Wednesday, September 28, 2011

GroundFlights begins formal operations in Central Florida Signs first client: Tel-Tron Technologies

ORLANDO, Fla., ---- GroundFlights has officially launched their exclusive and innovative ground transportation service in Central Florida. Their fleet currently consists of their specially designed and technologically advanced Lincoln Navigator Mobile Executive Offices.

These MEOs provide the productivity, comfort, flexibility and attentiveness of a private jet at a fraction of the cost. GroundFlights is an alternative mode of business travel within the state of Florida for those who typically use commercial air or personal and company vehicles to reach cities around the state for meetings, events, and other business-focused matters.

It was the promise of the benefits of being able to recapture the massive amounts of lost productivity typically experienced with conventional business travel that made GroundFlights an easy decision for Tel-Tron Technologies. Tel-Tron, located in Daytona Beach, is a leading manufacturer of technology solutions for senior living communities and regularly travels throughout the state to visit new prospective clients, to strengthen relationships with existing clients and for technical service installations and upgrades.

Brian Dawson, president and chief executive officer of Tel-Tron said, “The decision to use GroundFlights was a no-brainer. Our growth depends on business travel to prospect and customer sites, but that doesn’t mean we can afford an entire day of lost productivity while doing so. GroundFlights Mobile Executive Offices offer my staff comfortable surroundings, technology to stay connected and productive, and at a price point that makes sense for our business.”

After a recent GroundFlights trip, Malcolm Graham, vice president at Tel-Tron said, “I basically doubled my productivity,” adding that the best part of his GroundFlights experience was, “Being productive while I would have otherwise been driving. I visited four customer sites and was effectively ‘in the office’ all day.”

About GroundFlights
GroundFlights is Your Premier Source for Executive Transportation and Maximized Productivity.

When traveling throughout the state of Florida, utilize GroundFlights on-demand, door-to-door Mobile Executive Office (MEO) service. Our MEOs are specially constructed and technologically advanced Lincoln Navigator SUVs (and coming soon, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans) with all of the amenities expected of an executive office suite and driven by a trained and certified GroundPilot.

At GroundFlights, our goals are to alleviate your stress and maximize your productivity while you are traveling on business. Our services provide business travelers the freedom and control to travel in a way never seen before. We provide the comfort, attentiveness, safety and exclusivity of a private jet at a fraction of the cost.

If you are traveling five hours or less or 300 miles or less (each way) within the state of Florida, we can get you to your destination faster, and oftentimes cheaper, while keeping you fully connected and productive and alleviating the stresses normally associated with business travel.

For more information, contact Thomas Duffy of GroundFlights, Inc. at 407.809.4500 or thomas@GroundFlights.com.

About Tel-Tron
Tel-Tron Technologies Corporation, a technology leader in the business of aging, helps senior living operators run a better business by improving resident lifestyle, optimizing staff performance, and lowering operating costs.

By blending next-generation emergency call system and communications technologies with specialty expertise, Tel-Tron enables senior living companies to achieve the outcomes that are critical to their success, and provide peace of mind for their residents and their residents’ families.

Tel-Tron's website is http://www.tel-tron.com.

John Crossman, Rich Crotty to Unveil Future of Central Florida Economy on Oct. 6

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Former Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty will unveil the future of metro Orlando and Central Florida at an Oct. 6 discussion with Jody Barry of Florida Hospital and Craig Ustler of Ustler Development, Inc. moderated by John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company.

Crotty serves as executive vice president of Crossman and Company.

“The Orlando metro community has some exciting news ahead and we plan to lay it all out,” said Crossman. “The dynamics that are driving growth in the Orlando metro area are creating opportunities for the entire region,” he said.

The panel discussion, hosted by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Downtown Orlando from 5 to 7 p.m., will feature a Q & A session, Crossman said.

Admission is free and non-members are invited to attend.

About Crossman & Company:
Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Crossman & Company is a commercial real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the retail industry. Currently their portfolio under leasing and/or management exceeds 150 shopping centers throughout the Southeast U.S. Founded in 1990, Crossman & Company focuses solely on landlord representation and serves clients including Publix, PREIT, and GE. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Melrose-Sovereign Companies Launches Intern Program

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Melrose-Sovereign Companies which ranks as one of Florida’s most active homeowner and condominium association management firms, has launched an intern program to expose entry level student candidates to the intricacies of neighborhood management.

Jack Hanson, LCAM, co-founder and partner of Melrose-Sovereign Companies with Ellen Lumpkin, LCAM, said marketing manager Michael Gonzalez will head the program.

“Our internship program is designed to provide a good working knowledge of a wide range of job-specific skills, including search engine optimization (SEO) techniques and strategies, social networking and online marketing skills, expertise in verbal communication through recorded videos and interviews of Melrose-Sovereign executives and keyword research,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said workplace skills gained through the Melrose-Sovereign internship program are immediately transferable to other companies.

“Knowing how to make your web page rank well is critical because every day billions of people begin their searches with an online search engine,” Gonzalez explained. “This holds true whether your company is engaged in community management or alternative energy technology,” he said.

“The power of social networking sites such as, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn is growing at astronomical rates. Knowing how these sites work and more importantly how to use them to grow a business will be key in gaining an edge over competitors,” he said.

Gonzalez said interns at Melrose-Sovereign will be expected to learn how to compose and edit press releases, manage social media accounts, record and post YouTube videos and network with Melrose-Sovereign executives.

“We’ve developed a pretty comprehensive program that mixes meaningful work with valuable skills development and an in-depth understanding of universal business processes,” Gonzalez said.

Headquartered in Orlando, Melrose-Sovereign Companies has eight offices throughout the state.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects to design renovations to Corona Cigar Co. in Heathrow

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, was recently awarded a contract to design renovations to the Corona Cigar Company at Colonial Town Center in Heathrow.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the facility is 2,000 square feet.

Oct. 5 is Deadline for Pragmatic Works Foundation’s Next Free IT Training and Job Placement Class

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Pragmatic Works Foundation, a non-profit branch of Jacksonville-based Pragmatic Works, is accepting applications through Oct. 5 for an upcoming training and job-placement class.

The free session – scheduled for Oct. 24-28 – is designed for military personnel transitioning back to civilian life, those who have suffered a job loss, and others who are struggling and do not have the financial means to break into the Internet technology field, said Brian Knight, founder of Pragmatic Works.

“With thousands of soldiers returning from military service abroad and many companies cutting jobs, the foundation is trying to help jump start IT careers while filling a skill shortage in the industry,” he said.

In its fourth year, the Pragmatic Works Foundation’s classes offer technical training such as database administration, business intelligence and application development. The foundation recently added an optional second week of training to their curriculum.

In addition to the technological training the program provides, students in the program also are mentored on skills to help them master interviews and are given job placement services through an onsite recruiter.

“We’re passionate about changing the lives of the individuals going through the program by giving them a career path that will excite them and give them the maximum opportunity,” Knight said. “The veterans we typically see may have had a very technical job in the military but, when they try to transition those same skills to the civilian world hiring managers want more focused skills.”

Knight said the foundation looks for those who are “very passionate” about getting into the technology field, but can’t make the financial investments needed for training and hardware.

“Our goal is to provide candidates the opportunity to learn new technologies from industry experts,” he said. “We can teach them the technical aspects, but we can’t teach them the passion.”

Those interested in attending the session should complete a profile at www.pragmaticworks.com/foundation.

In addition to prospective students, the Foundation also is seeking businesses to serve as partners by providing jobs to those who complete the training program. Interested hiring managers can contact Pragmatic Works at foundation@pragmaticworks.com.

About Pragmatic Works: Pragmatic Works – a privately held technology company headquartered in Jacksonville – provides training, tools, and implementation services on the Microsoft business intelligence platform. Whether you are just getting started, or need full scale BI projects, Pragmatic Works is your source for SQL Server SSIS, SSAS, SSRS, and SharePoint. The company has additional sales office in Boston and a technology center in Atlanta. For details, please visit www.pragmaticworks.com.

Crossman & Company Names Commercial Industry Veteran John Zielinski Senior Vice President, to head Atlanta office

ATLANTA, Ga. / ORLANDO, Fla. --- Crossman & Company, the Orlando based commercial real estate firm that ranks as one of the largest retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast with over 16 million square feet of properties, is expanding its operations in Atlanta and the Southeast.

John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company, said commercial industry veteran John Zielinski, CCIM, has joined the firm as senior vice president and will head the firm’s Atlanta division. Crossman said Zielinski will direct all leasing and management services for Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina.

“We are thrilled to have John Zielinski as part of the team,” said Rich Crotty, executive vice president. Zielinski served as an executive with Publix Super Markets, Inc. for more than 15 years, Crossman said, and most recently as real estate manager for Publix’s Atlanta division, which, in addition to the Atlanta Metro area, includes Chattanooga, Knoxville and Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C.

Zielinski graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and earned an MBA from the University of South Florida. He is a licensed real estate broker and holds the CCIM designation.

A member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Zielinski is a frequent panelist at conferences and seminars, and most recently served on the ICSC Retail Advisory Board.

About Crossman & Company
Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., Crossman & Company is a commercial real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the retail industry. Currently their portfolio under leasing and/or management exceeds 150 shopping centers throughout the Southeast US. Founded in 1990, Crossman & Company focuses solely on landlord representation and serves clients including Publix, PREIT, and GE. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Build a SeaGate Home in Palm Coast and Get the Lot for Free

PALM COAST – New homebuyers who select SeaGate Homes to build their house in Palm Coast are now getting a little something extra for free…the property!

SeaGate Homes – Flagler County’s largest homebuilder – currently is offering to build any of their floor plans on one of the many lots they have throughout the Palm Coast area, according to Michael Sawdai, SeaGate’s vice president of operations.

The 17-year-old, family-owned company, which builds homes from the $100s to more than $400,000, has designated several of the numerous lots it owns in Palm Coast for the promotion.

“We hope prospective homebuyers recognize not only the quality workmanship and the 15-year structural warranty offered in a SeaGate Home, but also the savings they now can receive by getting their lot free,” Sawdai said.

For more information about new models and floor plans by SeaGate Homes, please call 386-445-1616√ or visit SeaGateHomes.com.

About SeaGate Homes
SeaGate Homes, Flagler County’s largest homebuilder, is a 17-year-old, family-owned company with headquarters in Palm Coast. SeaGate builds quality homes at communities in St. Augustine, Palm Coast, Daytona Beach and Edgewater, as well as through their On-Your-Lot program in Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns counties. Prices range from the $100s to the $400s.

Tolaris Realty Group Names Sherrie Bavec Senior Vice President

Sanford, Fla. –Tolaris Realty Group, a real estate firm located at off SR 46 near Sanford in Seminole County has named Sherrie Bavec senior vice president of the company.

Rick Bavec, president of Tolaris Realty Group, said Sherrie Bavec has more than 10 years of real estate sales and management experience and over 25 years in corporate management.

Mattamy Homes Names Two New Home Sales Counselors for Jacksonville Region

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. division of Canada’s largest home builder, recently appointed two New Home Sales Counselors in the Jacksonville region.

Donna Sadowski, sales manager for Mattamy Homes in the Jacksonville region, said John Binnie was named New Home Sales Counselor at King’s Trace, off Lewis Point Rd. in St. Augustine.

Binnie has eight years of experience in the new home industry, Soltis said. Binnie is a member of the Sales and Marketing Council of the Northeast Florida Builder’s Assn. and was formerly a sales associate with Mercedes Homes/Seda Construction in Jacksonville.

Andrea (Andie) Patton was also named a New Home Sales Counselor. She is a resident of Neptune Beach, and will be working out of Cedar Bay off North Main Street (Hwy. 17) in north Jacksonville.

Patton has 15 years of experience in New Home Sales and holds a BS in Interior Design from the University of Florida.

Sadowski said Patton is an affiliate member of the Northeast Florida Assn. of Realtors (NEFAR), the National Assn of Homebuilders (NAHB) and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. She received a Certified Marketing Professional (CMP) designation from NAHB, and was also awarded the Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS I&II) and E-Pro and Site Professional (CSP) certifications.

Visit www.mattamyhomes.com.

About Mattamy Homes:
Mattamy Homes, www.mattamyhomes.com, expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla. with divisions in Jacksonville, Orlando, Phoenix, Minneapolis and Charlotte. The homebuilder, the largest and most active in Canada with annual revenues exceeding $1.3 billion, was ranked among the highest of all homebuilders in the greater Toronto and Ottawa areas in a nationwide customer satisfaction survey conducted by J.D. Power Associates.

ABD Development starts construction of two luxury model homes at Heritage Green at Providence

DAVENPORT, Fla. – ABD Development Company has started construction of two luxury model homes at Heritage Green at Providence, the luxury golf course community ABD is developing in the south Orlando region.

David Kohn, president of ABD Development Company, said the Portofino model home offers four bedrooms and three baths in 2,670 square feet of living space with a lanai and a two-car garage, priced from $360,000.

The two-story Courtyard II luxury model home offers four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and a loft in 2,700 square feet with a lanai and a two-car garage, priced from $370,000.

Kohn said both new model homes will open before the end of this year.