Corporate Report: Feb. 14

Critical Care & Veterinary Specialists changes name to CriticalVetCare
Critical Care & Veterinary Specialists of Sarasota (CCVSS) is changing its name to CriticalVetCare. The company says the new name will better reflect its growing services in the Sarasota and Manatee area.

“The name change reflects CriticalVetCare's evolution into a comprehensive veterinary diagnostic center from our roots as a veterinary neurology and neurosurgery practice in 2002 to the opening of CCVSS, a 24-hour emergency care center offering multispecialty care, in 2010,” Dr. Anne Chauvet, the veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon who founded the veterinary diagnostic center, says in a press release.

The Sarasota-based clinic houses a full lab, ultrasound, endoscope, digital radiology, and a number of unique veterinary devices for the area, including a hyperbaric chamber, in-house MRI, and minimally invasive procedures like tracheal stenting, laparoscopy and arthroscopy.

Quala enters Canada with ProKleen purchase
Tampa-based Quala has acquired ProKleen, Canada's only full-service commercial-food tank wash facility. The facility also specializes in chemical tank cleaning and ISO tank container depot services.

“The purchase of ProKleen is a strong strategic move for us at this time as we continue to expand our North American footprint,” Mike Bauer, CEO Quala, says in a press release. “Acquiring ProKleen with a strong reputation and solid customer base is consistent with our growth strategy moving into 2014. As we expand, we want to maximize our service offerings to existing customers by strategically moving into new markets with new and enhanced services.”

Quala is North America's largest independent provider of tank trailer cleaning, ISO-container depot services and IBC cleaning, testing and reconditioning services.

Plastic surgeons Holcomb, Kreithen merge Sarasota medical practices
Two Sarasota-area plastic surgeons have combined their practices. Dr. David Holcomb and Dr. Joshua Kreithen have merged Holcomb Facial Plastic Surgery with Lakewood Ranch Plastic Surgery & Skin Care to create Holcomb - Kreithen Plastic Surgery and Med Spa.

The merger will combine Holcomb's facial plastic surgery with Dr. Kreithen's breast and body plastic surgery services.

The new practice, which will encompass the entire 6,500-square-foot eighth floor of Kane Plaza in downtown Sarasota, will employ more than 22 people. The suite includes a private surgery suite with two operating rooms and separate pre-op and recovery areas. Holcomb - Kreithen Plastic Surgery and Med Spa plans to spend $500,000 on renovations to the property to accommodate the joint practice.

BlueGrace Logistics grows franchisees 62% year over year
Riverview-based freight and shipping services franchisor BlueGrace Logistics reports it grew its franchise footprint by 62% last year. Another 40 new franchises are scheduled to open this year. In addition, it reports that the company's revenue grew by 20% in 2013 over the prior year.
BlueGrace Logistics launched its franchise program in early 2011.

Specialty Products & Marketing changes name, relocates headquarters
Bradenton-based marketing company Specialty Products & Marketing Inc. has changed its name to Xplor Inc. and moved offices. Anju Lynn, the company's president, says the name change was done as part of a larger refinement of the company's services. Xplor plans to focus on incentive, travel and promotional marketing.
The 4-year-old company is relocating its corporate headquarters to a stand-alone building in downtown Bradenton at 2620 Manatee Ave. W., Suite E., Bradenton.

“We are excited about these changes, which also include new corporate headquarters, a dynamic team of individuals and a new brand,” Lynn says in a press release.

Paradise Advertising, Digital, Entertainment wins 20 gold Adrian Awards
St. Petersburg-based Paradise Advertising, Digital & Entertainment is scheduled to receive 40 more medals, including 20 gold, at the Adrian Awards, the global “Oscars” of the travel and hospitality industry in New York City. The annual awards, to be presented Feb. 24 at the New York City Marriott Marquis, highlight the best in creativity from worldwide travel and hospitality brands and top global advertising and public relations agencies.

Thousands of entries from more than 35 countries are evaluated by a panel of more than 200 international judges under the guidance of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International.

“The soul of Paradise has always been about growing our client's brands through game-changing strategic and creative thinking,” Cedar Hames, CEO and chief strategy officer, says in a press release. “This is a tribute to our talented team and forward-thinking marketing partners, who are leading the way in the digital, mobile and social media age.”

The marketing agency will receive first place awards for Best Television, Best Web Videos, Best Web Series, Best Website, Best Outdoor Campaign, Best Transit Campaign, Best Magazine Campaign, Best Loyalty Campaign, Best Public Relations Television Feature and Best Complete Integrated Advertising Campaign.
A year ago, Paradise won 18 Adrian Awards, including Best of Show.

WellCare hires national health plan president, former Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota CEO
WellCare Health Plans Inc. has hired Kenneth Burdick as the company's president for national health plans. Burdick will be responsible for all of the company's health plans and product lines. He will also be a member of WellCare's senior management team and will report to Dave Gallitano, chairman of the board and CEO.

In 2010, Burdick joined Coventry Health Care as CEO of the Medicaid Division and CEO of MHNet, a behavioral health business unit. Most recently, he was president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Prior to that he spent 14 years as an executive with UnitedHealth Group. Early in his career at UnitedHealth, he was senior vice president for national underwriting and CEO of the central Texas business. He was later named CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Arizona, a position he held for three years. He then served as president for UnitedHealthcare's Public Sector and was CEO of the company's southwest region. Burdick was named CEO of UnitedHealthcare Group's commercial business for two years before being named CEO of Secure Horizons.

“Ken's significant leadership experience in managed health care will be a great asset to WellCare as the company expands and grows,” Gallitano says in a press release. “His success leading both commercial and public sector businesses, as well as his regional and national management experience, will enable him to be a strong and strategic leader driving our performance and profitability across the country.”

SoftServe hires former BMC Software exec for infrastructure, systems VP
Fort Myers-based SoftServe Inc. has hired Brian Borack as its senior vice president and vertical practice leader for infrastructure and systems. Borack will be based in the Austin, Texas, office, which opened in October.

Prior to SoftServe, Borack was with BMC Software, where he managed operations for one of the company's largest divisions and spearheaded the introduction of BMC outsourcing to Ukraine. He previously held positions at Enterasys Networks, Austin Ventures, Fannie Mae and Accenture. In addition, he also co-founded an Austin-based infrastructure software startup.

“We are pleased to strengthen our senior management team with such a value-oriented and avid business leader,” Alan Harlan, CEO of SoftServe, says in a press release. “With our global growth and vertical strategy, Brian will be instrumental in helping us deliver proactive and effective solutions to our clients within the infrastructure and systems industry.”

Fintech adds 800 customers in January, 407 from Circle K, Winn-Dixie
Fintech, a Tampa-based electronic data and payment company for the alcohol industry, announced more than 800 new locations were added to its system in January. The expansion was largely driven by deals with Circle K Midwest and Winn-Dixie.

A corporate and franchise customer, Circle K Midwest added 280 locations to its 1,020 stores already using the Fintech system. Circle K Midwest and RDK Ventures have been using Fintech for data and payments since 2007.

Grocer Winn-Dixie has been working directly with Fintech to pay alcohol invoices electronically since 2001. Its recent acquisition of 127 Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid's supermarket stores from the Delhaize Group will increase the total number of Winn-Dixie stores operating on the Fintech system to more than 900.

In addition, Fintech also added 26 new distributors in January. It now has more than 2,200 distributor customers in the United States.

Evolucia receives patent for LED Aimed Optics
Sarasota-based Evolucia Inc. has been awarded a patent for its Aimed Optics light-emitting diode (LED) lighting design.

Patent No. 8,635,049 was awarded for a light unit with light output pattern synthesized from multiple light sources.

“We don't need to redirect the light path with optics, which creates inefficiencies,” Evolucia CEO and Chairman Mel Interiano says in a press release. “We aim the LEDs exactly where we want the light to shine, which uses less energy to create more light — a key point recognized in the patent.”

Burger 21 restaurant franchise signs eight franchise agreements in 2013
Burger 21 announced it reached deals for eight new franchise agreements to develop 14 restaurant units.

The Tampa-based burger-restaurant concept opened five restaurants most recently in Ashburn, Va.; Fort Myers; Charlotte, N.C.; and Atlanta. The brand also signed two agreements to develop its first franchise units in the Phoenix metro area, — marking the company's entry into the West. New agreements were also signed for Albany, N.Y.; Cranberry Township, Pa.; and Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Pembroke Pines.

The first Burger 21 location in South Florida is scheduled to open in February in Davie.

“We're pleased to report our first increase in same-store sales and average unit volume, which will further position the brand as an attractive business model for single- and multi-unit operators,” Mark Johnston, Burger 21 president and chief concept officer, says in a press release. “To build on last year's momentum, we plan to open 10 new units across five states in 2014 and will continue to focus on creating an exceptional dining experience for our guests.”

Burger 21 has a total of 11 open restaurants and another 18 in development in six states.