Tampa Bay CEO Magazine - Business News

Fintech gets awarded by U.S. Chamber

Financial Information Technologies (Fintech) in Tampa was named a Blue Ribbon Business Award winner by the United States Chamber of Commerce.  The award recognizes businesses that act as leaders in their communities, consistently demonstrate smart business planning and excellent customer service, and show a true commitment to their employees.

This is the fourth year Fintech has received the honor by the US Chamber.  As the leader in processing regulated invoices electronically, Fintech serves over 157,000 relationships in 49 states. It is the only company operating nationally whose services allow retailers purchasing beer, wine, and spirits to pay their distributors electronically from headquarters rather than with currency, check or money order at each of the retailers’ individual locations.

On March 16, 2009 the US Chamber will name seven regional finalists; of those seven, one will be named as Business of the Year at their annual summit in May.

Magnetic Enjoys Continued Growth Despite Tough Economic Times

While other companies are taking extreme measures to make ends meet, Magnetic, a full-service Web development firm, is actively expanding its design and development staff to accommodate sales growth and a broader scope of services.

“The agility with which Magnetic responds to shifting demands and the continued evolution of the Internet as a business tool has allowed us to successfully weather many economic storms over the years. The current downturn is no different,” said Jennifer Bakunas, President, Magnetic. “Because we are able to leverage our deep creative and technical skills to expand our service offerings, Magnetic continues to grow even as other companies struggle.” 

In particular, demand has increased for Magnetic’s search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing services. Sales growth in these areas can be attributed to the rapid expansion of the firm’s Social Media advertising services, wherein Magnetic (www.magnetic.com) designs campaigns that capitalize on the popularity of social networking to build brand awareness and generate buzz for its clients.

Magnetic has also expanded its general Web strategy consulting services, educating its clients on the do’s and don’ts of creating a highly effective online presence. The firm has also made the leap from the Web to the page, offering print media design services.

“These changes in our scope of services are a natural extension of Magnetic’s existing skill sets, and are designed to help our clients maximize their Web strategies so they, too, can continue to grow,” said Bakunas.

Tampa Bay Technology Forum announces coolTECH 2009

June 11th event seeks exhibitors for second annual showcase

The Tampa Bay Technology Forum, Central Florida’s largest and most influential technology association, is calling for exhibitors for its second annual showcase of new business and consumer technologies, coolTECH 2009, on Thursday, June 11 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. The exhibitor application deadline is Friday, April 3.

coolTECH will attract leaders from the technology and business community including industry professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers and technology providers. The event will feature different tech zones representing innovative technologies from some of the following sectors:  Aerospace and Marine Technology; Biotech and Medical Technology; Consumer Technology, Emerging Technology, Green Technology and Information Technology.  Some of last year’s exhibits included a self-driving car, voice recognition translation software, robotics, biometric security software and an off-road wheel chair to name a few.

The event will also include informative presentations by industry thought leaders on emerging technologies and trends, live demonstrations from exhibitors, the second annual coolTECH Awards to be voted on by event attendees and a blue ribbon judging panel honoring the top exhibitors with special awards.

For more information on coolTECH visit www.TBTF.org

Tampa Bay CEO Magazine to launch Tech Tampa Bay

Regions first print and online media source dedicated to technology community debuts this June

BusinessMax Multimedia, publisher of Tampa Bay CEO Magazine, announced today its intentions to launch Tampa Bay's first annual guide dedicated to the regions technology and innovation efforts. The guide, named Tech Tampa Bay, will highlight groups, associations and programs available to the Technology industry. The publication will feature IT products and services, new technology solutions for business and the regions emerging technology companies in one print industry resource.

In addition to the print guide, the companion online resource, techtampabay.com, will also launch. The web based resource will allow business and technology professionals to access industry news, trends, products and services in a multimedia format. The interactive online tools provide users with access to current technology events, a technology career center and a unique social portal that allows technology professionals to connect, share news and collaborate online.

David C. Glass, creator of Tech Tampa Bay says, "There is so much going on in technology and innovation right here in our backyard. I want to bring these efforts to the forefront." Glass, who is active supporter of several local technology groups and associations says that much of the regions technology related efforts have gone unnoticed in the media.

“Tech Tampa Bay will not only be dedicated to covering these efforts from a news perspective, but in also connecting people and promoting local resources. Businesses and technology entrepreneurs may not be aware of the organizations or programs that are available to assist them in their growth. We’re here to promote those resources”, Glass says.

Tony DiBenedetto, Chairman and CEO of Tampa based Tribridge, the nations largest Microsoft product consulting company says “It is necessary for the technology community to have a media source like Tech Tampa Bay cover our ever expanding technology community.  Many people outside of the bay area do not realize the breadth and success of technology companies in our region.  We have a vibrant business climate that helps technology companies launch and grow into successful organizations. We are excited to see David launch this critical publication.”

“David Glass has his finger on the technology pulse in Tampa Bay like no one else. Tech Tampa Bay is an example of how he takes action on his vision. This publication will help increase visibility for Tampa Bay’s thriving technology community” said Bernie Borges, CEO of Find and Convert, a web marketing agency based in Tampa.

There will also be an announcement in the coming weeks about Tech Tampa Bay's strategic partnerships with media groups in Atlanta, Georgia and North Carolina. "These partnerships will enhance our coverage throughout the southeast and nationally”, Glass said.

Tech Tampa Bay’s printed guide and website will launch on June 9th.

For more information on Tech Tampa Bay call (813) 830-9501 or Click Here

Global Imaging Systems Completes Acquisition of ComDoc, Inc.

Global Imaging Systems, a Xerox Corporation company, has completed its acquisition of ComDoc, one of the leading independent dealers of document management solutions. This acquisition gives Global Imaging Systems access to more than 14,000 new customers and an increased presence in four states.

“This move opens up opportunities to bring new solutions to our existing customers, expand our customer base and align with the long-time industry leader,” said Riley Lochridge, chief executive officer, ComDoc. The company’s chief operating officer, Larry Frank added, “In a rapidly consolidating marketplace, it is advantageous for us to operate from a stronger competitive position, while remaining an independent business within Global Imaging.”

ComDoc, founded in 1955, currently employs 640 people. Lochridge and Frank will continue in their positions at ComDoc, and Gordy Opitz maintains his role as the company’s president. ComDoc has offices in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia.

“We are focused on providing the best service for our growing base of small, mid-sized and major account businesses,” said Michael Shea, president and CEO of Global Imaging Systems. “With ComDoc, we are significantly expanding our distribution in the U.S., bringing our combined strengths in document technology and services to help businesses efficiently manage and streamline information.”

Through its acquisition strategy, Xerox continues to identify successful companies in markets that align with its commitment to innovation and reducing the complexity of document management.

iDatix Named to List of 100 Companies That Matter in Knowledge Management by KMWorld

iDatix Corporation, a leader in the development of Document Management, Workflow and Business Automation solutions was named to the "2009 KMWorld's 100 Companies that Matter In Knowledge Management" list. iDatix's iSynergy Business Automation Solution automates business processes while providing instant access to all corporate documents, enhancing cross departmental communications, enforcing compliance with policies and regulations, and securing business assets with controls, backups and business continuity. iDatix continues to provide powerful proven solutions that "Simplify the Workplace."

KMWorld is the leader in providing information that serves the Knowledge, Document and Content Management systems market. This is the 8th year for KMWorld's list of top companies in the Knowledge Management industry being compiled by KM World practitioners, theorists, industry analysts, vendors and their customer and colleagues.

"Each company embodies as part of its agile culture and limber execution of its mission, embracing a spirit of both adaptability and innovation," said Hugh McKellar, editor in chief of KMWorld.

Steve Allen, CEO of iDatix stated, "It is an honor to be included on this list of prestigious companies by such a highly respected group like KMWorld. Selection to this year's list is the fruits of nine years of labor from a dedicated iDatix team." Allen added, "We also would like to thank our loyal customers who continue to support our cutting edge iSynergy business automation solution. Inclusion on this list validates our mission of Simplifying the Workplace."

This year's 100 Companies that Matter In Knowledge Management list will be featured in the March 2009 issue of KMWorld magazine. For more information about the KMWorld's 100 Companies that Matter In Knowledge Management, please visit www.kmworld.com.

NorthStar Bank Appoints Betty Castor to Board of Directors

TAMPA, FL — NorthStar Bank, a privately held, Tampa-based community bank, today announced that it will expand its Board of Directors with the addition of former University of South Florida President Betty Castor. 

John H. Sykes, chairman of the board of NorthStar Bank, commented, “I am honored to welcome this distinguished member of our community to an important oversight role in our thriving financial institution.” He continued, “Betty Castor is widely recognized as a diligent public servant and innovative educator who continues to serve our community as the leader of a globally influential nonprofit organization. Her presence will complement our outstanding board of directors.”

Ms. Castor added, “I am looking forward to working actively with my fellow board members to ensure this relatively young bank finds ways to leverage its strengths as a community-focused institution and generate solid growth for individuals and small businesses throughout the region.” 

In 1972, Betty Castor was the first woman elected to the Hillsborough County Commission and went on to serve three terms as a Florida state senator from 1976-1986. She served for six years as the president of the University of South Florida and as Florida Commissioner of Education from 1986 to 1993. She is currently the executive director of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions in Tampa, where she oversees all aspects of the research center, including working with faculty and students to develop applied research projects.  The Center was created to identify challenges in developing countries and create viable solutions for improving the lives of people in those countries.

Over the past several years, Castor-- who embarked upon her education career as a secondary school teacher in Uganda-- has worked with former colleagues in the Teachers for East Africa program to launch a new foundation to assist schools and universities in East Africa.
 
In 2008, Castor was honored with the Florida Education Association (FEA) Lifetime Achievement Award.  In 1996, she was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.  She is a board member of the Tampa Bay History Center, the Hillsborough County Education Foundation, the Collins Center for Public Policy and is a member of the Tampa Bay Area Committee on Foreign Relations.  Castor is a graduate of Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey.  She received her Master’s Degree from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.

Florida Venture Forum Celebrates 25 Years of Serving the State’s Entrepreneurial Community

Marks over $1.7 billion of venture capital raised for Florida-based companies

The Florida Venture Forum, the premier entrepreneurial networking group for identifying sources of venture capital, today announced it celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2009. Since its inception, the Florida Venture Forum has helped Florida-based companies successfully raise more than $1.7 billion of venture capital investments. Some of those companies include Melbourne, Florida-based AuthenTec, Inc., Tampa, Florida-based Ideal Image, Celebration, Florida-based Channel Intelligence and Boca Raton, Florida-based NovaVision, Inc., to name a few.

Founded by a group of business leaders and academicians in the spring of 1984, the Florida Venture Forum began as an advisory and support group for entrepreneurs in the state of Florida. At the time, a survey revealed that, while most entrepreneurs had sound technical expertise, they needed assistance in management, marketing and finance. The Florida Venture Forum’s goal is to ensure the success of entrepreneurial ventures by offering expert counsel, educational advice and managerial assistance. Over the years, the Florida Venture Forum has enabled hundreds of Florida-based companies to successfully achieve funding.

“Over the past 25 years, the entrepreneurial spirit has lived at the core of our organization. It is the reason the Florida Venture Forum has continued to grow and evolve, and the reason we have advanced so many of Florida’s promising entrepreneurial ventures,” said John G. Igoe, a partner with Edwards & Angell, Palmer & Dodge, LLP, and chairman of the Florida Venture Forum. “It is incredibly gratifying to see the way our organization has developed into what is now one of the leading organizations in the country, inspiring and facilitating growth opportunities for emerging companies throughout the state.”

Over the course of a year, the Florida Venture Forum presents monthly programs on a statewide basis which are attended by venture capitalists, investors, bankers, corporate executives, accountants, lawyers and entrepreneurs.

The Florida Venture Forum hosted its 18th Annual Florida Venture Capital Conference earlier this month in Naples, Florida. The Conference featured 17 of the best, high-growth private companies that are prospects for venture capital funding in Florida. More than 1,100 attended the annual event, including venture capitalists, investment bankers and private equity investors from across the nation.

The Florida Venture Forum will also host its Second Annual Early Stage Venture Capital Conference on May 15, 2009 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, FL.

About The Florida Venture Forum

The Florida Venture Forum is Florida’s oldest, largest and most prestigious statewide support group for venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, helping emerging growth companies come together with sources of capital across the state. Throughout the year, the Florida Venture Forum provides monthly programs on a statewide basis. For additional information, please visit the organization’s web site at www.floridaventureforum.org.

2009 Florida Venture Forum Early Stage Capital Conference - Call for Presenting Companies

On May 15, 2009, the Florida Venture Forum will host its second Annual Early Stage Venture Capital Conference at the Omni Orlando Resort in ChampionsGate,  Florida.  The Florida Venture Forum is now calling for outstanding private companies from the state of Florida to apply to be presenters at the Conference. The Florida Venture Forum is Florida's premier organization focused on assisting entrepreneurs of emerging companies as they develop their businesses and raise capital. The statewide organization is now celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The principal purpose of the Annual Conference is to showcase approximately 10-12 early stage, high growth private companies before a national audience of venture capitalists, angel investors, private equity investors and investment bankers. These entrepreneurial companies should have talented management teams, proprietary technology, high growth potential and should be currently seeking early stage funding.

Companies wishing to submit an application to present at the Conference must apply online  at    www.floridaventureforum.org Note: Click on Presenter Application under the 2009 Early Stage Venture Capital Conference icon. Create a log-in I.D. and password.  Potential presenters are encouraged to apply by the early deadline of Tuesday, March 31, 2009.  

Please note the final deadline is Friday, April 17, 2009. The Florida Venture Forum does not accept hard copy submissions. These applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of venture capitalists and private equity investors throughout the Southeast.  As part of its continued efforts to extend its outreach throughout Florida and the southeastern U.S., officials with the Florida Venture Forum are working to develop an effective entrepreneurial network to assist with sourcing and ongoing support of early stage companies.

The Florida Venture Forum is looking for outstanding entrepreneurial companies in all industries throughout the state of Florida. The selected presenters are not only profiled before a national venture capital audience, they also receive substantial and valuable education in areas such as business plan writing, public speaking (and "pitching") and venture capital negotiations.

For any questions regarding the Conference call (813) 335-8116. For additional information about the Florida Venture Forum, please visit the website at www.floridaventureforum.org .

Phillips Development Unveils New Marketing Strategy

Tampa, Florida based Phillips Development and Realty, LLC, a national developer with properties in Texas, North Carolina and Florida, contracted Zelen Communications, Inc. to re-focus the contracting firm’s branding strategy.

Jack King, Phillips’ marketing director, who envisioned the strategic change to the marketing efforts, worked closely with Zelen Communications to develop a new global design approach for all of Phillips’apartment properties under development. This new approach was structured to greatly streamline the overall marketing efforts of the properties, as well as enhance recognition of Phillips’ properties on a national level.

The scope of work for the branding effort included exterior signage, interior sales office signage, stationery, a brochure, sales office displays, and a website for each of the three apartment complexes that went on the market simultaneously.

Phillips selected Zelen Communications because of the design firm’s extensive experience in the property development sector and because of their multi-disciplined approach to melding traditional advertising and interactive media under one roof. Zelen’s ability to cohesively extend brand personality in a variety of marketing channels was exactly what Phillips required for this new direction. Everything from property signage, brochures, websites, sales office materials and other collateral materials had to be redesigned to reflect the new approach. The outcome of these efforts, even under the growing financial pressures in this industry sector has created a far more cost-effective process for marketing Phillips’ existing and upcoming properties. In addition, the newly designed materials helped to elevate the existing brand to new heights within their industry.

At Zelen Communications, Jim LeClair, Jeff Jacoby and Chris McChesney were the participating art directors for the project; Terry Zelen was creative director; and Darby Nolan acted as project manager and account executive.

James Slusser named Chief Marketing Officer of Agile Communications

Agile Communications Group, a wireless technology and service company, is pleased to announce the appointment of James Slusser as Chief Marketing Officer. In his new role Mr. Slusser will be responsible for all sales and marketing, advertising, product development and brand management functions worldwide. Mr. Slusser is based in St. Petersburg, Fla. and reports directly to Anna Gervait, President and CEO.

In addition to his role with Agile, Slusser currently serves as President of the American Marketing Association, Tampa Bay Chapter - a professional association for individuals and organizations involved in the practice, teaching and study of marketing worldwide. Most recently, Slusser was regional account executive for Carlson Marketing Worldwide, where he was responsible for developing marketing strategies and managing client relationships and business development efforts for multiple accounts in the southeast. Mr. Slusser brings to the position more than 20 years of leadership experience in various roles spanning marketing services, retail and media industries.

"We are very excited to welcome Jim to our management team, and delighted to have him step into this critical role," said Gervait. "This is a key position that will play a central role in crafting, refining, and translating our strategic vision into a new business strategy that evolves the products and services in mobile marketing. Jim and his team will create, develop and implement marketing strategies that strengthen our client’s relationships with their key consumers, employees and channel partners."

Agile Communications Group Introduces Encrypted Text Messaging

Agile Communications Group,(ACG) a wireless technology and service company, in partnership with I.D. Rank Security, Inc. (IDRS), is proud to introduce KryptoSMS – the only encrypted text messaging product available in mobile marketing today that allows communication securely, fully encrypted, on any network in complete privacy. IDRS is a provider of high-end data and voice encryption technologies for mobile telephony and network security systems.

KryptoSMS is a broadcast send and return system using the global carriers SMS networks with the addition of uniquely encrypting the message to each smartphone with AES 256-bit encryption, the NSA type 1 standard. KryptoSMS is the only secure SMS text messaging product available in the market today which secures two-way communications with unique authentication and encryption technology that utilizes symmetric keys, providing unique encryption to each smartphone. KryptoSMS users have the ability to authenticate and secure their identity, and provide the highest level of secure communication available today through an embedded self managed, key creation and distribution system.

"We are proud to add this offering to our line of mobile marketing solutions. This is a cutting edge product far superior to anything currently in the marketplace," said Anna Gervait, ACG's Chief Executive Officer. "We anticipate significant interest in this product, especially in the banking and financial services, as well as healthcare and public sector industries."

"The demand for encrypted SMS communication is the next logical and evolutionary step in the secured communications market. Its application for use in the private and public sectors will enable organizations and individuals to securely and more effectively transfer sensitive information in the most mobile manner possible", said David Boubion, President of IDRS.

Innovative Software and Technology Provider, Cornerstone Consulting, Launches Comgine E-commerce for SAP Business One application

Cornerstone Consulting, a global provider of integrated accounting, electronic commerce, CRM, inventory management and shipping solutions, today announced the product launch of Comgine E-commerce for SAP Business One. Due to the success of Combine’s e-commerce platform for Sage Pro ERP, the development team expanded the capabilities of the software to integrate with SAP Business One. Comgine E-Commerce for SAP Business One is a fully integrated e-commerce system, designed for SMEs (Small to Midsized Enterprises) that want to sell and market online. Comgine is an affordable e-commerce software solution that enables SAP Business One users to utilize B2B (Business to Business) and B2C (Business to Consumer) e-business features with the most advanced level of ERP integration currently available.

"The Comgine brand stands for exceptional e-commerce software innovation, integration capabilities and unsurpassed quality. We are extremely proud to be the premier reseller, implementation and customization specialists of Comgine’s E-commerce solution for SAP Business One," said David Boos, President of Cornerstone Consulting. He added, "Comgine’s easy-to-use dashboard interface, in combination with SAP Business One’s integrated accounting, inventory management and CRM (customer relationship management) system, offers the ultimate streamlined e-business management experience.” Comgine E-commerce facilitates real-time order status information, instantaneous viewing of tracking numbers, secure sockets layer (SSL) encrypted transactions and much more. By implementing a streamlined accounting, customer relationship management (CRM), inventory and e-commerce solution, SAP Business One users can easily maintain: accurate sales forecasting, appropriate inventory levels, a lean business operation, sufficient company resources, customer loyalty and increased revenue generation.

Companies currently using an integrated e-commerce, accounting, customer relationship management (CRM) and inventory management system reduce transaction costs, streamline the online ordering processes and generate additional profits from their web store sales. The reason is that pertinent information is processed all the way through the accounting, customer relationship management and inventory management software, without any duplication of data entry. An integrated system is efficient because: the order comes in from the website; the system fulfills the order from stock and orders replacement inventory from vendor; a payable is created; the picking/packing ticket is created; the product is shipped; the web payment is applied to order/ invoice; and, paid invoice and tracking information is automatically emailed to the customer. Accordingly, a unified and streamlined e-commerce system saves time and permits easy maintenance of accurate, up-to-the-minute product, customer and vendor/supplier data. CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, Owners, Presidents, and Sales Directors can register with Cornerstone Consulting to see live demonstrations of Comgine's integrated e-commerce, accounting and inventory management software system via web demo.

Mr. Boos concluded: “In this difficult economic period, many can no longer afford to waste time and resources by using inefficient, non-integrated software applications in the conduct of their businesses. That is why we worked diligently with Comgine’s development team to create the remarkable, streamlined e-commerce interface for SAP Business One software. We believe that it is our duty to deliver exceptional business management products and customer service to all clients. The new interface is a fine example of the continued success of our business model, which includes our continually growing e-commerce website development division. Our success is also a direct reflection of the quality of our skilled employees and technologically savvy clients.”

Sencommunications, Inc. Celebrates 20 Years as Woman-Owned Telecommunications Provider

Sencommunications, Inc., a woman-owned national telecommunications provider headquartered in Tampa, Florida, is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year. Founded in February of 1989 by Frances and Paul Senory, Sencommunications has grown from a local distributor operating out of the Senory’s residence to its current 25,000 square foot center of operations.

“As we celebrate this milestone, it’s important to recognize the influence of the foundation the company was built upon,” states Vice President and General Manager Kathleen Blackmon. “The owners opened Sencomm with professionalism, integrity and dedication to customer service as the cornerstones of their mission statement. You can see that reflected today in our business model and in our employees.”

While Frances Senory has always been the President of Sencommunications, it was in 2001 that the company received certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. Since its certification, Sencomm’s status as a WBE has led to several industry awards, including being ranked as a top successful woman-owned business in the Tampa Bay area by the Tampa Bay Business Journal for three consecutive years (2006-2008).

In the past year, Sencommunications expanded its national coverage to include Public Sector and Unified Communications products, with sales representatives serving the mid-west and California markets. Additionally, the company became a Premium Partner with global headset manufacturer Plantronics®, in recognition of Sencomm’s exemplary service, commitment and support. This expanded partnership, building on the two companies’ existing fifteen-year relationship, increases Sencomm’s scope and coverage of the Plantronics® product line and the ability provide an even higher level of service to customers nationwide. This commitment to customers extends to all facets of the company.

President Frances Senory states, “As Sencommunications continues to grow and move forward in hopes of comprehensively satisfying the ever-expanding needs of the telecommunications market, we look forward to staying on the cusp of the latest technologies.”

Sencommunications plans to celebrate its twentieth anniversary with its employees and customers through special events and promotions throughout the year.

Stefanie Phillips Promoted to VP, Social Media Director at RFB Communications Group

Stefanie Phillips has been named vice president and social media director at RFB Communications Group, responsible for leading the agency’s social media programs and supervising client accounts including The Melting Pot, Five Guys, Envictus Corp. and UFG Corp.

Previously an account supervisor, Phillips joined RFB in August 2005 after serving as group supervisor, public relations at The Zimmerman Agency in Tallahassee, Fla. for seven years.

Phillips earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations with a special concentration in business from the University of Florida.

RFB Communications Group provides strategic national, regional and local public and media relations services designed to drive sales and business development, influence key audiences and achieve other specific client outcomes.

TraderPlanet.com Launches TraderPlanet® Index

TraderPlanet.com, the coolest social networking site for active traders and investors, announced today that it is introducing the TraderPlanet® Index (TPI) that can serve as a new resource for traders and financial media providers to gauge market sentiment.

TPI is a compilation of individual traders’ opinions on the degree of bullish or bearish sentiment for several key market sectors. These opinions take into account all technical and fundamental factors impacting the market sector as known by participating traders. The markets are rated on a scale of 0 to 100 and include the following sectors: currencies, energies, grains, livestock, metals, softs, U.S. Treasuries and stock indexes.

“We are excited to offer the TraderPlanet Index to our rapidly growing membership of active traders and investors worldwide,” said TraderPlanet.com founder Lane J. Mendelsohn, who conceived TPI with Editor-in-Chief Darrell Jobman and Senior Analyst Jim Wyckoff. “Our proprietary TPI affords financial institutions and media the means to accurately gauge how retail traders currently perceive the markets. This data should be used as a reference resource for any commentary which may be focused on strategies or making recommendations that will resonate with the retail trading community. In essence, we view TPI as a reliable barometer to reflect market psychology.”

Mr. Mendelsohn added: “TPI is unique because it can give an individual trader or investor confidence that what they are thinking about a particular segment is likely to occur based on what other like-minded investors are thinking and doing. This could give someone the confirmation that they need to pull the trigger and get involved in what could be a very profitable opportunity.”

“Conversely, a trader or investor might use TPI as a contrary opinion indicator, based on an assumption that a high TPI reading indicates that the community as a whole is already committed to one side of the market, leaving few traders to extend a price trend and causing the market to go in the opposite direction of what the consensus shows.”

Tech Data U.S. Expands Credit Services With New 60-Day Financing And Leasing Programs

Tech Data Corporation continues to help IT resellers access the credit services and financial capital they need to close deals and maximize the profitability of each sale. The company announced more of its vendor partners are offering free, extended 60-day terms, while a new leasing program will enable resellers to more easily structure monthly payment plans for their end-user customers.

“Resellers are already experts when it comes to educating their customers on the ROI potential of the latest IT solutions,” said Tech Data Director, Credit—SMB Accounts Scott Tillesen. “Given the current state of the economy, however, resellers also need to familiarize themselves with all the financing options available to them and their customers—including leasing and floorplanning—to help overcome cautious spending behavior. A solid proposal that demonstrates real ROI and makes sound financial sense is hard to ignore in any economic situation.”

Through third-party financing partners GE Capital Solutions, IBM Global Financing, Castle Pines Capital, and De Lage Landen Financial Services, Tech Data and participating vendor partners offer resellers free, extended financing. These floorplanning opportunities provide resellers with more time to pay for purchases, which offers greater flexibility when it comes to collecting payment from customers or leveraging their own capital for other critical business needs. These financing services are available to resellers in addition to their net-terms account with Tech Data, helping them grow their businesses while expanding their purchasing power.

For example, Cisco resellers now can partner with Castle Pines and TDCreditServices to secure 60-day terms on all Cisco hardware and services purchased through Tech Data. This provides resellers with the financing they need to pursue new and larger Cisco deals, while preserving their net-terms account with Tech Data to support other IT purchasing needs.

Fujitsu and Kaspersky recently partnered with TDCreditServices and GE Capital Solutions to provide resellers 60-day terms for their products. Other vendors offering 60-day terms through Tech Data and GE Capital Solutions include: Fortinet, HP, Lexmark, Lucent, SonicWALL, Sony, Symantec and VMware.

Tech Data expanded its leasing services by establishing a partnership with CIT Technology Financing Services Inc. Through CIT, resellers can offer monthly billing as an alternative form of payment for IT products and services instead of presenting customers with a single, large purchase order. CIT enables resellers to build leasing agreements consisting of hardware, software and services from any Tech Data vendor partner. With CIT, resellers also can create lease payments for service-only agreements, including offerings from Tech Data’s managed services partners and TDOnCall technical services providers.

S&S Electric and Mercedes Homes are Named 2009 TechHome Award Finalist

S&S Electric in partnership with Mercedes Homes has been named today as finalists for the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) 2009 TechHome Mark of Excellence Awards in the "Community of the Year" and "Home of the Year" categories.

The CEA TechHome Mark of Excellence Awards is a national program that honors outstanding innovation and achievement in home technology, products, services and installation trends.  Award entries are reviewed by a panel of industry experts comprised of contractors, manufacturers, members of the trade press and industry consultants to determine both finalists and winners.  Finalists will be recognized and winners announced at the Mark of Excellence Award Dinner on Friday, March 13, 2009 at The Rosen Centre Hotel in conjunction with the tenth annual Electronic House Expo (EHX) Spring 2009, in Orlando, Florida.

The Community of the Year category recognizes an Electronics System Contractor and Builder/Developer team for the strategic partnership through which they promote the use of technology to enhance residences within a production community development.  Longtime partners S&S Electric and Mercedes Homes epitomize the true value of a business partnership.For nearly 15 years, Mercedes Homes and S&S Electric have worked together to ensure that buyers are not only exposed to, but are well aware of their options when it comes to their homes' electrical and low  voltage systems.  This partnership is being recognized by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) for their combined work in the Seffner, Florida Community of Toulon.

Earlier this year, S&S Electric and Mercedes Homes received the "Award of Excellence in Residential Electrical Construction" from the from the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Association for their partnership in the Community of Toulon.

"Two very important aspects in home building today are time and customer satisfaction," said Pamela Malone, Regional VP, Mercedes Homes, Tampa. "S&S Electric has not only been one of our most valuable partners but has been one of the key players in obtaining our excellent customer satisfaction rating."

S&S Electric in partnership with Mercedes Homes is also a finalist in the Home of the Year Category for the work they did together on The Hinen Family Residence in Seffner, Florida.  This category recognizes a new home project that incorporates technological integration including audio/video systems, lighting control, networking and communications, security and electrical infrastructure, showing how a successful match was made with the homebuyer's lifestyle needs.

"When we decided to build our "Dream Home" with Mercedes Homes, we wanted a digital home with the ability to expand as our needs grew," said Anthony L. Hinen, homeowner. "S&S Electric's performance, attention to detail and customer service were phenomenal!"

Transfer Technology International Appoints Third Member to Its Scientific Advisory Board

Transfer Technology International Corp. signed an agreement appointing Dr. David M. Silver as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Silver comes to TTI with an extremely strong background and track record in the technology sector. Dr. Silver is currently Senior Scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. His research has spanned molecular physics, submarines, atmospheric chemistry, spacecraft, and ophthalmology. He has published widely in the scientific and medical journals, has been co-inventor on three patents, and has been instrumental in developing new technology and bringing it to the marketplace.

Dr. Silver's academic credentials include a B.S. from Illinois Institute of Technology, an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University, a Ph.D. from Iowa State University, and postdoctoral positions at Harvard University and the University of Paris. Along the way, he had been named the Dunning Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute (1998-99) and Visiting Professor in Ophthalmology at the University of Debrecen, Hungary (2001). In addition, he has been a director of two public companies in the medical product sector.

Christoph A. Trina, Chairman and CEO, states, "With his talent, background, and broad interests, Dr. Silver brings additional credibility and visibility to our company. I truly believe that David will complement our existing Advisory Board with his technical insights and commercial experience to help make our company a major player in the ever growing technology transfer market."

Dr. Silver states, "Transfer Technology is an exciting venture with great opportunities available for discovering technological innovation and developing it into a marketable product. With the dynamic leadership of Ms. Valerie McDevitt, the Advisory Board's Director, I am confident that we can move forward, identify new ideas and projects, and transform them into business enterprises."

The Florida Boomer Lifestyle Conference: Growing Businesses Targeting Demographic Trend

Inaugural Event to Explore Key Opportunities for Marketers to Reach Largest Consumer Segment in the U.S.

Building on the unique demographics of the Tampa Bay region, today CreativeTampaBay announced that the Florida Boomer Lifestyle Conference will be held May 12 at the Tampa Convention Center, underwritten in part by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. 

The conference was spawned by a market differentiation study conducted in 2007 by the upstart economic development group known primarily for its work to attract young, well-educated professionals to the region.  So why now the emphasis on baby boomers? 

The group’s “Things Look Different Here” study predicted that Tampa Bay will be the country’s top destination for retiring Baby Boomers over the next 15 years.  Thus, it is a likely incubator market for new ideas on the concept of “retirement.”  The conference is designed to help businesses capitalize on this demographic trend – whether start-ups or existing companies. 

“Florida has the perfect mix of assets for companies whose products or services target the boomer customer,” said Michelle Bauer, founder of Common Language, the company producing the content for the conference.  Bauer is also a founder of CreativeTampaBay. 

“The conference will offer an in-depth look at issues having the greatest impact on boomer’s lives,” she said.  “Those issues include the global boomer economy, financing longevity, care giving, wellness and health, and personal reinvention.”  Bauer noted that attendees will receive dozens of profitable ideas for businesses, products and services that address baby boomers’ complex needs.

“CreativeTampaBay recognizes that our economic landscape is rich in industries targeting the 40-plus market,” said Deanne Roberts, another co-founder of the organization, a former chamber of commerce leader and chairwoman of ChappellRoberts.  “Medical devices, life sciences, healthcare, wellness and anti-aging medical spas, financial services, real estate, hospitality – all these industries have major boomer marketing plays in progress,” she said.  “We believe Tampa Bay, in particular, is a ripe marketplace for entrepreneurial people who want to sell to boomers.”

David Pizzo, market president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida West Region, said his company supports the conference’s goals of building businesses targeting baby boomers.  “Our company is certainly focused on serving this group and we’re supportive of other businesses that can make life better for 40-plus adults,” he said.  

To learn more about the Florida Boomer Lifestyle Conference, check out the website at www.floridaboomerlifestyle.com.  For sponsorship opportunities, contact Deanne Roberts at droberts@chappellroberts.com, 813/281-0088.

About CreativeTampaBay

Creative Tampa Bay is a non-profit, regional economic development organization founded in 2003.  Its mission is to encourage innovation, invigorate the economy and help make the region a place that knowledge workers – and the companies who hire them – want to locate.  One way it does that is through catalytic research in economic development.  For more information, go to: www.creativetampabay.com.

Rhea F. Law named 2008 Tampa Bay CEO of The Year

On Thursday, December 11th, Tampa Bay CEO Magazine presented the 2008 Tampa Bay CEO Awards Gala at the TPepin’s Hospitality Centre. Nominees were recognized and winners announced at the black-tie event with a crowd of nearly 300 attendees. Awards were handed out in nine individual categories including; Advertising & Marketing, Technology, Business Services, Consumer Services, Real Estate, Financial Services, Non-Profit, Legal Services and Emerging CEO. 

Rhea F. Law, CEO & Chair of the Board for Fowler White Boggs P.A. was named overall winner for 2008 Tampa Bay CEO of The Year. Criteria for the award included community involvement, leadership initiatives, corporate vision and market performance.

"There are so many outstanding CEOs in the Tampa Bay region, and our goal with this award was to recognize their work and accomplishments from both a business and community perspective," said David C. Glass, CEO & Publisher, Tampa Bay CEO Magazine. "Rhea is doing some amazing things in the business community, demonstrating a level of vision and leadership that sets her apart from her contemporaries. She truly personifies everything we were looking for in our CEO of the Year."

2008 CEO of The Year Winners Pictured (Front left to right), Rhea F. Law (Overall Winner & Legal Services), Barry Shevlin (Technology), Anand Pallegar (Emerging CEO). (Back left to right) David Sessions (Real Estate), Joy Gendusa (Advertising & Marketing), Paul D'Agostino (Non-Profit), Gary Levin (Financial Services). Not pictured; Larry Morgan (Consumer Services), Dennis
Milhale (Business Services). Not Pictured; Dennis Mihale (Business Services), Larry Morgan (Consumer Services).

Overall Winner

Rhea F. Law, Fowler White Boggs P.A.

Individual Category Winners:

Advertising & Marketing
Joy Gendusa, PostcardMania

Consumer Products & Services
Larry Morgan, Morgan Auto Group

Business Products & Services
Dennis Mihale, Parses Inc.

Financial Services
Gary J. Levin, Levin Financial Group

Legal Services
Rhea F. Law, Fowler White Boggs P.A.

Emerging CEO
Anand Pallegar, atLarge Inc.

Non-Profit
Paul D’Agostino, Child Abuse Council

Real Estate & Construction Services
David E. Sessions, Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc.

Technology
Barry Shevlin, Network Liquidators

Panel of Judges included; Renee A. Benton, President & CEO of Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance; Ken Bakunas, CEO of Magnetic; Rachel Cantor; President of RC Associates; Robert Forsythe, Dean of USF College of Business; Andy Hafer, President & CEO of Dynamic Communities; Steve Tingiris, CEO of Prospect Smarter; Nicholas Vojnovic; President of Beef ‘O’ Brady’s

The 2008 Tampa Bay CEO of The Year Awards Gala was presented by Tampa Bay CEO Magazine and sponsored by Cerner, Verizon Business, Talk Radio 860 WGUL, Tampa Digital Studios, Prospect Smarter, Print Concierge and Pepin Distributing.

Tampa Bay Technology Forum Announces Winners of 5th Annual Industry Achievement Awards

The Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF), Central Florida’s premier technology industry association, announced the recipients of its 5th Annual Industry Achievement Awards last night. The Awards Gala, presented by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, celebrate the excellence and leadership of technology companies and individuals in the Tampa Bay area. The award recipients were selected by a distinguished panel of judges and were honored in front of over 500 attendees at an exciting black-tie awards gala on November 6th.

The 2008 Industry Achievement Award recipients include:

CIO of the Year
David Segal, Pro Tech Monitoring, Inc

Emerging Technology Company of the Year
IntegraClick, Inc.

Innovation of the Year
Medical Education Technologies, Inc

Professional Services Company of the Year
Digital  Hands

Quantum Leap Technology of the Year
FrankCrum

“This year’s recipients are breaking new ground and are a prime example of the amazing technology developing in our region. There are great things happening in technology in Tampa Bay and TBTF is proud to recognize the individuals and organizations responsible for it,” said Amy Norman, TBTF President and CEO.

The Award recipients were selected by the following judges:

• Jonathan Baer, Principal, Threshold Ventures
• Renee A. Benton, President and CEO, Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, Inc.
• Beck Besecker, EVP, Chief Development Officer, Catalina Marketing
• David Day, Director, Office of Technology Licensing, University of Florida
• Patricia K. Gehant, Director of Information Technology, Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County
• Karen A. Holbrook, Vice President for Research & Innovation, University of South Florida
• Shawn Hughes, President & COO, ThermoEnergy Corp.
• Janet L. Kumpu, President, Fortress Technologies, Inc.
• Larry Langebrake, Director of Marine Technology, SRI International
• M. J. Soileau, Vice President for Research & Commercialization, University of Central Florida
• John B. West, Chairman, Lion Investments
• David Weiss, CEO, Numara Software

The awards were held at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa. The prestigious evening included dancing to a live band and Vegas-style fun including casino games.

Tampa company’s new book, “MAKE PLAN!” A roadmap to effective execution for all CEOs

AMPA – Valant & Company, a national business performance improvement consultancy that has helped more than 225 companies achieve sustained success over the past three decades, announces publication of “MAKE PLAN!”, a book providing details of how companies can achieve a culture of effective execution.

“MAKE PLAN!” is co-written by Andrew Bowen of Tampa, a partner in the Tampa office of Valant & Company and President of Clearview  Communications, a full service public relations firm. “MAKE PLAN!” has been endorsed by Robert P. Miles of Tampa, author of “Warren Buffet Wealth,” “The Warren Buffet CEO,” and “101 Reasons to own the world’s greatest investment.”

“All CEOs should read this book to improve their management styles, customer relationships, revenue growth and that all important bottom line,” commented Miles, a well-known author, financial analyst and international speaker.

Co-written by Valant & Company CEO Laurence B. Valant and Bowen, with assistance from Valant & Company Orlando partner Gayle Hustad, “MAKE PLAN!” summarizes the proven processes CEOs and their management teams must embrace in order to strengthen their organizations, improve operations and grow revenues and profits.

“Especially during these challenging economic times, with so many organizations struggling to sustain themselves and still make a profit, we are happy to share some of the secrets of success we’ve applied at client firms for more than 30 years,” said Valant., a frequent magazine columnist, speaker and lecturer.

Copies of “MAKE PLAN!” are available now only on the company’s website, www.valantco.com, and will be in bookstores and online booksellers later.

Bay Area Executive Finalist for Prestigious National Women’s Business Award

Proggex, Inc. Executive Vice President and General Manager Suzanne Kelley was announced today as a finalist for the 5th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Kelley was chosen for Best Executive in the Service Business category with companies under 100 employees.  Proggex is the go-to company for project management and helps companies define and execute projects successfully or get troubled projects back on track.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor women executives, entrepreneurs and the companies they run – worldwide.  The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the world’s premier business awards.

“I am thrilled to receive this recognition,” said Kelley. “The realization from companies worldwide, especially in the last five years, that a project management office is an important part of any operation, is especially gratifying.” Kelley is an expert in Project Management/leadership, new technology implementation, including requirements definition and analysis, risk assessment, cost/performance analysis, process analysis and re-engineering.

Winners will be announced during a gala event at the Marriott Marquis hotel in New York on Friday, November 14.  Nominated women executives and entrepreneurs from the U.S. and several other countries are expected to attend. More than 1,200 entries were submitted for consideration in 50 categories, including Best Executive, Best Entrepreneur and Best Community Involvement Program

Finalists were chosen by business professionals worldwide during preliminary judging. Members of the Awards' Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors and their staffs will select Stevie Award winners from among the finalists during final judging.

“Being named a finalist in The Stevie Awards for Women in Business is an important achievement,” said Michael Gallagher, president of the Stevie Awards.  “It means that independent business executives have agreed that the nominee is worthy of recognition.  We congratulate all of the finalists on their achievement and wish them well in the competition.”

Details about The Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of Finalists in all categories are available at www.stevieawards.com/women

Tampa Bay Technology Forum Announces Finalists for 5th Annual Industry Achievement Awards

The Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF), Central Florida’s premier technology industry association, today announced the finalists for its 5th Annual Industry Achievement Awards presented by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  The awards celebrate the excellence and leadership of technology companies and individuals in the Bay area.  Finalists were selected by a distinguished panel of judges and will be honored in front of hundreds at an exciting black-tie awards gala on November 6th.

“The nominations our judges had to study were an outstanding group,” said Amy Norman, president and chief executive officer of TBTF.  “It was a tough year in which to choose winners. The Tampa Bay area’s growth in the tech sector is great to see, and we’re thrilled that such high caliber people and companies were chosen.”

A total of 15 finalists were chosen in five award categories:

CIO of the Year
Paul Davis, Spring Air
Lindsey P. Jarrell, BayCare Health  System
David Segal, Pro Tech Monitoring, Inc.

Emerging Technology Company of the Year
IntegraClick, Inc.
MyUS.com
SGIS

Innovation of the Year
Medical Education Technologies, Inc. and L-3 Aviation Recorders  Division
Teltronics, Inc.
Ultramatics, Inc. 

Professional Services Company of the Year
Bayshore Solutions
Digital Hands
STAR Technology Enterprise Center/CTC Tampa Bay,  Inc.

Quantum Leap Technology of the Year
DataMentors, LLC
FrankCrum
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

The Awards finalists were selected by the following judges:

Jonathan Baer, Principal, Threshold Ventures

Renee A. Benton, President and CEO, Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, Inc.

Beck Besecker, EVP, Chief Development Officer, Catalina Marketing

David Day, Director, Office of Technology Licensing, University of Florida

Patricia K. Gehant, Director of Information Technology, Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County

Karen A. Holbrook, Vice President for Research & Innovation, University of South Florida

Shawn Hughes, President & COO, ThermoEnergy Corp.

Janet L. Kumpu, President, Fortress Technologies, Inc.

Larry Langebrake, Director of Marine Technology, SRI International

M. J. Soileau, Vice President for Research & Commercialization, University of Central Florida

John B. West, Lion Ventures, Inc.

David Weiss, CEO, Numara Software.

The awards gala will be held at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa Thursday, Nov. 6. The fun doesn’t end after the awards are handed out, though. You’ll have the chance to dance the night away to a live band and enjoy Vegas-style fun including with casino games at the post party.

For more information on the TBTF Awards Gala visit www.tbtf.org

Citigroup buys Wachovia

CHARLOTTE, NC—Wachovia today announced intentions to sell its retail bank, corporate and investment bank and wealth management businesses to Citigroup. Wachovia Corporation will remain a public company with two main operating subsidiaries:  Wachovia Securities, the nation's third largest brokerage firm, and Evergreen Asset Management, a leading provider of asset management services.
 
"During recent weeks, the financial landscape has changed significantly and presented us with unprecedented challenges," said Robert K. Steel, CEO and President of Wachovia.  "Today's announcement is the best alternative for the company, enabling a resolution on the Golden West portfolio."

Under terms of the transaction, Citigroup will pay $2.1 billion to Wachovia and assume the senior and subordinated debt of Wachovia Corporation.

The transaction is expected to close before year-end. It has been approved by directors of both companies and is subject to shareholder approval of Wachovia and the appropriate regulatory approvals.

Customers of both companies should continue banking as usual, and feel confident that their deposits are secure. Also, employees and vendors should continue to operate business as usual.

At this time, there are no changes to Wachovia's board of directors and two Wachovia directors will join Citigroup's board.

Wachovia Corp. will remain headquartered in Charlotte, NC.  Wachovia Securities will continue to be headquartered in St. Louis, MO. Citigroup will headquarter the retail bank in Charlotte and the investment bank in New York.

Wachovia's investment bankers were Goldman Sachs, Perella Weinberg Partners and Wachovia Securities, and its legal advisors are Sullivan & Cromwell and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

Tampa Bay Technology Forum confirms two new board members

Tampa, FL –  The Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) has confirmed two new board members: Anand Pallegar, President of atLarge, Inc., an interactive advertising agency focused on building client brands through compelling online experiences, and Dusty Williams, CIO of OSI Restaurant Partners Inc., the developer of restaurant concepts such as Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Roy’s. 

“Both Anand and Dusty bring outstanding technology expertise, community leadership and executive experience to the TBTF board,” said board chairman George Gordon. “They are very committed to pursuing the goal shared by the rest of our dedicated board and membership to make Tampa Bay one of the nation’s top 10 technology hubs in the U.S. by 2015.”

Pallegar was named one of the 50 “high impact leaders who are making a difference in Florida and beyond…” in Florida Trend’s September 2008 publication. atLarge, Inc. is a privately held, interactive advertising agency headquartered in Sarasota.  Founded in 2004, atLarge specializes in all facets of interactive brand development including Web site development, strategic planning, e-promotions, print, advertising, public relations and research. They use the web to measure results for all online and offline marketing activities for clients. The digital channel enables accurate ROI and customer behavior measurement and enables the firm to develop and implement retention strategies to encourage repeat visits and increased brand loyalty.

Williams has been with OSI since 2003. Prior to this role he was the CIO for Kforce, Inc. a national staffing company headquartered in Tampa.  Earlier in his career he held multiple Electronic Commerce (EC) related positions at Clearwater-based Tech Data Corporation, the world’s second largest computer distribution company, with the last being Director of Electronic Commerce with responsibilities for establishing strategic direction for all EC initiatives.

Creative Loafing files for bankruptcy

Creative Loafing Inc. which owns alternative weekly newspapers in Chicago, Washington, Tampa, Charlotte and Sarasota, as well as Atlanta — today filed for bankruptcy protection. Prompting the move was a debt load of more than $40 million.

“The company owed more money than it can pay back right now,” CEO Ben Eason said in a conference call with company managers. The bankruptcy petition was filed in Tampa, where the company’s based, and was timed to preclude an interest payment that was owed lenders on Wednesday.

The company will ask federal bankruptcy Judge Caryl Delano to stay any attempt by creditors to liquidate the assets or take control of the company.

“We’re doing the right things,” Eason said. “This will give us a fresh start. It is a reorganization, not a liquidation. Everybody gets paid.”

The debt load was substantially increased last year when Creative Loafing purchased the Chicago Reader and the Washington City Paper. Since then, advertising revenues for the print editions of the papers has deteriorated, as they have for newspapers nationwide. Over the same period last year, revenues were down between 10 and 15 percent.

Among the largest unsecured creditors is Fayetteville Publishing Co., which prints the Atlanta paper and some of the other papers in the group. The Georgia Department of Labor, the Georgia Department of Revenue and the IRS are also among the creditors.

Creative Loafing was founded in 1972 by Debby Eason in Atlanta and later opened several other papers in the Southeast. Her son, Ben, who owned the Tampa paper, acquired the rest of the family newspapers in 2000.

C-IT Receives Funding

TAMPA – C-IT (pronounced “See IT”), which stands for Cartoons in Teaching, announced that it has received funding of more than $600,000 from family and friends.

Headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL, C-IT has developed a proprietary patent-pending method of using visual imagery of cartoon characters for subscription based web books and video games to increase comprehension of various subjects ranging from science to health care to history and math.  C-IT's tools can be used from kindergarten through graduate school and can even be used by non-readers (adult and pre-school).

Utilizing the resources of regional organizations such as the Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) and the University of Central Forida’s Venture Lab, C-IT was able to receive guidance for funding, confidence in developing investor relationships, and executing market strategies.

According to James C. Mauch, M.D., Ph.D., “Tampa Bay Technology Forum and the UCF Venture Lab directly mentored C-IT's founders, in our business planning, market strategies, and fund raising efforts, which gave us confidence and in turn, resulted in the confidence of our investors.” 

Additionally, C-IT was selected to participate in TBTF's Emerging Companies Academy (ECA), which was launched last year.  The ECA was created to provide startup technology companies with the mentoring, resources and community support needed to fuel their growth and achieve long-term success.

These services are delivered through regularly scheduled mentoring meetings, quarterly pitch and business plan reviews, investor critiques, intensive entrepreneur boot camp programs, monthly networking events and other activities.

“C-IT’s success shows how TBTF supports promising enterprises and is willing to put time and effort into that support,” said George Gordon, TBTF Chairman.

The UCF Venture Lab specifically focuses on mentoring companies that are located in Central Florida and that have the potential to create jobs in technology or science domains. Since 2004, the UCF Venture Lab has been involved with the launch and early-stage revenue growth of over 20 startups and have directly raised over $200 million in venture capital.

"C-IT's founders are incredibly passionate, and have created a unique approach to teaching science to people of all ages. C-IT has all the right ingredients to grow the business into a great company with products that serve an urgent need in education." said Kirstie Chadwick, Director of the UCF Venture Lab. "The Venture Lab is proud to have been able to assist in helping C-IT take their great idea and migrate it into a viable, growing business."

C-IT's initial funding is partially dedicated to producing its first commercial product, Basic Chemistry and Cell Biology. This first product is being field tested for effectiveness in one of Florida's largest public school systems. The University of Central Florida's Department of Education Associate Professor, Rebecca Hines, Ph.D., a specialist in inclusion and technology in the classroom, is independently designing and monitoring the test with the goal of publishing the results in a peer reviewed educational journal.

Upon validation of C-IT's tools, TBTF and the UCF Venture Lab will assist the company in its next phase of development, which will include establishing venture capital and/or corporate partnerships.

For more information about the TBTF, visit www.tbtf.org. Details about the support services offered by the UCF Venture Lab are available at www.venturelab.ucf.edu.

TBTF’s Entrepreneur Boot Camp Guides Start-Ups

Two day event puts emerging companies on the path toward success

The Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) will host its 7th annual Entrepreneur Boot Camp on Oct. 20-21 in Tampa. If you’re ready to launch your new company, looking for guidance to help you refine your value proposition, preparing for outside funding and looking to grow, you need to register for this two day event.

You’ll learn valuable tips designed to ensure your business thrives from successful serial entrepreneurs and local experts in sales, finance, law, marketing, and management. The TBTF Entrepreneur Boot Camp has trained over 175 entrepreneurs from across Florida since its inception in 2002.

“There is no better way for start up companies to get the expert insight they need to build a successful business than to hear from those who have done it before,” said Amy Norman, TBTF CEO. “Participants will walk away with a new respect for what it takes to realize their entrepreneurial goals.”

Boot Camp participants learn how to:                                 

·         Turn a great idea into a viable business with customers and profits
·         Manage cash flow like a pro
·         Prepare to approach investors for funding
·         Hire the right management team
·         Protect intellectual property
·         Develop cost-effective marketing and public relations campaigns
·         Recruit the best employees, directors, and advisors for the business

Experts and their topics include:

·         Gary Langton, CEO, Quadrant Software, Is This Great Idea a Business?

·         Brent Britton, Attorney, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP, Legal Issues: Securing Your Intellectual Property

·         Susan Gear, Vice President, Catalina Marketing, Refining Your Value Proposition

·         Jack Rybicki, Partner, LarsonAllen, Cash is King: Smart Money Management

·         Jonathan Baer, Founder, Threshold Ventures, Raising Capital

·         Tony DiBenedetto, CEO and Chairman, Tribridge, Building a Great Management Team

·         Greg McLaughlin, Director of Corporate Strategy, Bright House Networks, Leading, Motivating and Managing Top Talent

·         Bernie Borges, Chief Find Officer, Find and Convert, Using Your Website to Gain Market Share

·         Debra Curtiss, VP & General Manager, Peak 10, Effective Lead Generation & Sales Strategy

·         Ray Weadock and Scott Springer, Recruiting Your Boards of Directors and Advisors

·         Tom Wallace, CEO, RedVector, The Path to Successful Entrepreneurship

Enroll today and become a member of the Class of 2008 - only 30 places are available! The Boot Camp will take place Monday, Oct. 20 from 7:30 a.m. until Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 5 p.m. at the Stetson University College of Law in Tampa. The cost is $199 for TBTF Members and $299 for Non members. The cost includes all material, breakfasts and lunches.  For more information, or to register, visit www.tbtf.org .

Florida’s Tech Exports Grow by Nearly $1 Billion, 2nd Largest Rise in the Nation

Orlando – AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, today released its annual report detailing national and state trends in the international trade of high-tech goods. The report, Trade in the Cyberstates 2008: A State-by-State Overview of High-Tech International Trade, covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

In 2007, Florida exported over $13 billion in high-tech products overseas, making it the third largest tech exporter in the nation. Overall, the state saw an increase of high-tech exports of $989 million in 2007, an eight percent increase. Brazil was the largest destination for these exports, buying nearly $2 billion tech goods in 2007. Florida’s largest single tech sector was computers and peripheral equipment, which had $5.1 billion of exports in 2007.

"When many people think of Florida exports, they probably think only of citrus fruits,” said Maryann Fiala, Executive Director of AeA’s Florida Council. “But nearly a third of all exports from the Sunshine State are high-tech products. State public policy officials need to see trade as a great job creator for Florida – high-tech exports support nearly 70,000 jobs in the state.”

“As we are the gateway to Latin America, we also urge Congress to reconsider passing the Colombian Free Trade Agreement, continued Fiala. “Colombia is Florida’s fifth largest destination for high-tech goods. By passing the agreement, Colombia would lower tariffs on U.S. imports, creating even more revenue and jobs for Florida.”

Nationally, Trade in the Cyberstates 2008 shows that U.S. high-tech goods exports decreased by three percent in 2007, totaling $214 billion, representing 18 percent of all U.S. exports to the world. High-tech imports totaled $333 billion in 2007, up by three percent, resulting in a high-tech trade deficit of $118 billion. High-tech exports supported 894,600 jobs in the United States.

Trade in the Cyberstates 2008 provides a comprehensive review of international trade of high-tech goods at the national and state-by-state level. The report provides overview pages for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These "snapshot" pages highlight historical high-tech export trends, exports by individual tech sector, and leading export destinations.

This report is a partner publication to AeA's other two annual cyber publications, Cyberstates and Cybercities, which provide data on high-tech jobs, wages, payroll, and other factors at the state and metropolitan levels.

AeA members can purchase each of these reports for $125; non-members for $250. Visit www.aeanet.org/research to purchase the reports.

What Does High-Tech Trade Mean for Florida?

    * $13.4 billion in high-tech exports (3rd ranked cyberstate)

    * Up $989 million in tech exports between 2006 and 2007

    * 30 percent of exports from Florida are tech exports (12th ranked cyberstate)

    * 69,900 jobs in Florida are supported by tech exports

Florida’s Leading Tech Export Destinations:

    * $2.0 billion in tech exports to Brazil

    * $1.3 billion in tech exports to Venezuela

    * $1.0 billion in tech exports to Mexico

Florida’s Leading Tech Export Sectors:

    * 2nd in photonics exports at $529 million

    * 3rd in computers and peripheral equipment exports at $5.1 billion

    * 3rd in communications equipment exports at $3.3 billion

Top Designers from Google, Adobe, & Microsoft to Speak at Ringling College’s Sarasota International Design Summit

Innovators who are designing our current and future experiences on the Internet and mobile devices are speaking in Sarasota, Florida, October 27-29 at Ringling College of Art and Design’s third annual International Design Summit.  The Summit, produced by Ringling College and sponsored by Target, addresses the theme: Design + Technology: Visual. Social. Mobile.

Top user-experience technology designers from Google, Adobe, Microsoft and others will discuss our new hyper-connected world and how the proliferation of online video and new visual, social, and mobile media is shifting power to consumers.  As a result, designers, business and marketing executives, creative directors, and technologists must rethink their strategies for reaching their various target audiences.   

“The intersection of social media and mobile technologies is the most dynamic area for design right now," said Dr. Larry R. Thompson, president of Ringling College of Art and Design. "We are literally shaping new products, services, and user experiences at light speed. The principles of design and design thinking are at the core of these developments. For this reason, we decided to focus Ringling College’s Summit on the frontiers of design and bring together all the players who have a stake in creating that new world.”

Leading innovators and practitioners on the Summit’s speaker line-up include:
Michael Alexin, vice president, Product Design & Development, Target
Timo Arnall, design researcher, Oslo School of Architecture and Design and director, elasticspace
Walter Bender, president for software design and development, One Laptop Per Child
Chris Bernard, user experience evangelist, Microsoft
Matt Cottam, creative director, Tellart
Matt Jones,  co-founder and lead designer, Dopplr   
David Meeker, user experience strategy lead, Roundarch
Brandon Oldenburg, vice president of creative, Reel FX 
Ryan Stewart, Rich Internet Application evangelist, Adobe
Charles Warren, senior user experience designer for mobile product development team, Google

Companies representing a broad spectrum of industries that are looking to maximize their use of social media and mobile technology to build and enhance their customer base will be attending and speaking. Business executives and entrepreneurs, designers, educators, marketing, and creative directors, CIOs, and technology professionals are especially encouraged to attend.

Attendees will learn:
-what strategies and tactics are working now, and which ones to avoid
-which tools, technologies, and skill sets are needed to effectively engage a variety of audiences
-how design of products and experiences is now shaping the technology versus technology controlling the design
-how to measure and track success
-how to plan for greater flexibility and quick tactic changes to stay ahead of the competition
-how to create opportunities for building better customer relationships and use experiences.

The Summit will feature keynote presentations, breakout sessions, pre-conference workshops and tours, parties, exhibits, and plenty of time for participants to meet informally or participate in semi-structured discussion groups providing opportunities to share expertise and form valuable new relationships.

Valpak Celebrates 40 Years

LARGO - Valpak Direct Marketing Systems Inc., maker of the iconic blue envelope -- celebrates its 40th anniversary this month.

Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America, delivers savings to 45 million households each month throughout the United States and Canada. Annually, Valpak distributes some 20 billion offers inserted in nearly 520 million envelopes.

"Valpak has been a part of consumers' lives for 40 years," said Valpak CEO Bill Disbrow. "It's the familiar blue envelope that consumers reach for each month when planning that next home improvement, trip to the hair salon or dinner out with friends. Consumers know Valpak helps them to save money."

The direct mailer pioneered the cooperative direct mail industry 40 years ago and continues to be the leader through growth, change and adaptation. Using case studies, focus groups, eye-tracking research, and 40 years experience working with businesses, Valpak has emerged a sophisticated direct marketing company with advanced demographic tools that help businesses target consumers.

"Valpak's success lies in smart targeting and audience selection," according to Melissa Fisher, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications. "Valpak targets promotionally responsive consumers based on demographics, behaviors and geography," said Fisher. "That, along with our monthly national promotions, ensure Valpak's outstanding open rate -- nearly nine in 10 adults receiving the envelope usually open it and look through the coupon offers."

Monthly, Valpak features promotions with national partners such as Disney, 20th Century Fox, CBS, Ellen DeGeneres, Food Network, Martha Stewart and HGTV.

Valpak.com has more than 20 million offer views each month and is a leader in online local coupons sites. In 2006, Valpak.com partnered with Google to offer online coupons through GoogleMaps.

Valpak recently completed one of the most advanced and automated manufacturing centers in the world. Located in St. Petersburg, FL, the Valpak Manufacturing Center is a hub of technology where automation and robotics is at the core of the operation. It occupies nearly 500,000 square feet of space.

Valpak is one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America. Headquartered in Largo, Florida, Valpak delivers savings to nearly 46 million households each month throughout the United States and Canada. In 2008, Valpak will distribute some 20 billion offers inserted in more than 521 million envelopes. In addition, Valpak.com(R), an online site for local savings, has about 20 million offer views each month.

Magnetic Launches Online Sports Lounge for Champs Sports Fans

TAMPA - Champs Sports fans can now hang out in a new interactive online sports lounge designed by Magnetic, a full-service Web development firm.

The Champs Sports Lounge (www.champssportslounge.com) is a place where sports fans and consumers alike can learn about the latest products available in Champs Sports stores nationwide and online at www.champssports.com, including the recently released Reebok Talkin' Krazy shoe, which hit stores in mid-September.

The Lounge boasts a Sports Den featuring "Jaws Chatter," where former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski provides Fantasy Football tips and updates, answers questions and provides his take on the match-ups of the week. Visitors can also access a Media Gallery complete with photos, videos and music, and detailed information on the latest Champs Sports' events and contests.

"The Champs Sports Lounge site gave the Magnetic team an opportunity to show just how creative they can be. It was definitely a fun challenge for our designers, who delivered a knock-out site under a very aggressive deadline," said Jennifer Bakunas, president, Magnetic.

Adds Rob Brodersen, vice president, marketing, Champs Sports: "The site truly enhances the customer's online experience. It gives any sports enthusiast reason to stay connected to the Champs Sports brand."

Champs Sports, a division of Foot Locker, Inc., is one of the largest sports-specialty, mall-based athletic retailers in North America, providing the latest hook-ups of footwear, apparel and accessories to the sports inspired male.

DayJet Discontinues Passenger Operations

BOCA RATON - DayJet Services, LLC, the world’s first operator of “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service, today announced that it has ceased jet services, pending further notice. The company today eliminated most employee positions. With the discontinuation of jet services and cancellation of all flights, DayJet is unable to honor any customer reservations. 

This shutdown is a direct consequence of the company’s inability to arrange critical financing in the midst of the current global financial crisis. The company’s operations have also suffered as a result of Eclipse Aviation’s failure to install missing equipment or functionality or repair agreed technical discrepancies in accordance with the terms of DayJet’s aircraft purchase contract. 

“We deeply regret the disruption and hardship to customers, suppliers and employees caused by this unexpected shutdown of commercial operations,” said DayJet founder Ed Iacobucci.

“Twelve months ago our team launched a new regional transportation model. During the past year, we have demonstrated, beyond a reasonable doubt, that customers will sign-up, purchase, and become frequent users of this new service – the DayJet ‘Per-Seat, On-Demand’ model works. It is unfortunate that these developments have come at the same time our nation has fallen into the most serious capital crisis of our lifetime. Regrettably, without access to growth capital, we have no choice but to discontinue operations.” 

Iacobucci has stepped down as DayJet President and CEO but continues to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors. John Staten has been named interim CEO with responsibility for managing the affairs of the company  during the next phase of operations. Staten has served as DayJet CFO and Senior Vice President of Operations for the past six years. 

USF's Graduate Entrepreneurship Program Ranked #5 in the Nation

 The graduate entrepreneurship program at the University of South Florida has been ranked as the fifth best program in the nation, and is the only Florida public university included in the 2008 ranking compiled by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine. USF’s interdisciplinary program, which is just six years old, is included in the magazine’s October issue ranking the nation’s best educational programs. The graduate program in entrepreneurship is ranked second among all public universities in the United States. No Florida schools are included on the undergraduate list.

USF President Judy Genshaft noted that USF is among the youngest universities and the youngest programs to be included in the 2008 ranking. “We have some excellent company in the top five,” she said. “But we are firmly committed to this program and will provide resources to help the Center for Entrepreneurship rise to the number one spot!”

A longtime champion of interdisciplinary programs, Genshaft pointed out that the entrepreneurship program is a collaborative effort between the colleges of business, engineering and medicine.

“While it is exciting to see USF included in the roster, it isn’t just this ranking that’s so exciting,” said Genshaft. “Blending academics, research, and hands-on learning leads to student success. This type of collaboration is what we are trying to achieve across the university and our College of Business has demonstrated what we can achieve when we work in an interdisciplinary way.”

Despite the program’s youth, USF’s Center for Entrepreneurship has also received other honors. The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) lauded the center for three consecutive years, most recently in January 2006. USASBE awarded its top national “Innovative Pedagogy for Entrepreneurship Education Award” to USF, honoring the center’s programs linking business, engineering, science and medicine across the USF Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Master of Science Degree in Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies.

The university is in the planning stages for an undergraduate entrepreneurship program, aiming for a 2009 program launch.

The Princeton Review, a leading provider of educational services, surveyed more than 2,300 undergraduate and business schools about their entrepreneurship offerings. Schools were evaluated based on key criteria in the areas of academics and requirements, students and faculty, and outside-the-classroom experiences. Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s vice president of publishing, says the ranking shows that while there are overall trends, each program offers something unique for students, and that the ranking highlights “schools that are exceptional for specific reasons.”

USF’s Michael Fountain, who heads the Center for Entrepreneurship, said the program is exceptional because of its interdisciplinary programming and hands-on learning opportunities.

“From the start, our vision has been to create an internationally recognized center of excellence for interdisciplinary entrepreneurship, which fosters entrepreneurship education, training and research to develop tomorrow’s leaders. To reach the top five ranking in just six years confirms our vision was on target.”

More than thirty new ventures have been launched by graduates of USF’s Center for Entrepreneurship, ventures that bolster existing business clusters and create new business areas of concentration. Fountain said start-ups sparked by the Entrepreneurship Program are important to the regional economy. “It is much better to seed, nurture and grow new businesses than relocate, transplant and graft non-local businesses into our region,” said Fountain. “Roots for home-grown businesses run much deeper than transplanted ones and are able to better weather adverse economic environment conditions and bear more fruit through new business growth.

” While many graduates aspire to start new ventures, Fountain said the program offers students opportunities to grow new businesses or strengthen performance, too.

“Entrepreneurship is not always about simply starting a business,” he said. “It’s also about innovation within an existing business and learning how to become more competitive in a global marketplace.”

Tampa Bay Investor Group to Make Significant Investment in Gunn Allen

TAMPA – A local investment group led by John H. Sykes, founder and chairman emeritus of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated, has signed an agreement to purchase a significant interest in Gunn Allen Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Tampa-based GunnAllen Financial, Inc, a full service brokerage and investment banking firm with a nationwide presence.  The transaction is subject to regulatory approval by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and other standard conditions, and closing is expected to occur within the next 30 to 60 days.

Although the size of the investment has not been disclosed, the investor group led by Sykes will be the largest single shareholder of Gunn Allen Holdings as a result of the transaction, and Sykes will have the right to appoint a majority of the Board of Directors of Gunn Allen Holdings.  Also, Sykes will assume the role as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company.

“GunnAllen Financial’s CEO Rick Frueh and his management team have built one of the more extensive financial services platforms in the United States, including a network of brokers, a full-service brokerage firm, an investment bank, a dedicated trading desk and asset management division, and an insurance and financial planning group,” says Sykes. “The investors believe that supporting the growth of this platform into another Bay-area based financial services firm with national stature will be of enormous value.”

GunnAllen Financial currently has 750 brokers in its network, with operations in 39 states.  Approximately 30 percent of the brokers are located in Florida.  GunnAllen Financial, with Frueh continuing as CEO, will continue to operate as a subsidiary of Gunn Allen Holdings. 

“This investment in Gunn Allen Holdings will allow us to accelerate our strategic growth objectives of offering the broadest range of financial services and products, delivering the highest level of customer service and recruiting the highest quality financial professionals,” says Frueh.  “This investment group affords us a unique opportunity to add board members with proven, successful management experience and the highest tradition of excellence in customer service.”

ValCom Scores With $50-Million Merger With America's Auction Network

CLEARWATER - ValCom, Inc. a leader in media technology, facilities and content for television programming and related services, announces a letter of Intent for the merger with AMERICA'S AUCTION NETWORK (AANTV) further solidifying ValCom's growth in becoming an international media giant. In recent months, ValCom has successfully sought and secured four acquisitions that, if nothing else, grows the company towards $75-million in revenue in 2009.

America's Auction Network www.aantv.com is one of the world's largest independent auction houses and one of the fastest growing shopping networks with the most diverse niche product lines from art, antiques, coins, collectibles, jewelry, gems and real estate -- even meteorites from outer space. Shows and auctions are available to 40-million plus U.S. households via MOS Cable Systems, Broadcast Stations and are simulcast on the World Wide Web.

AANTV has established an ever-growing product line and revenues that currently exceed $50-million annually. The network is currently available on 24 hour web casts: Time Warner Cable, Bright House, Direct TV and Dish networks; will launch in United Europe in October, 2008 and will then extend to additional major territories including major Asian markets. This coverage will eventually give AANTV a 24-hour constant prime-time auction audience. Expansion into the European market was secured with a 24 hour channel on an APS/Astra satellite transponder 87.

"By adding AANTV, ValCom has secured another valuable asset on an ambitious plan taking us from $2-million to $100-million," notes Vince Vellardita, CEO / President of ValCom. The company once enjoyed a market cap of $275-million and Vellardita is intent on surpassing that previous position with unprecedented growth. "Management and operations are solidly in place for our teleport, two television networks, facilities, revenue and earnings that increase share holder value." Vellardita, a self-acclaimed survivor of "success-excess," Wall Street rebukes and personal health challenges has rallied in all areas and is re-building his company to an even greater value than once held. "I'm back in with a passion and our entire team is steamrolling through each day paying attention to detail and with our eyes riveted on long term goals."

"The merger with AANTV and ValCom looks like a marriage made in heaven," says Jeremiah Hartman, Director / President of the American Auction Network. "With our 30+ years in merchandising and marketing, 22 of those years in the home shopping venue and ValCom's extensive management of networks, media, communications, and production experience the last 25 years, we expect revenues to increase to over $250-million in the next four years."

Unity Mobile Expands With A-Round Funding of $10 Million

ST. PETERSBURG - This week, UNITY Mobile, a unified mobile services and infrastructure provider, announced $10 million in funding from parent company U-Turn Media Group. With this A-Round funding, the company is focused on rapidly expanding its technologies and services to enable publishers, brands and advertisers to quickly and easily create new mobile services or simply extend existing Web investments and operations to the mobile channel.

"We have a great team and share the vision of removing the barriers publishers experience in accessing and succeeding in mobile. To realize this, we have built highly scalable and sustainable solutions packaged as an easy-to-use service that seamlessly marry web and mobile operations," said Daniel West, CEO of UNITY Mobile. "Our products and services are already being used by customers in North America, Europe and the Middle East. We see UNITY Mobile as an essential resource for media companies, consumer brands and services, and information providers to facilitate their mobile operations across the mobile Internet, mobile Applications, SMS Campaign Management and Mobile Advertising so that they are directly managing and monetizing their subscriber base."

"Similar to how major players in the Web ecosystem made computing, information management, and access to the world's information easy, UNITY Mobile is revolutionizing the way that businesses connect to mobile," Peter Gerwe, member of U-Turn Media Group's Board of Directors. "This team brings deep strategic and operating experience, a perfect fit as UNITY continues to innovate and expand."

Comprising a team of mobile and Internet media, advertising and technology veterans, U-Turn executives are leveraging their international experience and expanding their business model. Committed to supporting this growth with a solid management team, UNITY Mobile has appointed the following executives in the past year: Daniel West, CEO; Roy Joseph, President; Dan Klaeren as COO; and Petr Cimprich as Technical Director.

Daniel West, CEO - Experienced in wireless, advertising, brand marketing and media markets, Daniel has founded two companies in the digital media and advertising industries. He also held executive positions at Nellymoser and ITEC Entertainment, where he headed the launch of The ITEC Network, a pioneer mobile broadcast network acquired by Canadian media company Torstar. Daniel also held management positions at Ernest and Julio Gallo Winery and Barclays Bank PLC.

Roy Joseph, President - A sales and business leader of more than 20 years, Roy has a proven track record of building successful direct and indirect sales channels and teams across the US, Europe and the Far East for companies including Novell, Voxware, Inc., and Quarterdeck. Prior to joining U-Turn, Roy co-founded Nellymoser, a US-based Mobile Media Services company. He also successfully launched Firefox in Europe which was subsequently acquired by FTP Software.

Dan Klaeren, COO - Dan brings more than 17 years of operating experience and joins the company from PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he was the Global Application Development Manager for the Ethics and Compliance Office. He has also held key roles at Prudential, AT&T, Boeing and Charles Schwab.

Petr Cimprich, Technical Director - Petr has more than 11 years of IT industry experience specializing in Web and Web Services, XML and Mobiles. Before joining U-Turn Media Group, he co-founded and overall 7 years acted as COO, development lead and analyst of Ginger Alliance, a Czech based software company. Prior to Ginger Alliance Petr was in Hieronymus, being involved in localization of software with companies like IBM, Microsoft or Novell. He holds a PhD from Charles University in Prague in Physics.

Inc. Magazine Reveals Its 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies

Bayshore Solutions, a Tampa-based Internet marketing and Web design firm, placed in the top 2000 on Inc. magazine's annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the country. Bayshore Solutions also ranked 43 in the Top 100 Computers & Electronic Companies with a growth of 210.4 percent.

The Inc. 5000 list is an extension of the Inc. magazine's popular Inc. 500 list. Taken as a whole, these companies represent the backbone of the U.S. economy.

The 2008 Inc. 5000 list measures revenue growth from 2004 through 2007. To qualify, companies must be U.S.-based and privately held, independent -- not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies -- as of December 31, 2007, and have had at least $200,000 in revenue in 2004, and $2 million in 2007.

"Our second annual Inc. 5000 continues the most ambitious project in business journalism," said Inc. 5000 Project Manager Jim Melloan. "The Inc. 5000 gives an unrivalled portrait of young, underreported companies across all industries doing fascinating things with cutting-edge business models, as well as older companies that are still showing impressive growth."

"It is an honor for all of the team members at Bayshore Solutions to be recognized for the second year," says Kevin Hourigan, President and CEO of Bayshore Solutions. "Our achievement is due to the growing demand for our services that help our customers leverage the internet to help them grow their businesses. The changing economic climate and very effective, measurable results are creating a demand for the interactive marketing strategies that our clients are continuing to reinvest in, catapulting our growth at the same time," said Hourigan.

Tribridge Announces Director of Strategic Alliances

Tribridge a national Microsoft consulting firm with customers throughout the United States, has named Scott Leslie director of strategic alliances. Mr. Leslie will develop and implement formal alliance partnership strategies between Tribridge and leading technology, financial and professional services firms across the country. "Strategic alliances are quickly becoming the vehicle through which technology firms stay competitive in today's market," said Tony DiBenedetto, Tribridge chairman and CEO.

"Tribridge was built on a foundation of partnering and leveraging relationships, and with the addition of Scott Leslie to our team we now have the opportunity to expand our collaboration with other organizations on a national level. "Scott brings more than 20 years of experience to Tribridge, and we look forward to building a successful alliance program under his leadership."

Prior to joining Tribridge, Leslie served as a founding partner and president of PrimeVision Communications, where he built formal alliance relationships with companies such as Alcatel-Lucent, Circuit City and Calix. He was also vice president of sales and alliances for Scient, Inc., earning "best in class" recognition by Gartner for that firm's alliance program. Leslie's earlier career included executive management positions with media conglomerates Scripps Howard, Ellis Communications and Gannett. "Alliances have proven to be beneficial in driving both revenue and business efficiency as evidenced by the successful collaborative movement in the healthcare, communications and high-tech industries," said Leslie. "There are three fundamental ways to grow a business -- build, acquire or ally.

Tribridge has excelled in creating partnerships with giants like Microsoft and Ernst & Young, and the time has come to deploy a more formal alliance process to ensure its continued growth. With our new strategic alliance program, Tribridge will be among the elite technology firms in the nation focused on this important growth initiative." Leslie is an active community volunteer and holds a bachelor's degree in advertising with a minor in marketing from the University of Florida.

TBTF Selects Veteran Entrepreneur to Direct Emerging Companies Academy

Pamela Kauten, co-founder of FloridaCareerLINK, a successful local online recruiting organization sold in 2007, has been confirmed as the Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Technology Forum’s Emerging Companies Academy. In her new role, Kauten will shape the future direction of the Academy and the mentoring services it provides for early stage companies. 

“We are very fortunate and excited to have Pam leading the Emerging Companies Academy,” said Amy Norman, CEO and president of TBTF.  “As an entrepreneur whose company experienced fantastic highs and painful lows on its path to success, her insights will help her to identify the right mentors for Academy participants as they navigate key issues such as attracting and keeping great talent, weathering cash flow challenges, and finding the right investors to fuel growth.”

Kauten was most recently the CEO of FloridaHomeLINK.com, a local real estate startup that she decided to shut down after one year due to a lack of outside investment capital.  The experience did not dim her enthusiasm for launching a business at all.

“The Emerging Companies Academy is the kind of program I wish I had when we started my company in 1995,” said Ms. Kauten.  “The fact that companies here in Tampa Bay can get hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars worth of expertise from some of the most successful entrepreneurs, service providers, and investors in this market is incredible. Our mentors are passionate about helping our Academy participants succeed.”

Under Ms. Kauten’s leadership and participation from TBTF’s board and members, the Emerging Companies Academy hopes to announce soon the first company funded as a direct result of the connections facilitated by and support received from the Emerging Companies Academy mentors.

She is also working on several strategic partnerships with the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the STAR TEC Accelerator and the University of Central Florida Technology Incubator to expand the services of the Academy to entrepreneurs throughout Central Florida. For more information about the Emerging Companies Academy and other TBTF programs such as the Entrepreneur Boot Camp.

Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club completing final stages of $25 million Restoration and Rejuvenation Plan

All aspects ready for Super Bowl ’09, paving the way for property’s return as Florida’s top resort destination

Salamander Hospitality, along with its owner Sheila C. Johnson, is living up to its promise of returning Innisbrook Golf Resort and Club to its former position of prominence.

This month, the resort will finish renovating the last of its three conference and convention centers, which is part of a $25 million restoration and rejuvenation project. In addition to installing new furnishings in all of its 65,000 square feet of function space, which includes the largest exhibit hall in Pinellas County, Innisbrook has added two new 16-seat executive boardrooms. The resort has also completely renovated Johnson’s penthouse suite, which overlooks the 18th green of the famed Copperhead Course, home to the PGA TOUR’s Transitions Championship. The owner was personally involved in the design choices for the suite, which is perfect for corporate and intimate receptions.

“The conference room interiors look and feel brand new,” says Innisbrook Managing Director Chuck Pomerantz. “They are beautifully appointed and feature design elements like Axminster carpets. Coupled with the superior level of service we provide, Innisbrook is ready to host the most high-profile meeting or event.”

Innisbrook was purchased by Salamander Hospitality in July 2007. Since then, the resort has undergone a complete transformation, which will include the opening of a new luxury spa and fitness center in January 2009.

Upon purchasing the resort, Salamander Hospitality immediately renovated the resort’s dramatically striking Island Golf Course, which has hosted NCAA® Division I Men's Golf Championships, while improvements to resort’s other three courses are planned. The renovation of all three of the resort’s clubhouses include new restaurant and bar concepts, and the creation of a centralized gathering village where registration, golf shops, and Johnson’s signature gourmet market, Market Salamander, are just steps apart.   

The Copperhead Clubhouse is now home to the resort’s new, upscale steakhouse, named “Packard’s” after the designer of Innisbrook’s four championship courses, Larry Packard. The restaurant features a new menu of Italian specialties to complement its steakhouse fare. The Highlands Clubhouse is nearing completion of a new outdoor bar with comfortable seating, fire pits and gathering areas that overlook both North and South Golf courses. Innisbrook’s Tennis Center has also received a brand new look, while the décor at each of the resort’s six swimming pools was refreshed. A new children’s playground area was also constructed. 

Before Super Bowl 2009 rolls into the Tampa Bay area, Innisbrook will open its much-awaited new spa and fitness center. The 12,000-square-foot spa and 4,000 square-foot fitness facility sit adjacent to each other and enjoy dramatic views of the Copperhead Course. The spa features 12 treatment rooms as well as a hair and nail salon, and retail center. The spa will also include an outdoor relaxation area with whirlpool, comfortable cabanas and outdoor treatment areas.

The Pamela Temples Design Group, based in St. Petersburg, Florida, is the interior designer for all renovation and construction projects, while Architecture Incorporated is the architect of record. It has offices Ft. Meyers, Florida and Reston, Virginia.

TBTF’s Tech Jam 2008 Raises More Than $100,000

Funds from Bash at St. Pete Times Forum Benefit At-Risk Youth of Tampa Bay

Tech Jam 2008, held at the St. Pete Times Forum on August 7, was the Tampa Bay Technology Forum’s biggest annual bash to date.  Over fourteen hundred people attended and the group raised more than $112,000 for the TBTF Foundation, which provides scholarships for underserved youth pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) as well as career training and computer labs at area Boys & Girls Clubs.

Ken Block and Drew Copeland from double platinum-selling pop band Sister Hazel performed live at the event and also signed autographs.  Guests enjoyed great food and drink catered by Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

“It was a great event, the best ever, with a number of people from many different tech industries attending,” said TBTF Foundation Chairman Tony DiBenedetto. “We set a new record in attendance and money collected, folks bid generously in our silent auction, and we’re thrilled at the strength of our community support for the TBTF Foundation.”

All proceeds from sponsorships, silent auction items, and ticket sales benefit the TBTF Foundation.  Since its inception in 2001, the TBTF Foundation had provided over $1.5 million in donated computer equipment, software, infrastructure, labor, and instruction for 20 computer labs in local Boys & Girls Clubs.

This year, the TBTF Foundation Scholarship program was launched.  The goal of the program was to raise $100,000 this year to fund up to 40 scholarships for local disadvantaged youth pursuing four year college degrees or technical school certifications in a STEM discipline. Not including Tech Jam, nearly $75,000 has been raised from local corporations and individuals.  The funds are disbursed through the Hillsborough County and Pinellas County Education Foundations.

The 7th Annual TBTF Summer Tech Jam was sponsored by Syniverse Technologies, AgileThought, Alvarez & Marsal, Bright House Networks Business Solutions, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, DocuVantage, Dynamic Communities, FusionStorm, IBM, KPMG, Marine Max, The Nielsen Company, Netwise Technologies, Numara Software,  Red Vector, Tampa Bay CEO Magazine, TEK Systems and the University of Central Florida. Numerous in-kind sponsors also contributed services and time to the fundraiser.

Tampa Bay Tech Jam 2008 lineup set, proceeds benefit TBTF Foundation

Ken Block and Drew Copeland of Sister Hazel to headline August 7 Bash at St. Pete Times Forum

TAMPA - Mark your calendars, round up your friends and get ready for the tech community’s party of the year!  The Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF), central Florida’s leading technology industry association, will welcome thousands of people at its 7th annual summer Tech Jam, beginning 6 p.m. on August 7 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. Ken Block and Drew Copeland from double platinum-selling pop band Sister Hazel will perform live at the event.  Guests will also enjoy great food and drink catered by Carrabba’s Italian Grill and networking with people you don’t normally run into at the usual business card swap meets.

Tickets are $35.00 for TBTF members, $45.00 for non-members, and $50.00 at the door. Bring your checkbook – you'll want to bid generously on the amazing items the volunteer team has collected this year. 

To register online, visit www.tampabaytechjam.com

All proceeds from sponsorships, silent auction items, and ticket sales benefit the TBTF Foundation, whose mission is to encourage and equip "at-risk" youth of the Tampa Bay area to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).  Since its inception in 2001, the TBTF Foundation had provided over $1 million in donated computer equipment, software, infrastructure, labor, and instruction for 20 computer labs in local Boys & Girls Clubs.

This year, the TBTF Foundation Scholarship program was launched.  The goal of the program is to raise $100,000 in 2008 to fund up to 40 scholarships for local disadvantaged youth pursuing four year college degrees or technical school certifications in a STEM discipline. To date, nearly $60,000 has been raised from local corporations and individuals.  The funds are disbursed through the Hillsborough County and Pinellas County Education Foundations.

The 7th Annual TBTF Summer Tech Jam is sponsored by Syniverse Technologies, Agile Thought, Bright House Networks Business Solutions, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, FusionStorm, KPMG, Numara Software, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa Bay CEO Magazine and Veredus.

For more information call the Tampa Bay Technology Forum at (813) 341-TBTF.

Persystent Raises $11.6 Million Round to Fund Expansion

TAMPA - Persystent Technologies, a provider of automated PC repair and high-speed imaging, today announced it has raised $11.6 million in equity financing from two leading technology venture capital firms and inside investors. The company will use the working capital to expand and accelerate the level of sales and marketing and R&D, where maintaining a solid state of continuous computing is essential. ABS Ventures (Boston, MA) and Valhalla Partners (Vienna, VA) led the equity round with additional funding coming from existing investors.

Persystent has developed the world's only PC automated repair (pre-boot of OS), on or off the network, and high-speed imaging solution that transforms today's computers from their current state of unpredictability and vulnerability to a new solid state of continuous computing. Persystent's software automatically repairs and restores an infected or corrupted PC's operating system and software applications, on or off the network, while also ensuring enforcement of corporate configuration policies. It returns the PC operating environment to a work-ready and compliant state each time the computer is turned on -- all without human intervention.

"This important round of funding will help Persystent build a scalable and sustainable business with greater emphasis on marketing, sales, and continued development of the company's product portfolio," said Joe Loughry, Persystent's CEO. "The investment demonstrates that Persystent has innovative technology and a business model that clearly fills a void in the market to deliver real business value addressing real business PC problems."

Persystent's break-through high-speed imaging technology delivers unsurpassed value in terms of cost savings and efficiencies for corporations. Its automated PC provisioning, O/S migration, selective file-level imaging and single-level storage are unmatched in the industry.

More than 100 customers have already successfully deployed Persystent's flagship product, Persystent Enterprise, including the Department of Defense, PacCoast Builders, Travis County (Austin) Texas, Continucare, Mediacom, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, City of Orlando, U.S. Army and the Pentagon. Persystent Enterprise has been deployed in a wide range of industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, government, technology, and education, and has the scalability to be deployed in the largest of enterprises.

"Persystent's superior technology combined with an experienced management team made the company a very attractive investment," said Jim Sanger, Partner, ABS Ventures. "The company is well-positioned to grow its leadership in providing software that takes corporate PCs from a dysfunctional, unpredictable state to a solid state of continuous computing."

Ernst & Young to Recognize Bay Area Finalists at Awards Gala

Thomas A. James, CEO & Chairman of Raymond James honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

TAMPA, Fla. – Ernst & Young LLP has announced the finalists for the 2008 Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur Of The Year.  Award recipients will be revealed at the awards ceremony to be held on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando.

“These finalists are an exceptional group who embody the unique spirit of entrepreneurism,” says Michael J. Brennan, Florida Host of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program.  “They have a positive impact on our region in many ways, including innovation, the creation of jobs and contribution to community growth and development.”

West Central Florida Finalists for the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award are:

• Emerging:  Derek Hennecke, president and CEO, Xcelience, Tampa
• Financial Services:  David Serlo, president and CEO, PSCU Financial Services, Inc., St. Petersburg
• Health Services:  Jason M. Patchen, CEO, American Healthcare Holdings, Inc., Tampa
• Master:  Mario Longhi, president and CEO, Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation, Tampa
• Master:  John Zumwalt, chairman and CEO, The PBSJ Corporation, Tampa
• Real Estate and Construction:  Todd Gates, chairman, Gates, Naples
• Real Estate and Construction:  Douglas Rothschild, principal and Louis Varsames, principal; CLW Real Estate Services Group, Tampa
• Retail and Consumer Products:  Tony Little, president, CEO and founder, Health International Corporation, St. Petersburg
• Retail and Consumer Products:  Mark Johnston, CEO; Mike Johnston, chairman; and Bob Johnston, president; The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., Tampa
• Services: Scott Riley, CEO, Fintech, Tampa
• Lifetime Achievement Award:  Thomas A. James, chairman and CEO, Raymond James Financial, Inc., St. Petersburg

The program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
Finalists were selected by an independent judging panel comprised of regional business, academic and community leaders.  Regional award recipients will be eligible for consideration in the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year national program, with national award recipients to be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on Nov. 15, 2008. 

Transitions Optical Becomes Title Sponsor of PGA Tournament Event at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club

Transitions Championship For Healthy Sight to Continue
Economic Contribution to Tampa Bay Area

PALM HARBOR – Transitions Optical, Inc. President Brett Craig, PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem and Copperheads General Chairman Peter Jones today announced a four-year title sponsorship that will keep the PGA TOUR event at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.

The Transitions Championship For Healthy Sight will be held March 16–22, 2009 at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course, which is considered one of the favorite tournament courses by PGA TOUR members.  The Transitions Championship For Healthy Sight will include a week of tournament-related events. 

“Partnering with the PGA TOUR aligns well with our company and brand,” said Brett Craig, president, Transitions Optical.  “The tournament makes an important contribution to our local community, and the sponsorship presents a tremendous opportunity to educate consumers about the importance of healthy sight.”

Finchem welcomed Transitions Optical as title sponsor.  “As a hometown company with broad international reach and a global brand, Transitions Optical will be a great partner and through its sponsorship, both help showcase the appeal of the Tampa Bay area and raise millions of dollars for Tampa Bay-based charities that the tournament supports,” Finchem said.

The Copperheads, previously known as Suncoast Golf Classic, Inc., will be responsible for promoting, organizing, managing and conducting the tournament. “While Transitions Optical has a global presence, this sponsorship demonstrates its commitment to the Tampa Bay area,” Jones said. “The continuation of this event will benefit local charities that make a significant and positive impact on the community.”

Sheila Johnson, owner of Innisbrook, is encouraged by the potential economic impact.  “This sponsorship from Transitions Optical reinforces the commitment that all the partners in this event have to the Tampa Bay area,” said Johnson.  “Not only does a PGA TOUR event bring tremendous economic benefit to the community, it also will help to shine a global spotlight on Tampa.”

The tournament has been part of the PGA TOUR schedule since 2000.  Prior to becoming an individual stroke-play championship, the Copperhead Course hosted the JCPenney Classic from 1977 to 1999, a tournament that featured PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour professionals competing as teams.

Transitions Optical engaged IMG Golf Worldwide to evaluate and structure the sponsorship.

Hot Summer? Chill out at Cool Tech!

New TBTF event offers visitors an interactive experience in interactive tech zones

The Tampa Bay Technology Forum, central Florida’s largest and most influential technology association, is hosting its first ever showcase of new consumer and business technologies June 12 from 3 – 7:30 p.m. at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 South Franklin Street in Tampa.

“We are excited to showcase the diverse array of fascinating technologies that are created or offered right here in Florida,” said Amy Norman, chief executive officer and president of TBTF.  “Cool Tech is set up so that we can experience these new technologies first hand, learn more about them, and get a more comprehensive understanding of the breadth of innovation going on in our region.”

Cool Tech 2008 will feature different tech zones representing innovative new technologies from the following sectors:  Aerospace, Consumer Technology, Emerging Technology, Green Technology and Information Technology. 

Some of the cool technologies on display include:

• The University of Florida’s Center for Intelligent Machines and Robotics will display a self-driving car. The car is outfitted with 12 computers and five cameras and  recently participated in the DARPA Urban Challenge. In addition, UF’s three-time world champion autonomous submarine will be on display, and there will be videos to show how both operate.

• IBM will display its Speech Recognition and Translation technology. Speech to Speech Translation will run on a laptop translating English to Arabic in real time and real time speech to speech between English and Mandarin in a flash demo.

• Ford will display SYNC, a voice-activated, customizable media system that fully integrates your Ford vehicle with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and portable digital media players. You press a button and use simple voice commands to make calls and take calls and more, with both hands on the wheel.

• FSU’s High Performance Material Institute will showcase nanotechnology and composite development capabilities. The nanotechnology-based BuckyPaper is a paper-like substance formed using carbon nanotubes or nanofibers. BuckyPaper can be produced using traditional paper making methods. FSU’s technology for fabricating buckypapers is one-of-its kind and has applications in a variety of industries including EMI shielding, lightning strike protection, radiation shielding and thermal management.

• Destruct Data will display the Hammer and Digital Shredder. It removes data from hard drives using "Security Erase" which was developed by the National Security Agency. It removes the data on the firmware level of the hard drive and are the only two products in the world that utilize this process. The data is removed beyond forensic recovery, at a fraction of the time of traditional methods, leaving the drive re-usable or safe for transport for destruction.

Attendees will also be treated to a spectacular keynote presentation from Russell Romanella, director of International Space Station at Kennedy Space Center, visit an array of exhibits from companies throughout the state, network while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and vote for their favorite cool tech with live text voting.

Cool Tech 2008 is sponsored by the Florida High Tech Corridor, Tampa Bay Technology Forum, ProSys, STAR Technology Enterprise Center, Sun Microsystems, Bright House Business Solutions and Wireless Toyz.

The cost to attend Cool Tech is $15 for TBTF members, $20 for non-members, and $10 for students.  Registration is available online at TBTF web site: www.tbtf.org.

SRI International Teams With Tampa Bay Technology Forum to Help Emerging Technology Companies

TAMPA - SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development organization, and the Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF), Florida's premier technology industry association, today announced that SRI will serve as a strategic advisor to TBTF's Emerging Companies Academy (ECA).

The Emerging Companies Academy works with companies ranging from raw startups to companies that have a shipping product but are looking to accelerate their growth. The program and resources made available to technical entrepreneurs help them refine their plans and prepare them for everything from product launch to raising angel or venture investment.

SRI and the ECA will identify a select group of early-stage technology companies that could benefit from SRI's innovation and technology expertise. To launch this effort, SRI and TBTF will co-host a day-long ECA open house and evening reception on Wednesday, May 14th at the University of Tampa's Vaughn Center. Any technology startup company interested in pitching its business concept and making a case for participation in the ECA program may apply for this opportunity. For ECA participants, SRI will provide business and technical mentorship, which could include strategic counsel, market analysis and assessment, business planning, customer identification and selected operational assistance. SRI will also serve as a liaison between the emerging companies and local and Silicon Valley venture capitalists.