ORLANDO – Summit Wealth Management Inc.,(www.mysummitwealth.com) a nationwide 30-year-old investment advisory firm, has been selected to participate in GrowFL, a state-financed program that helps Florida-based second-stage companies achieve their potential.
GrowFL, part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, was created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature and is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Dr. Tom O’Neal, associate vice president of the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization, serves as the institute’s executive director.
O’Neal said Summit Wealth’s consistent returns and Chief Executive Officer Mitch Levin’s solid leadership make it an ideal candidate for the GrowFL program.
“Companies like Summit Wealth have great potential, but sometimes need a little assistance to reach the next level,” O’Neal said,
A federally-registered investment advisory firm with nearly 50 employees in six offices across the nation, Summit Wealth “clarifies investing,” according to Levin, managing director of the company’s Orlando and Naples offices.
“Our advisory team ensures that each client’s needs and objectives are met, while providing the peace of mind they need to sleep well and plan confidently,” said Levin, a member of the Wealth Preservation Institute who is certified in wealth preservation planning and asset protection planning.
GrowFL will provide Summit Wealth with support through a number of free services, including access to market research and technology, strategy analysis, database research and website optimization.
“We’re excited to work with the GrowFL team and eager to derive support, data and input from their excellent members to help us more effectively know and understand our market and our competitors, as well as our target clients,” Levin said. “Thus far, the first GrowFL engagement has provided tremendous research and insight, delivered in a highly organized, well coordinated manner.”
About Summit Wealth Management: A federally-registered investment advisory firm, Summit Wealth Management empowers investors by delivering solid, safely managed growth and trusted advice. Summit’s advisory team delivers clients the greatest probability of goal achievement – consistently excellent returns with appropriate risks. Visit www.mysummitwealth.com.
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: Mitch Levin, CEO Summit Wealth Management, 407-656-2252 levin.mitch@gmail.com; Linda Nelson, Outreach Serivces GrowFL, 407-882-0046 Linda@GrowFl.com; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, chagervandyke@yahoo.com
Showing posts with label economic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economic. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Longwood Marketing Company Selected to Participate in State-Funded Economic Gardening Program
LONGWOOD – Shoppers’ Critique International, a consumer intelligence marketing agency, has been selected to receive free technical assistance through the state-funded GrowFL program.
Part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, GrowFL was created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature and is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. When selecting businesses the institute looks for ones that have the potential to be successful, but just need a little assistance to become a second-stage company, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.
“Shoppers’ Critique is an ideal candidate for the program. It is a qualified second-stage company that has shown it has the potential to reach the next level of success with GrowFL,” said O’Neal, who also is associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.
GrowFL will support Shoppers’ Critique through a number of free services, including access to market research and technology, strategy analysis, forums, database research and website optimization.
The Longwood-based company – which formerly was primarily a mystery shopping agency – was founded in 1994 in the kitchen of husband and wife owners, Bill and Susan Green. After merging with two other companies, Shoppers’ Critique International now has 35 employees, and offers its customers numerous ways to measure their own customer satisfaction, including on-site, Internet and telephone mystery shops, as well as web and telephone surveys, according to Chief Operating Officer Rich Bradley.
“We love the whole economic gardening concept,” Bradley said. “This assistance will help us get to the next level.”
Bradley said his company has already seen some benefits.
“They’ve already opened up other channels for us,” he said. “And, they also looked at our operation and gave us feedback that validated what we're doing. It may sound trite, but GrowFL really is a win, win situation for everyone.”
****
About Shoppers Critique International: Shoppers’ Critique International is the largest consumer marketing/intelligence company based in Florida, the customer service capital of the world. With a heritage that includes long-term relationships with America’s top brands across multiple industries, Shoppers’ Critique measures the customer experience, delivering the highest quality, most credible information in a timely manner, as well as actionable solutions to maximize customer retention and revenue growth, providing clients with an unparalleled return on investment. For details, visit ShoppersCritique.com.
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: Rich Bradley, chief operating officer, 407-834-3337, rbradley@shopperscritique.com; Linda Jennings Nelson, GrowFL Outreach Director 407-882-0046, linda@GrowFL.com; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, chagervandyke@yahoo.com
Part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, GrowFL was created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature and is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. When selecting businesses the institute looks for ones that have the potential to be successful, but just need a little assistance to become a second-stage company, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.
“Shoppers’ Critique is an ideal candidate for the program. It is a qualified second-stage company that has shown it has the potential to reach the next level of success with GrowFL,” said O’Neal, who also is associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.
GrowFL will support Shoppers’ Critique through a number of free services, including access to market research and technology, strategy analysis, forums, database research and website optimization.
The Longwood-based company – which formerly was primarily a mystery shopping agency – was founded in 1994 in the kitchen of husband and wife owners, Bill and Susan Green. After merging with two other companies, Shoppers’ Critique International now has 35 employees, and offers its customers numerous ways to measure their own customer satisfaction, including on-site, Internet and telephone mystery shops, as well as web and telephone surveys, according to Chief Operating Officer Rich Bradley.
“We love the whole economic gardening concept,” Bradley said. “This assistance will help us get to the next level.”
Bradley said his company has already seen some benefits.
“They’ve already opened up other channels for us,” he said. “And, they also looked at our operation and gave us feedback that validated what we're doing. It may sound trite, but GrowFL really is a win, win situation for everyone.”
****
About Shoppers Critique International: Shoppers’ Critique International is the largest consumer marketing/intelligence company based in Florida, the customer service capital of the world. With a heritage that includes long-term relationships with America’s top brands across multiple industries, Shoppers’ Critique measures the customer experience, delivering the highest quality, most credible information in a timely manner, as well as actionable solutions to maximize customer retention and revenue growth, providing clients with an unparalleled return on investment. For details, visit ShoppersCritique.com.
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: Rich Bradley, chief operating officer, 407-834-3337, rbradley@shopperscritique.com; Linda Jennings Nelson, GrowFL Outreach Director 407-882-0046, linda@GrowFL.com; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, chagervandyke@yahoo.com
Monday, January 31, 2011
OptiGrate Receives Florida Companies to Watch Award
ORLANDO – OptiGrate Corp has been recognized as a recipient of the 2011 Florida Companies to WatchSM award, an honor presented by GrowFL, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation. The 50 companies were chosen after evaluating more than 310 nominations for the awards, represent industries ranging from alternative energy development to food production and industrial gear makers to information technology firms.
“It is truly an honor for us to be a part of the inaugural class of 50 Florida Companies to Watch,” says OptiGrate’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Alexei Glebov. “A strong presence of high-tech companies in the group is a sound indicator of the changing face of the Florida’s economy and OptiGrate is excited to contribute to it with our dedication to new technologies and innovation”.
Florida Companies to Watch is an awards program that celebrates privately held second-stage companies headquartered in the state. Awardees are selected for demonstrating the intent and capacity to grow based on employee or sales growth, exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, sustainable competitive advantage or other notable strengths.
“This statewide event lauds the success of business leaders who have taken their operations to the "second-stage" of growth and hold the potential to continue to create new jobs in their communities and industries, thereby making a difference in regional communities”, says Dr. Tom O’Neal, vice president for Research & Commercialization at the University of Central Florida.
The companies will receive their awards at an awards gala on Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida.
About OptiGrate Corp: OptiGrate Corp, founded in 1999, pioneered and successfully brought to market the innovative technology of volume Bragg grating based optical filters. The unique micro-optic components made by OptiGrate enable dramatic performance improvement of laser systems, vast miniaturization and cost reduction of analytical instruments and ultrafast lasers for medical, pharma, defense, nanotech, and other applications. OptiGrate supplies custom builds as well as volume orders of diffractive optical components to more than 200 customers on 5 continents, including government contractors, key industrial and academic players in optoelectronics, analytical, and semiconductor industries. Additional information about the company can be obtained at www.OptiGrate.com.
“It is truly an honor for us to be a part of the inaugural class of 50 Florida Companies to Watch,” says OptiGrate’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Alexei Glebov. “A strong presence of high-tech companies in the group is a sound indicator of the changing face of the Florida’s economy and OptiGrate is excited to contribute to it with our dedication to new technologies and innovation”.
Florida Companies to Watch is an awards program that celebrates privately held second-stage companies headquartered in the state. Awardees are selected for demonstrating the intent and capacity to grow based on employee or sales growth, exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, sustainable competitive advantage or other notable strengths.
“This statewide event lauds the success of business leaders who have taken their operations to the "second-stage" of growth and hold the potential to continue to create new jobs in their communities and industries, thereby making a difference in regional communities”, says Dr. Tom O’Neal, vice president for Research & Commercialization at the University of Central Florida.
The companies will receive their awards at an awards gala on Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida.
About OptiGrate Corp: OptiGrate Corp, founded in 1999, pioneered and successfully brought to market the innovative technology of volume Bragg grating based optical filters. The unique micro-optic components made by OptiGrate enable dramatic performance improvement of laser systems, vast miniaturization and cost reduction of analytical instruments and ultrafast lasers for medical, pharma, defense, nanotech, and other applications. OptiGrate supplies custom builds as well as volume orders of diffractive optical components to more than 200 customers on 5 continents, including government contractors, key industrial and academic players in optoelectronics, analytical, and semiconductor industries. Additional information about the company can be obtained at www.OptiGrate.com.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Turning Your Leased Industrial Facilities into a Profit Center
Turning Your Leased Industrial Facilities into a Profit Center By George Livingston and Christie Alexander
Ed. Note: George Livingston is founder and chairman of NAI Realvest, based in Maitland, one of the most active commercial real estate brokerage firms in Central Florida. He is a principal of CommerCenters, LLC, which ranks as one of the region’s largest developers of industrial facilities.
According to current economic indicators---and most economists--- U.S. business and industry will likely show measurable signs of improvement in 2011. That means the window is narrowing on the opportunity for industrial firms to recognize significantly improved revenue from their leased facilities.
That may seem counter-intuitive at first. But the current economic cycle is rife with opportunity for successful enterprises with positive credit history. Your landlord is loath to admit it, but the fact is, your company---more specifically your leasehold obligation---is one of your landlord’s principal assets right now.
Nationwide, commercial properties---including the facilities you occupy now---have decreased in value as a result of the real estate decline and the accompanying recession. With regional and local market vagaries, all properties have suffered. As undercapitalized companies downsized or folded, vacancies spiked and rents from remaining tenants have not made up the difference.
That means the capital value of your monthly rent payment---the relative proportion of your landlord’s mortgage payment or ROI covered by your payment---is substantially greater than the numerical dollar value. Your landlord and your landlord’s lender are both eminently aware of this.
To the extent that you can turn that value differential into cash---or concessions---you can improve your company’s cash position.
But beware the window is closing. As the economy improves and more companies expand, the value differential will evaporate.
If your lease is due for renewal this year, current market conditions are even more favorable.
Landlords will agree to substantial concessions to retain a good tenant. Even if your lease is not due for renewal soon, negotiate now and offer to extend the term.
A reputable offer of terms and conditions from a new landlord will inevitably lead to stronger concessions from your current landlord.
From your current landlord’s perspective, the only meaningful differential is an estimate of your relocation costs versus his cost to lease the space to a new tenant.
Well-informed---and well-represented---tenants are cutting very good deals now with pragmatic landlords, fixing advantageous rates, lengthening lease terms and negotiating improvements and upgrades.
In the current market cycle, most companies will benefit from lease negotiations conducted with the expertise of a good tenant representative. Almost every commercial property firm today retains associates whose specialty is representing the interests of tenants.
Such specialists have the capacity to research properties, landlords and local market conditions, and know which concessions are most reasonable.
They also know the conditions landlords face. A newly built industrial property may have minimum lease requirements imposed by lenders, and thus might be more flexible granting improvements or upgrades than lower lease rates.
Landlords of older properties may be in a better position to wait out the recovery and thus be less inclined to negotiate generous concessions of any sort. A good tenant representative will know the inside story.
The end result is the same. Time is of the essence. Act now and you can lock in rates and terms that fit your business plan and substantially improve your bottom line.
Ed. Note: George Livingston is founder and chairman of NAI Realvest, based in Maitland, one of the most active commercial real estate brokerage firms in Central Florida. He is a principal of CommerCenters, LLC, which ranks as one of the region’s largest developers of industrial facilities.
According to current economic indicators---and most economists--- U.S. business and industry will likely show measurable signs of improvement in 2011. That means the window is narrowing on the opportunity for industrial firms to recognize significantly improved revenue from their leased facilities.
That may seem counter-intuitive at first. But the current economic cycle is rife with opportunity for successful enterprises with positive credit history. Your landlord is loath to admit it, but the fact is, your company---more specifically your leasehold obligation---is one of your landlord’s principal assets right now.
Nationwide, commercial properties---including the facilities you occupy now---have decreased in value as a result of the real estate decline and the accompanying recession. With regional and local market vagaries, all properties have suffered. As undercapitalized companies downsized or folded, vacancies spiked and rents from remaining tenants have not made up the difference.
That means the capital value of your monthly rent payment---the relative proportion of your landlord’s mortgage payment or ROI covered by your payment---is substantially greater than the numerical dollar value. Your landlord and your landlord’s lender are both eminently aware of this.
To the extent that you can turn that value differential into cash---or concessions---you can improve your company’s cash position.
But beware the window is closing. As the economy improves and more companies expand, the value differential will evaporate.
If your lease is due for renewal this year, current market conditions are even more favorable.
Landlords will agree to substantial concessions to retain a good tenant. Even if your lease is not due for renewal soon, negotiate now and offer to extend the term.
A reputable offer of terms and conditions from a new landlord will inevitably lead to stronger concessions from your current landlord.
From your current landlord’s perspective, the only meaningful differential is an estimate of your relocation costs versus his cost to lease the space to a new tenant.
Well-informed---and well-represented---tenants are cutting very good deals now with pragmatic landlords, fixing advantageous rates, lengthening lease terms and negotiating improvements and upgrades.
In the current market cycle, most companies will benefit from lease negotiations conducted with the expertise of a good tenant representative. Almost every commercial property firm today retains associates whose specialty is representing the interests of tenants.
Such specialists have the capacity to research properties, landlords and local market conditions, and know which concessions are most reasonable.
They also know the conditions landlords face. A newly built industrial property may have minimum lease requirements imposed by lenders, and thus might be more flexible granting improvements or upgrades than lower lease rates.
Landlords of older properties may be in a better position to wait out the recovery and thus be less inclined to negotiate generous concessions of any sort. A good tenant representative will know the inside story.
The end result is the same. Time is of the essence. Act now and you can lock in rates and terms that fit your business plan and substantially improve your bottom line.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Sees Faint Signs of Economic Recovery in Tampa Bay Region Quarterly Office Report
TAMPA - It’s not time to call out the marching bands, but second quarter results in the Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Quarterly Office Trends Report for the Tampa Bay region spotted some local economic data that’s been missing for more than two years – positive absorption of office space.
Patrick Kelly, managing director of Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida in Tampa, said the Office Trends Report – an in-depth quarterly survey of office leasing and sales activities from Manatee County to Polk, including Hillsborough and Pinellas submarkets – showed positive absorption of office space in one Pinellas submarket and in all but one of the Hillsborough submarkets during the quarter.
“Market activity has clearly picked up,” Kelly said.
“It’s too early to call this a trend and the net numbers are small, but second quarter results fall on the positive side of the chart for the first time in the past 10 quarters,” Kelly said.
Positive absorption results when total square footage leased by tenants outpaces new construction. The Second Quarter Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Quarterly Office Trends Report found only one major project under construction – an 88,000 square foot facility in the northeast Tampa submarket.
The Tampa Bay region posted an overall vacancy rate of 19.5 percent, up slightly from the first quarter results. Vacancy rates range from a high of 40 percent in the Pinellas County Bayside submarket, to a promising 10.6 percent in South Tampa. Tampa’s Central Business District posted a vacancy rate of 19.7 percent and Tampa’s Westshore submarket posted 21.9 percent vacancies.
Developers typically look for sustained vacancy in the 7-10 percent range before planning new construction, and that will take some time.
“But there’s a lot of silver lining,” Kelly explained. “Tenants are value shopping. That’s a big step forward. Some of them are relocating, a sign of market velocity,” he said.
Kelly said the spread between historical rents and discounted rents is luring innovators into the market. “Especially in Class B and Class C facilities, we’re seeing entrepreneurs come back into the market with new business plans,” Kelly said.
“These startups are the underpinning of our entire economy and we need to nurture them with appropriate incentives,” Kelly said.
About 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 30 brokers divided among its Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne offices which 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 in the world. Our 6,500 professionals in more than 100 company owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through its investment subsidiaries, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), mutual funds and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.
Patrick Kelly, managing director of Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida in Tampa, said the Office Trends Report – an in-depth quarterly survey of office leasing and sales activities from Manatee County to Polk, including Hillsborough and Pinellas submarkets – showed positive absorption of office space in one Pinellas submarket and in all but one of the Hillsborough submarkets during the quarter.
“Market activity has clearly picked up,” Kelly said.
“It’s too early to call this a trend and the net numbers are small, but second quarter results fall on the positive side of the chart for the first time in the past 10 quarters,” Kelly said.
Positive absorption results when total square footage leased by tenants outpaces new construction. The Second Quarter Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida Quarterly Office Trends Report found only one major project under construction – an 88,000 square foot facility in the northeast Tampa submarket.
The Tampa Bay region posted an overall vacancy rate of 19.5 percent, up slightly from the first quarter results. Vacancy rates range from a high of 40 percent in the Pinellas County Bayside submarket, to a promising 10.6 percent in South Tampa. Tampa’s Central Business District posted a vacancy rate of 19.7 percent and Tampa’s Westshore submarket posted 21.9 percent vacancies.
Developers typically look for sustained vacancy in the 7-10 percent range before planning new construction, and that will take some time.
“But there’s a lot of silver lining,” Kelly explained. “Tenants are value shopping. That’s a big step forward. Some of them are relocating, a sign of market velocity,” he said.
Kelly said the spread between historical rents and discounted rents is luring innovators into the market. “Especially in Class B and Class C facilities, we’re seeing entrepreneurs come back into the market with new business plans,” Kelly said.
“These startups are the underpinning of our entire economy and we need to nurture them with appropriate incentives,” Kelly said.
About 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 30 brokers divided among its Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne offices which 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 in the world. Our 6,500 professionals in more than 100 company owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through its investment subsidiaries, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), mutual funds and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Florida Economic Gardening Institute names Fran Korosec Director of Client Services
ORLANDO - The Florida Economic Gardening Institute has appointed Fran Korosec director of client services.
Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, said Korosec earned his undergraduate degree from Clarkson University and his master’s degree from State University of New York at Binghamton.
Korosec has more than 24 years of experience in corporate management, including executive positions at Bell & Howell, Lockheed Martin and IBM.
“The Economic Gardening Institute is a critical effort to provide promising second stage companies with the resources to accelerate their growth and expand employment throughout Florida,” Dr. O’Neal said.
“Fran Korosec is a seasoned executive with a unique combination of business development/sales, program management, and technical expertise. We expect him to play a major role in the growth and success of the Economic Gardening Institute.
Funded by the Florida Legislature at the University of Central Florida, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute is a joint venture of the University of Central Florida, the Florida Development Council, Enterprise Florida, Workforce Florida, Florida High Tech Corridor Council and others working to identify and cultivate hundreds of growth companies.
Visit www.GrowFL.com
* * *
For more information, contact:
Fran Korosec, Director of Client Services, Fla. Economic Gardening Institute; 407-882-0210; Fran@Growfl.com; Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director Fla. Economic Gardening Institute; 407-882-1120; oneal@mail.ucf.edu
Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, said Korosec earned his undergraduate degree from Clarkson University and his master’s degree from State University of New York at Binghamton.
Korosec has more than 24 years of experience in corporate management, including executive positions at Bell & Howell, Lockheed Martin and IBM.
“The Economic Gardening Institute is a critical effort to provide promising second stage companies with the resources to accelerate their growth and expand employment throughout Florida,” Dr. O’Neal said.
“Fran Korosec is a seasoned executive with a unique combination of business development/sales, program management, and technical expertise. We expect him to play a major role in the growth and success of the Economic Gardening Institute.
Funded by the Florida Legislature at the University of Central Florida, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute is a joint venture of the University of Central Florida, the Florida Development Council, Enterprise Florida, Workforce Florida, Florida High Tech Corridor Council and others working to identify and cultivate hundreds of growth companies.
Visit www.GrowFL.com
* * *
For more information, contact:
Fran Korosec, Director of Client Services, Fla. Economic Gardening Institute; 407-882-0210; Fran@Growfl.com; Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director Fla. Economic Gardening Institute; 407-882-1120; oneal@mail.ucf.edu
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Baton Rouge Financial & Real Estate Consultant Knows the Solutions to America’s Present Economic Woes
BATON ROUGE - When the extent of the U.S. economic collapse began to unfold three years ago, Pete Goff, Jr., wasn’t surprised. He’d been watching it closely for some time. From the inside.
“From my perspective it was like watching a car crash in slow motion,” Goff said. “I saw it happening but was not in a position to prevent it.” Goff decided he must take action.
He began an obsessive study of macro economics. Armed with degrees in Business Administration and Accounting from LSU and more than 25 years of experience as a lender, builder, and development consultant, Goff has a solid grasp of the economy---finance, accounting, and fiscal policy.
Now his analysis of our economic problems, complete with solutions, are ready to be made public. “The solutions are not simple, but they’re achievable,” Goff said recently. The Inevitable Path, from beginning to end, is an honest assessment of America’s economic problems, the mistakes that caused them, and solutions required to remedy them.
He’s about to complete his first book, The Inevitable Path, that’s being shopped to U.S. publishers. And he has something worth reading: the step-by-step solution to America’s economic turmoil.
One of the fist steps Congress must undertake, Goff said, is to reenact the Glass-Steagall Act in its original form. Coincidence or not, Glass-Steagall worked for 66 years, but only 8 years after its 1999 repeal, the entire financial system collapsed.
“Repeal of Glass-Steagall allowed the self-regulate and self-correct philosophy of our financial and government “leaders” that led directly to the economic collapse,” Goff said.
There are six street-level changes providing a “three-year plan” to return America to economic stability. These solutions are proven methods to substantially restore the U.S. housing market---the nation’s most significant accumulation of wealth---and spur new development.
“The Inevitable Path focuses on practical, prescriptive changes Congress and bank regulators could undertake immediately,” Goff explained. “We can posture and point fingers for the next decade, but that won’t solve our economic dilemma.”* * *
For more information, contact:
Pete Goff, Jr., Author 225-413-7876 petegoffjr@yahoo.com; Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407 644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com.
“From my perspective it was like watching a car crash in slow motion,” Goff said. “I saw it happening but was not in a position to prevent it.” Goff decided he must take action.
He began an obsessive study of macro economics. Armed with degrees in Business Administration and Accounting from LSU and more than 25 years of experience as a lender, builder, and development consultant, Goff has a solid grasp of the economy---finance, accounting, and fiscal policy.
Now his analysis of our economic problems, complete with solutions, are ready to be made public. “The solutions are not simple, but they’re achievable,” Goff said recently. The Inevitable Path, from beginning to end, is an honest assessment of America’s economic problems, the mistakes that caused them, and solutions required to remedy them.
He’s about to complete his first book, The Inevitable Path, that’s being shopped to U.S. publishers. And he has something worth reading: the step-by-step solution to America’s economic turmoil.
One of the fist steps Congress must undertake, Goff said, is to reenact the Glass-Steagall Act in its original form. Coincidence or not, Glass-Steagall worked for 66 years, but only 8 years after its 1999 repeal, the entire financial system collapsed.
“Repeal of Glass-Steagall allowed the self-regulate and self-correct philosophy of our financial and government “leaders” that led directly to the economic collapse,” Goff said.
There are six street-level changes providing a “three-year plan” to return America to economic stability. These solutions are proven methods to substantially restore the U.S. housing market---the nation’s most significant accumulation of wealth---and spur new development.
“The Inevitable Path focuses on practical, prescriptive changes Congress and bank regulators could undertake immediately,” Goff explained. “We can posture and point fingers for the next decade, but that won’t solve our economic dilemma.”* * *
For more information, contact:
Pete Goff, Jr., Author 225-413-7876 petegoffjr@yahoo.com; Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407 644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
What’s next For Baton Rouge Banker, Developer Pete Goff Jr.? Definitive Book on America’s Financial Woes to Include Solution
Baton Rouge - For the past three years, Baton Rouge banker, community developer and business owner Pete Goff, Jr., has been studying America’s economic crisis. He’s the first to call it an obsession.
Soon, he’ll call it a book---The Inevitable Path---that he promises will include definitive solutions to the nation’s economic woes. Goff is currently shopping the nearly-completed manuscript to major publishers.
“I’ve been in the trenches of real estate development and construction, and I’ve worked on both sides of the desk as a general contractor and lender,” Goff said.
“The current economic decline is an incredibly complex set of issues and our current path is a disaster,” he said.
Goff said the stakes are too high to fail.
“Unless we change what we are doing and how we approach the problem, we will literally change the world by default---by abandoning our role as a world economic leader, as a force for good, as a political and military power, and as a moral power,” he said.
Goff earned degrees in Accounting and Business Administration from Louisiana State University. He served as senior banking executive with Louisiana’s largest bank and principal of his own general contracting and community development business.
“I watched the economic collapse from the inside. I know the way out and I feel compelled to tell the story,” Goff explained.
Goff said he plans to complete the manuscript for The Inevitable Path before its June 1 deadline.
For more information, contact: Pete Goff, Jr., Author 225-413-7876 petegoffjr@yahoo.com; Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407 644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com.
Soon, he’ll call it a book---The Inevitable Path---that he promises will include definitive solutions to the nation’s economic woes. Goff is currently shopping the nearly-completed manuscript to major publishers.
“I’ve been in the trenches of real estate development and construction, and I’ve worked on both sides of the desk as a general contractor and lender,” Goff said.
“The current economic decline is an incredibly complex set of issues and our current path is a disaster,” he said.
Goff said the stakes are too high to fail.
“Unless we change what we are doing and how we approach the problem, we will literally change the world by default---by abandoning our role as a world economic leader, as a force for good, as a political and military power, and as a moral power,” he said.
Goff earned degrees in Accounting and Business Administration from Louisiana State University. He served as senior banking executive with Louisiana’s largest bank and principal of his own general contracting and community development business.
“I watched the economic collapse from the inside. I know the way out and I feel compelled to tell the story,” Goff explained.
Goff said he plans to complete the manuscript for The Inevitable Path before its June 1 deadline.
For more information, contact: Pete Goff, Jr., Author 225-413-7876 petegoffjr@yahoo.com; Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407 644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Obama Administration Should Expand Small Business Administration Lending to Spur Economic Recovery, Mercantile Capital Corp. CEO says
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - The Obama Administration’s proposal to funnel $30 billion in TARP receipts to community banks to spur lending to small businesses could do more to help the economy if it focused on the U.S. Small Business Administration lending programs themselves, says Christopher G. Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation in Altamonte Springs.
Hurn, whose company ranks as one of the leading providers of SBA 504 commercial loans to small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, said changes in SBA lending could go a long way toward growing the national economy.
“One of the things I’ve been saying for a few years is that the SBA 504 program should be used to refinance commercial real estate as well,” Hurn said. “You can’t do that with the program right now,” Hurn explained. “But as of Friday the 5th, the President seems to be on board with my proposal. We’ll see how quickly this solution can be put in place.”
Hurn gave the Obama administration high mark for its plan to eliminate capital gains tax on investments in small business.
“That’s phenomenal,” Hurn said. “We’ve finally seen a free market solution out of this President and this one actually would be good. That would be the kind of thing that will stimulate equity investments in the small business sector,” he said.
Hurn said many Obama administration proposals are problematic.
“The small business lending proposals are going to have mixed results,” Hurn explained. “Most community banks that have survived over the past 18 months have better capital ratios than large national banks, are relatively flush with capital and yet they’re lending less of their capital.
“Providing them up to five percent of their weighted assets to lend to small business customers at interest rates in the low fives to seven percent, doesn’t provide enough profit to cover the banks’ overhead. The only community banks that will be interested in this program are the ones that aren’t doing as well,” Hurn said. “Healthy community banks probably aren’t going to participate,” he said.
The $5,000 jobs credit is also troublesome, Hurn said. “If you’re a smart business person you’re not going to hire somebody for a position for something that you don’t have a demand for in your products and services just in order to get the job credit,” Hurn said.
The plan may benefit companies that are already expanding, but too few companies are expanding in this economy, he said.
“Expense reductions for equipment purchases also falls flat,” Hurn said.
“If you are a company that’s buying equipment, it helps you, but it doesn’t really get to the underlying problem affecting most small businesses in America that are struggling right now,” he said.
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For more information about this press release contact:
Chris Hurn, CEO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040 or Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Relocates Melbourne Office
MELBOURNE, Fla. --- Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, with offices in Orlando, Tampa and Melbourne, has relocated its Melbourne headquarters from U.S. 1 to new suites at 2108 West New Haven Ave. (U.S. 192) in West Melbourne.
Jeff Sweeney, SIOR, president of Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, said the firm has expanded its offices and expects to see an increase in commercial real estate activity in the Melbourne area.
“Commercial real estate activity follows the economy,” Sweeney said. “We’re seeing an increase in activity that can be attributed to economic recovery, but we’re also seeing activity related to the recession, such as distressed properties, tenants relocating and commercial property foreclosures,” he said.
About 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 Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.
About Grubb & Ellis:
Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.
Contact: Jeff Sweeney, SIOR President 407-481-5387
Jeff Sweeney, SIOR, president of Grubb & EllisCommercial Florida, said the firm has expanded its offices and expects to see an increase in commercial real estate activity in the Melbourne area.
“Commercial real estate activity follows the economy,” Sweeney said. “We’re seeing an increase in activity that can be attributed to economic recovery, but we’re also seeing activity related to the recession, such as distressed properties, tenants relocating and commercial property foreclosures,” he said.
About 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 Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.
About Grubb & Ellis:
Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.
Contact: Jeff Sweeney, SIOR President 407-481-5387
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
New Stimulus Effort Should Focus on Small Business, Business Incubators, Economic Gardening, says Incubation Expert
ORLANDO, Fla. --- The next step in stimulating the national economy’s recovery from the worst recession since World War II should focus on small business, business incubators and economic gardening, said Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder and executive director of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program.
“Most of the net new jobs in the U.S. are created by a relatively small number of small businesses,” Dr. O’Neal said.
“A stimulus package that targets small companies and support programs such as qualified business incubators and economic gardening efforts, would likely generate a substantially higher return on investment than other efforts that target the nation’s economic recovery,” Dr. O’Neal said.
Dr. O’Neal said that while current stimulus programs have shored up the nation’s financial system, investment capital programs targeting small and expanding business that would generate growth and new jobs isn’t forthcoming.
“Something to stimulate investment in small business would be huge right now,” Dr. O’Neal said.
“Incubation programs and economic gardening is a good investment, but the well is dry right now for expansion capital. Many sound, promising new businesses are poised for growth and expansion, but they don’t have access to capital to fund that growth,” Dr. O’Neal explained.
“Incubation programs and economic gardening is a good investment, but the well is dry right now for expansion capital. Many sound, promising new businesses are poised for growth and expansion, but they don’t have access to capital to fund that growth,” Dr. O’Neal explained.
“They’re successful but they’re stuck. We need something to free up the capital markets and get the investment capital flowing again,” he said.
Dr. O’Neal, who recently received the Regional Outstanding Resource Partner Award from the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, said successful incubation programs help entrepreneurs shape promising business concepts into thriving enterprises that create new jobs and new revenues.
“We know how to identify startup enterprises with the highest chances of success, and we know how to accelerate their growth as sustainable companies,” O’Neal said.
“There is a lack in investment capital, and that’s where stimulus efforts could help the most,” he concludes.
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 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six 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, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Beazer Homes Offers Special Discounted Prices at Dupree Lakes in Land O’Lakes
TAMPA, Fla. – Beazer Homes is offering special discounted prices starting from the $140s at Dupree Lakes, the new home community located off Ehren’s Cutoff and S.R. 41 in Land O’Lakes.
Karey Rhodes, sales manager for Beazer Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said Beazer Homes has completed four ready-to-move-in homes at Dupree Lakes, priced from $139,900.
Rhodes said all four ready-to-move-in homes will likely sell before Oct. 30 and close by Nov. 30. That’s the cutoff date for the $8,000 U.S. Federal Tax credit for new home buyers, and it has already generated a surge in model home visitors, Rhodes said.
Dupree Lakes features a community clubhouse with resort-style swimming pool, soccer field, basketball and tennis courts and walking trails.
For more information, contact:
Karey Rhodes, Sales Manager, Beazer Homes/Tampa 813-663-9002 Krhodes@beazer.com
David Byrnes President Beazer Homes / Florida Division - 407-339-4114 dbyrnes@beazer.com
Theresa Tilton, Vice President of Sales Beazer Homes /Florida Division 407-339-4114; ttilton@beazer.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142
About Beazer Homes
Beazer Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."
Karey Rhodes, sales manager for Beazer Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said Beazer Homes has completed four ready-to-move-in homes at Dupree Lakes, priced from $139,900.
Rhodes said all four ready-to-move-in homes will likely sell before Oct. 30 and close by Nov. 30. That’s the cutoff date for the $8,000 U.S. Federal Tax credit for new home buyers, and it has already generated a surge in model home visitors, Rhodes said.
Dupree Lakes features a community clubhouse with resort-style swimming pool, soccer field, basketball and tennis courts and walking trails.
For more information, contact:
Karey Rhodes, Sales Manager, Beazer Homes/Tampa 813-663-9002 Krhodes@beazer.com
David Byrnes President Beazer Homes / Florida Division - 407-339-4114 dbyrnes@beazer.com
Theresa Tilton, Vice President of Sales Beazer Homes /Florida Division 407-339-4114; ttilton@beazer.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142
About Beazer Homes
Beazer Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."
Beazer has Five Move-In-Ready Homes at Legacy near Downtown Orlando, and a rush of Tax Credit Buyers Expected
ORLANDO, Fla. - Beazer Homes has five ready-to-move-in single family homes at Legacy, the lakefront community off S. Orange and Holden Aves., minutes from downtown Orlando.
Theresa Tilton, vice president of sales for Beazer Homes in Florida, said three, four and five-bedroom homes at Legacy range in size from 2,284 square feet of living space to 3,500 square feet.
Tilton said all five homes will likely sell before Nov. 30. That’s the cutoff date for the $8,000 federal tax credit for new home buyers, and it has already generated a surge in model home visitors at Legacy, Tilton said.
New Homes at Legacy are priced from the $300. Altogether 40 home sites remain for sale at the community.
Legacy features a private lakeside park with viewing dock to Lake Jessamine and it is one of the last new home communities in the downtown Orlando area.
For more information, contact:
David Byrnes President Beazer Homes / Florida Division - 407-339-4114 dbyrnes@beazer.com
Theresa Tilton, Vice President of Sales Beazer Homes /Florida Division 407-339-4114; ttilton@beazer.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142
About Beazer Homes:
Beazer Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."
Theresa Tilton, vice president of sales for Beazer Homes in Florida, said three, four and five-bedroom homes at Legacy range in size from 2,284 square feet of living space to 3,500 square feet.
Tilton said all five homes will likely sell before Nov. 30. That’s the cutoff date for the $8,000 federal tax credit for new home buyers, and it has already generated a surge in model home visitors at Legacy, Tilton said.
New Homes at Legacy are priced from the $300. Altogether 40 home sites remain for sale at the community.
Legacy features a private lakeside park with viewing dock to Lake Jessamine and it is one of the last new home communities in the downtown Orlando area.
For more information, contact:
David Byrnes President Beazer Homes / Florida Division - 407-339-4114 dbyrnes@beazer.com
Theresa Tilton, Vice President of Sales Beazer Homes /Florida Division 407-339-4114; ttilton@beazer.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142
About Beazer Homes:
Beazer Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country's 10 largest single-family homebuilders with operations in 17 states. Beazer Homes is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BZH."
Monday, September 28, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
UCF Business Incubation Program and the City of Sanford Hosts Grand Opening of UCF Sanford Business Incubator in Downtown Sanford
Left to Right-Bob Tunis, Economic Development Director, City of Sanford; Michael McLean, Vice-chair, Board of County Commissioners; Linda Kuhn, Mayor of Sanford; Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program
SANFORD, Fla. - The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program and the City of Sanford hosted a grand opening recently to showcase the new UCF Sanford Business Incubator facility at 110 W. First St. in downtown Sanford.
Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder and executive director of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program, said the new facility will create new jobs in Sanford and Seminole County.
“Successful business incubation has proved to be the most cost-effective strategy to stimulate the local economy,” Dr. O’Neal said.
“By providing expert support to qualified startup and small business enterprises, we can help them grow faster than the economic curve, and that means more and better jobs sooner than we might otherwise expect,” he said.
The new 3,800 square foot UCF Sanford Business Incubation facility offers office space, along with administrative, training and meeting space, O’Neal said.
O’Neal said Bob Tunis, director of the City of Sanford’s Economic Development division, Sanford Mayor Linda Kuhn, and Michael McLean, vice chairman of the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners attended the Grand Opening event for a brief ribbon cutting ceremony and tours of the facility. Other city, county and area business leaders were on hand as well.
The UCF Business Incubation Program now includes six locations with more than 100,000 square feet of space at Central Florida Research Park, UCF Campus, the City of Orlando, the City of Winter Springs, Leesburg and Sanford.
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 120 emerging companies (including over 75 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six 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, City of Sanford and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/.
For more information about this release contact:
Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Business Incubation Program 407-882-1577, bizdev@mail.ucf.edu
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
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Mercantile Capital Corp Reports Record Low Interest Rate on SBA 504 Loans
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - Mercantile Capital Corporation, which specializes in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for owners of small businesses who want to acquire their own facilities, reports a record low for the 20-year fixed interest rate on SBA 504 loan projects. This month, the rate fell to 5.14 percent, the lowest since the program’s inception more than 25 years ago.
“This record low interest rate for SBA 504 loans, combined with the fee reductions included in the Stimulus Bill, makes it even more attractive for business owners to purchase or expand their facilities. And this is the second time in three months that we’ve reported this,” said Chris Hurn, CEO and Co-founder of Mercantile Capital Corporation.
SBA 504 loans allow owners of small and mid-sized businesses to purchase, construct, or renovate their commercial property with as little as 10 percent down, long terms (up to 25 years) and fixed interest rates. Equipment and other fixed assets can also be included in these loans, to the benefit of the borrower.
“The SBA 504 loan has long been a powerful tool for business owners to grow and expand their operations. I hope the announcement of this historically low interest rate will cause more of America’s entrepreneurs to perk up and realize that there are once-in-a-generation opportunities for them to create wealth and help get our economy back on track,” said Hurn.
Mercantile Capital Corporation ranks as one of the most active providers of SBA 504 loans nationwide, providing owners of small and mid-sized businesses the option to own commercial property with up to 90 percent loan-to-cost financing.
Visit www.504Experts.com or www.504blog.com for more information.
For more information about this news release contact:
Chris Hurn, CEO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Shannon D. Marks, President/COO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142
“This record low interest rate for SBA 504 loans, combined with the fee reductions included in the Stimulus Bill, makes it even more attractive for business owners to purchase or expand their facilities. And this is the second time in three months that we’ve reported this,” said Chris Hurn, CEO and Co-founder of Mercantile Capital Corporation.
SBA 504 loans allow owners of small and mid-sized businesses to purchase, construct, or renovate their commercial property with as little as 10 percent down, long terms (up to 25 years) and fixed interest rates. Equipment and other fixed assets can also be included in these loans, to the benefit of the borrower.
“The SBA 504 loan has long been a powerful tool for business owners to grow and expand their operations. I hope the announcement of this historically low interest rate will cause more of America’s entrepreneurs to perk up and realize that there are once-in-a-generation opportunities for them to create wealth and help get our economy back on track,” said Hurn.
Mercantile Capital Corporation ranks as one of the most active providers of SBA 504 loans nationwide, providing owners of small and mid-sized businesses the option to own commercial property with up to 90 percent loan-to-cost financing.
Visit www.504Experts.com or www.504blog.com for more information.
For more information about this news release contact:
Chris Hurn, CEO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Shannon D. Marks, President/COO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Commercial Real Estate, Investment Analyst Sees Mixed Signals on Economy, Housing News Promising
Commercial Real Estate, Investment Analyst Sees Mixed Signals on Economy, Housing News Promising
ORLANDO, Fla. - Veteran commercial real estate and investments analyst George Livingston, chairman emeritus of NAI Realvest in Maitland, said the Federal Bank of Atlanta’s recent economic update reports mixed signals on the U.S. economy but good news for the U.S. housing market.
While consumer gauges---the U.S. Consumer Confidence Index and the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index---showed declines, capital goods orders increased modestly in June for the first time in more than a year.
Two major housing indices may signal a bottoming of the housing slump and the path toward recovery. The widely respected Case-Shiller Home Price Index was up, Livingston said, and new and existing single-family home sales were up in June for the third month in a row---and higher than industry expectations.
“It appears the housing market may be recovering and the rest of the economy is lagging,” said Livingston.
For more information, contact:
George Livingston, Chairman Emeritus, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 glivingston@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com
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 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 http://www.nairealvest.com/.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Veteran commercial real estate and investments analyst George Livingston, chairman emeritus of NAI Realvest in Maitland, said the Federal Bank of Atlanta’s recent economic update reports mixed signals on the U.S. economy but good news for the U.S. housing market.
While consumer gauges---the U.S. Consumer Confidence Index and the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index---showed declines, capital goods orders increased modestly in June for the first time in more than a year.
Two major housing indices may signal a bottoming of the housing slump and the path toward recovery. The widely respected Case-Shiller Home Price Index was up, Livingston said, and new and existing single-family home sales were up in June for the third month in a row---and higher than industry expectations.
“It appears the housing market may be recovering and the rest of the economy is lagging,” said Livingston.
For more information, contact:
George Livingston, Chairman Emeritus, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 glivingston@realvest.com
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com
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 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 http://www.nairealvest.com/.
Friday, August 14, 2009
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.
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.
Personal Financial Advice that’s Critical: Take Charge of Your Own Funds, Learn How to Analyze Investments, says Glen Mather
Personal Financial Advice that’s Critical: Take Charge of Your Own Funds, Learn How to Analyze Investments, says Glen Mather, head of Entrust Administrative Services
ORLANDO, Fla. - Whether you’re 35 or 60, three things are certain in today’s economic climate: things aren’t the way they once were, you can’t trust anyone to manage your savings, and you must learn how to think for yourself.
Those are strong words, and they come from someone who should know: Glen Mather, president of Entrust Administrative Services, LLC, which administers more than 2,000 self-directed retirement accounts valued at more than $200 million.
“The handwriting’s on the wall and it’s a topic on just about every evening news program,” said Mather, whose company won’t offer investment advice, even when asked. “From financial meltdowns to financial scandals to economic downturns, it’s clear that people who want to save for their future, and especially for their retirement, must take charge of their own destiny,” Mather said.
That’s not easy in a world where Wall Street speculators and high-powered fund managers have upended markets, invented bubbles and shaken some of the bluest blue-chip corporations like rag dolls, Mather sympathized.
Mather doesn’t mean to point fingers. “That’s a job for the courts and the regulatory agencies,” Mather said. “Our goal is to educate, motivate and facilitate individuals who are making their own best decisions,” he said.
“Over the past few years we have seen an incredible amount of capital erosion,” Mather explained. “What we used to think of as safe bets have proved no more predictable than a Vegas roulette wheel. Real estate has shed 40 percent of its value, impacting good neighborhoods and benchmark commercial properties as much as the rest. Blue chip corporations, the bastions of the American economy, are filing for bankruptcy protection and standing in line for government bailouts. Some of the most trusted names in financial services are victims to greed and manipulation, threatening the financial security of our nation,” Mather said.
The only antidote is for each of us to mend our ways.
“It is imperative that we take control of our own financial future,” Mather warned. “If we simply hand our savings over to financial managers, don’t get involved, and wait for the returns to roll in, we may end up broke and hungry and---like 50 percent of people over the age of 65 today---working part or full-time through our retirement,” he said.
The antidote is education---lots of it.
“We have to learn the fundamentals of the financial markets. We have to learn how to analyze the news, read between the lines, and understand the difference between market indicators and marketing propaganda,” he said.
For more information, contact:
Glen Mather, President, Entrust Administrative Services, Inc. 407-367-3472; gmather@entrustfl.com
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com
ORLANDO, Fla. - Whether you’re 35 or 60, three things are certain in today’s economic climate: things aren’t the way they once were, you can’t trust anyone to manage your savings, and you must learn how to think for yourself.
Those are strong words, and they come from someone who should know: Glen Mather, president of Entrust Administrative Services, LLC, which administers more than 2,000 self-directed retirement accounts valued at more than $200 million.
“The handwriting’s on the wall and it’s a topic on just about every evening news program,” said Mather, whose company won’t offer investment advice, even when asked. “From financial meltdowns to financial scandals to economic downturns, it’s clear that people who want to save for their future, and especially for their retirement, must take charge of their own destiny,” Mather said.
That’s not easy in a world where Wall Street speculators and high-powered fund managers have upended markets, invented bubbles and shaken some of the bluest blue-chip corporations like rag dolls, Mather sympathized.
Mather doesn’t mean to point fingers. “That’s a job for the courts and the regulatory agencies,” Mather said. “Our goal is to educate, motivate and facilitate individuals who are making their own best decisions,” he said.
“Over the past few years we have seen an incredible amount of capital erosion,” Mather explained. “What we used to think of as safe bets have proved no more predictable than a Vegas roulette wheel. Real estate has shed 40 percent of its value, impacting good neighborhoods and benchmark commercial properties as much as the rest. Blue chip corporations, the bastions of the American economy, are filing for bankruptcy protection and standing in line for government bailouts. Some of the most trusted names in financial services are victims to greed and manipulation, threatening the financial security of our nation,” Mather said.
The only antidote is for each of us to mend our ways.
“It is imperative that we take control of our own financial future,” Mather warned. “If we simply hand our savings over to financial managers, don’t get involved, and wait for the returns to roll in, we may end up broke and hungry and---like 50 percent of people over the age of 65 today---working part or full-time through our retirement,” he said.
The antidote is education---lots of it.
“We have to learn the fundamentals of the financial markets. We have to learn how to analyze the news, read between the lines, and understand the difference between market indicators and marketing propaganda,” he said.
For more information, contact:
Glen Mather, President, Entrust Administrative Services, Inc. 407-367-3472; gmather@entrustfl.com
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com
Friday, July 24, 2009
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.
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.
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