Innovation + Job News

The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange will host the Economic Stimulus Reverse Trade Show and Construction Industry Job Fair on Wednesday, March 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Polo Grill and Bar in Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota County.

Recognizing that the construction industry has been an economic driver in the region, and one that has been hit the hardest since the economic downtown, the Builders Exchange decided to host this event to offer local subcontractors an opportunity to win the bids of larger general contractors. Their motto is: "Members Working With Members" and the event provides an opportunity for local businesses to collaborate with one another, says Bill Jarvis, board chairman.

"We created a Reverse Trade Show, similar to a job fair in an effort to create local economic stimulus," Jarvis says. "This event will give all local subcontractors, suppliers and vendors the opportunity to spend an evening with the key decision makers and learn what work is available.

Formed in 1952, the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange is a not-for-profit trade organization comprised of about 20 Sarasota contractors. Its purpose is to serve the business needs of local building contractors in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Representatives from the region's largest general contracting companies will be at the tradeshow, providing tips on acquiring bids and winning projects. Participating companies include: Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty, Suffolk Construction, W.G. Mills, Kraft Construction, Skyline Builders Group of Bradenton plus many more. Also on hand will be public school facilities directors and building officials from Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties.

For more information, e-mail Julie Ivings at jivings@gcbx.com or call her at 941-907-7745.

Writer: Nancy Vaughn
Source: Bill Jarvis, Gulf Coast Builders Exchange


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New College of Florida in Sarasota is building a public archaeology lab that will be completed in the summer of 2010.

New College of Florida's Public Archaeology Lab is expected to host elementary and secondary students, archaeological clubs and others from surrounding communities. In an effort to further promote the diversity of Florida's cultural heritage, the archaeology lab will encourage participation from people in the community.

"There is much more we can do to conserve the past for the future in this region, and this facility will facilitate community-based programs," says Uzi Baram, associate professor of anthropology at NCF.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility was held on March 8 and featured speakers Mike Michalson, president of New College; State Representative Keith Fitzgerald; and Baram. The ceremony also included a time capsule burial by university students.

Willis A Smith Construction of Sarasota is the general contractor on the project. The building design is by Long & Associates Architects/Engineers of Tampa. Once completed, the $500,000 public archaeology lab will be housed in a 1,600-square-foot building. In addition to the lab, the building will include a classroom for teaching and public events, a storage facility for artifacts and research, a conference room and an outdoor seating area that can be used as a classroom or open-air plaza for community events.

Writer: Nancy Vaughn
Source: Uzi Baram, New College of Floridaread on…

Celestar Corporation, a privately owned intelligence consulting and training company headquartered in Tampa, is looking to fill the following jobs:  

· All-Source Intelligence Analyst (SOCCENT)
· Asset Validation Manager
· C-IED Analyst
· Command Post of the Future (CPOF) and Collaborative Applications Operator/Instructor
· Contracts Manager Level II
· Imagery Systems Specialist
· Logistics Analyst 
· SharePoint Web Developer Program of Instruction Manager 

Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.  
 
Celestar is an experienced provider of consulting solutions to the U.S. government, and its industry partners engaged in strategic and operational intelligence analysis, operations support, planning, strategic communications and intelligence training.
 
Begun in 2001, the company initially worked as a purely intelligence consulting and training enterprise at U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base.  It has since then expanded to work with additional military commands situated around the world.
 
"Our substantial growth was recognized as Celestar earned a spot on 2009 Inc. 500 List,'' says Lori Larsen, VP of Business Operations.  "Celestar's success has been a result of talented staff we have and continue to bring on board as well as our satisfied clients." 
 
Most of Celestar's 90 current employees work at MacDill. Almost all are former military or government civilian personnel with recent intelligence, operations and planning experiences who can support and manage projects.

Roughly 90 percent of Celestar's personnel have government security clearances, and are working in Tampa, Northern Virginia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other deployed locations.
 
Writer:    Lisa Clementi 
Source:   Lori Larsen, Celestar Corporationread on…

Tampa Bay Trane, the exclusive representative of Trane Commercial Air Conditioning Products and Services on Florida's West Coast, is currently seeking to fill three positions: commercial A/C technician, service estimator and outside sales representative.

"Trane has a good, solid business because of its service and preventative work in the commercial business sector,'' says Sarah Davis, HR manager. "As the commercial sector improves, Trane will plan to continue to hire staff at a moderate level of growth."

Tampa Bay Trane's workforce is a team of highly skilled project managers, sales and engineering professionals, and technicians, Davis says.

Trane has already hired nine people this year, four in new sales and skilled technician positions.  The company also transitioned one current part-time employee into a fulltime staff member. TBT's current workforce is at 150 employees; a vast majority are full timers.

Davis forecasts future hiring in 2010 to possibly include more skilled experienced techs with solid commercial experience as well as another addition to the sales team.

Tampa Bay Trane was established in 1969 and has franchises in 13 counties in Florida. Over the years, Trane's service offerings have increased from primarily supporting the sale of Trane equipment to many expanded services including operator training, system energy analysis, replacements, retrofits and repair contracting, emergency services, rental equipment, performance contracting and HVAC system on-site operations.

Writer: Lisa Clementi 
Source: Sarah Davis, Tampa Bay Trane
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Carlson Studio Marketing, a full service PR agency that helps clients accomplish sustainability objectives and realize marketing advantages from eco friendly policies and initiatives, has added a new public relations coordinator, Elena Teovska. Teovska will work closely with the firm to achieve strategic media relations and marketing goals.

Carlson Studio Marketing, a member of the Sarasota County Green Business Partnership, was established in 2006 and is a Florida certified Minority Business Enterprise.  
 
"I anticipate the largest job opportunity and creation to come through the public sector for at least the next two years as the result of federal stimulus funding aimed at creating renewable energy and green jobs", says CEO Grace Carlson. "Our firm is positioning itself to be the most well-rounded and cost-effective solution for public sectors who need to add interim capacity as they deliver the services provided through the federal stimulus program.''
 
Carlson's firm has worked with the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) since October 2008 performing public education and outreach services in Manatee and Sarasota counties to help communicate the agency's interest in developing sustainable,  walkable communities within the Tampa Bay region.
 
CSM also worked with The Wellness Community to develop and execute a capital campaign for its new Lakewood Ranch facility, which is designed to meet U.S. Green Building Council LEED Gold certification.
 
CSM is currently in the running for two new projects: a marketing campaign for a Sarasota community that wants to establish its identity and brand as a green community, and for a healthy lifestyle community pilot project that will be funded through the Centers for Disease Control in select U.S. cities. 
 
Writer: Lisa Clementi
Source:  Grace Carlson, Carlson Studio Marketing
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The Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation has launched a Tampa Bay chapter, making it the 17th charter chapter for this organization.

The ARCS Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in Los Angeles in 1955. This volunteer women's organization is committed to providing scholarships to academically outstanding U.S. citizens studying science, medicine and engineering.

The ARCS Foundation-Tampa Bay launched its chapter with an inaugural luncheon and fundraiser event called, "Fashion and Fun Down to a Science." The March 12 event was held at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club. The goal was to raise funds to support two $15,000 scholarships that will be awarded to USF graduate students in the Colleges of Marine Science and Cancer Biology.

USF will select the scholarship award recipients, says Karen Krymski, president for ARCS Tampa Bay and executive managing director for eWomen Network. ARCS Tampa Bay will serve as a recruitment tool attracting the best and brightest to the Tampa Bay region.

"That's really what ARCS is really all about, the recruitment of the best and brightest students," says Krymski. "Scholarships are awarded to both men and women."

Krymski advises that the formation of ARCS Foundation-Tampa Bay was a collaborative community effort. In addition to Krymski, founding officers include: Linda Seefeldt, president of AIM Above and vice president and president-elect for ARCS Tampa Bay; Janet Dickinson, CPA, financial systems consultant at Mills & Murphy Software Systems, Inc. and treasurer for ARCS Tampa Bay, and Elaine Bispo Smalling, vice president of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership and secretary of ARCS Tampa Bay.

Also instrumental in bringing the organization to Tampa Bay were USF President Judy Genshaft, Peter Betzer, president and CEO of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, Dr. Mya Breitbart of USF's College of Marine Sciences and Dr. Pamela Miller.

ARCS Tampa Bay will be working on more initiatives and will introduce the community to more activities and events in the fall. "We really want to encourage like-minded women to be involved in ARCS," says Krymski. "We're looking for members, people for our steering committees and for corporations that have an interest in furthering science."

For more information about ARCS Tampa Bay, contact Krymski at wizkk2@earthlink.net or 727-322-9596.

Writer: Nancy Vaughn
Source: Karen Krymski, ARCS Foundation-Tampa Bay
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Encouraging environmentally responsible operations, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce has launched the Green Business Initiative: Sustainable Manatee Program.

The new initiative will promote best management "green" practices in business to conserve natural resources and eliminate waste.

Sustainable Manatee is open to current and prospective Manatee Chamber of Commerce members. Applicants must meet certification requirements and pledge to continually strive toward sustainable business practices that ensure the greater Manatee region is environmentally healthy and viable.

Green practice areas include: recycling/reuse, commodity conservation, energy conservation, water conservation and innovative concepts.

The Mosaic Company is partnering with the Manatee Chamber to publish the certification manual, and currently there are eight companies that have already met certification levels and recognition, including: Air & Energy; Arrow Environmental Services, Inc.; Energy & Sustainability Consultants (ESC); Fawley Bryant Architects, Inc.; Flowers Baking Company; Turner Tree & Landscape; Waste Pro; and Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc.

The Chamber's Green Business Initiative Committee is currently the Chamber's largest committee with 57 members. Benefits of receiving the certification include:

- Recognition as committed to a greener Manatee region through business operations.
- Access to the Manatee Chamber's Green Business logo for print and electronic use in identifying as a Green Business.
- Recognition on the Chamber's website and at Chamber functions.
- Manatee Chamber Green Business window decal for their business venue.

"Through Sustainable Manatee, the Manatee Chamber is facilitating and connecting with our governmental partners and connecting members with green focused businesses and resources in order to foster sustainable businesses and practices," says Bob Bartz, president of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about Sustainable Manatee, call 941-748-4842 ext. 124 or e-mail: NeilS@ManateeChamber.com.

Writer: Nancy Vaughn
Source: Manatee Chamber of Commerce


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"Blurring The Lines of Architecture,'' a conference expected to again attract architects from across to the nation to Sarasota in April, is designed to demonstrate how designers successfully mix architecture with other industries.

The Sarasota Design Conference, presented by the American Institute of Architects Florida Gulfcoast Chapter, will be held at the Sarasota Hyatt Regency April 22-25.

The conference, held every two years (biannually), has been in Sarasota for approximately 20 years. It attracts architects and other building designers interested in blending art and architecture.

"We try to find designers who are up and coming to present," says Jedd W. Heap, project manager with Carlson Studio and member of the conference planning committee. "We've had big names present as well though, like Eric Owen Moss and Peter Eisenman who are star architects."

Speakers for this year's event include Peter Gluck, an architect and contractor; Ned Kahn, an artist who also practices architecture; and international Designer David Kahle.

The conference theme each year is designed to draw thinking "outside of the box," Heap says. "What these guys are doing is not your traditional format."

One of the new features for this year's conference is the Sarasota Architectural Tour. The open trolley tour will take participants through some of the Sarasota School of Architecture's iconic buildings, including historic architecture and some more contemporary designs.

Writer: Nancy Vaughn
Source: Jedd W. Heap, Carlson Studioread on…

Legoland, the children's fantasy park replacing Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, is starting to hire professional staff and is expected to bring more than 1,000 jobs to the region by the end of 2011.

Spokesperson Julie Estrada says jobs currently being filled include: public relations representative, director of sales and marketing, and systems administrator.

The interactive theme park, geared toward families with children between the ages of 2 and 12, will operate year-round and will offer a full day of activity for those who visit more than 50 rides, shows and attractions.

Merlin Entertainments also operates Legoland California (launched in 1999), and was recently voted the nation's best children's theme park for the sixth year in a row by Amusement Today.

Merlin is also Europe's number one visitor attraction operator and the second largest in the world with Legoland Billund in Denmark and Legoland Windsor near London. A Legoland under development in Malaysia is slated to open in 2012.

The Cypress Gardens location was selected because renovating the pre-existing theme park space will allow the park to be developed and ready to go in less than two years.

Polk County will provide Merlin with $5 million in incentives over a 10-year period, which includes funding for job creation and marketing support.

Writer: Nancy Vaughn
Source: Julie Estrada, Legolandread on…

Socius Marketing, a company that provides organic search engine optimization and search-friendly web design and development, is seeking staff writers, outside sales associates, web maintenance professionals and web designers/developers.

Launched in 2006 and headquartered in Tampa, the firm was started by Bob Ford, chief operating officer, and Chris Behan, president, while working out of their dining rooms. It has since grown to 20 full-time employees housed in a building on Rocky Point Drive.

Socius is the Latin word for "partner" and Socius has served as a sales partner to their clientele. Through SEO, Socius Marketing assists clients with marketing their products and services through the client's company-owned website. Ford says they enable their clients to change their philosophy on how they view their website.

Clients are encouraged to treat their website like their sales department, and hold it to quotas and expectations, the same way a sales person has quotas and expectations. Through targeted focus and research of the market, Socius determines what consumers are looking for on the Internet, how they're looking for the product or service and assists their client in converting the traffic into sales leads.

In this challenging economy, Socius has thrived and Ford says, "I think what has really helped us here versus a lot of other businesses in this economy, is that we can bring some degree of hope to a business. We can help them capture a consumer segment that in the past they may have not focused on."

In addition to Tampa, Socius has a sales force in Atlanta, however, as an SEO firm, much of their business is done virtually and they support customers across the country.

"A lot of our customers have gone from being local to national to almost international now," says Ford.

Socius has been adding new clients monthly, and with that comes growth of their own in-house talent and the currently open positions.

Writer: Nancy Vaughn
Source: Bob Ford, Socius Marketing
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It could be decades before people colonize the moon, if it happens at all. But a $1.16 million grant awarded in January by NASA will give visitors at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) the chance to find out what it could be like one day to live on the Earth's junior astronomical partner.

The grant, one of nine awarded nationwide through NASA's Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums, will enable MOSI to create an interactive exhibit called Mission LEAP (Lunar Expedition for Astronaut Pioneers).

Christopher Stapleton of Orlando-based Simiosys Real World Laboratory will partner with MOSI and industry experts from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, says MOSI's Cathy Crowder.

"They're going to be working with us to create a whole atmosphere, showing what life would be like and what you would need to live on the moon," Crowder says.

As the project develops in the coming months, MOSI will receive ongoing feedback from several sources, including Girls Scouts from West Central Florida, students from Stewart Middle School, MOSI's Kids in Charge! advisory board and museum visitors.

Crowder says the exhibit will become a permanent fixture at MOSI. The project is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Writer: Carter Gaddis
Source: Cathy Crowder, MOSI read on…

Fluitec International, an Atlanta-based manufacturing company established in 1995, has set up shop in St. Petersburg.

Focusing on the power generation market, Fluitec develops patented and patent-pending products to assist with the efficiency of industrial lubricants.

"We manufacture testing equipment that's used in the petrochemical world, specifically lubricants," says Brian Thompson, executive vice president of operations.

Fluitec technology is used in more than 25 countries across five continents. The company also has offices in Dayton, OH and in Summit, NJ. Their application of contamination control technologies extends fluid life and monitors the best time to change the fluid which results in a positive environmental impact.

In coming months, Thompson says, Fluitec will be hiring an executive assistant, field service manager, laboratory technicians and additional administrative personnel. Plans call for the office to grow to include 15 people.

Writer: Nancy Vaughn
Source: Brian Thompson, Fluitec International
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The Next American Vanguard is an annual conference devoted to enlightening, inspiring and connecting the next generation of urban leaders.

Hosted by Next American City, a national quarterly magazine about making cities better, Next American Vanguard attracts leaders from across the country.

"What's interesting about the Next American Vanguard conference is that attendees are all in their mid-to-late 20s to 30s," says Adam Fritz of Urban Charrette in Tampa, who attended the 2009 conference in Washington D.C. "It was kind of refreshing to know that there are people all around the country trying to make each of their cities exciting and unique, and really trying to attract and retain their talent."

Applications are being accepted for the 2010 conference through March 31. This year's two-day event will be May 26 and 27 in Philadelphia. Applicants must be 35 years or younger, have demonstrated leadership capabilities in their work or other activities, live in the United States or actively engage in American urban issues from abroad, and be a subscriber to the Next American City publication.

"Participants in the Next American Vanguard conference can expect to learn from a geographically and thematically diverse set of top-notch peers, to learn from experts and be inspired to bring back new ideas to their hometowns," says Diana Lind, editor-in-chief/publisher of Next American City.


Writer: Nancy Vaughn
Source: Adam Fritz, Urban Charrette; Diana Lind, Next American City
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The largest education, training and medical simulation community in the world will gather at the Marriott Waterside in Tampa on March 2-4 for METI's annual HPSN (Human Patient Simulation Network) conference.

The event was founded in 1997 by 24 nursing and health science educators from 11 Florida community colleges and technical schools. In its 13th year, HPSN has become an internationally recognized event attracting more than 2,000 simulation enthusiasts from medical schools, universities, hospitals and the military.

Based in Sarasota and founded in 1996 by five employees, METI (Medical Education Technologies, Inc.) develops learning tools including, human patient simulators, surgical simulators, exam trainers and integration platforms. The pioneering company has since grown to include more than 200 employees and their products provide medical students and practitioners a learning platform that will allow them to practice their skills without harming actual patients.

METI is the creator of the well-recognized robot known as iStan. "Stan" made his acting debut last year on the hit television show Grey's Anatomy. iStan was developed along with the U.S. Army and realistically moves, breathes, lives and dies.

The HSPN conference is free and open to anyone interested in medical simulation and education, including but not limited to, nurses, physicians, healthcare executives, paramedics and military personnel.

Writer: Nancy Vaughn
Source: Nicole Perez, METIread on…

A new lumbar disc replacement system, called the XL TDR, was used for the first time in February at Tampa General Hospital on a 43-year-old, female patient. The device uses a minimally invasive lateral (side) approach to the spine and is designed to restore height and replicate the motion characteristics of an intact healthy disc.

XL TDR is a metallic prosthetic joint or total disc replacement that takes the place of a degenerative intervertebral disc. The first-time surgery on a patient in Florida was performed by Dr. Juan Uribe, neurosurgeon with USF Health and Tampa General.

"The minimally invasive extreme lateral total disc replacement is a great alternative for the management of select patients with degenerative disc disease," Uribe says.

Compared to traditional posterior (back) or anterior (front) approaches, this innovative and lateral technique provides the least amount of tissue disruption to the muscles, ligaments, blood vessels and abdominal organs.

The XL TDR will be evaluated in a clinical trial that includes 200 patients across an estimated 15 clinical investigation sites. The full enrollment timeframe is approximately between 12 and 18 months.

Writer: Nancy Vaughn
Source: Dr. Juan Uribe, Tampa General


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