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Ambassador of business
By ANNE LINDBERG
© St. Petersburg Times, PINELLAS PARK -- This city would be very different if it were not for Housh Ghovaee. He's responsible for encouraging many of Pinellas Park's biggest businesses to move to town. That includes companies like Radisson, which is building a $20-million hotel and convention center at Roosevelt Boulevard and 28th Street N. Ghovaee, owner of Northside Engineering in Clearwater, is the design engineer for the project. The design will help change the skyline in the northeast section of the city and is expected to be a future landmark for that area of Pinellas Park. Ghovaee, whose interest in the city was sparked years before by contractor and friend Terry England, has earned gratitude among city officials. "We made Terry and we made Housh ambassadors of this city for all the good things they did," said Bud Wortendyke, who oversees Pinellas Park's annexation efforts. Ghovaee's involvement in the life of Pinellas Park goes further than bringing in business and future tax revenue. He's planning a presentation for the City Council about "artscaping," a concept were art is used in conjunction with xeriscaping to cut down on the need for irrigation. He would like the city to take the lead on an artscaping project. He was so moved by a visit to the Suncoast Trailblazers, a horseback riding program for disabled riders, that he immediately volunteered to serve on the board. He said it's all a part of being a community person. "I love to be part of the community, and I love to be someone that contributes to it and not always takes (from it)," Ghovaee said. What's even more unique about his commitment to Pinellas Park and its people is that Ghovaee is not a city resident. He lives in Clearwater. His business is also in Clearwater. "Years ago I was introduced to the Pinellas Park chamber by Terry England, and that's how I started," he said. "Once I got introduced to the council and felt the warmth of their open arms and their smile, I was even more attracted to be a part of it." Ghovaee likened working with Pinellas Park residents to being on a football team. When someone makes a touchdown, he said, everyone hugs. "That's the feeling I get," Ghovaee said. "I think the greatest pleasure of it all is to be involved and to be among people that really care." Name: Housh Ghovaee Age: 44 Background: A native of Iran, he moved to this country in 1974 to attend the military-based Norwich University in Northfield, Vt. He moved to Pinellas County in 1979 and founded Northside Engineering Services in 1989. Accomplishments: President of the Pinellas Park/Mid-County Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and of the citizens advisory committee of the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Also serves on the board of the Suncoast Trailblazers Association and the Montessori School Board. Serves on the Vision 2010 task force and is a member of Volunteers of America.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
