Ranked 266th Fastest-Growing Private Company in America by Inc. Magazine
ORLANDO, Fla. — Savage Race, a young Orlando-based obstacle course race company featuring the world’s best obstacles, has received dual honors by being named one of the fastest-growing private companies in America and one of the top 50 Florida companies to watch.
Inc. Magazine ranked Savage Race 266th in its September 2015 edition of 5,000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America, and GrowFL – a statewide economic-development program – named Savage Race as one of Florida’s 50 Companies to Watch.
Founded by Sam Abbitt and Lloyd Parker in 2011, Savage Race is a business client of the University of Central Florida Business Incubator Program in Orlando. The company combines Abbitt’s master’s degrees in both business and construction with his interest in obstacle racing, fitness and endurance sports to provide challenging obstacle courses that test participants’ courage and teamwork. With 22 employees, the company hosts more than a dozen such events in the U.S. each year.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by both Inc. Magazine and GrowFL for our innovation and growth,” said Abbitt. “We’re pushing the boundaries of the obstacle course racing industry every day and the world-class team behind me at Savage Race is what makes that possible. We’ve quietly worked to establish ourselves as a leader in our industry, and to be recognized on both a national level and a local level within the span of just a few weeks is incredible. We’re proud to do what we do every day and are very excited about the future of Savage Race.”
A New York-based business magazine, Inc. annually publishes a list of the top 5,000 fastest-growing private U.S. companies based on growth and wealth. Orlando’s Savage Race had a whopping three-year growth rate of 1,709 percent and revenue of $3.8 million in 2014.
GrowFL on Wednesday, Sept. 2, identified Savage Race as a Florida second-stage company to watch. A second-stage company, which falls somewhere between a startup company and a large firm, is one that is “poised for growth.” GrowFL’s nationally-certified experts assist second-stage growth companies by providing strategies, resources and support to help them reach the next level, while strengthening the local economy.
“Much like crossing a Savage Race finish line, there is a sense of pride and triumph to see Sam [Abbitt] and his team reach this point after overcoming some challenging obstacles,” said Michael Weiss, site manager of the UCF Business Incubator–Orlando. “We have really enjoyed working with the Savage Race team, and it is extremely rewarding to see their growth and success recognized on a local and national level.”
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Flame Boss Introduces New BBQ Smoker Accessory with Internet Capability
Orlando, Fla.– Flame Boss™ an Orlando company that’s been manufacturing and selling remote controllers for BBQ smokers since late 2013, introduced a new “Flame Boss 200” earlier this summer that’s WiFi enabled.
Michael Collins, President, said Flame Boss 200 comes with exactly the same kit sold with his Flame Boss 100—a smoker temperature probe, meat temperature probe, power adapter and blower—except inside the control module there’s a module that enables Internet connection.
Collins said sales of the Flame Boss 100 were good since starting last year, he sold them for $289 to pool and patio stores and through hundreds of authorized dealers reps of merchants as far away as Sweden and Australia.
But now, Collins explained that his Flame Boss 200 model, which allows you to control the BBQ smoker and its temperature from work or the golf course with a smart phone or iPad, has been selling for $349 at the rate of 8 or 9 to every one of the Flame Boss 100 packages sold.
June sales of the Flame Boss 200 topped the entire sales of models 1 and 100 for the entire year of 2014, Collins said.
Both Fame Boss 100 and Flame Boss 200 are sold at authorized hardware stores, pool and patio stores and outdoor kitchen stores nationwide in packages of two varieties – “Kamado” for a ceramic BBQ smoker and the other labeled “Universal” for all traditional style smokers. Visit www.FlameBoss.com .
Flame Boss™ is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in Apopka.
Michael Collins, President, said Flame Boss 200 comes with exactly the same kit sold with his Flame Boss 100—a smoker temperature probe, meat temperature probe, power adapter and blower—except inside the control module there’s a module that enables Internet connection.
Collins said sales of the Flame Boss 100 were good since starting last year, he sold them for $289 to pool and patio stores and through hundreds of authorized dealers reps of merchants as far away as Sweden and Australia.
But now, Collins explained that his Flame Boss 200 model, which allows you to control the BBQ smoker and its temperature from work or the golf course with a smart phone or iPad, has been selling for $349 at the rate of 8 or 9 to every one of the Flame Boss 100 packages sold.
June sales of the Flame Boss 200 topped the entire sales of models 1 and 100 for the entire year of 2014, Collins said.
Both Fame Boss 100 and Flame Boss 200 are sold at authorized hardware stores, pool and patio stores and outdoor kitchen stores nationwide in packages of two varieties – “Kamado” for a ceramic BBQ smoker and the other labeled “Universal” for all traditional style smokers. Visit www.FlameBoss.com .
Flame Boss™ is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in Apopka.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
BERKADIA FACILITATES SALE OF SIX APARTMENT PROPERTIES WORTH MORE THAN $96 MILLION
Chattanooga, Tenn. – Berkadia recently negotiated the sale of six multi-family investment properties, consisting of 1,110 units for a combined $96.35 million.
Marcus Lyons, director of Berkadia’s Chattanooga office, said his team facilitated the transactions on behalf of various sellers with help from several other Berkadia offices.
“These deals are a testament to the depth of our national Berkadia network. Not only did our investment sales team negotiate the sales, but our Mortgage Banking team secured financing for the purchasers,” said David Oakley, Berkadia-Southeast managing director, who was involved with each transaction.
The team’s largest sale of the period - Quarry Trail, a 252-unit property in Knoxville, Tennessee – sold for $42 million to an investment group based in Atlanta.
Most recently, the team facilitated the sale of a three-property portfolio of Middle Tennessee State University apartments. The portfolio, comprised of 96-unit Raiders Crossing, 78-unit Woods at Greenland, and 180-unit University Gables, sold for $32.1 million to another Atlanta-based investment group.
Other recent Tennessee sales include King’s Crossing and Tara’s Place in Murfeesboro, a combined 184 units, which sold for $11.3 million and Waterview, a 160-unit property in Henderson, which sold for $10.9 million.
Kevin Larimer, National Director of Student Housing – Berkadia Mortgage Banking, teamed with David Oakley to facilitate both the Quarry Trail and the MTSU Portfolio transactions. Aaron Hargrove, Managing Directory of Affordable Housing – Berkadia Mortgage Banking, and Eric Taylor, Senior Director - Berkadia Mortgage Banking teamed with Royce Emerson, Senior Director – Berkadia Investment Sales, Lyons, and Oakley, to arrange both the King’s Crossing-Tara’s Place and the Waterview transactions.
Berkadia, a joint venture of Berkshire Hathaway and Leucadia National Corporation, is an industry leading commercial real estate company providing comprehensive capital solutions and investment sales advisory and research services for multifamily and commercial properties.
Marcus Lyons, director of Berkadia’s Chattanooga office, said his team facilitated the transactions on behalf of various sellers with help from several other Berkadia offices.
“These deals are a testament to the depth of our national Berkadia network. Not only did our investment sales team negotiate the sales, but our Mortgage Banking team secured financing for the purchasers,” said David Oakley, Berkadia-Southeast managing director, who was involved with each transaction.
The team’s largest sale of the period - Quarry Trail, a 252-unit property in Knoxville, Tennessee – sold for $42 million to an investment group based in Atlanta.
Most recently, the team facilitated the sale of a three-property portfolio of Middle Tennessee State University apartments. The portfolio, comprised of 96-unit Raiders Crossing, 78-unit Woods at Greenland, and 180-unit University Gables, sold for $32.1 million to another Atlanta-based investment group.
Other recent Tennessee sales include King’s Crossing and Tara’s Place in Murfeesboro, a combined 184 units, which sold for $11.3 million and Waterview, a 160-unit property in Henderson, which sold for $10.9 million.
Kevin Larimer, National Director of Student Housing – Berkadia Mortgage Banking, teamed with David Oakley to facilitate both the Quarry Trail and the MTSU Portfolio transactions. Aaron Hargrove, Managing Directory of Affordable Housing – Berkadia Mortgage Banking, and Eric Taylor, Senior Director - Berkadia Mortgage Banking teamed with Royce Emerson, Senior Director – Berkadia Investment Sales, Lyons, and Oakley, to arrange both the King’s Crossing-Tara’s Place and the Waterview transactions.
Berkadia, a joint venture of Berkshire Hathaway and Leucadia National Corporation, is an industry leading commercial real estate company providing comprehensive capital solutions and investment sales advisory and research services for multifamily and commercial properties.
DiCapta Studios Moving to Winter Springs
Winter Springs, Fla. -- Dicapta, the award-winning U.S. provider of accessible digital media to serve people with visual or hearing limitations and Spanish speaking community, is relocating its office and studios from Longwood to the UCF Business Incubation facilities in Winter Springs.
Maria Diaz, chief executive officer of Dicapta, said the company’s new headquarters will offer versatility to handle a wide range of projects the company works on with closer access to incubation support services.
“Spanish coverage for special or seasonal events such us political conventions or public debates that we have implemented for PBS or NBC, as well as our educational productions, calls for our flexibility with production, logistics and technical resources maintaining our professional standards. For this there is no better match than the UCF Business Incubation facilities in Winter Springs,” Diaz explained.
Dicapta provides services that support access for people with disabilities and for Spanish speakers to films, television, news programs and educational media. Services include electronic subtitles, audio description, dubbing, live dubbing and CART (subtitles broadcast in real time) utilizing cutting edge technology and state-of-the-art processes.
Dicapta serves a wide range of corporate, educational and government agency clients in the U.S., the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Maria Diaz, chief executive officer of Dicapta, said the company’s new headquarters will offer versatility to handle a wide range of projects the company works on with closer access to incubation support services.
“Spanish coverage for special or seasonal events such us political conventions or public debates that we have implemented for PBS or NBC, as well as our educational productions, calls for our flexibility with production, logistics and technical resources maintaining our professional standards. For this there is no better match than the UCF Business Incubation facilities in Winter Springs,” Diaz explained.
Dicapta provides services that support access for people with disabilities and for Spanish speakers to films, television, news programs and educational media. Services include electronic subtitles, audio description, dubbing, live dubbing and CART (subtitles broadcast in real time) utilizing cutting edge technology and state-of-the-art processes.
Dicapta serves a wide range of corporate, educational and government agency clients in the U.S., the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Embark Safety receives State of Florida Minority Business Enterprise Certification
ORLANDO, Fla. – Embark Safety, a leading provider of driver monitoring and fleet risk management services across North America, recently received the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification from the State of Florida’s Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD).
The MBE certification is the most widely recognized certification for minority-owned businesses in the United States. To receive MBE certification, a company must be at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by an ethnic minority U.S. citizen and undergo a stringent review process.
“We’re really excited to have this certification. It comes at a time when government agencies are increasingly looking to diversify their procurement as a way to meet federal guidelines,” said Embark Safety’s Managing Partner, Edwin Sosa. “We’re now better positioned to build strategic alliances and partnerships to expand our fleet safety solutions across the country.”
Embark Safety is a client of the UCF Business Incubation Program at Central Florida Research Park in east Orange County.
The MBE certification is the most widely recognized certification for minority-owned businesses in the United States. To receive MBE certification, a company must be at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by an ethnic minority U.S. citizen and undergo a stringent review process.
“We’re really excited to have this certification. It comes at a time when government agencies are increasingly looking to diversify their procurement as a way to meet federal guidelines,” said Embark Safety’s Managing Partner, Edwin Sosa. “We’re now better positioned to build strategic alliances and partnerships to expand our fleet safety solutions across the country.”
Embark Safety is a client of the UCF Business Incubation Program at Central Florida Research Park in east Orange County.
Fastest WiFi in America to Come Standard at New Centex Community Sereno
Tampa, Fla. --- Sales are in full swing at Sereno, the newest Centex community in the Tampa area located on Bella Armonia Circle, just east of U.S. 301 and Sun City Center Blvd. in Wimauma.
Sereno, an ULTRAFi Community, is a first-of-its kind residential environment where every home is built to be a Smart Home and every resident will enjoy the fastest internet and WiFi speeds in North America.
Sean Strickler, division president for Centex and PulteGroup in the West Florida region, said homeowners at Sereno will enjoy up to an exclusive 1 Gigabit of internet and WiFi speeds (100 times faster than average broadband speeds) by the pool, on the trails, in the clubhouse and at the playground.
Strickler said homebuilder builds new one and two-story homes with two-car garages at the gated community where home buyers choose from four distinct floor plans.
New Centex homes with two to six bedrooms and two to three bathrooms are priced from the low $200s at Sereno, and range in size from 1,674 square feet of living area to 2,662 square feet.
There will be 48 new homes in the first phase at Sereno with water and preserve view homesites available, according to Strickler.
A recently completed model -- the Summerwood plan – is open for touring at Sereno.
The furnished and decorated one-story model offers four bedrooms and two baths in 2,007 square feet of living space. The design also offers some exciting options, including a den, owner’s suite walk-in shower, 4' garage extension, owner’s entry Drop Zone and extended covered lanai. The Summerwood model’s two-car garage features extra space for a golf cart or storage.
Amenities at Sereno include gated entry access, a private community swimming pool and cabana, clubhouse, children’s playground, a trail system covering several miles around the community, outdoor fitness stations, basketball half court, pickleball courts, tennis court, and dog park.
“We’ve had a great response with our grand opening pre-selling efforts, and we expect great success from this community. We encourage buyers to take a look soon as these homes will go quickly,” said Strickler.
To learn more visit www.centex.com/sereno or call 866-236-7851.
Sereno, an ULTRAFi Community, is a first-of-its kind residential environment where every home is built to be a Smart Home and every resident will enjoy the fastest internet and WiFi speeds in North America.
Sean Strickler, division president for Centex and PulteGroup in the West Florida region, said homeowners at Sereno will enjoy up to an exclusive 1 Gigabit of internet and WiFi speeds (100 times faster than average broadband speeds) by the pool, on the trails, in the clubhouse and at the playground.
Strickler said homebuilder builds new one and two-story homes with two-car garages at the gated community where home buyers choose from four distinct floor plans.
New Centex homes with two to six bedrooms and two to three bathrooms are priced from the low $200s at Sereno, and range in size from 1,674 square feet of living area to 2,662 square feet.
There will be 48 new homes in the first phase at Sereno with water and preserve view homesites available, according to Strickler.
A recently completed model -- the Summerwood plan – is open for touring at Sereno.
The furnished and decorated one-story model offers four bedrooms and two baths in 2,007 square feet of living space. The design also offers some exciting options, including a den, owner’s suite walk-in shower, 4' garage extension, owner’s entry Drop Zone and extended covered lanai. The Summerwood model’s two-car garage features extra space for a golf cart or storage.
Amenities at Sereno include gated entry access, a private community swimming pool and cabana, clubhouse, children’s playground, a trail system covering several miles around the community, outdoor fitness stations, basketball half court, pickleball courts, tennis court, and dog park.
“We’ve had a great response with our grand opening pre-selling efforts, and we expect great success from this community. We encourage buyers to take a look soon as these homes will go quickly,” said Strickler.
To learn more visit www.centex.com/sereno or call 866-236-7851.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
CEO of DRW Life Skills Institute increasingly popular media Interview
KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- Dr. Wanda Bonet-Gascot, Ph.D., CEO of the DRW Life Skills Institute in Kissimmee, is becoming an increasingly active media consultant and interview subject on the topic of emotional intelligence and how increasing EI skills promotes happiness, well-being and self-confidence.
Appearing as “Dr. W,” Dr. Bonet-Gascot has recently appeared on Telemundo Orlando’s Orlando Avanza, Mira TV, Mundo Fox Orlando, Contigo Cada Mañana, Florida Exclusivo, La Voz and Conversando television and radio programs, and in the pages of Osceola's Woman Newspaper, Nosotras Magazine, El Coqui Newspaper and the UCF College of Medicine SPs e-newsletter.
“This media tour has been mainly focused on Spanish language channels and programs due to the increase of the Spanish-speaking community in Central Florida. I’m looking forward to expand the tour to the English and Brazilian community in 2016 offering opportunities to learn about the importance of emotional intelligence,” Dr. Bonet-Gascot said.
The DRW Life Skills Institute provides a safe and confidential environment to discover, learn and practice Emotional Intelligence with coaching, consulting, seminars, workshops and certifications.
Appearing as “Dr. W,” Dr. Bonet-Gascot has recently appeared on Telemundo Orlando’s Orlando Avanza, Mira TV, Mundo Fox Orlando, Contigo Cada Mañana, Florida Exclusivo, La Voz and Conversando television and radio programs, and in the pages of Osceola's Woman Newspaper, Nosotras Magazine, El Coqui Newspaper and the UCF College of Medicine SPs e-newsletter.
“This media tour has been mainly focused on Spanish language channels and programs due to the increase of the Spanish-speaking community in Central Florida. I’m looking forward to expand the tour to the English and Brazilian community in 2016 offering opportunities to learn about the importance of emotional intelligence,” Dr. Bonet-Gascot said.
The DRW Life Skills Institute provides a safe and confidential environment to discover, learn and practice Emotional Intelligence with coaching, consulting, seminars, workshops and certifications.
Winter Springs CEO Appointed Technology Judge at Global Trillion-Dollar CTIA 2015 Wireless Industry Convention Sept. 9-11
WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. -- Bill Stueber, founder of Wireless Assets Holdings LLC in Winter Springs, has been appointed as a Technology Judge at the CTIA Super Mobility 2015 wireless industry convention in Las Vegas September 9-11.
It’s the third straight year that Stueber, a 33-year veteran of the wireless industry, has been invited as a technology judge for the CTIA award program.
Super Mobility 2015 is the world’s largest trade convention for mobile, wireless and smart phone technology companies. The highly-competitive technology and innovation judging takes place across 18 different categories this year.
“CTIA is expecting more than 40,000 delegates from all over the world, including every major player from an industry that is rapidly changing the world,” Stueber explained.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler is a scheduled keynote speaker at the event, along with Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure, Glenn Lurie, CEO of AT&T Mobility, and Verizon Executive Vice President Marni Walden.
Wireless Assets, is a technology company that has developed a unique, highly-intuitive research metrics “dashboard” platform that allows institutional investors to experience complex analytics in a fraction of the typical time necessary to assimilate large amounts of data. The comprehensive, but simplified, view provides the company’s clients greater insight and a decidedly competitive edge.
Wireless Assets is the spun-off technology arm of Telecom Partners Group, a 13-year old telecommunications industry research group headquartered on Wall Street.
Rafael Caamano, associate director of the UCF Business Incubation program said Stueber ranks as one of the world’s leading experts in wireless industry technology.
“This appointment is a huge honor for Wireless Assets and the UCF Business Incubation Program, and big news for economic development in Winter Springs,” Caamano said.
Wireless Assets, with offices in New York, is a client of the UCF Business Incubator’s Soft Landing Program in Winter Springs.
It’s the third straight year that Stueber, a 33-year veteran of the wireless industry, has been invited as a technology judge for the CTIA award program.
Super Mobility 2015 is the world’s largest trade convention for mobile, wireless and smart phone technology companies. The highly-competitive technology and innovation judging takes place across 18 different categories this year.
“CTIA is expecting more than 40,000 delegates from all over the world, including every major player from an industry that is rapidly changing the world,” Stueber explained.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler is a scheduled keynote speaker at the event, along with Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure, Glenn Lurie, CEO of AT&T Mobility, and Verizon Executive Vice President Marni Walden.
Wireless Assets, is a technology company that has developed a unique, highly-intuitive research metrics “dashboard” platform that allows institutional investors to experience complex analytics in a fraction of the typical time necessary to assimilate large amounts of data. The comprehensive, but simplified, view provides the company’s clients greater insight and a decidedly competitive edge.
Wireless Assets is the spun-off technology arm of Telecom Partners Group, a 13-year old telecommunications industry research group headquartered on Wall Street.
Rafael Caamano, associate director of the UCF Business Incubation program said Stueber ranks as one of the world’s leading experts in wireless industry technology.
“This appointment is a huge honor for Wireless Assets and the UCF Business Incubation Program, and big news for economic development in Winter Springs,” Caamano said.
Wireless Assets, with offices in New York, is a client of the UCF Business Incubator’s Soft Landing Program in Winter Springs.
Berkadia Closes on 332 Apartment Units in Birmingham for $14,110,000
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Berkadia, one of the nation’s largest and most active multifamily investment banking and research companies, recently completed the sale of the Devonshire Place and Sun Valley Apartments, a 332-unit multifamily property for $14,110,000 or $42,500 per unit.
David Oakley, managing director and Josh Jacobs, investment sales associate in Berkadia’s Alabama regional office negotiated the sale representing the New York-based seller of the apartments located at 2349 8th St. NW in Birmingham’s northwest corridor near Pinson and Center Point submarkets.
Built in 1971 and 1974, Devonshire Place and Sun Valley is a garden-style, two- and three-story community situated on approximately 19.76 acres of land with a density of 16.60 units per acre and an average unit size of 1,043 square feet.
The property houses a total of 346,260 square feet, offering a well-balanced unit mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans ranging in size from 500 to 1,560 square feet.
The buyer was New York-based Devonshire Apartments AL, LLC.
David Oakley, managing director and Josh Jacobs, investment sales associate in Berkadia’s Alabama regional office negotiated the sale representing the New York-based seller of the apartments located at 2349 8th St. NW in Birmingham’s northwest corridor near Pinson and Center Point submarkets.
Built in 1971 and 1974, Devonshire Place and Sun Valley is a garden-style, two- and three-story community situated on approximately 19.76 acres of land with a density of 16.60 units per acre and an average unit size of 1,043 square feet.
The property houses a total of 346,260 square feet, offering a well-balanced unit mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans ranging in size from 500 to 1,560 square feet.
The buyer was New York-based Devonshire Apartments AL, LLC.
NAI Realvest Negotiates $3,900,000 Sale of Winter Park Infill Industrial Facility
WINTER PARK, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated the $3,900,000 sale leaseback of the Accord Industries facility located at 4001 N. Forsyth Rd. in Winter Park.
The NAI Realvest team of Drew Saphos, CCIM, Chairman George Livingston, and Principal Christie Alexander negotiated the transaction on behalf of the seller, Accord Industries, LLC.
The 23.84 acre sale includes a partial long-term leaseback of the infill industrial site to Accord Industries, a privately held U.S. owned and operated manufacturer of extruded PVC pipe. Accord Industries will continue its operations at the Winter Park location.
The buyer is Winter Park-based Forsyth Commerce Center, LLC, who was represented by KR Properties of Central Florida.
The NAI Realvest team of Drew Saphos, CCIM, Chairman George Livingston, and Principal Christie Alexander negotiated the transaction on behalf of the seller, Accord Industries, LLC.
The 23.84 acre sale includes a partial long-term leaseback of the infill industrial site to Accord Industries, a privately held U.S. owned and operated manufacturer of extruded PVC pipe. Accord Industries will continue its operations at the Winter Park location.
The buyer is Winter Park-based Forsyth Commerce Center, LLC, who was represented by KR Properties of Central Florida.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
