sdPhotonics Nears Completion of Second Phase of Contract to Develop High Power Laser for U.S. Air Force

ORLANDO, Fla. – sdPhotonics is nearing completion of the second phase of a research and development contract to develop a specialized high-powered laser for the U.S. Air Force.

Dr. Sabine Freisem, president of sdPhotonics, said she expects to complete the work in March.

Dr. Dennis Deppe, chief executive officer of the firm, said the contract is worth $850,000.

“The work we are doing represents a major breakthrough in laser technology,” Dr. Deppe said.

Researchers from UCF spin-off sdPhotonics, in collaboration with the College of Optics and Photonics/CREOL at the University of Central Florida, have now demonstrated what may become the most reliable laser diode technology ever developed. Recent laboratory measurements show that the new laser diodes pass unprecedented stress testing, and the new approach provides important insights into why other laser diodes fail. The new technology may ultimately produce the most reliable laser diodes ever developed, with failure times that could reach 10 M hours (1000 years) or more. The new technology could reduce testing and lower the cost for laser diodes.

The new laser diodes represent a sharp departure from past commercial devices in how they are made, especially that they can be made smaller while eliminating the need for non-semiconductor materials around their active light generating part. The most surprising aspect of the new technology is how it responds to high internal temperature and high current stress. The new devices show almost no change in operation under stress conditions that cause commercial devices to rapidly fail. Although the research team was expecting the new laser diodes to be more reliable, actually reaching high reliability can be a tedious process in laser development, requiring extensive optimization of numerous separate fabrication steps. The new laser diodes did not require these steps, and their unique characteristics are now shedding new insights into just why existing commercial laser diodes fail.

The team is currently perfecting other aspects of the new laser technology, including its efficiency and beam properties. They believe that one of the most important applications could be for laser diodes in space. These laser diodes will require very high reliability, and defects caused by space radiation can play a major role in their failure. By reducing the flow of point defects in the crystalline semiconductor of the new technology, these could prove the most resistant laser diode yet to space radiation, making them useful on earth and in space because of their high reliability.

High power laser diode technologies that sdPhotonics is developing provide improved power, efficiency, brightness and reliability, Dr. Deppe said.

Dr. Freisem, a native of Germany, is a graduate of Leiden University in the Netherlands and has more than six years of experience in laser technology. She is currently senior research scientist for the College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida.

Dr. Deppe, a graduate of University of Illinois has more than 20 years of experience focused on laser physics, semiconductor lasers and materials, nanostructures and quantum optics. He is currently endowed chair / professor of the College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida.

sdPhotonics is located at the University of Central Florida Business Incubator-Photonics in the Center for Research & Education in Optics & Lasers (CREOL) on the University’s main Campus in East Orlando.
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For more information contact: Sabine Freisem, President, sdPhotonics 407-929-6675, sfreisem@cfl.rr.com; Dennis Deppe, Chief Executive Officer, sdPhotonics, 407-823-6870. ddeppe@creol.ucf.edu; Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-1577, ghogan@mail.ucf.edu

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 160 emerging companies (including nearly 100 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight – and soon nine – facilities opened across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and will be adding Volusia County. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Winston-James Development Negotiates Lease Agreements for Commercial Space in South Daytona, Oviedo

SOUTH DAYTONA - Winston-James Development, Inc., which developed the Beville Road Business Park in South Daytona and the Aloma Commerce Center in Oviedo, recently negotiated new lease agreements at both centers.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, said Iron Beast, LLC leased 1,000 square feet of office space at the Beville Road Business Park on Beville Rd. at S.R. 5A in South Daytona. The tenant is a promotional firm that markets tee-shirts and other items for various national motorcycle events and world famous Daytona Beach Bike Week.

At the same time, Schwartz said Winston-James Development leased 950 square feet of industrial space at Aloma Commerce Center on Wrights Rd. off Aloma Ave. and S.R. 417 in Oviedo to J.I.R. Services, Inc. an electrical subcontracting company.
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For more information, contact:Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc 933 Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555; James Adley, Principal, Winston-James Development, Inc. 386-760-2555; Charles N. Kasza, Vice President Winston-James Development, Inc. 386-760-2555

Avalonpark Texas LP lands $2.2 million development loan from Urban Trust Bank to develop 109 home sites in North Austin

AUSTIN, Texas --- Avalonpark Texas LP, a joint venture that includes Florida-based Avalon Park Group, was recently awarded a $2.2 million development loan from Urban Trust Bank in Lake Mary, Fla. To fund development of 109 home sites at The Springs of Walnut Creek in North Austin.

Beat Kahli, who heads Avalon Park Group in Orlando, said David Weekley Homes has contracted to acquire 109 of the 151 home sites, and construction of the home sites will get underway this month.

Richard Kunz, principal and project director who heads Avalonpark Texas LP, said David Weekly Homes plans to start construction of new single family homes priced from the high $100s to the low $200s in the next 90 to 120 days.

The Springs of Walnut Creek is located near I-35 and Yager Lane in North Austin.

Avalon Park Group developed the 1,860 acre Avalon Park, an award-winning community of more than 1,500 homes in east Orlando and New River Township, an 1,800 acre master planned community north of Tampa in Pasco County.
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For more information contact: Beat Kahli, CEO Avalon Park Group / Avalonpark Texas, L.P. 407-658-6565; Richard Kunz, Principal Avalonpark Texas, L.P. 512-695 3356 rkavalonaustin@aol.com; Eric Marks, Vice President, Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565, ericm@avalonparkgroup.com; Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Director, Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565

NAI Realvest Brokers sale of Orange County development site for a new Tire Kingdom Store

ORLANDO – NAI Realvest recently negotiated the $700,000 purchase of a 0.71-acre retail development site for a new Tire Kingdom store on Majorca Place in Orlando. The acquired property was a portion of the Majorca Place PD located on Turkey Lake Road, just north of Sand Lake Road in southwest Orlando.

NAI Realvest principals Kevin O'Connor and Matt Cichocki negotiated the transaction on behalf of the buyer Pavilion Capital, LLC of Charlotte, N.C., a developer for Tire Kingdom who plans to construct a 7,000 square foot store on the site.

Se Belle Smith Dymmek of Kissimmee is the seller.

This is the tenth Central Florida Tire Kingdom location the NAI Realvest retail team of O’Connor and Cichocki has secured, with two additional sites under contract.
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For more information, contact: Kevin O’Connor or Matt Cichocki, Principals NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 koconnor@realvest.com or mcichocki@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com

About NAI Realvest: NAI Realvest, with offices serving all of central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide through NAI Global, an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built their businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

Villages of Royal Palm to Sponsor “Losing Big” Weight Reduction Challenge in Volusia County

PORT ORANGE - Villages of Royal Palm in Port Orange is a major sponsor of the Volusia Home Builders Association’s and Florida Hospital Group’s county-wide “Losing Big” weight reduction challenge competition that is offering prizes valued at more than $8,000 for Volusia County residents who lose weight.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, Inc., said the community clubhouse at Villages of Royal Palm is one of the official weigh-in stations for the Losing Big weight loss challenge.

“As a culture, we Americans suffer from obesity and the cost in terms of life loss, health problems and chronic problems such as diabetes and heart disease are epidemic,” Schwartz said.
“We fully support the efforts of the Volusia Home Builders Association and Florida Hospital Group to encourage local residents to play a more active role in their own health by losing weight and improving their physical conditioning,” he said.

The dates of the official registration and weigh-ins are Oct. 11 and 13 at the clubhouse at Villages of Royal Palm. The competition is underway.
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For more information please, contact: Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc. 933 Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555

The Villages of Royal Palm to open six new ready-to-move-in- homes in September

PORT ORANGE - The Villages of Royal Palm, located off Williamson Blvd. in Port Orange will open six new ready-to-move-in homes priced from under $160,000 in September.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development Inc., developers of the Villages of Royal Palm, said the new homes will range in size from 1,250 square feet of living space to 2,200 square feet.

Schwartz said two fully furnished model homes are open daily at the Villages of Royal Palm, which was named one of the top 100 master planned communities in the U.S. by Where to Retire magazine.

For more information please, contact: Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc. 933 Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555

ABD Development Company to start site work, development on 48 new home sites at Providence in Polk County

DAVENPORT - ABD Development Company is about to start development of 48 new single family home sites east of the main entry at Providence Golf & Country Club in Davenport in Polk County.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, said the new home sites will accommodate single-family homes priced from the $200s.

ABD is the developer of Providence Golf & Country Club located off U.S. 17-92 in the Loughman Davenport area of Polk County.

For more information contact: Alene Raskin, Marketing Manager, ABD Development Company 863-420-2100; David Kohn, President, ABD Development Company 863-420-2100

Winston James Negotiates New Lease at Beville Road Business Park with Skateboard Manufacturer, Distributor

SOUTH DAYTONA - Winston James Development, LLC, recently negotiated a new long-term lease agreement at the Beville Road Business Park on Beville Road at SR 5A in South Daytona.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston James Development, the developer and landlord of the property, said Constructive Concepts, LLC, leased 1,050 square feet of industrial space at Beville Road Business Park.

Constructive Concepts will develop, manufacture, market and distribute skateboards.

For more information contact: Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc. 933 Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555; Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

ABD Development Company Ranked as one of the Region’s Top Ten Custom Home Builders

ORLANDO - ABD Development Company was recently named one of the region’s Top Ten Custom Home Builders by Orlando Business Journal, the area’s leading business news resource.

Perhaps better known for developing the landmark Providence Golf & Country Club Community in Polk County south of Disney and Toscana, the exclusive luxury community in Palm Coast,

ABD Development Company has long ranked as one of the most active custom home builders in Florida.

The Orlando Business Journal ranking cited ABD’s custom home building success at Providence, Wyndham Lakes Estates in South Orlando, and Toscana.

ABD posted sales of custom homes last year that totaled more than $7 million.

Visit www.abddevelopment.com.

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For more information contact: Alene Raskin, Marketing Manager, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400; David Kohn, President, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400

ABD Development Company Completes Design of Two New Model Homes at Heritage Green at Providence in Davenport

ORLANDO - ABD Development Company has completed design work for two new model homes at Heritage Green at Providence, the multiple award-winning luxury golf course community ABD is developing in the Loughman-Davenport area south of Disney.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, said the 2,600 square foot model homes are part of ABD’s smaller, smarter executive model homes with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and two-car garages priced from the $350s.

Construction will start within the next 90 days, Kohn said.

ABD Development Company will host a Realtor preview when the homes are completed before the end of this year.

Visit www.abddevelopment.com.

For more information contact: Alene Raskin, Marketing Manager, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400; David Kohn, President, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400

Meritage Homes Seeks New Community Development Opportunities in Central Florida

ORLANDO – Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH), one of America’s top 10 homebuilders, is seeking to acquire lots for new community development opportunities in Central Florida.

Fred Vandercook, division president of Meritage Homes in Central Florida, said the homebuilder plans to add to its existing portfolio of communities under development. Meritage currently has 13 actively selling communities in the greater Orlando area with homes ranging from the mid-$100,000s to the mid-$400,000s.

Vandercook recently appointed Clint Szubinski and Jeffrey Porter to head Meritage Homes’ land acquisition program as vice president of land and manager of land development and entitlement, respectively.

“Meritage Homes has an established presence in the homebuilding market in Central Florida, and we are committed to this market, as we expect Florida to have some of the best housing markets in the country over the next decade or more,” Vandercook said. “We plan to expand our home building operations in Florida as we identify prime opportunities,” he said.

About Meritage Homes Corporation: Meritage Homes Corporation is the 9th largest homebuilder in the U.S. based on homes closed. Meritage offers a variety of homes across the Southern and Western states designed to appeal to a wide range of home buyers, including first-time, move-up, luxury and active adult buyers, with base prices starting from under $100,000. As of March 31, 2010, the Company had 149 actively selling communities in 12 metropolitan areas including Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Tucson, Las Vegas, Denver, Orlando, and the East Bay/Central Valley and Inland Empire of California. Meritage Homes and its predecessor companies have delivered more than 65,000 homes since the Company was founded in 1985. In 2010, Meritage is celebrating its 25th Anniversary, and is the only large national homebuilder to be 100% ENERGY STAR® qualified in every home started in 2010. The Company has launched a new Simply Smart Series™ and a 99-day guaranteed completion program in certain communities. Meritage has designed and built more than 65,000 homes in its 25-year history, and has a reputation for its distinctive style, quality construction and positive customer experience. To find a Meritage community near you, go to www.meritagehomes.com. Meritage Homes is listed on the NYSE under the symbol MTH.
For more information about the Company, visit http://investors.meritagehomes.com

ABD Development Company Starts Construction of new Wyndham Luxury Model Home at Toscana in Palm Coast

PALM COAST – ABD Development Company, which ranks as one of the largest custom homebuilders in Central Florida, has started construction of two new model homes at Toscana, the gated luxury community ABD is developing on Old Kings Highway in Palm Coast.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, said the Wyndham model home will open in the fall with 2,614 square feet of living space, four bedrooms and three baths with a two-car garage, priced from $360,000.

ABD also will start construction soon on a four-bedroom, three-bath Portofino luxury model home that will open in late fall. The 2,673 square foot Portofino is priced from the $370s.
Only 40 home sites remain for sale at Toscana in Palm Coast, where new luxury homes are priced from the mid-$300s to more than $1 million.
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For more information contact:
Alene Raskin, Marketing Manager, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400;
David Kohn, President, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Winston-James Development Negotiates New Leases in Oviedo, Winter Garden

SOUTH DAYTONA- Winston James Development, Inc. recently negotiated new lease agreements that total 2,000 square feet of industrial space at Aloma Commerce Center in Oviedo and the West Orange Business Center in Winter Garden.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, Inc., said Little Anthony’s restaurant franchise leased 1,000 square feet of space at Aloma Business Center, located off Aloma Ave. at 2785 Wrights Rd. in Oviedo. Ty Brackney of Dunhill Management Corp. negotiated the lease agreement representing the tenant, Schwartz said.

Regulatory Compliance Association, Inc. leased 1,000 square feet of space at West Orange Business Center, located at 1249 Winter Garden-Vineland Rd. in Winter Garden. The tenant, an online training company for financial auditing firms, was represented in the transaction by Ty Brackney of Dunhill Management Corp.
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For more information about this press release, contact:
Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc. Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555;
James Adley, Principal, Winston-James Development, Inc. 386-760-2555

Winston-James Development negotiates lease agreements for commercial space in Winter Garden, Oviedo

SOUTH DAYTONA - Winston-James Development, LLC, which developed the West Orange Business Center in Winter Garden and the Aloma Commerce Center in Oviedo, recently negotiated new lease agreements at both centers.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, said J. Short Insurance leased 1,000 square feet of office space at the West Orange Business Center in Winter Garden.

Valet Waste, which provides services to multi-family properties in Central Florida, leased 1,870 square feet of office space at Aloma Commerce Center.

For more information, contact: Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc 933 Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555; James Adley, Principal, Winston-James Development, Inc. 386-760-2555; Charles N. Kasza, Vice President Winston-James Development, Inc. 386-760-2555

Only five ready-to-move-in ready homes remain for sale at The Villages of Royal Palm in Port Orange

SOUTH DAYTONA - Only five ready-to-move-in luxury homes priced from the mid $100s remain for sale at Villages of Royal Palm, located on Villages of Royal Palm Blvd. off Williamson Blvd. in Port Orange.

Villages of Royal Palm Developer Winston Schwartz, said the homes priced from $165,000, range in size from 1,300 square feet of living space to 2,200 square feet.

All five homes qualify for federal tax credit incentives that range from $6,500 for existing home owners to $8,000 for first time home buyers, Schwartz said.

The deadline to qualify for the tax credit incentives is April 30 for closing in June.

For more information about this press release, contact: Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc. Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555; James Adley, Principal, Winston-James Development, Inc. 386-760-2555

Winston-James Development to offer new single family home floor plan priced from $169,900 at Villages of Royal Palm in Port Orange

PORT ORANGE - Winston-James Development will offer a new single family home floor plan priced from $169,900 at the Villages of Royal Palm, located west of I-95 on Villages of Royal Palm Blvd. off Williamson Blvd. in Port Orange.

Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, said the floor plan, offering 1,600 square feet, is designed to take advantage of the $6,500 U.S federal tax credit available to qualified move-up buyers.

“With the start of our winter season we anticipate a substantial increase in sales traffic and the $6,500 tax credit comes at a perfect time,” said Schwartz.

Voted as one of America's 100 Best Master Planned Communities by Where to Retire magazine, the Villages of Royal Palm offers new luxury homes priced from the $170s.

Seven new homes at the Villages of Royal Palm are available for immediate move-in, Schwartz said.
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For more information contact: Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc. Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555; James Adley, Principal, Winston-James Development, Inc. 386-760-2555

Grayman Construction Management Service Appoints Clinton Cooper Director of Business Development

SANFORD - Grayman Construction Management Service, LLC, headquartered at the UCF Business Incubator in Sanford, recently appointed Clinton Cooper director of business development.

Timothy Grayman, president of Grayman Construction Management Service, said Cooper has more than 17 years of experience in banking and finance, construction, land acquisition, and community development.

Cooper formerly worked in project management, land acquisition and development, and purchasing with Ryland Homes in the Orlando region and was a financial specialist with First Union National Bank.

Cooper graduated from the University of Florida and is currently working toward his MBA.

For more information, contact: Timothy Grayman, President, Grayman Construction Management Service, LLC. 786-449-9871; Rafael Caamano, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-407-4297, rcaamano@mail.ucf.edu

About Grayman Construction Management Service: Grayman Construction Management Service, a full service construction company established in 2005, currently has offices in Sanford, Miami and Port Charlotte, Fla. The principals have significant background and expertise in high-end retail, mixed-use development, educational, healthcare, aviation, restaurant and residential projects.

About the UCF Incubation Program: Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six facilities opened and one under construction across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Contract to Design 3,000 Square Foot Tenant Interior Improvements at Orlando Gateway

ORLANDO - Cuhaci & Peterson Architects in Orlando was recently awarded a contract to design 3,000 square feet of interior tenant improvements at Orlando Gateway, the $500 million mixed-use development underway at Semoran Blvd. and the Beachline Expressway near Orlando International Airport.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC said the firm recently completed design work for a 25,000 square foot retail center fronting on Semoran Blvd. in the first phase of the Orlando Gateway project.
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For more information, contact:
Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100; Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100

ABD Development will open the Courtyard Model Home at Toscana in Time for Flagler County Parade of Homes

ORLANDO - ABD Development Company, which is developing Toscana luxury community on Old Kings Rd. in Palm Coast, will open its Courtyard model home in time for the Flagler County Parade of Homes in March.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, said the Courtyard model home offers 3,500 square feet of living space with four bedrooms, a second floor option and private interior courtyard, priced from $499,000.

For more information, contact:
Alene Raskin, Marketing Manager, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400;
David Kohn, President, ABD Development Company 407-370-6400

Crossman & Company President, Orlando Official are Featured Speakers at ICSC Symposium on Community Development

ORLANDO- John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company, will join the City of Orlando’s Davon Barbour, assistant director of the Downtown Development Board Community Redevelopment Agency to co-chair a course at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) University of Shopping Centers Symposium March 10 at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Crossman, whose Orlando-based commercial real estate firm ranks as one of the largest third party retail leasing and management companies in the southeast, is partnering with Barbour to co-teach a course entitled, Challenges and Opportunities for Community Success: The Shift to a New Economy.

“With the pressure of a tightening economy, budget deficits and infrastructure costs, the work of planners has become more challenging than ever before,” Crossman explained.

“We will be emphasizing local economic development initiatives and strategic plans that comprise the next frontier of retail development,” he said.

Crossman said the course will focus on new trends in retail development and renovation, the challenge of filling vacant retail spaces, using special incentives for new retail development, and establishing a successful long-term retail development plan for a community.

“Our course will give planners, retail property developers and community activists a competitive advantage, arming them with the knowledge to help position their community optimally in the future,” he said.

The course is sponsored by the International Council of Shopping Centers, the world’s largest professional association for retail property developers and planners.

For more information, contact:

John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, Jcrossman@crossmanco.com;

Justin Greider, Senior Associate, Crossman & Company/ICSC Florida Next Generation Chair, 407-581-6225; jgreider@crossmanco.com