ORLANDO, Fla. --- CEO Nexus will host its next CEO Forum at Rollins College Tuesday, June 12, featuring keynote speaker Philip Holt, founder, president and chief executive officer of online gaming studio Row Sham Bow in Orlando.
Steve Quello, president of CEO Nexus, said the Forum, which begins at 6 p.m. in the Gallery at Rollins College, is open to area CEOs and corporate principals.
Quello said Holt is a highly respected pioneer in the digital gaming industry. As general manager of EA Sports, a subsidiary EA Tiburon, Holt played a major role in shaping the Madden NFL series into one of the most popular gaming suites on the market and making EA Tiburon’s PGA gaming brands an industry benchmark.
Holt left EA Sports last year to launch Row Sham Bow, which now has a full-time staff of more than 17 engineers, creative directors and technicians. Row Sham Bow recently launched the game Woodland Heroes on FaceBook.
“This is a great forum to get up close and personal with industry leaders like Philip Holt.” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and associate vice president for Research and Commercialization at UCF. “I’m sure it will be a rewarding experience for all that are fortunate enough to attend.”
To register for the CEO Forum at Rollins, or to learn more about CEO Nexus, visit www.ceonexus.com.
CEO Nexus is an organization that works in concert with public and private organizations interested in providing business leaders—owners, CEOs and presidents—with practical tools and techniques designed specifically for growing second-stage companies. Sponsors include the Edward Lowe Foundation, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the University of Central Florida Office of Research & Commercialization, Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship and GrowFL.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Amelia National Completes Construction of $185,000 Wall, Introduces Portfolio of 21 New Luxury Home Designs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Amelia National Golf & Country Club recently completed construction of a permanent wall along the concourse on the community’s southern boundary.
David Haas, chief development officer at ICI Homes and Amelia National, said the cost of construction was $185,000.
The Concourse wall is just part of the flurry of activity underway at Amelia National. The club has hosted several local charitable events and tournaments in the last several months. “We like to show off the property whenever we can,” said Haas. “Over the last three years, more than $2 million has been spent on maintenance, carry costs and improvements for the Amelia National community. Our solid long-term commitment to the project is beginning to yield some promising results.”
For example, Haas recently brought in a nationally respected, independent golf course consultant to do a top-down review of the Tom Fazio designed course and club operation. “We were very pleased that they gave us an excellent rating for maintenance and operations.”
Keeping Amelia National in the spotlight and in tip-top shape is paying off. “Sales activity at Amelia National is up year over year and we anticipate an even better 2013,” said Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing. “We recently launched a Discovery Tour program to focus on out of state homebuyers and bring them in to familiarize them with the property, the homes, the magnificent golf course and clubhouse. With five tours booked in the last six weeks, interest is high and that bodes well for the future,” she said.
“The Discovery Tour program was also timed to take advantage of the recent launch of a new portfolio of luxury custom home designs at Amelia National,” said Don Wilford, ICI Homes division president, who is responsible for the design and construction for ICI Homes in the north Florida area.
The design portfolio includes 21 new floor plans that can be fully customized and range in size from 2,321 square feet of living space to 4,050 square feet with three, four, five and six bedrooms and priced from $289,900 to $800,000.
“Amelia National is in the perfect position to benefit from an improving economy with luxury custom home sales,” said Haas. “We’re debt-free, and that puts us in a unique position in the market.”
About ICI Homes
ICI Homes is ranked by Builder magazine as one of the top 100 homebuilders in the nation. The 32+-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as in Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.
David Haas, chief development officer at ICI Homes and Amelia National, said the cost of construction was $185,000.
The Concourse wall is just part of the flurry of activity underway at Amelia National. The club has hosted several local charitable events and tournaments in the last several months. “We like to show off the property whenever we can,” said Haas. “Over the last three years, more than $2 million has been spent on maintenance, carry costs and improvements for the Amelia National community. Our solid long-term commitment to the project is beginning to yield some promising results.”
For example, Haas recently brought in a nationally respected, independent golf course consultant to do a top-down review of the Tom Fazio designed course and club operation. “We were very pleased that they gave us an excellent rating for maintenance and operations.”
Keeping Amelia National in the spotlight and in tip-top shape is paying off. “Sales activity at Amelia National is up year over year and we anticipate an even better 2013,” said Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing. “We recently launched a Discovery Tour program to focus on out of state homebuyers and bring them in to familiarize them with the property, the homes, the magnificent golf course and clubhouse. With five tours booked in the last six weeks, interest is high and that bodes well for the future,” she said.
“The Discovery Tour program was also timed to take advantage of the recent launch of a new portfolio of luxury custom home designs at Amelia National,” said Don Wilford, ICI Homes division president, who is responsible for the design and construction for ICI Homes in the north Florida area.
The design portfolio includes 21 new floor plans that can be fully customized and range in size from 2,321 square feet of living space to 4,050 square feet with three, four, five and six bedrooms and priced from $289,900 to $800,000.
“Amelia National is in the perfect position to benefit from an improving economy with luxury custom home sales,” said Haas. “We’re debt-free, and that puts us in a unique position in the market.”
About ICI Homes
ICI Homes is ranked by Builder magazine as one of the top 100 homebuilders in the nation. The 32+-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as in Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.
Hometown Health TV in Leesburg, Fla. Named Outstanding Incubator Client at International Conference
Atlanta, Ga. / Leesburg, Fla. – Hometown Health TV LLC, a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in Leesburg, Fla., received an international award at the National Business Incubation Association’s International Conference on Business Incubation.
The NBIA award – the 2012 Outstanding Incubator Client in the non-technology category – was presented to Hometown Health TV founder and media and marketing professional Marc Robertz-Schwartz at the NBIA’s recent conference in Atlanta. The company was selected from a field of applicants from across the globe.
“I don’t think any small business launches with this kind of recognition on its list of things to do; I think that’s what makes this recognition so humbling and gratifying. Three years ago I didn’t even know what an incubator was or how it could help me grow a successful business. Today – with the support of the UCF Business Incubation program, Lake County and the City of Leesburg – we’re being looked at as a model and, perhaps, an inspiration to other small businesses during a challenging economy,” Robertz-Schwartz said after receiving the prestigious award.
With more than 7,000 business incubators worldwide, the NBIA – the world's leading organization in advancing business incubation – estimates that in 2005 alone, North American incubators assisted more than 27,000 start-up companies that provided full-time employment for more than 100,000 workers and generated annual revenue of more than $17 billion, according to Linda Knopp, director of policy and analysis and research for the National Business Incubation Association.
“Business incubation programs like the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program catalyze the process of starting and growing companies by providing entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools they need to make their ventures successful,” she said.
Hometown Health TV, a three-year-old Lake County health and medical-oriented TV production company, launched Hometown Health, with the goal of developing cost-effective video and web platforms for physicians and healthcare professionals so they could share their expertise on health issues with both existing and new patients watching the videos, according to Robertz-Schwartz.
The monthly, hour-long videos provide health and wellness information through a network of medical office waiting rooms, county health departments, local cable networks and the Internet. As market demand for its services expanded, Hometown Health TV created Apple Seed Marketing in 2011 to expand its multi award winning production and marketing expertise to clients outside the health-care field and to educate businesses and clients on the multiplatform marketing opportunities associated with quality video production.
James Spencer, site manager of the Leesburg incubator, said he isn’t surprised at the success of Hometown Health TV and its sister company Apple Seed Marketing.
“I’m very pleased that Marc has been recognized by the NBIA for all the hard work, long hours and focused energy he’s put into making Hometown Health TV and Apple Seed Marketing such successful companies. His unwavering commitment to creating value for his customers drives him to deliver award winning quality and results that consistently meet and exceed their expectations. I suspect this is just the beginning for Marc... I can’t wait to see what he does next!” Spencer said.
Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder of the UCF Business Incubation Program and NBIA board member, describes Robertz-Schwartz as a gifted entrepreneur who knows his market.
“It’s very rewarding for us to have one of our clients receive accolades for their achievements. Entrepreneurship can often seem like a lonely undertaking with little positive reinforcements for the effort it takes to not only survive, but grow. We should celebrate these entrepreneurs whenever we can,” said O’Neal
For more information about Hometown Health News, visit www.YourHometownHealth.com.
About Hometown Health TV:
Hometown Health TV is complemented by its website www.YourHometownHealth.com and a YouTube channel (www.YouTube.com/HometownHealth), both of which include access to the most recent content featured in the video program, as well as profiles of the participating medical professionals and support content. Information about Apple Seed Marketing can be found at www.AppleSeedMarketing.com
About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, 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. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.
The NBIA award – the 2012 Outstanding Incubator Client in the non-technology category – was presented to Hometown Health TV founder and media and marketing professional Marc Robertz-Schwartz at the NBIA’s recent conference in Atlanta. The company was selected from a field of applicants from across the globe.
“I don’t think any small business launches with this kind of recognition on its list of things to do; I think that’s what makes this recognition so humbling and gratifying. Three years ago I didn’t even know what an incubator was or how it could help me grow a successful business. Today – with the support of the UCF Business Incubation program, Lake County and the City of Leesburg – we’re being looked at as a model and, perhaps, an inspiration to other small businesses during a challenging economy,” Robertz-Schwartz said after receiving the prestigious award.
With more than 7,000 business incubators worldwide, the NBIA – the world's leading organization in advancing business incubation – estimates that in 2005 alone, North American incubators assisted more than 27,000 start-up companies that provided full-time employment for more than 100,000 workers and generated annual revenue of more than $17 billion, according to Linda Knopp, director of policy and analysis and research for the National Business Incubation Association.
“Business incubation programs like the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program catalyze the process of starting and growing companies by providing entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools they need to make their ventures successful,” she said.
Hometown Health TV, a three-year-old Lake County health and medical-oriented TV production company, launched Hometown Health, with the goal of developing cost-effective video and web platforms for physicians and healthcare professionals so they could share their expertise on health issues with both existing and new patients watching the videos, according to Robertz-Schwartz.
The monthly, hour-long videos provide health and wellness information through a network of medical office waiting rooms, county health departments, local cable networks and the Internet. As market demand for its services expanded, Hometown Health TV created Apple Seed Marketing in 2011 to expand its multi award winning production and marketing expertise to clients outside the health-care field and to educate businesses and clients on the multiplatform marketing opportunities associated with quality video production.
James Spencer, site manager of the Leesburg incubator, said he isn’t surprised at the success of Hometown Health TV and its sister company Apple Seed Marketing.
“I’m very pleased that Marc has been recognized by the NBIA for all the hard work, long hours and focused energy he’s put into making Hometown Health TV and Apple Seed Marketing such successful companies. His unwavering commitment to creating value for his customers drives him to deliver award winning quality and results that consistently meet and exceed their expectations. I suspect this is just the beginning for Marc... I can’t wait to see what he does next!” Spencer said.
Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder of the UCF Business Incubation Program and NBIA board member, describes Robertz-Schwartz as a gifted entrepreneur who knows his market.
“It’s very rewarding for us to have one of our clients receive accolades for their achievements. Entrepreneurship can often seem like a lonely undertaking with little positive reinforcements for the effort it takes to not only survive, but grow. We should celebrate these entrepreneurs whenever we can,” said O’Neal
For more information about Hometown Health News, visit www.YourHometownHealth.com.
About Hometown Health TV:
Hometown Health TV is complemented by its website www.YourHometownHealth.com and a YouTube channel (www.YouTube.com/HometownHealth), both of which include access to the most recent content featured in the video program, as well as profiles of the participating medical professionals and support content. Information about Apple Seed Marketing can be found at www.AppleSeedMarketing.com
About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, 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. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.
Staff at Pulte Homes, Centex and Del Webb in Tampa volunteer for kitchen duty to help feed homeless people at Trinity Café
TAMPA, Fla. --- General sales manager Mike Finley and 14 other members of the Pulte Homes, Centex and Del Webb sales team in Tampa volunteered for kitchen duty recently to help feed homeless men, women and families at Trinity Café in downtown Tampa.
Finley, who organized the volunteer day, said he was impressed with the enthusiasm his staff exhibited.
“I’m sure we will return to do this again,” Finley said. “We were very impressed by the people we met on both sides of the counter. I would encourage everyone to get involved helping the community, the sense of accomplishment is enormous,” he said.
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.
About PulteGroup
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is one of America’s largest home building companies with operations in approximately 60 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes and Del Webb, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide home buyers with innovative solutions and new homes designed for the way people actually live today. As the most awarded home builder in customer satisfaction, PulteGroup brands have consistently ranked among top home builders in third-party customer satisfaction studies.
Finley, who organized the volunteer day, said he was impressed with the enthusiasm his staff exhibited.
“I’m sure we will return to do this again,” Finley said. “We were very impressed by the people we met on both sides of the counter. I would encourage everyone to get involved helping the community, the sense of accomplishment is enormous,” he said.
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.
About PulteGroup
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is one of America’s largest home building companies with operations in approximately 60 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes and Del Webb, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide home buyers with innovative solutions and new homes designed for the way people actually live today. As the most awarded home builder in customer satisfaction, PulteGroup brands have consistently ranked among top home builders in third-party customer satisfaction studies.
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