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Business digest

By Times Staff
Published June 26, 2006

Who's News:

RE/MAX Realty One associates recently completed their annual fundraising project to benefit the Children's Miracle Network. By contributing part of every commission they earned, they were able to contribute more than $10,000 to the charity.

The firm also announced that Richard Venticinque has qualified for the Platinum Club award. Marvia Korol was recognized for becoming a multimillion-dollar producer.

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ERA American Realty has announced that Sarah Spencer, Anita Fuss and Lauretta Hajik were the top listing associates for May. Mary Roeser, Lar Lopez and Mark Augustsson achieved top sales. Roeser, Lopez and Debe Johns had the top sales volume.

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ERA American Realty and ERA Suncoast Realty achieved RISMedia's 2006 Power Broker status with 4,636 closed transactions in 2005, earning the firms the 141st position out of the top 500 brokers in the country. They also had the 407th spot out of the top 500 in closed sales volume.

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ERA Suncoast Realty has announced that Theresa Griffin is its top listing associate and Steve Latiff is its top selling associate for May. C.D. Alderson and Kenny Bland are the newest million-dollar producers and Harry Eck and Paul Kobel Jr. are the newest multimillion-dollar producers.

Briefs

Central Florida Community College's Citrus County campus and the Realtor's Institute of Citrus County have teamed up to offer courses for future and current real estate professionals in July, August and September.

Courses will be held at the Realtor's Institute, 714 S Scarboro Ave., Lecanto. Register and learn more about the courses at the college campus, 3800 S Lecanto Highway or by calling Amy Prodan at 249-1210.

The college's Ocala campus is teaming with Cardinal LG glass manufacturer to provide specialized training for 152 Cardinal employees. A Quick Response Training Program grant from Workforce Florida, Inc. made the training possible. The manufacturer's new facility at 1300 SW 44th Ave. is expected to be ready for operation Aug. 19.

To learn more about training and employment opportunities, call One Stop Workforce Connection at 840-5700 or visit the office at 2703 NE 14th St., Ocala.

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Progress Energy Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have been honored for their partnership on a hydrogen generator and fuel cell at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The Council for Sustainable Florida recently bestowed one of its four Best Practices awards to the St. Petersburg-based utility and its partnership with state environmental leaders.

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Tickets for a drawing that will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Citrus County are available for a donation of $100. The winner of a 2006 Corvette donated by Steve and Jewel Lamb of Crystal Motor Co. will be announced July 15. All proceeds go to programming for the clubs in Citrus County. For tickets or information, visit any SunTrust location in the county or call Boys & Girls Clubs at 621-9225.

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The Able Trust will host a Florida BLN EmployAbility Symposium for employers to learn about hiring employees with disabilities Aug. 18 at the Renaissance International Plaza in Tampa. The event will feature speakers from companies such as Walt Disney World Co., SunTrust Bank, Hyatt Corp. and the University of South Florida.

The employer track, which will offer recertification credit hours for Professional in Human Resources and Senior Professional in Human Resources credentials through the Human Resource Certificate Institute, is geared toward human resource professionals, diversity managers and other employers who are seeking to hire or retain employees with disabilities.

A special bonus session will address funding opportunities through the Able Trust Grants Program. For information on workshops, available awards, cost information, sponsorships or to register, call Kristen Knapp toll-free at 1-888-838-2253 or visit www.abletrust.org.

Calendar

Monday

The American Business Women's Association invites businesswomen to network and enhance their business skills by joining Citrus County's Manatee Chapter. The group meets the second Monday of each month at American Legion Post 155, 6585 W Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River. Social time begins at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 and business meeting begins at 7. There will be no meeting in July. Call Diane Elswick at 563-2933.

Wednesday

Suncoast Business Masters meets at noon Wednesdays at Romano's Italian Restaurant, 5705 W Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal River. Suncoast Masters networks through leads from members. Only one business of each type is represented. Call Gailen Spinka, president, at 726-4547.

Thursday

The Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers meets the second Thursday of each month and is open to any mortgage industry professionals in Hernando, Pasco, and Citrus counties. Call John Mince at 666-8225 or e-mail mince@tampabay.rr.com.

 The  Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Society of Accounting and Tax Professionals meetings are at 5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Wellington Clubhouse, 400 Wexford Road., Spring Hill, and are open to any accountants or tax professionals within the Hernando, Citrus or Pasco counties. Call Barbara Tremblay, 795-1532.

The GoSmallBiz Group meets beginning with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. the fourth Thursday of each month at Franklin Realty Consultants, 2965 E Gulf to Lake Highway, Inverness. All business owners and managers are invited to attend. Business cards, coupons and promotional materials will be exchanged and one person will introduce his/her business, services and products.

This month the meeting will be this week instead of the fourth Thursday and will include a presentation by Dr. Timothy Mescon. There is no charge, but a reply will be appreciated. Call Bud Koehlinger at 527-9790.

Friday

Citrus Business Network meets at 7:30 a.m. Fridays at B & W Rexall, 214 U.S. 41 S [Citrus Plaza], Inverness. The purpose of CBN is to assist its members to expand their businesses through the exchange of contacts, leads, ideas and marketing savvy. Membership is open to only one member/company per vocation/discipline. Coffee and breakfast may be purchased. Call Jim Guinn, president, at 746-4825 or Liz Koehlinger, memberships, at 527-9790.

The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association meets the first Friday. The lunch meeting is $15 for members and $18 for guests. For information on a time and place, call Amy Kingery at 249-3100 or visit www.fpra-naturecoast.org.

The Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association has a luncheon meeting the third Friday of each month at 11:45 a.m. at the Ocala Hilton on State Road 200. The cost is $18 for guests and members not prepaid. Kevin Christian and Ocala Style Magazine were named Communicators of the Year at the June 15 banquet. Christian was also recognized for his work as the public information officer for Marion County Public Schools. Kathy Johnson and Dean Blinkhorn accepted the award for the magazine. For information, visit www.fpraocala.org.

If you have any announcements to share with our readers, please mail the details to Gail Hollenbeck, Citrus Times, 301 W Main St., Inverness, FL 34450. To appear in the Business Digest, announcements must be received by noon on the previous Tuesday. They may also be faxed to 860-7320.

[Last modified June 26, 2006, 06:35:16]