantile Capital Corporation, one of the nation’s largest and most active providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, reported it closed four commercial loans in October to finance projects that total more than $9.4 million.

Geof Longstaff, chairman of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said the firm’s largest single loan in October financed a $5.1 million diabetes treatment center in Citrus County.

Since the start of the year, Mercantile Capital Corporation has closed 46 commercial loans to finance projects that total more than $134 million, Longstaff said.

Chris Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said, “We expect to finance over $150 million in total projects in 2011. That would mark a substantial increase over 2010 and be our all-time record for volume.”

Mercantile Capital Corporation will relocate from Altamonte Springs to Downtown Orlando in December, Hurn added. The firm is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Old Florida National Bank, which is headquartered in Orlando.

More information can be found at www.504Experts.com and www.504Blog.com.

Villages of Royal Palm Starts Construction of Two New ready-to-move-in homes, Marks Million Dollar Closings in October

PORT ORANGE, Fla. --- The Villages of Royal Palm is marked a record month of closings in October by starting construction of two ready-to-move-in homes.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, Inc., developers the Villages of Royal Palm, said three and four bedroom homes at The Villages of Royal Palm range in size from 1,500 square feet of living space to 2,160 square feet priced from the low $200s.

Schwartz said homes The Villages of Royal Palm closed on in October total more than $1 million, a recent record for the community.

“This is the start of the winter season, when our sales are typically the highest,” Schwartz said. “We anticipate a very busy winter season,” he said.

Schwartz added that four ready-to-move-in homes are now open at The Villages of Royal Palm.

Maximize Angel Investments Hopes to Secure Pledges that will Total More Than $10 million at Angel Investment Seminar Nov. 9

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Maximize Angel Investments Central Florida, Inc. plans to welcome subscribing members to its Angel Investments seminar Nov. 9 who will commit more than $10 million in investment capital to finance promising startup companies throughout the Central Florida area.

William De Temple, chief executive officer of Maximize Angel Investments Central Florida, said that while many in the Central Florida community will benefit from the efforts of his organization to create new jobs and an economic boom, his subscribers are not “do-gooders.”

“Maximize Angel Investments of Central Florida is organizing subscriber members to invest in companies that demonstrate the capacity to grow and succeed,” De Temple explained.

“We aren’t looking for the next best thing,” De Temple said.

“We seek out well-organized companies if they are providing the necessary capital,” he said.

De Temple said his subscribers — who commit to funding more than $50,000 annually — are strictly bottomline business investors.