ORLANDO, Fla. --- A silent auction at The University Club of Orlando raised more than $25,000 to benefit Wounded Warriors Outdoors, a not-for-profit group whose mission is to reward active duty wounded servicemen with the therapeutic trip of their lifetime: a small way of thanking them for their unselfish personal sacrifices in helping to preserve our freedom.
Cole Whitaker, who heads Hendricks & Partners’ Orlando regional office emceed the Cocktails for a Cause event, which was Wounded Warriors Outdoors first ever fundraiser.
More than 150 people attended, said Susan Greene, general manager of The University Club of Orlando.
The University Club of Orlando Cocktails for a Cause events have raised more than $100,000 over the past three years to benefit area civic, community and charitable organizations.
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For more information, contact:Susan Greene, General Manager, The University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514, gm@ucluborlando.com; Cole Whitaker, Southeast Partner, Hendricks & Partners 407-218-8880 cwhitaker@HPAPTS.com
Friday, March 4, 2011
Crossman & Company Names Former Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty Executive Vice President
ORLANDO, Fla. --- Crossman & Company, which is one of the largest retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, recently appointed former Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty Executive Vice President in a move that will enhance the company’s leadership role in the industry and facilitate continued growth throughout the Southeast, said the company’s president.
John Crossman, President, said Mayor Crotty is one of the most recognizable and powerful people in the State of Florida, and will be able to offer some insight and leadership that will help propel the company into the future.
“We are a strong, growing company, and Mayor Crotty brings a level of experience, maturity and leadership that will substantially enhance our capacity to serve our clients throughout the Southeast,” said Crossman, a frequent speaker at regional and national retail conferences who is widely regarded as one of the industry’s leading experts.
Crossman said Mayor Crotty’s public service experience–14 years in the Florida legislature and 19 years in Orange County government, including two terms as Orange County Mayor– may open doors, but his strategic skills will prove more valuable.
“Mayor Crotty tends to look at the longer term and the bigger picture,” Crossman said. “He brings a perspective to this industry that is already facilitating opportunities to increase business, create jobs and help Florida recover from this recession.”
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For more information contact: John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com
About Crossman & Company: Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in the Southeast with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Publix.
John Crossman, President, said Mayor Crotty is one of the most recognizable and powerful people in the State of Florida, and will be able to offer some insight and leadership that will help propel the company into the future.
“We are a strong, growing company, and Mayor Crotty brings a level of experience, maturity and leadership that will substantially enhance our capacity to serve our clients throughout the Southeast,” said Crossman, a frequent speaker at regional and national retail conferences who is widely regarded as one of the industry’s leading experts.
Crossman said Mayor Crotty’s public service experience–14 years in the Florida legislature and 19 years in Orange County government, including two terms as Orange County Mayor– may open doors, but his strategic skills will prove more valuable.
“Mayor Crotty tends to look at the longer term and the bigger picture,” Crossman said. “He brings a perspective to this industry that is already facilitating opportunities to increase business, create jobs and help Florida recover from this recession.”
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For more information contact: John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com
About Crossman & Company: Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in the Southeast with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Publix.
Heritage Hills To Host Doo Wop Sock Hop March 19 With 50s Music, Burgers and Shakes, Classic Car Shows and Free Prizes
Clermont, Fla. --- Heritage Hills, the award-winning active adult community Lennar is developing in Clermont off Hartwood Marsh Road south of S.R. 50 and east of U.S. 27, will host a Doo Wop Sock Hop from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 with classic car show, burgers, fries, hot dogs and malted shakes, free gifts for visitors and 50s rock-n-roll by the six-piece Music Makers of Lakeland.
Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said admission to Doo Wop Sock Hop is free and the public is invited.
Metheny said the food will be plentiful, and the Central Florida Bow Tie Club promises a memorable car show. Dancing will be optional, Metheny said, and Heritage Hills is giving away Knee-Hi Funky Socks for ladies who want to kick up their heels, along with keepsake beach balls and classic cars while supplies last.
Lennar builds single-family homes and villa homes at Heritage Hills priced from the $130s. Metheny said Heritage Hills will be offering tours of its model homes and ready-to-move-in villa homes.
Heritage Hills features a huge community clubhouse with state-of-the-art fitness facility and rooms for cards, billiards, hobbies and crafts, a library, computer station and wireless access, aerobics and administration in addition to a catering kitchen, conference room, a ballroom with a stage, a heated resort style pool with lap lanes and water aerobics, a heated hot tub/spa, and a lighted sports court area with tennis, basketball, bocce ball, and shuffleboard.
“The clubhouse includes a state of the art golf simulator where residents can play 60 of the world's finest courses in air-conditioned comfort, and an outdoor professional putting green with sand trap for practicing your short game” Metheny said.
Visit www.Lennar.com.
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For more information contact: Sara K. Nakamine, Active Adult Marketing Lennar-Heritage Hills, 813-494-6391; David Parker, Director of Sales Lennar-Orlando Region, 888-317-7489; Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 727-479-1700
Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said admission to Doo Wop Sock Hop is free and the public is invited.
Metheny said the food will be plentiful, and the Central Florida Bow Tie Club promises a memorable car show. Dancing will be optional, Metheny said, and Heritage Hills is giving away Knee-Hi Funky Socks for ladies who want to kick up their heels, along with keepsake beach balls and classic cars while supplies last.
Lennar builds single-family homes and villa homes at Heritage Hills priced from the $130s. Metheny said Heritage Hills will be offering tours of its model homes and ready-to-move-in villa homes.
Heritage Hills features a huge community clubhouse with state-of-the-art fitness facility and rooms for cards, billiards, hobbies and crafts, a library, computer station and wireless access, aerobics and administration in addition to a catering kitchen, conference room, a ballroom with a stage, a heated resort style pool with lap lanes and water aerobics, a heated hot tub/spa, and a lighted sports court area with tennis, basketball, bocce ball, and shuffleboard.
“The clubhouse includes a state of the art golf simulator where residents can play 60 of the world's finest courses in air-conditioned comfort, and an outdoor professional putting green with sand trap for practicing your short game” Metheny said.
Visit www.Lennar.com.
* * *
For more information contact: Sara K. Nakamine, Active Adult Marketing Lennar-Heritage Hills, 813-494-6391; David Parker, Director of Sales Lennar-Orlando Region, 888-317-7489; Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 727-479-1700
March Silent Auction and Cocktail Party to Benefit Volusia/Flagler Animal Rescue Group
ORMOND BEACH – The 3rd annual Spring Cocktail Party and Silent Auction, a benefit for the Rescued Hearts Animal Shelter, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 19 at the Ormond Lakes Clubhouse on Ormond Lakes Boulevard.
The event will feature cocktails, savory appetizers and tempting desserts on the lake view deck. But, the highlight will be a silent auction of artwork, unique gifts and other items donated by local businesses and individuals, according to newly-elected president Julie Beard.
“We’re very excited to host this event again this year,” Beard said. “We have lots of interesting items that will be on display for those planning to bid on a great item while they help support animal welfare.”
Beard said the event is a large part of the group’s annual fundraising efforts to purchase land to build the Rescued Hearts Animal Shelter and Spay/Neuter Hospital.
The 501C(3) non-profit agency organized in 2007 to help find homes for animals in Volusia and Flagler counties and places dogs and cats in foster homes until they are adopted or until their “state-of-the-art-with-heart” shelter is built.
The agency’s short-term plan is to obtain land in Volusia County and construct a facility to help decrease local government’s cost to house or euthanize unwanted animals.
Other goals are to establish an aggressive spay/neuter program, help animals stay at home to prevent the need for housing, and provide superior care and quality of life for animals.
Tickets for the event are $25 per person and all proceeds will be designated for the group’s Property Acquisition Fund. Reservations can be made by calling Judy Thompson at 386-252-1050.
For details about Rescued Hearts, visit www.rescuedheartsanimalshelter.com.
***
For more information about this release, please contact: Julie Beard, President, Rescued Hearts Animal Shelter, 386-626-3003, jbstables@gmail.com, or Judy Thompson, 386-252-1050; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com
The event will feature cocktails, savory appetizers and tempting desserts on the lake view deck. But, the highlight will be a silent auction of artwork, unique gifts and other items donated by local businesses and individuals, according to newly-elected president Julie Beard.
“We’re very excited to host this event again this year,” Beard said. “We have lots of interesting items that will be on display for those planning to bid on a great item while they help support animal welfare.”
Beard said the event is a large part of the group’s annual fundraising efforts to purchase land to build the Rescued Hearts Animal Shelter and Spay/Neuter Hospital.
The 501C(3) non-profit agency organized in 2007 to help find homes for animals in Volusia and Flagler counties and places dogs and cats in foster homes until they are adopted or until their “state-of-the-art-with-heart” shelter is built.
The agency’s short-term plan is to obtain land in Volusia County and construct a facility to help decrease local government’s cost to house or euthanize unwanted animals.
Other goals are to establish an aggressive spay/neuter program, help animals stay at home to prevent the need for housing, and provide superior care and quality of life for animals.
Tickets for the event are $25 per person and all proceeds will be designated for the group’s Property Acquisition Fund. Reservations can be made by calling Judy Thompson at 386-252-1050.
For details about Rescued Hearts, visit www.rescuedheartsanimalshelter.com.
***
For more information about this release, please contact: Julie Beard, President, Rescued Hearts Animal Shelter, 386-626-3003, jbstables@gmail.com, or Judy Thompson, 386-252-1050; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com
UCF Incubator in Kissimmee to Host St. Patrick’s Day Networking Reception for Area Entrepreneurs
KISSIMMEE - The University of Central Florida Business Incubator in Kissimmee will host a networking reception for area entrepreneurs from 5 to7 p.m. on Thursday March 17.
Rafael Caamano, site manager at the UCF Business Incubator in Kissimmee, said the St. Patrick’s Day reception is a chance for entrepreneurs with startup businesses to meet and discuss issues in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
The event is free and open to all entrepreneurs, Caamano said.
The UCF Business Incubator in Kissimmee is located on the fourth floor of the Kissimmee City Centre, 111 Monument Ave. in Kissimmee
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For more information, contact: Rafael Caamano, Site Manager Kissimmee UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-343-4300 rcaamano@mail.ucf.edu
About the UCF Incubation Program: Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 160 emerging companies (including 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.
Rafael Caamano, site manager at the UCF Business Incubator in Kissimmee, said the St. Patrick’s Day reception is a chance for entrepreneurs with startup businesses to meet and discuss issues in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
The event is free and open to all entrepreneurs, Caamano said.
The UCF Business Incubator in Kissimmee is located on the fourth floor of the Kissimmee City Centre, 111 Monument Ave. in Kissimmee
- 30 -
For more information, contact: Rafael Caamano, Site Manager Kissimmee UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-343-4300 rcaamano@mail.ucf.edu
About the UCF Incubation Program: Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 160 emerging companies (including 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.
Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary in Sanford donates $200 to support Florida Police and Fire Games
SANFORD, Fla. --- Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary in Sanford recently contributed $200 to support the Florida Police and Fire Games.
Eunice I. Wilson, principal at Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary said Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary has supported the organization at various levels since 2000.
Florida Police and Fire Games allows police and fire officers from Volusia and Seminole Counties to “escape the everyday stress that comes with the job through athletic competition,” according to Wilson.
Wilson said Central Florida officers compete against other teams from Dade, Martin, Duval and Hillsborough counties.
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For more information about this press release, contact: Dr. Gail Choice, 407-688-0211, Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary; Eunice I. Wilson, Principal, 407-322-5212 Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com
Eunice I. Wilson, principal at Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary said Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary has supported the organization at various levels since 2000.
Florida Police and Fire Games allows police and fire officers from Volusia and Seminole Counties to “escape the everyday stress that comes with the job through athletic competition,” according to Wilson.
Wilson said Central Florida officers compete against other teams from Dade, Martin, Duval and Hillsborough counties.
* * *
For more information about this press release, contact: Dr. Gail Choice, 407-688-0211, Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary; Eunice I. Wilson, Principal, 407-322-5212 Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com
Canaveral Port Authority Reappoints NAI Realvest Managing Partner Paul P. Partyka Real Estate Broker
MAITLAND, Fla. --- Paul P. Partyka, managing partner of NAI Realvest in Maitland, was recently reappointed by the Canaveral Port Authority as their Real Estate Broker.
Partyka was first appointed to the post in 2007.
The Canaveral Port Authority lists assets valued at more than $200 million and buildings valued at more than $14 million on 886 acres surrounding Port Canaveral.
“Port Canaveral ranks as one of the largest trade zones in North America,” Partyka said.
As their real estate broker, Partyka represents the Canaveral Port Authority for both leasing and sales.
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For more information, contact: Paul P. Partyka, Managing Partner, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 ppartyka@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lversehlco@aol.com
About NAI Realvest: NAI Realvest, covering 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 325 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.
Partyka was first appointed to the post in 2007.
The Canaveral Port Authority lists assets valued at more than $200 million and buildings valued at more than $14 million on 886 acres surrounding Port Canaveral.
“Port Canaveral ranks as one of the largest trade zones in North America,” Partyka said.
As their real estate broker, Partyka represents the Canaveral Port Authority for both leasing and sales.
* * *
For more information, contact: Paul P. Partyka, Managing Partner, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 ppartyka@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lversehlco@aol.com
About NAI Realvest: NAI Realvest, covering 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 325 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.
Parent Company of Avalon Park Group Acquires Major Share of Swiss Beverage Producer Thurella A.G.
ORLANDO, Fla. --- Kahli A.G., the parent company of Avalon Park Group in East Orlando, recently acquired a 6.5 percent stake in Thurella A.G. (BRN:TRLN), a Swiss beverage producer that specializes in fruit and vegetable juices.
Beat Kahli, who heads Avalon Park Group, said the 6.5 percent stake makes Kahli A.G. one of the three largest shareholders in Thurella A.G., a traditional, 100-year-old company.
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For more information contact: Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Director, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565; Beat Kahli, Owner/Founder, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142
Beat Kahli, who heads Avalon Park Group, said the 6.5 percent stake makes Kahli A.G. one of the three largest shareholders in Thurella A.G., a traditional, 100-year-old company.
* * *
For more information contact: Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Director, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565; Beat Kahli, Owner/Founder, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142
South Florida Ball Bearing Company Selected to Participate in State-Funded Economic Gardening Program
DELRAY BEACH – Boca Bearing, a Palm Beach County ball bearing company, has been selected to receive free assistance through the state-funded GrowFL program, part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.
Founded in 1987 by Owner/President Allen Baum, Boca Bearing imports and exports miniature bearings for a multitude of purposes, including robotics, prototyping, food and medical device manufacturing, radio-controlled hobbies and performance racing, according to Baum’s son Jason Flanzbaum, vice president of sales and marketing.
“We have been steadily growing every year even during the economic downturn,” Flanzbaum said. “As a result we have struggled with growing pains as well as succession-planning issues. Hopefully, GrowFL will help us through this transition period.”
Created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature, GrowFL is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. GrowFL will support Boca Bearings through a number of free services, including access to market research and technology, strategy analysis, CEO roundtables and forums, database research and website optimization.
When selecting businesses the institute looks for ones that have the potential to be successful, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.
“Companies like Boca Bearing are chosen for the program because of the potential they have shown and their efforts in becoming a second-stage company,” said O’Neal, who also serves as associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.
Flanzbaum said his family’s Delray Beach company, which currently has 15 employees, is “working through the many hurdles” that they feel are preventing them from faster growth.
“We are looking to expand our product range, buy a new building, hire three to five employees and invest in new infrastructure this year,” he said. “We believe with the assistance from GrowFL we can accomplish all of those goals.”
****
About Boca Bearing: As a specialist in ceramic bearing technology, the Boca Bearing Company has been a trusted name in after-market and upgrade bearing replacement for more than two decades. The company focuses on conserving energy while reducing rolling resistance for extreme applications. Boca Bearing solves challenging application problems for many industries, including robotics, prototyping, food and medical device manufacturing, radio-controlled hobbies and performance racing.
About the Florida Economic Gardening Institute: The Florida Economic Gardening Institute was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature as the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Program to stimulate investment in Florida’s economy by providing technical assistance for expanding businesses in the state. Qualified companies must be engaged in the following sectors to receive no-cost technical assistance: Manufacturing; Finance & Insurance Services; Wholesale Trade; Information Industries; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management Services; and, Administrative & Support Services. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.
For more information about this release, please contact: Jason Flanzbaum, Boca Bearing, 561-998-0004, Jason@bocabearings.com; Linda Nelson, Outreach Services GrowFL, 407-882-0046, Linda@Growfl.com; Jane Teague, Enterprise Development Corp. of S. Fla. 561-620-8494, jteague@edc-tech.org; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, chagervandyke@yahoo.com or Lvershelco@aol.com
Founded in 1987 by Owner/President Allen Baum, Boca Bearing imports and exports miniature bearings for a multitude of purposes, including robotics, prototyping, food and medical device manufacturing, radio-controlled hobbies and performance racing, according to Baum’s son Jason Flanzbaum, vice president of sales and marketing.
“We have been steadily growing every year even during the economic downturn,” Flanzbaum said. “As a result we have struggled with growing pains as well as succession-planning issues. Hopefully, GrowFL will help us through this transition period.”
Created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature, GrowFL is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. GrowFL will support Boca Bearings through a number of free services, including access to market research and technology, strategy analysis, CEO roundtables and forums, database research and website optimization.
When selecting businesses the institute looks for ones that have the potential to be successful, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.
“Companies like Boca Bearing are chosen for the program because of the potential they have shown and their efforts in becoming a second-stage company,” said O’Neal, who also serves as associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.
Flanzbaum said his family’s Delray Beach company, which currently has 15 employees, is “working through the many hurdles” that they feel are preventing them from faster growth.
“We are looking to expand our product range, buy a new building, hire three to five employees and invest in new infrastructure this year,” he said. “We believe with the assistance from GrowFL we can accomplish all of those goals.”
****
About Boca Bearing: As a specialist in ceramic bearing technology, the Boca Bearing Company has been a trusted name in after-market and upgrade bearing replacement for more than two decades. The company focuses on conserving energy while reducing rolling resistance for extreme applications. Boca Bearing solves challenging application problems for many industries, including robotics, prototyping, food and medical device manufacturing, radio-controlled hobbies and performance racing.
About the Florida Economic Gardening Institute: The Florida Economic Gardening Institute was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature as the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Program to stimulate investment in Florida’s economy by providing technical assistance for expanding businesses in the state. Qualified companies must be engaged in the following sectors to receive no-cost technical assistance: Manufacturing; Finance & Insurance Services; Wholesale Trade; Information Industries; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management Services; and, Administrative & Support Services. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.
For more information about this release, please contact: Jason Flanzbaum, Boca Bearing, 561-998-0004, Jason@bocabearings.com; Linda Nelson, Outreach Services GrowFL, 407-882-0046, Linda@Growfl.com; Jane Teague, Enterprise Development Corp. of S. Fla. 561-620-8494, jteague@edc-tech.org; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, chagervandyke@yahoo.com or Lvershelco@aol.com
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.
* * *
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.
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.
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