Message from the Executive Director

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Business Development Board of Martin County • October 2009
Special Business Appreciation Awards Edition
Message from the Executive Director
Celebrating Business
Business Appreciation Week is celebrated annually in the state of Florida and serves to recognize companies
who have exhibited a commitment to creating jobs, increasing capital investment, and promoting corporate
citizenship. This year, Governor Charlie Crist declared September 14-18, 2009 Business Appreciation Week.
Over the course of five days, Martin County companies were recognized again and again by numerous
organizations for their industry excellence and exceptional impact to the local economy. For the second
consecutive year, Martin County received more Governor’s Business Diversification Awards than any other
county in the entire state! Two companies were honored by the United States Department of Commerce
and Congressman Tom Rooney. The BDBMC honored 17 companies locally and 1 exceptional individual. The
BDBMC is proud to further highlight the accomplishments of our business community in this special edition
of our bi-monthly newsletter.
The BDBMC celebrated Business Appreciation Week on September 18 with a luncheon at the Hutchinson
Island Marriott. Over 350 business and community leaders filled the Marriott to applaud their peers – the
largest gathering of business leaders in our community! Numerous leaders participated in the program, including Bob Brunjes, President & Publisher of Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers; Susan Valliere, Chairman
of the Martin County Board of Commissioners; John Yudin and Bill West, President and President-elect of
the Business Development Board of Martin County; and keynote speaker, The Honorable Thomas J. Rooney,
United States Congressman representing the 16th district of Florida.
Chairman Valliere presented a proclamation declaring the week Business Appreciation Week and encouraged
all residents to salute Martin County’s businesses and employees for their contributions to our economy.
This comes during the same week that the Chairman and her colleagues on the Commission solidified their
commitment to economic development in Martin County by renewing the BDBMC’s contract, allowing us to
better serve and retain existing businesses within our community. We were encouraged to hear Chairman
Valliere’s message that government should not stand in the way of business expansion, but rather serve as an
active partner to assist with diversifying our economy so that it can withstand future downturns.
The Business
Development Board
of Martin County
is the county’s
official economic
development
organization, and
Enterprise
Florida, Inc. partner.
More information
about the
organization can
be found by visiting
www.bdbmc.org.
Keynote speaker Tom Rooney echoed Chairman Valliere in his remarks. He underscored the importance of
small business saying, “Seventy-percent of the country is small business. Without them, the country simply
cannot survive.” He applauded their contributions to the local economy and encouraged partnership “at all
levels” in order to cultivate prosperity in Martin County and across Florida.
Companies in Martin County help drive positive economic development activity in virtually all sectors of our
local economy by expanding the tax base and providing quality jobs. As a result of their sales outside of Martin County, they import dollars to our community and support jobs in many other businesses. We know that
right now companies are feeling the squeeze from a variety of directions. However, there are many businesses
in Martin County that are thriving and continue to provide the types of clean, higher paying, knowledge-based
jobs that residents deserve. All of these companies characterize the kind of leadership present in Martin
County’s business community, leadership that positions the community for future growth and success.
Ron Bunch, CEcD
Executive Director
Special Awards Issue October 2008
1
Governor’s Business Diversification Awards
Twenty Florida companies were honored with a Governor’s Business Diversification Award, which
recognizes exceptional contributions toward statewide economic diversification through job creation and distinctive community involvement and investment. Of those twenty, four were
from Martin County – the most of any county in the state. This is the second consecutive year that Martin County can claim that honor, and the third consecutive year that Martin
County is home to an award recipient.
Four Martin County companies received a coveted Governor’s Business Diversification Award
this year - the most of any other county in the
state.
“These awards acknowledge the successes of a wide range of business leaders whose accomplishments have benefited our economy,” said Enterprise Florida President & CEO John Adams Jr.
“Therefore, Industry Appreciation Week and the awards program celebrate their exemplary efforts
and the attributes that brought them about: innovation, entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, and
volunteerism.”
The 2009 winners of Governor’s Business Diversification Awards from Martin County are:
Waterblasting Technologies, Inc. (Export Excellence) - Waterblasting Technologies is the leading manufacturer of ultra-high pressure water blasting systems for
road marking removal and airport marking and rubber
removal. Fifty-six percent of the company’s total sales
come from exports and its export sales nearly doubled
between 2007 and 2008. Waterblasting Technologies exports to 20 countries globally and 15 of the company’s
72 employees are directly dependent on exporting.
James Crocker of Waterblasting Technologies,
Inc. with Governor Charlie Crist
SystemsOne, LLC (Entrepreneurship) – SystemsOne,
LLC was created in 2005 as an Alaska LLC and founded
by Tom Arthur. The company developed a patent pending integration technology that applies to electrophysiology
labs to support physician and technician patient care procedures. The product has since evolved into multiple medical applications that include cardiology, neurology, radiology and operating rooms. In 2008, SystemsOne created
SystemsShare to provide the means to deliver world class
collaboration, educational support, and individual systems
support anywhere at a manageable cost. SystemsShare al- Dan Weber and Nichole Arthur with Governor
lows physicians and hospitals from any two points on the Charlie Crist
globe to upgrade their patient care cost effectively and responsibly. The company, which relocated to Martin County in 2009, now employs five people in its
Stuart location with an average wage of $90,000. The BDBMC also recognized SystemsOne with
a Newcomer award.
Special Awards Issue October 2009
2
Seatorque Control Systems, LLC (Business Innovation) – Seatorque Control Systems,
LLC is a Stuart, Florida-based manufacturer of
propulsive and fluid dynamic systems for the
marine industry. SCS’s main product line consists of the much acclaimed, Seatorque Enclosed
Shaft System, Seatorque Power Steering systems
and a variety of unique, special application hydraulic cylinders and actuators. The company’s
Seatorque Enclosed Shaft System, The BOSS, is
Peter and Jana Stolper with Governor Charlie Crist
the only internationally acclaimed, dual award
winning, inboard driveline alternative available for
the marine industry. SCS employs 10 people and has doubled revenues every year since 2005.
CSA International, Inc. (Green-To-Gold)
- Founded in 1970 as a marine environmental
consulting firm, CSA International specializes in
multidisciplinary projects concerning potential
environmental impacts of activities throughout
the world and offers a wide variety of desktop
and field survey services. The company provides
environmental services and expertise of applied
science to facilitate local, state and federal agencies, and private industry of Florida to respond
and comply with environmental regulations. Keith Spring and Bob Mulcahy with Governor Charlie
CSA employs 70 and is headquartered in Stuart Crist
with regional offices in Santa Barbara, California; Houston, Texas; Doha, Qatar; and Port of Spain,
Trinidad.
BDBMC Award Recipients
The BDBMC also honored the four Governor’s award winners with local awards in the same categories. Additionally, 12 companies were honored in the categories of Business Innovations, Export
Excellence, Business Expansion, and Newcomer. One company had the honor of being named
Martin County’s Business of the Year, and one individual was recognized with the Charlene Hoag
Award.
Florida RF Labs/EMC Technology (Business Innovation)
Stephen Bonanno Sandals (Newcomer)
John Donovan Enterprises, Inc. (Export Excellence)
STS Holdings (Business Expansion)
Liberator Medical Holdings Corp. (Business Expansion)
UCT Coatings (Business Innovation)
PAC Seating Systems (Export Excellence) Viesel Fuel (Newcomer)
River Forest Yachting Centers (Business Expansion) TurboCombuster Technology, Inc. (Business Expansion)
Vallery Industries, Inc. dba Armstrong Nautical Products (Export Excellence)
Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. (Business Expansion)
Special Awards Issue October 2009
3
Business of the Year
Florida Power & Light Company
is a Florida-based electric utility
serving approximately 4.5 million customer accounts.
FPL
recently announced the construction of three solar energy
facilities in Florida, including one
in Martin County. The plant is
expected to be completed by
2010, and will be the largest
solar-thermal energy generating
plant in the world. Once online,
it will generate millions in new
tax revenue.
John Gnecco and Nick Blount accept Business of the Year Award for FPL.
Pictured with Congressman Tom Rooney and Ron Bunch.
The generation plant is being constructed on approximately 600 acres, which is fully contained
within FPL’s existing 11,300 acre Martin plant site. The 600 acre site allows for 500 acres for the
solar field and 100 acres for related construction, operation and maintenance activities. A job fair
conducted in April to identify workers to build the facility garnered national attention due to the
approximately 8,000 people who showed up to vie for the available 1,000 jobs.
This 75 mega watt solar thermal facility will be the first hybrid solar facility in the United States. The
capital investment of $476 million brings up to $6.5 million in tax revenue in the first year.
Charlene Hoag Award
This year’s recipient of the Charlene Hoag award is Joe Catrambone. Joe is currently President of
the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held since 1989. Joe’s involvement in the community has allowed him to participate with a variety of organizations. In 1996,
he received a Presidential appointment to the U.S. Selective Service Board. He currently serves
as chairman of the board of the Clark Advance Learning Center, and is a member of the Martin
County Emergency Services steering committee; Treasure Coast Blood Bank advisory committee;
Executive Roundtable of the Shared Service Network; Indiantown Bank Advisory Board; FAU Advisory Board; Florida Chamber of Commerce Taxation committee; planning committee for Martin
County Youth Leadership; and the advisory board of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.
In addition to countless past services on boards and committees, Joe has served on the founding
boards of several organizations including the Business Development Board of Martin County. Joe
has been an unwavering champion for the business community in Martin County. He has been a
trusted partner of the Business Development Board of Martin County and the BDBMC was proud
to present him with this award.
Special Awards Issue October 2009
4
Special Awards
The United States Department of Commerce works closely with BDBMC to
assist Martin County companies expand
export revenues. They recognized two
companies at the BDBMC’s Business Appreciation Award luncheon for export
excellence.
Additionally, Congressman
Rooney honored these companies with
special recognition for their exceptional
contributions to the Martin County
economy.
The first certificate was awarded to Waterblasting Technologies. In the four years
the company has worked with the U.S.
Mike Ciferri of John Donovan Enterprises holds a certificate
from the U.S. Department of Commerce that recognizes the
company’s export excellence.
Commercial Service on its export efforts,
Waterblasting has completed international
sales totaling well over $1 million.
The U.S. Department of Commerce also recognized John Donovan Enterprises, Inc. for their excellence in exporting. In 2008, John Donovan Enterprises achieved a new-to-market sales to Australia
of nearly $15,000 and more than $100,000 in Morocco.
Congratulations to all Martin County Winners!
Special Awards Issue October 2009
5
Special Thanks
We simply could not continue to honor the leaders in our business community without the support of our sponsors.
Many, many thanks to all of our 2009 Business Appreciation Award Sponsors. They are:
Business
Development
Board of Martin
County, Florida
Ron Bunch,
Executive Director
[email protected]
Crystal France,
Marketing & PR Manager
[email protected]
Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
Scripps Newspapers
Water Pointe Realty Group
Seacoast National Bank
Workforce Solutions
Carey O’Donnell PR Group
David Lerner and Associates
First People’s Bank
FPL
Island Party Rental
River Forest Yachting Center
Riverside National Bank
Sign-A-Rama
Southeastern Printing
Southern Waste Management
Waste Management
WellMed
Premium Painters
Rebel Development Inc.
Marriott Hutchinson Island
FAU
Harbour Bay Florist
Metro Fire
Substantial operating funds provided by Martin County
Mark Libratore of Liberator Medical Supply accepts a Business Expansion award.
Jill Marasa,
Executive Assistant
[email protected]
1002 SE Monterey
Commons Blvd.
Ste. 203A
Stuart, FL 34996
Phone: (772) 221-1380
Fax: (772) 221-1381
www.bdbmc.org
Congressman Rooney and Martin County Board of Commissioners
Chairman Susan Valliere present an award to James Crocker of
Waterblasting Technologies, Inc. from the US Department of Commerce.
Congressman Tom Rooney speaks to Business leaders
during the awards luncheon.
Special Awards Issue October 2009
6