Stirling Sotheby's International Realty Associate is Qualified Short Sale and Foreclosure Certified by National Assn. of Realtors

ORLANDO - Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty associate Lauren Merrell recently completed a required curriculum and received the SFR, (Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource) certification by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the technical training curriculum developed by NAR qualifies Merrell – one of his firm’s agents in the Brevard area – as an expert in short sale real estate transactions and foreclosures.

The recent increase in distressed home sales indicates a significant need for short sale and foreclosure expertise, Merrell said.

“In April of 2010 almost 40 percent of sales completed in Brevard County were either short sales or foreclosures,” said Merrell.

Short sales – selling properties with approval of the lender for an amount less than the principal owed on the mortgage – often represents a viable alternative to foreclosure proceedings for both sellers and lenders.

“I am now combining my knowledge of the luxury market and my training as an SFR expert to assist both owners of luxury homes experiencing difficulties and investors or buyers with their purchases of REOs or bank owned homes and short sales,” Merrell said.

Expertise in negotiating the best possible terms for the seller or buyer can offer substantial tax advantages too, she added.

“Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty began developing specialized skills in short sale transactions almost two years ago,” Soderstrom explained, adding, “and it has been very advantageous.”

For more information contact: Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, 407-581-7890

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, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates three performance centers which serve all of Central Florida.

NR Electronics Earns ISO 9001-2008 Certification from International Organization for Standardization

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. - NR Electronics LLC, the Winter Springs company that procures and distributes obsolete and hard-to-find electronic components worldwide, has passed a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of its Quality Management System and is now a fully certified ISO 9001-2008 organization.

Liza Ordonez, managing director of NR Electronics, LLC, said an ISO 9001-2008 Certification is an important qualification for companies that trade globally. The certification represents that NR Electronics meets internationally defined and accepted standards of quality, and that they are committed to quality both in product and service.

ISO, a non-governmental organization (NGO) with offices in 162 countries, is the world's leading developer of international standards and is recognized worldwide as the authority on quality management.

“ISO 9001-2008 Certification is an especially important qualification when dealing with governmental agencies in other countries,” Ordonez explained.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO), is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
NR Electronics is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program located at the Seminole/Winter Springs Incubator at 1511 E. S.R. 434.

The firm is a recipient of the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award.

For more information contact:
Liza Ordonez, Managing Director, NR Electronics LLC, 407-278-8885 or 7548 Liza@nrelectronics.com

Esther Vargas-Davis, Site Manager, UCF Incubator–Seminole County, 407-278-4881; evargasd@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, City of Sanford and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Two Architects at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Earn LEED Professional Certification For Energy-Efficient Design

Two Architects at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Earn LEED Professional Certification For Energy-Efficient Design

ORLANDO, Fla. - Two architects at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently earned the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED-AP certification for their expertise in energy efficient design.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said Chris Renegar and Carrie Manes earned the USGBC’s LEED-AP professional designation, which recognizes their completion of a rigorous curriculum of study in energy efficient design and environmental quality.

The USGBC LEED-AP curriculum focuses on energy efficient design, specification of durable and energy-efficient construction and finishing materials and use of efficient equipment and appliances.

“The USGBC’s LEED-AP protocol is an important qualification and we have encouraged all of our design staff to participate,” said Peterson.

Renegar joined Cuhaci & Peterson Architects eight years ago. Manes, a graduate architect, joined Cuhaci & Peterson Architects three years ago as an architect intern from Ball State College.

Peterson said the firm now employs 12 LEED-AP certified professionals and expects that will increase to 15 before the end of the year.

For more information, contact:
Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC 407-661-9100

Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, 407-661-9100

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Global Network Solutions, Inc. Earns HIPAA Professional Certification

Global Network Solutions, Inc. Earns HIPAA Professional Certification

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. - Global Network Solutions, Inc., specializing in data security for small and medium-sized businesses and professional associations, recently earned a coveted professional designation that certifies the company’s ability to meet security compliance regulations of the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Bruce Mizell, chief information officer of Global Network Solutions, said the firm recently earned a CHP designation as Certified HIPPA Professionals after completing a rigorous curriculum offered by the HIPPA Academy, a training institute whose participating organizations include the FBI, the U.S. Army and Air Force, AT&T, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

HIPPA Academy is the only HIPPA training institute endorsed by the American Hospital Association.

“HIPPA Academy is the world’s first institute to introduce a certification and training program built on the HIPAA regulations,” said Mizell.

Global Network Solutions is a client company of the University of Central Florida’s Seminole County Incubator site at 1511 E. S.R. 434 in Winter Springs.

For more information please contact:
Bruce Mizell, Chief Information Officer, Global Network Solutions, 636-352-4113
Esther Vargas-Davis, Site Manager, UCF Incubator-Seminole County 407-278-4881
Tom O’Neal, Ph.D., Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-1102
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Incubation Program has helped more than 100 emerging companies (including nearly 70 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 900 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With five facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/.

Blackton Flooring, Inc. accredited as National Housing Quality Certified Trade Contractor

Blackton Flooring, Inc. accredited as National Housing Quality Certified Trade Contractor

ORLANDO, Fla. - Blackton Flooring, Inc., which ranks as one of Central Florida’s largest and oldest suppliers of roofing and flooring materials for the homebuilding industry, recently earned its accreditation once again as a National Housing Quality Certified Trade Contractor.

Sean Monett, president of Blackton Flooring, Inc., said the firm earned its re-certification after a rigorous audit by the NAHB Research Center.

To achieve NAHB QCT certification, contractors must develop, document, implement and maintain a quality management system that enables them to consistently meet code and regulatory requirements, builder specifications, and homeowner expectations.

“Accreditation as a Quality Certified Trade Contractor is one of the most important standards a major supplier can meet,” said Monett. “The audit is a rigorous process and we are delighted to have earned our recertification,” he said.

For more information, contact:
Sean Monett, President Blackton Flooring, Inc. 407-898-2661 x146
Michael Blackton, Chief Executive Officer, Blackton Flooring, Inc. 407-898-2661
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142