Data Transfer Solutions Awarded Contract Extension for North Central Texas Council of Governments

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Feb 23, 2010 at 14:03:39 PM EST

ORLANDO - Data Transfer Solutions LLC, based in downtown Avalon Park, was recently awarded a contract extension to continue development of web-based transportation planning tools for the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG).

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, PMP (left), chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions (DTS), said the contract, development of a transportation tracking application that includes database integration, financial reporting, public facing components and dashboard reporting capabilities, is in its third phase .

Data Transfer Solutions provides geographic information systems (GIS), transportation planning and engineering, asset management, web design, custom applications development and video and multimedia production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S.   DTS has offices in six states.
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For more information, contact: 
A.M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, PMP, Chief Operating Officer, Data Transfer Solutions, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Suite 200, Orlando, 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@edats.com 

Stirling Sotheby's International Realty Named Agents for Joey Fatone's $5.5 Million Orlando Home

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Feb 23, 2010 at 12:35:49 PM EST

ORLANDO - Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive sales and marketing agents for the $5.5 million lakefront estate home of former ‘N Sync recording star Joey Fatone, Jr. (below right) in southwest Orlando.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Stirling Sotheby’s associates Sally Andy (left) and David Warren are principal contacts for the estate home.

Overlooking Lake Pocket, part of the Butler Chain of Lakes near Windermere, the 4.36- acre lakefront estate offers a private security entrance and state-of-the-art security and audio-visual systems throughout.

The 12,370 square foot luxury estate  offers six bedrooms, six full baths, four half-baths, a magnificent resort-style pool and spa, game rooms, and in-home theater; separate air-conditioned six-car garage with full kitchen, bath and rotating floors; and a private dock with boathouse on Lake Pocket.

Fatone, star of stage, screen and television, has appeared on Broadway, hosted NBC’s international hit show, “The Singing Bee,” and was a celebrity finalist in ABC’s popular TV series, “Dancing with the Stars.”  He is currently involved in several projects, including a record album, a new TV series, and proposed Broadway show.

For more information contact: 
Sally Andy, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-687-7295 sally@sallyandy.com; 
David Warren, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-928-3760 david@sallyandy.com; 
Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890 

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty: 
Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world.  Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers.  The company operates three performance zones which serve all of Central Florida.  Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

Mia Bella Scalini Family Italian Restaurant Expands, Adds New Menu Entrees

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Feb 23, 2010 at 11:49:15 AM EST

ORLANDO - Mia Bella Scalini Family Restaurant in the Grand Oaks Village Shopping Center at 5106 Dr. Phillips Blvd. near Windermere has added several new menu entrees and 30 new seats and tables.

“A family Italian restaurant was perfect for this area,” said Ron Schwartz, one of the principals of the restaurant along with famous chef and entrepreneur Donato Mastontoni. “Our customer base has been growing fast and during dinner hours we’ve had to turn customers away,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz expanded the restaurant seating to some 80 seats and tables.

The new menu entrees feature delectable pastas, chicken and veal dishes and Italian subs.

“We’re the perfect restaurant for lunch and dinner,” Schwartz said.  Mia Bella Scalini Family Restaurant also features traditional classic NY style and gluten-free pizzas.
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For more information, please contact: 
Scalini’s Pizza and Pasta, 407-291-9349, info@scalinispizza.com;   
Ron Schwartz, Owner, Scalini’s Pizza and Pasta, 407-342-3648  

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Negotiates REO Sale of Three Treasure Island Condos for $1.9 Mill.

by: Larry Vershel

Fri Feb 19, 2010 at 14:22:46 PM EST

TAMPA - Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida recently negotiated REO sales of three waterfront condominiums on Treasure Island for $1.995 million. 

Jeff Sweeney, SIOR (left), president of Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida, said the condominiums are part of a portfolio of nine bank-owned luxury condominiums at Serena Bay Condominiums at 260 108th Ave. in Treasure Island overlooking Boca Ciega Bay.

Sweeney said Nat Barganier, executive director of the Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Distressed Property Services Group and head of Multi-Family Investment Sales, teamed and negotiated all three sales with Dania Perry of Jim White Century 21, a residential sales specialist for Tampa Bay area waterfront units. 

The Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida DPS Group was the Receiver. “We formed the Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Distressed Property Group last year to provide real estate services to banks and lenders with REO portfolios,” Sweeney explained. The group includes top Grubb professionals with a deep bench of receiver, banking, development, management and reposition qualifications.

Local home buyers Axel and Kit Hoewt, Charles and Judy Gallagher and Coral L. Bowers acquired the 2,650 square foot high-end condominiums.   

“For the buyers, the sale represents tremendous value.  For the lender, we are able to remove distressed properties from their books at an agreeable price.   Early on Barganier encouraged the lender to pursue both a “retail” and “bulk” sale of units in order to maximize buyer coverage and potential return. “Nat has several excellent properties remaining to sell and we’re still accepting distressed property assignments,” Sweeney said. 

About Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida: 
Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties.  Currently Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida has 45 brokers divided among its Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.  Visit www.commercialfl.com.

About Grubb & Ellis Company: 
Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world. Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors. The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise. Through its investment subsidiaries, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), mutual funds and other real estate investment funds. For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

CONTACTS:
Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida, 3030 N. Rocky Point Drive W., Tampa, FL 33609, www.commercialfl.com 
Nat Barganier 813-639-1111 ext. 205; 
Jeffrey Sweeney, SIOR 407-481-5387 

Mattamy Homes ranks as top home builder in Twin Cities for 2009

by: Larry Vershel

Fri Feb 19, 2010 at 13:04:10 PM EST

BURNSVILLE - Mattamy Homes - Minneapolis, a division of Canada’s largest homebuilder, reported it was ranked by the Keystone Report as the number one homebuilder in the Twin Cities market for 2009.  

Steve Logan, vice president of Mattamy Homes in Minnesota, said the home builder pulled permits for 250 units last year – more than any other home builder. 

At the same time, Logan said the 250 units represented a 134 percent increase over 2008, the same comparison period the balance of the market experienced a 27 percent decrease.    

Currently Mattamy Homes builds single-family and town homes in seven communities throughout the Twin Cities.

For more information contact: 
Steve Logan, Vice President, Mattamy Homes-Minnesota 952-898-6129; steve.logan@mattamyhomes.com 

About Mattamy Homes U.S. Group: 
The Canadian based homebuilder, with annual revenues exceeding $1.3 billion, operates US home building divisions in Minneapolis, Phoenix, Charlotte, Jacksonville and Orlando.    Visit www.mattamyhomes.com.

Crossman & Company Commercial Real Estate Expands Into Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina

by: Larry Vershel

Fri Feb 19, 2010 at 07:29:17 AM EST

ORLANDO - Crossman & Company, which ranks as one of the largest third-party retail leasing, management, and development firms in the Southeast, recently expanded into the Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee markets, taking over leasing and management of five retail centers and ten former Publix Supermarket facilities in the metro Atlanta area and Statesboro, as well as Nashville and Murfeesboro, Tenn. and Hilton Head, S.C.

John Crossman, the president of Crossman & Company who formerly served as a Principal with Trammell Crow Company in Atlanta, said the firm’s focus on retail property leasing, sales and management should prove a strong advantage in Georgia.  

Crossman & Company recently assumed responsibility for leasing and management of eight former Publix Super Market facilities and three Publix-anchored shopping centers totaling 800,000 square feet of retail space in the metro Atlanta and Statesboro markets.

Crossman, a frequent speaker at universities and national retail association conferences, said retail property management, leasing and sales is evolving new strategies to respond to current economic conditions.

“Property owners are learning that traditional strategies are not sufficient to meet the demands of today’s asymmetrical retail market,” Crossman said. “Survival in today’s economy requires a closer working relationship between property owners, facility managers and retailers, and innovative strategies to better accommodate both customers and tenants,” he said.

Crossman & Company is responsible for leasing small-shop space within Publix-owned shopping centers, leasing outparcels and all subleasing or lease disposition of former Publix locations, according to Crossman.
* * *

For more information please contact: 
John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com 

About Crossman & Company:  
Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in Florida with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando, Fla. in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Lakeland based Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lake Nona, PREIT, and LaSalle Investment Management. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Avalon Park braces for new development when Innovation Way-S.R. 528 link opens to Medical City

by: Larry Vershel

Fri Feb 19, 2010 at 06:44:28 AM EST

ORLANDO - Avalon Park in east Orlando is bracing for a wave of new commercial development and new jobs when Orange County opens a temporary interchange in May linking the UCF campus and the Innovation Way corridor with S.R. 528, Lake Nona’s Medical City and Orlando International Airport.

Eric Marks, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Avalon Park Group, said Avalon Park is approaching the halfway point of its approved one million square feet of commercial space, and new development resulting from the transportation link could add as much as 550,000 square feet of commercial space at Avalon Park within five to seven years.

“As the middle link between the UCF campus and the UCF College of Medicine, we’re perfectly located to serve both hubs simultaneously,” Marks explained.

“The economic impact in terms of new employment and new development will benefit the entire east Orlando region, and we anticipate an increase in demand within the first year,” he said.

Medical City, which also includes the new V.A. Hospital, Nemours Children’s Hospital and the Burnham Institute for Medical Research, is expected to generate more than 5,000 new jobs over the next five years, including doctors, medical staff, technicians and support workers. Widening Alafaya Trail will begin next June.

Marks said Avalon Park will benefit from two types of commercial users.

“We will see a significant increase in demand for space to serve our existing community,” Marks said. Avalon Park now includes more than 3,500 homes, with a mixed-use downtown district that includes offices, shops and stores, along with condominiums and rental apartments.

“Downtown Avalon Park is a tremendous asset,” Marks said. “The opportunity to walk out of your office building onto a downtown street within a block or two of dozens of restaurants, cafes, shops and stores is very appealing,” he said.

Avalon Park’s equidistance from the UCF campus and Medical City will attract a second group of service businesses and providers that want to serve both markets, Marks added.

“From service businesses such as health care, insurance and legal to primary employers such as software, telecommunications and research and development firms, Avalon Park offers a unique environment,” he said.
* * *
For more information contact: 
Eric Marks, Senior Vice President, Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565; ericm@avalonparkgroup.com; 
Ross Halle, Vice President / Town Planner, Avalon Park Group 407-568-6565; rossh@avalonparkgroup.com;
Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Coordinator, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565; Stephanie@avalonparkgroup.com; 
Beat Kahli, Owner/Founder, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565 

Data Transfer Solutions to Unveil New Transportation Engineering Division at Reception

by: Larry Vershel

Fri Feb 19, 2010 at 05:59:55 AM EST

ORLANDO – Data Transfer Solutions, LLC the Avalon Park based firm that provides asset management, geographic information systems (GIS) transportation planning, web design, database applications and multimedia production services to local government and regional and state agencies throughout the nation, will host a reception to showcase its new Transportation Engineering Division on Feb. 25 at Embers, 42 W. Central Blvd. in downtown Orlando.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala, II, AICP, PMP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, said the firm’s Transportation and Engineering Division includes 12 professionals and specialists who serve state and county transportation departments throughout the U.S.

Staff from the firm’s recently launched subsidiary, Earth Eye will be on hand.  Earth Eye provides aerial and terrestrial based LiDAR scanning, orthophotography, photogrammetry and precision mapping.   Earth Eye’s custom LiDAR viewing software will be on display as well.

The reception is scheduled for clients, prospective clients and strategic partners from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

* * *
For more information, contact: 
A.M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, PMP, Chief Operating Officer, Data Transfer Solutions, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Suite 200, Orlando, 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@edats.com  

Compendium Software Systems, LLC Launches Web-Based Fuel Efficiency Clearinghouse FuelClinic.Com

by: Larry Vershel

Fri Feb 12, 2010 at 11:02:58 AM EST

SANFORD - Compendium Software Systems, LLC recently launched FuelClinic.com, a web-based information clearinghouse that focuses on improving fuel efficiency by improving driving techniques.

Michael Bragg, founder and chief technical officer at Compendium Software Systems, said FuelClinic.com  is a global web community with more than 3,300 registered users in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Brazil, the U.K., and Europe. FuelClinic.com should host more than one million users worldwide within five years, Bragg projects.

“If we can grow to help a million motorists improve their fuel efficiency by just 5 or 10 percent, imagine the impact that would have on fuel costs and emissions,” said Bragg.

Registration at FuelClinic.com is free for non-commercial use. The site offers a wide range of information about methods for improving fuel economy, online tools to track users actual fuel mileage over time, and training materials and provides the important performance feedback to  motivate motorists to continue to improve their fuel efficiency, Bragg said.

“The easiest way to immediately start saving gas money and reduce dependency on fossil fuels is to learn how to get the most out of every drop of fuel we burn,” Bragg explained. “FuelClinic.com provides users information on how to maximize fuel economy, cut fuel costs and carbon emissions, while reducing vehicle operating costs, traffic congestion, insurance rates and accidents,” Bragg explained.

A commercial version of the software is currently in development.

Compendium Software Systems is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program and headquartered at the UCF Business Incubator on West First Street in downtown Sanford.

About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six facilities opened and one under construction across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu

Crossman & Company Celebrates 20th Anniversary

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 14:48:01 PM EST

ORLANDO - Crossman & Company, the Orlando firm that ranks as one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

John M. Crossman, CCIM, president of Crossman & Company, said the firm currently leases and manages retail properties that total more than 16 million square feet of space throughout the Southeast.

Scott E. Crossman, CCIM, founder and chief executive officer of Crossman & Company, opened the doors in 1990 in a small office in downtown Orlando.

For more information please contact: 
John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com 

About Crossman & Company:  
Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in Florida with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando, Fla. in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lake Nona, PREIT, and LaSalle Investment Management. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

Home Owner Associations Seeking Legal Help to Stem Tide of Foreclosures, Lost Dues

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 13:46:06 PM EST

ORLANDO - The wave of housing foreclosures in the Orlando area has generated a big increase in legal work for Orlando attorney Mark Lippman.

Lippman, whose law practice has offices in Orlando and Kissimmee, focuses on real estate law and represents home owner associations and condominium associations who want to recover association fees from foreclosed home owners who fail to meet their obligations.

“When somebody stops paying their mortgage, they often stop paying their homeowner association fees or condo association fees,” Lippman explained. “That creates a deficit that the association has to recoup, either by recovering fees, raising fees of the other home owners in the neighborhood or by taking such legal action as declaring bankruptcy,” he said.

Home owner association bankruptcy was almost unheard of before the real estate downturn and the current spate of foreclosures, Lippman said, but it’s becoming more and more common.

Generally, Lippman said, an association will file a lien against the property owner who isn’t paying association fees.

Once a foreclosure process is initiated, the mortgage company may take over the property as the new owner, the property can be sold at auction, or the owner can initiate a ‘short sale’ to a new owner.

“Because the lender foreclosure process takes such a long time, some associations will initiate foreclosure proceedings, taking over ownership of the property and either selling the property to recover their fees, or renting the property out and getting their fees back that way,” Lippman said.

Concurrently, the mortgage company will proceed with its foreclosure case and eventually take ownership of the property. In that case, Lippman said, the association can charge back fees and dues to the lender that has ownership of the property.

Lippman, who has been practicing law since 2000, entered private practice in 2004. In Fort Lauderdale, as an associate with a law firm that focused solely on homeowner associations and condo associations, he responsible for more than 30,000 homes.  

“We’re now approaching that number again, but under entirely different circumstances,” Lippman said.
* * *
For more information about this press release, contact: 
Mark Lippman, Esq., Lippman Law Offices, 255 S. Orange Ave. Orlando; 407-648-4213; LippmanLaw@aol.com   

NAI Realvest Negotiates Sales of Two buildings in Orange and Seminole County $1.78 Million

by: Larry Vershel

Thu Feb 11, 2010 at 13:00:02 PM EST

ORLANDO – NAI Realvest recently negotiated two sales totaling $1.78 million for two industrial properties in Orlando and Longwood.

Michael Heidrich, principal at NAI Realvest, represented Conquistador Realty Holdings Inc. of Miami, the seller of a 32,000 square foot industrial facility at 3941 Bryn Mawr St. in Orlando.  Overland Holding Corporation of Altamonte Springs purchased the property for $1,300,000 and was represented in the transaction by Joe Ardolina.   

Heidrich also negotiated the sale of a 5,250 square foot industrial building at 370 North St. in Longwood representing the Newport News, Va.-based seller, Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.   The buyer, Structural Contactors South, Inc. of Winter Park represented by Lee Ungaro of Charles Rutenberg Realty, paid $480,000 for the property.
 
* * *
For more information, please contact: 
Michael Heidrich, Principal NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 mheidrich@realvest.com;
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com 

About NAI Realvest:  
NAI Realvest in Orlando, covering all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 325 offices spanning the globe.  Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network.  Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

Top Commercial Real Estate Executive Warns of Commercial Property Foreclosures at Tampa Summit

by: Larry Vershel

Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 11:21:02 AM EST

ORLANDO - The nationwide economic downturn will result in an increase in commercial real estate foreclosures this year, one of the region’s top commercial property executives told a Tampa real estate summit recently. 

Jeff Sweeney, SIOR, president of Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida, with offices in Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne, moderated a panel discussion at the Tampa Distressed Real Estate Summit.  

The Tampa Distressed Real Estate Summit was sponsored by the Real Estate Communications Group.

“Commercial property owners are facing some of the same sorts of financial challenges that home owners have been facing and the result is a substantial increase in the volume of distressed properties throughout Florida,” Sweeney told the group.

“Property owners who are losing tenants or granting concessions in order to keep their buildings filled are having difficulty making payments on their commercial property loans, and that adds tremendous pressure to banks,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney’s panel focused on adding value to distressed assets.

Ray Hayhurst, an associate at Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida, and Don Lombardi, who heads Commercial Florida Advisors, an affiliate of Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida in Tampa, also moderated panel discussions on evaluating commercial properties and partially completed construction projects.

Sweeney predicts that Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida will see a 30 percent increase in 2010 distressed commercial property sales over 2009 levels, as a result of the economic downturn.
* * *
About Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida: 
Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties.  Currently Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida has 40 brokers divided among its Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa offices to serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.

About Grubb & Ellis: 
Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world.  Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors.  The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise.  Through Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges and other real estate investment funds.  For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

CONTACT: 
Jeff Sweeney, SIOR 407-481-5387, 315 E. Robinson St. Suite 555, Orlando, FL 32801, www.commercialfl.com 

Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida Names James C. Moler, CCIM Senior Vice President of Office Group

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 14:42:23 PM EST

TAMPA - Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida recently named James C. Moler, CCIM, senior vice president of the firm’s Office Group in the Tampa Bay region.

Jeff Sweeney, SIOR, president of Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida, said Moler earned his B.S. Degree in Economics and International Relations from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and has more than 18 years of experience in commercial real estate.

Moler will provide leasing and investment property services to local, regional and national ownerships in the Tampa Bay region, Sweeney said. Moler relocated to the Tampa Bay region from Chicago in 2005 and served a client portfolio that totaled more than 1.8 million square feet of office space.

“James Moler brings a wealth of experience to our Tampa Bay Office Group and we expect him to play an integral role in our continued growth with Office Group colleagues Paula Buffa, CCIM, and Maria Camarinos Hall,” Sweeney said.

About Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida: 
Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida is an affiliated commercial real estate services firm specializing in the leasing and sale of office, industrial, retail, land and investment properties.  Currently Grubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida has 30 brokers divided among its Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne offices which serve the entire mid-Florida marketplace.  Visit www.commercialfl.com.

About Grubb & Ellis: 
Named to The Global Outsourcing 100™ in 2009 by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals™, Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE) is one of the largest and most respected commercial real estate services and investment companies in the world.  Our 6,000 professionals in more than 130 company-owned and affiliate offices draw from a unique platform of real estate services, practice groups and investment products to deliver comprehensive, integrated solutions to real estate owners, tenants and investors.  The firm’s transaction, management, consulting and investment services are supported by highly regarded proprietary market research and extensive local expertise.  Through Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, the company is a leading sponsor of real estate investment programs that provide individuals and institutions the opportunity to invest in a broad range of real estate investment vehicles, including public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), tenant-in-common (TIC) investments suitable for tax-deferred 1031 exchanges and other real estate investment funds.  For more information, visit www.grubb-ellis.com.

Two Associates at Stirling Sotheby's International Realty Report 15 Sales in Nov-Dec over $6.6 Mill

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 14:40:47 PM EST

ORLANDO - Two associates at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty serving Volusia County reported sales of 15 homes that total more than $6.6 million in November and December of last year.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner at Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said associates Rachel McGrath and Debby Keilin sold 15 properties during the two-month period covering the Spruce Creek and Port Orange markets. 

Both McGrath and Keilin joined Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in June 2009.

For more information contact: 
Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890 

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty: 
Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world.  Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers.  The company operates three performance zones which serve all of Central Florida.  Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

Obama Administration Should Expand Small Business Administration Lending to Spur Economic Recovery

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 13:46:58 PM EST

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - The Obama Administration’s proposal to funnel $30 billion in TARP receipts to community banks to spur lending to small businesses could do more to help the economy if it focused on the U.S. Small Business Administration lending programs themselves, says Christopher G. Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation in Altamonte Springs.

Hurn, whose company ranks as one of the leading providers of SBA 504 commercial loans to small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, said changes in SBA lending could go a long way toward growing the national economy.

“One of the things I’ve been saying for a few years is that the SBA 504 program should be used to refinance commercial real estate as well,” Hurn said. “You can’t do that with the program right now,” Hurn explained. “But as of Friday the 5th, the President seems to be on board with my proposal.  We’ll see how quickly this solution can be put in place.”

Hurn gave the Obama administration high mark for its plan to eliminate capital gains tax on investments in small business.

“That’s phenomenal,” Hurn said. “We’ve finally seen a free market solution out of this President and this one actually would be good. That would be the kind of thing that will stimulate equity investments in the small business sector,” he said.

Hurn said many Obama administration proposals are problematic.

“The small business lending proposals are going to have mixed results,” Hurn explained. “Most community banks that have survived over the past 18 months have better capital ratios than large national banks, are relatively flush with capital and yet they’re lending less of their capital.

“Providing them up to five percent of their weighted assets to lend to small business customers at interest rates in the low fives to seven percent, doesn’t provide enough profit to cover the banks’ overhead. The only community banks that will be interested in this program are the ones that aren’t doing as well,” Hurn said. “Healthy community banks probably aren’t going to participate,” he said.

The $5,000 jobs credit is also troublesome, Hurn said. “If you’re a smart business person you’re not going to hire somebody for a position for something that you don’t have a demand for in your products and services just in order to get the job credit,” Hurn said.

The plan may benefit companies that are already expanding, but too few companies are expanding in this economy, he said.

“Expense reductions for equipment purchases also falls flat,” Hurn said.

“If you are a company that’s buying equipment, it helps you, but it doesn’t really get to the underlying problem affecting most small businesses in America that are struggling right now,” he said.

* * *
For more information about this press release contact: 
Chris Hurn, CEO, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040 or Geof Longstaff, Chairman, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040  

GIS Software Architects at Data Transfer Solutions Publish Research Article in ESRI ArcUser Journal

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:55:16 PM EST

ORLANDO - Two top GIS software architects at Data Transfer Solutions, LLC (DTS), headquartered in Orlando’s downtown Avalon Park, were recently published in ESRI ArcUser, the world’s leading journal of the GIS (geographic information systems) and spatial modeling and mapping software industry.

A.M. “Trey” Fragala III, AICP, PMP, chief operating officer at Data Transfer Solutions, said Brian Noyle, senior project manager and software architect at DTS, and David Bouwman, chief technology officer, authored the technical article, Unit Testing for ESRI Developers to teach GIS developers how to engineer software tests before deployment of custom software systems.

“A recent survey showed that only about half of all GIS unit developers write unit tests,” Fragala explained. “Over the life of a custom GIS software project, maintenance costs will equal about half of the project development cost, so testing units beforehand can substantially reduce total project costs,” Fragala said.

Noyle and Bouwman rank among the top software engineers in the GIS industry, Fragala said.

Data Transfer Solutions provides geographic information systems (GIS), transportation planning and engineering, asset management, web design, custom applications development and video and multimedia production services to local governments and regional and state agencies throughout the U.S.   The firm has offices in six states.
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For more information, contact: 
A.M. “Trey” Fragala, III, AICP, PMP, Chief Operating Officer, Data Transfer Solutions, 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Suite 200, Orlando, 32828; 407-382-5222; tfragala@edats.com 

Three Avalon Park Groups Join Hands with Schools to Create Community Garden

by: Larry Vershel

Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 12:40:09 PM EST

ORLANDO - Residents of Avalon Park in east Orlando have created a unique partnership to develop a community garden.

Stephanie Hodson, marketing coordinator for Avalon Park Group, which is developing the neotraditional community, said the Avalon Park Property Owners Association is behind the project that includes the Avalon Park Garden Club, Avalon Church and Avalon Park’s schools.

“Property Manager, Tracy Durham, has been organizing all of the details including working with Avalon Church to set aside a parcel of land to be used for the garden,” Hodson reported. “The project will afford students a hands-on opportunity to learn gardening and nutritional skills and a provide place for town home and apartment residents to plant their own vegetables,” Hodson explained.

Hodson said the garden, which will kick off its first planting season this spring, will reserve a special space for a butterfly garden of native flowers.

If all goes well---gardening is subject to the trials of nature, after all---Hodson said the entire Avalon Park community can benefit.

“We hope to produce great vegetables we can sell in our Farmers Market, with proceeds going to the Avalon Park Foundation.”
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For more information about this release, please contact: 
Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Coordinator, Avalon Park Group, 407-658-6565 

bioTRAiTS Finds Windows 7 Easy Upgrade For Time Management, Security Applications For Global Market

by: Larry Vershel

Fri Feb 05, 2010 at 17:12:15 PM EST

ORLANDO - bioTRAiTS, Inc., the Orlando-based biometric engineering company that markets bioTRAiTS Time Manager and bioTRAiTS PCID corporate security systems worldwide along with a wide range of professional and consumer IT products, successfully completed integration of MicroSoft Windows 7 into its principal applications and is now shipping bioTRAiTS Time Manager V.7 and bioTRAiTS PCID V.7 to bioTRAiTS UK.co, a European distributor.

Peter A. Wengert, chief executive officer of bioTRAiTS, Inc., said integration of Windows 7 was a simple process.

“Our product worked almost seamlessly with the 32 bit version, and only had a few minor adjustments to make with the 64 bit version,” Wengert said.

bioTRAiTS Programmer Kyle Webb said Windows 7 user access controls presented minor challenges. “Adapting the user access controls was annoying for both versions but they constitute excellent security precautions,” Webb explained.

“Windows 7 provides plenty of documentation on how to work with the new operating system, and that made the transition fairly painless,” he said.

Ricardo Aguilar, chief operating officer at bioTRAiTS, said the firm’s specialists have already begun upgrading clients in the field.

“Compared to Vista, integrating Windows 7 was a walk in the park,” Aguilar said. “We’ve had no problems upgrading existing systems in the field.”

bioTRAiTS Inc. is a University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program client located at the Central Florida Research Park in East Orlando.

For more information about this release contact: 
Peter A. Wengert, CEO bioTRAiTS, Inc. 3267 Progress Drive, Suite 103, Orlando, FL 32826; 866-815-0888 or peter@biotraits.com; 
Carol Ann Dykes, Site Manager, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-0211, cdykes@mail.ucf.edu 

About bioTRAiTS: 
bioTRAiTS, Inc. is a biometric technology company committed to helping companies protect assets, increase profits and increase revenue. bioTRAiTS, Inc. provides customized software solutions to meet time, attendance and access control needs via recognition and verification of unique human characteristics.   With over seven years experience in the field of electronic security, bioTRAiTS, Inc. consistently delivers an excellent return on investment and receives high marks for customer service.

About the UCF Incubation Program: 
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six facilities open across the Greater Orlando community and one more underway, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu. 

UCF Business Incubation Program to be Introduced in St. Cloud at Greater Osceola Chamber Feb. 17

by: Larry Vershel

Fri Feb 05, 2010 at 17:11:29 PM EST

ST. CLOUD – The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program, partnering with the City of St. Cloud and Osceola County will host a kick-off meeting to introduce the new UCF Business Incubator-St. Cloud to all interested parties on Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 5-7 p.m. at the St. Cloud Greater Osceola Chamber of Commerce, 1200 New York Avenue in St. Cloud.

The meet and greet event will feature a presentation, entitled “Is the new UCF Business Incubator-St. Cloud Right for You?” given by Gordon Hogan, director of operations for the UCF Business Incubation Program. 

The event will also provide opportunities to chat with managers from other UCF Business Incubation Program sites in Central Florida.    

The St. Cloud incubator, which will be one of seven such facilities in the university’s Business Incubation Program, is planned to open the end of this month. 

The UCF Business Incubation Program serves nearly 80 full-time client companies and provides a wide range of services, including business mentors, educational classes, affordable office space, as well as access to a receptionist, a site manager and high-speed Internet. 

For more information and to RSVP please call the Chamber at 407-892-3671.

About the UCF Incubation Program:  
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.