Florida Trend articles from June 2007

Florida Trend archives from June 2007

A champion of entrepreneurs: Jim Moran.(Corner Office)(Obituary)
June 1, 2007... Florida entrepreneurs lost a good friend with the passing of Jim Moran on April 24. Most widely known as a billionaire car dealer and major philanthropist, Mr. Moran also was a champion of entrepreneurship who was committed to helping others on...

The NICA experiment.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... The statements made by personal injury attorneys that NICA is not a "no-fault" program have no basis in fact ["The NICA Experiment," March, FloridaTrend.com]. Although the statute specifically eliminates genetic or congenital abnormalities,...

Be prepared.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... I was not "prepared," but certainly pleasantly surprised, to read your list of the many positive attributes that are part of St. Petersburg's emerging and distinctive downtown [Corner Office, April, FloridaTrend.com]. What a pleasure to see our...

Economic Yearbook.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... Pages 32 and 33 of the Economic Yearbook issue show a colorful map that depicts St. Lucie County's population growth between 2007-11 of 4% to 6%, Martin County at 10%-plus (really?) and Indian River County between 7% and 9% ["Vital Statistics,"...

Executive Lifestyles.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2007... I look to FLORIDA TREND to keep me apprised of the latest in business, government, technology and lifestyle here in our state. I was delighted to read the Executive Lifestyles section in the April issue [FloridaTrend.com], which highlighted...

Park place.(Executive Lifestyles: City Living)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Most prospective home buyers make note of room sizes, number of bathrooms and whether the kitchen needs updating. Dan Kirby looks at sidewalks. "Living in a neighborhood with a sidewalk is very important to us," says the director of development...

Living aloft.(Executive Lifestyles: City Living)
June 1, 2007... Paul Parme spent 10 years in Coral Ridge renovating, landscaping and enjoying all the do-it-yourself projects and weekly maintenance and upkeep homeowners of older homes face. "I loved it," says Parme, a partner with MobileForm, a contemporary...

Riverwalk project.(Downtown Developments: Focus on Tampa)
June 1, 2007... >> The long-awaited Riverwalk project linking Tampa Heights and the Channel District is building momentum as funding, developers and design work begin to come together. Riverwalk Development manager Lee Hoffman says preconstruction activity has...

Ybor City.(Downtown Developments: Focus on Tampa)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... >> Ybor City is making inroads as a prime location for urban living as it seeks to shed some of its "party central" reputation. The historic neighborhood welcomed the completion of a condo/ commercial building, Las Ybor Cityhomes, earlier this...

IKEA.(Downtown Developments: Focus on Tampa)
June 1, 2007... >> Swedish furniture retailer IKEA plans to build its third Florida store, a 353,000-sq.-ft. facility on 29 acres near downtown Tampa by 2009. The chain is slated to open stores this fall in Sunrise and Orlando.

High anxiety.(Executive Lifestyles: Health: Stress Management)(Wayne A. Hochwarter)
June 1, 2007... Wayne A. Hochwarter knows all about stress--and not just his own. The Florida State University business professor has been asking a lot of questions about other people's stress, and this is what he has learned: Floridi-arts are a stressed out...

Finding inner peace.(Executive Lifestyles: Health: Stress Management)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... It's only five minutes, but it's a crucial five minutes for Teresa Greenlees. She tries to fit it in every workday, at some point before rushing off to the office. It's her yoga time--and she says all the stretching and deep breathing relaxes...

Biltmore lives on.(Executive Lifestyle: Travel: Business and Leisure)
June 1, 2007... The Belleview Biltmore Resort near Clearwater marks its 110th birthday this year with good news. Legg Mason Real Estate Investors, a billion-dollar real estate investment trust, plans to buy and upgrade the hotel, which a previous developer...

Universal Studios Orlando.(Theme Parks)
June 1, 2007... Theme Parks--Universal Studios Orlando will open a new attraction based on "The Simpsons" cartoon, TV's longest-running series, in spring 2008.

The Fairfax.(Hotels/Resorts)
June 1, 2007... Hotels/Resorts--The Fairfax, a 49-unit fractional ownership project designed by Todd Oldham, will open in early 2008 in Miami as a condo/hotel. It includes a members-only club with a rooftop pool and bar.

Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa.(Hotels/Resorts)
June 1, 2007... Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa on Estero Island near Fort Myers has capped off a multimillion-dollar renovation with the opening of its Captiva Villas condo/hotel.

Developers have broken ground on the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.(Hotels/Resorts)
June 1, 2007... >> Developers have broken ground on the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and a companion Hilton Hotel at Bonnet Creek in Orlando near Walt Disney World.

Westin Hotel.(Destination)
June 1, 2007... Destinations--Palm Beach County has approved plans for a 25-story, 400-room Westin Hotel and a 20-story condominium tower connected to the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Ocean Properties of Delray Beach is the developer. The project is...

Pro Family Spring Break Coalition.(Destination)
June 1, 2007... >> In Panama City Beach, several resorts combined forces this year to form the Pro Family Spring Break Coalition, which pushed for hotels to limit room reservations to people age 25 and over.

Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau.(Destination)
June 1, 2007... >> Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched a campaign to attract Hispanic visitors from New York, Miami and Puerto Rico. Last year the destination counted 97,000 from New York, 88,000 from Miami and 54,000 from Puerto Rico.

The Rio thing.(Executive Lifestyles: Dining and Spirits)
June 1, 2007... Chima Brazilian Steakhouse 2400 E. Los Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 954/712-0580, www.chima.cc "Churrascaria" and "rodizio" are the hottest buzzwords in today's restaurant whirl, where the booming Brazilian population has pioneered...

Wine & spirits.(Executive Lifestyles: Dining and Spirits)
June 1, 2007... RED 2001 Vasco Sassetti Brunello Montalcino Italy $40 The best vintage since 1997--and it's loaded with sweet cherry and currant with a velvety long finish. WHITE De Margerie Brut Grand Cru France $30 De Margerie Brut...

Vic Dunaway: Outdoors writer, founding editor, Florida Sportsman magazine, 79.(Icon)(Interview)
June 1, 2007... The first fish I ever caught I was about 4 years old. I was wandering up and down the back of this creek, and I saw a big, fat minnow in a pool. I just dived right on it and caught it. Then I rushed back to the house screaming about the fish...

Waters less traveled.(Trendsetters: Tourism and Entertainment)(Doug Maple)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Doug Maple Tidewater Tours, Owner, Cedar Key Educator: Maple is a graduate of the Florida Master Naturalist program. Quote: "My passion has always been the coastal marsh area." Birders: "I do try to read my guests. The real...

Terry Dale.(Notables)
June 1, 2007... > Terry Dale, 45, president and CEO, Cruise Lines International Association, led the association's relocation this year from New York to Fort Lauderdale. He also led the merger of CLIA with Washington, D.C.-based International Council of Cruise...

David Feder.(Notables)
June 1, 2007... > , 59, is president and general manager of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, which is undergoing a $750-million renovation and expansion ending next year that will leave it at 1,504 rooms and suites and a spa, restaurants, lounges and meeting...

'Parody website wins Pulitzer'.(Trendsetters: Tourism and Entertainment)
June 1, 2007... "Former Tour de France Cyclist Actually Forgets How to Ride Bike"--So goes a headline on jockstrapsonline.com, the sports parody website of Jockstraps Media, a radio-internet business launched in south Florida in October by Charles Epstein, 48,...

Birth of a new career: Hahn was frustrated to find magazines for brides, ferret lovers and log cabin owners but nothing for women interested in conceiving.(Trendsetters)
June 1, 2007... Kim Hahn Conceive Magazine Founder/CEO, Orlando After MBA: Wanted to work for Disney. Still waiting: For Disney to knock on her door. Still waiting II: For Oprah to call. "She kind of inspired me. Her life and my life have a...

Driving for dough.(Trendsetters: Tourism and Entertainment)(Mary O'Donnell)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... You're supposed to follow your passion. Mary O'Donnell hopes to find success following other people's passion. Though not a golfer, O'Donnell last year opened Inside Golf, an indoor practice facility in downtown Jacksonville. Two large...

Online access.(MEDICAL RECORDS)
June 1, 2007... Within the next five to 10 years every Floridian's medical records may be little more than a click away. The Agency for Health Care Administration and the Governor's Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Board are driving an effort to...

Digital hospitals.(Around the State: Statewide News)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... While the adoption of electronic medical records has been slow in the U.S., some Florida hospitals are ahead of the curve. > The Cleveland Clinic in Weston (Broward County) offers patients and doctors online access to medical records...

Tax squeeze.(SMALL BUSINESS)(small-business owners reduce staff to encounter rising taxes)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Thirty-five percent of Florida small-business owners are considering reducing staff or benefits in the face of rising property taxes, according to a poll by the National Federation of Independent Business. Another 14% of respondents said they...

Florida Home Builders Association.(Players)
June 1, 2007... >> Richard Gentry has resigned as legislative counsel of the Florida Home Builders Association and has started Gentry & Associates in Tallahassee to practice as a private attorney, lobbyist and legislative consultant.

Enterprise Florida.(Players)
June 1, 2007... >> Enterprise Florida has named Louis Laubscher senior vice president and COO, a newly created position that replaces the CFO role. Laubscher had been senior director of capital development/programs. Howard Haug, who had been CFO, left to take...

Automotive icon Jim Moran.(Obituary)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Jim Moran, founder of auto distributor JM Family Enterprises in Deerfield Beach, died April 24 at age 88. In 39 years, Moran built his business into Florida's second-biggest private company, with $11 billion in revenue and 4,500 employees....

Growth plans.(BANKING)
June 1, 2007... GROWTH PLANS--Palm Beach-based Lydian Bank & Trust plans to use proceeds from the sale of its Lydian Wealth Management to City National Corp. to add 15 branches in Florida by 2009.

Covering your bases.(EVENT INSURANCE)
June 1, 2007... COVERING YOUR BASES--Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing agency, is extending its Cover Your Event insurance program through 2008 for meeting and convention planners. The program started after the active 2004 hurricane season as a way...

UF ranking.(TECH TRANSFER)(University of Florida)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... UF RANKING--The University of Florida ranks No. 5 in a Milken Institute ranking of universities' ability to turn world-class biotech research into licensing income and business startups. The top four in tech transfer, in order, are...

Energy.(Around the State: Statewide News)
June 1, 2007... 34,773,000 Barrels of Florida crude oil production in 1981 2,585,000 Barrels of Florida crude oil production in 2005 0.1% Florida's share of U.S. crude oil production in November 2006 Source: Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small...

Museum mania.(THE ARTS)
June 1, 2007... Miami may never rival New York or Paris in the volume and importance of its public art collections, but the city is taking a giant leap forward with an unprecedented expansion of its art museums. Last year, plans were finalized for a new...

Subversive measures?(POLITICS)
June 1, 2007... Embittered by the loss of powers under the voter-approved strong-mayor referendum earlier this year, the Miami-Dade County Commission is exploring measures to regain control over county business. In March, against the wishes of Mayor Carlos...

Don Slesnick.(Players)
June 1, 2007... >> Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick has been re-elected to a four-year term.

Thomas Kramer.(Players)
June 1, 2007... >> In the latest twist in a longstanding dispute, flamboyant developer Thomas Kramer has been ordered by a county court judge to pay $108 million to the daughters of a former business partner. Kramer will appeal the ruling.

City National Bank of Florida Chairman Leonard Abess and Jackson Health System CEO Marvin O'Quinn have been appointed to the board of the directors.(Players)
June 1, 2007... >> City National Bank of Florida Chairman Leonard Abess and Jackson Health System CEO Marvin O'Quinn have been appointed to the board of the directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's Miami branch.

Phillip Frost.(Players)
June 1, 2007... >> Ivax Corp. founder Phillip Frost has formed a new Miami company, Opko, that will develop drugs to treat eye diseases.

Green commitment.(University of Miami on the quest for energy conservation )(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... In a nod to energy conservation and resource preservation, the University of Miami has signed the Talloires Declaration of the Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future, a 10-point action plan committing institutions to...

Still growing.(POPULATION)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Fueled mostly by foreign immigration, the region encompassing Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties experienced a 6% increase in population from April 2000 to July 2006. With a gain of more than 455,000 people, the area ranks ninth...

Knight Center for International Media.(CORAL GABLES)
June 1, 2007... CORAL GABLES--A $10-million gift from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will allow the University of Miami to create the Knight Center for International Media.

Martinair.(DORAL)
June 1, 2007... DORAL -- Dutch passenger and cargo airline Martinair will move its 70-person U.S. headquarters to Doral from Boca Raton. Company executives say the move places it closer to Miami International Airport, where it hopes to expand service to Latin...

Caribbean Riders Corp.(HIALEAH)
June 1, 2007... HIALEAH -- Caribbean Riders Corp., maker of four-wheeled, human-powered cycles for the leisure market, has opened an office and assembly facility in Hialeah. The company will hire up to 30 full-time employees.

Inter-American Development Bank.(MIAMI-DADE)
June 1, 2007... MIAMI-DADE--Miami leaders are negotiating to host the next meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank in April 2008. The annual meeting draws key bankers and government officials from throughout the hemisphere.

Caja de Ahorros del Mediterraneo and Caixa Galicia--have opened offices.(MIAMI-DADE)
June 1, 2007... >> Two Spanish banks--Caja de Ahorros del Mediterraneo and Caixa Galicia--have opened offices in Miami.

PRC.(MIAMI-DADE)
June 1, 2007... >> Citing high commercial rental rates, call-center operator PRC will lay off up to 600 in August, when it moves its North Miami facility to a smaller location nearby.

Miami International Airport's construction budget.(MIAMI-DADE)
June 1, 2007... >> The Miami-Dade County Commission has approved a $1-billion increase to Miami International Airport's construction budget, raising the price tag of its capital improvement program to $6.2 billion. The extra funds are needed to offset cost...

Malaysia External Trade Development Corp.(MIAMI-DADE)
June 1, 2007... >> The Malaysia External Trade Development Corp.--the national trade promotion agency of Malaysia--has opened an office in Miami to serve markets in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Southeastern U.S.

Modernage.(layoffs at Modernage furniture store)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... >> About 72 employees will lose their jobs at the Modernage furniture store in north Miami-Dade--the largest of its seven south Florida locations--as part of Leath Furniture's decision to close the ailing retailer. Modernage, which moved its...

Neff Corp.(MIAMI-DADE)
June 1, 2007... >> Privately held Neff Corp., a Miami-based construction and industrial equipment rental company, will be acquired by an affiliate of Lightyear Capital.

New World Symphony.(MIAMI BEACH)
June 1, 2007... MIAMI BEACH -- The New World Symphony has received a $90-million gift from an anonymous donor to support construction of a $150-million concert hail complex designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. The gift is believed to be one of the...

Value judgment.(APPRAISALS)
June 1, 2007... Loggerhead Club & Marina occupies two acres in Broward. The property's value increased 9% last year, from $5.6 million in 2005 to $6.1 million. It also owns a one-acre marina in Palm Beach. There, the assessed value shot up 228% last year, from...

Pembroke Pines-based Power Financial Credit Union President and CEO Henry Prior has retired.(Players)
June 1, 2007... >> Pembroke Pines-based Power Financial Credit Union President and CEO Henry Prior has retired. Executive Vice President and COO Allan Prindle succeeds him.

Citing personal reasons, Debra Finnel has resigned as president, COO and director of Metropolitan Health Networks.(Players)
June 1, 2007... >> Citing personal reasons, Debra Finnel has resigned as president, COO and director of Metropolitan Health Networks. Dan McCarthy, previously with New York-based Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, will serve as interim president of the West Palm...

Jeb Bush.(Players)
June 1, 2007... >> Former Gov. Jeb Bush has joined the board of directors of Tenet Healthcare, Palm Beach County's largest hospital operator. Bush will be paid $65,000 a year plus $1,500 per board meeting and $1,200 per board committee meeting. Board members...

End the embargo?(Cuban-Americans)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Growing numbers of south Florida's Cuban-Americans oppose U.S. restrictions on travel to Cuba, according to a poll conducted by Florida International University. Cuban-Americans who have been in the U.S. the longest take the toughest stance...

Disaster preparation.(TRAVEL)
June 1, 2007... Three out of five corporate decision-makers in south Florida say their company has suffered from a disaster. Still, many remain unprepared for future events. 20% percentage of companies that have no disaster action plan 60% percentage...

Growing tech.(TRAVEL)
June 1, 2007... Florida Atlantic University has expanded its technology business incubator by 3,000 square feet, enough for six new high-tech and internet firms that will pay rent on a monthly basis. The incubator has served as a steppingstone for companies...

Bethesda Healthcare Systems.(BOYNTON BEACH)
June 1, 2007... BOYNTON BEACH -- Bethesda Healthcare Systems has received state approval to build an 80-bed hospital. The system still needs final approval from the Agency for Health Care Administration.

ParkCreek Surgery Center.(COCONUT CREEK)
June 1, 2007... COCONUT CREEK -- ParkCreek Surgery Center has opened a $15-million ambulatory surgery center. The company, which is owned by 47 physicians, leased 5,000 square feet of the 26,000-sq.-ft. retrofitted shopping plaza to Diagnostic Professionals to...

BankAtlantic.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
June 1, 2007... FORT LAUDERDALE -- BankAtlantic has eliminated 225 jobs, or 7.5% of its 3,000-employee workforce, at its branches, call centers and headquarters. The cuts come in the wake of dramatic profit declines and rising marketing costs.

Affinity Internet.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
June 1, 2007... >> Chicago-based Hostway Corp. has acquired Affinity Internet. Terms of the deal were undisclosed, but local staff will remain intact.

Seacoast National Bank.(FORT LAUDERDALE)
June 1, 2007... >> In a move to tap into business and commercial banking needs, Stuart-based Seacoast National Bank plans to enter Broward County in the third quarter.

OTO Development.(plans to build 3 hotels)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... FORT PIERCE -- Spartanburg, S.C.-based OTO Development, a venture backed by Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga and former Extended Stay CEO George Johnson Jr., is planning three hotels in the area. The company bought 13 acres on which to build...

International Aircraft Associates.(MIRAMAR)
June 1, 2007... MIRAMAR -- International Aircraft Associates plans to relocate and expand at the Miramar Park of Commerce. The Miami-based material and support service company that specializes in commercial aviation is moving its headquarters and 15 employees...

Bryant Sugar House.(PAHOKEE)
June 1, 2007... PAHOKEE -- After 45 harvest seasons that ground 90 billion tons of sugar, the Bryant Sugar House is closing. Plant executives pointed to falling sugar prices, global competition and new technology for the decision, leaving 202 workers to find...

County commissioners will begin reviewing plans to improve Military Trail and Congress Avenue.(PALM BEACH)
June 1, 2007... PALM BEACH -- County commissioners will begin reviewing plans to improve Military Trail and Congress Avenue as developers look westward for land to build subdivisions.

Centex Construction.(PLANTATION)
June 1, 2007... PLANTATION -- Centex Construction sold its commercial construction division for $362 million to Balfour Beatty, an international engineering and construction group based in the United Kingdom. Centex executives say the sale will allow it to...

Viragen.(PLANTATION)
June 1, 2007... >> Viragen (AMEX-VRA) has completed a $3-million private placement offering. The biotechnology company plans to use the money to fund manufacturing and the regulatory approval processes for Muitiferon, a malignant melanoma therapy.

Onstream Media.(POMPANO BEACH)
June 1, 2007... POMPANO BEACH -- Onstream Media has acquired two development companies in a $2-million cash and stock deal. The online service provider for digital communications bought the assets, technology and pending patents of Tokyo's Video Japan and...

Metropolitan statistical area.(POMPANO BEACH)
June 1, 2007... >> The Office of Management and Budget has changed the name of the three-county metropolitan statistical area from Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach to Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, recognizing the latter's status as one of the region's...

Cove Road.(STUART)
June 1, 2007... STUART -- Developers may get to build more homes and businesses along Cove Road, but Martin County commissioners would require them to pay their "fair share" for road improvements--in addition to what they currently pay for roads, parks and...

Hawthorn Suites condo/hotel.(WEST PALM BEACH)
June 1, 2007... WEST PALM BEACH -- DR Palm Beach is investing $13 million to build the Hawthorn Suites condo/ hotel one mile from the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The project is scheduled to open later this year with a $112,000 tax refund for...

Continuing the conversation ...
June 1, 2007... You know that recruiting and retaining highly qualified employees is critical to meeting your business's mission and goals. But outstanding employees can be hard to find--and harder to replace--especially in a competitive job market. When it's...

Protection.(LAND CONSERVATION)
June 1, 2007... For decades, highly populated areas like Hillsborough County and Pinellas County have operated taxpayer-funded land-buying programs to protect environmentally sensitive lands. As development in southwest Florida encroaches on once remote areas,...

Jeff Smith, vice president of national operations for Bonefish Grill.(Players)
June 1, 2007... >> Jeff Smith, vice president of national operations for Bonefish Grill, was named president of the Outback Steakhouse brand. Steve Erickson, vice president of national operations for Outback Steakhouse, was promoted to senior vice president of...

Raymond James Bank.(Players)
June 1, 2007... >> Raymond James Bank has named Jeff Julien chairman of the board.