vol. 32 no. 14 april 7, 2014 $1.00 a weekly space coast ... … · bbn photo — adrienne b. roth...

Vol. 32 No. 14 April 7, 2014 $1.00 A Weekly Space Coast Business Magazine printed in Brevard County, Fla. since 1984

Please see River Tree Builders, page 19

BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth

Barry Richardson, a Rollins College graduate, is president and founder of 22–year–old River Tree Builders inMelbourne. His company’s core business is home remodeling and that segment of the construction industry is growingagain. Many remodelers entered 2014 with jobs in the pipeline. He’s at the home of Dr. Ruben and Rita Moreno, wherehis firm recently completed a full kitchen and bar renovation.

Residential renovationis on upswing for firmslike River Tree BuildersBy Ken Datzman

Activity in the field is fast increasing for residential remodelers and

the cost–versus–resale value of these construction projects is back on

track, rewarding homeowners for their investments.

The home–remodeling market started to gain traction nearly two

years ago and business conditions continue to strengthen in many

communities as homeowners invest in upgraded bathrooms, contempo-

rary kitchens, and other improvement projects including square–footage

additions.

Many remodelers entered 2014 with jobs in the pipeline, which hasn’t

been the trend in the past few years.

“The home–renovation segment started to come back in earnest about

a year and a half ago,” said businessman Barry Richardson, president

and founder of 22–year–old River Tree Builders Inc. in Melbourne, whose

firm’s core market is residential renovation.

“There seems to be a lot of pent–up demand in the market for home

renovations, just like there is on the new–construction side of the

industry. People postponed doing additions to their homes, remodeling

their kitchens and bathrooms, mainly because they were waiting to see

the direction of the economy and the state of the housing market in

general.”

Richardson is a member of the Home Builders and Contractors

Association of Brevard, a trade organization that is gearing up for its

annual Spring Parade of Homes. There is a story on 1 in this

edition of Brevard Business News about the Parade, which typically kicks

off the spring home–buying season in the county.

Meanwhile, the $150 billion home–remodeling industry is trending

upward and should see strong growth in 2014, according to the “Leading

Indicator of Remodeling Activity” released in January by the Remodeling

Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard

University.

The double–digit gains in annual home–improvement spending

projected for the first half of the year should moderate some, to just under

10 percent by the third quarter.

The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity is designed to estimate

national homeowner spending on improvements for the current quarter

and the subsequent three quarters.

The ongoing growth in home prices, housing starts, and existing home

sales is helping drive the home–improvement business.

Richardson said his company’s revenue is up more than “200 percent

from where we were last year at this time. There is good activity in the

market. We’re getting a lot of calls. Our construction crews are busy. We

think it’s going to be a really good year for River Tree Builders.”

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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 3

officer of MH Williams Construction in Melbourne, has

committed to be the project’s general contractor and has

agreed to donate time and resources to construct the

facility at cost, said Hann.

There are close to 5,000 residents within a one–mile

radius of the Evans Center site. Forty–eight percent of

households in that area earn less than $24,999 annually,

and 68 percent own one or no vehicle.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the

area is deemed a “food desert,” because it lacks adequate

access to fresh, affordable foods needed to maintain a

healthy diet.

“The closest grocery store is 1.4 miles away,” said

Evans Center Chairman Alan Prestwood. “That is a long

journey for seniors or young mothers without transporta-

tion. It is a shame that they choose between paying a taxi

to go to the store, or opt for unhealthy, expensive

alternatives closer to home.”

Adults and children living in designated “food desert”

areas have disproportionately higher rates of life–

threatening conditions such as cardiovascular disease,

diabetes and obesity.

Accessibility to affordable health care is also a

challenge, said Lisa Gurri, the chief executive officer of

Brevard Health Alliance. Currently, the BHA mobile

clinic visits the community one day per week. Once the

Evans Center is constructed, BHA will have a perma-

nent presence. Gurri estimates the Evans clinic will see

3,500 annual patient visits. Patients will contribute to

their own care through sliding–scale fees.

As capital funds are raised, Evans Center leaders are

responding to the need to provide basic job training for

PALM BAY — Businesses have the opportunity to

make a big impact in northeast Palm Bay through

support of the Evans Center neighborhood revitalization

project that seeks to create a health clinic and a fresh–

food market in the Bayfront Community Redevelopment

Area (BCRA).

Significant business tax credits are available for

donations toward this project if made during the

business tax year that includes July 1, 2014. Tax–credit

applications must be submitted between July 1 and July

15, 2014, in order to receive immediate benefits.

Donating to this project promises to not only pay

rewards for those investing in the community but will

also have a long–term positive impact toward the future

well–being of the entire community.

“The process is fast, easy and there is a great return

on investment,” said area businessman Mike Shah, chief

executive officer of SE Petro Distributors. “I donated

$15,000, completed the application form, and received

$6,190 back within a few months.”

Shah adds that there is a “rare benefit” to Florida

businesses that contribute. They can receive up to a

50 percent return on their investment in the form of tax

credits or cash from sales–tax refunds.

The Evans Center master plan calls for a health clinic

through a collaboration with the Brevard Health

Alliance. It also calls for a market featuring fresh foods

and classrooms for youth job training. This market will

double as a training ground for students who have

completed the jobs–training curriculum.

“The Evans Center is a ‘win–win’ for residents as well

as for our broader Brevard community,” said Palm Bay

City Manager Sue Hann. “It is located within the BCRA

and the city’s Enterprise Zone. We see the Evans Center

as a strong community anchor that will provide services

within walking distance of north Palm Bay and south

Melbourne residents.”

Palm Bay is a vital partner on the Evans Center

project as it owns the land and is providing a long–term

lease to “facilitate” construction and operation of the

planned facility. Mike Williams, the chief executive

youth ages 16 to 24. Using the nationally recognized

“Jobs for Life” curriculum, they plan to launch a pilot

program for 10 students in 2014 at a temporary site

through the efforts of Doreatha Fields, founder of

Diamond Community School, just south of the Evans

Center.

In recent years, resident leaders of the Powell

Subdivision Neighborhood Watch and Congregations for

Community Action, working alongside Palm Bay

officials, have made “great strides” to improve safety and

strengthen community bonds. The Evans Center is an

“outgrowth of these successes.”

The Evans Center is being managed through the

development phase by the Brevard Neighborhood

Development Coalition (BNDC). Business donations

should be made payable directly to the Evans Center in

order to qualify for the tax–credit program. The BNDC

will help the donor with the application required to

receive the tax advantages.

“Now is the time to support this campaign,” said Lynn

Brockwell–Carey, BNDC executive director and manager

for the Evans Center project. “In 2012 and 2013, donors

to economic–development projects like the Evans Center

received returns of 41 percent and 40 percent.”

The opportunity is available to businesses that pay

Florida corporate income taxes, Florida insurance

premium taxes and any business that collects and remits

sales taxes. Donations of cash, equipment or goods can

qualify.

For more information about the project, contact

Brockwell–Carey at 253–4214, [email protected], or

visit www.EvansCenter.org.

Health clinic, jobs training and more planned for Evans Center; businesses can reap benefits from investing

Yellow Dog Café wins Zonta Club competitionYellow Dog Café took top honors as “Brevard’s Best Chocolate Fix of 2014” at the recent 10th annual Zonta Club of

Melbourne Chocolate Festival. Second place went to Grimaldi Candies, while Keiser University placed third. Other

competitors were: Buena Vida Estates, Caffe Chocolat, Love Bugs Bakery, Sue M. Pridmore/Salvation Army, Banana

Blossom Cakes, Sam’s Club, and Take A Bite Cupcakes. Proceeds from the festival benefit local scholarships and

community–service projects, and the local and international fight against human trafficking and violence against

women. For more information about the organization, visit ZontaSpaceCoast.org or call 952–1443.

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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].

Subscription Rates for home or office mail delivery are$26.00 for one year (52 issues). Send all addresschanges to: Circulation Department, Brevard BusinessNews, 4300 Fortune Place, Suite D, West Melbourne, FL,32904, or email [email protected].

coined the term “club sandwich” to describe people in

their 50s and 60s with adult children, grandchildren and

aging parents. This describes me, too. However, there’s

another layer to me. I am a multilayered sandwich with a

variety of fillings: I am a Dagwood. This kind of sandwich

was made popular by Dagwood Bumstead, one of the

main characters in Chic Young’s comic strip, “Blondie.”

Recently my three siblings came over to visit Momma,

who is 90. We had a terrific evening of food, laughter and

stories for time long passed. The next morning over

coffee, Momma said: “That was a fun night, wasn’t it?”

I agreed.

She continued, “I was so happy to see all of my

children together. I watched you all and it became as

clear as day to me that you are the Momma now.”

I interrupted in protest: “Oh, Momma, that’s not true.

You are the momma and will always be the momma.

Nobody can take your place.”

She placed her hand on mine and said, “Let me finish.

I know I will always be Mom, but you are the Momma. I

know you can’t take my place. You have your own place.

Your brothers and sister look up to you. They come to you

with problems and joys. They love me alright, but you are

first. And I am right there with them. I have gotten old

and I am one of the children now. We need you and I

pray that God will bless you and keep you strong.”

Members of the ‘sandwich generation’ have an awesome responsibility as caregiversBy Rebekah McCloudUCF Forum columnist

I am a proud member of the “sandwich generation.”

Sociologist Dorothy A. Miller coined the term in 1981 to

classify people who care for their aging parent(s) while

helping to support their own children.

A recent analysis of Census Bureau data by the Pew

Research Center noted that nearly half (47 percent) of

Americans aged 47–59 have a parent at least 65 years

old and are also raising a minor child or provide support

to a grown child. Additionally, 15 percent of that age

group in the past year provided financial support to

parents at least 65 years old and a child. There are close

to 14 million adult children still living at home and 36

percent of those 18–31 are still living with their parents.

These are compelling statistics that will increase

exponentially in the next decade or two when Baby

Boomers become the “aging parents.”

Nationally known elder–care authority Carol Abaya

She was silent for a long while.

In her silence, I understood Momma’s intention. She

was passing the mantel of matriarch on to me. I thought

about the conversation for many days after that morning.

I even called my siblings and talked with them about it.

They all affirmed Momma’s assessment of the situation: I

am the Momma now.

So, Ms. Abaya, I offer Dagwood as an additional kind

of family sandwich. I am sure I am not alone. Family

defined as mom, dad and kids is not necessarily the norm

anymore. Just watch television any day of the week and

you will find that there are a myriad of configurations

that comprise family. Boy, do I know this to be true. I

have become the matriarch of my extended family: I am

the Momma now.

With the care and leadership for my Mom, children

and grandchildren, I’ve added my siblings, their children

and grandchildren. This is an awesome responsibility

and a tremendous opportunity to learn, to teach, to

mentor, to encourage, to nurture, and to love. I pray I

don’t disappoint.

Rebekah McCloud is director of the Universityof Central Florida’s PRIME STEM/StudentSupport Services Program. She can be reachedat [email protected].

UF finds way to reduce E. coli in cows; may play role for humans

By Brad Buck

A new biological treatment could help dairy cattle

stave off uterine diseases and eventually may help

improve food safety for humans, a University of Florida

study shows.

Kwang Cheol Jeong, an assistant professor in animal

sciences and UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute,

examined cattle uterine illnesses because they can make

cows infertile, lower milk production and because those

maladies are often linked to bacteria, he said. The UF

researchers did their experiments in labs and at the

Dairy Unit on the Gainesville campus.

Kwang and his research team infused chitosan

microparticles, an antimicrobial material derived from

dissolved shrimp shells, into diseased cow uteri. When

bought in stores, chitosan can be used to treat many

ailments from obesity to anemia. On its own, chitosan

only works at acidic pH levels, Jeong said. For cattle,

Kwang’s team developed chitosan microparticles, which

work in acidic and neutral pH, because cattle uteri have a

neutral pH.

The study’s findings suggest chitosan microparticles

kill bacteria in the uteri, he said. Kwang said it may

someday be possible for chitosan microparticles to be

used to help humans who have become ill from consum-

ing E. coli–contaminated food, but more research is

needed.

Developing a new antimicrobial agent is critical to

human and animal health, said Kwang, a member of

UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

“Dangerous infections are diminishing the role of

some antibiotics, making them less able to treat infec-

tions, as pathogens are developing resistance to the

drugs,” he said, adding that about 23,000 people die in

the U.S. annually because of exposure to pathogens that

don’t respond to antibiotics.

Once bacteria become resistant, whether on farms, in

hospitals or the environment, they can infect humans,

through water, food or contact with contaminated feces,

Kwang said.

Further, some antibiotics used to treat humans and

animals kill good and bad bacteria. Scientists can use the

UF study’s findings to begin to develop better drugs that

target bad pathogens but leave beneficial bacteria,

Kwang said.

E. coli are everywhere, including the human gut, but

can contaminate beef, unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses

made from raw milk and raw fruits and vegetables that

haven’t been washed properly.

The most recent outbreak of meat–traced E. coli was

in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention. That year, 21 people in 16 states fell ill from

the pathogen, including one in Florida, the agency

reported. A foodborne “outbreak” happens when two or

more people get the same illness from the same contami-

nated food or drink, the CDC says.

Kwang’s latest study was published online March 21

by the journal PLoS ONE. He co–wrote the paper with

Soo Jin Jeon, a doctoral student in the UF animal

sciences department and Klibs Galvao, an assistant

professor in the large animal clinical sciences department

at UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Visit BrevardBusinessNews.com for Advertising InformationAPRIL 7, 2014 BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 5


To Be Continued ...

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

Introduction of Platform Guest

Presentation of Colors Viera High School ROTC

Pledge of Allegiance Students

National Anthem Viera High School Orchestra

InvocationMark Ragsdale - Lead Pastor - Church at Viera

Comments Chuck Nelson – Chairman – County Commission

Karen Henderson – District 4 School Board Member Judi John – The Viera Company

Entertainment Viera High School Orchestra

Comments Kimberly Africano – Board Member & Parent

Mike Strader – Charter School Associates Joe Rauenhorst/Greg Madsen

Bay Court Incorporated Robert Jordan - Chairman

Ground Breaking Celebration

EVENT COMMITTEE Judi John

Steve Muzzy Scott Miller

Robert Jordan

CONTRIBUTORS The Viera Company

Publix Viera High School Bay Court, Inc.

Charter Schools Associates, Inc.

SITE PLAN

Special Thanks




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Visit BrevardBusinessNews.com for Advertising InformationAPRIL 7, 2014



The Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra will present

its eighth annual Concerto Competition Winners’ Recital

at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, at Suntree United

Methodist Church, 7400 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne.

The concert will feature the three teen winners of the

annual competition along with the group’s philharmonic

orchestra and select chamber music ensembles.

Performing on viola will be competition winner

16–year–old Rachel Ho of Melbourne, a junior at West

Shore Junior–Senior High School in Melbourne. Winning

violinist Tomas Lopez of Melbourne is 15 years old and

attends Satellite High School as a sophomore. Also

attending Satellite High School is senior Aleyna Brown,

17, who will be performing on flute.

Admission to the event is free of charge with the

donation of a canned good or non–perishable food item for

the “Orchestras Feeding America” national food drive.

Collecting an average of 600 pounds per year, the BSYO

has donated more than 2 tons of foodstuffs for the hungry

in seven years of participation in the program. The website

is www.BSYO.us or call 216–7804.

Lourdes Quintero is the BSYO’s executive director.

Quintero said she is “proud” of the teens and the youth

orchestra outreach.

“The BSYO has been collecting food for the Orchestras

Feeding America program for seven years now,” said

Quintero. “Folks can come and hear these very talented

teenagers perform and fight hunger in our nation at the

same time. It’s great music and a great example to set for

our youngsters.”

BSYO free concert April 5 to benefit Orchestras Feeding America charity; donation of canned–food items7 to 18 years old, representing 50 public, private and home

schools.

Orchestras Feeding America is a project that has seen

over 250 orchestras from across the country collect nearly

450,000 pounds of food. The efforts of these orchestras

have helped spread the word about how and why orches-

tras are so necessary to their communities, beyond

providing amazing music.

For more information about the organization and to

view a list of the food item most in demand, visit

www.AmericanOrchestras.org.

The BSYO was established in 1984 by the Brevard

Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with Brevard

County Public Schools and Eastern Florida State College.

Now in its 30th season, the nonprofit BSYO offers talented

string, wind, brass and percussion students the opportu-

nity to study orchestral repertoire with peers of equal

talent under the direction of a professional conductor.

Student musicians play in one of three orchestras:

Philharmonic (premier), Symphony (intermediate strings

and winds) or String Ensemble (beginning strings). The

BSYO is comprised of 150 musicians ranging in age from

GrayRobinson attorney Jack Kirschenbaum joins the BCA Board of DirectorsGrayRobinson shareholder Jack Kirschenbaum is now serving on the Brevard Cultural Alliance Board of Directors.

The BCA is the professional organization that provides leadership and a unified voice for the arts and cultural sector on

the Space Coast. Its strategic vision is to advance Brevard County as a cultural destination, enhance educational

opportunities through engagement with the arts and bolster the sustainability of the cultural community.

Kirschenbaum is a senior partner in GrayRobinson in Melbourne and a respected and experienced civil–trial lawyer.

He has more than 30 years of courtroom experience in civil litigation and has been recognized by “Florida Super Lawyers”

in the area of general litigation. Kirschenbaum has handled numerous jury, nonjury and administrative matters in both

state and federal court, and currently holds an “AV Pre–eminent” rating from Martindale–Hubbell.

April is National Poetry Month at Satellite Beach LibraryIn honor of National Poetry Month, the Satellite Beach Library will host an “open–mike” program led by local writer

Kit Adams on Saturday, April 5. The program will kick off with a brown–bag lunch at 12 p.m., with readings beginning at

1 o’clock. Local poets of all ages are invited to attend and present their work. Following the presentation will be an

interactive discussion on “getting the writing flowing past blocks.” The library is partnering with the Scribblers, a

Brevard County writing group, to present the program. The library’s address is 751 Jamaica Blvd.

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Community partners include:

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SERVI CESAs the county’s exclusive provider of non-emergency

ambulance services, Coastal Health Systems of Brevard makes important connections every day

for the citizens of our community. Since 1988, its staff of trained professionals has safely transported thousands of patients to and from their healthcare providers, playing a key role in Brevard’s medical transportation system.

Coastal Health Systems is a truly unique partnership. Operating under the governance of a Board of Directors with members from all three Brevard hospital systems and the oversight of the Board of County Commissioners, Coastal is able to respond to the needs and vision of the county’s healthcare and emergency services professionals alike.

Coastal makes connections for life—for residents of Brevard, with its community partners. For information, call 321.633.7050 or visit www.coastalhealth.org.

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Community partners include:

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CoastalHealth Systems of Brevard

As the county’s exclusive provider of non-emergency ambulance services, Coastal Health Systems of Brevard makes important con-nections every day for the citizens of our community. Since 1988, its staff of trained professionals has safely transported thousands of patients to and from their healthcare providers, playing a key role in Brevard’s medical transportation system.

Coastal Health Systems is a truly unique partnership.Operating under the gover-nance of a Board of Directors representing every non-profit hospital system serv-ing Brevard and with the oversight of the Board of County Commissioners, Coastal is able to respond to the needs and vision of the county’s healthcare and emergency services professionals alike.

Coastal makes connections for life – for residents of Brevard, with its community partners. For information, call 321.633.7050 or visit www.coastalhealth.org. .

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SARASOTA — Ringling College of Art and Design has

announced the appointment of Jeff Bellantoni as vice

president for academic affairs for Ringling College.

A nationwide search was conducted by Shelli Herman

and Associates.

He’s an author, educator and award–winning graphic

designer with more than 20 years in higher education.

Bellantoni previously was with Pratt Institute in New

York City, where he served as chairperson and professor of

the nationally ranked Graduate Communications Design

Department since 2008, and was a member of Pratt’s

Board of Trustees.

Bellantoni was responsible for several initiatives

including Pratt Press, the Graduate Design Guild, and the

first design–focused MFA program at Pratt. In addition to

these roles, he acted as governance facilitator for the

Institute for two years and special assistant to the Dean of

Art and Design for three years.

“We are pleased to add Jeff to our creative community,”

said Ringling College of Art and Design President

Dr. Larry Thompson. “Jeff’s well–rounded background and

experience as a designer and educator is the perfect fit to

help us continue to innovate and enhance our academic

program for the next decade and beyond.”

He added, “With over two decades in higher education

as a faculty member and academic administrator at major

research universities, a liberal arts college, and several

professional art and design colleges, Jeff has mastered

skill–sets that will be integral to Ringling College’s ongoing

curriculum development, accreditation and governance.

We are excited to work with Jeff to evolve our academic

vision at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.”

Bellantoni said it is a “privilege to join Ringling College,

one of the most innovative arts colleges in the world, and

one that continuously strives for excellence. Ringling

College’s record of achievement during the past decade

under President Thompson’s leadership, along with the

consistent drive to challenge itself, makes for a tremendous

opportunity of continued transformational growth.”

He added that Ringling’s studio–teaching model

“nurtures innovation — students learn to approach

problems from unique perspectives and develop the flexible

thinking and comfort with risk that is needed in today’s

complex and dynamic world. I look forward to being an

integral part of our continued advancement to distinguish

ourselves as the preeminent art and design college focused

on creativity, innovation and social responsibility.”

Before his position at Pratt, Bellantoni held various jobs

with Mercy College in the Division of Civic and Cultural

Studies as associate professor, division chairman, and

founding program director for computer arts and design,

during which time he raised funds and oversaw the

building of The Roy E. Disney Center for Animation

Studies and The Center for Digital Arts. He has also

taught at the University of Connecticut in the School of

Fine Arts, Wanganui Polytechnic School of Art & Design in

Wanganui, New Zealand, and Virginia Commonwealth

University School of the Arts in Richmond.

Bellantoni is the co–author and designer of several

books, including the best–selling titles “Type in Motion”

and “Moving Type, Designing for Time and Space.” He is

an accreditation evaluator for the National Association of

Schools of Art and Design, and presents at conferences,

events and educational institutions around the world.

Bellantoni received his MFA degree in visual communi-

cations from VCU and BFA from the University of

Tennessee at Chattanooga. He will begin his new job this

summer.

Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, not–for–

profit, fully accredited college offering bachelor’s degrees in

14 disciplines, including advertising design, business of art

and design, computer animation, and digital filmmaking.

Bellantoni joins Ringling College of Art and Design as VP of academic affairs; author, educator and designer

Tickets on sale for ‘Classic Albums Live’ concertsTickets for all of the individual 2014 “Classic Albums Live” summer concerts are on sale at the Maxwell C. King

Center for the Performing Arts on the Melbourne campus of Eastern Florida State College. Single ticket prices start at

$28.75. The concerts are: Pink Floyd, “Wish You Were Here,” 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 10; Paul McCartney, “Band on the

Run,” 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 21; Creedence Clearwater, “Chronicle Hits,” 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 26; Elton John,

“Greatest Hits,” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16; Prince, “Purple Rain,” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13; and The Beatles,

“White Album,” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.

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Please see Junior Achievement of the Space Coast, page 15

Time for businesses to rally around Junior Achievement of the Space Coast’s‘Bowl–A–Thon’ benefit at Shore Lanes in Melbourne; recruiting five–player teamsBy Ken Datzman

Bowling is the No. 1 participation sport in

America. Its appeal is wide, attracting a cherished

demographic of more than 70 million people that

ranges all the way from youngsters to senior

citizens.

Bowling is also one of the fastest–growing high–

school sports. More than 5,000 schools offer boys and

girls bowling programs, according to the United

States Bowling Congress.

Junior Achievement organizations around the

nation have long used the popularity of the sport to

build a fund–raiser that targets participation by

businesses in a fun, competitive environment at

community bowling centers.

Known as the “Bowl–A–Thon,” the event in the

local market enjoyed years of success before “it kind

of fell off the radar. But we have resurrected it,” said

Mike McBride, president and owner of McBride

Marketing Group in Melbourne and the 2014 Junior

Achievement of the Space Coast Bowl–A–Thon

committee chairman.

Nationally, it’s one of the “hottest fund–raising

events for Junior Achievement,” he added.

Bowling, in general, is seeing renewed interest in

many communities because it’s fun and it’s an

inexpensive activity that brings together people in

neighborhoods. Many of these facilities have evolved

to become bowling–anchored family entertainment

centers.

Junior Achievement of the Space Coast is

working to get the word out to area businesses that

the bowling event is inexpensive to participate in

and it supports the organization’s local program-

ming, which focuses on financial awareness,

entrepreneurship, and work–readiness.

The Bowl–A–Thon is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on

Saturday, June 7, at Shore Lanes Bowling Center on

Dairy Road in Melbourne. “Shore Lanes has been

extremely generous in letting us use their facility for

this event,” said Kristin Schreiner, president of

Junior Achievement of the Space Coast.

The recruitment drive is underway for five–

player company teams to compete in the Bowl–A–

Thon.

“We are looking to recruit at least 40 teams. We

want to fill up the bowling center. This is especially a

great event for small businesses because it’s

inexpensive. Typically, with fund–raisers, bigger

businesses get involved because they can write the

checks. But this is an opportunity for the small–

business community as well,” said McBride.

The entry fee is $250 per team. Businesses may

enter more than one team. The teams play three

games during the event.

For each team, the players’ scores from the three

Junior Achievement of the Space Coast is looking to recruit at least 40 company teams to participate in its Bowl–A–Thon on June 7. The entry feeis $250 per team. The entry deadline is May 30. From left, Bowl–A–Thon committee members include: Larry McIntyre, Clear Channel Outdoor; AdamBroadway, Certified General Contractors; and Mike McBride, McBride Marketing Group. They are at McBride Marketing Group in Melbourne.


games are totaled as one team score. The highest team score

wins.

The deadline for team entries and pledges is May 30. Each

team is asked to raise pledges per point that go toward the

funding of Junior Achievement programs. Businesses compete

to see who can raise the most for Junior Achievement. Also,

the teams collect pledges from co–workers, family, and

friends.

For more details about entering a team in the competition

or pledging, call Junior Achievement of the Space Coast at

751–4024 or visit www.JASpaceCoast.org.

The Bowl–A–Thon is a good marketing opportunity for

area businesses.

“This is an HR person’s dream event,” said McBride. “They

can document and take pictures and do all kinds of social

postings of their team taking part in the Bowl–A–Thon and

giving back to the community, while also giving back to their

employees. It functions as a team–building event as well.”

Adam Broadway, president and chief executive officer of

area firm Certified General Contractors Inc. and a member of

the Bowl–A–Thon committee, said he has already recruited

two bowling teams and possibly a third one.

Larry McIntyre of Clear Channel Outdoor, another

committee member, said the Bowl–A–Thon “has been one of

our company’s favorite events and we have participated in a

lot of events over the years in the community. Our team really

has fun not only with the bowling competition but also with

the team–uniform contest.”

Prizes are awarded for the Best Team Score, Highest

Amount Raised by a Team, and Best Team Uniforms. “We’ve

had a lot of creativity in past years with the team uniforms,”

said McBride.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization

dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills

they need to “own” their economic success, plan for the future,

and make smart academic choices.

The Junior Achievement programs are delivered in

classrooms by corporate and community volunteers. They

provide relevant, hands–on experiences that give students

from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills



Please see HBCA Spring Parade, page 17

HBCA Spring Parade models set to open around county — ‘Showcase Home’built by Avtec Homes, touts Eco–Star package; taps affordable housing nicheBy Ken Datzman

For decades, the Home Builders and Contractors Association of

Brevard has hosted its Parade of Homes, a weeklong event where area

builders show off their new models to the community twice a year, in

the spring and in the fall.

Long ago, the HBCA — an affiliate of the Florida Home Builders

Association and the National Home Builders Association — made a

commitment to this seasonal format and has stuck with it through

up–and–down home–building cycles and gyrating economies.

“We are the only builder association in Florida that puts on two

Parades a year,” said businessman Jason Stanley, chairman of the

HBCA 2014 Spring Parade of Homes and president of Stanley Homes

Inc., a third–generation builder. “We have Parades in the spring and

in the fall.”

Stanley, the immediate past president of the organization, works

closely with the current HBCA President Corey Lancaster, who heads

Harlan Property Development LLC in Cocoa.

The 2014 Spring Parade runs April 5 through April 13. Stanley

said there are Parade models from Malabar in the south to Titusville

in the northern part of the county. The homes range in price from the

high $100s to more than $1 million.

The models will be open for public viewing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Saturday, and 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The “Commu-

nity” entry is Capron Ridge in Viera by Monarch Homes of Brevard.

The builders participating in the Parade include Avtec Homes, with

the “Showcase Home” in Manchester Lakes in West Melbourne;

Adams Homes, with models at Sloneridge in Palm Bay and Falcon

Ridge in Melbourne; Arthur Rutenberg Homes, showcasing homes in

Charolais Estates in Viera and Casabella in Suntree; Christopher

Burton Luxury Homes, with its entry at Charolais Estates; and

DiPrima Homes, with a model at Veranda Place in Melbourne.

The list continues: D.R. Horton, with homes at Manchester Lakes,

Bent Oak at Meadowridge in Titusville and Emerald Lakes in Cocoa;

Emerald Homes, featuring a model at Fairway Lakes at Viera; Joyal

Construction, with a model at Charolais Estates in Viera; A&E

Custom Homes, with a model at San Marino Estates in Melbourne;

Stanley Homes, with entries at Milan in Rockledge and Weber Woods

in Malabar; and Viera Builders, with its model at Strom Park in

Viera.

Avtec’s “Showcase Home” is in the new Manchester Lakes subdivi-

sion. The “Constellation 5” model has 2,157 square feet with four

bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an office. The single–story home touts

the Eco–Star “high–performance energy–efficiency solutions package.”

The package has a host of energy–saving features, including a solar

water heater, premium insulation, and a leading 15 SEER air–

conditioning system. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency

Ratio.

“As a company, we are focused on energy–efficient, affordable

homes and the ‘Constellation’ model is an example of our commitment

in those two areas,” said Sandra Forest, who holds a general

contractor’s license and is president of Avtec Homes in West

Melbourne.”

A graduate of the University of Florida and Florida Tech, Forest

grew up in the home–building industry but first worked in the

hospitality management field for hotels. She later became a real–

estate appraiser before coming to her position at Avtec Homes.

The Constellation starts at $204,900 and is the

largest home Avtec markets in Manchester Lakes.

“We allow customization,” she said. “We’ve had

customers who have moved walls to make a

bedroom bigger and much more.”

Julie Rigsby, a new home consultant for Avtec,

said consumers have embraced the Constellation 5.

Her company has recently sold a number of them.

“People love the energy–efficiency features of the

home. They love the layout because it’s an open

floor plan. They love the granite and tile, the large

walk–in pantry, and the porch. The model is

attracting a wide range of buyers, especially young

buyers,” said Rigsby.

Avtec Homes was started by Forest’s father,

longtime area homebuilder Larry Sietsma. He

founded Holiday Builders in 1983 and ran the

business for 16 years before retiring and selling the

firm to his employees.

He came out of retirement in 2005 to fill a

home–building niche that he saw in Brevard

County, that being affordable housing.

Around the time when real–estate values

started to skyrocket in price here and across the

nation as a home–buying stampede was underway

in many communities, Sietsma said to his daugh-

ter, “There is no affordable housing out there

anymore. I would like to start another home–

building company. Would you like to join me?”

Forest said yes and they went on to launch the

business.

“My father is an aviation and technology

The HBCA of Brevard will host its annual Spring Parade of Homes April 5 through April 13, with models open around thecounty for public viewing. The ‘Showcase Home’ is in the new Manchester Lakes subdivision in West Melbourne. The‘Constellation 5’ model was built by Avtec Homes, of which Sandra Forest is president. Jason Stanley is the Spring Paradechairman and president of Stanley Homes. They are at the Showcase Home.





COLORADO SPRINGS — One of the main reasons to

attend the Space Foundation’s 30th Space Symposium is

the dynamic Boeing Exhibit Center, featuring the world’s

latest space technology, products and services.

For 2014, the Boeing Exhibit Center has sold out, with

35 first–time exhibitors.

The Space Symposium is the premier annual gathering

of the global space community. Scheduled May 19–22 here

at The Broadmoor Hotel, the Space Symposium brings

together all sectors of the worldwide space community to

address opportunities and issues.

The Boeing Exhibit Center will open Monday evening,

May 19, immediately following the Space Symposium’s

opening ceremony, and will be open through Thursday,

May 22. Exhibits are displayed in two halls — the Boeing

Exhibit Center in Broadmoor Hall and the adjacent Boeing

Exhibit Center Pavilion.

A “wait–list” is in effect and exhibitors are encouraged

to plan now to exhibit at the 31st Space Symposium, also

to be held at The Broadmoor, April 13–16, 2015. The

thousands of people who tour the exhibits include industry

executives, senior decision–makers and government

officials. For more details about exhibit opportunities,

contact [email protected].

The Boeing Exhibit Center is not open to the public.

The complete list of exhibitors is at

www.spacesymposium.org/exhibit–center.

The 30th Space Symposium is preceded by a full–day

cyberspace conference, “Cyber 1.4” on Monday, May 19, at

The Broadmoor Hotel. Cyber 1.4 requires separate

Boeing Center sold out for Space Foundation’s 30th Space Symposium at Broadmoor in Colorado Springs

Space Research Association.

Aviation Week, SatNews Publishers, SpaceNews and

Tech Briefs Media Group are media partners.

Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is the “foremost

advocate for all sectors of space.” It is a global, nonprofit

leader in space–awareness activities, educational pro-

grams and major industry events, including the annual

Space Symposium, in support of its mission “to advance

space–related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel

humanity.”

The Space Foundation’s world headquarters in

Colorado Springs features a public Discovery Center

including the El Pomar Space Gallery and the Northrop

Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere,

and is a member of the American Alliance of Museums.

The Space Foundation has a field office in Houston, and

from its Washington, D.C., office conducts government

affairs, publishes “The Space Report: The Authoritative

Guide to Global Space Activity” and provides three indexes

that track daily U.S. stock market performance of the

space industry.

Through its Space Certification and Space Technology

Hall of Fame programs, the Space Foundation recognizes

space–based technologies and innovations that have been

adapted to improve life on Earth. For more information

about the organization, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.

registration, and a substantial discount is available when

combined with Space Symposium registration.

A discount is currently available on standard industry

registration, if paid by April 25, 2014. The Space Sympo-

sium website provides information in 71 languages, and

includes the complete agenda and speakers list, plus

registration information.

For registration and more details about the event, visit

www.SpaceSymposium.org.

The Space Symposium officially kicks off Monday

evening, May 19, with a “spectacular” opening ceremony,

co–sponsored by Northrop Grumman.

Other event co–sponsors include: A.I. Solutions;

Aeroflex Microelectronic Solutions; Aerojet Rocketdyne;

Airbus Group Inc.; Arianespace; ATK; Ball Aerospace &

Technologies Corp.; Booz Allen Hamilton; Colorado Space

Business Roundtable; El Pomar Foundation; Exelis;

Government Executive Media Group; Intelsat General

Corp.; Lockheed Martin; MetiSpace Technologies Inc.; and

Millennium Engineering and Integration Co.

The list continues: Moog Inc.; Orbital Technologies

Corp.; PAE; Raytheon; Scitor Corp.; Secure World Founda-

tion; SES Government Solutions; SLS and Orion Industry

Team; Space Generation Advisory Council; SpaceX;

Spincraft; SSL; Stellar Solutions Inc.; The Boeing Co.; The

SI Organization; United Launch Alliance and Universities

Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is the ‘foremost advocate for all sectors of space.’

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Merritt Island firm’s innovative design supports multiple users; RS&H to be recognized at national ACEC eventWASHINGTON — RS&H, of Merritt Island, has

earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary

engineering achievement in the American Council of

Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) 48th annual Engineering

Excellence Awards for its design of Pad–0A at the Mid–

Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Va.

Unlike traditional launch pads, Pad–0A is the first in

the U.S. to be specifically designed and built as a multi–

user facility, accommodating liquid–fueled rockets from

different private companies. Features include common

interface points that allow for quick removal and replace-

ment of key vehicle–specific structural, mechanical, and

electrical systems, and communication data trays to

facilitate future expansion.

This versatility “will allow faster turnaround between

launches, allowing a more diverse range of missions to

take place,” such as resupplying the International Space

Station, satellite launches, and space transportation

initiatives.

The project is among 143 engineering entries through-

out the nation and the world recognized by ACEC as

preeminent engineering achievements for 2013.

Judging for the Engineering Excellence Awards —

known as the “Academy Awards of the engineering

industry”– took place in February, conducted by a panel of

more than 25 engineers, architects, government officials,

media members, and academics. Criteria for the awards

include uniqueness and originality, technical innovation,

social and economic value, complexity, and success in

meeting goals.

The final top winners, including 16 Honor Awards,

eight Grand Awards and the prestigious “Grand Conceptor

Award” for the year’s most outstanding overall engineering

achievement, will be announced at the Engineering

Excellence Awards Gala, a black–tie event to be held

Tuesday, April 29, here at The Grand Hyatt Hotel.

The ACEC is the business association of America’s

engineering industry, representing more than 5,000

independent engineering firms and more than 325,000

professionals throughout the U.S. engaged in the develop-

ment of transportation, water and energy infrastructure,

along with environmental, industrial and other public and

private facilities.

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Washington,

ACEC is a national federation of 51 state and regional

organizations.

Cocoa Village Playhouse announces the Jim Melia Memorial ScholarshipThe Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse and the family of Jim Melia have established The Jim Melia Memorial Scholar-

ship for both new and returning college students who have served at The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, either as a

performer in “Stars of Tomorrow” or the “Broadway on Brevard” productions, or as a musician or a member of the

production team.

Melia served as the vice principal of West Shore Junior/Senior High School in Melbourne and was an active volunteer

at the Cocoa Village Playhouse for many years.

He passed away Aug. 2 of 2013. Melia was an avid supporter of the “Stars of Tomorrow” program and was “forever

encouraging young people to pursue their higher education in order to achieve their dreams for the future.”

Each scholarship will be a one–time $1,000 award and may be used at any college or university in which the student

has been accepted or is currently enrolled.

The scholarship applications and criteria for applying are available at www.cocoavillageplayhouse.com or may be

obtained directly at the Cocoa Village Playhouse box office, 300 Brevard Ave. Selection of the recipient will be determined

by a committee and will be on an annual basis.

The deadline for applying is June 30. The recipient will be announced at the 25th Season Announcement Party, set for

July 12 at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne.

Art Gallery of Viera to conduct classThe Art Gallery of Viera at The Avenue shopping center will present “Fabric Collage — Free–Form Cityscape” from

9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. Class participants will use fabric strips to create a small wall hanging

depicting a city scene of their choice, based on a photo or an imaginary scene. The class fee is $25 plus supplies. To

register for the program, call the Art Gallery at 504–4343 or visit www.ArtGalleryofViera.com.

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Opened Fall 2009, the center provides research, training and service for persons with ASD and their families. The multidisciplinary treatment services offered focus on implementing research-based practice, partnering with schools and families, and collaborating with other professionals in a world-class facility.

DRAWING TO BE HELD SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014 AT KEMPF’S JEWELERS, 336 FIFTH AVE., INDIALANTIC, 1 P.M.

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Dr. Jorge De Armas Perez has become a partner at

Titusville–based Space Coast Cancer Center. The appoint-

ment was effective Jan. 1, 2014. The announcement was

made by Dr. Richard Levine, the founder of the practice.

Dr. Perez joined Space Coast Cancer Center in 2010

and cares for patients at the Titusville Cancer Center,

Merritt Island Cancer Center, Viera Cancer Center and

Melbourne office.

He graduated from the University Central del Caribe, a

U.S.–accredited school in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The U.S.

Army National Guard veteran completed his residency in

internal medicine at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Dr. Perez completed his advanced training in hematol-

ogy and oncology at Pennsylvania State Hershey Medical

Center in Hershey. He is board certified in hematology,

medical oncology and internal medicine. Dr. Perez is fluent

in Spanish and English

He has privileges at Parrish Medical Center,

Wuesthoff–Rockledge and Wuesthoff–Melbourne, Cape

Canaveral Hospital, Viera Hospital and Holmes Regional

Space Coast Cancer Center based in Titusville announces Dr. Jorge De Armas Perez as a partnerMedical Center.

The mission of Space Coast Cancer Center is to “provide

the highest quality medical care and service to the patients

and families of our community, utilizing state–of–the–art

equipment and dedicated staff.”

The practice was founded in 1983. It is the “only cancer

center in Brevard County to be recognized by the Quality

Oncology Practice Initiative, a certification program of the

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The

program is an initiative to certify oncology practices that

meet rigorous standards for the highest quality of cancer

care.

JDRF Walk set for April 5 in Cocoa Beach; Joe Mirachi corporate chairman of eventThe Central Florida Chapter of JDRF will host its “Walk to Cure Diabetes” April 5 at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa

Beach. Team sign–ups are underway. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the 5k walk on the beach to start at 9:30. To

register your team or to donate to Walk for the Cure, go to www.Walk.JDRF.org.

The event is JDRF’s biggest fund–raiser in Central Florida. Last year the Brevard County event netted $123,000 to

support research that is working to eliminate Type 1 diabetes and lessen the impact it has on the lives of those living

with the disease. This year’s corporate chairman, Joe Mirachi, the chief executive officer of KSC Federal Credit Union

based on Merritt Island, invites the community to join him in getting involved in the walk.

“Our team is gearing up for a great morning on the beach for a great cause. I hope everyone in the community joins us

as we walk and raise money to help find a cure to beat this disease. We invite you to come and be a part of it,” he said.

The walk participants will enjoy snacks and drinks. There will be entertainment for the kids. For more information

about the organization, visit JDRF.org.

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Fifth Street, Cocoa Beach Tickets: (321) 783-3127,

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By Philip George and David Lowenstein Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)

April 4-19 Opening Night is Buy One Get One Free Chronicling the dawning liberation of women in the 1960s, through the unforgettable hits of that decade! Caution: Adult themes



ORLANDO — Florida was one of the first states to feel

the effect of a national recession with job losses starting in

April 2007, several months before other states. When the

national recovery began in June 2009, Florida was slow to

join in and for several years lagged behind the pace of the

U.S. economic recovery.

In his first–quarter Florida Economic Forecast, UCF

economist Sean Snaith notes that in 2013 the state’s

economy came from behind and in 2014 leads the nation.

The Sunshine State, once a straggler in the race for

economic recovery, is now a front–runner.

“This has been no small accomplishment,” said Snaith,

the director of UCF’s Institute for Economic Competitive-

ness. “Looking forward, Florida will extend its lead over

the national economy for the next several years as we

expect the Florida economy to continue to outpace the

nation as a whole.”

Among the good news:

l Unemployment rates have fallen from their peaks,

in part due to a low labor–force participation rate

(59.6 percent in December 2013), and they will continue

to decline through 2017. The pace of decline will slow

dramatically as labor–force growth picks up. Despite this

significant headwind, the unemployment rate, currently

6.1 percent, should hit 5.4 percent by the end of 2017.

l The sectors that are expected to have the strongest

average growth during 2014–2017 are Construction (10

percent); Professional and Business Services (4.3 percent);

Trade, Transportation & Utilities (4 percent); Education

and Health Services (2.3 percent); and Leisure and

Hospitality (1.8 percent).

l Housing starts jumped in 2013. Total starts will be

more than 108,000 in 2014, just under 144,000 in 2015, hit

161,600 in 2016, and 165,500 in 2017. This growth in

residential activity will catalyze growth in the commercial

sector, both pushing employment growth in the construc-

tion sector into double digits.

l Real personal–income growth for 2013 slowed to

1.8 percent. From 2014–2017 real personal–income growth

will accelerate steadily and average 4.1percent, with 2014

growth at 3.6 percent that will rise to 4.6 percent in 2017.

l Low inventories and rising home prices have trig-

gered a surge in residential construction. Housing starts

will average 32.5 percent growth during 2014–2017. The

most rapid growth will be in 2014 and 2015.

l Retail sales will grow at an average pace of

4.4 percent during 2014–2017.

Snaith’s forecast offers predictions through 2017 for

Florida and its 12 metropolitan regions. Those areas are

Orlando, Daytona Beach–Deltona, Gainesville, Ocala,

Lakeland, Palm Bay–Melbourne, Pensacola, Miami,

Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Tampa Bay and Naples. To

view the complete report, visit http://www.iec.ucf.edu/post/

2014/03/25/Florida–Metro–Forecast–March–2014.aspx.

Snaith is a national expert in economics, forecasting,

market sizing and economic analysis who authors quar-

terly reports about the state of the economy. Bloomberg

News has named Snaith as one of the country’s most

“accurate forecasters” for his predictions about the Federal

Reserve’s benchmark interest rate, the Federal Funds rate.

Once a laggard now a leader, Florida’s economy outpacing national recovery; construction poised to grow

Junior Achievement of the Space CoastContinued from page 10

in financial literacy, work–readiness, and entrepreneur-

ship.

“Being involved in Junior Achievement of the Space

Coast has been a very rewarding experience,” said

McIntyre, who recently chaired the board of directors and

has been involved with the nonprofit organization for the

past 13 years.

“It’s a way to give back to the community by reaching

out directly to help kids learn about financial awareness,

entrepreneurship, and other important areas that will help

them in the future.”

Locally, Junior Achievement programs reach more than

11,000 students. The volunteers make five to seven

classroom visits of 30 to 45 minutes each, depending on the

grade level the volunteer chooses.

“Junior Achievement of the Space Coast is the voice of

financial literacy in the community and a promoter of

entrepreneurship in area schools. It’s an organization that

every business in the region should be supporting. Junior

Achievement is truly about teaching kids to be empowered

by business, not entitled,” said McBride, a longtime

entrepreneur himself.

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ROCKLEDGE — LEAD Brevard will host “Access

2014” at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, at Suntree

Country Club in Melbourne.

The program will offer Brevard County professionals

the opportunity for social networking with business

leaders in a relaxed atmosphere.

Annually, influential community members are invited

to serve as “table– conversation leaders.” Candid dialogue

at each table is a sharing of professional experiences and

lessons learned — all designed to encourage guests on

their “leadership journey.”

The scheduled list of table leaders includes:

Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, Commander, 45th Space Wing,

and director, Eastern Range, Patrick Air Force Base;

Dana Blickley, Brevard County property appraiser; Tim

Cerullo, chief executive officer, Wuesthoff Health System;

Steve Englehart, head football coach, Florida Tech; Paul

Hanson, vice president of operations and general man-

ager, Bright House Networks; Marcus Harley, senior vice

president, PNC Bank; Chas Hoyman, partner, Carr Riggs

& Ingram CPAs and Advisors; Wayne Ivey, Brevard

County Sheriff; Mark Malek, managing partner, Zies

Widerman & Malek; and Danny McKnight, retired U.S.

Army colonel.

The list continues: Doug Muldoon, Palm Bay police

chief; Michele Murrell, executive director, Eastern Florida

State College Foundation; Travis Proctor, chief executive

officer, Artemis, Lisa Rice, president, CareerSource

Brevard; Sandy Sanderson, regional director, external

affairs, Florida Power & Light Co.; Howard Tipton,

Brevard County manager; Lynda Weatherman, president

and chief executive officer, Economic Development

Commission of Florida’s Space Coast; Keith Winsten,

executive director, Brevard Zoo; and Dr. Denise Young,

associate vice president, University of Central Florida,

Cocoa and Palm Bay campuses.

Registration is required for the event and the deadline

is April 3. Ticket prices are $35 for Young Professionals of

LEAD Brevard to host ‘Access 2014’ program at Suntree Country Club; led by influential businesspeopleBrevard and LEAD Brevard members and $45 for guests.

Reservations may be made at www.LEADBrevard.org or

call 632–8222.

Founded in 1985 as an independent not–for–profit

organization, the mission of LEAD Brevard is to develop

and engage leaders to “achieve a preferred future.”

For more details about the event, contact Melissa

Breckenridge at [email protected].

HBCA Spring ParadeContinued from page 11

enthusiast and that is where the name Avtec came from,”

said Forest. Sietsma is a former U.S. Marine Corps

fighter pilot. He is the acting general contractor for Avtec

Homes, which builds in several markets.

Both Forest and Stanley said they are looking for

continued steady growth in the local home–building

industry.

“We’ve had two really good home–building years back

to back, fueled by low interest rates and the fact that

housing inventory continues to diminish in Brevard

County,” said Stanley, adding, “The especially cold winter

this season up north and in other parts of the nation is

likely to drive traffic to the Sunshine State, which is an

opportunity for home builders.”

The Milan and Weber subdivisions are where Stanley

Homes has a Spring Parade presence.

Customers have the opportunity to customize their

Stanley Homes. “We have our standard floor plans and

we allow customization,” said Stanley.

Competitive mortgage rates and an improving

economy point to a gradual strengthening of housing

activity through the rest of the year, according to a report

by the National Association of Homes Builders.

“Things are definitely looking up,” said Stanley, “but

there are some challenges in the local home–building

industry. For one, there is definitely a labor shortage.”

The industry provides an opportunity to learn the

trade and advance up the ranks.

Employment of construction workers is projected to

grow 25 percent now to 2022, much faster than the

average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Depart-

ment of Labor.

Not long after the market “took a dive, a lot of laborers

in Florida relocated to other states whose housing

markets didn’t get hit as hard as ours. Now, we are

working to bring them back,” said Stanley.

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BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWSRiver Tree BuildersContinued from page 1

According to the National Association of Home Build-

ers, the Remodeling Market Index held steady at 57 in the

fourth quarter of 2013. This is the same level as the third

quarter of 2013 and the highest reading since the first

quarter of 2004.

A number of years after the recording of the index’s

highest reading, the housing market started sliding and

eventually went into a sustained slump.

Many general contractors who built homes in the area

shifted their focus to the remodeling segment as housing

starts stalled. Soon, the remodeling part of the business

became crowded with general contractors.

“At that time,” said Richardson, a Rollins College

business graduate, “it seemed like everyone who had a

general contractor’s license in the region was a remodeler.”

He added, “Now, the new home market has come back

and the general contractors who used to pass business my

way are doing so again as they are busy building homes.

When that started to happen, it was a sign things were

getting better. They are busy in their core business and

now I’m reaping the benefits of that.”

Just about all signs and indicators in the remodeling

industry have turned positive and are pointing toward

gains at least over the next two years.

The industry is coming off its best year since 2008,

based on the latest compiling of the “Residential Remodel-

ing Index,” or RRI, by Metrostudy, a Hanley Wood

company. Hanley Wood provides research and analysis

covering the real–estate industry.

Across multiple metrics produced by Metrostudy, 2013

marked a “clear and substantial” move toward recovery in

the home–improvement sector. The seasonally adjusted

fourth–quarter national composite of the RRI registered a

score of 94.6, which was a 1 percent improvement over the

third–quarter result of 93.4.

Year–over–year, the index gained 9 percent, marking

the second consecutive year of gains. It represented the

largest year–over–year increase in activity since 2005.

“The big projects, such as full home renovation, have

even come back,” said Richardson. “It’s nice to see that in

this market.”

River Tree Builders recently finished a full–scale

kitchen renovation for local clients Dr. Ruben and Rita

Moreno. The upgrades included new cabinetry and the

Morenos added pantry storage space and made other

improvements.

River Tree Builders worked with Cabinet Designs of

Central Florida in Rockledge, owned by Dan and Sherry

Scott. The finished project was featured in the Women’s

Center South Guild’s recent “A Gourmet’s Kitchen Tour”

fund–raiser.

“They have a beautiful home. And the new cabinets

really help set off the kitchen area,” said Richardson.

Consumers are seeing an uptick in the value of their

home–improvement projects. Hanley Wood’s 27th annual

2014 “Cost vs. Value Report,” comparing construction costs

with resale value, shows that for the second consecutive

year remodeling is up for all 35 projects included in the

survey.

This signals an end to the cost–value ratio fall that

began in 2006 and didn’t begin to rebound until last year.

His company has built mother–in–law suites and has

made other renovations to accommodate a larger family.

One of the fastest–growing populations in Brevard County

and nationally are people age 80 and older.

Nearly 10 million adult children in the U.S. over the

age of 50 care for their aging parents, either in the adult

children’s home or in another setting, according to a study

by MetLife.

The proportion of adult children providing personal care

or financial assistance to a parent has more than tripled

over the past 15 years, says the survey.

“This has become a huge trend in the local market,”

said Richardson. “We’re doing projects where we are

adding bedrooms and much more. We have done a number

of these renovations over the last 18 months, putting

additions onto existing homes and making various

adjustments in areas of the home.”

Since its founding, River Tree Builders’ main business

has been home remodeling. “We’ve done well in that niche.

We’re a full–service builder, though, a full general

contractor,” he said.

His firm has expertise in commercial building, new–

home construction, and construction management as well.

Richardson started his career locally at Harris Corp. as

a production manager for the company’s semiconductor

division.

Later, he worked for a supplier selling equipment to

semiconductor businesses. That particular supplier

eventually went out of business, and Richardson was at a

fork in the road in his career.

“I either had to move to one of the semiconductor

meccas for employment — the Silicon Valley in northern

California; Boston; Austin, Texas; or North Carolina’s

Research Triangle Park — or find another career. I really

liked Brevard County and decided to stay.”

River Tree Builders has compiled a portfolio of more

than 200 remodeling projects in Brevard County covering a

wide range of work across various price categories, with

some projects valued at more than $1 million.

The recent steady stream of work has given remodelers

like Richardson confidence that the overall business

conditions in the field will remain positive as new money

flows into home improvement.

River Tree Builders has a number of sizable home

renovations ongoing at area sites, including one on South

Tropical Trail on Merritt Island and another near the river

in Cocoa.

In general, home improvement has become a sophisti-

cated marketplace as consumers take on upscale remodel-

ing that requires a high degree of skill and industry

expertise.

Richardson says now is a good time for homeowners to

remodel because the “cost of renovation is still down. There

is still good value in renovation.”

For the first time in four years, improved resale of residen-

tial housing had more of an influence on the cost–value

ratio than did construction costs, according to the survey.

The top recouping projects greater than $100,000

were: master suite (67 percent); major kitchen remodel

(64 percent); and two–story addition (72 percent).

Professionals say taking the time to research remodel-

ing projects will provide a good sense of what is involved,

such as price, scope of work, return on investment, and

new product and material options.

Your design will guide the entire process.

“Many people have an idea of what they want to do in

terms of a remodeling project, but they haven’t figured out

the dimensions or the room sizes and how everything will

fit into the design scheme. The first step in our process is

when I meet with the customer and an architect to work

with them on the design,” he said.

How long do you plan to stay in your home? How might

your family structure change over time? These types of

questions should be answered early to ensure your

remodeling project will fit your lifestyle long after it’s

complete.

Among consumer investments in home upgrades,

bathrooms and kitchens are still the volume leaders. “They

generally attract the most attention from owners when it

comes to home improvement,” said Richardson.

Bathroom features in demand include linen storage

closets, undermount sinks, ceramic or porcelain tile for

flooring, and open shelving.

“Bathrooms are getting a lot of focus by homeowners

who are remodeling. They are putting significant money

into these projects,” said Richardson, whose company just

completed a $40,000 bathroom renovation for a client.

America’s bathroom styles are shifting, too. According

to research released in February at the 2014 Kitchen and

Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas, we like our bathrooms

“contemporary, spa–like, and easy to maintain.”

Other key findings by the National Kitchen and Bath

Association about bathroom–design trends:

l Fully 64 percent of NKBA respondents specified a

soaking tub in a master bath, with 42 percent expecting

that trend to continue in 2014.

l Steam showers are popular, with twice as many

respondents specifying steam showers over whirlpools for

master baths in 2013. Forty–four percent of respondents

see the demand for steam showers increasing this year.

l Electric radiant floor heating was specified by 55

percent of respondents and half see that trend increasing

this year.

Bathrooms and kitchens are not the only areas that are

fueling the remodeling business. Richardson said he is

seeing a trend in the local market where aging parents are

moving into the homes of their adult children, who have

taken on the role of caregivers.

Nearly 10 million adult children in the U.S. over the age of 50 care for their

aging parents, either in the adult children’s home or in another setting,

according to a study by MetLife.

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.

© 2013 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.

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