Business. law firms. The Volusia/Flagler. RepoRt ONE ON ONE. 5minuteswith... michaelchiumentoiii, managingpartner, ChiumentoselisDwyer lawfirm INSIDE:

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1 The Volusia/Flagler Business Connecting Business to Business AUGUST 2012 lawfirms RepoRt A look at some of the Volusia-Flagler area s largest law firms INSIDE: THE LIST: ONE ON ONE...withJohnferguson, managingpartner, CobbCole lawfirm Area s Largest Law Firms 5minuteswith... michaelchiumentoiii, managingpartner, ChiumentoselisDwyer lawfirm PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Daytona Beach, FL Permit #150

2 THE NEW STANDARD slowing,butstillgrowing: latest uptick in jobless rate, despite gain in jobs, underscores slow pace of economy s recovery... IN BUSINESS CLASS... STAND TALL Open 7 Days a Week! Se Habla Espanol Ask for Frank for your Exclusive Volusia County Business Pricing! Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ August 2012 Height Room pre-drilled holes 243 degree rear opening doors 323 cubic ft. of space Forklift friendly rear doors Carries 2(two) 40 x48 pallets Large sliding side door w/low step in, grab in Extremely innovative office like interior design USB Port, AC 120V access front and back, Bluetooth, XM Radio Rear Sonar Available CUSTOMIZE FOR THE PERFECT FIT LPGA &I-95 Exit 265 D espite the fact that employers in Volusia County added 466 jobs in June, the unemployment rate for the county rose to 9.1 percent, from 8.7 percent in May, according to the most recent figures released July 20 by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. That s because the number of jobseekers swelled by 1,601, compared with the previous month. In Flagler County, the unemployment rate rose to 12.3 percent in June, from 11.7 percent in May, but remained well above the 14.4 percent unemployment rate for the county in June of last year. Volusia County s June unemployment rate was also well above the 11.1 percent CLAYTON PARK The View From Here rate recorded the same month a year ago. The increase in unemployment rates for both counties can be attributed in part to the fact that the state does not seasonally adjust its employment data for individual counties to discount typically ups and downs in hiring related to the time of year. Teachers, for example, are counted by the state as unemployed during the summer. The fact, however, that the number of jobseekers continues to outpace the number of new jobs being created illustrates the frustratingly slow pace of recovery of the economy both locally as well as nationally. On page 5 of this issue, our latest "Tale of the Tape" page of local economic indicators shows some bright spots for the local economy: the area s tourism industry, where hotel bed tax collections have been on an upswing; and also the housing market, where sales of existing homes, as well as new home construction, have also been steadily inching higher. Signs of optimism albeit cautious can also be found in "The Buzz" recap on page 4 of some of the top local business stories in the past month which includes a report that International Speedway Corp. officials are making plans for a major renovation of Daytona International Speedway, which one ISC executive said could be an "industry gamechanger," as well as a report on how an investment group was able to turn a cool $1.75 million profit on the sale of a local apartment complex, just a few months after buying it for $6 million. This issue also includes a look at local law firms, with a "One on One" interview on page 6 with John Ferguson, managing partner of the area s largest law firm, Cobb Cole in Daytona Beach, and a "5 Minutes" piece on Michael Chiumento III, managing partner of Palm Coast law firm Chiumento Selis Dwyer, which can be found on page 8. On pages 9-13, we are featuring miniprofiles of several area law firms in their own words to complement our list, on page 14, of the area s largest law firms, ranked by number of attorneys locally. This issue also includes several regular features: Business Seen photos of recent business events on page 7; Moving Up announcements of recent new hires and staff promotions on page 16; and our Calendar of upcoming business events on page 18. Deadline looms for "Influential Women in Business" nominations: Wednesday, Aug. 1, 5 p.m., is the deadline for submitting nominations for the Business Report s upcoming "Influential Women in Business" awards. This special edition will be published on Sept. 24. Nominations will be considered for career successes, notable accomplishments within the nominee s company or industry, involvement in community service and professional organizations, and personal accomplishments. All women employed in a management position or who own a business in either Volusia or Flagler counties are eligible for nomination, including past recipients of the Business Report s "Influential Women in Business" awards. To submit a nomination, fill out the form available at For more information, feel free to contact me directly. Clayton Park can be reached at clayton.park@news-jrnl.com or at

3 The Volusia/Flagler Business Connecting Business to Business AUGUST 2012 Inside: RepoRt The View From Here: Slowing, but still growing: Latest uptick in jobless rate, despite gain in jobs, underscores slow pace of economy s recovery. Still accepting Influential Women in Business nominations The Buzz: Official calls planned Speedway upgrades an "industry gamechanger"; Team Volusia narrows its CEO search; DeLand Publix reopens 4 months after plane crash; Saxon Crossings sold for $20.7M; Investors quick sale of West Volusia apartments nets $1.75M profit. Tale of the Tape: Local economic indicators at a glance One on One: An interview with John Ferguson, managing partner of Daytona Beach law firm Cobb Cole Business Seen: Images from the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce kickoff event for its new "Females About Business" group; Florida Hospital Flagler opens Parkway Medical Plaza. 5 Minutes... With: Michael Chiumento III, managing partner of Palm Coast law firm Chiumento Selis Dwyer How I Do It!: Gene Baldrate of SCORE writes about how businesses can benefit by adding a board of advisers Cover Story: Profiles of several area law firms in their own words The List: Area s largest law firms, ranked by number of attorneys locally Moving Up: Announcements of new hires and staff promotions The Calendar: A comprehensive guide to upcoming local business events Volusia/Flagler Business Report Connecting Business to Business August 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 Phone: for editorial inquiries; for advertising inquiries Web site: Editor: Clayton Park Graphic Designer: John Klipfel Contributing writers: Gene Baldrate, Tom Knox, Aaron London, Skyler Swisher Business desk clerk: Peggy Ellis Photographers: Peter Bauer, Nigel Cook, Bob Koslow, Aaron London, David Massey, Steve Notaras, David Tucker Advertising: Laura Eckert Press releases, calendar items and letters to the editor should be ed to clayton.park@news-jrnl.com. 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. Temporary Address: 226b South Beach St., Daytona Beach Hours: M-F 9:30-5:30 August 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT

4 Notables Saxon Crossings sold for $20.7M Saxon Crossings shopping center in Orange City was sold on June 18 for $20.73 million to a Chicago area company. Inland Real Estate Group of Companies Inc. in Oak Brook, Ill. bought the 119,000-square-foot shopping center from Michael Collard Properties in Winter Park. Collard developed Saxon Crossings, which is anchored by L.A. Fitness and Hobby Lobby. The shopping center is on the northeast corner of busy Saxon Boulevard and Enterprise Road. Inland is the nation s fastest growing acquirer of retail property, according to trade magazine Chain Store Age. Retail Traffic, another trade publication, describes Inland as the sixth largest owner and eighth largest manager of retail properties in the U.S. The section of Saxon Crossings anchored by L.A. Fitness was built in Hobby Lobby opened its 50,304-square-foot store in May on the shopping center s last vacant parcel. Hobby Lobby s arrival also helped the center lease its last few smaller retail spaces. Saxon Crossings is now 100 percent leased to 15 tenants, including eight food shops and restaurants. Collard said he sold Saxon Crossings after it was fully built out and leased because that s his business model. "We don t retain ownership long-term after we complete a project," he said. Quick sale nets $1.75M profit An investment group that just four months ago bought an apartment complex just north of the DeLand city limits for $6 million has turned around and sold it to other investor for $7.75 million, earning it a cool profit of $1.75 million in the process. The latest purchaser of the 168- unit Mallards of Brandywine apartments, at 3165 Brandywine Road, is Beachwood, Ohio-based Soclof Enterprises. The seller was a partnership of Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, a New York hedge fund and asset management firm, and Cocke Finkelstein, an Atlanta real estate and investment management firm that bought the Mallards of Brandywine aparments in March as part of a $31 million package deal that included two apartment complexes in Port Orange. Lynn Hoganson shops at the re-opened Publix Super Market at the Northgate Shopping Center. Publix hit by plane reopens in DeLand Lynn Hoganson arrived at the Publix Super Market at the Northgate Shopping Center at 6:02 Oliveri, vice president of southeast sales for Delta M, a Tennessee a.m. June 28, opened up a canvas chair and sat down. She had roughly two hours to wait for the store to open. "I missed my Publix," she said. "I can take a nap later." Less than three months after a seaplane crashed into the roof, the store reopened for business, much company that specializes in green technology. to the delight of Publix shoppers and city officials. Buzz Two hundred people turned out for the grand reopening, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony. "This is amazing, " said Todd Serwanski, the store s longtime manager. Mayor Bob Apgar and sev- eral members of the City Commission were on hand for the ribbon-cutting. "Even though Publix is owned by its employees, this store is owned by the community, " the mayor said, referring to dozens of online posts on social media sites, such as Facebook, from area residents where they referred to the store as "my Publix." Publix spent $800,000 to repair and remodel that store, which employs 201 workers. Official: Upgrading DIS to be industry game-changer Finalists named for Team Volusia CEO post The search to hire the next president and chief executive officer for Team Volusia Economic Development Corp. came one step closer to a conclusion July 13 as a search committee narrowed the list of job candidates down to four finalists. All of the finalists have some economic development experience in Florida, including Kerry Symolon, who has been Team Volusia s interim executive director since January, following the departure of Helen Cauthen, the organization s inaugural CEO. Symolon did not express an interest in making the job permanent until recently, said consultant Todd Jorgenson, whose North Carolina-based firm is leading the CEO candidate search on Team Volusia s behalf. In addition to Symolon, the other finalists who will interview for the job Aug. 8 are: Keith Norden, former president and CEO of the Tampa-Hillsborough Economic Development Corp.; Pete Tesch, president and CEO of Ocala-Marion County Economic Development Corp.; and Marco The Kerry Symolon International Speedway Corp. on July 5 reported increases in both its net profit and revenues for the second quarter, but some stock analysts in a conference call with ISC executives seemed more interested in the public company s plans for a major overhaul of its flagship motorsports racetrack: Daytona International Speedway. Speedway officials the previous week announced they are considering a significant renovation of the 53-year-old facility, which is one of 12 NASCAR tracks ISC owns. The proposed renovation would include changes to the frontstretch grandstand, new seats and luxury suites as well as a redesigned exterior. ISC President John Saunders told analysts the Speedway renovation project would be a game-changer for the industry. And we think the industry needs that, and that should happen at the industry s top-flight brand. ISC executives confirmed the project was not speculative, but reiterated that it was still in the conceptual stages and that multiple factors could delay or abort it. Obtaining credit in a difficult lending environment, future media-rights agreements and whether the company can sell its Staten Island property all could play a part in determining the project s fate. Our filing (with the city) is only the first step in a long process and there are still many unanswered questions that could impact or even derail this initiative, Saunders said. If everything falls into place and a world-class motorsports entertainment facility that ISC officials envision comes to fruition, it could increase the Speedway s ability to generate revenue, both through the addition of more food and merchandise booths in the grandstand area as well as improved amenities for hosting corporate events. 4 Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ August 2012

5 TALE TAPE FORECLOSURES OF THE Local economic data at a glance HOmEsalEs daytona beach* WEST VOLUSIA** Number of existing homes sold: JUNE JUNE FLAGLER COUNTY SOURCE: Daytona Beach Area Association of Realtors; New Smyrna Beach Board of Realtors; West Volusia Association of Realtors; Flagler County Association of Realtors HOTEL BED TAX COLLECTIONS SOURCES: Volusia and Flagler counties JUNE JUNE * includes entire Halifax area ** includes condo sales EMPLOYMENT (Number of jobs added in June 2012 compared with June 2011) Volusia County: 2,707 Flagler County: 338 SOURCE: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity SOUTHEAST VOLUSIA Volusia County MAY 2012: $1,O6,678 MAY 2011: $1,017,546 Flagler County MAY 2012: $168,48 MAY 2011: $146,76 UNEMPLOYMENT RATE Volusia County JUNE % SOURCE: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity JUNE 2012 JUNE 79 JUNE % Flagler County JUNE % JUNE JUNE JUNE % DOwN Ratio of homes in some stage of foreclosure: VOLUSIA COUNTY June IN 1 EVERY785 IN 1 EVERY369 FLAGLER COUNTY IN 1 EVERY572 IN 1 EVERY191 SOURCE: RealtyTrac AIRPORT PASSENGER TRAFFIC Number of passengers arriving and/or departing via Daytona Beach International Airport: June ,860 May ,687 SOURCE: Volusia County Storms PROTECTION, IT S WHAT WE DO. Storm Protection Accordion Bahama &Colonial Roll Downs Armor Screen CrimSafe Sun Protection Solar Shades Sunesta Shade Systems Seashell Awnings Member: American Shutter Systems Assn. International Hurricane Protection Assoc. 01 June 011 June 01 June N. Nova Road Daytona Beach (386) (877) Fully Bonded Lic. #CBC Sun August 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 5

6 By TOM KNOX BUSINESS WRITER Businesses in Volusia and Flagler counties have not been able to escape the grasp of a struggling economy. While the local unemployment rate is improving, it s still not where anyone wants it to be. As businesses struggle, so too do those that work with them. Cobb Cole, the area s largest law firm with 21 attorneys, has fit that bill. It reshuffled staff away from real estate and let some attorneys go. A company that only works in the civil law arena has to adjust to survive, and Cobb Cole Managing Partner John Ferguson says the Daytona Beach-based law firm has done so. The layoffs of 18 months ago are through, and the company soldiers on in an era without a member of the Kaney family for the first time in decades. At one time, Cobb Cole staff included Lester Kaney, his wife Elan Kaney, his brother Jon Kaney and Jon Kaney s son Jonathan "Jake" Kaney III all attorneys with the firm. Lester Kaney was the firm s president/managing partner prior to Ferguson, who took over that role three years ago. Ferguson sat down with the Business Report to talk about changes in the business, how to keep talented young staff and make connections in the community. Q: You don't have any Kaneys on staff anymore. What does that mean to the firm? They were kind of an institution at Cobb Cole for a while. A: Law firms grow, law firms change. People come and go. (Lester Kaney) was a great member of this community and we're sad to see him go but we wish him the best of luck down there (in South Florida). Q: You mention that you don't do much advertising, you join boards and things like that. Why go that route is it working? A: You ll not see us on a park bench, on the side of the bus or in the Yellow Pages. But the Volusia Manufacturers 6 Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ August 2012 Association, as an example, is one of the organizations I m in. I was the (recipient of the VMA s) 2011 Friend of Industry (award). So I m a huge fan of the VMA. They do great work in the community, building up the manufacturing base and helping on the economic development side. Me personally attending those meetings, I get to meet the people in charge of those companies. And they get to know me, get to see some of the work I do for free, and a lot of times when they have legal needs they say, "Hey, let me give John a call." Q: So it s sort of individual advertising. It s like networking. A: Exactly. Networking we have found builds better client loyalty and they see that you re a good person, that you re smart, that you care about something other than yourself. The VMA and organizations like the chambers, environmental boards, anything like that, that s just a good way to get your ONE ON ONE... WITH JOHN FERGUSON, MANAGING PARTNER, COBB COLE LAW FIRM name out there. When I m with the VMA, say someone has an employment issue. I know a little bit about it, but I then say, "Hey, let me put you in touch with (Cobb Cole attorney) Kelly Parsons Kwiatek or Tom Leek (also an attorney with the firm). I ll have them shoot you a quick and answer the question for you." So even though I m out there promoting myself, the benefit of having 21 attorneys is I don t have to be an expert on everything. Q: I know you practice all types of civil law. But how has it changed during the recession, and is it changing now? You re getting more land use (business) now (International Speedway Corp s recently resurrected entertainment/dining/retail development project formerly known as Daytona Live! is an example) but are there any changes now? A: I would say the recession started in about 2007, we started feeling it in 2008, got hit hard in 2009 and then were treading water through During that time yes, we have made some significant changes in our practice areas, and that s part of the evolution I was talking about. It s also the time frame when I was elected president of the firm. Q: What have you changed? A: There are some practice areas that remain constant and there s the steady workflow, and there are others that weren t. One area that won t surprise anybody is real estate. We had three attorneys in real estate two senior partners and a senior associate, Maja Sander, who is an outstanding attorney. It s not her fault the market dried up on real estate, so I brought her up to my department, corporate transactions. So she s been trained now on corporate transactions, but still does real estate. But making that move upstairs to corporate transactions allows her to stay here, because one of the problems we have in this community, and I think a lot of businesses have, is recruiting and retaining key talent. And she s a young, successful, driven person who could go to Orlando or Miami and get a job and make a heck of a lot more. So when you have those people you don t want to let them go. Corporate transactions has stayed pretty good we don t have a lot of mergers and acquisitions over the last few years but we still have those companies that are growing, and you have, unfortunately, companies with problems and they need help on their contracts. Q: When you have a talented young staff member who you can t pay like Miami or Orlando can, are you thinking, "I ll just try to get the most from them until they leave"? A: Definitely not. In our recruiting process, we ll go to Florida State (University), Florida (University), Stetson (University) and occasionally some others to find the best and brightest. Now, we re realistic. We know we re not going to get somebody who has no ties to this area. If they grew up in Tampa, even if they agree to come over here at some point in time, more than likely they re going to end up going to Tampa. However, there are a number of people who are from the Central Florida area, they don t want to go back home, they want to be on their own, but they don t want to be too far away. We recruit somebody who has some sort of connection here. So our thought is when we hire you, we want you to progress through as an associate, learn and develop as an attorney, and then at the end of our associate track we have every intention of offering you a partnership. We aren't a mill. We don't hire three or four young associates, squeeze them for all we can and then fire them. If we hire them as an associate, our plan is to develop them as a partner. That's just also a better way of doing business. I couldn t work in a big firm when you hire four people and you know darn well three of them aren't going to be here in two years. Q: About 18 months ago, we published an issue of the Business Report that focused on area law firms. We talked to you and other firms, and everyone at the time was in a state of transition. There were lots of layoffs and people leaving. Has that changed any? It it more stable? A: Yes, things are more stable now. Eighteen months ago, we had let go of a few attorneys. And right now, everyone is busy you could always be more busy, we never turn away work. But we re comfortably busy, which is nice. I can sleep a lot better at night. Q: Are you comfortably busy because things are getting better or because you have adjusted well? A: Good question. I think a little bit of both, and once again it depends on the practice area. On the corporate side, it s comfortably busy because our clients are needing services. Litigation, I think things are pretty much the same as they were which means we have a few less attorneys, but the work has been subsumed by others in the department. Real estate, they re probably comfortable now because they have gone from three to two. We ve done a great job over the last two years. If you are really slow, that s when you ramp up the community stuff. That s important. And when you really busy sometimes you can t give as much time as you want. Tom Knox can be reached at tom.knox@news-jrnl.com or at

7 Photo: Steven Notaras David Ottati, president and CEO of Florida Hospital Flagler, addresses the crowd at the opening of the hospital s Parkway Medical Plaza. Parkway Medical Plaza opens in Palm Coast M ore than 600 people turned out on July 10 to celebrate the opening of Florida Hospital Flagler s Parkway Medical Plaza, a 34,000-square-foot complex at 120 Cypress Edge Drive in Palm Coast that includes physicians offices, laboratory services, a women s health center, an imaging center, the Freytag Children s Center and the hospital s Prompt Care walk-in clinic. The event included a ribboncutting ceremony as well as public tours of the $15 million complex, which is just off Palm Coast Parkway. Garry Lubi, 2012 chairman of the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates, said the new medical complex is a prime example of the kind of economic development the county needs. He noted in an interview with the Flagler/Palm Coast News-Tribune that the opening of Parkway Medical Plaza has prompted other businesses to open along Cypress Edge Drive. "This is economic development progress," said Lubi, who is a senior vice president and commercial area manager with Prosperity Bank. Barbara Revels, Flagler County Commission chairwoman and owner/president of Coquina Real Estate and Construction Inc. in Flagler Beach, said the opening of the new facility is welcome news, not only because Florida Hospital is "one of our largest employers growing again," but also because it is raising the level of health care in the county. Business Seen DeLand Area Chamber s "Females About Business" kickoff event T he inaugural meeting of the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce s "Females About Business" a.k.a., FAB committee on July 3 drew more than 90 people, including some businesswomen from as far away as Ormond Beach and Deltona. "It was off the hook for us," said Nick Conte Jr., the chamber s executive director. "We went into it thinking if we had 15 to 30, we d be killing it." When the RSVPs for the event started pouring in, chamber officials quickly realized they needed to move the meeting originally scheduled for the backroom at Mainstreet Grill restaurant in downtown DeLand to a larger venue: Sandhill Golf Club in DeLand. Attendees included Volusia County Council member Pat Northey and Dr. Linda Bradley, director of the University of Central Florida s Daytona Beach campus. "There s obviously a need for programming like this," Conte said. Send us your photos The Business Report welcomes submissions of photos from recent business events in the Volusia-Flagler area. submissions to clayton.park@newsjrnl.com (300 dpi preferred; limit one photo per ). Photos should include a brief description of the event, when and where it was held, the names of those visible in the picture, including your daytime phone number in case we need to contact you for more information. Photos: Lisa Yetters/DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce DeLand Mayor Bob Apgar welcomes PDFA nearly 100 people who attended the first-ever meeting of the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce s "Females About Business" group. Pictured, left to right, are the founders of the chamber s FAB group: Katie Mentor of MaryKay; Amanda Vallone of Roseborough Travel; and Kristie Ihde of Juices Plus & Tower Garden. EMPLOYEE WELLNESS WITH RESULTS Pictured, left to right, at the "Females About Business" event: Kristie Tyrell of Swann Realty; Kerry Nordman; and Dr. Linda Bradley, director of the University of Central Florida s Daytona Beach campus. CorporateWellness Program At the Y,weknow everyone needs to feel their best to do their best at home andatwork. That s whywe offer companies discounted rates and access to over hundreds of wellness and fitness classes every week. To learnmore, visitour website or call VFYMCA.org August 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 7

8 HOW I DO IT! boost your business knowledge with a board of advisers By GENE BALDRATE Special to the Business Report E veryone needs good advice when starting and running a small business, even those who have done it before. It has nothing to do with size. Large companies routinely consult highly experienced and respected advisers for unbiased feedback before making key decisions or implementing major changes. So why should you be different? You can get the same kind of experience and insights, without the high fees of professional consultants, simply by forming an advisory board for your business. An advisory board is an informal group that has no financial interest in your business. They are mentors, people who can pro- vide knowledge, skill, and experience to help you be more competitive, think strategically, and advise about specific issues. They can provide feedback on ideas, assist with a problem, or simply offer thoughts about what s happening in the world, and how it might affect your business. Who should be your adviser? It s best to have a range of perspectives and backgrounds. It may be an individual who s mentored you in other areas of your life, someone you met through networking, or someone you already have a business relationship with, such as an attorney or accountant. The qualities you re looking for include honesty, objectivity, specific knowledge outside your skill set, a good reputation and well connected with networks that can be leveraged to help you. Be careful about using family members as advisers. Their judgment may be clouded by their natural desire to see you succeed. And limit your advisory board to three to five members; too many, and you risk receiving conflicting advice. Don t assume your prospective advisory board candidates want to be "on call" when you need them. Invite them to participate in writing and explain how you hope to benefit from their knowledge. Be explicit as to whether any kind of honorarium is involved. Most advisers freely give their time, but you shouldn t assume that s the case. You ll also want advisers to sign a non-disclosure and/or non-competition agreement. This may seem excessive, but they are necessary to ensure the confidentiality of your discussions. Consulting with advisers individually is fine on occasion, but the real benefits come from meeting with them as a group. Find a convenient time and location for everyone, and prepare an agenda with no more than three or four key issues. Be sure to include plenty of time for questions both to and from your advisers. They may raise issues that hadn t occurred to you, and pose scenarios that the group can collaborate on. Gene Baldrate is the chairman of the Volusia-Flagler area chapter of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). SCORE is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the premier, free counseling service in the U.S. with 13,000 expert volunteers nationally, including 25 certified business counselors in the Volusia-Flagler area. For more information about SCORE, go to on the Web. Baldrate can be reached at gene.baldrate@score87.org or at Minutes... With MICHAEL CHIUMENTO III Managing partner of Palm Coast law firm Chiumento Selis Dwyer By AARON LONDON Flagler County. BUSINESS WRITER Chiumento said his involvement As managing partner of one of in business and economic development not only comes from a commit- Flagler County s leading law firms, Michael Chiumento III ment to Flagler County but because has a high profile in the community. it is important for residents to be In addition to his professional active participants in the life of their work, he has also serves as chairman communities. of the Flagler County Chamber of "I truly believe in karma," Commerce & Affiliates and as president Chiumento said. "What you give you of the now-defunct Enterprise get back." Flagler, the public/private partnership Chiumento said like any other that for many years served as business, when the local economy the economic development arm for suffered after the bursting of the Q Your father is an attorney so did you decide early to follow in the family business? A: I wanted to be an architect. After three years I realized I wasn't artistic so I switched to civil engineering. After graduating I got a job with (engineering firm) Zev Cohen in Ormond for three years, knowing I was going to go back to school and get a graduate degree. I started doing my research and a saw that a lot of the heads of companies were lawyers so I took a couple of classes to see if I liked it and I was hooked. You have been closely involved with economic development efforts as president of Enterprise Flagler and chairman of the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates. With your busy schedule with your business, why is it important for you to be active in the community? A: Being a lifelong resident of Flagler County, these organizations were important in helping the community grow. And meeting people by being involved helped my business. What summer blockbuster movie are you determined to see? A: My wife and I haven t been to a movie in more than six years. We stopped renting movies because we always fell asleep in the middle of them. If I do see a movie it will probably be the new "Ice Age" movie with my kids. Outside of work, what are your hobbies? A: In the last few years it s been work, work, work and family, family, family. I love just hanging out with my kids, playing golf, tennis and hanging out at the beach. BIO: housing bubble, so did his law firm, Chiumento Selis Dwyer, where he is managing partner. "When we went over the cliff economically, our business suffered, too," he said of his law firm. "If Palm Coast and Flagler County are doing really well economically, my business will also do well." Chiumento recently spoke with the Business Report about the economic prospects for Flagler County and the path that led him to pursue a career as a lawyer. Name: Michael Chiumento III Profession: Attorney Title: Managing Partner Company: Chiumento Selis Dwyer Age: 43 Family: Married with three children Education: University of Central Florida (studied civil engineering and liberal studies); law degree from the University of South Carolina On the Net: 8 Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ August 2012

9 AREA LAw firms Here s a look at some of the Volusia-Flagler area s largest law firms, in their own words. Cobb Cole, P.A. TOP EXECUTIVE: John P. Ferguson, managing partner/president HEADQUARTERS: 150 Magnolia Ave., Daytona Beach NUMBER OF OFFICES: 2 Daytona Beach, DeLand PHONE/WEBSITE: ; CobbCole.com NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS: 21 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1925 AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Business and corporate practice and transactions, commercial and business litigation, employment and labor, estate planning, real estate, land use and administrative, intellectual property, family and marital, franchise, green building and sustainability, immigration, education, computer and Internet, Sunshine and public records, and general trial practice. DESCRIPTION: "Cobb Cole, a full-service law firm providing representation and assistance in virtually all types of civil law matters, was named one of Florida's top ranked law firms by Martindale Hubbell in 2012, with virtually all attorneys being eligible for rating and receiving either an AV or BV rating by the prestigious independent rating service. While proud of its great breadth and depth of legal services (see a few of the areas of specialty above) and of its contribution to our area's history (ERAU, John P. Ferguson NASCAR, Bethune-Cookman University are a few examples of our institutional clients), Cobb Cole is equally proud of its commitment to the community through volunteer activities and leadership roles on countless charitable and community boards and foundations. In 2011 alone, over 10 percent of the firm's profits were contributed to various charitable causes." INTERESTING FACT: "The commitment to our community is shared by our staff, as well as our attorneys. Our staff organizes and contributes monthly to various charities of their choosing in connection with their Casual for Cause campaign. Most recently, the attorneys and staff held a celebration of racing, raising money for Speediatrics, through a Mario Kart video game racing competition, held in connection with a cook-out at the office on NASCAR Day. With many employees having over 20, 30 and even 40 years of continuous employment with Cobb Cole, the fun fact is that we have great and loyal people who love doing great work in a community-first environment." smith, Hood, Loucks, stout, Bigman & Brock, P.A. Charles David Hood Jr. TOP EXECUTIVE: Charles David Hood Jr., managing partner HEADQUARTERS: 444 Seabreeze Blvd., Suite 900, Daytona Beach NUMBER OF OFFICES: 1 Daytona Beach PHONE/WEBSITE: ; NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS: 11 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1988 AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Commercial litigation, insurance defense, workers compensation defense, business law, employment law, medical malpractice defense, nursing home defense, automobile negligence defense, personal injury, bad faith litigation, real estate, probate, guardianship, family law, criminal law. DESCRIPTION: "Founded in 1988, the Daytona Beach law firm of Smith, Hood, Loucks, Stout, Bigman & Brock, P.A. offers experienced representation to individual and business clients across a broad range of legal services. The past and present partners, associates and staff of Smith Hood Bigman are an integral part of the Daytona legal and business community. Members of the firm have assumed local, state and national leadership roles in charitable, civic, community and legal organizations. Our attorneys possess exemplary academic credentials, maintain strong community ties, and are committed to the pursuit of excellence. We are very proud of the responsive, skilled and dedicated lawyers we have gathered as a resource for our clients. Our legal staff communicates effectively and demonstrates the strictest personal and professional ethics as well as the utmost concern for our clients. We focus on each client's background, needs, and goals and are committed to results which are in the best interest of our clients now and in the future. Our commitment to excellence, application of the law, client trust and respect are the foundation of our long-standing relationships with our clients and community. August 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 9

10 rue & Ziffra TOP EXECUTIVE: Allan Ziffra, president HEADQUARTERS: 632 Dunlawton Ave, Port Orange NUMBER OF OFFICES: 3 Palm Coast, DeLand, Port Orange PHONE/WEBSITE: ; NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS: 9 YEAR ESTABLISHED: "John Rue founded the firm in 1976 and Allan Ziffra joined the firm as the co-founder in Mr. Ziffra became the firm s president in 1993 and has held this position since then." AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Personal injury auto accident, wrongful death, medical malpractice, Social Security disability, workers comp, motorcycle accident, slip and fall. For a complete list, visit: DESCRIPTION: "Our law firm s mission is to seek you justice. To spare you from the emotional, physical, and financial distress associated with your loss. We are committed to your cause and we have the resources to fight on behalf of all victims and for your right to be compensated. At Rue & Ziffra, P.A., we take pride in being personal injury attorneys working for the benefits of those who have been injured or are a victim of a legal injustice. We handle 18 different practice areas, including automobile accidents and motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice and worker s compensation claims and social security disability. This means that we are only personal injury attorneys, working for the benefits of those who have been injured or are a victim of a legal injustice. Our team of nine attorneys pride themselves in working as a team to ensure that a client is fully represented. By collaborating with each other on a daily basis, important matters are repeatedly handled in a swift and competent manner. At Rue & Ziffra, P.A., our firm is dedicated to serving your needs by providing your case with as many human and technical resources available. We work to stand above the rest by investing in resources to help you recover financially from your motorcycle crash, automobile collision, slip and fall accident, or other personal injury claim." Landis Graham french, P.A. TOP EXECUTIVE: F.A. "Alex" Ford Jr., president HEADQUARTERS: 145 E. Rich Ave., DeLand NUMBER OF OFFICES: 1 DeLand PHONE/WEBSITE: EST-1902; NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS: 7 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1902 AREAS OF SPECIALTY: "General We practice in several areas including family law, estate planning, probate, real estate, personal injury, zoning and land use." DESCRIPTION: "We practice in several areas including litigation, family law, estate planning, probate, real estate, personal injury, zoning and land use, foreclosure, bankruptcy, eminent domain and condemnation, corporate formations." INTERESTING FACT: "Landis Graham French is the oldest law firm in Volusia County and is one of the oldest law firms in continuous existence in the state of Florida. The firm's original partnership was formed in 1902 by Cary D. Landis and Bert Fish. We continue to build upon our solid reputation for excellence in serving both our clients and the community." Chiumento selis Dwyer, PL TOP EXECUTIVE: Michael D. Chiumento III, managing partner HEADQUARTERS: 145 City Place, Suite 301, Palm Coast NUMBER OF OFFICES: 2 Palm Coast, Daytona Beach PHONE/WEBSITE: ; NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS: 6 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1973 AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Personal injury, family law, and use, zoning and development, wills, trusts and probate, criminal defense, litigation, governmental practice, construction law, elder law. DESCRIPTION: "Chiumento Selis Dwyer, a full-service law firm in Flagler and Volusia counties, partners with our clients to achieve their objectives. In an increasingly complex legal environment, the strength and integrity of this partnership is as important to our firm today as when it was founded by senior partner, Michael Mike D. Chiumento in The growth in our firm's areas of practice and collective knowledge of our attorneys and staff has made us one of the premier mid-sized law practices in area. As we continue to grow and develop our firm's practice to meet the changing needs of our clients, we remain dedicated to excellence. Our purpose is to provide our clients with ethical legal representation in the most proactive, efficient and cost-effective manner. The consistency of our team; attorneys, paralegals and support staff, is our firm's top priority. Each client can expect the same high caliber representation from every one of our dedicated professionals." 10 Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ August 2012

11 Doran sims wolfe & Kundid TOP EXECUTIVE: Ted Doran, managing partner HEADQUARTERS: 1020 W. International Speedway Blvd., Suite 100, Daytona Beach NUMBER OF OFFICES: 2 Daytona Beach, Miami PHONE/WEBSITE: ; NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS: 6 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1986 AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Administrative law, city, county and local government law, land acquisition, legislative representation, litigation, ordinances/resolutions, personnel, planning/land use/zoning, public records/sunshine Law/ethics, public procurement, family law, bankruptcy, collections, commercial real estate, construction, contracts, estate planning, insurance defense, liquidations, receiverships, partnership law, personal injury, and real estate. DESCRIPTION: "Doran Sims Wolfe & Kundid practices from its newly renovated office building located at 1020 West International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona Beach. The firm consists of five partners, one associate, a firm administrator and seven staff members providing legal services across the State of Florida. The firm has established a reputation and Ted Doran distinction as the preferred counsel for many state, county and local governments and agencies and has cases pending in state and federal courts from Tallahassee to Miami. At the same time, the firm provides quality legal services to families and businesses throughout the Daytona Beach community. The firm maintains an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell; the A as the highest rating for legal ability and the V for distinct adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics, reliability, diligence and other criteria relevant to the discharge of professional responsibilities. Martindale-Hubbell describes an AV rating as demonstrating that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence. He or she has usually practiced law for many years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity. " Hassell-Legal, P.A. TOP EXECUTIVE: F. Bradley Hassell, president HEADQUARTERS: 1616 Concierge Blvd., Suite 100, Daytona Beach NUMBER OF OFFICES: 1 Daytona Beach PHONE/WEBSITE: ; NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS: 6 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1995 AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Insurance coverage analysis and disputes; aviation accidents; automobile accidents; trucking accidents; admiralty law disputes and marine accidents; products liability; premises liability claims; employer liability; construction disputes and commercial disputes. DESCRIPTION: "For almost 30 years, the attorneys of the firm have provided efficient and thorough legal representation to businesses, individuals and insurers. We have been involved in complex litigation and trials in both state and federal courts. We are dedicated to achieving a fair and just result for our clients, without unnecessary expenditure of time and costs. From our many years of F. Bradley Hassell experience working with bodily injury claims, we are equipped to thoroughly analyze the medical aspects of those claims. We are also experienced in the assessment of technical issues arising from automobile, trucking and aviation accidents and from product liability and construction claims. The firm has ready access to nationally known expert consultants to assist with technical issues. The firm was an early adopter of advanced technology to allow current and timely electronic communication and case updates to its clients, and the electronic presentation of documents and exhibits at trial. Martindale-Hubbell has rated us as AV (the highest rating achievable). Our specific areas of legal expertise include: insurance coverage analysis and disputes; aviation accidents; automobile accidents; trucking accidents; admiralty law disputes and marine accidents; products liability; premises liability claims; employer liability; construction disputes and commercial disputes." What if you had apartner with aportfolio of 8 strategically located manufacturing facilities, debuting acollective 100 years of manufacturing experience, manned by 1,000 disciplined team members, successfully producing well over 31,000 unique parts and products across seven industries: Medical, Industrial, Energy, Transportation, Life Sciences, Defense and Aerospace? You do. It s FPE #1 Business Hotel in Daytona Experience the spacious suburban style living for your overnight or extended visit with the feel at home atmosphere that is truly perfect 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. Subject to state and local laws. Must be legal drinking age Hilton Hotels Corporation. 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 (386) Fax: (386) CALL-HOME August 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 11

12 Damore Delgado romanik & rawlins PLC TOP EXECUTIVES: David R. Damore, "Imperial Majesty"; Aaron D. Delgado, managing partner HEADQUARTERS: 227 Seabreeze Blvd., Daytona Beach NUMBER OF OFFICES: 1 Daytona Beach PHONE/WEBSITE: ; NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS: 5 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2008 (by merger of two firms) AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Criminal defense, DUI defense, personal injury, workers compensation (headed by board certified attorney), labor and employment litigation and family law. DESCRIPTION: "Our firm, AV rated by Martindale Hubbell (the highest rating possible for experience and ethics), focuses on helping people who are accused of a crime, injured by the negligence of others, or who need assistance with marital or family issues. Our attorneys take pride in being trial attorneys in an era where the willingness to go to trial seems to be dying. Drawing on our closeness as a team, our attorneys work closely together to get results we can be proud of. For us, representing our community is a passion, not just a business." INTERESTING FACT: "Every year we produce a limited edition T-shirt which is sure to be collectors items and, if you get a ticket driving while wearing one, your ticket is on us! (Offer not valid in some states, see store for details.)" rice & rose Law firm TOP EXECUTIVES: Paul E. Rice Jr. and James L. Rose, managing partners HEADQUARTERS: 222 Seabreeze Blvd., Daytona Beach NUMBER OF OFFICES: 1 Daytona Beach PHONE/WEBSITE: ; riceroselaw.com NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS: 5 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1986 AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Family law, business formation and litigation, real estate, criminal, probate, guardianship and select personal injury cases. DESCRIPTION: "Rice & Rose Law Firm has been in the Daytona Beach area for 26 years. The attorneys of Rice & Rose are extensively involved in the community, including being on the boards of the United Way, Stewart Marchman Act, YMCA, Daytona Regional Chamber, Ormond Beach Chamber, Tiger Bay and Daytona Beach Police Foundation, among others." INTERESTING FACT: "The attorneys of Rice & Rose have been hosting the Rice & Rose Legal Forum radio show every Monday on WNDB for the 12 years." Pictured, left to right: Matthew Shapiro, Paul Rice Jr., Jackie Roys, Philip Bonamo, James Rose. upchurch watson white & max mediation Group inc. TOP EXECUTIVE: John J. Upchurch, president/ceo HEADQUARTERS: 125 S. Palmetto Ave., Daytona Beach NUMBER OF OFFICES: 5 Daytona Beach, Maitland, Jacksonville, Miami, Birmingham, Ala. PHONE/WEBSITE: / ; NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS (in Volusia/Flagler): 4 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1996 AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Alternative dispute resolution (mediation, arbitration, special masters). DESCRIPTION: "In 1988, when the state of Florida took the bold step of requiring mediation in nearly all civil cases, the principals of Upchurch Watson White & Max rapidly emerged as leaders in the development of the alternative dispute resolution movement. Members of the firm chaired key committees appointed by the Florida Supreme Court and worked with the bar to implement this revolutionary process. These early efforts helped make Florida one of the preeminent jurisdictions in the country implementing innovative methods of alternative dispute resolution. Established in 1996, Upchurch Watson White & Max ( with a panel of 26 full time ADR practitioners, is now a national leading mediation specialty firm, known for facilitating reasonable agreements to resolve complex issues. From five offices in Florida and Alabama, its Supreme Court certified attorney mediators with wide-ranging specialties serve as a court-appointed and privately employed mediator, arbitrator and third-party neutral case manager, implementing innovative methods of alternative dispute resolution across the country." INTERESTING FACT: "Out of 25 attorneys selected as Florida s Super Lawyers 2012 in the field of ADR, five are members of Upchurch Watson White & Max Mediation Group. The firm is renowned for serving warm, fresh-baked cookies at every mediation held at their offices." 1 Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ August 2012 John J. Upchurch

13 PDFA Politis&matovina,P.A. TOP EXECUTIVE: Michael J. Politis, senior partner HEADQUARTERS: 730 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange NUMBER OF OFFICES: 4 Port Orange, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, Orange City PHONE/WEBSITE: or ; NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS: 4 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1993 AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Personal injury, criminal defense, immigration. DESCRIPTION: "Politis & Matovina, P.A., is a personal injury law firm known for providing aggressive and high quality representation to injured victims, not insurance companies. With offices located in Port Orange, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast and Orange City, our firm focuses on ALL injury cases involving wrongful death, auto/motorcycle accidents, slips and falls, boating accidents, pedestrian accidents and bicycle/moped accidents. We also Pictured, left to right: John Russell Jr., Mark Matovina, Michael Politis, David Shekhter. have departments dedicated to criminal defense and immigration law. We can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week for your legal emergencies. Driven to achieve justice for our clients, we know that results matter. Let us put our experience to work for you. Visit for more information." ertl & Kistemaker Business Law Group TOP EXECUTIVES: Christene M. Ertl and Erum S. Kistemaker, co-managing partners HEADQUARTERS: 1651 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Suite 2, Daytona Beach NUMBER OF OFFICES: 1 physical office; Also "available for consultation in Ormond Beach, St. Augustine and via Skype and Google+." PHONE/WEBSITE: ; NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS: 2 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2010 AREAS OF SPECIALTY: Business and corporate law, condominium and home owners association law, trademark/copyright/trade secrets, construction law, real property, commercial and residential, landlord/tenant law. DESCRIPTION: "We began our firm with a clear idea of what our clients needed from us reasonable and cost-effective billing practices, prompt answers to phone calls and s, and an overall friendly mode of practice. We are a team with unique real world experience delivering big firm services with small firm attention and responsiveness. Business-minded, we offer much more than mere legal opinions and ironclad legal documents. We give our clients wise counsel and help guide them through a maze of growth opportunities and traps to get them to the next level. We represent our clients as we would expect to be represented. We are involved in our community both professionally and personally. We are not just any law firm. We are a real face for the 21st century law firm. We are an all-female firm with a pulse on the cutting-edge technology necessary in today s business environment. We maintain access to our files no matter where we are in the world. We are environmentally conscious and advocate for the use of green technologies, electronic files, and electronic billing. We have a real vision for the future, and our success is apparent in our results and client testimonials." INTERESTING FACT: "Both Erum and Christene, while a Gator (Erum) and Seminole (Christene) prior to endeavoring in their legal careers, went to the University of Miami School of Law. Christene is a native Floridian and Erum has lived in Canada, England (as a child and again as an adult) as well as spending most of her formative years in Ormond Beach. Erum is licensed to practice in Florida, New York, England and Wales (where Erum began her legal career as a solicitor in one of England s top law firms)." Intracoastal Bank is Our Community Bank As the region s largest community law firm, Cobb Cole, looks to a community institution to handle our banking needs. The seasoned professionals at Intracoastal Bank have the same mission as our firm: being responsive to and supportive of the local community and providing friendly, competent service. It s a pleasure to work with them to reach similar goals. John Ferguson, Managing Partner Let Us Help You Grow Your Business! Small Business Lending &Cash Management Services ASK US ABOUT OUR NEW BUSINESS ACCOUNT SPECIALS LENDING CENTER 1671 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Ste. 120, Daytona Beach MAIN OFFICE 1290 Palm Coast Pkwy. NW Palm Coast Left to right: Hollis Inglet, Richard Brown, Barbara Bohan and Ryan Scott MEMBER August 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 1

14 THE LIST Largest Area Law Firms Ranked by number of attorneys Firm Top Local Executives Address Phone No. Website No. of Attorneys/ Year Established Areas of Specialty Information compiled by telephone and survey. Only firms that responded to our survey are included. For more information, contact Clayton Park at clayton.park@news-jrnl.com. *Volusia-Flagler area only Cobb Cole PA Smith, Hood, Loucks, Stout, Bigman & Brock, PA Rue & Ziffra PA Hill & Ponton PA Kinsey, Vincent, Pyle PL Korey Sweet McKinnon Simpson & Vukelja Landis Graham French PA Chiumento Selis Dwyer PL Doran Sims Wolfe & Kundid Hassell-Legal PA Damore, Delgado, Romanik & Rawlins Paul & Elkind PA Rice & Rose Politis & Matovina PA Upchurch, Watson, White & Max Mediation Group Inc. Heebner, Baggett, Upchurch & Garthe PL James & Zimmerman PL Livingston, Wolverton & Sword PA Pappas, Russell & Rawnsley Snell Legal Whited Law Firm Crotty & Bartlett PA Ertl & Kistemaker Business Law Group Seitz & Tresher John P. Ferguson, Managing Partner/President Charles D. Hood Jr., Managing Partner Allan L. Ziffra, President Brian D. Hill, Carol J. Ponton LaRue Williams, Doyle Tumbleson, Managers Robert K, Korey F.A. (Alex) Ford Jr., President Michael D. Chiumento III, Managing Partner Ted Doran, Managing Partner F. Bradley Hassell, President David R. Damore, Aaron D. Delgado, Managing Partners Harlan L. Paul, President Paul E. Rice, James L. Rose, Managing Partners Michael Politis, Senior Partner John J. Upchurch President/CEO Peter B. Heebner, Sr. Partner Mark A. Zimmerman Jay Livingston, Jim Wolverton, Raven Sword George Pappas, Managing Partner Gregory D. Snell, Managing Attorney Fleming K. Whited III, Owner Laurence H. Bartlett, Kathleen L. Crotty, Michael D. Crotty, Partners Christene M. Ertl, Erum S. Kistemaker, Co-managing Partners William H. Seitz, Frederick Tresher 150 Magnolia Ave. Daytona Beach Seabreeze Blvd., Suite 900, Daytona Beach Dunlawton Ave. Port Orange Seabreeze Blvd., Suite 235 Daytona Beach S. Palmetto Ave. Daytona Beach W. Granada Blvd., Suite A Ormond Beach, E. Rich Ave. DeLand City Place, Suite 301 Palm Coast W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach Concierge Blvd., Suite 100 Daytona Beach Seabreeze Blvd. Daytona Beach E. New York Ave. DeLand Seabreeze Blvd. Daytona Beach Dunlawton Ave. Port Orange S. Palmetto Ave. Daytona Beach N. Halifax Ave. Daytona Beach E. New York Ave. DeLand Airport Lane, Suite A Palm Coast Silver Beach Ave. Daytona Beach E. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach N. Wild Olive Ave. Daytona Beach Business Park Blvd Daytona Beach N. Clyde Morris Blvd. Suite 2, Daytona Beach S. Ridgewood Ave. Daytona Beach Upcoming list: www,kvplaw.com * SEPT: Area s Largest Hospitals SEPT: Area s Largest Assisted Living Facilities Diverse general practice, business and corporate, employment and labor, sunshine and public records Commercial litigation, insurance defense employment, personal injury, real estate Personal injury, worker's comp, Social Security Social Security Disability, Veterans Disability Civil, construction law Real estate, wills and probate, personal injury General Real estate, estate planning, personal injury Family law, bankruptcy, real estate, local government law, personal injury Insurance defense Criminal, worker's comp, personal injury Personal injury, wrongful death, commercial Family law, business formation and litigation, real estate Personal injury, criminal defense, immigration law Mediation, arbitration special magistrates Construction lien law, eminent domain, business law Worker's comp, criminal, family law Business law, bankruptcy, real estate, family, criminal defense Personal injury, criminal defense, family law, civil litigation Business law, business litigation DUI, criminal defense Estate planning, real estate litigation Business and corporate law; condominium and homeowners associations law; trademark, copyright, trade secrets; construction, real property and commercial and residential landlord tenant law. Mediation, personal injury, wrongful death For more information call: Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ August 2012

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16 MOVING UP Notable hires, promotions and achievements in Volusia and Flagler counties LoDolce Mather Godonis Shepard Sherrer Reader Calkins Rowles Merritt Coury Lance Green has joined Executive Realty Group, Daytona Beach, as a sales associate. A lifelong resident of Port Orange, he is also a certified general contractor. Terra Sickler has joined the law firm of Young DeLoach, Daytona Beach, as an associate attorney. She practices in the areas of civil litigation, foreclosure defense real estate law. She earned a bachelor s degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida and her law degree from Barry Law School. Dr. Robert Latta, a board-certified radiologist, has joined the HealthCare Partners medical staff at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, Daytona Beach. He previously served as staff radiologist with Peace River Regional Medical Center in Port Charlotte. Latta earned his medical degree, and completed internships and residencies, through the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa. Jodi LoDolce has been named emergency room director for Florida Hospital Flagler, Palm Coast. LoDolce, a registered nurse with 23 years of experience in emergency rooms, has been with Florida Hospital since She previously worked at Florida Hospital Fish Memorial. James Mather has been named vice president of sales and production for Paytas Homes Inc., Port Orange. He is a state certified contractor and licensed real estate professional and has been with Paytas Homes for more than 12 years. He has been a general manager for several years. Sean Godonis has been named associate creative director for DME Studios, Daytona Beach, an integrated marketing communications agency. His duties will include leading client brand initiatives, brand positioning and graphic design. Godonis has worked in advertising for more than 12 years. He earned a bachelor s degree in graphic design from Flagler College and previously owned Godonis & Co. Dore Shepard has been named West Volusia director of Cancer Services for both Florida Hospital DeLand and Florida Hospital Fish Memorial, Orange City. Shepard, a registered nurse, has more than 25 years of experience in the field of oncology and previously worked as vice president of cancer servicesat John and Dorothy 16 Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ August 2012 Morgan Cancer Center, Allentown, Pa. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing from Wayne State University in Michigan and a master s degree in health service administration from Central Michigan University. Margaret Gaffney has been named cancer care navigator for Florida Hospital Fish Memorial, Orange City. She has worked for Florida Hospital for 20 years, most recently as endoscopy nurse at the Orange City hospital. In her new role, she will serve as the single point of contact for cancer patients and their families. Christine Claus and Corinne Turkowski have joined the sales staff of ICI Homes Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club, Ormond Beach. Claus, who has eight years of real estate experience, is a new sales associate. She graduated from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va., with a bachelor s degree in business administration. Turkowski was named a sales assistant. She previously worked for T. Rowe Price and Lake Nona Golf and Country Club as a service center representative and catering director assistant. She earned a bachelor s degree from the University of Central Florida. Dr. David Karaffa has joined the medical staff at Florida Hospital Flagler, Palm Coast. He is a neurologist who treats disorders, such as seizures, Parkinson s disease, strokes, migraines and Alzheimer s disease. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia, where he also completed his residency in neurology. Dr. Rainer Chan has joined the medical staff of Florida Hospital DeLand. He is a board-certified family practice physician. Chan earned his medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California and completed a residency in family medicine at Florida Hospital Orlando. Kim Young has been promoted to media director with 100 Plus Realty Group, Palm Coast. She previously worked for Miami radio, television and advertising. Linda Greene and Rick Wagner have joined the company as Realtors. Greene is a new home specialist. Wagner has 30 years experience in the building supply industry. Steve Sherrer has been named Votran general manager by McDonald Transit Associates. He worked for the local transit system while attending college in Lubbock, Texas, and was named general manager of the Lawton Area Transit System in Lawton, Okla., by McDonald Transit. Jeanne McDowell and Connie Schott of Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, Daytona Beach, have been appointed to the 2012 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award. The award is the highest level of national of recognition for performance excellence by a U.S. organization. McDowell is the director of organizational improvement and Schott is the executive director of human resources for the hospital. Elizabeth Lovell, an advanced registered nurse practitioner, has joined the staff of Dr. Steven Brown, a local gynecologist who is also chief of staff of Florida Hospital Flagler, Palm Coast. Lovell provides care for general gynecology, including annual exams, contraception, menopausal symptoms and hormonal replacement therapy. She earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, Peoria, Ill., and a master s degree in nursing from the University of Cincinnati. She is certified by the National Certification Corporation as a women s health nurse practitioner. Jason Reader is the new area managing director and general manager at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, Daytona Beach. He previously worked for the Columbia Marriott and Courtyard in Columbia, S.C., managing director of two hotels and a convention center in Valley Forge, Pa., and several other general manager assignments. Kelly ParsonsKwiatek, a shareholder in the Litigation Section of the law firm of Cobb Cole, Daytona Beach, recently earned certification from the Florida Bar in the area of labor and employment law. She has been with the firm since 2004 and her practice consists of representing employers in managing employee relations, from the negotiating of contracts to the litigation of federal and state anti-discrimination and retaliation claims. Dawn Calkins and Brenda Rowles have been selected for new positions for the five hospitals that make up Florida Hospital Volusia/Flagler. Calkins, who recently celebrated her 30th anniversary at Florida Hospital DeLand, has been named revenue manager and will oversee the Emergency Department auditors, nurse auditors and revenue analysts. Rowles has been promoted to disbursement manager and will be responsible for payment of the hospitals invoices and payroll. She previously was with Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, Daytona Beach, since Ken Merritt has been promoted to market finance manager for Florida Hospital Volusia/Flagler. He will be responsible for managing the hospitals financial planning, reporting and decision support. He most recently served as finance decision support and revenue manager at Florida Hospital Fish Memorial, Orange City. Thomas E. Caldwell, a partner in the law firm of Rue & Ziffra, Port Orange, has earned board certification from the Florida Bar in civil law. Caldwell, who has worked for the firm for 17 years, handles personal injury and negligence cases. He earned his law degree from the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville. Michael J. Coury has been named president of Father Lopez Catholic High School, Daytona Beach. A former high school teacher and coach, he previously served as a high school principal in both public and Catholic high schools in other states. Most recently, he served as president of Pope John Paul II High School, Boca Raton. Coury earned a doctorate from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. John Inman has moved his real estate practice to Atlantic Ocean Realty, Flagler Beach. He has been a Realtor since 1998 and previously was a top producer for Re/Max and Century 21. Inman is licensed in Florida as a broker/associate. Frances "Candy" Bernacchi has joined Coldwell Banker Premier Properties, Ormond Beach, as a Realtor. She formerly worked at Century 21 A.H. Stone & Associates and during her tenure there, earned the Team Centurion award while partnering with her late husband, Timothy Bernacchi. See MOVING p. 18

17 Now accepting nominations! 2012 Influential Women in Business Do you know awoman in business in the Volusia-Flagler area who deserves recognition for her accomplishments professionally as either a business owner or manager? Is that business leader also involved in efforts to make our area abetter place to live? If so, nominate her to be featured in the Volusia/Flagler Business Report s upcoming 2012 Influential Women in Business issue. This special edition will be published on September 24. To be considered, nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m., Wednesday, August 1. Nominations will be considered for career successes, notable accomplishments within the nominee s business and industry, involvement in community service and professional organizations, and personal accomplishments. All women employed in a management position or who own a business in either Volusia or Flagler counties are eligible for nomination, including past recipients of the Business Report s Influential Women in Business awards. To submit a nomination, log on to: NOTE: All fields must be included in order to be considered. For more information, call Clayton Park at Employees and their families of Halifax Media Acquisition LLC and subsidiaries/affiliates are not eligible. August 2012 ][ Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT 17

18 July THE CALENDAR Tuesday 31 VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIA- TION workshop presented by the Finance Accounting Division, 7:45-9 a.m., Daytona Beach International Airport, 700 Catalina Drive, Daytona Beach. Topic: "Understanding Financial Statements." Information: August Thursday 2 HOLLY HILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE business after hours, 5 p.m., location to be announced. Information: Friday 3 PORT ORANGE/SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE morning mix and mingle, 8 a.m., Tempus Hair Restoration, Pavilion at Port Orange, 5535 S. Williamson Blvd., Suite 727, Port Orange. Information: DAYTONA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE First Friday Network Lunch, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Carrabba s Italian Grill, 2200 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Information: or lindsey@daytonachamber.com. Tuesday 7 DELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COM- MERCE "Females About Business" Night Out, 5 p.m., Mainstreet Grill, 100 E. New York Ave., DeLand. Information: Wednesday 8 VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIA- TION workshop presented by the Manufacturing Upcoming local business events Excellence Division, 7:45 a.m.-noon, Command Medical Products, 15 Signal Ave., Ormond Beach. Speaker: Paula Heiret, Command Medical. Information: PORT ORANGE/SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Business Women s Council, 11:30 a.m., Riverside Pavilion, 3431 Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. Speaker: Susan Thornton, hospital liaison for Vitas Innovative Hospice Care. Catered by Caton Catering for $8 or bring own lunch. Information: ORMOND BEACH CHAMBER OF COM- MERCE business sparkler, 5-7 p.m., location to be announced. DELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COM- MERCE "5 O Clock Somewhere," 5-7 p.m., The Elusive Grape, 133 Woodland Blvd., DeLand. Information: Thursday 9 DELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COM- MERCE Government Contracting Overview workshop, 8-9:30 a.m., Chamber of Commerce, 336 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. Information: SOUTHEAST VOLUSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE business after hours, 5-7 p.m., location to be announced. Information: Tuesday 14 VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIA- TION workshop presented by the Human Resources Division, 7:45-9 a.m., Daytona Beach International Airport, 700 Catalina Drive, Daytona Beach. Speaker, Kathleen King, human resources director for Thomas Ad Betts, Best Practices in Safety winner. Information: WEST VOLUSIA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "AM Connection DeBary," 8 a.m., Gateway Center for the Arts, 880 N. U.S , DeBary. Information: Wednesday 15 VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIA- TION plant tour, 9 a.m., Thompson Pump, 4620 City Center Drive, Port Orange. Information: PORT ORANGE/SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE sunrise business forum, 7:45 a.m., Riverside Pavilion, 3431 Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. Sponsored by American Mortgage Loan Services DELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COM- MERCE Coffee with the Chamber, 8 a.m., Sandhill Golf Club, 800 E. Euclid Ave., DeLand. Information: FLAGLER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COM- MERCE & AFFILIATES business after hours, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 55 Town Center Blvd., Palm Coast Thursday 16 SOUTHEAST VOLUSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE manufacturing tour, 9:30-11 a.m., Captains Foods Inc., 2732 Hibiscus Drive, Edgewater. Information: Friday 17 DAYTONA BEACH REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "Eggs and Issues," 7:45-9 a.m., Gene s Steakhouse, 3674 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Speaker: Margaret Smith, superintendent of Volusia County Schools. Information: PORT ORANGE/SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "Soup to Nuts" Power Lunch, noon, Riverside Pavilion, 3431 Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. Bring your lunch. Information: Tuesday 21 DAYTONA BEACH REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE business after hours, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Gene s Steakhouse, Gene s Steakhouse, 3674 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Information: Thursday 23 VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIA- TION general membership meeting, 5:30 p.m., Advanced Technology College, 1770 Technology Blvd., Daytona Beach. Information: Friday 24 SOUTHEAST VOLUSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE coffee with the Chamber, 7:30 a.m., Chamber of Commerce, 310 Julia St., New Smyrna Beach. Information: Saturday 25 PORT ORANGE/SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE golf tournament, 8 a.m., Golf Club at Cypress Head, 6231 Palm Vista St., Port Orange. Information: Send us your events! notices of upcoming business events for possible inclusion in the Calendar at least 30 days in advance of the event to clayton.park@news-jrnl.com. Events must be held either in Volusia or Flagler counties and must be of a business nature. MOVING from p. 15 Several employees of The Arc of Volusia were recently promoted to new positions. They are (with new positions): Leslie Kieler, program director; Julie Bluel, Daytona Center director; Alejandro "Alex" Howard, adult basic education (ABE) specialist, Daytona; Ken Edberg, DeLand Center supervisor; and Susan Duckworth-Ross, ABE specialist, DeLand. Jessica Higginbotham has joined Realty Pros Assured, Ormond Beach, as a sales associate. She earned a degree from the University of Central Florida and has more than 10 years experience in real estate. Deb Wind has joined The Callan Group, Daytona Beach, an electronic marketing company, as a marketing consultant. She previously worked in the non-profit sector and is a member of the Florida Society of Association Managers and Meeting Planner International, Jacksonville Chapter. The officers and directors of the Volusia Flagler Association for WomenLawyers were recently sworn in. They are: Jackie Roys, president; Amanda Jacobsen, vice president; Jane Almy-Loewinger, secretary; Barbara Reid, treasurer; Kayla Hathaway, communications director; Monica Hirsch Wilson, Stina McLamore and Wendy Mara, members of the board of directors; Kelly Chanfrau, chapter representative; Circuit Court Judge Margaret Hudson, judicial liaison; and Melissa Murphy, immediate past president. Tracy Banks has been named executive sous chef for The Shores Resort & Spa, Daytona Beach Shores. She will assist in menu planning and execution for all catering and banquets at the resort. She previously owned and operated a restaurant in Key West and also ran the Bauclaire Room at the Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora for several years. Terri Elliott has joined Re/Max Signature, Daytona Beach, as a real estate associate. A top producing property manager, Elliott was previously affiliated with a real estate brokerage. Donna Williams has been hired by the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce as membership development and marketing representative. She most recently worked as Volusia County community development manager for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Scott Selis, an attorney with Chiumento Selis Dwyer PL, Palm Coast, has been awarded the Charlotte Brayer Public Service Award by the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar Association. The award is given annually to the Florida Elder Law attorney whose volunteerism significantly helps the elder. Selis was selected for his effortsaslegislative chair of the Elder Law Section in keeping issues affecting the elderly and disabled in front of the public and the legislature. Charlotte Brayer, who went to law school when she was 64, donated most of her time to help older people. Brady Privat has returned to Racing s North Turn, Ponce Inlet, as kitchen manager. He previously worked at the restaurant from 2009 to 2011, when he left to be an owner at Ivy Lane Bistro. Christine Eggert-Frampton has joined the financial services firm Edward Jones, Port Orange, as a branch officer administrator. She previously worked in the banking industry for 12 years. Mark S. Wagner, Edward Jones financial advisor, and Ana Rahmani, senior branch office manager, were ranked among the top 25 percent in the country for excellence in client service at Edward Jones. Additionally, Wagner received the Jim McKenzie award for exceptional achievement in building client relationships. He was one of 933 of the firm s 12,000 financial advisors to be recognized. 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. announcements and photographs (individual headshots only; 300 dpi preferred) to clayton.park@news-jrnl.com. 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. 18 Volusia/Flagler BUSINESS REPORT ][ August 2012

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