Celebration Golf Management to hold Certified Training Course for golf cart mechanics, superintendents at Stoneybrook West

CELEBRATION, Fla. --- Celebration Golf Management, which manages nine golf courses in the Central Florida area, will hold a certified training course for superintendents and golf cart mechanics and maintenance specialists Nov. 28 at Stoneybrook West Golf Club in Winter Garden. Gene Garrote, president of Celebration Golf Management and Scottish PGA Golf Professional Kenny Nairn, executive vice president of golf for Celebration Golf Management, said they expect more than 20 participants in the training sessions, which are being conducted by club cart specialists. Nairn said mechanics and superintendents will receive the Club Car Maintenance training certification when they successfully complete the training course. “This is the first time we know of that this has been done,” Nairn said. “This training is normally available only at the Club Cart Headquarters in Augusta,” he said. Nairn said he organized the training program so Celebration Golf Management can play a more proactive role in preventing golf cart failures.

Florida Business Incubation Assn to Host Bi-annual Meeting Dec 10-11 at Ocala Power Plant Business Incubator

Orlando, Fla., - The Florida Business Incubation Association (FBIA), a professional network that supports business incubators and economic development throughout Florida, will host its bi-annual meeting on Dec. 10-11 at the Ocala Power Plant Business Incubator located on S.E. Osceola Avenue and S.E. 4th Street in Ocala, five blocks south of SR 40 (Silver Springs Blvd). Dr. Tom O’Neal, president of the Florida Business Incubation Assn. and executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program in Orlando, welcomes everyone interested in supporting entrepreneurs in Florida to participate in the meeting in Ocala. O’Neal emphasizes that entrepreneurship should be on everyone’s agenda in this current economy, and it needs to become a movement that everyone gets behind, recognizing entrepreneurs as the true drivers of economic wealth and prosperity. The agenda for the bi-annual meeting includes presentations on engagement marketing, FBIA advisory board new initiatives, angel network program and business startup funding. The concluding roundtable discussions, which have been highly regarded by participants in the past, will focus specifically on marketing to entrepreneurs, new client practice, sponsorships and data collection from clients. O’Neal said he looks forward to presenting the new initiatives from the FBIA, and to again exchange best practices and ideas from around the State with all the participating groups at the upcoming conference. Cost to attend the two-day meeting is $40 for FBIA members and $65 for nonmembers, which includes a one-year membership. Parking is ample and free. For additional information regarding the event and accommodations, visit www.fbiaonline.org or www.facebook.com/FLBIA.

Tolaris Homes Kicks off New Program with Free Home Analysis for Realtors

LAKE FOREST, Fla. – Tolaris Homes, a leading home builder based in Lake Forest in North Seminole County has rolled out an innovative new program for all Central Florida Realtors: Tolaris Homes is offering a free home analysis. “It should make their job much easier,” said company president Rick Bavec. At the same time, Tolaris Homes will start construction in the next 30 days of a new 5,000 square foot home in Lake Forest. The four-bedroom home, with three-baths and a three-car garage boasts a Carolina Coastal elevation in a one-story design. Tolaris Homes also plans to start a major remodeling project in November. The home in Spring Lakes Estates in Altamonte Springs that will receive a major overhaul including redesign of the elevation into a modern traditional design and a 350 square foot addition.

Ashton Wood Homes Starts Presales of 66 three and four bedroom luxury townhomes at Copley Square near Downtown Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes has started presales of 66 new three and four bedroom luxury townhomes near Downtown Orlando at Copley Square, located on Delaney and Michigan Aves. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes, said new townhomes at Copley Square range in size from 2,863 square feet of living space to 3,046 square feet with two and three-and-a-half baths and two car garages. New townhomes at Copley Square are priced from the mid-$200s. Copley Square amenities include community swimming pool and cabana. Ashton Woods Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies with operations in growth communities in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Killeen, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Raleigh and Tampa. For more information, visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com.

NAI Realvest negotiates new leases for warehouse space totaling 6,450 square feet in West Orange County

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated two lease agreements for warehouse space totaling 6,450 square feet in West Orange County at Carter CommerCenter in Winter Garden and at the Countyline Industrial Park in Oakland. Michael Heidrich, a principal at NAI Realvest negotiated both transactions representing the landlords. At Carter CommerCenter, 890 Carter Rd., Jacksonville-based Fastenal Company leased units 150 and 160 with 3,750 square feet. Maitland-based COP-Carter LLC is the landlord. At Countyline Industrial Park, 940 W. Oakland Ave. off W. Colonial Drive, Universal Network Unlimited, Inc. based in Windermere leased Suite A-7 with 2,700 square feet. Countyline Suites, LLC is the landlord.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Two Lease Renewals Totaling 33,000 Square Feet of Industrial Space in Orlando

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated two lease renewals totaling 33,000 square feet at industrial facilities in Orlando. Michael Heidrich, principal at NAI Realvest negotiated both transactions representing the landlords. Hajoca Corporation of Ardmore, Pa., a plumbing and heating supplier, renewed a lease of 30,000 square feet at 2499 Mercy Drive where LB Sowell Corp. of Brandon, Fla. is the landlord. Heidrich also negotiated a renewal with electrical contractor 4Evolution, Inc. at 7466 Narcoossee Rd. for unit 200-G with 3,000 square feet in Airport Industrial Center where the landlord is Columbus, Ohio-based Airport Investment Properties, LLC.

Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge promotes Kevin Naylor to Golf Shop Supervisor

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge has promoted Kevin Naylor to golf shop supervisor. Tano Malentin, general manager, said Naylor joined Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge in March 2012 as golf shop attendant. Naylor is currently attending the Professional Golfers Career College. “Kevin’s great skills and attention to details make him the perfect supervisor for the golf shop,” Malentin said, adding “He has a passion for this profession.” In his new role, Naylor will report directly to general manager Tano Malentin.

Creators of Healthy Omega Cookie™ Help Local Food Bank Provide Thanksgiving Dinners for those in Need

Healthy Cookies and “Clicks” Equal Dollars for All Faiths Food Bank VENICE, FL – In addition to the usual Thanksgiving contributions, a Sarasota food bank is receiving some creative donations this holiday season, compliments of Omega3 Innovations, creator of the Omega Cookie. For every box of Omega Cookies sold at the Sarasota Farmer’s Market and every Facebook “like” the company receives this month, Omega3 Innovations is donating $1 to All Faiths Food Bank, according to Dr. Anne-Marie Chalmers, co-founder of the Venice-based biotech company. “I’m impressed with the nutrition courses that All Faiths gives to young families,” Chalmers said. “They not only provide food for the hungry, but they teach how to make inexpensive, healthy and good-tasting meals. That’s very much in line with our mission, too.” Omega3 Innovations – a family-owned company that produces healthy oatmeal-based cookies and dark chocolate truffles rich in omega-3 fish oil, as well as fresh-tasting liquid fish oil – is hoping to help provide food to those who need it most by working with All Faiths Food Bank. Previously, the company donated Omega Cookies directly to All Faiths Food Bank to not only help feed hungry people, but also provide them with nutritious food, Chalmers said. With the help of nearly 200 partner agencies and programs, All Faiths Food Bank gathers and distributes more than 88,000 meals weekly in Sarasota and Desoto counties, according to All Faiths Executive Director Sandra Frank. “Every day, thousands of people in southwest Florida struggle with hunger,” Frank said. “Statistics indicate that the face of hunger has changed with unemployment being the stronger predictor of food insecurity. Today, the hungry also include hard-working adults, children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, or even days.” Chalmers said she hopes her company’s donations will help the food bank provide more food for the hungry this holiday season than ever before. “All Faiths does so much for our community, and this year they desperately need more resources.” To join the November donation effort, visit www.facebook.com/Omega3Innovations or the Omega3 Innovations booth at the Sarasota Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.

Ryland Homes Launches the Great Ryland Homes Toy Drive, Including an Extra $500 worth of Design Options to Homebuyers Who Donate a Toy

Charleston, S.C. --- Ryland Homes plans to include an extra $500 worth of design options to new home buyers who donate a toy to the Great Ryland Homes Toy Drive in time for Christmas. Brian Cartwright, vice president of sales and marketing for Ryland’s Charleston/Myrtle Beach Division, said the offer applies to new to be built homes that are contracted between Nov. 26 and Dec. 16. Toys should be new and unwrapped and dropped off at any Ryland Homes Sales Center, “Ryland is a 2012 National Corporate Sponsor of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation,” Cartwright said. Ryland builds single family homes priced from $128,990 to more than $300,000 in Charleston at Brickhope Plantation, Carolina Park, Charleston Oaks, Taylor Plantation, Victoria Pointe, Wellborn Village and Whitney Lake, and at The Shoreline and The Woodlands at Creekhaven in Myrtle Beach. For more information, visit www.ryland.com.

FIRST GREEN BANK APPOINTS REGIONAL PRESIDENT, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ORLANDO MARKET

Mount Dora, Fla. – First Green Bank whose Mount Dora headquarters is the second privately built commercial building in Florida to qualify for U.S. Green Building Council’s Platinum LEED certification, recently appointed Alan Rowe regional president and Jeffrey B. Cowherd senior vice president of Commercial Lending in First Green Bank’s new Orlando office opening by early December at 1118 S. Orange Ave. Kenneth LaRoe, chairman of First Green Bank, said Rowe holds a Masters of Business Administration from The Fogelman College of Business and Economics in Memphis, Tenn. and has more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry. He has held several official positions at Central Florida Banks during his career, most recently as regional president of First Southern Bank in Orlando. Rowe just completed a term on the Board of Governors of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce. LaRoe said Cowherd, who graduated from University of Central Florida with a degree in Accounting, was formerly senior vice president and senior lender for the central Florida region of First Southern Bank. He has nearly 30 years of experience in banking and finance and throughout his career has held leadership positions at local civic organizations including Hospice of Central Florida, American Red Cross Central Florida Chapter and East Orlando Kiwanis. “Alan and Jeff have impeccable track records with numerous accomplishments in the industry. They both will play a major role in our growth within the Orlando market,” LaRoe said. First Green Bank www.FirstGreenBank.com is one of only five banks in Central Florida to earn the prestigious Five-Star rating from BauerFinancial, Inc., the independent community bank rating group based in Coral Gables.