Ashton Woods Homes Goes U.S. Government One Better with $8,000 Stimulus for all new Home Buyers

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes reported it is offering an $8,000 Ashton Woods Homes stimulus grant to all new home buyers in the Orlando and Tampa Bay regions.

Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in Orlando and Tampa, said the $8,000 stimulus applies to all new home buyers, whether or not they qualify for the $8,000 U.S. federal tax credit that ends Nov. 30.

“We announced our stimulus grant because a number of home buyers are worried their homes won’t be completed in time to qualify for the $8,000 U.S. tax credit,” Roche said.

“In addition, the federal tax credit only applies to new home buyers. The $8,000 Ashton Woods Homes stimulus grant applies to all home buyers,” he said.

Ashton Woods Homes builds single-family homes and town homes in seven Orlando-area communities and six in the Tampa Bay region.

Ashton Woods Homes is a subsidiary of the Great Gulf Group of Companies, a North American real estate conglomerate headquartered in Toronto, and currently has communities under development in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver and Orlando.

For more information, contact:
Michael Roche, VP Sales & Marketing Ashton Woods Homes-Orlando/Tampa, 407-647-3700;
John Reny, President, Ashton Woods Homes-Orlando/Tampa 407-647-3700
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Data Transfer Solutions Programmer Honored For "Secured Software" GSSP Expert

ORLANDO, Fla. – A software programming “expert” at Data Transfer Solutions (DTS) recently earned his GSSP (Global Secured Software Programming) certification from the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) organization.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, chief operating officer at the technology firm said DTS Programmer Rusty Phillips received the certification for his secured software programming. Phillips has been with DTS four years, Fragala said.

Data Transfer Solutions, LLC, (DTS), based in Orlando’s Avalon Park, provides (GIS) Geographic Information Systems, transportation planning, asset management, Web design, database applications, and video and multimedia production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S. The company has offices in eight major U.S. cities.

For more information, contact:
A.M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, Chief Operating Officer, Data Transfer Solutions, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Suite 200, Orlando, 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@edats.com

Jade Winfrey, Marketing Coordinator, Data Transfer Solutions, 407-382-5222; jwinfrey@edats.com

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

Data Transfer Solutions, LLC Wins Contract from Florida Department of Transportation’s District 6

Data Transfer Solutions, LLC Wins Contract from Florida Department of Transportation’s District 6

ORLANDO Fla. - Data Transfer Solutions, LLC, the Orlando-based firm that provides GIS (Geographic Information Systems) transportation planning, asset management, web design, database applications, and video and multimedia production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S., recently was assigned two task work orders from the Florida Department of Transportation District Six.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, said one task consists of mapping for the District’s Work Program that includes two counties, eight municipalities and 13 commission districts.

The other task involves supporting applications DTS previously developed including the ARRA Tracker, a tool designed to assist the District track projects being completed by local governments using Federal Stimulus money. DTS will also support and extend the Gaming Tool it designed to prioritize the District’s projects and allocate funding for the upcoming fiscal year.

For more information, contact:
A.M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, Chief Operating Officer, Data Transfer Solutions, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Suite 200, Orlando, 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@edats.com;

Jade Winfrey, Marketing Coordinator, Data Transfer Solutions, 407-382-5222; jwinfrey@edats.com;

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

Data Transfer Solutions, LLC, Appoints Nick Kirkes Senior Developer in Fort Collins, Colorado Office

Data Transfer Solutions, LLC, Appoints Nick Kirkes Senior Developer in Fort Collins, Colorado Office

ORLANDO, Fla. - Data Transfer Solutions, LLC, the Downtown Avalon Park-based firm that provides GIS (Geographic Information Systems) transportation planning, asset management, web design, database applications, and video and multimedia production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S., recently appointed Nick Kirkes senior developer in the firm’s Fort Collins, Colo. office.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, said Kirkes has more than 10 years of experience in application development, architecture, and project management. A passionate programmer, Kirkes brings with him extensive knowledge of the Microsoft solution stack and specializes in the construction of enterprise level line of business applications based on the Microsoft.NET framework.

Kirkes has honed his skill set working with public companies such as Adaptec, Inc., Roxio, Inc., HP, Crocs, Inc., as well as various state and federal agencies including the State of Wyoming and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Data Transfer Solutions, LLC, has offices in eight U.S. cities.

For more information, contact:

A.M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, Chief Operating Officer, Data Transfer Solutions, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Suite 200, Orlando, 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@edats.com

Jade Winfrey, Marketing Coordinator, Data Transfer Solutions, 407-382-5222; jwinfrey@edats.com

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

Data Transfer Solutions, LLC, to Provide 3-D Animations to Help Utah’s DOT Picture Proposed Highway Improvements

Data Transfer Solutions, LLC, to Provide 3-D Animations to Help Utah’s DOT Picture Proposed Highway Improvements

ORLANDO, Fla. - Data Transfer Solutions, LLC, the Downtown Avalon Park-based firm that provides asset management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) web design, database applications, and video and multimedia production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S., was recently awarded a contract to develop visualizations and 3-D animations that will help the Utah Dept. of Transportation visualize proposed highway improvements.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions (DTS), said work includes graphics, 3-D animations and multimedia services to help Utah state officials understand the landscaping, roadway enhancements, and general improvements proposed along 4.5 miles of 11400 South heading east to the I-15 interchange, a major interchange in Salt Lake City.

A&W Highway Contractors, a joint venture of Ames Construction Company of Salt Lake City and Wadsworth Brothers Construction of Draper, Utah, awarded the contract, Fragala said.

Work on the highway project, which includes a major interchange and traffic and pedestrian structures over the Jordan River, is expected to be completed by November, 2010.

For more information, contact:
A.M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, Chief Operating Officer, Data Transfer Solutions, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Suite 200, Orlando 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@edats.com

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

Data Transfer Solutions Executive Teaches Course in Infrastructure Asset Management for Texas Government Officials

Data Transfer Solutions Executive Teaches Course in Infrastructure Asset Management for Texas Government Officials

ORLANDO, Fla. - Jason Amadori, GISP, chief executive officer of Earth Eye, LLC (a subsidiary of Data Transfer Solutions, LLC) taught an eight hour URISA-certified course in Asset Management for the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) in Arlington, Tex.

Downtown Avalon Park-based Earth Eye takes mapping and remote sensing to the next level by developing next-generation automation and processing workflows designed with the end-user in mind.

“Our goal is to empower the user with geospatial processing tools that are designed to deliver information quickly to the end user and to promote advanced analysis of data,” Amadori said.
Earth Eye provides services to private companies, utility companies, local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S.

Amadori said the URISA-certified course was offered by the NCTCOG as part of its continuing education program for GIS professionals and others working in the geospatial industry.

“The class teaches municipal representatives how to proactively manage public infrastructure assets,” Amadori explained.

The class, suitable for beginners to experts, is a service both Earth Eye and its parent company Data Transfer Solutions, LLC provides nationwide.

“We’ve taught the Asset Management course all over the U.S., to small local government agencies to large cities and counties. Every one of these agencies brings a specific user experience to the class and that makes it more informative for everyone who participates.” Amadori said.

URISA---the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association---is a non-profit professional and educational association that promotes the effective and ethical use of spatial information and information technologies for the understanding and management of urban and regional systems.

For more information, contact:
Jason Amadori, GISP, Chief Executive Officer, Earth Eye, LLC, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Suite 200, Orlando 32828; 407-382-5222; jamadori@eartheye.com

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

Data Transfer Solutions Awarded Major Contracts from Florida Department of Transportation

Data Transfer Solutions Awarded Major Contracts from Florida Department of Transportation

ORLANDO, Fla. - Data Transfer Solutions, LLC (DTS), the Downtown Avalon Park firm that provides professional GIS and technology services to government agencies, was recently awarded several major contracts from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, said the contracts include:

•FDOT District 4 in Fort Lauderdale awarded DTS a contract for continued data repository support for land use modeling;
•FDOT District 5 in Orlando awarded DTS a contract to develop GIS applications for its interchange System Operational Analysis Report program;
•FDOT’s Central Office at 605 Suwannee Street MS90, Tallahassee, awarded DTS a contract that reauthorizes FDOT’s bus stop database support contract through July, 2010;
•FDOT’s District 6 in Miami-Dade County awarded DTS a contract for ETDM Support as part of the Corradino Team.

Fragala said the contracts have a combined potential value of $500,000.

For more information, contact:
A.M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, Chief Operating Officer, Data Transfer Solutions, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Suite 200, Orlando, 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@edats.com

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

Local Entrepreneurs Attend Chamber Workshop to Learn How to Obtain Governmental Contracts

Local Entrepreneurs Attend Chamber Workshop to Learn How to Obtain Governmental Contracts

ORANGE CITY, Fla. – The Chamber of Commerce West Volusia recently was the site of a workshop for business owners interested in obtaining governmental contracts.

The session – titled “Doing Business with Federal and Local Governments” – was sponsored by The Center for Business Excellence, and presented by The Small Business Development Center of Daytona State College. It was held at the chamber’s Business Learning Center in Orange City.

Speakers were Rick Fraser, president of the Center for Business Excellence; Ned Harper, SBDC director at Daytona State College; and Linda White and John Wanamaker, chamber president/CEO, and treasurer/corporate secretary, respectively.

About 20 local business owners attended the workshop, including Mike Chinelli, an Orange City-based contractor.

“The class offered good direction on how to obtain contracts,” Chinelli said. “And, that should be important with the stimulus package creating a lot of government work."

Wanamaker, broker for Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group in Orange City, has attended similar classes in other counties, but said this session was a first for the West Volusia area.

“There are other cities and counties that sponsor classes like this for local businesses,” he said. “We’re hopeful that this will catch on here and we’ll see more local governmental agencies sponsoring educational classes for our business owners.”

About Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group:
Owned and operated by commercial real estate veterans John Wanamaker and Chuck Rudis, Coldwell Banker Commercial AIG is a leader in the listing, leasing and selling of properties, as well as a premier developer of community-friendly and LEED-accredited projects for small business owners.

For more information about this release, please contact:

Chuck Rudis, John Wanamaker or Stepan Babanin, Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group, 386-775-8633, chuck@cbcaigroup.com, john@cbciagroup.com or stepan@cbciagroup.com

Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-837-8780, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

Data Transfer Solutions, LLC awarded Major Subcontracts in Florida, Texas

Data Transfer Solutions, LLC awarded Major Subcontracts in Florida, Texas

ORLANDO, Fla. - Data Transfer Solutions, LLC (DTS), the downtown Avalon Park-based technology firm that provides professional Asset Management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software engineering and web development services to local and state government agencies from offices in eight U.S. cities, was recently awarded two major subcontracts in Florida and Texas.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, LLC, said the firm will work with the engineering firm Post, Buckley, Schuh and Jernigan (PBS&J) to provide GIS orthophotography and lidar support.

Fragala said DTS plans to make use of its MAC-Van mobile data collection vehicle equipped with more than $500 thousand worth of digital and photographic collection equipment.

DTS was awarded a second contract to support RS&H, an engineering firm with offices in 11 Florida cities and 13 states, on behalf of the Florida Department of Transportation.

DTS will provide GIS application development and updates on roadway characteristics using the MAC-Van mobile data collection vehicle, Fragala said.

The two contracts are worth more than $2 million potentially, Fragala said.

For more information, contact:
A.M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, Chief Operating Officer, Data Transfer Solutions, 3680 Avalon Park Blvd. East, Suite 200, Orlando, 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@edats.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com