Space Coast BUSINESS - Fall 2020

AERION LANDS IN MELBOURNE > PAGE 24 • SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM FALL 2020

PLATT HOPWOOD RUSSELL & COLE LEGAL REPRESENTATION, LOCAL HERITAGE PAGE 6

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FALL 2020 1

Table of

CONTENTS

SPACE COAST BUSINESS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

ON THE COVER: PLATT, HOPWOOD RUSSELL & COLE Legal Representation, Local Heritage Photo by Jason Hook Photography

The Founders

BRIAN

DANA

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PETER

best practice

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Financial Planning - Aaron Stitzel

Seek out Professional Assistance Higher Education - Dawn Rodak

Pursuing a Graduate Degree AERION, THE WORLD’S FIRST SUPERSONIC BUSINESS JET IS LANDING ON THE SPACE COAST >

Space Coast Tourism - Peter Cranis

What Recovery Looks Like

54 56 58

“Small businesses have the ability to adapt in unique ways that large corporations do not.”

SPACE COAST CHAMBERS: LESSONS ON BUSINESS SURVIVAL DURING GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS, PAGE 16 EVERY ISSUE

President’s Note This Kid’s Alright The Ethical Capitalist

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BROOKE

DERATANY GOLDFARB

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Find more at:

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PRESIDENT’S NOTE

THE “BLITZKRIEG” n September 7, 1940, three hundred German bombers made a raid on London in the first of 56 consecutive nights. Called the “Blitzkrieg” (or “Lightning War”), this effort was intended to break British spirits, bring Winston Churchill to the negotiating table and cripple British war production.

Remarkably, Hitler and his staff changed their tactics in 1941 as the lightning war fizzled.

Bombing campaigns continued, but never had the impact German strategists predicted.

Historians remain puzzled by how the English people continued to survive under such horrific conditions. They concluded that after enduring the bombing for so long, it became a “new normal.” Instead of emotionally breaking down the community, as expected, the people of London adapted to the situation, learning where and how to hide at night and by developing highly efficient teams to clear and organize debris.

Though the death tolls from Covid-19 have not reached the proportions of WW2 in the 1940’s, it has nonetheless been a frightening and unprecedented experience across the globe.

Nevertheless, I am confident that our culture and our local community will find a way to survive this pandemic, to adapt, and, maybe even, to do better as we rebuild. Tragically, many of us have friends and family that have succumbed to the disease

and hundreds of businesses have fallen prey to the economic shutdown. Yet, still, we hope for a brighter, healthier tomorrow.

This month our cover story is about Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole, a local law firm where the majority of partners were born and raised in Brevard… that connection produces a special kind of attachment to community. And, even in these challenging times, we see light: The dazzling return of a manned space launch from Kennedy Space Center in May, and the announcement of a monumental win for the Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB): Aerion Supersonic Jets will build their new headquarters and manufacturing facilities here, bringing an estimated 650 high-paying jobs to the area in 2022. Adopting the mindset of the British, indeed. Let’s just “Keep Calm and Carry On.”

Eric Wright PRESIDENT

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Celebrating 55 years!

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 Eric Wright, President EDITORIAL Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher Heather Motro, Assistant Managing Editor

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LEGAL REPRESENTATION WITH A LOCAL HERITAGE

By Eric Wright, President

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“No matter how far back you go, society can’t exist without people who are dedicated to settling disputes and defending the weak”.

hen someone returns home to the place of their childhood to lay down roots, start a business, or have a family, the power of connectivity to that community can almost seem primal. It reminds me of the lyrics from the famous musical Oklahoma, “We all know we belong to the land and the land we belong to is grand!”

Unlike transplants, who may not experience the same affinity, this connection is a pull that, in some way, chooses you. This is what defines the partnership of the lawyers at Platt Hopwood Russell and Cole - that and the desire to protect and defend the people that make up our ever-evolving and dynamic Space Coast community.

BACK IN THE DAY Jack Platt, senior partner and one of the founding members of the firm, enjoys a family history drawn directly from the novels of Florida’s early settlers like A Land Remembered or The Yearling. In those stories, being called a “Florida cracker” did not carry a derogatory sting, but instead was a nickname for the rugged individuals who drove cattle across the state, cracking whips to keep the herds moving through endless scrub and pine forests to distant markets.

As a lifelong resident Jack has been here long enough to remember when the intersection of U.S.192 and Wickham Road was at the western edge of any semblance of civilization in these parts. Beyond that were countless acres of cabbage palms and scrub oaks where for generations his family had carved out their livelihood.

Perhaps that courageous pioneer spirit is what gives Jack his reputation for being one of the most formidable trial attorneys in the region, whether representing a client in a personal injury case or a criminal matter.

To his partners, his razor-sharp analytical skills, strategic approach and breadth of knowledge, are all intuitive characteristics they have come to rely upon and earned him membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

THE PATH TO PARTNERSHIP Jack has known his law partner Billie Jo Hopwood since childhood. She attended school here, graduating from Eau Gallie High School as senior class president, where her good grades, debate skills and inquisitive nature helped her stand out among her peers. A 10th grade class on Legal Studies set the stage for her decision to pursue a legal profession, but her path to law school and, eventually, partnership in a law firm would take a winding, circuitous path.

She decided to work in a law office immediately after graduating from high school, reasoning that “It made a lot more sense than working at a grocery store, and I have been in the field ever since.”

The first attorney she worked for practiced what she describes as “Door Law,” explaining, “Whoever came in the door with a legal need, and the means to pay, we took [on].

It was an incredible experience that gave me a great overview of all facets of the law.”

After college the idea of attending law school began to fade as she managed the responsibilities of marriage and family, and especially since she very much enjoyed working as a paralegal.

Years later, a friend mentioned she should to go to law school and when she called a former public defender she had worked for, he said “We have two law schools here in Orlando, you should apply. She applied, was accepted to both, and so began her successful career as a lawyer.

Because of her extensive experience supporting lawyers trying some of the most high-profile criminal cases in the state, particularly capital murder cases, she thought criminal law would be her specialty. Instead, she found her niche in family law, assisting some of the most vulnerable of people, in the most vulnerable situations they might face in all their life.

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Witnessing a family member experience a difficult custody battle is what drew her to family practice, where the real victims are most often the children. “I always tell my clients, ‘Even when you are divorced, you have to love your children more than you hate your spouse,” noting that the drama of family law keeps her work varied and interesting day to day.

Kurt A. Russell, whom Jack and Billie brought in to practice criminal law, was not sure what direction his life would take as he approached college graduation at Purdue University, but he was not thinking about a legal profession. Instead, he considered following his musical aspirations into radio, but corporate radio did not appeal to him.

Casually, a friend mentioned that he should consider law school, which he admits was not even on his radar. But the more he learned about it, the more he found his mindset and skills matched the rigorous requirements of law school, and so, he took a chance.

THE NEXT GENERATION Tiffani Cole enjoys the mentoring she has received from Platt and Hopwood and has carved out her own reputation in the field of family law.

It is an area she is passionate about, having three young children of her own, ages 10, 3 and almost 2, and a family life she is proud of. “In my line of work, I know just how special my husband is,” she mentioned with a wry smile.

A native of the Space Coast, Tiffani also attended the same elementary school as Billie and the same high school as Jack, bridging that connectivity to place and home.

A softball scholarship provided an opportunity for an undergraduate degree in Forensic Psychology at Florida Tech, though she said, “I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer, not an FBI profiler.” Even so, “the psychology degree really gave me a lot of insight into behavioral science.”

Even though she is an experienced attorney, she says she still feels challenged by her cases and the ongoing lessons her chosen profession provides every day.

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“No matter how far back you go, society can’t exist without people who are dedicated to settling disputes and defending the weak,” Jack said.

That process of self-discovery continued after he graduated from law school in Jacksonville and landed a job at Brevard County’s Public Defender’s office. “I sometimes feel like I stumbled into my ideal career, though people who knew me growing up claim they saw the fit. I didn’t mind challenging ideas or defending people I felt were not being treated fairly.” At the Public Defender’s office, he was winning cases against more seasoned attorneys and, again, his peers — and even his clients — were affirming his [legal] skills.”

Tiffani and Kurt enjoy the collaborative environment at the firm and the seasoned perspective that two senior partners bring to any case they are conferring on. Likewise, Jack acknowledges that the younger partners work hard and smart. “I have been so impressed with Kurt’s thoroughness in preparing for a case,” he said. “He will catch things in a case that most attorneys would overlook. That attention to every detail is a critical differentiator.”

PLATT HOPWOOD RUSSELL & COLE | cover story

FIGHTING FOR OTHERS “I always wanted to defend the little guy and take on the big dogs,” Jack said, noting he looks forward to waking up “every morning knowing I am going to be representing individuals against big insurance companies or the State.”

That drive to help others in need, whether through Personal Injury or Family Law, is what defines the passion — and philosophy — of the firm.

“No matter how far back you go, society can’t exist without people who are dedicated to settling disputes and defending the weak,” Jack said.

Jack believes great lawyers are able to see both sides of any argument, which is really the only way to defend against it. “I love trying to convince [a jury of] six strangers to decide a case in my favor,” he said.

Also, “I love the fact that someone is totally depending on my ability to bring a positive outcome to their case. I thrive under that pressure and I’m passionate about battling the insurance companies to get my clients what they need and deserve.”

Billie’s approach to family law was cemented through her own experience of being “successfully divorced”

from her ex-husband. She recounts how they came to an amicable understanding and how much she learned in the process.

“Family law requires a real sense of caring for people and a willingness to listen,” Billie Jo said.

“When a case can be settled on friendly terms that is great. But clients often come to us looking for someone who is willing to fight for their future and that have the legal experience to help advise them on the critical decisions they are facing.

For Platt, Hopwood, Russell and Cole the overarching goal is to ensure the life their clients want and deserve is returned or restored to them.

Whether through a wrongful death/ personal injury case, a life-altering criminal case, a divorce or a child custody case, the abiding awareness is that they represent their clients as though they were representing each other and remember that practicing law is more than a job — instead it is helping to balance the scales of a client’s future… their hopes, their dreams and their freedoms. • Hair and Makeup by Sorelli Hair Salon & Studio. Photos by Jason Hook Photography

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Platt Hopwood Russell and Cole, PLLC, is located at 175 East NASA Blvd., Suite 300 in Melbourne.

For more information or inquiries visit online at: platthopwoodattorneys.com or call 321-725-3425.

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2020

Founders of the Year For more than 20 years, the Founders Forum has inspired, educated and connected both established and budding entrepreneurs on the Space Coast.

Originally a forum where new businesses owners could meet with funding sources and potential investors, Founders Forum has evolved into an educational and networking organization where entrepreneurs can learn from and build relationships with many of the regions’ most successful business leaders. The Founder of the Year is an annual recognition that highlights and celebrates some of the most successful entrepreneurs in our region and offers like-minded community leaders the opportunity to learn from their business and personal journeys.

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Brian Lightle Founder Lightle Beckner Robison

BRIAN

By Eric Wright, President Brian Lightle has guided his 25-year commercial real estate firm Lightle Beckner Robison with a sound principle that was professed over 2,400 years ago by the King of Israel: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

That maxim has not only guided him personally, it also is part of the driving force behind the success of his firm, which launched in the mid 90’s. Unlike many realtors, and especially commercial realtors, who regularly and individually deal with various types of commercial properties, Lightle instead has assembled a core team of partner/specialists who deal with specific sectors of the business. This has helped his company build a reputation for expertise, much like a cardiologist versus a general practitioner would. If a client is looking for office space, a member of the team specializes in that particular sector. The same is true for industrial or retail needs.

“Many people told me this market couldn’t support a firm organized around particular sectors, but I believed that was the best way to deliver the kind of service clients were expecting,” he said. For example, “when someone lives industrial real estate 24-7, they are the people you want to talk to if you are seeking industrial space,” he said.

The theory has clearly paid off, with Lightle Beckner Robison having sold or leased more than 15 million sq. ft. of commercial real estate in Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

After graduation from Florida Southern in Lakeland, where he served as senior president, Lightle initially pursued a career as a stockbroker, starting his first assignment with Merrill Lynch. Quickly enough, he discovered that he was not interested in pursuing this path; however, and quite fortuitously, he did complete one of the leading sales programs in the financial industry, which helped facilitate his career in property sales and management.

“I still set aside one hour a week for all of our team, myself included, to do cold calling and prospecting… it keeps you sharp and in tune with the market,” he said.

Lightle is a passionate ambassador of the Space Coast and has advocated for it through a number of positions, including as as past chairman of the International Council of Shopping Centers for the Melbourne/Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, board member for the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, past president for the Founders Forum Board of Directors, and board member for Circles of Care.

“When you look back 10 years and see where this county has come and where it is going, I am thrilled to be a part of it and humbled by the success our company has enjoyed and the people God has let me partner with.”

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Dana Kilborne Founder, Cypress Trust Co.

By Mike Candelaria, Contributing Writer

DANA

If there is one truth you can bank on about Dana Kilborne’s career in business, it’s that she relishes entrepreneurialism; not only being an entrepreneur, but also working at it with others.

“I get to work with entrepreneurs, which is even more fun. I get to work with them and be one, which is very satisfying,” she said.

Since 1985, Kilborne has participated in the growth of several banks, such as the 2004 founding of Prime Bank, where she served as president and chief executive officer. In 2010, Prime Bank merged with Florida Bank of Commerce, which she joined to serve in the same roles before that bank merged with yet another. And so it went.

Kilborne again is serving as president and chief executive officer, this time at Palm Beach-based Cypress Trust Co., which she joined in 2018.

Additionally, Kilborne, a resident of Brevard with plans to open an office in the county, has entrepreneurial tentacles in insurance and other business sectors across the state.

So, what does entrepreneurialism mean to her?

“Identifying a need and really building a viable business around it,” she answered in an instant.

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On reflection, Kilborne then adds context. “I really enjoy building things,” she says. “And I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction in putting some very smart, talented people together and understanding the synergies that come with having an amazing team.” She cites that the prevalence of “behemoth competitors” in the financial services industry have both intensified the challenge and increased gratification.

Not that the entrepreneurial journey has always been easy. Lessons learned? “Well, there’s a bunch,” Kilborne said, but her fundamental guiding principle is to build relationships. “This is easy to say, but no matter how technical the world becomes, to be successful you must be able to forge relationships, she asserts. “It’s still all about relationships. We may form them differently now.

We may establish trust in different ways, without shaking someone’s hand, maybe. But the underlying importance of relationships in any business is always going to be a huge driver.”

Entrepreneurialism is special, Kilborne concludes: “My observations of entrepreneurs is they often start with the impossible, move to improbable and then to inevitable.”

In her case, inevitable success.

Peter Dyson Founder, Modus Operandi

By Mike Candelaria, Contributing Writer

PETER

Peter Dyson laughs when asked about his experience with entrepreneurialism. He’s had only one encounter — and it has lasted more than 35 years.

“I dabbled in other areas, but I resisted temptations and ‘put all the wood behind the arrow’ to focus all my time and energy on this,” he says. “That’s why I call it perpetual entrepreneurship, not serial entrepreneurship.”

The this is Modus Operandi, a software company serving the U.S. defense and others with information-based intelligence capabilities, that he cofounded in 1985. Prior to that, Dyson was a business and financial operations senior executive at nearby Harris Corporation (now L3 Harris Technologies).

Dyson’s direct and targeted approach has helped his company’s win contracts from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps, among others.

His father was involved in small business, and a young Dyson grew up active in Junior Achievement. That background “planted seeds” and made him “predisposed” to the startup culture. As a bonus, Dyson eventually realized that entrepreneurialism also translated to control.

“It’s fully your ability to have control over your own destiny,” he says. And, “You own your decisions.”

Dyson’s decisions didn’t always go as planned. Or, as Dyson describes it, “I learned through experience, and always the hard way.”

His most important lesson begins with adaptability. “Usually the plans that we write don’t end up being exactly how things will play out. … Then the focus becomes ‘what are we good at?”

Another lesson he has paid attention to is that of customer relations. Dyson calls for a dose of truth serum in the form of honesty. He recounts a time years ago when he had to deliver bad news to a customer. He was hesitant because of the difficulty in breaking the news but he finally faced the challenge and spoke up. The customer remains a business partner to this day.

Dyson advises perseverance and in seeking “faith in your own abilities.”

“You will come out the other side. We never gave up, even a couple of times when we were up against the wall. There are things you can do that you know will work if you give it enough time. And don’t take your eye off the ball.” •

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COVID-19 HELP FOR BUSINESS OWNERS IN BREVARD: weVENTURE Ignites Initiative with Federal Funding

recent grant to weVENTURE, the Women’s Business Center at Florida Tech’s Bisk College of Business, will fund more than $400,000 to expand services assisting small businesses in Brevard, Indian River and St. Lucie counties in direct response the impacts of Covid-19.

The money was made available through the congressionally funded CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act and will specifically allow weVENTURE to provide individual companies who qualify with 1:1 business coaching and will pair them with support from peer groups and subject matter experts. Additionally, 31 of these businesses will be selected to participate in the center’s IGNITE 360 Mentoring Program at no charge, said Executive Director Kathryn Rudloff.

Ignite 360 helps business owners identify specific ways they can modify their business plan or current operations to ensure they emerge from this crisis successfully. The program has been a pillar of the center’s offering since 2012 and is designed to help businesses in a position of change, whether that be a position of growth, or rebranding or managing adaptability to a pandemic, like Covid-19, she said.

The grant will allow the organization to hire two additional business coaches, as well as engage professors at Florida Tech, local business professionals and consultants, who will assist with mentoring, sharing expertise, facilitating and managing peer group sessions and more.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

Once a client has been approved for the program, their business coach will create an Individualized Entrepreneur Plan, or I.E.P., to outline which programs will best help address their business needs. Experts will facilitate virtual sessions and webinars that will guide participants through sessions on various related topics.

Program Participant Becomes Program Mentor Kyle Graham, who owns Millefiori Medical Skin Rejuvenation in downtown Melbourne with his wife Iris Graham, participated in the mentoring program in 2015, and now is coming onboard as a business trainer. “The things I learned through the program have saved me so much time and aggravation,” he said. For example, when he started the program, he and his wife were spending up to 30 hours each month 20200558_FINAL_WEV-COVID-Ad-SCB.pdf on accounting processes.

“We learned how to change our approach and went from 30 hours per month to two, allowing us to redirect our attention to things that matter more for the business such as customer service and HR (human resources) functions,” he said.

Kyle is looking forward to the opportunity. As both a small business owner and MBA graduate from Florida Tech, his role as Business Coach currently has him connecting with business owners in the northern end of the county, trying to assess needs and provide the bridge to services that can help.

It seems there is much to do.

“Everyone seems to need something different,” said Kyle, “but it all circles back to how can we help them get what they need, be it accounting expertise, or HR documentation, or pointers on marketing.

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The great thing about this program is that it’s completely customizable to the particular business in need and the center has an absolute treasure chest of supporters, partners, contacts and resources that are committed to helping,” he said. weVENTURE secured additional funding from Bisk Ventures ($25,000) and Wells Fargo Foundation ($16,500) in support of their mission to support female entrepreneurs. “During normal times, weVENTURE programs help female entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. However, thanks to this one-year grant from the SBA, weVENTURE is adding capacity to help any local business sustain through this crisis,” said Rudloff. •

More information is available online at weVENTURE.fit.edu or by calling 321-674-7007 9:20 AM

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COMING OUT OF COVID-19

STRATEGY, HOPE & SUPPORT FROM LOCAL CHAMBERS

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AMERICA’S FIRST RESPONDERS have

valiantly and sacrificially served on the frontlines of the medical fight against Covid-19. But on the economic side of the equation, our local chambers have performed with equal determination and ingenuity in a struggle for survival that also has devastating consequences.

When the impact of staggering unemployment and record losses in revenue and taxes from the shutdown are tallied and factored into the community equation, chamber efforts cannot be underestimated. These vital organizations are crucial to the economic survival and recovery of our community, especially for the small and mid-sized businesses which have been among the hardest hit.

Space Coast Business Magazine reached out to Jennifer Sugarman of the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber, Michael Ayers of the Melbourne Regional Chamber, Nancy Peltonen of the Greater Palm Bay Chamber, and Marcia Gaedcke of the Titusville Area Chamber for insight on how local businesses are holding up and on what the chambers have been doing to support and lead in these uncertain and unprecedented times.

We have compiled their responses in the following pages and edited for repetitiveness or redundancies.

Intro By Eric Wright, President

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COMING OUT OF COVID-19

JENNIFER SUGARMAN

NANCY PELTONEN

MICHAEL AYERS

MARCIA GAEDCKE

Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber

Greater Palm Bay Chamber

Melbourne Regional Chamber

Titusville Area Chamber

What have you learned from this pandemic, that without it you may never have understood?

JENNIFER/COCOA BEACH REGIONAL CHAMBER: How many meetings can be emails or a quick call. I am being a bit tongue and cheek there but prior to this happening, I had never even been on a Zoom or Go-To meeting before! Now, through the power of technology, we’re able to keep the trains running on a virtual platform and it has been incredibly helpful!

NANCY/GREATER PALM BAY CHAMBER: The importance of having a reserve fund became abundantly apparent almost immediately as businesses started to lay people off and evaluate expenses in order to preserve funds.

“Cash flow has always been top of mind for me, and this pandemic crystalized why it is so important. Going forward, this will be a training that the Greater Palm Bay Chamber will offer to ensure businesses are prepared for any disaster they may encounter.”

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MIKE/MELBOURNE REGIONAL CHAMBER: Virtual meetings and remote work can be effective tools to utilize in everyday business.

MARCIA/TITUSVILLE AREA CHAMBER: I’ve been reminded how important it is to remove the negative external influencers.

There are plenty of sources for negativity and doom and gloom, and I’ve consciously tried to limit my exposure to the negativity so I can maintain my own energy and focus on being a part of the solution and maintaining a positive outlook on the future. Truth is, we don’t really have the power to change someone else’s perspective, but we can change how they impact our perspective. This situation has reminded me of that more than once.

COMING OUT OF COVID-19

What is one leadership initiative you took that has paid dividends during this time?

JENNIFER/CBRC: Collaboration!

“From the moment this crisis began, Chamber Executives have been collaborating on best practices, ways to engage our partners and avoid duplicating efforts.”

We brought together the leading business organizations [here] to form the Brevard Business Community Covid-19 Response Team. We have weekly calls and jointly host webinars with pertinent information our businesses can use.

NANCY/GPBC: It was important for the business community to get factual information that was consistent and coming from one source, instead of each organization acting independently with competing programs. The initiative we took at the Greater Palm Bay Chamber was to discuss everything openly as a team, so we were all on the same page providing input for solutions and options.

MIKE/MRC: Partnering with the City of Melbourne, Melbourne Main Street, Eau Gallie Arts District and the Orlando Melbourne International Airport on the Melbourne Back in Business/Spend Local campaign has been very positively received by the community.

MARCIA/TAC: I think building a working collaborative relationship with the business organizations in Brevard during this time has the ability to be transformational for our county in the future. Time will tell if we are able to find ways to be more effective, efficient and purposeful in our work in the future by working together…. but I’m grateful for what we’ve been able to accomplish during this crisis.

What is the biggest change the pandemic has made in the chamber that you think will continue long after this crisis is over?

JENNIFER/CBRC: The way we manage events. There is no denying that there is a new precedent being set for, say, 300 people being in close quarters shaking hands, hugging, sharing food and drinks. We are all being as creative as possible and making the best decisions we can with the information at hand, but I believe events will be our biggest struggle as we begin to re-open.

NANCY/GPBC: Re-evaluating everything we do. Sometimes we continue to do things because we have had the same event for years, or followed the same processes for years. Analyzing our events to see if they are important to our members took priority. If we decided we wanted to keep a certain event, the pivot was discussed. Eventually people will congregate again, but we have found other ways to work that don’t include face-to-face encounters. More Board members have been able to attend our virtual meetings, Lead’s groups have had higher turnouts with virtual meetings… time can be saved working on [virtual platforms] rather than having to travel to so many functions. Increasing the use of technology to provide services will continue to evolve as chambers continue to meet the needs of their members.

MIKE/MRC: Adjusting our strategies and programming to provide value to our members both in-person and virtually.

MARCIA/TAC: I think our events are going to change significantly for a long time. The days of “packed houses” is gone for a while. I think we’ve had a negative perception of countries that have issued nationwide health advisories in the past, seeing those kinds of activities as restriction of our freedoms….but I think the reality is that we are going to have to incorporate different guidelines in our event protocols to insure that we don’t unwittingly create “hotspots” for infection of any kind. I also think we are going to have to find ways to offer hybrid events for convenience. I think that although we are weary of online meetings now, the convenience of not having to travel allows us to be more efficient and the demand for that is going to continue in the case of many of our offerings.

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COMING OUT OF COVID-19

What do you see as the keys to survival and recovery for local businesses?

JENNIFER/CBRC: Adaptability and flexibility. I have seen the most creative ideas come out of this and, to be honest, I could not be prouder of Brevard’s business community for the incredible partnerships that have formed in the name of helping one another. As long as the business community remains flexible, patient and continues to adapt and pivot based on the rapidly changing information we’re bombarded with, we will come out on top.

Shopping local, supporting one another, there is no greater community to emerge stronger from this.

NANCY/GPBC: Mindset. Businesses that were overcome with fear and unable to make decisions have had difficulty pivoting to a new business model. Having a positive mindset that is realistic and doing everything from evaluating all the company functions, analyzing the financials, planning for cash flow and reaching out for assistance when needed is truly important. The community can then assist by supporting local businesses. Ordering online from Amazon is easy, but they often don’t pay the local taxes which help our community and economy. Knowing that when you shop local you are directly helping our local citizens, our local recovery and ensuring Brevard County remains a strong community.

MIKE/MRC: The key to survival is resiliency, innovation and a diversified economy, so the Space Coast is well positioned in this regard thanks to the work of our EDC. MARCIA/TAC: Flexibility and creativity – I’ve been so encouraged by the ways that business owners have made real-time adjustments in their business models to meet the changing environment head on. I’ll take a little liberty with the quote, but it’s easier to adjust the course on a kayak than it is on a battleship.

“Small businesses have the ability to adapt in unique ways that large corporations do not….and that ability to be nimble will serve them well in the next chapter.”

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For the companies that have not been able to pull through this, how are you advising those business owners?

JENNIFER/CBRC: Unfortunately, that has been a sad reality. Many of our smaller businesses have had to close their doors. They remain hopeful that down the line, as we begin to build back, they will jump back into the entrepreneurial ring and that’s what we are advising them to do. We have been a leader in connecting all of our business partners with the resources that are available to them, but for some, lack of timely assistance, lack of continuity/disaster planning and limited reserves ultimately made for a less than ideal outcome. We are very sensitive to what has been going on out there and we have adapted to assist in any possible way we can.

NANCY/GPBC: We are advising business owners to reach out to professionals to ensure they are considering all their options. If companies accepted EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) or PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) funds, it is important to ensure they handle the funds correctly even if they are closing their doors. Chambers of Commerce are connectors and we ensure businesses work strategically to make decisions. Reaching out to a tax expert, CPA, lawyer, etc. are important steps for any business owner to take before shuttering their doors.

MIKE/MRC: There are many short-terms solutions to provide funding in the interim. We are encouraging businesses to take advantage of these opportunities and continue to adapt their operations.

MARCIA/TAC: I want to make sure they exhaust all possibilities before they throw in the towel: can they adapt their model, or narrow their focus for a while to save overhead and increase profitability? Have they met with their financial advisor and looked at all their options? But most importantly, make sure they don’t push themselves so far that they can’t recover personally, especially from a financial perspective. Knowing when to say enough is important, and it takes a lot of courage to make those difficult decisions.

COMING OUT OF COVID-19

What business or businessperson has been most inspiring to you during this period?

JENNIFER/CBRC: Listen, I want to keep my paycheck so I am definitely going to say my boss and 2020 Board Chair Jim McKnight, City Manager of Cocoa Beach! All kidding aside, none of us could have predicted how this year would go and I watch Jim from afar manage an entire city, make tough choices, get scrutinized for those choices, work around the clock with no breaks to ensure the safety of his city and employees and then he is still finding the time to call me in the evenings to check on me. We have had a constant line of communication from the beginning of all of this and the Chamber is doing as well as it is due to his leadership. I would also like to give a major round of applause to our Immediate Past Chair, Linda Webster Dubea (FPL), without whom I would be completely lost in a sea of unending QuickBooks mistakes.

cocoabeachchamber.com 321-459-2200

greaterpalmbaychamber.com 321-951-9998

melbourneregionalchamber.com 321-724-5400

titusville.org 321-267-3036

NANCY/GPBC: That is such a difficult question, since there have been so many inspiring stories that have come out of this pandemic: like Tom Rebman, who was concerned about the homeless population and set up homeless camps in Palm Bay to social distance and provide the provisions they needed; or Stuart Borton, owner of Yellow Dog Café, who cooked for Health First employees; or Puneet (PK) Kapur, who hosted a breakfast for First Responders; and Rep. Randy Fine who organized food drives, blood drives and hand sanitizer drives. Also, the Children’s Hunger Project continued to feed children no longer attending school with food to take home for the weekends; Carolyn Neale, who volunteered to shop for anyone that couldn’t leave their home; and local manufacturers that converted their shops to make PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). These are just a few examples…I could go on about the acts of kindness that people and businesses displayed through this pandemic.

MIKE/MRC: The board members and Executive Committee of the Chamber include some of the brightest business minds in Brevard and I am fortunate to have their guidance as the Chamber has pivoted our operation to remain relevant and valuable to our members now and into the future.

MARCIA/TAC: I’m a big fan of Mark Wilson, the President of the Florida Chamber. He and his team are incredibly responsive, and they are thinking way beyond themselves and their organization, and truly looking at each community in the state and working to figure out how they can be a conduit for recovery for all. I think the trust and environment for collaboration that the Florida Chamber has built during this time will serve this state well into the future. •

“The key to survival is resiliency, innovation and a diversified economy, so the Space Coast is well positioned in this regard, thanks to the work of our EDC.” - MIKE/MELBOURNE REGIONAL CHAMBER FALL 2020 21

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321.339.1423

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FALL 2020 23

MLB LANDS

AERION

World’s First Supersonic Business Jet

By Eric Wright, President

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he flight paths of our airport may once again be lined with spotters as the Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB) becomes the home of one of the most dazzling advances in commercial aviation since the supersonic transport jet Concorde took flight over 50 years ago.

Enter the Aerion AS2 supersonic business transport.

Unlike the Concorde, which could break windows as well as bird eggs with its boom, when the AS2 breaches the sound barrier, the characteristic clap of thunder is reflected up not down, making the jet as “quiet as it is technologically advanced.” Also, it is considered the next step in the evolution in sustainable supersonic flight due to the carbon neutral “Affinity” engines from GE Aviation.

FALL 2020 25

Supersonic Design, Mach Speed Aerion could literally reshape the general aviation industry with the AS2, the first privately built supersonic commercial aircraft ever. The innovative design enables it to reach speeds of Mach 1.4 (over 1,000 mph) with the ability to accept 100% biofuels.

The 12-passenger aircraft with natural laminar flow wing for a minimum projected range of 4,750 nm (8,800 km), will also have the fastest subsonic cruising speed of any aircraft. It has an anticipated $4 billion development cost, for a market of 300 aircraft over 10 years and 500 overall, with a $120 million price point per jet. American aerospace leader Boeing has come on board as one of Aerion’s strategic partners, bringing its engineering, design and manufacturing expertise to the project.

“We are building the next generation of high-speed transportation networks that will revolutionize global mobility without leaving a carbon footprint on our world,” Tom Vice, Aerion Supersonic chairman, president & CEO said in an MLB statement.

“Our AS2 business jet—the world’s first privately built supersonic aircraft—is the first stage in that exciting endeavor. Having evaluated a number of potential locations for our new home, we are excited to partner with Florida and the Melbourne community to create a sustainable supersonic future.”

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Vice, an aerospace veteran, retired from Northrop Grumman after nearly 31 years of service with the company before taking the helm at Aerion Supersonic. While at Northrop Grumman, he served as President of Aerospace Systems, overseeing an $11 billion global advanced technology business with 23,000 employees.

Another Quantum Leap for MLB The announcement of Aerion Supersonic’s selection of MLB for its worldwide headquarters and integrated campus for research, design, build and maintenance of the company’s aircraft was announced in late April.

Greg Donovan, Executive Director of MLB said in an announcement, that although the Covid-19 pandemic was closing much of America, “We are incredibly honored and thrilled to bring this news to our community at a time when it’s needed the most. We are proud to be the location of the future where Aerion will innovate, create and introduce new technologies and products to the aviation industry worldwide.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis added, “The Space Coast has become a hub for the aviation and aerospace industry, and my administration. We are thrilled that Aerion has selected Melbourne for its new global headquarters and will create 675 new jobs here in Florida.”

The timely announcement was the culmination of efforts that airport officials have been pursuing since December 2018, with collaboration among several economic partners including the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Enterprise Florida, Inc., Space Florida and the City of Melbourne.

Hub of Aerospace Innovation MLB has evolved as the southeast’s hub of aerospace innovation, being home of Northrop Grumman’s Manned Aircraft Design Center of Excellence, Brazilian executive jet builder Embraer, and the headquarters to some large scale technology organizations such as L3Harris Technologies, among others.

As part of a multi-year $300 million investment, Aerion Park will house manufacturing of the company’s new AS2 supersonic business jet, with plans to create at least 675 new jobs by 2026. The development will take place on more than 60 acres of vacant property located at the northwest corner of the MLB airport.

“The Space Coast has become a hub for the aviation and aerospace industry.

My administration is thrilled that Aerion has selected Melbourne for its new global headquarters and will create 675 new jobs here in Florida.”

- Gov. Ron DeSantis

MLB literally set the stage, or landing strip, for Aerion Park with an extensive series of renovations, having completely rehabilitated their three runways and added a new air traffic control tower.

Additional taxiway and roadway improvements are being planned to accommodate Aerion’s operational plans, with funding support from Florida Department of Transportation.

Melbourne Airport Authority Chairman Jack L. Ryals summed up the impact: “Aerion is an excellent addition to our tenant base, affirming MLB as a global epicenter for the aviation, aerospace and defense industries. They will also add an entirely new dimension to our airfield with leading-edge technology,” he said. •

FALL 2020 27

By Eric Wright, President revard residents may recall the sense of trepidation they felt when the Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore was sighted, broadcasting from the Space Coast prior to hurricanes. People often referred to his ominous arrival as “The Angel of Doom.”

They are always about a particular place, at a particular time,” he said.

EARLY SIGNS His first inclination about a future in broadcasting came when a teacher approached him about leading the Pledge of Allegiance and reading the daily announcements each morning over the school PA system in Marietta, GA., when he was a young boy. Greg said he found himself enjoying the role and becoming comfortable behind the mic.

There is a completely different response when locals spot Spectrum News 13’s Greg Pallone.

Though he has covered some of the most serious stories about Central Florida in recent history, such as the horrific attack on the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, or America’s return to manned launches atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, Greg’s informed, yet cheerful and approachable demeanor have made him a trusted source for local news.

GREG PALLONE: Story Telling from the Field

Intuitively, viewers and residents seem to sense the affinity and connection he has to the area, with a clear focus on the vibrance and unrivaled uniqueness of the community, instead of the broadcaster’s own persona.

One of the most strategic professional decisions he would make came a few years later when, as a senior at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, he turned down an internship at CNN in Atlanta, accepting a position at a local station, instead.

“Instead of getting a ‘sort of’ corporate experience an intern has at a huge conglomerate, I was able to get hands on, real world training in everything from storytelling, logging interviews and editing film, to how to properly coil an electrical cable,” he said. All of these incidences seemed like small steps at the time, but they were giant leaps for his career.

“I gravitated to the local market because I realized, all stories, no matter how national or international their impact might be, start as local stories.

28 SPACE COAST BUSINESS

While he was in high school, a metro-Atlanta traffic reporter landed his helicopter on the school soccer field—another “too cool” experience that caused him to gravitate towards broadcasting, whether behind the camera or in front of it.

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STORYTELLER

SPACE COAST LANDING

From a practical standpoint, Greg thinks everyone should start in a small-town environment. “If you are going to make mistakes, which you will, make them in front of an audience that is measured in tens of thousands, not hundreds of thousands or millions,” he advised.

After a one-hour interview, they offered Greg the job of his dreams: field anchor and Brevard County news reporter on Florida's Space Coast. Afterwards, elated, he and his future wife Katie toured the community and decided it seemed like a perfect environment, with everything wonderful that Florida had to offer.

He stayed on as a hire at the rural station where he interned, moving next to Atlanta, and then to Savannah, where he landed a role as main anchor and managing editor at the ABC and Fox television stations in Savannah. It was during that time when he realized that the coveted anchor position in a studio was not where he wanted to be. “I am a field guy, I wanted to interact with people face-to-face,” he said.

Right around the same time, the opportunity with Spectrum News 13 presented.

“I hadn’t heard of Brevard County, but when I researched, I found, ‘Oh, the space center, Oh, Cocoa Beach,’ and with my passion for space, it looked like a great opportunity.”

Pallone had worked in Brevard for just four years when the Shuttle program was scuttled. But he didn’t lose heart, even though many of his friends and colleagues wondered where he was going next, assuming the area was about to suffer an extinction of sorts.

“We understood how incredible a piece of technology the Shuttle was, but opening up commercial space was the next step, and NASA focusing on deep space was the future. We saw this with this

“I gravitated to the LOCAL MARKET because I realized, ALL STORIES, no matter how national or international their impact might be, START AS LOCAL STORIES. recent SpaceX launch, it is an incredible time,” he said. “I don’t know of another area growing in this technology sector like the Space Coast, we are becoming a Silicon Valley.”

At his core, Greg sees himself as a storyteller and he believes the best way to tell a story is to treat everyone involved with equal levels of dignity and respect.

“Fundamentally, it is following the Golden Rule: To do unto others as you would want to be done to you. That lays the foundation for getting the access you want, because you always want to tell the story through someone’s eyes.

That is the best way to create connection and empathy, to really make something newsworthy.

I don’t see myself as a TV reporter, but as a storyteller,” he said. • Photos: Julian Leek

FALL 2020 29

THIS KID’S ALRIGHT YOUTH

TO WATCH

2020

SPOTLIGHT ON

JOHN

DELUCA

By Heather Motro, Assistant Managing Editor

B

asketball. Hockey. Flag football.

Cross country. This list goes on.

You name the sport, John DeLuca, 17, has probably played it. More than a student athlete, John takes inspiration from his love for sports to give back to his community and his country.

As an elementary student at Ascension Catholic School, John learned that some of his classmates didn’t play sports because their families couldn’t afford the fees for teams, lessons or equipment.

“This was really disturbing to me, as I’d played sports my whole life and I don’t know what I would do without it,” he said. The impression stuck with him until his freshman year at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy.

SNAPSHOT

Excerpt from John DeLuca’s Veterans Day speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Rocket Post, Nov. 11 2019: “But what can I do for the heroes who serve and the thousands of veteran heroes who have served before? I am only a kid, right? I can say thank you.

Two little words that mean so much. Thank you… It is amazing to see the impact that saying thanks can have on people.”

NAME

John DeLuca

AGE

17

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SCHOOL

TALENT

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Passion for Sports.

Passion for Helping Others in Need, including Veterans and Children.

SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM

That year, John resold several pairs of sneakers and used his own savings to create an Ascension Sports Scholarship fund that enabled students previously unable to play on school teams. After this first success, John began asking for donations around his community.

Too young to set up a Paypal or bank account to hold donations, he asked his mother to set one up for him. With her help, he soon filed for 501(c)(3) status for his new not-forprofit. Aspire! Youth, as he called it, would come to shape the childhoods of more than 5,000 kids—and counting—who aspired to play sports.

Funds kept pouring in for Aspire! Youth, as he developed new ways to raise money: he sponsored an annual Superbowl pool, with half of its proceeds designated to the charity. He entered essays contests, such as a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) contest that won him $300 for the organization.

Recently, he began partnering with local corporations and organizations including Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) Basketball Camp, the Play Like a Champion: A Team for Every Child initiative, the Notre Dame Club of Melbourne and the Dorcas Outreach Center for Kids (the DOCK). Every cent that Aspire! Youth collects helps fund the provision of sports equipment to underfunded school sports programs as well as scholarships for students to play sports.

But his service attitude didn’t stop there.

John had always coined himself a “sports-loving patriot,” but it wasn’t until, as a sophomore, he visited Normandy, France that he felt his patriotism truly bloom.

There, at the site of the historic World War II D-Day invasion, he was impressed to learn that most of American soldiers that fought and died for the United States on D-Day were just a few years older than he was. Humbled, John searched for a way to say “thank you” to America’s service men and women.

Intrado Corporation came to mind. In honor of Veterans Day, this American technology company asked its employees to write thankyou post cards to veterans and current soldiers.

Then, an organization called Operation Gratitude tucked these postcards inside care packages to send to current military members, veterans, first responders, their families and their caretakers.

When John returned home from France, he and his family set up a table outside his church equipped with a stack of postcards and asked members of the congregation to write words of thanks in them. He also called on the students and faculty at his school to write postcards.

And, of course, he wrote his own thank-you postcards, too. By the end of the drive, John had collected around 1,000 postcards from his church, grade school and Aspire Youth! communities.

What’s more, Intrado Corporation donated one dollar to Operation Gratitude for each postcard he collected, so $1,000 went to filling the care packages with goods such as snacks, entertainment and hygiene products.

Junior year of high school is a busy one for any student, let alone a student running both a not-for-profit and a charity campaign virtually on his own.

John, however, was undaunted by his packed academic schedule. Amid standardized tests, Advanced Placement (AP) classes, varsity golf and soccer seasons and an initial dive into college prospects, he added an ambitious expansion of both Aspire! Youth and the postcard campaign. With the aid of the website Donors Choose, John extended Aspire! Youth beyond Melbourne to Tampa and Boynton Beach, where he sent donations to an underfunded children’s sports teams.

He also developed a closer partnership with the DOCK, a safe gathering and recreational center for at-risk children in low-income families, in Melbourne.

On Veterans Day, John once again called on his school and church to help write thank-you postcards for Operation Gratitude.

Then, John realized he had another growing team of supporters behind him—or rather, many teams, individuals and entire schools that he had helped through Aspire! Youth. He turned to these connections and asked them to write on postcards he provided.

Meanwhile, Intrado Corporation raised the stakes to two dollars donated per postcard. The result: a staggering 6,000 postcards and $12,000 donated.

Although John had planned for Aspire! Youth to send a group of children to the Florida Tech summer basketball camp, FIT canceled its summer camps to flatten the COVID-19 curve. However, thanks to his partnership with the DOCK, John rerouted the plans, now planning instead to send 15 kids to the DOCK’s summer camp. In addition to the sports funds, John also sent donations to the DOCK

for necessities, like food, for families who lost their source of income during the shutdown. “I’m also providing equipment, and I’m always asking for donations and just trying to help kids as much as possible,” John said. These donations, John reflects, “Don’t always pan out… But some do, and that keeps me going.”

At first glance, John is a kid who lives and breathes sports—he loves to play and coach sports, watch sports, and play sports video games with his friends. He’s also a hardworking high schooler with six AP classes on his plate for his upcoming senior year and a goal to attend to a top college with a strong sense of community (and plenty of intramural sports programs, of course).

But when John’s not on the field or in the classroom, he devotes all of his time to giving back to his community and country. “I have put hundreds of hours into Aspire! Youth, both the sports aspect of it and the military thank you campaign,” John said. “I’m going to continue collecting postcards always… and I’d like to continue Aspire! Youth wherever I go.”

Yeah, this kid’s alright. •

submit your youth nominee: THIS KID’S ALRIGHT will be a regular feature about under 25 youth in Brevard County who impress us with their foresight, problem solving skills, business acumen and other leadership skills. If you know of someone we should consider, please email shawna@spacecoastmagazines.com with a brief description of the candidate, age, and why you think they should be considered. Candidates will be considered on a case-by-case basis and presented as space allows.

FALL 2020 31

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Board In these times of social distancing, social media has lit a fire to our collective imagination with presentations of food preparation, food styling and recipe sharing. Advances in cell phone and digital technologies allow us to glimpse the perfectly-puffed sourdough boulé, made, of-course, with a starter recipe that likely was used when our grandmothers were baking in retro wall ovens.

ood porn, as some like to call it, is all around us. It’s immediately gratifying, visually arresting and speaks to an intimate comfort we all need to feel better about the chaos in the world around us.

It’s also linked to a burgeoning business sector where social influencers can reap big benefits with product alignment and endorsements.

For Kalya Ellis, of Kayla Camera Eats, however, it was just a happenstance occurrence at

the start of the virus lockdown that allowed her to expand and hone a hobby that has since become a full time job.

“I’m a food (stock) photographer, shooting all around Central Florida including every restaurant and business at Disney [that serves or carries food products],” she said. She has worked locally, as well, shooting plates for Scott’s on Fifth in Indialantic, the Bearded Chef in Melbourne and for Village Food Tours in Cocoa Village.

By Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher FALL 2020 33

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW...AGAIN Her knowledge of how to pair and style foods inspired her to start creating charcuterie boards for close friends and family. A typical charcuterie board features a curated selection, usually, of meats, cheeses, olives or pickles, perhaps some grapes or berries and a selection of bread or crackers to accompany.

After posting images to her Instagram feed, and reading through the positive comments and feedback, Kayla sold her first board to a book club organizer who wanted to offer something special to her guests.

BOARD BUSINESS EXPANDS With the help of her husband Sean, a Controls Engineer with SDI Systems in Melbourne, the company website (www.kaylacameraeats.com) launched in mid-May showcasing the boards, which are called grazing boards, in all their colorful splendor.

Business took off from there, in the midst of office closures and new, homebound work routines.

“It’s been a bit crazy,” Kayla said, “But I decided I can make time for this.

It’s fun and different and, with everyone locked in, it’s something new and fresh, as well.”

For more information, visit online at kaylacameraeats.com, Facebook (@kayla.camera.eats) or Instagram (kayla.camera.eats).

In an average week, she’ll compose four to eight boards—all customizable to client’s preferences and with as diverse a presentation as the imagination can muster. From birthdays to holidays, or baby showers to graduations, Kayla will work with clients to create and deliver a vision board of sorts full of edibles that can be enjoyed and shared.!

34 SPACE COAST BUSINESS

Kayla, who is Food Safety Certified, presents the boards with packaging to preserve the integrity of the ingredients, and relies on seasonal produce to keep them relevant and fresh. She manages her business around caring for her two toddlers, Tucker and Emmitt, while also juggling photo assignments and managing her social media accounts.

Board costs start at $30 and can run as high as $229, depending on the amount of people served, selection of items and board choice. Custom boards cost a little more, but also help support another local business, Cedar Hollow Woodworks in Cocoa Beach, and make a stunning gift or keepsake.

Feedback and client requests have enabled Kayla to design specialty boards that can, for example, accommodate dietary restrictions or needs (vegan, vegetarian, Paleo, Keto) or locations such as grazing boards for boats, beach or picnics.

“The boards are totally customizable, and the thrill for me is figuring out how to give a client exactly what they need in the most appealing presentation.” •

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SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM

In the Village:

Local Artist Paints to Bring People and Animals

Together

By Heather Motro, Assistant Managing Editor

ake a look through Susan Drake’s art portfolio and you’ll realize it is something quite unique. This Rockledge-based self-taught artist’s paintings pop with vibrant acrylics, her intuition for shaping and shading brings her subjects’ emotions and personalities to life… and nearly all the subjects are animals, especially pets. >>>

FALL 2020 35

“My husband jokes that I woke up one morning and said I wanted to be an artist and I’ve been painting ever since,” Drake laughs. She started out in corporate business and accounting, but when she first put paintbrush to canvas 12 years ago, she discovered her true calling. In the beginning, she painted for her own pleasure: “I always had the best-decorated office because my artwork was in it,” she said.

But as her art grew in popularity among friends and coworkers, she made the leap to become a full-time artist, titling her business—located in Cocoa Village— The Village Palette.

Animals have inspired Drake throughout her artistic journey. “I have always loved animals of all kinds,” she explains, and they are her favorite subject to paint. Besides being a wife, a mother to one and a grandmother to four, she has been a dog mom to many fur babies over the years. Currently, the family dogs are Gidget, a chiweenie (chihuahua-dachshund mix) and Chewie, a chorkie (chihuahua-yorkie mix).

She started out displaying her paintings in local galleries and spreading the joy of painting by teaching “Sip ‘n Paint” classes. For these classes, a customer sent Drake the image they want to paint-usually a snapshot of their pet- and Drake pre-traced the image onto canvases for as many as 40 people. Then she brought the canvases, easels, paints and all other necessary materials into a customer’s home and showed them by example how to paint their picture. Meanwhile, they enjoyed their drinks of choice, making the painting hour a happy hour.

It’s easy to see why Sip ‘n Paint classes quickly became popular: pre-tracing the images gave her students the freedom to get creative with paint without being intimidated by starting from scratch.

Then came the plot twist we’re all familiar with: COVID-19. Among the small businesses that closed under 36 SPACE COAST BUSINESS |

the weight of a shut-down economy were galleries where Drake had displayed her art.

In addition, teaching Sip ‘n Paint classes in customers’ houses was out of the question. “With all the life-changing things going on right now, it really made me step back and try to figure out what I really wanted in life and what was important to me,” Drake reflected.

SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM

“Art reaches people on an emotional level and when that’s combined with animals it can be a very powerful tool to bring about change,” Drake says.

What was important to her, she decided, was animals. More than capturing peoples’ beloved pets on paint and canvas, Drake longed to bring together people and animals in need. “Art reaches people on an emotional level and when that’s combined with animals it can be a very powerful tool to bring about change,” Drake says.

“Say you have an older person, and they’re lonely, they can rescue a senior animal which not only brings companionship but saves a life. Veterans who are going through PTSD and things like that, an animal can calm them down and help with physical challenges. There are just so many different ways that you can bring them together, and if I can rescue as many animals as possible, or make their lives better… That’s just my love.”

As quarantine draws to a tentative, socially-distanced close, Drake is launching a revamped Village Palette where a portion of all proceeds will go towards organizations that help

animals, including The Humane Society, the Brevard Zoo, the Port Canaveral Aquarium Project, the Sea Turtle Preservation Society, Panhandle Animal Welfare Society and Merlin’s Kids, a New Jersey foundation that matches veterans and special-needs children with individually-trained rescue dogs.

With a main goal of donating to these animal-loving organizations, The Village Palette is more committed than ever to connecting people with animals through art. Drake will continue to offer both custom artwork and Sip ‘n’ Paint classes, although the classes may move online to mitigate health concerns.

She’s also launching a brand new art product: custom paint by number kits. Send her a picture of your best animal friend (dog, cat, hedgehog, you name it) and she’ll sketch it out on canvas as a paint-by-number template. Then she’ll mail out the canvas, acrylic paints, brushes and anything else necessary for you to create a lifelike painting of the pet.

It’s a productive, rewarding at-home activity that will not only help Drake support animal welfare organizations but will also bring you closer to the animals in your life.

For more information, visit online at thevillagepalette.com or call 321-693-1227. • FALL 2020 37

Left to Right Construction Project Team Members include: Gary Neal (MEC), David Hill (CCU), Diana Gonzalez-Villamil (ABI), Laurie Cappelli (CCU), Dan Kelley (CCU)

MEC & CCU

By Heather Motro, Assistant Managing Editor

A Community Building Partnership

redit Unions are a truly novel innovation, not only for financial institutions, but also as a unique business model. To the casual observer they look a lot like banks: they both hold deposits, make loans, offer checking accounts and ATM cards, and offer other investment services. But the real difference between banks and credit unions lies not so much in the services they offer, but how they are operated.

Banks are for-profit companies. They earn revenue by charging interest on loans, collecting fees, managing funds and reinvesting that money to earn more profit, which is then distributed to shareholders.

Credit unions are not-for-profit institutions. Technically, the shareholders in a credit union are those who have accounts, also known as “members,” and the profits of a credit union are reinvested in the institution and its members, which, in turn, returns benefits into the community.

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Though they have evolved considerably, credit unions began as cooperatives set up for and by employees in certain industries. In the U.S., schoolteachers and government workers were some of the first to form credit unions, as their salaries often prohibited them from qualifying for commercial bank loans. Community Credit Union (CCU) has continued this historic tradition of serving the needs of people on the Space Coast and partnering with area businesses, such as MEC Contractors-Engineers, to deliver positive, lasting community impact.

ONE STOP PROJECT MANAGEMENT MEC has developed their own unique model as well. For local businesses exploring construction opportunities, two of the most impactful factors in the construction process are time and money. From the day a business owner decides they want to build to the final day of construction the typical timeline spans, on average, about two years.

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"Saving any amount of time in that continuum is invaluable, since you've got such a long process,” said Gary Neal, Vice President of MEC. “So, if you can save three months to a half a year, it's tremendously helpful, especially if you're looking to get a competitive edge in the market.”

The combination of common-sense value and extensive experience appealed to Community Credit Union as they looked to accommodate their growth and better serve their members.

MEC Contractors-Engineers, with offices in Melbourne and Orlando, has been delivering general contractor services for over 40 years.

Both organizations also share a common passion for the Space Coast community. “There was a lot of alignment between CCU and MEC, said Laurie Cappelli, CEO of Community Credit Union. “We both are enthusiastic supporters of Junior Achievement, LEAD Brevard and Rockledge Rotary. Our mission, ‘Always improve the financial well-being of our members and make a positive difference in the community,’ were values they also exemplified.”

tion, is how what defines a successful project.

MEC’s streamlined process addresses all the facets of construction and also manages the myriad of details that are involved in any commercial project, saving the client the headache of juggling a laundry list of to-dos, while also working to communicate both the expected and unexpected elements of the process.

This allows MEC clients to rely on the expertise and experience of one company to manage the project from start to finish, while clients can stay focused on what they do best — running their business.

“We can help put together high-level budgeting to ensure owners make smart financial investment decisions from the beginning.

Through the permitting process, through the pricing process and over to construction, along with our carefully engineered due diligence, it goes all the way to giving the keys to the building,” Neal said.

Clients appreciate the

transparency that MEC has built into the process, saving them from what Neal refers to as “spinning the wheels”- struggling to find the right contractors for their unique job and financial situation.

LOCAL PARTNERSHIP, COMMUNITY BENEFITS Community Credit Union has relied on the expertise and insight of MEC for a number of projects. Most recently, visitors to the Rockledge credit union may have noticed that the interior of its headquarters got a complete makeover this year.

In addition, MEC recently completed a full renovation of an existing building for CCU’s new Port St. John branch and currently are constructing CCU’s new Titusville branch across from Titus Landing.

This branch is expected to open late summer/early fall. Another key partner in all three projects is American Business Interiors, led by Diana Gonzalez-Villamil.

These projects grew out of a synergy between MEC and CCU that began several years ago, when MEC did a smaller project for the credit union. When they decided to redo their Rockledge headquarters, Cappelli knew from her previous experience with MEC that this would translate into something positive.

“They’re very responsive,” she said. “Plus, they’re a local contractor and they’re easy to work with.”

Cappelli recognized that despite the construction, it was important for office to remain open to service members. This was a dilemma, because the year-long remodel involved stripping the building down to its bare bones and working up from there. “MEC was very flexible,” Cappelli said.

“They accommodated our need to stay open.”

MEC further stepped up to the job by rearranging their schedule to minimize impact on the credit union’s day-to-day business, while still completing the project within the year.

SOLUTIONS ORIENTED Whether a small business or a large one with multiple locations such as CCU, MEC has found that the relationship they build with clients, and the sense of collaboration in understanding the goals and needs of the organizaFALL 2020 39

MEC Contractors Engineers has offices in Orlando and Melbourne, at 7607 Coral Drive, West Melbourne.

For more information, visit online at: www.MECFlorida.com or call 321-723-5661

LOCAL SUPPORTING LOCAL Gary Neal and the rest of their team at MEC Contractors-Engineers are eager to build those same alliances of relationship and collaboration with other local businesses to facilitate construction projects with responsive customer service, flexibility and vast experience.

MEC ownership: Joe Neal, Mitch Miorelli, Gary Neal (left to right, back row). Lisa Neal, Luke Miorelli (left to right front row).

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“We have all the resources to take the project from beginning to end,” Neal says. “Time is money and we understand that, and that's one of the advantages of having one point of contact the whole way through – to ensure consistency and communication.”

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Neal reflects on the benefit of local companies helping other local companies survive and thrive.

“Community Credit Union could have hired out of the area, instead they hired a local company to do their project, to keep it all local.”

“This project is a great example of two community partners coming together to keep the business within the community and to keep a business going in the community during these extraordinary times,” he said. •

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ALPIZAR LAW, LLC

Scott D. Alpizar, David M. Alpizar, O. John Alpizar, Alexa A. Moia | Trial Attorneys accidents, Alpizar Law is committed to helping clients navigate through this difficult time in their lives.

At Alpizar Law, we recognize that choosing the right firm is an important decision. The personal service you receive at Alpizar Law will never be compromised. We understand that each of our clients deserve individual help and attention in their time of need, instead of a “one size fits all” experience.

We have the resources and proven track record to combat the unfair treatment routinely demonstrated by insurance companies. Since every client’s case is unique, our team is meticulous in our investigative efforts and case management.

THERE’S A REASON ALPIZAR LAW is Brevard’s Choice and the first name people turn to for help following a car crash. With over 40 years of service to this community, Alpizar Law is one of Brevard’s oldest and most experienced personal injury law firms.

With a specialization in car/motorcycle accidents, tractor-trailer and commercial trucking accidents, wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims, bicycle/ pedestrian accidents and boating/watercraft

We understand that each of our clients deserve individual help and attention in their time of need.

Whether fighting for the wrongfully injured, partnering with many of Brevard’s charitable organizations or giving away Thanksgiving turkeys to those in need, service to the community always comes first at Alpizar Law. The name Brevard trusts following a car crash.

Alpizar Law. We’re Here for You. •

321-676-2511 info@alpizarlaw.com alpizarlaw.com 1528 Palm Bay Rd NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905

FALL 2020 41

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DAVID HICKS

Brevard Construction Company Co-owner with His Wife DAVID HICKS GREW UP IN THE MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO and learned the construction trade working for and with his father in his father’s construction company. David’s father was the most influential person in his life.

Besides learning the construction industry from him, his dad was an inspiration and example of honesty, integrity and compassion.

David holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He worked 12 years in the Boulder, CO, area simultaneously working high technology and running his own construction company specializing in custom homes. When he left the Boulder area, he moved to a mountain community near Aspen, and continued his construction company. In the 20 years that followed, he built hundreds of homes, several full subdivisions and hundreds of thousands of square feet of commercial space.

During the economic downturn in the late 2000’s, David moved to the Space Coast. He holds two contractor licenses: the first license is an “Unlimited General Contractor” which allows him to build anything, including high-rise buildings; the second license is a “Roofing Contractor”.

His company, Brevard Construction, specializes in commercial & residential construction and roofing. Some of their recent projects include the renovation of the original Grimaldi Candy Factory in downtown Melbourne; rebuilding a 22-unit condo complex in Cape Canaveral that was damaged in hurricane Irma; tenant finish work for the Brevard County Public Defender’s office; several whole house renovations: and beachside condo

321-301-6000 Dhicks@brevardconstruction.com www.brevardconstruction.com 1909 N Cocoa Blvd, Cocoa, FL 32922

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renovations from Melbourne Beach to Cape Canaveral. David’s company has a kitchen and bath division, which includes an in-house design staff. They are local dealers for several different cabinet manufacturers and his office includes a small showroom. David’s talented staff (20+ direct employees), his attention to detail, and his honesty and integrity create a company that his customers love. Call them up and join the list of extremely happy customers! •

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DANNY R. BAKER Platinumwerks Collision Center Director

Learning the collision industry in several different roles in multiple dealerships in Orlando, I was rewarded as a manager with success in multiple franchises including Top Performers and Top 20 Group awards with Ford/ Lincoln Mercury, GMC, Acura, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Suzuki collision facilities.

LIVING ON THE SPACE COAST over the past six years, I have learned that when you truly enjoy your profession, it is easy to put in a hard day’s work without feeling like it was work. As a young man, I went school at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA as a Civil Engineer major. I always had a passion for automobiles and moved to the Orlando area in 1994 where I began my career in the Automotive Dealership Industry.

I have learned that when you truly enjoy your profession, it is easy to put in a hard day’s work without feeling like it was work.

As I ventured towards my first Toyota Collision Management career in Sarasota, I achieved success through structure and process by building a strong team. After moving from the west coast to the east coast of Florida and my second Toyota store, I was pursued by a large Collision Multi-Store Operator to grow, organize and train multiple facilities in North Carolina, with exceptional customer service standards.

After finding my way back to Florida, my wife, Sheila and I proudly call Brevard County our home with our 2 dogs, Sookie and G.G. (Galaxy Girl).

Platinumwerks Collision Center has been the best reward of all, and continues to show growth by our accomplishments. •

321-254-8888 dbaker@platinumwerks.com www.platinumwerkscollision.com 24 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, Fl 32935

FALL 2020 43

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PRACTICING LAW SINCE 2009, BLAKE STEWART dedicates his off-time to an array of non-profits including: Rotary Club of Viera, Habitat for Humanity, The Children’s Hunger Project, and a multitude of pro-bono projects each year.

In college, Stewart worked numerous jobs in the construction industry, including stints as a roofer, certified mechanic, and surveyor. With these experiences, Stewart truly understands construction. Stewart practices contractual and transactional law, specializing in equipment supply, service, and construction, both nationally and internationally.

Stewart also has worked in international trade negotiations, U.S Export Compliance, intellectual property, and confidentiality in the power generation, electronics, and supply chain industries.

Space Coast Magazines, LLC, publishers of Space Coast Living, Space Coast Business and Discover the Space Coast, among others, is seeking experienced, motivated sales agents for magazine, digital, and cross platform sales.

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Stewart is extremely proud to welcome and work alongside Edward Kinberg, a board certified construction attorney, and retired United States Army J.A.G. Officer specializing in Contract Law. Kinberg brings over 30 years of experience in construction and government procurement law. Kinberg has been a great mentor of Stewart’s. Stewart and Kinberg’s experience, dedication, and knowledge helps to bring justice to people and businesses on the Space Coast.

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FALL 2020 45

DJON’S VILLAGE MARKET A Curated, Community Food Experience

By Darcy Maeda Manning, Contributing Writer This year marks Djon’s thirty-second year in Brevard County and what better way to celebrate than with the opening of his sixth, and most ambitious, dining project yet: Djon’s Village Market, Central Florida’s first upscale grocery/dining/bar hybrid.

Located on Indialantic’s growing Fifth Avenue corridor, just blocks away from the sandy Atlantic shoreline, Djon’s $5 million project has residents, businesses, city officials, and realtors stirring with excitement.

Everything Foodie Under One Roof

ew York is hailed for its abundant and varied food scene. Trendy, organic, farm-to-table dining and grocery options abound. That’s where Indialantic resident and restauranteur Djon Pepaj began his food career before moving his family to the Space Coast in the 1980’s.

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The unique concept of combining a gourmet grocery store, restaurants, and specialty shops with a wine bar, martini bar, oyster bar, sushi and ramen bar, pizzeria, and more, under one roof, has never been done in Central Florida, and possibly statewide.

Space Coast Living Magazine toured the 18,000-square-foot space in early June as finishing touches were being completed and had the pleasure of talking with Djon about his passion project.

“Living here as long as I have, I’ve seen the changes and understand [our community’s] needs and desires. I raised my kids in this town. I feel very connected to the community and wanted to give residents a special way to enjoy this beachside lifestyle,” he said on the third floor of the rooftop bar, which overlooks the sprawling beachside community and Atlantic Ocean.

“Everything had to be perfect. I didn’t care how long it would take. It just had to be done right,” Djon explained, leaning against the bar he had made from reclaimed wood and pointing out other sustainable design elements, such as stained-glass window panels that came from his home and are backlit for night viewing. He also touted the unique rail netting material imported from Sweden, a design nod to the area’s local watermen.

Perfectionism Makes PERFECT Djon is a perfectionist and oversaw every square inch of the building’s design. He said the Village Market took two years to complete: six months of planning and about 18 months of construction – following the closing of his trendy nightspot City Tropics Bistro in late 2016. He claims the project’s design was a “true collaboration” with local Interior Designer Adrienne Chandler of AC Design Concepts, LLC, and Architect Gregory K. Wall, AIA, LEED AP, based in Tampa and Sarasota.

Djon’s three adult children Djon, Alexis, and Paige, had an influence on the design concept as well.

City officials and many local businesses along the Fifth Avenue corridor agree that Village Market will be a significant addition to the local economy.

FALL 2020 47

New Market, New Jobs Not only will residents gain a new shopping and dining destination, but Village Market will stimulate the local economy with 80 new jobs. When Lucky’s Market in West Melbourne closed its doors earlier this year, Djon immediately pursued then general manager Mike Klenotich to fulfill the same role for Village Market. The two have worked tirelessly to recruit the right mix of full-time and part-time employees.

Indialantic councilmember and longtime resident Doug Wright agrees with business owners about Djon’s Village Market’s positive impact for local businesses.

“Residents and visitors alike will have more choices to dine and shop along Fifth Avenue. This project, along with other high-end residential developments in the works, will surely improve the look and feel of the Fifth Avenue corridor,” he said.

“I’m so happy to see this project come together. Indialantic needs more community pillars and this will be one. It will help define us as a town and as an area worth visiting. It will help other businesses prosper and give this special little town more heart and soul,” said Lisa Guyer, Board Certified Health Coach and CEO of Live Longer Medical in Indialantic.

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Fifth Avenue Bridal owner Julia Barney agreed, “Since opening in 2018, we have witnessed steady growth of Fifth Avenue small businesses catering to the highend shopper. The area is now poised for exponential growth, thanks to the distinctive and welcoming experience Djon’s Village Market will provide.”

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To truly understand the concept of this new eatery and grocery store, imagine a high-end bazaar with specialty foods, trendy restaurants, and a farmer’s market-like shopping experience all under one roof.

A place where clients can enjoy oysters and wine tasting, do a little grocery shopping, and then carry out, for example, street tacos, poke bowls, wood-fired pizza, something sweet from the baker or convenient, pre-packaged meals for dinner. The closest concept Djon likens Village Market to is the international sensation Eataly, an Italian-themed bodega, found in big cities across the U.S. and worldwide.

“This project is for the locals. I created this for our community.”- Djon Pepaj

AT A GLANCE: Djon’s Village Market

Family-owned & operated

18,000 sf Three levels and six different indoor & outdoor dining areas

Djon is sourcing herbs and vegetables from local Brevard County farmers to support his farm-to-table menus, which will be overseen and executed by Culinary Chef Carl Del Prete. Although there will not be white linens like those found at Djon’s Steak and Lobster House in Melbourne Beach, Village Market is full-service throughout; no pick-up counters and no bussing your own tables.

Djon owns three other beachside restaurants along with business partner Melinda Djon: Djon's Steak & Lobster House, Sand on the Beach, and Copperhead Tavern.

“The most exciting part of this project is to see it all come to fruition. I tried to take the best of my food experiences while traveling and put it into Village Market. This project is for the locals. I created this for our community.”

Organic market featuring locallysourced produce Specialty shops Farm-to-table eateries featuring international culinary delights Free parking

Family- and pet-friendly ground level patio Covered rooftop bar overlooking Fifth Avenue

Wine shop curated by onsite sommelier Private room for special events Prepared meals for easy pick up and carry out Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options

Darcy Manning is a freelance writer and amazing makeup artist. To reach her, darcy.manning@ymail.com or follow her on FB: @makeupbydarcymm and IG: @makeupbydarcymm. • Djon’s Village Market is located at 249 Fifth Avenue, Indialantic. www.djonsvillagemarket.com FB: Djon’s Village Market, IG: @djonsvillagemarket FALL 2020 49

By Eric Wright, President

n the Space Coast, the foundation started by Jack and Ruth Eckerd back in 1968—Eckerd Connects—has a long and impactful legacy that seems to grow greater every year.

The organization’s signature Walk of Fame banquet, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2020, honors the philanthropic efforts of both individuals and couples who promote the betterment of our community, and highlights the transformational services and programs Eckerd Connects provides to some 1,800 people on the Space Coast each year.

From left: Leigh McElroy, Prevention Services Manager; Stanley Brizz, MS, Director of Community Services for Eckerd Connects/Executive Director of Brevard Prevention Coalition & Talia Bryant, MS, LMHC, Family Service Manager, Brevard County Operations for Eckerd Connects. Photo by Jason Hook Photography.

A TIMELY AND FAR REACHING MERGER: Eckerd Connects & Odle Management

» Prevention Counseling, offered to students in grades 6-12, to curb the illicit use of drugs.

Recently, Eckerd Connects merged with Odle Management Group, LLC, out of Scottsdale, AZ, a recognized leader in the fields of education and training, outreach and enrollment and placement services for adults and youth. The merger will make Eckerd Connects one of the nation’s largest organizations in its field, helping to connect underserved youth and adults with employers across nearly 20 states.

» Brevard Family Support Services, which provides case management and financial assistance for families experiencing homelessness and who have a substance misuse history.

“Helping youth and adults get an education and a job are the most powerful things society can do to move upstream in the fight against poverty, and ultimately prevent children from entering the child welfare and juvenile justice systems,” said David Dennis, CEO of Eckerd Connects.

Programs such as: » Hi-Five, designed to teach and empower elementary students about violence prevention and substance abuse

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“We don’t see this merger from just a business development standpoint; we want our combined talent pool to be a force for good to help and empower young people and all those that need our help.”

ECKERD CONNECTS & ODLE MANAGEMENT MERGER

Lisa Odle, President and CEO of Odle Management Group said “Both organizations have deep passions, commitment and sense of responsibility to fulfill our missions and build strong relationships in an effort to put young people on a path to success.”

Under the terms of the merger, Odle will remain a separate organization and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eckerd Connects. Together, Eckerd Connects and Odle will have an annual operating revenue of $329 million. The union will impact an estimated 45 million Americans who live in poverty, 21 million children estimated to live in unstable homes, and 6.5 million underserved youth, ages 16-24, currently not in school or unemployed.

THE BUSINESS OF HELPING OTHERS Facilitated by Tennessee-based Oaklyn Consulting and Florida-based Capital Strategies Group, the merger included investment banking services, which will enhance Eckerd Connects’ resources for educating and training more than 40,000 clients each year.

Eckerd Connects has provided workforce development, family and child services and juvenile justice services to more than 250,000 children, young adults and families since it was founded in 1968.

For more than 15 years, Odle has managed the daily operations of Job Corps campuses in nine states including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, providing a range of residential, academic and career preparation services to nearly 15,000 underserved young adults. In addition, Odle helps to match its Job Corps graduates with employers both locally and regionally, and manages one-stop career centers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and others.

URGENCY DUE TO PANDEMIC JOB LOSSES “Due to the surge in unemployment resulting from the pandemic, the services provided by Eckerd Connects and Odle are more vital than ever in helping to fight poverty and getting talented young people engaged in the workforce,” said Frank Williamson, CEO of Oaklyn Consulting.

“We were honored to have assisted with this transaction, which will broaden Eckerd Connects’ base of operations and financially strengthen the company’s ability to pursue its mission of serving the greater good.”

Oaklyn specializes in small and mid-sized mergers and acquisitions, with a specialty focus on the not-for-profit sector.

“Just like with any other company, M & A’s (Mergers and Acquisitions) allow economy of scale and the acquisition of skill bases that facilitate growth. The difference in the goal is missional, verses simply increasing profitability…or, perhaps it’s measuring profitability in a different way,” Williamson said.

SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY “During good times and bad, poverty is an inescapable reality. You can’t change the economy, but we believe that you can change how you respond to it. That’s why Eckerd Connects is focused on helping youth and adults find fulfilling, lasting employment that makes use of their skills and aptitudes,” said Randall W. Luecke, CFO of Eckerd Connects.

“We’re grateful to Oaklyn Consulting and Capital Strategies Group for their work in helping us unite with Odle, which does remarkable work, and we expect to be a great fit for our company.”

“All companies, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, need to continually strengthen financial and operating capabilities in order to accomplish their missions. I believe that is what we’ve accomplished with this merger,” said David Simon of Capital Strategies Group.

Stanley Brizz, Director of Community Services for Eckerd Connects on the Space Coast, and Chairperson of Brevard Prevention Coalition & Opioid Abuse Task Force said, “We strive to make decisions based on what will do the most good for the populations we serve.

The Odle merger helps us do that. It gives Eckerd Connects, including our operations in Brevard County, access to an additional pool of wisdom and expertise in helping youth and adults in need get access to education and jobs.” •

FALL 2020 51

The Ethical Capitalist

By Eric Wright, President

LOCALLY SOURCING GOODS AND SERVICES TO SAVE THE ECONOMY

rowing up on the Space Coast, I spent much of my time at surf spots up and down the length of Brevard’s beaches with names like “Picknick Tables,” “Second Light,” “Missiles,” and “Sharkpit,” among others. As a young man, being a “local” had real significance to me.

Were we protective of our favorite surfing haunts?

Of course, though we’d have been hard-pressed to admit it. There was an identity—a vibe that we cherished—without really knowing why. It felt similar to the affinity many people have to their university alma mater.

Unlike other places, however, being considered “local” did not necessarily mean you were born here. Because when I was growing up, hardly anyone had been born here; we were all transplants.

The camaraderie was more about the connection we all felt to the community: the sense of pride and belonging that organically grew in the hearts of the neighbors and residents, no matter how long they had lived here, no matter where they had come from.

These days, I sense a collective national and global connection due to the unprecedented experience of Covid-19, and the tense and frightful moments that have come after its discovery. We are a world changed, without a doubt.

We must, however, be thoughtful about how we help by first turning our attention, and our dollars, to our “locals.” Only then can we begin to climb out of the turmoil and head towards recovery.

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WHAT IF WE ALL MADE A PLEDGE FOR A “STAYCATION” IN BREVARD THIS SUMMER?

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR? “Buy Local” was a campaign that started well before the pandemic, as profits and jobs were being pulled away from area businesses to the big-box players such as Amazon and Ebay.

I am not an advocate of trying to reverse inevitable trends and global access is something that consumers have again and again supported.

There is, however, an opportunity to pause and ask: “Can I get the same, or perhaps better value, by shopping (or hiring) locally, rather than assuming the internet deal is always better?”

I have had several discussions with local mortgage brokers who have a steady stream of clients lured into basement-low rates and ease of startup applications on the web, only to find the process bogged down as they got further in.

Additionally, the local brokers understood regional regulations that often saved clients hundreds— even thousands—of dollars, while offering the advantage of having a “friend in the business” to help guide them through the qualification-to-closing-labyrinth.

HOSPITALITY TAKES THE HIT One of the industries that has been the “point of the spear” in taking the brunt of the economic meteor strike produced by the pandemic is, undeniable, our hospitality industry.

Until the recent business closings, Central Florida was attracting more than 70 million visitors annually, creating a ripple effect of jobs, spending, infrastructure improvements, and cultural and social enrichment. From attractions to cruise ships, from hotels and B&B’s to restaurants of every imaginable type and ethnicity, from retailers and car rental agencies, from urgent care facilities to pharmacies,

local businesses in the area received some influx of support and cash from this tourist-related travel that circles directly back to hospitality.

I am proud that I have seen my neighbors and friends patronizing carry out services from local restaurants and working to ensure local businesses could remain solvent by purchasing gift cards or sending money via PayPal and Venmo.

STAY HOME, BUY LOCAL What if we all made a similar pledge for a “staycation” in Brevard this summer? To book into local hotels, eat at local restaurants, purchase goods and services from local retailers and vendors?

Imagine what that might mean to the businesses who persevered through the shutdown? Imagine how that might help?

Years ago, a local architect and dear friend, Vaughn Holemen, told me there

were two types of people in any community. Some, he said, were like strip miners from his native Kentucky. They came in, took what value they could from the land and left it worse than they found it.

The others he described as farmers. Both were focused on drawing value out of the land, but the farmers had a long-term view and commitment: they stewarded the land, insuring maximum yield in the present, but never at the sacrifice of future yields. It was a generational perspective that had a sense of legacy and vision.

Economically speaking, dollars spent locally— whether for a meal or for a manufactured good or service— keeps that money circulating in our local communities. In a similar manner, as we move forward pausing before shaking a hand, or being conscious of social distancing, we need to develop a mental check before we make a purchase and ask: could I get this from a local? •

FALL 2020 53

Best PRACTICE

FINANCIAL PLANNING

For more business resources go to: spacecoastbusiness.com/category/best-practice

SEEK OUT PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE IN TIMES OF FINANCIAL TURMOIL t’s not unusual for workers and retirees to feel doubtful about their retirement during times of crisis. This year has been a roller coaster for investors, and we’re just more than halfway through. Many retirees and workers are less confident about their ability to afford a comfortable retirement. It’s natural to feel some concern after large swings in the market and uncertainty in the economy. If you are anxious, there are some simple things you can do to feel better about your financial situation.

Keep an Eye on Spending and Savings Whether you’re still working or retired, your spending habits have probably changed over the past few months.

With most restaurants and entertainment venues closed, most of us have spent less than usual. Low energy prices have provided an additional boost to savings. As the economy begins to reopen, it is wise to keep an eye on creeping expenses.

Reviewing your spending budgets and savings should give you a good idea of whether you are still on track to achieve your goals. If not, you’ll know where to make some changes.

Think About the Long Run

AARON STITZEL is a CPA financial planner who empowers clients to achieve financial security and peace of mind through education and prudent tax planning and wealth management. He can be reached by email at astitzel@ flavincpa.com.

The past few months are an excellent example of why everyone needs an emergency fund.

For workers, an emergency fund is a cushion against financially stressful events like unemployment or illness. An emergency fund is just as important for retirees living on their savings. Riding out market turmoil is much easier when you have cash on hand to pay your bills in the immediate future. If you did need to dip into your emergency fund during the crisis, refilling it should be a priority. This is also a good time to think about whether your emergency fund is large enough, or, perhaps, too large.

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It is easy to get caught up in the emotions of current events. Studies have shown that humans tend to overestimate how much change will happen in the near term. We also underestimate how much change will occur in the long run.

The long-term growth of the economy is almost always more important to the markets than current events. Investors who own portfolios of high quality, financially strong and profitable companies do well in the long run. Bear markets happen, but, historically, the market recovers.

Talk to a Professional If you still feel uncomfortable about your financial situation, find a professional financial adviser to speak with. Often just having someone to walk through investment decisions is enough to prevent common mistakes investors make.

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Before you hire an adviser, make sure they are a fiduciary. A fiduciary is legally obligated to give you advice in your best interest. A fiduciary adviser is paid for the advice they give you, not products you buy from them. It is natural to feel concerned about your finances during a period of market turmoil and

economic uncertainty. The best way to be sure you are still on the right track is to focus on your financial plan, not the markets. Most of the time, during the depths of a crisis, things are not as bad as they seem. Often, the best way to avoid making common investment mistakes is to talk to a trusted adviser. •

CTION RUSH CONSTRU Past Lessons from the Forward Help Pave the Way

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Best PRACTICE

HIGHER EDUCATION

For more business resources go to: spacecoastbusiness.com/category/best-practice

PURSUING A GRADUATE DEGREE: IS IT RIGHT FOR ME? re you wondering whether a graduate degree might be for you? Let’s look at how it fits with your professional goals.

Who can benefit from a graduate degree?

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics repeatedly shows that it’s beneficial to pursue higher education. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the May 2020 report demonstrates that those with graduate degrees have lower unemployment and higher wages. The report also says a graduate degree can help you develop skills that employers value: industry specific skills, planning, meeting deadlines, solving problems, and completing tasks. A recent CareerBuilder survey says that 38% of employers have increased their educational requirements over the past five years and that raising the requirements had a positive impact such as higher quality work, improved productivity, and enhanced communication and innovation.

The data shows graduate education is beneficial, but is it right for you? Do your research to see if most people in your field have a graduate degree or certification.

This will let you know if an additional credential will help set you apart, earn you a raise, or broaden your career opportunities.

An MBA would be a good choice for engineers promoted to management or entrepreneurs who want to open their own businesses. You may be considering a career transition into high demand fields such as cybersecurity and national security.

As a working professional, there are more opportunities to pursue a graduate education while you are still working than there were previously.

There are full-time and part-time programs, some in accelerated formats where you might have class one night a week, online, or as a hybrid.

DAWN RODAK has a passion for helping students. She has over 25 years’ experience in higher education, and currently serves as the Director of the Melbourne Metropolitan Campus for Webster University, 5565 N. Wickham Rd, Melbourne. For more info, call 321-449-4500 or online at webster.edu/ spacecoast

Maybe you earned a graduate degree years ago and you need to update your education in your field of study. There are several graduate certificates in specialized areas that can be valuable and add to your knowledge. An IT professional might want to earn a graduate certificate in cybersecurity threat detection, or someone in manufacturing could choose one in government contracting that has Defense Acquisition University (DAU) recognition.

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Some students choose online classes for convenience, but to be successful learning in this format, self-discipline is necessary. If you do choose an online program, check to see if they have any attendance requirements where you are required to come to campus for a specific period of time.

As a working adult, you also want to look at the flexibility of the programs. Some schools do not let you switch from an online to an onground student once you start the program. If you travel for business, how could that affect your studies?

Make sure to ask those questions in advance. At Webster University, we utilize our videoconference equipment so students don’t have to miss class if they have an important business trip.

While there are many benefits to a graduate degree, be aware that it is a major investment of time and money. It helps to set clear goals and have the support of your family and friends. Remember the sacrifices you make now are only temporary.

To help with the financial cost, many employers offer tuition reimbursement benefits, especially if

they are related to your current job.

Check with your Human Resources Department for your organization’s policies. There are also loans, grants, and scholarships.

In the end, you need to weigh the cost against the benefits. Will the investment you make for the next year or two be worth it? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on

average, you’ll earn 20% more and gain leadership skills and career satisfaction.

When students share their regrets with me, it’s usually that they wish they hadn’t waited so long to come back to school. Investing in yourself is the greatest investment you can make, and it’s the only one no one can take away. •

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FALL 2020 57

Best PRACTICE

SPACE COAST TOURISM

For more business resources go to: spacecoastbusiness.com/category/best-practice

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON TOURISM: What Recovery Looks Like

Hope on the Horizon

ourism has a significant impact on the economics of Brevard County and the effects of Covid-19 will be felt over the next several years.

In a recent study published by Rockport Analytics, 28,000 local jobs could be attributed to tourism in 2018, representing 10.6% of all jobs in Brevard County and placing tourism 4th in revenue generation behind healthcare, retail and manufacturing. Tourism spending was estimated at $1.8 billion in 2018 in the study, which resulted in over $400 million in local, state and federal taxes being paid.

Total visitor spending and wages in Brevard is nearly $2.6 billion. If business is down 30-40%, which is what tourism officials are estimating, that represent a loss of about $1 billion. For every $1 generated by tourist spending, .66 cents is returned to the local economy. If it weren’t for taxes generated by tourists, every household in Brevard would have to pay an additional $364 a year to make up this difference.

Entertainment venues such as Brevard Zoo and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex are requiring face coverings and the use of timed entry along with social distancing of at least six feet.

PETER CRANIS is the Executive Director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism and a Brevard native. For more information, visitspacecoast. com or call 321-433-4470.

Revenue Loss Impact The loss of that revenue is going to be a hangover felt by businesses and workers for many years to come. Right now, economists estimate that it may take from 18 months to up to 3 years before former business levels return. The impact on tourism by Covid-19 not only effects our budget, but also has negatively impacted hotels, retail stores, attractions, restaurants and anywhere else tourists regularly patronize.

In the month of April alone, the Space Coast lost 22,000 jobs. Hotels were shut down to tourists during April and most of May, and this really hurt our local economy as well.

The April report on hotel occupancy and revenue showed hotel occupancy down by over 70% and revenue down by 80% compared to April of last year.

However, in May, just in time for Memorial Day weekend, hotels reopened to visitors, restrictions were relaxed at restaurants and some key attractions began reopening with new guidelines and protocols in place.

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The Zoo, for example, has signs reminding visitors of the 6-feet distance by comparing it to the length of a jaguar. They also have paw prints on the ground as markers in some areas. At Kennedy Space Center, some attractions such as pre-shows, bus tours and launch viewing packages have been suspended to help with social distancing. To make up for that, if you buy a ticket you will automatically be given a second one to use in 2021, when they hope all experiences will be up and running as they once before did.

Hotels and restaurants have also updated their cleaning and sanitizing procedures, and many staff members are wearing masks and gloves when interacting with guests. Restaurants have also continued with limited seating to observe social distancing, and many are still offer take-out or delivery.

While some cruise lines are targeting August 1st to return to sailing, this is still a tentative date.

Port Canaveral has already started working on updated safety guidelines that include social distancing signage, daily health assessments for staff, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols, and the addition of touchless technology and plexiglass partitions. Along with this, phased reopening of both Jetty Park and Exploration Tower began in June.

Launches remain a major attraction for Space Coast tourism. The Launch America SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2 launch attempts in May helped the local economy by generating an estimated $2 to $3 million from visitors. The average party that stayed overnight spent about $1,065 and individuals spends about $350 each. About half stay in a hotel, and about a third rent other accommodations (vacation rental, B&B Airbnb, campground, etc).

Titusville’s Tourism Development tax collections have increased 40% from 2016 to 2019 as it rises in the ranks of locations where tourists stay overnight for launches.

Even day trippers have an impact, spending about $144, based on a 2019 study conducted by Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism.

Better than Before I believe, that in time, we will come back and be stronger than ever. The Space Coast is an amazing travel destination with so many things to offer. And the exciting and expanding space program really differentiates us from any of the other beach destinations. Where else can you go to a beautiful beach and watch a rocket launch?

Shop Local, Buy Local, Stay Local The Space Coast Office of Tourism is encouraging residents to help reinvigorate the economy by patronizing local restaurants, attractions and retail stores. Experience your home as a” tourist in your backyard,” appreciate places you’ve missed and enjoy new discoveries.

By doing this, we can re-launch the Space Coast and help keep local establishments in business.

Visitor or local, you’ll find there’s “Space for you Here.” •

“The Space Coast is an amazing travel destination with so many things to offer.”

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Best PRACTICE

HIGHER EDUCATION

For more business resources go to: spacecoastbusiness.com/category/best-practice

WE ARE ALL SALES, PEOPLE Five Steps to Clear Communication hen I was just starting out, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life and career. The only thing I was absolutely sure about was that I did not want to get into sales. Of course, my only understanding of sales at that point had come from my vast experience moving pens and candy door-to-door as a kid to raise money for my Junior Olympic cross-country team. Later, I relived that experience one miserable college summer, trying to sell replacement windows – also door-to-door.

My boss at that time, a guy named McClatchey, who couldn’t have been more than 22 himself, believed most customers were utterly stupid and needed to be treated that way. To my recollection, he never sold a single window to anyone. Ever.

When I grew into a marketing career in the New York digital agencies, then later opened my own business, my relationship with sales became less confrontational, more necessary. I studied like crazy and asked Kirk and Harley, the best sales guys I know, for advice.

Today, I’d trade all that time and energy spent trying to understand the psychological puzzle of sales for one book.

I’ve known Brett Keirstead since we were about five years old. His new book WE ARE ALL SALES, PEOPLE, is based on the idea that almost every interface we have with people every day is some version of a sales interaction. And the way we choose to communicate can impact our success in all of them.

Recognize Who You Are

LYLE SMITH is the principal, founder and chief writer for Nymblesmith, a content marketing agency dedicated to brand and business storytelling and story-focused content strategy.

Nymblesmith has delivered highly profitable content and content strategies for some of the most recognizable business brands in America. For more information, visit online at nymblesmith.com.

It’s a treasure trove of insight that looks first at the sales process he’s used himself and taught to his teams and students. He brings it all together by explaining how that same process can help in regular, daily interactions, from small talk to bullying, from understanding rejection to dealing with adversity.

Brett says all successful sales interactions – and by his examination – all successful human interactions, can be organized into five steps.

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The first key point is to recognize that beyond the product or service you’re selling, the way you present (or sell) yourself has tremendous impact on your audience. As Brett says “in that regard, you are your own product.” And as a result, you need to have a clear and honest understanding of how all of those things impact the person you’re selling to.

This includes everything from physical appearance to an honest assessment of your talents and skills, and even how your own personal preferences for things can impact your interaction with others.

Something as seemingly irrelevant as conversational style could put that at risk, for example. The loud and fast-talking style of a New Yorker might turn off a typical Central Floridian. A clear understanding of self makes it much simpler to communicate clearly and positively.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

“The way you present (or sell) yourself has tremendous impact on your audience.”

Sincerely Understand Others When done well, this second step is a sort of flip side to step one. Because a sale is all about creating an exchange designed to produce a positive outcome, it is important to understand the person or people you’re dealing with.

The key word here is “sincere.” Ask questions. Get to understand their personal preferences. Avoid quick judgements we all make from time to time, because those are usually more about us than them, anyway.

Identify Desired Outcomes This is about understanding what each side wants. Sometimes, these things align directly.

Other times, they seem completely unrelated.

Close the Deal The biblical expression is “ask and ye shall receive.” Asking for something in plain, simple terms you know are reasonable is what closing the deal is all about.

For me, this has always been the hardest part.

What stops us from asking? Fear of rejection.

Remember, while it is true that you don’t always get what you ask for, it is equally true that if you never ask, you’ll never receive. Brett goes into much more detail in each of these and explores real-life situations indepth. It’s all great advice in a simple, ultra-clear package that I’ve find myself using every day. •

Brett Keirstead is a thirty-year sales professional and mentor who has turned around underperforming sales teams, coached rising managers and executives to success and worked alongside other C-suite executives to massive success. He wrote WE ARE ALL SALES, PEOPLE (available on amazon.com) because he saw an opportunity to use his knowledge of sales communication to teach communication skills in simple terms people can relate to. wereallsalespeople.com/ about

You may want to close the sale. Your customer just wants to solve a problem. As a result, you need to communicate that you sincerely understand how that problem makes your customer feel and that you are offering a solution to their problem.

We all crave human connections that help us develop trust and understanding in each other – and that’s mostly what drives positive outcomes.

Negotiate When most people hear the word “negotiate,” they often think about money. The truth is, negotiation covers a wide range of objections. “It costs too much,” is only one.

This is where the work done in the first steps becomes very powerful. The questions you’ve asked and the answers you’ve honestly listened to inform your understanding of what’s important to your client and enable you to create a scenario they can understand as a solution to their problem.

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UP CLOSE WITH

BROOKE DERATANY GOLDFARB PEACEFUL, COMPASSIONATE COLLABORATION THROUGH MEDIATION

Though she did graduate from Harvard Law, her approach to its practice brings to mind Fred (Mr.) Rogers, or perhaps the guru of peace, Mahatma Gandhi, more than the likes of Johnnie Cochran or F. Lee Bailey.

Inherent in her methodology is a desire for all parties to find safe harbors of resolution when confronting some of the most emotionally fracturing experiences imnaginable, and to treat people – all people – with a sense of value and worth. It is a philosophical approach Brooke Deratany Goldfarb utilizes at Peaceful Beach Mediation & Collaboration, versus a focus on winning, or worse, defeating or extracting vengeance on the opposing client.

By Eric Wright, President

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“This is how, in my small way, I can help to save the world.”

Brooke Deratany Goldfarb EW: Part of who you are had to be informed by the role your family has played in this community; how did that shape you?

BG: Where we grow up, what our family and community are like shape all of us, whether we realize it or not. Growing up on the river, safely ensconced in this beachside community, was ideal: sunrises over the ocean, sunsets over the river and always being comfortable in the water, that was the way of life [for us]. Both my parents were very involved in Indialantic, my dad was on the [town] council and then mayor before serving as a state representative and senator. My mother was an environmental advocate, before there was such a term, and also served on the town council, then as the first female mayor and later as a county commissioner. Later, my brother was on the town council and served as mayor.

Then, when my husband Loren and I moved back to the area, he served on the council and as deputy-mayor. Involvement and being a part of the community are part of my essence. What Indialantic is like socially, culturally and environmentally are all important to me. There was a time when I wanted to go explore the world and never come back, but when we were in D.C. with two children, we decided to return to the area in 2004.

EW: What were the key things you learned from your Dad and Mom respectively?

BG: My dad taught me that the world is a wonderful place and if you work hard your life will be wonderful. He was very optimistic. My mother was from a strong line of women. She emphasized that I, too, was strong, brave and could do difficult things. That it was important to speak up and express your ideas, even when those ideas were not popular. Like her, she was an environmentalist before it was vogue. I suppose I was drawn to the law because of a sense of justice and fairness that they nurtured. I’m sure it would be easier just to sit on the couch and watch TV than to work to try and change the world, even in some small way, but a life of purpose isn’t always so easy. Anyone can have a life of purpose; you just have to decide what it is you care passionately about.

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At 10 years old, I decided to be a lawyer because I saw it as a means of empowerment, a recourse for those treated wrongly or unfairly. I remember when I was in school, I started a petition. Some student’s vandalism caused the administration to pass rules that you could only use the restroom at designated times.

Even in the fourth grade, I felt that going to the bathroom when you needed to go was a fundamental human right.

EW: You went to Harvard Law School; what were your plans?

BG: Initially, I had hoped to be in some type of diplomatic service, to be a part of the peace process. Originally, lawyers were peacemakers. I see myself as an advocate or a peacemaker, rather than a warrior. Where I was the most comfortable was in collaboration and in the resolution of disputes. It was not about [one side] winning or losing, but everyone winning. Otherwise, you get in this never-ending cycle of getting even, which isn’t sustainable. I was interested in the law as a way to make the world more peaceful.

EW: Is the adversarial nature of our legal tradition counter-productive?

BG: It doesn’t have to be. It is okay to have competition and to present opposing ideas. We need that. But it should always be civil. Through the synergy of ideas, we have improvement. However, though I believe that most want to do the right thing (and, maybe that seems naïve), there are always bad actors who do the wrong thing and we have to have a means of dealing with that and holding people and organizations accountable.

Sometimes, however, that adversarial approach isn’t necessary and can be very traumatic and counterproductive.

EW: Was that the impetus for creating your practice and your rather unique approach to people’s legal conflicts?

BG: I wanted to create a space where there was enough trust to listen to our higher self and feel safe doing so in resolving conflicts. Most of what I am involved with are divorces or, as I say,

SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM

‘transitioning people out of marriage.’

They come to me because they don’t want to destroy each other and they want to honor the relationship they had, so they can move forward and be happy.

I want to help people exercise their self-determination in as positive way as possible, to own the solution and have a positive a relationship with each other after the dispute is resolved. So, they can continue to have their mother and father or grandmother and grandfather roles, even though they are no longer husband and wife. Of course, this doesn’t work in situations [such as with cases of] domestic violence or mental illness, where people are not able to express themselves and be grounded in what is best for all concerned. People, at least most people, want to see themselves as good people who are trying to do the right thing, but at the same time they want to make sure their needs are met and they aren’t being taken advantage of. It is a more holistic approach, and it requires a lot of sensitivity and patience.

EW: I would think your practice relies on a lot of referrals and you have to be selective about who you take on?

BG: Yes, to both questions. Often, they are self-selective. You don’t come to a place called Peaceful Beach Mediation & Collaboration if you are out for blood.

You come because you care about your children and to some degree each other and you don’t want to give power to other people to make decisions for your life. I’m not practicing law in the traditional way, because I’m trying to keep people out of court. To me, the courts are like hospitals.

We need hospitals, but if you can avoid going there, it is to your advantage. If you can solve your own problems without the court system, all of society benefits.

Happy parents make for happier children.

Essentially in my practice, both parties represent themselves or “pro se”. I tell clients that they have the right to their own attorney. Also, I encourage them to take whatever agreements I draft to their own attorney for review and make sure they sign a document to that effect. I technically don’t represent either party. I represent a happy solution. This is how, in my small way, I can help to save the world. •