Corporate Report: June 6

MarineMax starts selling Ocean Alexander Yachts
Clearwater-based MarineMax, the nation's largest recreational boat and yacht retailer, has become the new dealer for Ocean Alexander Yachts from Texas to the East Coast.

“The brand has been increasingly recognized by the American buyer as one of the preferred yachts of choice among those looking for a traditional luxury yacht,” William McGill Jr., chairman, president and CEO of MarineMax, says in a press release. “The quality, craftsmanship, engineering, and design are very appealing and the broad range of yachts allows our customers to stay in the MarineMax family as they grow their boating lifestyle.”

Gurley & Associates adds shareholder, changes name to Gurley Vitale
Sarasota commercial litigation, construction and surety law firm Gurley & Associates announced that J. Ben Vitale has become a shareholder of the firm, and the firm will now be known as Gurley Vitale.

“We are making this change in order to recognize Ben's contribution to the success of the firm's clients,” said David Gurley, founder of Gurley Vitale. “Our clients will benefit from Ben's expanded role in the management and oversight of the wide range of legal services we offer.”

Gurley Vitale will continue to represent clients in the retail, construction, insurance and development industries.

Priority Marketing's Avow TV spots win international awards
Priority Marketing of Fort Myers has received three international AVA awards from the Association of Marketing & Communications Professionals for its creative work on the Avow television campaign. Three commercials received recognition in the international competition, which garnered more than 2,100 entries.

Produced in conjunction with members of Avow, the winning television spots featured a family testimonial and two reenactments that highlighted Avow services, which include end-of-life care to those living with a life-threatening illness and support to the family and friends who care for them.

ThreatTrack Security hires Benedetti as vice president of Worldwide Sales
Clearwater's ThreatTrack Security has appointed Gary Benedetti as its vice president of worldwide sales. Benedetti has more than a decade of experience leading global sales operations for security vendors, including with Fidelis, Epok and e-Security.

Before stepping into his roles with security companies, Benedetti managed regional and U.S. sales for Netscape and AOL, respectively. He also served as vice president of worldwide sales for Fidelis Security Systems, where he helped government, military, and commercial enterprise customers with cyber-security.

He will be based in the company's Washington, D.C., office and will report directly to company President and CEO Julian Waits Sr.

Infusion Brands, As Seen on TV receive financing from Mallitz Investment
Infusion Brands International Inc. and As Seen On TV Inc. announced the closing of a debt-financing transaction with Mallitz Investment Group LLC.

The transaction followed the merger of the two companies earlier in May. It included an initial investment of $7.4 million generating net proceeds of $6.07 million following related costs and escrow requirements. The companies also received an additional $2.93 million in financing toward the end of April.

“Completion of this transaction provides us with the necessary capital and financial flexibility to execute on our growth strategy, which includes increased product offerings and enhanced market penetration in the hardware, home goods, and health and wellness categories,” Bob DeCecco, former CEO of Infusion Brands International Inc., and new chairman and CEO of As Seen On TV Inc., says in a press release.

Knight Marketing wins national ad award
Knight Marketing, a Sarasota-based strategic marketing firm specializing in health care services and products, recently won a gold award and was ranked on the “best of show” list in the 29th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards competition. Selected from among some 4,000 entries, it won for a multimedia consumer advertising campaign produced for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.

The Healthcare Advertising Awards, sponsored by HMR Publications Group, is the oldest and largest health care advertising awards competition in the country. VITAS has hospice-care programs in 17 states and the District of Columbia.

Real estate attorney Sheppard gains equity in Tampa's Smolker, Bartlett
Shannon Sheppard has been promoted to an equity shareholder at Smolker, Bartlett, Schlosser, Loeb & Hinds OA a Tampa law firm focused on real estate and property rights. Since 2004, Sheppard has concentrated her practice in the area of commercial real estate transactions.

Prior to joining her current firm, Sheppard practiced at the international law firm King & Spalding LLP and worked in-house for the real estate investment trust Post Properties.

Adams and Reese attorney Flowers named partner in charge for St. Pete
Adams and Reese attorney Richmond “Rick” Flowers was elected partner in charge of the firm's St. Petersburg office. The firm has 16 partners in charge, one for each of its offices across the southern United States and Washington, D.C.

Flowers has been practicing law since 1998, focusing his practice in both civil litigation and transactional work with an emphasis on real estate. He was a previous recipient of the St. Petersburg Association of Legal Support Specialists “Boss of the Year” award.

Adams and Reese is a multidisciplinary law firm with more than 340 attorneys and advisers in 16 offices throughout the southern United States and Washington, D.C.

C1 Bank opens branch in downtown Sarasota
C1 Bank has opened a new banking center at 1519 Main St. in Downtown Sarasota. This marks C1 Bank's 28th location, and first in Sarasota County.
“It has been a goal of C1 Bank to open in Sarasota County, and we are proud to become a part of this vibrant community,” bank CEO Trevor Burgess says in a press release.