Clearwater

As locals and visitors famously enjoy fun in the sun here, the city of Clearwater focuses development efforts on beachfront luxury resorts and on downtown projects. Waterfront Aqualea Resort and Residences, a $105 million coral-colored luxury hotel and condominium development, opened in 2009 adjacent to the high-end Sandpearl Resort and Sandpearl Residences. New projects downtown include Station Square, a 15-story residential tower, the Strand at Clearwater Centre and Water’s Edge.

Attention Gen X, Gen Y: Want To Make Money? Capitalize On Boomers

By Nancy Vaughn

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Diversity & Equity

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April 13, 2010

Reinventing Life After 50, the second annual Florida Boomer Lifestyle Conference, will be held on April 15 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. The conference is geared toward Baby Boomers, those born between 1946-1964, and anyone who wants to gain greater insight and capitalize on this huge demographic market that consists of 78 million people."In the wake of the recession, Boomers have really been hit on multiple fronts: personally, physically, professionally and spiritually. Our conference will address all of those aspects of reinvention," says Michelle Bauer, founder and chief strategist at Common Language.Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about research trends in healthcare, marketing, employment and entrepreneurship, and hear more from 33 speakers from across the country. Bauer says that Boomer entrepreneurship and franchise ownership are two hot trends for the next decade that will help jumpstart the economy. This year's conference also ]will unveil a study conducted by Schwartz Research in March 2010 asking Boomers about the economy and their impact on it. Among the findings: • 72% of the respondents purchased vitamins or nutritional supplements in the last year• 40% purchased organic food• 25% purchased diet books and exercise DVDs."If you are a 25-year-old entrepreneur and you are looking for a business to get into that is recession proof and that is going to continually grow over the next two decades, looking at the Boomers and what they are facing is going to be your ticket to getting rich," says Bauer.The conference will also address issues facing Boomers, such as caring for elderly parents, helping adult children and working with multiple generations of co-workers.Registration information for the conference, which is being produced by ChappellRoberts and Common Language, is available online by visiting Florida Boomer Lifestyle Conference.Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Michelle Bauer, Common Language

One Bay, One Vision: Mega-Meeting To Connect Tampa Bay Leaders

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Diversity & Equity

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April 13, 2010

On April 16, leaders from across Tampa Bay will meet to discuss sustainable growth. One Bay, the group hosting the meeting, has deemed the event the Congress of Regional Leaders. The One Bay Liveable Communities Initiative is a "regional visional process" that grew from the Tampa Bay Partnership Regional Research and Education Foundation. It is committed to long-term thinking and planning to make the seven counties that comprise the Tampa Bay region a thriving and sustainable mega region by the year 2050. The counties included in the initiative are Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota. The April 16 meeting is a culmination of polls, surveys and workshops that resulted from the Reality Check of 2007. The data collected indicates a need and desire for a more proactive and deliberate approach to planning. "When we looked at the data, it was interesting because there were common guiding principles across transit, water and environmental areas," explains Betty Carlin, a spokesperson for the Tampa Bay Partnership. "It's telling us these are the things that people think are important. People really don't want to see growth happen as it has in the past. We want to do it differently. So now we have to put community leaders together to share the vision and make it happen." Dan Mahurin, chairman of SunTrust Bank and chair of One Bay, sees the meeting as a celebrated outcome as well as an exciting launch. "This event is a celebration of several years of great input and hard work from across the community to develop a shared vision for Tampa Bay. It is also a turning point for us to bring leaders back together to begin planning how we can implement this vision." The meeting will take place at the Tampa Convention Center from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Dan Mahurin, SunTrust

Obama’s Offshore Drilling Policy Impacts Florida’s West Coast, Tampa Bay

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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April 6, 2010

National Public Radio reports on President Obama's decision to allow offshore drilling along the Atlantic coast and northern Alaska, if scientists conclude the areas are suitable for extraction. The plan could expand to include drilling in the Gulf of Mexico by 2022 pending the expiration of a long-held ban.Read the complete story.

AAR Composites Of Clearwater Trains 40 Employees Through State Program

By Brad Stager

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Economic Development

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April 6, 2010

Forty workers at AAR Composites' Clearwater facility will gain new skills and improved advancement potential as a result of the company receiving $42,000 from Florida's Incumbent Worker Training program. AAR Composites develops, manufactures and markets composite-material products for the aerospace industry, including parts for the U.S. Air Force's F-22 advanced tactical fighter and other Department of Defense and commercial aviation projects. The funds will be used to create a certification program that will include reviews and testing of workers' knowledge and skill level in the field of composite manufacturing. AAR spokesperson Chris Mason says the program will enhance advancement opportunities for employees and help the company meet customer needs."The goal is to implement a road map for promotions based on knowledge, skill set, and objective, standardized testing that fosters ongoing professional development."says AAR spokesperson Chris Mason. "The Incumbent Worker Training program demonstrates the state's commitment to provide support for the businesses that operate in Florida and to the advancement of its resident employees."The program is administered by Workforce Florida. Companies applying for IWT funds must have been operating for at least one year and be current on all state tax obligations. Funding priority is given to what Workforce Florida refers to as "qualified targeted industries," including manufacturing, information, management and financial industries, among others. Reimbursable training expenses include instructors' salaries, tuition, textbooks and curriculum development. A complete explanation of the IWT program can be found at Workforce Florida's website.Writer: Brad StagerSource: Chris Mason, AAR Composites

Koala Tee In Sarasota Adds New Account Manager For Florida Suncoast

By Lisa Clementi

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General

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March 30, 2010

Koala Tee, an apparel manufacturer specializing in embroidered items, promotional products and company gift items has added new Account Manager Rob Harman, for the Florida Suncoast region. Harmon brings 17 years of experience in the imprinted sportswear industry and is a 30-year resident of Sarasota. Harman will be responsible for new business development for Koala Tee's products in a territory that ranges from Tampa to Fort Myers. "We have a great base of long-time customers; however, we know our core concentration should be bringing small businesses who need help increasing their marketing/branding efforts," says Carmen Manley, VP of business development. Adding an additional experienced account manager will help this business focus, and, if increased outside sales efforts prove successful, Koala Tee plans to expand more outside sales force to further penetrate existing territory, she says. Koala Tee, Inc, was started in 1983 in Sarasota as a trophy shop doing mainly team uniforms. The organization has since expanded and now occupies a nearly 11,000-square-foot facility in downtown Sarasota where a team of embroiderers does all made-to-order work in-house. Manley says quality control is one advantage of doing much of their production work in-house. Koala Tee also owns and operates Life Safety International, a company that sells men's clothing to retail stores on military bases throughout the world. Koala creates catalogs that include military fashion designs that mirror current fashions. The company also started selling the Red Shirt Fridays " I support our troops" line of apparel and products. Writer: Lisa Clementi Source: Carmen Manley, Koala Tee

AAA Auto Club South Rides The Recession, Posts Several Jobs

By Lisa Clementi

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Economic Development

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March 30, 2010

AAA Auto Club South, headquartered in Tampa with nearly 3,000 employees companywide, has a wide variety of professional level vacancies in the Tampa Bay region. Openings being filled in Tampa include positions in management, sales, marketing and publication production. "AAA Auto Club South weathered the recession well and continues to grow,'' says Nanci Odom, human resources VP."We have many exciting career opportunities available at www.AAA.com that cover a wide range of fields, from travel & insurance agents, call takers and service technicians to IT, accounting and marketing professionals to just name a few,'' Odom says. "AAA has been around for over 100 years and we'll be here for another 100 and more. AAA is relentless in our commitment to provide the highest level of service to our members and the best work environment for our employees." Founded in 1902 as the American Automobile Association, this association of independent clubs is a not-for-profit, fully tax-paying organization with more than 50 million members. Known originally for providing emergency road service, maps and travel publications, AAA has a wide range of travel services and member-benefit programs. Writer: Lisa Clementi Source: Nancy Odom, AAA Auto Club South

Brown & Brown Insurance Company Moves Into New Clearwater Office

By Missy Kavanaugh

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Economic Development

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March 30, 2010

The Pinellas County office of Brown & Brown Insurance has moved into a LEED-certified building at 83 Park Place in Clearwater. The insurance company was previously located at 17757 US Highway 19 N. "We liked the fact that it was a green building and it provides convenient commuting for our employees between Clearwater and Tampa," says Dana Ludwig, vice president of the Pinellas location. The Class A, LEED-Gold-registered commercial space is designed to collect rainwater from its drainage system, which can then be used to irrigate the building's landscaping. In addition, the building's solar-banned windows are triple paned and wind rated for 130 mile-per-hour winds. "In our business we keep a lot of records," Ludwig explains. "This building is much safer in an area prone to hurricanes and high-storm winds. When our team went through the selection process, we believed if we could get a green building it would make a positive statement about our company."LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark that measures sustainability in design, construction and operation as well as water efficiency, materials, resources and indoor quality. The building's official certification is pending completion of additional construction. Brown & Brown Insurance is ranked by Business Insurance magazine as the sixth-largest independent insurance intermediaries in the world, with locations throughout the United States and England. The 70-year-old company enjoys favorable rankings from Standard & Poor's, as well as from Forbes and Fortune magazines. "We're encouraged by the demand for green office space," says Paul Engelhardt, vice president of Hallmark Development, the company leasing the building. "Having well-respected companies like Brown & Brown embrace the principles of green building is further proof that the earth-friendly building is here to stay."Writer: Missy Kavanaugh Source: Dana Ludwig, Brown & Brown Insurance

Tampa EMS VP Wins Award For Green Ambulance Initiative

By Matt Spencer

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Buzz

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March 23, 2010

Terence Ramotar, vice president of Transcare Ambulance Services in Tampa, is one of 10 national recipients of the Journal of Emergency Medical Services' Innovators in EMS 2009 Awards. Ramotar spearheaded a green initiative to reduce the electrical load of ambulances and keep equipment batteries charged. Ramotar is also the director of support services for Sunstar EMS in Pinellas County.Read the full announcement.

Interior Design Firm In Tampa Seeks Additional Subcontractors

By Lisa Clementi

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Architecture

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March 23, 2010

Studio LTR, a Tampa-based interior design firm specializing in residential projects involving new construction and renovations, plans to hire additional subcontractors in 2010. Linda Cox, one of the company partners, says the business is in a growth pattern and is adding more projects and participating in commercial and high-end residential work. Cox says her business employs a wide variety of talented subcontractors, ranging from licensed building contractors who pull permits and work on multistory buildings projects to architects, who sign and seal drawings. Various craftsmen specializing in textile work are also employed as subs. Cox describes her firm's role as "the conduit'' between a client who has a vision for what he or she wants and the architect and construction experts who can make it happen. The firm is akin to "a ringmaster in a circus,'' she says. Every project is different, and none is typical, she says, pointing out that projects can range from remodeling an exercise room in a large multistory condo to doing a bathroom remodel for a 1960s ranch style home. Through the end of March, Studio LTR is a participating design firm in the Florida Orchestra Designer Showcase at Ovation in downtown St. Petersburg. Two fully decorated condos by Studio LTR are on display at the Showcase at 180 Beach Drive NE. Proceeds benefit The Florida Orchestra. Writer: Lisa Clementi Source: Linda Cox, Studio LTR

Tampa Bay Trane Begins 2010 By Adding Jobs, Now Hiring

By Lisa Clementi

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General

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March 16, 2010

Tampa Bay Trane, the exclusive representative of Trane Commercial Air Conditioning Products and Services on Florida's West Coast, is currently seeking to fill three positions: commercial A/C technician, service estimator and outside sales representative. "Trane has a good, solid business because of its service and preventative work in the commercial business sector,'' says Sarah Davis, HR manager. "As the commercial sector improves, Trane will plan to continue to hire staff at a moderate level of growth." Tampa Bay Trane's workforce is a team of highly skilled project managers, sales and engineering professionals, and technicians, Davis says. Trane has already hired nine people this year, four in new sales and skilled technician positions. The company also transitioned one current part-time employee into a fulltime staff member. TBT's current workforce is at 150 employees; a vast majority are full timers. Davis forecasts future hiring in 2010 to possibly include more skilled experienced techs with solid commercial experience as well as another addition to the sales team. Tampa Bay Trane was established in 1969 and has franchises in 13 counties in Florida. Over the years, Trane's service offerings have increased from primarily supporting the sale of Trane equipment to many expanded services including operator training, system energy analysis, replacements, retrofits and repair contracting, emergency services, rental equipment, performance contracting and HVAC system on-site operations. Writer: Lisa Clementi Source: Sarah Davis, Tampa Bay Trane