May 03, 2010 - Brevard Business News

Transcription

BBN
Vol. 28 No. 18
Brevard
Business
May 3, 2010
News
A Weekly Space Coast Business Magazine
Symetrics expands with
purchase of new facility
at Nasa Palms Center
By Ken Datzman
Symetrics Industries Inc. continues to
grow and add employees to its ranks in the
face of a tumultuous business environment
that for the past 24 months has forced
many companies into a defensive, cost–
cutting mode.
The private Melbourne business, led by
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mitchell Garner, a University of Central
Florida chemistry graduate, has grown its
work force from around 150 employees last
year to 170 in 2010.
Technology businesses across the nation
seem to be leading the recovery, as many of
them are hiring people again to keep up
with new demand.
First–quarter bookings this year at
Symetrics — a company that specializes in
the design, manufacture, and testing of
electronic systems for the U.S. Department
of Defense, NASA, and prime contactors —
have surged.
The company’s business is concentrated
in three core segments: data links, aircraft
self–protection systems, and electronic–
manufacturing services.
“We’ve had an incredible three months
of booking business, which is something
that I am very focused on,” said Garner,
whose company is expanding to a location
near its 42,000–square–foot corporate
headquarters on West Nasa Boulevard.
“In just the first three months, we’re
nearly half way to our bookings’ goal for the
year. We’ve had a great year so far, and
we’re hoping to keep the momentum
going.”
The uplifting news is on top of a U.S.
Army contract Symetrics won in fall of
2009, which has the potential to mature
into a $50 million deal. Presently, the
current contract is worth roughly $20
million in business.
“It was a huge win for us,” he said,
adding that the award has increased the
company’s need for space for Symetrics’
growing team of engineers.
Garner did not have to look far for
expansion space for his company which
was a public entity more than a decade ago
before going private.
Please see Symetrics Industries, page 19
BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth
Mitchell Garner, right, president and CEO of Symetrics Industries Inc., a high–tech business in Melbourne,
is expanding from its corporate campus to nearby Nasa Palms Professional Center, an office–
condominium park developed by John Newton. Symetrics purchased a 6,000–square–foot building at
Nasa Palms that will house 15 to 20 engineers. When fully developed, Nasa Palms will feature seven
buildings totaling 42,000 square feet, said Newton, president of Newton Commercial Group.
Tale of the sale of a town on eBay — Florida couple proud owners
WAUCONDA, Wash. — This town has
a gas pump, a restaurant, a small store, a
four–bedroom house and its own ZIP code,
98859.
And in a few weeks — after being listed
for sale on eBay — it’ll have new owners.
It’s a story of the travails of selling property
on the site, the winning bidder backing out
and finally a couple stepping up who had
previously fallen in love with the town.
It takes an unusual person to try to flip
a town on an auction Web site. It takes
unusual people, too, to buy this isolated
place that’s surrounded by cattle ranches,
vast stretches of evergreens, grazing land
and the occasional sagebrush rolling along
Highway 20.
On this highway, Wauconda is a pit stop
at elevation 3,600 feet, a windy 25 miles
east of Tonasket, and 12 miles west of
Republic, the nearest towns with actual
city streets.
But sell it did on April 12.
Daphne Fletcher, 42 — who once was
homeless — sold the place for $360,000.
She bought the 4–acre property in 2007 for
$180,810.
Maddie and Neal Love, respectively 48
and 50, of Bothell, Fla., put down 5 percent
earnest money. The Loves are both
unemployed and are selling their home and
all their possessions to buy the town and
move there. The deal is expected to close in
six weeks.
It’s not like Fletcher will walk away
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Scripps Howard Service
with a huge profit. After all the improvements to the property, paid for in part by a
loan from her mom, Fletcher figures she’ll
walk away with about $40,000 for all those
hours of labor.
Please see 98859, page 16
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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 2
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MAY 3, 2010
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DIGEST
Eau Gallie Arts District to host
event as part of Chamber Expo
The Eau Gallie Arts District will hold its monthly First
Friday Art Walk event from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on May 7.
Art studios, galleries, shops, boutiques and restaurants in
the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne will remain open
late for a free art walk featuring exhibition openings in art
galleries, artisans in Eau Gallie Square, refreshments, and
live music.
Art galleries and studios in the Eau Gallie Arts District
will feature a host of events and exhibitions, including an
opening reception for artist Cindy McKee and her “Just
Another Day in Paradise” exhibition.
Fifth Avenue Art Gallery will feature pastel paintings
by award–winning artist Tom Parker. Art Expressions will
feature the original landscape photography of Marisa
Cartier, an emerging artist from Holy Trinity Episcopal
Academy. At Indian River Potter’s Guild, May 7 is opening
night for its “Cinco de Mug–O” Celebration.
In conjunction with First Friday Art Walk, the Better
Business Council of the Melbourne Regional Chamber will
present its first “Life & Style Expo” from noon to 8 p.m. at
the Eau Gallie Civic Center.
The event will feature area businesses and community
organizations displaying information about their products
and services. Life & Style Expo will include demonstrations, entertainment, health screenings, a chef competition
and food court. The free event is presented by Melbourne
Regional Chamber, Better Business Council, Brevard Art
Museum, Eau Gallie Arts District and We Help Brevard.
First Friday Art Walk is also free and open to the public
from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. It will feature The Brevard Symphony Orchestra’s String Trio in the Eau Gallie Square
band “shell” from 6 to 8 p.m. In addition, John Quinlivan
and Paul Santa will perform at Jazz Friday held in the
Brevard Art Museum. Patrons can view the museum’s
current exhibition while experiencing a live jazz concert
from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jazz Friday is free for museum
members and $10 for guests.
The Eau Gallie area of Melbourne was recently
designated as the Arts District for the city of Melbourne.
The district includes the Brevard Art Museum, Historic
Rossetter House Museum, Eau Gallie Riverfront Library,
Eau Gallie Civic Center, two public parks, a bandstand
and fishing pier.
Row promoted to BRPH deputy director
Bill Row, who holds the Professional Engineer designation, has been promoted to deputy director of operations for
Melbourne–based BRPH. A civil engineer, Row has been
with the company for nearly 15 years and has served in
several key positions. Most recently, he was the firm’s
senior project manager. As Row transitions to his new role,
“he will be tasked with employing proper manpower levels
on projects and defining appropriate resource projections
and allocations.” Another responsibility of the position is
“ensuring team members have the necessary training and
tools to complete projects in a timely and efficient manner.”
Row recently passed testing for his certified general
contractor license. He will be based out of BRPH’s corporate headquarters in Melbourne, but will also oversee
operations across the company’s regional offices in Florida.
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EDITORIAL
Astronomers banding together, Tech is lead member university
Remote access to a telescope in the Andes Mountains
of Chile gives a select group of astronomers and their
students, including those at Florida Institute of Technology, newly acquired peeks into the wonders of the
Southern Hemisphere’s nighttime sky.
Researchers at 10 higher education institutions in six
states, including Florida Tech, recently began pointing
and focusing a 24–inch telescope in Chile without having
to leave their respective campuses. Access to the telescope
comes by virtue of the institution’s membership in the
Southeastern Association for Research and Astronomy.
The consortium has operated a one–meter telescope at
Kitt Peak, Ariz., since 1993. The new addition offers
members access to the entire sky, including many of the
most interesting celestial objects, which are never seen
from North America.
The telescope in Chile was formerly operated by Lowell
Observatory in Arizona and was closed by Cerro Tololo in
1996. SARA invested about $250,000 in upgrades to make
the telescope remotely accessible over the Internet.
“We’ve gained regular access to the section of the sky
BBN
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West Melbourne, FL 32904
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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,
agribusiness, finance, health care, high technology,
education and commerce.
Letters to the Editor must include the writer’s signature
and printed or typed name, full address and telephone
number. Brevard Business News reserves the right to edit
all letters. Send your letters to: Editor, Brevard Business
News, 4300 Fortune Place, Suite D, West Melbourne, FL,
32904, or email BrevardBusinessNews@earthlink.net.
Subscription Rates for home or office mail delivery are
$26.00 for one year (52 issues). Send all address
changes to: Circulation Department, Brevard Business
News, 4300 Fortune Place, Suite D, West Melbourne, FL,
32904, or email BrevardBusinessNews@earthlink.net.
that never rises in North America,” said Terry Oswalt,
head of the Florida Tech Department of Physics and
Space Sciences, and chairman of the SARA board of
directors.
“Consistent access to this telescope at Cerro Tololo
Inter–American Observatory provides us and our
students with teaching and research possibilities not
previously possible,” he said.
In order of membership, SARA consortium members
include Florida Tech, East Tennessee State University,
Valdosta State University, Florida International University, Clemson University, Ball State University, Agnes
Scott College, the University of Alabama, Valparaiso
University and Butler University.
The group formed in 1992 with Florida Tech, East
Tennessee State University, the University of Georgia
(which left the group in 2006) and Valdosta University.
Astronomers from each institution gain access to the
telescope through a secure Internet connection, and each
institution’s researchers will control the equipment for
approximately three nights each month.
For roughly the cost of a few nights of viewing on a
very powerful telescope, SARA collaborators instead get
about 30 days of time a year. All those extra nights of
viewing and the addition of a telescope in the Southern
Hemisphere open a host of new opportunities to pursue
longer–term and more risky projects.
The consortium operates both telescopes under an
agreement with the National Optical Astronomy Observatories, which is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF, through a grant to East Tennessee
State University, recently approved matching instrumentation upgrades and enhancements for the cameras to be
used on both telescopes.
“The 30 astronomy researchers and 10 institutions
that make up SARA form a virtual astronomy department
that is as large as many major astronomy departments in
the United States,” said Oswalt. Florida Tech is the
administrative institution for the 10–school SARA
consortium.
The National Optical Astronomy Observatories
maintains Kitt Peak National Observatory, home to the
world’s largest collection of telescopes, and the Cerro
Tololo Inter–American Observatory.
BCC receives national honor for community–service efforts
Brevard Community College’s Service Learning
Program was among community colleges that recently
received national recognition on The President’s Higher
Education Community Service Honor Roll for General
Community Service.
BCC’s Service–Learning Program had record enrollment during the 2008–2009 year, with more than 4,200
students involved. Students served 165,000 hours in 325
community partner organizations throughout Brevard
County.
Evelyn Young, regional coordinator for service learning
programs, said BCC is “deeply rooted in the community
and service, which is very much a part of its mission. This
national recognition would not be possible without the
tireless dedication of the staff, students, faculty, and
community partners.”
Dr. Phil Simpson, associate provost, BCC Palm Bay
campus, added, “We are honored to have such a prestigious and award–winning service learning organization at
Brevard Community College.”
According to the Corporation for National and Community Service Web site, “This recognition is indicative of the
College’s commitment to its students and the community.
Brevard Community College service–learning students
and faculty members are responsible for this and other
accolades that the service–learning program has received
since its inception in 1988.”
The program recognizes more than 700 colleges and
universities for “exemplary, innovative, and effective
community–service programs.”
The Community Service Honor Roll, a new recognition
program that works in concert with former President
George Bush’s mandate for public service, is designed to
increase public awareness of the contributions that college
students are making within their local communities and
across the country through volunteer service.
It also identifies and promotes community–service
model programs and practices in higher education,
according to a statement from the Corporation for
National and Community Service.
Habitat for Humanity launches its 2010 Women Build Project
Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County Inc. is hosting a kick–off event for the fourth Women Build Project on
Saturday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lowe’s, 3790 Fiske Blvd., in Rockledge. Lowe’s is a national partner in the
Habitat for Humanity Women Build program. “I’m looking forward to working again with the Habitat for Humanity
Women’s Build program. I think it’s a very worthy cause. Those who volunteer will find it very rewarding,” said Sharon
Clark, the Rockledge Lowe’s store manager. The kick–off party will feature music, food vendors and the opportunity to
meet some of the project’s “distinguished guests.” “This event will introduce the 2010 Women Build Project to the
community,” said Teresa Kline, the project chairwoman. “We will be building the house with the White family. October
is the targeted start time for the build. More than 160 women have already volunteered.” Representatives from the
Women Build Steering Committee will be on hand to answer questions, sign up volunteers, and accept donations. A
group of women in Charlotte, N.C., planted the first seeds for the project. They completed the first women–built Habitat
for Humanity house in 1991. Each year tens of thousands of women participate in builds, training, fund–raising and
advocacy groups throughout the U.S., building more than 1,500 houses in partnership with low–income families in
need. More information about volunteering, corporate sponsorship and donations are available at
www.brevardhabitat.com.
MAY 3, 2010
BBN
DIGEST
Bright House Networks to roll out
Road Runner Lightning technology
MAITLAND — Bright House Networks customers will
soon have the opportunity to be among the first consumers
in the nation to experience a next–generation cable–
modem technology known as wideband. Starting in May,
Bright House Networks is launching the new service under
the product name Road Runner Lightning.
Road Runner Lightning’s faster speeds and robust
bandwidth are the perfect answer for the growing number
of homes with multiple users who access online content
simultaneously, said Chris Fenger, president of Bright
House Networks’ Central Florida division. The service is
offered at “lightning–fast” maximum download speeds of
up to 40 Mbps downstream and upload speeds of up to 4
Mbps with an 802.11n–based home gateway.
Road Runner Lightning includes a new cable modem
designed to take advantage of greater bandwidth and is
“only $30 more per month than Road Runner Standard
service.” The service will also be available to many current
Road Runner high–speed Internet customers for as low as
$15 more per month, he said.
Road Runner Lightning will be rolled out starting early
this summer and will become available in different Bright
House Networks service areas at different times over the
summer. Customers may register for Road Runner
Lightning service at www.brighthouse.com/rrlightning.
Road Runner Lightning expands Bright House
Networks’ current high– speed Internet offerings by
further optimizing the service for customers who are
“always on” through a new technology called wideband.
Wideband technology delivers additional bandwidth
and increased downstream speeds. The technology will
enable Road Runner Lightning to provide a better
experience for multi–tasking individual users and
households with multiple users, Fenger said.
Road Runner Lightning enriches the online media
experience by offering customers the ability to:
l Download speeds up to 40 Mbps.
l Download online movies in minutes.
l Connect with music files in seconds.
l Move to the next level of online gaming, instantly.
l Open multiple sites and support multiple users
simultaneously.
l Accelerate data delivery and file transfers.
l Feel secure with enhanced online security.
l Obtain free access to Road Runner Radio, Road
Runner Video Channel, and free access to Bright House
Networks’ Wireless Hot Spots.
l Access 24–hour local J.D. Power Award–winning
customer support.
“Road Runner Lightning is a great addition to our
current high–speed Internet service and in so many ways
enhances the overall customer experience through next–
generation wideband technology which is ideal for
customers’ convenience and access to a variety of online
content,” said Fenger. “Road Runner Lightning, which
offers the highest Internet speeds in Central Florida, is yet
another way Bright House Networks is providing the
newest technology to enhance our customers’ overall
multimedia experience,” he added.
For more information about these products and
services, visit www.brighthouse.com.
MAY 3, 2010
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MAY 3, 2010
BBN
DIGEST
Sen. George LeMieux to headline
Florida Tech commencement May 7
U.S. Sen. George LeMieux of Florida will address
Florida Institute of Technology graduates at the school’s
May 7 fall commencement set for the Charles and Ruth
Clemente Center on the Melbourne campus.
The program gets under way at 10 a.m. LeMieux was
sworn into the U.S. Senate on Sept. 10, 2009, completing
the remainder of Senator Mel Martinez’s unexpired term.
A native Floridian, LeMieux led the Executive Office of
Gov. Charlie Crist as Crist’s chief of staff in 2007. In early
2008, LeMieux rejoined the law firm of Gunster, Yoakley.
In March of that year, he was selected to lead the firm as
chairman. He and his wife Meike have four children: Max,
Taylor, Chase and Madeleine.
Lemieux, who grew up in Broward County, graduated
magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Emory
University with a degree in political science. He received
his law–school education at Georgetown University, where
he graduated with honors.
At the ceremony, five bachelor’s degree graduates, all
coincidentally from Florida, will receive the Faculty
Honors Award for maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade–point
average. They are Amanda Anderson, a forensic psychology major from Palm Bay; Joshua Black, an aeronautical
science major with flight option from Venice; Cara Bortz, a
psychology major from Merritt Island; Mikaela Devaux, a
biological sciences major from West Melbourne; and
Nicholas Milano, a chemical engineering major from
Panama City.
This May, about 830 students will be eligible to walk
across the stage to receive their Florida Tech associate’s,
bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
These include students earning degrees through the
Melbourne campus in May; students who completed
degree requirements this spring through the university’s
Extended Studies Division; and students earning degrees
through online programs. Among them are 21 students
who are the first to graduate from Florida Tech’s University Alliance online M.B.A. program.
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Parrish to host Spirit of Philanthropy
Jess Parrish Medical Foundation will host the annual
Spirit of Philanthropy Awards from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, at the Parrish Medical Center Atrium, in
Titusville. Donna Skattum, managing editor of “Space
Coast Living,” will serve as the master of ceremony. The
event will celebrate the talent and dedication of women
who devote themselves to making communities healthier,
safer and more inspirational places to live. JPMF received
30 nominations in these award categories: “Rising Star for
Outstanding Young Female Philanthropist,” ages 14–20;
“Community Hero for Outstanding Woman of Philanthropy,” at least 21 years of age; “Spirit of Philanthropy for
a Lifetime Achievement Award,” for a woman 55 and
older; and “Healthcare Hero,” for a female clinical professional. The top three finalists in each category will be
treated to a beauty session provided by one of the following
salons: About An Inch, Aja Salon & Day Spa, Alicia’s Hair
and Nail Salon, Brent Allan Salon & Day Spa, and
Jeannette Adrian Salon. Award winners will be submitted
as nominees to the National Spirit of Women competition.
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Surfside Players accepting
applications for workshops
Surfside Youth Players in Cocoa Beach is accepting
applications for its Summer Workshops.
Here is the schedule:
l “Drama for the Stage” is for students entering grades
2 through 6. The program will focus on acting, characterization, singing, dancing, and putting on a production that
will be presented at the end of the workshop. The workshop dates are July 6 through July 23, Monday through
Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon. Shows are set for July 23 and
24. The workshop fee is $250 per student (includes a T–
shirt, supplies, and a DVD of the final production). The
workshop will be directed by Bryan Bergeron.
l Film Acting and Production” is designed for students
entering grades 2 through 6. The youngsters will create,
produce and star in a movie and commercials. The final
event includes a Hollywood–style Red Carpet Film
Premier. The workshop will be held July 6 through July
23, Monday through Friday, from 1 to 4 p.m. The premier
event is on Saturday, July 31. The workshop fee is $250
per student (includes a T–shirt, supplies, and DVD of the
films). Bergeron will lead the workshop.
l “Summer Stock for Teens” is for students entering
grades 7 through graduated high–school seniors. Attendees will participate in all aspects of a musical production.
This year’s presentation is “Summer Daze,” a rock–and–
roll journey through the decades. The workshop is
scheduled Aug. 2 through Aug. 13, Monday through
Friday, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Student presentations are set
for Aug. 13, 14 and 15. Tuition is free. The workshop will
be directed by Rod Savickis.
To register, send an e–mail to
surfsideyouthplayers@yahoo.com, or call Linda Geiger,
Surfside Players’ educational programming director, at
784–9347.
Teen Poetry Group to meet at B&N
The Teen Poetry Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday,
May 11, at Barnes & Noble in West Melbourne. The
address is 1955 W. New Haven Ave. The meeting will be
led by Kit Adams of Florida Virtual Schools. The group
gathers the second Tuesday of the month at B&N to “share
poetry, thoughts and emotions with a friendly audience.”
For more information about the meeting or to make a
reservation, call 726–9505.
MCT to present ‘Crimes of the Heart’
Director Peg Girard and Melbourne Civic Theatre will
present the Pulitzer–Prize winning “Crimes of the Heart,”
written by Beth Henley, on select dates in May and June.
The cast for “Crimes” boasts a seasoned group including
Rachel Greshes, Emily Pickens, Tori Smith, Chandler
McRee, Tim Shepherd and newcomer Melissa Smith. This
cast will be combined with the “brilliant set design” of
Caroline Osborne, technical direction of Gary Postelthwait,
lighting design by Alan Selby, and sound design by Wendy
Reader. The show runs on weekends from May 7 through
June 13. Tickets are $20 for adults, and $18 for senior
citizens, students and military personnel. To reserve
tickets, call the box office at 723–6935. Show times are
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 o’clock.
For more information, visit www.mymct.org.
MAY 3, 2010
BBN
DIGEST
BCC ‘Family Fling’ celebration
is set May 8 at the King Center
Brevard Community College will host the third annual
“BCC Family Fling” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday,
May 8, at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing
Arts, in the Rotunda and Studio Theater.
The address is 3865 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne.
Admission and activities are free of charge. The event,
which celebrates Brevard families, will include a special
guest appearance and autographs from “Ronald
McDonald” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Giveaways will be
provided to the first 25 children.
The program includes an entertaining Family Fashion
Show sponsored by Dillard’s of Merritt Island. Food will be
provided by Chef Cathy, owner of The Christian
Culinarian LLC in Melbourne. Food tickets are $4 for
children and $6 for adults.
“We are thrilled about hosting this event, celebrating
Brevard County’s families with wonderful children’s
performances, information on summer and educational
children programs, and much more,” said BCC’s Jennifer
Blalock, associate vice president for community relations,
enrollment management and marketing. “It will definitely
be an event to put on the calendar and take the entire
family to enjoy.”
A program will be held from noon to 2 p.m. showcasing
entertainment, area vendors, dance–crew finals, a silent
raffle, summer–camp information, door prizes, a Wii
Station provided by Best Buy, and children’s craft area and
activities. Children can enjoy a host of activities, including
face–painting, creating Mother’s Day cards, Origami,
science, Kid Karaoke, Ronald McDonald and a balloon
table.
The “Best Family in Brevard” essay contest winners
will be announced at the event. Selected families may be
eligible to win a BCC scholarship for six credit hours of in–
state tuition, Universal Studios tickets for a family of four
with an overnight hotel stay, and additional prizes.
These businesses have partnered as sponsors with
Brevard Community College to make the event possible:
Community Credit Union, McDonald’s, Regions Bank,
Wal–Mart Store 5365, Sam’s Club, Universal Studios
Orlando, Hilton Cocoa Beach, BCC Planetarium and
Observatory, The Christian Culinarian, YMCA and
Barnes and Noble.
For more information about the event or the Brevard
Best Family Essay Contest, contact Stephanie Lubno at
433–7151 or send an e–mail message to
bccfamilyfling@bcc.edu.
Melbourne Chamber
new ad on FTP site
Commissioner Anderson to host meeting
Brevard County Commissioner Andy Anderson, who
represents District 5, will host a town–hall meeting in
Palm Bay on Wednesday, May 5. The meeting will be held
from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Greater Palm Bay Senior Center,
1275 Culver Drive NE. Budget reduction and county
spending will be discussed. Citizens are encouraged to
attend and discuss any concerns they may have about
county government. District 5 includes portions of
Melbourne, West Melbourne, Palm Bay, and of beachside
communities from Satellite Beach to Indialantic. For more
information, call the District 5 office at 253–6611.
MAY 3, 2010
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BBN
BUSINESS
With a wide array of office space available in the region, leasing
agents working twice as hard to attract tenants — JM Real Estate
is marketing quaint Hickory Place in Melbourne, targets clients
By Ken Datzman
In tight markets, like today’s, business operators are finding themselves being much more
hands–on with their enterprises. They are
operating with fewer resources, yet keeping their
businesses moving forward despite current
obstacles in the market.
This is especially happening in the huge
commercial real–estate sector, across leasing,
property management, development, and other
areas. And it underscores, in many ways, the
entrepreneurial spirit that has long driven the
nation’s economy.
Businesswoman Jewel McDonald, founder and
president of local firm JM Real Estate Inc., says
she is “working harder” these days for less money.
“But I am okay with that. I think if you have a
good work ethic, you just get in there and get your
hands dirty, and do whatever it takes to make the
business go in these kind of times.”
Her company specializes in property management, leasing, and sales in the commercial real–
estate market.
The firm, which she started by herself 13 years
ago, today has contracts to manage or lease 50
properties comprising 2.5 million square feet, with
an asset–management value of more than $300
million. Her good work ethic has propelled the
company into one of the top firms of its kind in the
area.
McDonald is seeing an uptick in her business,
too, compared to last year’s first quarter.
“We did more deals in the first quarter of 2010
than we did almost the entire year of 2009. The
phones are ringing, which is encouraging. It’s just a
matter of filling the spaces that are now vacant.
And that takes some time and effort. But I am
optimistic that the market has bottomed and we’re
starting to turn up.”
One of those properties she is looking to fill with
office and medical tenants is Hickory Place, a
pretty 12,800–square–foot complex on West Eau
Gallie Boulevard in Melbourne. Mead Construction
built Hickory Place years ago and has its office
there.
Before the economy turned, Hickory Place was
fully occupied, said McDonald, a Rollins College
graduate. “Just a few years ago, most of our
properties were 100 percent occupied.”
Now, leasing agents are working to rebuild
their property portfolios in a market where supply
far outstrips demand. Many property owners are
making rent concessions, as they know businesses
have the upper hand when it comes to negotiating
leases for space. And real–estate professionals say
the current market is providing some extraordinary leasing opportunities.
“The rates at Hickory Place are very attractive
and very competitive in the market,” McDonald
said, adding that space increments at Hickory
Place range from 1,000 up to 5,000 square feet.
She said there is parking in front of the complex
and behind it. Two of the units have two stories.
“Hickory Place features a number of upgrades,
including vaulted ceilings and pickled wood. It’s a
very attractive complex. The owner, Doug Mead, a
general contractor, is on site. That’s very important
from a tenant’s standpoint, I believe.”
Entrepreneur B. Doug Mead, president of Mead
Construction Inc., a longtime commercial builder
in the region, says he is very active on his
company’s construction job sites these days. That
means strapping on the gear and working among
team members.
“I have been running some of the jobs and
playing a much more active role in the field. I think
a lot of owners in a lot of industries are doing the
same. They are much more hands–on with their
businesses,” he said.
Mead, who sat on the Brevard Workforce Board
of Directors for a number of years, says the effort is
paying off for his general contracting firm. “We’re
staying in the black. Team Mead has been busy
and we’re getting there by doing more with less.”
He said in the current market, customers have
the “opportunity to be a lot more selective when
picking a general contractor” for a project.
Many commercial leases have common area
maintenance, or CAM, fees. They can be paid
monthly, quarterly, or annually by the tenant.
Mead says his presence in the building is a cost–
saver for tenants.
“Being a general contractor whose office is in
the building, if something needs to be repaired at
Hickory Place, I can do it. So the bottom line is it
helps hold down our maintenance costs, which, in
turn, holds our CAM costs down.”
For commercial real–estate professionals, there
is a hint of relief in sight.
Declines across the nation’s commercial real–
estate sectors appear to be easing slightly,
according to the latest edition of the “Investment
Trends Quarterly,” produced by the Real Estate
Research Corp. and the CCIM Institute.
The report says there could be a “potentially
meaningful recovery” during the second half of the
year.
According to the CCIM Institute, here are a few
trends to watch as the commercial real–estate
industry works its way through 2010:
Jewel McDonald, president of JM Real Estate Inc., is the leasing agent for Hickory
Place on West Eau Gallie Boulevard in Melbourne, an established complex that
caters to office and medical tenants. The units are available starting at 1,000 square
feet. Mead Construction Inc., of which B. Doug Mead is president, was the project’s
general contractor when it was built years ago. His office is in Hickory Place.
l Sales volume and transactions will begin to increase.
l Capitalization rates will move slightly.
l More entrepreneurs will be looking more closely at real–estate
opportunities.
l Commercial property sale prices and rents will remain mostly flat
or decline further.
l Credit will remain tight.
l Bank foreclosures will increase as more commercial loans come due.
In another report, the Commercial Real Estate Index of the Society
of Industrial and Office Realtors suggests a “flattening level of
business activity” in upcoming quarters, with 55 percent of SIOR
members expecting the market to improve in the second quarter of
this year. The survey featured the comments of more than 700 local
market experts around the nation. In general, the report notes several
key trends. One, transaction volume, is increasing on a quarter–to–
quarter basis for some property types, although it is still declining
overall on a 12–month trailing basis.
“Right now, we’re just totally focused on our mission of serving
clients,” McDonald said.
MAY 3, 2010
BBN
BUSINESS
Community leaders Ed and Jeanne André to host Cancer Care
Centers of Brevard Foundation’s annual Caring Hearts fund–raiser
at their Indialantic estate — event to feature Derby Day theme
By Ken Datzman
Hundreds of community–minded residents are
expected to turn out in support of the eighth annual
Caring Hearts Benefit, to be hosted by
businessowners Ed and Jeanne André at their
waterfront estate on Riverside Drive in Indialantic.
The function is put on by the Cancer Care
Centers of Brevard Foundation Inc., the fund–
raising arm of the Cancer Care Centers, a practice
that was founded by Dr. Silas Charles more than 25
years ago and has evolved into a network of facilities
around the county.
The event, which raises money to assist the
growing number of underinsured and uninsured
cancer patients in the region, is set for 5 p.m. on
Saturday, May 1, Kentucky Derby weekend.
“Since the event falls on the day of the Kentucky
Derby, we’re asking our guests to wear their
Kentucky Derby–style hats,” said Marta Fiol,
longtime secretary and marketing coordinator for
the Cancer Care Centers of Brevard and one of the
event organizers.
Caring Hearts supporters can watch the live
“NBC” telecast of the 136th running of the Kentucky
Derby from Church Downs in Louisville at the
André compound. Several big–screen televisions will
be displayed outdoors. The race has a 6:24 p.m. post
time.
Ed and Jeanne André, who lost a daughter,
Rachael, to ovarian cancer, have hosted the benefit
at their home for a number of years. They have
volunteered and financially supported the Cancer
Care Centers of Brevard Foundation and other
nonprofit organizations in the community.
“We have been heavily involved in cancer issues
in the community for the past few years,” said Ed
André, a former Harris Corp. engineer who cofounded André–Toner LC, a highly successful
patent–licensing firm with a worldwide client base.
“And, we have always enjoyed hosting the Caring
Hearts Benefit, from the first time we were asked.
We really believe in Dr. Charles and the work he’s
doing in the community. It’s something that has
become very dear to our hearts.”
The Caring Hearts event typically attracts 600
people. Guests are asked to park their vehicles at
either the Highland Mint, 4100 N. Riverside Drive,
or Riverside Baptist Church, 3333 N. Riverside
Drive. They will be chauffeured to the André
complex.
Mercedes–Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne,
owned by businessman Shay Rowe, one of the
region’s generous supporters of nonprofit entities, is
providing the valet service. Caring Hearts attendees
MAY 3, 2010
will arrive at the party in one of the dealership’s
luxury vehicles.
Benefit tickets are $125 per person. Event
sponsorships start at $300. To purchase tickets or to
become a Caring Hearts Benefit sponsor, call Fiol at
952–8837, extension 231, or send her an e–mail
message at mfiol@cccfoundationinc.org.
Debbie Keller, president of the Cancer Care
Centers of Brevard Foundation, says the Caring
Hearts Benefit generally raises from $200,000 to
$350,000. The money helps provide financial support
for cancer patients who can’t afford certain basic
living expenses. These could include utility bills,
pain and cancer–related medications while the
patient undergoes treatments, and assistance with
their rent or mortgage, she said.
Keller has been involved with the foundation for
more than 10 years, after being diagnosed with
breast cancer in 1997. Following her treatment,
Keller said she had a desire to help other cancer
patients and called Evelyn Foster, who chairs the
Cancer Care Centers of Brevard Foundation board.
“I told Evelyn that I was interested in volunteering and would help the foundation in any way that I
could. I was really moved after learning about the
foundation’s mission in the community,” Keller said.
She added, “One of the things that my husband
Paul and I talked about was where do the patients
go who do not have the means to pay for their cancer
treatments, to pay for their pain medications, to hire
a babysitter to take care of their children while they
are being treated, and to cover other expenses? This
really concerned us.”
The rising unemployment in the region is only
compounding the situation, making the Cancer Care
Centers of Brevard Foundation’s role even more
vital in the community.
“At the Caring Hearts Benefit, we usually have
patients who come to the event and speak about
what the foundation means to them,” said Karen
Osiniak, vice president of the Cancer Care Centers
of Brevard Foundation. A Realtor with RE/MAX
Alternative Realty in Indialantic, Osiniak says the
foundation “is doing many good deeds in the
community.”
Community volunteer Leigh Pettigrew, who
chairs the Caring Hearts Benefit committee, says it’s
“tough enough just to deal with the illness and the
side effects of cancer, I can’t imagine what it would
be like to also worry about paying bills and trying to
take care of the everyday chores.”
Her business, Petty’s Meat Market of Suntree, is
one the three caterers for the event. Tuscany Grill in
Suntree and The Enigma, a restaurant in Satellite
Beach where Ed and Jeanne André are partners,
round out the trio of buffet caterers.
The eighth Caring Hearts Benefit is set for Saturday, May 1, at the Indialantic home
of Ed and Jeanne André. Around 600 people are expected to attend the function that
raises money for the Cancer Care Centers of Brevard Foundation. Event tickets and
sponsorships are available. From left: Ed André; Leigh Pettigrew, Petty’s Meat
Market/Suntree; Marta Fiol, Cancer Care Centers of Brevard; Debbie Keller,
Cancer Care Centers of Brevard; and Karen Osiniak, RE/MAX Alternative Realty.
The benefit will showcase a sizable display of wines. “There has
been a huge outpouring of support for this event from the wine
community,” Pettigrew said. “We’ll probably be pouring 200 to 250
different wines at Caring Hearts. The event is being well–supported
because it’s such a great cause and people want to get involved.”
The program will include silent and live auctions featuring many
pieces of art. This year’s Caring Hearts Benefit is in memory of Peter
Bailey, a local artist who was widely known in the community for his
paintings.
“A lot of artists in the area who knew him and worked with him will
be donating art for the auctions, just as Peter did for many years. He
was very generous,” said Osiniak, adding that his wife Lisa will be
attending the event.
Ed and Jeanne André, the honorary hosts for the event, will greet
people as they arrive at their residence.
BBN
DIGEST
Certified General Contractors off
to good start in building sector
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Certified General Contractors Inc. finished 2009 by
completing the Melbourne City Hall Parking Garage
project and the expansion of River Rocks Restaurant in
Rockledge “on time.”
“Even though we felt the downturn in the economy,
our company finished the year strong, with more than
$10.5 million in gross revenue,” said Jim Stivers,
president of the Melbourne firm.
He said he anticipates “2010 to be a very challenging
year in the construction market, yet we are off to a good
start with more than $2 million in jobs booked for this
year.”
CGC has been awarded two new contracts with local
cities. The first contract was from the City of Palm Bay
for a water plant metal storage building which was
recently completed.
The second contract was from the City of Melbourne
for the Lake Washington Surface Water Treatment Plant
Maintenance Staff Office and Shop Building.
“We also have signed contracts to build a hangar in
Melbourne, to do an interior buildout for The Brevard
Health Alliance in Rockledge, and build an office building
on Bryan Street in Melbourne.”
His commercial construction company offers a full
slate of services to local, national and relocating businesses, including build–to–suit and design–build
expertise, as well as construction management.
For further information about Certified General
Contractors, contact Stivers at 984–5000, extension 11, or
send an e–mail message to jstivers@cgcflorida.com, or
visit cgcflorida.com.
National Realty recognizes top producers
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Gale Bray, broker of National Realty of Brevard Inc.,
has announced her company’s top–producing associates
for March. The top listers were: Rebecca Higden, of the
Melbourne office; Gloria Lohner, Indialantic; Robert
Beatty, Palm Bay; Waterman Team, Palm Bay; Donna
Sprague, Port St. John; and Cyndi Jones, Suntree–North
Melbourne. Top sellers: Beth Glover, Melbourne; Maria
Kaps, Melbourne; Pheby Weber, Indialantic; Steve
Scheller, Palm Bay; Waterman Team; and Jones. Top
producers: Lisa Ellison, Melbourne; Irene Calland,
Indialantic; Bud Kronk, Palm Bay; Waterman Team; and
Jim Biggin, Suntree–North Melbourne.
Discount Tire opens in West Melbourne
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Discount Tire has opened a new retail store at 4365
Norfolk Parkway in West Melbourne. The facility is
located near the crossroads of Palm Bay Road and
Interstate 95. The West Melbourne store, operated by
eight employees, is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday
through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
“Customers will likely be attracted by our low prices and
selection of tires and wheels,” said Bryan Ducap, store
manager of the new Discount Tire in West Melbourne.
“However, we believe that our customer service and
satisfaction guarantee make the difference.” Ducap has
been with the company for 29 years. The West
Melbourne store phone number is 409–1090.
MAY 3, 2010
BBN
DIGEST
Brenner Real Estate Group
closes Executive Suite deals
Brenner Real Estate Group, a full–service commercial
firm based in Fort Lauderdale with local offices, has
announced the completion of two new leases and five lease
renewals of Executive Suite office space within Imperial
Plaza, the 107,000–square–foot Class “A” office building at
6767 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne.
The fourth floor of Imperial Plaza consists of Executive
Suite spaces.
Carla Casey, regional manager for Brenner Real Estate
Group, and Colette Wood, commercial leasing and sales
associate, handled the local transactions on behalf of the
landlord, Sterwick Development Corp. of Purchase, N.Y.
The tenants represented themselves.
The transactions include, all on the Executive Suite
floor:
l S&L Merchant Services has leased 185 square feet.
l Money Management Concepts Inc. has leased 170
square feet.
l Total Long Term Care Consultant has renewed its
lease of 147 square feet.
l Brevard Wealth Planning Inc. has renewed its lease
of 101 square feet.
l Ernest L. Chang has renewed his lease of 351 square
feet.
l Community Resource Management Inc. has renewed
its lease of 202 square feet.
l Federal Property Registration Corp., a foreclosed
properties registry, has renewed its lease of 147 square
feet.
For more information, visit www.breg.net, or contact
the Brenner Group’s Melbourne office at 242–4575.
We Help Brevard
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FULL COLOR
Dr. Levine guest speaker at conference
Dr. Richard Levine, president of Space Coast Cancer
Center, was an invited guest speaker at the Florida Society
of Clinical Oncology conference April 8. He described for
the attendees how to develop and manage a cancer–clinical
trials department, as well as the protocol for introducing a
new medication for administration in the cancer center for
patient treatment. Dr. Levine also reviewed the importance and value of providing state–of–the–art, evidence–
based cancer treatment, utilizing current technology,
clinical pathways, with a multidisciplinary and integrated
care plan. Space Coast Cancer Center is the first practice
in Florida and the third in the United States to implement
the evidence–based University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center clinical pathways model. Space Coast Cancer
Center has offices in Titusville, Rockledge, Merritt Island,
and Cocoa Beach. For more information about the practice,
visit www.spacecoastcancer.com.
Propeller Club to meet in Port Canaveral
MAY 3, 2010
623479
The Propeller Club of Port Canaveral will meet at noon
on Wednesday, May 5, at Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill
in Port Canaveral. The address is 610 Glen Check Drive.
At the meeting, Beth Bennett and Shannon LeMoine will
provide information about the International Propeller Club
conference set for October in Tampa. To make a reservation to attend the local luncheon, send an e–mail message
to Bmerrilees@cfl.rr.com, or call 452–5426.
BBN
EVENTS
Brevard CARES to host opening of new facility May 6
Florida Business Bank
new ad on FTP site
ROCKLEDGE — Brevard CARES, an organization that provides an “innovative
approach to child–abuse prevention,” will host a community open house from 5 to 6:30
p.m. on Thursday, May 6, at its new headquarters, 4085 South U.S. Highway 1.
The acronym stands for Coordination, Advocacy, Resources, Education and Support.
Guests will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet executives and staff members and learn about a program that has helped to “reduce the incidences of child abuse
and the number of children in the dependency and out–of–home (foster) care system in
Brevard County by 50 percent.”
To make a reservation to attend the event, call 632–2737, extension 1001, or send an
e–mail message to Nicole.Roesler@BrevardCARES.org.
Brevard CARES was developed in 2005 by the Brevard Family Partnership, Brevard
County’s lead child–welfare agency, in an effort to lessen the number of children who were
being removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect or abandonment.
In December 2009, Brevard CARES became a wholly owned subsidiary of Brevard
Family Partnership and an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Since its inception, Brevard CARES says it has “diverted more than 6,800 children
from the child–welfare system and, on average, serves over 600 children and their families
at any given time.”
The program also is less costly than foster care. Servicing a child in the Brevard
CARES program costs roughly $184 per month, as opposed to out–of–home care that costs
an average of $2,500 per month, it says.
Commissioner Nelson guest speaker
FULL COLOR
Brevard County Commissioner Chuck Nelson will address the Cocoa Beach Citizens
Action Committee at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, at the Cocoa Beach Public Library, 550
N. Brevard Ave. His topic will be “The State of the County,” followed by a question–and–
answer period. The public is invited. For further information, call 784–8020.
Five to be commissioned at Florida Tech May 7
Five Florida Tech ROTC cadets will graduate with their bachelor’s degrees at Spring
Commencement May 7. They will receive their commissions as second lieutenants at a
ceremony later in the day. They are: David LeBlanc, Titusville resident, marine biology
major, Signal Corp Branch; Ryan Loughran, West Chester, Ohio, construction engineering
major, armor branch; Kevin Sklenicka, Parma, Ohio, aviation management, aviation
branch; Robert Toupin, Indian Harbour Beach, business administration, military
intelligence branch; and Travis White, Merritt Island, aviation management, Military
Intelligence Branch. After graduating the morning of May 7, the five cadets will participate in a commissioning ceremony at 2 p.m. on campus in the Hartley Room of the Denius
Student Center.
American Heart event at Space Coast Stadium
The American Heart Association will host an event called “Start! Stair–Climbing
Fitness Workout” on Saturday, May 8, at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. Registration
begins at 8 a.m. Fitness trainers will lead a heart–healthy stair–climbing exercise and
more. The fee is a $10 donation. Backpacks will be provided to the first 75 participants
who make a donation. Refreshments and educational literature will be provided. To make
a reservation to take part in the workout, phone (800) 257–6941, extension 8090, or send
an e–mail message to BrevardAHA@heart.org.
B&N to host ‘nook’ class
Barnes & Noble in West Melbourne will host a “nook” class at 7 p.m. on Thursday,
May 13. The store is at 1955 W. New Haven Ave. The event is open to the public. Those
interested in learning more about the meeting can call 726–9505.
Brevard Waterways to be luncheon topic
Matt Culver of Brevard County Natural Resources will speak on waterways and
derelict vessels at the noon monthly “Lunch with Nature” program on Tuesday, May 18,
at The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, 444 Columbia Blvd., in Titusville. This group meets
the third Tuesday of the month with speakers that cover topics of interest for residents
living along the east coast. There is no fee for this program and participants provide their
own lunch. This program is offered by Brevard County Parks and Recreation
Department’s North Area Parks Operations and The Environmentally Endangered Lands
Program. Contact Andrea Chestnut at 264–5105 for further information.
MAY 3, 2010
BBN
EVENTS
Brevard Zoo offers special program on Mother’s Day
The Brevard Zoo in Viera will offer free admission to all moms on Mother’s Day,
Sunday, May 9. Mothers just need to show proof of child at the ticket booth to receive free
admission.
In addition, the zoo will host its first Mother’s Day Brunch on May 9 from 11 a.m. to 2
p.m. in the Nyami Nyami River Lodge, overlooking the Africa Savanna with giraffe and
antelope.
The costs are $20 for zoo–member children ages 2 to 12 and $30 for zoo–member
adults. Non–member prices are $25 for children ages 2 to 12, and $35 for adults. Registration is required in advance. Call 254–9453, extension 235, or send an e–mail message to
bgray@brevardzoo.org to sign up. Payment is required in advance for the brunch.
As a bonus, all mothers will receive a complimentary 10–minute chair massage
provided by Space Coast Health Institute. Zoo staff will entertain the children with crafts,
and the whole family can win prizes playing games together before heading into the zoo to
see the new “Cheetah Complex” exhibit, get wet in the “Paws–On” water play area, or
meet the newest giraffe born March 3.
If you are looking for the perfect gift for Mother’s Day, consider adopting an animal as
part of Brevard Zoo’s “Share–the–Care” program. The program supports the daily care
and well–being of Brevard Zoo’s animals.
For $35, mom will receive an official adoption certificate (animals remain in the
custody of Brevard Zoo and no ownership rights are conferred), a species photo and fact
sheet, magnetic bookmark, Zoobooks’ “Sharing the World with Animals,” and the plush
animal of the species adopted. Program participants can choose alligator, bald eagle,
bobcat, cheetah, otter, red wolf, or white–tailed deer.
For more information, visit brevardzoo.org. To adopt an animal as a gift for Mother’s
Day, call 254–9453, extension 231.
Brenner
new ad on FTP site
FULL COLOR
Cocoa Rotary Club benefit May 15
The Cocoa Rotary Club will host its sixth annual “Casino Night” from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
on May 15 at the Veterans Memorial Center behind Merritt Square Mall. The fee is a $25
donation, which includes hors d’oeuvres. A silent auction is part of the program. Event
proceeds will go to the Cocoa Rotary Foundation, which has “funded many local projects
this year.” To purchase tickets to the benefit, contact Mary Ann Alderman at 537–8260.
HRMC to host stroke–awareness lecture
May is National Stroke Awareness Month and Health First Inc. is offering the public
the latest updates on preventing, diagnosing, and treating stroke. Health First’s “Stroke
Prevention” lecture, free of charge, will be presented by Dr. Bhuvaneswari Dandapani, a
board–certified neurologist with MIMA, from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19, at
Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne. The address is 1350 S. Hickory St. The
lecture will take place in HRMC’s Auditorium A. To make a reservation to attend the
presentation, call Health First’s Community Engagement Center at 434–4335, or send an
e–mail message to Community@Health–First.org.
‘State of the County’ program May 20 in Viera
The League of Women Voters of the Space Coast will host a program titled “State of
the County” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 20, at the Government Center,
Building C, Commission Chambers, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, in Viera. Guest
panelists will include County Manager Howard Tipton, Emergency Management Director
Robert Lay, Sheriff Jack Parker and Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian
Binggeli. They will discuss the state of their respective areas of responsibility. The
discussion will be moderated by Ayn Samuelson, vice–president of the LWVSC. There will
be a question–and–answer period. The event is free of charge. For more information about
the presentation, call 723–7101.
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Spring Gathering Dinner May 21 in Cocoa Beach
The Rocket Reunion Spring Gathering Dinner of the Space, Missile and Range
Pioneers is set for Friday, May 21, at the Hilton Cocoa Beach. The event is open to the
public. The dinner will honor the men and women who worked on the Manned Orbiting
Laboratory Program. “We are most fortunate to have former MOL astronauts Bob
Crippen and Al Crews lined up to speak to the Pioneers about their experiences on this
program,” said Jim Lewis, president of the Space, Missile and Range Pioneers. For more
information or to purchase your tickets for the Rocket Reunion Spring Gathering, visit
www.rocketreunion.com/.
MAY 3, 2010
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BBN
DIGEST
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A “Pajama Party” benefit for the needy children at Country Acres and North Brevard
Sharing Center will be held May 7, at 6 p.m., in downtown Titusville.
Attendees are asked to dress in their favorite pajamas and be ready to play games,
listen to stories, watch movies, and enjoy light snacks and more. Everyone is asked to
donate new pajamas, a book and a stuffed toy that will be given to the children.
Donations may be dropped off in advance at the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce, 2000 S. Washington Ave.
The event will feature local singer, songwriter and book author Barbara McGillicuddy,
reading “Adventure in the Kingdom of Mim–Buddie Saves the Day.” Call Gina at the
Chamber for more details on the event. Her phone number is 267–3036. The program is
sponsored by Comfort Keepers and the Titusville Area Chamber.
98859
Continued from page 1
Still, the sale will enable Fletcher to pursue her latest dream, and for the Loves, as
they explain, “to come off one mountain, cross the bridge and walk up that other mountain.”
Fletcher says maybe 100 families live within 10 miles of Wauconda, which is a long
way from Wauconda’s peak population. According to the Okanogan County Historical
Society, Wauconda in 1900 had 335 residents, three hotels, a store, boardinghouse and
four saloons.
These days, in the busy summer months with tourists driving by, the restaurant
employs maybe five people; in the winter, it’s a couple.
Locals stop by to pick up mail from the one full–time employee, and to gas up, shop at
the small store, maybe have coffee. The store’s biggest–selling items are beer, cigarettes,
candy, and pop.
Fletcher says she grossed $300,000 a year, with about $100,000 each coming from the
gas pump, grocery, and restaurant, and that she netted $40,000 to $50,000 a year.
When she bought Wauconda, she worked for a distributing company and delivered
candy and tobacco to stores throughout the county, including the small town.
The previous owners of Wauconda, ready to retire, urged her to buy the place. She sold
her cabin and plunged in. She ended up running the restaurant herself and becoming a
stress case.
“What do you do when 50 motorcycles show up all at once and order food?” Fletcher
said. “People were very patient, but — “
Selling a town on eBay is not so easy, either.
“Why buy a house when you can OWN YOUR OWN TOWN! Own the Post Office,
OWN YOUR OWN ZIP CODE — Single owner is tired and ready to retire — VERY LOW
RESERVE PRICE OF $359,000 — Please bid only if you will honor it,” the listing read
when it went up March 3.
The bidding closed April 2. In between, 112 bids came, with some individuals putting
in offers many times. “I spent days answering questions,” Fletcher said.
The auction caught the attention of media outlets.
“CNN picked it up, and it went worldwide,” she said. “I had people calling me from
London, and Chinese people.”
The high bid of $370,601 was from David Broadbent, of Melbourne, Australia. Fletcher
waited expectantly for a wire transfer for the 5 percent down payment. But Broadbent
sent only his regrets.
Fletcher began going down the list of other bidders. There were no replies from the top
five bidders, lukewarm response from others.
Then came the call from the Loves.
They are enthusiastic riders of Harley–Davidsons, had ridden by the town in previous
years, and loved its charm.
“You can look up and see the Milky Way. It’s God’s country,” Maddie Love said. “You
can hear the coyotes and wolves.”
By the time the Loves first stopped by the town, the price for Wauconda had come
down drastically. In 2008, Fletcher had listed the town at $1.1 million. By 2009, the
asking price was $495,000. The Loves were interested, kind of.
Maddie Love lost her job in late 2008 after more than two decades as a trade–show
coordinator. Neal Love, who worked in telecommunications, lost his job in 2009.
Maybe it was time to make a big change.
MAY 3, 2010
MAY 3, 2010
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321.751.6850 | www.NewtonCommercialGroup.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
JIM DAVIS
OEMS, LLC
JOSH FIELD
Space Coast Business Media Group
DAVID FOLEY
Home Solution Specialists
LEASHA FLAMMIO-WATSON
Wells Fargo Advisors
DON HERNDON
Classic Wood Flooring
BRIGGS KILBORNE
Bay Street Corporation
DON KRAMER
One Senior Place
LORI L’HEUREUX
MTN Advertising
MIKE McBRIDE
McBride Woodbridge Marketing, LLC
JEAN NEWELL
Newco Enterprises
VICTORIA PEAKE
Florida Small Business Development
Center at Brevard Community College
SANDY PFRIMMER
Florida Small Business Development
Center at Brevard Community College
JULIE SONG
Florida Manufacturing
Extension Partnership
MAY 18:
Founders Forum presents:
Presidents Panel
Brevard’s Exceptional Leaders
Where are the great leaders who excel in challenging times? Right
here in Brevard. Founders Forum proudly introduces the Presidents
Panel for 2010:
Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront in Indialantic, FL
Dr. Ross Clevens, MD, FACS, founder of the
Clevens Center for Facial Cosmetic Surgery
$35 with pre-registration; $40 at the door;
$15 students, with pre-registration
Joyce Oktela, General Manager of
Space Coast Harley-Davidson
Make your reservations at
Scott Sorensen, President and Owner of
Sorensen Moving & Storage and
Sorensen Office Solutions
6:00pm - 6:45pm
6:45pm - 7:45pm
7:45pm - 8:45pm
8:45pm
www.foundersforum.com
Founders Forum
Join them at the May dinner and presentation as they field
questions about their business success, current challenges and
prospects for the future.
Registration & Networking
Dinner
Program
End-of-Season After Party
For phone reservations,
call 751-6771 (One Senior Place)
The May meeting is the final Founders Forum meeting in the
2009-2010 series. Attendance is limited so early registration is
strongly recommended.
new ad on FTP site
Register today. Seating is limited. Business attire suggested.
Season Underwriter:
Meeting Sponsors:
CLASSIC WOOD FLOORING
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The #1 Resource for Entrepreneurs in Brevard
MAY 3, 2010
BBN
SPECIAL FOCUS
Symetrics Industries
Continued from page 1
Commercial real estate developer John Newton’s new
Nasa Palms Professional Center is just a short walk next
door from Symetrics’ corporate location.
When fully developed, Nasa Palms will feature seven
buildings totaling 42,000 square feet. Five of the buildings,
situated on a five–acre campus, have been completed and
house a number of private medical practices.
Nasa Palms is where Garner’s company purchased a
new 6,000–square–foot existing building “shell,” extending
its corporate footprint from 1615 W. Nasa Blvd.
The interior of the Nasa Palms facility is being fitted to
meet Symetrics’ specific needs. The new site will house 15
to 20 engineers, Garner said.
This transaction is an example of how a well–managed
small business is giving a lift to the local commercial real–
estate market during one of the most challenging times for
brokers.
Commercial real estate is the basis for much of the
growth in American industry and the economy. But high
unemployment rates and tight credit conditions have
hampered the market’s performance over the past year. As
a result, it has sharply sliced into sales transactions for
commercial real–estate professionals.
“We are very glad to have Symetrics expand into Nasa
Palms,” said Newton, president of Newton Commercial
Group, a full–service real–estate firm in Melbourne. “Their
presence enhances our park and the transaction creates
another full building. Nasa Palms has catered mostly to
medical practices, but we are a high–tech, flexible,
professional office complex.”
He added, “By having an existing building in the park
where the interior is ready to be customized saves Mitch
and his team a lot of time, as opposed to constructing a
building from scratch somewhere. And that is important in
business because they can turn on the activity in the
building much quicker and start taking advantage of the
work they have been contracted to do.”
Garner said Symetrics had started to work on a plan to
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MAY 3, 2010
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address the space constraints at the company’s flagship
building, created by its growing work force. Of the
building’s 42,000 square feet, about 25,000 is dedicated to
manufacturing.
“The timing is almost perfect because we were considering remodeling some of the areas of our existing building,”
said Garner, whose company was named Manufacturer of
the Year in 2008 by the Manufacturers Association of
Florida.
“Nasa Palms is something we’ve always had in the back
of our minds, that perhaps down the road once these shells
went up we could buy one of them. And we were fortunate
to have gotten the closest one to our main building. So it
worked out really well,” he said.
Newton said his company completed the office–
condominium shell (that Symetrics later purchased) in the
hopes of “finding a business to occupy the entire building
or half of it, and it was great timing for Symetrics.”
The Nasa Palms site affords building owners and
tenants individual parking spaces in front of their single–
level units, versus a common–area parking lot that is
distant from their offices.
The architecture of the condominiums at Nasa Palms
emphasizes design and visual appeal. The office park
showcases a “South Beach deco” look, with pastels colors
and coconut palm trees throughout the campus. “It’s
something we did to help make the park stand out a little
more in the market,” Newton said.
Newton said his business has managed to keep its
“pricing structure very low and its construction costs in
check. We haven’t had to drive our prices up over the past
two years, and that has allowed us to be very competitive
in the marketplace.”
Newton Commercial Group is also marketing a 4,200–
square–foot space at Nasa Palms that “could be subdivided
into smaller units” and finished to a customer’s needs.
The local project team for Symetrics’ new building
includes architect Dave Nagrodsky of DNA Architects Inc.,
American Business Interiors, and M.E. Construction Inc.
“It’s a great team effort and so far everything is right on
schedule,” Garner said.
This is Symetrics’ first expansion since becoming a
private firm in 1998.
Symetrics’ Nasa Palms building will contain an
engineering laboratory, he said. Flexible office spaces
around the perimeter of the facility will give Symetrics the
ability to reconfigure “the space if we need to add one or
two more people in the future.”
The building will have a conference room and a
director’s office. “We are currently working with Rob Perers
and his team at ABI on designing the interior space of the
new building,” Garner said. Perers is president and chief
executive officer of the longtime family business.
Symetrics is also expanding at its main location. The
company is renovating about 2,000 square feet of space on
its mezzanine, upstairs. The space is being converted into a
training facility.
Garner said his company has received a host of
contracts for training customers on the use of Symetrics’
products and technology, such as its data links. The Boeing
Co., for example, recently awarded a $1 million contract to
Symetrics to “provide training on a certain type of technology” the Melbourne company manufactures.
That effort starts in July and the training runs for a
solid three months, Garner said. “Rather than tie up one of
our existing conference rooms, we decided to go ahead and
renovate our mezzanine and put in a classroom–type
training facility that will house about 20 people.”
Outside the campus, Symetrics’ executive team and
employees stay connected to the community through
volunteerism.
Garner and colleague Randy Koller, who is the business–development manager at Symetrics, served as the
“revenue chairs” for the recent 2010 March of Dimes’
March for Babies event, the nonprofit organization’s
signature fund–raiser of the year.
Planning a Corporate Meeting,
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H E A L I N G
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TM

May 03, 2010 - Brevard Business News

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