Corporate Report

Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest names new managing partner
Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest & Cross PLLC has appointed Brian Cross Esq. managing partner of the Naples-based law firm. Cross has been the head of litigation for the firm, which was formerly known as Goede, Adamczyk & DeBoest, since 2011. He focuses on business, construction, real estate and general commercial litigation.

“[Cross'] work as the head of our litigation department has been outstanding, and we couldn't be happier that he is becoming a named partner in the firm as we continue to grow...,” John Goede, co-founder and shareholder of Goede, Adamczyk, DeBoest, & Cross, says in a press release.

Tampa investment firms backing Social Quant startup
Tampa-based private merchant bank Atlantic Merchant Capital Investors has made a lead investment in Social Quant LLC. Fleur De Lis Partners, a private investment partnership, controlled by Atlantic Merchant Capital Investors, joined it in the investment.

The companies declined to comment on the size of investment.

Social Quant is a Tampa-based social media optimization startup, formed by Dr. Morten Middelfart, which focuses primarily on using data analytics to increase the size and quality of Twitter followers. Middelfart is best known for designing Targit, an artificial intelligence software that uses data-analysis for business decisions.

“We think the company's IT engine can be expanded for uses with other social media tools,” Allan Martin, CEO of Atlantic, says in a press release. “We think the value of his [intellectual property] is substantial already, but over time we think this can become an extraordinarily valuable IP asset.”

As part of the financing agreement, Martin, Doug Licker and Allen Brinkman of Atlantic Merchant Capital Investors joined the Social Quant board.

Middelfart says the investment will allow Social Quant to grow its offerings. In addition, he says, by pairing with Atlantic, the company gained access to a wealth of experience in growing companies.

“We didn't just want a business transaction with access to capital,” he says. “We wanted access to this brain trust with the ability to handle extreme growth and stimulate it.”
Founded in 2009, Atlantic Merchant Capital Investors invests in middle-market companies throughout the United States. Its primary focus is financial services firms with an emphasis on insurance and banking.

Social Quant was created in October 2014.

Naples financial adviser on Barron's top 100 list
Thomas Moran, founder and managing member of Moran Edwards Asset Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, has been named to Barron's annual list of America's Top 100 financial advisers. The ranking grades advisers based on the volume of assets overseen, revenues generated for the firm and quality of the practice.

Moran Edwards Asset Management Group, formerly known as Moran Asset Management Group, handled more than $2 billion in client assets as of Dec. 31.

Arrow Environmental Services merges with 4Ever Green
Spring Hill-based 4Ever Green Inc. has joined Arrow Environmental Services. The deal will expand Arrow's lawn and ornamental services in the Tampa Bay area and add more than $150,000 in annual revenues.

4Ever Green is Arrow's sixth merger since December and its 57th since 2010, continuing the firm's focus on growing in west and central Florida.

Arrow Environmental Services is one of three brands operating under Sarasota-based Environmental Pest Service.

Fishman & Associates expanding to Tucson
Fishman & Associates Inc., a Venice-based commercial equipment design and sales company, has opened a new operation in Tucson, Ariz. The expansion allows the company to service existing and new clients throughout the West Coast as it currently does in the Eastern and Central United States.

In September, the company will celebrate its 30th year in business.