Florida Trend articles from December 2004

Florida Trend archives from December 2004

Trends look good for a strong 2005.(corner office)(surveys)
December 1, 2004... For five years, FLORIDA TREND has interviewed the state's top executives with questions about how they see the economy, business climate and workplace issues. We present the findings from this year's Florida CEO Trends survey in our special...

Florida's most influential.(readers)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... This is in response to the recent article highlighting your list of the most influential people in Florida ["Influence, Baby!" November, FloridaTrend.com]. While I recognize that not everyone can be included in such an article, I find it very...

Prepaid college plans.(readers)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I enjoyed FLORIDA TREND'S wealth management tips in the October issue ["10 Moves to Make Now," FloridaTrend.com], but I surely take issue with how the article characterizes the fees charged by Florida's 529 plans. Florida's 529 plans have...

Correction & clarification.(readers)(Correction Notice)
December 1, 2004... In our November issue, TREND repeated incorrect reports published elsewhere that House Speaker Johnnie Byrd had made a call to a supervisor at the Department of Children and Families' agency for the disabled. The call did not in fact come from...

A cut above.(Executive lifestyles: fine jewelry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Samuel Getz tends to draw a following when he shops trade shows for the latest in jewelry design. As CEO of Mayors, he grew the chain that his grandfather founded into one of the region's largest before selling it in 1998. These days, Getz buys...

Hot lines.(Executive lifestyles: fine jewelry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Designer lines are popular again. Sylvia Carritte, buyer and marketing director of Fort Lauderdale's J.R. Dunn Jewelers, says lines make "buying the second item easier, and then the third and the fourth." What's Hot: The John Hardy line--a...

Off the beaten path.(Executive lifestyles: fine jewelry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Worth Avenue jeweler Tracy Dara Kamenstein turned heads when she introduced jewel-encrusted sandals around the same time the movie Troy came out. The sandals, set with diamonds and precious stones in 22-karat gold, retail for $21,000. Too...

Porcelain jewelry.(Executive lifestyles: fine jewelry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Porcelain maker Lladro recently introduced a new line of porcelain jewelry called the Talismania collection. The talisman-like pieces include mandalas, crosses, magical animals and other good luck symbols. Each is uniquely designed and carries...

Designing for a cause.(Executive lifestyles: fine jewelry)(raising money for breast cancer research)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Robin Levinson accessorizes many of south Florida's celebrities and sports stars. When she heard about Latin singer/songwriter Soraya's recent bout with breast cancer, she decided to design a piece to help raise money for breast cancer...

Lending a helping hand.(Black Business Investment Fund)
December 1, 2004... Thirteen years ago, engineer Brindley Pieters wanted to start his own firm. He needed a line of credit, so he turned to Inez Long of the Black Business Investment Fund in Orlando. The BBIF guaranteed 80% of his loan, and he was on his way....

Providing incentives.(Enterprise Florida)
December 1, 2004... In the business of luring employers to Florida, and cutting taxes for the ones here, Crystal Sircy is an important person. Sircy, 36, manages the state's incentive programs for recruiting and retaining companies and makes recommendations on...

Nurturing entrepreneurs.(Trendsetters[TM]: economic development)
December 1, 2004... WAYNE HARDY Director of Small Business Services/Seminole Community College Sanford Past: The Florida native had a Miami Herald paper route at age 11, started a landscaping business at 19 and was president of the state nursery...

SunTrust Bank.(Banking)(Thomas G. Kuntz appointed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Thomas G. Kuntz, head of Atlanta-based SunTrust Banks' south Florida operations, will take over as CEO of SunTrust's Florida operations in January. Kuntz replaces George Koehn, who is retiring after 25 years with the company.

GunnAllen Financial.(Financial Services)(Jed B. Trosper appointed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Jed B. Trosper has been named CFO of Tampa-based GunnAllen Financial. Trosper had been CEO of emerging markets at New York-based Spencer Trask, a venture capital firm.

Krane Products.(Manufacturing)(Ken Van Vranken appointed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Boca Raton-based Krane Products, which manufactures environmentally safe cleaning products, has named Ken Van Vranken president and CEO. Prior to joining Krane Products, Van Vranken led ePerformax, a call center firm in the Philippines.

Precision Response Corp.(Professional Services)(John G. Hall appointed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... John G. Hall, CFO of Fort Lauderdale-based Precision Response Corp., which outsources customer care services, has been promoted to chairman and CEO. Hall replaces Thomas L Cardella, who is resigning.

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution.(Research)(Shirley Pomponi appointed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Shirley Pomponi has been promoted from vice president and director of research to president and CEO of Fort Pierce-based Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. Pomponi replaces Richard Herman, who resigned.

Burger King Corp.(Restaurants)(Cedric Burgher appointed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Miami-based Burger King Corp. has named Cedric Burgher CFO. Burgher previously was vice president at Halliburton.

Office Depot.(Retail)(Bruce Nelson dismissed and Neil Austrian appointed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Delray Beach-based Office Depot ousted chairman and CEO Bruce Nelson after disappointing Wall Street during his four-year tenure. Neil Austrian, a former COO of the NFL, will serve as interim chairman and CEO.

Frank Maccarrone.(Retail)(resigned as chief operating officer of Tropical Sportswear International Corp.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Tampa-based Tropical Sportswear COO Frank Maccarrone has resigned. The financially struggling company, which came close to filing for bankruptcy last year, is searching for a replacement.

WillowCSN.(Services)(John R. Bowden appointed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... John R. Bowden has joined Miramar-based WillowCSN, which operates virtual call centers, as COO. Bowden has more than 27 years' experience in the call center industry, including as a vice president for MCI Inc.

MasTec.(Technology)(C. Robert Campbell appointed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Coral Gables-based MasTec, which installs cables for telecommunications and utility companies, has tapped C. Robert Campbell as CFO. Campbell had been CFO of North Carolina-based Timco Aviation Services.

'Hole in the doughnut': a 56-acre 'city within a city' project aims to fill a void in downtown Miami.(Urban Development)
December 1, 2004... The prospect of 3,500 new jobs in Miami s long-neglected urban core and $316 million in new property taxes over the next three decades has city officials speechless. "What can I say?" shrugs Miami Mayor Manny Diaz. "An unbelievable deal for the...

Miami -- citing his progressive leadership and his success at leading the city from the brink of bankruptcy to stable financial footing.(In The News)(Miami Mayor Manny Diaz has been named Urban Innovator of the Year for 2004)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... MIAMI -- Citing his progressive leadership and his success at leading the city from the brink of bankruptcy to stable financial footing, New York's prestigious Manhattan Institute has named Miami Mayor Manny Diaz as its Urban Innovator of the...

Spanish Broadcasting System.(In The News)(partnered with Viacom)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Miami-based Spanish Broadcasting System (Nasdaq-SBSA), the largest Hispanic-controlled radio broadcasting company in the U.S., has formed an alliance with media giant Viacom. The deal allows Spanish Broadcasting System to expand its network of...

Food Safety Institute of the Americas.(In The News)(Department of Agriculture selected Miami Dade College )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The U.S. Department of Agriculture has selected Miami Dade College in downtown Miami as the site for its newly created Food Safety Institute of the Americas. The institute will help develop and promote effective food safety education and...

Carnival Corp.(In The News)(finance)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Carnival Corp. (NYSE-CCL) announced a $1-billion stock buyback starting next year. The Miami-based cruise line also is raising its dividend from 12 1/2 cents to 15 cents a share.

H.I.G. Capital.(In The News)(and Endeavor Capital Management to buy Supra Telecom )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... H.I.G. Capital of Miami and Endeavor Capital Management of Westport, Conn., won a bid to buy the bankrupt Supra Telecom for $26.8 million. Supra, which provides local and long-distance phone service to residential and business customers,...

Carlos Alvarez.(In The News)(next mayor of Miami-Dade)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... MIAMI-DADE -- Former police chief Carlos Alvarez defeated Commissioner Jimmy Morales to become Miami-Dade's next mayor. The Republican ran on a platform of reform--promising to restore trust and credibility.

The Performing Arts Center Foundation has chosen Los Angeles fund-raiser AL Milano to replace the retired Nancy Herstand as executive director.(In The News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Performing Arts Center Foundation has chosen Los Angeles fund-raiser AL Milano to replace the retired Nancy Herstand as executive director. The foundation has raised $55 million toward its goal of $80 million for a performing arts center.

Florida International University School of Nursing.(In The News)(received grants from Health Resources and Services Administration )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Florida International University School of Nursing has received a $1-million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration to help implement the school's doctoral program in nursing. The program, which will focus on...

American International Group (AIG).(In The News)(relocation plans)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... New York-based insurance giant American International Group (AIG) has announced it will relocate its Latin American property casualty division from New York to Miami's Brickell Avenue financial district. The move will create about 60 jobs,...

Barely a month after jettisoning its commercial real estate company, LNR Property Corp., Miami-Dade's Miller family has sold Union Bank of Florida to Alabama's Colonial BancGroup for $233 million in cash and stock.(In The News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Barely a month after jettisoning its commercial real estate company, LNR Property Corp., Miami-Dade's Miller family has sold Union Bank of Florida to Alabama's Colonial BancGroup for $233 million in cash and stock. The move leaves family...

Williams Island Country Club.(In The News)(The Trump Group sold to Transeastern)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Trump Group sold its 148-acre Williams Island Country Club in north Miami-Dade to Coral Springs-based developer Transeastern. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Developer Jorge Perez of The Related Group is teaming with Donald Trump to build three 45-story condominium towers here.(In The News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... SUNNY ISLES BEACH -- Developer Jorge Perez of The Related Group is teaming with Donald Trump to build three 45-story condominium towers here. Miami-area developers Gil and Michael Dezer also have signed on as partners. The project is expected...

Closing the book on 700 positions.(Education)(Miami-Dade School Board )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... MIAMI-DADE -- Fulfilling a pledge to streamline what many consider a bloated bureaucracy, the Miami-Dade School Board has approved a recommendation by Superintendent Rudy Crew to eliminate about 700 positions--500 of which are open--saving the...

Cracks: the alliance that produced the Everglades restoration project is showing strains.(Environment)
December 1, 2004... Nearly five years ago when environmentalists, water managers, bureaucrats and politicians built the alliance that produced the $8-billion Everglades restoration project, all involved agreed that the arrangement needed careful nurturing. ...

Boca Raton Community Hospital.(In The News)(talks with Florida Atlantic University to become teaching hospital )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... BOCA RATON -- Boca Raton Community Hospital board members are in talks with Florida Atlantic University over a proposal to become the teaching hospital for the university's just-opened medical satellite school.

Bancshares of Florida.(In The News)(new branch opened)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Naples-based Bancshares of Florida (Nasdaq-BOFL) has opened a 9,000-sq.-ft. Bank of Florida branch on south Federal Highway.

Boca Resorts.(In The News)(acquired by Blackstone Group )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Boca Resorts, a chain of upscale hotels and resorts founded and controlled by Fort Lauderdale billionaire H. Wayne Huizenga, will be acquired by the Blackstone Group in a $1.25-billion deal.

Broward Alliance.(In The News)(membership income decreased)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... BROWARD COUNTY -- The Broward Alliance, a non-profit economic development agency, says membership dues are declining even as the number of members grows. President and CEO James Tarlton blames $150,000 of the gap between projected membership...

Office Depot.(In The News)(900 jobs to be removed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... DELRAY BEACH -- Office-supply retailer Office Depot (NYSE-ODP) plans to cut 900 jobs from call centers in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, Ohio and Texas. The company estimates the move will save it $15 million a year. The company's...

St. Thomas Aquinas High School.(In The News)(ranked)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... FORT LAUDERDALE -- St. Thomas Aquinas High School has been designated one of the country's top 50 Catholic high schools based on a ranking compiled by the National Catholic High School Honor Roll.

Cornerstone Premiere Communities.(In The News)(building project approved by city commissioners )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... HOLLYWOOD -- City commissioners have given tentative approval to Coral Gables-based Cornerstone Premiere Communities for a townhouse, condominium and retail project downtown.

Building moratorium.(In The News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... MARTIN COUNTY -- A county commissioner's proposal for a short-term building moratorium so that contractors could focus strictly on hurricane reconstruction failed to sway the Martin County Commission, which expressed fears that such a move...

Cattle ranchers.(In The News)(forecasts)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Some cattle ranchers are already anticipating a smaller stock of cattle when the market opens in July because of soggy grazing grounds and hurricane stresses.

County employees.(In The News)(Sunshine Law)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... PALM BEACH COUNTY -- A lawsuit alleges that up to 300 county employees who were fired following closed conferences and grievance sessions are entitled to reinstatement and back pay because the proceedings did not comply with the state's...

City of Wellington.(In The News)(commissioners threatened to file a case for violation of service contracts)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... County commissioners are threatening to sue the city of Wellington for alleged violation of a water and sewer service agreement that prohibits the village from extending its pipelines beyond a county boundary.

American Superior Insurance.(In The News)(taken over by Florida Department of Insurance Regulation )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... PLANTATION -- Four hurricanes proved to be too much for American Superior Insurance, which was taken over by the Florida Department of Insurance Regulation after executives notified the state that their exposure for claims was likely to exceed...

Community redevelopment agency.(In The News)(investigations finances started)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... RIVERA BEACH -- A committee composed mostly of local residents has begun investigating the finances of the city's community redevelopment agency following audit disclosures that the agency was deeply in debt and lacking financial controls.

26-story, 556-unit condominium development.(In The News)(plan approved by City commissioners)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... WEST PALM BEACH -- City commissioners have approved plans for a 26-story, 556-unit condominium development downtown. The project, which includes space for a $9-million community theater, would be the tallest building downtown.

Falling short.(School Construction)(storm damages)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... ST. LUCIE COUNTY -- School facilities director Marty Sanders says schools built during the 1990s came through two hurricanes with substantially less damage than schools built during the 1960s, '70s and '80s. In addition, some elementary schools...

A different direction: women find a thriving environment as business owners in Tampa Bay.(Entrepreneurs)
December 1, 2004... Like many who worked for Intermedia Communications in Tampa in 2001, Marcy Wilson knew her job was in jeopardy. With a strong resume, Wilson was confident she could find another job at a local company. In addition to her time as a manager...

JMC Communities.(In The News)(Sandpearl Resort proposed in place of Clearwater Beach Hotel)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... CLEARWATER BEACH JMC Communities has proposed building the Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach in place of the historic Clearwater Beach Hotel. The resort would include 251 hotel rooms, 117 condos and 33,000 square feet of spa, dining and...

Collier County -- Tom Conrecode has been named chairman of the Economic Development Council of Collier County's board of directors.(In The News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... COLLIER COUNTY -- Tom Conrecode has been named chairman of the Economic Development Council of Collier County's board of directors. Conrecode is vice president of governmental affairs of Collier Enterprises.

Tourism spending.(In The News)(Manatee County)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... MANATEE COUNTY -- Tourism spending in the county hit an all-time high in 2003 at $597 million, up 6.6% from 2002. However, the area is still not attracting as many visitors as it did before Sept. 11, 2001. In 2000, the county attracted 2.6...

Sink appointment.(Alex Sink appointed at Raymond James Financial and Raymond James Bank)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... ST. PETERSBURG -- Alex Sink, former Florida president at Bank of America and wife of 2000 gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride, has been appointed to the board of directors of St. Petersburg-based Raymond James Financial (NYSE-RJF) and Raymond...

Health Management Associates is awaiting approval from the Army Corps of Engineers to start building the Collier Regional Medical Center, a $75-million, 100-bed hospital in east Naples.(In The News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... NAPLES -- Health Management Associates is awaiting approval from the Army Corps of Engineers to start building the Collier Regional Medical Center, a $75-million, 100-bed hospital in east Naples. Though HMA received approval from the state...

Gulfshore Media.(In The News)(acquired by CurtCo Publishing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... SARASOTA -- Malibu, Calif.-based CurtCo Publishing, which publishes the Robb Report, ShowBoats International and Worth magazines, has acquired Sarasota-based Gulfshore Media, publisher of Gulfshore Life and Sarasota magazines. The purchase...

Pinellas County Teachers Credit Union.(In The News)(name changed to Achieva Credit Union )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -- The Pinellas County Teachers Credit Union has changed its name to Achieva Credit Union in an effort to recruit customers who may have thought that the credit union served only teachers. Achieva has more than 56,000 members....

Washington Mutual.(In The News)(10 locations added)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Washington Mutual recently added 10 locations in Spring Hill, Brandon, Lakeland, Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Tampa. In a pilot project, the bank opened a branch with a Starbucks in Sarasota.

Verizon Information Services.(In The News)(plans to merge Verizon Super Pages divisions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... ST. PETERSBURG -- Verizon Information Services, a unit of Verizon Communications, will consolidate its local Verizon Super Pages sales divisions, now in St. Petersburg and Tampa, at the Koger Center in St. Petersburg.

Freedom Scientific.(In The News)(received Reflections Award from Braille Institute of America)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Freedom Scientific, which makes computers with Braille screens for students and software that reads aloud to users, received the Braille Institute of America's annual Reflections Award.

Florida State Fair.(In The News)(Charles C. Pasano appointed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... TAMPA -- Charles C. Pasano has been tapped as executive director of the Florida State Fair in Tampa. A Tampa native, Pasano currently works as the CFO of the Wisconsin Center District, which owns and manages arenas and convention centers in...

Center of Urban Transportation Research at USF.(In The News)(University of South Florida named best workplace by Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Center of Urban Transportation Research at USF has been named one of the best workplaces for commuters by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. The center won the designation in part by offering employees...

Turvis Tumbler.(In The News)(building plans)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... VENICE -- Osprey-based Turvis Tumbler plans to build a new headquarters building on 6.5 acres in Venice, increasing its space by 21/2 times to 60,570 square feet. Turvis, which manufactures and sells plastic tumblers, will invest $7 million in...

Buying power.(Income)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Tampa metro area is projected to be second only to Atlanta in the Southeast when it comes to buying power. EFFECTIVE BUYING INCOME (EBI) 2006 EBI National Metro Area (in billions) ...

Crashing the party: a battle with Canadian distributors may have drastic repercussions for Tupperware.(Tupperware Corp.)
December 1, 2004... Tupperware Corp. is locked in a legal battle with several of its 34 Canadian distributors that could redefine the very nature of Tupperware parties. The company has sued five former distributors, saying they didn't make good on promissory...

Atlas Welding.(In The News)(operating now)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... HOLLY HILL -- Atlas Welding, which collapsed in 2003, has withstood a bankruptcy court liquidation motion as it operates under the son of the former majority owner. The company, which formerly employed 120, now has a single full-time employee,...

Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.(In The News)(relocation)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... KISSIMMEE -- The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS) will move its headquarters from Mobile, Ala., to Osceola County by the spring after Gov. Jeb Bush agreed to provide about $480,000 in state money for the move. In addition, BASS will get...

Kinetics Inc.(In The News)(acquired by NCR Corp.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... LAKE MARY -- NCR Corp. has acquired Kinetics Inc. for $26 million. Kinetics, which supplies self-service technology to airlines and restaurants, will continue to operate as an independent division. Employment is unaffected.

Harris Corp.(In The News)(to buy Encoda Systems Holdings)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... MELBOURNE -- Harris Corp. (NYSE-HRS) agreed to buy Encoda Systems Holdings, a software and service supplier for the broadcast media, for $340 million. Encoda is a privately held Denver company that employs 700 and has annual revenue of $124...

Mercado shopping center.(In The News)(acquired by LaSalle Bank )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... ORLANDO -- U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Karen Jennemann approved a bid by Chicago-based LaSalle Bank to take over the Mercado shopping center on International Drive, defeating a bid by Mercado operator Christian Wolffer to retain the property. The...

AirTran Airways.(In The News)(contracts for ATA Airlines' Chicago hub)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... AirTran Airways (NYSE-AAI) has made a bid for bankrupt ATA Airlines' Chicago hub. The $87.6 million tentative deal includes 14 gates at Midway airport.

Independence Air.(In The News)(nonstop service launched)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Independence Air, based in Washington, D.C., launched daily non-stop service between Orlando International Airport and Knoxville, Tenn., and Columbia, S.C.

The operators of Parliament House, a longtime gay-oriented motel and nightclub, have announced plans to build Orlando's first gay-oriented timeshare resort, The Gardens.(In The News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The operators of Parliament House, a longtime gay-oriented motel and nightclub, have announced plans to build Orlando's first gay-oriented timeshare resort, The Gardens. The 164-room art deco resort on Rock Lake will include outdoor water...

Agere Systems.(In The News)(chip plant closure plan results threatening of 600 workers)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Agere Systems plans to close its 1.1 million-sq.-ft, computer chip plant at the end of 2005 if it cannot find a buyer for the business. The closure threatens the plant's 600 workers--a third of the workforce it had at its peak in 2000. The...

MEDai Inc.(In The News)(ventures with MedPlus Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... MEDai Inc. launched a joint venture with MedPlus Inc. of Mason, Ohio, that will use MEDai's predictive modeling methodologies with a MedPlus product line that gives doctors access to patient-specific clinical data. MEDai's product, Risk...

Historic Creations and Royal Palm Homes have partnered to buy a six-acre tract at the corner of Colonial Drive and Orange Avenue downtown for $6.7 million.(In The News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Historic Creations and Royal Palm Homes have partnered to buy a six-acre tract at the corner of Colonial Drive and Orange Avenue downtown for $6.7 million. They plan to build a major mixed-use development. Plans for the property have not been...

Walt Disney World reached a tentative three-year contract agreement with its largest union, the 20,000-member Service Trades Council, that calls for 4% raises for some of its workers and bonuses and smaller raises for others.(In The News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Walt Disney World reached a tentative three-year contract agreement with its largest union, the 20,000-member Service Trades Council, that calls for 4% raises for some of its workers and bonuses and smaller raises for others. The deal also...

Lou Pearlman.(In The News)(cases)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Boy band impresario Lou Pearlman and his Trans Continental Records were ordered to pay his former attorneys, J. Cheney Mason and William Pringle, $15 million after the lawyers said he reneged on the terms of an agreement to handle Pearlman's...

FastPass system.(In The News)(cases of Walt Disney Co.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Robert Keyes has filed a federal lawsuit in Orlando against Disney, charging the company with stealing his 1991 idea for a "standby" line at theme parks when it created its FastPass system. Keyes, a Tennessee resident, says he described the...

Businessman Bruce Rossmeyer.(In The News)(building plans)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... ORMOND BEACH -- Businessman Bruce Rossmeyer plans to build a $40-million project near the intersection of Interstate 95 and north U.S. 1. Phase one of the hurricane-delayed project calls for a Harley Davidson dealership, 35,000 square feet of...

ChampionsGate.(In The News)(land purchased by Del Webb Group for condominiums)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... OSCEOLA COUNTY -- Pulte Homes Corp. says its Del Webb division will purchase land in ChampionsGate for a $200-million community of luxury condominiums, townhouses and carriage homes. The investment brings the total commitment by builders in the...