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Tampa Bay Business Journal
$1 million estate gift to USF to support global studies work
The University of South Florida has received a $1 million estate gift to support multiple scholarships in the College of Arts and Sciences. <\p> The gift comes from Steven Tauber, longtime faculty member and current vice provost for faculty administration, and his wife, Meghan.<\p>
Tampa VC firm inks fund partnership
Tampa venture capital firm Stony Lonesome Group scored a partnership for an anchor investor for its fifth fund. <\p> Woodlands, Texas-based Freedom First Corp., a subsidiary of RTB Ventures, committed $25 million to the fund, according to Stony Lonesome founder and Managing Partner Sean Drake. <\p>
Pittsburgh engineering firm appoints executive to oversee Florida
Michael Baker International, a Pittsburgh civil engineering firm with a Tampa presence, has promoted Mark Pitchford to an expanded office executive role and will now oversee all Florida operations.<\p> Pitchford joined Michael Baker in 2020 as the vice president and office executive for Central Florida. In his new role he will continue to lead the firm’s Orlando and Tampa offices while also supervising the Jacksonville and Tallahassee branches.<\p>
Incoming CEO of Tampa Bay’s $60B tech giant raises M&A odds
TD Synnex is a Fortune 500 juggernaut and one of the largest information technologies distributors in the world with a client roster of the top names in tech. But soon-to-be CEO Patrick Zammit said the Clearwater company isn’t done building. <\p> Change is the only constant in IT, and the breadth and depth of capabilities of a company like TD Synnex (NYSE: SNX) define their relevance, according to Zammit. <\p>
SPP CEO Josh Taube answers all of our questions on Water Street Tampa
Josh Taube is at the helm of Water Street Tampa at a pivotal time.<\p> Taube, who joined Water Street developer Strategic Property Partners in 2014, was named CEO in 2023. His behind-the-scenes work helped shape Water Street into the miniature city it is today. Now, he's leading the development firm as it's planning phase two — a project that will add not only square footage but also address some of the issues that have emerged from the first phase, like parking.<\p>
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay CFO returns to passion-fueled work
Danielle Gantt joined the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay in late 2023 after working with CliftonLarsonAllen, where she provided consulting services to organizations. Now, as CFO of the Crisis Center, the passion of the team and the work being done at the center drive her each day. She oversees the center's corporate accounting, internal financial reporting, budgeting, information technology, facilities and more. <\p> The Crisis Center has a range of programs, including trauma counseling and sexual assault survivor services; 988 and 211 suicide prevention, crisis counseling, and information and referral services; and TransCare, a 911 basic life support ambulance service, behavioral health transport, and basic and advanced life support interfacility transportation.<\p>
Meet Elite Insurance Partners, a 2024 Fast 50 honoree
Elite Insurance Partners is a Tampa-based insurance brokerage that specializes in Medicare supplemental insurance plans. It was founded in 2014 and has more than 100 local employees.<\p> Describe what your company does in a single sentence. EIP helps families across America make informed decisions about their Medicare and life insurance needs.<\p>
Meet Source 1 Solutions, a 2024 Fast 50 honoree
Source 1 Solutions is a Clearwater-based managed IT services provider. It was founded in 2011 and has around 100 local employees.<\p> Describe what your company does in a single sentence. We are a managed IT services company helping businesses and organizations across the globe maintain mission-critical operations.<\p>
Meet Pergravis, a 2024 Fast 50 honoree
Pergravis is a Tampa-based company that assists companies in developing and maintaining their data centers. The company was founded in 2007 and frequently contracts with the federal government, including the Department of Defense.<\p> Describe what your company does in a single sentence. Pergravis is a mission-critical facility service firm that serves technology-dependent organizations with facility assessment, design, improvement, maintenance, management and operational support for their data centers and technical facilities.<\p>
Meet Harbeck Hospitality, a 2024 Fast 50 honoree
Harbeck Hospitality provides outsourced condominium and homeowners association management services. It was founded in 2020 and is based in Palm Harbor.<\p> Describe what your company does in a single sentence. Harbeck Hospitality is a full-service association management company providing services in the areas of facilities management including food and beverage operations, financial management, security and administration.<\p>
St. Louis developer breaks ground on Lakeland industrial park
A 318,000-square-foot industrial park in Lakeland has broken ground and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year. <\p> Developer Summit Real Estate Group has selected JLL to lease the Hamilton Logistics Center at 4141 Hamilton Road. The project will feature two buildings ranging from 135,000 to 183,000 square feet. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 28. <\p>
These are America's most-delayed flights
Airlines are expecting record-breaking traffic for the summer — and for the July Fourth holiday — but fliers on many routes would be wise to build in some extra time for their travel plans. <\p> That's according to an analysis by The Business Journals of the latest on-time data from airline analytics company Cirium Inc. The analysis looked at routes with at least 20 flights. <\p>
Another top Florida property insurer to cut rates this year
American Integrity Insurance is cutting rates for tens of thousands of Florida homeowners, marking the second Tampa carrier to lower costs this year. <\p> American Integrity, the sixth-largest insurer in Florida, will reduce rates by 6.9% for approximately 55,000 policyholders, according to President and CEO Bob Ritchie. <\p>
Money: Several Tampa Bay colleges among the best in the nation
Several Florida colleges and universities are considered the best in the nation, according to a new analysis from Money.<\p> Money ratings are based on 25 factors related to quality of education, affordability and outcomes, according to the methodology published online with the ratings.<\p>
Redevelopment of Raytheon site in St. Pete seeks city/county funding
The development team behind the massive redevelopment of the former Raytheon property in St. Petersburg is seeking a combined $14.8 million in funding from St. Pete and Pinellas County.<\p> The 29-acre site in west St. Petersburg is being developed by Clearwater-based Porter Development LLC, the landowner, and partners Metro Development Group and Falcone Group. The site will be developed in multiple phases and, when complete, will include 1,000 units, 300 of which will be workforce and affordable housing.<\p>
Reinsurance picture improves for Florida
As Florida gets ready to enter the thick of hurricane season, property insurers have seen improvements in the market for reinsurance — critical backup coverage that helps drive how much homeowners pay in premiums.<\p> Now, it’s a waiting game as forecasters expect a busy, and potentially costly, season.<\p>
Renewal of Hillsborough's CIT would benefit these projects
Local governments' capital spending priorities have been set in advance of this fall's vote on renewing the half-cent Community Investment Tax. <\p> Hillsborough County, Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace and the Hillsborough County School District have developed lists of potential uses of the tax if it passes. A public hearing to discuss the county's project list will be held on July 17. The three cities approved their project lists in late June. <\p>
Wine Spectator honors 29 Tampa Bay area restaurants
Wine Spectator, a national lifestyle magazine, recognized 29 Tampa Bay restaurants in its 2024 Restaurant Awards. <\p> Three of them received the second-highest honor of “Best of Award of Excellence” and one received the highest rank of “Grand Award Winner.” <\p>
Meet Homes by WestBay, a 2024 Fast 50 honoree
Homes by WestBay/Casa Fresca Homes is one of the largest homebuilders in Tampa Bay. The company, which was founded in 2009, is headquartered in Riverview and builds primarily in Hillsborough and Manatee counties.<\p> Describe what your company does in a single sentence. Homes by WestBay, the largest locally owned, privately held homebuilder in Tampa Bay, acquires land, develops communities and builds exceptional homes that not only meet many price ranges but also deliver the best customer experience in the industry.<\p>
Home on Palma Ceia golf course sells for $9.2 million
A home overlooking the 17th hole at Palma Ceia golf course has sold for $9.2 million.<\p> A corporate entity linked to Michael and Amy Southard of Cleveland closed on the home at 1005 S. Siwanoy St. on June 28, according to Hillsborough County property records. <\p>
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