Brombacher Insurance - Brevard Business News

Transcription

BBN
Vol. 26 No. 1
Brevard
Business
News
A Weekly Space Coast Publication
January 7, 2008
Employee benefits firm
Brombacher Insurance
is building its client base
By Ken Datzman
COCOA BEACH — While the health–
care debate goes on among political
candidates running for the White House,
premiums continue to rise for employers
and workers, crimping budgets and
putting pressure on Florida’s small–
business owners.
Premiums for employer–sponsored
health insurance rose an average of 6.1
percent in 2007, down from 7.7 percent in
2006, but still higher than the increase in
workers’ wages (3.7 percent) or the
overall inflation rate (2.6 percent).
Since 2001, premiums for family
coverage have increased 78 percent,
according to the 2007 “Employer Health
Benefits Survey” released by the Kaiser
Foundation and the Health Research
and Education Trust. Annual premiums
for family coverage now average $12,000,
with workers paying about $3,200.
“When health–insurance premiums
look like mortgage payments, you have
an issue in the marketplace,” says
employee–benefits expert Dean
Brombacher, who helps area employers
and employees work their way through
the increasingly complex system and
better understand the market dynamics.
Brombacher says pharmacy costs
comprise “15 to 18 percent of each
premium dollar.”
He’s president and founder of
Brombacher Insurance LLC. His
company, which devises employee–
benefit strategies for clients, including
health, dental, life and disability plans,
represents multiple insurance carriers in
Brevard. He develops an employee–
benefit strategy that “balances cost,
quality and accessibility.”
Rising health–care costs are even
changing the way Americans use the
health–care system, says the Employee
Benefit Research Institute. Many of
these changes are positive, but others,
such as delaying going to a doctor and
not filling or skipping doses of prescribed
medications, could have a negative
impact on patients’ health.
Brombacher worked in the local
Please see Brombacher Insurance, page 19
BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth
Dean Brombacher is president and founder of Brombacher Insurance LLC in Cocoa Beach. His
agency designs employee benefit plans for businesses of all sizes in Brevard. ‘I provide a concierge
service in health services.’ Brombacher, who has a master’s degree in health science from UCF, was
a senior account executive with Health First Health Plans before starting his agency.
Sites encourage patients to share on illnesses
By Victoria Colliver
Scripps Howard Service
via disease–specific chat rooms and
personal blogs, a new wave of companies
is using next–generation Web tools to
make it easier for patients to find each
other and conduct better searches.
“The reason people are going to social
networks has evolved. It started with just
wanting to connect with people, and now
it’s ‘I want to see if the drug I’ve been
taking has been effective in a group of
patients similar to me.’ It’s become more
sophisticated,” said Dr. Indu Subaiya,
organizer of a San Francisco conference
held recently on social networking in
health care and founder of Etude
Scientific, a San Francisco biotechnology
and life–science consultancy.
Larger players such as Yahoo have
Please see Patients, page 16
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Health–care startups are modeling
themselves after YouTube and social–
networking sites such as MySpace in an
effort to connect patients with each other
and help them navigate overwhelming
amounts of medical information available online.
l At DailyStrength.org, people can
choose among 500 support groups —
from celiac disease to pulmonary fibrosis
— and create an online journal to
chronicle their disease and send electronic hugs to other members.
l The new ZocDoc.com lets patients
book physician and dentist appointments
online, similar to the way
OpenTable.com allows diners to make
online reservations for restaurants.
l RateMDs.com takes a page from
consumer rating sites like Yelp and
RateMyTeachers.com — a popular site
that allows students to “grade” teachers
and administrators — by allowing
patients to anonymously praise or pan
their doctors.
Americans have searched for medical
information online since the Web’s early
days, and the numbers are growing. Now
160 million U.S. adults have at one time
or another searched for health information online, up from 136 million in 2006
and 117 million in 2005 — a 37 percent
increase over two years — according to a
telephone survey Harris Interactive
conducted in July.
While patients have connected online
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DIGEST
The Better Business Council
of The Melbourne-Palm Bay Area
Chamber of Commerce
presents
Chamber of Commerce
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Sponsoring and participating
in this two-day
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expo is the perfect event for you to promote your business, showcase your
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advertisements Prominent display of your logo on all printed materials
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* Non-Chamber member businesses must have no unresolved complaints
registered against them with the BBC in order to display in this show.
For Sponsorship Information & Registration,
call Expo Coordinator, Lisa Rouede at 984-8454
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 2
United Way Campaign raises
$6.5 million, up by 5.8 percent
United Way of Brevard recently announced that its
50th Anniversary Campaign exceeded its goal of $6.3
million. The organization raised $6,457,000 — a 5.8
percent increase over last year. The announcement was
made at a Campaign celebration held at the Hilton
Melbourne Rialto Place and attended by 400 supporters.
“I’m so proud of the work we’ve done together in
achieving this total,” said Brevard County Sheriff Jack
Parker, United Way’s 2007 Campaign chair, addressing
supporters. “What matters most for me is that, in the
end, we will reach thousands of people in need of a
helping hand in the coming year. I’m proud to be able to
stand here today, announcing this outstanding total,
and to have the chance to thank you all personally for
your support.”
Representatives from more than 75 companies and
organizations, as well as individuals from within the
community, were honored by United Way for their
achievements and efforts at the event. Sixteen organizations boasted greater than 10 percent increases in their
employee giving.
Harris Corp. became the first entity in United Way of
Brevard’s 50–year history to surpass the million–dollar
mark by raising $1,165,846 in combined employee,
retiree and corporate giving. This total was a 17 percent
increase over their 2006 giving.
Traditionally, Harris would provide a barbecue
dinner for their employees to say thanks for achieving
their internal goal. This year, under the leadership of
Cindy Kane, Lisa Stigall, Judy Rosner and Howard
Lance, they decided to do things differently with a Feed
Others incentive program.
By surpassing all of their internal objectives Harris,
on behalf of its employees, will be providing a year’s
worth of special “Meals on Wheels” deliveries for
homebound seniors; breakfast, lunch and snacks for the
children in the Child Care Association’s Head Start
Program; and all the food needed to support the women
and children being served by the domestic violence
shelter program at Serene Harbor.
Other companies showing a 10 percent or more
increase included: City of Palm Bay, 122 percent
increase to $18,867; Berman, Hopkins, Wright &
LaHam, 50 percent increase to $13,515; Brevard
County Sheriff’s Office, 46 percent increase to $72,933;
Canaveral Port Authority, 43 percent increase to
$10,727; Creative Management Technology, 42 percent
increase to $16,546; Regions Bank, 42 percent increase
to $19,588; Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, 36 percent
increase to $11,687; Bright House Networks LLC, 33
percent increase to $30,120; Florida City Gas, 30
percent increase to $14,390; Comprehensive Health
Services Inc., 25 percent increase to $17,394; Parrish
Medical Center, 17 percent increase to $117,669; Analex
Corp, 16 percent increase to $36,354; Wachovia Bank,
16 percent increase to $42,922; AT&T, 14 percent
increase to $39,767; Space Coast Credit Union, 13
percent increase to $40,178; and Child Care Association,
10 percent increase to $15,921.
“We’re grateful to Sheriff Parker and all of the
volunteers who led this campaign effort,” said Rob
Rains, United Way of Brevard president. “And of course
to all of the people who generously gave to help others.”
For more information, visit www.uwbrevard.org.
Call Adrienne Roth at 321-951-7777 or visit BrevardBusinessNews.com for Advertising Information
JANUARY 7, 2008
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EDITORIAL
PMC’s facility at Port St. John is awarded LEED certification
The new Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St.
John has been awarded the prestigious LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
Silver certification, making the facility the first in
Florida to receive this designation.
The center earned the U.S. Green Building
Council’s (USGBC) LEED Silver certification in
collaboration with Johnson Controls Inc. and Skanska
USA.
LEED is the USGBC’s leading–edge system for
designing and constructing the “world’s greenest, most
energy–efficient and highest–performing” buildings.
“Building green is a natural extension of our
patient and community–centered vision and mission,”
said Parrish Medical Center Board Chairman
Nathaniel Pilate. “Our hospital was among the
nation’s first to pioneer evidence–based healing design.
We are longtime advocates of the benefits of a true
healing environment for patients, their families and
care partners.”
Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John was
designed with the goal of achieving LEED Silver
certification for energy use, lighting, water and
material use and a variety of other sustainable
strategies.
LEED was established by the USGBC for market
leaders to design and construct buildings that protect
BBN
Brevard
Business
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PUBLISHER
Adrienne B. Roth
EDITOR
Ken Datzman
OFFICE MANAGER
Frank Schiffmann
Brevard Business News is published every Monday by
Brevard Business News Inc. Bulk Rate postage is paid at
Melbourne, FL and Cocoa, FL. This publication serves
business executives in Brevard County. It reports on
news, trends and ideas of interest to industry, trade,
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Letters to the Editor must include the writer’s signature
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and save precious resources while making good
economic sense.
“Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John is to be
commended for achieving LEED certification,” said
Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC president and chief executive
officer and founding chair. “This facility is one that the
community and its customers can be proud of. The
certification says that Parrish cares about the health
of the building’s users and employees. Parrish
Healthcare Center at Port St. John is a showcase
project and an inspiration for others.”
George Mikitarian, PMC president and chief
executive officer, called LEED certification an “incredible accomplishment in itself.”
“Being the first in the state to accomplish the Silver
level is something that makes every PMC care partner
proud because it is another example of PMC’s leadership in health care,” Mikitarian said.
Chris Male, PMC developer and project lead, said,
“Silver is the highest level an outpatient facility in a
non–urban area has earned to date from the USGBC.
The achievement of Silver is a testament to the hard
work and tenacity of the project team.”
Randy Bernard, Skanska senior vice president,
added, “As growth continues in Central Florida and
across the state, environmental sustainability is as
important as new infrastructure. We are proud to
deliver PMC a facility that will not only serve the
community, but will also serve as a model for sustainable growth.”
“Health–care providers are responsible to the
communities they serve and must recognize that the
environmental impact of their facilities spans both
operations and construction,” said Jenny Stentz,
director of health–care solutions for Johnson Controls.
“Parrish’s achievement of LEED certification reflects
the values, beliefs and philosophy of the people
responsible for creating the healing experience.”
The LEED program is a voluntary third–party
rating system in which credits are earned for satisfying specified green–building criteria. Projects are
evaluated within six environmental categories:
sustainable site development, water conservation,
energy and atmosphere, materials and resources,
indoor air quality, and innovation and design.
Silver, Gold and Platinum green–building certification levels are awarded based on total credits. The
LEED program has been adopted as the industry
standard of green–building measurement by federal
agencies, state and local governments and interested
private companies.
Parrish Healthcare Center in Port St. John opened
in May 2007. The 76,000–square–foot center represents the “largest health–care investment in the
history of this growing community,” said Pilate.
The center’s first floor houses comprehensive
outpatient services including all–digital diagnostic
equipment (digital mammography, digital CT, digital
MRI, and digital ultrasound), laboratory services, a
four–bed sleep disorder center, conference center,
stress–testing, EKG, echo cardiology and physical
therapy services.
The second floor houses medical offices, including
an endocrinology practice and family practice. Phase
two of the project will include additional physician
office space and an urgent care center. For more
information visit www.psjhealthcenter.com or call
636–9393.
BPS–TV show creates musical magic
Almost a year in the making, the new BPS–TV show “Sound Waves” spotlights the unique musical talents of
students across Brevard Public Schools. Each 60–minute episode includes footage from the 2007 Musical Performance Assessments (MPA) held in May. Viewers can tune in to hear many familiar classics such as Mozart’s Eine
Kleine Nachtmusik, and even more contemporary performances like songs from Elliot del Borgo. The MPAs have
been described as “the FCAT for music students” and are a professionally judged event designed to evaluate
middle and high school music programs. Also appearing on “Sound Waves” are special elementary school concerts
performed exclusively for BPS–TV. BPS will air “Sound Waves” into the month of January.
Sam’s Club awards grant to CAC of Brevard
Sam’s Club recently awarded a $1,000 grant to the Friends of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard. The
nonprofit organization is comprised of volunteers whose mission is to increase awareness of the issues of child
abuse and neglect, and to raise funds for CAC. “As requested by Sam’s Club, this grant will be used wherever the
need is greatest at the Children’s Advocacy Center,” said Ken Whittaker, Friends president and treasurer. “We are
grateful that Sam’s Club continues to recognize the importance of the unique and vital work done at the center.”
Attending the check presentation were: Larry Cherry, general manager, Sam’s Club; Christy Cannella, secretary,
CAC; Jeanie Bondy, casework supervisor, CAC; and Whittaker. Established in 1996, the CAC is affiliated with
Wuesthoff Health Services. For more information about the CAC, call Teresa Munroe at 259–1883 or visit
www.cacbrevard.org. Tours of the CAC are available by appointment.
Dr. Grace of Florida Tech earns $370,000 NSF grant
Dr. Michael Grace, Florida Tech associate professor of biological sciences, has earned a grant of almost $370,000
from the National Science Foundation’s Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program. The grant will allow for
purchase of a new confocal microscope, which will augment the university’s growing High Resolution Microscopy
and Advanced Imaging Center. Dr. Grace is center director. “Confocal microscopy is a very important tool in life
sciences and materials research,” he said. “It gives us high–resolution microscopic images that would otherwise be
impossible to obtain.” Confocal microscopy involves scanning a focused laser beam across the sample to eliminate
out–of–focus information. Dr. Grace will use the new microscope for his studies on the neurobiology of vision in
marine fish and sea turtles. He won another MRI grant in 2004, which funded the purchase of a state–of–the–art
JEOL scanning electron microscope, a high–resolution digital electron microscope camera and a variety of support
instruments.
JANUARY 7, 2008
DIGEST
BBN
Progress Energy signs pact
for second waste–wood plant
ST. PETERSBURG — As part of its ongoing
commitment to renewable energy and developing
technologies, Progress Energy Florida (PEF) has signed
another contract with Biomass Gas & Electric LLC
(BG&E) to purchase electricity from a second waste–
wood biomass plant planned for Florida.
BG&E, based in Atlanta, Ga., plans to build a power
plant in north or Central Florida that will use waste
wood products — such as yard trimmings, tree bark
and wood knots from paper mills — to create electricity.
It would generate about 75 megawatts, or enough
electricity to power 46,000 homes. The plant is expected
to avoid the need to burn nearly 5 million tons of coal
over the 20–year life of the contract. It would be
identical to BG&E’s waste–wood plant announced in
July.
Progress Energy Florida agreed to buy the output of
that plant as well.
The plant will use gasification to create electricity.
Projected commercial operation is expected to begin in
June 2011, about six months after the first waste–wood
plant. In total, BG&E has four biomass power plants
planned for construction in the next four years.
“Clean, renewable energy sources, such as this one,
play a vital role in our balanced approach to managing
Florida’s growing energy needs,” said Jeff Lyash,
president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida. “This
partnership continues our long history of supporting
innovative technologies and promoting cost–effective,
cleaner energy sources.”
“We are very pleased to expand our relationship with
Progress Energy Florida, providing clean and sustainable energy resources to assist with the state’s future
power needs,” said Glenn Farris, president and CEO of
Biomass Gas & Electric. “Through the leadership of
companies like Progress Energy, the state of Florida
continues to lead the Southeast — and the nation — in
the promotion of clean, alternative energy for the
production of electricity.”
The contract will be filed for consideration with the
Florida Public Service Commission (PSC). The company
seeks PSC approval of the contract and certification of
the proposed plant as a qualifying facility under Florida
laws and regulations that encourage renewable energy.
“Hats off to both Progress Energy Florida and BG&E
for investing in clean energy solutions that will further
diversify Florida’s fuel mix and improve upon Florida’s
economic well–being,” said Jeremy Susac, director of
the Florida Energy Office in the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection.
In the past two years, Progress Energy has signed
contracts to add nearly 300 megawatts of renewable
energy to its system — which is enough to power
170,000 homes. In July, the company issued a request
for renewables in an effort to continue to expand its
alternative–energy portfolio.
In May 2006, Progress Energy signed a contract to
purchase the energy output (130 MW) from the nation’s
largest biomass plant to be built in Central Florida. The
project, which will utilize environmentally friendly E–
grass as its fuel source, will reduce carbon emissions by
more than 20 million tons over the 25–year life of the
contract when compared to coal.
Visit www.biggreenenergy.com for more information.
JANUARY 7, 2008
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JANUARY 7, 2008
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DIGEST
AT&T donates $10,000 to
Cocoa Village Playhouse
COCOA — The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse
recently received a $10,000 sponsorship contribution
from the AT&T Corp.
The donation, earmarked for the first show of the
season, “Guys and Dolls,” was presented to the Cocoa
Village Playhouse Board of Directors by Judy Spencer,
AT&T regional director. Also attending the presentation
were: Dr. James Drake, president of Brevard Community College; Dixie Sanson, Cocoa Village Playhouse
board member; Lisa Crites of Wuesthoff Health System,
Cocoa Village Playhouse board member; and Staci
Hawkins–Smith, Cocoa Village Playhouse executive
director.
The remaining productions for the 18th season
include Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel” in
February, and “Jerry’s Girls” in April.
The Playhouse has more than 4,000 season ticket
holders. In addition, the facility hosts “Stars of Tomorrow,” a youth program designed to help theatre students
develop skills necessary to be successful in the performing arts.
The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse is a direct
support organization of Brevard Community College.
All programs are sponsored in part through the Brevard
County Board of County Commissioners Cultural
Grant, the Brevard Cultural Alliance, the Margaret
Heinz Foundation, and contributions from individuals,
corporations and organization.
For more information on sponsorship programs,
contact Judy Lacy, box–office manager, at 636–5050.
The Playhouse is a tax–exempt organization; a portion
of all contributions is tax–deductible. Two–dollars from
each ticket purchased is placed in the Playhouse
building fund to help complete the fund–raising for the
Technical Support Annex.
Riverside National Bank
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National Realty recognizes producers
Gale Bray, broker of National Realty of Brevard, has
announced her company’s top–production associates for
November. Top listers were: Ken Steinmetz, of the
Melbourne office; Barbara Bublitz, Satellite Beach;
Andy Waterman Team, Palm Bay; Donna Sprague, Port
St. John; and John Farace, Suntree–North Melbourne.
Top sellers: Lisa Ellison, Melbourne; Vincent Solazzo,
Melbourne; Hope Turner, Indialantic; Irene Callard,
Satellite Beach; Farace; and Kim and Robert Sisko,
Suntree–North Melbourne
Kuhn named manager of Robert Half
The local office of Robert Half International has
announced the appointment of Colleen Kuhn as
regional manager. Robert Half International specializes
in the accounting, finance and information–technology
fields. Kuhn will oversee operations for the staffing
company’s OfficeTeam, Accountemps and Robert Half
Finance and Accounting divisions in Melbourne, Port
St. Lucie, Orlando and Lake Mary. Kuhn joined the
company in 1999 as a staffing manager in the Orlando
office. She transferred to the Heathrow office, was later
promoted to division director and then became the
branch manager at that location in 2001. She has an
associate’s degree from Cerritos College and a bachelor’s
degree in business administration from the University
of California at Riverside. Kuhn is celebrating 20 years
in the staffing industry this year.
JANUARY 7, 2008
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DIGEST
Euclid Insurance acquires
Rodes–Roper–Love agency
Euclid Insurance Agencies LLC of Melbourne, a
subsidiary of Euclid Insurance Services Inc. of Itasca,
Ill., has announced the acquisition of the Melbourne
office of Rodes–Roper–Love Insurance, a leading
commercial insurance agency that specializes in serving
the public bus and limousine industries.
The acquisition further strengthens Euclid’s presence
in the transportation–insurance sector, while leveraging
Rodes–Roper–Love’s presence in the public bus and
limousine–industry classes.
Rodes–Roper–Love will continue to operate under its
current name as a division of Euclid Insurance Agencies
LLC. The Rodes–Roper–Love staff will relocate to
Euclid’s Melbourne office in mid–January.
Thanks to the additional risk management, loss
control and claim services offered by Euclid’s commercial–lines division, existing Rodes–Roper–Love customers can “expect a greater depth of available services
focusing on their specific needs.”
Together, Euclid and Rodes–Roper– Love have the
capacity to place business with most of the major
insurance companies that underwrite public bus and
limousine risks. “This acquisition complements Euclid’s
existing transportation niche,” said John Colis, president and CEO of Euclid. “The combined resources of our
two organizations will benefit both our customers and
our insurance company partners.”
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Psychology Associates of Brevard has announced the
opening of its practice at the Imperial Plaza office
building, 6767 N. Wickham Road, suite 306, in
Melbourne. The newly formed association of psychologists and psychiatrists includes doctors who have been
practicing in Brevard for years as well as some new
mental–health professionals. Licensed psychologists
Robert Shapiro, Ph.D., Robin Goldstein Ed.D., and Dr.
Kristopher Olsen, Ph.D., will join psychiatrists Burton
Podnos, M.D., and Jose Rafael Gonzalez, M.D., to offer
expanded mental–health services to central and south
Brevard. Dr. Podnos was director of the Brevard County
Mental Health Center in the late 1960s, while Dr.
Shapiro was the first licensed psychologist at the south
county facility in the early 1970s. The two formed a
private practice in Rockledge in 1973. The newly formed
Psychology Associates of Brevard will also include
James Ferro, Psy.D., a licensed specialist in
neuropsychology, and registered nurse Nancy Ryden, a
licensed counselor who has worked in the Rockledge
area. The group will continue to provide care to its
ongoing patients as well as treat new patients. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 751–1925.
Tri–City Electrical completes work at school
Altamonte Springs–based Tri–City Electrical
Contractors Inc. has completed work at the new
Meadowlane Intermediate Elementary School in West
Melbourne. The two–story, 108,334–square–foot square
facility is at 2700 Wingate Blvd. Tri–City Electrical
completed $2.3 million of work at the school under its
contract with the M.H. Williams Co. of Melbourne. Tri–
City Electrical, with more than 1,200 employees
statewide, operates divisional offices in Fort Myers,
Jupiter, Ocala and Tampa, as well as satellite locations
in Sarasota and Santa Rosa Beach.
JANUARY 7, 2008
BBN
DIGEST
Complete Inspection Systems
opens its new technical center
INDIALANTIC — Complete Inspection Systems Inc.
(CIS) has opened a new facility for providing a range of
anti–counterfeiting, product–tracking, and other
packaging–based solutions to assist in authenticating
products and determining their manufacturing origin.
The company facility has new capabilities to provide
technical support and authentication for products from
their lab to any location in the world having Internet
access.
The two–story building is located at 334 Fourth Ave.,
and houses an on–site training center, increased
technical support, research and development, as well as
a new division for real–time online verifying services.
CIS is also introducing a new range of invisible
infrared bar code and anti–counterfeit systems for
product authentication and tracking, said Gary Parish,
president. His company is working with ARmark
Technologies from Glen Rock, Pa. The code can be “read
with a portable image–based microscope that fits in the
palm of your hand.” This technology is “unique in that
the micro–markers can be created from materials that
can be applied to foods and drugs, including tablets and
capsules.” In addition, CIS manufactures software that
allows manufacturers to compare their labels and
product inserts against their master regulatory documents in any language.
According to Parish, CIS has the ability to compare
unlike documents for correctness in any language
including Chinese. “We have systems in the top 100
pharmaceutical companies that are used to compare a
one–page drug directional to a 50–page regulatory
document. We can detect a missing decimal point in a
matter of seconds versus a person taking hours to read
and compare the materials.”
Currently, CIS is working on new technology to
authenticate consumer products “using your cell phone
and sending the product image to the manufacturer for
authentication,” he said.
For further information, contact Monique Seaman at
952–2490 or visit www.completeinspectionsystems.com.
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TRC Staffing receives Best Business Award
TRC Staffing Services was recently honored with the
Melbourne–Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce’s
Best Business Award for 2007. The award was presented at the Chamber’s 2007 annual gala at the
Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront. TRC was one of
two companies with 0 to 25 employees to receive the
Best Business designation. Among the criteria evaluated for this honor was company benefits, personnel
practices, customer service, innovations developed and
instituted, and company growth. “We are both humbled
and delighted to have received this recognition,” said
Joe Nicolosi, TRC franchisee. “We realize how many
deserving small businesses there are in the Melbourne–
Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce. This is really a
tribute to our staff of professionals who do such an
outstanding job every day.” TRC Staffing Services
provides a wide range of human resource and employment solutions, including executive search, short– and
long–term staffing, work–to–hire, and on–site management. Based in Atlanta, Ga., the corporation has been in
business since 1980, and is the largest privately held
staffing firm in the United States.
JANUARY 7, 2008
Camara Bay
pick up BBN
12-10-07
page 7
FULL COLOR
BBN
BUSINESS
Hospice of St. Francis in Titusville celebrates 30th anniversary,
the full–service organization cares for patients throughout the
county — more than 100 dedicated volunteers give their time
By Ken Datzman
Having evolved over time, hospice organizations now provide one of the most
invaluable systems of care in America. Dedicated volunteers and health–care
professionals work together to bring quality care to patients who have life–limiting
illnesses. Typically, the care is given during the patient’s final six months.
Hospice of St. Francis Inc. was the first such organization established in Brevard
County. In November 2007, HOSF marked its 30th year of serving terminally ill
patients and their loved ones throughout Brevard. What registered nurse Emily
Sasko started in 1977 has grown into a full–service nonprofit organization that
touches the lives of thousands of Brevard residents each year.
“Back then, Emily pulled the community together to get Hospice of St. Francis off
the ground,” said Terry Stone, who heads up community outreach for the Titusville–
based organization. “She was an RN at Parrish Medical Center. HOSF was totally a
volunteer–run organization until 1990, when it was licensed.” Sasko now lives in
Tennessee.
From its inception until 1988, the organization provided services through unpaid
volunteers. In 1988, Medicare and Medicaid certified HOSF for “provision of services
through both programs.” In 1990, HOSF transitioned to a paid professional staff
supported by a strong base of volunteers.
“Today, the interdisciplinary team includes home–health aides, social workers,
nurses and physicians. We have four full–time physicians who focus on patient care.
There is always someone available from hospice who supports the patients and their
families during one of life’s most challenging times,” said Stone, a University of
Louisville graduate who joined HOSF three years ago. Bruce Wolters is its executive
director.
Hospice and palliative care programs provide pain management, symptom
control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their families. They
also serve as important sources of information about care options.
Stone says HOSF volunteers are a key component of the organization and help
drive its success. “Volunteers make hospice work. For example, we can provide
someone to stand vigil at the patient’s bedside, if he or she requests it.”
She said the volunteers are trained in the various areas of caregiving. HOSF’s
Caregiving Education and Resource Program is designed to teach “caregivers how to
care for themselves as they care for others.” The program consists of six 90–minute
classes. The sessions, conducted at various dates throughout the year, are offered at
no cost to participants.
In 2006, more than 110 volunteers provided over 5,000 hours of service assisting
HOSF. Millie DeVee recently celebrated her 25th year of volunteer service to the
organization, Stone said. “Millie and all the dedicated volunteers are critical to our
mission.”
Over the years, DeVee has worked in many capacities, wherever her help is
needed, Stone said. She has provided respite care, made friendly visits to patients,
provided bereavement support, and helped with fund–raisers. Currently, DeVee
serves primarily as a vigil–care volunteer. She goes out to a hospital or a nursing
home on short notice to sit with patients in their final days, or even in their final
hours.
Hospice services are becoming a standard in the health–care continuum. In 2006,
1.3 million people — roughly one in three older Americans — received hospice care,
according to a study by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
That’s a 162 percent increase in 10 years. The trend for increased usage of hospice
services is expected to continue as millions of baby–boomers face end–of–life situations.
In general, hospice care is higher throughout the South and Southwest. States in
which services were used the most in 2006: Arizona (49 percent), Colorado (45
percent) and Florida (42 percent).
A study published in the September issue of the “Journal of Pain and Symptom
Management” examines which diseases are bringing people into hospice care.
Hospice use was the highest for people with cancer (65 percent), kidney disease (55
Terry Stone, a University of Louisville graduate, heads up community outreach for Hospice of St.
Francis. The nonprofit organization is having a big impact in Brevard County. Hospice of St. Francis
cares for terminally ill patients, typically during the final six months of their lives. The interdisciplinary
team includes home–health aides, social workers, nurses and physicians.
percent), and Alzheimer’s (41 percent).
“We service a lot of Alzheimer’s patients. However, our patient volume is not
limited to the elderly. We care for a lot of people with chronic diseases, such as
cancer,” said Stone, who worked in development for the Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation before her affiliation with HOSF.
Findings of a major new study of hospice care in America show that hospice
services save money for Medicare while providing quality care to patients and their
families. Researchers found that hospice reduced Medicare costs by an average of
$2,039 per patient. The study from Duke University appears in the October 2007
issue of the professional journal “Social Science & Medicine.”
The Medicare Hospice benefit, enacted by Congress 25 years ago, is the dominant
source of payment to hospice providers. “We are almost totally funded through
Medicare and Medicaid,” said Stone, a former president of the Space Coast Advertising Federation. “Still, a lot of people are not familiar with the services we provide in
the community. Many people think they cannot afford hospice care.”
In order to be eligible for this benefit, a beneficiary must be entitled to Medicare
Part A and be certified by their medical doctor and the hospice medical director, as
having a terminal condition with a prognosis of six months or less to live, if the illness
were to run its natural course. Currently, there are two initial 90–day benefit periods
followed by an unlimited number of 60–day periods (each period requires physician
recertification), according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
In addition to caring for the terminally ill and providing the Caregiver Education
and Resource Program, HOSF offers adult support groups, memorial services,
individual pastoral counseling, a Congregation Nurse Program, and grief support for
youngsters through the North Star Program.
JANUARY 7, 2008
BBN
BUSINESS
Florida Tech University Online targets next generation of leaders,
teams with Tampa–based University Alliance to launch multiple
degree offerings, including an MBA in Health Care Management
By Ken Datzman
The Florida Institute of Technology is greatly expanding its presence in online
learning, the fastest–growing segment in education today, far outpacing that of the
broader student population in America.
The online revolution is reshaping the delivery of education. Online enrollment has
increased at an average annual rate of 21.5 percent over the past five years, compared
with just 1.5 percent annual growth for the overall higher–education market, a new
report says.
“You’re seeing strong online growth in education because the programs are flexible
and accessible — anytime, anywhere. For example, if a company changes location, the
online program is portable. The student doesn’t have to drop the program because he’s
relocating,” said Dr. Robert Niebuhr, dean of the Florida Tech College of Business,
who has been involved with distance learning since the late 1980s. His school’s
ambitious new venture targets adult learners and working professionals.
Seeing a new market for potential long–term growth and the opportunity to raise
its brand awareness far and wide, the Melbourne–based institution has teamed with
industry giant University Alliance, headquartered in Tampa, to launch 16 nationally
recognized degree programs online, including an MBA in Health Care Management.
The health–care industry is typically one of the largest employers in communities
across the nation.
“The MBA in Health Care Management is a wonderful degree offering, especially
for professionals in Brevard who are looking to advance in their careers,” said Florida
Tech’s Dr. Deborah Carstens, the academic coordinator for the program and assistant
professor of management information systems in the College of Business. “But there
are no geographic boundaries for our target market, since the program is online. More
individuals are looking for convenience when pursuing their degrees, but they still
want the rigor. With cutting–edge technologies, we’re able to deliver a quality experience.”
The courses will be taught by Florida Tech faculty and include “dynamic features”
such as online–chat rooms, professor–led streaming video, message boards, e–mail
and downloadable MP3 lectures — all available 24/7, said Florida Tech’s Christopher
Durie, the online MBA program coordinator in the College of Business. “University
Alliance’s technology is tops,” said Durie, who recently visited the University Alliance
campus on the outskirts of Tampa. “And they handle all the marketing for our
programs. They do a really outstanding job with specific marketing campaigns
targeting various population segments.” He works closely with the online team at
University Alliance. Durie holds two Florida Tech degrees, including an MBA.
Florida Tech will offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees in a host of
career fields, as well as associate degrees in liberal arts and business administration.
“This is a very exciting venture and it’s a major undertaking for Florida Tech,” said
Dr. Niebuhr, who came to Florida Tech in the fall of 2007 from the College of Business
at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, where he was dean. “We’ve been
working day and night in preparation to kick it off in March of 2008 with the undergraduate component and then follow up in May with the MBA.”
He said Florida Tech estimates that it will attract between 200 and 300 undergraduate students online in the first semester of operation, and perhaps the same
number in the master’s program. When everything is operational, Florida Tech will
offer 11 new bachelor’s degrees online, four MBAs (with concentrations in Management; Marketing; Accounting and Finance; and Health Care Management), and an
MS in Information Technology.
Bachelor’s degrees will be available in these areas: Accounting, Criminal Justice,
Business Administration/Management, Business Administration/Marketing, Business Administration/Accounting, Business Administration/Computer Information
Systems, Business Administration/Health Care Management, Computer Information
Systems, and an HR Administration minor with any bachelor’s degree.
Dr. Niebuhr, who received his master’s degree in metallurgical engineering and his
Ph.D. in management and organizational behavior, both from Ohio State University,
said students must be 22 years or older to study for a Florida Tech bachelor’s degree
JANUARY 7, 2008
Florida Tech, partnering with University Alliance, is making an ambitious push into online education.
It is set to introduce a host of undergraduate and graduate degrees online. The Melbourne school
will begin rolling out the bachelor’s programs in March, with the MBA to follow in May. From left:
Dr. Robert Niebuhr, dean, College of Business; Dr. Deborah Carstens, assistant professor, College
of Business; and Christopher Durie, online MBA program coordinator, College of Business.
online. “This way, we’re not competing with our undergraduate programs on campus.”
University Alliance Online, with more than 300,000 enrollees, is America’s largest
exclusive provider of online certificate and degree programs from the nation’s leading
universities, including Villanova, Notre Dame, Tulane, San Francisco, and the
Thunderbird School of Global Management.
University Alliance’s parent company is Bisk Education Inc. Nathan Bisk, a
graduate of Franklin & Marshall College and the University of Florida College of
Law, founded Bisk Education in 1971. A CPA, he chairs the Bisk Education board.
Early on, Bisk provided distance education programs to CPAs and other working
adults. He said the affiliation with Florida Tech is a perfect fit with University
Alliance.
“We’re proud to offer a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate degree
programs from a nationally ranked university, widely recognized for its emphasis on
academics and research, specifically in the fields of business, engineering and technology,” Nathan Bisk said. “By working with Florida Tech, University Alliance continues
to ensure that adult learners have the opportunity to advance their careers with a
degree from an accredited, traditional university.”
Florida Tech currently offers extended education through its University College.
“The sites are typically close to NASA facilities,” Dr. Niebuhr said.
The increase in quality of available online programs coincides with the increase in
online class enrollments, as noted in The Sloan Consortium’s annual report, “Online
Nation: Five Years of Growth in Online Learning.” The report cites 3.5 million
student enrollments in 2006, with nearly 20 percent of higher–education students in
the U.S. enrolled in at least one online course. The consortium is the nation’s largest
association of institutions and organizations committed to quality online education.
BBN
DIGEST
Brevard Job Link Express
opening Jan. 8 in Titusville
When I grow up
I want to be…
Astronauts Hall of Fame
pick up BBN
12-31-07
page 12
FULL COLOR
2008
A S T R O N A U T
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American Heroes’ Insp
Join the Astronaut Autograph Club today and you will find the answers as some of America’s
greatest heroes tell behind-the-scene stories in their personal letter accompanying the 8" x 10"
autographed photo you will receive on a monthly basis (twelve in all!).
Discover their childhood heroes and what influenced such notable astronauts as Apollo 13 Lunar
Module pilot Fred Haise, and the first Space Shuttle pilot Robert Crippen, Moonwalkers
Edgar Mitchell and Charlie Duke to join the astronaut corp and reach for the stars!
Make a one time payment of $499 and save $100 off the subscription price or choose to pay
monthly for $49.95 a month!*
There are a limited number of memberships, so call today 321-455-7014
or go online for more information www.AstronautScholarship.org
All proceeds from the club go directly to support the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
*Monthly payments by credit card only. Rules apply. Note: Images displayed are for example only, actual signed photographs may differ.
Brevard Job Link Express, a self–contained career
center on wheels, will be showcased to the public at a
grand–opening event from 1 to 2 p.m. on Jan. 8 at the
Harry T. Moore Social Services Center, 725 S. DeLeon
Ave., in Titusville. Light refreshments will be served.
Brevard Job Link Express will allow Brevard Job
Link to bring services directly to job–seekers and
businesses when special issues arise. The unit can be
deployed to businesses experiencing a rapid–response
need such as a downsizing of their work force, and it
can also be secured by businesses as a tool to deliver
training using the bank of computers and other on–
board features. Job seekers can access the unit on the
days it is stationed at locations in the community.
Brevard Job Link Express services provided by the
Brevard Job Link staff are available at no cost to job–
seekers searching for employment and employers who
use the Express for their reduction in force transition
activities.
In addition, the Express is available for lease by
businesses that may have other work–force related
needs. A Web page at www.brevardjoblink.org, now
under construction, will include a calendar complete
with dates, times and locations where the Express will
be stationed. Currently, the unit makes weekly visits
to the Harry T. Moore Social Services Center in
Titusville and the Port St. John Community Center.
For more information about the Brevard Job Link
Express and other programs and services offered by
Brevard Job Link, call 504–7600 (toll free in Brevard),
or visit www.brevardjoblink.org.
Fifth Avenue Art Gallery reception Jan. 4
The Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, located at 1470
Highland Ave. in Melbourne, will host a reception
from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4, to kick off its
“Resolutions and New Beginnings” exhibition. The
event is free of charge and open to the public. The
exhibition showcases the works of its members in
various mediums that celebrate and commemorate the
coming of the new year. The show runs through Jan.
28. The gallery, artist–owned and operated, is in the
Eau Gallie section, across the street from the Brevard
Museum of Art. Call 259–8261 or visit
www.fifthavenueartgallery.com for more information.
Space Coast Pops to open season Jan. 5
The Space Coast Pops Orchestra will open its 2008
Subscription Series on Saturday, Jan. 5, with a concert
titled “Brevard’s Sounds of Music.” The program will
start at 2:30 p.m. at the Merritt Island Baptist
Church, SR 520 and Courtenay Parkway. Under the
direction of conductor Richard Hayman, the concert
will feature vocalist Elisabeth von Trapp, the granddaughter of Maria Von Trapp, about whom the “Sound
of Music” was written. She will be singing some of the
songs from the motion picture. The orchestra will be
playing such numbers as “My Fair Lady,” “Do I Hear
a Waltz,” and “It’s a Grand Night for Singing.” The
Subscription Series tickets for four concerts range
from $72 to $112. Single concert general admission
runs from $15 to $30. Tickets are $3 more at the
door the day of the performance. For information, call
632–7445.
JANUARY 7, 2008
BBN
DIGEST
Martin Luther King Day
is Jan. 9 at Florida Tech
Florida Tech will celebrate the life and achievements
of Martin Luther King Jr. on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 7
p.m. on the Melbourne campus. The commemoration,
hosted by Alumni Affairs and the Department of
Humanities and Communication, will take place in the
Denius Student Center’s John and Martha Hartley
Room on the second floor.
Gordon Patterson, professor of humanities and
university historian, will speak on the life and work of
the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Rev. Carol Williams Glanton will be honored at
the commemoration with the Julius Montgomery
Pioneer Award. She is pastor of the Triumph Church in
Melbourne.
Glanton is vice president of the South Brevard
chapter of the NAACP, chairman of Neighborhood
Watch, and president of the South Brevard Ministerial
Alliance. She also was the founding president of the
Martin Luther King Coalition, former president of a
local Habitat for Humanity and is a member of the
Democratic Women’s Club.
Cleave Frink of Melbourne still thinks of her as “the
lady with the bullhorn.” Frink remembers how, in the
early 70s, Glanton campaigned to stop drug dealing in a
Melbourne neighborhood by entreating the drug sellers
to “get out of town” and warning parents to not allow
their youths near a particular store. Under Glanton’s
leadership, recalled Frink, “We created confrontations
that lasted two years and finally closed down the store.
Today we have a beautiful library at that location.”
A graduate of Melbourne Vocational High School,
she earned an associate’s degree from Brevard Community College and a bachelor’s degree from the Southern
Baptist Theological Seminary.
Melbourne resident Julius Montgomery was one of
Florida Tech’s first African–American students. An
associate of Florida Tech’s founder, Dr. Jerry Keuper,
Montgomery was a technician and co–worker of
Keuper’s at RCA at Cape Canaveral in the late 1950s.
The public is welcome to attend this presentation of
short lectures, which will be followed by light refreshments. RSVP to Hazel Rosskamp at 674–7190.
Swingtime Jazz Band to perform
The Swingtime Jazz Band, a unit of the Melbourne
Municipal Band Association Inc., will present a concert
titled “The Cool Sounds of Jazz” at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 8, 9
and 10 in the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus
Blvd. Big bands of the 30s and 40s continue to appear in
concert around the country. The Swingtime Jazz Band
serves East Central Florida. Selections and featured
soloists will include music and special arrangements
from Tommy Dorsey, Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Harry
James and Les Brown. Vocal selections will be presented by Susan Jerome and Len Fallen. Admission is
free but tickets are required. Groups are most welcome.
For further information, call 635–2050.
Dorsey book–signing event Jan. 29
Barnes & Noble in West Melbourne will host a book–
signing function for fiction author Tim Dorsey at 7 p.m.
on Tuesday, Jan. 29. The store is at 1955 W. New
Haven Ave. Dorsey’s new book is titled “Atomic Lobster.” For more information, call 726–8817.
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BBN
DIGEST
West Shore’s Maldonado is recognized by Chamber
The Melbourne–Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce recently presented Carlos
Maldonado, a student at West Shore Junior/Senior High School, with the Young
Adult of the Month Award for December.
The presentation was made at the Chamber’s Dec. 6 Business Breakfast of
Champions hosted by Joel Boyd of Boyd & Marks, Attorneys & Counselors at Law.
His firm sponsors the Chamber’s Young Adult Awards.
Maldonado was nominated by his guidance counselor, Chuck Keener. His parents
are Carlos and Lydia Maldonado.
His school service includes: current president of the Student Government; School
Advisory Council; Spanish National Honor Society; National Junior Honor Society;
school newspaper; yearbook staff; Model Senate; and speech team. “Carlos did this all
while working 20 hours a week and still achieved a current weighted grade–point
average of 4.11,” said Deborah Ballard, the Chamber’s director of education and
work–force development.
A multifaceted athlete, Carlos has lettered in track and field and is serving this
year as the team captain. He is also on the powerlifting team. An accomplished disc
jockey, Carlos has his own DJ business, and served as the sound technician for the
school musical.
He attended the Global Youth Leadership Conference last year and the Naval
Academy Summer Seminar this past summer. Carlos also serves with the Boy Scouts
of America as an Eagle Scout and volunteers at the St. John’s Catholic Church.
The Chamber committee reviews applications from area high schools in order to
select a Young Adult of the Month. Each month, the selected student is honored with
a plaque at the Business Breakfast of Champions hosted by the Chamber.
waiting
Building Management Systems promotes Bartlett
Building Management Systems Inc. of Brevard has announced the promotion of
Jason Bartlett to vice president of project management. Bartlett is a University of
Florida building–construction graduate. With seven years of commercial–construction
experience, Bartlett has directed most of the design–build projects for BSM client
Space Coast Credit Union over the past three years. He’s currently spearheading the
construction of a new two–story Class “A” building. Bartlett, a Florida certified
general contractor, has held professional affiliations with Sigma Lamda Chi Honor
Society, Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors of
America, and UF’s Construction Management Marathon Team. Recently, Bartlett
has become a member of Melbourne Masonic Lodge 143 (F.A.&M). BMS has been in
business since 1981. The company does a variety of design–build and construction
projects, catering to the educational, industrial, manufacturing, medical, and multi–
family sectors of the industry.
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The Florida Institute of Technology Panhellenic Association recently held its 2008
officer elections. This association comprises Greek organizations that strive to initiate,
coordinate and oversee program activities of mutual interest to the National
Panhellenic Conference. Seven officers were chosen for the Panhellenic Association’s
2008 term. They are: President Jamie Huffman, Alpha Phi International Fraternity;
Executive Vice President Tracey Frett, Gamma Phi Beta International Sorority;
Financial Vice President Aubrey Heath, Alpha Phi International Fraternity; Corresponding Vice President Regina Fluellen, Gamma Phi Beta International Sorority;
Membership Vice President Amanda Mackintosh, Alpha Phi International Fraternity; Educational Vice President Amanda Coburn, Phi Sigma Sigma International
Sorority; and Social Programming Vice President Liz Snape, Gamma Phi Beta
International Sorority.
Brevard graduates public–safety telecommunicators
The Brevard County 911 Office has announced the graduation of 14 public–safety
telecommunicators from a certification class. The graduates are: Susan Foley, Indian
Harbour Beach Police Department; Wendy Luszczewski and Laurie Niffenegger,
Melbourne Police Department; Denine Jones, Valerie Moore, Diana Silver, Jancy
Jewby, Kristen Knauss and Alex Fortier, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office; Michelle
Perry and Erin Rodriguez, Cocoa Police Department; Andrew Johnson, Titusville
Police Department; and Taryn Tuohy–Gomez and Ashley Lockhart, Sebastian Police
Department. Graduates receive APCO certification, which indicates completion of a
public–safety telecommunicator course and examination that exceeds industry–
accepted national basic–training standards. The class is taught by Melbourne Police
Department Communications Supervisor Cary Sargent, who is an APCO–certified
instructor.
JANUARY 7, 2008
BBN
DIGEST
Florida Ag in the Classroom funds projects in Brevard
GAINESVILLE — Students around the state will learn how to use different
growing systems and the importance of Florida agriculture, food safety and soil
quality as part of the 25 teacher–grant projects in which they will participate, thanks
to the funding these projects will receive from Florida Agriculture in the Classroom
Inc. for the 2007–08 school year.
Teachers in elementary, middle and high schools will reach nearly 8,900 students
with their projects, including students in Brevard County.
“Florida agriculture plays a huge role in the state’s economy and history, and our
teacher grant projects allow us to give teachers the funding they need to teach their
students about this important industry,” said Cara Martin, chairman of Florida Ag in
the Classroom and assistant director of government and community affairs for
Florida Farm Bureau.
Florida Ag in the Classroom uses proceeds from the sale of agriculture specialty
license plates, or the Ag Tag, to pay for these grant projects, which totaled more than
$28,000 this school year.
The 2007–08 teacher–grant projects approved for funding in Brevard County are:
l “A ‘Kinder Garden’ in Kindergarten.”
Endeavor Elementary School will teach kindergarteners how plants grow and
where certain food items come from by expanding a schoolyard garden, and presenting Florida Ag in the Classroom lessons and activities.
l “The Outdoor Learning Classroom.”
Roosevelt Elementary School will teach students in kindergarten through sixth
grade about Florida vegetable and horticulture production by planting a raised–bed
garden and presenting Florida Ag in the Classroom lessons.
Flexible programs designed
for the working professional
Reach your full academic and
professional potential at Florida Tech.
Our high-tech, high-energy environment allows graduate students close
interaction with our faculty on exciting and innovative research projects in
the sciences, engineering, psychology, aeronautics and business.
Florida Tech
new ad emailed
Listed below are a few of the graduate degree programs offered by Florida Tech.
Online master’s degrees and certificates are offered through the
University College Extended Studies Division.
College of Aeronautics
• Airport Development
and Management
• Applied Aviation Safety
• Aviation Human Factors
• Human Factors—Aeronautics (online only)
Space Club of Florida selects Capt. Schlagheck
The National Space Club of Florida recently named Capt. Christopher
Schlagheck as the 2007 Florida National Defense Space Award winner. He will be
recognized at the NSC luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 8 at the Oceanfront
DoubleTree Hotel in Cocoa Beach. Capt. Schlagheck led the $2.5 billion Delta II
launch–processing team through “five highly successful 2007 launches from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station.” He excelled at “finding and resolving numerous
mission–critical issues that could have caused a costly mission failure.” NSC
Chairman Roy Tharpe said his organization is “proud to recognize Capt. Schlagheck
for his outstanding leadership and major contributions to our national defense and
NASA’s space–exploration mission.” Tharpe and Brig. Gen. Susan Helms, of the
45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, will present the award to Capt.
Schlagheck at the luncheon. Call LaDonna Neterer at 867–0895 to make a reservation for the event, or e–mail LaDonna.J.Neterer@boeing.com.
College of Business
• Business Administration
(M.B.A.) with tracks in
accounting, management
information systems and
entrepreneurship
• Executive Master of
Business Administration
College of Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Coastal Zone Management
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Management
• Environmental
Resource Management
• Environmental Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Meteorology
Herrle to address FPRA Jan. 24 in Viera
The Space Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association will host a
professional–development program at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 24 at the Duran Golf Club in
Viera. The address is 6800 Legacy Blvd. “Porta Potties and Banana Peels” will be led
by guest speaker April Herrle of the Herrle Communications Group. A veteran
public– relations practitioner, Herrle will share her insight on working with politicians, nonprofits and corporate clients. She serves clients in Florida, Georgia and
Washington, D.C. Herrle has also worked in key state agencies such as the former
Florida Department of Commerce, the Department of Environmental Protection, and
later as communications director to Gov. Lawton Chiles. The cost is $20 for FPRA
members, $25 for nonmembers and $15 for students. Bring a friend and be eligible to
win a $25 Starbucks card. RSVP by Jan. 21 to Amelia Woodbridge at 837–1000.
JANUARY 7, 2008
• Marine Biology
• Mathematics Education
• Operations Research
• Physics
• Science Education
• Space Sciences
• Teaching
College of Psychology
and Liberal Arts
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Applied Behavior Analysis
and Organizational
Behavior Management
• Clinical Psychology
• I/O Psychology
• Organizational
Behavior Management
• Technical and Professional
Communication
University College
• Acquisition and Contract
Management*
• Computer Information
Systems*
• eBusiness*
• Human Resources
Management*
• Information Systems*
• Information Technology*
• Logistics Management*
• Management*
• Materiel Acquisition
Management*
• Professional Master of
Business Administration*
• Project Management*
• Public Administration*
• Space Systems
•Space Systems Management
• Systems Management*
College of Science
• Applied Mathematics
• Biological Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Cell/Molecular Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Education
• Ecology
• Elementary Science
Education
• Environmental Education
• Informal Science
Education
*Online master’s degree or certificate program
Call now to register
Classes begin January 7, 2008
Chamber recognizes BCC Palm Bay
Registration currently in progress
Florida Institute of Technology
Office of Graduate Admissions
150 W. University Blvd. • Melbourne, FL
AD-725-1207
The Greater Palm Bay Chamber has chosen the Brevard Community College
campus in Palm Bay as its Business of the Month for December. Dr. Joe Lee Smith,
the provost of BCC Palm Bay, received the award from Barry White, the Chamber’s
chairman, at a membership luncheon. Each month, the Chamber’s board and the
membership committee honor businesses that “give back to their community and to
the Chamber.” The BCC Palm Bay campus has been a Chamber member since 1997
and supports the “Chamber in its efforts to improve community awareness and
visibility.” BCC Palm Bay hosts the Big Squeeze Juice Festival, among participation
in other community events. “It is a blessing to have Brevard Community College
Palm Bay as part of our Chamber family and as a wonderful community supporter,”
said Kathleen Bishop, president and CEO of the Palm Bay Chamber. “And we feel
pleased and honored that Dr. Joe Lee Smith is part of our board of directors and
joined us at the 4–Board–Retreat in September 2007.”
• Ocean Engineering
• Oceanography
• Software Engineering
• Systems Engineering
Main Campus (321) 674-8027
grad-admissions@fit.edu
www.fit.edu/grad
Off-Campus Location:
K.S.C. (321) 504-4142
BBN
DIGEST
IEEE’s Melbourne Section earns award
Community Educators Credit Union
encourages you to join us in the fight to
help cure Juvenile Diabetes!
Dear Brevard County Business Community:
Community Educators Credit Union is encouraging local businesses to form
teams for the 2008 Walk to Cure Diabetes being held on March 15th at Lori Wilson
Park in Cocoa Beach. The teams solicit pledges from friends for walking, and
corporate matching donations are encouraged. In Brevard, 2,300 walkers raised
more than $303,000 and with your help this year we can exceed that total.
As the corporate recruitment chairman for the Brevard walk, my company is sponsoring a team and is making a corporate pledge of $5,000 toward finding a cure.
Diabetes is a debilitating disease and is often diagnosed in childhood. It strikes
suddenly, lasts a lifetime, and carries the constant threat of deadly complications.
Living with the disease is a challenge, with daily finger sticks, insulin shots, and
sometimes extreme life threatening reactions when the levels are exceeded.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) was founded in 1970 by
parents of children with Type I Diabetes, and it has funded more than $1 billion in
research. The organization received an “A” rating for efficiency from the American
Institute of Philanthropy, so you can rest assure that your corporate donation will
be used wisely and effectively to find a cure.
waiting
Thank you for taking time to champion this request with your employees. The staff
at JDRF and at Community Educators Credit Union are available to discuss the
logistics of the campaign if you have any questions about the walk or a corporate
donation. For more information, please call me at 321-690-2328, the local JDRF
office at 1-888-533-9255 or email kpresley@jdrf.org. You may also go to the
JDRF website at www.jdrf.org/centralflorida and download forms to participate.
Sincerely,
David O. Brock, President/CEO
Community Educators Credit Union
Corporate Recruitment Chairman
2008 Brevard Walk to Cure Diabetes
www.cecu.org
www.cag-architects.com
The Melbourne Section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has
captured one of the organization’s top honors. Melbourne is the recipient of the IEEE
Outstanding Large Section of 2006 Award, sponsored by the IEEE Regional Activities
Board. The Melbourne Section was honored twice, first at the regional level and now
at the national level. Earlier this year, the Melbourne Section received the IEEE
Region 3 Exemplary Section Award for 2006.
John Blakey, the 2007 chair of the IEEE Melbourne Section, received the award on
Dec 3. The Outstanding Large Section Award was presented to the Melbourne for its
“successful efforts in fulfilling IEEE’s educational and scientific goals for the benefit of
the public by maintaining, enhancing, and supporting the Student Branches Technical Chapters and Affinity Groups within their geographic boundaries (South Brevard
County).”
The 2006 IEEE Melbourne Section, chaired by Peter Brackett, conducted numerous activities including talks by technical speakers, meetings of special–interest
technical chapters and affinity groups, networking opportunities, service projects, and
social events. The Melbourne Section supports the Brevard County science fairs by
providing judges and awarding prizes for the best projects in electrical engineering
and computer engineering.
In 2006, the Melbourne Section added two new affinity groups: Life Membership
and Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD). The Life Membership Affinity Group was
established “so the expertise and talent of the most experienced members remain
available to IEEE even after retirement,” said Brackett. The GOLD Affinity group
was founded to foster camaraderie and provide professional–development opportunities for younger engineers within the IEEE.
The Melbourne Section also provides support to the Florida Institute of Technology
IEEE Student Chapter. More information on the IEEE Melbourne Section can be
found at www.ieeemelbourne.org.
Region 3, the grantor of the Exemplary Section Award, encompasses 26,000
members in the southeastern Unites States and Jamaica.
Patients
Continued from page 1
hosted online patient communities, as have health–information sites like WebMD.
But this Web 2.0 generation of social networking and specialized search engines offers
patients tools — user–generated video, blogs, online collaborations called wikis —
familiar to users of Facebook and podcasting crowds.
Dubbed the YouTube of health care, ICYou.com allows patients to share their
stories through online video clips. The site, which is expected to formally launch early
this year, already has about 1,500 posted videos.
While not everyone may want to discuss intimate health problems in an online
video, a surprising number of people want to share their experience, said Shawn
Jenkins, chief executive of Benefitfocus, a South Carolina health–software company
that owns and operates ICYou.com.
Cathy Leaf, a 40–year–old mother of three from Los Angeles, is active in several
community groups available through DailyStrength, a Los Angeles company that
launched in April. Leaf, whose mother died nearly two years ago from Alzheimer’s
disease, found the site’s Alzheimer’s board, but then became active in bereavement
and parenting groups. “You join a lot of these support groups because it’s nice to know
that you’re not the only one this is happening with,” said Leaf, who uses the screen
name “cath.” “With three kids, I don’t have time to run around to all these different
support groups. I like to be able to tap into that resource when I need it, and it doesn’t
have to be scheduled.”
Other Web sites, such as PatientsLikeMe, offer people battling devastating
diseases the ability to discuss and track in great detail the treatment options other
patients in their disease group are trying. The Cambridge, Mass., company was
started by the brothers of a young man diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,
a fatal neurodegenerative condition known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is currently
active for patients with ALS, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, but is soon
expected to include HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
“It’s real–time, real–world information about what patients are taking and how
they are doing on those drugs,” said Ben Heywood, chief executive of PatientsLikeMe.
Heywood’s brother, Stephen, died of ALS in November at age 37.
Heywood said PatientsLikeMe, which recently received $5 million in angel and
private equity money, is working on a sustainable financial model. But the future of
many of these new social networking companies in the field is unclear.
JANUARY 7, 2008
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JANUARY 7, 2008
BBN
SPECIAL FOCUS
Brombacher Insurance
Continued from page 1
health–care industry for two decades, on the hospital
side of the business as well as the insurance side,
before starting his agency. “I saw how the health–care
machine works. It was a fascinating experience; a great
education in health care.” Brombacher earned a
bachelor’s degree in health–services administration and
a master’s in health science, both from the University of
Central Florida.
He designs benefit plans for businesses of all sizes in
Brevard. The majority of American workers and their
families who have health insurance currently obtain it
through their jobs. Brombacher likes to describe his
upstart insurance agency in a customer–friendly way.
“I think of myself as providing a concierge service in
health services.”
He adds, “I act as an advocate for my clients and look
out for their best interest. Each month it seems like the
health–care market in Brevard County changes because
of the insurance carriers entering and exiting the
region. I make sure my clients are educated and they
understand how the changes impact them.”
He opened Brombacher Insurance LLC in May.
Brombacher was a senior account executive with Health
First Health Plans, where he also worked in operations,
and in sales and marketing over the years. He joined
Health First Health Plans 10 years ago when it was a
new business. Brombacher was the eighth employee
hired at the organization. “The only people we insured
at the time were Health First employees,” he said. “Just
look at the growth. Health First is now the largest
insurance carrier in the county. About 150 people work
there today. It’s quite a success story. I am proud of my
years there. The organization is committed to providing
quality health care.”
Brombacher also spent 10 years with Cape
Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, which became part
of Health First Inc. in 1995 when it merged with
Holmes Regional Medical Center and Palm Bay
Community Hospital to form the integrated health–care
system.
He started at the Cocoa Beach hospital as an orderly
and rose through the ranks. His positions included
managed–care representative and patient–account
representative. “I worked at Cape Canaveral Hospital
under the leadership of Larry Garrison (who was the
hospital president and today is executive vice president
and chief operating officer of Heath First Inc.). He’s been
a mentor to me throughout my health–care career.
What an incredible human being to work for.”
With 20 years of health–care experience behind him,
Brombacher saw an opportunity to create and build his
own brand in the local market. “I had worked in the
community for a long time selling health–care benefits
and really enjoyed it. Now, I’m doing it with my own
agency, which is exciting to me. I know the market. I
pride myself on service. I’m a hands–on person throughout the entire process with the customer. If a business
brings on new hires, I work with each one to make sure
they understand their benefits. At renewal time, I will
shop the market to ensure they are getting the best
price.”
Brombacher Insurance is at 1980 N. Atlantic
Avenue. His agency represents a full menu of carriers.
They include Health First, Blue Cross, United
Healthcare, Cigna and Aetna.
“There are a lot of ways for employers to save money
on their coverage. For example, there’s a rebate program offered for small group employers. They actually
get a rebate of their annual health premiums based on
care assessments. It’s a great opportunity to give back
to employers, especially with the rising cost of health
care these days. You have to be creative to save people
money, and I have been pretty creative in putting
together packages based on the specific needs of the
employer. I can go out to 10 employers and each
employer will have a different need, based on their size,
their industry and so on.”
Brombacher says business has been “wonderful.” His
agency has closed deals with about two–dozen companies in the region to date. The companies range from
small to large businesses. In his field, a large group is
defined as more than 51 employees.
He says he is seeing a shift in the industry to
consumer–driven health care. “The cost is definitely
shifting to employees and their families. I think insurance companies right now are trying to provide plans
that have greater cost share to keep costs down. But
overall you are not seeing insurance prices come down.
You’re seeing them go up.”
Overall, an estimated 3.8 million workers are
enrolled in consumer–driven plans, about equally
divided between high–deductible plans that qualify for a
Health Savings Account and plans with a Health
Reimbursement Arrangement, says the Kaiser Foundation report. These plans feature a high deductible and a
tax–preferred savings option, from which employees can
pay for their out–of–pocket medical expenses.
Such plans are often described as consumer–driven
because people pay directly for a greater share of their
health care and may have an incentive to minimize the
cost.
Other findings of the Kaiser report: Many employers
indicate that they expect to make significant changes to
their health plans and benefits in 2008. Overall, 21
percent of firms say they are “very likely” to raise
workers’ premium contributions in 2008. Some firms
also said they are “very likely” to increase office visit
cost–sharing (13 percent), boost deductibles (12 percent)
and increase prescription cost–sharing (11 percent).
Health–care reform for small businesses is a “crisis
issue,” says the National Federation of Independent
Business, the Washington, D.C.–based small–business
advocacy group. Just 43 percent of the members of the
NFIB can afford to provide health insurance. And,
overwhelmingly, small businesses feel this crunch as
they try to compete and hire talented workers.
One of the hottest issues in Florida is affordable
health insurance for small businesses, Brombacher
said. It has been cited that insurance premiums for
small groups or single coverage have increased by more
than 80 percent since 2000, a jaw–dropping statistic.
“The rules and laws are different by group size. That’s
why you have to be creative.”
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Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Police Athletic League
(321) 725-6320
141 E. Hibiscus Blvd,
Melbourne, Florida 32901
JANUARY 7, 2008
225-3008
“Filling Playgrounds…..not Prisons”
LEED THE WAY
®
AND OTHERS
WILL FOLLOW
We could
have built
just an office
building, but we
believe in healing
our patients and our
environment.
When you lead the way,
others will follow by example.
That is why we are proud to receive the
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For more information, visit www.psjhealthcenter.com
or call 321-636-9393.
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Brombacher Insurance - Brevard Business News

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