ICI HOMES HIRES FOUR AS NEW HOME SALES ESCALATE

Jacksonville, Fla. -- ICI Homes, the Volusia County-based community developer and luxury homebuilder with a major presence in the Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa markets, has recently beefed up its staff with four new hires, according to division president, Don Wilford. Lance Leininger, a licensed Florida residential contractor who holds an AA degree from Tallahassee Community College, was hired as a Builder for ICI Homes North Hampton and Amelia National Golf and Country Club communities in Fernandina Beach. Leininger has nearly 20 years of experience from owning and operating his own construction company in Tallahassee and more recently serving as project manager for a local Jacksonville homebuilder. Davette Jones has been hired as Estimator, having just completed an internship with a national homebuilder. Originally from the Bahamas, Jones recently graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management. Wilford said recruits from UNF’s construction program have excellent career opportunities in the recovering homebuilding market. “We’ve had many UNF grads on our team over the years and we are extremely pleased that Davette has joined us,” said Wilford. Two new sales ambassadors were recently hired to serve ICI Homes’ North Florida Division, according to Lisa Sarraf, sales manager. Vicki Maxwell was appointed to serve the Amelia National Golf & Country Club community. After earning a BS degree from West Georgia University Maxwell taught school for 33 years and, even though an avid golfer, she wasn’t ready for retirement and said a golf community ambassador seemed a natural position for her. Elsa Killeen was hired to serve as a sales ambassador at both the communities of Plantation Grove in Julington Creek and St. Johns Forest in St. Johns County. Killeen earned her degree in Business Practicum from Queensland Business School in Australia. She has a diverse background in tourism, advertising, marketing and hospitality which spanned a 27-year career from Indonesia, Australia, New Guinea and Hawaii. “We are pleased to have both of these fine professionals join our sales department and they will be great representatives of our communities,” said Sarraf.

Lennar appoints Jamie Burdine IT Administrator

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar’s central Florida Division recently appointed Jamie Burdine IT site administrator in the Tampa Bay area. Burdine is a graduate of St. Petersburg College who has more than 18 years of experience in web site management, including positions at Unisys and Dell. “As more and more home buyers learn to gather information on the web, the Internet has grown into one of the most important tools available to home builders,” said Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division. Lennar’s Central Florida Division builds new homes in more than 22 communities in the Tampa Bay area and more than 25 communities in the Orlando region.

Lennar’s Central Florida Division Opens Alexander Ridge in Winter Garden with 198 Home Sites

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. --- Lennar has started selling in its newest community of Alexander Ridge with 198 homesites located off Avalon Road in Winter Garden. Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida division, said two models will get underway at Alexander Ridge in the fall, and homes are selling from the $260s to $420,000. Metheny said Lennar’s homes at Alexander Ridge will range in size from 1,900 square feet of living area to 4,200 square feet on 55, 65 and 85-foot homesites. All Lennar homes at Alexander Ridge will feature the homebuilder’s “Everything’s Included” pledge: a wide range of GE energy smart appliances, special features and upgrades at the one Lennar “everything’s included” price, Metheny added.

Arsenal Venture Partners Managing Director is Keynote Speaker at Forum hosted by Rollins College CFAE, GrowFL, CEO Nexus Sept. 10

Winter Park, Fla. -- Jason Rottenberg, managing director of Arsenal Venture Partners and a 15-year veteran founder of early-stage technology companies, will be the keynote speaker at a forum of area CEOs and corporate principals hosted by the Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, GrowFL and CEO Nexus on Sept. 10. Rottenberg has spent the last fifteen years founding, building and funding early-stage technology companies. He is a frequent speaker on the topic of technology commercialization and the intersection of the defense and commercial markets. Steve Quello, president of CEO Nexus, said Rottenberg previously served as a manager in Arthur Andersen’s Silicon Valley office after earning a B.S. Degree from Georgetown University and an MBA with highest distinction from Harvard University, where he was named a Baker Scholar. The CEO Forum begins at 6 p.m. at Rollins College at Winter Park Plaza on Fairbanks Ave. Quello said area CEOs and corporate principals invited to attend the Rollins Forum should be registered at info@CEONexus.com. “Jason Rottenberg has been a leader in the founding and exits of numerous technology companies and his successful career experience perfectly mirrors our goals and objectives as an organization,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of GrowFL and associate vice president for Research and Commercialization at UCF. To learn more about CEO Nexus, visit www.ceonexus.com.

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Industrial Lease Agreement with Auto Repair Business in Oviedo

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new industrial lease agreement for 2,400 square feet at 1701 Pratt Place in Oviedo. George Viele, associate at the firm, brokered the transaction representing the local landlord, Chess, Inc. Cam’s Auto Repair is the new tenant that leased the warehouse space, which includes two acres of outside storage. Bill Stephens of Realty Capital represented the tenant.

NAI Realvest relocates headquarters from Maitland to Orlando 1800 Pembrook Drive Orlando, FL 32810

ORLANDO, Fla. --- NAI Realvest, which ranks as one of the area’s largest commercial property managers and brokers, relocated its headquarters. Robin Webb, managing director of NAI Realvest, said there were many great memories at the firm’s signature offices on Lucien Way just outside Maitland Center but it was time for the firm to elevate its presence in the Orlando market. The firm, which opened its doors in 1982, had been headquartered there for more than 20 years. Webb said NAI Realvest moved into 11,000 square feet of new office space at the Pembrook Commons Building located at 1800 Pembrook Drive, Suite 350, Orlando, FL 32810. “We not only have more space---about 1,000 square feet---but more importantly we have more updated space that is much more organized and efficient. This provides the opportunity to selectively add new members to this already highly productive team,” Webb said.

Avalon Park to Host Ground Breaking Ceremony to Start Construction of Encore Assisted Living Community

Orlando, Fla. --- Avalon Park in east Orlando will host a ground breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of the Encore at Avalon Park, an assisted living and memory care community located at 13798 Cygnus Drive in downtown Avalon Park. Stephanie Hodson, vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group, said the event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday Sept. 10. The 80,000 square foot, three-story building will offer 90 residential units along with a state-of-the-art Alzheimer’s Care Center with 128 licensed beds. Each residential unit is part of a neighborhood where residents are able to continue the way of living they’re used to with small living room and dining areas. “Encore will be located in the heart of Downtown Avalon Park, which will afford residents the convenience of walkability, connections to amenities and family. This location not only creates an environment that inspires and soothes but, more important, a continuity with the community eliminating the isolation that’s frequently experienced in more commonly found assisted living facilities,” said Ross Halle vice president of Town Planning and Architecture for Avalon Park Group. “East Orlando needs a quality environment that provides nurturing care for people who require assistance,” Hodson explained. “We are very proud to introduce what we expect will set a new standard for assisted living care in Central Florida,” she said. Avalon Park’s Encore Assisted Living Facility will be managed by MJM Associates.

Emerson International negotiates nine lease agreements that total close to 50,000 square feet of space

Altamonte Springs, Fla. --- Emerson International recently negotiated nine commercial lease agreements that total close to 50,000 square feet of office space in Orlando, Longwood, Maitland and Altamonte Springs. Kenneth Koch, director of leasing at Emerson International, negotiated three lease agreements that total more than 37,500 square feet. Glickstein, Laval and Carris, P.A. a CPA firm leased 6,702 square feet at Emerson’s CenterPointe II office building at 220 E. Central Pkwy. in Altamonte Springs. Braishfield and Associates, insurance agents and brokers expanded their offices at 5750 Major Blvd. in Major Center Plaza II near International Drive in southwest Orlando by 1,012 square feet to a total of 9,177 square feet. Alorica, Inc. renewed its lease of 29,786 square feet in the Sanlando Center II office building at 2180 S.R. 434 in Longwood. Emerson International commercial leasing associate Zac Starkey negotiated six lease agreements that total close to 10,000 square feet of office space. Fortune Portfolio Processor Service Group leased 1,150 square feet and Sagamore Home Mortgage leased 1,196 square feet in the CenterPointe Office Park, 370 CenterPointe Cr. in Altamonte Springs. At Louisiana Office Park on Louisiana Ave. in Winter Park, Starkey leased 1,642 square feet to The Maitland Group an insurance company, and 220 square feet to Anchor Counseling which provides family counseling, therapy and psychological testing. Starkey negotiated a lease agreement for 3,445 square feet at 2600 Maitland Center Parkway on behalf of tenant Home Care Connect which provides non-medical home care to seniors. At Sanlando Center on SR 434 in Longwood, Starkey leased 1,771 square feet to GeoTel Communications a global provider of customer-interaction software solutions for mission-critical call center applications.

Power Promise Organization Hosts Graduation Ceremonies for Offering Successful Outcomes Program

Sanford, Fla. -- The Power Promise Organization, which organizes business and community interests to provide assistance, motivation and resources to help underprivileged young people succeed, recently hosted graduation ceremonies for its three-year Offering Successful Outcomes Program. Ursula James, vice president and program director of the Power Promise Organization, said approximately 100 students participate in the Offering Children Successful Outcomes Program and many of those students attended the graduation ceremony. James said the Offering Successful Outcomes Program is a joint venture with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. “The Power Promise Organization has partnered with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for three consecutive years to implement the Offering Successful Outcomes Program at Meadowbrook and Robinswood middle schools and Wekiva and Evans high schools providing mentor services for over 300 youth, James said. James said 75 percent of the young people who enter the Offering Successful Outcomes Program graduate. This year’s graduation included more than 100 young men. “Students enrolled in the Offering Successful Outcomes Program participate in character education workshops with school student resource officers, Sheriff’s deputies and mentors,” James explained.

Hoverfly Technologies CEO to Play Starring Role in Florida Space Institute’s Space Tech 1.0 Conference Sept. 5 at UCF

Winter Springs, Fla. --- Al Ducharme, founder and CEO of Hoverfly Technologies, Inc. in Winter Springs, will be a featured speaker at the Florida Space Institute’s Space Tech 1.0 conference at the University of Central Florida on Sept. 5. Ducharme, an associate professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Central Florida (UCF), launched Hoverfly Technologies three years ago. Dr. Ducharme’s presentation topic at Space Tech 1.0 will be on Robotics and Entrepreneurship. Today, Hoverfly Technologies ranks as one of the world’s leading providers of autonomous aerial robotics---highly stable, remote controlled unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that support video and photographic equipment used in a wide variety of applications, from major film and television productions to aerial mapping, surveying and surveillance. The Space Tech 1.0 conference at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality is designed to bridge the gap between technology, visionary science, and progressive space programs to create new approaches to global issues. The conference provides a forum for collaboration among scientists, researchers, businesses and students to look at new ways the space industry can solve problems on earth. Other speakers include Dr. Dave Williams, a Canadian physician and retired Canadian Space Agency astronaut who was recently appointed to the Order of Canada for Science and Ray Wheeler, an expert on the benefit of plants for long-duration spaceflight. Online pre-registration for the conference costs $150 through September 4 and includes a light breakfast, lunch, and reception. On-site registration will be $200. There is no cost for students and university faculty; however there will be a charge for meals. For more information, visit www.fsispacetech.com or contact Dr. Esther Beltran at esther.beltran@ucf.edu or 321-276-5565. Hoverfly Technologies, Inc. is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program located at the Seminole County/Winter Springs Incubator on E. State Road 434 in Winter Springs.

Ryland Homes to host Grand Opening at South Fork in Riverview

TAMPA, Fla. --- Ryland Homes will host an official grand opening Saturday Oct. 5 to showcase its new model home at South Fork, located off Ambleside Blvd. between Big Bend and Balm Roads in Riverview. Food, beverages, games and giveaways will be provided for the event. Ryland’s new model will be complete and the sales office will be open for presales on Sunday, Sept. 8. The new Siesta model home boasts five bedrooms, a large game room, and a bonus room, with three and a half baths in 3,154 square feet of living area with a three-car garage. The Siesta floor plan offers an open family living and entertainment area that includes an island kitchen, family room and lanai, said Mike Finley, vice president of sales and marketing for Ryland Homes in the Tampa Bay region. New three and four-bedroom homes at South Fork in one- and two-story floor plans range in size from 2,257 square feet of living space to 3,500 square feet with two and three-car garages.

18th annual Hispanic Festival Set for Sept. 15 in Deltona Local Law Firm Helps Sponsor the free family event

DELTONA – The Volusia County Hispanic Association Inc. will present the 18th annual Latin Arts and Music Festival Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Dewey O. Boster Sports Complex, 1200 Saxon Blvd., Deltona. The free event – which is being sponsored in part by the Port Orange-based law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell – is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Featured will be disc jockey “Franchy,” and live entertainment by Jerry Galante, Pedro Jesus, Lefty Perez, Alex El Bizcochito and Grupo Swing. A variety of games, events and other children’s activities also will be offered, along with an assortment of ethnic foods, according to association volunteer David Santiago. “This is our biggest event of the year and we’re very thankful to sponsors like Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell for their support,” Santiago said. “We’re anticipating attendance of more 15,000.” Founded in 1995, Santiago said the non-profit Volusia County Hispanic Association strives to increase cultural awareness and provide learning opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds through a number of public events, community outreach programs and scholarships. For more information, contact Santiago at 386-216-9969 or Dsantiago457@gmail.com. About Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell: Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange, DeLand and Palm Coast. For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

Rhodes+Brito Architects Names Loi Flink Architect

ORLANDO, Fla. – Rhodes+Brito Architects based in Orlando has named Loi Flink as an intern architect for the firm. Ruffin Rhodes, AIA, co-founder and principal at Rhodes+Brito Architect said Flink is a recent graduate of the University of Florida. Rhodes+Brito Architects, which opened in Orlando in 1996, currently employs a staff of 17, including seven registered architects.

Ryland Homes Starts Selling at Trinity Crest in Kannapolis, Construction underway of New All-Brick Single-Family Model Home

Charlotte, N.C. --- Ryland Homes has started selling in its newest community of Trinity Crest located in Kannapolis off Trinity Church Rd. and Kannapolis Parkway. Alan Beulah, vice president of sales and marketing at Ryland Homes in the Charlotte region, said Ryland’s Energy Star® certified homes at Trinity Crest are priced from $337,990 to $370,990. Beulah said construction is underway of the Oakwood, a new all-brick single-family model home that will be completed, decorated and open for viewing the end of October at Trinity Crest. The Oakwood offers five bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths in 3,863 square feet of living space with a two-car, side entry garage. “Trinity Crest’s great location – 2.5 miles from shopping and dining at Afton Ridge, an easy commute to Salisbury, the University area and Uptown Charlotte – will generate significant interest from home buyers,” Beulah said. At build-out Trinity Crest will have 58 homes. Nine distinctive floor plans are available at Trinity Crest including the Jennings which debuts the first of Ryland’s new Terrace Plans. The Jennings, with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths in 2,747 square feet of living area features an optional study, media room and guest suite. “The Jennings provides the advantages of one-level living with as much added space as a two-story home,” Beulah explained. A community swimming pool, cabana and playground are proposed for Trinity Crest.

Pulte Homes Opens New Phase at Trillium in Brooksville with 67 Home Sites, New Homes Priced from the $130s

Brooksville, Fla. --- Pulte Homes has opened a new phase with 67 home sites at Trillium, located in Brooksville off County Line Rd. just east of the Suncoast Parkway. Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for Pulte Homes in the North Florida region, said new three, four and five-bedroom single-family homes on 50-foot home sites in the new phase at Trillium are priced from $136,990 and range in size from 1,447 square feet of living space to 3,242 square feet. Altogether, Pulte plans to build 893 new homes at Trillium in one and two-story designs. Currently the homebuilder offers seven distinctive floor plans in the community with amenities that include a resort-style swimming pool, cabanas and multi-purpose playing field. New Pulte homes at Trillium include Whirlpool® smooth-top electric range, Whirlpool® dishwasher with variable cycles/options, Mohawk® carpet with EverStrand® technology, and dual-pane insulated Low-E windows and sliding glass doors, optional covered lanais and extended garages. The sales center and Compton model at Trillium are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays.

M/I Homes completes new model home at Versailles in Lake Forest area

ORLANDO, Fla. --- M/I Homes has completed a new model home — the Grandview — at its community of Versailles, located on S.R. 46 and N. Orange Avenue in the Lake Forest area of Seminole County. David Byrnes, area president for M/I Homes in the Central Florida region, said the Grandview offers five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths in 4,900 square feet of living area and a three car garage. The Grandview is priced from $429,990, Byrnes said. M/I Homes has 59 home sites at Versailles with homes priced from $320,000 to $700,000 in the gated community. The Grandview is now ready for viewing, Byrnes said.

Hendricks-Berkadia Negotiates Sale of 45 Town Home Sites at Tuscany Place Town Homes in Winter Springs

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Hendricks-Berkadia Real Estate Advisors, which ranks as one of the leading multi-family investment banking and research companies in the nation, recently negotiated the $450,000 sale of 45 town home sites, grouped in five pads, located within the 13.5 acre gated Tuscany Place Town Homes community at 600 Northern Way in Winter Springs. Partner Cole Whitaker, who heads Hendricks-Berkadia in the southeast region, and associate partner Hal Warren negotiated the sale representing the seller, PNC Bank. The buyer, Rodrigo Torres, plans to develop the property with town homes. Tuscany Place Town Homes, which comprises 111 units, was built in two phases – in 1981-1986 and 1997-2007 – and includes a community swimming pool, cabana and private park.