Como Iniciar Un Negocio
Mar. 16
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Como Iniciar Un Negocio. Presentado en español por Wilma Milián, Especialista en Asistir Pequeños Negocios del HBIF en el Condado de Pinellas. En cada orientación se presenta información que usted necesita saber para empezar un negocio.

Social Network Marketing Media
Mar. 17
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Join the pros at Internet Podcasting Network – Chuck Palm and Jordan Salamone along with Entrepreneur Scott Olipra for this cutting edge seminar on using social networking to communicate with your customers and grow your brand.

Business Plans
Mar. 18
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
If you’re like many entrepreneurs, the thought of writing a 40-page business plan can paralyze you and often kill your great idea before you ever get started. Come experience the EASIEST way to design a business plan that’s right for you and your learning style. Learn how to attract your ideal clients, partners and opportunities. Get proven strategies that you can start using immediately to get money into your business. Presented by Joseph Matthew Warren, CEO, Brainstorm Weekly LLC.

The Pinellas County Business Development Center offers business training, counseling, referrals and resources. Seminars held at the Center fill quickly and advanced registration is requested. Classes are cancelled on holidays or any day county offices are closed. For more information about seminars or to speak with a business counselor, contact the Pinellas County Business Development Center at (727) 453-7200 or email businesshelp@pinellascounty.org. For the latest updates to our calendar visit Pinellas County Economic Development online at http://www.pced.org/entrepreneurs/subpage.asp?Training.

Become a PCED Fan on Facebook.
Follow PCED on Twitter.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) Awards program, now in its
24th year, is recognized as one of the most prestigious business award
programs in the country. The program welcomes owners and managers of
public and private companies to apply. These entrepreneurs must be active
members of top management for a company that has been in operation for at
least three years.

River Communications
914-686-5599
jsperduto@riverinc.com

Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate Sales Associate, David Hitchcock, announces the closing of 115 +/- acres of land near Lake Wales in Polk County. The property is a producing Valencia grove located on SR 60, west of Lake Wales.

Morrison Partnership and the Bryan Paul Family Limited Partnership sold the property to Brent and Betsy Monk for $1,450,000. The closing was in January 2010. Hitchcock represented the seller and Harmon Realty of Winter Haven represented the buyer.
The property has been the topic of discussion with the City officials of Lake Wales regarding a potential Industrial Land Use with annexation. This will allow the property use to expand to industrial and residential uses for future development. City water and sewer are planned for the area. The property is near the Pollard Road entrance to the new CSX Integrated Logistics Center.

At a time when real estate in general and land transactions in particular have been sluggish, Hitchcock acknowledges that the land market for large acreage is slowly becoming more active. Hitchcock continues, “We are seeing more activity right now as the year starts and look to a better year this year for land sales.” Since January 1, 2010, CBCSRE has transacted six leases and six land properties for a total of nearly 1200 acres to start the year with over $7 MIL in closings. Of those, four closings were attributed to Hitchcock.

Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate has Sales Associates covering the State of Florida and beyond. Known for their land deals, Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate Sales Associates are experts in land, conservation, commercial, and land and resource management. For more information, please visit www.saundersrealestate.com. You may contact David Hitchcock at davidh@saundersrealestate.com.

The term “Boy Scout” is used to describe someone who is earnest and honest, or who helps others cheerfully; those very words also describe Tampa’s own James L. Ferman Jr. His community involvement is as extensive as it is diverse; ranging from the Tampa Museum of Art all the way to the United Way; and to the Bank of Tampa, TECO and the University of Tampa. Mr. Ferman’s outstanding achievements began early in his life when he became an Eagle Scout in 1959. He is now being honored by the Boy Scouts of America as the Distinguished Citizen of 2010. The Annual Boy Scouts Luncheon will take place March 18th, 2010 at the Hyatt in Downtown Tampa. The keynote speaker will be none other than Daniel “Rudy” Ruettieger; the most famous graduate of the University of Notre Dame, one of the most popular motivational speakers in the country, and the inspiration for the award winning movie “Rudy”. Over 600 people are expected to attend the event.

About the local Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The Gulf Ridge Councils serves right at 30,000 youth and 5,000 adult volunteers throughout Hillsborough, Polk, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, Hardee and Highlands Counties. For more information, please visit www.boyscouting.com or Call George McGovern, 813-872-2691.

###

This is the sixth year the Tampa web design firm has been recognized with winning an ADDY ®Award. Winning this Gold ADDY® qualifies the Grow4Students.org website for the Fourth District ADDY® Awards competition for an opportunity to advance to the national competition.

Grow4Students.org serves as a student solution to banking where students can apply for student loans, checking and/or savings accounts and manage their finances. The web development features social networking tools and Flash animation and creates an immersive environment that generates a viral interest across college-aged demographics with clickable objects, interactive responses and tailored information.

President and CEO of Bayshore Solutions Kevin Hourigan said, “Winning an ADDY® Award for the Grow4Students website is an honor. We’re proud to assist Grow Financial in expanding their target demographic with this intriguing and valuable resource for college students. This banking website provides the tools to successfully manage their finances in a fun and engaging way.”

Sponsored by the AAF, the ADDY® Awards honors excellence in advertising and cultivates the highest creative standards in the industry. With 60,000 entries, the ADDY® Awards are the nation’s largest advertising competition.

About Bayshore Solutions
Tampa web design firm Bayshore Solutions continues to create custom web development for banking clients including GTE Federal Credit Union, Bay Cities Bank, Bank of Florida and more. Bayshore Solutions provides interactive marketing services for many different industries throughout the USA and internationally with physical offices accessible to Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Dade County, and Broward County in Florida and Dallas, Texas.

For more information visit http://www.BayshoreSolutions.com
Follow us on Twitter @BayshoreWebPros or become a fan on our Facebook page.

At a groundbreaking ceremony this week, school officials said the $525,000 facility has been designed with community

involvement in mind. Elementary and secondary students and their teachers, archaeological clubs and others from surrounding

communities will be welcomed partners at the lab, said Dr. Uzi Baram, an associate professor of anthropology at the college.

“There is much more we can do to conserve the past for the future in this region, and this facility will facilitate

community-based programs,” said Baram, who spearheaded the project.

The leader of a local archaeological society said the lab will help organizations like hers promote greater awareness of

the diverse cultural heritage in central and southwest Florida. It will also give history buffs and other residents hands-on

experiences with some of the challenges in archaeological research at several historical sites throughout the region.

“This lab will be more than just a place to weigh, measure, photograph and store artifacts. It will enhance the

perceptions of our history,” said Sherry Svekis, president of the Sarasota-based Time Sifters Archaeological Society. Showing

and involving the public in what takes place inside the lab will not only provide them with broader insight into their

community’s heritage, but also will help them understand “that even if no one is digging at the moment, here is where

archaeology is happening,” she said.

The one-story, 1,600-square-foot building will include a lab and classroom for teaching and public events, an artifact

and research storage facility, a conference room and an outdoor seating area for use as a classroom or open-air plaza for

community events. It is scheduled to be completed this summer.

Baram and his undergraduate students have been involved in several archaeological digs and other historical research

projects in the region in recent years and look forward to continuing some of them with broader community involvement.

Grassroot efforts nationwide have been the cornerstone in preserving historic buildings, prehistoric sites and cultural

landscapes still cherished today, he added.

“Archaeology connects the college to the community, to the region and to the state in very real ways,” New College

President Mike Michalson told a gathering of supporters before he joined Baram and other dignitaries in turning over the first

shovels of soil for the new building on its campus overlooking Sarasota Bay.

State and federal funds will cover more than half the cost, along with $125,000 for archaeology-related campus and

community programs. New College contributed an additional $225,000 of the institution’s money for the facility’s design and

construction.

Svekis of the Time Sifters Archaeological Society said she hopes the Public Archaeology Lab represents a turning

point in historic preservation in the region.

“Much of our historic and ancient landscape has been lost, excavated for road fill like the shell mounds that used to

line Sarasota Bay, or paved over and built upon. But there are traces of this past still waiting to be discovered, and having a

building dedicated to public archaeology signifies the value of the search,” she said.

The groundbreaking ceremony also included the burial of a time capsule containing a campus map, other memorabilia

and testimonials from several students about their nationally acclaimed liberal arts college and their hopes for students who

unearth it 50 years from now.

“When I’m 70 years old I’m going to come back and open this time capsule. You have my promise,” 20-year-old

student Liz Usherwood told the gathering before several other students began covering the two-foot-long stainless steel

container with dirt and cement.

General contractors for New College’s new public archaeology lab are Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. of Sarasota.

The building was designed by Long & Associates Architects/Engineers, Inc. of Tampa.

Contact: Jake Hartvigsen, communications director, New College of Florida; jhartvigsen@ncf.edu. Or Ronald Smith,

JournalistPR LLC, journalistpr@gmail.com. www.journalistpr.com.

WA describes itself as “an independent global forum and extensive database” working toward becoming the home page of the world’s architects.” Its WA Community Awards program highlights and publishes “remarkable projects that might otherwise remain unnoticed by the international public yet have the potential to inspire exciting questions about contemporary architectural discourse.” The Noah Nothing Caring and Teaching House is one such project.

Now under construction, the house is scheduled to be finished this spring. To build it, USF architecture Professor Stanley Russell and students in his design/build class took reclaimed shipping containers for the structure that will house a food pantry and multi-purpose space at the Church of the Kingdom of God church in East Tampa. Though constrained by a very modest budget, the organization is getting what it needs to meet its mission, which is “to meet the physical and spiritual needs of men, women and children with a center that provides food, tutoring, and other services so that those who are hurting can become fully functioning members of society.” Creativity joined with sustainability as the guiding principle, led to this inspired solution.

“The containers are strong, inexpensive and relatively easy to alter,” said Russell. “The building economizes on material by having a slab in the central, truss roofed space while utilizing the existing floor structures. I think this project will inspire others to use their creativity to make use of shipping containers.”

Another green component is an innovative insulation material known as aerogel marketed in the Tampa area under the brand name Thermablok. Further steps are being taken to save on cooling costs. The containers are painted a heat-reflecting white and feature a white TPO single ply roof that reflects much of the incoming solar radiation. In addition the space is partitioned with sliding doors so that only half of the indoor space is continuously conditioned while the multi-use space and kitchen are only conditioned when activities are taking place there. The roof provides environmental and acoustic insulation while a continuous strip of clerestory windows provides daylight for the interior spaces – cutting down on the need for artificial lighting. They are using locally-produced lumber for framing and local cypress siding is being used on the exterior walls and soffits. They are doing without a concrete foundation by placing the container floors over a gravel crawl space.

Inside there is a pantry area for canned and frozen foods, a computer room, a small kitchen, a lobby/reception area, a small meeting room and a flexible multi-use space. The containers, arranged in a pin wheel pattern, cradle the multi- use space, with a 12’ high ceiling. They frame a protected outdoor space that flows uninterruptedly from the multi-use space out to two grand pecan trees whose enormous nurturing canopies provide shade for the outdoor space and the building. A huge panel slides from the front of the west side container across the main entry to signify that the building is open or closed.

“The building will stand out in the community with the help of a very distinctive roof that seems to float above the containers and cantilevers a full 15’ over the entry porch,” Russell said. “There’s a bench for people to sit and talk with friends and a natural wood soffit that slopes up from the entry toward the street that we hope will be experienced as a warm welcoming gesture by all who walk by and enter.”

For the new director of the School of Architecture, Robert MacLeod, acknowledgment from the members of WA, who make their choices from countless submissions, is quite meaningful.

“As architects, we were already excited about the way World Architecture is sharing the amazing images you find on its Web site but gaining recognition from our peers through this important organization is especially gratifying. To stand out in that impressive crowd speaks volumes about the quality of our program,” he said.

“When you look at who has signed on to make this project happen ((Gerdau Ameristeel, Prattco Roofing and Sheetmetal, United Rental, structural engineers Hees & Associates, Inc., Aurora Civil Engineering, Inc., Jacobson Windows, Sebastian Design Implementation, AA-American Container, Florida Rock Industries, Inc., Tampa Bay Lighting, Inc., Chuck Henderson Plumbing, and Elements Design), and consider the hard labor being put into this project by our students, you can’t help but be moved by the generosity and good will that can change people’s worlds,” Russell said.

The new Architecture magazine guide, open to ACSA member and candidate member institutions in the United States, that has set out to “inform (and demystify) the process of choosing an architecture school,” will point those looking for an architecture school in USF’s direction.

“This guide truly meets a need,” said Stanley. “Applicants needed a guide that spotlights the schools’ strengths in an easy-to-use way and that clearly states what it takes to get accepted. We’re excited about adding to the ranks of our top-notch students.”

Last year those students earned Certificates of Recognition from the City of Temple Terrace for a pavilion they created for Temple Terrace Riverfront Park. The City of Temple Terrace itself was honored by the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission for the pavilion which also earned a “Green Project” award at the county’s 27th Annual Community Design Awards competition. Another project, the East Tampa Ponds Revitalization and the Canopy Park Village master plan, received awards of merit in environmental and master planning and urban design at the same event. Two teams of USF design students won awards in the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture Green Communities International Student competition for creating a project titled “Urban Green Community: Revitalizing the South Nebraska District.” The jurors praised it for how it addressed the relationship to the river’s edge, sustainability and the use of single and multi-family homes.

“Our entry in the Architecture Magazine guide states, ‘Community design is not just a current interest of the architecture faculty at the University of South Florida—it’s part of the institutional DNA,’ and there’s no better way to describe what we’re made of and how we go about teaching and working in this field,” said MacLeod.

The school and its affiliated research center, the Florida Center for Community Design and Research came into existence in 1986. Together they attract more than $1 million in contracts and grants each year. Design/build opportunities crop up on a regular basis and the school maintains a rare digital fabrication laboratory as well as summer studios in Italy and Japan.

“We’ve also had students travel to India and we have students traveling to Spain and Italy this summer,” MacLeod said. “Our students travel extensively during the regular academic year, fall and spring, to locations in the U.S. including New York, Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Portland, Miami, Charleston and Savannah. The summer abroad studios are a natural extension of the culture of travel built into the school which overall allows students to look at both cutting edge contemporary architecture, such as the Olympic buildings in Beijing, like the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Swimming Pool Complex, and important historic architecture. It is also an immersion into a dramatically different cultural milieu. Students experience a range of urban environs from the mega-cities of Asia to the rich, vibrant urban locales of Italy, in Rome, Florence, Sienna and elsewhere.”

Studying with top architecture faculty , seeing the world and competing for the world’s top prizes are clearly taking USF’s School of Architecture + Community Design and its students to new heights. There is surely more to come.

The University of South Florida is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of only 25 public research universities nationwide with very high research activity that is designated as community engaged by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded $380.4 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2008/2009. The university offers 232 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The USF System has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 47,000 students on institutions/campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.
– USF –

First Bank employees earned “puppy naming rights” after raising $3,500 during Southeastern Guide Dog’s 24th annual walkathon on February 27 in Palmetto, Florida. Five First Bank offices took part in the walkathon (Mt. Vernon, Manatee, 53rd Avenue, Longboat Key and Village Green).

First Bank employees named the dog “Buster” in honor of Jim Dierberg’s prize, childhood pig who captured numerous honors. Dierberg is Chairman of the Board of First Bank.

More than 800 dogs and 1,500 walkers took part in the walkathon for Southeastern Guide Dogs, one of only 10 fully certified guide dogs school in the country.

First Bank firstbanks.com is one of the largest privately owned banks in the country with $10.3 billion in assets and 180 locations in Florida, Illinois, California, Missouri, and Texas.

“Sybarite5 is a New York–based group of gifted young string musicians who have gained a reputation for juxtaposing the likes of Stravinsky with Radiohead, or Dvorák with Led Zeppelin. But that doesn’t even begin to describe the range of their eclecticism or the depth of their repertoire.” – Greg Cahill, Strings Magazine

ABOUT THE CONCERTS:
Friday’s New Music Idol concert at the HuB Incubator in Sarasota’s Rosemary district is hosted by Joey Panek from the Art Whisperer and Jay Hunsberger, Principal Tuba of the Sarasota Orchestra.
In addition to Sybarite5’s unique repertoire, the concert features a program of new works by New College composition students. Complete with a panel of local celebrity judges, the concert includes an American Idol style critique, audience vote. The winner’s composition will be performed at Saturday’s Gala Concert at Holley Hall and in a tribute to Radiohead’s “pay- what-you-want” CD release, Friday night’s ticket price is “pay-what-you-want.”

Saturday night’s Gala Concert at Holley Hall is hosted by John Miller, Principal Double Bass of the Sarasota Orchestra, and takes place in an intimate setting created by Showcase Designs. In addition to general admission tickets, a limited number of VIP Tickets are available, which include preferred seating and a champagne reception with the musicians. Last year’s Gala Concert was voted Best of the Suncoast by Creative Loafing Magazine.
Saturday’s boundary crossing program is set to include the WORLD PREMIERE of a new Radiohead Remix by Paul Sanho Kim as well as the Florida premiere of Furioso: Vendetta for string quintet by Thomas Osborne.

The Gala Concert program will be repeated as a matinee on Sunday May 16th at 2:30pm.

ABOUT THE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH:
MAY 10-14TH; SYBARITE5 will perform and give masterclasses at Pine View School, Booker School, the Sarasota Music Academy, and New College. Led by professor Bret Aarden, New College students will study the music commissioned by Sybarite5 to explore the opportunities and challenges of writing for stringed instruments, and compose their own 1-minute compositions to be performed in an “American Idol” concert setting.

ABOUT SYBARITE5
SYBARITE5 has been featured on NPR’s Performance Today, the CBS Early show, and numerous times at the Aspen Music Festival. In Manhattan they have performed at Lincoln Center, Time Warner Center, Tishman Auditorium, the Museum of Sex, the Core Club, and with Ten O’ Clock Classics at the Cutting Room. In 2008 they were the first ever string quintet admitted to the prestigious Aspen Advanced Quartet Studies program, where they worked and members of the Juilliard, Cavani, American, and Ying String Quartets, and bassist Edgar Meyer. In 2009 SYBARITE5 represented the Aspen Music Festival in a new capacity as the AMFS Alumni Ensemble and recently announced a 2010 residency at the Cell Theatre in Chelsea, as well a concert at the Library of Congress performing on the esteemed Whittall Stradivarius collection.

The members of the group are violinists Sami Merdinian and Sarah Whitney, violist Angela Pickett, cellist Laura Metcalf, and double bassist Louis Levitt.

Assisting SYBARITE5 in all of their efforts will be generous community partners Aperture Photography, Showcase Designs, Lan Restaurant, HuB Incubator, and Creative Loafing Magazine.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS:

Friday, May 14: 9:00pm
New Music Idol
The HuB Incubator
1421 Boulevard of the Arts | Sarasota, Florida 34236 | (941) 685-4077
Tickets: Pay what you want at the door

Saturday, May 15: 8:30pm
Gala Concert
Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, Holley Hall.
709 N. Tamiami Tr
VIP Tickets $100 (includes pre-concert champagne reception and preferred seating)
General Admission $20

Sunday, May 16: 2:30pm
Matinee Concert
Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, Holley Hall
General Admission $10-20

Tickets Available at
Brownpapertickets.com/event/99543
rsvp@sybarite5.org
513-543-1981

Hampton Oaks is a 259,042 square foot master-planned light industrial and flex park that includes six Class “A” buildings. The Property was 93.7% occupied at the time of sale.

Mike Davis, Executive Director of C&W’s Southeast Capital Markets Group, was quoted as saying, “The sale of Hampton Oaks is indicative of the significant number of new non-traditional buyers entering the market.”

Mike Davis, Executive Director and Rick Brugge, CCIM, Associate Director of C&W’s Southeast Capital Markets Group negotiated the sale on behalf of the seller, RREEF. The buyer is Foundation Realty Advisors.
* * *
Cushman & Wakefield is the world’s largest privately-held commercial real estate services firm. Founded in 1917, it has 231 offices in 58 countries and more than 13,000 employees. The firm represents a diverse customer base ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. It offers a complete range of services within five primary disciplines: Transaction Services, including tenant and landlord representation in office, industrial and retail real estate; Capital Markets, including property sales, investment management, investment banking, debt and equity financing; Client Solutions, including integrated real estate strategies for large corporations and property owners, Consulting Services, including business and real estate consulting; and Valuation & Advisory Services, including appraisals, highest and best use analysis, dispute resolution and litigation support, along with specialized expertise in various industry sectors. A recognized leader in global real estate research, the firm publishes a broad array of proprietary reports available on its online Knowledge Center at www.cushmanwakefield.com
# # #

A special taskforce comprised of EDC volunteers was tasked with choosing five regions with similar economic and workforce capabilities. Final selected sites were Austin, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Huntsville, Alabama; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Wichita, Kansas.

Space Coast Performance Indicators compares Brevard to the five peer regions within the following nine categories:

- Education
- Workforce
- Livability
- Competitiveness
- Productivity and Labor Supply
- Technology and Innovation
- Business Dynamism and Vitality
- Economic Prosperity
- Economic Growth

Each region is ranked on every category on a one-to-six scale – one being the most favorable. No overall ranking is assigned, as each category is considered equally important to economic vitality. Each report includes written analysis alongside the numbers as well as a system to show improvements and setbacks for each region from issue to issue.

“As the community agency tasked with monitoring the economic health of the Space Coast, this presentation of local data across a multitude of indicators and within a concise framework will allow us to provide a clear picture of where we stand as a community, as well as identify opportunities for the future or our economy,” said Lynda Weatherman, president and chief executive officer, Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. “It’s a powerful resource and I encourage leaders across the Space Coast to utilize this publication as an important business tool.”

Space Coast Performance Indicators is available for complimentary download at www.SpaceCoastEDC.org within the Publication Library or click here for a direct link.

This report is one of several new products launching this year from the EDC’s in-house research department, led by Research Specialist Neil Hamilton. Questions about the report and future releases can be directed to Hamilton at research@SpaceCoastEDC.org.

About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast – The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast is a private, not-for-profit coalition committed to the economic stability and growth of Brevard County, Florida. Our stakeholders are existing businesses, industries and organizations whose leaders are dedicated to maintaining a strong business environment while preserving our community’s unparalleled quality of life. The core work of the EDC is to assist business in all relocation and/or expansion phases. This important work increases community wealth and builds stronger local economic potential for us all. We value the strategic energy and financial contributions made by our partners. This contribution allows us to work every day on a global scale to build a stronger economic future for Brevard. For more information, visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.

###

###

“We are delighted to welcome Jordan Zimmerman and Byron Shinn, two outstanding entrepreneurs, to membership on a truly dynamic board of trustees,” said USF President Judy Genshaft. “Not only are these two remarkable alumni living testimony to the value of a USF education, but because they treasure their alma mater, they see service to USF as an important part of their lives. We couldn’t ask for more dedicated or committed partners in guiding this great institution.”

Zimmerman is the founder and chairman of Zimmerman Advertising, headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale. His agency is the 14th largest ranked in the United States, with published billings in excess of $2 billion. In addition, he shares ownership in NHL Hockey teams the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has presided over his company’s unprecedented growth through a merger with Omnicom Group, a global marketing and corporate communications holding company, and acquisition of national marketing and advertising firms. He also has a number of successful private ventures.

A noted philanthropist, Zimmerman has supported many causes on the local and national levels. He and his wife Denise launched a family foundation which has established the Zimmerman Advertising program in USF’s College of Arts and Sciences. He is also actively involved with Take Stock in Children as chairman of the organization’s board. Zimmerman was recognized by USF in 1991 as Entrepreneur of the Year, and he was one of ten people selected to receive the South Florida Business Journal’s Diamond Award. He was selected the Florence Fuller Child Development Center’s “Biggest Heart” in 2006 and in 2007 he was honored with the USF Distinguished Alumnus Award. He was featured in South Florida CEO Magazine on its list of the “One Hundred Most Powerful People in South Florida.” Most recently, the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship awarded him membership in its Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and he received USF’s Kappa Tau Alpha Hall of Fame Award recognizing outstanding leadership in mass communication and journalism in the state of Florida.

A certified public accountant, Shinn is managing partner of Shinn & Company, founded in 1993. He maintains memberships in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and serves on the Probable Cause Panel of the Florida State Board of Accountancy where he is a past board member and chairman. His community involvement includes membership on the board of directors of the Child Protection Center of Sarasota. He is also a past chairman and board member of USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Campus Leadership Council and has served on the USF School of Accountancy Advisory Board. Shinn is a past chairman of the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce and has testified before Congress on matters pertaining to small business. He presided over the chamber the year it was named Florida Chamber of Commerce of the Year.

Shinn has held board presidencies and memberships with the Kiwanis Club of Bradenton and the Bradenton Country Club, as well as board memberships with the Manatee County Education Alliance, the Manatee County Children Services Advisory Board, the City of Bradenton Downtown Development Authority, the Downtown Center for Children, Hope Family Services, the Manatee Association for Retarded Citizens, the United Way of Manatee County and the United Way of Manatee County Foundation.

The University of South Florida is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of only 25 public research universities nationwide with very high research activity that is designated as community engaged by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded $380.4 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2008/2009. The university offers 232 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The USF System has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 47,000 students on institutions/campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.
– USF –

Scott will be responsible for the leadership and continued development of Charter One and will work with the CEO on developing new strategic initiatives. “We see 2010 as a year when we can capitalize on some unique opportunities that exist within the current market. Scott will be a key player in our growth plans” states John Balliett , CEO.

Prior to joining Charter One, Busby was Executive Vice President & CAO at Lifestyle Family Fitness, one of the top 20 fastest growing fitness companies in the world located in St. Petersburg, Florida. He also served as Chief Operating Officer for Advantec HR in Tampa, Florida.

Charter One Hotels and Resorts, Inc. – Headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, Charter One provides hotel management services and sales and marketing services to the hotel industry such as on-site management, renovation, turnaround and development consulting, food and beverage consulting. Charter One is recognized as one of the top hotel management companies with proven tangible results. Charter One properties consistently operate at a higher occupancy, RevPar premiums and a stronger bottom line than other hotels in their immediate market. Charter One provides:
*Full Hotel Management Support *Specialized Hotel Sales & Marketing Plans *Hotel Staff Development & Training *Hotel Financial Reporting & Accounting Services *Hotel Franchise Evaluation & Relations *Hotel Purchasing & Design *Hotel Website Administration, Design, Virtual Tours (VRteam) and Optimization *Print, Media and E-Commerce Advertising

The WITNESS Project® of Tampa Bay created the S.A.F.E. program to unite cancer survivors and increase the optimal well-being of each person. The WITNESS Project® is a national faith-based program that emphasizes the early detection and prevention of breast and cervical cancer in the black community through survivorship.

The S.A.F.E group will complement the efforts of The WITNESS Project® by providing a venue for survivors to share their experiences in overcoming cancer. The goal of the program is to raise the self-esteem of cancer survivors through support and discussion while providing education, empowerment and encouragement.

This group will meet the second Saturday of each month and will host different speakers, activities and events to help uplift cancer patients and build strong relationships.

This event is open to the public. Breast and cervical cancer survivors are encouraged to attend and share their stories.

Light refreshments will be provided. Please R.S.V.P. to Linda Paige at Linda.Paige@moffitt.org or call (813) 745-4304.

About Moffitt Cancer Center
Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center is an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center – a designation that recognizes Moffitt’s excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 15 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country’s leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for cancer. Moffitt’s sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.
###

Mr. Olshansky, has been involved in nonprofit leadership, management and fundraising throughout his distinguished career. He has worked with nonprofits throughout the United States and has led large annual, capital and endowment fundraising initiatives. He is also known nationally for his published articles relating to the nonprofit sector. He is a leader, instructor and author for CharityChannel and is a frequent seminar leader for nonprofit organizations. He is a past board member of the Southwest Florida chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, served on the Community Advisory Board of the Manatee-Sarasota Branch of the University of South Florida, and has been a consultant to local, national and international nonprofit organizations. Earlier in his career he served as the executive director of the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation.

“We are excited to have Norman join the Foundation and are looking forward to his leadership and direction as we continue to grow and expand our support of performing arts education for children in our community and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall” Mike Martella.

For 22 years, the Van Wezel Foundation has been enriching lives, with an emphasis on children, through the performing arts while supporting the needs of the Van Wezel- the region’s premier performing arts hall. The arts education and community engagement programs of the Van Wezel are celebrating their thirteenth year and have grown to be a very important facet in the education and growth of this community’s youth. Each year, tens of thousands of students, educators and life long learners from four counties are introduced to national performing arts programming because of the Van Wezel Foundation. Please visit our website at vwfoundation.org for more information.

“I am honored to serve as president this year,” says Hoffman. “2010 is shaping up to be a year of transition and growth for the Suncoast Technology Forum, and I am excited to lead the way.”

Formerly 82 Degrees Tech, STF’s new brand identity is the result of a recent alliance with the Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF). STF’s mission—to accelerate the technology ecosystem in Sarasota and Manatee counties—has not changed, but the alliance gives companies like SouthTech Solutions better access to technology-related events in the Tampa market.

“Our alliance with TBTF gives us access to more than 100 events and puts us in direct contact with more than 450 other companies that are also forum members,” Hoffman adds. “And that’s just the beginning. With access to more resources and a roadmap for success, STF is prepared to address the technology needs of local business organizations.”

About SouthTech Solutions, Inc.

SouthTech Solutions is an IT services firm that has delivered and supported infrastructure and business management solutions throughout Florida since 1994. The company’s success is rooted in its ability to utilize industry-leading software applications, methodologies and best practices in ways that enable clients to focus on their business instead of the technology that supports it. SouthTech’s highly experienced team of system engineers, consultants and CPAs work together to provide advanced networks, premier managed services and award-winning management systems for project-focused companies.

SouthTech’s goal for every client is to optimize technology investments through improved efficiencies, productivity, profitability, competitiveness and security. SouthTech is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and a Deltek Partner. For more information about SouthTech Solutions, visit www.sthtech.com or call 941.953.7455.

About Suncoast Technology Forum

Suncoast Technology Forum was founded in 2005 by a group of local entrepreneurs, professionals and the Sarasota and Manatee economic development organizations. We’re a professional association united to make the bi-county area a place where technology-based business and innovation thrives.

Our Mission is to create a technology-rich community, support technology entrepreneurship, and connect technology professionals with appropriate resources in the Florida Gulf Coast Region, in short… to “accelerate our technology economy.”

In complement to the existing wealth management and retirement planning services offered by Mott Associates, Hussey will handle all levels of insurance needs for the firm’s current clients, including insurance reviews. He is also taking new customers in need of insurance and investment services.

“Having the right insurance coverage is an integral aspect of a complete financial strategy. Pat brings a wealth of understanding, knowledge and experience in insurance that will be invaluable to our clients,” said J. Michael Mott, firm principal.

Hussey has been licensed in the insurance industry since 1991 and holds FINRA Series 7, 66 Securities Licenses and State of Florida Life Health and Variable Annuity License 215.

” I have always enjoyed meeting people, getting to know them, understanding their goals and helping them find solutions that make sense,” said Hussey. “In so many cases, the solution is in understanding the family responsibilities and selecting the right insurance coverage to meet those needs. I look forward to being able to explore these possibilities for the clients of Mott & Associates.”

ABOUT MOTT & ASSOCIATES

Located at 415 32nd Street West in Bradenton, Mott & Associates was founded in 1982 as an accounting and tax services firm. Today, the company is a full service wealth management firm based on the principle that the education and understanding of one’s current financial situation is vital to successfully making prudent financial decisions for the future. Led by husband and wife team, Mike and Barbara Mott, the firm holds a reputation for excellence because of its integrated financial planning* approach, focus on individual goals and needs, and dedication to comprehensive personal service.

As registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation*, these professionals offer Financial Profiles*, Comprehensive Financial Planning*, General Financial Planning Advice*, Total Money Management*, Investments* and/or Insurance. In addition, Mott & Associates offers Tax Preparation & Planning as part of its integrated planning approach.

The professionals at Mott & Associates also developed The I Files. Short for The Income Files, this unique method is ideal for clients five to 10 years from or already into retirement. Its goal is to help clients better understand and work through their personal income planning process by illustrating how they can utilize income from their current assets with higher predictability, despite market activity.

For more information on Mott & Associates, call 746-3216 or visit online at www.BradentonRetirementPlanning.com.

###

*Investments and financial planning services offered through representatives of Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation Member FINRA, SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Tax planning offered through Mott & Associates. Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation and Mott & Associates are not affiliated. The I Files does not constitute a comprehensive financial plan nor is it used as a comprehensive financial plan.

The resolution, introduced by Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota, was co-sponsored by 111 representatives during Oceans Day in Tallahassee. Florida Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, has also introduced a similar resolution in the Senate. (Click here to view a PDF of the full resolution at www.mote.org/hr9013.)

“Today is Oceans Day at the Florida Capitol and in honor of Mote Marine Laboratory’s 55th anniversary, we’d like to commemorate the accomplishments of this important institution,” Fitzgerald said Wednesday on the House floor as he introduced the resolution. (Click here for info about Oceans Day.)

Mote was created in 1955 by Dr. Eugenie Clark, who will herself be inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame later this month. From its beginnings as a small, one-room, one-woman operation focused on sharks, the Lab has grown into one of Florida’s leading marine research and outreach organizations with a main campus in Sarasota and field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. Mote has nearly 200 staff members conducting research on sharks, red tide, marine mammals, sea turtles, coral reefs, fisheries, coastal ecology and aquaculture. Mote’s 1,300 volunteers contribute more than 200,000 volunteer hours to the organization.

Each year, 350,000 visitors are drawn to Mote Aquarium, one of the largest attractions in Southwest Florida, and another 28,000 students are educated through Mote programs on campus and even off campus through SeaTrek, Mote’s premiere Distance Learning program.

The resolution also noted Mote’s numerous academic affiliations with Florida universities, including its “landmark affiliation agreement with the University of South Florida that allows two of the state’s leading research institutions to join forces in new science ventures, provide expanded learning programs, and create economic development opportunities for the region.”

“On behalf of Mote’s scientists, staff, volunteers and board members, I am truly honored to accept this recognition,” said Mote President, Dr. Kumar Mahadevan, who was in Tallahassee Wednesday. Mahadevan and members of Mote’s Board of Trustees were recognized on the House floor after the resolution was passed.

“Mote was just a small field station when it started,” Mahadevan said. “Throughout the years, through the efforts of many, we’ve been able to increase the knowledge about Florida’s environment and expand our research programs into other areas of the world. We could not have been so successful in our research, conservation and outreach missions without the support of Florida’s residents, our local delegation members and the Legislature as a whole.”

The USF Humanities Institute promotes the presence of the humanities at USF through the support of humanities-focused research, as well as lectures and discussions. The institute hosts the ceremony at Traditions Hall in the USF Alumni Center beginning with a reception at 3:30 p.m. The award presentation will take place at 4 p.m.

For an expanded story on Brooker visit: http://usfweb3.usf.edu/absolutenm/templates/?a=2133&z=44.

The University of South Florida is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of only 25 public research universities nationwide with very high research activity that is designated as community engaged by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded $380.4 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2008/2009. The university offers 232 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The USF System has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 47,000 students on institutions/campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.
– USF –

Funding for the 260,000 square foot, Class A light industrial/flex office park was structured through a partnership with an Alabama based private investor. “My partners and I are leveraging our diversified experience, relationships and expertise to capitalize on a historic re-pricing of commercial real estate,” stated Whitaker.

Foundation Realty Advisors will lease and manage the property in-house through their management services division, FRA Realty Services. The six building property is currently 95% leased with major tenants including network communication providers Qwest Communications and XO Communications and insurance provider Direct Administration. The location on Highway 301 & I-4 offers strategic connectivity to the city’s main fiber loop, a big draw for communication firms.

Formed in 2009, Foundation Realty Advisors is a privately held real estate investment company with offices in Tampa and Atlanta offering a full-service platform with expertise acquiring, developing, repositioning, managing, leasing, and selling office and industrial real estate. Managing Partners Dallas Whitaker in Tampa and Tom Hallowell and Rick Lessley in Atlanta, have more than six decades of commercial real estate experience in Southeastern markets. Their strong understanding of the region combined with an ownership perspective provides an operating platform that creates value for partners and clients alike.

“The expansion of our management services into the commercial office market is an exciting diversification for RMC.   It was a natural extension of our retail platform as we continue to seek new opportunities in leasing and management of both retail and commercial properties across Florida.” states Susie Rice, RMC’s President.
 
RMC Property Group is one of Florida’s largest and most innovative full-service commercial real estate leasing, management, acquisition, development and redevelopment companies. RMC leases and manages a portfolio of 55 office and retail properties encompassing 4.5 million square feet. RMC has developed more than 130 freestanding drugstores, developed or redeveloped more than 20 Publix-anchored shopping centers, and renovated and redeveloped several other retail properties over the past ten years. For additional information, please visit our web site at http://www.rmcpg.com.

Animal Based Charities presents the PET-A-PALOOSA INSHORE CATCH-AND-RELEASE FISHING TOURNAMENT to be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 in the waters around Tampa Bay. “We are so committed to raising funds to support the area animal rescue groups and will stop at nothing to be creative in the way we raise funds,” states Rick Medina, one of the founders of the charity, “fishing is the true love of one of our closest friends, Lee and Loretta Pippin. We are honored to know Lee and Loretta and thank them for producing a fishing tournament just to raise money for us.”

All the money raised from this fishing tournament will go directly to support the efforts of Animal Based Charities, whose mission is to support the efforts of many of the area animal rescue groups. This funding will help cover the costs to produce the next Tampa Bay Pet-A-Paloosa in the Fall. The last pet adoption event held at the Sun Dome on February 28, 2010, was successful in adopting-out nearly 500 animals in just 5 hours.

Animal Based Charities, Inc. Fishing Tournament is a ‘photo and release’ tournament. Fish will be photographed next to the measuring tape and poker chip that will be provided to each angler and then released. We will use the honor system during this tournament and ask that you use good sportsmanlike conduct. All participants need to be familiar with the complete list of tournament rules which are posted on Animal Based Charities, Inc. website www.animalbasedcharities.org A copy of the rule s will also be distributed at the mandatory captain’s meeting. At least one person from each boat must attend. The length of the fish will determine the winners. Each angler is eligible for one prize only. If any angler has two fish as possible winners, he/she will be awarded the larger of the two prizes.

The fishing tournament begins the evening before with a CAPTAIN’S DINNER, which will be at the Quorum Hotel on Westshore Boulevard in Tampa, Florida. The dinner and event run from 6pm to 10pm and is open to the public. A silent auction will feature many unique and upscale gifts, as well as a variety of bonus gifts such as tickets to area concerts, jewelry and tickets to area attractions. The fee for registered anglers and event sponsors in the tournament the next day are Free and only $30.00 for the public. “We encourage the public to join us at the Benefit Dinner and an evening of fun, music and silent auction,” stated Rick Medina.

The next day, Saturday April 24, 2010, the fishing tournament begins with a morning Check-in at 6:30 AM on the docks of the Tampa Harbour Yacht Club, located at 5200 West Tyson Avenue, Tampa, Florida. . Each individual angler must check-in and receive their official Animal Based Charities Inc, poker chip and measuring tape. Photo Catch and Release Inshore Fishing Tournament Species for this tournament include Snook, Redfish and Trout. All anglers must be in line at Animal Based Charities Desk located on the dock no later than 3pm to be eligible for event prizes. There are no exceptions to this rule. After photos are been turned in and judged, all participants are invited to stay for the Awards Ceremonies and enjoy food and drinks. The cost for individual anglers who have paid to be in the tournament and event sponsors is free while all other friends, families and the public are only $10.00. Pulled Pork Bar-Be-Que Sandwiches, Baked Beans —– Cole Slaw and Soft Drinks and Water. Robert’s Meat Market of Tampa, Florida is providing the catering for the Award Ceremonies.

The cost to enter the Fishing Tournament is $75.00 for the individual angler, who may or may not have their own boat and $900.00 for a guided boat, which will hold up to three anglers, and include your guide, tackle and the boat. Anglers can fish from boats, onshore, bridges, or docks. Anglers must catch, photograph the catch with the poker chip and measuring tape supplied by the tournament, and release the fish back into the water.

There are also opportunities for local businesses to become sponsors of the event. Please contact Rick Medina, if you are interested in sponsoring a boat or any part of the fishing tournament.

The Prize Categories for this tournament are listed below and there is no minimum length for each species. There will be trophies for each winner in the following categories.

First Place Largest Snook, Redfish and Speckled Trout (one entry per species)
Second Place Second largest Snook, Redfish and Speckled Trout (one entry per species)
Third Place Third largest Snook, Redfish and Speckled Trout (one entry per species)
GRAND SLAM Highest Total Inches of all three species by one angler

We invite everyone to come and join us for a day of fun, fishing and food. For more information, contact Rick Medina, at rmedina@aol.com or visit the website, www.animalbasedcharities.org.

#####

“Twenty years of giving through donor grant making and Foundation initiatives is reflected in more than $110 million in grants going back into the region and beyond,” said Board Chair, Martin B. Solomon. “Foundation grants have supported everything from local food banks and homeless shelters to senior programs and the recent Haitian earthquake relief efforts. We were especially pleased to hear today about the great work being done in arts education by the Hoffman Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall.”

Attendees at this annual donor appreciation event heard from two experts in the field of at-risk youth who reported on successful outcomes of a Foundation-supported initiative, the Community Learning Center at Sulphur Springs Elementary School. Speakers were Liz Kennedy, former trustee of the Community Foundation and past chair of Hillsborough Kids, Inc., and Cheryl Pollock, YMCA executive director for community initiatives.
[MORE]

About the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay was established in 1990 to build a better community through creative philanthropy, vision, and leadership. It is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization which administers funds established by individuals, corporations, private foundations and nonprofit organizations to support the charitable needs of the Tampa Bay area.

The work of the Foundation is enhanced through its divisions in Greater Sun City Center, Pasco County, Greater St. Petersburg, and Hernando County. Under the leadership of President and CEO David Fischer, former mayor of St. Petersburg, the Foundation has been recognized by Charity Navigator for its fiscal efficiency with its highest rating, four stars, for three consecutive years. It currently administers more than $130 million in assets, placing it in the top 75 of more than 700 community foundations nationwide.

*******************

Executives from charitable agencies seeking to hone their business skills – and apply them in the non-profit arena – are invited to apply for a $21,500 scholarship to the Executive MBA program at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Covering half the expenses of the 20-month Executive MBA program, the scholarship is for those who are currently working in the non-profit industry and plan to remain there for several years.

Deadline to apply for the scholarship is June 1, but applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early as classes begin in August.

Applicants must:
· have at least five years managerial experience
· have a proven record of commitment with a Tampa Bay 501 (c)(3) non-profit agency (non-governmental agencies only).

· commit to at least three additional years service to a local non-profit upon graduation (or pay back the full amount of the fee otherwise)

· have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution

· earn a score of 500 or higher on the GMAT.

· earn less than $100,000 annually.

This scholarship is not limited to those with a business degree. Applicants who hold degrees in other fields, such as juvenile justice, psychology, social work, or education are eligible to apply.
The EMBA is a fast-paced program. Day-long scheduling requires students to spend just one Friday and two Saturdays per month in the classroom, providing students flexibility and control. The program also includes self-directed and team study. Program specifics can be found online at www.emba.usf.edu.

The scholarship covers nearly half of the $42,500+ fees for the 20-month program. The remaining fees (plus mandated tuition increases) will be pro-rated and payable at the beginning of each of the four semesters of the program. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement programs that may help offset expenses or applicants may apply for Stafford Loans through the USF Financial Aid office to help defray expenses.
This is the tenth year USF has offered a scholarship for not-for-profit executives. Past recipients include professionals from United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Metropolitan Ministries, MacDonald Training Center, and Hillsborough County Aging Services.

All scholarship applicants are required to take the GMAT (no exceptions) and finalists will be interviewed. Applications must include a completed Executive MBA Preliminary Application form (mark on the top “Not-for-Profit Scholarship Applicant”), two letters of recommendation, an employer statement of support, university transcripts, and a current resume. All documents can be found here.

For more information, call 974-4876.

USF’s College of Business and School of Accountancy are dually accredited by AACSB International. USF’s College of Business does more than simply disseminate knowledge – it transforms minds while arming students with the skills and knowledge to take leadership positions in business and society. In addition to providing eight business programs, including one of the nation’s top accounting programs, the College of Business offers six master’s degree programs, including a part-time and weekend Executive MBA program.

The University of South Florida is among the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of 39 community engaged public universities as designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. It is one of Florida’s top three research universities. USF was awarded more than $300 million in research contracts and grants last year. The University offers 219 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The University has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 45,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.

- USF -

“Bill is a true asset to our company, bringing more than 27 years of vast experience in the industry,” said Robert Goldschmidt, senior vice president and regional director at Liberty. “In this role he will bring even greater consistency to property management in our buildings across the Southern regions by helping to guide our property management teams in all aspects of the job.”

Carroll will focus on tenant retention and portfolio growth as well as maximizing Liberty’s property value. In addition, Carroll will oversee a team of six senior property managers caring for approximately 665 tenants in 180 properties (totaling more than 15 million square feet of office, flex and industrial space). In addition, Carroll will be based out of the company’s South Florida office.

Prior to joining Liberty, Carroll served as executive vice president and regional property director of Pension Asset Management Inc., where he was responsible for overseeing property management and construction management. Previously, he served as vice president of property management at Trammell Crow Company where he managed a portfolio valued at more than $400 million. In addition, Carroll has prior practice in development, brokerage, financial analysis, facilities management and corporate relocations.

Carroll received his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut and he holds the RPA and FMA designations. Throughout his career, Carroll has been actively involved with BOMA of South Florida (serving previously as President, Secretary/Treasurer and Board of Director), as well as with BOMI Institute (where he was an instructor).

About Liberty Property Trust
Liberty Property Trust is headquartered in Malvern, PA and is dedicated to enhancing people’s lives through extraordinary work environments. The real estate investment trust (REIT) serves customers in the United States and United Kingdom through the development, acquisition, ownership and management of superior office and industrial properties. Liberty’s 78 million square foot portfolio offers exceptional locations and flexible design to more than 2,000 tenants at 700 office, distribution and light manufacturing facilities. The company is a leader in the development of high performance green buildings. For more information please visit www.libertyproperty.com.

Pilgrim’s integrated risk, compliance and quality management solution
helps organizations remain compliant, recognize and preemptively
address potential operational dangers, reduce costs, and operate more
effectively. By combining its proven solution with PSC Group’s roster
of clients, Pilgrim will be able to serve an expanded range of
organizations with its globally recognized process automation
platform.

“Given PSC’s long-standing emphasis on risk mitigation and cost
reduction for our clients, along with the growing demand for
compliance management, a partnership between PSC Group and Pilgrim
Software was a natural fit,” said Jeff Ney, Managing Partner for PSC
Group.

Together, Pilgrim and PSC Group will help customers operating in
highly regulated, process-oriented environments increase business
efficiency, reduce cost, identify operational dangers and avoid
negative outcomes, through the delivery of automated, quality and
compliance-driven software solutions.
“Pilgrim and PSC share a vision of delivering successful software
technology solutions, with the benefit of knowledgeable consulting and
support, that help organizations address and overcome the pressure of
consolidation, globalization and regulation,” said Prashanth
Rajendran, Pilgrim Software’s Chief Operating Officer. “We look
forward to building a very productive relationship between our two
firms which will ultimately help organizations prepare for impending
change and minimize risks along the way.”

About PSC Group
PSC Group, LLC. is a business consulting firm that has been delivering
high value solutions focused on significant cost reductions and risk
mitigation to our clients since 1990. Headquartered in Chicago with a
branch office in Kansas City, we have a history with our clientele
that is based on mutual respect, integrity and honesty. PSC was built
as an alternative resource for organizations that believe they deserve
greater attention than what they would typically receive from the very
large global firms. We focus on solutions that help our clients
achieve their strategic business objectives. Our process begins in the
way we listen, and ends with our clients experiencing a greater return
on their investment. Website: www.psclistens.com

About Pilgrim Software, Inc.
Pilgrim Software, Inc. is a world-leading provider of Enterprise Risk,
Compliance and Quality Management solutions for global organizations.
Named 2007 & 2008 North American Enterprise Compliance & Quality
Management Company of the Year by Frost & Sullivan, Pilgrim helps
organizations manage industry and regulatory compliance, reduce
manufacturing costs and improve customer satisfaction. For more
information, visit Pilgrim Software’s website at
www.pilgrimsoftware.com.

“Construction employment is dropping everywhere and plummeting almost everywhere,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Looking at this data, it is quite clear that the construction industry has yet to hit bottom.”

Simonson noted that California lost more construction jobs, 128,700, while North Dakota lost the least jobs, 200, over the past twelve months. The five states with the largest percentage decline in employment were Nevada (29.9 percent); Arizona (26 percent); Colorado (22.2 percent); Idaho (21 percent); and Florida (20.4 percent). Meanwhile, North Dakota (1 percent); Nebraska (4.1 percent); Alaska (4.2 percent); South Dakota (5.9 percent); and Arkansas (6.2 percent) experienced the smallest decline in construction employment.

Even the monthly employment changes reflect the tough construction conditions, said Simonson, noting that 31 states lost construction jobs between December and January. He added that most of the states adding jobs for the month lost jobs in December, often more than they gained back in January. The economist said this suggested the monthly data was affected by unseasonable weather conditions that also are likely to affect February’s state employment figures.

Association officials cited the new state employment data in urging the Senate to pass a ten month extension to the nation’s surface transportation program and for the administration to accelerate stimulus-funded construction projects. “As privately-funded construction activity continues to decline, federal investments in infrastructure are often the difference between a job and unemployment for what’s left of the industry.”

View the state-by-state employment data.

There is also a huge increase in HART’s U-Pass program, which is up 28% from last year this time. U-Pass allows University of South Florida students to ride HART’s local connector and limited express bus routes for free. It also allows faculty and staff to use the service at a cost of 25 cents.

In addition, HART’s Paratransit service experienced a 3% increase for the first time since December 2008. Paratransit is a service offered to Hillsborough County residents with physical, cognitive, visual or other disabilities, who are unable to use HART’s local fixed route service. This service gives those individuals the freedom to get to work, school, medical appointments and to run errands as needed.
Budget shortfalls and drops in ridership have forced transit agencies across the country to drastically cut service. However, that is not the case in Hillsborough County, where many residents are forced to do more with less and are cutting costs through the use of public transit.

Participating employers include:

Argosy University City of Plant City
ComForcare Senior Services
Florida Surveying & Mapping Society
GEICO
Hillsborough County Civil Service
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Centers for Continuing Education @ HCC
GFS – Gordon Food Service
Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Matcon Construction Services, Inc.
New Horizons
One Touch Direct
Plastipak Packaging
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Sam’s Club
Southeast Milk/Sunshine State Dairy Farms
Time Customer Service
University of South Florida
U.S. Army
Verizon Wireless

The Career Fair is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the John R. Trinkle Center of the Plant City Campus, 1206 N. Park Road, Plant City, FL 33563.

For the full year 2009, Odyssey reported revenues of $4.3 million, compared to $4.1 million in 2008 while operating expenses decreased $6.4 million from $29.1 million in 2008 to $22.7 million in 2009.

The Company reported a net loss of $18.6 million for the full year 2009, compared to a net loss of $24.8 million in 2008. The net loss per share for the full year 2009 was $0.33, compared to a net loss per share of $0.50 in 2008.

“We are pleased with the results of our 2009 operations, which despite some interesting challenges, saw some key strategic opportunities realized that I believe will have a profound effect on our business going forward. Several significant announcements made in late 2009 and early 2010 represent outstanding new opportunities for Odyssey, including the intention to syndicate multiple shipwreck projects with Robert Fraser & Partners that will mirror the structure of the “Enigma” project already executed. Taking into account expected revenue from multiple sources including these syndicated projects, we believe our current cash position is sufficient to fund operating cash flows through 2010, barring unforeseen circumstances,” said Odyssey CEO Greg Stemm.

“Also in 2009, we acquired a stake in a venture to pursue the exploration of deep-ocean gold and copper deposits. By providing our technical expertise and certain marine assets, we believe this will provide a lucrative future opportunity and is a natural extension to leverage our core competencies in deep-ocean exploration,” stated Stemm.

“In 2010, Odyssey will remain focused on continuing to strengthen our relations with several governments to conduct shipwreck searches with no upfront cost to taxpayers while returning cultural heritage and economic value to the governments. In September 2009, the UK Government awarded Odyssey a salvage award for the two cannon recovered from HMS Victory, while discussions continue to determine future plans for the site. The UK Government also awarded the exclusive salvage contract to Odyssey for the cargo of silver from the SS Gairsoppa,” continued Stemm. “We have a very ambitious operational schedule planned for 2010, with seven separate projects planned, utilizing at least three ships as well as some outstanding new deep ocean assets we have just acquired. We also have some interesting new technology on the drawing board that will extend our capabilities to a depth of 6,000 meters.”

Revenue

Revenue is generated through the sale of coins, artifacts and merchandise, the lease of our themed attraction exhibit and expedition charters. In the fourth quarter 2009, expedition charter revenue included compensation to provide project research and shipwreck search and survey services to Robert Fraser Marine Ltd and client companies of Robert Fraser & Partners LLP located in the United Kingdom. In 2008, expedition charter revenue included revenue associated with the production of the shipwreck exploration television series Treasure Quest.

Artifact sales and other revenues primarily include coin sales, but also include other artifacts, merchandise, commissions, and other miscellaneous revenue. Artifact and other revenues for 2009 and 2008 were $1.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively. In 2009 we sold nearly 2,400 silver coins, a 35% increase over 2008. The decrease of $.1 million in artifact sales and other in 2009 primarily related to higher 2008 other revenue which included $.3 million representing the sale of customer lists to our direct marketing partner. In 2009 and 2008, we sold through several independent dealers of which two represented 72% and 69% of total artifact sales, respectively. As of December 31, 2009, we had a remaining inventory of approximately 29,000 silver coins. Our artifact and other and exhibit revenue for 2009 and 2008 was predominantly U.S. domestic-based.

Exhibit revenue was $.6 million and $.5 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Odyssey’s SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure is an interactive multi-media exhibit and features hundreds of artifacts recovered from our deep-ocean shipwreck expeditions. In 2009 the exhibit was featured at two locations (Oklahoma City and Charlotte, North Carolina) and three locations in 2008 (Tampa, Detroit and Oklahoma City). Exhibit revenue varied dependent on the type of contract which was either a fixed rental or a per visitor basis.

Expedition charter revenue for fourth quarter 2009 included $.8 million for the sale of research and $1.2 million for shipwreck search and survey services related to the Robert Fraser Marine Ltd “Enigma” project (see Operational Projects, Item 1). In 2008, expedition charter revenue included $1.9 million of expedition charter revenue related to the television series Treasure Quest.

Cost and Expenses

Cost of sales consists of shipwreck recovery costs, grading, conservation, packaging, and shipping costs associated with artifact and merchandise sales. The primary cost component is from the sale of coins. Cost of sales for coins increased 38% for 2009 versus 2008 primarily because of more coins sold in 2009. However, overall cost of sales increased only 8% due to other miscellaneous charges in 2008. Actual cost as a percentage of coin sales was 44% and 40% in 2009 and 2008, respectively. There is no cost of sales component associated with the themed attraction and expedition charter revenues.

Operations and research expenses primarily include all costs within Archaeology, Conservation, Research, and Marine Operations, which include all vessel operations. Operations and research expenses were $12.6 million in 2009, compared to $18.6 million in 2008. The $6.0 million decrease, or 32%, was primarily related to a $3.0 million decrease in vessel operating expenses of which $2.4 million related to fewer ship charters utilized in 2009 (which were used in 2008 to supplement our operating schedule in the “Atlas” search area while the Ocean Alert was undergoing repairs), and $.6 million related to other vessel operating expenses primarily fuel, port fees, consumables and provisions.

We also had a decrease of $2.5 million in vessel repairs and maintenance expenses due to extensive repairs to both ships in 2008. The remaining decrease in operations and research expenses in 2009 of $.5 million was attributed to lower vessel miscellaneous operating expenses.

Marketing, general and administrative expenses primarily include all costs within the following departments: Executive, Finance & Accounting, Legal, Information Technology, Human Resources, Marketing & Communications, Sales and Business Development. Marketing, general and administrative expenses were $9.4 million in 2009 versus $9.8 million in 2008. The decrease of $.4 million was primarily attributable to reduced corporate overhead of $.7 million including professional fees and expenses and depreciation, offset by $.3 million of unfavorable employee-related expenses including share-based compensation and bonuses.

Operational Projects and Status

We have numerous shipwreck and other deep-ocean projects in various stages of development around the world. In order to protect the targets of our planned search or recovery operations, in some cases we will defer disclosing specific information relating to our projects until we have located a shipwreck or other potentially valuable resources of interest and determined a course of action to protect our property rights.

“Atlas” Search Project

Between 2005 and 2008, we searched more than 4,700 square nautical miles of seabed in the western English Channel and the Western Approaches to the Channel, recording 267 shipwrecks. The shipwrecks discovered include site “35-F”, the Marqise de Tornay, and HMS Victory (1744). Additional information about the current status of the admiralty legal proceedings on these three shipwreck sites is available in Admiralty Legal Proceedings following this section.

Site “35-F” (admiralty case number 8:06-cv-1685) is believed to be an armed English merchantman from the second half of the 17th century. The site has been heavily damaged by fishing activities, and a confirmed identification may not be possible. During a preliminary investigation of the site, Odyssey discovered a rare wooden folding carpenter’s rule – the oldest ever recovered from a shipwreck site. The ruler was on display at the Museum of the History of Science at Oxford in the UK. More information about the ruler is described in a paper available at www.shipwreck.net/publications.php.

Operations for the 2009 “Atlas” season commenced in February 2009 with the 251-foot Odyssey Explorer conducting search and inspection operations. In addition to search and inspection technology used in the past, our teams have integrated new technologies into the ZEUS platform that have significantly enhanced its inspection capabilities.

The Ocean Alert was utilized for some search operations in the “Atlas” search area in 2009 and after undergoing equipment upgrades, left the “Atlas” area in November to begin work on the “Enigma” project (see “Enigma” Project).

In 2009, approximately 1,000 square miles of seabed were mapped with side-scan sonar and magnetometer. Odyssey’s Remotely Operated Vehicle ZEUS completed 141 dives spending approximately 380 hours on the seabed. Of the 238 targets inspected in 2009, 11 shipwrecks were discovered. We anticipate resuming operations in the “Atlas” search area in the second quarter of 2010.

HMS Victory Project

We discovered and conducted a preliminary investigation of the shipwreck of Admiral Balchin’s HMS Victory (which sank in 1744) during our 2008 “Atlas” season. HMS Victory was the inspiration for and direct predecessor to Nelson’s Victory and was the mightiest and most technically advanced vessel of her age.

Odyssey has been cooperating closely with the United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence (the “MOD”) on the HMS Victory project. All activities at the site, including the recovery of two bronze cannon, have been conducted in accordance with protocols agreed to by the UK Government and Royal Navy officials. The Victory discovery was announced publicly February 2, 2009, and since that date, various departments within the UK Government have been reviewing data from the site. On September 18, 2009, Odyssey announced it reached an agreement with the UK Government on an 80% salvage award for the cannon recovered from the site. Pursuant to the agreement, Odyssey dismissed without prejudice the admiralty arrest on this site. Odyssey is participating in the ongoing process of consultation with the UK Government to determine what approaches should be adopted towards the wreck. Terms of the collaboration between Odyssey and the UK MOD on the project are currently being negotiated.

Although the UK is not a signatory to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Convention for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage (“CPUCH”) and therefore not bound by CPUCH, Odyssey’s proposal is consistent with the archaeological principles of the Rules of CPUCH.

“Gairsoppa” Project

On January 25, 2010, Odyssey was awarded the exclusive salvage contract for the cargo of the SS Gairsoppa by the United Kingdom (UK) Government Department for Transport. The contract was awarded after a competitive bid process and is for two (2) years, which commenced immediately.

The SS Gairsoppa was a British cargo steamer enlisted in the service of the United Kingdom for the Ministry of War Transport during World War II. It was torpedoed by a German U-Boat in February 1941 in the North Atlantic while reportedly carrying a significant cargo of silver.

Odyssey will assume the risk, expense, and responsibility for the search, cargo recovery, documentation, and marketing of the cargo. If the salvage is successful, Odyssey will be compensated with a salvage award which consists of 80% of the net value of the recovered cargo after deduction of expenses of search and salvage. This project aligns with our strategy to focus on partnership projects with several governments that provide straightforward legal ownership arrangements.

Robert Fraser Projects (“Enigma,” “Firebrand,”Shantaram”)

Odyssey and our wholly owned subsidiary, OVH, Inc. executed agreements in October 2009 to provide project research and shipwreck search and survey services to Robert Fraser Marine Ltd and client companies of Robert Fraser & Partners LLP in return for cash payments (approximately $3.5 million), deferred cash payments (approximately $20 million from proceeds of the “Enigma” project, if any) and a significant back-end interest in a project code-named “Enigma.” Search operations on “Enigma” commenced in November 2009. Side-scan operations were substantially completed by the end of February 2010 and final target inspections are expected to be completed in March.

Odyssey and syndication partner Robert Fraser & Partners LLP have jointly developed plans and signed a letter of intent on February 4, 2010, to execute a series (at least six) of additional deep-ocean projects in 2010 based on the model of the project code-named “Enigma.” Three projects are expected to target shipwrecks, while three or more projects will be aimed at mineral mining expeditions (see “Subsea Mineral Exploration Projects” included in this section).

Under the proposed structure, Odyssey will be compensated for search, survey and archaeological excavation as well as development of research files on specific shipwrecks and other projects. Odyssey will also receive deferred cash payments and have a substantial interest in the back-end of each project as well as being compensated for providing other services including conservation, documentation, marketing and sales of recovered cargoes. Under the proposed structure for mineral mining projects, Odyssey will be compensated for search and survey operations and development of geological research files on specific expeditions. If valuable mineral deposits are found and eventually sold, Odyssey will receive deferred cash payments and will benefit from its ownership in the mining company (see “Subsea Mineral Exploration Projects” included in this section).

We expect to execute the first two shipwreck agreements under the letter of intent during March 2010. Odyssey will provide project research and shipwreck search and survey services to Robert Fraser Marine Ltd and client companies of Robert Fraser & Partners LLP in return for cash payments, deferred payments and a significant back-end interest in the “Firebrand” and “Shantaram” projects. Search operations are expected to commence on “Shantaram” during April 2010 and “Firebrand” in July 2010.

We expect to execute agreements for mineral mining expeditions beginning in April 2010. To protect the security of the search area, specific location details for “Enigma”, “Firebrand” and “Shantaram” are not being released at this time.

Lebanon Projects

On January 25, 2010, Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 409 crashed into the Mediterranean Sea shortly after take-off from Beirut International Airport in Lebanon. Our search vessel, Ocean Alert, was operating near the area and had been using the Beirut port for fuel and supplies during these operations. In the weeks prior to the ET409 crash, Odyssey management had been negotiating an agreement with the Government of Lebanon to partner in a deep-ocean project so Lebanese officials were familiar with the capabilities of Odyssey and the Ocean Alert.

When ET 409 crashed, Lebanese authorities contacted Odyssey and asked the company to assist in the search and recovery efforts. The Alert returned to Beirut and was integrated into search operations that included the Lebanese Navy and Army, the US Navy (USS Ramage) and a German Navy ship, the Laboe.

Before the plane wreckage was discovered, the Government of Lebanon asked Odyssey to provide additional capabilities for more complex technical documentation of the site. Odyssey sent the Odyssey Explorer, which was based in the UK, on the approximate two-week transit to Lebanon to assist. We have tentatively agreed to a payment schedule for services provided which included vessels, management, and shore support. We may also furnish additional services to map the site and recover other parts of the aircraft wreckage if contracted to do so.

Odyssey is continuing negotiations with the Lebanese government for the original project. All operations on this project will be conducted in close coordination with the Government of Lebanon and will include official government observers on board Odyssey vessels. Search operations for this project are expected to commence in March 2010.

Subsea Mineral Mining Exploration Project

In November 2009, Odyssey acquired a 25% interest in SMM Project LLC, a company funded by a group of investors to bring together the exclusive licenses and skills of world renowned deep-ocean geologist Dr. Timothy McConachy of Bluewater Metals, the deep-ocean survey and exploration expertise of Odyssey, and the offshore coring and mining expertise of Robert Goodden and Subsea Minerals.

SMM Project LLC recently purchased a majority interest in Bluewater Metals Pty Ltd, an Australian company with licenses for mineral exploration of approximately 150,000 square kilometers of ocean floor in four different countries in the South Pacific. The group will focus on the exploration and monetization of gold, silver, zinc and copper-rich Seafloor Massive Sulfide (SMS) deposits through a new business entity, Dorado Ocean Resources Ltd (Dorado), which will acquire SMM Project LLC and the remaining interest in Bluewater, in accordance with a memorandum of understanding concluded between the parties.

It is anticipated that Odyssey will dedicate certain marine assets, including a ship and related marine exploration technology to the endeavor, and will initially own approximately 40% of Dorado prior to any additional dilution that may result from additional financing. In addition, Odyssey is expected to provide proprietary expertise and personnel management to the entity under contract, and will supervise operations to explore for deep-ocean SMS deposits in areas covered by exploration permits currently held by Bluewater Metals and Dorado Ocean Resources.

Odyssey recently entered into a long term charter agreement for a vessel which is scheduled to commence subsea mineral exploration in the South Pacific beginning in the second quarter of 2010.

North Carolina Project

Operations were conducted in August and September 2009 in the area covered by the exploration permit issued by the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources to Odyssey’s partner, Intersal, Inc. Odyssey worked under an agreement with Intersal, Inc. to pursue operations under this permit and to share in substantial research and data acquired by Intersal over the years relating to the target shipwreck and the work completed to date in the permit area.

The 2009 operations included a remote sensing in two search blocks with side-scan sonar and magnetometer which identified multiple targets requiring additional inspection. A preliminary report and final report have been submitted to the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources.

While the partnership between Odyssey and Intersal resulted in positive progress on the project, Odyssey and Intersal mutually agreed to terminate the contract between the two companies, and Odyssey has no current plans to conduct operations in the Intersal permit area. Odyssey will retain a small percentage of any gross revenues realized by Intersal from shipwreck finds in the permit area.

The area covered by the Intersal permit is located near but does not overlap Odyssey’s “Firefly” project, which was acquired by Odyssey from BDJ Discovery Group in 2007 and includes one arrested site that has already produced a small number of gold and silver artifacts. Odyssey does plan to continue operations on the “Firefly” project.

“Symphony” Project

Odyssey completed the first phase of survey in a new search area code named “Symphony.” The work was conducted under a government permit in an exclusive claim area and in conjunction with a project partner. Results of the survey have been analyzed and compiled into a report, which has been provided to the government for review before the next phase of work is commenced. Preliminary review of the data suggests that four shipwrecks may have been located in the phase-one search area, but at this point, none of the sites have been conclusively identified. Research suggests the search area potentially contains at least two commercial vessels with significant cargoes of gold coins. Sea conditions in this area limit the time operations can be conducted on this project.

The expedition was conducted by the Odyssey search team on a chartered vessel. To protect the security of the search area, specific location details are not being released at this time. Proceeds of any recoveries from this search area will be split with the government and project partner with an anticipated 88% of the net proceeds of the project retained by Odyssey.

HMS Sussex Project

The Sussex project is an expedition to locate and recover the artifacts and cargo of a large colonial-period British warship, HMS Sussex, which was lost in a severe storm in 1694. Based on documentary research conducted by contract researchers and our in-house research team in libraries and historical archives in Great Britain, France and other countries, we believe that there is a high probability the ship was carrying a cargo of coins with a substantial numismatic and collector value. Our analysis of the data was accumulated from a review of the ship’s logs, court martial records, state papers, treasury books and various other letters and reports. We conducted offshore search operations on this project in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Based on the results of these search operations, we believe there is a high probability we may have located the HMS Sussex, but this will only be confirmed after additional excavation of the site.

On September 27, 2002, we entered into an agreement with the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which we refer to as Her Majesty’s Government (HMG), which allows us to conduct an archaeologically sensitive exploration of the shipwreck believed to be HMS Sussex and to recover artifacts from the shipwreck site. The agreement provided for us to submit a Project Plan to HMG concerning the equipment, personnel and methodologies we intend to use in the exploration of the shipwreck, and the conservation and documentation of any artifacts and cargo that may be recovered. This Plan was submitted and was declared fit for purpose during 2004 with the exception of the staffing plan, which could not be completed until the actual start date was agreed upon and the availability of personnel could be determined. The staffing plan was approved during 2005 and we began exploration of the site during December 2005.

In late 2005 and early 2006, Odyssey completed to the satisfaction of HMG all work detailed in Phase 1A of the HMS Sussex archaeological project plan. The Company has also completed a portion of Phase 1B. The Company temporarily halted operations on the project at the request of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs while issues relative to the archaeological plan for excavation of the site, territorial and cultural resource management issues were negotiated.

As a sovereign warship, HMS Sussex remains the property of HMG which, to our knowledge, has not been contested by the Spanish government or other entities. As part of the partnering agreement signed between Odyssey and HMG in 2002, the following sharing arrangements have been agreed upon with respect to the aggregate amount of the appraised values and/or selling prices of the artifacts, net of agreed selling expenses:

Range British Government Odyssey
$0-45 million 20% 80%
$45 million-$500 million 50% 50%
Above $500 million 60% 40%

In addition to the percentages specified above, we will also pay HMG 10% of any net income we derive from intellectual property rights associated with the project.

Under the agreement, HMG has the right to keep all artifacts together in one collection, and to then compensate Odyssey by paying us the commensurate percentage of the appraised retail value of the collection. Alternatively, HMG may decide to de-accession duplicate artifacts such as coins and to compensate us by giving us a percentage of those artifacts in an amount that correlates with the percentage of the value due us.

Also, we received the exclusive worldwide right to use the name “HMS Sussex” in connection with sales and marketing of merchandise (exclusive of artifacts) related to the shipwreck, and HMG will receive 3% of the gross sales of such merchandise.

Our agreement with HMG is for a period of 20 years, and can only be terminated if:

• the shipwreck is not HMS Sussex;
• we are in serious breach of our obligations under our agreement with HMG.

The shipwreck that is believed to be HMS Sussex is located in the search area for a project that we have previously referred to as our “Cambridge” project. We sold through private placements of Revenue Participation Certificates, or RPCs, the right to share in our future revenues derived from the “Cambridge” project. As of April 30, 1999, when the offering was closed, we had sold $825,000 of the RPCs. As a group, the holders are entitled to 100 % of the first $825,000 of gross revenue, 24.75 % of gross revenue from $4 million to $35 million, and 12.375 % of gross revenue above $35 million generated by the “Cambridge” project. Additionally, on May 26, 1998, we signed an agreement with a subcontractor that entitled it to receive 5 % of the post-finance cost proceeds from any shipwrecks in a certain search area of the Mediterranean Sea. The shipwreck we believe is HMS Sussex is located within the specified search area, and we will be responsible to share future revenues, if any, from this shipwreck with the subcontractor. The subcontractor’s rights were foreclosed upon during 2002 and the purchaser was a limited liability company which was partially owned by two of our officers and directors at the time. In order to remove any potential conflicts of interest, these two persons sold their interests in the limited liability company during 2005.

Because the government of Spain is pursuing claims against our recovery from the “Black Swan” project, the HMS Sussex project, which has involved work in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Gibraltar, has been delayed. See “Black Swan” Arrest under Admiralty Legal Proceedings in the next section.

Admiralty Legal Proceedings

An Admiralty arrest is a legal process in which Odyssey seeks recognition from the Court of Odyssey’s salvor-in-possession status for a specific shipwreck, site or cargo. It is the first legal step in establishing Odyssey’s rights to ownership or to a salvage award.

“Black Swan” Arrest

In April 2007, we filed an Admiralty arrest on a site in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 1,100 meters deep, beyond the territorial waters or contiguous zone of any sovereign nation, and we were appointed substitute custodian for all artifacts recovered from the site. Odyssey code named the site “Black Swan.” In May 2007, the Kingdom of Spain filed a notice in this case stating that the Spanish government did not intend to give up rights to any Spanish property which might be on the site.

On April 11, 2008, Odyssey filed its responses to the Court’s interrogatories and identified the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes (the “Mercedes”), a vessel assigned to transport mail, private passengers, consignments of merchant goods and other cargoes, as one vessel potentially related to the “Black Swan” site, although there is evidence that may contradict this hypothesis. Odyssey reiterated that no vessel has been found at the site, and stated that other hypotheses were also being explored. Spain then filed its answers to the Court’s interrogatories indicating that it had concluded that the vessel related to the “Black Swan” site was the Mercedes.

Spain filed a Motion to Dismiss the case on September 22, 2008, based upon the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (“FSIA”), alleging that the U.S. District Court lacks jurisdiction. Odyssey filed a response on November 17, 2008, to which Spain filed a reply on January 26, 2009. Odyssey filed a response to that reply on February 13, 2009. Claims have also been filed in the case by the country of Peru as well as named individuals who assert an interest in property that was aboard the Mercedes. Those named individuals have specifically acknowledged Odyssey’s right to a salvage award in the case. On May 4, 2009, Peru filed its objection to Spain’s Motion to Dismiss that Spain filed on September 22, 2008.

On June 3, 2009, a Report and Recommendation (R&R) was filed by the Magistrate which recommended that Spain’s Motion to Dismiss the case be granted. Six separate Objections were filed, including an Objection from Odyssey, Peru, and many claiming to be descendants of merchants who owned the private cargo on the Mercedes. Odyssey’s objection included arguments that:

• The applied legal standard of review was incorrect (i.e., the motion must be denied because the factual questions regarding jurisdiction are intertwined with the merits of the case).
• There was no coherent vessel located at the “Black Swan” site.
• There is clear and convincing evidence of the commercial nature of the Mercedes’ mission at the time of her demise which Odyssey believes legally nullifies the claim to sovereign immunity of that vessel.
• A distinction between cargo and vessel is allowed and even required by settled admiralty law.
• The majority of the coins aboard the Mercedes were merchant-owned, commercial cargo being shipped as freight for a fee and were never owned by Spain.

Spain filed a response to the Objections on August 31, 2009. Odyssey filed a reply to that response on October 15, 2009, reiterating that the R&R had applied the wrong legal standard of review and had incorrectly interpreted factual and legal issues. On October 14, 2009, Odyssey filed a response to a statement of interest filed in the case by the United States Department of Justice which, while not addressing the specific jurisdictional issue before the court, supported Spain’s argument that the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes, would have been considered a sovereign vessel. The court denied Odyssey’s motion to file a declaration signed by the primary drafter of relevant legislation. A motion to file an amicus brief by members of Congress purporting to counter the DOJ filing was also denied.

On December 23, 2009, Odyssey received notification from the U.S. District Judge that he adopted the Magistrate’s Report and Recommendation in the “Black Swan” case in favor of Spain. Although the Judge complimented Magistrate Pizzo’s Report and Recommendation, he also made it clear that he felt a separate opinion by him would “add only length and neither depth nor clarity (and certainly not finality) to this dispute.” The Judge also stayed the order vacating the arrest warrant and the return of the recovered coins to Spain until the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit rules in the case, which serves to keep the coins in Odyssey’s possession pending the outcome of the case.

We filed our notice of appeal with the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida and Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals on January 15, 2010.

“Atlas” Arrests

We currently have two pending Admiralty arrest cases on sites in the “Atlas” search area. Case number 8:06-cv-1685 was discovered and arrested in 2006. This site remains unidentified. Case number 8:08-cv-01044 was discovered and arrested in 2008 and is believed to be the privateer Marqise de Tornay.

Unidentified Shipwreck

The Kingdom of Spain initially appeared as a claimant in this case but has since admitted no interest. On February 1, 2010, the Court granted Odyssey’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment giving us title to all artifacts recovered from the site and administratively closing the in rem portion of the case (Case number 8:06-cv-1685). The only issue remaining is the claim of Keith Bray.

On December 20, 2007, Bray filed an Intervening Complaint in this case involving the site arrested in September 2006. His claim includes counts for Fraud, Rescission and Mutual Mistake and seeks to have the Court rescind his contract with Odyssey which specifically provided that Bray was entitled only to the cash payment paid to him for historical research work. On January 9, 2008, Odyssey filed its Answer and Affirmative Defenses to the Intervening Complaint denying Bray’s allegations and attaching a copy of the Research Agreement which Odyssey had with Bray. The parties are in the process of evidence discovery and a trial of the case is scheduled for the August 2010 trial term.

Marquise de Tornay

In May 2008, Odyssey filed Admiralty arrests on a Colonial period shipwreck site in the “Atlas” search area. The site contained cannon and other artifacts. On June 20, 2008, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida appointed Odyssey as substitute custodian of the site.

Based on a bell recovered from the shipwreck site, site exploration and artifacts, Odyssey believes the arrest (case number 8:08-cv-01044) to be the shipwreck of the privateer Marquise de Tornay. On January 23, 2009, the company published notice of the likely identity. No claimants have come forward to date. On July 30, 2009, the Clerk of the Court entered a notice of default on the shipwreck believed to be the Marquise de Tornay (case number 8:08-cv-01044) closing the time for claimants to come forward in the case. Odyssey is seeking a default judgment in the case.

HMS Victory

Along with the Marquise de Tornay, Odyssey arrested a site which it announced on February 2, 2009, is the shipwreck of the HMS Victory, the last Royal Navy warship to be lost at sea with a complete complement of bronze cannon. Odyssey also announced that it had recovered two unique cannon from the site and the company’s research indicated the HMS Victory sunk with a substantial amount of gold and silver specie aboard.

As part of a larger agreement with the United Kingdom, including a salvage award for the cannon recovered to date from the site, Odyssey filed a motion to dismiss, without prejudice, the admiralty action (case number 8:08-cv-01045). The Court granted the motion on September 19, 2009. Although the admiralty case in U.S. Court has been closed, Odyssey continues discussions with the UK Ministry of Defence regarding future efforts at the site.

North Atlantic Arrests – Laconia and Cairn Hill

In November 2008, Admiralty arrests were also filed on two shipwrecks located in the north Atlantic Ocean over 300 miles from the western approaches to the English Channel. (Case numbers 8:08-cv-02219 and 8:08-cv-02220). On November 13, 2008, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida appointed Odyssey as substitute custodian of both sites and the artifacts recovered therefrom. On February 9, 2009, the United Kingdom filed Verified Statements of Right or Interest in each of the cases, asserting a potential interest in the vessels and/or cargo recovered from the sites.

After reaching an agreement with the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Transportation, Odyssey filed a request on July 17, 2009, to dismiss without prejudice, case number 8:08-cv-02219, the arrest of the shipwreck site believed to be the Laconia. The case was closed on July 20, 2009.

Odyssey filed an Amended Arrest complaint on July 16, 2009, on the shipwreck believed to be Cairn Hill (case number 8:08-cv-02220) to exclude from the arrest any property on the vessel that was the property of the United Kingdom. On August 11, 2009, Deep 6 Ltd., a British corporation, filed a claim in the case stating that Deep 6, Ltd. is the salvor in possession of the shipwreck. Odyssey has contested the claim and the parties are currently in the discovery stage. The claim is scheduled to be tried after February 1, 2011.

Mediterranean Arrest – Ancona

In April 2007, Odyssey filed an Admiralty arrest on a shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea believed to be the Ancona, a 20th century passenger liner believed to be carrying valuable cargo, and Odyssey was appointed substitute custodian of the artifacts recovered.

On June 25, 2009, Odyssey filed a motion to stay the proceedings on the shipwreck site believed to be Ancona. The court had previously entered a default in the case, but rather than proceeding to judgment, Odyssey requested a stay of the proceedings to discuss with Italy any potential interests they may have in the wreck. Odyssey asked the court to stay the proceedings until the parties have concluded negotiations, and on January 6, 2010, the parties filed a Joint Motion to Preserve the Administratively Closed Status. Odyssey has agreed to confer with Italy before any recovery at the site.

We will continue to pursue prompt resolutions of all claims. If we are able to confirm that any entity has a potential legitimate legal claim to any of the materials recovered from these sites, we intend to provide legal notice to any and all potential claimants. Even if another entity is able to prove that it has an ownership interest in the shipwreck and/or cargo and they had not legally abandoned the shipwreck, Odyssey would seek a salvage award from the Admiralty Court. In cases such as this, salvors are typically awarded up to 90% of the recovery.

About Odyssey Marine Exploration

Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NasdaqCM: OMEX) is engaged in the exploration of deep-ocean shipwrecks and uses innovative methods and state-of-the-art technology to conduct extensive search and archaeological recovery operations around the world. Odyssey discovered the Civil War-era shipwreck of the SS Republic® in 2003 and recovered over 50,000 coins and 14,000 artifacts from the site nearly 1,700 feet deep. In May 2007, Odyssey announced the historic deep-ocean treasure recovery of over 500,000 silver and gold coins, weighing 17 tons, from a Colonial era site code-named “Black Swan.” In February 2009, Odyssey announced the discovery of Balchin’s HMS Victory. Odyssey also has other shipwreck projects in various stages of development around the world.

Odyssey offers various ways to share in the excitement of deep-ocean exploration by making shipwreck treasures and artifacts available to collectors, the general public and students through its webstore, exhibits, books, television, merchandise, and educational programs.

Odyssey’s operations are the subject of a Discovery Channel television series titled “Treasure Quest,” which is produced by JWM Productions. The 12-episode first season aired worldwide in 2009. Production on a second season is underway.

For details on the Odyssey’s activities and its commitment to the preservation of maritime heritage please visit www.shipwreck.net.

Consolidated Financial Statements (PDF). You will need Adobe Acrobat to view this file. If you do not have this program, you can download a free Adobe Acrobat Reader at Adobe.com # # #

Odyssey Marine Exploration believes the information set forth in this Press Release may include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Certain factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are set forth in “Risk Factors,” and “Business” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

###

Set in the year 1912 on Cape Cod, a lighthouse keeper who has disavowed any association with females must deal with the appearance of two attractive women who move into a nearby cottage for the summer. The romantic comedy was written and directed by Daniel Adams and features Richard Dreyfuss, Blythe Danner, Tom Wisdom, Mamie Gummer and Bruce Dern. “The Lightkeepers” is a New Films International release of a Cape Cod Filmworks production in association with Dreyfuss/James Productions. The trailer may be viewed at www.thelightkeepersmovie.com.

Tickets are priced at $25 and may be purchased by visiting www.channelsideimax.com or in person at the Channelside IMAX Theater located at 615 Channelside Drive in Tampa. Seating is limited. The American Victory Ship is pleased to donate a portion of its proceeds to the Egmont Key Alliance. To learn more about Tampa Bay’s own historic lighthouse and Egmont Key, visit www.egmontkey.org.

The world-class SS American Victory served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The ship went through a $2.5 million restoration in June 1985. In October 1996, Captain John C. Timmel learned the SS American Victory was earmarked for scrap if not acquired for memorial purposes. Feeling that a museum would be feasible in Tampa, FL, the ship was towed from Texas to its permanent location in Channelside in downtown Tampa behind the Florida Aquarium in September 1999.

Aboard the American Victory Ship, visitors experience an unforgettable voyage of discovery by witnessing virtually the entire ship, including cavernous three-level cargo holds, radio and gyro rooms, hospital, galley, weaponry, reefers, steering stations, flying bridge, signaling equipment, wheelhouse, officer and crew messes, engine room, crew cabins, chartroom, lifeboats and cargo equipment. The developing museum contains photographs of the American Victory and other period merchant ships, U.S. Merchant Marine uniforms, medals and documents, personal recollections of life at sea as well as navigational equipment, hands-on displays and weaponry. Currently the AmVic is hosting the Shipwreck Technology Display presented by Odyssey Marine Exploration. The display features a life-size replica of ZEUS, Odyssey’s Remotely Operative Vehicle (ROV).

The American Victory Ship is located directly behind the Florida Aquarium at 705 Channelside Drive in Tampa and offers memberships, volunteer and docent training, educational programs, group sales, and special events. The AmVic is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from noon to 5pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (65+) and veterans, and $5 for children (4-12). Free tours will be offered from 4pm to 10pm the evening of the premiere for those who wish to view the ship preceding or following “The Lightkeepers” film. For more information, please call 813.228.8766 or visit www.americanvictory.org.

# # # #

TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 11.9 percent in January 2010, up 0.2 percentage point from the December revised rate of 11.7 percent, and up from 8.7 percent a year ago. January’s rate equals the May 1975 rate, the highest in the recorded series. Florida’s unemployment rate remained higher than the national average, which was 9.7 percent in January.

Florida’s total nonagricultural employment in January 2010 is 7,144,300, representing a decline of 6,100 jobs
(-0.1 percent) over the month and a job loss of 303,200 jobs, or -4.1 percent, compared to January 2009. Florida’s rate of job decline is steeper than the national rate of decline for January which is -3.0 percent over the year.

Employer Tax Relief

On the first day of Florida’s Legislative Session last week, state lawmakers and Governor Charlie Crist approved a bill to bring much-needed tax relief to Florida’s businesses. The new law reduces the minimum rate of unemployment tax businesses owe from $100.30 to $25.50 per employee.

The bill also extended until February 27, 2010 Florida’s Extended Benefits program for unemployment compensation customers who have exhausted all state and federally funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits. Extended Benefits will immediately provide benefits to nearly 20,000 Floridians for up to eight additional weeks. The agency is notifying Floridians who may be eligible by mail. Those who believe they may be eligible may apply online at www.floridajobs.org or by mail or fax using the application they will receive from the agency.

“Under the leadership of Governor Crist and with the support of Florida’s Legislature, Florida businesses will benefit from a dramatically reduced employer tax rate that will help companies avoid layoffs and support economic growth,” said Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo. “This new law also provides federally funded Extended Benefits to assist nearly 20,000 Floridians who have exhausted their unemployment benefits.”

Florida Back to Work

Governor Crist today announced that AWI, in partnership with the Florida Department of Children and Families, Workforce Florida Inc., and the state’s Regional Workforce Boards, will receive its first installment of $61.2 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the $200 million Florida Back to Work initiative. Distribution of the remaining funds will follow. Once these funds are released, Florida is ready to begin implementing the program statewide and putting Floridians back into the workforce.

Florida Back to Work will employ Floridians who receive, or are eligible to receive, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). To date, the agency has received more than 1,100 proposals from businesses around the state. Participating employers will post job openings on the Employ Florida Marketplace at www.employflorida.com as positions become available. Please visit www.floridajobs.org to learn more.

Census Hiring Impact

The Census Bureau, as part of the 2010 count of U.S. residents, is in the process of hiring thousands of employees between now and September to assist with the count in Florida. The state anticipates the Census will employ more than 63,700 Floridians over the duration of the process with salaries in the $9-$16 per hour range. Census job openings, both full and part-time, are posted in the Employ Florida Marketplace at www.employflorida.com.

These positions will be critical to the state’s effort to ensure an accurate count so that Floridians receive their fair share of funding and representation in Washington, D.C., during the next decade. For more information on the 2010 Census, please visit www.sunshinecensus2010.com.

United States and Florida Unemployment Rates (seasonally adjusted)

Source: Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, Labor Market Statistics Center, Local Area Unemployment

Statistics Program, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Florida’s Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted)

· The number of jobs in Florida is 7,144,300, down 303,200 in January 2010 compared to a year ago. The industry losing the most jobs is construction (-90,700 jobs, -20.4 percent).
· Other industries losing jobs over the year include: trade, transportation, and utilities (-56,600 jobs, -3.7 percent); professional and business services (-44,900 jobs, -4.2 percent); manufacturing (-42,200 jobs,
-12.2 percent); leisure and hospitality (-39,700 jobs, -4.3 percent); financial activities (-27,800 jobs, -5.6 percent); information (-13,700 jobs, -9.2 percent); other services (-8,400 jobs, -2.6 percent); and total government (-2,500 jobs, -0.2 percent).
· These industry job losses are partially due to weakness in specialty trade contractors; merchant wholesalers of durable goods; employment services; fabricated metal product manufacturing; food services and drinking places; credit intermediation; publishing; membership associations and organizations; and local government.
· Private education and health services (+23,600 jobs, +2.2 percent) is the only sector gaining jobs among Florida’s major industries. Most of the increase is due to health care and social assistance (+19,500 jobs, +2.1 percent), primarily in ambulatory health care services. Private education increased by 4,100 jobs (+2.9 percent) over the year.
Local Area Unemployment Statistics (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

· In January 2010, Liberty County has the state’s lowest unemployment rate (7.5 percent), followed by Monroe County (8.2 percent), Leon County (8.5 percent), and Alachua County (8.7 percent). Many of the counties with the lowest unemployment rates are those with relatively high proportions of government employment.
· Flagler County (17.1 percent) has the highest unemployment rate in Florida in January 2010, followed by Hernando (15.7 percent); Marion County (15.4 percent); Hardee and St. Lucie counties (14.9 percent); and Citrus County (14.6 percent). The counties with the highest unemployment rates in the state experienced continued weakness in construction, manufacturing, and financial activities. There were 57 Florida counties with double-digit unemployment rates in January, up from 51 the previous month.
Area Nonagricultural Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

· All metro areas in the state except one lost jobs over the year in January 2010. The Panama City-Lynn Haven-Panama City Beach metro area gained 200 jobs (+0.3 percent) over the year. Metro areas with the steepest declines include Sebastian-Vero Beach (-7.3 percent, -3,400 jobs); Naples-Marco Island (-6.2 percent, -7,200 jobs); Ocala (-6.0 percent, -5,700 jobs); and Cape Coral-Ft. Myers (-5.6 percent, -11,700 jobs).

Photo ID: LECOM School of Pharmacy Bradenton faculty member Heather Petrelli, second-year medical student Dianne Frankel and second-year pharmacy student Maude Desir present a check to Bobbi Larson, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross Manatee County chapter.
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and LECOM School of Pharmacy offer innovative and affordable education in osteopathic medicine and pharmacy. From campuses in Erie, Pennsylvania, Greensburg, Pennsylvania and Bradenton, Florida, LECOM provides student-centered pathways to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. Prepare yourself for medicine as your life’s profession.

The University of South Florida is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of only 25 public research universities nationwide with very high research activity that is designated as community engaged by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded $380.4 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2008/2009. The university offers 232 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The USF System has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 47,000 students on institutions/campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.

– USF –

Detailing the extensive project work and technology utilized in Odyssey’s shipwreck discoveries, the book also includes previously unpublished material on human remains found on HMS Victory (1744)
Oceans Odyssey is the first volume in a series describing Odyssey Marine Exploration’s most exciting and significant archaeological finds. These include more than 50,000 coins and 14,000 artefacts recovered from the Civil War-era side-wheel steamer SS Republic, and the wreck of what is believed to be HMS Sussex (1964), which lies in the Straits of Gibraltar.

At the heart of this new book is a previously unpublished report on the heritage site of HMS Victory – the greatest warship of her age, discovered nearly 100km from where historians traditionally believed it to be lost, helping to solve one of the greatest mysteries in naval history. An exclusive paper within the book reveals the unprecedented find – a human skull and rib bones – one of the 1,150 ill-fated crew members. The remains were preserved, trapped beneath a cannon as Victory plummeted onto the seabed. Other skeletal remains have also been identified in three further locations at the site during initial surveys of the site.

Human bones on wreck sites not buried in anaerobic mud or clay are extremely rare, and OME’s discovery contributes an interesting layer of interpretative data as well as ultimately providing a greater understanding of daily life in the early Georgian navy. The fragile human remains are subject to inadvertent snagging and destruction by trawlers and their fishing nets in the Western English Channel – one of the most heavily fished seas in the world. This is a threat to the preservation of the site and most importantly to the historic information which has yet to be discovered.

Across ten papers derived from five major sites and projects, Oceans Odyssey introduces and explains some of the groundbreaking robotic technology that has been used to survey and excavate these wrecks, delicately recovering artefacts from deep-ocean sites to piece together lost fragments of history. The publication addresses many of the crucial questions that must be considered when reconstructing the history of a ship’s final voyage – the type of cargo the vessel was transporting, its trade route and final destination – essential reading for anyone with an interest in marine archaeology, exploration and naval history.
About Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.

Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NasdaqCM: OMEX) is engaged in the exploration of deep-ocean shipwrecks and uses innovative methods and state-of-the-art technology to conduct extensive search and archaeological recovery operations around the world.

Since its inauguration in 1994, Odyssey has mapped more than 10,000 square miles of seabed and discovered hundreds of shipwrecks ranging from 3rd century BC Punic sites to U-boats and Colonial warships. Odyssey discovered the Civil War era shipwreck of the SS Republic® in 2003 and recovered over 50,000 coins and 14,000 artifacts from the site nearly 1,700 feet deep. In May 2007, the Company announced the historic deep-ocean treasure recovery of over 500,000 silver and gold coins, weighing 17 tons, from a Colonial era site code-named “Black Swan.”

In February 2009, Odyssey announced the discovery in the English Channel of Admiral Sir John Balchin’s HMS Victory, the greatest warship in the age of sail. Odyssey also has an exclusive agreement with the Government of the United Kingdom for the archaeological excavation of HMS Sussex, an English warship that sank near Gibraltar in 1694.

The Company has other shipwreck projects in various stages of development around the world.

Odyssey offers various ways to share in the excitement of deep-ocean exploration by making shipwreck treasures and artifacts available to collectors, the general public and students through its webstore, exhibits, books, television, merchandise, and educational programs.

For details on the Company’s activities and its commitment to the preservation of maritime heritage please visit www.shipwreck.net

About the Authors

Greg Stemm, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, is responsible for strategic planning and general execution of Odyssey’s business plan. Stemm co-founded Odyssey Marine Exploration in 1994 with his business partner, John C. Morris, who has since retired. He previously served as Co-Chairman since February 2006 and as a Director and Executive Vice President since 1994, responsible for research and operations on all shipwreck projects.
Entering the field in 1986, Stemm has extensive experience in managing all aspects of shipwreck exploration operations, including deep-ocean search and robotic archaeological excavation. A pioneer in the emerging field of deep-ocean exploration, he has played a primary role in the development of new technologies and the development of private sector standards for underwater cultural heritage resource management.

A panelist at the 1998 Law of the Sea Institute, Stemm was appointed for four consecutive terms to the United States delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) expert meeting to negotiate the “Draft Convention for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage.”

Dr Sean Kingsley, Director of Wreck Watch, has twenty-two years of experience working in marine archaeology, specializing in recording and interpreting shipwrecks, harbours and trade patterns. With a doctorate from Oxford University, and as a former research fellow of Reading University, he has consulted as far a field as Montenegro and Israel, where he discovered the largest concentration of shipwrecks in the Eastern Mediterranean in the Solomonic port of Dor. For eight years as Managing Editor of Minerva, the international review of ancient art and archaeology, Sean focused on popularising the past. He has published extensively in both scientific and popular media and is the author of seven books. His research has been profiled on television on the History and Discovery Channels.

On Friday, March 12th, over 400 ROTC members will come aboard the AmVic for tours and drills, as well as a private concert with Pride – Navy’s official rock band. The event was originally slated to be private. However, it was announced today that the AmVic will open the event to the general public and tickets may be purchased at the door that evening. Adults are priced at $10 and children 4-12 are $5. Teenagers will be admitted for free. Soft drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.

Pride is a high-energy unit with a repertoire of hits spanning 50 years. The ensemble remains on the cutting edge of today’s popular music scene by choosing a variety of selections each year from current top 40 charts. Their incredible mix of pop, rhythm and blues, classic rock, modern rock, dance, Motown, soul, hip-hop, swing, country, and disco makes them a sure hit for diverse audiences and age groups.

On Friday, March 19th, the AmVic will be open from 6:30pm to 8:30pm for free public tours of the ship. Docents will be on hand to answer questions. Additionally, the AmVic is pleased to announce that an F/A-18 flight simulator will be on display on the ship’s dock. The simulator can hold up to 20 individuals at a time. Visitors can enjoy an actual virtual simulation of the F/A-18 flight experience. This free public event is being held in conjunction with other events taking place throughout Channelside.

For more information regarding the exciting events taking place surrounding navy week, please visit www.navyweek.org/tampa2010.

# # # #

Grapevine was recently honored with numerous ADDY awards at the AAF-Suncoast’s 49th annual 2010 ADDY awards dinner. The ADDY Awards Competition is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition representing creative excellence.

Grapevine won a total of 10 awards – 1 Gold ADDY, eight Silver ADDYs and 1 AMY Award, which is awarded to the highest scoring entry within a division. The clients represented for these awards are in diverse industries and include AQUA Plumbing & Air, The Wellness Community, Holcomb Facial Plastic Surgery, Sutter Roofing, Dan Danheisser Attorney-At-Law, Drum Circle Distilling and Johns Hopkins Medicine benefitting icompassion.

Grapevine also announces continuation of their unprecedented growth, adding five new clients in just the first two months of 2010. These new clients are Adams Insurance & Consulting, Pro-Link Global Corporate Immigration, Impact Mediation, Green Thumb Landscaping, and Extreme Remodelers.

Angela Massaro-Fain, President of Grapevine Communications, says “We are honored by the recognition from this year’s ADDYs. Our Grapevine team is extremely talented and it is gratifying to receive accolades from leaders in the industry. We are very grateful, and are optimistically looking forward to strong business growth in 2010.” dscape and Extreme Remodelers. Grapevine – Your Award-Winning Creative Agency.

John Cannon Homes received awards in the following categories:
• Winner of Best Over All, Best Floorplan, Best Kitchen, Best Curb Appeal, Best Master Suite and Architectural Detail: The Royal Melbourne located at The Concession
• Winner of Best Over All, Best Floorplan, Best Master Suite, Best Curb Appeal: The Kaleeya
located at Rive Isle
• Winner of Best Over All, Best Floorplan, Best Kitchen, Best Master Suite, Best Architectural Detail: The Kiah, located at The Country Club at Lakewood Ranch
• Winner of Kitchen, Master Suite and Architectural Detail: The Merinda located in Sarasota National

The award-winning homes ranged in size from 2,700 to 11,200 square feet and were located as far north as Parrish to South Venice, FL. “These current models showcase the variations in architectural detailing and levels of finish that we offer” said John Cannon, President and CEO of John Cannon Homes. “Our smaller custom homes feature the same quality craftsmanship and designs that allow for careful attention and functionality that can be found in our larger homes” he added.
Whatever the size, creating homes of timeless beauty and lasting value has earned John Cannon Homes the recognition of local and national awards year after year. Since 1990, John Cannon Homes has won over 230 Parade of Homes Awards.

John Cannon Homes, Inc. is located in Sarasota, FL and is currently building homes in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties.

#

Take Care Advisor (www.TakeCareAdvisor.com) is at the cutting edge as a health care organization in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Venice, Florida. Though geriatric care management is newer to the health care arena in comparison to other health care businesses, the innovation on Take Care Advisor’s part is the requirement that our Geriatric Care Managers are registered nurses, with the health care experience and background to bolster their position as the client advocate. With their additional computer skills, Take Care Advisor’s Geriatric Care Managers electronically record clients’ medical information and progress placing Take Care Advisor at the forefront and as a leader in geriatric care management. Take Care Advisor seamlessly integrates a bio-psycho-social approach to health and wellness using a system of best practices.

Contessa Couture designs:
Guests will find some of the most sought out designers such: Eileen Fisher, Louben, Simon Chang, Alberto Makali, Adrianna Papell, CC Couture, Anage, Issue by Regine, Analili, Diane Freis, Sue Wong, Sassy Thai, Jovani, Terani Couture, Theodora, Janique by K, McDugall Couture, Alyce Designs, evening shoes by Valentina Franco, bags by Zina Eva, evening bags by Zoe Adams, hats by Plaza Suite, jewelry by Judy Jensen, Sorelli, Monies, Wendy Brown, Tiara Misu, Liquid Metal, bags & belts by Leather Rock can be found at Contessa Couture. Contessa Couture offers the latest in fashion for the Couture woman.

Contessa Couture, a sister location to Barefoot Contessa, is a privately owned boutique offering designs from more than 25 fashion houses from around the world including enticing merchandise including sophisticated business dinner or brunch suits, classy cocktail attire, elegant eveningwear, gorgeous gowns, flashy footwear, beaded bags and accessories. They dress their clients from head-to-toe for complete head-turning looks that meet each lady’s personal style.
For a couture look without travel visit Contessa Couture at 121 West Venice Avenue, the website at www.contessacouture.com or call for a private showing and fitting at (941) 244-2394.

Commissioned to create this unique climbing structure is Tom Luckey, an awarding winning architect who has continued his legacy even after a life changing event that left him paralyzed. Working with his son Spencer, designs biomorphic climbing systems that are featured in many large-scale museum installations including renowned climbing structures at the Long Island and Boston Children’s Museums.

Visitors enter the climber and begin to explore the water system climbing on pods and platforms, surrounded by nets, with engaging hands-on activities about Florida’s flora, fauna and water resources. The Water’s Journey climbing structure is built to be accessible to kids of all abilities.

“A year ago today we celebrated our groundbreaking ceremony in the same location that we stand today surrounded by our first completed gallery, Water’s Journey,” said Al Najjar, president and CEO of the Glazer Children’s Museum. “We have eleven more galleries to complete before we open to the public late September, early October and we couldn’t be more excited.”

When fully completed, the Glazer Children’s Museum will include 12 themed galleries and 170 hands-on, minds-on exhibits for children age birth to 10. In addition, the new children’s museum will offer over 5,000 sq ft. of event space, 2,500 sq ft of classroom space and a 1,000 sq ft. roof terrace accessible from the third floor.

ABOUT THE GLAZER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
The Glazer Children’s Museum is a not-for-profit educational and cultural resource whose mission is to create learning environments where children play, discover and connect to the world around them to develop as lifelong learners and leaders. The new 53,000 square foot museum, scheduled to open in downtown Tampa late September, early October, will provide a safe and playful environment where children and adults can learn about themselves, each other, and the world they live in through exploration, role-playing and direct experience. A combination of permanent and traveling exhibits, comprehensive year round programs and special events will provide children, parents, caregivers and teachers with a rich and ever-changing environment for playful learning. To learn more about the museum and how to help, visit www.glazermuseum.org or call 813.277.3199.
# # #

University Park includes three single story garden office buildings totaling 99,234 square feet. The Property was 100% occupied at the time of sale.

Mike Davis, Executive Director of C&W’s Southeast Capital Markets Group, was quoted as saying, “The sale of University Park validates Florida’s continued interest to investors and the University market’s appeal to medical and related office tenants.”

Mike Davis (Executive Director, Capital Markets) and Rick Brugge, CCIM (Associate Director, Capital Markets) of C&W negotiated the sale on behalf of the seller, Arthur Hill & Company. The buyer was ESJ Capital Partners.
* * *
Cushman & Wakefield is the world’s largest privately-held commercial real estate services firm. Founded in 1917, it has 231 offices in 58 countries and more than 13,000 employees. The firm represents a diverse customer base ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. It offers a complete range of services within five primary disciplines: Transaction Services, including tenant and landlord representation in office, industrial and retail real estate; Capital Markets, including property sales, investment management, investment banking, debt and equity financing; Client Solutions, including integrated real estate strategies for large corporations and property owners, Consulting Services, including business and real estate consulting; and Valuation & Advisory Services, including appraisals, highest and best use analysis, dispute resolution and litigation support, along with specialized expertise in various industry sectors. A recognized leader in global real estate research, the firm publishes a broad array of proprietary reports available on its online Knowledge Center at www.cushmanwakefield.com
# # #

RouteShout is HART’s new way to give riders schedule information, bus stop locations and service updates, all via cell phone, Android or Iphone. Passengers can simply text the stop ID printed on the bus stop sign of their route. Within seconds, they will receive information about the next bus scheduled to come their way. If riders have a GPS enabled phone, RouteShout will not only display arrival times, but nearby bus stops as well. For cell phone users, with mobile browsers, simply log on to m.routeshout.com, search GoHART and voila.
RouteShout is a free service offered to Hillsborough County transit riders. It is just the latest technology HART is using to better serve our community.

Saturday night is when we will turn our clocks ahead one hour. The time change is also a good time to make sure your irrigation system timer is set correctly to ensure that your system operates consistently with current water restrictions.

Unless your city or county already has stricter hours in effect, residents may only water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Properties more than two acres in size may only water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Under the current Modified Phase II restrictions, lawn and landscape watering remains limited to a one-day-per-week schedule. Please check with your local government or utility for your watering day.

In addition to following restrictions, residents are also urged to continue conserving water in other ways indoors and outdoors at their homes and businesses. Residents should consider turning off their irrigation systems if it rains before their next watering day. With outdoor irrigation accounting for as much as 50 percent of residential water usage, turning off your irrigation system can result in a significant water savings.

For additional information about water restrictions, water conservation and the drought, please contact your local utility or visit the District’s web site at www.WaterMatters.org/drought/.

Rob Lane, managing shareholder, said “Kathy met the rigorous requirements to obtain the CFP certification. In addition to providing her clients with excellent tax consulting and healthcare advisory services, she will give them the added benefit of top level personal financial planning service. The new designation reflects Kathy’s consistent commitment to providing her clients with the highest standards in client service.”

Kerkering, Barberio & Co. is the largest independent certified public accounting firm in Southwest Florida and offers a wide range of services to businesses, organizations, and individuals. The firm has been serving clients since 1972. Kerkering, Barberio & Co. has two locations: one at 1990 Main Street, Suite 801, Sarasota, FL, and one in Lakewood Ranch at 6320 Venture Drive, Suite 203, Lakewood Ranch, FL.
###

In addition to this grant, CMG received the Bank of America Neighborhood Builders award in 2008. The award focuses on creating increased capacity and sustainability in not-for-profit organizations and included a grant of $200,000 in unrestricted operating support and two years of leadership training for the principals of CMG.

“Through their consistent support, Bank of America has become a true partner in our growth as an organization,” said Ralph Smith, Executive Director of Computer Mentors Group.
“When speaking of their commitment to helping create sustainable not for profit organizations, they really put their money where their mouth is. The combination of grant funding and the training we received through Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders Program has helped to make us a better organization”
“Computer Mentors Group is offering atrisk youth in our community the opportunity to gain technical and educational advancement. By collaborating, leveraging opportunities and using resources wisely, CMG proves you don’t have to be a big organization to deliver big impact in a community,” said, Bill Goede, Bank of America’s Tampa Bay Market President.

Computer Mentors Group, Inc. is a “digital divide” non-profit organization comprised of computer professionals, and others interested in the future job opportunities of disadvantaged youths. The group’s flagship program is called the Youth Computer Certification & Ownership Program. Youths in the program build a computer to take home and have the opportunity of earning a college credit by completing the 6-month course and passing the certification test. The group also provides scholarships, and has a summer internship job program for the youth that have achieved certification.

###

This year’s festival is a Benny & Jerry production, in coordination with Cajun Connection, the City of St. Petersburg and Progress Energy Center for the Arts-Mahaffey Theater. A portion of the proceeds benefit Mayor’s Mentors and More.

Sponsors include St. Petersburg Times, Coca-Cola, Shock Top, Ricky P’s restaurant, CW44 and Harberson RV.

Event producers have kept the same admission prices since the inception of the Festival 10 years ago. Entry is $12 for Friday and Sunday, $15 for Saturday or $35 for all three days. Children 10 and under are free.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge-by-phone 800-745-3000 and at the Festival gates.

Florida Blood Services will be at the Festival on Saturday March 13, 11:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday March 14th, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Bloodmobiles will be located on the corner of Bayshore and 5th Avenue North, just outside the Vinoy Hotel entrance.
All lifesaving donors will receive FREE Admission to the Crawfish Festival.

Parking is available with free shuttle service to Vinoy Park. Visit www.StPeteTrolley.com for a complete Shuttle stops and schedule.

No pets (except ADA animals), coolers or umbrellas are allowed on festival grounds.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
This annual festival brings all things Louisiana to St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park. Dance the weekend away to some of Louisiana’s finest Zydeco, Cajun and Swamp Pop bands, including The Porch Dogs, Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, Don Fontenot and Les Amis De La Louisiane, Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys, Lost Bayou Ramblers and Same Old Two-Step.

Dance lessons will be offered each night by Ben Pagac and Debbie Shaw. There will also be dance contests and a Mardi Gras party, complete with line dancing and bead throwing (see complete schedule below).

Festival attendees can stroll around the park to feast on 10,000 pounds of crawfish and other “lagniappe” such as Crawfish Etoufee, Louisiana Crab Cakes, New Orleans beignets, Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice, Crawfish tails and much more.

Adults and children alike can participate in the legendary Crawfish eating contest, while kids can test the speed of their favorite Crawfish in the annual Crawfish Races.

###

For more information, visit www.CajunConnection.org or www.MahaffeyTheater.com.

According to True-Way President Ernani Verlangieri, TRANSFLO Express reduced the cash flow cycle enabling True-Way to get paid faster. But there was another benefit as well. Among the documents True-Way drivers now scan on the road are fuel receipts.

“We charge expenses to our operators, and I used to finance a lot of the fuel. This could be $10,000 to $15,000 when I had to pay my fuel supplier before receiving documents from the drivers,” Verlangieri explained. “Now, I’ve cut that residual to zero.”

Verlangieri sees returns on an even larger scale as he implements TRANSFLO at True-Way’s parent company, UniExpress Systems, an international transportation company with eight brokers also located in Pompano Beach. Here Verlangieri anticipates a gain of 10 to 15 days in the cash flow cycle.

“But I expect even better benefits,” he said.

Verlangieri said the improved cash flow will help him to streamline the brokerage’s financial structure since he will no longer need an outside factoring service.

“I used a third party to charge for the brokerage services and finance the float,” Verlangieri explained. “But in three to six months I expect to get out of extra funding and do this myself.“

The projected return is substantial.

“I expect to save about $100,000 a year,” Ernani said.

With TRANSFLO Express, drivers simply hand their delivery documents to a trained cashier for scanning at more than 540 truck stop locations nationwide, including all Pilot and Love’s travel center locations. In seconds, these documents are sent electronically to the fleet for immediate billing and payroll processing. Because TRANSFLO Express expedites document delivery, fleets and drivers get paid faster.

About Pegasus TransTech

Pegasus TransTech, based in Tampa, Fla., is the leading provider of business solutions that streamline billing, collections, payroll, accounts payable, driver qualifications, and other paper-intensive processes for the trucking industry. Pegasus TransTech’s Workflow solutions allow companies to establish consistent, repeatable business processes that improve operating efficiency and generate measurable results. TRANSFLO Express truck stop scanning from Pegasus TransTech provides same-day access to delivery documents, reduces operating costs, increases driver satisfaction, speeds cash flow, and enables revenue growth without adding staff.

For additional information, please visit www.pegasustranstech.com or call 800-783-8649 or email info2@PegasusTransTech.com.

About CB Richard Ellis
CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2009 revenue). The Company has approximately 30,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CB Richard Ellis offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. CB Richard Ellis has been named a BusinessWeek 50 “best in class” company for three years in a row. Please visit our Web site at http://www.cbre.com/.

Richard Riley is a 25-year veteran of the photography and filmmaking industry. His career has afforded him the opportunity to master both the film and digital mediums in still photography and motion picture photography. He’s created award-winning imagery for clients like Anheuser-Busch, IBM, Sara Lee, Royal Caribbean and Keebler, and is a welcome asset to the CDP team.

The CDP started 4th Friday Clearwater events in order to bring more feet on the street. By having “free fun for everyone” the purpose was to bring enough interest into the area that more restaurants and retail stores would see Downtown Clearwater as their home. Over the past year several new restaurants have opened in the downtown core: Divino’s, La Cachette, Café Supreme and Casanova.

The 4th Friday TV spots are:
Ø Written, produced & directed by: Richard Riley of Riley Productions
Ø Shot & edited by: Michael Moriarty

Ø Hair & Make Up is by: Gina Gugliotta
Ø Talent is Provided by: Benz Model & Talent Agency
Ø Studio is Provided by: System Productions
And
Ø Photography is by: Troy Plota

For more information visit 4thFridayClearwater.com or call 866-550-3472.

About the Clearwater Downtown Partnership and 4th Friday Clearwater:
4th Friday Clearwater is spearheaded by the Clearwater Downtown Partnership. The Clearwater Downtown Partnership is an independent voice of citizens, business, and property owners who are interested in supporting the economic vitality of Downtown Clearwater. It brings stakeholders together to develop, advocate and implement policies that build an exciting, vibrant and diverse downtown, and plays an essential role in keeping the business and residential community educated, informed and involved in the continued success of the downtown. Membership donations will go directly towards projects that will create tangible results. 4th Friday Clearwater is one of the CDP’s most successful projects bringing “feet on the street” and more awareness for Downtown Clearwater, and consequently more new businesses in the area. For more information or to become a member, visit www.clwdp.org

After the freeze, it is time to stock up on all your spring plant needs including: flowering plants for house and garden, outdoor plants for your landscaping, and garden art and accessories to spice up your lawn or patio.

Learn about jazzing up your yard from landscaping professionals as part of the garden presentations. There will also be a presentation on rain barrels and water conservation with decorative rain barrels available for purchase.

Delight in hard to find exotics, orchids, Florida native plants, roses, herbs, gingers, and more as you stroll through Munn Park to the sounds of Free Time. Free Time will play an eclectic and entertaining blend of musical styles ranging from Al Jarreau and Stevie Wonder to Bob Marley, Miles Davis, Grover Washington, Duke Ellington and BB King. Spring Obsession is a non-profit event with this year’s proceeds going toward new bike racks for downtown that are functional and aesthetic so they look like pieces of art.

-END-

The largest crowd ever to attend a Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO) annual membership meeting swelled into PRECO Park recently. Headquartered in Wauchula, PRECO has provided electric service to 10 central Florida counties since 1940, when local residents formed the cooperative. This was PRECO’s 70th annual meeting.

Nearly 800 registered members, over 100 more than the previous record, along with spouses and children, enjoyed a county fair atmosphere, including a climbing wall, bounce house, snow cones, ice cream, hot dogs and other refreshments. The crowd was estimated at approximately 2,700 people.

Live music was provided by local talents, Tony Stockton, recent “Wauchula Idol” winner, and Sherry White, both of Wauchula. A variety of public informational and educational exhibits provided attendees with activities, brochures and door prizes.

This year, the cooperative provided a retired service vehicle as the grand prize. “We took a 2000 Ford Ranger pickup truck off the road, repainted and reupholstered it, and promoted it as the grand prize,” said Nell McCauley, Chief Marketing and Member Services Officer. “We usually sell our retired trucks; instead, it was very satisfying to see it generate interest in our Annual Meeting.”

In the weeks leading up to the meeting, PRECO received hundreds of inquiries from members asking how to register for the truck. “At the end of the meeting when prize tickets were drawn, Ronald Johnson of Ft. Lonesome was the lucky winner,” added McCauley.

At the brief business meeting, members heard from Bill Mulcay, PRECO’s CEO, and Board Officers regarding the state of the cooperative. Also, PRECO’s board of directors was officially seated and co-op members participated in a friendly question-and-answer session.

At the conclusion of the business meeting over 200 door prizes, including vacation packages, chainsaws, appliances, power tools, and much more were awarded to members by a ticket drawing.

PRECO serves nearly 35,000 member/consumers in Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Osceola, Polk and Sarasota Counties through almost 4,000 miles of power lines.

Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO), a Touchstone Energy® distribution electric cooperative headquartered in Wauchula, Florida, provides electric service and energy solutions to nearly 35,000 member/consumers in 10 Florida counties in central Florida: Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Osceola, Polk and Sarasota Counties. Through almost 4,000 miles of power lines, the electric cooperative has been in business since 1940 as a member-owned, not-for-profit organization.

All lifesaving donors will enjoy a limited edition, “Give Blood. Play Roller Derby” T-shirt and a FREE ticket to the March 27th Bout, plus a wellness checkup, including a cholesterol screening.

Generally healthy people, age 16 or older, who weigh at least 110 pounds can be blood
donors. Photo ID is required. For eligibility questions prospective donors can call 1-800-68-BLOOD (25663)

The Tampa Bay Derby Darlins are part of the newest incarnation of Roller Derby. The Darlins are still offering up that good old fashioned roller derby excitement of the past, but this unrehearsed, all-female full-contact sport is raising the bar for entertainment value in sports. These ladies of the derby are doing it on their own terms. For further information on the team visit www.tampabayderbydarlins.com

Headquartered in St. Petersburg Florida, FBS provides over 350,000 blood donations to patients at 92 hospitals and other ambulatory healthcare facilities throughout 42 Florida, Georgia, and Alabama counties, through the participation of volunteer donors.

The Mojo Gurus released their debut disc in 1999 to great critical acclaim. The Gurus third release “Hot Damn!” enjoyed a four-month success story on FM radio that included over one-hundred-nineteen FM stations playing “Hot Damn!” Roots Music Report gave the band a five-star review saying, “Hot Damn is right! The Mojo Gurus ‘Hot Damn!’ is a fantastic roots rock release.”

Whether you have been around long enough to remember the real thing or you are young enough to wish you could, the Mojo Gurus are the long lost friend you’ve been looking for.

Beer and wine proceeds at the 4th Friday Clearwater event will benefit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Visit www.4thFridayClearwater.com or call 866-550-3472 for more information.

About the Clearwater Downtown Partnership and 4th Friday Clearwater:
4th Friday Clearwater is spearheaded by the Clearwater Downtown Partnership. The Clearwater Downtown Partnership is an independent voice of citizens, business, and property owners who are interested in supporting the economic vitality of Downtown Clearwater. It brings stakeholders together to develop, advocate and implement policies that build an exciting, vibrant and diverse downtown, and plays an essential role in keeping the business and residential community educated, informed and involved in the continued success of the downtown. Membership donations will go directly towards projects that will create tangible results. 4th Friday Clearwater is one of the CDP’s most successful projects bringing “feet on the street” and more awareness for Downtown Clearwater, and consequently more new businesses in the area. For more information or to become a member, visit www.clwdp.org

“This is an exciting opportunity to be able to represent the Tampa Bay tourism industry and this community giving us a national voice,” said Ferenc. “I look forward to sharing our vision for travel and tourism and how we can create an even more enriching experience for visitors to the U.S.”

The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board consists of members representing a broad cross-section of the travel and tourism industry including transportation services, financial institutions, hotels and restaurants.

Tampa Bay & Company leads the effort of “Economic Development Through Tourism” in Hillsborough County. Comprised of more than 700 members, the mission of Tampa Bay & Company is to create vibrant growth for the Tampa Bay area by promoting, developing and expanding a united visitor industry.

Media contact is Travis Claytor, communications manager for Tampa Bay & Company, at 813-342-4052 or TClaytor@VisitTampaBay.com.

Ms. Simiriotis brings to HomeBanc 28 years of mortgage banking experience. She has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. Ms. Simiriotis can be reached at (813) 549-4663 or theresa.simiriotis@homebanc.com.

HomeBanc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tampa-based HomeBancorp, Inc., with six retail offices in Lake Mary, Lakewood Ranch (Sarasota), Belleair Bluffs and in Tampa at Rocky Point, on Dale Mabry at I-275 and Westchase. HomeBanc also operates six loan-production offices in Tampa, Lake Mary, Brandon, Lakeland, Gainesville and Bonita Springs.

HomeBanc offers an array of retail-deposit products, along with SBA loans, special lower-rate FHA loans for first-time buyers and residential mortgage loans. The company has grown to more than $250 million in assets since its inception in 2007, and is committed to exceeding customer-service expectations and making the company a Great Place to Work® and a Great Place to Bank. The corporate headquarters of HomeBancorp is located on the 41st floor of the Bank of America Plaza building at 101 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa. More information on HomeBanc can be found at www.HomeBanc.com.

“This program is an important way for those living with colorectal cancer to learn more about the nation’s second-leading cancer killer,” said Donna Quinlan, Colon Cancer Alliance program director. “By encouraging increased dialogue between patients, health care providers and caregivers, we hope to help patients learn how to successfully continue their daily activities and ultimately improve their quality of life.”

The seminar will allow patients to interact with leading colorectal cancer physicians on topics from the latest treatment advances with targeted therapies to the importance of good nutrition. Patients and caregivers will also have the opportunity to listen and support one another in their collective battle against colorectal cancer. The program is part of a series of free educational events held throughout the country in 2010 that is funded by unrestricted educational grants to the Colon Cancer Alliance from Genentech BioOncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genomic Health and Sirtex.

According to a Harris Interactive survey of more than 500 cancer patients and 300 oncologists, patients who discussed cancer topics with their physicians were more knowledgeable about their condition than those who did not hold discussions. In addition, patients who did not have discussions with their physician were less knowledgeable about the possibility of treatment delays, infection, impact of low red and white blood cells, and proper patient education.

To register for the Tampa seminar or for information on additional seminars, call 1- 877-422-2030 or visit the Colon Cancer Alliance Web site at www.ccalliance.org.

About Colorectal Cancer
Although more Americans have become aware of colorectal cancer in recent years, one person dies of the disease every ten minutes. Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in the United States. In fact, one in 18 people in the United States will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime, yet if caught early, it is one of the most curable cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 147,000 new cases were diagnosed in 2009.

About The Colon Cancer Alliance
The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is a national patient advocacy organization, with chapters located across the country, and the official patient support partner of Katie Couric’s Entertainment Industry Foundation’s National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (EIF’s NCCRA). The CCA is dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer. The CCA battles colon cancer through patient support, education, research and advocacy. The CCA invites any and all organizations, government agencies, members of the medical community and individuals impacted by this disease to join the CCA in their mission to eradicate colorectal cancer. The Colon Cancer Alliance’s toll-free helpline is 1-877-422-2030, or visit the Web site at www.ccalliance.org.

About Moffitt Cancer Center
Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center is an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center – a designation that recognizes Moffitt’s excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 14 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country’s leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for cancer. Moffitt’s sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.

A 20-year veteran of ABC Supply, Roller most recently served as the branch manager in Clearwater, Fla. He joined the company and the Tampa branch team in 1989 as a delivery driver, later working there as a warehouse manager, inside sales associate and assistant branch manager.

Prior to joining ABC Supply, Roller was a driver for Riverside Brick in Tampa.
Roller is a resident of Lutz, Fla.

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Beloit, Wis., ABC Supply operates more than 350 branches and other facilities in 44 states and the District of Columbia. It has distinguished itself by following a single, simple guiding principle – treat contractors with respect and help them succeed by understanding their businesses and offering products and services carefully selected to meet their unique needs. More information is available online at www.abcsupply.com.

Bonni Bakes, 930 12th St. W., is currently accepting entries for Artsy Undies 2: Boxers, Briefs & Jockstraps, a fund-raiser for the fight against prostate cancer.

The deadline to submit an entry of decorated male undies is March 20. Participating artists of all ages are encouraged to transform male underwear into their personal statement regarding this disease which affects 1 out of 6 men during their lifetime. There are no rules, other than using boxers, briefs or jockstraps as your blank canvas and decorating them as you see fit.

All entries will be displayed at Bonni Bakes and a People’s Choice Award presented. Adults pay $15 per entry; kids under 18 $5 per entry. Some scholarships exist and 100% of money collected will be donated to the American Cancer Society for use in local prostate cancer programs.

The opening reception will be during the Village of the Arts’ April ArtWalk from 6-9:30 p.m. Friday, April 2. All entries will be displayed through May 1.

This show follows the same format as Bonni’s October show, “Artsy Undies” which raised more than $700 for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. “This time we’re raiding men’s drawers, and you can take that literally” says Bonni Brown, creative spirit behind the show.

For more information or entry forms, contact Bonni Brown at (941) 746-6647 or bonnibakes@gmail.com.

USF has earned tremendous recognition for its community engagement, in part based on strong connections forged through its School of Social Work, now part of the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. Building on this work over the years, the School has taken the step to re-establish its Professional Advisory Council (PAC), a group that links the school with the community through professional connections with agencies and institutions that serve those in need.

Getting off to a dynamic start, the Professional Advisory Council will hold its first event – a Social Work Celebration – during Social Work Month, on Mar. 26 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in observance of the school’s students, alumni and community partners. It is co-sponsored by the Tampa-Bay chapter of the National Association of Social Work (NASW) and will be hosted at USF’s Alumni Center. The goal is to reconnect students and faculty with social work alumni and community partners. In addition, NASW will present their annual recognition awards to honor social workers and others who support the values of the profession.

“In light of widespread funding cuts and challenges to individuals in our community, the formation of this Council is extremely important,” said School of Social Work Director Dr. Anne Strozier. “The Council’s mission is to enhance channels of communication and cooperation between USF’s School of Social Work and community social work practitioners and their agencies.”

The School benefits from the Council by ensuring that students are learning best practices to help those in need who are served by community agencies where many of the School’s graduates will be working. Community agencies also benefit by learning how the School educates its students, as well as providing input to the School on important community/practice developments that impact the School’s program. Community partners join with the School to promote social justice and the entire profession of social work. “By working together we can assure that students are well prepared to practice effective social work in very challenging times.”

The Council is assisted this year by Phil Smith, who was recruited by USF in 1975 to create a School of Social Work. Smith knows first-hand how to work closely with the community because when he created USF’s MSW program, he did so based on feedback from Tampa-Bay social work community leaders. That connectedness has never been lost and Strozier points out that being responsive to the community’s needs is why the field of social work exists.

“We serve as a voice for the voiceless and a support for those often abandoned in our society. The School of Social Work takes a leadership role in advocating for people in need in the Tampa-bay region and throughout our state, as well as for the agencies whose funding has been reduced or cut,” she said. “Building on our reputation for quality education, research, and service, the School will continue to educate students, evaluate the effectiveness of community programs, and, with our community partners, find solutions to assist those most in need. The School of Social work is needed now more than ever.”

The University of South Florida is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of only 25 public research universities nationwide with very high research activity that is designated as community engaged by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded $380.4 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2008/2009. The university offers 232 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The USF System has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 47,000 students on institutions/campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.
– USF –

In his position, Harman will be responsible for managing and increasing Koala Tee’s contacts and relationships to promote and sell Koala Tee products from Tampa to Ft. Myers.

“We are very excited to have Rob join the Koala Tee team,” said Carmen Manley, VP of Business Development. “Rob’s many years of experience and success in our industry will greatly benefit our sales network and our clients. I know that he will exceed our clients’ expectations with the level of service that he is committed to providing.”

Harman brings over 17 years of experience in the imprinted sportswear industry, having managed sales and business development for various companies. He is a 30 year resident of Sarasota where he lives with his wife and two children.
.
About Koala Tee, Inc.

Koala Tee, Inc. was established in 1983 in Sarasota, FL. As a full service custom screen printing and embroidery operation, Koala Tee specializes in custom decorated apparel and promotional products; graphic design services; and creative marketing assistance.

Koala Tee also owns and operates Life Safety International, a company which sells men’s clothing to retail stores on military bases throughout the world. Koala Tell creates catalogs which include its own military fashion designs based on current fashions. The company also started the Red Shirt Friday “I Support Our Troops” line. A portion of the proceeds from the purchase of this shirt off the website is donated to a four star charity that supports the families of the troops.

Learn more about Koala Tee, Inc. at www.koalatee.com or call (941) 954-7700.

Eisenberg is a nationally recognized scholar in the strategic use of communication to promote positive organizational change. He has published extensively in national and international scholarly journals and is a widely sought-after consultant. In addition, he has previously held faculty appointments at the University of Southern California and Temple University and served as chair of the USF Department of Communication from 1996 to 2006.

As interim dean, he guided the college through a complex process of restructuring that led to the establishment of the School of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, and School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, as well as steering the efforts to integrate new academic units into the college. He supported the recruitment of outstanding new faculty from the United States and abroad, strengthened the college’s leadership and cultivated a greater sense of scholarly community across the college. Eisenberg has also been instrumental in the university’s efforts to apply for a Phi Beta Kappa chapter, and has founded a Phi Beta Kappa Faculty Lecture Series in partnership with Mayor Pam Iorio of the City of Tampa.

Ralph Wilcox, Executive Vice President & Provost, welcomes the appointment. “Dr. Eisenberg has readily embraced USF’s strategic priorities and has ensured that the college’s programs are closely aligned with the university’s mission and vision, through promoting student success, research and innovation, integrated interdisciplinary inquiry, global literacy and impact, and community engagement,” said Wilcox. “He is a strong and passionate advocate for the college and has already established himself as a trusted and valued leader across the University of South Florida, as well as in the broader Tampa Bay community and beyond. I am delighted that he has agreed to continue to serve at the helm of the College of Arts & Sciences.”

Provost Wilcox appointed Eisenberg as dean following extensive consultation with faculty and staff in the college, the USF Faculty Senate, and other stakeholders across the university and broader communities, all of whom expressed their respect and strong support for his academic leadership and accomplishments.

“I am pleased to take on the challenge as dean of the college,” said Eisenberg. “I appreciate the support of the president and provost and am grateful for the exceptionally strong team of department chairs, associate deans, faculty and staff that we have in the college. And I am absolutely thrilled to play a role in shaping USF as it emerges as one of the top research universities in the nation and the world.”

The University of South Florida is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of only 25 public research universities nationwide with very high research activity that is designated as community engaged by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded $380.4 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2008/2009. The university offers 232 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The USF System has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 47,000 students on institutions/campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.
– USF –

This will be an excellent opportunity to learn about one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing lifelong learning programs and to tour the magnificent new Museum of Art at no cost.

This spring, the USF-based institute, will offer over 80 lifelong learning classes, lectures and educational day trips covering many academic fields including astronomy, history, life writing, geopolitics, art history, botany, comparative religions, jurisprudence, physical education, dance, humanities, introductory and intermediate computer classes, great books of literature, cosmology and much more.

The OLLI Institute offers classes throughout Hillsborough County including such venues as the Museum of Art, the Tampa Woman’s Club, the USF Downtown Center, the Jewish Community Center, Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church in Carrollwood, the Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, University Village, John Knox Village, and the USF Botanical Gardens.

OLLI courses are modestly priced, meet once a week for two hours for usually six to eight weeks and are taught by retired professors, current faculty, qualified professionals and former school teachers. There are no grades, homework or essays, but loads of learning with fellow lifelong lovers of education.

The Open House is free, open to the public and all ages are welcome. To RSVP, leave a message at (813) 974-8036. For more information on OLLI at USF programs, call Joseph R. McAuliffe, (813) 974-5166.

The University of South Florida is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of only 25 public research universities nationwide with very high research activity that is designated as community engaged by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded $380.4 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2008/2009. The university offers 232 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The USF System has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 47,000 students on institutions/campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.
– USF –

Phase One of the project is slated to begin as early as next week. Suffolk Construction will begin the site assessment and clear the lot starting on Monday. No road closures or utility disruptions are anticipated for the month of March.

“We are on the schedule that we anticipated and we’re excited to get this project underway,” said Beaumier. “Suffolk is thrilled to contribute to the improvement of what is already a beautiful downtown.”

In August 2009, the Sarasota City Commission issued a request for proposals for the original design of the parking garage. After a rigorous evaluation process by the city commission, Suffolk Construction, one of Florida’s largest commercial construction firms, was awarded the project in January. After soliciting public opinion during the design process, Suffolk Construction and its architecture partner Jonathan Parks Architect recently announced the City Commission selected the modern design for the garage.

“We’ve received valuable feedback from the downtown business owners and citizens in this process,” Beaumier added. “We are fortunate to have such a passionate community.”

Suffolk Construction has established a proactive communication plan to keep the public informed of construction progress, including the development of a project website that will be updated regularly. The parking garage has an anticipated completion date of Winter 2010.

Suffolk Construction’s planned schedule for March is:
Week of March 1
· Suffolk Construction has filed for staging, foundation and civil permits with the City of Sarasota

Week of March 8
· Suffolk Construction will begin to clear existing alley easement to prepare for Utility relocation work

Week of March 15
· Suffolk Construction will begin Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) work adjacent to Main Street alley
· TECO Energy will begin to relocate gas line in East/West alley behind Main Street

Week of March 22
· Suffolk Construction will begin trench work for FPL relocation in East/West alley behind Main Street
· TECO Energy will continue to relocate gas line in East/West alley behind Main Street

About Suffolk Construction

Founded in 1982, Suffolk Construction is one of the leading privately held construction management firms in the country, with main offices in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and West Coast regions of the country. Suffolk provides preconstruction, construction management, design/build and general contracting services and has a strong reputation for delivering challenging building construction projects in the healthcare, education, science/technology, government and commercial sectors.

As the Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, Shanoah is among hundreds of local youth across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community. Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive and the title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of Reader’s Digest.

Shanoah Washington is a junior at Osceola Fundamental High School where she is dual enrolled in high school and St. Petersburg College. She will receive both a high school diploma and associates of arts degree when she graduates in 2011.

Some of Shanoah’s on campus activates includes membership in:
· The Principal’s Multicultural Advisory Committee
· The Righteous Invasion of Truth Club and
· The Environmental Club
She has a grade point Average of 3.6286 taking both Honors and Advanced Placement Classes.

As a poet/spoken word artist in the Royal Theater’s Senior Conservatory, she has demonstrated her talent, her poise, and her confidence. “The Royal Theater Boys & Girls Club Arts Academy, was the bridge I crossed as a scared and introverted teen, with behavioral problems and lack of social skills,” Shanoah said, “Held by the hand, I was led step by step…and I finally made it to the other side.”

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast has been playing and integral role in the Pinellas County Community for 50 years, providing services to over 5,500 boys and girls annually. Our programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation. Visit www.bgcsuncoast.org

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America:
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has helped kids BE GREAT providing hope and opportunity for those who need it most. Today, some 4,300 Clubs serve some 4.5 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Boys & Girls Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military bases worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Clubs positively impact lives and help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens. In a recent Harris Survey of Club alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Visit www.bgca.org

The all-day workshop, sponsored by The Photographic Art Society of Florida, will take place at Sunken Gardens, 1825 4th Street North, St. Petersburg. Parking is available on site. The cost, including lunch and entrance to the Gardens, is $20 for those registering by March 15, and $25 thereafter.

Sunken Gardens is a botanical oasis, over 100 years old. Among the more than 50,000 varieties of plants and flowers, some of the oldest tropical plants in the Bay Area are found in this living museum owned by the City of St. Petersburg.

Early-bird photographers can begin the day at sunrise—7:26 a.m—at Crescent Lake Park, one block west of Sunken Gardens. The lake, surrounded by trees and other plantings, is a favorite home to a variety of water birds.

Jim Swallow, founder of The Photographic Art Society, promises a full day of “fun and education. We will have mini workshops, a photo scavenger hunt, an outstanding guest speaker in Lewis Kemper, and much more.”

He adds, “This event brings Tampa Bay area camera clubs together. For individuals interested in joining a camera club and improving their photography skills, March 27 will provide opportunities to learn more about shooting good pictures and about membership in the different clubs.”

Swallow is also chair of “Picture Your Parks,” one of several programs marking the St. Petersburg Waterfront Parks Centennial. “Picture Your Parks” includes a traveling photo exhibit of pictures taken in the downtown waterfront parks and a contest that will culminate with awards presented at “Party in the Parks,” an all-day major event on Saturday, November 6, 2010, taking place in St. Petersburg’s 12 major downtown waterfront parks.

For more information on the March 27 program at Sunken Gardens or to register for the workshop, go to http://www.photographicartsociety.org/html/camera_club_day.html For more information on the Waterfront Parks Centennial, visit http://www.stpeteparks100.org

Stan Holm, former President/CEO of Pasco Regional Medical Center and Pasco Economic Development Council (PEDC) Board Member, has accepted a promotion as CEO of Midwest Regional Medical Center in Oklahoma, effective

March 1, 2010. Holm’s departure leaves an open seat on PEDC’s board of directors. Susan Frimmel, Director of Marketing and Physician Recruitment, has been asked to fill the vacant board seat on an interim basis until the Medical Center’s new CEO is hired.

Susan has served on various boards including the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, Cornerstone Center for Women, Dade City Little League and Kumquat Executive Committee. In 2002, she was appointed Honorary Mayor of Wesley Chapel where she served a one-year term. In 2003 and 2004, she was named Chamber Member of the Year by the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.
“We are grateful for Pasco Regional Medical Center’s commitment to PEDC and look forward to Susan being involved with PEDC’s initiatives,” said John Hagen, President/CEO of PEDC. “She will be an asset to the board in many ways, especially because of her marketing skills.”

PASCO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL INC., WEBSITE NOW IN TEN LANGUAGES

Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc. (PEDC) has added Google Translate to its website to help attract international clients. In one mouse click, PEDC’s website can be instantly translated from English into one of ten languages, for example, Spanish, Chinese or German.

Research shows that over 100 million people access the internet in a language other than English. Over 50 percent of web users speak a native language. It has also been proven that web users are four times more likely to purchase from a site that communicates in the customer’s language. (Courtesy of www.net-translators.com website and Forrester Research)
“By adding this component to our website, PEDC will gain more exposure to international markets and will help increase activity from relocating international businesses to Pasco County,” said John Hagen, President/CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council.

HOSPITAL AWARD RECOGNITION BOOSTS PASCO COUNTY’S COMPETITIVENESS

Health care has a substantial role in economic growth. Community Hospital’s recent award recognition by the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for 12 disease management and chronic care programs for health care quality is a prime example.

“This type of recognition is a boon to Pasco County,” said John Hagen, President/CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council. “Community Hospital’s achievement could eventually lead to bringing more doctors and medical support services jobs to the community. Plus, our terrific health care facilities could help generate other forms of medical-related development, such as health software or manufacture of therapeutic devices.”

Quality of life can also be the difference between failure and success for economic development. While businesses looking to site a new facility will evaluate communities based on business factors such as utility rates, taxes, and availability of skilled workforce, they also want to know about crime, education, and health care.

In a communication, Community Hospital CEO, Kathy Gillette states “We are so proud to have earned these certifications on behalf of our hospital and our community. Receiving the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for 12 disease management and chronic care programs means we are doing all the right things for patients in our community.”

The Joint Commission in a not-for-profit organization which is the world leader in evaluating quality and safety care delivery in healthcare organizations all over the nation. The standards that the Joint Commission bases their evaluations upon are noted to be the top of the line in the industry.

Community Hospital is a leading Joint Commission accredited acute care center with over 400 physicians, 1,000 employees, and 200 volunteers.

EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS ADDRESS SHORTAGE OF TECHNICAL TALENT

Pasco County education providers are partnering in innovative ways to create seamless pathways for students. These partnerships create more education and training choices for both students and employers.

Last month, Pasco-Hernando Community College (PHCC) signed an agreement with Kettering University, a highly regarded engineering school headquartered in Michigan, that will allow Florida students to earn academic credits toward a Bachelor of Science Degree from Kettering University after completing two years of study at PHCC.

In effect, this starts a college of engineering in Pasco County.

High schools, community colleges, and universities are a critical component to economic development. A common challenge for area businesses is finding skilled technical talent. “PharmaWorks is always searching for exceptional mechanical & electrical engineers that are innovative, conscientious, and hard working. Being able to tap into a local resource for engineering employees would be beneficial to the growth of our company,” said Frank Lovetere, Controller of Micron PharmaWorks, Inc.

“As economic developers, we have to retain current businesses and convince new businesses that Pasco County has a readily available skilled workforce and educational institutions that can continually fill the pipe line of potential candidates,” said John Hagen, President/CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc. “The ability to increase the concentration of intellectual capital is powerful for our community. The Kettering/PHCC agreement is a significant building block in that regard.”

On Friday, March 12th, over 400 ROTC members will come aboard the AmVic for tours and drills, as well as a private concert with Pride – the Navy rock band. Pride is a high-energy unit with a repertoire of hits spanning 50 years. The ensemble remains on the cutting edge of today’s popular music scene by choosing a variety of selections each year from current top 40 charts. Their incredible mix of pop, rhythm and blues, classic rock, modern rock, dance, Motown, soul, hip-hop, swing, country, and disco makes them a sure hit for diverse audiences and age groups. Please note this is a private event.

On Friday, March 19th, the AmVic will be open from 6:30pm to 8:30pm for free public tours of the ship. Docents will be on hand to answer questions. Additionally, the AmVic is pleased to announce that an F/A-18 flight simulator will be on display on the ship’s dock. This free public event is being held in conjunction with other events taking place throughout Channelside.

For more information regarding the exciting events taking place surrounding navy week, please visit www.navyweek.org/tampa2010.

W.G. Mills, Inc. submission is called the “Catahoula Cracker Inn”, a unique combination of state-of-the-art construction and old-time cracker charm where you’re Southern Pooch can get back to its southern roots while relaxing on the shady front porch of this Florida Cracker style dog house.

The 1st Annual Barkitecture event is on May 15th, 2010 at the Grande Clubhouse in the Lake Club at Lakewood Ranch. The evening will feature music, bar, food and a live auction of specialty-designed Barkitecture houses. All proceeds raised will support the Southeastern Guide Dogs.

For more details, please contact … Paula Best
Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator
Southeastern Guide Dogs
941-729-5665 Ext. 126 or
Paula.best@guidedogs.org

In addition to advocacy, education and networking benefits for its members, the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange is involved in civic and philanthropic activities to improve the quality of life within the local community.

###

The Development Forum is an opportunity for the community to hear from leading national experts in a variety of fields. The 14th Annual Downtown Development forum will continue this tradition with experts in the arenas of transportation, commercial office, multi-family housing and hospitality.

The keynote speaker for this year’s Development Forum will be Tampa Bay based Florida historian Gary Mormino, Ph.D. Dr. Mormino is a professor at the University of South Florida. He is a Frank E. Duckwall Professor of History and co-director of the Florida Studies Program. Dr. Mormino’s topics of specialization include Florida and the American urban experience, Immigration and World War II.

Dr. Mormino is an accomplished author. His books include Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida (University Press of Florida); Immigrants on the Hill: Italian-Americans in St. Louis, 1882-1982 (University of Missouri Press); The Immigrant World of Ybor City: Italians and Their Latin Neighbors in Tampa, 1885-1985 (University Press of Florida)

Dr. Mormino holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, an M.A. from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a B.A. from Millikin University. During his address to the audience, he will offer a perspective of some other decades that have served as a springboard of opportunity for downtown, and our region.

Panel discussions and additional speakers include the following:

The Oxymoron of “Hometown Democracy” (Amendment 4) and Growth Management: In November, Florida voters will vote on an initiated constitutional amendment that proposes to require voter approval of all changes to local comprehensive land-use plans, in order to “give voters more say over development.” Currently, county and city commissioners make land use decisions. The initiative is supported by the leaders of Florida Hometown Democracy. “Mismanaged growth destroys communities,” said group president Blackner. Supporters argue that Amendment 4 will simply add “another layer of protection against unwanted developments. The Florida Chamber of Commerce, other industry groups and 1,000 Friends of Florida environmental group said that they do not support the initiative. They argue that if the initiative is accepted it could mean a “permanent recession for Florida’s economy.” You need to learn more.
Panel Speakers:
Linda Shelley, Fowler White Boggs
David Mechanik, Mechanik Nuccio Hearn & Wester

How Will We Connect? Included in the broad consideration of “transportation” for downtown Tampa, and our region, is High Speed Rail; future transit opportunities and other improvements to be considered in Hillsborough County’s Transportation Funding referendum; and how to sensitively maximize the opportunity of Transit Oriented Development in conjunction with all of these. What is the economic impact of all of this, and what is the role of the business community?
Panel Speakers:
Ed Turanchik, Connect Us
David Armijo, HART
Bob Hunter, Planning Commission
Ronnie Duncan, The Duncan Companies and TBARTA Chr.

Key Downtown Industry Sector Updates/Forecasts Representatives of some of the most important Downtown industry sectors have been asked to give a “barometer” report of activities in those sectors in order to give us a true picture of how each sector is performing and what we can expect in the near future.
Panel Speakers:
Commercial Real Estate – Ray Sandelli, CB Richard Ellis
Residential – Dave Traynor, Smith & Associates
Retail – Brenda Dohring-Hicks, The Dohring Group
Cultural/Entertainment – Santiago Corrada, City of Tampa (invited)
Hospitality/Tourism – Thom Stork, The Florida Aquarium
Date and Location: The 14th Annual Downtown Development Forum will be held on March 19, 2010 at Tampa Preparatory School (727 West Cass Street, downtown Tampa).

Admission and Times: This event is open to anyone who is interested. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. and will conclude at 12:00 p.m.

Admission to the 14th Annual Downtown Development Forum is $60.00 for members of the Tampa Downtown Partnership and $70.00 for potential members. Registration can be done online until 5:00 p.m. on March 17, 2010 at events.tampasdowntown.com.

Sponsors: The sponsors for the 14th Annual Downtown Development Forum are:

Platinum Sponsor: Hillsborough River Realty/The Jeffries Companies
Gold Sponsor: University of Tampa
Silver Sponsors: Bank of America Plaza, DLA Piper and Tampa Electric Company
Media Support Provided by: Tampa Bay Business Journal

The Tampa Downtown Partnership is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization. It is a membership organization comprised of companies, organizations and individuals with a common goal of advancing downtown Tampa. Through an annual contract with the City of Tampa, the Tampa Downtown Partnership administers the Special Services District. In addition to Tampa’s Downtown Guides and Clean Team, the Tampa Downtown Partnership works to promote downtown through a multitude of initiatives including marketing, business development, transportation, planning and beautification. For additional information about the Tampa Downtown Partnership visit www.tampasdowntown.com.

In September of this year, Tolrud represented the Tampa Bay Business Journal in the lease of a 7,889 square foot office space. The Journal relocated to the Urban Center at 4890 West Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa. The move and additional office space was part of a focused business strategy, facilitated by Tolrud, to make efficient use of work space to meet the growing demands of their readers.

Other significant deals managed by Tolurd in 2009 included the Ybor City 20,481 square foot office building leased to Centurion Center Inc. in the Ybor City district of Tampa, an 11,904 square foot tenant representation assignment for the United States Postal Service and the sale of a 260,099 square foot industrial building located in Kentucky on behalf of Cott Beverages in early April.

Mr. Tolrud has over 27 years of commercial real estate experience in the Tampa Bay market. He provides investment, tenant and office building representation services to a wide range of distinguished local, national and institutional clients. During his extensive career, he has built a solid reputation as a recognized expert in the Tampa Bay office market. “Tolrud has consistently demonstrated himself as a leader in commercial real estate and is unparalleled in his qualifications to provide strategic expertise to his clients in the areas of brokerage and asset services. We are very honored to have him as part of our team,” stated Lee Arnold, CEO of Colliers Arnold.

Jeff Tolrud is a member of various prominent industry and civic organizations including: CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member), NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Properties), FGCAR (Florida Gulfcoast Commercial Association of Realtors Inc.), the Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the Tampa Downtown Partnership and the Westshore Alliance.

About Colliers Arnold Commercial Real Estate Services
Founded in Tampa Bay in 1974, Colliers Arnold is a full service commercial real estate firm. The company offers sales, leasing, asset and property management, corporate services, valuation and consulting services. With offices in Tampa, Clearwater, Orlando, and Fort Myers, together with Colliers International partners in Jacksonville, Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Colliers offers first class commercial real estate services to virtually every Florida market. Colliers Arnold has over 200 employees, including more than 65 real estate professionals, with an average of 20 years of experience in commercial real estate. Over 45 professional designations earned by Colliers Arnold brokers, managers and consultants evidence the firm’s commitment to continuing education. Colliers International is a global commercial real estate alliance with offices worldwide. Please visit www.colliersarnold.com.

Mr. Saunders brings to HomeBancorp more than 18 years of experience in executive management positions with financial institutions. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Saunders can be reached at (813) 549-7154 or jeff.saunders@homebanc.com.

HomeBanc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tampa-based HomeBancorp, Inc., with six retail offices in Lake Mary, Lakewood Ranch (Sarasota), Belleair Bluffs and in Tampa at Rocky Point, on Dale Mabry at I-275 and Westchase. HomeBanc also operates six loan-production offices in Tampa, Lake Mary, Brandon, Lakeland, Gainesville and Bonita Springs.

HomeBanc offers an array of retail-deposit products, along with SBA loans, special lower-rate FHA loans for first-time buyers and residential mortgage loans. The company has grown to more than $250 million in assets since its inception in 2007, and is committed to exceeding customer-service expectations and making the company a Great Place to Work® and a Great Place to Bank. The corporate headquarters of HomeBancorp is located on the 41st floor of the Bank of America Plaza building at 101 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa. More information on HomeBanc can be found at www.HomeBanc.com.

Wrenn, a certified planner, earned a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Florida. He is based in Pizzuti’s Orlando office and reports to Tom Harmer, Vice President of Pizzuti Solutions.

“I’m extremely pleased to welcome Chris to Pizzuti Solutions,” Harmer said. “His background and expertise as a planning professional and site designer will complement our entire team.”

In his role as Planning Manager, Wrenn will lead Pizzuti Solutions’ strategic planning efforts, working with public clients across the country on consulting projects and creative public/private partnerships. In addition, he will assist in the evaluation of development opportunities and help advance those projects.

Wrenn has extensive experience in land planning, urban design, community master planning and visioning, detailed site planning and project management and coordination.

XXX

ABOUT PIZZUTI: The Pizzuti Companies is a recognized leader in the development, marketing and management of real estate. With operations in Columbus, Chicago and Orlando, Pizzuti has developed more than 40 million square feet of Class A office, medical and healthcare, retail, residential and institutional-quality industrial facilities throughout the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States. Pizzuti also has considerable experience working with local governments in the development of creative public-private partnerships. A leader in sustainable design practices, Pizzuti has completed build-to-suit and speculative construction projects in each of their major markets. Pizzuti Solutions LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, boasts a staff with more than a century of combined public-sector work experiences, and focuses extensively in the areas of public facilities, sports and recreation, cultural facilities, education and strategic planning

Proceeds from the evening benefit the Gardens’ conservation, research and educational outreach programs. For tickets, sponsorship and underwriting information, call 941.366.5731 ext. 229 or email orchidball@selby.org.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a respected center for research and education as well as a famous orchid showplace. The Gardens are located at 811 South Palm Avenue in Sarasota. It is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the exception of Christmas day. For further information call 941.366.5731 or visit www.selby.org.

Luxury home sales momentum
A resurgence in interest and sales in the higher-priced and luxury home sales market provided added incentive for Neal and Sochar to launch Neal Signature Homes. Since the start of 2010, Neal Communities has sold eight higher-end homes in Lakewood Ranch’s Greystone, Stone Ridge and Silverwood upscale neighborhoods, including four in the $1 million-plus price range.

Semi-custom niche with 40 years’ industry backing
The new company falls under the Neal Communities umbrella with Sochar as the newly appointed president. Homebuyers looking for a new semi-custom option get the benefit of the established and longtime industry expertise, quality building, contractor relationships and personalized service that have been part of the Neal brand more than four decades. Neal Signature Homes will now offer its building company services to customers who want to build on their own homesite.

In addition, Sochar will also work with John Neal of the recently formed John Neal Homes, a similar semi-custom home building business specifically designed for buyers at University Park Country Club.

Building for the future
“The formation of Neal Signature Homes and John Neal Homes strategically positions Neal Communities for the future,” said Pat Neal, Owner and President of Neal Communities. “Coupled with Neal Communities signature lower-cost, high-quality cottage and café series brands, we can now meet the needs of today’s market and the more upscale market that is already showing renewed interest,” Neal added.

21-years, 4,000+ homes
Sochar brings a wealth of experience to Neal Signature Homes, including overseeing the building of more than 4,000 homes during his 21-year career at Neal. “Mark’s ability to develop and refine systems to improve the home building process and communication channels with our clients and contractors makes him ideally suited to lead this new company,” Neal added.

Streamlined communication, start to finish
Sochar was instrumental in developing Neal Communities’ signature integrated computer system that allows every party in the home building process to monitor and track projects from start to finish. Each homebuyer has access to and works directly with Neal Communities to enter in their design and building preferences, allowing every contractor to access this information and keep projects moving forward. “Mark’s vision to integrate the entire process into one easily accessible system has enabled Neal Communities to streamline the building process, which saves both time and money and has kept our on-time completion one of the best in the business,” Neal added.

Sochar joined Neal Communities in 1989, working his way up to Executive Vice President of Construction. With a Master’s degree in business from Indiana University, Sochar’s exacting attention to detail has helped him establish an impressive list of satisfied Neal homeowners and an industry-wide reputation for his expertise and acumen with vendors and contractors.

About Neal Communities
Now in its 40th year, Neal Communities is Southwest Florida’s largest and most established locally owned and operated private company. The company’s commitment to responsible land development, natural habitat preservation, innovative home building, and quality customer service serve as the benchmarks for the company’s success. Honors and accolades for this commitment include 41 Aurora Awards, 26 2008 Parade of Homes Awards, 5 Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, visit nealcommunities.com.

The meeting is at 8:30 a.m. and is open to the public at City Hall, 101 Old Main St.

Mr. Burden is co-founder and executive director of the non-profit Walkable and Livable Communities Institute in Port Townsend, Wa. His efforts to get the world “back on its feet” earned him the first-ever lifetime achievement award issued by the New Partners for Smart Growth and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals. The League of American Bicyclists named him “one of the 25 most significant leaders in bicycling for the past 100 years.”

In 2001, Mr. Burden was named by TIME magazine as “one of the six most important civic innovators in the world.” Also that year, the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences honored him as its Distinguished Lecturer. In 2009, a user’s poll by Planetizen.com named him one of the Top 100 Urban Thinkers of all time. He will be featured in Newsweek Magazine and Reader’s Digest this year.

Mr. Burden has more than 35 years of experience helping create livable communities through a focus on non-motorized transportation. He served for 16 years as the first State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the Florida Department of Transportation (1980-1996). This program became a model for other statewide programs in the United States. Mr. Burden co-founded Walkable Communities in 1996. Since then, he has helped 2,700 communities throughout the world become more livable and walkable. From 2005-2009, he was a Principal and Senior Urban Designer with Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin, Inc. In 2009, he started the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute to assist cities throughout the world in becoming more walkable, bicycle friendly, sustainable, socially engaged, and welcoming places by improving the built form.

For more information on Dan Burden and the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, please visit www.walklive.org or contact Sarah Bowman, General Manager, at sarah@walklive.org.

SunEdison crews are now installing 1,232 solar panels that produce 230 watts each on the roof of The Lakeland Center; the City owned and operated multi-function facility. A total of 283,360 watts will be generated on this single roof top installation that covers approximately one acre. The panels are designed using the latest photovoltaic technology and the installation is engineered to meet 120 mph wind requirements.

This solar initiative is one of the largest utility-sponsored photovoltaic (PV) solar programs per metered customer in the United States. Once completed, the system will average 200 watts for every Lakeland Electric customer. The solar power will ultimately be part of Lakeland Electric’s generation mix that includes natural gas, coal and solar.

“Environmental stewardship is important to our community, to Lakeland city leadership and to Lakeland Electric. It is vital that every utility consider carefully how to meet customers’ increasing needs for electricity and do it in a way that is fiscally and environmentally prudent. Deploying utility-scale solar with no upfront costs is a win-win for Lakeland. We are pleased to be working with SunEdison on this innovative program,” noted Jim Stanfield, General Manager for Lakeland Electric.

Over 20 years, 24 megawatts of solar capacity is estimated to produce enough zero-emission solar electricity to offset nearly 807 million pounds of carbon dioxide produced by traditional energy sources.

“Lakeland Electric is taking a strong leadership position in the utility industry and showing how solar can be incorporated into electricity services. SunEdison is proud to be working with Lakeland Electric to meet their customers’ desire for clean solar electricity,” noted Brian Jacolick, GM, Americas of SunEdison.

“It’s awe-inspiring to discover so many students willing to step up and contribute their time to such worthy causes,” said Jennifer Espinola, director of the USF Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement. “We’ve come up with playful names to describe each group of service opportunities, but the work is quite serious and very impactful to those communities.”

Among 18 sites, there’s “Meals on Heels” in New York City, “Cribs Hotlanta Edition” in Atlanta, and “Family Matters” in Memphis, plus three projects in Washington, D.C. and more to add to the mix:

• “Yummy in My Tummy”: Students will work with Food & Friends whose mission is to foster a community caring for men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-challenging illnesses by preparing and delivering specialized meals and groceries in conjunction with nutrition counseling. Volunteers will work in the kitchen, do yard and garden work and help staff with developing projects like fundraisers.

• “New Kids on the Block”: This project involves working with Kid Power, a civics-based organization that provides academic, artistic, and service-learning opportunities for youth in underserved neighborhoods in the District of Columbia. Kid Power empowers youth to become informed and engaged advocates for change in their own lives and in their communities. Volunteers will work with the Kid Power afterschool program. Prior to the trip, students are helping to prepare a lesson plan (based on a social issue) for the children to be taught during their period of service.

• “Sex in the Capital”: The Metro TeenAIDS community health organization and the groups it works with will be the recipient of volunteer efforts. It is dedicated to supporting young people in the fight against HIV/AIDS. MTA uses education, support and advocacy to help prevent the spread of HIV, promote responsible decision making, and improve the quality of life for young people infected with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS. Volunteers will do street outreach, assemble safer sex kits, and spend time in the organization’s youth center.

• USF students will return to a previous volunteer site in New Orleans to continue post Hurricane Katrina relief during the “Extreme Makeover – St. Bernard Project.” This project helps remove barriers for families that wish to move back into their homes in St. Bernard Parish, a community adjacent to New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward and one of the hardest hit by the devastating hurricane. Volunteers will continue to help with rebuilding and restoration efforts.

• A little further north of Florida, the “Gilligan’s Island – Cumberland Island” project will give students the opportunity to volunteer on Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island. They will perform trail restoration and maintenance from places where early natives, explorers and industrialists once lived.

• Closer to home in Everglades National Park, in Homestead, Florida, the “Ace of Glades” project at the scenic Flamingo Bay Park, is where students will be involved in sea turtle habitat restoration, beach clean-ups, and the clearing of culturally and historically significant ground of invasive species.

Another group of students and faculty from the USF Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program is headed to an area that is home to three of the poorest counties in the country, in Kentucky’s remote Appalachian Mountains to fit hearing aids. The students have raised their own funds for the trip and will donate any excess to provide more services and hearing aids.

After spring break, in May, volunteers will go to Peru to work in two areas. One is an environmental conservation project in the Amazon Rainforest outside of Cusco. The primary work involves reforestation – planting trees, shrubs and orchids, as well as the removal of invasive bamboo species, and they will also conduct wildlife inventories. In the city of Cusco, students will volunteer at a clinic that provides treatment to mentally and physically disabled children and babies, organizing arts and crafts and play activities, assisting with physical therapy and helping the children during meal times and throughout the day.

Alternative Spring Break students paid fees between $200 to $350 to cover travel, lodging and food. When these volunteers return to USF they will meet to share their stories and talk about their experiences Mar. 29, from 5 -7:30 p.m. in the Marshall Student Center room 2708.

For more information on the alternative spring break trips or about student volunteerism at USF, contact the Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement at (813) 974-7595 or visit www.leadandserve.usf.edu.

The University of South Florida is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of only 25 public research universities nationwide with very high research activity that is designated as community engaged by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded $380.4 million in research contracts and grants in FY 2008/2009. The university offers 232 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The USF System has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 47,000 students on institutions/campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference.
– USF –

In a new level of accomplishment, Saint Leo was named to the 2009 Honor Roll with Distinction, an even higher level of recognition. Saint Leo University is one of only four institutions in Florida recognized at this level. SLU has earned a spot on the Honor Roll since its inception in 2006.

“Congratulations to Saint Leo University and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities,” said Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the Honor Roll. “Our nation’s students are a critical part of the equation and vital to our efforts to tackle the most persistent challenges we face. They have achieved impactful results and demonstrated the value of putting knowledge into practice to help renew America through service.”

A college or university earns a place on the Honor Roll by demonstrating that its community service projects involve a significant number of students, meet real community needs, and produce tangible benefits. More than 600 institutions were honored this year by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Another 115 universities and colleges, including Saint Leo, merited placement on the Honor Roll with Distinction. This indicates institutions have set themselves apart in measures such as the percentage of students involved in community service, the scope of their activities, or other demonstrable evidence of a high level of commitment to service. Another six institutions were named Presidential Awardees, the very highest honor available.

“We at Saint Leo are very pleased to be included in the Honor Roll with Distinction, said University President Arthur F. Kirk, Jr. “Service learning is part of our commitment at this university. We believe it is an effective way for our students to grow into the principled leaders of tomorrow, and it certainly reflects and reinforces our core values of community and personal development.” Saint Leo University is guided by six core values: excellence, community, respect, personal development, responsible stewardship, and integrity.

Service projects are part of the culture of Saint Leo. At the main campus, students have the opportunity to participate in two community service events each year, on Veterans Day and on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, when classes are cancelled.

Many also participate in alternative spring-break trips to communities in the United States or abroad where small teams can help with projects such as home-building or repairs, agricultural or environmental work, and aid to schools and churches. In a very recent example, one group of students took the concept of the alternative spring-break trips to a new level. Students enrolled in a special class to prepare for a service trip that took place after the conclusion of the fall semester. From December 12 to 22, 2009, the group took time to travel to a school in Ecuador, a location where SLU students and advisors visited during previous service trips. During the December visit, they helped middle school and high school students practice English-language and computer skills.

Other student organizations and athletic teams at Saint Leo also take on community projects of their own creation throughout the academic year.

The Corporation for National and Community Service oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact and the American Council on Education.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.

Saint Leo University is one of the largest and most innovative Catholic universities in the United States, offering more than 40 academic programs.

Chartered in 1889 in the town of Saint Leo, Fla., north of Tampa, SLU now enrolls students at its traditional main campus, at 17 regional education centers, and through its Center for Online Learning. SLU is a leader in the field of online education and one of the nation’s foremost providers of higher education to the military.

These awards will be presented at PTK’s 2010 Annual Convention in Orlando in April. Phi Theta Kappa is the national honor society for two-year college students.

College presidents and campus CEOs are selected for the Gordon Award based on outstanding efforts given toward promoting the goals of Phi Theta Kappa. The Distinguished Administrator Awards is awarded to top administrators at two year colleges who have demonstrated a strong level of support for PTK.

Dr. Holden became president of PSC in February 2006. She brought to PSC and Polk County 23 years of community college experience as an instructor and administrator. From 2001 to 2006, Dr. Holden served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Technical Education at Broward Community College. From 1987 to 2001, she worked at Palm Beach Community College as a Program Manager, Division Chair and Dean of Academic Affairs. Dr. Holden also served as a faculty member at community colleges in Washington and Texas. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Education and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration.

Dr. Holden currently serves on numerous boards of Polk County civic groups, including Polk Works, Polk Vision, Polk Museum of Art, United Way of Central Florida, Central Florida Development Council and East Polk Committee of 100. On the statewide level, Dr. Holden serves as chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee for the Florida College System Council of Presidents. She is active in the Florida Association of Community Colleges and has served as the President of the Florida Community College Activities Association.
* * *

Dr. Jones came to PSC in July 2005. Prior to assuming her current position, she was Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences. As District Dean, Dr. Jones works on college-wide initiatives such as curriculum development, occupational technical programs and the Honors Program. She received her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Virginia. She also holds a Master of Science and Teaching from the University of Florida and a BA from the University of Virginia.

Dr. Jones began her career as an instructor of biology at the John Tyler Community College in Midlothian, Virginia. Then she served as Dean of Instruction at Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg, Va.
-30-

Carlson Studio Marketing (CSM) is a full-service public relations agency that specializes in helping businesses, organizations and public sector clients accomplish sustainability objectives and realize marketing advantages from environmentally-friendly policies and initiatives. CSM was established in 2005 by Grace Carlson, APR, LEED GA. It is a Florida-certified Minority Business Enterprise and a member of the Sarasota County Green Business Partnership. The agency is located in a LEED-CI Silver-certified headquarters in downtown Sarasota.

Teovska graduated from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in journalism. As part of her college experience, Teovska completed two internships, one for DANONE, where she worked on location in Prague as an assistant to the PR manager, and one for the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, where she provided marketing support to the membership development director. She relocated to Sarasota in 2009.

For more about Carlson Studio Marketing, visit http://www.carlsonecomarketing.com.

SCBB plans to analyze its technical operations processes to maximize efficiencies, evaluate business processes for redundancies, and identify potential cost savings. During the past five years, SCBB has implemented six new databases, with another four to be added during the 2009-10 fiscal year. Some of the technology purchased by SCBB is mandated by the US Food and Drug Administration but much of it is medically-advised for safety and efficiencies.

“These rapid increases of new software have outpaced our ability to manage the data and convert it into useful information,” says Rhonda Peters, Director of Development. “The grant will help us determine how to maximize efficiencies, enhance our business operations and decision making.”

“The Foundation Board recognized that this plan will help Suncoast Communities Blood Bank continue to thrive as a first-rate healthcare organization. The grant allows for the blood bank to strategically manage growth and further operational efficiency,” says Teri A. Hansen, President and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice. “We believe in providing the resources that will help our community members solve problems and move forward. By supporting the blood bank, we are furthering the future of quality healthcare for all of our residents.”
About SCBB
For more than 60 years, Suncoast Communities Blood Bank (SCBB) has been saving lives by providing blood collection and transfusion services to our community. Much has changed in medicine since 1949, revolutionizing how we save lives. What remains the same is the need for human blood. There is no viable substitute for the selfless act of donating it. Now as then, we can’t operate without you.

###

“It is time for the Hispanic community in Pasco and Hernando Counties to pull together and create new opportunities for economic growth.” says chamber founder and President Rocio D. Paulsen. “We have put together an inaugural celebration that is going to be the catalyst for collaboration between small business owners within the two counties. I am excited and anxious about the possibilities for our communities.” The inaugural celebration is scheduled for Thursday, April 29th at 7:00 pm at the beautiful Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club. About 200 Latino business owners and their guests are expected to attend the ceremony.

An owner of Good Faith Insurance Services Paulsen is an entrepreneur in the community and an advocate for the welfare of Hispanic small business owners. It is quite evident that she is passionate about facilitating growth and exposure for organizations of all sizes in the realms of Pasco and Hernando counties and surrounding communities. She further adds “it is our intention to promote the professions and valuable services of our members. We intend to provide a warm business environment, contribute to the creation and expansion of existing markets by assisting Hispanic individuals residing in and relocating to the area, and to improve the quality of life for the Hispanic community in Pasco and Hernando counties.”

The programs and services of PHHCC focus on educational outreach programs, promotional opportunities, and networking avenue. PHCC is committed to fostering and promoting each other in a friendly and family-oriented environment.

As part of our outreach effort in the community the Pasco/Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is conducting a logo contest in conjunction with the District School Board of Pasco County for the creation of its logo and the artist winner to be honored at the inaugural ceremony in April.

An upcoming event, a communication seminar, “Presentaciones Exitosas”, conducted by the Journalist Maria del Pilar Ortíz, is scheduled for March 27th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The cost is $30.00 for chamber members and others interested in improving their presentation and communication skills. This seminar is conducted in Spanish. Register at: http://mariadelpilarortiz.com/speaking-in-public

Pasco/Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce meets the third Thursday of each month at the Best Western Summer Crest hotel, located at 5639 Oakley Blvd., Wesley Chapel, Fl. 33543.

For more information about the Pasco/Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and upcoming events, please contact Rocio D. Paulsen, President, via email phhcc@gf-is.com or call 813-909-6965.

The Lipsey survey measures commercial real estate professionals’ perceptions of the industry’s leading brands. More than 50,000 U.S. and international professionals participated in the survey, including property owners, investors, lenders, brokers and property managers.

“Every day in Central Florida and across the globe our professionals deliver the right solutions to meet our clients’ needs and that effort has made CB Richard Ellis the top commercial real estate services brand in the world for nine straight years,” said Bill Moss, Senior Managing Director.

“Our continued success in this industry survey is a great tribute to our people,” said Brett White, chief executive officer of CB Richard Ellis. “Our people are the CBRE brand. Their talents, and commitment, combined with our global platform, enable us to deliver superior service across markets and disciplines, and have solidified our position as the industry leader.”

CB Richard Ellis has ranked number one in the Lipsey survey every year since its inception in 2002. The Lipsey Company provides training and professional development services to the commercial real estate industry.

About CB Richard Ellis
CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2009 revenue). The Company has approximately 29,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CB Richard Ellis offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. CB Richard Ellis has been named a BusinessWeek 50 “best in class” company for three years in a row. Please visit our Web site at www.cbre.com.

This joint public health initiative was put into place to promote a healthy lifestyle for hospital employees, patients and visitors. Tobacco use of any kind is strictly prohibited on all three hospital campuses. According to the Florida Department of Health, tobacco free campuses reduce second hand smoke exposure and encourage tobacco users to quit.

Manatee County Health Department’s executive director, Dr. Jennifer Bencie, will present awards to all three hospitals during the month of March. This is the first year of the award that the health department plans to present annually. Recipients will be chosen based on the innovation and success of their public health initiatives.

Interested media outlets are welcome to attend the Public Health Hero Award presentation at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center in conference room 1.