Items Collected were donated to Toys for Tots, the Children’s Home Society and Second Harvest Food Bank
PORT ORANGE – At two recent events, employees of the Port Orange-based law firm of Rue & Ziffra helped to collect more than a ton of food, as well as $1,500 cash and 238 children’s toys, all of which was donated to three local agencies for distribution to those in need during the holiday season.
The Dec. 3 “Volusia County Grub Ride” – a charity motorcycle run that Rue & Ziffra co-sponsored with Thunder Roads Magazine and the First Turn Steakhouse – sent 130 motorcycle riders on a scenic tour of Volusia County to compete for cash and prizes to see who could bring the most donated food to the finish line.
More than 2,032 pounds of food, along with $1,500 in cash, was collected at the event which benefited the Children’s Home Society and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, according to John Rue, a partner in the longtime personal-injury firm.
Charity was on the minds of the firm’s employees again the following Saturday [Dec.10] when Rue & Ziffra hosted its annual Client Appreciation Christmas party at the Shores Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach Shores and accepted 238 toys from guests for donation to the local Toys for Tots program, Rue said.
“I believe everyone had a lot of fun on both weekends,” Rue said. “But, the best part is knowing that many individuals and families will have a brighter Christmas because of those events and the people who participated in them.”
About Rue & Ziffra:
Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra 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 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.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Names Benjiman Hillman International Marketing Specialist in Southwest Orlando area
ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has appointed Benjiman Hillman an International Marketing Specialist in the Southwest Orlando area.
Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Hillman is a former hotelier and restaurateur who was once appointed a popular restaurant chain’s youngest area director. He later opened his own restaurant in Arkansas.
Disney recruited Hillman as a top manager and brought him to the Orlando area, Soderstrom said. After service at The Peabody, one of Disney’s most fashionable resort hotels, Hillman launched his own real estate career in 2004.
“Benjiman Hillman has a terrific background in hospitality and food service and a tremendous drive to succeed for his real estate clients,” Soderstrom said.
“We expect him to play a major role in our growth and development in the Southwest Orlando area,” Soderstrom said.
About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty
Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.
Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Hillman is a former hotelier and restaurateur who was once appointed a popular restaurant chain’s youngest area director. He later opened his own restaurant in Arkansas.
Disney recruited Hillman as a top manager and brought him to the Orlando area, Soderstrom said. After service at The Peabody, one of Disney’s most fashionable resort hotels, Hillman launched his own real estate career in 2004.
“Benjiman Hillman has a terrific background in hospitality and food service and a tremendous drive to succeed for his real estate clients,” Soderstrom said.
“We expect him to play a major role in our growth and development in the Southwest Orlando area,” Soderstrom said.
About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty
Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.
NAI Realvest Completes 5th Expansion Lease Agreement with Nemours Foundation for office space at La Vina Marketplace at Lake Nona
MAITLAND, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated a lease expansion agreement with The Nemours Foundation for 1,416 square feet of office space in Building B of LaVina Marketplace at Lake Nona, 9161 Narcoossee Rd. in southeast Orlando.
Senior Broker Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Orlando-based Ripley’s International LLC.
With the addition of the 1,416 square feet, The Nemours Foundation, headquartered in Jacksonville, will now occupy 32,112 square feet at La Vina Marketplace at Lake Nona.
Mickey Hage of Mickey Hage, Inc. represented The Nemours Foundation in the transaction.
About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest, 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. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built 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.
Senior Broker Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Orlando-based Ripley’s International LLC.
With the addition of the 1,416 square feet, The Nemours Foundation, headquartered in Jacksonville, will now occupy 32,112 square feet at La Vina Marketplace at Lake Nona.
Mickey Hage of Mickey Hage, Inc. represented The Nemours Foundation in the transaction.
About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest, 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. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built 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.
NAI Realvest Negotiates New Office Lease for Solar Energy Provider at Lake Mary Professional Campus off I-4
ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease of 2,248 square feet of office space at Lake Mary Professional Campus, the office development at the intersection of I-4 and Lake Mary Blvd.
Jack W. Lynch, senior associate at NAI Realvest brokered the transaction representing the tenant, ESA Renewables, LLC, a solar energy provider expanding into an additional space adjacent to its existing 2,320 square feet in suite 2401. ESA now occupies a total of 4,568 square feet at Lake Mary Professional Campus.
Cloud Holdings, LLC of Lake Mary is the landlord, and was represented by Louis Joachim of Dover International Realty.
About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest, 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. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built 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.
Jack W. Lynch, senior associate at NAI Realvest brokered the transaction representing the tenant, ESA Renewables, LLC, a solar energy provider expanding into an additional space adjacent to its existing 2,320 square feet in suite 2401. ESA now occupies a total of 4,568 square feet at Lake Mary Professional Campus.
Cloud Holdings, LLC of Lake Mary is the landlord, and was represented by Louis Joachim of Dover International Realty.
About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest, 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. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built 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.
Meritage Homes Names New Sales Associate at Waterford Trails
ORLANDO, Fla. – Meritage Homes has named Sally Harrop, sales associate at Waterford Trails on Pellicer Drive off Avalon Park Blvd & S.R. 50 in East Orlando.
Brian Kittle, vice president of sales for Meritage Homes in the Orlando region, said Harrop has four years of experience in residential real estate sales.
Brian Kittle, vice president of sales for Meritage Homes in the Orlando region, said Harrop has four years of experience in residential real estate sales.
A 120-MPH SCOOTER? RIDE GREEN SCOOTERS KNOWS HOW TO DO IT
WINTER PARK, Fla. --- Ride Green Scooters on W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park is now offering a wide range of upgrades and accessories to turn most makes and brands of scooters into high-performance machines with top speeds of up to 120 miles per hour.
“As more Central Floridians opt for scooters to make their daily commutes more pleasurable and more energy efficient, some scooter riders want to get the best performance they can out of their machines,” explained Ron Schwartz, principal at Ride Green Scooters.
Ride Green Scooters has the answer. Service manager George Agutter said new performance-enhancing equipment now available at Ride Green Scooters can boost performance in almost any make and model scooter.
Ride Green service technician Edwin Amador is an expert at making motor scooters go fast, Agutter said.
“We can turn a 49-cc scooter into an 80-cc powerhouse and boost the engine capacity of a 150-cc scooter to 160-cc,” he said.
A special racing performance muffler available at Ride Green Scooters can help boost performance by up to 50 percent,” Agutter added.
“Edwin Amador is a genius at making scooters faster,” Agutter said. “His personal scooter can do 120 mph,” Agutter boasted.
Visit www.ridegreenscooters.com.
“As more Central Floridians opt for scooters to make their daily commutes more pleasurable and more energy efficient, some scooter riders want to get the best performance they can out of their machines,” explained Ron Schwartz, principal at Ride Green Scooters.
Ride Green Scooters has the answer. Service manager George Agutter said new performance-enhancing equipment now available at Ride Green Scooters can boost performance in almost any make and model scooter.
Ride Green service technician Edwin Amador is an expert at making motor scooters go fast, Agutter said.
“We can turn a 49-cc scooter into an 80-cc powerhouse and boost the engine capacity of a 150-cc scooter to 160-cc,” he said.
A special racing performance muffler available at Ride Green Scooters can help boost performance by up to 50 percent,” Agutter added.
“Edwin Amador is a genius at making scooters faster,” Agutter said. “His personal scooter can do 120 mph,” Agutter boasted.
Visit www.ridegreenscooters.com.
Mercantile Capital Corporation moves into new headquarters at Old Florida National Bank in Downtown Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. --- Mercantile Capital Corporation, which ranks as one of the nation’s largest and most active providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, has relocated its corporate headquarters to the Old Florida National Bank building at 60 N. Court Ave. in downtown Orlando.
Christopher G. Hurn, president of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said the firm’s new 9,000 square foot office is almost 23 percent larger than the former Altamonte Springs headquarters the firm opened eight years ago, and will allow for future expansion.
Since 2003, Mercantile Capital has closed 366 SBA 504 loans that financed projects valued at more than $732.9 million in 33 states, including Florida, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Christopher G. Hurn, president of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said the firm’s new 9,000 square foot office is almost 23 percent larger than the former Altamonte Springs headquarters the firm opened eight years ago, and will allow for future expansion.
Since 2003, Mercantile Capital has closed 366 SBA 504 loans that financed projects valued at more than $732.9 million in 33 states, including Florida, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Hendricks & Partners Associate Partner Hal Warren Earns Second Master's Degree from UCF
ORLANDO, Fla. --- Longtime Central Florida commercial real estate executive Hal Warren, associate partner for the Orlando based Southeast Division of Hendricks & Partners, a multi-family investment banking company, recently earned his second Master’s Degree from the University of Central Florida.
Warren’s new post-graduate degree — Professional Master of Science in Real Estate in Business Administration — is the inaugural Master of Science in Real Estate program, from the Dr. P. Phillips School of Real Estate in the College of Business.
The former Cushman & Wakefield executive is also a Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS), a designation from the National Apartment Association and he currently serves on the City of Orlando’s Historical Preservation Board.
Warren’s new post-graduate degree — Professional Master of Science in Real Estate in Business Administration — is the inaugural Master of Science in Real Estate program, from the Dr. P. Phillips School of Real Estate in the College of Business.
The former Cushman & Wakefield executive is also a Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS), a designation from the National Apartment Association and he currently serves on the City of Orlando’s Historical Preservation Board.
Offbeat Idea Leads Advanced EMS Designs to New Product, New Company and New Market
WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. --- It started with a small idea in the head of a retired firefighter and paramedic Scott Neusch. He thought he perceived a problem that could be a major one for injured patients, and he thought he might be able to create a solution. That’s how a free market works.
Neusch enlisted the University of Miami to help him gauge the problem in empirical terms. Then he set about inventing his solution. That, it turns out, was the easy part.
The problem was backboards — hard plastic shelves molded to accommodate patients with back injuries who need safe, secure transport to hospitals.
Backboards are one of the most common pieces of equipment aboard emergency vehicles. But they’re uncommonly dirty.
“We tested a random sampling of 55 backboards in several parts of the state,” Neusch explained. “What we found was a little scary. Despite careful cleaning after each use — hospital scrubbings — every one of the backboards we tested harbored infectious microbes such as MRSA that posed a danger to the next patient,” he said.
Injuries that require use of a backboard are usually serious.
And Neusch said, they often entail blood, vomit or other bodily fluids.
“If you’re an paramedic, that comes with the territory,” Neusch explained.
But the scratches, gouges and tape residue on typical backboards can harbor all sorts of infectious bacteria, despite careful cleaning. The next patient to use the equipment — and who may have open wounds — could easily pick up the bacterial infection.
Neusch and his colleagues, Joe McCluan , Mark Steinert, and Scott McIntyre contacted the Dept. of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate’s Tech-solutions Division with an idea.
“Tech-solutions was a great help, Neusch said. The result — Board Armor — is now a fully licensed, commercially available product that will undoubtedly save lives and protect against infections as it takes hold.
Board Armor is a disposable Tyvek sheath that covers the body board before use. After the patient is safely transported, the Board Armor is disposed of sanitarily.
Its use prevents body fluids from contaminating the backboard, prevents any contaminants on the backboard from infecting the patient, and reduces turnaround time so that EMTs and paramedics can get back on the road saving lives faster.
“It’s a simple solution. It won’t make us millionaires anytime soon, but it will help a lot of patients, and that’s what we set out to do,” said Neusch.
Neusch and his colleagues formed Advanced EMS Designs, which markets Board Armor and is developing additional solutions for first responders, from its corporate headquarters at the University of Central Florida Business Incubator in Winter Springs, Fla.
About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities 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, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.
Neusch enlisted the University of Miami to help him gauge the problem in empirical terms. Then he set about inventing his solution. That, it turns out, was the easy part.
The problem was backboards — hard plastic shelves molded to accommodate patients with back injuries who need safe, secure transport to hospitals.
Backboards are one of the most common pieces of equipment aboard emergency vehicles. But they’re uncommonly dirty.
“We tested a random sampling of 55 backboards in several parts of the state,” Neusch explained. “What we found was a little scary. Despite careful cleaning after each use — hospital scrubbings — every one of the backboards we tested harbored infectious microbes such as MRSA that posed a danger to the next patient,” he said.
Injuries that require use of a backboard are usually serious.
And Neusch said, they often entail blood, vomit or other bodily fluids.
“If you’re an paramedic, that comes with the territory,” Neusch explained.
But the scratches, gouges and tape residue on typical backboards can harbor all sorts of infectious bacteria, despite careful cleaning. The next patient to use the equipment — and who may have open wounds — could easily pick up the bacterial infection.
Neusch and his colleagues, Joe McCluan , Mark Steinert, and Scott McIntyre contacted the Dept. of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate’s Tech-solutions Division with an idea.
“Tech-solutions was a great help, Neusch said. The result — Board Armor — is now a fully licensed, commercially available product that will undoubtedly save lives and protect against infections as it takes hold.
Board Armor is a disposable Tyvek sheath that covers the body board before use. After the patient is safely transported, the Board Armor is disposed of sanitarily.
Its use prevents body fluids from contaminating the backboard, prevents any contaminants on the backboard from infecting the patient, and reduces turnaround time so that EMTs and paramedics can get back on the road saving lives faster.
“It’s a simple solution. It won’t make us millionaires anytime soon, but it will help a lot of patients, and that’s what we set out to do,” said Neusch.
Neusch and his colleagues formed Advanced EMS Designs, which markets Board Armor and is developing additional solutions for first responders, from its corporate headquarters at the University of Central Florida Business Incubator in Winter Springs, Fla.
About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities 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, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.
NAI Realvest Completes $2.7 Million Sale of 7,527 Square Foot International Drive Restaurant Building
ORLANDO, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of the 7,527 square foot former Bola Restaurant at 8148 International Drive in Southwest Orlando for $2,700,000.
NAI Realvest principals Kevin O’Connor and Matt Cichocki negotiated the transaction representing the seller, Hollywood Plaza Holdings, LLC of Brooklyn N.Y.
TC Holdings-International Drive, LLC purchased the property and was represented by Jon Rose of Charles Wayne Properties.
After renovation of the building, which will be expanded to 8,500 square feet, the buyer intends to open a 250 seat Kobe Japanese Steakhouse restaurant. Opening is projected for May of 2012.
About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest, 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. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built 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
NAI Realvest principals Kevin O’Connor and Matt Cichocki negotiated the transaction representing the seller, Hollywood Plaza Holdings, LLC of Brooklyn N.Y.
TC Holdings-International Drive, LLC purchased the property and was represented by Jon Rose of Charles Wayne Properties.
After renovation of the building, which will be expanded to 8,500 square feet, the buyer intends to open a 250 seat Kobe Japanese Steakhouse restaurant. Opening is projected for May of 2012.
About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest, 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. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built 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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
