Innovation News

Bradenton Tech Firm Adds 2 Jobs, Cites Service As Key To Growth

United Systems Computer Group, a managed service IT provider, located in downtown Bradenton, started in 2004 with just two employees, now has 10, and is on track for continued growth in the next year. United Systems offers a complete range of IT products, and support to small- and medium-sized businesses. The company serves a 50-mile radius from its headquarters, reaching as far south as Port Charlotte, north to Tampa, and east into DeSoto County. David Spires, COO of United Systems, says the company has plans to hire in the next year."We will be hiring for an additional field tech, and a helpdesk or internal remote support role as well," Spires says. Potential employees, he says, must have certain traits and skills."We look for a level of professionalism," Spires says. "People don't care about how much you know, until they know how much you care. We look for a candidate who can communicate well with our customers."Spires explains that it is that level of customer service that has brought United Systems so much success over the past seven years. "We take a proactive stance when it comes to communication with our customers," Spires says. "Being available separates us from our competitors. We have created systems and procedures to have staff available to answer calls and concerns when they come in as opposed to leaving message after message. We have been responsive to our clients and that has helped with our client retention rate."Writer: Kimberly PattersonSource: David Spires, United Systems Computer Group

JPMorgan Chase To Hire 3 At Clearwater Branch

At a Clearwater shopping center, just steps away from Publix and Office Depot, construction is underway on a new bank branch near the intersection of Gulf to Bay Boulevard (S.R. 60) and Belcher Road. The bank that is moving in: JPMorgan Chase. While an official date has not been announced for its opening, Chase has already begun its search for employees for the new banking center. Daisy Cabrera, who handles Chase's media relations for Florida, says the company will be filling three positions at the new branch in Clearwater. "We are currently hiring three tellers, one full-time and two part-time," Cabrera says. She goes on to explain what employees can expect from the bank as an employer. "JPMorgan Chase is proud to sponsor a range of programs and services that benefit our employees, help them improve their skills and grow in their career," Cabrera says. In an industry, such as the financial sector, which has been hit so hard by the economic downturn, many banks in the state have shut their doors over the past few years. So how has Chase been able to succeed in Florida during this difficult and challenging economic time? For Chase, it comes down to understanding what customers want and finding the right location. "Knowing that the top reason why people choose a bank is its locations, we continue to build and expand our footprint of almost 250 branches and 1,100 ATMs in Florida," Cabrera says. Writer: Kimberly Patterson Source: Daisy Cabrera, JPMorgan Chase

Fitness Club Opens In South Tampa, Adds 5+ Jobs

Vibe Fit, a fitness club opening in south Tampa, is looking for dedicated and innovative individuals who are interested in a long-term career. The club, which has another location in Oldsmar, offers metabolic testing, nutrition counseling and specialized workout routines for its members. However what sets this club apart from similar operations is its use of power plate machines. Nabilah Shamseddine, co-owner and co-Founder of Vibe Fit, explains that the power plate platform vibrates the body at different frequencies, which increases muscular contractions to help with weight loss. "Some of the benefits of the power plate are it reduces cellulite, increases circulation in the body and can even help with pain," Shamseddine says. "It is used by such athletes as Evan Longoria and Serena Williams, and celebrities like Madonna and Sting." Power plate machines also accelerate training, which cuts down on workout time, giving members more time outside the gym for their everyday lives. With the opening of the new club, Shamseddine will be hiring more staff. "At the new location we are hiring three front desk receptionists, one to two new sales reps and trainers," she says.  "We are looking for people with good leadership qualities, and need employees who can come up with innovative ideas and can put those ideas into action. Reliable, honest people who are looking for a long-term career and who are looking to build a long-term career with us."   The owners plan to open more clubs in the area over the next five years. "We have had such a high demand in Tampa, and now there is a demand in St. Pete," Shamseddine says. The new Vibe Fit Club facility is located at 2511 W. Swann Ave. and opens on Nov. 13th. Writer: Kimberly Patterson Source: Nabilah Shamseddine, Vibe Fit Club

FRAMCO: Last Big Gig At Old Dali Pours Beaujolais

French wine, some art, meeting new friends and reuniting with old friends? Oui, s'il vous plaît!The annual Fete du Beaujolais Nouveau will be held at the Dali Museum on Saturday, Nov. 20, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Organized by the French American Business Council of West Florida (FRAMCO), along with the Tampa Le-Havre Sister Cities International, Fete du Beaujolais Nouveau is in its 12th year in Tampa Bay. In France, the third week of November is when the Beaujolais wine is released and is a popular "vin de primeur," a young wine."Most wines you just let them age and they get better as they age," says Jean-Charles Faust, president of FRAMCO. "As soon as the Beaujolais wine is released, it can be consumed. It is not a wine you should keep and let age. This is a wine you have to drink when its young."FRAMCO was founded by Rose Marie Magriby in 1998, and is part of a network of 19 French American chambers in the United States. Tampa has an official relationship with sister city, Le Havre, France, which is the second largest European port. Fete du Beaujolais Nouveau is used to gather together the local community and French American community members. This year's event will benefit the new Dali Museum, which is scheduled to open January 11, 2011, and Fete du Beaujolais Nouveau will be the last event prior to the Dali's move to their new home. Guided tours of the Dali artwork will be provided during the event and special guests include the Honorable Gael de Maisonneuve, Consul General of France; Hank Hine, museum director and Yann Weymouth, French American HOK architect.Tickets are $45 in advance for museum and FRAMCO members, $55 for non-members and $60 after November 16. To RSVP, email: president.FRAMCO@gmail.com or call Beth Curts at 813-391-4407.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Jean-Charles Faust, FRAMCO

Web Firm Adds Jobs In Tampa, Seeks Tech Experts

Saxotech, a Tampa-based technology company that provides content management systems and hosts websites for large media organizations, is hiring due to a recent expansion. Saxotech currently employs approximately 50 employees in Tampa, and is looking to add a hosting network and systems engineer, as well as a hosted mediaware center support representative to its roster, says Marketing Manager Robert Payne. Payne says that if the past couple of years are any indication for what is to come for the company, continued growth will be in its future. "We have acquired three companies in the past eight years," he says. Because the company is based on web technology, potential employees looking to join Saxotech must have strong technical expertise, as well as people skills. "Teamwork is very important," Payne says. "We're looking for somebody who can take ownership of a project, has customer focus and operational excellence."Saxotech employees enjoy benefits such as telecommuting, tuition reimbursement and resources for ongoing training, in addition to traditional perks such as full medical and dental insurance.How does a company that works with large media organizations grow in this struggling economy? Payne attributes the company's success to its ability to keep up with technology. "Since our inception we have always been focused on digital initiatives," Payne says. "We have been able to help newspapers get their content online. At the end of the day people are consuming more news, not less, it's just through different channels."Saxotech has been in business since 1983, moving its headquarters from  Denmark to Washington D.C. and now Tampa. Company officials chose Tampa, Payne says, because of its warm climate, culture and convenient airport. Writer: Kimberly PattersonSource: Robert Payne, Saxotech

Whitney Builds South Tampa Branch, Adds 5 Bankers

Whitney National Bank, headquartered in New Orleans, recently announced that a new banking center in south Tampa will offer at least five new jobs with plans to grow with the market. The branch will be located at 2121 South Dale Mabry Highway, and when completed will be Whitney's 18th full service location in the Tampa Bay region. Other full service centers can be found from New Port Richey to Sarasota. The structure will be 3,250 square feet, will feature two drive-through banking lanes, as well as a 24-hour a day drive-up ATM. The center will offer customers personal and business banking services, including lending, as well as wealth and investment management services. Michael Nicolosi, senior VP regional retail/business banking manager for Whitney Bank, say the company will be hiring for specific roles. New positions being added include "an experienced branch manager that is skilled in both consumer and business banking supported by an assistant branch manager, customer service banker and a teller," Nicolosi says. "Because of the needs of this particular market, we also plan to have a mortgage originator on site. The south Tampa branch will additionally be supported by a business banker, wealth banker and commercial bankers that are located at our nearby regional corporate headquarters in the Westshore district." Nicolosi describes what the company is looking for in potential employees: "Whitney Bank is a bank that prides itself on being large enough to offer the products and services typically found in the larger financial institutions; but with the personal service of a local community bank. For that reason, we are looking for experienced bankers actively involved in the south Tampa market committed to providing a very high level of personal service to our customers." The new banking center is scheduled to open in December 2010. Writer: Kimberly Patterson Source: Michael Nicolosi, Whitney Bank

St. Petersburg Jazz Orchestra Enters The Scene

When a region emerges onto the cultural scene, people take notice and the creatives come out to share their talent and get in on the awakening. This is what happened to Michael Faiella and the members of the newly formed jazz orchestra known as the St. Petersburg Jazz Orchestra.It's been a dream of Faiella's, owner of renowned Ami Jewelers and president of the St. Petersburg Jazz Orchestra, to start an orchestra. When he decided to open his shop at the Vinoy in 2009, he decided he would simultaneously launch the band. By September 2010, the orchestra was formerly organized and has been rehearsing ever since. There are 16 orchestra members, ranging in age from 21-50+ and one vocalist. "All of the members are top-notch musicians in the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas," says Faiella, who plays the saxophone and woodwind instruments. "They're all extremely qualified and professional."Why St. Petersburg? Faiella says he noticed the cultural development in St. Petersburg and its rapid growth. Noting the arrival of Chihuly and places like the Dali, Faiella says he feels that St. Petersburg likes music and will be the perfect place for a jazz orchestra, fitting right into the community and what happens in St. Pete. Tom Sexauer, owner of Florida Fresh Marketing Inc. seconds that notion. Sexauer, president of the St. Petersburg Downtown Business Association, and met Faiella when he became a member of the association with his jewelry store. Faiella invited Sexauer to a rehearsal at the Vinoy, where the orchestra practices on Sundays.Sexauer says, "It just blew me away. If you closed your eyes, you would've sworn you were in New York in the 1940s and Ella Fitzgerald was there. It was unbelievable." Sexauer was so impressed by the group, he is now serving as executive vice president.The St. Petersburg Jazz Orchestra will have its first public performance at New Year's in November, a benefit for Creative Clay on Friday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Historic Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg and is free. In coming weeks, the St. Petersburg Jazz Orchestra will solidify status as a 501(c)3 and create a 22-member board. For more information, call Faiella at Ami Jewelers at 727-824-8007 or click here. Writer: Nancy VaughnSources: Michael Faiella, Tom Sexauer

New Sarasota Fitness Classes Boast Quick Results

Twenty minutes is all it takes. That's what Rick Wisotzke says. And he hopes to prove it to Tampa Bay clients with the opening of his Ninja CrossFit classes in Sarasota. Housed at the Extreme Fitness facility at 2383 Industrial Blvd., the classes are held mornings and evenings and taught exclusively by Wisotzke, a certified CrossFit trainer. Classes combine weightlifting, sprinting and gymnastics that work several fitness domains in a fast-paced environment. "You work really fast so you're working anaerobically," says Wisotzke. "It's training that transfers into every day life. Not just for looks but for fitness you use in everyday life. It can help with osteoporosis for older women, everyday lifting for moms or training for weekend athletes."Wisotzke hopes to build more than a thriving business. It is his goal to create a community of people devoted to fitness and healthful living."What I'm trying to build here is a community rather than just a workout facility," he says. "It's about a general lifestyle. I currently take shopping trips with my clients, pushing organics and nutrition. I'd eventually like to build a community garden to get a community going."Originally from Rochester, NY, Wisotzke discovered CrossFit after two accidents that doctors said would leave him permanently disabled. "They told me I'd be in a brace and using a cane for the rest of my life," he says. "But here I am teaching. I love it down here. I'm in flip flops all the time, so I'm an old Florida boy now."Prices begin at $10 per class, or $110 a month for unlimited classes. Wisotzke also offers individual training for $50 per hour.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Rick Wisotzke, Ninja CrossFit

Sarasota Tech Firm Plans To Add 60+ Jobs