Corporate Report: April 19

Vykin Corp. awarded first contract to assist with military data network
Tampa-based Vykin Corp. has been awarded a multi-year $48 million contract by the Defense Information Systems Agency Multinational Information Sharing Program Management Office. This award marks Vykin's first prime contract win.

“The selection of Vykin to carry out this important work along with our strategic partners, SRA International and Trace Systems, is a validation of years of internal development and industry partnering,” CEO Ed Bachl, says in a press release.

Vykin is responsible for assisting in the development, implementation and maintenance of the military data network known as the Multinational Information Sharing Combined Enterprise Regional Information eXchange System (CENTRIXS). Vykin will work to help various locations connect and maintain CENTRIXS.

Vykin is a veteran-owned small business specializing in operational intelligence and information technology solutions within the defense and federal market spaces.

Tampa Downtown Partnership offers grant for storefront, upgrades
The Tampa Downtown Partnership started a new matching grant program to support storefront improvement projects and sidewalk cafes. Downtown retailers and restaurants can take advantage of the grant to freshen up and enhance their street-level presence.

The grant is a 50% match, with a maximum of $2,500 per storefront for storefront facade improvements, awnings, signage and the creation or improvement of a sidewalk cafe. A $25,000 total budget of Tampa Downtown Special Service District Funds has been allocated for 2013.

“The new grant is a catalyst for further investment at street level,” Rick Davis, Downtown SSD Committee chairman, says in a press release.

Evolucia starts Pacific subsidiary to sell in Australia, New Zealand
Sarasota-based Evolucia Inc. has created Evolucia LDU Pty Limited, a wholly owned Australian subsidiary. It will focus on selling roadway lighting in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Region.

The new organization will be headquartered in Hobart, Tasmania. Lucas Jacometti will serve as general manager of Evolucia LDU Pty Limited and report to Carol Gutierrez, Evolucia's vice president of global strategies. Initially the new organization will focus on selling to the public sector. Evolucia also plans to develop a network of exclusive and semi-exclusive distributorships and representatives.

“Both Australia and New Zealand are looking at carbon emissions caps and have taken actions to ban inefficient light sources,” Gutierrez says in a press release.

Evolucia LDU Pty Limited will control the supply chain, she says, with Chinese manufacturing efficiencies and Taiwanese quality control.

The new company is part of a global growth initiative for Evolucia following a recent announcement of a joint venture agreement in Poland to create Evolucia Europe. As part of that deal Evolucia is expected to receive an $11 million licensing fee and retains 51% ownership of the European entity.

WRScompass promotes Santello to CEO
Tampa-based environmental-remediation, geotechnical and civil construction firm WRScompass has promoted Richard Santello to CEO and appointed him to the company's board. In addition, F. Philip Handy has been named chairman of the board.

Santello joined WRScompass as president in 2009. In 2011, he was named chief operating officer. Recently, Santello completed a two-year repositioning of the company.

Santello has nearly 28 years of experience in the environmental arena with strong operations experience. His educational background is in chemical engineering.

Private investor buys Clearwater's Ion Labs
A private investor Clayton Desjardine has purchased Clearwater-based Ion Labs Inc. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 1983, Ion Labs provides private label and contract manufacturing and packaging of nutritional supplements.

Desjardine, who is now Ion Labs' CEO, has since grown the firm's staff from 25 to 50.

Odessa-based Acquisitions Unlimited President Jan Fowle worked with St. Petersburg-based Aberdeen Advisors to facilitate the transaction.

“We worked with the buyer for a number of months before locating the right target acquisition,” Fowler says in a press release. “The buyer's plan was to grow the business by making capital improvements and adding more up-to-date and efficient equipment.”

Terraces at Bonita Springs president appointed to Continuing Care Council
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Troy Hart, president of The Terraces at Bonita Springs, to serve on the Continuing Care Advisory Council. Hart succeeds James Emerson on the council, and his term will last through Sept. 30, 2014.

In 2007, Hart joined SantaFe HealthCare, and has served as president of SantaFe Senior Living since 2009. In addition to The Terraces at Bonita Springs opening later this year, SantaFe Senior Living operates a continuing care retirement community in Gainesville and Cutler Bay in the Miami area.

The board advises the governor's office on continuing care retirement communities operations and regulations and, upon request, assists with corrective actions for providers.

SantaFe Senior Living is part of Gainesville-based SantaFe HealthCare, a nonprofit family of companies that includes AvMed Health Plans and Haven Hospice.