Vol. 31 No. 12 March 25, 2013 A Weekly Space Coast Business Magazine printed in Brevard County, Florida since 1984
Please see Brevard School Board Candidate Dean Paterakis, page 19
Former Brevard teacher Paterakis gearing up for school–board runBy Ken Datzman
These are tough financial times for public education. Complex challenges face
school districts of all sizes around the nation as their operating budgets shrink and
financial pressure mounts, creating an unclear path to progress.
State budget cuts in Florida began four years ago amid the economic storm and
blowup of the housing market. It led to the erosion of the state’s tax base. The result
was a sharp pullback in the ability of the government to fund services and pro-
grams.
The painful budget cuts reaped havoc, eventually taking their toll on school
systems in the Sunshine State. And the pummeling continues today.
The budget–shortfall hole is wide and deep for most public schools in Florida,
though the revenue outlook is starting to trend upward somewhat as the economy
begins to strengthen. Still, the shortfall nightmare is very real for educators.
The Brevard County School Board, for example, is grappling with the proposed
$30 million in cuts, looking at everything from furlough days for administrators to
“pay–to–play” fees for sports to closing select schools in the region.
But it’s not only Brevard County and Florida caught in the revenue squeeze. It’s
pretty much a standing headline in daily newspapers in all communities: “School
board continues struggle to balance the budget.”
“Public school systems all across the nation are in financial distress because of
dwindling state aid,” says Dean Paterakis, a former Brevard County teacher who
taught in public schools and now works for United Parcel Service Inc.
“Locally, there are many things we can do right now to help steady the ship in
the county. It’s all about leadership and making good decisions, I believe.”
From the sideline, Paterakis says he has been closely watching the financial
crisis unfold in Brevard as school–board members seek out solutions to bring the
budget in line.
Are there any budget heroes lurking in the county?
Paterakis said the unprecedented challenge public schools in the region face has
moved him to take action as a resident and citizen. He has filed papers to run for
the Brevard County School Board, District 5.
“I filed them the day Brevard County announced it planned to close a number of
schools,” he said.
The recommended and targeted closings are South Lake in Titusville, Clearlake
in Cocoa and Gardendale on Merritt Island, all schools that parents are fighting to
keep open sparking a lawsuit.
“I don’t think we need to close the schools they have proposed,” said Paterakis. “I
want to see all three of those schools remain open.”
School–board members are elected during the primary and sworn into office in
November. They serve a four–year term on the five–member board.
Paterakis, who also taught in Ohio and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1989 to
1998 (including at Patrick Air Force Base), says he’s running “because I think we
need people on the board who will actually listen to the citizens, and that we can
trust to spend our money appropriately.”
He added, “I have noticed that the citizens do not have much of a say anymore
when it comes to their child’s learning. It’s unfortunate. It’s got to stop and that’s
why I am out on the campaign trail.”
Paterakis said he would put together a citizens’ committee to help review how
the money is spent in the county on school projects and ensure “that school policy is
consistent.”
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Dean Paterakis, right, a former teacher and U.S. Air Force veteran, has filed papers to run for the Brevard CountySchool Board District 5 seat. Paterakis, who works for United Parcel Service Inc., says the school district can savetens of millions of dollars by shelving FCAT. If elected, he said he will consider donating his $35,000 annualschool–board salary, excluding expenses, to area charities and nonprofits. Supporting his run are Denise Coyle,longtime school volunteer in the region, and Lewis Ruffalo, left, a former Brevard Public Schools employee. Theyare at the Residence Inn by Marriott on South Babcock Street in Melbounre.
BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth
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News
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BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWSHealth First appoints five new board members with a widerange of professional experience and academic credentials
ROCKLEDGE — Health First Inc. has
announced the addition of five people to its
Board of Trustees. They are:
l James Dwight is president and
headmaster of Florida Air Academy in
Melbourne, and co–founder and owner of
the Green Turtle Market in Indian
Harbour Beach. Dwight earned his
bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College
in Vermont and his master of fine arts from
Columbia University in New York.
He also has a master’s in educational
leadership from Florida Institute of
Technology, where he serves as a board
member of the College of Business. Dwight
is past president of the Association of
Military Colleges and Schools of the United
States and past chairman of the Brevard
Workforce Development Board, the
Melbourne Regional Chamber of Com-
merce Board and the Space Coast Early
Intervention Center Board.
l Cathy Eddy is the president of the
Health Plan Alliance. Eddy serves on the
Presbyterian Health Plan Board in
Albuquerque and chairs its Board Quality
Committee. She is on the Health Industry
Council Board in Dallas and advisory
boards for Women Business Leaders and
DST Healthcare.
Eddy received her master of business
administration degree in health–care
management and insurance from The
Wharton School at the University of
Pennsylvania. She has a bachelor’s degree
in news–editorial journalism from Kent
State University.
l Dr. Martin Isenman is a retired
physician. He served as medical director of
MIMA from January 1992 to May 2000. He
was also the chief of the medical staff at
Holmes Regional Medical Center in
Melbourne (1984–1985) and vice chief of
medical staff (1982–1983.)
Dr. Isenman is certified in geriatric
medicine by the American Board of
Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine.
He earned his medical degree from
Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn,
N.Y. Dr. Isenman spent much of his early
medical career at Strong Memorial
Hospital in Rochester, N.Y., before coming
to Florida.
l Richard McNeight brings more than
30 years of international management
experience leading and acquiring high–tech
computer, communication and software
companies. He is president of Modus
Operandi Inc., a leading software develop-
ment and services company.
McNeight earned his bachelor’s degree
in applied science from the University of
Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He has a master’s
in engineering, in computer information
and control engineering, from the Univer-
sity of Michigan.
McNeight also serves on the Astronaut
Memorial Foundation Board of Directors,
the Florida Institute of Technology Board
of Trustees, the Modus Operandi Inc.
Board of Directors and the Eau Gallie
Yacht Club Board of Governors. He was
honored with the Dale Carnegie Interna-
tional Leadership Award in April 2006 for
the “single most outstanding company
leader in North America.” He was awarded
the 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year by
Founder’s Forum and the Economic
Development Commission of Florida’s
Space Coast.
l Fran Pickett has more than 30 years
experience as a designer, master planner,
programmer and school–board member.
She is a Certified Educational Facilities
Planner and is president of Fran Pickett &
Associates.
Pickett earned her master of architec-
ture degree from Tulane University and an
Advanced Certificate in Educational
Facilities Planning from San Diego State
University.
She is the chairperson of the Space
Coast Health Foundation, serves on the
Loan Review Committee at Space Coast
Credit Union, Impact Funding Allocations
Committee for the United Way of Brevard,
and is a pre–kindergarten Sunday school
teacher at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Propeller Club luncheon to feature military speakersThe Propeller Club of Port Canaveral will host its luncheon meeting at 11:30 a.m. on
Wednesday, April 3, at Fishlips Waterfront Bar and Grill in Port Canaveral. The address
is 610 Glen Cheek Drive. The program is titled “The Importance of Port Canaveral.” The
featured speakers will include: Brig. Gen. Anthony Cotton, commander, 45th Space Wing;
Capt. John Heatherington, commanding officer, Naval Ordnance Test Unit; Capt. Tom
Allan, U.S. Coast Guard Sector, Jacksonville; and Col. Alan Dodd, commander, Jackson-
ville District, U.S. Army Crops of Engineers. To make a lunch reservation for the event,
send an e–mail message to [email protected] or call 452–5426. Attendees can also
pay at the door the day of program.
Ben Edwardspick up FL Today
# 466580
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Proud to be serving Space Coast investors. Stop by or give us a call.
Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. 930 S. Harbor City Blvd, Suite 400 Melbourne, FL 32901 Phone: 321-729-6615 Toll Free: 855-729-6615
Founded by a financial services veteran with a family legacy of serving investors that spans six generations and 120-years, Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. is an investment firm that strives to put our clients first and provide the informed investment advice you deserve.
L. Betsy Dickson, CFP® Managing Director – Investments
Jo-Ann LaPan Senior Registered Financial Associate
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Our Easter Wish is for everyone but, still, mostly for you Jessica. We love you, Erna
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Brevard Business News is published every Monday byBrevard Business News Inc. Bulk Rate postage is paid atMelbourne, FL and Cocoa, FL. This publication servesbusiness executives in Brevard County. It reports onnews, 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 signatureand printed or typed name, full address and telephonenumber. Brevard Business News reserves the right to editall letters. Send your letters to: Editor, Brevard BusinessNews, 4300 Fortune Place, Suite D, West Melbourne, FL,32904, or email [email protected].
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UCF student: I wish someone had given me this advice sooner about collegeBy Heather WaymouthUCF Forum columnist
As a senior graduating from UCF in May, I recently
have spent a lot of time reflecting on my college experience
— and boy, I wish people had told me a lot of things sooner
about college!
Other than the expected advice of “Don’t party too hard”
and “Stick to the books” — which certainly are good things
to remember — there are plenty of tips I wish someone
would have shared with me four years ago.
So here are a few things I’d like to pass along that may
help other students in their early years of college:
l Keep in touch with friends and mentors
Freshman year is generally the time for meeting new
faces and having fewer responsibilities compared to senior
year. Every year will become busier and harder academi-
cally and extracurricularly. Make sure to keep in touch and
make time for your friends and those who inspire you
along the way.
l Just because you choose a major doesn’t mean you’re
locked in to it
I’m not talking about the fact that students can switch
their major at any time. I am talking about afterwards
when getting out into the real world, and realizing that
career is not what you want to do. Never feel like you
might choose the wrong path. I know professionals who
studied performing arts and eventually found their way to
physical therapy graduate school. It’s never too late in life
to make a switch. And it’s not impossible. So, as a fresh-
man or sophomore, try not to freak out about finding the
perfect study, because it probably doesn’t exist. Plus, how
are you supposed to decide what you want to do with the
rest of your life at 19 years old? Just try to focus on your
interests and see where they lead you.
l Ask for help and build strong relationships with
professors and advisors
If you are having a hard time in a course, instead of
resenting the professor, visit him or her during office hours
and ask for help. I’m sure you’d be surprised at how willing
they are to sit down with you. On another note, getting to
know your professors and advisors in your major will help
you stay on top of course material, stay connected to
academic affairs, and open doors to opportunities. Some-
times the best way to build a relationship with faculty
members is to join a club they advise, too.
l Get involved. At the same time, don’t get too involved
Joining an organization is an easy way to meet new
friends, give back to the community and feel a part of
something extraordinary. I recommend getting involved in
two organizations at a time, and do them well. Maybe
choose one related to your studies and one related to a
campus organization. If you are someone who tends to
overwhelm yourself — don’t push your limits. Try to only
take on as much that won’t spread you thin. Find only a
few leadership positions and put 100 percent effort into
them. Mental breakdowns are not worth the stress.
l Apply for scholarships each semester
There are many scholarship opportunities just waiting
for students to claim. And I’m just talking about the ones
offered by individual universities — not even those offered
by other organizations on a national level. I suggest
keeping a list handy of scholarships available and their
deadlines. Even if you don’t have time to apply to all, make
it a goal to apply to at least one scholarship each month. I
wish I had started trying to find as many scholarships as I
could earlier on.
l Don’t stress over that one bad grade
You are either the student who obsesses over grades or
doesn’t care at all. I’m sure if you are part of the “don’t
care” group, you probably wouldn’t even stumble upon this
article in the first place. So for the ones who are perfection-
ists when it comes to schoolwork, if you are worried about
an upcoming test and feel like the world is going to end,
just remember that in a year, you won’t even remember
stressing over that midterm. Take a deep breath, study
hard and try your best. I promise you will still be breathing
in a week.
I don’t expect my advice to apply to every college
student, but I hope there is a message to guide at least
someone.
And just remember: We’re all at school to learn,
whether it’s academically or personally.
Now if only someone would tell me how to survive after
graduation in a few months!
Allen West Foundation launches, seeks to educate, train aspiring conservative leadersFormer U.S. Congressman and retired Lt. Col. Allen
West has announced the launch of Boca Raton–based The
Allen West Foundation, a Section 501(c)(4) non–profit
organization with the mission of educating and inspiring
the next generation of conservative leaders within the
minority and veteran communities nationwide.
A government truly “of the people” must be fully
representative of those it governs, he said. Both minorities
and veterans are under–represented in elected office at
both the state and federal levels, and the foundation seeks
to educate and motivate members of these groups to
increase their civic participation and representation in
government, said West.
“From the time I first took an oath to support and
defend our Constitution as a young second lieutenant in
the U.S. Army, I have committed my life to our nation and
its constitutional principles. I feel both a duty and an honor
to encourage others to follow a similar path.”
The Allen West Foundation will:
l Host issue–based forums designed to educate
participants on important public policy matters and
encourage greater civic engagement.
l Conduct educational seminars and provide other
resources for those considering becoming more engaged in
their communities or running for public office.
l Advocate on behalf of minorities and veterans on
critical issues facing their communities.
Visit www.AllenWestFoundation.org for details.
Viera Community Center to host event March 30A “Crafts Fair and Kid’s Springtacular” will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, at the Viera
Regional Community Center. Admission is free for the Crafts Fair. The Kid’s Springtacular is $2 per child; free for adults
accompanying children. The event includes take–home crafts, games, bouncy houses, snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn
and an egg hunt at 11 a.m. The event is sponsored by Brevard County Parks and Recreation. Crafters can obtain
applications at the Viera Regional Community Center, 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way in Viera. Vendor spaces, 8 feet–
by–8 feet, are $31.80 and include a five–foot table. All spaces are indoors, and payment must be received by Wednesday,
March 27. For more information, call 433–4891.
UCF Forum columnist Heather Waymouth is aUniversity of Central Florida senior majoring inadvertising/public relations and English writing, andcan be reached at [email protected].
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ORLANDO — The Small Business Institute, the
“premier professional association” of small business,
entrepreneurship educators and researchers involved in
student–analysis projects, recently announced that a
student team from the University of Central Florida’s
College of Business Administration, under the supervision
of faculty and staff, was a winner of its annual Project of
the Year competition, taking third prize in the 2013
“Graduate Business Plan” category.
The UCF team of graduate students Shannon Corrigan,
Brett Penta and Lindsey Powers, under the guidance of
the UCF’s SBI Program Director Dr. Lloyd Fernald and
Faculty Supervisor Kathie Holland, produced a winning
business plan for their client, Electronic Creations, in
competition with MBA teams from across the country.
In addition, the SBI announced that the UCF program
has been named the winner of the 2013 SBI Showcase
Award. The award is made annually to the SBI program
and its director in recognition of innovative development or
management, or because their SBI efforts contributed to a
“true small–business client success story.”
“It’s another great day for UCF’s College of Business
Administration’s students and faculty,” said Dr. Paul
Jarley, dean of that college. “Even as we celebrate the
College of Business Administration’s 50th Anniversary, we
are looking ahead to make the changes we must so our
school and our students stay relevant to our communities
and our stakeholders. The SBI program is a continuing
step in that direction. Its emphasis on experiential
learning working with local businesses demonstrates not
only our commitment to our community but also to
preparing our MBA students with hands–on experience
that will make them successful in a tough job market.”
In the SBI’s 2013 Project of the Year competition, the
UCF students worked with Orlando–based Electronic
Creations (EC), a company engaged in the installation of
automation systems, home theatres, audio systems,
appliance controls, security systems and a variety of
technological improvements to homes and commercial
businesses.
Working closely with EC’s President Robert Levy and
Vice President Robert Foust, the student team’s consulting
engagement and assignment was focused on preparing a
business plan for the launch of a new subsidiary aimed at
serving the rapidly growing age population of individuals
over 65.
Under the guidance of their UCF’s SBI Program
Director Dr. Lloyd Fernald, professor emeritus at the UCF
College of Business Administration, the student team
oversaw and implemented extensive research and analysis
to determine industry best practices; met weekly to
understand company processes and procedures; and
performed wide–ranging analysis of business and industry
strategies and performance.
As a result of their efforts, the students were able to
provide a comprehensive business plan comprised of both a
short– and long–term strategic analysis and set of
recommendations.
“Thanks to our Small Business Institute team from
UCF, we have a much better understanding of the
challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the
subsidiary we envision,” said EC President Robert Levy.
“This was a real value–added experience for us, and I
am pleased that the national SBI chose to recognize these
students and the UCF SBI program for their achieve-
ment.”
Sun Land Realty’s Dryer, Marschang announce land sale at the Crossings site in MelbourneReal–estate professionals Michael Dryer and Scot Marschang of Coldwell Banker Commercial Sun Land Realty in
Indian Harbour Beach have announced the sale of 11.3 acres of multifamily land in Melbourne.
Dreyer is president, broker and owner of the firm. Marschang is senior vice president of commercial services.
The Crossings at Baymeadows is located centrally in Melbourne off Wickham Road, at a major north–south corridor.
It lies east of the Parkway Meadows and Baymeadows residential developments.
Dreyer also announced the sale of 1.87 acres of a medical office land site in Malabar. The property is an outparcel of
the MIMA Medical Office Complex and is located on the west side of the entrance at MIMA Boulevard. The property was
marketed and sold by Dreyer.
Coldwell Banker Commercial Sun Land Realty is part of a collaborative network of independently owned and
operated affiliates comprising more than 200 companies and 3,000 professionals throughout the U.S. and internationally.
The local firm specializes in commercial real estate sales and leasing services, including site selection, acquisition,
disposition, landlord representation, tenant representation, property management, real–estate counseling services,
receivership, and build–to–suit projects. Visit www.CBCSunlandrealty.com for more information.
TD Charitable Foundation awards grant to Brevard Rescue MissionBrevard Rescue Mission, which provides transitional housing and support services for homeless women with children,
was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank.
Funding will be used to establish the “Transformation Through Education Program,” which meets the educational needs
of both the mothers and their at–risk children by furnishing one–on–one tutoring in GED test preparation, homework
assistance, and reading proficiency. Brevard Rescue Mission is privately funded by donations from individuals, civic
organizations, foundations, churches, and area businesses. Donated funds provide housing, education, transportation,
counseling, medical care, parent training, household budgeting, tutoring, job training, food and clothing, and case–
manager support services. Call 480–9100 or visit www.BrevardRescueMission.org for more information.
Small Business Institute honors UCF’s College of Businessstudents and faculty, places third in 2013 plan competition
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Hospice of Health First announces addition of three associate medical directors to its team of professionalsROCKLEDGE — Hospice of Health First has an-
nounced the addition of three new associate medical
directors to its staff.
Joining the Hospice of Health First team led by
Dr. Ruddy Ruiz are Dr. Mario Ruberte, Dr. Chris Cobbold,
and Dr. Govind Sriramineni.
Dr. Ruberte, board–certified in internal medicine and
hospice and palliative care, is with Health First Medical
Group. He is also an associate professor at the University
of Central Florida School of Medicine, Department of
Internal Medicine. He is a graduate of Catholic University
of Puerto Rico, the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara
Medical School and the Fifth Pathway Program at New
York Medical College. Dr. Ruberte performed his residency
at Eastern Virginia Medical School and spent one year as a
hospitalist at Sentara Health Systems in Virginia Beach.
Dr. Cobbold is a board–certified internal medicine and
hospice and palliative care physician with Health First
Medical Group. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology
from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and
his doctor of medicine from the University of Alberta in
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His residency was completed
in internal medicine at Summa Health System in Akron,
Ohio.
Dr. Sriramineni is a board–certified internal medicine
physician with Health First Medical Group. He came to
Brevard from Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, N.J.,
where he performed his residency in internal medicine.
Before coming to the U.S. and gaining his citizenship, he
worked in India as a primary care physician. He also
attended medical school in India at Sri Devaraj Urs
Medical College.
“Adding these experienced physicians to our team will
increase our ability to treat and manage the unique
symptoms of our Hospice patients in their own homes,
where they are most comfortable,” said Steve Bice,
executive director of Hospice of Health First.
“At Hospice of Health First, we believe our patients and
their families deserve the most quality and compassionate
care we can provide,” Bice added.
The professional staff of Hospice of Health First
provides skilled nursing care and support services to meet
the daily needs of the patient and family 24 hours, seven
days a week. For more information, call 952–0494 or visit
www.health–first.org/hospice.
UCF’s Dr. Sole earns award for her work contributing to nursing professionORLANDO — Mary Lou Sole, coordinator of University
of Central Florida’s clinical nurse specialist master’s and
doctoral tracks, recently earned the Researcher of the Year
Award from the National Association of Clinical Nurse
Specialists.
The award for work that has significantly contributed to
advancing the nursing profession was presented in San
Antonio at the association’s annual conference.
“Dr. Sole has made exceptional contributions to the
body of knowledge of nursing science. Her work has
improved the outcomes of numerous patients and she
continues to mentor future CNS researchers,” said Carol
Manchester, president of the association.
Dr. Sole’s primary research is on improving outcomes of
critical illness, with a focus on airway management and
infection. Her secondary research interest is in the
application of technology in clinical and educational
settings. She has published more than 65 articles in peer–
reviewed journals, mostly covering critical care and
nursing education.
Dr. Sole has worked at UCF since 1991 and was named
a Pegasus Professor, UCF’s top faculty honor, in 2008. She
is a Fellow in both the American Academy of Nursing and
the American College of Critical Care Medicine.
The textbook “Introduction to Critical Care Nursing”
(5th edition), by Dr. Sole, Deborah Goldenberg Klein and
Marthe J. Moseley, was named Book of the Year in 2010
by the “American Journal of Nursing.”
She was the lead investigator on a National Institutes
of Health nursing research grant related to airway
management in critically ill patients, and in 2006 her
expertise and commitment earned a gubernatorial
nomination to the Florida Biomedical Research Advisory
Council, on which she continues to serve.
The Orlando Health Distinguished Professor at UCF’s
College of Nursing, Dr. Sole received her bachelor’s degree
in nursing from Ohio University, a master’s degree in
nursing from The Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in
nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. She is
certified as a critical–care clinical–nurse specialist.
Broker Brian Lightle of Lightle Beckner Robison attends SIOR ConferenceCommercial broker Brian Lightle of Melbourne–based Lightle Beckner Robison Inc. recently attended the SIOR
Florida Chapter Conference in Orlando.
From locations across the state, members of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors converged on Orlando for the
two–day event, exchanging valuable information on the industry and building relationships. Roundtable discussions with
developers of office and industrial buildings included future development plans along with present opportunities.
Members also toured the Lake Nona community area, where a full slate of new office, industrial and mixed–use
projects are being designed. The projects are estimated to be $500 million in value.
The keynote speaker was Michael Randle, editor and publisher of “Southern Business and Development Magazine.”
He spoke about the future of manufacturing in the South. “The open exchange of information, experiences and market
knowledge between 50 of the top brokers in Florida was priceless,” said Lightle.
Lightle Beckner Robison Inc. is a full–service real–estate firm solely serving the commercial segment of the market.
Specializing in office, retail, industrial, investment properties and asset/property management, the firm serves Brevard
County extending across the entire states of Florida and Georgia. For additional information, visit www.TeamLBR.com.
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Balda Family Foundation acceptingapplications for college scholarships
The local Balda Family Foundation is accepting
applications for college scholarships through April 15.
The nonprofit, private foundation was founded in 2007.
Its mission is to motivate, inspire and educate academi-
cally promising, at–risk and underserved youth in Brevard
County through educational opportunities and college
scholarships.
Eligibility requirements and applications are available
at www.BaldaFoundation.org. Partial and late applica-
tions will not be accepted for review. Scholarship amounts
will range from $1,000 to $3,000 and all applicants will be
notified of the results by June 8.
The scholarship funds will be put into the recipient’s
college bursar account. No checks to individuals will be
distributed. Contact [email protected] for more
information.
BCC printing and graphic services earnrecognition; Lally and Smith are honored
Brevard Community College was recently notified that
its college–wide printing and graphic–services department
has earned national recognition by the Collegiate Advertis-
ing Awards.
Two staff members were honored for their creative
talents — Michael Lally and Mitzi Smith.
Lally earned a Silver Advertising Award for creation of
the 2012 National Championship Soccer Tournament
Program. Smith also earned a Silver Advertising Award
for the business–pocket folder she designed for the college.
The Collegiate Advertising Awards is an elite program
designed to recognize today’s most talented educational
marketing professionals for outstanding excellence in all
forms of advertising, marketing and promotion.
Entries are judged by a panel of design and education
marketing professionals with decades of combined
experience. Entries are evaluated on creativity, layout/
design, typography, production, quality and overall
effectiveness.
“We’re extremely proud of the talented staff we have
here at BCC,” said Dr. Jim Richey, president of Brevard
Community College. “Our college–wide printing and
graphic–services department is one great example of that
talent. It’s certainly well–earned recognition for a team we
count on for so many things.”
Seminar set for DeGroodt LibraryKick off the spring growing season with an informative
and money–saving seminar on how to save the seeds from
your own garden at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, at the
Franklin T. DeGroodt Memorial Library in Palm Bay.
Brevard County master gardener Lucia Chankersingh will
conduct the program. The seed–saving seminar will
introduce new participants to the DeGroodt Library seed
exchange. Bring in your own labeled, homegrown or
heirlooms seeds, and trade them packet–for–packet for
seeds from the seed bank. Seed envelopes are provided at
the library. Contact Nancy Garmer at Franklin T.
DeGroodt Memorial Library for more information. The
number is 952–6318.
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Visit BrevardBusinessNews.com for Advertising InformationMARCH 25, 2013 BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 9
BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWSCentral Florida Chapter of JDRF to host its‘Walk to Cure Diabetes’ — seeks volunteers
More than 1,500 people are expected to participate in
JDRF’s annual “Walk to Cure Diabetes” on Saturday,
April 6, at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach.
The Central Florida Chapter of JDRF is hoping to raise
more than $153,000 for research to find a cure for Type 1
diabetes and its complications.
“This is such a great opportunity for the community to
come together to raise money and awareness, said JDRF
Board of Directors President Joseph Ranaldi. “Diabetes
has a huge impact on many Central Florida families.
Insulin is a necessity, not a cure.”
To run an event of this magnitude and make it a
success, JDRF said it needs at least 50 volunteers. There
are a variety of jobs waiting for volunteers: including
setting up for the activities, helping with registration,
supervising children’s venues, providing entertainment,
serving in the food tent, and many more.
Volunteers will have a “great time, get some exercise,
and most importantly, be a part of the cure.”
“We never lose sight of our ultimate goal to remove T1D
from our lives forever. However, along the path to a cure
we are inspired by the many achievements toward the
treatment and prevention of this disease,” said JDRF
Director Martin Bernstine. “The outpouring of support and
commitment of people enables JDRF to continue funding
cutting edge research.”
The Walk to Cure Diabetes is supported by many
volunteers, local companies and in–kind donors. If you are
interested in volunteering, contact Marcia Stagni, JDRF
volunteer chairwoman, at [email protected].
Since it inception, JDRF has provided more than $1.6
billion to diabetes research worldwide. More than 80
percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research
and research–related education.
For more information, visit www.JDRF.org or call
(407) 774–2166.
Historian Gannon to speak at the April 2Ponce de Leon event in Melbourne Beach
United Third Bridge Inc. and The Florida Puerto Rican
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Inc. have confirmed the
attendance of Dr. Michael Gannon for “The V Centennial
Celebration of the Discovery of Florida” by Juan Ponce de
Leon in Melbourne Beach.
Titled “The First Landing,” the event will take place on
April 2 at Juan Ponce de Leon Landing Park.
The historian, academic, former professor of history at
the University of Florida, and Distinguished Service
Professor Emeritus of History will be attending The Royal
Mass, the re–enactment of the 1513 landing and the
unveiling of the Juan Ponce de Leon Statue, where he will
be a guest speaker.
Dr. Gannon is also known for his study of Spanish
colonial history and for supporting Douglas T. Peck’s
findings that the epic 1513 voyage of Juan Ponce de León
and his landing near Melbourne Beach on April 2.
Among numerous awards and honors, he is a Knight
Commander of the Order of Isabel the Catholic, granted by
King Juan Carlos I of Spain.
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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 10
Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse shines after renovation; now showcasing‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ the rock opera that revolutionized musical theaterBy Ken Datzman
COCOA VILLAGE — With its new interior look
and upgraded seating following a major renovation,
The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse is enjoying a
newfound love affair with the community.
The design project rounded the facility into a
“world–class community theater.” That’s the way
Playhouse patrons are describing the remake of the
auditorium, which showcases a large chandelier.
“The renovation has brought a new breadth of life
into the theater,” said Staci Hawkins–Smith, execu-
tive director of the Playhouse. “We took care in
making sure everything was just right.”
“As a performer on stage, when you look out into
the audience there is definitely a ‘wow’ factor,” said
veteran Playhouse actor Benjamin Cox, adding, “But
once you start your role in a show, all of that disap-
pears and it just turns to darkness.”
One of the biggest advancements is the
Playhouse’s new orchestra pit, which can comfortably
seat up to 30 players with all of their instruments.
“That means a larger orchestra and a fuller sound,”
said Hawkins–Smith, who has led the Playhouse for
more than two decades. “For ‘South Pacific,’ we had 27
players in the orchestra pit.”
The construction project added 95 seats in the
balcony, bringing the total capacity of the Playhouse
to 595 seats.
“There were times when we had to beg people to sit
in the balcony of the auditorium,” said Hawkins–
Smith. “And now the balcony fills up just as fast as the
main level. In fact, there are people who will only sit
in the balcony for a show. The view is spectacular.”
She said Playhouse attendees have commented on
the “comfort of the new seats we installed throughout
the facility.”
The Playhouse’s 23rd “Broadway on Brevard”
series has included the world premier of Tony
Macaulay’s “Build Me Up Buttercup — The Musical.”
Hawkins–Smith said it had “an incredible run.”
Throughout the month of March, the Playhouse is
presenting “Jesus Christ Superstar,” a rock opera by
Andrew Lloyd Webber (“The Phantom of the Opera”)
with lyrics by Tim Rice (“Evita,” “The Lion King”). The
musical started as a rock–opera concept recording
before its first staging on Broadway in 1971.
“For the past 23 years, I have tried to bring this
show here, and for 23 years I was turned down, based
on national tour and international tour demand, and
Broadway runs. It was a stroke of luck we were able to
secure this show for our 2012–2013 season the day
after it closed on Broadway,” she said.
The musical is based loosely on the Gospel’s
accounts of the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. As His
teachings are embraced, Judas Iscariot questions the
enlightened motives of this prophet. Christ’s final
days are dramatized with “emotional intensity.”
In the production, Cox is cast as Jesus Christ.
“It has taken me places as an actor that I’ve never
been before because of what it requires of you. For
me, it’s been very deep and meaningful. It’s caused
me to look into my own spirituality.”
The remaining show dates are March 21, 22, 26,
28, 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m., and March 23, 24, 30
and 31 (Easter) at 2 p.m.
“With good fortune, we may have an evening
show on Easter. The cast is prepared. If demand is
really good, we could hold it over one day. That is
all we have the rights for,” she said.
Tickets, from $18 to $26, are sold at
www.CocoaVillagePlayhouse.com. Reservations
can be made by phone at 636–5050. The box office
hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday–Friday.
The “Jesus Christ Superstar” performances are
under the direction of Hawkins–Smith. “When I
come out of rehearsal, my body is sore. I feel like a
wet noodle. It brings out every emotion you have,
from joy to sadness to hope.”
The assistant director and choreographer is
Natalie McKnight, the president and founder of
Better Than Broadway Studio at Rockledge
Business Park, which provides training and
development for the performing–arts community.
The cast includes James Spiva as Judas
Iscariot, McKnight as Mary Magdalene, Brian
Smith as Pilate, Will Evans as Caiaphas, Richard
Evans as Annas, Stephan Snyder as Peter, Jeff
LaDuke as Simon, and Don Bricker as King Herod.
There is a “Jesus Christ Superstar” supporting cast
of 40 Playhouse volunteers.
Hawkins–Smith said it’s one of the most
talented groups of Playhouse performers she has
had “the honor to work with.”
The music is performed by an orchestra led by
music director J. Thomas Black Jr. and conductor
Bob Barone.
“The play starts with this fantastic slow–motion
combat,” said Hawkins–Smith, “resulting in a
disciple getting speared and dying. No words. Just
music.”
The Playhouse production team includes Ian
Cook, lighting and scenic design; Jeremy Phelps,
associate production design; Daniel Hill, costume
design; and Gavin Little, sound design and
engineering.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” was the first musical
by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be
produced for the professional stage.
Following “Jesus Christ Superstar” on the
Playhouse schedule is “I’ll Be Seeing You,” a 1940s
cabaret show with Margaret Cross. Two perfor-
mances are set for Saturday, April 6, at 2 p.m. and
7 p.m.
Former New York City performer Cross
(“Finian’s Rainbow,” “Titanic”) is a Playhouse favorite. She will be
joined by her father, Don Cross (“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”) for a
musical walk down memory lane featuring songs such as “You’ll Never
Know” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”
Next up, and adapted from the novel by Mark Twain, is “Big River:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” It will open at the Playhouse on
Friday, April 26. Twain’s classic book was published in the U.S. in
1885, a year after debuting in England.
Propelled by an award–winning score by the late country singer
Roger Miller, “Big River” provides a “brilliantly theatrical production of
pure Americana.”
Staci Hawkins–Smith is directing the classic ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at the newlyrenovated Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse. She has tried for more than twodecades to secure the rights to ‘Superstar’ for the Playhouse, of which she is theexecutive director. The renovation included adding 95 balcony seats. BenjaminCox is the lead actor for ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’
BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth
Visit BrevardBusinessNews.com for Advertising InformationMARCH 25, 2013 BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 11
BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
Prevent! of Brevard to host ‘Jamboree’ fund–raiser at Melbourne Auditorium;longtime nonprofit organization makes life–changing impact in communityBy Ken Datzman
The long reach of Prevent! of Brevard
Inc., with its 22 programs targeting specific
population segments facing various
challenges in society, annually touches the
lives of more than 15,000 area residents.
From its esteem–building program for
pre–schoolers to its mother–child home
program, the organization has developed
and delivered services to children and
families across a range of social–economic
backgrounds since 1980.
“As an organization, we have made a
big impact in the community over the
years helping change lives, with a lot of
success stories,” said Kay Heimmer,
president and chief executive officer of
Prevent! of Brevard.
Some of her clients have even gone on to
earn master’s degrees and are now helping
others overcome serious hurdles in their
life. The not–for–profit provider works to
prevent “destructive behaviors, protect and
nurture children, redirect high–risk youth,
treat addictions and strengthen and unite
families.”
“We focus on providing direct services
for the clients and we work with the whole
family, which is critical in order to really
have an impact that’s lasting. We have to
break the cycle of addiction. Sometimes
we’re dealing with third–generation
addiction,” said Heimmer.
“It’s an extraordinary group of people
and the programs are so successful,” said
Jack Kirschenbaum, an attorney with
GrayRobinson in Melbourne who sits on
the organization’s board of directors.
Kirschenbuam, a longtime community
volunteer with his wife Diane, says
Prevent! of Brevard’s work in the region “is
much needed.” And because of the
government’s decreased funding for many
social–service programs, the organization
has “become a safety net.”
He has served on the Prevent! of
Brevard board for more than a year. “It
seemed to be the right thing to do and I am
happy I made that commitment.”
One of Prevent! of Brevard’s main
programs is “Sally’s House.” The facility
was established to offer a safe, comfortable
environment for women seeking to
overcome and maintain recovery from
addiction, said Heimmer.
Sally’s House, which opened in 1993, is
dedicated to assisting pregnant women.
The residential facility allows women to
keep their infants and older children with
them as they complete the program’s
requirements.
The clients may stay in the 15–bed
House for up to two years to be successful
in their recovery. To date, the facility “has
served more than 1,000 women and
children. We’ve had 72 healthy, drug–free
babies born at Sally’s House,” said
Heimmer.
“The goal, of course, is to have our
graduates of the program be self–sufficient,
to hold a job or be working toward a
degree, and be a caring parent,” she added.
Prevent! of Brevard has a long track
record of achievement in the social–
services arena. For example, it was one of
only 20 agencies nationally to be recog-
nized by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services for its exemplary
programs.
Prevent! of Brevard’s funding comes
from a number of sources, including local,
state, and federal grants.
Prevent! of Brevard has also been
singled out by the Florida Department of
Children and Families, through grant
awards.
An important contributor to the
organization’s resources, as it works to help
the growing number of individuals and
families seeking its services, is the annual
“Jamboree” fund–raising social, which
typically attracts hundreds of people from
across the county.
The 17th Jamboree is scheduled from 6
to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, at the
Melbourne Auditorium. The 2013 Jambo-
ree chairpersons are Christine Lance, and
Jack and Diane Kirschenbaum. The event
hosts are Roger and Marilyn Dobson, John
and Darcia Francey, and Bjornar and Bjorg
Hermansen.
The idea for the benefit came from
Darcia Francey, who for over the past two
decades has helped nonprofit entities plan,
build, and organize fund–raising programs
in the community.
“We wanted to create an event that
would be fun and appeal to a wide audi-
ence,” said Francey, who is the Prevent! of
Brevard board of directors chairwoman.
“The feedback we had so often heard in
the community from people who attend
and support area fund–raisers, especially
men, is that they favored an event that
Carrabba’s Italian Grill of Merritt
Island is the Jamboree’s “lead restaurant
sponsor.” A host of area restaurants are
participating, including Tuscany Grill,
Matt’s Casbah, Auddino’s Italian Bakery,
Fujiyama Japanese Seafood and Steak
House, Old School Pizza, Taste of Thai,
and Continental Flambé.
The core of the Jamboree proceeds will
benefit Sally’s House, said Heimmer,
whose organization receives partial
funding for two of its programs from
United Way of Brevard.
The Jamboree is Prevent! of Brevard’s
only fund–raising event of the year. “We
have assured our supporters that we will
ask for their help only once a year and we
have kept that promise,” said Heimmer.
Prevent! of Brevard, which runs 22 programs that help shape lives, hosts only one fund–raising eventyearly — its ‘Jamboree.’ The 17th edition is set for March 23 at the Melbourne Auditorium. Individualtickets and sponsorships are available. From left: Darcia Francey, Prevent! chairwoman and creatorof the Jamboree; GrayRobinson attorney Jack Kirschenbaum, a board member of Prevent!; and KayHeimmer, president and CEO of Prevent! of Brevard.
BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth
featured a relaxed atmosphere and was not
a black–tie function. This is the Jamboree’s
17th year. So it has a lot of history. People
enjoy coming to the Jamboree because of
the atmosphere, and the great food and
entertainment.”
The Jamboree will feature food stations,
live and silent auctions, a reverse drawing,
and live entertainment from the band
“Smith & Western,” which plays a variety
of music. Event sponsorships start at $300
per couple. “This year we are also offering a
limited number of single tickets for $50
each,” said Francey.
To inquire about sponsorships or to
purchase a ticket, call Prevent! of Brevard
at 259–7262 or visit
www.PreventofBrevardInc.net.
MARCH 25, 2013Call Adrienne Roth at 321-951-7777 for Advertising Information
BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 12
Surfside announces its new season of performances; seeks volunteers in range of areas including directorThe Surfside Players organization at Surfside Play-
house in Cocoa Beach has announced its 2013–2014
schedule of theatrical performances for the 55th season.
The lineup includes: “Five Women Wearing the Same
Dress,” by Alan Ball; “Smokey Joe’s Cafe,” by Jerry Leiber
and Mike Stoller; “Hello Dolly! by Michael Stewart and
Jerry Herman; “To Kill A Mockingbird, based on the novel
by Harper Lee; and “Shout! The Mod Musical,” by Phillip
George and David Lowenstein.
In addition to the regular schedule, the Playhouse will
host two special events: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,”
and “Love Letters,” by A.R. Gurney.
To prepare for the new season, Surfside is currently
seeking production staff and volunteers.
Contact Robin Pena at 626–1343 or [email protected],
or by Facebook Message (not by Wall post) if you have an
interest in any of the following areas, whether a specific
show or a general desire to help: director (respond by May
1); musical director; choreographer; orchestra/band;
costume design or sewing; set design, construction or
painting; props design; lighting/sound design or operation;
publicity/marketing; and artwork or media design.
Front–of–house volunteers (box–office manager, house
manager, usher, concessions) can call Jeanne Prichard at
783–3127. Surfside Playhouse says it is in need of volun-
teers “for any show,” including “Love, Sex and the IRS,”
which runs for the next two weekends.
For more information about this and other events, visit
www.surfsideplayers.com or the Facebook group “Surfside
Players.” Submit an e–mail or postal address to
[email protected] to receive updates on shows
throughout the season.
Surfside Players is a community theatre dedicated to
the performing arts through productions, presentations,
education and outreach.
The nonprofit organization is sponsored in part by the
state of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural
Affairs through the Florida Arts Council; “Brevard
Business News,” The Margaret Heins Foundation; and the
Brevard County Board of County Commissioners through
the Brevard Cultural Alliance.
Date changes for Space Coast Community Law School legal seminarsSpace Coast Community Law School, which offers free legal seminars to the public, has announced changes for its
March and April schedule. The seminar on “Wills, Trust and Probate” will be held on March 28. The new date for the
seminar on “Gun Control and Stand Your Ground Law” is April 11. Also, the speaker for the seminar on the “Formation
of the U.S. Constitution” will be Judge David Silverman, rather than Judge A.B. Majeed. For more information and to
view the full schedule of public seminars, visit www.SCCLS.com.
UCF
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BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
Chipotle Mexican Grill to open first Melbourne location, sustainable–minded restaurant brings 30 jobs to areaChipotle Mexican Grill, the national restaurant
chain known for changing the way Americans eat fast
food through its commitment to “Responsibly Raised”
and “sustainably sourced ingredients,” will open its first
Melbourne location on Tuesday, March 26, at 2322
Harnett Drive in Viera.
The new 2,385–square–foot restaurant features
seating for about 90 guests and will be open daily from
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The restaurant opening will bring
some 30 new jobs to Melbourne.
Visit Jobs.Chipotle.com/Melbourne–jobs for more
information on applying for these job opportunities.
Chipotle will offer its signature menu items includ-
ing burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (burritos minus the
tortilla) and salads. Guests can choose from responsibly
raised meats including carnitas (pork), steak, barbacoa
or chicken, and vegetarian options such as grilled
vegetables, black beans and homemade guacamole, all
made fresh several times daily.
Chipotle burritos and burrito bowls can be served
with freshly steamed white or brown rice prepared with
a hint of cilantro and fresh squeezed lime, and topped
off with mild, medium or hot salsas, and rBGH–free
cheese and sour cream from pasture–raised cows.
The sustainably sourced ingredients reflect
Chipotle’s “core mission to improve the nation’s food
supply.” As the “first national restaurant company” to
commit to local and organically grown produce,
Chipotle served more than 15 million pounds of locally
sourced vegetables and herbs in 2012 and the company
remains the largest restaurant seller of Responsibly
Raised meats including beef, pork and chicken.
“For more than a decade, we have been working to
improve the nation’s food supply by finding more
sustainable sources for all of the ingredients we use in
our restaurants,” said Steve Ells, founder, chairman
and co–chief executive officer of Chipotle. “It’s one of the
ways we are changing the way people think about and
eat fast food. Food made with great ingredients should
be available and affordable to everyone.”
Food is served in bowls made from recycled news-
print, and unbleached tray liners, napkins and cups are
made from recycled materials.
Outside its four walls, Chipotle founded the Culti-
vate Foundation, which is committed to creating a more
sustainable and healthful food supply and to raising
awareness concerning food issues. Through the
foundation, Chipotle has contributed more than $2
million to help fund initiatives that support sustainable
agriculture, family farming, culinary education, and
innovation that promotes better food.
Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in 1993
and currently operates more than 1,400 locations. For
more information, visit Chipotle.com.
Beyond and Back Travel announces key partnership with Travel LeadersBeyond and Back Travel of Melbourne Beach has announced its association with Travel Leaders, the largest travel–
agency franchise network in the U.S. with hundreds of locations nationwide.
“Beyond and Back Travel’s new affiliation with Travel Leaders gives us the ability to offer significantly more benefits
to our leisure and business travelers,” said Pia Hanlon–Olsen, the owner of Beyond and Back Travel.
“These include reduced rates at more than 100,000 hotels worldwide, specially priced cruise vacations, negotiated
rates for many specially arranged tours, and the expertise of our outstanding agents who are committed to providing our
clients with the best possible travel experience.”
Beyond & Back Travel was founded in 1980 with the singular purpose of providing “unmatched levels of service” to
corporate travelers worldwide, she said.
“From our inception, we have remained on the cutting edge of technology while retaining the personal ‘human touch’
that is so lacking in today’s fast–paced environment. As a full–service travel agency, it is our attention to detail and our
dedication to the highest standards of personal customer service, start to finish, that has helped us achieve the level of
success and four–star reputation our clients have come to expect and enjoy.”
For more information about the agency, contact Carrie Bickford at [email protected], or Hanlon–Olsen at
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BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
Brevard Wildlife Corridor Expedition to run for 16 days in April; full slate of outdoor activities for all age levelsFor two weeks, from April 6 to 21, the Space Coast
will be host to hikers, bikers, paddlers, horseback riders
and more during the Brevard Wildlife Corridor Expedi-
tion.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a diversity of ecosys-
tems during specially planned treks and tours during
the event.
Inspired by the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition
that completed in April 2012, the Brevard Wildlife
Corridor Expedition will feature the active involvement
of many expert guides, residents and visitors.
Members of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition
team, who traveled 1,000 miles in 100 days from the
Everglades to the Okefenokee, will serve as keynote
speakers during the Expedition.
The event is designed to build awareness of conser-
vation lands and wildlife corridors in Brevard County.
The Expedition will offer a variety of activities that
relate to the natural areas of the county. These activi-
ties will appeal to a wide range of interests, ages and
fitness levels.
The event will feature eco–tours on horseback, by
kayak or canoe and fat–tire bikes; stand up
paddleboarding in the Indian River Lagoon; a nocturnal
nature hike; a night critter watch ride; pontoon–boat–
guided excursions; wildlife photography, surf fishing;
and plant–identification instruction.
The program will include a 50–mile guided kayaking
and camping trip along the St. Johns River from Lake
Washington to Midway (west of Titusville), and a 74–
mile guided kayaking trip in the Indian River Lagoon
from Mosquito Lagoon (in the Merritt Island National
Wildlife Refuge) to Sebastian Inlet.
Another signature event is the “Saturday Spring
Seafood Jubilee” on April 6, catered by one of Titusville’s
top restaurants, Dixie Crossroads. The Jubilee will
feature fresh locally caught and prepared seafood. Held
at Fox Lake Park in Titusville from 4 to 8 p.m., the
Jubilee will kick off the Expedition in a casual social
atmosphere with shrimp and fish from Port Canaveral.
You can sign up for the Jubilee at the Expedition
website to help ensure Dixie Crossroads prepares
enough food to serve all who attend.
The Expedition is being organized by local volunteers
and has received support from sponsors and experts on
the lands and outdoor recreation of the area, including
special support from the Brevard County Environmen-
tally Endangered Lands program.
The Brevard Wildlife Corridor Expedition is
presented by the Brevard Nature Alliance, a voluntary
group of individuals and organizations associated for
the purpose of raising the awareness of citizens and
visitors to the value and importance of the natural
resources of Brevard.
To participate in the events, register at
www.ExpeditionBrevard.com. There will be updates at
www.facebook.com/ExpeditionBrevard as well.
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BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
Area firm Creative Network Innovations achieves Blue Coat Systems’ Authorized Partner status; new productsMelbourne–based Creative Network Innovations Inc.
recently announced it has become an “Authorized
Partner” with Blue Coat Systems, a company that “leads
the industry” in providing Web security and Wide Area
Network, or WAN, optimization solutions.
“As a Blue Coat Partner, CNI is excited to bring
additional products, such as the PacketShaper, to provide
services that can monitor and control application
performance while providing security required on
networks, especially on the Space Coast,” said Corey
Johnson, CNI’s president and director of technology.
“This partnership is a natural complement to CNI’s
local data–center services and demonstrates our on–
going commitment to provide world–class Blue Coat
products and services to our clients in Brevard,” he
added.
To achieve this ability to provide sales and technical
support to customers on the Space Coast, CNI was
required to earn Blue Coat Sales and Technical Certifica-
tion Training in the areas of WAN optimization and
PacketShaper visibility.
“With focused expertise in our product, such as the
PacketShaper, CNI continues to make investments in
delivering the integrated and customized technology
solutions today’s business customers demand,” said
Tamela Gates May, senior director for national resellers
at Blue Coat Systems.
The PacketShaper is a cloud–connected WAN and
Internet appliance that provides real–time traffic
discovery and classification of hundreds of applications
and tens of millions of websites.
To find out more about how PacketShaper can help
your business, contact CNI at (800) 264–5547 or visit
www.CNIWeb.net.
CNI is a 16–year–old information–technology
company. It has a state–of–the–art data center in
Melbourne, and redundant data centers in Atlanta, and
Toronto, Canada.
The company’s service platform is based on managed
solutions. The firm has an experienced full–service team
providing a range of services, including colocation,
Internet access, website development and hosting,
networking, security, disaster recovery, onsite support,
and consultations.
Blue Coat Systems provides Web security and WAN
optimization solutions to “86 percent of Fortune Global
500 companies.”
For additional information, visit www.BlueCoat.com.
Former area banker Kevin Evans joins CenterState Bank as commercial lenderTim Pierson, community president of general banking with CenterState Bank, has announced the appointment of
Kevin Evans as vice president of commercial lending.
Evans is responsible for assisting business clients and area builders throughout Volusia and Brevard counties, in
obtaining the “best commercial loan product to meet their individual financial needs.”
During his 16 years with Indian River County’s former Indian River National Bank, which operated in Brevard
County, Evans served as senior vice president and area executive, responsible for all aspects of commercial and retail
banking.
Evans graduated from Albion College, the Florida School of Banking and the Oklahoma State Commercial Lending
School. He has had strong ties with Habitat for Humanity and the Florida Bankers Association.
CenterState Bank of Florida N.A., an independent Florida bank headquartered in Winter Haven, is owned by the
Davenport–based holding company, Centerstate Banks Inc. The holding company has 55 branches and combined assets
of nearly $2.4 billion. That ranks it among the top Florida–based banks in size.
CenterState Bank has been recognized by Bauer Rating Service, an independent bank rating and research firm in
Coral Gables, for 78 consecutive quarters.
The bank specializes in small–business services as well as checking and savings accounts, consumer loans, commer-
cial and residential lending, financial services and Internet banking.
CenterState Bank branches serving greater Volusia County are located in Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach and
Orange City. Evans may be contacted by calling (386) 689–8094.
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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 16
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
Club Esteem’s inaugural ‘Beyond Breakfast’ with Watters raises more than $20,000 for the organizationClub Esteem’s inaugural spring fund–raising event at
the Hilton Melbourne Rialto, “Beyond Breakfast,” was a
big success generating more than $20,000 from sponsor-
ships and ticket sales.
The keynote speaker was former Notre Dame star and
retired NFL player Ricky Watters. He played on the Irish’s
National Championship team in 1988, and then enjoyed a
10–year NFL career, which included a Super Bowl
Championship with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994.
At the event, Club Esteem Executive Director Ellena
Little reported on the many achievements of the 147
students who currently attend Club Esteem.
Three of Club Esteem’s high–school students, Kayrol
Leslie, Daisha Washington and Shanaika Grandoit,
shared brief testimonials on how Club Esteem has helped
to prepare them for college and beyond.
Watters gave his keynote address talking about being
adopted and growing up in an inner–city neighborhood as
a “latch–key child.”
He emphasized to the room of businessmen, women
and community supporters, the importance of after–school
programming for economically disadvantaged children.
Watters provided guests with a copy of his book, “For Who,
For What: A Warrior’s Journey.”
Event sponsors who donated $1,000 or more were
invited to a private cocktail reception hosted by Watters
the evening before the breakfast event. Watters shared
with this group of 30 attendees personal information about
his life and career and provided opportunities for photos.
Several guests had the opportunity to try on Watters’
National Championship and Super Bowl rings.
Beyond Breakfast’s “Grand Slam” sponsor was the
Tupperware Brands Charitable Foundation. Other event
sponsors included: Scott and Monica Mikuen, Dave and
Anne Davis, Craig Technologies, Gelman Hair Restoration,
From Above Foundation, Florida Institute of Technology,
Winslow Retina and Vision Center, Miller and Hurt
Financial Group, Brett and Cindy Schuster, and Jim and
Mary Clamons.
In–kind donations were provided by: CK Communica-
tions, Liz Cowie Photography, Coalter Digital, “Brevard
Business News,” and WFIT 89.5 FM.
For more information, visit www.clubesteem.com. Club
Esteem is busy preparing for its next fund–raising event,
“Rock the Casbah,” which will be held Sept. 28. Interested
sponsors should contact Fund Development Director
Jennifer Ottomanelli at 298–8381.
Brevard Federated Republican Women to meet April 3The Brevard Federated Republican Women will host its monthly meeting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3, at the
Holiday Inn on North Wickham Road in Melbourne. The reservation deadline is March 31. Call 727–1212.
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BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
Area surgeon Dr. Clevens to take part in program that offers domestic violence victims complimentary careDr. Ross Clevens, a board–certified facial plastic
surgeon in Brevard County, has been selected by the
American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Surgery
(AAFPRS) to work with “Face to Face,” an internationally
recognized nonprofit organization offering domestic
violence and other trauma victims complimentary care.
Founded in 1992, Face to Face partners individuals
who have suffered from facial deformities with reconstruc-
tive surgeons from across the United States who agree to
perform surgery “at no charge” to the patient, on areas of
the face, neck, and head.
According to the AAFPRS, the primary goal of the
surgical program is to offer these patients the opportunity
to overcome the physical limitations placed on them by
circumstances beyond their control.
“Through surgery, counseling, and support, the
AAFPRS is helping victims break out of the cycle of abuse,
while also enhancing their self–esteem through surgical
intervention,” said Dr. Clevens.
“I have recently met with a mother of three who
endured years of physical abuse, which left noticeable
damage to her face, including a severely disfigured nose.
I’m happy to not only be part of the process to reconstruct
her abnormalities, but also part of the team helping
rebuild her life,” he added.
The National Coalition of Domestic Violence reported
that an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of
physical assault by an intimate partner each year, with
most never reporting the abuse. The AAFPRS through its
Educational Research Foundation is the first surgical
group to take a firm stand against domestic violence.
For more details on Dr. Clevens’ participation with Face
to Face, call 298–2988; for more information on the
Clevens Center for Facial Cosmetic Surgery, go to
www.drclevens.com.
Voted one of “America’s Top Doctors,” according to the
“Castle–Connolly” guide, Dr. Clevens is a fellowship–
trained and board–certified facial plastic and reconstruc-
tive surgeon. He completed his education and training
at Yale, Harvard, and the University of Michigan.
Dr. Clevens is a graduate of Harvard Medical School.
He is a nationally recognized educator, author and
lecturer. He serves as president of The Florida Society of
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Wuesthoff
Medical Center chief of staff, and is the Brevard County
Medical Society president–elect. He has held numerous
leadership positions with the AAFPRS and the American
Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
The Clevens Center for Facial Cosmetic Surgery
specializes in state–of–the–art facial plastic and recon-
structive surgery, laser treatments, and non–surgical
options for facial rejuvenation.
He has offices in Melbourne, Suntree and Merritt
Island.
Silhouette Hair Design to mark its 40th year in business with two public eventsSilhouette Hair Design at 3088 Lake Washington Road in Melbourne will mark its 40th year in business in April
and has announced two events it will be hosting for the public.
The salon will host a reunion and anniversary celebration for former employees and longtime guests from
2 to 5 p.m. on April 7. Two weeks later, there will be a ribbon–cutting ceremony, put on by the Melbourne Regional
Chamber of Commerce. The event is from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 23.
Darlyne McGee opened Silhouette Hair Design in January 1973.
“In my quest for superior guest services, the need for well trained and qualified staff became evident,” she said.
“Through the years, Silhouette Hair Design became known for its advanced education of its hair stylists and
superior quality–hair designs. We continually strived to provide Brevard County with the latest, newest, and most
up–to–date trends comparable to the styles of New York and Los Angeles.”
The demand for their services grew and one salon turned into six.
In 1987, she opened the Academy of Cosmetology, which has played a role in the “education and inspiration of
many talented, professional hair designers.”
For more information or to be a part of the anniversary celebration or ribbon–cutting event, contact McGee at
242–2594 or send an e–mail message to [email protected].
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BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 18
Parrish Healthcare Center to host AWAKEsupport group meeting open to the public
The Alert, Well and Keeping Energetic support group
will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 1, at the
Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John, 5005 Port St.
John Parkway (east of Interstate 95 at the St. John exit).
The meeting will be held in the conference center by the
south entrance (near the sleep laboratory). This is a free
community service. Call 268–6408 to register for the
meeting.
At the AWAKE support group meeting, attendees will
have the opportunity to view the continuous positive
airway pressure machines and masks. General tips and
little–known facts about CPAP maintenance will also be
discussed.
Free sleep evaluations will be offered by a registered
technologist. Sleep apnea can result in depression, diabetes
and morning headaches. Sleep apnea also contributes to
high blood pressure, which an estimated 50 percent of
sleep apnea patients have, according to medical research.
The Parrish Sleep Disorders Center of Port St. John is a
four–bed facility where studies are conducted seven days/
nights a week. Diagnostic testing is done for sleep apnea,
narcolepsy, nocturnal seizures and other symptoms. Shift–
work sleep studies are conducted during the day.
Prudential Sterling recognizes top producersBarbara Wall and Nancy Taylor, broker–owners of
Prudential Sterling Properties in Indian Harbour Beach,
have announced their agency’s top–producing agents for
February. The Top Sales Associates were Josie Rekab and
Toie Crespi, while the Top Listing Associates were Lynn
Raymond and Alicia Lozeau. Prudential Sterling, founded
in 1982, serves all of Brevard and Indian River counties. It
also has an office in Vero Beach. The local phone number is
768–7600.
BSO to relaunch its beverage and foodfestival April 28 at Melbourne Auditorium
The Brevard Symphony Orchestra’s Wine, Beer and
Food Festival will return to the Melbourne Auditorium on
April 28 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Guests will enjoy an evening of more than 200 wines,
champagnes, import and micro beers, and culinary
delights from area restaurants and caterers. Tickets are
$50 in advance and $60 at the door the evening of the
event. The price includes admission for one and a keepsake
BSO wine glass.
Tickets are available at winefest.brevardsymphony.com
or by calling the BSO office at 242–2024.
Local organizations are invited to sponsor the event.
Sponsorship levels begin at $250 and include an array of
benefits including event admissions, event visibility and
BSO season tickets.
This event is hosted by Petty’s Meat Markets,
Melbourne and Suntree. All proceeds benefit the Brevard
Symphony Orchestra.
Follow @BSOWinefest on Twitter or visit the event’s
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BSOWineFest for the
latest updates. For more information, contact the Brevard
Symphony Orchestra at 242–2024.
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BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWSBrevard School Board Candidate Dean PaterakisContinued from page 1
He also talked about the costly “double–dipping,”
referring to the state’s Deferred–Retirement Option
Program created by the Legislature in 1998. A loophole in
the program lets Florida government workers retire, then
take their old job again while collecting full retirement
benefits.
Paterakis is building his base of support in the county.
Denise Coyle, a longtime school volunteer in the area and
Lewis Ruffalo, a former Brevard school district employee,
say they like Paterakis’ ideas for budget reform and are
standing behind the candidate.
“We need to look at administrative cuts,” they both said
almost simultaneously when asked about areas where
they thought there was room to maneuver to shore up the
school budget.
Ruffalo added that he felt the school district needs to be
“more consistent and adhere to its policies. There some-
times can be a great deal of variance from school to school.”
Ruffalo worked for the school district for nearly 19
years, he said. His most recent position was as a data–
management specialist.
His primary duty was the management and daily
oversight of the “learning software, which is one of the
most critical pieces of software for the school district. I built
it from the ground up over eight years. It took a lot of
expertise,” said Ruffalo, who is now seeking new opportu-
nities in the local job market. “I’m totally focused on the
future” and he says he has a strong skill set to offer an
employer.
Coyle has been a dedicated school volunteer for the past
20 years, ever since her children started kindergarten. She
is currently a volunteer at Heritage High School in Palm
Bay. “I have devoted a lot of energy and time as a school
volunteer.”
Coyle, for example, set up a “prom closet” at Heritage
High to help students who cannot afford to buy their own
prom dresses and attire for other school events.
“Last year I outfitted 29 girls for homecoming. I
personally purchased every single dress. I provided them
with prom dresses, shoes, and accessories. It makes you
feel good about what you’re doing,” said Coyle, her voice
breaking.
She has been a band parent, too, playing a leadership
role for the organization.
“I believe Denise and Lewis are right about eliminating
administrative positions to help bring the budget in line,”
said Paterakis. “There is just too much administrative
overhead. There are clearly spots to cut. That’s the way I
see it.”
School–board members take on one of the most
important responsibilities that can be assigned to any
citizen: helping to plan the education of the state’s youth.
And in today’s environment that is no bowl of cherries.
“It’s a rocky road but I have never stepped away from a
challenge in education,” said Paterakis, who ran for the
first time for a school–board seat in Brevard County five
years ago.
School–board members have a full plate of responsibili-
ties, including creating a shared vision for learning,
building strategic partnerships in the community, hiring
and evaluating the superintendent, ratifying collective–
bargaining agreements, and setting student–performance
standards.
What makes a good school–board member? Experts say
the most effective board members possess most or all of
these qualities: consensus–builder, community participant,
decision–maker, information processor, leader, and team
player.
“You have to be effective in dealing with all constituen-
cies,” said Paterakis.
An education graduate of Cleveland State University,
Paterakis, who has two children in Brevard schools, is
running on a platform of fiscal responsibility.
School–board members are paid a $35,000 annual
salary for their work. Paterakis thinks that is too much
“for a part–time job” that includes health–care benefits. He
sees the position as one of community service.
“If elected, I would deny those health–care benefits. I
would also take a pay cut. I am actually considering, if
elected, donating my school–board salary beyond my
expenses to nonprofits and charities in the county,” he
said.
Paterakis said when he met with Titusville Mayor Jim
Tulley he learned that he “only makes $8,000” a year
running the North Brevard city.
The school–board position could “very much be a full–
time undertaking, if you really want to put in the hours.
It’s just like teaching. Teaching can be more than the
typical eight hours, or just eight hours,” added Paterakis.
The Florida School Boards Association Inc., a nonprofit
organization in Tallahassee, sees the mission as being so
critical it created a Certified Board Member program.
The 96–point core curriculum provides board members
with awareness in a number of key areas including school
finance and policymaking.
Paterakis said he has made a list of cost–saving
measures he would look at as a newly elected school–board
member. At the top of his “hit list” is the high–stakes,
controversial Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or
FCAT, which was designed to measure student progress.
“I would ask the state to review the policy of the FCAT,”
he said.
“Right now, we could save millions and millions of
dollars by eliminating that testing. Research has shown,
for many years now, that it has done nothing to improve
education. We could bring that money back to the school
system where it can be used appropriately.”
There seems to be mounting discontent between the
state and Florida school districts over the role of the FCAT.
A number of districts have passed resolutions calling for
the testing to be scaled back.
Paterakis says the FCAT is a “waste of taxpayers’
money.”
The test is administered annually, in late February and
early to mid–March as well as April, to all public school
students in grades three through 11. Students in grades
three through 10 are required to take the reading and
math portion every year.
Private and parochial school students are not required
to take the FCAT; most of these schools administer
another standardize test instead.
Paterakis says the test rewards the schools that already
are performing well.
“We could save the state over $250 million for data that
we can get just by taking the average income of the
families surrounding the schools. I don’t need the FCAT
scores to know which schools do better than others. I can
just ask my local Realtor to give me the area’s average
home sales price for the year and I guarantee the list will
be in similar order. And that list is free.”
Though the system is designed to reward public schools
for excellence in teaching, many educators and community
members have criticized the program. They say it takes
funding from schools that need it most.
A number of school boards in the state, including some
of the largest districts, have taken an anti–FCAT position
when it is used as a single measure of performance.
“Locally, we could shore up the financials and keep
those targeted schools from closing,” said Paterakis about
the FCAT savings.
“We could hire more teachers and teaching assistants,
people who actually have an effect on children and their
learning. We need a school board that is willing to take
that step. The control needs to stay local, but it’s going
further and further from the community. It’s going back to
the state and the federal government.”
The U.S. already tests more children more often than
any other nation. Despite this, many claim that more
testing and accountability based on those tests will
improve education, particularly in schools serving pre-
dominantly low–income and minority–group children,
according to the National Center for Fair and Open
Testing.
The National Center says there is an “important role
for good assessment of student learning. The public
deserves to know how well schools are doing, schools need
to use information about student learning to improve
teaching, and there should be intervention in schools
which are unable to improve even when they have been
provided the resources and tools to do so.”
But “none of this requires heavy reliance on results
from state or commercial standardized tests. Focusing on
those tests will not lead to high–quality education for all
children, but instead will turn schools into test–prep
assembly lines that will leave many children behind.”
Paterakis said when he was a local teacher he never
had “a child fail the FCAT. In fact, my students’ scores
were tops in Brevard County and in the top 1 percent in
the state of Florida.”
Florida’s merit–pay law ties student academic perfor-
mance to half a teacher’s evaluation.
Paterakis said teacher evaluations are being revamped
again. “It’s politicians making policy in education. I’m tired
of these mandates coming down from the state and federal
level. As a school–board member I will fight these man-
dates. I believe they are detrimental to learning and
education in general.”
The “Orlando Sentinel” recently reported that a team of
educators statewide is working to create standardized
“assessments for students in niche subjects.” The effort
centers on designing a more equitable way of grading a
teacher’s performance.
Paterakis says he favors “positive change” in education.
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