- October 13, 2024
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OneTouch to hire 700
OneTouch Direct, a Tampa-based telecommunications support firm, has announced plans to keep its corporate headquarters in the region and hire 700 employees in the next two years.
Workforce Florida, the statewide work force policy board, provided a grant to assist in training the new employees, who will increase OneTouch's employment base from 1,300 to 2,000.
OneTouch also plans to expand its Sligh Avenue headquarters and call center base from 28,000 to 53,000 square feet.
Masonite acquires another
Masonite Corp. acquired Birchwood Best, a Wisconsin-based plywood and door accessory producer with $40 million in 2010 revenues. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The Tampa-headquartered door manufacturer will absorb 240 employees from Birchwood. Additionally, Cody Wickersheim, the company's vice president, will join Masonite to help integrate Birchwood's operations into its new parent's system.
Earlier this year Masonite acquired Marshfield Door Systems Inc., another Wisconsin-based door manufacturer.
Masonite, which grew 12.3% in revenues in the third quarter of this year compared with 2010, also acquired Michigan-based Lifetime Doors Inc. late last year.
CompCare names president
Comprehensive Care Corporation, a Tampa-headquartered healthcare firm, recently selected Robert R. Kulbick as its new president, according to a release from the company.
Kulbick, the former president of South Carolina-based ProCare Rx, has three decades of experience as an entrepreneur and senior executive. This includes positions as chief marketing officer for Cypress Care Inc., a Georgia-based workers' compensation management firm, and president and CEO of Crawford Integrated Services.
The position has been vacant for more than a year.
Entrepreneur pleads guilty
Onetime Sarasota resident Derick Coles admitted to federal charges that he swindled British families in a scam that offered quick passage to America.
Coles, through his firm, Sarasota-based New Horizons Group, offered at least 10 British couples the chance to live in Florida through an accelerated visa application process. But authorities allege Coles instead stole the money, up to $4 million, and never came thorough with the visa promises.
Coles pleaded guilty to a charge of wire fraud. He agreed to pay back at least $530,000 to some victims, and he also faces up to 20 years in prison.
Audit finds errors
An audit of purchasing practices at Sarasota County revealed more problems in how some county employees pay for services and keep records.
Two audits conducted earlier this year also criticized some of the county's procurement practices. At least 10 employees, including resigned County Administrator Jim Ley, have lost their jobs since the scandal was revealed in March.
The office of Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court Karen Rushing prepared the audit, which probed fiscal year 2009-2010. County commissioners were expected to review the latest audit at a Nov. 8 meeting.
Market continues rebound
Single-family housing starts in the Sarasota-Bradenton market had their best quarter in three years, according to a new report from research firm Metrostudy.
The region, which includes North Port, had 562 single-family starts in the third quarter, up 6.4% over the 2010 third quarter. It was also the best period since the 2008 third quarter, when there were 567 new home starts. Plus, the annual starts total for 2011 is now 1,813 homes, up 3.3% over the same time last year.
“We believe that by the end of 2011, building activity will be up when compared to 2010,” says Tony Polito, director of Metrostudy's Sarasota/Bradenton region.
HMA negotiates joint venture
Integris Health is negotiating with Naples-based Health Management Associates to operate five Oklahoma hospitals in a joint venture.
Combined, the five hospitals generated about $95 million in revenues over the last year. HMA was selected from a group of multiple bidders and the deal could be completed early next year.
Naples-based HMA operates 66 hospitals with about 10,400 beds in non-urban communities throughout the country.
Integris is Oklahoma's largest health system and operates hospitals, clinics, assisted-living facilities and home-health agencies throughout the state.
Aubuchon, Goss in race
Two more candidates announced their intentions to run for the seat that will be vacated by U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, who is running for the U.S. Senate.
State Rep. Gary Aubuchon of Cape Coral and Chauncey Goss, son of former Congressman and former Central Intelligence Agency Director Porter Goss, both announced they plan to run. Both are Republicans.
Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall and Naples attorney Joe Davidow have also announced they will run.
Blue chip winner
Parson Masonry of Fort Myers won the Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award, an annual prize awarded to business owners who have overcome adversity.
Owner Jay Parson was selected from 21 applicants for the award, which was presented to him at a gathering of nearly 500 people Nov. 3 in Fort Myers.
Born to a poor family with 13 children, Parson overcame poverty, alcoholism and other health problems to build his masonry company. Parson Masonry now has sales of $650,000 annually.
The other finalists were Naples Maid Service, Pies and Plates in Punta Gorda, the Pita Pit franchise in Fort Myers and Naples and Suncoast One Title in Punta Gorda.
