Ashton Woods Homes nears closeout at Grand Hampton in New Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has only seven home sites remaining at Grand Hampton, located on Dunham Station Drive off County Line Road just 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 Ashton Woods’ homes at Grand Hampton offer three, four and five bedrooms and range in size from 1,981 square feet of living space to 2,972 square feet and are priced from $217,990. Grand Hampton features a community clubhouse with multi-use aquatic center, tennis and basketball courts, excessive conservation areas, a park and lakes. Ashton Woods Homes is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies, with operations in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Killeen, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Sarasota, Raleigh and Tampa. Recently named the #1 Most Trusted Homebuilder in America in the Lifestory Research Most Trusted Builders in America Study SM, Ashton Woods is known throughout the industry for building homes with award-winning designs that inspire, and offering homebuyers a high level of personalization options. Ashton Woods is also the only builder to nationally utilize the Environments for Living Platinum Program, a program that certifies the energy efficient status of our homes.

First Green Bank Officials Attend Global Alliance for Banking on Values Summit in Berlin

Mount Dora, Fla. --- The chairman, president and two directors of First Green Bank, headquartered in Mount Dora, recently attended the Global Alliance for Banking on Values summit conference in Berlin. Kenneth M. LaRoe, chairman of First Green Bank, Paul Roundtree, president and bank directors Shannon Carlyle and Randy Strode attended the conference. First Green Bank was admitted to the Global Alliance for Banking on Values last year. The Alliance, which includes 22 banks in 16 countries, including four U.S. banks, is an independent network of banks using finance to deliver sustainable development for unserved people, communities and the environment. First Green Bank launched its first capital offering in January. LaRoe said First Green Bank has raised more than $4 million in investments.

M/I Homes sells six new homes at Versailles on opening day weekend

LAKE MARY, Fla. --- M/I Homes reported it sold six new homes at an average sale price of $400,000 on opening weekend at Versailles, M/I Homes newest luxury community located on S.R. 46 and N. Orange Avenue in Lake County. David Byrnes, area president for M/I Homes in Central Florida, said three couples camped out at Versailles to be the first in line to buy new homes. “They were there to purchase the exact home site they wanted,” Byrnes said. “We were elated with the response,” Byrnes added. M/I Homes is building 55 homes at Versailles ranging from 2,300 square feet of living space to 5,200 square feet with three, four and five bedrooms priced from $300,000 to the mid-$500s. A model is now under construction at Versailles — The Grandview, a two-story design with five bedrooms offering 4,900 square feet along with a pool and other options, priced from $539,000.

Pulte Homes Starts Construction of New Model Condo at Sandpiper Cove in Jupiter

JUPITER, Fla. --- Pulte Homes has started construction of the new two-story Malibu model condo at Sandpiper Cove, located on Black Ironwood Road in Jupiter. Scott Mairn, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the South Florida Division of Pulte Homes, said the new Malibu condo has a distinctly modern design. “The 1,485-square foot Malibu has an open great room with two owner’s suites,” Mairn said. “That’s a fantastic space for social occasions or family gatherings,” he said. The Malibu condo offers a second-floor loft, two-and-a-half baths and a two-car garage with rear entry. “When it opens in September, Sandpiper Cove will be priced from the high $100s,” Mairn added. The Malibu model condo is one of eight condos under construction at Sandpiper Cove. All eight will be ready for move-in by September, Mairn said.

Venice-based Bio-Tech Company is Finalist for Sarasota Small Business of the Year

VENICE, Fla. – Omega3 Innovations, the creators of heart-healthy, fish oil- and oat bran-based cookies and chocolates, has been named one of three finalists for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business of the Year Award. The company – which was founded five years ago by Dr. Bo Martinsen and his wife, Dr. Anne-Marie Chalmers – will participate in a chamber video shoot early next month to explain why Omega3 Innovations should receive the award, according to Amy Mosshart, program coordinator for the chamber. The video will be shown at the Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon on May 10 at The Hyatt Regency of Sarasota. Chalmers said this marks the third time the company has been nominated by the Sarasota Chamber. “We’re honored to be selected as a finalist for Small Business of the Year along with impressive companies such as Gulf Coast Signs of Sarasota and SouthTech,” Chalmers said. While this is Omega3 Innovations’ first “small business” nomination, the company previously has been named a finalist in the “innovative business” and “young business” categories.

Ryland Homes has new model ready for viewing at Arbor Reserve in Bradenton

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ryland Homes has completed a new model home at its new community of Arbor Reserve, located three miles west of I-75 on Lockwood Ridge Rd. one-half mile south of S.R. 70 (53rd Ave. E.) and north of University Blvd. in Bradenton. Mike Finley, vice president of sales and marketing for the Tampa Division of Ryland Homes, said the new Frost II model offers four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and a bonus room in 2,600 square feet of living area. Finley said there are 59 home sites at Arbor Reserve for homes ranging from 1,853 square feet of living area to 2,736 square feet. Arbor Reserve features a community swimming pool, cabana, and private park. Homes are priced from the low $200s. Visit www.ryland.com/tampa.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty named exclusive sales agents for historic Titusville home

TITUSVILLE, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive sales and marketing agents for the historic Wager House, a restored three-story Colonial Revival style estate home located at 8 South Street, overlooking the Indian River in Titusville. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the Wager House was added to the National Register of Historic places almost 25 years ago and is one of the oldest structures in Titusville and Brevard County. Soderstrom said Florida Luxury Homes Specialist Joe Janson in the firm’s Brevard County division is representing the unique property listed for sale at $899,000. The richly appointed home with exclusive luxury high-end features has views of the Indian River throughout. Janson said the estate’s riverfront location and views of Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral add to its rich history. “The Wager House was built in the 1800s by Pleasant J. Hall for Perry Wager, whose son, Ellis, published Brevard County's first newspaper, the Florida Star, from the first floor of the house,” Janson said. The second floor of the home often served as Titusville's ballroom and opera house, Janson said.

CAMCAD Technologies Aids Local Company Competing in Space Race

Winter Springs, Fla. -- CAMCAD Technologies, Inc., an award-winning provider of innovative manufacturing solutions, has announced their partnership with Earthrise Space Inc. (ESI), the parent organization of the Omega Envoy team competing for the Google Lunar X PRIZE. SURFCAM, Inc., a global leader in CAD/CAM software, has granted a full license of SURFCAM 5-axis CAM programming software to ESI. As a partner to SURFCAM and ESI, CAMCAD will provide a post processor for their CNC mill, SURFCAM training and additional support to help streamline the company’s manufacturing processes, harnessing the power of the innovative software. This will allow ESI to significantly reduce costs and produce quality parts in record time. Earthrise Space, through its Omega Envoy Project, is a team of scientists and students pursuing the Google Lunar X PRIZE. A total of $30 million in prize money is available to the first privately funded team to safely land a robot on the surface of the Moon by the end of 2015. The robot must travel 500 meters over the surface of the Moon and send back video footage, images and data back to the Earth’s surface. “We look forward to working with Team Omega Envoy, particularly the student interns,” said Alison Wildblood, CEO of CAMCAD Technologies. “There are so few opportunities for students to get ‘real world’ experience learning CNC programming and machining in Central Florida. Kudos to Earthrise Space, Inc. for making that part of their corporate mission! For over 20 years, CAMCAD has worked with technical schools and universities to help train the next generation of manufacturing professionals. We intend to use our manufacturing expertise to help Team Omega Envoy achieve success in their quest for the Google Lunar X Prize,” she added. CAMCAD Technologies Inc. is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in Winter Springs.

Henin Homes at Riviera Bella has 14 homes now under construction

DEBARY, Fla. --- Henin Homes has started construction of 14 new single-family homes priced from $240,000 to $400,000 at Riviera Bella, the award-winning gated luxury community the Henin Group is developing overlooking the St. John’s River in Debary. Matt Boltz, vice president of Henin Homes, Inc., said 12 of the new homes are already sold and range in size from 2,025 square feet of living space to 4,500 square feet. Two ready-to-move-in homes that will open in April range from 2,354 square feet of living space to 2,400 square feet, Boltz said. Both new ready-to-move-in homes are priced from the mid $300s.

Winston James Construction has three Move-In Ready Homes Underway at Villages of Royal Palm in Port Orange

PORT ORANGE, Fla. --- Winston James Construction Company, a division of Winston James Development in South Daytona, has three new ready-to-move-in homes under construction at the Villages of Royal Palm in Port Orange. Winston Schwartz, president of Winston James Development, said the three new homes that range in size from 1,500 square feet to 2,400 square feet will be completed by summer. The homes will be priced from $179,900. At the same time, Schwartz said the sales office model at the Villages of Royal Palm has been sold and a new sales office model is underway. The 2,416 square foot model with four bedrooms and three baths will be completed by summer and will be priced from the high $200s.

MELKEN SOLUTIONS LLC EARNS FULL BBB ACCREDITATION

ORLANDO, Fla., --- Melken Solutions LLC, the Orlando firm that provides cost effective, high-quality, full-compliance document scanning and conversion for medical, legal, financial and government industries, was recently awarded full accreditation from the Central Florida Better Business Bureau (BBB). Melanie Wheeler, co-founder and partner at Melken Solutions, said full BBB Accreditation is an important component of Melken’s pledge of transparency and business integrity. “BBB Accreditation is an announcement to potential clients and customers that we embrace, support and commit ourselves to BBB’s Standards of Trust,” Wheeler said. Such ethics standards are particularly relevant to the industry groups Melken Solutions supports, Wheeler added. “Federal law requires all U.S. physicians to adopt Electronic Health Records by 2016, and that means health care providers must digitize all of their existing documents and images,” Wheeler explained. “Our support of ethical standards, particularly as regards health care privacy, is a critical element in selecting digital solutions providers,” Wheeler said. Melken Solutions recently earned approval from the UCF College of Medicine’s Regional Extension Center as a vendor to market document scanning to health care providers converting their medical files in Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia Counties. Melken Solutions is a member of the UCF Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in east Orange County.

M/I Homes readies four ready-to-move-in homes at Auburndale Estates in Polk County

LAKE MARY, Fla. --- M/I Homes recently completed four ready-to-move-in homes at Auburndale Estates, located off Adams Rd. in Auburndale in Polk County. David Byrnes, area president of M/I Homes in the Orlando region, said 40 home sites are available in this gated community where homes range in size from 2,300 square feet of living area to 5,200 square feet. The four ready-to-move-in homes are priced from $230,000 to $345,000 and range from 2,311 square feet of living space to 4,700 square feet, Byrnes said. Three to five-bedroom homes at Auburndale Estates are priced from $197,000 to $350,000 Byrnes added.

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Lease for Software Firm at the American Building in Maitland

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 1,141 square feet of office space in the American Building at 1051 Winderley Place in Maitland. Mitch Heidrich associate at NAI Realvest, negotiated the transaction representing the local tenant, Script-Bit Inc., a software firm that services the medical and healthcare industries. The landlord, MPM Holdings Inc. of Maitland was represented by Paul Reynolds and Alex Rosario of CNL Commercial Real Estate.

Luhse Tea Introduces New “Butter Me Up” Loose Leaf Tea Flavor

Kissimmee, Fla. -- Luhse Tea LLC, the edgy Kissimmee-based retailer of fine imported teas and tea accessories that set out to demolish the stodgy stereotype normally associated with teas and capture a younger hipper demographic, has introduced the new Butter Me Up flavor loose leaf tea. Mindy S. Ferris and Brittney M. Wholihan, co-founders of Luhse Tea, said the new Butter Me Up flavor is a sweeter white tea with hints of butterscotch. “Our gang, as we call our customers, asked for a new loose leaf flavor,” Wholihan said. “Butter Me Up is for the hedonist who doesn't compromise, it’s a butterscotch flavor, naturally sweet, and it will warm the cockles of you heart,” she added. Luhse Tea’s Butter Me Up is available online at www.luhsetea.com, on FaceBook at facebook.com/luhsetea, and on Twitter at twitter.com/luhsetea. Luhse Tea is a client member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program’s Kissimmee incubator.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division creates new position of Director of Sales Operations, names Francine Miller to the post

TAMPA, Fla. – Lennar has named longtime homebuilding executive Francine Miller director of sales operations for its Central Florida Division which comprises the Tampa Bay region including parts of Pasco County and Lakeland along with the Orlando area covering East Polk, Kissimmee, Clermont, up through Seminole County and over to the Space Coast. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida division, said Miller has been in homebuilding over 30 years and close to 28 years with U.S. Home and Lennar. Lennar acquired U.S. Home in 2000. She has a solid background as division president of U.S. Home, as sales and marketing manager for the Tampa region of Lennar and most recently leading the Mortgage Division at Lennar in Tampa. “Francine is one of the most respected homebuilding executives in the state. We are very excited about her leading the Central Florida marketing teams,” Metheny said. Lennar’s Central Florida Division, which builds new single family, villa and town homes priced from the $100s to the $400s is currently building in 24 communities in the Tampa Bay market and 21 in the Orlando market.

M/I Homes starts presales at its newest community in Apopka

LAKE MARY, Fla. --- M/I Homes has started presales at its newest community of Lake Heiniger Estates located off Orange Blossom Trail and Boy Scout Rd. in Apopka. David Byrnes, area president of M/I Homes in the Orlando region, said 37 home sites are available for single family homes ranging from 2,500 square feet of living space to 5,200 square feet. Homes will be priced from $233,000 to $350,000, Byrnes said. The first model at Lake Heiniger Estates will get underway in April.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty appoints Marisol Santiago Luxury Marketing Specialist in Heathrow Marketing Center

Lake Mary, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has appointed Marisol Santiago an International Luxury Home Specialist in the firm’s Lake Mary/Heathrow Marketing Center. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Santiago is a native of Brooklyn who moved to Orlando in 1997 to pursue marketing and sales opportunities in Florida. “Marisol Santiago has a strong background in both general real estate and new home marketing and sales,” Soderstrom said. Santiago is fluent in Spanish and speaks some Russian as well, Soderstrom said. Santiago will focus on marketing and selling luxury properties locally, nationally, and internationally, and will represent home builders and community developers in the marketing and sale of new residential communities and individual custom homes.

Ryland Homes names Mike Finley Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Tampa division

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ryland Homes of Tampa has named Mike Finley Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the division. Joe Fontana, President of Ryland Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said Finley has nearly 10 years of experience in the construction industry and as a builder executive. He is currently the Treasurer of the Sales and Marketing Council of the Tampa Bay Builders Assn. Finley replaces Tony Crimi who was recently promoted.

Pulte Homes opens new phase of home sites at Harrison Ranch in Bradenton-Sarasota area

BRADENTON, Fla. --- Pulte Homes recently opened a new phase of home sites at Harrison Ranch located at 5755 Harrison Ranch Blvd. in the Bradenton-Sarasota area of Parrish off U.S. 301 and 3.75 miles east of I-75. Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for Pulte Homes in the North Florida region, said home sites in the new phase offer extra-wide space, nature preserve views or water views. Strickler said the Westin floor plan, a two-story design that Pulte Homes is offering in Harrison Ranch, has received a lot of attention. The Westin which features four to six bedrooms, two-and-a-half to four baths in 2,598 to 2,686 square feet of living space is priced starting from $202,990. Special features of the Westin plan include a task room, a game room and a flex room. Single-family homes at Harrison Ranch range from 1,447 square feet of living space to 3,476 square feet with from three to seven bedrooms, two to four baths, two and three car garages and are priced from $154,990 to $245,990. The Pulte Homes community of Harrison Ranch offers amenities that include a 6,500 square foot community center with full-time lifestyle director, planned resident events, a state-of-the-art fitness center, heated junior Olympic-size swimming pool, media/gameroom, tennis courts and children’s playground. For more information, call 866-830-4648 or visit www.pulte.com/tampa.

Geocove, Inc. names James Finerfrock Software Manager

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Geocove, Inc., a leading provider of scalable geo-spatial consulting solutions for business, industry, and state and local government agencies nationwide has named James Finerfrock Software Manager for the company. Karyn Tareen, chief executive officer at Geocove said Finerfrock has more than 20 years of professional experience in software / system / engineering, system/network/database administration, technical project management, product management and business development. He previously led teams as a Senior Product Specialist for Esri, Director of Technology for GeoComm International Corp., Application Development Manager for Titan Corporation, and Software Engineering Manager for JetBlue Airways, among others. Geocove, which developed the ARM360 disaster assessment software that permits real time response form authorities to assess damage from natural disasters, is a member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.

Henin Homes to Showcase Turino Model Home at Riviera Bella during Central Florida Parade of Homes

DeBary, Fla. --- When the Central Florida Parade of Homes opens next month, Henin Homes will showcase its five-bedroom Turino luxury model home at Riviera Bella, the award-winning gated luxury community the Henin Group is developing overlooking the St. John’s River in Debary. Matt Boltz, vice president at Henin Homes, Inc. said he expects the two-story Turino luxury model home will draw significant interest during the Parade and close to 1,000 visitors. “The Turino was designed as the perfect family home,” Boltz said. With a huge downstairs master suite for privacy, the children’s area upstairs offers four bedrooms, two baths, a kid’s den and a separate study area overlooking the downstairs foyer. Downstairs an open island kitchen serves a huge family room, dining nook, formal dining room and a living room or den, Boltz said, with a half-bath off the family room for guests. With 3,577 square feet of living space and a two-car garage, the Turino model home is priced from $349,900. The award winning Riviera Bella community overlooks the St. Johns River off Fort Florida Road, west of the 17-92 and Highbanks Rd. intersection in DeBary.

Last Four Lots Available in RiverGate Community by SeaGate Homes

PALM COAST – Buyers interested in building their dream home at SeaGate Homes’ RiverGate community need to act fast as only four homesites – including just one lakeview lot – remain in the gated, waterfront community of 165 homesites. Buyers can choose from 10 different two- three- and four-bedroom floor plans ranging in size from 1,300 to more than 2,200 square feet with prices starting at $160,690, according to Michael Sawdai, vice president of operations for Flagler County’s largest homebuilder. Located just off Belle Terre Parkway in Palm Coast, RiverGate features a carefree lifestyle with a community pool, cabana and sundeck and lawn care provided by homeowners’ association fees. For more information about the community, please call 386-437-6188 or visit SeaGateHomes.com.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects completes remodeling design for Winn-Dixie in Ft. Lauderdale

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners recently completed design work for remodeling of the Winn-Dixie grocery store on N. Ocean Blvd. in Ft. Lauderdale. Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson, said the remodeling project totals 35,000 square feet and construction is to start soon.

Two New ‘Explore Del Webb’ Homes Open Now at Del Webb Naples for potential homebuyers to stay, experience the lifestyle before buying

Naples, Fla. – Del Webb Naples, is inviting active adults to book a reservation and stay in its newly opened “Explore Del Webb” homes to enjoy the amenities and lifestyle at the community located on Anthem Parkway in Ave Maria. With the Explore Del Webb program potential homebuyers can live the exciting, activity-filled life of a resident before they really are one, said Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for the south Florida division of Del Webb. Explore Del Webb guests can book either a 2-night or 3-night stay in the Tifton or Vernon Hill homes – new two and three bedroom, two bath plans with indoor and outdoor living areas and master suites that feel like you’re in a luxury spa retreat. Besides staying in a beautiful furnished home with a fully-equipped kitchen, the reservation allows guests to explore the Del Webb Naples community in their own golf cart and enjoy full use of the new Oasis Club amenities. It also includes a complimentary round of golf for two at the pristine 18-hole Panther Run Golf Course, 25 percent off pro-shop merchandise and free Player’s Club memberships with $25 Match Play at nearby Seminole Casino. “Taking advantage of Explore Del Webb is the perfect way to experience the amazing atmosphere and lifestyle that many active adults expect from a Del Webb community, and a great way for prospective buyers to test out the community and meet residents before they buy,” said Mairn. To participate in the Explore Del Webb program and schedule a visit to Del Webb Naples contact Crystal Sturgill at 239-304-7606.

Ashton Woods Homes Has Six Move-In Ready Town Homes nearing completion at Fountain Parke in Lake Mary

Lake Mary, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes is completing six luxury town homes at Fountain Parke, located off Rinehart Road north of Lake Mary Blvd. in Lake Mary and they will be ready for move-in by April. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said the three and four-bedroom town homes range in size from 2,170 square feet of living space to 2,504 square feet and are priced from $224,990. Ashton Woods also has three professionally decorated and furnished models open for viewing at Fountain Parke.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Renewal Lease at Wekiva Center in Apopka

MAITLAND, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently completed a renewal lease agreement for 3,360 square feet of office space at Wekiva Center, 1706 E. Semoran Blvd. near the intersection of U.S. 441 in Apopka. Tom R. Kelley II, CCIM, principal at NAI Realvest, brokered the transaction on behalf of the landlord, Wekiva Center Partnership based in Maitland. The tenant is CORA Health Services, Inc.

Meritage Homes Holds Lottery to sell first of 20 home sites at Parkside Community in Dr. Phillips area

Orlando, Fla. --- Meritage Homes held a lottery recently to sell the first 20 home sites at Parkside, located on Apopka-Vineland Road and Buenavista Woods Boulevard in the Dr. Phillips area of southwest Orlando. Brian Kittle, vice president of Meritage Homes in the Orlando region, said 84 potential home buyers pre-qualified for residential mortgage loans to participate in the invitation-only lottery event at Bay Hill Country Club. Meritage Homes plans to build 315 new three, four, five and six-bedroom single-family homes at Parkside priced from the $400s. So far, nearly 500 families expressed an interest in buying a new home at Parkside, Kittle said. “Location is driving demand for new homes at Parkside,” Kittle said. “The Dr. Phillips area hasn’t seen much new community development in some time,” he explained. Meritage Homes, which builds single-family homes priced from the $200s in 17 Florida communities, reported sales increased by 24 percent in 2012 over 2011. Construction starts during the same period increased by 54 percent.

Team Florida, Team USA sets Classic Play March 29 at Amway Center

ORLANDO, Fla. --- The 15th Annual Seniors Showcase All Star Weekend highlight is scheduled March 29 starting at 2 p.m. with the Florida vs. USA teams taking the court. Hardwood Classic Director David D. Davis said the event is the centerpiece of the Senior Showcase All-Star weekend an NBA style All-Star event for many of the top high school basketball players in the country. The All-Star Weekend will start Wednesday, March 29 and continue through March 30. Players, according to Davis, will participate in various athletic, educational, community service and social activities throughout the weekend. Team rosters are available by contacting Davis at 407-687-0048.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects awarded contracts to design three Ale House Restaurants

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, Engineers Planners based in Baldwin Park was awarded contracts to design three Ale House restaurants -- in Winter Park, Queens, N.Y. and the Philadelphia area. Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson, said the restaurants average 10,000 square feet each and are located on Lee Rd. and Hwy. 17-92 in Winter Park, in the Rego Park neighborhood of Queens N.Y. and in the Philadelphia suburb of Springfield, Pa.

UCF Executives Forge Ties with Colombian Universities to Support Emerging Innovation Economy

Orlando, Fla. --- University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization was selected to participate in a special trade mission to Bogota, Colombia to share best practices and collaborate on opportunities for building technology transfer, commercialization and entrepreneurship capacity with some of the top universities, research centers and technology development organizations in Colombia. “Our selection to participate in this trade mission is a testament to our strength and leadership in providing a continuum of programs that result in successful technology transfer, research commercialization, and economic development outcomes” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, associate vice president for Research and Commercialization at UCF, and founder of UCF’s internationally recognized Business Incubation Program. Michael O’Donnell, executive director of UCF’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Rafael Caamano, director of the UCF Business Incubation Program in Kissimmee, and Robin Phelps, team leader in UCF’s GrowFL program represented UCF on this trade mission. The three met in Bogota with representatives of 20 Colombian universities and research organizations to discuss technology transfer processes, entrepreneurship support services, and capacity-building programs. The three-day trade mission was jointly sponsored by iNNpulsa, the Colombian government agency that supports innovation and entrepreneurship, the U.S. Commercial Service in Bogota, and intellectual property and technology transfer law firm Becker & Poliakoff. "The objective was to exchange knowledge and experiences and explore opportunities for collaboration," O’Neal explained. “The caliber and the quality of the collaborative opportunities were outstanding” stated Michael O’Donnell. “We received a large number of expressions of interest from the Colombian participants for follow-up discussions,” O’Donnell added. In addition to UCF’s structure and approach to technology transfer, other areas of interest were UCF’s Venture Lab and Business Incubation programs as well as Florida Angel Nexus capital fund. One new program that generated quite a bit of discussion from the participants is UCF’s U.S. Soft Landing Program, a series of services and access to facilities intended to connect international startups with marketing, businesses development and other services, according to Caamano. “International startups can tap into the rich ecosystem of commercial opportunities in the U.S. We already have our first Soft Landing client from Colombia,” Caamano said. “Our participation in this program is consistent with and is in support of one of UCF’s top strategic goals to be America’s leading partnership university. This was an opportunity to forge stronger international academic ties with a country that may just be one of the greatest turnaround stories in recent history,” stated O’Neal.

Park Square Homes Wins Major Awards at Lake-Sumter Parade of Homes

ORLANDO, Fla. – Park Square Homes was the big winner in the recent 2013 Lake/Sumter County Parade of Homes. The Orlando-based homebuilder captured the Grand Award for its Pensacola model home located at Summerbrooke off SR 46 in Mount Dora. Anthony Rouhana, sales and marketing coordinator at Park Square Homes, said the Pensacola also won First Place in the category of homes priced from $250,000-$300,000. Not to be outdone, Park Square Homes’ Summerbrooke community also won a top prize as it was voted the Number One Community in the Parade. Rouhana said Summerbrooke now has 50 home sites available for sale with prices starting in the $160s. The top-winning Pensacola model home is a two-story design that offers four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths in 2,575 square feet of living area. Visit www.parksquarehomes.com

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Appoints Beth P. Weinbrenner, International Luxury Homes Specialist

Orlando, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has appointed Beth P. Weinbrenner an International Luxury Home Specialist at its Lake Mary/Heathrow Marketing Center. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Weinbrenner earned her Associate’s in Science Degree in Architectural Design and Construction Technology from Daytona State College and specialized in Architectural CADD drafting and Interior Design. “Beth Weinbrenner has a strong background in architectural design and residential space and landscape planning,” Soderstrom said. She has lived in the Central Florida area for over 35 years and has more than four years of experience as a kitchen and bath designer,” Soderstrom said. Weinbrenner is a resident of Oviedo and a member of the Orlando Regional Realtor’s Association. Weinbrenner has extensive experience in marketing and selling luxury properties to local, national, and international clients, and will also focus on representing home builders and community developers in the marketing and sale of new residential communities and individual custom homes.

Luhse Tea Celebrates One-Year Anniversary, Launches New Campaign to Support the U.S. Economy

Kissimmee, Fla. --- Luhse Tea LLC celebrated its one-year anniversary recently with a New Year’s Resolution to support the U.S. economy. Mindy S. Ferris and Brittney M. Wholihan, co-founders of Luhse Tea, said the company is practicing what it preaches. “We have appointed a new web maintenance firm headquartered in Minnesota and a new art design company headquartered in New York,” the co-founders said. Ferris and Wholihan said Luhse Tea is transitioning to U.S.-based products and plans to continue its growth by purchasing US goods and services. Luhse Tea’s wide variety of fine teas and tea accessories is available online at www.luhsetea.com, on FaceBook at facebook.com/luhsetea, and on Twitter at twitter.com/luhsetea. Luhse Tea is a client member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program’s Kissimmee Incubator.

Three Model Homes Underway at Rosedale Country Club by Ashton Woods Homes

Lakewood Ranch, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has started construction of three new model homes at Rosedale County Club located on Lakewood Ranch Blvd. near 44th Ave. West in Lakewood Ranch. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said the model homes, each with three bedrooms and a study, will range in size from 1,962 square feet of living space to 2,580 square feet and are priced from $319,990. Roche said the homes will be ready for viewing on April 8.

Miami Native Realizes Dream of Using Ocean Water to Create Skincare Products

ORLANDO, Fla. – For as long as he can remember, Rick Fox has loved and appreciated the sea. Whether he’s diving or beach-combing, the ocean is - and always has been - a key part of his life. Now, as the founder of SeaQuarius Skincare LLC, it has become his livelihood. A native of Miami, Fox started Orlando-based SeaQuarius in 2008 with little more than an idea and a desire. The idea was to create a line of skincare products that would use beneficial sea minerals and exotic sea plant life to cleanse and nourish skin. The desire was to create such products that other ocean-loving people would benefit from in their daily skincare routine. Fox, 43, said he realized the healing properties of the sea when he was a teen-ager prone to acne. “When I spent some time in the mineral rich seawater, my acne cleared up,” he said. “I thought; this water is special and could be used as the cornerstone of a skincare business.” The idea was shelved for 25 years. SeaQuarius LLC was enrolled as a client of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in Orlando, where Fox – a graduate of Florida State University – spent many hours working out exactly what kind of company and which specific products he wanted to create. After receiving mentoring help from site managers and advice from business executives affiliated with the program, he left the incubator in 2011 and started putting what he had learned to work. Now, after years of research and development through close collaboration with Dermal Doctors, Cosmetic Chemists and Marine Biologists, SeaQuarius is a reality. And, the results – “Sea Clean,” a foaming facial wash with purifying seawater and gentle coconut derived cleansers; “Sea Serum,” a firming, moisturizing and collagen re-structuring serum; and “Sea Cream,” rich and nutritious ocean ingredients formulated into a light, non-greasy and absorbable cream – are available online at www.seaQuarius.com and www.OceanSkincare.com. Fox said SeaQuarius Skincare products are derived from natural and sustainable marine ingredients that originate in the vast oceans and seas around the world. “We do not use artificial colors or fragrance, harsh chemicals, sulfates or petrolatum. Our partner ingredient supply companies conduct their aquaculture and harvesting practices in an environmentally friendly and ecologically sound manner. This is very important to us since first of all, we love the ocean!” “We help our customers achieve nourished, healthy, and vibrant-looking skin,” he said. “We do this by combining the finest ingredients the ocean has to create unique facial products that gently cleanse, hydrate and balance your skin.” The three products are just the beginning, according to Fox. He’s currently working on a sun-care product with SPF and an after-sun lotion that he hopes to have available soon.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Renewal Lease of 6,360 square feet of Retail Space in Orlando

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a renewal lease for 6,360 square feet of retail space at 2001 Murdock Blvd. in Orlando. NAI Realvest Associate Michael Heidrich, Jr. brokered the transaction representing the tenant Sanford-based Uni Select USA, d/b/a Parts Depot, Inc. John and Carlene Piloian of Longwood are the landlords.

Emerson International to start construction of first phase of 293 town homes at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Southeast Orlando

Altamonte Springs, Fla. -- Emerson International will start construction in the first phase of 293 town homes at the Eagle Creek Golf Club community located on Narcoossee Road in southeast Orlando. Nicholas Gluckman, director of development and construction for Emerson International, Inc., said horizontal construction of the town homes at Eagle Creek will start sometime in March. The town homes will offer two and three bedrooms, but the price of the town homes has not yet been determined, Gluckman said. The Eagle Creek golf course community currently has more than 1,000 single family homes built or underway with Centerline Homes as the sole builder. The town homes will be constructed on an approximate 44-acre site near the Eagle Creek community recreation center. 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 in the U.K.

DiVosta Homes to Host “Dusty Shoe” tour of Model Home under Construction at IslandWalk at the West Villages in Venice

VENICE, Fla. --- DiVosta Homes will host a “dusty shoe” celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 23 to offer guests a behind-the-scenes look at the new Cambridge model home at IslandWalk at the West Villages, a gated community located on US 41 between Jacaranda Blvd. and River Road in Venice. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for the South Florida Division of DiVosta Homes, said admission to the event is free and the public is invited to enjoy live music, refreshments and a guided tour of a new model home-to-be. The three bedroom, three bath Cambridge, which is offered in three distinctive elevations -- features a den that can serve as an optional fourth bedroom, but its most impressive feature is DiVosta’s iconic open-plan design: the island kitchen, great room and dining area totals more than 700 square feet and opens onto a screened and covered lanai that can become an optional extended patio. “We’ve created a lively transition between indoor living and outdoors,” Mairn said. “The sweeping indoor space is perfect for family gatherings and on social occasions will do a family proud,” he added. Priced from $281,990 when it opens in June, the Cambridge model home at IslandWalk comes with all of the energy-efficient features in DiVosta built homes including Lennox central air-conditioning and heating and a programmable thermostat, R-30 ceiling insulation, double-pane insulated, low-E screened windows, an energy-efficient water heater and insulated fiberglass entry door. Marin said DiVosta Homes experts will be on hand to showcase four decorated model homes at IslandWalk at the West Villages.

Park Square Homes opens new phase at Prairie Lake Reserve in Ocoee

ORLANDO, Fla. – Park Square Homes recently opened phase two at Prairie Lake Reserve, its gated town home community located off A. D. Mims Road and Clarke Road in Ocoee. Anthony Rouhana, sales and marketing coordinator at Park Square Homes, said 30 three-bedroom town homes are available in the new phase priced from $139,000. Town homes at Prairie Lake Reserve range from 1,600 square feet of living space to 1,800 square feet with two-and-a half baths and a two-car garage. Amenities at Prairie Lake Reserve include a community swimming pool, clubhouse and children’s playground. Visit www.parksquarehomes.com

PARK SQUARE HOMES APPOINTS NEW SALES ASSOCIATE AT PRAIRIE LAKE RESERVE IN OCOEE

ORLANDO, Fla – Park Square Homes, one of the most active homebuilders in Central Florida, has named Heather Hupp a new home sales consultant at its town home community, Prairie Lake Reserve in Ocoee. Hupp has 12 years of experience in residential real estate and attended Florida State University.

Emerson International negotiates new office leases totaling close to 20,000 square feet

Altamonte Springs, Fla. --- Emerson International recently leased close to 20,000 square feet of space at its prime locations in Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Maitland and Winter Park. Kenneth Koch, commercial portfolio director at Emerson International, negotiated a new lease for 6,205 square feet of office space at 2600 Maitland Center Parkway with Canon Business Solutions. Koch also negotiated a new lease for 8,165 square feet with Braishfield Associates, Inc. at 5750 Major Blvd. in Orlando. Zac Starkey, commercial associate with Emerson International negotiated two leases – one with Fast Forward Academy, LLC for 1,203 square feet of office space at Altamonte Lakeside Park on Cranes Roost Blvd. in Altamonte Springs, and an expansion lease with Blue Horizon Eating Disorder Services, LLC for an additional 1,089 square feet bringing their total occupied space to 3,704 square feet at Louisiana Office Park on Louisiana Avenue in Winter Park.

ICI Homes to Showcase Salerno Model Luxury Home at Live Oak Estates, Islander II at Avilla and Almeria at Cypress Reserve during Greater Orlando Parade of Homes April 20-28

ORLANDO, Fla. --- ICI Homes will showcase its five-bedroom Salerno model home at Live Oak Estates, a gated community with one-acre wooded homesites located off Moss Park Road east of the Lake Nona area in southeast Orlando, during the Greater Orlando Parade of Homes April 20-28. Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes, said the Salerno model home offers five bedrooms in 3,441 square feet of living space with a three-car garage and is priced at $746,100. Special features of the Salerno include a huge open great room area with a wall of sliding glass which looks out onto the covered lanai, a galley kitchen with island, and an enormous owner’s suite and master bath. ICI Homes will also showcase the Islander II model home at Avilla in Kissimmee during the Parade. The Islander II model with a tile roof features four bedrooms and three baths in 2,514 square feet of space, priced at $355,900. The Almeria model will also be featured in the Parade at ICI’s Cypress Reserve Villas. The maintenance-free villa offers three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths in 1,778 square feet of space, starting in the low $200s. All three ICI Homes models will be open for public tours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday during the Parade and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Two Lease Renewals at Office Plazas in South Orlando and Altamonte Springs totaling 3,827 Square Feet

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated two lease renewal agreements for office space in Altamonte Springs and in South Orlando totaling 3,827 square feet. Tom R. Kelley II, CCIM, principal at NAI Realvest, and associate Chris Adams negotiated both transactions. Florida Investments Unlimited Inc. renewed its lease of 2,400 square feet in Suite 511 of Plaza Central at 6220 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando. QS1 Data Systems renewed its lease of 1,427 square feet in Suite 1012 of Plaza North at 375 Douglas Ave. in Altamonte Springs.

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Lease for Stand-Alone Office Building on East Colonial Drive

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for the 3,905 square foot office building located at 2206 E. Colonial Drive, at the Corner of Hillside Drive in Orlando. Jack W. Lynch, senior broker associate at NAI Realvest negotiated the transaction representing the local landlord, Nguyet Thi Thu Nguyen LLC Nghia Xuong Tran LLC. The new tenant is Orlando-based Coltan Healthcare Management Inc.

Celebration Golf Management offers summer golf and tournament packages starting from $19.95 at six Central Florida Golf Courses

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Management, which owns or operates nine premier Central Florida golf clubs, has introduced special summer group golf and tournament pricing from as low as $19.95 per person from June 1 through Aug. 31 at six of the best-known golf courses in Orlando, Winter Garden, Sorrento, Kissimmee and Clermont. Gene Garrote, president of Celebration Golf Management, LLC said Celebration Golf’s special summer group golf and tournament pricing is available at RedTail Golf Club in Sorrento, Eagle Creek in Southeast Orlando, Stoneybrook West in Winter Garden, Legends and Kings Ridge in Clermont and Stonegate at Solivita in Kissimmee. “We want to make it easier for corporations and civic and community organizations to organize summer golf tournaments or bring their members to play,” Garrote explained. Garrote said the special summer group golf and tournament pricing requires at least 24 players and purchase of a food and beverage package that starts as low at $11.95 per person. Summer group pricing includes golf, carts, range balls and free club rentals and 16 complimentary rounds of golf to be used as door, auction or raffle prizes, Garrote said. Celebration Golf Management’s special summer group golf and tournament pricing ranges from $19.95 at Kings Ridge to $24.95 at Stoneybrook West, Legends Golf and Country Club and Stonegate Golf Club, and $29.95 at RedTail Golf Club and Eagle Creek Golf Club. To book a tournament or group, call Dorothy Benson, senior sales manager Celebration Golf Management, 407-566-1045 x4613 dbenson@cgmgolfproperties.com.

Legends Golf Club in Clermont to Host Second Annual Central Florida Fallen Firefighters Golf Tournament May 11

CLERMONT, Fla. -- Legends Golf Club in Clermont off U.S. 27 five miles south of S.R. 50, will host the Second Annual Central Florida Fallen Firefighters Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 11. Tournament Director Bradley Mattingly said that last year, the Central Florida Fallen Firefighters Golf Tournament---then dubbed the Tri-County Fallen Firefighters Tournament--raised more than $5,000 to support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Mattingly said tournament officials plan to award trophies for first, second and third-place finishers as well as raffle prizes, and prizes for 50/50, longest putt, longest drive and closest to the pin, as well as a Hole in One grand prize. Golf play will get underway with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m., Mattingly said. The $75 tournament registration fee covers golf and the luncheon awards ceremony. To register or to join the growing list of sponsors, visit golf.firehero.org/fl/centralfl/online Jay Scruggs, general manager at Legends Golf Club, said the 18-hole Clifton-Ezell-Clifton-designed Legends Golf Course is in excellent shape this year. With 6,911 yards of challenging golf from the Gold tees, Legends Golf Course offers a par 72, a slope rating of 131 and course rating of 73.

Pulte Homes Model Grand Opening March 23 at Trillium in Brooksville to Showcase New Model Home and Seven New Floor Plans

Brooksville, Fla. --- Pulte Homes will host a model grand opening with complimentary entertainment, food and refreshments on Saturday, March 23 at Trillium from Noon to 2 p.m. located at 449 Trillium Blvd. in Brooksville off County Line Rd. just east of the Suncoast Parkway. Trillium’s model grand opening will showcase Pulte’s new three-bedroom, two-bath Compton model home and seven new distinctive single-family floor plans priced from the $120s. Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for Pulte Homes in the North Florida region, said visitors may tour the Compton model home which offers 1,972 square feet of living space, and boasts a massive 212 square-foot flex room that can be optionally converted to a fourth bedroom and third bath. The Compton floor plan also offers an optional study and the option to extend the garage. Priced from $142,990, the Compton is just one of seven distinctive new three, four, five and six-bedroom floor plans Pulte Homes offers at Trillium that range in size from 1,447 square feet of living space to 3,242 square feet. A resort-style swimming pool with cabanas and a multi-purpose recreation field are among the amenities at Trillium. Visit www.pulte.com/tampa for more information or call 866-889-5460.

Tentara Digital Studios, Theattic.Tv Join Forces to Create Major Entertainment, Branding Solutions

St. Cloud, Fla. --- Tentara Digital Studios, based in St. Cloud, and TheAttic.tv, based at Celebration, have joined forces to create major international entertainment and branding solutions that are seen by millions of viewers worldwide. The next step, according to Ricardo Bernardino, chief executive officer and art director at Tentara Digital Studios, is the presentation of a feature-length fantasy film concept Bernardini has worked on for more than a decade. “Angal Tentara is an action-packed story about a girl from an ancient civilization who is reborn in present times. Surrounded by mysteries, signs, angels and demons, her journey takes her through seven fatal trials that will prove that she is worthy of fulfilling her destiny,” Bernardini said. Bernardini said Tentara and TheAttic.tv are rebranding the Angal Tentara project with a more Hollywood-friendly cinematographic approach that blends real images with hyperrealistic photo compositions to pitch the concept to potential investors, film producers, movie-based networks, and video game creators. “Our alliance with TheAttic.tv is critical to this phase of our production,” Bernardini said. “Their professional network combines all the elements we need to bring together to create this franchise,” he said. Tentara and TheAttic.tv have already joined forces to produce some major achievements, Bernardini said. The two companies created a powerful promotional video for HBO Latin America to introduce Game of Thrones to its Spanish-speaking audience. Tentara Digital Studios also teamed with TheAttic.tv in a Technomedia Production to create a highly sophisticated 3D Building Projection for the Puerto Rico office of tourism at Cuartel de Ballajá, in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. “I have been waiting for digital technology to reach the point where we can produce Angal Tentara on a multi-media platform that will include the video, film and gaming audiences and our alliance with TheAttic.tv gives us that reach,” Bernardini said. “We are hopeful that our strategic partnership will open even more doors in the future,” Bernardini added. Tentara Digital Studios is a client company of the UCF Business Incubation Program in St. Cloud.

NAI Realvest Earns Top Regional, National Ranking for Commercial Real Estate Sales, Leasing in 2012

Maitland, Fla. --- NAI Realvest, one of Central Florida’s most active commercial property leasing and sales companies and one of the region’s top commercial property managers, was recently ranked among the top 10 commercial property companies in the Central Florida area by two independent ratings agencies. The firm earned a spot on the recent CoStar 2012 Top Ten Power Broker list in Central Florida for both leasing and sales, according to Managing Director Robin Webb. CoStar Group, the nation’s leading real estate information company, ranks real estate companies based on transaction volume and dollar value. NAI Realvest Managing Partner Paul Partyka earned a position among the CoStar Top 10 Power brokers in the region for retail property leasing in 2012, Webb said. CoStar ranked NAI Realvest principal Michael Heidrich, Sr. among the Top 10 Industrial leasing brokers. Webb said NAI Global, the network of more than 350 commercial real estate firms around the world, was ranked sixth among U.S. brokerage firms in the recent Lipsey survey of national brokerages. The Lipsey Company annually conducts a survey of the top commercial real estate industry brands.

NAI Realvest completes sale of 7,000 square foot office duplex in Winter Garden for $539,000

ORLANDO, Fla. — NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of a 7,000 square foot office duplex at 526 and 530 S. Main Street in Winter Garden for $539,000. NAI Realvest Principal Michael Heidrich brokered the transaction representing the sellers, Russell and Jane Gay of Oakland, Fla. and the buyer, Elipsis Engineeing & Consulting LLC of Winter Garden.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Completes Design of LA Fitness facility in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently completed design work on a new LA Fitness facility on Lee Vista Blvd. in southeast Orlando. Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the 38,000 square foot facility is now under construction.

Integrity Home Loan may look outside Florida to fill new loan officer positions with executive training and perks

LAKE MARY, Fla. --- Integrity Home Loan training program initial response has been excellent but Florida’s largest privately-owned residential mortgage provider may now look outside Florida to help fill new positions as loan officer. Matt Malloy, president of Integrity Home Loan of Central Florida, Inc., said he’s offering to pay qualified candidates the cost of relocating to Central Florida, subsidize their living expenses, provide an executive training program and offer a first year salary base of $36,000 with potential to double that. Second year earnings at Integrity Home Loan typically pass the $100,000 mark, Malloy said. Integrity ranks as one of the region’s largest and most active mortgage lenders with nine Florida branches including the headquarters in Lake Mary and locations in Coral Springs, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Mich. Malloy opened Integrity’s executive training program last year to turn candidates into qualified loan officers. Malloy said Integrity should hire as many as 30 loan officer candidates this year as it expands existing offices and opens new offices. Many of Integrity’s new executives may come from outside Florida, Malloy said. “We have been very successful at getting the word out in Florida but we are growing and expanding, so our need for energetic, enthusiastic loan offer candidates is growing right along with us,” Malloy said. Last year Integrity Home Loan provided more than 2,400 mortgage loans that total more than $500 million. Malloy projects Integrity will serve up more than 3,200 residential mortgage loans in 2013. In January, Integrity reported it closed on more than 300 mortgage loans that total more than $55 million.

Longtime Central Florida Investment Advisor Projects Gradually Improving Economic Picture despite Congressional Impotence

Maitland, Fla. --- Longtime Central Florida investment advisor George Livingston, chairman of NAI Realvest in Maitland, has a message for economic doomsayers: relax. Things really are getting better. “The economy is expanding and it’s likely to continue to expand during 2013 and for the next several years,” Livingston said. Interest rates will remain low---and wise borrowers will lock in debt---but lenders will be stingier with their capital, requiring developers to put up more equity on capital improvement loans. The government will continue to stimulate the economy with monetary and fiscal policies. The biggest roadblock to economic growth, Livingston said, will be the uncertainty generated by regulation and social engineering. Inflation is likely to increase. Employment will improve, but unemployment will remain above comparable norms. Consumption and investments will increase, as will the number of mergers and acquisitions. The housing market will continue to expand, government spending will remain high, and taxes are likely to increase, Livingston said. Foreign trade will increase as well, and U.S. firms will return offshore operations to America. Moreover, foreign firms will increase their U.S. operations. “America is moving toward energy self-sufficiency, and as a result exports will have a very positive net economic effect,” Livingston said. For investors, warehousing and manufacturing are key sectors for economic growth. On the world front, turmoil will persist in the Middle East and Europe will continue to have economic problems, but Mexico and Canada will see strong economic improvement. “America will do its best not become entangled in foreign conflicts,” Livingston said. And U.S. military strength will decline as a proportion of global military spending. The next big battlefront, Livingston said, is cyberware. “Cyberware is a clear emerging national security and economic threat,” Livingston said. Overall, Livingston said, we should prepare for better days. Our improving economic picture will drive the stock market higher, which in turn will boost equity markets.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Two New Industrial Leases at Commerce Centers in Kissimmee and Longwood

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated two new industrial lease agreements – one in Longwood and one at Poinciana CommerCenter East in Kissimmee. Michael Heidrich Sr., principal at NAI Realvest brokered both transactions on behalf of the landlords. At 1205 Sarah St. off SR 427 in Longwood, Heidrich negotiated a new lease of 17,120 square feet with Florida Marking Products, member of The Kennedy Group, Inc., manufacturers of advertising specialty items, label and packaging solutions and front-page advertising products for newspapers. The Willoughby, Ohio-based tenant was represented by K.C. Tenukas of CLW Real Estate Services. The landlord is Industrial Property Partners Inc. of Coral Springs, Fla. At Poinciana CommerCenter East, 1743 Business Center Lane in Kissimmee, Heidrich negotiated a lease of 2,700 square feet on behalf of landlord, Small Bay Partners LLC of Maitland. The new local tenant is Hollywood Md.-based Potomac Distributing, LLC.

DiVosta Homes’ Marc Semach is Pulte Group’s Leading Sales Consultant in South Florida for February

Fort Myers, Fla. --- Marc Semach, a DiVosta Homes Sales Consultant at VillageWalk of Bonita Springs, was named PulteGroup’s leading sales associate in its south Florida division for the month of February. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for the South Florida Division of Pulte Group, said Semach joined DiVosta Homes eight years ago. The Michigan native attended Eastern Michigan University where he majored in Communications and minored in Literature. Marin said Semach sold more homes in February than any other PulteGroup sales consultant including Pulte Homes, Centex, DiVosta Homes and Del Webb in more than 20 communities in south Florida. “Marc demonstrates the characteristics – such as customer service, integrity and market knowledge – that make him a standout professional,” Mairn said. DiVosta Homes builds town homes and single-family homes at VillageWalk of Bonita Springs that range in size from 1,392 square feet of living space to 2,488 square feet priced from $188,990 to $316,490.

DiVosta Homes to Host Models, Music and Margaritas Celebration March 23 at VillageWalk of Bonita Springs, VeronaWalk in Naples

NAPLES, Fla. --- DiVosta Homes will host a models, music and margaritas celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at VillageWalk of Bonita Springs, 28025 Umiak Court in Bonita Springs and VeronaWalk in Naples, 7676 Collier Blvd. in Naples. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for the South Florida Division of DiVosta Homes, said admission to both events is free and the public is invited to tour five decorated models at each community with live music and margaritas included in the refreshments. Marin said guests at VillageWalk of Bonita Springs are invited to take a “dusty shoe” behind-the-scenes tour at two new model homes under construction now. The Cambridge model home, priced from $306,990, offers 2,384 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, three baths, a den or optional fourth bedroom, and a gourmet kitchen that opens onto a private nook and an enormous 338 square foot great room. The Willow Bend model home, with two bedrooms, two baths and a den in a smart 1,927 square feet of living space, offers a two-car garage, an optional front patio just outside the breakfast nook and an optional kitchen island, all starting from $258,990. Mairn said DiVosta Homes is also offering the Willow Bend and Cambridge floor plans at VeronaWalk in Naples.

Pulte Homes to host Grand Opening March 23 to showcase Catalina model town home at Provence Bay in Vero Beach

Vero Beach, Fla. --- Pulte Homes will host a grand opening Saturday, March 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. to showcase the Catalina model town home at Provence Bay, located on Normandie Way overlooking the Indian River Aquatic Reserve off Indian River Blvd., south of 17th Street in Vero Beach. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for the South Florida Division of Pulte, said admission free and the visitors will enjoy live music and refreshments at the event located in the Catalina model. The Catalina model, priced from $150,000, offers three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths in 1,836 square feet of living space. Special features include an optional den, optional second owner’s suite and an upstairs laundry area. Marin said visitors will also be invited to tour two move-in ready town homes at Provence Bay – the Avalon floor plan with two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths in 1,312 square feet of living space priced from $119,999, and the Biscayne, priced from $126,000 offering 1,469 square feet of living space with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects awarded contract to design Leslie’s Poolmart Stores

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, were recently awarded contracts to design two Leslie’s Poolmart stores. Both stores are larger than usual, with approximately 7,000 square feet each. Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said one of the stores is in Casselberry and the other one is in Savannah, Ga.

University of Central Florida Business Incubator at Daytona Beach International Airport to Host Business Plan Boot Camp

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Phaedra Lee, a client of the Volusia County--University of Central Florida Business Incubator at Daytona Beach International Airport was excited when she learned from Incubator Site Manager Connie Bernal of the three-day Business Plan Boot Camp the incubator is presenting March 19-21. And, her excitement grew when she heard who would be speaking. As the co-owner of Fusion Fitness Designs – a fitness and strength-training equipment manufacturer – Lee has a special interest in lectures by Dr. Brent Fulton, a sports medicine doctor, and his father, Dr. Michael Fulton, an orthopedic surgeon. "We're really excited to be a part of the boot camp and about working with Dr. Fulton, as he has a lot of experience in our industry," said Lee. "Connie has done a great job of bringing well-qualified people together to help us get our business plans even more solidified," she added. The Fultons will talk about how the mind and body work together to heal patients, as they host part of the Boot Camp at their Green Acres Habitat for Human Growth and Performance center in Daytona Beach. “We are so fortunate to have the Fultons help us present and host this event,” said Bernal. “These doctors have been in Volusia County for 35 years and they are experts in helping people achieve success through a clear mind and a healthy body. We can’t thank them enough for their generosity.” Nancy Fulton, office administrator of Medical Exercise Associates at the Green Acres campus, said the boot camp is something her husband, Michael, and sons, Brent and Chris, have been looking to do for a while at their 40-acre facility. “When Connie mentioned that she was going to do this, we said immediately that we wanted to be a part of it,” she said. “My son, Brent, was in special ops when he got out of the Naval Academy and he’s always been interested in having a boot camp here for all ages. So, this will just jump start our plans.” Fulton said two employees will get “down and dirty” as they act as tough drill instructors and put the business clients through the paces, including a run through their wooded property. Afterward, participants will be attending the daily lectures, where they’ll learn about goal setting, teambuilding, working together and making good business decisions. Bernal said the boot camp is designed to “get tough on business” by helping the clients complete their business plans in three days. “It’s a time for them to work on their business, not in their business.” The boot camp, which will include breakfast and business plan software, will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The first day’s topic will be “From the Battlefield to the Business Plan” followed by “Marketing and Sales Strategies” on day two, and “Is Franchising Right for Your Business?” on the final day. “We’ve invited several speakers who are at the top of their respective fields,” Bernal said. “That’s because we want our entrepreneurs to learn from the best, so they can become the best.” In addition to talks the two doctors will give for incubator clients, four additional speakers will hold sessions that are open to the public. They are: Michael Waldrop is a U.S. Army Captain and combat wounded veteran who founded Blue Cord Design and Construction – a service/disabled veteran-owned small business – after he returned home from Afghanistan. He will talk about the importance of business discipline and dealing with adversity. Eric Shulman, founder of Sandler Training in Altamonte Springs, will coach attendees on why sales people fail, and how to fix it. Shulman began working in a family retail business at the age of 13 and started his own direct-marketing firm when he was 29. He opened the training center in 2003 and now coaches more than 100 professional salespeople each week. Derek D. Hudson, a certified business analyst and procurement specialist at UCF, will talk about market diversity and how to determine a target market. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Hudson has managed multiple small business units and worked as a strategic communications and public relations consultant to several government agencies. Marshall Reddy, president of Jacksonville-based Franchise Network, will ask attendees if franchising is right for their business, and explain some common misconceptions of franchising. With more than 22 years of business ownership, and sales, marketing and consulting experience, Reddy has helped thousands of entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. The boot camp sessions are designed for the center’s current 12 clients, but, Bernal said the individual talks by the speakers will be free and open to the public. Seating is limited and reservations can be made by contacting Arlene Wilson Arlene.wilson@ucf.edu or at 386/872-3100. The incubator – a partnership between UCF, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council – is designed to help start-up companies as well as established businesses. The businesses who rent space at the Daytona Beach International Airport location receive assistance in the form of mentoring and coaching; educational programs; marketing and public relations; access to seminars; networking with peers; inexpensive office space with shared reception, conference rooms, office equipment and support services; as well as paid memberships in a number of organizations.

Pulte Homes Grand Opening to Showcase Three Professionally Decorated Model Homes at Bridgetown in Fort Myers

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Pulte Homes will host a grand opening from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, to showcase three professionally decorated model homes at Bridgetown, located off Treeline Avenue between Daniels Parkway and Colonial Blvd. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for the South Florida Division of Pulte Group, said admission to the event is free and visitors will enjoy live music and refreshments in the homebuilder’s new Bridgetown Sales Center at 10889 Rutherford Rd., Fort Myers, FL 33913. The two-story Evanston II model, priced from $374,490 with four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths in 3,532 square feet, features a first-floor owner’s suite with a huge walk-in closet and an upstairs game room that can serve as a fifth bedroom. The two-story Vernon II Loft , base-priced from $305,490, offers four bedrooms and three baths in 2,629 square feet of living space with a first-floor owner’s suite, a den and a loft. The Bedford II model is a single-story attached villa with 1,554 square feet of living space that offers two bedrooms and two baths along with a den, which can serve as an optional third bedroom, and an island kitchen.

Pastry Chef and Editing Specialist Joins Staff of Venice-based Omega3 Innovations

VENICE, FL. – Carol Urofsky an award-winning pastry chef with a secondary career in proofreading, recently joined Omega3 Innovations as Product Manager. Urofsky – who has worked as an editor and proofreader in Florida and New Hampshire – also has held positions as pastry chef, and culinary classroom instructor in New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Munich, Germany. She owned her own retail pastry and confection business for several years in Rhode Island, according to Dr. Anne-Marie Chalmers, co-founder of the Venice-based bio-tech company that creates heart-healthy, fish oil- and soluble oat fiber-based cookies and chocolates. We are very happy to have Carol join us,” Chalmers said. “She brings to us a wealth of experience in baking and marketing. Urofsky graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Temple University in Philadelphia, and has an associate’s degree in occupational science/baking and pastry from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, R.I. In her spare time she enjoys running and is also involved with competitive swimming. In her new position at Omega3 Innovations, she will be responsible for production of several new products like the Omega Heaven™ and Omega Passion™, Chalmers said.

Dicapta Earns Schedule 738-II Contract from U.S. General Services Administration

Winter Springs, Fla. -- Dicapta, a U.S. leading provider of Spanish-language captioning and video descriptions for educational media for blind and hearing-impaired students, was recently awarded a U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule 738-II Contract for Language Services, to provide compliant closed-captioning of digital video to federal agencies. Maria Diaz, president and chief executive officer of Dicapta, said the GSA Schedule 738-II contract significantly broadens the market of government customers Dicapta can serve. “Dicapta already provides captioning and video descriptions to federal, state and local government agencies that purchase services outside the GSA Schedule 738-II protocol,” Diaz said. “Now that we are a registered GSA vendor, we can serve government customers for whom the GSA Schedule 738-II contract simplifies the procurement process,” Diaz explained. Diaz appointed Elizabeth Jaramillo, Marketing Communications Manager at Dicapta, as liaison between Dicapta and its GSA Schedule 738-II clients. “Dicapta, a certified minority business since 2009, has an established track record providing high quality, complete and accurate media accessibility at competitive rates, both through the GSA schedule as well as to our clients in the private sector,” Jaramillo said. Captioning of digital video content is required of many agencies to meet federal mandates for media accessibility by blind and hearing-impaired persons. Federal Communications Commission regulations and the recent 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act requires broadcasters to caption much of their fare as well, Jaramillo said. Dicapta also provides real-time captioning in Spanish. Dicapta’s clients include Harpo Productions/The Oprah Winfrey Show, PBS, Univision, V-me, HITN, and MGM Latino. Dicapta also provides services for the Library of Congress and the United States Department of Education. “Complete and accurate closed captions are requirements for thousands of video publishers, who must satisfy state and federal mandates for content accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing audiences,” Diaz said. “Producers also incorporate captions to make videos searchable, and to improve viewer comprehension. Captioned text reinforces learning and allows text search for easy back-reference and review, an important training benefit for companies serving multilingual customers. Caption files also provide a ready source for foreign language translation,” Diaz said. For more information about Dicapta’s services both in the commercial sector as well as through the GSA contract, please contact Elizabeth Jaramillo at 407-389-0712 or at ejaramillo@dicapta.com. Dicapta is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program located at 1511 E. S.R. 434 in Winter Springs.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects awarded contracts to design retail space at Mills Park Center in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park was recently awarded a contract to design the retail section of the Mills Park Center at Mills and Virginia Avenues in Orlando. Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson, said the retail section of the Mills Park project totals 40,000 square feet including an 18,000 square foot Fresh Market grocery store.

Lennar Opens New Phase at Concord Station in Land O'Lakes with 107 Home Sites

TAMPA, Fla. – Lennar’s Central Florida division has opened Phase 3 at Concord Station on SR 54 two miles east of Suncoast Parkway in Land O’Lakes in Pasco County. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida division, said 107 homesites are available in the new phase for single family homes, including Lennar’s new NextGen® homes, ranging from 1,900 square feet of living space to 3,800 square feet and priced from the low $200s. Lennar’s new NextGen® floor plans offer a home within a home--a complete separate living suite with eat-in kitchenette, living room, bedroom with walk-in closet, private bath and private entrance to accommodate multi-generational families. Metheny said all new Lennar built homes at Concord Station come with Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” pledge: a wide range of appliances, special features and add-ons at one “everything’s included” price. Lennar’s Central Florida division builds single family homes, town homes, active adult homes and new NextGen® homes in five Tampa Bay area communities including parts of Pasco County. For more information, visit www.Lennar.com or call 888-317-7489 and visit the Welcome Home Center Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Lennar to Unveil New North Pointe Community near Lake Nona before Summer, to complete First Model Home in mid-April

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division, which builds town homes, single-family homes, vacation homes, active adult homes and the new NextGen® homes for multi-generational families in 22 Orlando-area communities, plans to open North Pointe, its newest community off Boggy Creek Rd. near Lake Nona in May. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said the home builder will soon start construction of the first model home at North Pointe. Lennar will complete the four-bedroom, 2,267 square foot Kennedy model home at North Pointe in mid-April, Metheny said. The Kennedy model design will also have three baths and a three-car garage. Lennar plans to build single-family homes with from four to seven bedrooms including Lennar’s NextGen® homes that range in size from 2,200 square feet of living space to 4,000 square feet on 60' and 80' homesites at North Pointe. Lennar’s NextGen® homes are designed to accommodate families that may include elderly grandparents or adult children with their own children, Metheny said. “NextGen homes feature a home within a home to give both generations privacy and autonomy,” Metheny explained. Visit www.Lennar.com.

LAW FIRM GETS BACK TO ITS ROOTS BY SPONSORING MOTORCYCLE RIDERS IN DAYTONA BEACH COMPETITION

DAYTONA BEACH – You’ve probably heard the Rue, Ziffra and Caldwell name on television, radio and by word of mouth throughout Central Florida, and know that it’s synonymous with motorcycles. And, if you attend next week’s races at the Daytona Beach International Speedway, you can even see the popular name splashed across two motorcycles the firm is sponsoring. It’s just a way for the firm to “get back to its roots,” according to founder John D. Rue, a motorcycle aficionado who was recognized in the early ‘80s as “the motorcycle attorney” not only because he represented motorcycle riders in accident cases, but because he also rode motorcycles. “Back then, I was developing a motorcycle community here,” he said. “I felt that bikers had a bad image and by promoting racing as a sport it became a family thing. It was more of a safety issue then, and I just wanted people to know that motorcycle riders had the right to be on the road, too.” Next week – during the 110th anniversary of Harley-Davidson – the Port Orange-based personal-injury firm will sponsor the #77 bike driven by 19-year-old Eric Stump of OPR Level 10 Racing in the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series on March 15. The following day they will sponsor the #37 bike driven by 49-year-old John Ashmead of Peter Brady Racing and OPR Level 10 Racing in the 72nd Daytona 200 AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike races. Rue, who created John D. Rue Racing in the ‘80s, said the firm was so involved in motorcycle racing back then that he and a few others went to Japan to race some experimental bikes named Suzukis. “We actually brought Suzukis back to Daytona Beach for racing,” he said. One rider who accompanied Rue to Japan was Paul Schwemmer, who later was sponsored by the firm for more than a dozen years when he raced in the Daytona 200 in the ‘80s and ‘90s. The two eventually drifted apart after Rue became interested in racing cars in New Smyrna Beach. “We reconnected a few years ago,” Rue said. “Paul called me, we talked about the old days and he said he was getting back into racing with his OPR Level 10 Racing team.” Rue said he and the firm’s other partners decided to sponsor Schwimmer’s company once again to see if either up-and-coming Eric Stump from New Jersey or John Ashmead, a Palm City resident who won the Daytona 200 in 1989 and will celebrate his 30th Daytona 200 start this year, will bring home the biggest trophy. Schwemmer said working with John Rue again has been “like old home week.” “It’s great to have John back with us, especially for the 110th anniversary of Harley-Davidson,” he said. “We’re all just tickled to death to have him back on board with us and because of that, and our talented riders, we have good expectations this year.” Rue agrees and says he’s looking forward to seeing Schwemmer’s team do well. “It will be very nostalgic for me to go back and watch the motorcycle races again,” he said, adding that both riders are very well qualified. “We mainly want to give Paul’s team – a local racing company – another chance to compete, and to continue promoting motorcycle safety through the racing industry; a group of people who are very generous and very loyal.”

UCF Business Incubation Program Named Finalist for International Award

ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program has been named a finalist for the National Business Incubation Association’s 2013 Incubator Network of the Year award. This is the first year for this new award category. The winner of the prestigious award will be announced April 9 at NBIA’s 27th International Conference on Business Incubation in Boston. Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program made the announcement. The mission of the UCF Business Incubation Program, a university-driven community partnership that includes nine business incubators in Central Florida, is to provide early-stage companies with the enabling tools, training and infrastructure to create financially stable, high-growth enterprises leading to positive economic impact within local communities. Business incubation programs like those in the UCF Business Incubation Program’s network catalyze the process of starting and growing companies by providing entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools they need to make their ventures successful. NBIA estimates that in 2011 alone, North American incubators assisted about 49,000 start-up companies that provided full-time employment for nearly 200,000 workers and generated annual revenue of almost $15 billion. Approximately 7,000 business incubators operate worldwide. The National Business Incubation Association is the world's leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. Each year, the NBIA Incubation Awards honor the business incubation programs, graduates and client companies that exemplify the best of the industry.

CEO Nexus, Rollins College CFAE to Host Priceline.com Co-Founder Jeff Hoffman at Forum March 13

WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship and CEO Nexus, which works with public and private enterprises to encourage and accelerate second-stage growth, will host Priceline.com co-founder Jeff Hoffman at its next CEO Nexus Forum Wednesday, March 13. Steve Quello, president of CEO Nexus, said the Forum will begin at 6 p.m. for area CEOs and corporate principals invited to attend and registered at info@CEONexus.com. Hoffman, who was twice named one of the 25 Most Influential Executives in Travel and Tourism Worldwide, is an accomplished entrepreneur and innovator in the fields of Internet, e-commerce, and entertainment. He launched his first software company while still a student at Yale University. Best known as co-founder and CEO in the Priceline.com family of companies, Hoffman led the development and launch of Priceline YardSale. “Jeff Hoffman has established residence on the heights we work so hard to enable entrepreneurs to achieve,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute. “We expect his presentation at this CEO Forum will be interesting, informative and stimulating.” Hoffman writes a regular column on innovation and entrepreneurship for Inc. magazine, between work assignments with the White House, the Executive Office of the President, the U.S. State Department, and U.S. Department of Commerce to support worldwide business and economic growth initiatives. Hoffman is a leading U.S. proponent of Economic Gardening initiatives as co-founder and partner in ColorJar, LLC, the Idea Accelerator company that helps entrepreneurs and small business owners launch and grow new business ventures. He also serves as Chief Innovation Fellow for the Cleveland Clinic.

Park Square Homes Names Gene Marcoux Purchasing Agent

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Park Square Homes has named Eugene (Gene) Marcoux purchasing agent. Anthony Rouhana, sales and marketing coordinator at Park Square Homes, said Marcoux has more than 27 years of experience in the industry. He started his construction career following service in the U.S. Navy at Cecil Field in Jacksonville. He managed purchasing for homebuilders including Lennar and Engle in the Jacksonville area and he was most recently production manager for 84 Lumber Company in Sanford. Marcoux consistently pursued his education and graduated Magna Cum Laude with dual major in Corporate Finance and Economics from University of North Florida, and he is currently pursuing an MBA in Quantitative Analysis and a graduate certificate in Operations and Supply Chain Management from Southern New Hampshire University.

GI Money Launches New, Improved Web Portal to Help Veterans Manage Career Transitions, Family, Personal Finances

Kissimmee, Fla. --- GI Money Magazine, the Kissimmee multi-media company that focuses on helping military veterans and their families manage career transitions, personal and family finances and investments, has launched a new and substantially improved web portal at gimoney.com. Javier Rodriguez, founder and editor of GI Money Magazine, said the redesigned web portal offers a host of new features that are compatible with smart phones and tablets. “The new web portal offers significantly enhanced functionality and encourages site visitors to explore all the services we offer through informative feature content, profiles, access to military blogger communities and our e-magazine, among others,” Rodriguez said. “Our new site design provides 24-hour access to a growing collection of career transition and financial resources and information to support our service members and military families,” he explained. “Our goal is to become the trusted digital hub for military veterans to connect online veteran communities and resources,” he added. Rodriguez said more changes are in the works at gimoney.com. “Over the next 90-120 days we will deploy additional enhancements that combine social media and traditional marketing strategies to better connect our audience with unique opportunities and benefits,” Rodriguez said. GI Money is a client company of the UCF Business Incubation Program, located at the Kissimmee incubator.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects completes design work on Redevelopment of Publix supermarket in Longwood

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Baldwin Park, recently completed design work for redevelopment of the Publix supermarket on Wekiva Springs Road off SR 434 in Longwood. Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson, said the redevelopment project totals 45,000 square feet. Construction is slated to be completed late this year.

NAI Realvest Professionals Take Home Four Major Awards at Annual NAIOP Best of the Best Awards Gala

MAITLAND, Fla. --- NAI Realvest in Maitland scored four major awards in the recent Best of the Best Awards Gala by the Central Florida chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), the leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in commercial real estate. In the Land Broker of the Year category, NAI Realvest Principal Thomas Hankins was awarded Second Place for closing on two land transactions that totaled 72.35 acres valued at more than $6,600,000 million. NAI Realvest Associate Chris Butera was awarded Third Place in the same category. Butera closed on five land transactions that totaled 184.21 acres valued at more than $2,429,500 million. In the Retail Broker of the Year category, NAI Realvest Principals Kevin O’Connor and Matt Cichocki, were awarded Third Place for their transactions, which totaled 30,492 square feet of retail space valued at more than $16,524,211 million. NAI Realvest Managing Director Robin Webb said commercial real estate is rebounding across the region and NAI Realvest is playing a big role in the comeback. “The economic downturn has particularly affected the commercial real estate industry but many sectors are bouncing back strong. We expect to see big increases in the volume of transactions and dollar values through the remainder of this year and well into next year,” Webb said.

Cuhaci & Peterson Complete Design Work on Two Restaurants at Atlanta International Airport

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, Engineers, Planners based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently completed design work on two restaurants at Atlanta International Airport. Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson said the restaurants – Ruby Tuesday’s and Longhorn Steakhouse – are 3,000 square feet each. The developer of each restaurant is HMS Host.

Bellevue Model Home at Plantation Bay is 2013 Volusia Parade of Homes Showcase Home

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. --- ICI Homes is adding finishing touches to the Bellevue model home at Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club in Ormond Beach for a starring role as the Showcase Home during the Volusia Building Industry Association’s 2013 Parade of Homes March 16-24. Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes, said the three- bedroom, three-bath, Bellevue model home weighs in at 5,691 square feet under roof including the enormous second floor loft, and will provide lots of buzz for the estimated 5,000 guests expected to tour this year’s “latest-greatest idea home” during the parade season. “A showcase home represents the very best a builder has to offer and gives us the chance to show off an amazing new floor plan, latest design trends and the most up to date energy efficient engineering,” said Messina. With a base price of $382,900 for the home only, the Bellevue model home is a case study of ICI Homes’ “smaller, smarter” luxury home design ‒ richly appointed with upscale finishes, soaring ceilings, long views and big spaces for family and friends. With almost 4,200 square feet of air conditioned space, the Bellevue has plenty of room for the whole family downstairs and boasts a grand loft space and balcony on the second floor that can serve as a mega-game room, live-in guest suite or professional studio; all with breathtaking views of the seventh fairway of the Westlake Golf Course and conservation area beyond. The Bellevue’s stylish, center-island kitchen adjoins the great room, wide dining nook, and open formal dining area. A covered lanai complete with pool, spa, summer kitchen, fireplace and flat screen TV completes the public spaces that together total more than 1,000 square feet for casual family get-togethers or entertaining on a grand scale. The Bellevue features an elegant owners’ suite with enormous bath salon with its own fitness space, Roman style walk in shower, hydro-spa soak tub and custom his and hers closets. A two-car side entry garage that faces a separate golf cart garage affords ample room for family vehicles and hobby equipment. The “Bellevue” will be open to the public during the VBIA Parade of Homes from Saturday, March 16 through Sunday, March 24. For more information and directions, go to ICIHomes.com/Showcase.

Centex Grand Opening March 9 at Fisher’s Landing at Riverwood to Showcase New Three-Bedroom Vanderbilt Model Home

Port Charlotte, Fla. -- Centex will host a Grand Opening from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 9, to showcase the new Vanderbilt model home at Fisher’s Landing at Riverwood, the master-planned community overlooking the Myakka River west of SR 776 in Port Charlotte. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for the South Florida Division of Centex, said admission to the grand opening event is free and the public is invited to enjoy live music and refreshments. Mairn said the three-bedroom, two-bath Vanderbilt model home offers 1,911 square feet of living space with a den and a two-car garage priced from the $230s. Centex plans to build 70 single-family homes at Fisher’s Landing at Riverwood. New two, three and four-bedroom homes at Fisher’s Landing at Riverwood range in size from 1,557 square feet of living space to 3,193 square feet. Mairn said new homes at Fisher’s Landing at Riverwood are priced from $155,990 to $360,990. Altogether, Riverwood includes more than 1,300 home sites. The gated resort-style master planned community, which opened in 1992, is 95 percent completed, and features an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Gene Bates, a private beach club with bar and grille, heated junior Olympic sized swimming pool, spa, Tiki bar, six Har-Tru tennis courts, three bocce ball courts, two horseshoe pits, fitness center, golf pro shop, billiards, library, arts and crafts room, dance floor and performance stage, dog park, tot lot, walking and biking trails and onsite boat and RV storage.

Del Webb Naples to Host Mardi Gras Celebration March 9

NAPLES, Fla. -- Del Webb Naples, the popular active adult community located on Anthem Parkway in Ave Maria will host a Mardi Gras celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, in the new Oasis Club. Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for Del Webb in south Florida, said admission to Mardi Gras is free and the public is invited for live jazz, plenty of refreshments and a host of exciting street performers including stilt walkers and jugglers. Mairn said participants will be invited to tour seven decorated model homes at Del Webb Naples and all the amenities at the new Oasis Club. Del Webb builds two and three-bedroom single-family homes at Del Webb Naples that range in size from 1,157 square feet of living space to 2,488 square feet priced from $157,490. The Del Webb Naples Oasis Club boasts a resort-style swimming pool, dedicated lap pool, a spa, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, pickleball courts, an amphitheatre, state-of-the-art fitness center, a café, library, and a catering kitchen, along with an aerobics room, sauna and steam rooms, fire pit, and activity and craft rooms. Visit www.delwebb.com

Lennar Names Kaidy Jimenez Marketing Manager for Central Florida Division in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division has named Kaidy Jimenez, marketing manager for the Tampa office. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said Jimenez, a recent graduate of Connecticut State College, has experience in marketing and public relations.

MERITAGE HOMES APPOINTS CAROL PENNY REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT OF PURCHASING

ORLANDO / TAMPA, Fla. -- Meritage Homes, a Top 10 U.S. home builder with communities in 17 markets in the U.S., recently appointed Carol Penny regional vice president of purchasing. Brian Kittle, vice president of Meritage Homes in Orlando, said Penny graduated from Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, and has more than 24 years of experience as a finance and purchasing executive. In her new position, Penny will be responsible for costing and purchasing materials and services in the Orlando and Tampa markets, Kittle said. “Carol Penny has enormous experience and a tremendous eye for detail,” Kittle said. “She is a critical executive and she will undoubtedly play a major role in our continued growth in the Orlando and Tampa Bay regions,” Kittle said. Meritage Homes builds single-family homes and luxury homes priced from under $200,000 to more than $400,000 in 18 communities in the Orlando area and six communities in the Tampa Bay area.

Avex Homes Names Internet Home Sales Expert Laura Gahan as Sales Associate for Avalon Park West in Wesley Chapel

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. --- Avex Homes, the Orlando based homebuilder with single family homes underway at Avalon Park West on SR 54 in Wesley Chapel, has named internet home sales expert Laura Gahan sales associate for Cypress Village at Avalon Park West. Stephanie Hodson, vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group including Avex Homes, said Gahan is a graduate of Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Ill. and earned her real estate license in 2004. Gahan recently established the Online Concierge Program for Neal Communities in Sarasota, where she not only developed the system, guidelines and tools for Internet home sales but trained additional Internet Concierge staff. Hosdon said Gahan has more than 10 years of experience in real estate home sales. Avex Homes is building 342 single-family homes at Cypress Village at Avalon Park West priced from the $160s.

POWER PROMISE ORGANIZATION’S CHIQUITA COLLINS RECEIVES FLORIDA JUVENILE JUSTICE ASSOCIATION PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

--- Student standout survived foster homes to earn straight A’s at UCF, now devoted to mentoring teen girls SANFORD, Fla., -- Chiquita Collins, an outstanding student and Youth Mentor and Program Facilitator with the Power Promise Organization in Sanford, has earned the Florida Juvenile Justice Association’s 2013 Public Service Award. Ursula James, Vice President and Program Director of the Power Promise Organization, said Collins, a UCF student, was honored recently before 400 or more expected participants at the Florida Juvenile Justice Association’s 18th Annual Adolescent Conference at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center, located at 1500 Sand Lake Rd. in Orlando at the Florida Mall. “Chiquita Collins will be honored for participating in community initiatives that educate and foster understanding of issues that at-risk youth face each day,” James explained. Collins has survived a broken home and foster care facilities to turn her own personal tragedy into triumph. "It is our goal at the Power Promise organization to empower today's youth to know that they have the power to succeed regardless of their environment. Chiquita has not only helped us with this mission, she has embodied it! She grew up in foster homes, separated from siblings and statistically expected to fail, yet she had the power to triumph and the heart to teach others! We are blessed to have Chiquita on our team, she has selflessly lead our quest to empower our youth,” said Tekoa Pouerie, President of Power Promise. “Chiquita Collins has devoted her spare time to mentoring teen girls who live in at-risk environments, including some who can personally relate to her background in foster care,” James said. Collins currently mentors at-risk girls at four Orange County Public Schools. She has mentored more than 100 young girls aged 11-18 to help shape their behavior and attitudes to become powerful citizens of their community, James said. “Not only has Ms. Collins excelled within the Power Promise Organization, she is also a stellar student with a 4.0 GPA at the University of Central Florida, and she is the first person in her family to ever attend college,” James said. The Power Promise Organization was established in 2008 to serve schools, equip parents, impact students, and inspire women to help Central Florida communities achieve a brighter future. Power Promise is a member of the UCF Business Incubation Program in Sanford.

Ryland Homes Promotes Kim Nedeau to Vice President of Purchasing in the Tampa Bay Region

Tampa, Fla. --- Ryland Homes has promoted Kim Nedeau to vice president of purchasing in the Tampa Bay region. Joe Fontana, president of Ryland Homes in Tampa, said Nedeau joined Ryland Homes 11 years ago. She was formerly purchasing manager in the Tampa division. She earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida and is currently working on her law degree at Stetson University. “Kim Nedeau is one of the brightest young executives in the home building industry and she has played a key role in Ryland Homes’ success in the Tampa Bay region,” Fontana said. “We expect she will play an even bigger role in her new position,” Fontana added. For more information please go to www.ryland.com/tampa.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Industrial Lease Renewals Totaling More than 31,000 square feet in Southeast Orlando and Lake Mary

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated two renewal leases for industrial space totaling 31,300 square feet in southeast Orlando and Lake Mary. Michael Heidrich, principal at NAI Realvest, brokered both transactions representing the landlords. John H. Talton Enterprises, Inc. of Vidalia, Ga. is the landlord at 600 Technology Park Drive in Lake Mary, where Ocala-based Digital Juice, Inc. renewed its lease of suites 104 and 112 with 19,300 square feet. Heidrich represented the landlord Airport Investment Properties LLC of Columbus, Ohio in the renewal lease agreement with local tenant Reflex Gymnastix, Inc. who renewed its lease of Units 200-A through 200-D with 12,000 square feet at 7466 Narcoossee Rd. in the Airport Industrial Center.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Retail Property Sale in Leesburg for a new Subway Restaurant

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently completed the sale of a 1,665 square foot retail building and its 0.55-acre site at 1320 S. 14th Street in Leesburg for $287,500. NAI Realvest principals Kevin O'Connor and Matt Cichocki negotiated the transaction on behalf of the Orlando-based seller, Fairwinds Credit Union who foreclosed on the property. The Worthington Group of Fruitland Park, Fla. is the buyer who intends to convert the former auto sales building into a stand-alone Subway restaurant.

Royal Oak Homes Captures First Place in Lake County Parade of Homes in $300,000 Plus Category

ORLANDO, Fla. – Royal Oak Homes based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, took first place honors in the Lake County Parade of Homes recently for its Hawthorne model home at Hammock Reserve on Hammock Ridge Rd. in Clermont. Stephen Orosz, co-president and vice president of finance for the homebuilder, said Royal Oak’s Hawthorne model took first place in the competition for homes priced from $300,000 to $350,000. The two-story Hawthorne design offers four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, optional fifth bedroom, downstairs master suite, formal living and dining rooms, a den, open concept kitchen and nook facing huge family room in 3,542 square feet of living space plus a covered lanai and three-car garage. The home is priced from $325,000 Orosz said.

Del Webb Ponte Vedra and its Garden Club to Host Grand Opening of New Central Park Resident Garden Expansion – Event Scheduled For March 23

Ponte Vedra, Fla. --- Del Webb Ponte Vedra and its Garden Club will host a grand opening with live entertainment, a farmer’s market, demonstrations and tours of a butterfly garden and a Florida-friendly garden to showcase the community’s new Central Park Resident Garden Expansion at 124 Del Webb Parkway in Ponte Vedra. Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for Del Webb in North Florida, said the event is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Admission to the event is free and the public is invited, Strickler said. “The Garden Club has really put their hearts into the Resident Garden expansion at Del Webb Ponte Vedra so that all residents can utilize individual sections to grow their own fruits and vegetables year round,” Strickler said. Scheduled entertainment at the grand opening event includes tours of a Florida friendly gardening section with gardening tips from Yard Transformers, a butterfly garden created by the Del Webb Ponte Vedra Garden Club, gardening tips from a St. John's County Master Gardener, a fresh produce vendor, Florist Jackie Lacey, Jammin' Jellies, a local honey and jelly producer, birdhouses for sale that were made by the Garden Club, orchids expert Net Satayavinit, TPC Sawgrass will be onsite hosting a putting contest and demonstrations by Albion Golf Carts. Plenty of garden food will be featured for guests. Del Webb Ponte Vedra offers 16 one and two-story floor plan options that range in size from 1,157 square feet of living area to 2,885 square feet priced from the $180s. Other amenities at Del Webb Ponte Vedra include the multi million dollar Anastasia Club with tennis courts, pickle ball and bocce ball courts, clubhouse, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, six miles of nature trails, and a Welcome Center.

Avalon Park Partnership with Swiss Real Estate Investment Group to start development of four story apartment building

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Avalon Park in East Orlando is about to get a third downtown apartment building. Stephanie Hodson, vice president of marketing at Avalon Park Group, developers of Avalon Park, said a partnership with sitEX Properties AG, a Swiss real estate investment company headquartered in Basel, will start construction of the Avalon Park Town Center III building within the next 90 days. Hodson said 95 rental apartments are planned in the four story building that totals 100,000 square feet of living space. “sitEX and Avalon Park Group have several partnerships both in the U.S. and Switzerland,” Hodson said.

ICI Homes Has Five-Bedroom Luxury Model Home Underway at Grand Hampton in New Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. -- ICI Homes, which ranks as one of the largest and most active luxury community developers in Florida, are nearing completion of a five-bedroom model home at Grand Hampton, the gated, master-planned luxury community located in New Tampa between Bruce B. Downs Blvd. and I-75 just south of E. County Line Road. Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing at ICI Homes, said the two-story home which will be ready by early March is ICI’s Teramo floor plan designed for a large family with 3,927 square feet of living space, and comes with a three-car garage. This home is available for purchase at $569,943. Downstairs, the Teramo features a sweeping foyer, a large dining area that flows into a sun-filled casual gathering area, a huge kitchen, and a downstairs owners’ suite. Upstairs offers four large bedrooms and two full baths with a game room, Messina said. ICI Homes has 22 home sites remaining at Grand Hampton where residents enjoy a community clubhouse and swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts and children’s playground.

ICI Homes to showcase Teramo model home at Grand Hampton during Tampa Bay Parade of Homes March 2 through March 17

TAMPA, Fla. -- ICI Homes, which ranks as one of the largest and most active luxury community developers and home builders, will showcase its Teramo luxury model home during the Tampa Bay Builders Association’s Parade of Homes March 2 -17. Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes, said the two-story Teramo luxury model home will be open for public tours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays during the parade and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The Teramo offers five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths in 4,076 square feet of living space, and is priced from $479,900. Special features of the Teramo include a second floor game room and theatre space, a sweeping foyer, a large dining area that flows into a sun-filled casual gathering area, a huge kitchen and a downstairs owner’s suite.