The tantalizing scents of just-brewed coffee and fresh-baked goodies greet friends and passersby to the Taste Cafe in Safety Harbor by day, while choice beers and wines along with some of Pinellas County's finest local musicians lure them in after dark. Sing along or simply enjoy the sounds as background for the soul on one of the region's favorite Main Streets.
Membership of the Tampa Bay region's legal community increased with the opening of a new office in Tampa of the national law firm Quarles & Brady, LLP. The firm offers a variety of legal services to corporate and individual clients. Practice areas include intellectual property rights, business and real estate law.Managing partner Kimberly Johnson says the new Tampa office reflects a commitment to serving the legal needs of the Tampa Bay region. "We had been looking to expand in the Tampa Bay region for more than five years, with the goal of building upon the success of our Naples office. The business market in this area is particularly robust and growing, providing an opportunity to expand our services to our Florida clients."The Tampa office has six partners and will also be staffed with three to four associates, as well as paralegals and administrative staff. Career opportunities for attorneys and support personnel can be found on the Quarles & Brady website. Besides providing legal services to paying clients, Quarles and Brady is known for its pro bono work in Florida. It has been named "Law Firm of the Year" for 2009 by the Legal Aid Service of Collier County. The LASCC recognized Quarles & Brady for its contributions to the Collier Lawyers Care pro bono program.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Kimberly Johnson, Quarles & Brady
The business of sports is getting bigger in Manatee County with the news that IMG Academies is expanding. The growth involves more training programs, facilities and jobs at the athletic and academic complex in Bradenton, which trains athletes from around the world. IMG also has pre-K, elementary, middle and high school educational facilities. IMG Academies plans to add 65 employees over the next three years as part of the expansion. The jobs will include a mix of coaches, specialists, administrative positions and various Academy positions. The additional employees will staff new programs, including the IMG Madden Football Academy, IMG Lacrosse Academy and others. The Manatee Board of County Commissioners approved financial incentives to help pay for the additional hiring. IMG also plans to construct a 50,000-square-feet dormitory in 2012, with a total of $25 million in capital investments on the campus in the next five years. The growth will help IMG stay on top of its game, according to spokesman Dan Tierney. "We consider ourselves to be the world's premier multisport training facility and want to remain at the forefront. To do so, we have to continually search for ways to improve and offer a top product to our dedicated athletes," he says.The county incentives included up to $65,000 over five years, which IMG will receive as jobs are provided. Jobs added by IMG must meet or exceed an annual wage of $38,619, which is 115 percent of the average wage in Manatee County, to qualify.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Dan Tierney, IMG Academies
LakewooD-AmedeX, Inc. is in the process of acquiring funding so it can develop and market drugs that will be effective against a variety of infectious diseases. According to a company press release, LakewooD-AmedeX is "developing a unique portfolio of anti-bacterial and anti-viral products including NuBioics, a novel family of synthetic anti-bacterial compounds, and antiviral products against hepatitis, HIV and influenza.'' Company plans call for acclerating development of its broad spectrum anti-influenza product into clinical studies.The company has acquired $1.35 million in funding from the federal government to set up a research facility in Sarasota County and hopes to start putting people to work soon."We're looking to set up right now a small pilot manufacturing facility and we'd like to get started on that within the next six months," says CEO and President Steve Parkinson. Parkinson adds that those jobs would be well-paying, skilled positions. Plans call for expanding from the current staff of four people to as many as 20 employees in the next year.If LakewooD-AmedeX is successful, the company could become a major employer in the region. According to Dan Stewart, who is vice-president for corporate development, they're ready to put some of their ideas to the test."We have three products that are ready for clinical trials and that's the next big step in the business," he says.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Steve Parkinson, LakewooD-AmedeX
Providing high-quality access to healthcare treatment and services to people who need it greatly but have no insurance and little money to pay is a challenge that has become more common in recent times. Premier Community Healthcare Group, Inc., a Pasco County medical practice, embraces that challenge as a business model and is growing as a result of it. Premier was founded in 1979 and operates as community family healthcare centers in Zephyrhills, Dade City and a recently opened clinic in New Port Richey. A full range of services are provided, including adult and pediatric care, OB GYN, dental and behavioral health. Premier CEO Kim Schuknecht says finding solutions that will improve patients' lives is part of the joy in doing the work she and her staff perform. "Working in a community health center is very challenging and somewhat frustrating at times, but also extremely rewarding. The majority of our patients are uninsured so the challenge comes in finding the resources to meet their oftentimes complicated medical issues." Susan Hutson, Premier's director of marketing and development, says part of the answer is in how health is viewed at Premier. "Because of the nonprofit "higher calling," our approach is more holistic," she says.Some of the openings Premier is hoping to staff with professionals who are motivated by a sense of community service include a pediatrician, medical office manager, ARNP and office and housekeeping positions. These are salaried positions, but Schuknecht says there's a non-monetary bonus as well. "The reward? Knowing at the end of the day that we have done something to improve the health and well-being of those who would otherwise go without quality care. That's a good day at Premier!"Writer: Brad StagerSource: Susan Hutson, Premier Community Healthcare Group
The growing interest in energy-efficient technologies and products is helping fuel the expansion and relocation of Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. from a 20-employee company based in Manatee County to an 18,000-square-feet facility in Sarasota County that will employ 68 workers. The company expects to move into its new location in June. The new jobs will be added over a period of three years. Sunovia is searching for professionals in the areas of engineering, manufacturing, logistics, operations, sales support and administration. Company spokesperson Kristen Watson says people who are considering applying at Sunovia should share the company's commitment to sustainability. "The ideal Sunovia employee is a responsible and dependable team player with a passion for renewable energy and energy conservation," she says. One of Sunovia's greenest and most successful products is its EvoLucia LED lighting fixtures. The future is looking bright across the spectrum for Sunovia as it develops and markets new products, from infrared devices to highly efficient solar energy components. "We are committed to keeping our community at the forefront of renewable energy and energy conservation," says Watson. "We have an opportunity right now to rebuild our economy, locally and nationally, around green jobs. Sunovia wants to make that happen right here in Sarasota." The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County is providing up to $100,000 in incentives to Sunovia. The money will be paid as the company adds employees who are paid annual wages that exceed the county average. Writer: Brad StagerSource: Kristen Watson, Sunovia Energy Technologies
If you have a mailbox, you've probably received a thick, blue envelope stuffed with glossy coupons and ads promoting everything from new floors to Chinese restaurants. It's called direct marketing and one of the biggest players in the industry is Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc. Their headquarters is located in Largo and they have a production facility in St. Petersburg as well as some operations in Tampa. Valpak combines the talents of market researchers, analysts, graphic artists, print production workers, online media professionals and salespersons to create, produce and market the money-saving coupons. The company was founded in 1968 and operates as a subsidiary of Cox Target Media, Inc. Indications of how Valpak is adapting its business model and practices include its presence on Twitter and Facebook, where people can find digital coupons and career opportunities. Jeff Friend, a member of Valpak's human resources team, often visits job fairs to recruit new employees. He says the types of careers Valpak offers is changing with the times. "It's not just the blue envelopes full of coupons anymore," he says. "We're doing a lot now with online coupons and marketing." He suggests people check the company's website for the latest information on available jobs. Some recent listings include openings for a manufacturing engineer, a digital media sales support specialist, national sales manager and account executives. Valpak also offers franchise opportunities.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Jeff Friend, Valpak
When the technology needs of a business exceed its in-house resources, the call goes out to information technology outsourcing companies like Vertical IT. The Tampa-based technology consulting firm provides a variety of services that range from supplementing a company's information technology department to providing full-service support, including 24-hour system monitoring and response. Vertical IT can also help customers plan and prepare for disasters such as hurricanes and even lightning strikes.It's a company that's growing as businesses search for efficient ways to manage their information and digital needs. That growth means employment opportunities for a variety of professionals such as engineers, business development managers and customer service coordinators. Vertical IT's interest in attracting talent is such that it is offering $100 to new hires after they complete 90 days of employment.President and CEO Andrew Cohen emphasizes that people who want to join his team need to possess high standards as well as professional skills. "We are in the customer service and expectation management business. Our tagline, "We'll be right there" talks to our sense of client commitment and our core business values of integrity, commitment and quality. Every new member of our team goes through a four-step interview, testing and evaluation process. We ensure each team member lives and operates based on these success behaviors," he says. Cohen adds that the result is a satisfied customer and job satisfaction for employees."We operate as one team when serving our clients. Therefore, we feel very close to each other. Everyone has fun and enjoys bringing their personality to the professional mix. With our open and giving environment, each team member has the opportunity to contribute and grow." Vertical IT provides employees training, company-paid health insurance, profit sharing and 401k benefits as well as opportunities to volunteer in the community during business hours.People interested in working at Vertical IT may submit their resumes to resume@verticalit.com. Writer: Brad StagerSource: Andrew Cohen, Vertical IT
Providing services to senior citizens is one area of the economy that has withstood the test of the current recession. An example of that resilience is the opening later this month of Brentwood Senior Living Community in St. Petersburg.The $25 million facility will have 200 apartments, resident care and recreation facilities, and has space for medical offices and retail outlets. Particular emphasis is given to accommodating the needs of residents sufferering from Alzheimer's Disease and dementia as well as their caregivers. Staffing needs include hiring an executive chef, nurses, resident care coordinators, community relations coordinator and housekeeping and maintenance staff and supervisors.Monique Spruill, Brentwood's executive director, says she and her staff want to provide something special. "This is so much more than a place to live. We are building a community with amazing resources and lifestyle options, from our resident rooms to amenities such as a wellness center, café, billiards parlor, spa with hydro tub, library, ice cream parlor and a private dining room. This is truly a leader in senior care."Many of Brentwood's resources are available to non-residents and their caregivers. There is a day program that provides social opportunities and overnight accommodations for seniors with sleep disturbances, confusion, Alzheimer's or wandering habits. Transportation to and from the program is available for local seniors within 10 miles of Brentwood. Local companies are involved in the project from the ground up. Swanholm Central, LLC is the developer and Karns Enterprises is the builder. Brentwood is managed by Senior Management Advisors, a Clearwater-based operator of full service independent living, assisted living and Alzheimer's care residential communities in Florida and Georgia.Visit Brentwood's website or call (727) 536-9900 for more information.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Alisha do Santos, RFB Communications
How many viewers watch a top-rated television show means more than bragging rights for the producers and talent involved in creating and presenting it. Knowing the number of people in particular age groups who saw the latest episode of "American Idol" or a local newscast allows network and station executives to set rates for commercials aired during the broadcasts.Nielsen Media Research, Inc. is an international company that measures television, radio, newspaper, online and movie audiences. Much of the work is performed in locations around the Tampa Bay region, including Oldsmar, Dunedin, Lakeland and Tampa. The jobs that Nielsen Media employees perform are many in number and function. A list of jobs available in the Tampa Bay region includes openings for interviewers, writers, editors, managers, analysts, marketers and IT professionals. There's an ongoing need for research interviewers who make phone calls to media consumers to get survey information, with a particular need for employees with Spanish language skills. According to Nielsen Media recruiter Jennifer McDonald, the call center in Dunedin is a good place for people interested in a media research career to start. "Working in the call center is cyclical and part-time, but it's a great way to get your foot in the door at the company," she says. McDonald also says Nielsen promotes from within, has a strong benefits package for full-time employees and, with locations around the world, provides career-minded employees with global opportunities.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Jennifer McDonald, Nielsen Media Research
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