Melrose-Sovereign Companies Ranked in the top 50 Among Florida’s Best Companies to Work for in 2010 by Florida Trend Magazine

ORLANDO - Melrose-Sovereign Companies, which ranks as one of the largest condominium, community and home owner association management companies in Florida, was recently ranked among Florida’s Best Companies to work for in 2010 by Florida Trend magazine.

Florida Trend, the “magazine of Florida Business,” conducts this business survey annually. In identifying Florida’s best employers, the analysis is based on work environment, employee satisfaction, compensation, corporate benefit package and ongoing management training.

Ellen Lumpkin, LCAM and Jack Hanson, LCAM, co-founders and principals at Melrose-Sovereign, said the Orlando-based company, with over 80 full and part time employees, currently has eight offices throughout the state. The 17-year-old company manages more than 170 condominium, community and home owner associations. Melrose-Sovereign’s clients include many of Florida’s best known community builders.

For more information contact: Jack B. Hanson, LCAM, Partner/co-founder, Melrose-Sovereign Companies, 407-228-4181, jhanson@melrose-sovereign.com; Ellen G. Lumpkin, LCAM, Partner/Co-founder, Melrose-Sovereign Companies, 407-228-4181, elumpkin@melrose-sovereign.com

Melrose-Sovereign Companies expected to open new office in Daytona Beach by first of the year

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Melrose-Sovereign Companies, the Orlando-based firm that ranks as one of the largest community management companies in the southeast, expects to open a new Daytona Beach office in the S.H. Kress & Company building at 140 S. Beach St. by the first of the year
Ellen Lumpkin, co-founder and partner at Melrose Sovereign Companies, said the new office is in good company. Neighbors in the S.H. Kress & Company building include the Daytona Beach Symphony Orchestra Society.

Jack Hanson, co-founder and partner at Melrose Sovereign Companies, said the building has an historic appeal. Constructed in 1925, the S.H. Kress & Company building is a Daytona Beach landmark that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Melrose-Sovereign Companies manages properties for more than 150 developers, investors and owners throughout Florida. The firm now has eight offices throughout the state.

For more information contact:
Ellen G. Lumpkin, LCAM, Partner/Co-founder, Melrose-Sovereign Companies, 407-228-4181, elumpkin@melrose-sovereign.com

Jack B. Hanson, LCAM, Partner/Co-founder, Melrose-Sovereign Companies, 407-228-4181, jhanson@melrose-sovereign.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, Lvershelco@aol.com

Pizzuti Solutions Completes $450,000 Milwaukee Avenue Extension to Border $30 Million Dunedin Gateway

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Pizzuti Solutions, LLC, a division of The Pizzuti Companies of Columbus, Ohio and Orlando, recently completed a $450,000 extension of Milwaukee Avenue between Main Street and Skinner Boulevard across from Mease Dunedin Hospital in downtown Dunedin.

Pizzuti Vice President Tom Harmer, who manages Pizzuti Solutions, the division that focuses on the firm’s public-private programs, said the road construction project was part of the infrastructure improvements that helps to set the stage for a major $30 million redevelopment of the 4.1-acre Dunedin Gateway, a downtown parcel bordered by Milwaukee Avenue, Skinner Boulevard (S.R. 580), and Main Street. The first phase of the planned retail and office development will include ground-floor shopping and Class A medical office space, Harmer said.

Pizzuti Solutions is also overseeing the design and construction of $1 million in streetscape improvements on Main Street between Skinner Boulevard and Milwaukee Avenue, Harmer said. Those improvements include relocating the utilities underground, reducing lanes from four to two, providing angled street parking, installation of brick pavers and crosswalks, landscaping and decorative street lighting. Funding for the road and streetscape projects is supported by a State grant for economic development, with completion expected early next year.

For more information contact:
Tom Harmer, Vice President, The Pizzuti Companies; 407-841-0000; tharmer@pizzuti.com

Bob Monds, Director of Marketing and Communications, The Pizzuti Companies; 614-280-4058; bmonds@pizzuti.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications; 407-644-4142; lvershelco@aol.com

CEO Nexus sowing economic gardening seeds statewide

ORLANDO, Fla., - CEO Nexus, the public-private initiative affiliated with the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program and helps accelerate the growth of second stage companies, is spreading the seeds of “economic gardening” around the state of Florida.

Steve Quello, president of CEO Nexus has been invited to speak across the state on the need and value of economic gardening which has taken root here in central Florida thanks to sponsors such as the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship and the Edward Lowe Foundation, who have embraced the need to mentor second stage companies as an important ingredient of job creation.

Since May, Quello has been spreading his story by addressing economic development commission workshops and public forums in Orange, Lake, Sarasota, Collier, Broward and Citrus counties.

Quello has booked speaking engagements Oct. 7 at the Volusia County EDC, Oct. 28 at the Florida Development Assn. in Orlando and on Nov. 16 at the Pasco County EDC.

“Economic gardening has shown to be a cost-effective complement to the conventional economic development efforts of luring large employers to the area,” Quello said.

The Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship is committed to hosting invitation only CEO Nexus forums quarterly – the next set for Dec. 2 – after its first in September was a resounding success.

CEO Nexus pairs principals, CEOs and top executives of second stage companies with highly successful executives in a forum setting to develop practical, hands-on solutions for business development issues.

For more information, contact:
Steve Quello, President/Principal, CEO Nexus 407-590-6101, squello@ceonexus.com

Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

About CEO Nexus:
CEO Nexus is a public-private initiative that provides second-stage business leaders—owners, CEOs and presidents—with practical tools and techniques designed specifically for growing second-stage companies. Sponsors include The Edward Lowe Foundation, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the University of Central Florida Office of Research & Commercialization, Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Enterprise Florida and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.

University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program Names Melissa Wasserman to Site Manager of Orlando Business Development Center

ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program has named Melissa Wasserman as permanent site manager at the Orlando Business Development Center, located at 3218 E. Colonial Dr. in Orlando.

Gordon Hogan, director of operations for the UCF Business Incubation Program, said Wasserman earned her MBA Degree from the University of Central Florida in 2007 after completing undergraduate work at the University of California at Davis. She also earned a certificate in Technology Commercialization from UCF.

Wasserman joined the UCF Department of Research and Commercialization two years ago, Hogan said. She formerly served as a program assistant for the Office of Research and Commercialization and the UCF Business Incubation Program under Dr. Tom O’Neal. She was also was a part-time site manager of the Orlando Business Development Center for the past 6 months.

The Center is a general business incubator that supports high growth potential startup companies.

Contacts:
Melissa Wasserman, Site Manager/OBDC, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-2296 or mwasserm@mail.ucf.edu
Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Incubation Business Program, 407 882-1120, bizdev@mail.ucf.edu
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

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 and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/

DiMucci Companies Seeks Permitting for Towers 14 with 28 Luxury Condominiums Priced from the $400s in Daytona Beach Shores

DiMucci Companies Seeks Permitting for Towers 14 with 28 Luxury Condominiums Priced from the $400s in Daytona Beach Shores

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. - The DiMucci Companies, developer of the DiMucci Towers on S. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach Shores, is seeking construction permits to start work Towers 14, which will offer 28 luxury oceanfront condominiums priced from the $400s to the $600s.

Anthony DiMucci, who heads The DiMucci Companies, said he plans to start construction when the market for luxury oceanfront condominiums improves perhaps late next year.

“What we’re finding is that the higher-priced, larger condominiums with better views are selling better than the smaller units,” DiMucci said.

“The luxury market has not been affected as much as the middle of the market by the real estate slowdown,” he said.

For more information contact:
Corinne LeClaire, Broker DiMucci Realty Company 386-322-2000
Anthony DiMucci, President The DiMucci Companies 386-322-2000
Larry Vershel Communications, Larry Vershel or Beth Payan 407-644-4142

UCF Business Incubation Program Underway in St. Cloud

Pictured left to right: Chad Pert, Osceola Development Group, LLC; Ernie Gearhart, St. Cloud economic development consultant; Byron Knibbs, OUC; Dr. Tom O’ Neal, UCF Dept of Research & Commercialization; Nick Gross, Jr., Osceola Development Group, LLC; Michael E. Harford, Osceola County Commissioner District 1; Fred Hawkins, Jr., Osceola County Commissioner District 5; Tom Griffin, St. Cloud deputy mayor; Mickey Hopper and Jay Polachek, St. Cloud city council members; Donna Hart, St. Cloud mayor; and Maria Toumazos, Osceola County Economic Development administrator

Incubator Program Underway in St. Cloud ---

The University of Central Florida, City of St. Cloud and Osceola County officials recently broke ground on a new Business, Technology and Research Center under construction at Stevens Plantation in St. Cloud. Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said the new facility will help accelerate new business startups with guidance, advice and business skills. “New businesses that start here in Osceola County will not want to leave here,” O’Neal said.

Contacts:

Dr. Tom O’Neal, Exec Director,UCF Business Incubation Program,407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel Communications,407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

University of Central Florida Business Incubator to Open at Stevens Plantation in St. Cloud Early Next Year

University of Central Florida Business Incubator to Open at Stevens Plantation in St. Cloud Early Next Year

New Facility to break ground Thursday, Aug. 13, opening set for early 2010

ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program, which currently serves nearly 70 client companies at facilities in the Central Florida Research Park adjacent to the UCF campus, on East Colonial (S.R. 50) near downtown Orlando, in Winter Springs, Sanford, and Leesburg, has formed a joint partnership with the City of St. Cloud and Osceola County to develop a Business Incubator facility at Stevens Plantation in St. Cloud.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said a groundbreaking for the new St. Cloud Business Incubator is set for Thursday, Aug. 13, from 2 to 3 p.m. at West Nolte Rd. and Budinger Ave. in St. Cloud.

Successful business incubators have proved to be the most cost-effective strategy to generate local economic development, according to a recent national study.

Dr. O’Neal said the UCF/St. Cloud/Osceola County Business Incubator has leased 14,000 square feet of office space in the new facility, which will open during the first quarter of next year.

“Our goal in developing the UCF/St. Cloud/Osceola County Business Incubator is to empower new business and industry in the local area and to generate new jobs,” Dr. O’Neal said.

For more information about this release contact:
Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LvershelCo@aol.com

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 1600 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, the City of Orlando, Orange County, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, Lake County, the City of Leesburg and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Social Security Advocates LLC Helps More Clients as the Economy Tightens its Grip on Working Residents

Social Security Advocates LLC Helps More Clients as the Economy Tightens its Grip on Working Residents

ORLANDO, Fla. – When the going gets tough, the familiar adage has it that the tough also get going. And, that’s just what representatives at Social Security Advocates LLC have been doing as more and more workers turn to them for help in gaining disability benefits.

“When the economy is in reverse, more people file for disability,” says Jessica Carrasquillo, a former paralegal who started the company in Cleveland, Tenn. in 2005.

And more filings translate into increased business for Social Security Advocates which opened an Orlando location last year at the Orlando Business Development Center on East Colonial Drive, one of five University of Central Florida Incubation Program locations.

“We’re kind of a recession-proof company; we tend to do well in a bad economy,” Carrasquillo says. “Most people don’t know where to turn or what to do to even begin to file for benefits. That’s where we can help.”

Carrasquillo, a paralegal for 20 years, spent 11 years handling Social Security disability claims for a large law firm. Jeanette Roman, who has 18 years of experience in the same field, runs the Orlando office of Social Security Advocates.

Roman met Carrasquillo 15 years ago while working at an Orlando law firm. The two later co-hosted an Orlando radio show for that law firm, which also helped clients with Social Security issues.

They saw the same thing happening again and again for those trying filing claims: Claim denied; appeal denied; client gives up.

“People have real issues and they deserve personal attention,” Carrasquillo said. “Our clients are individuals with unique problems; they’re not just numbers. And, we get to know them and what they’re going through so we can effectively help them.”

A new company website – www.socialsecurity-advocates.com – often is the first step for clients interested in pursuing a claim. There they will find information on what the company can do for them and answers to important questions.

Social Security Advocates does not charge a fee – other than administrative costs – unless benefits are obtained, Roman said. The company also boasts a 97 percent success rate in obtaining benefits for its clients throughout the United States.

As a full-service agency, Social Security Advocates handles everything for the client, including gathering medical records and filling out all forms, communicating with the appropriate agencies and attending hearings on behalf of clients.

“We do all that for them,” Carrasquillo said. “They already have enough to worry about.”
To find out if you are eligible for disability benefits, contact Roman or Carrasquillo at Social Security Advocates, 321-281-8376 or 423-473-6714, or visit the company’s website at www.socialsecurity-advocates.com.

For more information, please contact:
Jeanette Roman or Jessica Carrasquillo, S.S. Advocates, 321-281-8376 or 423-473-6714

Melissa Wasserman, Site Manager, OBDC District 2/UCF Business Incubation Program; 321-281-8383; mwasserman@mail.ucf.edu

Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-1577; bizdev@mail.ucf.edu

Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-837-8780 or 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 and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu.

University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program Promotes Gordon H. Hogan to Director of Operations

University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program Promotes Gordon H. Hogan to Director of Operations

ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program has promoted Gordon H. Hogan to director of operations.

Hogan joined the UCF Business Incubation Program ten years ago when it opened and most recently served as business development executive and site manager of the UCF Downtown Orlando Incubator facility and Photonics Incubator. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays Kansas State University in Hays, Kansas and attended the University of Kansas.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said Hogan will oversee UCF Business Incubation Program facilities at Research Park, the Orlando Business Development Center, the UCF Seminole County/Winter Springs facility, the Leesburg Business & Technology Center and the UCF Sanford Business Incubator

The UCF Business Incubation Program which currently serves more than 70 client companies that provide close to 2,000 jobs in Central Florida, plans to soon open the incubator facility in Sanford and in the coming months in St. Cloud.

For more information, contact:
Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-1577, bizdev@mail.ucf.edu

Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LvershelCo@aol.com

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 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, the City of Orlando, Orange County, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

UCF Business Incubation Program to Expand to Leesburg, St. Cloud

UCF Business Incubation Program to Expand to Leesburg, St. Cloud

ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program, which currently serves more than 70 full-time clients in five Central Florida facilities, plans to expand to include programs in Leesburg and St. Cloud.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, associate vice president for the University’s Department of Research & Commercialization and executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said he expects to open operations in St. Cloud and Leesburg by next spring.

Currently, the UCF Business Incubation Program operates two facilities near the University of Central Florida campus in Research Park, and three more – on Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando, in east Orlando on East Colonial and in Winter Springs at S.R. 434 and the 417.

“Effective incubation programs have proved to be the most cost efficient ways to stimulate local economic growth,” O’Neal explained.

O’Neal, who founded the UCF Business Incubation Program and ranks as one of the leading U.S. experts on business incubators, said successful incubation programs offer several common characteristics including: stable, sustainable program funding; a strong market position; entrepreneurial management; affiliation with a major research institution; a blue-ribbon board of directors or advisors; the ability to attract quality client companies; a strong client screening process; measurable goals and objectives; strong value-added services; and access to investment capital and community partnerships.

For more information contact:

Tom O’Neal. Ph.D, UCF Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization and Incubation Program Executive Director, 407-882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

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 metro Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between UCF, 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/.

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/.

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Appoints Cheryl Harrington Vice President of Retail Services in Melbourne

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Appoints Cheryl Harrington Vice President of Retail Services in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Fla. - Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, which is associated with 130 Grubb & Ellis offices worldwide, has appointed Cheryl Harrington vice president of Retail Services in Melbourne.

Jeffrey Sweeney, SIOR, president of Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, said Harrington has more than thirteen years of experience in real estate including seven years in Florida as a commercial real estate broker with another five years in Illinois.

Harrington dealt with all aspects of the leasing, management and/or development of seventeen commercial properties including office and retail properties totaling more than 500,000 square feet, managing in excess of 120 tenants.

“Cheryl’s great people skills enable her to open and close deals in our arena. We think she’ll add an amazing energy to Grubb & Ellis,” Sweeney said.

Prior to joining Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Harrington was a commercial leasing and sales manager for The Coy A. Clark Company in West Melbourne.

For more information, contact:

Jeff Sweeney, President Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 407-481-5378, jsweeney@commercialfl.com

Cheryl Harrington, VP of Retail Services, Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, 304 S. Harbor City Blvd. Ste. 101, Melbourne, FL 32901, 321-984-1957

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida:

Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties. Currently Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida has 40 brokers divided among its Melbourne, Orlando and Tampa offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.

About Grubb & Ellis:

Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies. With more than 130 owned and affiliate offices worldwide, Grubb & Ellis offers property owners, corporate occupants and investors comprehensive integrated real estate solutions, including transaction, management, consulting and investment advisory services supported by proprietary market research and extensive local market expertise.

Grubb & Ellis and its subsidiaries are leading sponsors of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including tax-deferred 1031 tenant-in-common (TIC) exchanges; public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and real estate investment funds. As of Sept. 30, 2008, more than $3.8 billion in investor equity has been raised for these investment programs. The company and its subsidiaries currently manage a growing portfolio of more than 225 million square feet of real estate. In 2007, Grubb & Ellis was selected from among 15,000 vendors as Microsoft Corporation's Vendor of the Year. For more information regarding Grubb & Ellis Company, please visit http://www.grubb-ellis.com/.