Business - Volusia/Flagler Business Report
Transcription
Business - Volusia/Flagler Business Report
Business The Volusia/Flagler Connecting Business to Business RepoRt MARCH 26, 2012 poised for a comeback Area builders say they are off to a better start so far this year INSIDE: 5 minutes with White Challis Redevelopment CEO, Jack White • Largest Residential • Largest Commercial Real Estate Firms Real Estate Firms PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Daytona Beach, FL Permit #150 ✒ THE LISTS ▲ ▲ ONE ON ONE... with John Adams, General Manager of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors 0000987886 The News-Journal will once again proudly display the photographs of more than 4,800 graduating seniors in the GRADUATION 2012 special section, May 20. Area business can reach thousands of students, parents, families and neighbors with their advertised messages in this highly anticipated, full-color, keepsake edition. 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New York Ave. Ste. 200, DeLand, FL 32724 - 386-736-7700 www.cobbcole.com March 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT Looking up: 0000987709PDFA area builders and real estate brokers, still reeling from the housing market crash, believe the worst may finally be behind us W e’re not out of the woods by a long shot, but with the economy starting to show steady, albeit slow, improvement, so is the mood of builders, both nationally and locally. The latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index survey found that builder confidence in March remained at the highest level since June 2007. “While builders are still very cautious at this time, there is a sense that many local housing markets have started to move in the right direction CLAYTON and that prospects for future sales are improving,” said The View Barry Rutenberg, From Here the NAHB’s chairman, in a news release issued March 19. Anthony Viscomi of Viscomi Construction in Ormond Beach said 2012 is shaping up to be his company’s best year since 2006. Viscomi, who is also the 2012 board president for the Volusia Building Industry Association, said other area builders are reporting that business is picking up for them as well. At the association’s board meetings, “I’m seeing more smiling faces every month,” he said. The local real estate market may never again reach the lofty heights of the boom years of 2004-2005, but Viscomi said the gradually improving economy appears to be spurring more people to get off the sidelines and back into the game by hiring contractors to remodel and/or expand their existing homes or to buy new homes with modern amenities. The Volusia/Flagler Business Report interviewed a number of area builders and real estate brokers to get their takes on the residential and commercial real estate markets in Volusia and Flagler counties. In a “One on One” interview with reporter Tom Knox on page 10, John Adams, general manager of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, notes that sales of existing homes are also on the upswing. PARK CACO35563 $49.95Complete Tune-Up PER SYSTEM REG $79.95 Valid during normal business hours. Not valid for gas or oil systems. Cannot be combined with any other offer.For a limited time. New customers only. Expires 4/30/2012 CUSTOMER APPRECIATION $100 OFF NEW SYSTEM Valid during normal business hours. Not valid for gas or oil systems. Cannot be combined with any other offer.For a limited time. New customers only. Expires 4/30/2012 * 72 months @ 5.99% on Greenspeed systems with approved credit. **Rebate savings up to $1,550 on available selected models. Cool Cash expires 6/30/12. See dealer for complete details. Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ March 2012 Knox also interviewed several other area real estate brokers, who offered their forecasts, in an article that appears on page 11. On page 12, local developer Jack White, of White Challis Redevelopment in Daytona Beach, is the subject of a “5 Minutes With...” profile by reporter Hilary Lehman. Reporter Bob Koslow’s cover story, “Poised for a comeback,” which starts on page 14, looks at the reasons for the growing sense of “cautious optimism” among area builders. He also wrote a story on page 23 that looks at the Volusia County School Board’s decision to temporarily lift the district’s impact fees on construction projects and how that is helping builders by narrowing the gap between the cost of buying a new home as opposed to a foreclosure or short-sale property. Business desk clerk Peggy Ellis compiled the two lists on pages 18 and 22 of the area’s largest residential and commercial real estate firms. Also in this issue are several ongoing Business Report features: “The Buzz” on page 6 offers a recap of notable local business news events and transactions in the past month; the “Tale of the Tape” on page 7 offers a look at some local economic indicators; our “Business Seen” section on pages 8 and 9 offer photos from recent business gatherings; and on page 13, this month’s “How I Do It!” article offers tips by Jayne Fifer of the Volusia Manufacturers Association on how to keep volunteers engaged. The “Moving Up” section on page 20 is a compilation of announcements of new hires and staff promotions by area companies. “The Calendar” on page 21 is a comprehensive guide to upcoming business events in both Volusia and Flagler counties. As always, we are interested in hearing from our readers. Feel free to contact me directly with your comments, suggestions and/or story tips. ■ Clayton Park can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-6812470. Business The Volusia/Flagler Connecting Business to Business MARCH 26, 2012 0000987638 RepoRt Inside: The View From Here: What’s in this issue 6 The Buzz: Halifax Area Advertising Authority hires a new CEO for the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; plus a recap of other notable deals and business milestones 7 Tale of the Tape: Local economic indicators at a glance 8 Business Seen: Images from the Flagler County Women’s Council of Realtors’ first business resource meeting of the year; Florida Hospital Flagler’s “hard-hat tour” of its new Parkway Medical Center; and the grand opening for the Hendrick Honda Daytona auto dealership in Daytona Beach. 10 One on One: An interview with John Adams, general manager of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors 11 Other area real estate brokers offer their 2012 outlooks 1 5 Minutes With: Jack White of White Challis Redevelopment 1 How I Do It: Jayne Fifer of the Volusia Manufacturers Association offers her tips on engaging volunteers 1 Cover story: Poised for a comeback: Area builders say they are off to a better start so far this year. Here’s why the mini-surge in new home sales just might continue. 18 The List: Area’s largest residential real estate firms 0 Moving Up: Announcements of new hires and staff promotions 1 The Calendar: A comprehensive guide to upcoming local business events The List: Area’s largest commercial real estate firms Builders score victory with lifting of school impact fees Volusia/Flagler Business Report Connecting Business to Business March 26, 2012 Copyright © 2012 Halifax Media Acquisition LLC Mailing address: Volusia/Flagler Business Report c/o Daytona Beach News-Journal 901 6th St., Daytona Beach, FL 32117 Phone: 386-681-2470 for editorial inquiries; 386-681-2500 for advertising inquiries Web site: www.vfbr.com Downtown Daytona Beach 150 South Beach Street 386-255-1468 Editor: Clayton Park Graphic Designer: John Klipfel Contributing writers: Jayne Fifer, Tom Knox, Bob Koslow, Hilary Lehman, Aaron London, Skyler Swisher, Valerie Whitney Business desk clerk: Peggy Ellis Photographers: Peter Bauer, Nigel Cook, Bob Koslow, Aaron London, David Massey, Sean McNeil, David Tucker Advertising: Lois Duncan Press releases, calendar items and letters to the editor should be emailed to [email protected]. People on the Move announcements should be limited to 50 words and accompanied by a photograph (headshot only; 300 dpi preferred). Calendar items should be submitted 30 days in advance of the event. March 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ■ Notables: ■ DeLand boat maker lands $2M order DeLand-based Mystic Powerboats Inc. has inked a deal to build a $2 million turbine-powered racing boat for the Qatar Marine Sports Federation. The boat should be ready by March 2013, just in time for the Miami International Boat Show where Qatar officials hope to break a speed record with their Mystic-built boat. John Cosker, president of Mystic, which specializes in high-performance powerboats, said he expects to add a couple of workers to help work on the boat. He currently employs 11 people. — Valerie Whitney ■ Flagler restaurant wins SBA award Tony and Carolyn Marlow, owners of the Golden Lion Café in Flagler Beach, have been selected as the regional recipients of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s “Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year” award. The couple, who started their business in October 1992, won the award both for the North Florida District, which includes Flagler and Volusia counties, as well as for the state and the entire Southeastern U.S. The Golden Lion, at 500 N. Scenic Highway A1A, employs 60 people and will soon add a couple dozen more as it enters its “high season,” Carolyn Marlow said. — Clayton Park ■ Beachside hotel changes hands Sanford-based Humphrey Realty Management has purchased the 94room Ocean Sands Hotel at 1024 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach in a deal that closed Feb. 22. Efrain Silva, vice president of operations for the company’s hotel management division, said the hotel is set to undergo an extensive renovation beginning this spring with the goal of reopening in January under a new flag — that of a yet-to-be determined national hotel chain. Humphrey also owns two other beachside hotels in Daytona Beach: the Holiday Inn Resort at 1615 S. Atlantic Ave.; and the Econo Lodge at 1601 S. Atlantic Ave. ➔ New tourism chief hired The Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau finally has a new chief executive officer. Jeffrey Hentz, a veteran tourism official who has been executive director of Destination Yosemite and the Mariposa, Calif., Convention and Visitors Bureau since 2008, will start his new job as the top executive at the Daytona Beach visitors bureau on April 30. Hentz will be making $135,000 annually with the potential to earn $20,000 in performance bonuses. He’ll be supervising 31 full and parttime employees and a $6 million marketing budget. The Halifax Area Advertising Authority’s decision to hire Hentz for the visitors bureau job after conHentz ducting a national candidate search wasn’t without some drama. Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno took issue with the initial contract that HAAA Chairman Ted Doran had negotiated with Hentz, which would have paid him an annual base salary of $140,000 and a performance bonus of $25,000 — well above the $124,000 upper limit of the pay range for the job that the County Council established last September. Doran defended the contract, maintaining that he had Volusia/Flagler — Hilary Lehman Buzz The ■ Sunglass maker to shut Ormond plant ■ Auto dealership’s new owner plans $4M expansion The rival company that acquired Ormond Beach sunglass maker StyleMark Inc. in December has decided to shut its packaging and distribution center here by the end of next year — a decision that will result in the layoffs of most of the plant’s 250 workers. Alec Taylor, chief executive officer of FGX International, said his company decided it made more sense to consolidate its operations in Smithfield, R.I., where it is based, rather than maintain an essentially duplicate operation in Ormond Beach. Taylor said his company will offer roughly 10 percent of the workers at the 250,000-square-foot former StyleMark plant at Ormond Beach Airport Business Park an opportunity to relocate to FGX’s Rhode Island plant. The rest will be laid off in phases over the next 21 months and will receive a severance package, he said. The first round of layoffs will take place in late April, with additional layoffs occurring every two to four weeks after that. “We had many of the same retail customers, so it doesn’t make sense to package and ship sunglasses to CVS and Walmart from Ormond Beach and reading glasses to the same customers from Rhode Island when we can fill the lines at one place in one order,” said Taylor in a March 6 telephone interview. StyleMark, prior to its sale, claimed to be the world’s largest supplier of sunglasses. Its brands included Nine West, Dockers, Reebok, Hello Kitty and various Disney properties. FGX manufactures and sells sunglasses sold under the Foster Grant, Magnivision and Anarchy brands. FGX is the U.S. subsidiary of Paris, France-based Essilor, a maker of prescription eyeglass lenses and contacts. Hendrick Automotive Group plans to invest nearly $4 million to upgrade and expand its newly acquired Hendrick Honda Daytona dealership in Daytona Beach. The Charlotte N.C.-based auto dealership group — founded in 1976 by Rick Hendrick, who also owns Hendrick Motorsports — bought the dealership last fall from Ross Hall. Hall owned the dealership, which operated under the name Jon Hall Honda, from 1984 until its sale. He purchased it from his dad, Jon Hall, who opened it in 1971. The dealership is at 330 N. Nova Road. The new construction will abut the south side of the existing showroom/sales offices, reaching toward Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard. Construction plans include a new pre-ownedvehicle sales office, a three-lane covered service representative drive-through area as required by Honda; a new customer waiting lounge; and a new two-story tower of administrative offices that will unite the existing showroom/sales offices and the new area. The dealership is also converting the former body shop behind the existing building into a 12-bay vehicle service area. That would nearly double the number of service bays. Bodywork is being outsourced to area businesses, service manager J.D. Harwell said. In addition to the expansion, the dealership plans to add nearly three dozen sales, service and administrative jobs over the next 18 months, said Greg Schenk, the dealership’s general m a n a g e r. T h e dealership currently employs 59 workers. — Clayton Park 6 tried to keep in constant communication with the county during the negotiations, and that Hentz was worth every penny based on his qualifications and experience and how the proposed compensation package compared with how much other tourism executives earn nationally. In the end, all groups were able to agree on a revised contract that slightly reduced Hentz’s compensation package. The HAAA board officially extended an offer to Hentz on March 16, which he immediately accepted. “I’m just excited and looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity,” Hentz said when contacted by phone. BUSINESS REPORT ][ March 2012 — Bob Koslow — Bob Koslow Hendrick TALE TAPE OF THE 0000987459 0000987884 Coming Next Month... Local economic data at a glance HOME SALES Cover Story: Number of existing homes sold: VoLUsia coUNTY fLaGLer coUNTY JANUARY 2011 JANUARY 2012 496 494 130 101 JANUARY 2011 JANUARY 2012 SOURCE: Area Realtors associations FORECLOSURES Ratio of homes in some stage of foreclosure: VOLUSIA COUNTY IN 1 EVERY 739 IN 1 EVERY 449 FLAGLER COUNTY IN 1 EVERY 156 IN 1 EVERY 232 January 01 “Focus on construction and development” A number of area builders during the current downturn have switched their focus to remodeling and renovations of existing properties. We’ll talk to area builders to find out how that strategy has been working out for them. January 011 January 01 January 011 SOURCE: RealtyTrac Plus: • “One-on-One,” a new monthly Q&A with a mover and shaker in the business community. • “Moving Up,” a look at notable hires, promotions and achievements of business people across the region. • “The Buzz,” a quick look at notable AIRPORT PASSENGER TRAFFIC Number of passengers arriving and/or departing via Daytona Beach International Airport: February 2012...50,350 February 2011...43,757 HoteL BeD tAX CoLLeCtIoNS Volusia County Flagler County JAN. 2012: JAN. 2012: JAN. 2011: $91,9 • “Business Seen,” a photographic report of recent business events. (If you attended an event, you might just see yourself in Business Seen.) • “How I Do It,” a tip from a local expert about how to do business the right way. • “5 minutes with ...,” a quick-read SOURCE: Volusia County $7,107 recent business deals, data and news tidbits you can’t get anywhere else. feature where readers can learn things they don’t know about a high-profile member of the business community. • Calendar Of Upcoming Business Events. $69,71 JAN. 2011: $,11 SOURCES: Volusia and Flagler counties To advertise, call 386.681.2500 or email: [email protected] For editorial, call total non-agricultural employment locally: 386.681.2470 or email: [email protected] Volusia County JAN. 2012: , JAN. 2011: 19,9 Flagler County JAN. 2012: 8,0 JAN. 2011: 8,1 SOURCE: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity March 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 7 Flagler Realtors hear about Wounded Warrior project T he Flagler County Women’s Council of Realtors held its first business resource meeting of the year Feb. 7 at the Flagler County Association of Realtors headquarters in Bunnell. The event featured a presentation by Denis Oliverio, a Marine Corps combat veteran and representative of the Wounded Warrior Project. The group has made the project a focus of its community efforts in 2012. ■ Photo: Aaron London Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts, left, enjoys lunch with Ric and Honora Giumenta at the Flagler County Women’s Council of Realtors business resource meeting. Photo: Aaron London Flagler County Women’s Council of Realtors officers, pictured, left to right, Dawn Conciatori, Ana Dealmeida, Diance Nieminen, Linda Ponsiek, with guest speakers Denis Oliverio and Teresa Nichols attend the organization’s business resource meeting. Business Seen Hendrick Honda Daytona grand opening A grand opening was held Feb. 24 for the new Hendrick Honda Daytona auto dealership at 330 N. Nova Road in Daytona Beach. The dealership was previously known as Jon Hall Honda. It was renamed by its new owners, Charlotte, N.C.-based Hendrick Automotive Group, which purchased it from the Hall family in November. ■ Photo: Bob Koslow Kevin Moore, owner of Moore Fine Foods, a catering and event design business in Holly Hill, stands next to an ice sculpture his company created for the Hendrick Honda Daytona grand opening . Send us your photos 8 Volusia/Flagler Photo: Bob Koslow Matt Neusch, left, general sales manager at Hendrick Honda Daytona, talks with Jim and Diana Anderson, the owners of the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Coffee shop at West International Speedway Boulevard and Nova Road in Daytona Beach, during the auto dealership’s grand opening. Photo: Bob Koslow Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey, right, reads a proclamation after presenting a key to the city to John Mendel, executive vice president of automobile sales for American Honda Motor Co. Inc. during the official grand opening celebration for Hendrick Honda Daytona. The Business Report welcomes submissions of photos from recent business events in the Volusia-Flagler area. Email submissions to [email protected] (300 dpi preferred; limit one photo per email). Photos should include a brief description of the event, when and where it was held, the names of those visible in the picture, including their company affiliation and title, and the name of the photographer. Please include your daytime phone number in case we need to contact you for further questions. BUSINESS REPORT ][ March 2012 More: BUSINESS SEEN Hospital hosts “hard-hat tour” F lorida Hospital Flagler invited Flagler County residents, community leaders and elected officials to take a “hard-hat tour” of its new Parkway Medical Plaza on Feb. 24. The $15 million facility, at 120 Cypress Edge in Palm Coast, is set to open in July. The 34,000-square-foot complex will house physicians’ offices, a walk-in clinic, adult and pediatric rehabilitation, imaging, laboratory and a women’s center. It is expected to create 20 positions when it opens. ■ Photo: David Massey Photo: Aaron London Flagler County Commissioner George Hanns, left, talks with former Palm Coast City Councilman Holsey Moorman before the Feb. 24 “hard-hat tour” of Florida Hospital Flagler’s Parkway Medical Plaza. Florida Hospital Flagler’s new Parkway Medical Plaza is nearing completion. In this March 14 photo, David Ottati, left, the hospital’s CEO, chats with the hospital’s business development manager, Wally DeAquino, center, and Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation Director John Subers, in front of the future complex. 0000987658 PDFA 1 www.fpe-inc.com March 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 9 ONE ON ONE... WITH JOHN ADAMS, GENERAL MANAGER OF ADAMS, CAMERON & CO., REALTORS J By TOM KNOX BUSINESS WRITER ohn Adams has twice experienced the extreme ups and downs that can happen in an industry. He was chief operating officer for an Internet startup in the late 1990s — near the height of the dot-com bubble. He saw that company rapidly grow to 300 employees and $40 million in annual revenue. The company eventually fizzled, as did many other Internet companies, when the dot-com bubble burst in 10 Volusia/Flagler 2000-2001. At the end of 2002, Adams returned to Volusia County, where he grew up, to become general manager of Adams, Cameron & Co., Realtors, the Daytona Beach-based real estate brokerage his grandmother founded nearly 50 years ago. The housing industry, both locally and nationally, was in the midst of a spectacular boom before it finally went bust in 2007. Since then, Adams, who has a master’s degree from Northwestern University, has helped guide his company — the largest real estate brokerage in the Volusia-Flagler area — through the region’s long, slow, still ongoing recovery from that real estate market downturn, which coincided with the BUSINESS REPORT ][ March 2012 nation’s worst recession since the Great Depression. Adams recently sat down for an interview with the Volusia/Flagler Business Report to offer his thoughts on what the future holds for the local housing market. Q: What’s your outlook on residential and commercial real estate? A: My sense is that the residential market has already begun its upswing. A couple of interesting stats: Since 2008, each year the number of transactions in Volusia County, the number of home sales, has increased. The other interesting stat is we went from having 22,500 houses on the market in Volusia-Flagler down to 12,300. It’s Photo: David Tucker an amazing story to see what’s going on in the inventory. All of that’s been real positive. There’s an old adage in real estate that says commercial follows residential and I think that’s true. When there are residential (sales) transactions, it fuels a lot of other industries (such as furniture and home improvement businesses). But, also, it’s just movement of money in the economy, so it’s a very profitable thing all the way around. Commercial follows very closely behind. And as long as we continue to see that activity in residential, I’m hopeful commercial will pick up. As it is now, we’re seeing movement, but we haven’t seen the same jump that we’ve seen in residential. In residential, people always hear about how terrible the housing market is. They come in and there’s a home and they want to put in a very aggressive offer. What a lot of people don’t understand is on the right buys, it’s not uncommon to have multiple offers, so it’s a competitive environment. I don’t know that we’re there yet in commercial, though we’re getting closer. Q: What about after 2012 — what might the market be like in 2015? You mentioned inventory going down, but prices are still stagnant or low. What’s it going to take to get median sales prices to stop being so low? A: I think there are a few factors out there that we really don’t have a lot of control over, and one is lending practices. Right now, 50 percent of our transactions are cash, with no financing involved. That’s unheard of. I’ve never seen that. During boom times, we were seeing 5 percent cash transactions, so it’s a major change. I don’t know what the right mix is, but I can tell you we’re seeing more investment activity because for first-time homebuyers it’s very difficult to come up with cash to buy a home, and if they can’t qualify under (current) lending regulations, it makes it very difficult to get into something. However, I don’t expect it to ever be as loose as it was in 2004, and I think that’s a mistake we made back then. Cash was very easy to get. I think we can see a little bit of change in the market from most companies trying to find the right people to lend to. I think that’s one thing that’ll change. But on the lower end, we’ve already seen a lot of that cleared out. It’s just not available as it once was. For a while, we had homes selling for under $50,000 and we’re not seeing that as much. We’re seeing it climb, climb, climb. It’s difficult to determine where that stops, but it certainly will change the median sales price. Q: Are you surprised that it’s taken so long for things to get better? A: It’s interesting because people didn’t recognize the decline when it started, so if you look at 2007 for example, the average sales price was higher, but the number of transactions was just gone. We spent over a year when people were not expecting the market had turned and I think the same thing has happened coming out of it. The number of transactions has gone up, but there are still people who think 2005, and that’s just not going to happen. 0000987885 Q: How would you compare the housing markets of Volusia and Flagler counties? A: There are a number of submarkets throughout Volusia and Flagler counties, and what I would say is the areas that grew rapidly about 10 years ago are the ones that were most affected when the market changed. That’s obvious. Certainly we’ve got a curve, and if you bought on the upswing of that curve, you’re more likely to be underwater. When you look at Palm Coast, which was largely developed during the upswing, that’s been more affected than other areas The Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT is mailed each month to thousands of business owners and top level executives. Photo: Peter Bauer This building in DeLand is one of several Adams, Cameron & Co., Realtors offices throughout the VolusiaFlagler area. the market is absolutely in the toilet. But it isn’t. We’ve got this consistent growth and I think we’re already seeing a change in the market and we’re going to continue to. I don’t know how much longer it’ll be until we’re actually recovered. There are also people out there and they’re waiting for a huge growth like what occurred in 2003, 2004, on the beach, or Ponce Inlet. At the same time, Volusia has Deltona, which also grew wildly on that upswing, and has the same issues that Palm Coast has. It’s not necessarily anything they’ve done wrong. ■ Tom Knox can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-681-2728. Gradual improvement forecast for local real estate market By TOM KNOX BUSINESS WRITER Here are the outlooks for the local real estate market from some other Volusia-Flagler area commercial and residential brokers: CLAUDE GARDNER, commercial broker with Prudential Commercial Real Estate Services in Daytona Beach: “I’m sort of going against the grain. I talked to a couple compadres yesterday and they’re saying it’s going to be like 2011 — that we’re not coming out of it — but I don’t think so. I think we’re no longer at the bottom. I think GARDNER we’ve just turned, not to say it’s good, but turned. We’ve got users coming back into the marketplace — Never Miss An Issue! people looking to start their business in a location as opposed to investors coming in to steal properties — and the users are finally realizing it’s not going to be any cheaper.” JIMMY MILLHOLLIN, residential broker with Re/Max Flagstaff in Palm Coast: “I think we’ll see continued flatness for a bit and then, toward the end of the year, a possible increase, not anything substantial, maybe 1 or 2 percent. I’m looking at a lot of bank-owned (properties) coming on at a slow pace, keeping values down. Distressed property is still going to be a determining factor for the rest of the year. Condos are still not doing as well. (We) still have a lot of inventory out there. We’re trying to work our way through that. We have sales happening, but still at the low end. Very few are over $400,000.” CYNTHIA DELUCA, residential broker The Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT has a distribution of about 10,500 and increases daily. It is mailed to 7,000+ businesses that have a strong impact on our community, many of which have requested to receive the publication. Not on the list? Volusia/Flagler Businesses can receive copies mailed to their business address FREE! Out of market businesses or to have issues mailed to your residence is $29 per year. with Total Realty in DeLand: “We’ve seen a big increase in activity, seen phone calls pick up, a lot more sellers putting their house on the market that are not in a distressed situation, so that’s an improvement. We’ve got more of a buyer’s market where the inventory levels are lower than they were in years past, so because supply is low we’ve got multiple offers. In some situations, we’re actually getting into small bidding wars for buyers. We have a lack of inventory for certain price ranges — mostly $90,000 and $100,000. . . . Luxury is starting to come back as well. People are more confident in not losing their jobs, and I think that has been a good indicator that they’re comfortable where they’re at. So overall, we’ve seen some good increases and some good sales in the luxury price range.” Call: (386) 681-2500 and start your subscription today! Tom Knox can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-681-2728. March 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 11 5 Minutes ... With JACK WHITE, White Challis Redevelopment By HILARY LEHMAN BUSINESS WRITER ➔ Jack White grew up in Daytona Beach, but after graduating from Stetson University, he wanted to get away to New York City and become a financial analyst. When that didn’t work out, he came back to Daytona Beach and decided to follow his family’s longstanding career path of real estate. He said his motivation to redevelop urban and historic areas comes from hearing stories from his parents and their friends about what Q Daytona Beach was like when they were growing up here. White said he developed his first project, the Wall Street Lofts condominium complex in downtown Daytona Beach which was completed in 2007, to create a place where he and his wife, Kelly, would like to live. They, in fact, do. “I figured it would be one huge home if I couldn’t sell any more (units),” he said. ■ What’s your favorite thing about downtown Daytona Beach? playing. A: I would probably say Saturdays. It’s a day A: It’s a tie between Bonobo and I’ll say The White Stripes. A lot of people say, “Do you know that your name’s Jack White?” And I’m like, “Yeah, I do.” in the life for us. We wake up, a lot of times we go to yoga. We go get our breakfast burrito at Avocado Kitchen. A lot of times we go to the farmers market. We’ll do some sort of activity later in the evening. We’ll have happy hour or something on the rooftop, we’ll go to a Cinematique movie. . . . I could probably go without getting in my car for an entire week. What’s your best childhood memory from growing up in Daytona? A: Two things. One would be Dunn Toys. It (was) heaven walking into a building that’s three stories of toys, and I have a song that I could still recite, but I won’t put you through that pain. It started, “Welcome to the world of toys.” I liked Toys ‘R’ Us, too, but this one was special because you could tell it was a lot more intimate and more family-run, not so big boxy. The second one was where we lived on the river, we lived in old 1896 home, and so there were basically woods that surrounded our home. While we lived in the city, we still had that almost forestlike feel around where we lived, and so my sister and brother, we just loved What’s your favorite band at the moment? Is there something that people might be surprised to learn about you? A: I actually opened the (day’s trading on the) NASDAQ in ’01. I never got a job (on Wall Street), but it was the pinnacle of what I thought I’d be, but then the next six months of that were hell. I was like, I’ve made it, and then no job. It’s a big disappointment after that. more of the cultures that exist outside the United States. Professionally, a very lofty goal is I would love to help establish our redevelopment efforts throughout the state. That’s very broad, but I guess I would like to be a catalyst for our downtowns to be revived and help create that momentum. What are some of your goals, personal or professional, that you have yet to accomplish? A: Before you start getting into your job, you have all these great goals. And then you start getting into your job, and you’re like, I’m so bogged down I’ve forgotten what I wanted to do. . . . I love to travel. I used to travel a lot more. So I think personally, I’d really like to travel a lot more and try to visit different continents and see a lot Photos: David TUCKER BIO: Name: Jack White Title: Principal, White Challis Redevelopment Co. Age: 33 Family: wife Kelly White, a city commissioner and real estate agent. Jack White: “We don’t have any kids. We always say our children are the buildings that Jack White, left, chats with his wife Kelly, right, and Chris Challis, a partner in White Challis Redevelopment. 1 Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ March 2012 we own because they require constant attention.” Education: Seabreeze High School; Stetson University (majored in American Studies and Finance) First job: Park ranger at Bulow State Park. “The biggest day we ever had in income was like $9.” ☛ HOW I DO IT! 0000987887 eNGaGiNG VoLUNTeers By Jayne Fifer Special to the Business Report The power of an association is its ability to connect its members to each other. An engaged membership makes that happen. The question is how to engage them. One way is with a robust volunteer program. People want to be involved. They want to meet people and they want to make a contribution, but they are extremely busy. An association executive must make it easy for his or her members to become involved. I do it at the Volusia Manufacturers Association by asking members to work on an ad hoc committee or short-term project. Volunteers like clear objectives and a defined timeline. Whether planning division meetings for the year or a charity golf tournament, the process is the same. Develop a checklist with the specific responsibilities, persons responsible, and due dates. Remember, everybody’s job is nobody’s job. Each year, invite your members to an orientation to remind them why you exist and all the benefits, programs and services you provide. Explain all the volunteer opportunities and let them choose the committees that appeal to them. For a particular project, a personal phone call and request will usually get the job done. Be sure to update the volunteers with committee schedules, follow up with meeting reports and responsibility charts. Appreciate and recognize your volunteers and the results they achieve with personal thank you notes, reports at meetings, in the press and on your website. Most importantly, make it fun! Engaged members become champions for your organization who will spread the word about your good work and get other members involved as well. ■ Jayne Fifer is president and CEO of the Volusia Manufacturers Association. She can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 386-673-0505. For more on the association, visit www.VMA online.com on the Web. Stick Your Nose Into Everybody Else’s Business Keep up with Business to Business news delivered to your home for only $29 a year Distribution: • Direct Mailed to over 7,800 Businesses with total local sales of over $16 Billion. • Over 1,000 Copies delivered with The Volusia/Flagler Review. • Over 1,000 Copies delivered with The News-Journal to News-Journal • Business Subscribers. Stack copies delivered throughout the market to Chambers of Commerce, multiple government locations, etc. For more information or to start your subscription call 386.681.2500 March 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 1 COmEbaCk poised for a Area builders say they are off to a better start so far this year COVER STORY National production homebuilder Maronda Homes has several houses under construction in the area including this two-story home on Sea Star Court in Palm Coast. 1 Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ March 2012 Photo: David Massey 0000981395 PDFA FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS Here’s why the mini-surge in new home sales just might continue. By BOB KOSLOW BUSINESS WRITER While new home construction activity was down in 2011 as a whole, the year ended with a modest uptick in sales for a number of area builders. That pickup, which some say has continued into the new year, has many builders expecting to do much better in 2012. “I had more customers in December than I did the previous 11 months,” said Eric Olsen, owner of Olsen Custom Homes in Daytona Beach, which builds homes in both Volusia and Flagler counties. “I did three contracts in January. I can’t remember three in one month (since the housing market plunge in 2007),” Olsen said. “I’m working with 30 to 40 customers right now . . . Not all will build, but people are seeing the bottom and a new house will never be any cheaper than right now.” Daytona Beach-based ICI Homes reported a 40 percent rise in home sales for the first two months of the year compared with the same period a year ago in Volusia and Flagler counties. “We’ve been waiting for this for six years,” said Kevin Mayes, Volusia-Flagler market president for ICI. “With March being typically one of our better months and the start of the spring buying season, it’s all good news.” Area builders attribute the mini-surge in new home sales to a combination of lower prices, mortgage rates that continue to be at or near record lows, and the gradually improving economy. They also point to the steep decline in land values as a major factor in helping them shrink the price gap between new homes and the many existing homes currently on the market. The latter includes a still sizeable inventory of foreclosure properties, which have pushed down home prices across the board. The price gap between new and existing homes was further narrowed recently when the Volusia County School Board approved a two-year moratorium on its collection of impact fees for new construction, which amounted to $6,066 per home. That moratorium is set to expire at the end of 2013, which could spur an increase in new home construction, especially as that expiration date nears. The Volusia Building Industry Association has been fighting to lift the school district’s impact fee on new construction for the Olsen past several years. “I give the reduction in impact fees and our ability to pass the savings on to the customer some credit for our recent boost in sales at Villages at Royal Palm (in Port Orange) that are up more than 200 percent above last year,” said Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development in South Daytona. “And, we have the lowest interest rates in our lifetime.” Several cities — including Daytona Beach, DeLand, Deltona, Edgewater and Port Orange — have either eliminated, lowered or frozen their impact fees for new homes in recent months as a way to encourage more construction activity. Each new home built creates at least three jobs, said Sandy Bishop, the Volusia Building Industry Association’s executive officer. “Construction was such a big, big part for Your Business Count on Space Coast Credit Union for Your Business Banking & Lending Needs: Business Savings & Checking Accounts Commercial Mortgages & Credit Cards Equipment & Vehicle Purchases Refinances of Existing Business Loans For more information, contact: Dale Howlett Business Services Manager 800-447-7228 ext. 9-533 [email protected] SCCU.com/business 0000987354 Top left to bottom right: Marcie Kirkland, Doreen Courtheyn, Phyllis Matthesen, Jerry Autry, Michelle Delaney and Melissa Diers Protecting your investment... We were there when you first decided to follow your passion. Today, we're still here keeping all you have built Safe. Sound. Secure®. Call or visit us PAGE INSURANCE AGENCY 800-451-7661 • 386-734-9642 www.pageinsuranceagency.com March 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 1 Residential building permits in Flagler County SOURCE: Flagler Home Builders Association “I did three contracts in January. I can’t remember three in one month (since the housing market plunge in 2007). I’m working with 30 to 40 customers right now . . . Not all will build, but people are seeing the bottom and a new house will never be any cheaper than right now.” Eric Olsen, owner of Olsen Custom Homes of Volusia’s economy, but it has been silent for a long time,” she said. “Many of those empty homes used to house tradespeople who have left the area seeking jobs. I think we may see a shortage of trade workers, plumbers, carpenters and electricians.” Taylor Morrison, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company, reports that it has already built and sold six new homes in the first two months of 2012, a big improvement over last year, said company spokeswoman Kristin Vuckovic. “It’s all those signs pointing to the economy coming back,” she said of the recent increase in sales for her company. Vuckovic said her company may also be benefiting from the decision by some of its competitors to pull out of the market here. But while some builders have exited the VolusiaFlagler area market, the area has also seen the arrival of a couple of new players. St. Augustine-based Landon Homes recently began building new homes in the Grande Champion subdivision at the LPGA International community in Daytona Beach. Orlando-based A&M Homes started building new homes in the Heritage Place subdivision in DeLand last October. “After investigating the area, we created a jointventure with the company that owns 71 lots here,” said Ashley Burleson, president of A&M Homes. Burleson, who previously led Engle Homes’ Orlando division that included Volusia County, added: “We saw the activity that Adams Homes has in here, (along with) Maronda Homes across the street and Taylor Morrison across town, and thought it would be worthwhile. There’s life here and we think we can do 12 to 18 homes annually.” A handful of area homebuilders have also returned to building “spec homes” — homes built in anticipation that buyers can be found for them once they are finished. Building spec homes is a common practice during housing booms, but is not generally done during downturns. “We bought a (house) lot cheap about a year ago A Paytas Homes house under construction in the Promenade at Venetian Bay subdivision in New Smyrna Beach. 16 Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ March 2012 Photo: Bob Koslow Ashley Burleson, president of A&M Homes, looks over construction plans for a new house the Orlando company is building in the Heritage Place subdivision in DeLand. and thought it’s worth it now to take a shot and hope it pays off,” said Luis Medeiros of New Coastal Homes, which is building a spec home in the Hidden Lakes subdivision in Palm Coast. Medeiros said his company landed buyers for three new homes in December and has already sold two more so far this year. While area homebuilders say they are pleased that new home sales finally appear to be on the upswing, they also noted several factors that are keeping their enthusiasm in check. — A rise in the cost of building materials, especially concrete, drywall and steel, fueled by the surge in gasoline prices. — The growing likelihood that prices for petroleum-based products, such as roof shingles and carpet, will also be going up. — Continued uncertainty about the economy, which while steadily improving in recent months, could easily take a turn for the worse. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also recently raised its standards for new homes to be deemed of Energy Star — i.e., highly energy-effi- Photo: Peter Bauer 0000986992 Residential building permits in Volusia County SOURCE: Volusia County Economic Development Division cient — quality. The new, more stringent, standards took effect Jan. 1. For builders seeking an Energy Star designation for their homes, the standards mean higher building costs. On the other hand, those stricter standards also translate into lower electrical bills for their customers, which could make the case for buying a new home — as opposed to an older, less energy-efficient home — even more compelling, even if an older home has a lower asking price. Said Mayes: “It’s up to the builder if they want to seek the home designation.” ■ Bob Koslow can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-6812285. 0000987656 PDFA Intracoastal Bank is the Area’s Fastest Growing Bank* “We are proud to bring this same exceptional service to Volusia’s Businesses and Professionals with our new Lending Center” Lloyd Collins, Larry McDermott, Mark Barr Laurie Alves and Bruce Page “Average experience over 30 years” GRAND OPENING SPECIAL Open A New Business Account & You’ll Receive: • $250 off closing cost on your first business loan or line of credit • First order of checks free up to $100 • No monthly service charge on small business accounts.** 386.274.5304 www.intracoastalbank.net MEMBER Photo: Bob Koslow Patio roof support posts are set in place by carpenters from Builders FirstSource at an A&M Homes construction site in the Heritage Place subdivision in DeLand. LENDING CENTER 1671 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Ste. 120 Daytona Beach, FL 32117 *Based on deposit growth in Flagler and Volusia counties during the 12 months ending June 30, 2011, the most current per Bank data available from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). ** Limited time offer. After December 31, 2012 normal fee disclosure will apply. Call for more information. March 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 17 ✒ THE LIST Largest Residential Real Estate Firms | Ranked by number of area licensed agents Firm name Top Executive Headquarters Phone/website Year Established No. of Offices No. of Licensed Agents ▲ Adams, Cameron & Co. Robert L. Adams, CEO 600 S. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach 32118 386-258-5500 www.adamscameron.com 1963 9 312* ▲ Watson Realty Corp. William Watson Jr., Chairman 808 Dunlawton Ave. Port Orange 32127 800-732-4145 www.watsonrealtycorp.com 1965 4 173 ▲ Weichert RealtorsHallmark Properties Steve Pilchick 404 S. Atlantic Ave. Ormond Beach 32176 386-944-1080 www.weicherthallmark.com 1969 4 108** 4 ▲ Realty Pros Assured Bill Navarra 1450 W. Granada Blvd., Suite 1 Ormond Beach 32174 386-677-7653 www.therealtyprosonline.com 2008 2 96*** 5 ▲ Gaff’s Realty Co. Andrea Davis 415 Dunlawton Ave. Port Orange 32127 386-756-9999 www.gaffsrealty.com 1997 1 91**** 6 ▲ Re/Max Signature Walter Borgen, Broker 3340 S. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach Shores 32118 386-236-0760 www.searchdaytonarealestate.com 2005 1 54 7 Aswinder Suri 211 E. International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach 32118 386-257-3948 www.exitrealty.com 2008 2 51 Michael Leadley 3510 S. Nova Rd., Suite 112 Port Orange 32129 386-944-2800 www.kwfloridapartners.com 2006 1 42 Chuck Warren, President 1 Florida Park Dr., S., Suite 1 Palm Coast 32137 386-446-2900 www.prudentialwarren.com 1995 2 40 Pat Collado 105 Cooper St. New Smyrna Beach 32168 386-427-0002 www.patcolladorealestate.com 2005 3 40 Nancy Dance 1439 N. U.S. 1, Suite A6 Ormond Beach 32174 386-673-6022 www.century21sundance.com 1995 2 32 Sissy P. Spikes, Owner 1134 W. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach 32174 386-673-7001 www.remaxpropertycentreflorida.com 1994 1 28 13 Robert J. Marandino, Broker 739 Dunlawton Ave. Port Orange 32127 386-760-3000 www.relocationdaytona.com 1986 2 26 14 ▲ McColly Real Estate Martha J. McColly 3118 S. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach Shores 32118 386-756-8111 www.mccolly.com 1974 1 21 15 ▲ Prudential Transact Realty Sheriff Guindi 730 S. Atlantic Ave. Ormond Beach 32176 386-677-1211 www.prudentialtransactrealty.com 1988 1 20 16 ▲ Century 21 Choice Properties Maria Saraco, Broker 430 Summerhaven Drive, Suite 200 DeBary 32713 386-574-9444 www.century21choiceproperties.com 1991 1 18 ▲ Ponce Inlet Realty Inc. Ann Crane, Owner/Broker 4000 S. Atlantic Ave. Wilbur-by-the-Sea 32127 386-761-3004 www.poncerealty.com 1994 1 17 ▲ Realty Executives The Fun Coast Team Scott Nieminen 185 Cypress Point Pkwy., Suite 4 Palm Coast 32164 386-447-3001 www.realtyexecutivesfuncoast.com 1998 1 16 ▲ Wendy Powers Realty Inc. Wendy L. Schreiner, Broker 1100 Ocean Shore Blvd., Suite 6 Ormond Beach 32176 386-441-9900 www.wendypowers.com 1995 1 15 ▲ Re/Max Oceanside Donna Tofal, Broker/Owner 2561 Moody Blvd. Flagler Beach 32136 386-439-1612 www.rmoceanside.com 2003 1 13 ▲ Century 21 A.H Stone & Associates Raymond Rivela, Broker 483 S. Nova Rd. Ormond Beach 32174 386-673-3000 www.century21a.h.stone.com 1977 1 11 22 ▲ Arthur Kowitz Realty Arthur Kowitz 1501 Ridgewood Ave., Suite 215-217 Holly Hill 32117 386-677-7678 www.arthurkowitzrealty.com 1989 1 10 23 Parkside Realty Group Sam Perkovich, Broker/Owner 210 Old Kings Rd., South Suite 500 Flagler Beach 32136 386-693-4804 www.parksiderealtygroup.net 2010 1 8 1 2 3 ▲ Exit Realty of Daytona 8 ▲ Keller Williams Realty Florida Partners 9 ▲ Prudential Warren Real Estate 9 ▲ Collado Real Estate 11 ▲ Century 21 Sundance Realty ▲ Re/Max Property Centre ▲ Triangle Realty 12 17 18 19 20 21 ▲ This list originally ran in the 2012 Book of Lists. It has been updated to reflect changes and additions. * Includes 202 sales associates and 110 referral associates **Includes all offices in Volusia and Flagler counties *** Includes 75 sales associates and 21 referral associates **** Includes 56 sales associates and 26 referral associates 18 Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ March 2012 0000987620 2 Business B2B D I r e c t o r y Business Banking computer Services Space Coast Credit Union 800-447-7228 [email protected] sccu.com/business ext. 9533 Providing business banking and lending solutions for area business owners. Learn more about SCCU Business Services by calling Dale or visit sccu.com/business Fitness Volusia Flagler Family YMCA 761 E. International Speedway Blvd. DeLand, FL 32724 386-738-9622 www.vfymca.org www.facebook.com/vfymca Corporate Wellness Program At the Y, we know everyone needs to feel their best to do their best at home and at work. That’s why we offer companies discounted rates and access to over hundreds of wellness and fitness classes every week. Meetings Sunset Harbor Yacht Club 861 Ballough Road Daytona Beach, FL 32114 386-947-9900 [email protected] www.sunsetharboryc.com At Sunset Harbor we have a sophisticated look, places to work with an extraordinary atmosphere. Membership allows you to create richer connections on issues relevant to your business. EmbroidMe of Daytona Beach Holland Financial 386-304-0847 386-255-5880 386-671-7526 www.JBTonline.com We specialize in computer sales, networks, monitoring, remote support, service & repairs. 24 Hour support, free diagnostics, help desks. Call for a free consulation. Insurance [email protected] www.embroidme-daytonabeach.com [email protected] www.hollandfinancial.com The largest embroidery, screen printing and promotional product company in the world. 386-734-9642 www.pageinsuranceagency.com Our mission is to provide straight-forward and personalized solutions - like financial planning and investment management - that help our clients improve the quality of their lives. Jewelers Hayward Brown, Inc. 202 Seabreeze Blvd. 386-252-5546 [email protected] www.haywardbrown.com General Insurance Agency offering personal and commercial property, casualty, life, health, disability and annuities. Home, Auto, Business, Workers Compensation and Bonds. tax consulting Demos Tax Consulting 200 E. Granada Blvd. Suite 208, Ormond Beach 386-243-0336 [email protected] www.demostax.com Depth in knowledge in tax advice at your service. We offer competent tax preparation and consulting solutions. Free e-filing. 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE! Manufacturing Custom Designed MARKETING SOLUTIONS Office: 386.238.4001 140 S. Beach St., Ste. 304, Daytona Beach • 386.238.4001 Florida Production Engineering Tom Cook Jeweler 150 S. Beach St. Daytona Beach, FL 2 East Tower Circle Ormond Beach, FL 32174 386-255-1468 386-677-2566 www.tomcookjeweler.com Established more than 100 years ago, Tom Cook Jeweler is committed to bring a standard of excellence and quality service to all its customers. We are also the official Rolex dealer of Volusia County. www.fpe-inc.com For over 30 years FPE has been a leader in the engineering and manufacturing of plastic injection molded components and assemblies. Looking to hire? Your Employment Ad will be packaged with: • Total market coverage within Volusia & Flagler counties • Ad placed upon world’s largest employment website Place your recruitment ad TODAY in the News-Journal Classifieds! Regardless of the type of employment ad you are running, the New-Journal Call today for your FREE QUOTE! Classifieds should be your starting point. • The News-Journal Classifieds online • An online video Affordable Rates! 386-252-5550 RECORD STORAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS C O M E L IV E W IT H U S Relieve Your Record Storage Burden & Gain Peace of Mind with Computerized Record Storage Management and Retrieval Services Learn More About Record Storage Management Services Direct Mail/Print/E-Marketing/Web Social Media/Brand Development 500 E. New York Ave. • DeLand 700 W. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach, FL 32174 1808 W. International Speedway Blvd., Suite 304A Daytona Beach, FL 32114 plus 1960 Financial Planning JBT & Associates 925 Beville Road, Suite #9 South Daytona, FL Dale Howlett embroidery CONTINENTAL PROPERTY SERVICES, INC. 444 Seabreeze Blvd., Ste. 600, Daytona Beach Phone 386.238.7400 • Fax 386.257.5003 www.cpsdaytona.com March 2012 916 S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach 386-673-1005 Daytona Data Storage ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 19 Ã MOVING UP Rautenberg Parks Greg Rautenberg has been promoted to agency manager in the Insurance Division at Vision HR, Daytona Beach, and will oversee all areas of insurance for life, health, property and casualty. Herb Parks has joined the company as an insurance agent, selling life, health, property and casualty insurance to clients. Ron Thomas, Debbie Carter and Amy Strong have joined Realty Pros Assured, Ormond Beach, as real estate agents. Thomas holds certifications as a building contractor and inspector and in mold assessment. Carter is re-entering the real estate business after a 10-year hiatus. Strong has been a licensed Realtor in Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana for eight years. Dwight Bailey has joined Adams, Cameron & Co., Realtors, Ormond Beach, and will work from the firm’s office on South Atlantic Avenue. He is a member of the Daytona Beach, Florida and national associations of Realtors. Jay Wahlin has also joined Adams, Cameron & Co., Realtors, in the company’s Notable hires, promotions and achievements in Volusia and Flagler counties Thomas Carter Wahlin West Granada Boulevard office. He spent the last 12 years originating residential and commercial mortgages and is a member of the Daytona Beach, state and national associations of Realtors. Dan Connell has joined 100 Plus Realty, Palm Coast, as a sales associate. He previously worked in the health care industry in New Jersey. Dr. Nermeen Saleh, a family medicine physician, has joined the medical staff of Florida Hospital Fish Memorial, Orange City. She completed the family medicine residency program at Florida Hospital Orlando and earned her medical degree at Xavier University School of Medicine in Atlanta. Dr. Stephen Reed, an orthopedic surgeon, has also joined the hospital as its first medical director for Orthopedic Services. He earned his medical degree from the University of South Florida and completed an internship and residency in orthopedics at the University of South Carolina. Connell Saleh Reed Priscilla Arzivian, a Realtor with Better Way Realty, Ormond Beach, has earned the Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource designation from the National Association of Realtors. She was also the company’s top producer for listings and sales in January. Dr. Arnold Alqueza has joined Volusia Hand Surgery Clinic, Port Orange. He is trained in upper extremity surgery and performs a variety of procedures on the shoulder, wrist, hand and elbow. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Florida. He completed his internship, residency and fellowship in Boston. Monique Dilling has joined The Callan Group, Ormond Beach, as a senior marketing consultant. She previously managed her family graphic design firm and full-service agency in Fort Lauderdale. Lisa Forte has joined Exit Realty, Daytona Beach, as a Realtor. She is experienced in organizing corporations’ sale operations, business and marketing plans, as Arzivian Alqueza well as local events. She will continue to offer Magna software to the vacation ownership industry. Sharon Brooks Logan, an Ormond Beach attorney, was recently recertified as a specialist in real property law by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education. As a specialist, she has substantial experience in real estate law and shows professionalism and ethics in her practice. Jeri Ostuw has joined Snell Legal, The Business Lawyers, Daytona Beach, as an associate attorney. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Rollins College and her law degree from Stetson College of Law. Lavon Mullins has joined Adams, Cameron & Co., Realtors, Port Orange, and will work from the firm’s office on Dunlawton Boulevard. She is an eighth generation Floridian and previously owned and operated a business in Ormond Beach. Mullins is a member of the Daytona Beach, state and national associations of Realtors. Send us your business news! The Business Report welcomes submissions of announcements about your company’s recent new hires, staff promotions and industry and/or community awards. Email announcements and photographs (individual headshots only; 300 dpi preferred) to [email protected]. Moving Up announcements should include name and new title of the person, the company’s name, and the city where that person works or will work. Please include the person’s previous company and title. 0000987875 0000987181 PDFA Reserve Your ROOOMY Suite EMPLOYEE WELLNESS WITH RESULTS Corporate Wellness Program At the Y, we know everyone needs to feel their best to do their best at home and at work. That’s why we offer companies discounted rates and access to over hundreds of wellness and fitness classes every week. 0 Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ March 2012 To learn more, visit our website or call 386.871.7949 VFYMCA.org Experience the spacious suburban style living for your overnight or extended visit with the “feel at home” atmosphere that is truly p e r f e c t for you and your entire family and pets. The hotel is situated just minutes from the World’s Most Famous Beach, several colleges and many other attractions and corporations. • Hot Full Breakfast Served Daily • Evening Dinner & Drinks Served Mon-Thu* • Wi-fi Internet Access • Business Center • Heated Swimming Pool • Modern Fitness Center Daytona Beach-Airport/Speedway 165 Bill France Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (386) 258-2828 Fax: (386) 258-2281 0000982682 THE CALENDAR Upcoming local business events April Thursday 12 Tuesday 24 Thursday 5 SOUTHEAST VOLUSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE business after hours, 5-7 p.m., Marine Discovery Center, 520 Barracuda Blvd., New Smyrna Beach. Co-hosted by Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Information: 386-428-2449. DELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Get Connected luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Mulligans Tavern, Victoria Hills Golf Club, 300 Spalding Way, DeLand. Information: 386-734-4331. PORT ORANGE SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE morning mix and mingle, 8 a.m., Lindley’s Nursery & Garden Center, 1232 W. Canal St., New Smyrna Beach. Information: 386-761-1601. Wednesday 25 HOLLY HILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE business after hours, 5 p.m., Office Place, 1609 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill. Information: 386-255-7311. Friday 6 DAYTONA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE First Friday lunch, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 2200 International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Information: 386-523-3681. Tuesday 10 VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION Social Media for Human Resources, 7:45-9 a.m., Daytona Beach International Airport, 700 Catalina Drive, Daytona Beach. Presented by the Human Resources Division. Information: 386-673-0505 or email [email protected]. WEST VOLUSIA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AM Connection – DeBary, 8 a.m., Gateway Center for the Arts, 880 N. U.S. 17-92, DeBary. Cost: Free for members, $10 for guests. Information: 386-490-4606. DELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE coffee with the Chamber, 8 a.m., Sandhill Golf Course, 800 E. Euclid Ave., DeLand. Information: 386-734-4331. Tuesday 17 HOLLY HILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE quarterly breakfast meeting, 7:30 a.m., Bishops Glen, 900 LPGA Blvd., Holly Hill. Information: 386-255-7311. WEST VOLUSIA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AM Connection – DeLand, 8 a.m., Clarion Hotel, 350 E. International Speedway Blvd., DeLand. Cost: Free for members, $10 for guests. Information: 386-490-4606 or email [email protected]. DELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE business after hours, 65-6:30 p.m., Bauer & Associates, 223 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. Information: 386-734-4331. DAYTONA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE business after hours, 5:30-7:30 p.m., location to be announced. Information: 386-523-3681. Wednesday 11 Wednesday 18 PORT ORANGE SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Business Women’s Council, 11:30 a.m., Riverside Pavilion, 3431 Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. Information: 386-761-160. VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION plant tour, 9 a.m., Solar-Fit, 1523 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill. Information: 386-673-0505 or email [email protected]. ORMOND BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Business Sparkler, 5-7 p.m., Country Inn & Suites, 5802 Journey’s End Way, Port Orange. Information: 386-677-3454. Thursday 19 WEST VOLUSIA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Bounce Hall of Fame celebration, 5:307:30 p.m., Clarion Hotel, 350 E. International Speedway Blvd., DeLand. Information: 386-307-5939. FLAGLER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & AFFILIATES, business after hours, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Victor’s Tile Plus, 3335 N. State St., Bunnell. Information: 386-437-0106. Never Miss An Issue! SOUTHEAST VOLUSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE general membership luncheon, noon, Hidden Lakes Golf Club, 35, Fairgreen Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Information: 386-428-2449. The Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT is mailed each month to thousands of business owners and top level executives. Thursday 19 PORT ORANGE SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “A Tasteful Affair,” 5:30 p.m., Tavern & Chapel in the Garden, 5123 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. Local restaurant and caterers showcase, sponsored by Bright House Networks. Information: 386-761-1601. The Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT has a distribution of about 10,500 and increases daily. It is mailed to 7,000+ businesses that have a strong impact on our community, many of which have requested to receive the publication. DAYTONA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Eggs & Issues, 7:45 a.m., Gene’s Steakhouse, 3674 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Speaker to be announced. Information: 386-523-3681. Thursday 26 Not on the list? SOUTHEAST VOLUSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Crystal Apple Awards, noon-1:30 p.m., Smyrna Yacht Club, 1201 S. Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach. Information: 386-428-2449. Volusia/Flagler Businesses can receive copies mailed to their business address FREE! VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION general membership meeting and dinner, 5:30 p.m., Daytona Beach International Airport, 700 Catalina Drive, Daytona Beach. Information: 386-673-0505 or email [email protected]. Out of market businesses or to have issues mailed to your residence is $29 per year. Friday 27 Call: SOUTHEAST VOLUSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE coffee with the Chamber president, 7:30 a.m., Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society, 1 North Causeway, New Smyrna Beach. Information: 386-428-2449. (386) 681-2500 and start your subscription today! Send us your events! Email notices of upcoming business events for possible inclusion in the Calendar at least 30 days in advance of the event to [email protected]. Events must be held either in Volusia or Flagler counties and must be of a business nature. March 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 1 ✒ THE LIST Largest Commercial Real Estate Firms | Ranked by value of property sold or leased in 2011 Address Phone/website Total Value of property sold or leased in 2011 William S. Moss, Sr. Managing Director, Erik Poole 189 S. Orange Ave., Suit 1900 Orlando 32801 407-839-3140 www.cbre.com/bill.moss $70,000,000 Claude Gardner 120 S, Palmetto Ave. Daytona Beach 32114 386-253-8565 www.daytonacommercialrealestate.com $39,034,000 Jack Mounteer Jr. 444 Seabreeze Blvd., Suite 1000 Daytona Beach 32118 386-290-9667 www.charleswayne.com $31,370,708 John Wannamaker, Broker 1019 Town Center Dr., Suite 200 Orange City 32763 386-775-8633 www.cbcaigroup.com $27,146,956 5 Coldwell Banker Commercial Benchmark Edward Schwarz, GG Galloway, Nic Nicholson 570 Memorial Circle, Suite 300 Ormond Beach 32174 386-672-8520 www.cbcbenchmark.com $26,236,205 6 Robert L. Adams, CEO 600 S. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach 32118 386-258-5500 www.adamscameron.com $12,853,000 Arthur Kowitz 1501 Ridgewood Ave., Suite 215-217 Holly Hill 32117 386-677-7678 www.arthurkowitzrealty.com $12,200,000 Bill Navarra 1450 W. Granada Blvd., Suite 1 Ormond Beach 32174 386-677-7653 (Main) 386-441-7653 (Beachside) www.therealtyprosonline.com $5,320,000 Bill Roe, Broker Tom Alcorn, Broker Associate 3500 S. Atlantic Ave. New Smyrna Beach 32169 386-428-0975 www.oceanprops.com $4,000,000 Roger Baumgartner, Owner/Broker 101 N. Woodland Blvd., Suite 100 DeLand 32720 386-734-1665 www.thebaumgartnerco.com $3,271,000 Donna Tofal, Broker/Owner 2561 Moody Blvd. Flagler Beach 32136 386-439-1612 www.rmoceanside.com 2,500,000 Walter Borgen 3340 S. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach Shores 32118 386-236-0760 www.signature.florida.remax.com $1,691,000 Rob Robinson, Broker/Owner 1 Hargrove Grade, Suite 1 Palm Coast 32137 386-445-9494 $1,500,000 Marcia E. Barnett, Broker/Owner 3301 S. Ridgewood Ave. Edgewater 32141 386-426-7234 www.barnettgroupinc.com $1,200,000 Pat Collado 105 Cooper St., New Smyrna Beach 32169 386-427-0002 www.patcolladorealestate.com $637,000 City Realty Editha Sander 150 Magnolia Ave. Daytona Beach 32114 386-767-5609 www.cityrealtycompanyofdaytona.com $100,000 ▼ CB Richard Ellis 2 ▼ Prudential Commercial Real Estate FL 3 ▼ Charles Wayne Associates LLC ▼ 1 Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group ▼ Adams, Cameron & Co. ▼ Arthur Kowitz Realty ▼ Realty Pros Assured ▼ Ocean Properties 10 ▼ The Baumgartner Co. 11 ▼ Re/Max Oceanside* 12 ▼ Re/Max Signature 13 ▼ Commercial World Inc* 14 ▼ The Barnett Group Inc. 15 ▼ Collado Real Estate 16 ▼ 4 7 8 9 Upcoming lists: Top Local Executive ▼ Company name Volusia/Flagler ■ APR. 30 Area’s Largest Home Builders BUSINESS REPORT ][ March 2012 For more information call: 386-681-2470 This list, which was printed in the 2012 Book of Lists was updated with changes. The previous list was ranked by number of agents; this list is ranked by value of property sold or leased in 2011. *Re/Max Oceanside and Commercial World Inc. merged after this survey was completed. The information on this list was compiled by telephone survey. Only firms that responded to the survey were included on the list. For more details, contact Clayton Park at [email protected]. Builders score victory with lifting of school impact fees By BOB KOSLOW BUSINESS WRITER The cost to build a new home in Volusia County was recently trimmed by $6,066 when the Volusia County School Board agreed earlier this year to lift the public school district’s collection of impact fees on new construction projects in the county for two years. The impact fee moratorium, retroactive to Jan. 1, will be in effect through the end of next year. Area builders hope the temporary lifting of impact fees will result in giving them a boost similar to the small bump in sales that occurred a couple of years ago when the federal government offered an $8,000 tax credit to first-time homebuyers. That program, which began in late 2008, expired in mid-2010. The moratorium on school impact fees is already having a positive impact, area builders say. “We assumed they were coming and we’ve been passing along those savings,” said Jim Mather, general manager of Paytas Homes, which is building homes in New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange. “It’s been a big help. We have six contracts (for new homes) in Promenade at Venetian Bay already in the first two months of this year.” The school board’s decision settled a lawsuit that the Volusia Building Industry Association filed against the school district in 2008. The suit challenged a 2005 impact fee revision. The association argued that the formula for determining the fee was misapplied. Builders, at the time the suit was filed, were already Fitzsimmons struggling, hard hit by the bursting of the housing market bubble the previous year, which preceded the nation’s worst recession since the Great Depression. What might have happened if the Volusia Building Industry Association had prevailed in its case four years ago? Would builders have built more homes in 2008 and 2009, possibly creating more empty houses, more foreclosures and a worse housing crises today? “I don’t think it would have mattered back then,” said West Volusia home builder Bob Fitzsimmons, a past-president of the Volusia Building Industry Association. “Things were well on their way down hill in 2008,” he said. Fitzsimmons is the CEO of Gallery Homes in DeLand. Mather of Paytas Homes said builders in 2008 were past the point of building homes on speculation without buyers. The big challenge for builders, at the time, was finding qualified buyers, Mather he said. “We would not have built more houses at that point where we would be sitting on more empty house now. I would not go that far,” he said, and added that he couldn’t think of many instances for his company where a potential sale was lost because of additional cost created by the school district’s impact fee. Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development in South Daytona, offered a similar assessment. “We were building and selling all we could up to that point so dropping the cost $6,000 would not have mattered,” he said. Even if the Volusia Building Industry Association had sued the school district and prevailed in its case in 2005, the year the impact fees went into effect, the current glut of existing homes on the market probably would not have been much larger, area builders said. “In that market, even if we lowered our prices $6,000, home prices were appreciating $5,000 to $10,000 a month, so a $6,000 impact fee would not have made any difference one way or the other,” Fitzsimmons said. Impact fees did not deter the housing boom in the early and middle parts of the last decade and would not have caused more problems today if they were removed then, said Paul Thompson of the Florida Home Builders Association. “Demand was strong, interest rates were low and we had a positive economy. Those were the drivers,” Thompson said. “It’s hard to believe that impact fees played a significant role to the detriment of the housing market.” ■ Bob Koslow can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-681-2285. 0000987637 PRIME COMMERCIAL SPACE AVAILABLE DINARDO MBA Business Center • US Highway 1 • Ormond Beach Lease/Owner Financing Available RETAIL / OFFICE READY FOR BETTER? on your Competitive Win for Property Management Services at Holly Hill Station, Nova Road! CALL DAYTONA REALTY AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TODAY FOR YOUR WINNING PROPOSAL 386-310-7893 • 927 Beville Road, Suite 102, South Daytona Beach, FL 32119 — ALSO AVAILABLE — Oak Centre Business Park Warehouses Dock High & Ground Level Office Suites in Port Orange Light Industrial Warehouses and Office Suites in Ormond Beach Ormond Business Center Call Jeanette Gagnon 386.299.7055 We are committed to leasing your property to full capacity with qualified tenants. We are a full service management company. We provide Advertising, Direct Depositing, Escrow Accounts, Monthly and Year-end Reports. National and International tenant screening. On call 24/7. Call and let us make it better for you. 386.492.7837 www.dinardorealestate.com DO YOU HAVE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE OR RENT? To Advertise On This Page, Call 386-681-2512 March 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 0000987614 L-R: John Reeves, William E. Buchanan, J. Wes Timko, Charlie Scrabis, Jeff Kulzer, Richard Cooper 1400 Hand Ave., Ormond Beach (386) 677-4761 www.mitchellnoel.com 4867 NW Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast (386) 597-2881 www.mitchellnoelpalmcoast.com Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ March 2012