Kimberly Patterson's Latest Articles
WorkNet Pinellas Offers Jobseekers Unique Mixer
WorkNet Pinellas will be hosting a professional mixer at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on Wednesday, Feb, 16, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The evening affair is not your typical job fair. "The professional mixer is an invitation-only recruiting event where employers have the opportunity to engage high-caliber professionals who have been invited specifically because their skills meet the requirements of the positions," says Haley Loeun of WorkNet Pinellas. Loeun says that this is the third year WorkNet has hosted the event, which has between 175-225 job seekers on the guest list. In order to get on the guest list, job seekers must go through the registration process. "Job seekers interested in attending are encouraged to visit our website to view the open positions," says Loeun, lead business services recruiter. "Resumes must be submitted via email indicating the position in the subject line. If qualified for the position, a business services recruiter will contact the candidate to discuss their resume and the requirements of the position. Candidates will not receive an invitation to the event until they have submitted a resume and spoken with a recruiter."Loeun says employers are still signing up; therefore the job postings for candidates will not be visible on WorkNet's website until the beginning of February. According to Loeun, one of the benefits of the mixer is that, unlike job fairs open to the public where dozens of people may be at a recruiter's table waiting to speak with someone, the limited access allows job seekers more time with employers. It also gives professionals a chance to network with one another in a relaxed, yet professional atmosphere. Writer: Kimberly PattersonSource: Haley Loeun, Worknet Pinellas
Moffitt To Open New Building, Hire 70 In 2011
Construction workers are renovating a two-story, 50,000-square-feet building in West Tampa for Moffitt Cancer Center to occupy starting in July 2011. The building near International Plaza was previously occupied by Continental Airlines and was set for demolition. Moffitt is under a 20-year lease agreement with Tampa International Airport. Moffitt currently has a satellite office at Tampa General Hospital, however, the healthcare provider needs more space. The extra space will allow Moffitt to expand its programs providing care to more patients. An estimated 30,000 patient visits are expected for the first year of operation. Services will include radiation therapy, infusion services, physician practice office visits, and radiology. It is expected that the location will service patients residing in south Hillsborough, central Pinellas and central/west Pasco counties. With the additional space and services at the new center, the organization is planning to hire approximately 70 employees. Nancy Ziel, administrative director of satellite operations and director of clinic systems and support, says Moffitt will need employees for several different roles. "We will be filling a variety of positions including registration and clerical staff, licensed nursing and technical staff, medical assistants, support staff and physicians," Ziel says. Ziel goes on to explain what the organization looks for in a potential employee. "Our focus is patient and family-centered care, so besides the technical quality required for the specific positions, we concentrate on customer service skills which will assist in promoting a positive experience for our patients while they are visiting with us," Ziel says. Writer: Kimberly PattersonSource: Nancy Ziel, Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt: Business Of Biotech Convenes Jan. 31
Moffitt Cancer Center will host the 5th Annual Business of Biotech Conference on Jan. 31st at the Vincent A. Stabile research building. The conference focuses on opportunities for businesses and investors to network and collaborate in life sciences, biotechnology, medical devices, angel investing, venture capital, finance and intellectual property. The theme for the event this year is "Share the Science, Secure the Success," and features Dr. Robert Tepper as the keynote speaker. Tepper, a partner with Third Rock Ventures, has more than 25 years of experience building and operating research and development operations. There will also be breakout sessions, which will focus on the benefits to investing in life sciences, how to get started and details on what is involved. "This conference is about job creation in the biotech sector," says Jarett Rieger, director of technology management and commercialization at Moffitt Cancer Center. "In an effort to move our technologies forward and to support economic development, we have assisted in the launch of six new faculty start-ups, and are striving to launch an additional six faculty start-ups over the next two years. With the help and support of our community, these start-ups will create new high-paying jobs as well as move our technologies closer to the marketplace for public benefit."Several local partners involved in the conference include BioFlorida, Pinellas County Economic Development, Tampa Bay Partnership and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required due to limited seating. Rieger says approximately 325 individuals have already submitted their RSVP. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 31st at Moffitt's Stabile research building located at 12902 Magnolia Drive in Tampa. Writer: Kimberly PattersonSource: Jarett Reiger, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
FreightCenter’s Innovative Technology Wins Award
FreightCenter, a logistics and shipping company located in Trinity implemented several innovative technology initiatives in 2010, winning the company an award as one of the 50 Companies to Watch in 2011. Technology initiatives include application programming interface (API) development and website optimization.According to Doug Walls, chief information officer, the technology enabled the company to offer an edge over its competition. "We've enhanced our rating system accuracy, making it the most advanced system available for obtaining accurate freight prices and scheduling those shipments," Walls says. "With these enhancements, we are able to help countless companies decrease shopping cart abandonment rates and increase online conversions by giving savvy online consumers more tools to complete their purchases."Walls says other logistics and shipping companies have similar technology but they do not offer as much as FreightCenter does. "Other companies use technology platforms that perform part of what our system can do, but Freightcenter is the first to offer a platform, which is all inclusive of the services, which others would have to piece together from multiple systems," Walls says. "Our technology and processes are all developed with in-house staff, which gives us a tremendous advantage in being able to mold and customize our applications in order to best suit the needs of our customers.""After implementing these tools, our revenue grew from $12.3 million in 2009 to over $19 million in 2010," says company Representative Sylvia Pankiewicz. "The tools we create help to set standards of quality for the industry, and proceed to separate us from our competition, turning us into a continued industry leader for years to come."Writer: Kimberly PattersonSource: Doug Walls and Sylvia Pankiewicz, FreightCenter
