Corporate report

Horizon Council recognizes companies, Edison bank founder
The Horizon Council honored a number of Lee County companies and leaders for their role in improving the local business environment at the 2014 Industry Appreciation Week awards ceremony.

LeeSar, the 380-employee health care supply chain management company, received the award for general business — large company. Custom jewelry designer Mark Loren Designs, which has 13 employees and two galleries, was recognized with the award for general business — small company. Fusion Metalworks received the manufacturing award. The 390-person Enterprise Holdings, which rents under the brands Alamo, National and Enterprise Rent-A-Car was honored with the tourism award.

CenturyLink received the information technology award and Hertz Global Holdings Inc. received the newcomer award.

Finally, Robbie Roepstorff, the founder and president of Edison National Bank, received the lifetime achievement award.

The Horizon Council is a public-private board established in 1991 to advise the Lee County Board of Commissioners on economic development issues.

Kirk Pinkerton attorney admitted to Supreme Court bar
F. Gant McCloud, an estate planning attorney and shareholder with the Sarasota-based law firm of Kirk Pinkerton PA was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Attorney Carter Phillips of Sidley Austin LLP, who has argued more cases before the Supreme Court than any other attorney currently in private practice, made the motion for McCloud's admission. Chief Justice John Roberts granted the motion.

McCloud's legal practice focuses on estate planning, taxation, probate and trust administration.

Amscot Financial opens Coral Gables branch
Tampa-based Amscot Financial has opened a new branch location in Coral Gables. This brings the number of Amscot branches to 235. The new branch is located at 3980 S.W. Eighth St., Coral Gables.
Founded in 1989, Amscot Financial employs more than 1,600 people and is in 20 Florida counties.

SeaQuatic Aquariums builds tank for Embry Riddle university
Sarasota-based acrylic aquarium manufacturer SeaQuatic Aquariums constructed a 4,000-gallon, 120-liter tank for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Tampa. The Embry Riddle Aeronautical University aquarium is a hydrodynamic tank used for research testing. SeaQuatic Aquariums delivered the tank to its location at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in four sections due to its length, and the fiberglass was then bonded together. SeaQuatic Aquariums also handled the onsite installation of the viewing platform.

Weber Manufacturing and Supplies adds new multifunction Lynx machine
Nokomis-based Weber Manufacturing and Supplies Inc. has installed a Doosan Lynx 220LMSA, a specialty lathe machine with milling capabilities. The specialty machine is designed to allow the company to mill, drill and tap without having to switch machines.

“The ability to complete more operations on a single machine eliminates the cost of an additional set up, and it improves delivery times for our customers, while improving our already high quality...,” Weber Manufacturing President Sam Prost says in a press release. “In our lineup of over 40 machines, we have a couple that can perform multiple operations, but none on parts of this size or at this incredibly high speed.”

Symphoni Media, NOVA 535 buy I Love DTSP
Symphoni Media and NOVA 535 purchased I Love DTSP, a website and social media community that focuses on businesses, events and things to do in Downtown St. Petersburg, for $25,0000.

“As a native of St. Pete and downtown business owner myself, I jumped at the opportunity to own the original downtown St. Pete centric brand and online community, I Love DTSP,” Michael Novilla, founder of NOVA 535, says in a press release. “Funny enough, [I Love DTSP] was created back in 2008 by my longtime pal Brendan McDowell. I'm proud to be involved and vow to continue to grow and improve the I Love DTSP brand ...”

I Love DTSP, which currently reaches more than 60,000 people via its social media platforms, was formerly owned by the National Geographic Doomsday Prepper Brent Bruns II, who is no longer involved with the company.

Symphoni Media is a St. Petersburg-based digital and creative design agency. NOVA 535 is a private event venue.