GULF COAST
OCTOBER 7 – OCTOBER 13, 2011
Business Review
TWO DollarS
SPECIAL ISSUE:
STORY ON PAGE XX
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40 UNDER FORTY SEE PAGE 6
The next generation of Gulf Coast business leaders. Companies • Trends • Entrepreneurs • CEOs
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Under Forty
Thinking BIG Rather than rely on someone else for a job, David Romine decided to put his ideas to work for himself. Now, his biggest problem is finding space to grow. PAGE 14
GULF COAST BUSINESS BUZZ
+ The return of stimulus to believe in
Local philanthropist and entrepreneur Harvey Vengroff has two distinct strategies to stimulate the economy. One is a for-profit business incubator, a relatively simple for-
or Alabama, Texas or Mississippi, to begin the process. Vengroff says his business incubator, meanwhile, is similar to one he started two years ago. It’s still the antithesis of government stimuli programs, tax breaks and subsidies. He derides those programs because he says it gives millions of dollars to companies with little in return. “We are creating jobs and we are getting a profit for ourselves,” Vengroff says. “But certainly we are not government. We don’t give away money easily.” Instead, says Vengroff, the idea is to again provide space for a host of companies, some start-
ups, some a little more advanced. Some of the companies will work out of space Vengroff owns near the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Companies range from a firm that produces a device to get more mileage from a tank of gas to a business that sells a lubrication product for heavy machinery. “It’s a matter of nurturing things until they get better,” Vengroff says. Vengroff will receive a share of profits or part ownership of the company in return for incubator services. The founder of Vengroff, Williams & Associates, a Sarasota-based commercial debt collections firm with 1,100
employees and 120,000 client accounts, Vengroff last provided stimulus assistance like this in spring 2009. (See Business Review, May 21, 2009.)
+ Foreclosure crown losing its shine
Is the Fort Myers-Cape Coral area losing its crown as the foreclosure capital of the state? Consider September’s 570 court filings for foreclosure in Lee County. That’s down 40% from the same month a year ago, according to the Southwest Flor-
See coffee talk on page 3
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COFFEE TALK
mula of backing businesses with the right combination of promise and proven results. Another plan, however, involves financial support of a business concept to buy farmland for sugarcane that can be converted to biofuel — decidedly more complicated. “I don’t know if we will get very far with it,” Vengroff tells Coffee Talk, “but we will try.” The sugarcane-to-biofuels plan is based on the research and writings of Roy Lunn, a retired auto industry executive and engineer who lives in east Manatee County. Vengroff says he will buy land, possibly in Central Florida
6
GULF COAST BUSINESS REVIEW october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
Under Forty
In business and in life in general, everyone wants to know: what’s next? In the spirit of looking forward, the Business Review has chosen 40 business people under 40 years old we think represent the next generation of leaders on the Gulf Coast. While selecting this year’s crop, we looked for more than impressive titles and wellknown names. To find our 40, our editors scoured their areas and sorted through nominations, looking for candidates who are entrepreneurial, even if they don’t own their own business. This means young people who take charge to lead their companies to success, who are confident in their ability to take action instead of waiting for someone to tell them
what to do. They take risks, but they’re realistic in the chances they take. And when things don’t go their way, they smile and work harder. So what’s the hubbub about their age? We think you’ll see a unique view of the world reflected in their responses to our questionnaire. It’s no surprise that many of them are adept at using technology. Yet they still cherish the same management books as their older counterparts — they just read them on their iPads. You’ll also notice that they love what they do, and that’s evident in their answers. So aside from providing some fresh faces, they may also provide some fresh inspiration.
40 Under 40 — By the Numbers Birthplace: From Florida: 6 From the Midwest: 11 From outside the U.S.: 2
Favorite techno gadget: iPhone: 7 iPad: 5 Blackberry: 5
Average time ON THE GULF COAST: 15.06 years
social network used for business: Linked In: 19 Facebook: 14 Twitter: 7 None: 4
Favorite book: Bible: 3 Something written by Stephen Covey: 4
Most admired business person: Steve Jobs: 5 Warren Buffett: 2; Richard Branson: 2 Donald Trump: 1 Oprah Winfrey: 1 Most trusted news medium: CNN: 7 Fox News: 8 Twitter: 1 MOST CREATIVE USE FOR A MAGIC WAND: “Kill Voldemort, ” Rafferty Pendery
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Most popular Alma Mater: University of Florida: 4
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Average Age: 33.8 years
Gulf coast Business Review october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
7
HungTough joe holland
t h i r t y- f o u r
W
hen Joe Holland was a walk-on special teams player for the University of Pittsburgh football team in 1997, he would do just about anything to get on the field. Like the time a coach asked if he could snap the ball on kicks and punts because another player went down with an injury. Holland jumped at the chance, though he neglected to tell the coach he had never snapped before. That never-say-no spirit is how Holland runs Holland Construction, which has locations in Sarasota, Hanover, Pa., and Columbia, Md. The firm survived the market downturn, albeit without boom time-like growth. Its diversity in clients and industries, says Holland, fostered stability in the three locations. “We are in a good position,” says Holland. Holland, 34, is president and CEO of Holland Construction. He lives in Sarasota with his family and travels, usually Tuesday through Thursday, to offices and worksites in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Just like at Pitt, where he played in 1997 and 1998, Holland decided the best way to survive the recession was a do-it-all mantra. It’s a strategy many other Gulf Coast construction firms have had to undertake. “We will do anything,” says Holland, “from change a door knob to building a whole new building.” Indeed, recent projects range from a small job for the Sarasota Ballet to an office renovation for Sarasota-based Sun Hydraulics, a $151 million firm. Holland Construction is also the lead firm behind an 18,000-square-foot store for national office supply chain Staples, currently under construction in downtown Sarasota. The $3 million Staples project, on Fruitville Road and
Links Avenue, replaces a proposed a luxury condo complex spread over two 16-story towers. That project was a casualty of the real estate market collapse. “Staples has wanted a presence in the downtown area for a long time,” says Holland. “It’s pent-up demand.” The construction firm was founded in 1907. Back then it was Hostetter Construction. The Holland family bought the firm in 1981, and changed the name Jan. 1, 2010. Joe Holland first worked for the firm when he was a teenager in the early 1990s, when he swept floors and cleaned sites. He worked for the company during summers at Pitt, and he joined it full time after graduation in 1999. He was named president and CEO in 2007. Holland has managed several of the company’s milestone projects in the last few years. In Maryland he oversaw construction of a 25-acre corporate park, which featured 300,000 square feet and a hotel. He also supervised the transformation of a 36,000-square-foot historic warehouse in Baltimore. In Florida, meanwhile, in addition to Staples and Sun Hydraulics, the firm under Holland’s watch has become a local leader in the highly competitive area of medical office build-outs and renovations. It recently completed $2.5 million worth of medical jobs, including work at the Waldemere Medical Center next to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Holland says a major recession-era challenge has been to price projects right. The firm wants to win jobs, but not work at cost just to get by, like other firms have had to do. “We don’t want to be the lowest-price builder,” he says, “but we want to stay competitive.” — Mark Gordon
Mark Wemple
Joe Holland, 34, was named president of Holland Construction in 2007. The firm has locations in Sarasota, Hanover, Pa. and Columbia, Md.
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Under Forty
Joe Holland was promoted to run a construction firm with offices in three states at the onset of the recession. His survival instincts bode well for the eventual rebound.
8
GULF COAST BUSINESS REVIEW october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
Under Forty
Chris Davison
Rafferty Pendery
Punit R. Shah
Rebecca Leake
Reggie Morgan
T h irt y - O ne Sanibel
twent y - five
T h irt y - O ne Ta mpa
T h irt y - T wo Venice
T H I R T Y- E I G H T B o n i t a S p r i n gs
Employer: Island Inn Company
Employer: Studio98 Title: CEO
Employer: Liberty Group of Companies
Employer: Florida Shores Bank
Title: General Manager and Vice President of Operations
Employer: DeAngelis Diamond Healthcare Group
Cl e a r w a t e r
Birthplace: Pontiac, Mich. Years on the Gulf Coast: 14 Marital status/children: Single, no children Alma mater: Florida Gulf Coast University, resort and hospitality management Best place to network: Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau events Business person you admire most: Conrad Hilton Three websites that make your job easier: sabrehospitality.com, islandinnsanibel.com, tripadvisor.com Favorite business lunch spot: Sweet Melissa’s Cafe One community group you’re most involved with: Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce Favorite off-hours activity: Fishing and boating Most-trusted news medium: bloomberg.com Book you’re reading now: “A First-Rate Madness,” by Nassir Ghaemi All-time favorite book: “Animal Farm,” by George Orwell Favorite techno gadget: iPhone Which social network do you use for business: Facebook If I had a magic wand I’d: Sell it to the highest bidder
Birthplace: Los Angeles
Title: President and Chief Operating Officer
Years on the Gulf Coast: Eight
Birthplace: Toronto
Marital status/children: Married, no children
Years on the Gulf Coast: Seven
Alma mater: None
Marital status/children: Married to Carla Shah
Best place to network: Word-of-mouth
Alma mater: Boston University School of Hospitality
Business person you admire most: Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Robert Cornish
Best place to nework: Centre Club in downtown Tampa
Three websites that make your job easier: Google, 37 Signals, Entrepreneur.com Favorite business lunch spot: Starbucks One community group you’re most involved with: Explorers Club
Business person you admire most: Warren Buffett Three websites that make your job easier: Google, LinkedIn, and logmein.com Favorite business lunch spot: Cafe Ponte in Clearwater One community group you’re most involved with: CEO Council of Tampa Bay
Title: AVP and Branch Manager Birthplace: New Jersey Years on the Gulf Coast: 21 Marital status/children: Married with two children (boy and girl) Alma mater: N/A Best place to network: Community and downtown Venice events Business person you admire most: John Mazzoccoli, my pops Three websites that make your job easier: MapQuest, Sarasota County Tax Appraiser, Sunbiz Favorite business lunch spot: Crows Nest in Venice One community group you’re most involved with: Some functions with Venice Chamber and my local church
Favorite off-hours activity: Hanging out with my wife and friends, scuba diving and skydiving.
Favorite off-hours activity: Traveling
Most-trusted news medium: Twitter
Most-trusted news medium: CNN
Book you’re reading now: “Behind the Cloud” (about Salesforce.com)
Book you’re reading now: “Fit to Bust: How Great Companies Fail,”by Tim Phillips
Book you’re reading now: “Irish Hearts,” by Nora Roberts
All-time favorite book: “Rework,” by 37 Signals. That was a life changer.
All-time favorite book: “Art of the Deal,” by Donald Trump
All-time favorite book: “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” by Mitch Albom
Favorite techno gadget: iPad
Favorite techno gadget: iPhone
Favorite techno gadget: BlackBerry
Which social network do you use for business: Facebook
Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn
Which social network do you use for business: N/A
If I had a magic wand I’d: Kill Voldemort
If I had a magic wand I’d: End world poverty
Favorite off-hours activity: Spending time with my family, camping and swimming Most-trusted news medium: NBC News/Today
If I had a magic wand I’d: Cure cancer
Congratulations Keith
Title: CEO and Principal Birthplace: Hermitage, Ark. Years on the Gulf Coast: Six Marital status/children: Married with three children, two girls and a boy Alma mater: University of Louisiana in Monroe Best place to network: Yearly health care construction conferences Business person you admire most: David Diamond, John DeAngelis and my father Three websites that make your job easier: DDhealthcaregroup.com, Google, Construction Journal Favorite business lunch spot: Silver Spoon Cafe One community group you’re most involved with: American Heart Association Favorite off-hours activity: Enjoying my kids, fishing and golfing Most-trusted news medium: FOX and CNN Book you’re reading now: “Good to Great,” by Jim Collins All-time favorite book: Bible Favorite techno gadget: iPad Which social network do you use for business: Facebook and LinkedIn If I had a magic wand I’d: Move my parents and wife’s family to Southwest Florida
Walker!
We just have one thing to say about your “40 Under 40” selection...
Cool. Very Cool.
Your Proud Friends at Conditioned Air
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www.ConditionedAir.com
10
GULF COAST BUSINESS REVIEW october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
Under Forty
Matt Moraski
Courtney Washmuth
Keith A. Walker
Christy Cardillo
Matt Brosious
T h irt y - E ig h t Pa r r i s h T h irt y - S even N a pl e s Employer: Conditioned Air Title: Chief Operations Officer Birthplace: San Antonio Years on the Gulf Coast: Five Marital status/children: Married, with 11-year-old son
T H I R t y - five
Employer: Shinn & Company Certified Public Accountants and Consultants Title: Tax Manager Birthplace: Leesburg Years on the Gulf Coast: I am a native Floridian from Central Florida and have lived on the Gulf Coast for four years. Marital status/children: Married to Charlie with two children: Sophia, 9, and Dominic, 5 Alma mater: University of Florida and University of Texas
N a pl e s
T h irt y - O ne
Employer: Gravity Benefits
Alma mater: University of Texas at San Antonio
S a r a s ota
Best place to network: I attend monthly “Wake up Naples” functions organized by the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.
Best place to network: Manatee Chamber of Commerce has the best networking events for just about any type of business to get connected in the community.
Business person you admire most: Theo Etzel, president of Conditioned Air. Theo has mentored me in my career over the last five years.
Business person you admire most: My grandmother, Pinky Parker. She is shrewd, compassionate and extremely intelligent. She has been working (and still is) longer than I can count and knows how to manage and motivate people, which is key. Her first job was working in the Tampa shipyards as a welder and she has owned multiple businesses over the years. She is the hardest-working person I’ve ever known and sets the bar very high for the rest of us to follow after her.
Title: President
Employer: Miles Outside
Birthplace: Columbia, S.C.
Title: Founder, President
Years on the Gulf Coast: 10
Birthplace: Highland Park, Ill.
Marital status/children: Married with two children: Luke, 2 ½, and Lyla, 1
Years on the Gulf Coast: 12
Alma mater: Clemson University; B.S. in business management Best place to network: Our company-sponsored events Business person you admire most: Steve Jobs for his perseverance Three websites that make your job easier: Google, WSJ for business and Clemsontigers.com Favorite business lunch spot: Blu Sushi One community group you’re most involved with: Youth Haven, a year-round charitable organization dedicated to meeting the emotional and physical needs of today’s disadvantaged children. This is where miracles happen. Favorite off-hours activity: Outside of work, I cherish my time with my family. Most-trusted news medium: Fox News, because Bill O’Reilly added Dennis Miller to his show. Book you’re reading now: “Think and Grow Rich,” by Napoleon Hill All-time favorite book: “Prosperity Paradigm” by Steve D’Annunzio. This was the game changer for me. Favorite techno gadget: iPad Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn If I had a magic wand I’d: Sell the wand on eBay
Marital status/children: Happily married with two inspirational boys who are ages 3 and 1½. Alma mater: N/A Best place to network: Social media Business person you admire most: Gary Erickson, founder of Cliff Bar Three websites that make your job easier: Natural Parenting Motherhood, The Organic Trade Association and the Natural Products Association Favorite business lunch spot: Old Packing House Cafe One community group you’re most involved with: Forty Carrots Favorite off-hours activity: Running, hiking, horseback riding and just getting outside with the family Most-trusted news medium: The Wall Street Journal Book you’re reading now: “How to Fit a Car Seat on a Camel And Other Misadventures Traveling with Kids” All-time favorite book: “A Walk in the Woods” Favorite techno gadget: iPhone Which social network do you use for business: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Outdoor Baby Network If I had a magic wand I’d: There would be no more starving infants, children and families in the world.
Three websites that make your job easier: www.enterprise.com (we use this to track our fleet vehicle cost); www.ahridirectory.org (we use this to stay up to date on air-conditioning efficiencies); www.foxnews.com (we use this to stay up to date on the latest financial and economic news) Favorite business lunch spot: Spanky’s on Airport Pulling Road One community group you’re most involved with: I serve on the board and the finance committee of the Education Foundation of Collier County. Favorite off-hours activity: Home improvement projects and spending time with family Most-trusted news medium: Fox News Book you’re reading now: “The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader,” by John C. Maxwell
Three websites that make your job easier: www.shinnandcompany.com; www.aicpa.org; www.google.com Favorite business lunch spot: Pier 22 (formerly Mattison’s) One community group you’re most involved with: Junior League of Manatee County Favorite off-hours activity: I enjoy being involved in the activities that my kids are involved in, such as football, Girl Scouts and school. Most-trusted news medium: Bradenton Herald
All-time favorite book: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” by Stephen R. Covey
Book you’re reading now: “The Devil in the Junior League”
Favorite techno gadget: My BlackBerry is attached to me at all times.
All-time favorite book: “7 Habits of Highly Effective People Powerful Lessons in Personal Change,” by Stephen Covey.
Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn If I had a magic wand I’d: Bring stability and consistency back to the market place and make economic conditions for our Gulf Coast residents and businesses more predictable.
Favorite techno gadget: Business-card reader Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn If I had a magic wand I’d: Be a great cook.
T h irt y - S even Trinity Employer: FreightCenter.com Title: CEO and Co-Founder Birthplace: Minneapolis Years on the Gulf Coast: 15 Marital status/children: Married, three children Alma mater: Military service Best place to network: Industry-specific trade shows Business person you admire most: Jim Brosious, my father and co-founder of FreightCenter.com Three websites that make your job easier: Google.com (analytics and optimizer), TIAnet. org (newsletter) and Inc.com Favorite business lunch spot: Grille 54 One community group you’re most involved with: The Pasco Economic Development Council Favorite off-hours activity: Coaching youth sports Most-trusted news medium: local: St. Petersburg Times; national: CNN Book you’re reading now: I frequently refer to Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” All-time favorite book: “The One-Minute Manager,” by Blanchard & Johnson Favorite techno gadget: iPad Which social network do you use for business: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn If I had a magic wand I’d: Guarantee a positive outlook on life and good health for my family.
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Gulf coast Business Review october 7 – october 13, 2011
Sassyentrepreneur Bayah Harrison
Under Forty
t h i r t y - t hr e e
Bayah Harrison’s cupcake business gained instant fame when she became a contestant on a TV show.
B
ayah Harrison is battle-tested. The 33-year-old owner of Sassy Cakes in Naples earned her stripes earlier this year on the hugely popular Food Network television show, Cupcake Wars. Unfortunately, Harrison didn’t make it past the first round, in which chefs battle for the best cupcake and a $10,000 prize. “The tapioca didn’t set in time,” she says, the painful memory still fresh in her mind. “It was really stressful.” While Harrison had to close her cupcake store in Naples to travel to Los Angeles for the two-day shoot, the television appearance paid off. Local newspapers and glossy magazines devoted stories to the appearance and fans of the show flocked to the store. “We’ve been asked for our autograph a couple times,” she laughs. Children and teenagers are some of her biggest fans because parents let them watch “safe” shows on channels such as the Food Network. “A lot of kids want to bake,” she says. Harrison says Sassy Cakes didn’t see the typical summer drop in sales because the show aired July 5. That’s important because Harrison doesn’t have a big budget to advertise her 1-year-old shop. Harrison declines to share sales information, but she sells four cupcakes for $12 in her retail shop. “The profit’s iffy, but it does pay the rent,” she says. Harrison, who moved to the Gulf Coast from Chicago seven years ago, gave up a marketing job to indulge in her passion for baking. She started selling cupcakes at farmers’ markets a few years ago, riding the popularity of these desserts. With a silent partner, Harrison opened her current store a block from tony Fifth Avenue South in Naples in July 2010. Harrison’s days usually start at 6 a.m., when she starts
Bayah Harrison owns Sassy Cakes near Fifth Avenue in Naples. baking with an assistant. At night, she does marketing and networks with various charitable and business organizations around town. “You really have to love what you’re doing,” says Harrison, who is expecting her first child in February. “I haven’t taken a vacation for a couple years.” Bayah’s husband, Eric Harrison, works in constructionsupply sales and helps out when he can. “On the weekends, he’s Mr. Cupcake,” says Bayah. More than 50% of the company’s sales come from catering weddings and other functions. “Weddings are a big market for us,” she says. Harrison says customers continue to spend on cupcakes despite challenging economic times, especially for special occasions. “They never really cut back on that,” she
Nancy DeNike
says. Besides, cupcakes aren’t extravagant. She sells minicupcakes too, at $1.25 a piece. Although she has made and sold whoopie pies for $3 each, Harrison says she doesn’t plan to diversify into other baked goods. “I stay with the niche,” she says. Because she doesn’t spend on advertising, Harrison promotes Sassy Cakes by giving cupcakes to charities for special events. The result: “We’ve had a lot of free press,” she says. Her strategy for success is simple: Start small, then work hard. “If you have dedication and drive, anything is possible,” she says. “I’m a very optimistic and positive person.” —Jean Gruss
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B A N K I N G
12
GULF COAST BUSINESS REVIEW october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
Under Forty
Law& Order Rob dinan t h irt y - nine
Mark Wemple
Rob Dinan co-owns Kitchens by Kerrie, a kitchen design and architecture firm with showrooms in Venice and Longboat Key.
Rob Dinan thought being a police officer was the most adrenalinefilled experience he would ever have. Now he’s back for more, only this time he’s an entrepreneur.
Law enforcement, after all, was the family business. Dinan’s father was a detective, one uncle was a captain and another uncle was an inspector, all with the New York City Police Department. Dinan joined the force too, after he worked in financial planning for a few years. Dinan actually did both at first. He worked with MassMutual on Long Island in the mornings, and then he worked the 4 p.m.-to-midnight shift in a Manhattan precinct. The financial planning business paid better, but it forever trailed in excitement. “I was an adrenaline junkie,” says Dinan. “I liked the action. It was fun.” The most un-fun experience of his police career, no surprise, was Sept. 11, 2001. Dinan went into Manhattan from his Long Island home after the first plane hit the towers. He went to Ground Zero with other officers and worked 30 straight hours. When the rescue mission turned to recovery, Dinan, with a master’s degree in forensic science, was assigned to work in a tent authorities set up partially to identity victims of the attacks. Dinan was injured on the job in 2006. He retired from the NYPD and worked for the U.S. Homeland Security Department for a short time. He then gave up his
L
ittle about the first 35 years of Rob Dinan’s life screamed successful kitchen design entrepreneur. He boxed when he was a teenager. He played football, first at Boston University, then at Gettysburg College. He later embarked on a decade-long career in law enforcement. Now 39, though, Dinan is in fact in the kitchen design business. The company he co-owns with his wife, Venice-based Kitchens by Kerrie, is a recession anomaly because not many small niche design firms survived the downturn. Moreover, the firm recently expanded, and plans more growth later this year. Despite the success, kitchen design wasn’t on Dinan’s list of career options when he grew up outside New York City.
law enforcement career and moved to Florida, where he met his wife, Kerrie Lehnert. “I was ready to get out of all that stuff,” Dinan says. “I decided to try something new, that wasn’t as dangerous, and wasn’t as life threatening.” That something was Kitchens by Kerrie, a Venicebased business his wife founded in 2004. Prior to starting the business, Lehnert worked in home restoration and renovation. Lehnert survived and grew slightly through the recession. She focused on volume over price for much of the downturn, which was a big help. The company has grown even more since Dinan took on a wider marketing role in 2008. It opened a second office and showroom on Longboat Key earlier this year. It also recently signed a deal to open another showroom in Bacon’s Furniture in south Sarasota, in a former Robb & Stucky store. The company has four employees. It will do just about anything in a kitchen, from flooring to finishes to counter tops. “We are going to see more and more growth,” says Dinan. “We just try to keep ahead of the next best thing.” — Mark Gordon
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14
GULF COAST BUSINESS REVIEW october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
Under Forty
Scott Boose Robin Adkins Vosler
Chris Rolle
David Romine may be working to cut down his triathlon time. But his business, AgileThought, is looking at huge expansion.
Mark Wemple
Software Savvy
david romine t h irt y - eig h t
David Romine took a big risk when he left a ‘Big Five’ accounting firm to start his own company. That bet has paid off. T h irt y - T h ree
T h irt y
S a r as o t a
Tampa
S a r as o t a
Employer: Clockwork Home Services
Employer: Adonai
Employer: BB&T
Title: CEO
Title: Area Executive, Senior Vice President
T h irt y - N ine
Title: President Birthplace: Kalamazoo, Mich. Years on the Gulf Coast: One Marital status/children: Married, with two children (a daughter, 14, and a son, 12)
Birthplace: Rock Hill, S.C. Years on the Gulf Coast: 10 Marital status/children: Married, 7-year-old stepson, Austin
Birthplace: Tallahassee Years on the Gulf Coast: 18 Marital status/children: Married with three children
Alma mater: Winthrop University
Alma mater: Wake Forest University
Alma mater: Wright State University
Best place to network: On the golf course
Best place to network: The gym (YMCA)
Best place to network: School functions
Business person you admire most: Oprah
Business person you admire most: Jack Welch
Three websites that make your job easier: Hootsuite.com, Harvest.com, Smartsheet.com
Business person you admire most: John Allison (former CEO of BB&T). I witnessed first hand the impact leadership can have on an organization.
Three websites that make your job easier: Expedia, Weather Channel and Google Favorite business lunch spot: My desk (unfortunately) One community group you’re most involved with: Toys for Tots Favorite off-hours activity: Swimming and enjoying the Florida sun Most-trusted news medium: CNN
Favorite business lunch spot: The Palm Restaurant One community group you’re most involved with: Renew Westshore Favorite off-hours activity: Spending time with my husband, Jason Most-trusted news medium: NBC NewsChannel 8
Book you’re reading now: “The Wisdom of Teams”
Book you’re reading now: “Business by the Book,” by Larry Burkett
All-time favorite book: Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”
All-time favorite book: The Bible
Favorite techno gadget: My BlackBerry
Favorite techno gadget: Square
Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn
Which social network do you use for business: Twitter
If I had a magic wand I’d: Feed the world
If I had a magic wand I’d: Give jobs to all of the unemployed people in the United States
Three websites that make your job easier: Morningstar, Google, Wall Street Journal Favorite business lunch spot: Mediterraneo One community group you’re most involved with: YMCA Favorite off-hours activity: The beach Most-trusted news medium: Financial Times Book you’re reading now: “Into Africa, The Epic Adventures of Stanley & Livingstone,” by Martin Dugard All-time favorite book: “On the Road,” by Jack Kerouac Favorite techno gadget: iPad or iPhone (It’s a tie) Which social network do you use for business: None If I had a magic wand I’d: Cure cancer
D
avid Romine, CEO of AgileThought, didn’t plan on becoming an entrepreneur. His father was a police chief and he says that he was on the typical career track with PricewaterhouseCoo-
pers. But his ideas got too big for the “Big Five” accounting firm, so he and two longtime colleagues founded Clearwater-based AgileThought Inc. Romine did all the right things to become a software developer. He went to college for management information systems, attended networking events and made all the right connections. Those connections yielded him a job in Arthur Andersen’s technology operations in Sarasota. The demise of Arthur Andersen following the Enron scandal left Romine questioning the notion of job security and the typical career path. “It really helped me realize that there is no such thing as job security,” he says. Romine discussed an entrepreneurial endeavor with John Wagner and Ryan Dorrell, who are now both in AgileThought’s corporate leadership. Romine and his two friends, whom he met on his first day with Arthur Andersen, decided against it. “We thought it was too risky at the time,” he says. While working at PricewaterhouseCoopers, the urge to take that risk became too much for Romine to handle. “We wanted to put our ideas to work,” he says, “and be surrounded by the people we choose.” In 2004 Romine put the security of his job in his own hands and founded AgileThought, a software design and consulting company, with Wagner and Dorrell. The firm had a humble start. In fact, the three entrepreneurs built their own desks. The company now employs more than 80 and recorded $5 million in revenues in 2010. Like Romine’s ideas, AgileThought’s staff grew too big for its office, and it relocated this year. Painter’s tape still adorns some nooks of the AgileThought’s new office and a few doors remain unhinged, but Romine is already looking for new space. “I think we’re at 85 [employees] right now,” he says. “The reason I say ‘I think’ is because we’re filling positions on a daily basis.” Revenues are swelling as well, and Romine expects them to reach $12 million this year, more than double last year’s revenues. Romine credits the unique culture of the company for the surge in growth. One aspect is the flat corporate structure that attracts — and keeps — the best programmers. “We were on the front lines,” he says, “so we have that unique perspective.” The “foos room” helps, too. The aptly named room contains a foosball table and an X-box hooked up to a flat screen TV a few feet away. And the best view in the office belongs to the programmers. “We’ve already seen two dolphins today,” says one employee. Romine bet big on the success of AgileThought, a gamble justified by its growth so far. The motivation behind the move was Romine craving to create something of quality that delivers value. “I got into this to create a product from the ground up,” he says, “it used to be software — now it’s a company.” — Alex Mahadevan
Gulf coast Business Review october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
15
UPCOMING
Calendar of Events
October 15
Builder awards: The Lee Building Industry Association will hold an awards gala from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Sanibel Harbour Resort, 17260 Harbour Pointe Drive, Fort Myers. Cost is $70 per person. For more information visit bia.net.
October 20
October 13
Free-enterprise lecture: Professor J.R. Clark, Probasco Chair of Free Enterprise at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, will speak at The Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University’s BB&T Free Enterprise Lecture Series. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. at Florida Gulf Coast University’s AB5 Building, room 112, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers. For more information contact Jennifer Hernandez at 239-590-7308 or e-mail jhernand@fgcu.edu.
New restaurants: Sean Murphy of the Eat Here Restaurant and Mark Caragiulo of Caragiulos Restaurant will speak on a panel at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Southwest Florida Program. The event will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Polo Grill and Bar, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch. For more information visit icsc.org.
October 25
Hall of fame: Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will honor Collier County
business executives George Beasley, chairman and CEO of Beasley Broadcast Group Inc., and Theo Etzel, owner, president and CEO of Conditioned Air Corp. of Naples Inc. The two men will be inducted into the 2011 Business Hall of Fame, Collier County at a dinner and awards ceremony at the Naples Grande Beach Resort. For more information visit jaswfl.org.
manager of the Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa, will speak about the tourist tax at the Collier County Lodging & Tourism Alliance’s October meeting. The meeting will start at 8 a.m. at the Bellasera Hotel, 221 Ninth St., Naples. For additional information contact CCLTA Administrator Pam Calore at pam.cclta@ gmail.com. There is no cost.
Venture capital: Mark Heesen, president of the National Venture Capital Association, will speak at the Gulf Coast Venture Forum and Tamiami Angel Fund October meeting. The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Naples Grande Resort & Club, 475 Seagate Drive, Naples. Cost is $65 if preregistered and $75 at the door. For more information visit floridaventureforum.org.
November 3
October 26
Tourist tax: Rick Medwedeff, general
Blue chip companies: The 17th Annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Awards will start at 11 a.m. at the Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe St. in Fort Myers. The awards will recognized Charlotte, Collier and Lee county for-profit businesses that have been in operation for at least three years and employ five to 400 people. For more information contact Stacey Mercado at 239433-7189 or SMercado@BBandT.com.
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Slater confirmed the continued rise in the new loan package applications. “Many local business brokers are coming to us with solid acquisition and business models that most banks just won’t consider.” “We perform a business analysis and make immediate decisions. The capital is readily available and the transactions can be closed with in a short time.” Lindell added, “If the request makes good business sense, we consider the loan.”
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16
GULF COAST BUSINESS REVIEW october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
Under Forty
Eric Molina John Creighton Goede
Brittany Maxey
Christopher Cyndee Woolley Pacitto
T h irt y - F our Fort Myers Employer: GFA International Inc.
T h irt y - S even LaBelle
t h irt y - t h ree
Employer: Pavese Law Firm
C l e a r wat er
Title: Partner Birthplace: San Juan, Puerto Rico Years on the Gulf Coast: 10 Marital status/children: Married with five children, ranging in ages from 16 years to 3 months. Alma mater: Trinity University (B.A. in Biblical Studies) and Florida State University (J.D.) Best place to network: Local businesses and community functions and events Business person you admire most: S. Truett Cathy, who is the founder and chairman of ChickFil-A, for operating a tremendously successful business on biblical principles and focusing his philanthropy on youth. Three websites that make your job easier: leeclerk.org, westlaw.com, and sunbiz.org Favorite business lunch spot: Mamma Mia’s Italian Restaurant (formerly Nino’s) One community group you’re most involved with: My wife and I have been involved in youth ministry for 16 years, and we have been the youth leaders at our church for the past six years. Favorite off-hours activity: Spending time with my family and friends at home, church and my children’s games. During the college football season, I enjoy FSU football games with my twin boys and friends.
Employer: Maxey Law Offices
T h irt y - N ine Naples Employer: Goede & Adamczyk, a leading law firm in Southwest Florida, and Florida Universal Title Title: Managing Partner Birthplace: Philadelphia Years on the Gulf Coast: St. Petersburg: four years; Naples: 13 years (Total 17 years on the Gulf Coast) Marital status/children: Married to Krista Goede. Two daughters: Destiny Goede, 16, and Kailey Goede, 11 Alma mater: University of Florida (Gators) Best place to network: N.A.P.L.E.S Group and Christian Chamber Business person you admire most: Steve Jobs, Apple Computer Three websites that make your job easier: collierclerk.com, leeclerk.org, thefund.com Favorite business lunch spot: Capital Grille One community group you’re most involved with: Naples International Film Festival, board member Favorite off-hours activity: Fishing
Title: Founder and Owner Birthplace: Oklahoma City, Okla. Years on the Gulf Coast: Seven Marital status/children: Married to my college sweetheart, LaSilas Comone Fisher. No children. Alma mater: Undergraduate degree in biological science from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and law degree from Stetson University College of Law Best place to network: Clearwater Bar Association, St. Petersburg Bar Association and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers Business person you admire most: Jessica Goldman Srebnick Three websites that make your job easier: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (www.uspto.gov); Clio, an online legal practice management system (www.goclio.com); Pandora Internet Radio (www.pandora.com) Favorite business lunch spot: Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant One community group you’re most involved with: CASA of St. Petersburg (Community Action Stops Abuse) Favorite off-hours activity: Traveling with my husband and spa-ing with my sister and best friend, Tiffany Maxey.
Most-trusted news medium: I am a bit of a skeptic when it comes to news. Objective reporting no longer seems to be a guiding principle for many journalists.
Most-trusted news medium: Internet, CNN
Book you’re reading now: The Holy Bible (Gospel of John and Epistle of James)
All-time favorite book: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” by Ken Kesey
All-time favorite book: The Holy Bible
Favorite techno gadget: Android Phone
All-time favorite book: “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” by Lewis Carroll
Favorite techno gadget: Smart phones
Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn
Favorite techno gadget: Mileage tracker BlackBerry application
If I had a magic wand I’d: Create a never-ending supply of food so that no one would go hungry. Removing hunger in the world would solve numerous additional problems that exist.
Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
Which social network do you use for business: I have not yet ascended to that level of social sophistication, but my wife and others are working on me. If I had a magic wand I’d: Pray the Lord grant me wisdom using it to effect the greatest good.
Book you’re reading now: “The 4-Hour Workweek”
Most-trusted news medium: Internet and print media Book you’re reading now: “Hard Won Wisdom,” by Fawn Germer
If I had a magic wand I’d: Have the wisdom, knowledge and foresight of a woman who has owned her business for 50 years.
Title: Branch Manager Birthplace: Norwood, Mass. Years on the Gulf Coast: 13 Marital status/children: Married to Michelle Pacitto (property manager for Gulf Breeze Management) and have a 5-yearold daughter, Akela.
T h irt y
Alma mater: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), a small but excellent engineering school in Worcester, Mass.
Naples
Best place to network: Real Estate Investment Society (REIS) monthly luncheon
Birthplace: Naples
Business person you admire most: Mark Cuban
Marital status/children: I have a 5-year-old girl.
Three websites that make your job easier: Google, itreconomics.com, iSqFt.com
Alma mater: University of West Florida
Favorite business lunch spot: Buffalo Wild Wings One community group you’re most involved with: Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) Favorite off-hours activity: My weekends are usually spent either with my daughter helping her race go karts or cave diving in North Florida. Most-trusted news medium: CNN Book you’re reading now: “The Taming Of the Slough.” This book details the history of the Peacock Springs cave system in Luraville, Fla. It begins with the first scuba dives in this cave in the late 1950s and describes the exploration and mapping of the system through the 1990s. All-time favorite book: “Caverns Measureless to Man,” by the late Sheck Exley. This book chronicles the progression of cave diving in Florida, including the discovery and exploration of numerous cave systems and the fatal mistakes that formed the basis for safe cave diving procedures. Favorite techno gadget: Smart phone. I couldn’t live without it. Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn If I had a magic wand I’d: Make the politicians in Washington put aside their personal agendas and work together to fix the problems and address the challenges that are facing our nation.
Employer: C2 Communications Title: Owner Years on the Gulf Coast: 30
Best place to network: Locally, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce’s Wake Up Naples; nationally, the Public Relations Society of America Business person you admire most: Donald Trump: “I like thinking big. If you’re going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big.” Three websites that make your job easier: Google, LinkedIn, Facebook Favorite business lunch spot: Food & Thought One community group you’re most involved with: I’ve spent 10 years working with Farm City BBQ, raising money for local youth leadership development programs. Favorite off-hours activity: Off hours? Who has those? Turning off the electronics and spending time with my daughter. Most-trusted news medium: Online newspaper Book you’re reading now: “Becoming Enlightened,” by Dalai Lama All-time favorite book: “Success is a Choice,” by Rick Pitino Favorite techno gadget: My iPhone has an app for everything. Which social network do you use for business: All of them If I had a magic wand I’d: Be much faster at cleaning the administrative paperwork off my desk.
Gulf coast Business Review october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
Under Forty
The cleaning dude
JimJett.com
Anthony DeNardis’ cleaning business is growing thanks to creative marketing.
Anthony DeNardis t h i r t y- s i x
Anthony DeNardis is always looking for creative ways to market his cleaning services. He started with the name of his company.
A
nthony DeNardis recently started a commercial and residential cleaning business called WeTidyupUSA.com, but he’s quick to tell you that’s really not his business. Say what? “My business is not cleaning,” he insists. Instead, he says he’s selling clients time to do the things they would be doing instead of cleaning their business or home. DeNardis, 36, says it’s an important distinction because that’s how he’s been able to land 100 clients since launching the business late last year.
Consider the “gift basket” he’s selling called Dudes Only. It includes a car wash, oil change and a garage cleanout — stuff dudes would rather not have to do. DeNardis’ firm does the cleaning, but he’s partnered with providers of other services to sell his “basket,” which also includes a couple beers. Another basket aimed at single guys is called Date Night. DeNardis’ cleaning crew will show up at your home while you’re out with your date. When you return, you can impress her with your squeaky-clean bachelor pad. “That’s how we separate ourselves,” DeNardis says. DeNardis, the CEO of the Port Charlotte company he founded in November, says he meets regularly with a small group of young entrepreneurs in Venice to exchange marketing ideas. “What clever thing did you come up with that works?” they ask themselves. For example, DeNardis supplies free pens with his logo to restaurants in exchange for a free cleaning. When the waitresses bring the checks to customers, they give the pens away. “It’s a cheap way to market,” he says. That’s important to entrepreneurs like DeNardis, who want to grow their business but don’t have the resources
17
to spend on advertising in traditional channels. For nearly seven years, DeNardis was a sergeant with the Sarasota County Sheriff ’s Office, but harbored ambitions to become an entrepreneur since majoring in business at the University of South Florida in Tampa. DeNardis started cleaning homes and condos with his parents, who had established a handyman business in Englewood after they retired there. As it turned out, he was making as much money helping his parents part-time as he was making with the Sheriff ’s Office full-time. DeNardis is a big user of social media, regularly posting on Facebook, Twitter and other outlets. “The old-school ways are definitely fading,” he says. “There’s ways to get your name out there practically free.” He and his wife, Jodie, came up with the firm’s dot-com name when they were brainstorming at the kitchen table. The company generated 20 new clients after DeNardis promoted a special deal offering free house cleanings for police officers and firefighters he dubbed Hero’s Cleaning. “The local paper ran a story in June,” he says. “That was a real tipping point.” DeNardis keeps overhead low. When he needs labor to clean homes, he posts an ad on the free online classifiedadvertising site Craigslist. Part-time workers use their own cleaning supplies and equipment, for which he provides a per diem. “I post a calendar [online] and they sign on,” he explains. By now, DeNardis has developed a list of cleaning people he can rely on, though he continues to follow up with inspections. But he’s always looking for more because it’s a challenge to find entrepreneurial people. “I want someone who’s business savvy and takes care of their equipment,” he says. Currently, 75% of DeNardis’ business is commercial and the rest is residential. From his base in Port Charlotte, WeTidyupUSA.com crews clean homes and offices from Cape Coral to Bradenton. He’s developed his own minute-per-square-foot formula for turning a profit on cleaning offices and homes, and unlike his competition he doesn’t charge a big upfront fee for the first cleaning. “Charge a little less and they want you to come back for more,” he reasons. Depending on the size of the house or office, cleaning costs between $40 and $200. Ultimately, DeNardis hopes to franchise his company. He’s a big fan of College Hunks Hauling Junk, the Tampabased franchise with 35 locations. DeNardis says he’s been tweeting with one of the founders for advice. “They’re like my role model,” he says. “They’re inspiring me.” —Jean Gruss
www.review.net | August 2011
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18
GULF COAST BUSINESS REVIEW october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
Under Forty
Alicia Schulhof
Jeramie Concklin
Aubrey Lynch
Frank Maggio
Christopher Thurow II
T h irt y - T wo
T h irt y - F our
T h irt y - S even
T h irt y - S i x
T h irt y - S i x
D o v e r
Oldsmar
Bradenton
S a r a s ota
Employer: Brandon Regional Hospital
Employer: Guardian Solutions
Employer: CS&L, CPAs
Employer: Insignia Bank
Wesley Ch a p e l
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Title: Principal
Title: Credit Administration
Birthplace: Clearwater
Birthplace: Toledo, Ohio
Birthplace: Naples
Years on the Gulf Coast: 29
Years on the Gulf Coast: 24
Years on the Gulf Coast: 26
Title: President, Financial Adviser
Marital status/children: Married, with one son
Marital status/children: Single
Birthplace: Tampa
Alma mater: University of Florida
Alma mater: Florida State University
Best place to network: EDC, Chamber and Community Foundation events
Best place to network: YPG After Hours
Title: Chief Operating Officer Birthplace: Indianapolis Years on the Gulf Coast: Six Marital status/children: Married, three children (Zach, 6, Joshua, 3, Bryce, 11 months) Alma mater: Purdue University Best place to network: Volunteering in the community Business person you admire most: Michael Fencel, CEO of Brandon Regional Hospital Three websites that make your job easier: ACHE.org; HCAHealthcare.com; HospitalCompare.org Favorite business lunch spot: Brandon Regional Hospital cafeteria One community group you’re most involved with: American Cancer Society Favorite off-hours activity: Spending time with my family outdoors Most-trusted news medium: Television
Marital status/children: Married to Amber Concklin with three children Alma mater: Currently taking courses on executive leadership from Cornell. Best place to network: Everywhere Business person you admire most: My father Three websites that make your job easier: DrudgeReport.com, Auction.com, Google.com Favorite business lunch spot: My desk One community group you’re most involved with: VFW, American Legion Favorite off-hours activity: Eating dinner out with friends and family Most-trusted news medium: Fox News
Book you’re reading now: “7 Habits of Highly Effective Families”
Book you’re reading now: “Risk and Return: How to Identify, Measure and Incorporate into Capital Budgeting Decision.”
All-time favorite book: “Winning”
All-time favorite book: “Quiet Hero,” by Rita Cosby
Favorite techno gadget: iPhone
Favorite techno gadget: MacBook Air
Which social network do you use for business: Facebook
Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn
If I had a magic wand I’d: Cure cancer
If I had a magic wand I’d: Fix a lot of problems globally
Business person you admire most: Richard Branson Three websites that make your job easier: irs.gov, sunbiz.org and leg.state.fl.us/statutes/ Favorite business lunch spot: Pho Cali Vietnamese Noodle House One community group you’re most involved with: United Way of Manatee County Favorite off-hours activity: Cooking, reading and swimming Most-trusted news medium: CNN Book you’re reading now: “Shogun,” by James Clavell All-time favorite book: “The Winds of War,” by Herman Wouk Favorite techno gadget: It is not very high tech, but I love my DVR Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn If I had a magic wand I’d: Time travel. I would love to visit other time periods and live certain parts of history.
Business person you admire most: Small-business entrepreneurs Three websites that make your job easier: Google, MSN and SunBiz Favorite business lunch spot: The Main Bar One community group you’re most involved with: Sarasota Young Professionals (YPG) Favorite off-hours activity: Fishing Most-trusted news medium: Anything printed (newspapers, journals, etc.) Book you’re reading now: “The Tipping Point,” “Blink” and “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell All-time favorite book: “The Catcher in The Rye” Favorite techno gadget: My smart phone (HTC) Which social network do you use for business: Word-of-mouth If I had a magic wand I’d: I would let others use it…just once.
Employer: Thurow Financial Services
Years on the Gulf Coast: 36 Marital status/children: Married to Danna; Children: Tyler, 9, Kailey, 7, Dulaney, 1 Alma mater: University of Tampa Best place to network: Flemings Business person you admire most: Warren Buffett Three websites that make your job easier: Google Finance, Investment News, Bloomberg Favorite business lunch spot: Carrollwood Deli One community group you’re most involved with: American Cancer Society Favorite off-hours activity: Golf Most-trusted news medium: Bloomberg Book you’re reading now: “No Excuses!” by Brian Tracy All-time favorite book: The essays of Warren Buffett Favorite techno gadget: Android Fascinate smart phone Which social network do you use for business: Facebook If I had a magic wand I’d: Fix the economy...
Gulf coast Business Review october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
19
Under Forty
True Patriot lori larsen t h i r t y- f i v e
Lori Larsen served eight years in the Army. Seeing opportunity in the private sector, she entered the corporate world.
B
Lori Larsen has used the discipline and toughness she learned in the Army to rise to the top at Celestar.
eing a female officer in an all-male unit of the U.S. Army was a tough position for Lori Larsen, vice president of business operations for Tampa-based Celestar Corp. And keeping up with the boys came with its knocks. She took eight stitches once during a training exercise but went right back to it after some time in the medical tent. The scrutiny that comes from being a female in the military forced her to perform at her best at all times, a lesson in discipline she still credits for her success today. Larsen, 35, enjoyed the simplicity of life in the Army. “You only have to worry about eating, sleeping and working,” she says. But the methodical days stirred feelings that she was missing out on life. “You miss being able to walk down to Starbucks and get a cup of coffee,” Larsen says. Serving in the armed forces was something that she wanted to do for years, Larsen says. Although she trained for two summers to become an Olympic decathlete, she
decided to pursue a military career instead. “I was always a patriotic person,” says Larsen, “and I thought it was the right thing to do.” Larsen spent eight years in the Army as a U.S. Intelligence Officer, one of which she was deployed in Afghanistan. Two of those years she worked for the U.S. Central Command at MacDill in Tampa. This helped smooth her transition from soldier to civilian. Greg Celestan, CEO of Celestar and a veteran himself, hired Larsen in 2005 to manage contracts for Celestar Corp., which gathers intelligence for law enforcement and the U.S. government. It also consults with governments in the Middle East to improve their intel procedures. It’s no surprise that Larsen enjoys not coming to work in uniform. Not because it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. It’s about expectations. “When you’re wearing your uniform, you wear your rank,” Larsen says, “and people judge you on the expectations of that rank.” She explains that going into work without that stigma allows her to prove herself through her actions, not her experience. This was key, as she had little background in the current position she was promoted to in 2007. “Guess how
Mark Wemple
much experience I had in business development before this job?” she asks before holding up the universal hand symbol for zero. Without a rank weighing Larsen down, Celestan saw her work on contracts and wanted to tap her talents for business development. Larsen’s duties now include coordinating marketing, contract management and proposals. She gives Celestar a pretty face as the key conduit between the firm and industry partners, as well. Larsen is no longer tracking Al Qaeda’s movements in the Middle East, but she will soon be tracking a new foe. Much like her time monitoring insurgent activity, she will now be mindful of Celestar’s competition, which is starting to heat up. She says that issues with the federal budget are making the military contracts that Celestar thrives on more elusive. She plans to conquer this by diversifying the firm. The relationship that Celestar has with the armed forces keeps Larsen passionate about her job, something she encourages young women with corporate aspirations to seek. “I loved my time in the military,” Larsen says, “and now I get to do something I love but at a different capacity.” —Alex Mahadevan
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GULF COAST BUSINESS REVIEW october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
Under Forty
Phara Alfred McLachlan Goldberg
Patricia Jubinville
Mark Wemple
Sarasota area real estate broker Larysa Switlyk is pursuing a second career, in hunting. She has a hunting website, and has spoken with NBC Outdoors producers about her own TV show.
No Regrets
T h irt y - F our Tam p a Employer: Animus Solutions Title: Chair and CEO
Larysa switlyk
Birthplace: Manhattan, N.Y.
twent y - si x
Years on the Gulf Coast: 17
A pursuit Larysa Switlyk picked up five years ago changed her life. It could be her next career.
Marital status/children: Married to Scott McLachlan. We have two children, Ethan, 4, and Ava, 2.
T
he fast pace and glamour of New York City beckoned Larysa Switlyk soon after she graduated from the University of Florida with a dual bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting. So at 22 years old, Switlyk took a job with PricewaterhouseCoopers. She lived and worked in the city. But the dream died fast, within six months. “Once I did it,” says Switlyk, “I realized I was really a country girl.” The realization led Switlyk to take a two-month trip, on her own, to New Zealand. She jumped off cliffs on the Great Barrier Reef. She went skydiving. She swam in waters with 14-foot-long tiger sharks. And, most significantly, Switlyk learned how to hunt. “I had a natural talent for shooting,” says Switlyk. “I found my passion.” That passion put Switlyk on the cusp of a new career. Now 26, she has met with NBC Outdoors producers about her own hunting TV show. In the meantime, she’s crisscrossing the country, and the world, on hunting and fishing excursions. The latest was a trip to New Mexico to hunt elk. But Switlyk has day jobs, too. She tired of the 9-to-5 in accounting, so she earned her Realtors license in 2009. She currently works for James Buchanan Realty in Sarasota, where she does mostly residential sales, with some commercial leasing. She also puts her accounting degrees to good use, doing freelance bookkeeping with a few local companies. The jobs are essentially a means to finance hunting and fishing. “I like real estate. I like accounting,” says Switlyk. “But I love to hunt. That’s my dream.” Switlyk says the most ironic part of her hunting life is she has three older brothers — none who hunt. Her parents aren’t hunters, either. “I grew up with a fear of guns,” she says. “I thought if I touched a gun, it would kill me.” But Switlyk discovered skeet shooting at the University of Florida. The sport’s hyper-focus requirement took her mind off school. Says Switlyk: “I would go skeet shooting and nothing else would matter.” Now, even without the TV show, Switlyk has turned her hunting enthusiasm into an entrepreneurial venture, with a website and videos. The site, http://larysaunleashed.com, is also a blog of Switlyk’s hunting and fishing adventures. Switlyk says she wants hunting to always remain her happy place, the spot where she can go with no cell phones and no distractions. “You can get away from it all,” she says. Switlyk plans to get away to more exotic hunting locales. She has hunted and fished in countries on six continents, everywhere but Antarctica. One of many highlights was when she hunted big game in South Africa. Given her past accomplishments, a trip to Antarctica could happen sooner than later. That journey, like many others, would fulfill Switlyk’s mantra to live life with no regrets. “If you want to do something, do it,” says Switlyk. “Don’t ever wait.” — Mark Gordon
Alma mater: University of South Florida Best place to network: All of the Tampa Bay area. Business person you admire most: Rhea Law and Mercedes Walton Three websites that make your job easier: Wikipedia, Google, and many others Favorite business lunch spot: There are so many great places, I can’t mention just one. One community group you’re most involved with: Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida Suncoast Region. Favorite off-hours activity: Spending time with my husband and children playing in the backyard, going swimming and sitting on the sofa watching cartoons with them and listening to their laughter Most-trusted news medium: Fox News Book you’re reading now: “The 4-Hour Workweek;” “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope;” and “Naamah’s Blessing” All-time favorite book: Don’t have just one. I love to read and have many favorites. Favorite techno gadget: Apple TV Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn If I had a magic wand I’d: Give wealth, health and happiness to those in desperate need and grant parents with children under the age of 6 with unlimited patience.
T h irt y - T wo B o ni t a S p r ings Employer: Trail Café & Grill
T h irt y - F ive
Tam p a Employer: Absolute Mobile Solutions Title: President of North American Operations Birthplace: Tampa Years on the Gulf Coast: 35 Marital status/children: Married, one son, Ignacio Alma mater: University of South Florida Best place to network: Any TBTF Networking Event or International Plaza Business person you admire most: Steve Jobs Three websites that make your job easier: LinkedIn Favorite business lunch spot: Ocean Prime One community group you’re most involved with: Tampa Bay Technology Forum Favorite off-hours activity: Reading
Title: Owner Birthplace: San Diego Years on the Gulf Coast: Five Marital status/children: Married, no children Alma mater: Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts Best place to network: My restaurant Business person you admire most: My mother Three websites that make your job easier: boa.com, frla.org and google.com Favorite business lunch spot: Trail Café & Grill One community group you’re most involved with: Humane Society Favorite off-hours activity: Dinner with close friends and spending time with my husband, Chef Kris Most-trusted news medium: My customers Book you’re reading now: Bethany Frankle
Most-trusted news medium: All-time favorite book: The Wall Street Journal All John Grisham books Book you’re reading now: Favorite techno gadget: “American Colossus: The Triumph My Galaxy Pad of Capitalism 1865-1900” Which social network All-time favorite book: do you use for business: “The Great Gatsby” Facebook Favorite techno gadget: If I had a magic wand I’d: iPad I would wave it over my mother Which social network and be able to financially provide do you use for business: for her so that she would not have LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter to work another day in her life. She has worked for more than 40 years If I had a magic wand I’d: to provide for me. Now, it’s my Provide access to a high quality time to provide for her. education to the entire world.
Gulf coast Business Review october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
21
Creative
Business Daniel scott
t h i r t y- t h r e e
Under Forty
Daniel Scott has spent years mentoring startup businesses. Now he’s taking his knowledge to a college campus.
D
aniel Scott has a knack for seeing opportunity in the most unlikely places. For example, when Scott noticed the lights were off at a Tallahassee Greek restaurant, he wondered why, given that a long line of people waiting to get into a nearby music venue were standing in front of it. Scott, 33, made his first step into the entrepreneurial world when he seized the overflow of business from that venue. “There were always people lined up in front of this gyro place,” says Scott of the daytime restaurant, “so we rented it from the owner at night.” Scott says the makeshift nightclub changed the way Tallahassee bars operate. Instead of encouraging bouncers to keep the bar exclusive, Scott brought his tough guy in on the profit. This made it more attractive for the bouncer, one of his fraternity brothers, to maximize capacity. A little more than a decade later, the strip that Scott says was once a quaint collection of shops is crammed with bars and nightclubs espousing the same business strategy. From these beginnings, Scott was drawn to the world of startup businesses. Scott honed his skills at the University of South Florida, where he received an M.B.A. and a master’s in entrepreneurship and applied technologies. After working in commercial real estate for Fifth Third Bank, Scott co-founded Alorum in 2006. As a backend software development firm, Alorum helped create the software for Maddux Newswire, among other projects.
Mark Wemple
Daniel Scott’s creativity shines in his work with startups. Tampa-based Maddux is a free website that aggregates press releases for news outlets. This year Scott founded Gazelle Lab, an incubator headquartered in Tampa that is under the TechStars Network of startup accelerators. The firm provides startup money of around $18,000 to three to five companies that it mentors for three-month sessions. It takes a 6% share of the company after the new business is launched. The companies Scott and his team of mentors groomed with Gazelle have produced 14 jobs so far in the region. Though that seems modest, Scott keeps a positive attitude. Says Scott: “Every job counts.” The newest project Scott has taken on is teaching at the Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alliance in USF St. Petersburg’s College of Business, where he holds the title of associate director. The program teaches
the intricate workings of developing a creative business plan. “It’s really an arts program within the USF School of Business,” he says. And he hopes that the program keeps graduates — and the jobs they may create — in the area. “One of the model students from our beta run [of the program] wanted to go to Silicon Valley, because that’s where the jobs he wanted were,” says Scott. “The relationships he made in Tampa Bay kept him here, and we’re happy about that.” Next up: Scott will teach two classes at USF St. Petersburg in the coming school year. And that’s in addition to the work he is already doing at Gazelle and Alorum. He doesn’t plan on slowing down though. Says Scott: “I want to change Tampa Bay for the better.” — Alex Mahadevan
October 21
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22
GULF COAST BUSINESS REVIEW october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
Under Forty
Angela Glen Sauro Davis Murray
Jessica Fialkovich
Jennifer Shimek
Jeff Graddy
T h irt y - E ig h t B r ad e n t o n
T went y - E ig h t S a r as o t a
T went y - E ig h t Nap l e s
T h irt y - S i x Tampa
T h irt y - T h ree Fort Myers
Employer: The Ansada Group
Employer: Decanted Wines
Title: Owner
Employer: The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company
Employer: Leadership Research Institute
Birthplace: Westbury (Long Island), New York
Title: Director of Golf Operations
Title: Partner, marketing, service and publicity
Employer: Doctors Administrative Solutions Title: Chief Operating Officer
Title: Senior Associate
Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wis.
Birthplace: Medford, N.J.
Birthplace: Fort Wayne, Ind.
Birthplace: Mason City, Iowa
Years on the Gulf Coast: Three
Years on the Gulf Coast: 15
Years on the Gulf Coast: Six
Marital status/children: Married in December 2010
Marital status/children: Single, no children
Alma mater: B.A. in economics from SUNY Potsdam, N.Y. (1995); M.B.A. from Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y. (1996)
Alma mater: Methodist University, Fayetteville, N.C.
Best place to network: The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Young Professionals Group in Sarasota and Manatee. Business person you admire most: My friend Jules Price. Perseverance is her middle name, and she holds very high standards for herself. She’s an accomplished professional singer with the New York City Ballet and has experienced great success in the business world. Three websites that make your job easier: www.constantcontact.com; www.yousendit.com; and www.usps.com
Best place to network: The golf course. Where else can you spend four hours getting to know someone these days? Business person you admire most: My father, Jim Murray. He has run Jim Murray Inc. in Germantown, Wis., for the last 30 years. The light manufacturer and distributor of sump pumps has been successful for 53 years in the Greater Milwaukee area. Three websites that make your job easier: google.com, wallstreetjournal.com, golfdigest.com
Favorite business lunch spot: Pablano’s, Meditteraneo, Mattison’s
Favorite business lunch spot: I’m biased, but the executive lunch in the Vernona room at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, is amazing, especially the popcorn bisque and lobster macaroni.
One community group you’re most involved with: ABWA (American Business Women’s Association) Sunrise Chapter, Sarasota. This is my second year as president of this chapter.
One community group you’re most involved with: Local board of directors for PGA of America, which covers Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto counties. Currently, I am vice president with responsibilities for finances.
Favorite off-hours activity: Spending time with friends. We have a “Country Club” that is a ton of fun. We pick a different country each month and create the cuisine at a different hosts house. We love to cook and learn about other countries.
Favorite off-hours activity: World travel
Most-trusted news medium: It’s so hard to watch the news these days. I can’t say I watch any news program on a regular basis. I have my homepage set to msn. com for the headlines, and that’s about it. Book you’re reading now: “The Hundred Secret Senses,” by Amy Tan All-time favorite book: “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” by Lisa See. Favorite techno gadget: The iPhone Which social network do you use for business: I use Facebook to keep in touch with some of the artists I represent. It’s a great way for them to share their artwork and exciting news. If I had a magic wand I’d: Restore faith in people’s hearts, faith in God, themselves and our country.
Most-trusted news medium: Daily business wires are of great assistance to receive current news and can be read quickly. Locally: Gulf Coast Business Review, Biz 941 and SRQ Daily. Golf industry wires: Golf Press Association and The Golf Wire are also very helpful. Book you’re reading now: Fodor’s Essential Europe All-time favorite book: Anything by John Maxwell. His stories and messages are the ultimate in positive attitude, leadership and lessons for longevity. Favorite techno gadget: Snail mail. I send handwritten notes and letters out each week. I’m always looking for ways to buck the trend or float upstream.
Marital status/children: Married with one dog, Sailor Alma mater: The College of New Jersey, Ewing, N.J. Best place to network: With my schedule, sometimes I find it hard to get to networking events. Therefore, I try and take every opportunity I get to network whether it’s a Young Professionals social event, a wine tasting at the store or even a visit to my salon. Business person you admire most: Richard Branson. He’s become successful playing by his own rules. Three websites that make your job easier: I use hootsuite.com to manage all of Decanted’s social networking efforts, toodledo.com to manage both my business and personal task lists, and winebusiness.com to keep up to date with industry trends and news. Favorite business lunch spot: Alexander’s Restaurant in Naples, great food and an atmosphere that’s well suited for a meeting. One community group you’re most involved with: Naples Young Professionals Favorite off-hours activity: Boating, running, cooking and traveling. We’re avid skiers and hikers as well and try to fit that in whenever we are out West. Most-trusted news medium: Fox News Book you’re reading now: “The Wine Bible,” by Karen McNeil. I’m studying for an advanced wine certification so this is my current business read. For my down time, I just started “The Original Argument,” by Glenn Beck. All-time favorite book: “The 4-Hour Workweek,” by Timothy Ferriss Favorite techno gadget: I couldn’t live without my BlackBerry, but I have a lot more fun with my Nike+ connection that tracks my runs on my iPod.
Which social network do you use for business: We continue to increase our Facebook presence with the use of video vignettes.
Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
If I had a magic wand I’d: Give an invitation for a million more people to visit Florida in 2012. We can never do enough to promote our one-of-a-kind state, especially the Gulf Coast.
If I had a magic wand I’d: Help new small businesses get started and promote growth in our economy. I’d also like to turn water into wine, but that would probably just put me out of business.
Years on the Gulf Coast: 15
Years on the Gulf Coast: 21
Marital status/children: Married with two children
Marital status/children: Married, with two children
Alma mater: Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, M.B.A. from the University of South Florida, and attending Stetson University for a J.D.
Alma mater: University of Florida
Best place to network: I derive the most professional benefit from networking at chapter meetings, conferences and other events sponsored by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Business person you admire most: Karen Makara, senior manager in Fraud and Investigative Dispute Services (FIDS) with Ernst & Young. Karen epitomizes the work-life balance. She has achieved great professional and personal success and made doing it so look effortless. Three websites that make your job easier: The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) and American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) list servs, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) site. Favorite business lunch spot: Soho Sushi in Tampa One community group you’re most involved with: Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation Favorite off-hours activity: Just about anything I can do with my family and, for a little “me” time, running.
Best place to network: Gulf Harbour or any good golf course in Southwest Florida Business person you admire most: Steve Jobs. He literally redefined consumer technology. And I think he showed that intense focus and visionary leadership make a huge difference when it comes to achieving sustained success in a highly competitive environment. Three websites that make your job easier: WSJ.com, LinkedIn, and TheOnion.com (for a good laugh). Favorite business lunch spot: Jason’s Deli in Fort Myers. They have great food, quick service, and I often run into people I haven’t seen in a while. One community group you’re most involved with: The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida. I joined the board in 2007 because they do great work preventing and treating child abuse. The entire staff works tirelessly to make sure children have a voice and get whatever help they need. Favorite off-hours activity: Tie between taking my kids to the beach and catching up on missed “Mad Men” episodes.
Most-trusted news medium: Fox News Channel
Most-trusted news medium: New York Times for great reporting and “real” news and Facebook for fast-breaking news or crowdsourced information.
Book you’re reading now: “Water for Elephants,” by Sara Gruen
Book you’re reading now: “Better: A Surgeon’s Notes on Performance,” by Atul Gawande
All-time favorite book: “The Lone Survivor,” by Marcus Luttrell
All-time favorite book: “The Tommyknockers,” by Stephen King (I was a huge fan growing up and I was never so riveted as I was when I read this book.)
Favorite techno gadget: My BlackBerry Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn If I had a magic wand I’d: I would first make sure my children had everything they needed to be successful in their lives and that my family and extended family was happy and healthy. Second, I would accelerate research into pediatric cancer to ensure that no child would ever again have to suffer from this tragic disease. Once these things were accomplished, I’d give myself the gift of world travel.
Favorite techno gadget: My Satechi mobile battery pack. I can’t live without it on long international flights when I need some extra juice. Which social network do you use for business: LinkedIn. It’s great for keeping up with clients and colleagues, especially given how mobile everyone is and how quickly people move. If I had a magic wand I’d: Wish for more magic wands, of course.
Gulf coast Business Review october 7 – october 13, 2011
www.review.net
23
Under Forty
Inthe
pocket Tim goff
t w e n t y- s e v e n
Tim Goff says running a restaurant is harder than real estate, but he takes satisfaction from creating jobs.
T
im Goff was coming off a great couple years as a Cape Coral residential real estate agent in 2006 when he decided to invest in restaurants for a little extra income. Goff, 27, didn’t realize how critical that decision would turn out to be. He and his business partner, Justin O’Brien, 26, opened their first Pita Pit sandwich shop at Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero in 2007 in what would be the first of five stores in the Fort MyersNaples area and a sixth one in Tampa. O’Brien, who met Goff in elementary school, was a mortgage broker and they referred business to each other. Together, they’ve put in about $1 million into the Pita Pit franchise called Pita Pros. “We used mostly cash and a small private loan,” says Goff. While the restaurant industry has suffered, it wasn’t devastated like the real estate industry. Still, Goff is humble about timing the start of his restaurant venture just as the real estate market was beginning to turn.
JimJett.com
Tim Goff, left, and his business partner, Justin O’Brien, own six Pita Pit restaurants on the Gulf Coast. Although Goff says the stores are “not making a ton of money,” the business is profitable, he says. Each store grosses from $350,000 to $800,000 a year. Eventually, they plan to have nine stores in the Fort Myers-Naples area. Goff ’s biggest challenge is managing 80 employees with as many as 1,500 customers a day. In the real estate business, he says he only had to worry about his clients. Still, he and O’Brien say they get satisfaction out of creating jobs in a downturn. Goff and O’Brien work a minimum of 60 hours a week and sometimes 100 hours when they were opening a new restaurant. “When the stress level is so high, if we weren’t longtime friends we would have already killed each other,” O’Brien laughs. “It’s doing business with your best buddy.” One of the keys to a successful partnership is separation of tasks. “He usually watches the numbers and I do the finance, QuickBooks and payroll,” says O’Brien.
Your Business
They also split the stores they oversee and switch around when they want to “change scenery,” he says. Still, when they considered the restaurant business, O’Brien says he and Goff talked about buying a “turnkey” operation where they could hire a manager to do the hard work. “Behind the scenes, there’s a lot of work,” says O’Brien. Controlling food and labor costs are the twin challenges of the job. Goff hires lots of high school and college students and he’s had success with those who tell him they have lots of goals. Pita Pit has been successful in part because it is in the casual segment that’s value oriented. In some stores, dinner traffic has offset some of the lunch declines as some people trade down from pricier restaurants. Food at Pita Pit costs between $6 and $9. “We have the right price point,” Goff says. —Jean Gruss
October 28
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Business Review
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