Corporate Report: Jan. 17

Burger franchise Burger 21 opens first Fort Myers restaurant
Tampa-based burger restaurant franchise Burger 21 has opened its first restaurant in the Fort Myers market. The new restaurant, owned and operated by Sulei Hessami, is located in the Gulf Coast Town Center at 9902 Gulf Coast Main St., D150.

The brand also recently signed its second franchise agreement for the Sarasota market. Melting Pot franchisees Barry Berkowitz and Brian Marshall have agreed to develop a second Burger 21 location in Sarasota. Berkowitz and Marshall's first unit in the Sarasota market is scheduled to open this year.

This agreement brings the number of new units signed in 2013 to 14. Currently, Burger 21 has 10 restaurants open and 18 franchised locations in development across the U.S.

'Tween Waters Inn Island Resort, Spa hires former Hyatt Place GM
The 'Tween Waters Inn Island Resort & Spa has hired John Lai as general manager. Lai will oversee operations at the historic resort on Captiva Island, as well as all food and beverage, banquet and marina operations.

Lai was previously general manager at the Hyatt Place in Fort Myers. He also formerly managed Sanibel Sunset Beach Resort, Sundial Beach Resort, Pointe Estero Beach Resort, Sandpearl in Clearwater Beach and the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa.

Former General Manager Jeff Shuff will remain on property, acting as chief financial officer of Rochester Resorts, parent company to multiple Sanibel and Captiva properties.

Prudential owner Mitchell named chairman of Pasco EDC
Dewey Mitchell, owner of Prudential Tropical Real Estate and Prudential Commercial Real Estate FL, has been named chairman of the board of the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

The Pasco EDC's board of directors is responsible for governing the organization and for helping it follow its strategic plan.

Mitchell has served on the Pasco EDC board of directors and its policy council for several years. In addition, he serves on the board of trustees for BayCare Health Systems and Saint Leo University, and sits on the board of directors for Morton Plant Mease Hospital. He is a former chairman of the Tampa Bay Partnership, where he also served on its Transportation Committee.

“As a member of our policy council, Dewey has been an important part of developing the plans that will drive future growth in Pasco County,” John Hagen, president/CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., says in a press release. “We feel lucky to have him on board as our new chairman.”

Pasco EDC is a nonprofit organization that promotes economic development in Pasco County.

Garbett, Stiphany, Allen & Roza expanding with Tampa office
The Miami law firm of Garbett, Stiphany, Allen & Roza PA is expanding into Tampa. One of its partners, Elizabeth Dombovary, Esq., will operate from a suite in the SunTrust Tower on Jackson Street in Tampa.

Dombovary represents financial institutions on financial legal issues including: foreclosures lenders' liability, letters of credit, documentary collections, check kiting, and altered and counterfeit checks.

“We are very excited about our expansion to the West Coast of Florida,” David Garbett, a partner with Garbett, Stiphany, Allen & Roza, says in a press release. “Tampa is a growing market, and we are looking forward to serving our current clients' needs in the Tampa area as well as growing to serve the needs of future clients.”

WellCare Health Plans completes Windsor Health Group purchase
Tampa-based WellCare Health Plans Inc. has completed the acquisition of Windsor Health Group Inc. of Atlanta.

“Windsor is an excellent fit with WellCare's Medicare and broader government health care programs strategy,” Dave Gallitano, WellCare's chairman of the board and CEO, says in a press release. “Windsor grows our Medicare Advantage business with 192 new counties in four states; provides entry into the Medicare supplement insurance business; and strengthens our prescription drug plan segment with new products and membership in 13 states.”

WellCare Health Plans Inc. provides managed-care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, such as Medicaid and/or Medicare.