Tampa Bay CEO Magazine - Business News

Tampa Bay executives named winners at Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur of Year Awards

The recipients of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year award in Florida include several bay area executives.

Award recipients were announced at a awards gala event Thursday night at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. An independent judging panel of regional business, academic and community leaders made the selections.

West Central Florida winners were named in four categories. They included:

• Health services: Stephen F. Dickey, founder and vice president of operations, Doctor’s Walk-In Clinic in Tampa

• Marketing, media and entertainment: Tony Little, president, CEO and founder, Health International Corp. in St. Petersburg

• Services: Scott Riley, CEO, Fintech in Tampa

• Technology: Tony DiBenedetto, Chairman & CEO, Tribridge in Tampa

The Entrepreneur Of The Year award recognizes efforts in business excellence and community improvement.

In all, there were nine honorees. Regional award recipients will be considered for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of The Year 2009 national awards.

Winners in numerous national categories, as well as the overall national winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2009.

It is the 23rd anniversary of the program, which has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 135 cities in 50 countries. Awards are given to entrepreneurs “who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

AFTER FIVE draws over 600 to Downtown Tampa

Tampa Bay CEO Magazine hosted AFTER FIVE on June 9th at Two Tampa City Center in Downtown Tampa. The social brought together over 600 business, technology and creative professionals from throughout the region. Sponsors included; Creative Tampa Bay, Padgett Communications, Hyatt Regency, Brand Tampa and KDM Design & Marketing.

Seasoned CEOs Judge UT Graduate Business Plan Competition

Volunteers from CEO Council of Tampa Bay Select Winning Plan

Members of the CEO Council of Tampa Bay have selected and awarded a cash prize to the winners of the MBA business plan competition conducted among members of the Creating and Leading New Ventures class in the Florida Entrepreneur and Family Business Center at John H. Sykes College of Business at The University of Tampa. 

Five teams of students competed, with the winning team presenting a business plan for Oasis Salon & Spa.  Winning teams members were Angie Ballard, Nick Costello, Juliana Dovedot, Jennifer Jamison, Melissa Koeb and David VerEeke. 

“Few entrepreneurs have the opportunity to ‘test’ their ideas in advance with a blue ribbon panel of advisors,” says Mark Anderson, CEO of eLogic Learning, who coordinated judging on behalf of the CEO Council.  “The CEO Council is pleased to work with these students, as well as undergraduates in a separate competition, to provide the benefit of our experience for these emerging entrepreneurs and bridge the gap between the academic environment and real world.”

Anderson was joined in the judging by Ray Sikorski, President of Verified Label, Print & Promotions, Inc. and Jake Becket, chairman and CEO of AnazaoHealth Corporation.  The CEO Council presented a check in the amount of $3,000 to the University for winning teams in the graduate and undergraduate business plan competitions.

“We appreciate the continuing relationship we have had with the CEO Council on this project,” says Dr. Dean Koutroumanis, faculty coordinator for the competition and visiting assistant professor of management at The University of Tampa. “A growing number of our MBA students now have a concentration in entrepreneurship and we believe this demonstrates how important the skills are that are showcased through this competition.” 

About the CEO Council of Tampa Bay
The CEO Council of Tampa Bay addresses the specific business needs of today’s chief executive officers and provides insight, education, networking and peer mentorship to take advantage of current and future opportunities unique to the CEO entrepreneur.  The Council is open to CEOs of Tampa Bay companies with a minimum of 25 employees and a minimum of $3M in revenue.

Finalists and Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Announced for 2009 Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards

Ernst & Young LLP has announced the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and the finalists for the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award in Florida, with the winners to be revealed at a gala event on Thursday, June 11 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.

“Entrepreneurs contribute so much to our economy and the fabric of this nation,” says Mike Brennan, Ernst & Young partner and Florida Host of the Entrepreneur Of The Year program.  “These finalists help our region create jobs, while encouraging community growth, development and innovation.  We are pleased to honor them.”

The Florida Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Michael J. Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer, CSX Corporation, Jacksonville.

Florida Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists, selected by an independent panel of judges comprised of regional business, academic and community leaders, are:

Central Florida

• Technology:  Waymon Armstrong, president and chief executive officer, Engineering & Computer Simulations, Inc., Orlando

• Technology:  Daniel Devine, chief executive officer, Compass Knowledge Group, Orlando

North Florida/Panhandle

• Distribution and Manufacturing:  David A. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer, PSS World Medical, Jacksonville

• Emerging:  Michael Murdoch, president and chief executive officer, AppRiver, Gulf Breeze

• Real estate and construction services:  Charles C. Appleby, chairman and chief executive officer, Advanced Disposal Services, Inc., Jacksonville

South Florida

• Distribution and Manufacturing:  Valerie Holstein, president and chief executive officer, CableOrganizer.com, Fort Lauderdale

• Distribution and Manufacturing:  Michael J. Kasbar, president and chief operating officer and Paul H. Stebbins, chairman and chief executive officer, World Fuel Services Corporation, Miami

• Emerging:  Zalmi Duchman, chief executive officer, The Fresh Diet, Surfside

• Health services:  Rafael P. Perez, president and chief executive officer, Medica HealthCare Plans, Inc., Coral Gables

• Real estate and construction services:  Joel L. Altman, chairman and chief executive officer, The Altman Companies, Boca Raton

• Real estate and construction services:  Marc Ganzi, chief executive officer, Global Tower Partners, Boca Raton

• Retail and consumer products:  Menderes Akdag, chief executive officer and president, PetMed Express, Inc., Pompano Beach

• Retail and consumer products:  Christian de Berdouaré, founder and chief executive officer, Chicken Kitchen USA, LLC, North Miami Beach

• Services:  Abdol Moabery, president and chief executive officer, GA Telesis, LLC, Ft. Lauderdale

West Central Florida

• Emerging:  Nick Friedman, president and Omar Soliman, chief executive officer, College Hunks Hauling Junk, Tampa

• Health Services:  Jacob Beckel, chairman and chief executive officer, AnazaoHealth Corporation, Tampa

• Health Services:  Stephen F. Dickey, M.D., founder and vice president of operations, Doctor’s Walk-In Clinic, Tampa

• Marketing, Media and Entertainment:  Benjamin Fertic, chief executive officer and president, Ironman Corporation, Tampa

• Marketing, Media and Entertainment:  Joy Gendusa, founder and chief executive officer, PostcardMania, Clearwater

• Marketing, Media and Entertainment:  Tony Little, president, chief executive officer and founder, Health International Corporation, St. Petersburg

• Retail and consumer products:  Gene Knippers, chairman; Nick Vojnovic, president and Chuck Winship, chief executive officer, FSC Franchise Co., LLC/Beef ‘O’ Bradys, Tampa

• Services:  Michael K. Ferris, president and chief executive officer, Valet Waste, Tampa

• Services:  Scott Riley, chief executive officer, Fintech, TampaTechnology:  Tony DiBenedetto, chairman and chief executive officer, Tribridge, Tampa

Regional award winners will be eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 national awards.  Winners in national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on Nov. 14, 2009.  The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

This year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 23rd anniversary.   The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.  Awards are given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors. In Florida, local sponsors include Bowne, RFB Communications Group and Smart Business Network.

Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year Award is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

Tampa Bay 100 Video Highlights

Highlights and interviews from the Tampa Bay 100 Business Leaders Reception held on April 30th at the Quorum Hotel. Tampa Bay CEO Magazine honored 100 business leaders who positively impact the Tampa Bay regions economic development and community.

Tampa Bay CEO Magazine names Tampa Bay 100

Publication to Recognize 100 Business Leaders who Positively Impact the Regions Economic Development and Community

By Joni Moore Kanazawa

On April 30th, Tampa Bay CEO Magazine will honor one hundred business leaders who influence the economic development and community at a special Gala Reception at the Quorum Hotel. Honorees will also be featured in a special Tampa Bay 100 edition of Tampa Bay CEO Magazine.

Best selling author and renowned business expert John C. Maxwell states "All leadership is influence," showing what a profound effect business leaders can have in their environments. In Tampa Bay, leaders from across the business community, government, education, economic development and non-profit organizations influence the direction and future of Tampa Bay's Business landscape.

David C. Glass, Publisher of Tampa Bay CEO Magazine says, "The amount of charisma and passion that these leaders exude in their daily lives makes me excited to be a part of the Tampa Bay community.  We are surely going to reap the benefits of their positive coaching and use of innovative ideas."

Tampa Bay 100 honorees represent the regions leading industries including; technology, healthcare, finance, banking, legal, real estate, manufacturing, professional associations, government, economic development, and higher education institutions.

2009 Tampa Bay 100 Honorees:

BUSINESS

Donald Adam, Chairman & CEO, American Momentum Bank 
Terry Aidman, Managing Partner, Cherry, Bekaert & Holland L.L.P. 
Lee Arnold, Chairman & CEO, Arnold Colliers  
Charlotte Baker, President & CEO, Digital Hands 
Dick Beard, Chairman, Super Bowl Host Committee 
Arnie Bellini, CEO, ConnectWise 
Renee Benton Gilmore, President & CEO, Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance 
Suzanne Boland, President, RFB Communications 
Brent Britton, Partner, Gray Robinson P.A. 
Charles Britton, Regional President, M&I Bank 
Greg Byrant, CEO, Bay Cities Bank 
Andrew Cohen, CEO, Vertical IT Solutions 
Dr. William Dalton, CEO, H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center & Research Inst. 
Tony DiBenedetto, Chairman & CEO, Tribridge 
Gerald Divers, President, Tampa Banking Company
Tom Dorety, CEO, Suncoast Schools Credit Union 
Ronnie Duncan, President & CEO, Duncan Companies 
Joy Gendusa, CEO, Postcard Mania 
George Gordon, Chairman & CEO, Enporion 
Benjamin Hill III, Chairman & President, Hill Ward Henderson  
Kevin Hourigan, CEO, Bayshore Solutions 
Ken Hoverman, CEO, United Healthcare of Florida 
Nancy Howe, Publisher. Maddux Business Report 
Sherill Hudson, CEO, TECO Energy 
Penny Hulbert, President, Links Financial 
Ron Hytoff, President & CEO, Tampa General Hospital 
Thomas James, Chairman, President & CEO, Raymond James Financial  
Brian Keenan, President, Fifth Third Bank Tampa Bay
Guy King III, President, M. E. Wilson Company 
Dr. Steven Klasko, Dean & VP, Health Services, University of South Florida 
Gary Langton, CEO, Quadrant Software 
Rhea Law, Chair, President & CEO, Fowler White Boggs P.A. 
Mario Longhi, President, Gerdau Ameristeel 
Jeff Lyash, President & CEO, Progress Energy 
Dan Mahurin, Chairman, President & CEO, SunTrust Bank Tampa Bay 
Steve Mason, President & CEO, Baycare Health System 
William McGill, Jr., Chairman & CEO, MarineMax 
Roy McGraw, Former Chairman of Wachovia Bank Tampa Bay 
Jim McVay, Executive Director, Outback Bowl 
Louis Miller, Executive Director, Tampa International Airport 
Joyce Mitchell, Managing Director, Heart Construction 
Gwen Mitchell, Partner, Deloitte & Touche L.L.P. 
Sid Morgan, Market President, Humana 
Larry Morgan, President & CEO, Morgan Auto Group 
Thomas Pepin, President & CEO, Pepin Distributing 
Michael Peters, President, Spark 
David Pizzo, Market President, Blue Cross Blue Shield 
Grady Pridgen, President & CEO, Grady Pridgen Inc. 
Steven Raymund, Chairman, Tech Data 
Scott Riley, CEO, FinTech 
Deanne Roberts, Chair, ChappellRoberts  
Dan Rodriguez, President & CEO, Veredus 
Frank Sanchez, Partner, Akerman Senterfitt P.A. 
Gary Sasso, President & CEO, Carlton Fields P.A. 
David Schlaifer, President & CEO, Doctors Administrative Solutions 
David Sessions, President & CEO, Willis A. Smith Construction 
Matt Silverman, President, Tampa Bay Rays 
Rebecca Smith, President, A.D. Morgan Corporation  
Charles Sykes, President & CEO, Sykes Enterprises 
Malcolm Teasdale, CEO, Teasdale Worldwide 
John B. West, Chairman, Lion Investments 
John Zumwalt, Chairman & CEO, PBS&J

GOVERNMENT

Rick Baker, Mayor, City of St. Petersburg 
Alan Claypool, Manager, Business Applications, City of Tampa 
Charlie Crist, Governor, State of Florida 
Rose Ferlita, Board of County Commissioners, Hillsborough County 
Frank Hibbard, Mayor, City of Clearwater 
Pam Iorio, Mayor, City of Tampa 
Alex Sink, Chief Financial Officer, State of Florida

NON-PROFIT/ HIGHER EDUCATION/ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Christine Burdick, President, Tampa Downtown Partnership 
David Fischer, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay 
Kurt Forster, Business Development Manager, Pinellas Economic Development 
Robert Forsythe, Dean, University of South Florida College of Business 
Dr. Michael Fountain, Director, Center for Entrepreneurship at USF 
Judy Gay, Executive Director, South Tampa Chamber of Commerce 
Dr. Judy Genshaft, President, University of South Florida 
Richard George, President, Junior Achievement of West Central Florida 
Authur Kirk, President, St. Leo University 
Robin Kovaleski, Executive Director, Florida Venture Forum 
Judith Lisi, President & CEO, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center 
Wit Ostrenko, President & CEO, MOSI 
Stuart Rogel, President & CEO, Tampa Bay Partnership 
Ron Rotella, President, Westshore Alliance 
Lee Roy Selmon, Executive Director, Partnership for USF Athletics Foundation 
Dr. Gwendolyn Stephenson, President, Hillsborough Community College 
Tom Stork, President & CEO, Florida Aquarium 
Dr. Larry Thompson, President, Ringling College of Art & Design 
Dr. Ronald Vaughn, President, The University of Tampa

EMERGING LEADERS

Rachel Cantor, President, RC Associates 
Justin Elza, Founder, Tampa Bay Creative Network 
Heather Kenyon, Director of Business Development, iDatix 
Linda Olson, Founder, WOMBeat 
Aakash Patel, Public Relations Coordinator, Phillips Development 
Ginger Reichl, President, Pinstripe Marketing 
Daniel James Scott, Instructor, University of South Florida College of Business 
Tom Stanton, President, BrixTec 
Robin Adkins Vosler, President, Relations PR & Marketing

For more information on the Tampa Bay 100 or to purchase tickets call 813-830-9501 or Click Here

USF Alumni Association and CareerCampaigns Announce Strategic Alliance

University of South Florida Alumni Association and CareerCampaigns LLC, headquartered in Sarasota, ( www.careercampaigns.com ) announced an alliance agreement aimed at assisting USF alumni who are in transition in landing new career advancement opportunities.

CareerCampaigns, a provider of candidate sourcing solutions for Florida employers seeking to fill open positions. Through a blend of specialized recruiting expertise, technology and customer support, CareerCampaigns provides a unique low-cost sourcing alternative. Dan Nelson, Chairman and CEO, calls the service ‘Recruiting in Reverse.’

“With the challenges in the current economy and employment market, we are pleased to offer our alumni an even greater opportunity to get their name and professional credentials in front of local employers through CareerCampaigns’ innovative service,” said John Harper, executive director of the USF Alumni Association. USF has more than 224,000 alumni worldwide and about half of them live in Florida’s 6-county Tampa Bay area.

CareerCampaigns’ online Talent Center is based on a new model for delivering qualified, experienced candidates directly to employers from its pool of job seekers. CareerCampaigns has been successful in finding and screening candidates for Accounting, Engineering, Healthcare, Finance, IT, Legal, Sales and Marketing, HR, and many other types of positions in a wide range of industries and professions.

“This is an incredible advantage for employers,” says Nelson, “as it greatly helps them fast-track the weeding out process involved in candidate searches. This gives employers a good sense of a candidate’s aptitude, qualifications and possible fit within the company. Our goal is to help employers spend their time interviewing and hiring qualified candidates instead of trying to find them.”

Creative Recycling Systems Debuts State-of-the-Art TV Recycling Technology

Creative Recycling Systems, an industry leader in the recycling of end-of-life electronics, has launched its newest recycling innovation. As consumers move to digital televisions and communities stiffen regulations on the disposal of cathode ray tubes (CRTs), the recycling company has added new industry leading technology that processes tubes from televisions and computer monitors into furnace ready glass cullet.

 

The machines, affectionately called the CRT Angels, are the world’s most efficient and cost-effective CRT recycling machines. The glass cullet produced from the CRT Angels drastically offsets the carbon footprint from new CRT glass production and reduces the energy consumption by as much as 90%.

 

“Dealing with end-of-life CRTs is a global environmental challenge,” said Jon Yob, President and Chief Executive Officer of Creative Recycling Systems, Inc.  “We are constantly working to develop state-of-the-art technology and processes that handle end-of-life electronics in the most responsible manner.”

Perfect Pitch Boosting Tampa Bay’s Economy with $500,000 Grand Prize

The Perfect Pitch offers local businesses the opportunity to win $500,000 in advertising and marketing from the leading media in Tampa Bay: The Tampa Tribune, WFLA News Channel 8, Tampa Bay Business Journal, Tampa Bay Magazine, TBO.com, 820 AM Newstalk, 1040 AM ESPN Tampa Bay and Teasdale Worldwide.

Businesses must apply by March 16th at http://www.malcolmoutloud.com/perfectpitch . 10 finalists will give their best sales pitch to a live audience and a panel of judges on March 26th. The 2 most dynamic and energetic pitches will each win a $250,000 advertising prize.

Designed to help boost the local economy and with impressive community support, this business competition is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, Humana Healthcare and Teasdale Worldwide. "The Perfect Pitch is a great opportunity to showcase your business and a chance to win the incredible advertising grand prizes. In the current economic hardship, this event aims at providing a local economic stimulus package to promote business as a whole in Tampa Bay" said Malcolm Teasdale, Malcolm Out Loud Productions.

Every single applicant will receive a media package valued at over $3,000. The March 26th finals at Raymond James stadium are a chance to meet successful and aspiring business professionals, and learn from the top sales and business people in Tampa Bay.

Haneke Design Delights iPhone Users with Custom Photo Framing App

Tampa agency creates user interface for Mad Mobile’s custom framing application available now for iPhone

Framerz, a new iPhone application that launched this week by Tampa-based smart phone development group Mad Mobile, allows iPhone owners to customize their photos with uniquely designed frames and captions.

Haneke Design, a Tampa-based interactive marketing and design firm, created the fun and engaging user experience Mad Mobile wanted for iPhone owners to merge photos taken on their phone’s camera with Framerz’ fun frames. With the application, users simply take a photo and choose one of dozens of custom frames. They can then scale and position the photo within the frame and send it to all of their friends via email or text message.

“Given the current mood our country’s in these days, people are looking for entertainment that’s fun and inexpensive,” said Jody Haneke, president and CEO of Haneke Design.  “Downloading Framerz to your iPhone costs only 99 cents and lets you custom frame an infinite number of candid shots taken with your iPhone’s camera, and then send them directly to your friends’ phones for them to see.  We see this application becoming hugely popular at parties and social gatherings of all kinds.”

Framerz is available for download now at the iPhone App store. The cost to download is 99 cents. Think you’re an angel? Choose the frame. Think you’re friend is acting devilish? Frame his photo and send it to him. Subscribers have 40 different frames available to them.

Haneke Design helps clients develop strategies for making the transition to mobile. The firm’s experience includes messaging campaigns and the creation of mobile websites and applications. Haneke Design has helped many national and local B2B companies as well as B2C companies go mobile. Jody Haneke is one of few user experience designers in Tampa Bay working on iPhone applications.