Mandy Erfourth

Mandy Erfourth's Latest Articles

Humana Cares Continues To Add Jobs In Tampa Bay

By Mandy Erfourth

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Health

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September 28, 2010

Humana Cares is hiring another 270 employees for the January 2011 launch of a new program: Humana Cares Chronic Condition Management.The positions include telephone managers, on site field care managers and community health educators. The Humana Cares office opened in February 2009 with approximately 250 associates. By the year's end, they expect to employ 780."[The] announcement that Humana Cares will hire another 270 professionals this fall provides a much-needed boost to St. Petersburg's business community and to the overall health of our (Tampa) Bay area economy,'' says Sid Morgan, chair of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and a former Humana executive. "The St. Petersburg Chamber applauds Humana Cares' strong and growing commitment to St. Petersburg,"According to Humana Cares President Jean Bisio, the Chronic Condition Management program is needed for the community because 38 percent of Medicare beneficiaries live with three or more chronic health conditions.Humana Cares aims to help its members stay safe and healthy in their homes. The company has a holistic approach to health care and has more than 50,000 Humana members in its complete care management program. As a result to its approach, the company has seen a 26 percent decline in hospital admissions and a 22 percent decrease in emergency room visits. Humana has been around for 49 years and is continuously trying to meet the changing needs of its customers. Interested applicants can apply at Humana's career page.Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Mitch Lubitz, Humana

New College Of Florida Posts Four Jobs At Sarasota Campus

By Mandy Erfourth

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Higher Education

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September 21, 2010

New College is hiring an audio visual support specialist, a web support specialist and a PR support specialist. The temporary position is for a marketing specialist/ writer.The audio visual support specialist position involves audio visual for on campus mutlimedia and non-academic events. This position also requires the person to manage and maintain maintenance on equipment.Job specs call for the applicant to have a bachelor's of arts or science and at least three years of experience in digital and analog media equipment. If the applicant doesn't have a bachelor's degree, they are required to have five years of experience. The web support position requires the successful applicant to help develop, maintain and manage the college's website in relation to marketing, recruitment and communication efforts. This is a part-time position and requires the applicant to have one to two years of experience in website design and management. The applicant must also be familiar with WebGUI or a similar web content management system, as well as knowledge of HTML, RSS, javascript, flash and other web platforms. The PR support specialist position entails assisting the Office of Public Affairs with a variety of administrative writing and communication tasks. The position requires the applicant to have excellent writing and verbal communication skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and familiarity with graphic design and photo editing.The marketing specialist position will involve writing press releases and web postings, helping develop college social media and assisting with advertising and publication design and layout.New College, a small public honors college, is located in Sarasota. Applicants can apply for these positions on New College's website. Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Jake Hartvigsen, New College of Florida

Riverside Venue At Tarpon Springs To Fill 50 Jobs, Accepts Applications

By Mandy Erfourth

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Innovation News

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September 21, 2010

Here is chance to work right on the water for a company that is hiring positions for catering.Riverside Venue at Tarpon Springs plans to open in about a month and is already accepting applications.The catering company is filling positions related to restaurant operations such as for staffing the kitchen.Jobs available include chef, kitchen manager, sous chef, waiters, cooks, dishwashers ,bartender, back bar and food runners.Some of these jobs will be part-time and some will be full-time.According to Stan Tipton, chief creative officer, Riverside Venue will eventually hire more the 50 employees.All applicants should have experience in their desired position.The company is also looking for an executive chef who should have five plus years experience in high-volume restaurants.Riverside Venue offers catering to many events including weddings, birthdays and graduation parties.Their events include catering for 50 to 1,000 people with a large menu to choose from and five differentrooms available for festivities.To apply for one of these positions, go to the Riverside Venue at 10 Dodecanese Blvd. in Tarpon Springson the Sponge Docks.Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Stan Tipton, Riverside Venue at Tarpon Springs

National Forensic Science Technology Center Creates New Enterprise, Jobs

By Mandy Erfourth

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Innovation News

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September 14, 2010

The National Forensic Science Technology Center plans to launch a new specialized division, which will create 40 new jobs that will be paid 150 percent of the annual average Pinellas County wage. The National Forensic Science Technology Center, a nonprofit organization that provides training, assessment, research and technology assistance to the justice, forensic science and military communities, already has 55 high-paying jobs in Pinellas County. The expansion will create a new for-profit enterprise, the Forensic Innovation Center. The expansion is being fostered by Pinellas County Economic Development and Florida's Qualified Target Industry. QTI is a tax refund program that allows new and expanding businesses to create new and high-paying jobs in exchange for tax refunds.The partnership between the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, Enterprise Florida and Pinellas County allows targeted high-growth industries like the FIC to alleviate some of its costs in development.The intention of the QTI program is not only to create jobs and attract business to Florida, it is also to maintain local business and their employees. FIC's project will be to test and evaluate advanced forensic intelligence tools and systems.  This is important in relation to national security and will be a vital support in data and knowledge exchange between government and private organizations. The research FIC will focus on is forensic intelligence solutions related to crime and threats in relation to target areas of science, homeland security and training. The result of the QTI program is that it eliminated some of the cost of FIC's expansion so the company was able to stay in Pinellas County. Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Stacey Swank, Pinellas County Economic Development

Jackson Lab In Maine Expands Genetics Research To Florida, USF

By Mandy Erfourth

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Health

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September 7, 2010

Jackson Laboratory in Maine is joining forces with the University of South Florida and Edison State College in Fort Myers to create a biomedical village in Collier County near Naples.Athleticode Inc, of Larkspur, CA will be one of the private companies joining Jackson Laboratory on a 50-acre site off Oil Well Road. Jackson Lab and Athleticode will be researching the genetic basis of athletic injuries in the biomedical village. Jackson Lab expects more companies to join the village in the future. The village will be a live, learn, work and creative community. It is also expected to attract pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical supply companies. The village plans also call for a teaching hospital, specialized clinics, a university extension and a science and math high school.The laboratory directors also wants to create a research institute in Collier County. It is hoping that this will be the epicenter of medical researching, teaching, practice and commercialization in personalized medicine.Personalized medicine uses new tools that will provide understanding of an individual's unique genetic make-up and be able to guide an individual's healthcare based on his or her specific genetics. The anticipated results are increased wellness, improved treatments and decreased costs. According to PriceWaterhouseCoopers, personalized medicine is a $232 billion industry that is expected to almost double to $450 billion by 2015.Jackson Laboratory is a National Cancer Institute-designated independent and nonprofit research center with 1,300 employees in Bar Harbor, ME and Sacramento, CA. The company's mission is to discover, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It is also working on research and education for the global biomedical community. The University of South Florida is West Florida's leading medical research institution with campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Lakeland and Sarasota. Edison State College offers a variety of two- and four-year degrees programs with campuses in Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties.  Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Mike Hyde, Jackson Laboratory

Home Sales Up At Neal Communities In Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton

By Mandy Erfourth

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Environment

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September 7, 2010

Home sales by Neal Communities in Bradenton are up 25 percent from last year.Neal Communities signed 41 home sales contracts in August, the most of any month so far in 2010.Neal builds homes in 14 communities and 18 of the August contracts were in the Central Park Community of Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton. Lakewood Ranch, one of the Tampa Bay region's largest real estate developments, straddles Sarasota and Manatee counties east of the cities of Sarasota and Bradenton.The Central Park Community had its grand opening on July 17. It features homes that are priced starting in the mid-$100,000s and range in size from 1,040 to 2,442 square feet. This community has 40 contracts signed so far, 38 on homes built by Neal Communities and two by Bruce Williams Homes.The other communities with signed contracts include: eight in Forest Creek, six in River Sound, five in the Country Club at Lakewood Ranch, two in Wisteria Park, and one each in Harborage on Braden River and Mandalay.According to Maryann Grgic of Neal Communities, the company hired a dozen people in the first quarter of the year and have hired several people since then."Our traffic is very strong and steady and we plan on selling more houses next month," Grgic says, adding that the company will add more jobs if business stays steady.Neal Communities is the largest locally and privately owned home builder in the Bradenton area. The company was ranked number one locally by Hanley Wood Market based on the number of homes sold.Neal Communities has won 24 2010 Parade of Homes awards, 44 Aurora Awards, five Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards."We're optimistic about what's to come," Grgic says.Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Maryann Grgic, Neal Communities

Hillsborough County Posts 2 Communications Positions, Hiring

By Mandy Erfourth

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General

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September 7, 2010

Two communications positions serving Hillsborough County government are open for applicants.Hillsborough County will be hiring a computer graphics designer and a community relations coordinator.The computer graphics designer position involves designing publication covers, brochures, pamphlets, signs, letterheads and other items. To apply for this position the applicant needs a bachelor's degree in arts, fine arts or science. The applicant also needs to have substantial knowledge of design, layout and preparation of graphic art work. This position also requires the applicant to be able to plan, design and create work at a professional level.The community relations coordinator position involves organizing studies to establish program priorities relative to getting funds and resources. This position also involves researching within human relations and planning and performing program analysis and statistical research. This position requires the applicant to have a bachelor's degree and three years of experience in planning, implementing or managing community relations or community education programs, or an associate's degree and four years of experience, or a high school diploma or GED with five years of experience.The applicant also needs to have extensive knowledge of education principles, methods and practices, and must be proficient in English grammar, punctuation, spelling and the use of photographic and audiovisual equipment. Hillsborough County government is offering good benefits with these positions, including participation in the Florida Retirement System, an employer contribution into a deferred compensation program (similar to a 401K plan), short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, sick leave, newborn leave and affordable health, dental and vision insurance. For more information about these positions, contact Willie Puz at puzw@hillsboroughcounty.org.Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Willie Puz, Hillsborough County

AmeriCorps + Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Tampa Bay Seek Mentor Manager

By Mandy Erfourth

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Health

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August 31, 2010

If you like to work with children and need to gain experience for your future, you may want to consider becoming an AmeriCorps member. A partnership between Hillsborough Education Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay and AmeriCorps National Service program has an opening for a full-time mentor manager/support specialist.The mentor manager/ support specialist will work together with other BBBS staff members and AmeriCorps members with students at Leto High School in Tampa to support and engage them.  The staff members will also serve as mentors to at-risk kids for elementary and middle schools.The primary functions to the mentor manager position/ support specialist is to provide case management to build a positive relationship between children and volunteers and to ensure kids safety. Applicants for this position must have a bachelor's degree in education, human services or a related field. This position also requires the applicant to have good writing, verbal and problem solving skills, be familiar with Microsoft word, have experience with youth development -- preferably with high school students -- and be able to speak both English and Spanish.The applicant must be able to make a commitment to one year at 40 hours a week and be able to work nights and weekends as needed. AmeriCorps was established in 1993 as a national service program. AmeriCorps focuses on service work in various fields, such as education, natural disasters, environmental protection, community revitalization and youth development.The successful applicant for the mentor manager position will receive a small monthly stipend, health insurance, mileage reimbursement and an education award at the end of the service year.Members cannot be in school or have another job during their service. As an AmeriCorps member, the position will provide the member with real-world experience and great training. Interested applicants are asked to send a resume and application to Mike Trepper at mike.trepper@bbbs.org by Sept. 3. Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Mike Trepper, Big Brother Big Sisters of Tampa Bay

Pasco EDC, Pasco Hernando Workforce Team Up To Create Jobs

By Mandy Erfourth

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Innovation News

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August 31, 2010

Pasco Economic Development Council and Pasco Hernando Workforce Board/Career Central are teaming up to improve training and job creation.Pasco Hernando Workforce Board/Career Central approved a new contract with Pasco Economic Development Council that started on July 1. The partnership is to help attract companies to the area and improve training to meet employers' needs.There are many key points that the PEDC and workforce are going to be working on throughout the year. They are planning to reach out to the youth in the Pasco County career academics. PEDC and workforce are also planning various job fairs hosted by Career Central. The next one is on Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Spring Hill Career Central. Career Central is also working on assistance to professional placement network in coordinating speakers for meetings, focus groups with employers to evaluate services and entrepreneur classes. PEDC and Workforce plans to hold surveys to identify employee trends and training needs. They are also going to have a call program and visits to primary industries, develop networks for entrepreneurs to provide them technical assistance and encourage Pasco employers to use the job order and placement service through Career Central as well."2010 will be an exciting year for economic and workforce development," says Sean Malott, account executive of PEDC.PEDC is continuing to work on numerous projects, including, expansions of its workforce section of the website, assertively perusing state funded grants and training opportunities and it will also be improving their marketing efforts in supplying the Pasco business community with better services. Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Sean Malott, Pasco Economic Development Council

Incentive Grants Help UTC Fire And Security Preserve, Add Jobs In Manatee

By Mandy Erfourth

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Innovation News

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August 24, 2010

Incentive grants from the state of Florida and the Manatee Board of County Commissioners will help United Technologies Corporation Fire and Security keep existing jobs and add new ones. The plan is for UTC Fire and Security to preserve 227 jobs at GE Security that the company obtained earlier this year. The company is also planning on adding 23 new jobs. This is being made possible by the approval of incentive grants provided by the state and Manatee County.UTC Fire and Security could receive as much as $92,000 over five years. The company will receive the money as it adds and retains high-wage jobs.These incentive grants are made possible because UTC Fire and Security's headquarters will be located in a facility in Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County.UTC Fire and Security, part of United Technologies Corporation, supplies high technology products and services to building and aerospace businesses across the globe and has more than 1 million customers. Manatee commissioners, the Manatee Economic Development Council and the state are continuing to work to bring growth and good jobs to the community. Positions will be posted as they come available on UTC Fire and Security's career page. Writer: Mandy ErfourthSource: Eric Basinger, Manatee Economic Development Council