OLDSMAR - S&S Electric, founded in Largo in 1947 and managed by three generations of the Smith family, was recently named 2004 Dealer of the Year by the Consumer Electronics Association's TechHome Division and was the recipient of the 2004 Family Business Heritage Award from the John H. Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa.
The Dealer of the Year award was presented during a CEA Mark of Excellence Awards banquet in Orlando. The awards recognize products and companies in the forefront of innovation in the home technology industry. Each year, installing dealers and manufacturers from around the world compete for the awards judged by experts within the industry.
The Heritage Award is given annually to a Florida business that has been in business for more than 50 years and has family members actively involved in the organization.
Vern Smith has been president of S&S since his father Sheldon Smith retired in 1977. Shawn Smith is vice president of the company based at 105 Douglas Road East, Oldsmar. S&S has more than 275 employees - designers, installers and technicians - with offices in Oldsmar, Tampa, Sarasota and Fort Myers. Its services include installation of electrical, air conditioning and structured cabling systems. The company is projecting $26-million in sales for 2004.
New hires at Spencer International Advisors
John E. Trusheim has joined Spencer International Advisors as chief strategist - fixed income, and Helen S. Rimensnyder as an investment associate.
During 28 years in the investment industry, Trusheim has provided fixed-income services to Merrill Lynch in Houston, E.F. Hutton in Tampa and Union Planters National Bank in Sarasota.
Rimensnyder has 23 years experience in the financial industry. She most recently was a vice president and branch manager at Premier Community Bank of Florida's Belleair Bluffs office and then at the main office in Largo. Before that, she was a vice president and branch manager of Southtrust Bank.
Spencer International Advisors, at 1401 S Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater, offers investment management, tax services, wealth counseling, business advisory services, corporate executive services and comprehensive planning.
Surveyor joins TBE Group as senior project manager.
Deborah J. Hill has joined TBE Group as a senior project manager of the firm's utilities division's surveying and mapping group.
She has over 17 years experience in land surveying and has worked for engineering and surveying firms in the Tampa Bay area, and Polk, Lee and Collier counties where she managed and coordinated survey and mapping staff, operations and a wide variety of Florida Department of Transportation projects.
TBE Group is full-service international consulting , design and engineering firm. Based in Clearwateer at 380 Park Place Blvd., it has more than 40 offices in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Knoblach honored by company for serving
Dean Knoblach of Knoblach Hearing Care, 2480 East Bay Drive, Largo, has been honored for his services to the hearing impaired community by Rexton Inc., a division of Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH, a worldwide leader in manufacturing and sales of hearing instruments. Rexton presented Knoblach with its 2004 Patient Care and Customer Satisfaction Award. Knoblach has specialized in audiology for more than 20 years and is board certified in hearing instrument sciences.
Blair's Air Conditioning receives service award
Blair's Air Conditioning and Heating, in business for 28 years in the Clearwater area, was the recent recipient of a national business award from Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems, a century old manufacturer with headquarters in Indianapolis and plants in Indiana, New York, Tennessee, Arkansas and Texas.
Blair's, at 12601 Automobile Blvd., has 32 employees and is headed by company president Malcolm Horton.
Safety Harbor marketing group honored
Finn Marketing Group, which supplies equipment to hotels, country clubs, restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, cruise lines and schools, has received a distinguished supplier award from Darden Restaurants Inc., owner and operator of 1,300 Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones restaurants.
The award honored Finn Marketing for producing and installing new char broilers in 2 Bahama Breeze restaurants in Darden's fiscal year 2004. Company president Frank Finn accepted the award. Finn Marketing Group is at 701 Enterprise Road East, Safety Harbor.
Insurance rep attends Modern Woodmen session
Marc L. D'Elia of Clearwater recently completed a week-long seminar on helping families with Modern Woodmen of America life insurance plans, annuities and fraternal member benefits.
Established in 1883 as a fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen of America offers life insurance, financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families. Its home office is in Rock Island, Ill.
Nichols Insurance expanding and moving
Nichols Insurance Associates, based in the Countryside area of Clearwater for three years, is expanding and moving to 101 Philippe Parkway in Safety Harbor.
News of businesses and business people can be faxed to the Business Digest at 445-4119, emailed to cosdon@sptimes.com or mailed to Business Digest, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. We are interested in new and unusual businesses, promotions, expansions and major new contracts. Photos can be sent, but not all will be used and they cannot be returned. [Last modified August 2, 2004, 01:00:29]
