CEO Predictions 2012

“We would expect an increase in sales of 10% to 15%.”
—Phil Wood, president, John R. Wood Realtors, Naples

“At Panther International, over the last couple of years, we have been refining our products, enhancing our customer service capabilities, and better positioning ourselves to support our government clients manage grants in a time of drastically reduced resources. We predict that this will come to fruition in 2012 with a huge 50% growth in our number of state clients.”
—Chase Stockon, president and CEO, Panther International LLC, Clearwater. The firm specializes in grant management and Web applications.

“Hire a minimum of two more associates and expand and increase our business both nationally and internationally by $2 million.”
—C.J. Fishman, president, Fishman & Associates Inc., Venice. Company designs commercial kitchens.

“For a private developer to come into Sarasota and buy the old Quay site, work with the city and receive some special taxing benefits. Then work with the Van Wezel, maybe the Opera or the Player's Theatre, and the West Coast symphony to create a bold Arts District with cooperation from the city that has a mixed use element to include shopping, dining, hotels, and maybe a convention center!”
— Mary Forristall, President, Forristall Enterprises Inc., Palmetto.

“We have been in business for 40 years and I am hoping that we break every monthly revenue record that we have. And I truly believe that it will happen!”
— Angela Rodocker, general manager, Silver Surf and BridgeWalk, Anna Maria Island.

“We'll be making a major push into the Sarasota-Bradenton area, so we'll see some growth from that.”
—Steve Marino, founder, president and chairman of the board, Home-Tech, Fort Myers

“The presidential election will be a major boost to the economy. My economic stimulus is change in Washington, D.C.”
— Jerald Wallace, founder and president, J.L. Wallace Inc., Fort Myers

“2012 will be the 'always on, always connected' year. A whole new generation of mobility products, including voice-activated, Internet-connected cars and appliances, will make it a memorable year in technology. As smartphones and laptops continue to get more powerful and less expensive and the presence of tablets continues to increase, Tech Data will
continue to aggressively focus on all things mobile as an important driver of our growth around the world.”
—Bob Dutkowsky, CEO, Tech Data, Clearwater

“For 2012, our goal is 40 new members, including 20 in Pinellas County and 18 female and ethnic.”
— Geoff Dyer, chair-elect, CEO Council of Tampa, founder, Lifestyle Family Fitness, St. Petersburg

“We achieve $3 million in revenues (20% growth), see 100 people respond to our 'Good News' pamphlet, and that we would impact one single mother or widow per quarter with home improvement.”
— Dean Burnside, president, Macy's Termite & Pest Control, Venice.

“2012 will be challenging, but if you have the right product that people want, you'll be successful.”
— E.L. Fox Jr., president, Fox Electronics, Fort Myers

“This is a brilliant time and an opportunity to expand into a new market — a bold and exciting venture for 2012. And with our reach into a market further south, we will increase our personnel.”
— Susanne Wise, owner and executive administrator, Take Care Home Health Care, Sarasota.

“My expectations right now are fairly optimistic. We're going to be up 25% from where we were in 2010.”
— Ted Bill, president, Pelican Wire Co., Naples