Corporate Report: Dec. 13

Briggs & Stratton names Sarlo Mowers its leading Florida dealer for sales
Fort Myers-based Sarlo Power Mowers Inc. was named Florida's leading dealer by Briggs & Stratton Corp. based on Sarlo Power Mower's 2013 sales volume of the SnapperPro and Ferris brands of commercial, zero-turn mowers.

The Sarlo family operates three retail stores throughout Southwest Florida and sells a variety of commercial and residential brands of lawn equipment and tools. It also has manufactured its own line of lawn mowers since 1935.

Chico's FAS board increases quarterly dividend
The board of directors for Fort Myers-based Chico's FAS Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 7.5 cents per share of common stock, an increase of 2 cents over the third quarter 2013 dividend rate.

The dividend is payable on Dec. 23 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 9.

Since 2010, the company's dividend per share has nearly doubled, from a low of 4 cents per quarter to the current 7.5 cents.

Crest Manufacturing debuts auto dealerships website
Clearwater-based Crest Manufacturing is looking to target automotive dealerships. The company, which custom-designs and creates desks, furniture and accessories, has launched a new website, autodealershipfurniture.com, focused on attracting automotive dealerships looking to furnish their car showrooms and automotive facilities.

Business law firm changes name to Kelley Kronenberg
The business law firm of Kelley Kronenberg Gilmartin Fichtel Wander Bamdas Eskalyo and Dunbrack PA has legally changed its name to Kelley Kronenberg PA.

“We are still the same firm, offering the same quality legal services to the business community,” CEO and firm-wide managing partner Michael Fichtel says in a press release. “But since everyone already knew us as Kelley Kronenberg PA, we decided to change our corporate name to keep our brand and messaging consistent, especially as we continue to expand the firm.”

Kelley Kronenberg has offices in Tampa, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Miami Lakes, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, the Panhandle, Houston and Chicago.

Cross Insurance Surety expanding, opening Lutz office
Cross Insurance, a subsidiary of Cross Financial Corp., has opened a fourth office for its surety bond division, Cross Surety Inc., in Lutz. Douglas Scribner will lead the new office.

Scribner, who has been named head of Southeast Surety Operations, will be responsible for handling the bonding and risk management needs for Florida businesses.

“With Florida poised to become the third-largest state in the nation, we feel there's room in this marketplace for a strong player to duplicate Cross Surety's successful Northeast business model in the Southeast,” Michelle Orlando, president of Cross Surety Inc., says in a press release. “Doug's knowledge of the surety industry in Florida makes him the perfect choice to lead our new office.”

Scribner has worked in Florida's surety industry for the past 24 years. Prior to joining Cross Insurance, Scribner served as an account executive and officer for Travelers Casualty and Surety's Construction Surety Division in Tampa. He also previously worked for The ProSure Group, Aon Risk Services and Amwest Surety.

Cross Surety has offices in Dalton, Mass.; Lewiston, Maine; and New York City.

Valpak using YaSabe deal for expansion into Miami
Valpak is looking to leverage its partnership with YaSabe.com to help it enter the Miami market. Earlier this year, the Largo-based coupon distribution company partnered with YaSabe, a top provider of local information to Hispanics in the United States. Now, Valpak is looking to bring on a franchisee to deliver the couponing business to the South Florida market.

Along with business experience, franchisees need a minimum liquidity of $75,000, and a minimum net worth of $150,000.

First National Bankers Bank exec joining HomeBancorp board
Tampa-based HomeBancorp Inc. has appointed Charlie Brinkley Jr. to its board of directors. Brinkley is currently Florida Market Executive for First National Bankers Bank. He is a past president of the Florida Bankers Association, and past member of the Government Relations Council of the American Bankers Association, the Florida Bankers Association BancServe Board and BankPac Board.

HomeBancorp has nineteen offices and assets of more than $700 million.