Corporate report

TAMPA BAY
Water taxi service launches in Tampa
Yacht Starship Dining Cruises plans to launch a fleet of pirate-themed water taxis in Tampa Feb. 27.

Founder Troy Manthey has had visions of a Tampa water taxi since he founded Yacht Starship Dining Cruises in 2001. He knew the need would increase as the waterfront evolved, according to a statement.

The cruises will make more than 14 stops along the Riverwalk, Channel District and Davis Islands and will have concessions, restrooms and historical narration, the statement adds.
The fleet consists of three ships named after Manthey's children: Captain Jack, Pirate Pat and L'atitude Lindsey.

SARASOTA-MANATEE
Engineers add senior project manager
Jones Edmunds and Associates Inc., a statewide engineering and environmental sciences consulting firm, appointed John Banks Jr. to senior project manager of the firm's Sarasota office.

Banks has more than 32 years local government and consulting experience in environmental engineering according to a statement. He will lead the solid waste and utilities engineering project efforts at Jones Edmunds, which has seven Florida locations.

Banks previously served as assistant wastewater division manager with the Manatee County Public Utilities Department, the statement says. He also served as manager of Manatee County's Solid Waste Division.

CHARLOTTE-LEE-COLLIER
Real estate firms join forces
Campbell & Prebish LLC, a real estate firm that specializes in Port Royal, Aqualane, Olde Naples and beachfront properties, has joined William Raveis Real Estate, a Naples-based luxury real estate firm, according to a statement.

The association, effective Feb. 12, includes the assignment of Campbell & Prebish's affiliation with Christie's International Real Estate, the statement says.

The two companies first considered merging three years ago, but the relationship between Campbell & Prebish and William Raveis dates back eight years, according to Chairman and CEO Bill Raveis. “At the end of the day, it distills down to the facts that we share a common culture and philosophy,” Raveis says in the statement. “They are brilliant marketers — world-class really — and their attention to detail, ethics and professionalism are second to none.”

William Raveis is a marketing and technology-driven real estate firm with more than 4,200 employees. Following the merger, Tom Campbell and Richard Prebish will work out of the newest William Raveis office, at 792 Broad Ave. S., Naples.