Corporate Report

Corporate Report

by Sean Roth | Real Estate Editor

AT&T eyes Florida for fiber-optic services rollout

AT&T Inc. has announced plans to invest about $750 million over the next several years in fiber network upgrades, further broadband deployment and Internet-based technologies to bring new services, including IP-based television, to Florida. The new commitment stemmed from the recent passage of the Consumer Choice Act, which allows companies to get a cable franchise on the state level rather than at the county level.

"We look forward to bringing Florida consumers not only choice and competition, but also advanced video, voice and Internet service technology," Marshall Criser, president of AT&T Florida, said in a press release.

No information on the timing or location of the roll out was released.

HT Systems, Fujitsu Computer

create palm-scanning device

Fujitsu Computer Products of America Inc., a computer products supplier, and HT Systems, a Tampa-based healthcare technology company, have partnered to create a patient-identification management product called PatientSecure.

PatientSecure incorporates the Fujitsu PalmSecure biometric authentication sensor that uses near-infrared light to capture the vein pattern in a patient's palm, using that image to protect that persons medical records.

The new device is designed to prevent identity theft and insurance fraud while streamlining patient-care record keeping.

"By implementing PatientSecure, hospitals realize an immediate increase in staff efficiency and patient satisfaction," David Wiener, vice president, sales and marketing, HT Systems, said in a press release. "Registration and re-admittance times for patients are reduced five- to ten-fold. In addition, because the patient's biometric information is married to the patient's medical record, you can be certain that the right medical care is given to the right person."

PatientSecure is already deployed at Carolinas HealthCare System, a 19-hospital health system, which required creating what Joel Hagberg, vice president, marketing and business development for Fujitsu Computer Products, calls the largest user base of any biometrically powered patient registration solution in North America.

HT Systems is a healthcare technology company focused on time saving solutions for healthcare facility.

Port Charlotte therapy company

purchased by Aegis Therapies

Fort Smith, Ark.-based Aegis Therapies has acquired Gulf Coast Therapy Associates Inc. of Port Charlotte. Aegis is one of the country's largest contract rehabilitation therapy providers, serving more than 1,000 long-term care facilities, hospitals and other locations in 38 states and the District of Columbia. Gulf Coast Therapy Associates provides outpatient occupational therapy services and specializes in hand therapy.

"Becoming part of Aegis Therapies will give us the opportunity to expand our reach beyond the Port Charlotte area into other parts of Florida," Terri Benock, program director for Gulf Coast Therapy Associates, said in a press release. "We've built a solid reputation in our community, and we look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence as we grow with Aegis."

Patients in Port Charlotte will also gain access to Aegis's dementia, fall-prevention, balance and fitness and wellness programs.

None of the terms of the purchase are being released.

Moffitt Cancer Center

moves to Microsoft's Azyxxi

Tampa's H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute has selected Azyxxi, a Microsoft Corp. unified health enterprise platform, for its personalized cancer treatment programs.

Azyxxi will be used to assimilate large quantities of data, including electrocardiograms, magnetic resonance imaging scans, dynamic angiograms, ultrasound images and, ultimately, genomic information. This will provide a visual gateway for instant access to the information, allowing researchers to make and test hypotheses within minutes instead of months.

"After searching for two years, we selected Azyxxi because we believe it provides the healthcare and research context that other products in the marketplace just don't offer," Ed Martinez, chief information officer at Moffitt, said in a press release. "As a product developed by physicians, Azyxxi works the way clinicians and researchers work. It provides rapid results with minimum clicks, and allows for specific queries to help analyze and visualize data."

Azyxxi is expected to help Moffitt with data mining for its treatment programs.

Moffitt Cancer Center is the only Florida-based cancer center with the NCI designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center for its research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 15 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto Rico.

Gerdau Ameristeel

completes Chaparral purchase

Tampa-based Gerdau Ameristeel Corp. has completed its acquisition of Chaparral Steel Co., effectively broadening Gerdau Ameristeel's product portfolio and range of structural steel products.

Chaparral's shareholders approved the merger at a special shareholder meeting on Sept.12. Gerdau Ameristeel had originally announced plans for the deal with the second largest producer of structural steel products in North America July 10.

Chaparral operates two mini-mills, one in Midlothian, Texas, and the other located in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, and employs about 1,400 people.

"Today is a defining moment in the history of our company," Mario Longhi, president and CEO, Gerdau Ameristeel, said in a press release. "This solidifies our position as one of the major steel producers in our region with a major market position in structural steel products in addition to rebar and merchant bar products. We are excited to offer our customers the broadest range of long steel products in the mini-mill sector."

The Chaparral Steel acquisition is being financed, in part by a $1.15-million bridge loan and a $2.75-million term loan. ABN AMRO Bank N.V., HSBC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. arraigned the financing. Gerdau S.A. and certain of its Brazilian affiliates have guaranteed the obligations of the borrowers under both credit facilities.

Gerdau Ameristeel is the second largest mini-mill steel producer in North America. Gerdau Ameristeel is 67% owned by Gerdau S.A.

Azteca America of SW Florida

added to local DIRECTV

Azteca America of SW Florida (WTPH-14) has been added to DIRECTV's local channel package lineup in Southwest Florida.

DIRECTV customers in Southwest Florida who subscribe to the local channel package will now be able to watch all of Azteca America's Spanish-language programming, such as Mexican professional first division soccer, movies, newscasts, novelas and more.

In addition to national programming, DIRECTV customers will be able to view WTPH-14 local programming, which includes D'Latinos al Dîa. Local programming will be expanding in the future, according to Orlando Rosales, a partner in Azteca America of Southwest Florida and Naples-based Media Vista Multimedia Corp. chairman.

Media Vista Multimedia Corp. is the parent company of D'Latinos al Dîa, the only daily live Spanish language TV show in Southwest Florida. The show currently reaches 91,000 Hispanic households, on Comcast Cable.

TV Azteca is the second-largest producer of Spanish-language programming in the world.

Etc...

First Advantage Corp.

promotes Macdonald

First Advantage Corp., a St. Petersburg-based global risk mitigation and business solutions provider, has promoted Andrew Macdonald to senior vice president of corporate development. Macdonald will be principally responsible for directing and managing the company's strategic acquisition plans and partnerships. He will report directly to President and CEO Anand Nallathambi.

"Going forward, strategic acquisitions and partnerships will be areas of heightened corporate focus," Nallathambi said in a press release. "Andy has been instrumental in both accelerating the growth of the Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment and directing many of our previous acquisitions. We are leveraging his talents by giving him responsibility for this key initiative."

Under Macdonald's leadership, the Investigative and Litigation Support Services grew its revenue from $34.6 million in 2005 to $59.2 million in 2006, while operating margins increased from 6.1% in 2005 to 19.3% in the first half of 2007.

Macdonald joined First Advantage in 2002 through the acquisition of Employee Health Programs, where he was president and CEO.

Sarasota Realtor Web site

wins international award

Sarasota real estate broker John Allen's website buysarasota.com took home the coveted award of Best Real Estate Agency Website at the International Property Awards. The International Property Awards are considered by many to be the "Oscars" of the real estate industry.

The presentation at London's Grosvenor Square was attended by 350 representatives from 57 countries from around the globe.

Re-launched in late 2006, BuySarasota.com features information on hundreds of Sarasota neighborhoods and condos. The site also has a custom Internet Data Exchange system that allows users to easily search and view photos and virtual tours of all listings in the Sarasota MLS. The comprehensive site also features satellite mapping technology, school information, mortgages and affordability calculators and a real estate blog.

The site was also one of the first real estate websites in the competition to provide a mobile device friendly platform.

Allen is broker of Sarasota-based Allen Real Estate Services.

Rib City adds

Michigan franchise

Fort Myers-based restaurant franchise Rib City has opened its 11th franchise location with a new store in Flint, Mich. This is the first Rib City franchise to be opened in Michigan; the store is located at 4150 Miller Road, west of Interstate-75.

"We are pleased with the recent expansion of the Rib City brand throughout the United States," Craig Peden, president, said in a press release. "This is our third new location to open this year and with each opening we are able to bring the Rib City style of barbecue to more and more people."

Founded in Florida in 1989, there are currently 13 Rib City's in the state and 11 franchise locations throughout the United States, including restaurants in Washington, Utah, Colorado, Michigan and Ohio.

Unlimited Priorities

co-marketing with Basch

Cape Coral's Unlimited Priorities Corp. and Basch Subscriptions Inc., a subscription management services company, are partnering in an effort to better market their firms' products. The two firms plans to market many of the other companies products and services to their respective clients. Unlimited Priorities provides executive level support services in sales, marketing, finance, operations, production, IT and training.

Sarasota's MoneyShow.com

highlighting InterShow conferences

MoneyShow.com, a Sarasota-based multimedia investment education Web site for investors, traders, and financial advisors, has added a Best of Show section featuring highlights from the recent Money Show in Washington, D.C.

Best of Show on MoneyShow.com includes text articles organized into sections such as: Stocks to Buy and Sell, Tips from 5 Pros: How to Make Money Now, Investment Ideas, Wall Street Experts' Strategies, MoneyTalk - Investors Speak Out!, In the Spotlight, and Highlights from Expert Advisors' Panels.

"The Best of Show is a comprehensive page that gives MoneyShow.com members who were unable to attend an opportunity to quickly get an overview of the most educational sessions and most profitable advice that emerged from The Money Show in Washington D.C.," MoneyShow.com Market Commentator Nancy Zambell said in a press release.

A new edition of Best of Show will also be released after each InterShow conference.