Corporate Report: August 2

Two Tampa aviation professionals receive Silk Scarf awards
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) awarded one of its top honors - The NBAA Silk Scarf Award - to two Tampa aviation professionals, Daniel Slapo from ExecuJet Charter Service and Vic Slater from Bloomin Brands'. Only four Silk Scarf Awards have been awarded throughout the country so far this year. The association uses the award to recognize aviators who have made special contributions to the business aviation community during their careers.

Slater and Slapo were recognized by the NBAA for creating and managing the Tampa Bay Aviation Association. Until a few years ago, there were no professional aviation groups in the Tampa Bay area. Slater, Slapo and a few friends started the new organization and with help from the NBAA.

Vic Slater, who is the director of flight operations for Bloomin' Brands is the president of the TBAA. Daniel Slapo is a flight coordinator at ExecuJet Charter Service and serves as the TBAA's treasurer/secretary.

Seven Seas Water adds director with Latin American experience
Tampa-based Seven Seas Water has appointed Lazard senior adviser Brian O'Neill to its board of directors in a move it says shows its commitment to become a leader in Latin America's desalination market.

O'Neill joined Lazard, a global financial advisory and asset management firm, in 2009 as vice chairman. Prior to Lazard, he was the deputy assistant secretary of the western hemisphere for the U.S. Treasury. That came after a a 30-year career with J.P. Morgan Chase, where he held several leadership positions, including chairman of investment banking for Latin America and Canada.

Doug Brown, Seven Seas' chairman, says the board elected O'Neill because of his experience working with governments, global corporations, and financial institutions.

“The combination of Brian's financial expertise and intimate knowledge of Latin America provides a strong complement to our board,” Brown says in a press release.

Markham Norton Mosteller Wright partner recognized by Florida Institute of CPAs
Karen Mosteller, a partner in the Fort Myers-based CPA firm Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co. PA, has received the Florida Institute of CPAs Women to Watch - Experienced Leadership Award. The award, which is given in conjunction with the American Institute of CPAs, recognizes outstanding women who are shaping the Florida Institute of CPAs and the certified public accounting profession.

As Seen On TV targeting inventors for new crowd-funding site
Clearwater-based As Seen On TV Inc. is partnering with crowd-funding software company Launcht Inc. to create a community finance platform for inventors.

The new website will allow inventors to make their pitch for funding, and give consumers early access to new products. Inventors will upload video, images, design specifications and marketing strategies. Consumers can then review and comment on the inventor's ideas and pre-purchase the invention.

Inventions that are successful through the As Seen on TV crowd-funding platform will also be sold through various distribution channels, including AsSeenOnTV.com.

“We're giving the public access into the early stages of the invention process that until now has only happened behind closed doors,” Kevin Harrington, chairman and founder of As Seen On TV, says in a press release. “And for inventors, it's a smarter way to find out if there's a market for your product— you use crowd-funding pre-sales to gather feedback and determine worthiness.”

The As Seen On TV crowd-funding platform will launch later this summer. For more information visit crowdfunding.astvinc.com.

HSN celebrating 36th birthday with sweepstakes and more
In July, St. Petersburg multichannel retailer HSN will celebrate the company's 36th birthday. The “Party of the Year” will include special events, new premieres, promotional deals and a sweepstakes giveaway.

HSN has partnered with Toyota to give away four 2013 Toyota RAV4's in the monthlong sweepstakes. Each week, customers are eligible to sign up via the HSN Arcade gaming portal at HSN.com and one winner will be announced on HSN every Saturday night at 8 p.m.

Serena Williams, Nikki Poulos, IMAN, Vern Yip, Samantha Brown Curtis Stone, Joy Mangano, Diane Gilman and Heidi Daus are all scheduled to participate in the birthday event.

In addition, colorful culinary tools brand Joseph Joseph and fashion designer Betsey Johnson will debut their products on HSN on July 2 and 22, respectively.

San Francisco entrepreneur signs Valpak franchise agreement
Largo-based Valpak reached a franchise agreement with Dermot Gilmartin to acquire the San Francisco franchise. Gilmartin assumed The Blue Envelope distribution in June and is mailing out to residents in San Francisco County.

Gilmartin has more than two decades of experience in small business ownership. He was born and raised in San Francisco and has lived in the city for most of his professional career.