Nascent Blue earns contract to build advanced billing system for insurance underwriter in Central Florida

ORLANDO/ TAMPA, Fla. –- Nascent Blue, Inc., a firm that specializes in advanced automation technology and advanced software solutions for business, recently earned a major contract with a U.S. insurance underwriter. Steve Hudson, co-founder and chief technology officer at Nascent Blue, said his firm was selected by Tampa-based West Point Underwriters (WPU) to develop an advanced billing system to reduce costs for their clients. Hudson said Nascent Blue’s proposal emphasized quick turnaround times, low cost and local expertise. WPU was drawn to Nascent Blue’s approach that places more focus on the business solution and achieves high quality, low cost and rapid delivery without using offshore programmers. “Many software development firms these days increase their profit margins by using freelance programmers or offshore subcontractors,” Hudson explained. “That almost always results in low performance software that costs more to develop and maintain than is necessary, and the end result does not live up to expectations,” Hudson said. Nascent Blue has developed a revolutionary alternative. “We’re onshore and we use advanced tools to create high level application models to generate almost all of our code,” Hudson said. “We can do more with smaller teams.” “The executive team at WPU was pleased with the short timeline and competitive quote of Nascent Blue’s proposal, as well as their ability to use local resources,” said T. John Jerger, Jr., chief operating officer for WPU. “We’re not here to write software by hand,” Hudson said. “We’re here to help small businesses exceed their goals with powerful software solutions that work better than expected, sooner than expected and for lower costs,” he said. Hudson said the combination of advanced technology, quick turnaround times and lower costs is a winning combination and small and medium businesses are fertile ground for growth. “Small business CEOs need straightforward solutions that will help them increase their efficiency and grow their companies,” he said. Nascent Blue is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program.

DiVosta Homes’ Marc Semach is Pulte Group’s Leading Sales Consultant of the Month for the 2nd time this Year

Fort Myers, Fla. --- Marc Semach, a DiVosta Homes Sales Consultant at VillageWalk of Bonita Springs, was named PulteGroup’s leading sales associate for September – the second time this year – in the homebuilding group’s south Florida division. 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 September than any other PulteGroup sales consultant including Pulte Homes, Centex, DiVosta Homes and Del Webb in more than 20 communities in south Florida. “Marc has helped make 2013 a success, 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.

Stoneybrook at Venice will lose its top 10 U.S. Ranking soon---and that’s a good thing

VENICE, Fla. --- Stoneybrook at Venice, the premier Lennar community located off North River Road and Center Road, one mile west of I-75 in Venice, will soon lose its ranking as one of the Top 10 best-selling communities in the United States. But that’s a good thing. Matt Devereaux, director of sales for Lennar, said only five home sites remain for sale at Stoneybrook in Venice. “For home buyers in the Venice area these are the last five chances to own a home at Stoneybrook and we expect them to be gone before the winter season starts,” Devereaux said. New homes at Stoneybrook at Venice are priced from the high $100s to the $300s, and range in size from 1,340 square feet of living area to more than 3,357 square feet. Community amenities at Stoneybrook at Venice include a large recreational campus and community center with resort-style pool, kid’s splash pool and state-of-the-art health club with an on-site activities director; four lighted tennis courts, basketball court; two sand volleyball courts; a multi-purpose sports field and an in-line skating rink. Big Builder magazine, the leading U.S. journal of the home building industry, named Lennar’s Stoneybrook at Venice one of the nation’s 10 top selling new communities. For more information about Stoneybrook at Venice call 941-493-6692 or visit www.lennar.com.

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Office Leases totaling 2,090 square feet in Altamonte Springs

ORLANDO, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated two lease agreements for class A office space in Altamonte Springs. An ad agency and a law firm are the new tenants. Tom R. Kelley II, CCIM, a principal in the firm, and associate Chris Adams negotiated a lease for suite 1040 with 1,100 square feet at 234 N. Westmonte Drive representing Alleve INV, Inc., the landlord of the building which is now 100 percent leased. The law firm of Amorginos & Barrow P.A. is the new tenant. Adams brokered a lease agreement representing the tenant, Gillman Advertising Specialists, Inc., for 990 square feet in Suite 350 at 498 Palm Springs Drive. Laurel Builders, Inc. of Altamonte Springs is the landlord.

NAI Realvest Negotiates $500,000 Vacant Land Purchase in Oviedo for Hospital Expansion

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated acquisition of 6.19 acres of vacant land in Oviedo for $500,000. George Viele, associate at NAI Realvest, represented the buyer Sanford-based Central Florida Regional Hospital in the purchase of Lot 120 on Pratt Place. The hospital purchased the land to expand its Oviedo campus. Sellers Bernie and Suzanne Blackwood of Oviedo were represented by Axel Real Estate, Inc.

Veteran’s Day Benefit Kicks Off Nov. 9 in Flagler County

BUNNELL – The “Heroes Ride & Gala,” which includes a police-escorted motorcycle ride to benefit two area veteran’s organizations, will begin Saturday, Nov. 9 with a memorial ceremony at 5 p.m. at the Flagler County Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Blvd. Presented by Bright House Networks and the Port Orange-based law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, proceeds from the Veteran’s Day observance will go to the local Veteran’s Assistance Coalition and Rolling Thunder Inc. Florida Chapter 8; with an honorary donation to the Vetsville Cease Fire House in Boynton Beach, according to Allan L. Ziffra√, president of the personal injury firm. “For many of us, this event is close to our hearts,” Ziffra said. “While Veteran’s Day remembers those who have and are currently serving our country, this event also is a fundraiser for these non-profit agencies that help provide for disabled, homeless and hungry veterans.” Highlights at the ceremony will be talks by guest speakers including: ● Chris Noel, a model, actress and Vietnam War icon who performed in USO shows with Bob Hope and later founded the Vetsville Cease Fire House, a shelter for homeless American veterans; ● Jim Moyer, co-founder of The Ride Home and Honor-Release-Return; ● Florida Senator Dorothy Hukill, R-District 8; ● Lt. Col. Harry Gilman, United States Army Retired Chaplain; ● Col. Stephen Luxion, commander of Detachment 157, AFROTC, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Motorcyclists who participate in the ride portion of the event will leave Bunnell at 5:30 p.m. and arrive at the Coca-Cola Pavilion at Destination Daytona in Ormond Beach at 6 p.m. The gala, which is open to non-riders as well, will be emceed by “King Bird” and “Stephanie” from Coast Country 93.1FM radio. Tickets for the ride or gala start at $25 and $35, respectively. Featured will be dancing and live entertainment, dinner and cocktails, a display of the Raydon military simulator, Texting and Driving Simulator and the Vietnam War Memorial Wall Replica. There also will be silent and live auctions of items like a signed Rolling Stones guitar, signed Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Sr. photos, as well as travel and hotel packages. While Bright House Networks and Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell are the primary presenters of the two-county event, organizers also are receiving sponsorship from WESH-TV, Gary Yeomans Ford Lincoln, Daytona International Speedway and others. For more information, call 386-788-7700 or, to purchase event tickets online, visit www.heroesrideandgala.com or like the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HeroesRideandGala. In case of rain, the event will be held Nov. 23.

Royal Oak Homes Reports sales of 248 new homes since Jan. 1

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Royal Oak Homes reported it has sold 248 new homes from Jan. 1 through September in nine Central Florida communities. Matt Orosz, co-president of Royal Oak Homes, said he projects the home builder will sell 320 homes this year. Last year, Royal Oak Homes sold 130 new homes in five Central Florida communities. The home builder was recently named the fastest growing private business in Central Florida in 2012 by a local trade publication. Royal Oak Homes is a third-generation home builder whose track record boasts more than 14,000 new homes built in Central Florida over the past 30 years under the Cambridge Homes brand, one of the region’s most successful home builders in the 1980s and 1990s. Founded in 2011, Royal Oak Homes is rapidly becoming one of the largest and most active home builders in the Central Florida area, building in ten active communities in the region.

Royal Oak Homes relocates its Offices in Baldwin Park

ORLANDO, Fla. ---- Royal Oak Homes recently relocated its offices from Outer Road to Lakemont Avenue in Baldwin Park. Matt Orosz, co-president of Royal Oak Homes, said the firm doubled its office size and moved into 8,700 square feet in Baldwin Point. “Our staff has grown and we now have room for more growth,” Orosz said. Royal Oak Homes reported it has sold 248 new homes since January 1 in nine Central Florida communities and Orosz projects the home builder will sell 320 homes this year. Last year, Royal Oak Homes sold 130 new homes in five Central Florida communities. Royal Oak Homes is a third-generation home builder whose track record boasts more than 14,000 new homes built in Central Florida over the past 30 years under the Cambridge Homes brand, one of the region’s most successful home builders in the 1980s and 1990s. Founded in 2011, Royal Oak Homes is rapidly becoming one of the largest and most active home builders in the Central Florida area, building in ten active communities in the region.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects awarded projects at Fern Park Plaza

ORLANDO, Fla. – Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently completed design work on a canopy renovation at Fern Park Plaza located off SR 436. The renovation totals more than 50,000 square feet. At the same time, Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the architectural firm was awarded a contract to handle renovation design of Northern Tool Co. located at the Fern Park Plaza totaling 15,000 square feet of interior work.

Winston James’ Villages of Royal Palm in Port Orange has new Windsor Plus model home under construction

PORT ORANGE, Fla. — Villages of Royal Palm, rated one of southeast’s best retirement communities, has started construction on the award winning Windsor Plus model home. Jamie Allen Adley, president of Villages of Royal Palm, said the model home will be completed before the end of the year. The popular Windsor Plus has four bedrooms and three baths in 2,416 square feet and is priced at $350,000. In addition, the Villages of Royal Palm has eight move-in ready homes under construction ranging in size from 1,500 square feet of living area to 2,400 square feet and priced from $200,000 to $300,000, Adley said.

Winston James Development Leases 3,749 square feet of warehouse space to lighting company at Aloma Commerce Center

Oviedo, Fla. – Winston-James Development, Inc., based in South Daytona, recently completed a lease agreement for 3,749 square feet of office/warehouse space at 2785 Wrights Rd. in its Aloma Commerce Center located in Oviedo off Aloma Avenue by S.R 417. Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, said the new tenant Optimal Lighting, LLC specializes in sales and installation of energy LED lighting.

Winston James Development leases 1,050 square feet of commercial space at Beville Road Business Park in S. Daytona

SOUTH DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Winston James Development, which developed the Beville Road Business Park in Daytona Beach, recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 1,050 square feet of commercial space there. Winston Schwartz, president of Winston James Development said Melanie Cruz will open a thrift shop focusing on used clothing, accessories and household items.