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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • September 28, 2018
Table top: Entrepreneur revs up his operation to deal with unexpected success

Tony Utegaard and the unique products made by his Safety Harbor, Florida-based company, Car Pool Tables Inc., are about to be introduced to a whole new market thanks to Costco.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 2, 2004
Newmakers (Tampa edition)

Newsmakers, a listing of promtions and new hires, is provided free of charge.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • October 25, 2019
All in: Real estate firm pivots from management to ownership

Ciminelli Real Estate Services acquired, for $16.4 million, the Rubin Center, a commercial real estate property it managed, and plans to rename it and spend $500,000 on upgrades to it.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • September 4, 2025
Employee-owned businesses on the rise in Florida

A pair of financial executives believe the power of Employee Stock Ownership Plans in Florida is about to get brighter.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 13, 2007
Coffee Talk

Telovations Inc. CEO Rick Schonbrun says the Tampa-based startup is poised to expand now that it has received $6.5 million in venture capital.When Joe Hice, a marketing executive for places as varied as the University of Florida, Segway and Harley Davidson, talks about using the Internet to promote a business, he's not referring to any old Web site. Those days, says Hice, are over. Service has long been a buzzword in residential real estate, but the definition has always been tough to define. One customer's idea of the perfect agent is another's idea of the perfect bust. Scott Sosso, president of Prudential Palms Realty, a 250-plus agent firm covering Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, is trying to get a more precise definition, starting with having all Prudential agents attend Quality Service Certification training.In June, Enterprise Florida, the statewide economic development arm, is taking an export sales trade mission to Bogota and Medellin, two of the more populous cities in the South American country. The Bank of Tampa and its co-founder and CEO, A. Gerald Divers, were recently profiled in the Review. After 23 years of overseeing and nurturing what some call "Jerry's Bank," Divers is slowly relinquishing control.Internet chat rooms have been buzzing about a Web site that analyzes sales for various residential projects by Bonita Springs-based developer WCI Communities.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 15, 2009
Corporate Report

Progress Energy Florida signs$7.7-billion nuclear plant dealHard To Treat Diseases tobuy Serbian cosmetics firmVeteran clothing exec Dyerhired to head Chico's FASThree Clockwork Home unitsmake mag's Franchise 500 listJohn Acosta appointed to leadWest Florida for Region Bank Sarasota CPA firmchanges name Home Shopping Network adopts stockholder rights plan Pegasus Imaging of Tampa acquires AccuSoft's imagingWalter Industries closes Jim Walter Homes Division

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 5, 2003
Innovation Awards Other Finalists

Other Finalists of the Review's Innovation Awards contest, which includes: CallMiner, The Gemesis Corp., Highwall Technologies, Shepherd Systems and Viking Technology

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • July 9, 2004
Entanglement

A Hillsborough County jury awarded $2.3 million to Tampa auto dealer Ernest B. Haire III over a dispute with convicted corporate raider Paul Bilzerian and his wife, Terri Steffen.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • April 23, 2020
Road less traveled: Tourism CEO takes career detour with new venture

Keith Overton, former CEO of TradeWinds Island Resorts in St. Pete Beach, Florida, has plans for a new RV and cottage resort in Pasco County.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • May 11, 2018
College try: School's new leader delivers energy, enthusiasm

Mike Martin has already left a big imprint on Florida Gulf Coast University, in less than a year at the helm.

  • Leadership
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Grier Ferguson |
  • August 16, 2019
Museum seeks visibility after major rebranding

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature looks for new opportunities for awareness, attendance and audience impact.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 22, 2017
After the Storm

From Tampa to Naples, area businesses faced challenges big and small from Hurricane Irma. Here's how some companies are meeting those challenges.

  • Strategies
  • By Kim Walker |
  • October 4, 2017
Board Members as Supervisors: The Boss's Boss

Few volunteers join a nonprofit board of directors to supervise or—the unthinkable—to remove the organization's chief executive officer. However...

  • Williams Parker
Sponsored Content
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jim Stinson |
  • December 1, 2023
Does Tampa Bay have a shot at being a hub for tech business?

Tampa Bay's mission to become a global tech hot spot had made great strides of late. One notable advantage, says one executive, comes from a talent pool without an "extensive entitlement" mindset.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • September 16, 2022
After long search, national resort company zeroes in on Florida expansion

As Great Wolf Resorts looked for where to build in Florida, it became clear Collier County and Naples was the just-right spot.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 12, 2007
Connecting customers

Telovations, which uses the Internet to offer phone service, also bundles it with Internet service and connects cell phones and email to the mix.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 15, 2008
Gulf Coast Week

Eroding revenue: Now that Florida voters have overwhelmingly approved Amendment 1, city and county governments are finding themselves faced with a double-whammyMacDill modernization: More than a dozen construction projects are under way or on the drawing board at MacDill Air Force Base in South Tampa.Bradenton, Palmetto transit: Government officials and planners for the cities of Bradenton and Palmetto are working together to find answers to traffic congestion issues.Clerk clarifications: The concept that a county's elected Clerk of the Court has oversight in all matters regarding how county commissioners spend money isn't as widespread as some state legislators would like it to be.Naples air service increase: Just months after Delta Airlines shut down its Naples operation, a second airline announced new passenger service.Lee housing permits anemic: Lee County issued 54 permits in January for single-family homes to be built in unincorporated Lee County, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach.Lee's Horizon Council seeks diversification: Lee County has been hit hard by the real estate downturn and the county's economic development group said it plans to boost efforts to recruit other industries to the area.H&K chief to step down: Holland & Knight's controversial chief won't run for re-election next month, saying his decision is in the Florida law firm's "best interests."

  • Finance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 18, 2006
Unflinching Optimism, Practical Steps

Even as they predict brighter days, Gulf Coast Realtors and those in related industries are taking protective measures now.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • April 7, 2006
Corporate Report

Look at briefs from Gulf Coast businesses for free.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • April 21, 2006
Play It Again, Charlie

An industry veteran likes using Bay area bank charters to conquer Florida. But he'll need another IPO this time, too.

  • Entrepreneurs
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