Florida Trend articles from October 2006

Florida Trend archives from October 2006

Calendar notes 2007.(Corner Office)(Editorial)
October 1, 2006... Publishing a monthlg magazine means we're always working about a month or more in advance of the date you see on the front cover. So about the time football season starts in the fall, we're finalizing our plans for the upcoming year. You'll see...

Florida vs. the World.(Readers)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... Your special report on education was amazing ["Competing Against the World," August, FloridaTrend.com]. It was fascinating and scary. Kelley Poole Davie I appreciated your special report on education. Florida's ranking of 47th in...

Roof with a View.(Executive Lifestyle: Outdoor Living)
October 1, 2006... Rooftop gardens are having their day in the sun thanks to the boom in downtown high-rise living: Unsightly parking garage and commercial rooftops developed as part of rnany mixed-use projects are not desirable views from million-dollar...

Mosquitoes in the mist.(Executive Lifestyle: Outdoor Living)
October 1, 2006... Mosquito Nix is adding a store in Jacksonville, its eighth in the state. As its name suggests, the Dallas-based company specializes in keeping mosquitoes and other outdoor bugs, including "no-see-ums," at bay, using a fully automated misting...

Catering to the outdoors.(Executive Lifestyle: Outdoor Living)
October 1, 2006... Smith & Hawken, a purveyor of upscale outdoor living accessories from furniture to fixtures and gardening tools, opened its Florida flagship store at Downtown at the Gardens in Palm Beach Gardens this spring. It's the first of several planned...

Tile trends.(Executive Lifestyle: Outdoor Living)(Coverings Etc ntroduces "Sierra Negra" tiles)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Miami-based Coverings Etc, which specializes in unique and eco-friendly indoor and outdoor tiles, introduced a new lavastone surface material this summer called Sierra Negra. The company owns and operates two showrooms, one in Miami's Design...

Holding out hope: a drug trial in Orlando looks promising.(Executive Lifestyles: Health: Breast Cancer)
October 1, 2006... A not-yet-released drug that shows promise in treating patients with aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer is now available in clinical trials in Orlando and a handful of other sites nationwide. The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center on the...

Magic touch.(Executive Lifestyles: Travel: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Since it opened 15 gears ago, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin complex between Epcot and MGM Studios has been known for the whimsical teal and coral decor created by famed architect Michael Graves. The namesake figurines still tower...

OtterBox rugged laptop carrying case.(Travel Aid)
October 1, 2006... Website: otterbox.com Price.: $169.95/medium size With new airport security that requires travelers to check their electronic devices instead of carrying them aboard planes, Otter Products of ForL Collins, Colo., offers a rugged laptop...

Sole on the Ocean Resort & Spa in Sunny Isles Beach.(HOTELS)
October 1, 2006... HOTELS--Kimpton Hotels plans to open its first property in Florida next year, a 250-room boutique hotel called Sole on the Ocean Resort & Spa in Sunny Isles Beach north of Miami.

Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando.(HOTELS)
October 1, 2006... The 650 guest rooms and suites at the Loews-branded Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando are undergoing $6.8 million in upgrades, expected to be completed next month.

El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa in Taos, N.M.(HOTELS)
October 1, 2006... Orlando-based hotelier Richard Kessler has purchased the El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa in Taos, N.M. Kessler will expand the resort from its current 36 rooms to 84 by mid-2007.

Marriott-owned hotels.(HOTELS)
October 1, 2006... All 2,300 Marriott-owned hotels in the U.S. and Canada will become smoke-free this month, including the brands Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites and Marriott...

A partnership between Florida Vacation Auction and Visit Florida, the state's official tourism marketing agency, lets travelers bid on getaway packages from around the state.(ON THE WEB)
October 1, 2006... ON THE WEB--A partnership between Florida Vacation Auction and Visit Florida, the state's official tourism marketing agency, lets travelers bid on getaway packages from around the state, including discounted trips to beach resorts, theme park...

Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba at Downtown Disney.(TOURISM)
October 1, 2006... TOURISM--Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba at Downtown Disney in Orlando celebrated its 5 millionth guest in August.

Making hay.(Executive Lifestyles: Dining and Spirits)(Buyers guide)
October 1, 2006... > Euphemia Haye 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key euphemiahaye.com; 941-383-3633 Years ago, when I changed careers to concentrate on the good life, Julia Child, a friend from nay pre-foodie Foreign Service days,...

Louis XIII de Remy Martin.(COGNAC)
October 1, 2006... Louis XIII de Remy Martin Champagne, France $1,595 It's hard to find a more expensive cognac--or one in a more expensive decanter, Baccarat crystal. Empty it's worth more than $400. Need I add it's a great special occasion...

Andres Duany: architect, town planner, co-founder of New Urbanism; age 57.(Icon)(Interview)
October 1, 2006... I'm from Santiago [Cuba]. My family has been in that city since 1702. I'm the first male in my family not to live there. I feel at home in the Caribbean, which is one of the reasons I find New Orleans so interesting. I began to understand...

Engineered for success.(Trendsetters: Executive Women)
October 1, 2006... Starting her own engineering firm in Winter Park 15 years ago, Leila Nodarse says she didn't envision having more than 15 or 20 engineers and employees some day. Her vision turned out to be somewhat myopic. Nodarse & Associates today has grown...

Risk-reward.(Trendsetters: Executive Women)
October 1, 2006... Miriam Lopez TransAtlantic Bank, Chairwoman, CEO, Miami Background: Age 55. Arrived in the U.S. from Cuba at age 9. As a student, considered diplomacy, then law and finally banking. Bank then: TransAtlantic had one branch and just $1...

Laura Kelley.(Notables)
October 1, 2006... Laura Kelley, 46, deputy executive director, Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, and former executive director and financial adviser for the Florida Transportation Commission...

Jan Risi.(Notables)
October 1, 2006... Jan Risi, 46, CEO, Independent Purchasing Cooperative, the 75-employee, Miami-based Subway franchisee-owned and operated purchasing cooperative...

Tyra Tutor.(Notables)
October 1, 2006... CPA Tyra Tutor, 37, senior vice president, corporate development, MPS Group, Jacksonville, overseeing 28 people in marketing, strategic sales, investor relations and public relations...

Andrea Orr.(Notables)
October 1, 2006... Andrea Orr, 39, director of business sales, Verizon Wireless in Florida.

Right moves.(Trendsetters: Executive Women)
October 1, 2006... Abigail Bogan Ackerman Bogan Supply Co. CEO, Pensacola The business: Bogan Supply was founded by her father, M.P. Bogan, and uncle, Lee M. Bogan, in 1932. The wholesale plumbing distributor now has $24 million in annual sales, 65 employees,...

Loan of contention.(COLLEGE STUDENT LOAN DEFAULTS)
October 1, 2006... Default rates on student loans nationally have been falling for years. In 2003, the U.S. Department of Education didn't sanction a single school for exceeding its threshold for default rates. That said, students from Florida schools fall at the...

Price of honesty.(FINANCIAL AID)(student financial aid in florida and other states)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The federal government denied financial aid to 9,180 Florida college students from 1998 to August 2005 because they admitted having been convicted of either selling or possessing drugs. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia ranked...

Robert Hudson.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Robert Hudson, CEO of AvMed Health Plans and its parent company, SantaFe HealthCare, plans to retire at the end of the year. SantaFe is based in Gainesville, and AvMed is headquartered in Miami.

James C. "Clay" Roberson.(Players)
October 1, 2006... James C. "Clay" Roberson, 37, vice president of Roberson Funeral Home and Crematory in Port Charlotte, was elected president of the Florida Funeral Directors Association.

Hideaways.(SEX OFFENDERS)
October 1, 2006... A government study released earlier this year identified at least 700 sex offenders living in U.S. nursing homes in 2005. In Florida, parolees living in long-term care facilities numbered 35--about one-tenth of 1% of the entire population of...

Research.(Statewide)
October 1, 2006... $321 million Amount that research at Florida universities brought in last year from licenses with private industry $1.5 billion Public and private investment in research at state universities in 2005 $43 million Amount...

Declining enrollment.(PUBLIC SCHOOLS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... DECLINING ENROLLMENT--Enrollment in Florida's largest school districts has been falling over the past few years. In all, 19 districts, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Duval and Pinellas, have lost students. Broward had 2,500 fewer students over...

Venture capitla.(BUSINESS INVESTMENT)
October 1, 2006... VENTURE CAPITAL--Florida companies attracted $66.5 million from venture capitalists in the second quarter, ranking the state 14th nationally. While only $3 million over the first-quarter figure, the second-quarter VC total was more than twice...

Comparison shopping.(INSURANCE)
October 1, 2006... COMPARISON SHOPPING--Florida small businesses looking to offer healthcare plans for their employees can compare and search benefits and premiums for small-employer health plans offered in the state through a new website that the Florida Office...

Move over, Scripps.(BIOSCIENCE)
October 1, 2006... Over five years the University of Miami will spend nearly $700 million growing its downtown medical campus into what officials hope will become the state's premier health science research centre, a nexus for both attracting and spawning biotech...

Scorecard.(EDUCATION)
October 1, 2006... Overall, the Miami-Dade School District improved from a C to a B from 2003-04 to 2004-05. At right are the percentages of schools in each district scoring A's, B's, C's, D's and F's. [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Hilton Key West Resort & Marina.(KEY WEST)
October 1, 2006... KEY WEST--The Hilton Key West Resort & Marina has been reflagged as a Westin hotel. The 178-room, 37-cottage property on Sunset Key off the coast of Key West will be called the Westin Key West Resort & Marina.

Miguel Angel Mejia.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2006... MIAMI--Miguel Angel Mejia, acting superintendent of the GSA's property and maintenance division, has been charged in a bribery scheme for allegedly demanding a kickback from an air-conditioning installer bidding on a city contract. Mejia faces...

Four Miami-area executives--Total Bank Chairwoman Adrienne Arsht, Gator Leasing President James Hammel, Stiefel Laboratories President and CEO Charles Stiefel and Adonel Concrete President Luis Garcia--have received Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2006... Four Miami-area executives--Total Bank Chairwoman Adrienne Arsht, Gator Leasing President James Hammel, Stiefel Laboratories President and CEO Charles Stiefel and Adonel Concrete President Luis Garcia--have received Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur...

PBS&J.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2006... Miami-based PBS&J, one of the nation's largest engineering firms with 75 offices in 26 states, will move its headquarters to Tampa. About a dozen of the firm's 300 employees in Miami will be relocated with the rest remaining in the Miami...

Korean Air.(MIAMI)
October 1, 2006... Korean Air, the world's largest cargo carrier, has selected Miami as its new hub for Central and South American cargo service.

Airbus.(MIAMI-DADE)
October 1, 2006... MIAMI-DADE--Targeting the growing executive jet market, European aircraft maker Airbus has opened a corporate jetliner sales showroom at Miami International Airport, its first sales center in North America.

Hamilton Bank Chairman Eduardo A. Masferrer.(MIAMI-DADE)
October 1, 2006... A federal judge has sentenced former Hamilton Bank Chairman Eduardo A. Masferrer to 30 years in prison for his part in a $20-million fraud and cover-up. Two other former executives, Hamilton Bank President Juan Carlos Bernace and CFO John...

Burger King Corp.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Burger King Corp. (NYSE-BKC) has named Chuck Fallon president of its North America operations. Fallon most recently served as executive vice president of revenue generation for Cendant Car Rental Group, parent company of Budget Rent A Car and...

Port of Miami.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Assistant Miami-Dade County Manager Bill Johnson has been named acting director of the Port of Miami, replacing Charles A. Towsley, who's retiring after heading the port for the last eight years.

University of Miami.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Former Miami Herald President Joe Natoli has been appointed senior vice president for business and finance and CFO at the University of Miami. For the past two years, Natoli has been publisher of the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia...

Wachovia's Atlantic region.(Players)
October 1, 2006... High-profile Miami banker Carlos Migoya, Wachovia Bank's regional president overseeing Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, has been promoted to CEO of Wachovia's Atlantic region, based in New York.

NCL Corp.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Miami-based cruise line NCL Corp. (NYSE-NCL) has named former U.S. Sen. and Florida Gov. Bob Graham and Knight Foundation President and CEO Alberto Ibarguen to the company's board as independent non-executive directors.

Mellon Florida.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Mellon Florida, a subsidiary of Mellon Financial Corp., named Craig Farnsworth executive vice president and head of commercial and private banking and promoted Bruce Hecker to executive vice president and Broward County executive. Farnsworth...

Hispanic Magazine.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Hispanic Magazine has named Miami Mayor Manny Diaz recipient of its annual Government Achievement Award. The magazine also named Miami the top U.S. city for Hispanics.

Foreign mix.(POPULATION)(Table)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Miami-Dade has the highest percentage of foreign-born residents of any large county in the U.S. Rank County Foreign- Born 1 Miami-Dade County 51.4%...

Red flag.(POLITICS)(Miami-Dade County Commissioner under investigation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz is under investigation by county and federal authorities for possible criminal and ethics violations stemming from his support for a development project in west Miami-Dade. Officials say they are...

Standout.(EDUCATION)(University of Miami ranks No.2 on "Best Places to Work in IT")(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The University of Miami ranked No. 2 on Computerworld magazine's list of the top 100 workplaces for information-technology professionals. The university--the only academic institution to make the top five--has placed in the top five for the...

Ace of a deal.(SPORTS BUSINESS)(Evert Tennis Academy teams up with U.S. Tennis Association to provide housing for junior players)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... In a deal that offers Boca Raton an opportunity to generate consistent national media attention, Evert Tennis Academy is teaming up with the U.S. Tennis Association to provide year-round housing for top junior players. The academy--founded...

Mixed signals.(HOUSING)(Chart)
October 1, 2006... HOUSING Mixed Signals? Nationally, housing starts are expected to slow between 5% and 6% this year and again in 2007. In south Florida, housing starts during the second quarter varied greatly from one county to another. ...

Caribbean appeal.(POPULATION)(immigrants in Broward County )(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Broward County attracted more black residents than any other county in the nation between July 2004 and July 2005, according to Census figures. Immigrants from the Caribbean are driving the demographic surge. * 16,522--number of new black...

Gold Coast Venture Capital Association.(Players)
October 1, 2006... David Bates, a shareholder with Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart in West Palm Beach, has been elected to a fifth term as president of the Gold Coast Venture Capital Association.

Regent Bank.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Regent Bank has appointed Neill LeCorgne president and COO. The 22-year banking veteran joined the Boca Raton-based bank in early 2005.

Starmark International.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Starmark International has named Christopher W. Clews vice president of consumer markets for the Fort Lauderdale-based marketing communications agency. Clews has been involved with branding and marketing efforts for high-profile companies such...

First Fleet Corp.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Fort Lauderdale's First Fleet Corp. has promoted Patrick Devine to vice president of finance.

Tube Media.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Fort Lauderdale-based high-definition music channel operator Tube Media has selected Pat LaPlatney, former executive vice president of radio and TV content provider Westwood One, to the newly created position of CEO. Shane Coppola, former...

Multiply.(BOCA RATON)
October 1, 2006... BOCA RATON -- Online social networking player Multiply has completed a $6-million round of funding from Transcosmos Investments. The company plans to use the funds to speed development of new features and functionality and to expand marketing...

Arvida Park of Commerce.(BOCA RATON)
October 1, 2006... Flagler/Codina Development has entered a joint venture with TIAA-CREF's Global Real Estate Group to develop 54 acres in the Arvida Park of Commerce. Future development plans include creating more than 940,000 square feet of office space in the...

Health-Tech Inc.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... BOYNTON BEACH -- Health-Tech Inc., a family-owned oral care products provider, is relocating its headquarters and manufacturing facilities from New Jersey to Palm Beach County. The company will bring nine jobs and create 50 new positions at its...

Broward County Port Everglades Department.(BROWARD)
October 1, 2006... BROWARD --The Broward County Port Everglades Department has hired DMJM Harris to assess regional, national and international changes affecting the port since 2001. The engineering/planning/economic analysis firm will prepare a five-year master...

WebUnited.(DEERFIELD BEACH)
October 1, 2006... DEERFIELD BEACH -- Internet service provider WebUnited has merged with Pittsburgh ethernet carrier Expedient. The merger brings an advanced menu of technology and infrastructure to Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Terms were not...

Cleartel Communications.(DELRAY BEACH)
October 1, 2006... DELRAY BEACH -- Cleartel Communications has agreed to buy Orlando-based Supra Telecom. The company will serve 200,000 south Florida customers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

NationsRent Cos.(FORT AUDERDALE)
October 1, 2006... FORT LAUDERDALE -- Charlotte, N.C.-based Sunbelt Rentals is acquiring NationsRent Cos. for $1.05 billion. NationsRent has 267 locations targeting equipment rentals to construction and industrial customers.

Weiss Ratings.(JUPITER)
October 1, 2006... JUPITER -- The Weiss Group has sold its Weiss Ratings subsidiary to financial publishing company TheStreet.com. Weiss Ratings provides independent financial evaluations in industries where it believes investors are at risk. Terms of the deal...

DHB Industries.(POMPANO BEACH)
October 1, 2006... POMPANO BEACH -- DHB Industries has relocated its headquarters from Westbury, N.Y. The body armor firm wanted to be close to two of its subsidiaries: Point Blank Body Armor in Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach and NDL Products in Oakland Park.

Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies.(Torrey Pines Institute)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... PORT ST. LUCIE -- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies is moving its headquarters from La Jolla, Calif., to Port St. Lucie. The institute was promised more than $90 million in state and local incentives to build a $40-million base west...

260,000-sq.-ft. retail center.(PORT ST. LUCIE)
October 1, 2006... Menin Development Cos. plans to build a 260,000-sq.-ft. retail center in Port St. Lucie. It will be part of the 6,000-acre-plus PGA Village golf community built by Kolter Property Co. and connected to the 8,300-acre town of Tradition, where...

Tri-Rail corridor.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... SOUTHEAST FLORIDA -- The Florida Department of Transportation will coordinate with the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority in managing passenger and freight trains on the 81-mile Tri-Rail corridor. The move--which includes extending...

FedEx plans to build two facilities on 22 acres along 45th Street in the new Premier Park of Commerce.(WEST PALM BEACH)
October 1, 2006... WEST PALM BEACH -- FedEx plans to build two facilities on 22 acres along 45th Street in the new Premier Park of Commerce. The proposed 120,O00-sq.-ft. FedEx Ground hub and 80,000-sq.-ft. FedEx Freight facility are scheduled to open by July.

Fidelity Bankshares.(WEST PALM BEACH)
October 1, 2006... Cleveland-based National City Corp. says it will acquire West Palm Beach-based Fidelity Bankshares in a $1-billion deal. The proposed sale price is 3.4 times Fidelity's June 30 book value. Last year's average price for bank mergers announced...

Getting creative.(DESIGN)(Creative Tampa Bay)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Michelle Bauer is determined to get local businesses to think outside of the box. Inspired by "creative economy" guru Richard Florida, Bauer co-founded a group called Creative Tampa Bay in 2003 to attract more creative workers to the area and...

Beall's Inc.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Stephen Knopik is the new CEO of Beall's Inc. He takes over from Robert M. Beall II, who will continue to serve as chairman. Knopik was president of the Bradenton-based chain for eight years.

Joseph Troy has succeeded retired executive vice president and CFO William Ohrt.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Joseph Troy has succeeded retired executive vice president and CFO William Ohrt at Walter Industries (NYSE-WLT).

Forestry Resources Inc.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Douglas Stewart, former treasurer at Bonita Bay Group, is the new president and COO of Fort Myers-based Forestry Resources Inc., which manufactures landscape products.

Florida Gulf Bank.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Stephen Stewart is the new Cape Coral area president for Florida Gulf Bank.

Carole Ketterhagen.(Players)
October 1, 2006... Carole Ketterhagen has retired after 15 years as director of the St. Petersburg Clearwater Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

$1-million boost.(PHILANTHROPY)
October 1, 2006... Fort Lauderdale advertising executive Jordan Zimmerman and his wife, Denise, donated $1 million to the University of South Florida to support the Zimmerman Advertising Program in the School of Mass Communications. Zimmerman and members of his...

Part-timers.(Temporary residents )(Chart)
October 1, 2006... Approximately 1.52% of all residents in the Tampa Bay resion are temporary residents, rneanin8 they reside in the area for only one season of the year. Temporary residents in Florida as a whole account for approximately 2.78% of the population....

GE Infrastructure Security.(BRADENTON)
October 1, 2006... BRADENTON -- GE Infrastructure Security is moving its headquarters from Austin, Texas, to Bradenton. The move will add 70 employees with an average salary of $125,000 to the 150 at the company's newly acquired Edwards System Technology unit.