BBN
Vol. 31 No. 50 December 16, 2013 $1.00
Brevard
Business
News
A Weekly Space Coast Business Magazine printed in Brevard County, Fla. since 1984
Area Apple Specialist
Visual Dynamics looks
for holiday sales surge
By Ken Datzman
Please see Visual Dynamics: Apple Specialist, page 19
BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth
Businessman Jay Wooten is president of Visual Dynamics Inc., an Apple Specialist with stores in Indian Harbour Beach and
The Avenue in Viera. An authorized, independent Apple dealer for sales, service, and training, Visual Dynamics is marking
its 25th year in business. With a line of newly launched Apple products, Wooten believes this will be his company’s best holiday
season. He’s at the store in Indian Harbour Beach.
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INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH — Just in time for the holiday–
shopping season, Apple has unleashed a flurry of new products. The
timely launches are bringing customers into local stores such as
Visual Dynamics.
A longtime authorized Apple Specialist, with stores here on East
Eau Gallie Boulevard and at The Avenue in Viera, Visual Dynamics
is looking for Apple’s refreshed product mix, positioned across a
wide range of price–points, to drive holiday sales in a big way.
Among consumers planning to purchase electronics this holiday
season, tablets and laptop computers are high on their list.
“Apple in the last few weeks has introduced essentially all
brand–new products,” said businessman Jay Wooten, president of
Visual Dynamics Inc., who as an independent Apple dealer has
served Brevard County customers for 25 years.
“We think it’s going to be a stellar holiday season for Apple.
We’re expecting to have perhaps our best holiday sales ever, with all
these new products coming at one time. We’re set for the season. We
have two stores serving customers.”
Consumer confidence toward technology spending reached its
highest level for the month of November since 2009, while sentiment toward the overall economy also saw increases that month,
according to the latest figures released by the Consumer Electronics
Association.
The “CEA Index of Consumer Technology Expectations,” which
measures consumer expectations about technology spending, rose
2.7 points in November to reach 92.9.
Shopping has started earlier this holiday season. “We’re seeing
good customer traffic, which is encouraging,” said Wooten. Because
of the odd 2013 calendar, retailers have a shorter window of time to
capture peak holiday spending this year. There are six fewer
shopping days this season.
With new selections on store shelves, Apple’s holiday sales might
propel a blockbuster season for businesspeople like Wooten. He has
stood behind the brand as a local Apple Specialist since 1988. “We
sold the original Macintosh,” he said, adding that his company’s
three main departments are sales, service, and training.
Apple ignited the personal–computer revolution with the Apple
II, and then reinvented the PC with the Macintosh. His business
has withstood the product–cycle dips and shakeouts of all sorts in
an ever–changing technology environment.
New products are the lifeblood of his business, and Apple has
been rolling out one new model after another over the past month or
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Parrish Medical Group forms in North Brevard market, creates network of primary–care physicians, specialists
TITUSVILLE — The Parrish Medical Group has
formed, expanding health–care options for individual
patients and families in the region and creating the largest
network of primary–care physicians and specialists in
North Brevard. Providing health–care services to patients
in eight locations in the county, Parrish Medical Group
represents 15 different medical specialties aimed at
comprehensive health care, from birth to elder care.
This independent physician group of providers and
advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) is
“dedicated to one common goal — using a collaborative,
patient–centered approach to care.”
Parrish Medical Group physicians and ARNPs provide
expertise in the areas of alternative medicine, behavior
therapy, endocrinology, family practice, geriatrics, internal
medicine, neurology, OB/GYN, orthopedics and sports
medicine, pediatrics, physical medicine and rehabilitation,
podiatry, and pulmonary. The group also includes critical
care/intensive care unit and hospitalists that serve
patients at Parrish Medical Center.
“This is an exciting development for our physicians,
medical specialists and staff,” said Felicia Rabsatt–Harris,
the executive director of Parrish Medical Group. “Coming
together with a new name and strategy gives everyone a
common sense of purpose.” In addition, Rabsatt–Harris
said that Parrish Medical Group is already moving
forward with health–care initiatives that “transform and
redesign health–care delivery.”
Recently, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recognized Parrish Medical Group family
practice physicians with Level–3 certification as a Patient–
Centered Medical Home. These are widely adopted
standards of care directed at transforming how family
practice physicians care for patients.
Using a set of criteria established by the NCQA, care is
patient–centered, comprehensive care that involves a
collaboration among physicians, patient and family
members in providing each patient’s physical and mental
health–care needs, including prevention and wellness,
acute care, specialty care, hospitalization, and community–
service support.
This full–circle, coordinated approach can lead to
“higher quality of care, lower costs and improved patient
experience.” Included were physicians Patricia Alexander,
Jade Raguindin, J. Merrell Pagan and Victor Boodhoo, and
ARNPs Dawn Hillebrandt and Rachel Loeffler.
Most recently, Parrish Medical Group welcomed board–
certified neurologist Daniela Rusovici; obstetrics and
gynecology doctor of osteopathy Christina Caito; hospitalist
Bijan Moradi; and board–certified family practice physician Sandra Ogata. The complete list of providers,
including biographies, is available at
www.parrishmedgroup.com. The website also includes
information on accepted insurance programs, news and
office location maps.
Visit ParrishMedGroup.com.
Pilar Blanchard promoted to executive director for nonprofit Pregnancy Resources
Pilar Blanchard has been appointed executive director for Pregnancy Resources. The announcement was made by
Linda Evans, the organization’s board president. Blanchard is responsible for the day–to–day operations of the center to
include implementation of necessary programs to meet client needs and the policies and procedures approved by the
board of directors, as well as administrative and supervision of the center functions and personnel.
“Our former executive director, Judy Miller, retired after a tenure of seven years, during which she dedicated herself to
improving the quantity and quality of our programs and services,” said Evans. “We are happy that Judy is continuing her
service as an active member of our board. We are also confident that Pilar has the vision, commitment, and leadership to
maintain the organization’s professional standards of care.”
Blanchard had previously worked at Pregnancy Resources as the client services manager for three years, after serving
there as a volunteer. Before joining the nonprofit organization, Blanchard worked for 10 years as a human resources
professional for corporations to include Reebok International, Delta Airlines and TJX Cos.
Pregnancy Resources provides free services, education and support in a “compassionate environment to women and
families facing an unexpected pregnancy.” For more information about Pregnancy Resources’ programs or services, call
752–5540 or visit www.melbournepri.com.
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Veteran mentor’s advice: ‘To change is to learn and to learn is to change’
By Bob Porter
UCF Forum columnist
“To change is to learn and to learn is to change.” That
was often the advice given to me by my mentor in life,
Lew Treen, a war veteran, semi–pro baseball player, high
school principal and coach.
One of the most important principles I have learned is
that you never should stop learning. Sometimes finding
the answers to the really tough questions just can’t be
solved using the knowledge you currently have in your
head.
I bring this up as the executive director for UCF’s
Executive Development Center in downtown Orlando.
Every week I have the privilege of interviewing applicants
for UCF’s professional and executive Master of Business
Administration programs who are wondering whether to
continue their higher education.
Can you recall a situation at work when you thought
to yourself, “I really am not sure how to solve this
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PUBLISHER
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EDITOR
Ken Datzman
SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR
Bill Roth
Brevard Business News is published every Monday by
Brevard Business News Inc. Bulk Rate postage is paid at
Melbourne, FL and Cocoa, FL. This publication serves
business executives in Brevard County. It reports on
news, trends and ideas of interest to industry, trade,
agribusiness, finance, health care, high technology,
education and commerce.
Letters to the Editor must include the writer’s signature
and printed or typed name, full address and telephone
number. Brevard Business News reserves the right to edit
all letters. Send your letters to: Editor, Brevard Business
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Subscription Rates for home or office mail delivery are
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changes to: Circulation Department, Brevard Business
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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 4
problem?” Or “My boss gave me a new project, where
should I start?” Or “My team brought me several solutions to a problem; how should I evaluate them?”
We don’t have unlimited time to learn, so I tell those
applicants that focusing on rewarding learning opportunities, such as an MBA, is important.
Questions regarding the right time to start an MBA
come up nearly every time I interview a prospective
student.
You probably know by now that life rarely follows the
path that is directly in front of you.
I experienced this when I was just 9 years old. For a
year I was admitted to a home for disabled children
because I could not walk and was told I would never walk
again. I couldn’t walk because three days earlier I had
spent most of the day setting the world’s record (I’m sure)
for 9–year–olds jumping on a pogo stick.
Life does not get any more predictable as you get older,
either.
We can’t always predict the perfect time to get your
MBA, but you’ll know it’s the right time for you when
your excuses for not getting your degree will be outweighed by the benefits you’ll receive for pursuing it.
I had the good fortune to work for General Electric
right after I completed my engineering degree. I was
selected to participate in a two–year leadership development program. I worked in four different assignments for
six months each. Not one of the assignments was in
engineering.
I later learned that 75 percent of all GE senior
executives were graduates of this leadership program. GE
cross–trained us so we knew something about all the
areas in the company to better prepare us for our future
positions. The company believed in training employees
before they needed it.
I have personally followed this philosophy since then
and it seems to work very well. While getting your MBA
doesn’t guarantee your next promotion or success in your
own business, having the knowledge that you’ll obtain
from your degree should enable you to make better
decisions and work from a more strategic perspective.
My decision to go back to school and get my MBA was
driven primarily by questions like those above. It was
about eight years after undergraduate school and I was
getting more and more involved in larger projects that
required significant capital investments. I realized that I
did not have the business–analysis tools to determine if
the projects should be undertaken.
Within three months of completing my MBA, I was
offered the opportunity to run a new division of the
company. I learned later that I was selected to interview
for the position because I recently completed my MBA,
which has opened up many doors throughout my career.
Choosing to start your MBA is a decision to be
respected and celebrated. For those who decide that now
is the time to start, there are always options to consider at
UCF. My staff and I are always available for advice.
I tell my students that a good MBA program gives you
the knowledge to start a business, to run a business, and
to turn a business around. It will not make you a specialist or prepare you for every situation you may encounter
in business, but it will expose you to the most important
business topics, where to find information, and how to
hire the right support resource for the business.
Also, if you have a technical undergraduate degree,
obtaining an MBA is a very powerful complimentary
degree as it will give you the principles needed to use your
technical skills in business situations.
In the book “Adventures in Wonderland,” Lewis
Carroll wrote the following about a decision Alice had to
make: “One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw
a Cheshire cat in a tree. “Which road do I take?” she
asked. “Where do you want to go?” was his response. “I
don’t know,” Alice answered. “Then,” said the cat, “it
doesn’t matter.”
Lew Treen, my mentor, would advise you to look
ahead and decide what you want to change and what you
want to learn, so you’ll know which way to go at your next
fork–in–the–road of life.
Bob Porter is executive director of downtown
Orlando’s Executive Development Center, part
of the University of Central Florida’s College of
Business Administration. He can be reached at
RPorter@bus.ucf.edu.
Cambridge International
Continued from page 5
Chelsea Gallagher, the school’s Cambridge coordinator. “You can’t do minimal work. It requires you to think critically.”
l Diving Deeper
When Cambridge was first introduced there eight years ago, it was seen as another avenue for students who weren’t
in AP or IB and who were looking for a curriculum that was more hands–on and focused on problem–solving, said Diana
Graddon, a program specialist with the district.
This is the third year that the 10,650–student Yuma district has had Cambridge as the core, default curriculum for
all 9th and 10th graders. The district kept AP as the college–prep curriculum for juniors and seniors. At the end of the
school year, about 40 percent of students who complete the Cambridge coursework take the official end–of–course
Cambridge exams. But Sheldahl said he’s not troubled by this.
“Access to the curriculum is the critical piece,” he said. “The actual assessment piece is secondary.”
The district has provided tutoring to help students handle the increased rigor of the Cambridge approach, and early
indications show performance is improving, especially among struggling students, he said.
“We are finding it’s paying dividends,” Sheldahl said. “The curriculum is engaging and relevant. It’s built in that you
have to dive deeper.”
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DECEMBER 16, 2013
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Cambridge makes inroads in U.S. critical thinking, writing; Miami–Dade district plans to expand offerings
By Caralee J. Adams
For more than 800 years, the University of Cambridge
has been educating students on its stately and historic
campus in the heart of England. But the esteemed British
institution’s reach goes much farther, and it’s now
working aggressively to expand a menu of precollegiate
offerings in U.S. schools.
The university owns and operates the Cambridge
International Exams, part of a nonprofit division that
provides academic courses of study in various subjects
with a focus on promoting critical thinking, in–depth
analysis, and strong writing skills. It currently serves
more than 9,000 schools in 160 countries and students
ages 5 to 19.
Cambridge is still a relatively small player in the
United States, especially in comparison with the ubiquitous Advanced Placement program. But it has seen rapid
growth in recent years. It now provides college–preparatory curricula for about 230 U.S. schools at the elementary and secondary levels in 27 states, up from 80 schools
in 2009. This year, 50,000 Cambridge exams were taken
by high–school students, a 50 percent increase from 2012.
Some districts seem eager to embrace the prestigious
Cambridge brand in hopes it will give students an edge in
college admissions and readiness. Last spring, for
instance, the Miami–Dade County district in Florida
announced plans to expand use of the Cambridge
program from 16 to 70 campuses.
“We have a very international community,” said
Robert D. Strickland, the director of school choice and
parental options for the 345,000–student district. “This
program is recognized on the world level. Parents like to
know that and feel that their child can compete on the
global level.”
l Analyzing and Synthesizing
While most programs are in public high schools,
Cambridge offers curricula for elementary and middle
schools, too. At all levels, students are assessed on their
progress at year’s end, with high–school courses culminating in extensive examinations that can translate into
college credit.
Michael O’Sullivan, who joined Cambridge International Exams last spring as the new chief executive
officer, has high hopes for its foray into the U.S. market.
He notes that the nation’s decentralized education system
and emphasis on school choice make it attractive. And
he’s also making the case that the Cambridge program
dovetails closely with the Common Core State Standards
adopted by all but four states.
“I’m really excited about our prospects in the USA,” he
said. “As I see it, it’s not just another market for Cambridge International Examinations. One day, it will be
another home for us.”
Cambridge’s work at the precollegiate level dates back
more than a century. But Cambridge International
Exams, a division of Cambridge Assessment, only got its
start in this country in 1995.
The Cambridge approach is designed to be rigorous
and deep. In history courses, for example, rather than
memorize dates and take multiple–choice tests, students
DECEMBER 16, 2013
dig into research through primary sources, develop
arguments, and present their findings. End–of–course
exams require analyzing and synthesizing information in
a writing–intensive format.
Math and science instruction is often integrated to
allow students to apply what they’ve learned across
courses. A math course might include various topics, and,
in some courses, teachers can customize the syllabus to
choose a combination of pure math, statistics, and
mechanics to build a path to the exam, based on the needs
and interests of students.
At the elementary and middle school levels, the
Cambridge program is focused on English/language arts,
math, and science. At high school, however, it offers some
70 courses, including biology, economics, and world
literature.
For high school students, the Cambridge exams last
six to eight hours over a few days. Multiple–choice
questions are limited, with a focus instead on essays,
analysis, and even hands–on science labs included in
assessments.
Despite the increased Cambridge presence in U.S.
schools, it is dwarfed by the AP program, which gave 3.4
million exams to U.S. public high school students last
year. And while Cambridge operates in more schools
globally than the International Baccalaureate program,
which is seen as another competitor, Cambridge falls well
short of the nearly 1,500 U.S. high schools now served by
the IB. Still, the United States is the fastest–growing
market for Cambridge, according to O’Sullivan.
Angela Rainey, a senior at North Marion High School
in Citra, Fla., said she likes that Cambridge exams award
points for demonstrating knowledge through writing,
rather than deducting credit for missing multiple–choice
questions.
“If you do the work and study hard, you aren’t
dreading the exams,” said Rainey, who says Cambridge
courses have been much harder for her than dual–
enrollment classes she takes from a local community
college.
Dana Spencer, who coordinates the program at North
Marion, said about 300 of the school’s 1,240 students
participate in Cambridge. It can be a difficult transition
for some 9th graders, she said, with some initial “weeding
out.” Still, most students stay with the program, she said,
and teachers spend extra time helping them before and
after school.
“It does pay off,” she said. “Our students have really
responded.”
In Florida, students can earn up to 45 college credits
for their high–school performance on Cambridge exams.
A Cambridge diploma credential also qualifies a student
for a state–funded college scholarship.
l Examine the Claims
To become a Cambridge school, schools must pay a
registration fee and annual membership dues to have
access to online materials and training. There’s also a
charge for each exam. The high–school–level exams
typically run between $78 and $86 per student, per
subject. The norm is for students to take three or four.
But before outsourcing curriculum, Jack Schneider, an
assistant professor of education at the College of the Holy
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Cross in Worchester, Mass., cautions that school officials
closely examine the claims of programs. Cambridge, in
particular, has a prestige factor that needs to align with
the merits of the program, notes Mr. Schneider, who has
researched college–prep curricula.
“It might look better than it really is. What are people
really excited about? Are students actually learning more,
or are parents excited to have a branded program?” he
said.
A 2011 study of the Cambridge program in the United
States, published in the “College & University Journal,”
said students generally described the program as
motivating and stimulating, and more challenging than
other curricula. Teachers said the courses prompted
students to form their own opinions and gain real–world
application of subject knowledge.
Meanwhile, a 2011 case study focused on the academic
achievement of freshmen at Florida State University who
had successfully earned a Cambridge diploma credential.
The research, published in the “Journal of College
Admissions,” suggests the program may offer some
academic benefits later on, but it was not an experimental
study.
How schools choose to offer the Cambridge program
varies. Some high schools have students take a full
schedule of Cambridge courses, while others give students
the choice to take a class or two in their areas of strength.
If students take a certain number of exams in various
subjects, they can earn a Cambridge diploma credential.
In Arizona, Jamie Sheldahl, the associate superintendent for the Yuma Union High School District, said he
thought there might be some resistance to bringing in a
program designed in another country.
“We intentionally downplayed that it was British,” he
said. “We did play up that Cambridge was internationally
normed and the largest provider of education in the
world.”
The Cambridge program is most prevalent in Florida,
but there also is a concentration in Tennessee and
Arizona, among other states.
In the Miami–Dade district, the Cambridge course of
study has been offered for several years.
The decision to offer Cambridge more widely in
Miami–Dade, which also offers AP and IB programs, is
part of the school system’s strategy to compete with
charter schools and attract families with a menu of
options, according to district officials.
In the Federal Way district, just outside Seattle,
Cambridge programs are offered in primary, middle, and
high schools. While two high schools in the 21,000–
student district have the AP program, Federal Way High
School, where 60 percent of students are eligible for a free
or reduced–price lunch, only uses Cambridge for its
college–prep curriculum.
Students have the choice of taking a single Cambridge
class or getting a Cambridge diploma, which requires
passing six exams. In the 1,500–student high school, 300
earned a Cambridge diploma last year and 2,200
Cambridge exams were taken by students in grades 9–12.
“It’s really prepared our students for college,” said
Please see Cambridge International, page 4
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 5
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DECEMBER 16, 2013
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First Choice Healthcare Solutions announces key additions to its medical group’s team at Marina Towers
First Choice Healthcare Solutions Inc. (FCHS), a
diversified holding company focused on delivering
“clinically superior, patient–centric, multi–specialty care
through state–of–the–art medical centers of excellence,”
has welcomed the addition of five physicians to the clinical
staff of First Choice Medical Group (FCMG) in Melbourne.
Located in Marina Towers directly fronting the Indian
River, FCMG is the company’s flagship center of excellence which specializes in the delivery of musculoskeletal
medicine and rehabilitative care with multiple quality–
focused goals centered on enriching its patients’ care
experiences.
The physicians joining FCMG are Richard Harrison,
David Dominguez, Kyle Moyles, Jerome Guzman and
Roberto Saucedo.
Kris Jones, vice president of medical operations at
FCHS, said, “Medicine today is so complex that patients
with serious conditions or injuries require personalized
care from multiple clinicians and health professionals who
must work as a team, sharing information, expertise and
perspective on each patient so that optimal outcomes can
be achieved.”
Jones added, “At First Choice, we pride ourselves on
our ability to attract and recruit who many agree are
among the best of the best doctors in their respective
medical disciplines and who greatly value a team approach to patient–centric care.
“The addition of Drs. Harrison, Dominguez, Moyles,
Guzman and Saucedo is no exception. We are thrilled to
have them on our team and believe that they will each
contribute measurably to FCMG’s future success and to
our reputation for care excellence.”
Headquartered in Melbourne, FCHS is actively
engaged in owning and operating multi–specialty medical
centers of excellence throughout the Southeastern U.S.,
which are distinguished as premier destinations for
clinically superior, patient–centric care.
Through its wholly owned subsidiary FCID Medical
Inc., the company operates its flagship center, FCMG,
which specializes in the delivery of musculoskeletal
medicine and rehabilitative care. FCHS’ commercial real
estate interests, which house its medical centers of
excellence, are managed by its wholly owned subsidiary,
FCID Holdings Inc.
For more information about the company, visit
www.myfchs.com or www.myfcmg.com.
Hardy promoted to agency manager at Ted Todd Insurance office in Viera
VIERA — Veronica Hardy has been promoted to manager at Ted Todd Insurance Agency, located at The Avenue,
6711 Lake Andrew Drive, Suite 2.
Hardy holds Florida 2–20 General Lines and Florida 2–15 Life, Health and Variable Annuity insurance licenses.
Originally from Ocala, Hardy has 12 years experience in banking, finance and insurance at Regions Bank in Indian
Harbour Beach and State Farm Insurance in Melbourne. She is currently studying for her bachelor’s degree in finance at
the University of Central Florida.
“Veronica has continually distinguished herself within our agency for the two years she has been with us,” said Ted
Todd, owner of Ted Todd Insurance Agency. “She brings a lot of passion, experience and leadership skills to our Viera
team as it builds a solid reputation for exceptional service and professionalism in the community.”
Ted Todd formed The Ted Todd Insurance Agency 26 years ago and it is now one of the largest Allstate agencies in
the country. It has a total of seven locations with 50 insurance professionals located in Brevard, Palm Beach, Lee, and
Sarasota counties.
The Ted Todd Insurance Agency provides home, automobile, retirement, and life insurance products to more than
30,000 customers in Viera, Indian Harbour Beach, Melbourne, Satellite Beach, Palm Bay, Boca Raton, Bonita Springs,
Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Naples, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, and Sarasota.
The Ted Todd Insurance Agency was named the “2013 General Business/Small Company of the Year” by the Lee
County Horizon Council, and won the “2013 Business Ethics Award” of the Uncommon Friends Foundation.
For more information about the agency, visit www.TedToddInsurance.com or call 777–8500 or toll–free at
(800) 541–7858.
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registration or if any questions contact 321-574-5356.
DECEMBER 16, 2013
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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 7
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DECEMBER 16, 2013
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
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SBA Communications to expand operations in Brazil with strategic acquisition of 2,007 additional wireless sites
Stoops, SBA’s president and chief executive officer.
“These are very good sites, concentrated in the most
populous areas of Brazil, with demonstrated attractiveness to tenants. With this acquisition, we will have
established SBA as one of the largest and most capable
independent tower operators in Brazil, a market which
we believe is very attractive and will produce strong
growth in the future.”
l Information concerning forward–looking statements
This press release includes forward–looking statements, including statements regarding (1) the anticipated successful consummation of the transaction with
Oi, including the timing of such consummation and (2)
the company’s expectations regarding the revenue and
tower cash flow that the sites will generate in 2014 and
the accretive impact of the transaction to the company’s
AFFO per share post–closing.
These forward–looking statements may be affected by
the risks and uncertainties in the company’s business.
This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary
statements and risk factor disclosures contained in the
company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings,
including the company’s annual report on Form 10–K
filed with the Commission on Feb. 27, 2013.
The company wishes to caution readers that certain
important factors may cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in any of these forward–
looking statements.
With respect to the company’s expectations regarding
the ability to close the transaction with Oi and the
timing of such closing, these factors include (i) obtaining
required Brazilian regulatory approval, (ii) the ability
and willingness of each party to fulfill their respective
closing conditions and (iii) the availability of cash on
hand, borrowing capacity under the senior credit facility
and the ability to successfully obtain additional debt
financing.
With respect to the company’s expectations regarding
the future financial performance of the sites and the
accretive impact of the transaction, these risk factors
include (1) the company’s ability to successfully integrate
the sites, (2) the company’s ability to enter into additional leases with other telecommunications service
providers to collocate onto these sites, (3) the foreign
exchange rate in effect at such time, (4) the company’s
ability to accurately estimate the future financial
performance of the sites based on the diligence conducted
prior to the execution of the agreement and (5) those
factors that impact the growth of the tower industry in
general, which are set forth in the company’s SEC
filings.
SBA is a first–choice provider and leading owner and
operator of wireless communications infrastructure in
North, Central and South America.
SBA generates revenue from two primary businesses
— site leasing and site–development services. Its
primary focus is the leasing of antenna space on its
multi–tenant towers to a variety of wireless–service
providers under long–term lease contracts. For more
information about the company, visit www.SBASite.com.
Small Business Owners
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Phone 321-726-6550
DECEMBER 16, 2013
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BOCA RATON — SBA Communications Corp.
(Nasdaq:SBAC) recently announced that it has entered
into a definitive agreement with certain subsidiaries of
Oi SA (“Oi”), one of Brazil’s largest telecommunications
service providers, and its affiliates, under which SBA
will acquire 2,007 wireless sites in Brazil.
Upon closing of the transaction, Oi will enter into a
long–term lease with SBA, with monthly lease payments, for antenna space on each of these sites. The sites
currently have 1.6 tenants per site (including Oi) and
include leases with all of the major wireless carriers in
Brazil.
The transaction, subject to customary closing
conditions, is expected to close by March 31. This
transaction follows SBA’s previously announced
acquisition of use rights to 2,113 sites from Oi, which
closed Nov. 26, 2013.
The consideration to be paid by SBA for the 2,007
sites will be roughly $645 million at current exchange
rates. SBA expects to fund the purchase price from cash
on hand, existing revolver capacity, or future debt
issuances.
Based on an assumed closing date of March 31, 2014,
SBA anticipates that the sites will contribute about $110
million of cash–leasing revenue and $70 million of tower
cash flow to SBA’s results during 2014.
Upon closing this transaction, SBA will own or have
use rights with respect to more than 5,000 sites in Brazil.
“We are very pleased to acquire these high quality
assets and expand our relationship with Oi,” said Jeffrey
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partners include:
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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 9
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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
Men’s clothing retailer Michael’s in Indialantic is set for the holiday season with
top–selling brands Jack Victor, Robert Graham, Zanella; expands its accessories
By Ken Datzman
INDIALANTIC — Even after more than three decades in the local
market selling men’s clothing from premium manufacturers, new
customers are still discovering Michael’s, a boutique–style retail store
on Fifth Avenue.
“A comment we often hear from people who are first–time visitors
to the store is, ‘We didn’t know there was a men’s clothing shop like
this in the area.’ We are very fashion–forward while still retaining our
longtime emphasis on classic clothing,” said Michael Jablaoui Jr.,
whose store has long been known for its wide selection of suits, sport
coats, dress trousers, and now fashion clothing.
He works alongside his father, Michael Jablaoui, in the family
business. Together, they’ve built a stylish shop that not only attracts
established customers but also caters to a growing segment of up–
and–coming professionals in the region.
Interestingly, the “Millennial Generation,” also known as “Generation Y,” prefers to shop in–store, according to NPD Group’s “Winning
the Fight for Millennial Shoppers.”
The new report says 81 percent of Millennials’ retail spending
occurs in brick–and–mortar stores, compared to only 19 percent online.
Fashion–conscious Millennials are people born between 1980 and
2000.
“We always keep things fresh and we’re starting to carry a bit more
trendy clothing and accessories,” said Michael Jr. Men are adding
fashionable casual wear to their wardrobe. Sales of premium jeans are
up at their store.
“We’re doing well with 34 Heritage. It’s an upcoming jean line that
we think is going to take off. This jean has a good stretch to it and is
comfortable. Our customers tell us they love 34 Heritage. It’s a quality
jean.” The brand 34 Heritage touts “authentic European craftsmanship.” A blazer paired with jeans is still a strong trend in the fashion
world, he said.
The Jablaouis are upbeat about the holiday shopping season, as
men’s apparel sales have bounced back from the recession low. The
segment is growing again and clothing heads the list of what consumers plan to buy this holiday season, according to one survey.
“We are fully stocked for the holidays. The inventory includes some
limited–edition items by designers. I believe we have more inventory
than we’ve ever carried at this time of year. Holiday sales have gotten
off to a great start. We are excited about what we’re seeing from
customers,” said Michael Jr., who has a degree in computer science
from the Florida Institute of Technology and worked in his field for a
number of years before joining the family enterprise.
Michael’s brand lineup covering a range of prices includes Jack
Victor, Zanella, 7 Diamonds, Hickey Freeman, Hart Schaffner Marx,
Robert Graham, Southern Tide, Nat Nast, Georg Roth, St. Croix,
Zagiri, Agave, Enro, Tulliano, Saxx Underwear Co., and others.
One of the top–sellers at Michael’s is Robert Graham. Racks of
colorful Robert Graham sport shirts are displayed. “It’s our best–
selling line. Their sport shirts with prints are really popular,” said
Michael Jr., adding that his store also sells Robert Graham sweaters
in various patterns as well as that brand’s ties.
Fashion designer Georg Roth, who was born in Germany, is well–
represented at Michael’s, too, in the fashion–shirt category. “Georg
Roth shirts are made of a lightweight fabric, which is perfect for
Florida,” he said.
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 10
BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth
The father–and–son team Michael Jablaoui and Michael Jablaoui Jr. are upbeat about the holiday shopping season and
have expanded their store’s inventory in anticipation of a strong year. Michael’s is an upscale boutique–style store on Fifth
Avenue in Indialantic long known for classic men’s apparel and fashion clothing.
Another in–demand line at their store is Jack
Victor, a Canadian–based manufacturer of tailored
clothing. The company’s designs reflect the perfect
balance between classical and modern, said Michael
Jr. “Jack Victor is absolutely quality for the price.
It’s a very hot line of dress clothes with great value.
We have been selling a lot of Jack Victor, especially
the sport coats.”
The Jack Victor collection features exclusive
offerings from the best mills of Northern Italy,
including renowned weavers such as Loro Piana.
Italian–made Zanella dress trousers have been
selling briskly, too, and are a staple at Michael’s.
They carry both flat front and pleat trousers by
Zanella in many colors. “It’s our best–selling dress
trouser.”
St. Croix is a customer favorite at Michael’s, and
has been for years. The collection, including the St.
Croix sweaters, shows off a colorful array of fresh
and timeless styles for the gentleman who enjoys
Call Adrienne Roth at 321-951-7777 for Advertising Information
the finest apparel. “St. Croix has been a really good
line for us. It’s American–made. It’s high quality.
The colors and patterns are beautiful,” he said.
St. Croix apparel has been handcrafted in the
United States since 1960. St. Croix buys its wool
“directly from the people who raise the sheep,” often
sending the fiber around the world to be spun,
according to the company. Only the best raw
materials — including the softest Australian
merino wool and pima cotton — are used to create
its limited–edition fashions.
Michael’s carries one of the limited–edition St.
Croix sweaters. “Every year for the holiday season,
St. Croix takes an artist painting and uses it to
create a limited–edition sweater. The detail is
spectacular. There are people who collect these
sweaters,” said Michael Jr. The limited–edition St.
Croix sweater is available at his store.
Please see Michael’s in Indialantic, page 15
DECEMBER 16, 2013
BBN
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
Children’s Home Society to host annual ‘Portraits of Possibilities’ at Eau Gallie
Civic Center; seeks sponsors, auction items; impact organization in community
By Ken Datzman
The Brevard Division of the Children’s Home Society of Florida is
an organization whose impact is measurable and mighty in the
community.
The big picture is, it offers hope for children and families in crisis
who suffer the brutalities of abuse and the pain of neglect, which is on
the rise across the state and around the nation and has been for
years.
Research reveals that abuse is generational. The Children’s Home
Society of Flordia works to break this cycle in more families and
create a brighter future.
In Florida, a child suffers abuse or neglect every “10 minutes,”
according to the Children’s Defense Fund. More than 150 children in
the state died from abuse or neglect in 2010. Children younger than 5
experienced the highest rate of fatalities.
Locally, the Children’s Home Society’s provides a range of services
to its clients, from protection supervision for children who have been
removed from their home because of abuse or neglect to residential
care.
One fund–raising event put on annually by the Children’s Home
Society — “Portraits of Possibilities” — has played an important role
in the organization’s mission of providing these types of services in
Brevard County.
“The money that we raised from last year’s ‘Portraits of Possibilities’ has helped more than 4,000 children and families this year in
Brevard County,” said Maria Seelman, the event founder and
committee chairperson, and a 10–year volunteer with the organization.
“The services we provide are making an impact, but we need to
make an even bigger impact in the community because the need is
great for the Children’s Home Society.”
The total lifetime estimated financial cost associated with just one
year of confirmed cases of child maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual
abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect) is $124 billion, according to a
2012 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Christa Griffin, a resource–development specialist at the
Children’s Home Society, says the money generated from “Portraits of
Possibilities” stays local. “Though we are the Children’s Home Society
of Florida, all the funds from ‘Portraits of Possibilities’ go toward
helping children and families in Brevard. We think it’s important to
emphasize that point.”
Last year’s program raised $118,000 for the Brevard Division of
the Children’s Home Society. “We’re hoping to better that number
this year,” said Maria Seelman, who hosted “Portraits of Possibilities”
with her husband Dr. Robert Seelman at their home for a number of
years.
The seventh annual edition is scheduled from 6 to 11 p.m. on
Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Eau Gallie Civic Center in Melbourne. The
event has been expanded by one hour. About 300 people attended last
year. This is the second year it’s being held at the Civic Center.
“The Civic Center has worked out really well,” said Griffin. “Our
guests seem very happy with the new venue. We are looking to grow
the event and we have the capacity to do that at the Civic Center,
which is conveniently located. We have a lot of space we can utilize.”
Individual tickets for “Portraits of Possibilities” are $150. The
Children’s Home Society is seeking sponsorships for this event, as
DECEMBER 16, 2013
BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth
The Children’s Home Society’s annual ‘Portraits of Possibilities’ is Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Eau Gallie Civic Center in
Melbourne. Individual tickets are $150. Maria Seelman, right, is the event founder and chairperson. Christa Griffin is a
resource–development specialist at CHS. They are looking for a $20,000 presenting sponsor of this year’s event. The
amenities include a full marketing and promotional package, as well as reserved seating for 24 guests. They are at the
Eau Gallie Civic Center.
well as auction items. Sponsorship opportunities
range from $500 to $20,000.
To purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorships, visit www.CHSPortraits.com or call the
Children’s Home Society at 752–3170. The e–mail
address is PortraitsBrevard@chsfl.org.
Maria Seelman said the $20,000 presenting
sponsor opportunity is open. The amenities include
reserved seating for 24 guests and a bonanza of
marketing, promotional, and recognition efforts
through various venues. “We think it’s a very
attractive package,” she said.
The presenting sponsor’s logo and company
name will be on the event invitations. They will
also have a full–page advertisement on the inside
cover of the event program. “If we can secure a
presenting sponsor in time, we will include them in
our commercials with Bright House Networks.
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Bright House supports us with a lot of ads. They’ve
been phenomenal,” said Maria Seelman.
The Highland Mint is another community–
minded area business that has stood behind the
Children’s Home Society, and this year is a
“Leadership” sponsor at the $10,000 level, said
Griffin. Michael and Monica Kott operate the
Highland Mint.
The 2014 event theme is “An Evening in
Brazil.” The program will feature live entrainment,
silent and live auctions, a casino, gourmet food,
and beverage stations. The event is being catered
by Tim Webber: The Coordinator. “He’s excellent to
work with. He does all of the decorating; takes care
of everything. It makes our job much easier,” said
Maria Seelman.
Please see Children’s Home Society, page 17
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 11
BBN
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
King Center in Melbourne adds three concerts to its
schedule of performances for the first quarter of year
Florida Business Bank
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The Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts on the Melbourne campus of
Eastern Florida State College has expanded its schedule of concerts to include three new
shows for the first quarter of 2014.
The concerts are Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang, Michael Bolton, and The Moody Blues.
l Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15. Tickets will
go on sale at 12 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. They start at $43 (inclusive of ticketing fees).
Guy, a Blues legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has been a major
influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation including Eric Clapton,
Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
“Rolling Stone” magazine ranked him in the top 25 of its “100 Greatest Guitarists of All
Time.”
At the age of 16, Grammy Award–winner Jonny Lang found success with the release of
his major label debut album “Lie To Me.”
The path Lang has been on has brought him the opportunity to share the stage with
the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, B.B. King, Blues Traveler, Jeff Beck and Sting. “Textured
arrangements, gorgeous vocal melodies, and expressive guitar playing are all found in
generous abundance” on his latest release, “Fight For My Soul.”
For more information about these performers, visit www.buddyguy.net and
www.jonnylang.com.
l Michael Bolton will entertain at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 16. Tickets will go on sale
at 12 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. Ticket prices start at $47.50 (inclusive of fees).
Bolton, a multiple Grammy Award–winning singer, songwriter and social activist has
sold more than 53 million albums and singles. He continues to tour the world every year,
all while writing, recording and taping for a wide array of projects spanning music, film,
television and theater.
To date, he has seen eight of his studio albums rank in the Top 10, with nine No. 1
singles. Bolton’s signature success was seized with the album “Soul Provider,” which sold
more than 12.5 million copies. It showcases several chart–toppers including the No. 1 hit
single “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You,” which earned him his first Grammy
and also the Grammy–nominated hit “Georgia on My Mind.”
Soon after, Bolton released “Time, Love & Tenderness,” which became the No. 1 album
and featured his Grammy Award–winning vocal performance of the blockbuster hit
“When A Man Loves a Woman.” For more information about this performer, visit
www.michaelbolton.com.
l The Moody Blues will take center stage at the King Center for an 8 p.m. show on
Friday, March 28. Tickets will go on sale at 12 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. They start at
$47.50 (inclusive of ticketing fees).
The Moody Blues is one of the most enduring and beloved rock bands, having performed for more than 40 years. Since the 1960s, as a part of the historic original British
invasion of supergroups, The group has lit up the “hearts and minds” of millions of rock
fans with inspiring anthems like “Nights in White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon” and “I’m
Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band).”
“USA Weekend” calls the Moody Blues “a great rock n’ roll band with staying power
beyond anybody’s wildest dreams.” With worldwide album sales of more than 70 million,
The Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge will be making a return
trip to the King Center. For more details about the group, visit
www.moodybluestoday.com.
Single tickets for these concerts may be purchased by visiting kingcenter.com or by
calling the ticket office at 242–2219. The office hours are 12 to 6 p.m., Monday through
Friday, 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
GrayRobinson named a ‘Go–To Law Firm’
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Firms” for America’s 500 largest companies. Selected firms were chosen for delivering
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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 12
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DECEMBER 16, 2013
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
BBN
Larson Electronics introduces its new 28–watt LED money–saving lighting product to the public
KEMP, Texas — Larson Electronics has announced its
new 28–watt LED four–foot replacement lamp. When
upgrading existing T8 fluorescent fixtures to LEDs, or
direct replacement, the new Magnalight LEDT8–28W–V1
will “outperform a standard T8 fluorescent and save
money, too.”
The 28–watt T–series LED Bulb works with any T8
fluorescent light fixtures and can be configured for T–
series fluorescent bulb fixture and requires no ballast for
operation.
The polycarbonate lens diffuses the light and makes
this bulb “ideal” for food safe–environments since there is
no glass. The aluminum housing serves as a heat sink and
provides rigidity and strength for this LED bulb. The
Magnalight 28–Watt LED tube produces more light than a
T8 fluorescent and saves on electric costs and maintenance
costs while resisting shock and temperature extremes, said
Rob Bresnahan, of LarsonElectronics.com.
These LED light tubes can also be plugged directly into
fluorescent light fixtures with magnetic ballasts, which
make them an “ideal retrofit” for older T12 fluorescent
lights with magnetic ballasts.
“These are the first generation of our 28–watt LED
tubes,” he said.
Output is “98.21 lumens per watt” for a total of 2750
lumens per bulb. This lamp is also available in two–foot
and three–foot alternating current and low–voltage
versions, making this new series of lamps compatible with
numerous different commercial and industrial fixtures.
Facility–maintenance people will find these bulbs easy
to retrofit as there are solutions for ballasted fixtures and
fixtures with single–end AC power. Most importantly, they
will increase the light output and save on electric consumption, said Bresnahan.
“We couldn’t be more excited about the flexibility and
compatibility of these lamps. This gives both commercial
and industrial settings an opportunity to upgrade to LED
lighting with little or no hassle.”
Larson Electronics carries an extensive line of LED
spotlights, LED hunting lights, colored LED lights,
portable work lights and industrial grade LED area lights.
You can view Larson Electronics’ entire line of lighting by
visiting them on the web at LarsonElectronics.com. You
can also call 1–800–369–6671 to learn more or call 1–903–
498–3363 for international inquiries.
California company designs first interchangeable multi–section paddleboard
Corran SUP has designed and is bringing to market the “world’s first interchangeable multi–section paddleboard.”
Corran says the problem with paddleboards is threefold. The first is that they are long and cumbersome. They are
complex to transport and store for the end–user, and they take up sizable amounts of floor space in retail outlets. They
are generally expensive — well over $1000 and often more than $2,000. Lastly, you need a different board for every
member of the family, and for every intended use.
This new invention (which has a patent pending) solves all three issues, says Corran, a California company. It consists
of a front and back section which forms the base board, and then additional center sections which click together to
lengthen the board as needed. The single design, which fits neatly into the back of your car, and in your closet, can go
from the perfect above–ground Yoga board to a general purpose paddling board, or a distance board that’s ideal for fitness
training, fishing or even paddling two–up.
This is a concept the inventor Corran Addison has been working on for the past eight years — to create a board that’s
easier to transport and store. But it wasn’t until recently that he had the idea to make the board adjustable in length and
use. Take the same shape — the same pieces — and duplicate them so that you can make a board short or long.
The “base” board is three pieces — the ends slide together and lock with a ratcheting system that pulls the three
pieces firmly along rigid sliders. The nine–foot long board will hold a paddler weighing more than “230 pounds.”
When you’re done using the Corran SUP it’s easy to take apart and store it in a small corner of your house or in the
back of your vehicle, said Addison.
Corran SUP is using a “cloud–funding project” to raise the money to bring this new idea to market. For more information about Corran Paddleboards, go to CorranSUP.com.
Brevard County Catholic Schools provide an outstanding
education in a faith-filled and nurturing learning environment. A
challenging curriculum is enriched with fine arts, foreign language, religion,
athletics, and extracurricular programs. Students emerge as confident leaders with a
strong moral compass and the critical skills needed for success in college and career.
Discover the difference a Catholic education will make in the life of your child.
Catholic Schools
pick up BBN
12/02/13
page 12
Nine Catholic schools serving students in
FULL COLOR Pre-K3 and VPK4 through 12th grade.
Melbourne
Palm Bay
Merritt Island
Melbourne Central
Catholic High School
Ascension Catholic School
Our Lady of Lourdes
Catholic School
St. Joseph Catholic School
Divine Mercy
Catholic Academy
Indialantic
Holy Name of Jesus
Catholic School
Cocoa Beach
Rockledge
Titusville
St. Mary’s Catholic School
St. Teresa Catholic School
Our Saviour Catholic School
Visit BrevardCatholicSchools.org | U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence
DECEMBER 16, 2013
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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 13
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
BBN
Florida Space industry to visit capitol to share with legislators the opportunities the industry brings to state
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — Representatives
from Florida’s aerospace industry will visit Tallahassee on March 12 to participate in Florida Space Day
and share with legislators the opportunities the
industry brings to the state and the nation’s space
program.
“Aerospace means business and that translates
into high tech, high paying jobs for Florida,” said
Patty Stratton, chair of Florida Space Day 2014.
“The decisions made in both Tallahassee and
Washington D.C., in regard to the space program will
greatly affect the state.”
Florida has the third–largest space industry in the
nation.
“It’s imperative that Florida’s legislators, local
officials and the business community continue to
work together to position the state to capture new
opportunities as this industry transitions,” said
Stratton.
This year’s event is critical, as the state’s space
industry continues to expand and change to face the
dynamic international marketplace, she said.
During Space Day, industry leaders and other
aerospace supporters will meet with House and
Senate members, as well as with Gov. Rick Scott, to
discuss the state’s $8 billion space industry, and
determine the best strategies for leveraging these
markets for Florida’s benefit in the years ahead.
With Florida’s tested capabilities, it is poised to
continue capitalizing on emerging aerospace opportunities as well as open new frontiers in exploration
and discovery, said Stratton. Home to two of just
eight commercially licensed spaceports in the
country, Florida is one of only three states conducting
commercial orbital launches.
“We want Florida to continue its aggressive stance
to create a robust atmosphere for space exploration
and business,” said Stratton.
Florida Space Day participants include Abacus
Technology Corp., AECOM Government Technical
Service, American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics, ASRC Aerospace Corp., Astronaut
Scholarship Foundation, Astrotech Space Operations,
ATK, Bionetics, The Boeing Co., Craig Technologies,
Computer Science Raytheon, D3 Air & Space
Operations, Delaware North Cos., Dynamac Corp.,
Economic Development Commission of Florida’s
Space Coast, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University,
Exelis, Harris Corp., InDyne Inc., Jacobs Technology,
L2 Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Millennium Engineering & Integration, QinetiQ North America,
SAIC, Space Coast Launch Services, Space Florida,
SpaceX, United Launch Alliance and URS.
To learn more about the event, visit
www.floridaspaceday.com, www.facebook.com/
FloridaSpaceDay or follow on Twitter at
@FLSpaceDay.
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Arbor Day Foundation’s planting of 50,000 trees in the nation’s forests benefits from Canon U.S.A.’s support
NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. — The Arbor Day Foundation
is planting 50,000 trees in Blackwater River State Forest
with the continued generous support of Canon U.S.A. Inc.
Since 2009, Canon U.S.A.’s contributions to the Arbor
Day Foundation have contributed to the planting of more
than 250,000 trees in high–need national forests.
Located in Florida’s Northwest panhandle, Blackwater
River State Forest is the latest forest to benefit from
Canon’s support. Blackwater is one of the largest forests in
the state, encompassing approximately 213,000 acres. It is
one of the most diverse habitats with more than 100
species of plants and animals to be found on a quarter of
an acre in the U.S. It is the central piece to the largest
remaining contiguous tract of longleaf pine/wiregrass
ecosystems in the world.
“The Blackwater River State Forest Recovery Campaign is about bringing life back to Northwest Florida,”
said Dan Lambe, Arbor Day Foundation vice president of
programs.
“These trees are part of the long and important history
of the people and land of this state. We thank Canon for
years of generous support of our Nation’s Forests, and
remind folks that for just $1 per tree, or about $500 per
acre, supporters can make a big difference at any level.”
The newly planted trees help provide critical habitat for
an array of wildlife including the black bear and river
otter. The trees also help bring the endangered red–
cockaded woodpecker and Kirtland’s Warbler back from
the brink.
Other forests in which trees were planted with the
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vice president and general manager, Marketing and
Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A.
These new trees help restore life and vitality to the
land. The trees help mitigate the impact of climate change
by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and
replacing it with pure oxygen.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a million–member
nonprofit conservation and education organization with
the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and
celebrate trees. More information is available at
arborday.org.
Canon U.S.A. Inc. is a leading provider of consumer,
business–to–business, and industrial digital–imaging
solutions. With roughly $40 billion in global revenue, its
parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third
overall in U.S. patents registered in 2012 and is one of
“Fortune” magazine’s “World’s Most Admired Companies”
for 2013.
Michael’s in Indialantic
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And you can buy a pair of St. Croix stripped socks to go
with it. “We have expanded our lines of ties, socks, belts,
fashion hats, cuff links, wallets, money clips, and other
accessories. We’re carrying more accessories than we have
in the past. Customers have requested them,” he said.
In a separate area of the store, the Jablaouis run a
thriving full–service tailor shop, serving both men and
women clients. It has a number of tailors on staff. The
shop is known for its fast turnaround, which customers
embrace.
“Our tailoring business has really grown over the
years,” said the elder Michael Jablaoui. “We have the
capability to handle any tailoring need.”
Michael Jablaoui is a master tailor himself and worked
in Detroit in the trade before moving to Florida and
eventually purchasing the retail shop that he owns today.
Saturday,
A retelling of Rumpelstiltskin
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ITAR-Requested continued generous support of Canon contributions since
2009 include Bayfield County Forest in Wisconsin,
Manchester State Forest in South Carolina and John
Bethea State Forest in Florida.
America’s forests are a treasured legacy threatened by
insects, disease and devastating wildfires. This year, the
Foundation planted nearly five million trees in our nation’s
forests through partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service
and the National Association of State Foresters, with far–
reaching impact throughout the country.
The generosity of supporters like Canon U.S.A. has
made it possible for the Foundation to plant 40 million
trees in total through more than 250 projects, recently
expanding our work to include a growing number of state
forests. “We are proud to not only have reached our goal of
contributing to the planting of 50,000 trees in the
Blackwater River State Forest, but to be able to leave a
greener footprint in our community,” said Sam Yoshida,
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Performances by:
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THE UNEXPECTED
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December 12 – 15
Thursday - Saturday 8:00 pm, Sunday 2:30 pm / Tickets $5.00
Reservations: (321) 961-1988, playwrightsworkshop@yahoo.com
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Christmas
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December 20 – 22
Fri - Sat 8:00 pm, Sun 2:00 pm
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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 15
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
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‘Passport to Wines Around the World’ to benefit wide range of Aging Matters in Brevard programs
COCOA — Aging Matters in Brevard will present the
seventh annual “Passport to Wines Around the World,”
hosted by Miller & Hurt Financial Group, at 6 p.m. on
Saturday, April 12, at the Space Coast Convention
Center Holiday Inn, 301 Tucker Lane.
The evening will feature food, select wines, entertainment, balloon pops, a live auction and more. This
signature fund–raiser was launched in 2008 by Miller &
Hurt Financial Group to benefit the programs of Aging
Matters in Brevard.
Established in 1965, Aging Matters in Brevard is a
nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and
maintain independence and maximize quality of life for
the citizens of the county, particularly the elderly and
disabled. One of its primary programs, The Brevard
Community Kitchen, serves more than 2,000 meals a day
to the “frailest of our citizens” including both elders and
at–risk children.
Proceeds from this event will help provide care for
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community,” said Jeanne Hakkila–Wills, vice president
of mission advancement at Aging Matters in Brevard.
The proceeds from last year’s event impacted seniors
in the following meaningful ways:
l Provided 222,677 hot nutritious meals to 1,633
homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels.
l Improved home accessibility, safety and security for
1,574 seniors.
l Senior TranServe volunteers traveled more than
49,588 miles transporting 197 non–driving seniors.
l RSVP volunteers provided 71,913 hours of service at
community agencies.
l Home and Community Based Services provided 785
seniors and 68 caregivers with in–home services including homemakers, personal care, respite, housekeeping
and alarm systems.
Tony Hurt of Miller & Hurt said, “Rich and I are
pleased to have created, initiated and championed the
Passport to Wines. The event has grown considerably
and is something we are very proud of. We consider it an
honor to give back to the community that has given so
much to us.”
Aging Matters in Brevard is recognized by the Florida
Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on
Aging as the Lead Agency for senior services in Brevard
County.
The organization’s services are funded by federal,
state and local grants. Private–pay services are also
available. Aging Matters in Brevard offers a wide variety
of services to enable seniors to live safely and independently in their own homes.
If you would like to sponsor this event, call Hakkila–
Wills at 806–3767 or send an e–mail message to
JHakkila@AgingMattersBrevard.org for more information.
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DECEMBER 16, 2013
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS
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Dr. McManus of The Eye Institute for Medicine & Surgery continues practice’s ‘Christmas Cataract’ gift program
In the spirit of the holiday season, Dr. James
McManus seeks to give the gift of sight to an individual
in need. Dr. McManus, a board–certified ophthalmologist
and cataract specialist at The Eye Institute for Medicine
& Surgery, wants to give a “very special gift” to a resident
of Brevard County this Christmas season: the precious
gift of sight.
Dr. McManus will be continuing the program he
created last year, known as “The Christmas Cataract,”
which he describes as, “a happy ending waiting for your
story.” He wants to encourage Brevard County residents
who may be experiencing vision loss due to cataracts,
who are uninsured and in need, to visit his website,
TheChristmasCataract.com.
There are instructions on the website explaining how
an individual or their loved one can share a photo and
their story describing how vision loss has impacted their
life and how they believe their life could improve if their
vision was restored.
“Poor vision associated with cataracts can have a
profound effect on all aspects of a person’s life,” said
Dr. McManus. “It can prevent a person from working,
from taking care of loved ones who depend on them, or
even performing daily activities that most of us take for
granted.”
Cataracts are a clouding of the natural, clear lens
inside the eye. Cataracts are usually age–related but
may occur because of heredity, the presence of certain
systemic illnesses, the use of certain medications,
trauma, or other factors.
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DECEMBER 16, 2013
For a period of time, changes in one’s eyeglass
prescription may improve vision to an acceptable level.
However, once a cataract progresses past a certain point,
vision and a person’s ability to do the things they need to
do on a daily basis begin to become compromised. At this
point surgery is usually the only viable option to improve
vision.
Dr. McManus says he hopes to continue the “Christmas Cataract” program for many years to come. “Brevard
has been a wonderful place to live, to raise a family and
to practice medicine. I want to give back to the commu-
nity that has been so good to my family and me,” he said.
Unfortunately, not everyone who submits their story
will be eligible for the surgery because of such factors as
the presence of other eye conditions or a health status
that would indicate a contraindication to outpatient
surgery.
Dr. McManus said he will review all the entries and
carefully determine the individual most likely to benefit
from cataract surgery. For more information regarding
this program, log on to TheChristmasCataract.com or call
722–4443.
Children’s Home Society of Brevard
Continued from page 11
The entertainment will include samba dances by Dr.
Stephanie Haridopolos and Brad Stein, and Mike and
Teresa Bauer.
A wine–tasting kick–off party for “Portraits of
Possibilities” was recently hosted at Maxine’s Salon &
Spa on Highland Avenue in Eau Gallie.
Owner Susan Extein is a supporter of the Children’s
Home Society and joined the “Portraits of Possibilities”
planning committee two years ago. Maxine’s Salon & Spa
sells select wines. “Susan is a good friend and we’re
thankful for her support of the Children’s Home Society,”
said Maria Seelman.
The Children’s Home Society’s programs include the
Hacienda Girls Ranch, a residential safe shelter for teen
girls. Situated on a 25–acre campus, Hacienda Girls
Ranch offers mental–health counseling, remedial
education, and vocational opportunities for each youngster.
The organization also provides guidance for new
mothers and their babies through the “Healthy Start”
program. It teaches mothers how to take care of their
newborn. The program is designed to help curb child
abuse.
“These programs are instrumental in the community
as we reach out to a help a wide range of age groups,”
said Griffin. “That’s one of the reasons why ‘Portraits of
Possibilities’ is such an important event for us each year.
We’re hoping it will be another big success.”
Donors can also make a “Gift of Love” for a child,
starting at $25.
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Visual Dynamics: Apple Specialist
Continued from page 1
so. Customers will have a lot of product options when they
shop.
The upgraded products include the iPad mini with
Retina Display. The iPad mini brings all the pixels from
the 9.7–inch iPad to its 7.9–inch screen, delivering “razor–
sharp” text and detail in an “amazingly thin” and lightweight design, he said.
“The main difference between the new iPad mini and
old iPad mini is that the new one has a Retina Display,
which is one of the highest density displays you can get on
a tablet.”
He added, “The picture quality is absolutely beautiful;
great color saturation. It’s perfect for photos. Apple has
also upgraded a number of internals within the iPad
mini.”
The new iPad mini features the “powerful” and “power–
efficient” designed A7 chip with 64–bit desktop–class
architecture, “ultrafast wireless” with built–in Wi–Fi, and
expanded LTE cellular connectivity.
Custom–designed polyurethane “Smart Covers” for the
iPad mini with Retina Display and iPad mini are available
in a range of vibrant colors, including blue, green, and
black.
Apple has also upgraded the iPad Air, a lighter, thinner
and more powerful model. It, too, has the Retina Display
feature. “It’s the same screen size as the prior model,” said
Wooten, “but it’s thinner, lighter and faster. So it’s really
an ideal size for a tablet.”
Precision engineered to weigh just one pound, the iPad
Air is 20 percent thinner and 28 percent lighter than the
fourth generation of iPad, and with a narrower bezel the
borders are much thinner.
The new iPad Air’s Retina Display makes web pages,
text, images and video look “incredibly sharp and realistic.”
The A7 chip allows the battery to be even smaller,
helping reduce the overall volume by 24 percent from the
previous generation, while doubling its performance and
maintaining its up to 10–hour battery life, the company
says.
The iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display have
the next–generation FaceTime HD camera with improved
backside illumination sensors featuring larger pixels for
better low–light performance.
Apple has also refreshed its Macintosh line, said
Wooten. The Macbook Air, for instance, has seen improvements.
The new Macbook Air, similar to the iPad Air, “is
lightweight and very fast. If you take a laptop with you
everywhere you go, the new Macbook Air is the perfect
traveling companion. It’s less than one–half inch thick,
extremely powerful and comes in 11–inch and 13–inch
sizes,” he said.
The 11–inch Macbook Air now lasts up to nine hours
between charges and the 13–inch model lasts up to 12
hours.
The Macs feature OS X Mavericks, the latest major
release of the “world’s most advanced operating system.”
It’s available free of charge “to anyone who has a Mac
that’s dated around 2009,” said Wooten.
With more than 200 new applications, OS X Mavericks
brings iBooks and Maps to the Mac, includes a new
DECEMBER 16, 2013
version of Safari, enhances multi–display support,
introduces “Finder Tabs” and “Finder Tags,” and delivers
new core technologies for better efficiency.
One of those new features is iBooks. It gives the user
instant access to their iBooks library (more than 2 million
titles in the iBooks Store) and works seamlessly across
their devices.
And Finder Tabs help unclutter your desktop by
consolidating multiple Finder windows into a single
window with multiple tabs. Finder Tags are a new way to
organize and to find your files located on your Mac or in
iCloud.
Apple’s product pipeline includes the new iMac
computers, said Wooten. “They are screaming–fast
machines, in 21–inch and 27–inch models. They are
absolutely beautiful desktop machines. And, of course,
everything is wireless — the keyboard, the mouse, and so
forth.”
The Macs showcase the next generation of wireless
technology, called “802.11ac Wi–Fi.” When connected to an
802.11ac base station, the iMac delivers wireless performance that is up to three times faster than the previous
generation.
If you are shopping this holiday season for a computer
or an iPad for a college–bound student, Apple’s products
are among the most popular devices on campuses around
the nation.
“The MacBook Air 13 inch or the MacBook Pro 13 inch
are ideally suited for college students, with their lightness
and size,” said Wooten.
“Most college students go from classroom to classroom.
They want to be able to put their machines in their
backpacks. You don’t want something that is too big and
bulky. The 13–inch Mac models are the perfect size for
college students. The MacBook Air is lightweight and thin.
The MacBook Pro is a more powerful computer.”
He added, “A lot of college–age students who shop at
our stores are interested in purchasing the 15–inch model,
which is the ‘Big Mac Daddy,’ so to speak, but it’s not as
practical as the 13–model.”
Visual Dynamics has a full selection of Apple products
and more are expected to arrive this month. Apple is set to
roll out its new Mac Pro, being billed as “the most radical
Mac ever.”
Designed around an “innovative unified thermal core,”
the Mac Pro features the latest Intel Xeon processor. The
unified thermal core allows the system to efficiently share
thermal capacity across all the processors. The new Mac
Pro, designed in the form of a cylinder, is just 9.9 inches
tall and one–eighth the volume of the previous Mac Pro.
“The Mac Pro has been around for a while but this
model is a new computer for Apple,” said Wooten. “It will
be the most powerful computer they have ever produced.
It’s an extremely powerful desktop computer.”
Reinvented from the inside out, the Mac Pro is designed
to tackle even the “most demanding workflows.” The Mac
Pro meets stringent Energy Star 6.0 requirements and
achieves an EPEAT Gold rating.
EPEAT is an independent organization that helps
customers compare the environmental performance of
notebooks and desktops. The EPEAT program was
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conceived by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It
is based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers’ 1680 Standards for Environmental Assessment
of Personal Computers Products.
The new Mac Pro uses up to 70 percent less energy
than the previous generation, is constructed with 79
percent less aluminum, and uses 80 percent less packing
materials than the current Mac Pro, according to Apple.
When people purchase Apple products at Visual
Dynamics, the customer relationship is just beginning. A
core part of company’s business is training. Visual
Dynamics offers a full slate of classes and seminars, as
demand for Apple product instruction grows in the
community.
The firm has a dedicated training staff and well–
equipped computer classrooms at both of its stores. The
Apple classes are conducted for individuals as well as for
businesses.
“Training is huge for us,” said Wooten. “We offer
hands–on workshops covering a wide range of Apple
products. The workshops bring people up to speed on a
particular product.”
He added, “A lot of people are switching from the
Windows environment to the Macintosh environment.
Macs are simpler to use, but it takes a bit of a learning
curve to move forward and they can learn the steps in
these workshops.”
For the holiday season, Visual Dynamics is offering its
most popular training package — the “Workshop Bundle”
— at a discounted price of $39.95. It covers four and a half
hours of hands–on training. The bundle is a series of four
individual workshops. You have up to one year to take all
four of them once you sign up.
“The workshops cover everything from getting started
with your Apple product, all the way through using it to
work on the Internet, for mail, for calendars, and so forth.
When a customer purchases the Workshop Bundle with an
iPad or a new Mac, the Workshop Bundle is $20 for the
four and a half hours,” he said.
One of the growth areas for Visual Dynamics is the
small–business market. Wooten says his company is
seeing more firms move from Windows to the Mac
environment.
“It’s one of the big surges we are experiencing. A lot of
small–business customers, including insurance agencies,
attorneys, automobile dealerships, and restaurants, are
switching from PC–based machines to Macintosh.”
A survey conducted by the Enterprise Desktop Alliance
cited 65 percent of 322 information–technology administrators saying that it costs less to troubleshoot Macs than
PCs in their operation. A majority of the respondents said
that the cost for managing Macs was more than 20 percent
less than for PCs.
Wooten said “70 percent of new customer sales at his
stores are to people making the switch. It’s an all–time
high for us. It’s giving us a big lift.”
Visual Dynamics’ beachside store hours are 9 a.m. to 6
p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on
Saturday. The holiday shopping hours at The Avenue store
are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9
p.m. on Saturday, and 11 to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 19
networking
matters
At AT&T, we know that making connections
is critical to success. In Brevard County and
across the nation, we link businesses with
their customers and the world through our
wireless network with access to the nation’s
largest Wi-fi network.
It’s just another way we help our customers
stay connected.
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