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PAIDORLANDO, FLPERMIT #1405

High ImpactA strategic partnership makes Central Florida

more attractive to digital media companies.

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Executive Publisher JACOB V. STUART

Publisher ROBERT RECKER

Associate Publisher MICHAEL HINN

Editor JACK ROTH

Contributing Writers JOSE DAVID ALVAREZLEE BOWMANPAUL DEPALMAMIMI HULL, PH.D.JEFFREY B. JONESMIKE KETCHUMMARIA LEGARDAHOLDEN LEWISSTEVE MARTINCATHERINE MCGUINNESSTYSON R. SMITHTRACEY VELTJEANNETTE M. WAGES

Contributing Editors TRACEY VELTCONNIE SUE WHITE

Creative Director MIKE FORISTALL

Art Director BARBARA GEORGOUDIOU

Production Artist TRICIA HEATH

Production Manager NICK GEORGOUDIOU

Production Coordinators JEN MCGRATHKAREN RAY

Photographers RICHARD AGUILARJACK ROTH

Sales & Marketing Director JACKIE CANDELARIA

Advertising Director MONIQUE RENE

Advisory Board SHELLEY LAUTENCYNDI MATZICKRUTH MUSTIANVILMA QUINTANAKRISTINE VORPAGEL SHIELDSLISA WINKELBAUER

FirstMonday is published monthly and prepared by the OrlandoRegional Chamber of Commerce and Knight Images. All copyrightprivileges are reserved by the publisher. Any reproduction in wholeor in part without express written consent is strictly prohibited. FirstMonday welcomes articles, story ideas and feedback. However,neither the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce nor KnightImages assumes responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, negatives or transparencies.

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BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

Choice of Entity 8In what form you decide to do business can make a big difference in the long run.

LEADERSHIP & EDUCATION

Children First 23Local organization raises money andawareness for the plight of foster children.

TOURISM, TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

On the Right Track 28Proposed commuter rail project may make getting around Central Florida easier.

CULTURE & TRENDS

Trend Focus 36Health care costs, security and use oftechnology top list of trends to watch.

MEMBERSHIP

New Members 38

DEPARTMENTSUpfront ....................................................................4Calendar ................................................................21Member Opportunities ........................................39

COVER STORY

Orlando Plays the Game 18How a city can save a business.

CONTENTSAUGUST 2004

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Image courtesy EA Games

UPFRONT

Building New Alliances,Making New Friends

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Our first Puerto Rico Business &Community Exchange was a huge success!

A delegation of our region’s business and civic leaders, led by Orange CountyChairman Richard T. Crotty and OrlandoMayor Buddy Dyer, participated as specialguests of the Puerto Rico Chamber ofCommerce during its 91st AnnualConvention, “Joining Forces for the Futureof Business,” celebrated at Wyndham ElConquistador Resort & Spa in Las Croabas,Puerto Rico, June 24-27, 2004.

At the Convention and BusinessExpo, the largest of its kind on the Island, participants were able to connectwith corporate and government leaders, discuss strategic alliances, and explorebusiness, franchising and career opportu-nities at the Procurement Fair celebratedwith the United States Hispanic Chamberof Commerce and the Puerto Rico ExportsDevelopment Corporation.

The Gubernatorial Candidates Forum and presentations on Tourism and Economic Development providedunique insight on the Island’s politicaland cultural affairs, economic data and potential business alliances. During theGala Banquet, a special CommunityPartnership with the Orlando RegionalChamber of Commerce, in alliance withthe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ofMetro Orlando, was announced.

As a result, several individuals and companies have contacted the Metro Orlando Economic DevelopmentCommission in order to discuss businessopportunities in Central Florida. TheHispanic Business Initiative Fund ofGreater Orlando, Inc., has already committed its resources to serve as conduit for Puerto Rican entrepreneurs to enter our market.

We were able to establish relation-ships and make face-to-face contacts with key leaders such as Secretary of State José Izquierdo Encarnación, MiltonSegarra, Department of EconomicDevelopment & Commerce; AntonioFaria, Government Development Bank;Dr. Hiram Ramírez, Puerto Rico IndustrialDevelopment Company; and Luis TorresLlompart, United States HispanicChamber of Commerce.

For the Puerto Rico Chamber ofCommerce, founded in 1913 (the same yearthe Orlando Regional Chamber was incor-porated), this invitation represents anotherstep in fulfilling its mission of “promotingthe strengthening of private enterprise andthe integration among economic sectors tostimulate sustainable socioeconomicgrowth and a better quality of life.”

As Héctor Mayol, President of thePuerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, said, “To combine the resources of theChambers, in a coordinated fashion, is thebest way to maximize opportunities forthe members of both institutions and ourrelated communities. By doing so, we caneffectively exchange information to ourmembers, promoting the opening of newchannels for economic activity and pros-perity in Central Florida and Puerto Rico.”

The ties between the Commonwealthof Puerto Rico and Central Florida arestrong and growing. With a population of 3.9 million, Puerto Rico is the eastern-most of the Greater Antilles and thefourth largest island in the Caribbean.Approximately one third of the people on the Island, which is 110 miles long by39 miles wide, live within the limits of the capital city of San Juan.

Puerto Ricans have been American citizens since 1917. In 1952, Puerto Ricoratified its Constitution, which estab-lished the Commonwealth of PuertoRico, a political status placing Puerto Ricowithin the United States constitutionalsystem. It provides for a governor andbicameral legislature that is subject toelections every four years.

According to the Puerto Rico FederalAffairs Administration Office, our region is the fastest-growing Puerto Rican community of any major metropolitanarea in the United States. The Orlando

metropolitan region ranks as the fifth-largest destination area for Hispanics in thecountry, with Hispanics making up 17 per-cent of the population and Puerto Ricansaccounting for 56 percent of Hispanics.

Statistics revealed by Puerto Rico’sDepartment of Economic Developmentand Commerce show that Florida isPuerto Rico’s number one trading partner,ranking as the largest consumer of Puerto Rico’s exports, and the numberone destination of all of Florida’s exports,with Puerto Ricans consuming more than $3.9 billion annually.

Most importantly, almost 400,000Puerto Ricans have made Central Floridatheir home.

That’s why it’s so important that weforge ahead, building new relationshipsand creating new alliances — especiallywith companies and entrepreneurs fromthe Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Leonardo Cordero, Jr., President-Electof the Puerto Rico Chamber, is looking forward to being our host next year, whenwe will plan to take more than 100 regionalleaders to the 2005 Convention. He is plan-ning on becoming an active participant inour 2005 Hispanic Summit, scheduled forMarch 3-5, 2005. The summit will serve asa forum for government, business andcivic leaders to exchange information andfacilitate understanding regarding thegrowing strength and size of the HispanicCommunity in the Central Florida region.

Jacob V. StuartPresident

Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce

Members of our delegation from left: Dr. Nina Frazier, President, African American Chamber of Commerce ofCentral Florida; Orange County Chairman Richard Crotty; Carmenza González, Vice President, InternationalBusiness Development, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission; Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer; Dr. Sylvia Cáceres, Regional Director, Central Florida/Southern States, Puerto Rico Federal AffairsAdministration; and Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jacob Stuart.

Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jacob Stuart with Dr. PedroRoselló, former governor of Puerto Rico and current candidate for governorwith the New Progressive Party.

According to the Puerto RicoFederal Affairs AdministrationOffice, our region is the fastest-growing Puerto Rican community of any major metropolitan area in theUnited States.

Orange County Chairman Richard Crotty; Millie Irizarry, Chairperson, HispanicChamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando; and Héctor Mayol, President, PuertoRico Chamber of Commerce during a special presentation at the Gala Banquet.

THIS JUST IN

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The most recent Regional LeadershipForum, held June 22 at the RenaissanceOrlando Resort at SeaWorld, was bothinformative and inspiring. The theme of the forum was “Mapping Out CentralFlorida’s Technology Landscape,” a fittingone for a region with such an enormoushigh tech potential.

As a region known for travel andentertainment, Central Florida is recog-nized as the world’s 14th largest economywith a strong high tech industry of 4,600

companies and 85,000 employees, whichputs it at the forefront of innovation.

This latest Chamber-sponsored forum was designed to inform attendeesabout the latest efforts being made to produce, foster and nourish a world-classtechnology-based economy that contin-ues to leverage the region’s strong tourismindustry. Central Florida’s technologycommunity was the focus of conversa-tion, as topics included the convergenceof digital media, current and future

technology workforce needs, and theimportant research being conductedalong the High Tech Corridor and at the University of Central Florida Office of Research.

John Byrne, the nationally recog-nized, cutting-edge Editor-in-Chief of Fast Company, was the luncheon speaker.A well-respected journalist and author, he was most recently a senior writer at Business Week in New York. He is the author of 57 cover stories at the magazine and eight books on business,leadership and management. Fast

Company has the distinction of being the fastest growing business magazineever and has earned a pair of NationalMagazine Awards.

Byrne acknowledged Orlando as a “fast community” in the realm of technology development. “You havedeveloped the critical mass, ” he said.“Now you need to tell the story.”

The Regional Board of Advisors, along with the Central FloridaTechnology Partnership — University of Central Florida Office of Research;Florida High Tech Corridor Council;Metro Orlando Economic DevelopmentCommission; and the Orlando RegionalChamber of Commerce — engaged in a very productive forum as the regionshifts to a new knowledgeable economyfor Florida’s technology growth.

Regional Leadership ForumCommunity leaders map out Central Florida’s technology landscape.

The economics of college footballhas become complicated. In fact, collegefootball has turned into a serious busi-ness. Universities with major football programs, and especially those that win, generate revenue that can be usedto enhance the college experience inmany ways.

In the case of UCF, the possibility ofincreasing athletic revenue as a result ofsuccessful campaigns by Coach GeorgeO’Leary could equate into blue skiesahead for both the University and theCentral Florida region.

Here’s how the cycle of good fortune works: A good team means more fans, better home games, more television income, possible Bowl revenue,and more interest in the University as a whole. More money means better athletics facilities, bringing better recruits,

more wins (a more desirable product),and greater fan interest.

It’s the fan interest that has the kindof impact both universities and communi-ties desire. Traveling football fans generatetrade by supporting the developmentand continuance of industries in the area(hotels, restaurants, sports apparel, etc.). The economy of college athletics,

therefore, serves a community by draw-ing buyers to its region and industries.

As more potential students areexposed to UCF’s name brand andopportunities, the demand to attendthe school will increase. Demand alsodrives up the quality of student thatUCF can attract, making its graduatesmore attractive to businesses. Byincreasing its reputation of placing students in good jobs, demand for aneducation at UCF increases further — a cycle that began partly with increasedrevenue from football.

So as college football seasonapproaches, make an effort to supportthe UCF Golden Knights. Your supportcan have a positive ripple effectthroughout the entire community.

First and TenHow better days ahead for UCF football could mean good things for the university.By Robert Recker, Publisher, FirstMonday

For more on upcoming RegionalLeadership Forums, contact Lisa Winkelbauerat 407-835-2448. For more on the benefits of Regional Board of Advisors membership,contact Robert Recker at 407-835-2512

Universities with major football programs, and especially those that win,generate revenue that canbe used to enhance the college experience in many ways.

Central Florida’s technology community was the focus of conversation at the latest Regional Leadership Forum.

As a region known for traveland entertainment, CentralFlorida is recognized as theworld’s 14th largest economywith a strong high tech indus-try of 4,600 companies and85,000 employees, which putsit at the forefront of innovation.

THE LATEST NEWS AND INFORMATION TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS GROW.BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

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In a market dominated by large power-houses in the home construction industry,Orlando-based Park Square Homes is cele-brating its 20th anniversary this year asone of Central Florida’s most successfulproduction- and resort-home builders.

The company, which remains locallyowned and operated with 150 employeesand ranks consistently among Buildermagazine’s top 120 home builders nationwide, saw a 104 percent increase in sales last year and commands a 25 percent share of the resort-home marketin the Orlando area.

“We’re very pleased to be celebratingtwo decades of business in the CentralFlorida area and have worked hard to builda solid reputation for innovative homedesigns that deliver quality and customfeatures at affordable prices,” says SteveO’Dowd, President of Park Square Homes.“The popularity of our resort-home com-munities — Terra Verde Resort, EmeraldIsland Resort and Southern Dunes Golfand Country Club in Central Florida —underscores this reputation and puts us on course for continued success.”

In 2003, Park Square Homes’ net salesmore than doubled to $285.7 millionover the previous year of $140 million.

Desirable floor plans, luxurious features, and old-world craftsmanship

and quality have not only fueled sales butlocal, regional and national recognitionfor Park Square Homes. In addition to itsnational standing from Builder magazine,the company has garnered 15 Parade ofHomes awards, including a Grand Awardfor Production Builder, and was namedone of the “Fast Track Five”in the OrlandoBusiness Journal’s Golden 100.

This year, Park Square has alreadyreceived awards for its design studio andmarketing from the National Associationof Home Builders. “Despite these awards and accolades, our philosophy continuesto be to create places that make peoplefeel welcome and give them a true feelingof home,”says O’Dowd.

The Chamber ConnectionAs a community builder, Park Square

Homes is an important part of what makes

Central Florida a vibrant, growing region.Anil Deshpande, CEO of Park SquareHomes, is well aware of how important“connecting” with the community is to any business, and he has joined theOrlando Regional Chamber of Commercein order to make this connection.

“Being a part of the Orlando RegionalChamber of Commerce fits perfectly with Park Square Homes because, like the Chamber, we want to see good things happen for our community,”says Deshpande, a graduate of LeadershipOrlando Class 17. “We know that can onlyhappen through connectivity and caring.”

And good things continue to happenas sales continue to increase. Park Square

Homes plans to add several new communities to its Central Florida roster, including a new resort communityin 2004 and at least one more in 2005.Plans also call for four more residentialcommunities in 2005, including a newcommunity at the prestigious Lake Nona.

Orlando is known as The CityBeautiful, and Park Square Homes hasplayed a big part in making that a reality.With roots as a developer founded inOrlando in 1984, the company has constructed thousands of homes in thelast 20 years in Orange, Osceola, andSeminole counties.

The company is considered a pioneerand innovator in Florida’s resort homemarket with the inclusion of amenitieslike themed clubhouses, pools, spas,saunas, exercise rooms, cafes, gamerooms, and concierge services in many of its resort communities.

“We build quality homes, we hireexceptional people and we bring millionsof dollars in from across the globe to stim-ulate the local economy,”says Deshpande.“We’re more than just homebuilders,we’re community builders, and beingaffiliated with the Chamber really helpsto make that happen.”

Making “The City Beautiful” BeautifulChamber Member celebrates 20 years of success and growth.

Park Square Homes is recognized for desirable floor plans, luxurious features and quality craftsmanship.

For more information, call 407-529-3000or visit www.parksquarehomes.com.

“We build quality homes, wehire exceptional people andwe bring millions of dollars in from across the globe tostimulate the local economy.”

— Anil Deshpande, CEOPark Square Homes

Feedback Gone BadHow information overload can backfire from a performance perspective.By Paul DePalma, President and Founder, BusinessWorks Inc.

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“When performance is measured, perform-ance improves. When performance is measured and reported back, the rate ofimprovement accelerates.”

— Thomas Monson

Monson’s words have been a powerfulmotivator for organizations for manyyears. Extensive research supports the concept that feedback improves performance. But recently, we’ve observedthat many organizations may be goingoverboard with the quantity, use andmanagement of information.

Just because we can measure some-thing doesn’t mean we should. A prettygraph or chart doesn’t necessarily provideus the information we need to make decisions, plan for the future, or motivateindividuals to take the proper action toimprove results. Organizations fill theircomputers with measurements of allkinds. Companies seem to be obsessedwith tracking, using excel spreadsheets,graphs, indexes, resolution times,throughput percentages, and on and on.

Although feedback is critical to orga-nizational performance, it can be uselessunless it has a clear and specific purpose.

■ When was the last time you thought aboutthose charts, graphs and reports and askedyourself if they really had any value?

■ Is the report you’re reading providing youwith the information you need to improveresults?

■ Is it providing your people with criticalfeedback so they can make adjustments?

■ If not, why are you using that report?

Next time you review your reports,consider the following characteristics tosee if they are useful to you:

1. Is the feedback specific? Vague feed-back provides information that is difficultto use to take action. Target something thatindividuals can understand.

2. Is the feedback timely? When feedbackis given too infrequently, the gap between thedesired objective and the current situationcan be a major problem; too frequently and

employees spend more time on the measure-ment than the work being measured. Theright amount of feedback provides valuableinformation in time to allow for adjustments.

3. Do employees really use it? Have youasked your employees if they understandthe information they’re reviewing? Or arethey gathering it only to produce reportsrequested by management? Question theunderlying assumption, “We’ve alwaysdone it that way.”

4. Does it help employees understandand eventually modify their per-formance on a daily, weekly ormonthly basis? Measurement shouldmotivate individuals to do better in the areathat’s being measured. Make sure that whatyou are measuring supports the real goals of the organization.

Any athlete will tell you that feedbackis essential to improving performance.Any dietician can tell you that it can beeither a motivator or the opposite. Toomuch feedback increases confusion andfrustration and has little value. Think of

the hours to be saved by simplifying oreven eliminating unnecessary feedbackand measurement.

Simplifying these functions can savetime in gathering data and producingreports, but more importantly it shouldincrease efficiency by generating theimportant results you’re really looking for.

Since 1992, BusinessWorks has helpedboth for-profit and not-for-profit organiza-tions optimize human dynamics for improved business performance. The company usesproven organization development methodolo-gies to help companies analyze and improvehow to produce results through the planneddevelopment and reinforcement of the organizations strategies and structures; systems and processes; and dynamics and culture.

For more, contact Paul DePalma at 407-660-5757 or via e-mail at paul@businessworks-inc.com. Access the BusinessWorks Inc. Web site atwww.businessworks-inc.com.

We affectionately remember him as“The Gipper,” but now Ronald Reaganis gone. His life and Presidency willbecome legend and leave a huge legacyto the grateful nation that mournedhim this summer. For many of uswhose lives spanned the last half of the20th century, he will be remembered,perhaps along with the late PresidentJohn F. Kennedy, as one of the two U.S.Presidents who most impacted our livesduring that period — although for verydifferent reasons.

As one who admired and was partic-ularly fond of President Reagan, I shallalways remember the wonderful, sunnydisposition of this decent man and hisunfailing optimism on the future ofAmerica and its people.

Often known as “The GreatCommunicator,” President Reagan had that unique ability to communi-cate in a way that Americans could easily understand his political

philosophy, which embodiedhis firm beliefs on makingAmerica safer and strongerboth militarily and economically. I cannot recall another time duringwhich I felt more safe andsecure in our dangerousworld or better about the futureof our country than during his presidency, which followed a period ofgreat national self-doubt and malaise.

I suspect the greatest legacy will behis singular role in the final defeat andfall of Communism, an event whichmay well be the most pivotal, definingmoment for the world during our lifetime. He courageously stepped forward to directly confront it as the“Evil Empire” and boldly called for the Berlin Wall to be torn down whilehe put into place policies ensuring that America could not be defeatedpolitically or militarily. In so doing,

President Reagan saw to itthat America was seen aroundthe world as that “ShiningCity on the Hill” he so eloquently spoke of during his Presidency.

Another important part of the Reagan Legacy is the“Reagan Revolution” that

rumbled into Washington like an earthquake upon his election in 1980. It was a refreshing new day in ournation’s capital as its political landscapewas transformed over the next eightyears. High, stifling taxes were loweredand costly, burdensome regulations created by faceless federal bureaucratswere lifted. Federal judges wereappointed to interpret, not make the law.

Although the “Reagan Revolution”had its detractors, there was no argument its result was a renewal, and unleashing, of the power of the

American free enterprise system. It wastruly morning in America once again.

There is yet another legacy he leavesus. It is one that is especially touching —the very special marriage bond and relationship Ronald and Nancy Reaganshared for over 50 years. This extraordi-nary partnership was revealed to us, especially as the gracious former first ladycared daily for her “Ronnie” before heinevitably succumbed to his decade-longbattle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

America’s leaders today, along with those who aspire to leadershippositions, would do well to draw important lessons from the life andlegacy of this extraordinary American.While his adversaries often underesti-mated him, Ronald Reagan knew whohe was, what he believed in and wherehe was leading us.

And for that, I believe he will betreated well by history.

Mike Ketchum

Remembering America’s “Gipper”By Mike Ketchum, Vice President of Public Policy, Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce

When starting a newbusiness, there are manydecisions that you will be faced with that couldhave a long-term effect on your operations andfinances. Perhaps one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make is your choice of entity,which can have significant tax and legal ramifications.

From a tax standpoint, thechoice of entity decision shouldinclude an evaluation of both theshort-term and long-term goals of the business owner, a review of projected revenue and potential taxable income of the business, thenature of the business (i.e. service,manufacturing, retail, etc.), possiblemulti-state and multi-national tax ramifications, and many other considerations.

The business owner should alsounderstand who is responsible forthe tax — the individual owner orthe entity itself.

A Variety of ChoicesThere are several primary entity

types including C corporations, S corporations, co-ownerships, general partnerships, limited part-nerships, limited liability companies,and limited liability partnerships.

In a C corporation, sharehold-ers elect directors and directorsappoint officers. Generally, there is no personal liability for debts ofthe entity. The corporation is taxedon operating income and sale ofassets. Shareholders may receiveincome via compensation, intereston indebtedness, and dividends.

Some advantages of a C corporation are potentially lower tax rates, liability protection, andavailability of multiple classes ofstock. Disadvantages include double taxation and allocation inflexibility.

An S corporation is set up as a C corporation in terms of state law,except that an election to be taxed as an S corporation is filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Thedifferences between a C and an S corporation are solely tax-related.The election to be taxed as an S

corporation allows theincome to flow throughto the owners and betaxed at the owner levelrather than the corporatelevel, thus reducing thepotential for double taxation.

Some drawbacks of an S corporation

include inflexibility in ownershipand in allocation of income compared to other flow throughentity choices, and exposure tobuilt-in gain taxes if the entity was previously a C corporation.

An S corporation is onlyallowed a single class of stock and is limited in type and number ofowners. S corporations should carefully monitor adherence to S corporation requirements toavoid inadvertent S corporation termination that can result inadverse tax consequences.

In a co-ownership there is noentity because each owner has anundivided interest in property.Owners can separately sell theirshare of the property causing partition of the property, and allowners have unlimited liability. Co-ownership is not available for an active trade or business.

There are various types of partnerships including but not limited to general partnerships,limited partnerships and limitedliability partnerships. In a generalpartnership, any partner can bindthe entity; there is joint and severalliability and flexibility in allocationof flow through items. Advantagesof a general partnership includetaxation at the owner level ratherthan the entity level (flow throughtaxation) and flexibility in types ofowners, capitalization, allocations,etc. Disadvantages of a general partnership include unlimited

liability and the potential for theincome to be subject to self-employ-ment tax.

In a limited partnership, there’sgenerally limited liability to thelimited partners. It’s typically controlled by a corporate generalpartner, and allocation flexibilityexists. Advantages of a limited partnership include flow through taxation and flexibility in types ofowners, capitalization, allocations,etc. Disadvantages of a limitedpartnership are that some “person” must have unlimited liability and at least two federal taxreturns are usually required, one forthe entity and one for the corporategeneral partner.

A limited liability partnership is ostensibly a general partnership.Partners are protected from vicari-ous liability for acts committed byother partners (limited to their owninvestment) — state law varies onthis. In some states, limited liabilitypartnerships are only permitted forprofessional service entities.

A limited liability company has many of the advantages of partnerships along with similarliability protection of corporations.Limited liability company advantages include the alternativeof being member-managed or non-owner manager-managed, the limited liability of members and the tremendous flexibility intypes of owners, capitalization andallocations. A potential disadvan-tage is that the flow through incomemay be subject to self-employmenttax; however, this could be mini-mized with proper planning.

These are just some of the basicentity types available. There aremany other forms of doing businesssuch as sole proprietors, trusts andnon-profit organizations. In orderto make the best decision for yourbusiness, it is recommended thatyou request a thorough evaluationby both your accountant and yourlegal counsel.

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BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

For more, contact Jeannette Wagesat 407-740-5400, or e-mail jwages@ms-lovelace.com.

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Choice of EntityIn what form you decide to do business can make a big difference in the long run.By Jeannette M. Wages, CPA, Shareholder, Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A.

Jeannette M. Wages

The business ownershould also understandwho is responsible for the tax — the individualowner or the entity itself.

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Hilb, Rogal and HamiltonCompany, the world’s 10th largestinsurance and risk managementintermediary, has a new name —Hilb Rogal & Hobbs (HRH). In addition, the company has a newlook, common mission and updated values that it will incorporate intovarious communities in which it has a presence.

“These changes reflect the spiritof growth and speak to the strengthof this organization,” says James B.Karl, President of HRH’s Orlandoand Gainesville offices. “They arealso reflective of our commitment tocontinually provide every clientaccess to all of the talents andresources of the entire organization.”

HRH was incorporated in 1982. The company’s SoutheastRegional office is located inOrlando. Its Southeast Region consists of Alabama, Georgia andFlorida. HRH currently has 44employees in Orlando (includingregional staff) and 29 employees in Gainesville.

HRH helps clients manage their risks in Property and Casualty,Employee Benefits, ProfessionalLiability, and other areas of special-ized exposure. In addition, HRHoffers a full range of personaland corporate financial productsand services. The company makes it its business to understand itsclients’ businesses, employees andrisks, as well as the insurance andfinancial markets, so that it can findthem the insurance companies andcoverages that best fit their needs.

HRH recently restated its values as:

■ Integrity — “An insurance relationship, more than any otherbusiness relationship, is built ontrust. Either you have it or you donot. Our clients and our insurancecompanies notice a difference whenthey deal with us.”

■ Accountability — “It’s a rarecompany that can make excellenceroutine. Our formula is simple:Performance beyond the required isour standard in all we do. We makethat commitment to our clients, ourinsurance companies and ourselves.”

■ Talent — “We believe in findingthe most talented people in our business and providing an environ-ment that allows them to do the bestwork of their careers.”

■ Passion — “Our clients feel it.From the first meeting, they knowwe have passion for their business,their welfare and their success.”

“Our mission is clear,” says Karl, “to become universally recog-nized as the leading provider of risk management strategies andinsurance solutions.”

Community OutreachIn addition to providing risk

management and insurance servic-es, HRH continues to be heavilyinvolved in community outreachprograms in an effort to enhancethe Central Florida region. One of these programs is Habitat forHumanity International (Habitat).

The HRH CharitableFoundation and the company’semployees have committed $1 million and an undetermined number of volunteer hours in 2003and 2004 to Habitat. In 2003, HRHsponsored seven locations in ornear cities in which HRH has amajor presence, and in which the need for durable, affordablehousing was prevalent. In 2004,HRH will be building one of these homes in Orlando.

Employees of HRH helped fulfillthe company’s commitment byworking at these and other Habitatsites located throughout the UnitedStates. These sites included Hartford,CT; Columbus, OH; Richmond, VA; Birmingham, AL; Dallas, TX; Oklahoma City, OK; andDenver, CO.

HRH’s pledge to sponsor and build houses demonstrates a

tremendous commitment to pro-vide safe and affordable homes tofamilies within their communities,”says Millard Fuller, Founder andPresident of Habitat for HumanityInternational. “Such a gift is anexample of Habitat’s model ofneighbors helping neighbors.”

HRH is dedicated to contribut-ing to the quality of life in the communities that it serves, makingeach one a better place becauseHRH is there. This commitment toboth quality of life and businessexcellence makes HRH a welcomemember of the Central Florida business community.

“As part of our new five-yearstrategic plan, HRH has adoptedHabitat as one of our core commitments,” says Martin L. Vaughn, III, Chairman and CEO. “This partnership gives our employees and our business partners more opportunities toenrich their communities on alocal level, while supporting thecompany’s national commitment.”

The company is a member of the Chamber’s Regional Board ofAdvisors. As part of its communityoutreach agenda, many HRH employees have attendedLeadership Orlando over the yearsand are doing so again in 2004.

Neighbors Helping NeighborsChamber Member announces new name and a renewed commitment to the community.

James B. Karl, President of HRH’s Orlandoand Gainsville offices, is committed to providing clients with the best risk management services.

This commitment to both quality of life andbusiness excellence makesHRH a welcome memberof the Central Florida business community.

For more information, contactJames B. Karl, CIC, at 407-926-2600

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

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For more, contact Tyson R. Smith at 1-888-792-0038.

New figures from the Society forHuman Resource Management (SHRM)indicate the economy may be poised for a new wave of hiring.

According to SHRM, the number ofjob openings in the HR sector — typicallyseen as a barometer for job opportunitiesacross the board — rose 30 percent in the first quarter of the year, as compared to the year previous. The 2004 numbershave increased 68 percent compared to 2002.

For the January 1 – March 31 period,SHRM posted 2,319 human resource jobads on its popular HR Careers section ofits Web site (SHRM.org), compared with1,780 ads for the same period the yearprevious, marking a net increase of 539jobs, or 30 percent. In 2002, SHRM posted1,380 job ads. The 2004 numbersincreased from 2002 by 939 jobs, reflect-ing a 68 percent increase.

In addition, a recent SHRM survey onhiring trends polled 353 human resourceprofessional and 44 percent said theiremployment head count increased in thefirst quarter. In a separate question, 385human resource professionals were sur-veyed, and 45 percent said they expecttheir employment head count to increasein the second quarter.

SHRM is the world’s largest associationdevoted to human resource management.Representing more than 185,000 individ-ual members, the Society’s mission is toserve the needs of HR professionals by providing the most essential and comprehensive resources available. As an influential voice, the Society’s mission

is also to advance the human resourceprofession to ensure that HR is recognizedas an essential partner in developing andexecuting organizational strategy.

On the RiseNumber of human resource job openings rises 30 percent in early 2004.From the Society for Human Resource Management

Portfolio DiversificationFixed income investments can add stability to your portfolio.By Tyson R. Smith, Vice President of Investments and Branch Office Manager, Robert W. Baird & Co.

Balance is just as important in yourportfolio as it is in riding a bike. For manyinvestors, fixed income investments can help achieve the desired balance by helping to reduce portfolio volatility and provide regular income.

Asset Allocation is Key

Fixed income investments, whichinclude bonds, are an important compo-nent in diversifying your portfolio to helpreduce investment risk since bond pricesand stock prices often move in oppositedirections and bonds provide income.How you allocate your portfolio amongstocks, bonds and cash will depend onyour individual circumstances and financial goals, as well as how much riskyou are willing to take.

As part of the financial planningprocess, you’ll want to work with yourfinancial advisor to develop an asset allocation plan customized to your needs.As your circumstances change over time,your financial advisor can work with youto adjust your asset allocation plan. Forexample, as you get closer to retirement, it may be important to increase your

fixed income allocation to helpreduce investment risk.

Broad SelectionAvailable

Investors can choose from a wide variety of taxable and tax-exempt fixed income instruments, including bondsissued by corporations, states,municipalities, FDIC-insuredbanks, federally sponsored agencies andU.S. Treasury securities. Maturities canrange from short to long.

Investors might select bonds for their portfolios for a number of reasons,including:

■ Reducing Risk — Bonds provide asteady income stream, known maturitydate and have historically been less volatilethan stocks.

■ Liquidity/Secondary Market —Holders of fixed income securities can sell their bonds in the secondary market. If bonds are sold prior to maturity, theinvestor receives the current market price,which may be more or less than their original cost, and may generate gains orlosses. (It is important to understand how

the direction of interest rates mightaffect the value of a fixed incomeinvestment. Bond prices fluctuatein response to changing interestrates. Prices increase when interestrates decline, and prices declinewhen interest rates rise.)

■ Steady Income — Bondstypically provide regular interest payments on specifieddates.

■ Rate of Income — Investors can selecta rate of income that suits their individualneeds. Percentage yields on bonds varydepending on their quality and changes in general interest rates.

■ Variety and Diversification —Literally thousands of bonds are availablefrom various issuers, with maturities asshort as one month or as long as 50 yearsor more.

■ Tax-Exempt Investing — Most municipal bonds are free of federal incometaxes and, in some cases, from state andlocal taxes, although some municipalbonds considered tax-exempt or tax-freemay still be subject to the AlternativeMinimum Tax.

A variety of mutual funds investing infixed income securities are also available.Mutual fund prospectuses are generallyavailable through your financial advisor.Always read the prospectus carefullybefore investing.

Review Allocations with Your Advisor

Bonds can be an important part ofany investment portfolio. While stockshistorically outperform fixed incomeinvestments over the long-term, there aretimes when bonds outperform equitieson a total-return basis.

If your portfolio doesn’t include fixed income investments, talk with your financial advisor to determine what role these securities should play in your portfolio. If your investments do includefixed income securities, review your portfolio with your advisor on a regularbasis to determine how current marketconditions may affect your allocation mix and make the necessary adjustments.

Tyson R. Smith

HR Sector Job Postings2002 2003 Percent Change 2004 Percent Change

2002–2003 2003 –2004Job Postings Job Postings Job Postings

Jan. 327 644 97% 744 16%

Feb. 535 525 -1.9% 756 44%

March 518 611 18% 819 34%

For more, visit SHRM online atwww.shrm.org

12 A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 FM

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

It’s never easy to sell a home andmove long-distance. When you relo-cate, either for your current companyor to take a new job, your employermight help you sell your house.

Employers, often through relocation companies, offer threebasic levels of service. From least to most lavish, they are:

■ Marketing assistance

■ Buyer value option

■ Guaranteed offer

The transferees employerdecides the level of service. It oftendepends on where the employeestands in the company hierarchy. “A higher level may get a guaran-teed buyout, and a lower level might get a buyer value option or marketing assistance,” says LinaPaskevicius, a consulting managerfor Cendant Mobility.

Whatever the level of service,the goals are to keep the worker productive and to reduce taxes for both the employee and the company. Some employers performthe relocation work out of theirhuman resources departments, butmost hire relocation companies to attend to the details.

How does a transferee benefitfrom that expertise? It depends onthe level of service. A lower-tieremployee might receive marketingassistance only. Commonly, thetransferee will be assigned a consult-ant from the relocation companywho will explain the relocation policy and benefits, help select a

real estate agent, pick an appropri-ate asking price and offer advice on staging the house to make itattractive to prospective buyers.

The relocation consultant actsas a liaison between the seller andthe real estate agent, ready to applya little social lubricant.

“Oftentimes,” Paskevicius says,“it’s easier for a third party to tell atransferee that they’ve got to get ridof that orange wallpaper.”

In this basic level of service, thetransferee sells directly to the buyer.With the next level of service, thebuyer value option, the transfereefinds a buyer and negotiates a sellingprice. Then the transferee sells thehouse to the relocation company atthe agreed-upon price. The reloca-tion company turns around andsells to the buyer at that price.

This convoluted approach saves taxes for both the seller and theemployer. The seller doesn’t pay a realestate commission, which meansthat the employer doesn’t have toreimburse the seller for it. That’s goodfrom the seller’s standpoint because

he or she would pay income tax onthe reimbursement.

For sellers, other benefits arisefrom using the relocation companyas a middleman. All the seller has to do is find a bona fide buyer whogenuinely intends to purchase thehouse. If the deal falls through afterthe relocation company has boughtthe house, or if the buyer has to delaythe closing for some reason, it’s therelocation company’s problem.

Typically, closing is done bymail and the transferee receives the equity within a week.

Under the buyer value option,the seller has to find a buyer. That’snot the case with a guaranteed offer program.

Under a guaranteed offer program, the seller usually is given60 to 90 days to find a buyer. If thathappens, the closing is handled thesame way as a buyer value option,with the relocation company asmiddleman. While the house isbeing marketed, two appraisals areperformed on the house, and if theappraised values are close to eachother, they are averaged. That dollarfigure is the guaranteed offer.

“If you want, you can take the offer,” says Bob Packard, VicePresident of Operations for LexiconRelocation. “The transferee takesthe money, moves on, and buys ahouse. The relocation companyputs it back on the market.”

The transferee can continue to try to sell the house for a while,even after the guaranteed offer ismade. The object is to snag a pricethat’s higher than the guaranteedoffer. If the transferee succeeds ingetting a better price, the guaran-teed offer amount is amended tothe higher amount, and that’s how much the transferee gets.

Many relocation programs offerincentives for selling the housequickly by asking for a reasonableprice. The most common incentiveis to offer the transferee a certainamount (typically 2 percent of thesale price) if the house is sold by adeadline. The seller can pocket themoney, spend it on repairs or use itto pay discount points on thebuyer’s mortgage.

Home Sweet Home Employers can help with home sales of relocating workers.By Holden Lewis, Scripps Howard News Service

If the deal falls through afterthe relocation company has bought the house, or if the buyer has to delay the closing for somereason, it’s the relocationcompany’s problem.

FM A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 13

Healthcare Savings AccountsAn alternative to high premium expenses.By Maria Legarda, Chief Operations Solutions Officer, Florida Employer Solutions

Healthcare costs are skyrocketingevery day. Even the most employee-conscious businesses that traditionallycover employee health plan costs are now saying “we may not be able to keepthis up.” As companies are choosing higher deductible plans to keep monthlypremiums low, employees are left footingthe bill.

There is, however, a solution that can help both businesses and employees.Health savings accounts, a new term cre-ated as part of The Medicare PrescriptionDrug, Improvement and ModernizationAct of 2003, allows employees to maketax-deductible contributions for medicalexpenses — including deductibles andother health-related costs not covered by insurance, such as diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease, transportationfor care and prescription drugs.

Health savings accounts are part of a movement toward “consumer-drivenhealthcare.” The demand comes not only

from employers, especially small business,who are paying outrageous healthcarecosts, but also from thousands of individ-uals and families with no healthcareinsurance of any kind.

Employers can switch to a new healthsavings account qualified plan with lowerpremiums and higher deductibles — allow-ing employees to pay on a pre-basis tax forsmaller health expenses they may alreadybe paying for in a current higher cost plan.

Although the law doesn’t require people to open an account through theworkplace, employees or self-employedindividuals must first be covered under aqualified “high deductible” health plan.In addition, they cannot be covered under other health plans — for example,through a parent or spouse’s policy. Theexceptions for “other” plans are insurancefor accidents, disability, and long-termvision or dental care.

Like other personal finance loans, a healthcare savings account must be

opened through a bank, insurance company or other entity to ensure that it will be administered properly.

Rules and StipulationsThe rules and stipulations associated

with creating healthcare savings accountsare as follows:

■ “High deductible” means at least an annual deductible amount of $1,000for individuals and $2,000 for a family.

■ Maximum annual tax-deductible contribution for individuals is the amountof the annual deductible or $2,250 —whichever is less.

■ Maximum annual tax-deductible contri-butions for a person with family coverageis the amount of the annual deductible or$4,500 — whichever is less.

■ Eligible individuals who turn 55 before the close of the tax year may increase themaximum contribution to their accountsby $500. If both spouses are at least 55

years old, each spouse may contribute theadditional $500.

■ Distributions from the account that arenot exclusively used for qualified medicalexpenses are included as gross income andare subject to a penalty.

■ Any unused contributions can accumulatewithout limit and turn over each year.

■ Individuals eligible for Medicare are not eli-gible to make tax-deductible contributions.

Health savings accounts can helpemployee-conscious businesses maintainexceptional benefits and high morale by matching or complementing employ-ees’ contributions — without paying high premiums.

For more, contact Kylene Petrin at 407-657-4818 or e-mail kylenepetrin@wordwisepr.com.

In August 2003, Orlando joined a hostof more than 70 other localities throughoutthe United States that adopted a “LivingWage.” A year later, no substantive changeshave been made to Orlando’s Living Wage.

Everyone has heard of the “minimumwage” mandated by the federal govern-ment. It’s the minimum amount anemployer must pay an employee per hour(currently $5.15) for work performed. This is the floor, however, and local governments may — via contracts — mandate a wage that is higher than the$5.15 set by the federal government with

regard exclusively to contracts it awards. These increased wages are often

referred to as “Living Wages.” The City of Orlando enacted a Living Wage policy, which mandates that businessesthat have service contracts with the City (only contracts in excess of $100,000)pay its employees at least $8.50 an hour.This is $3.35 more than the federallymandated minimum wage.

Differing OpinionsAs expected, some business owners

who have service contracts with the Cityof Orlando believe that forcing them topay their employees $3.35 more than thefederal government mandates is costly.Their viewpoint is that this will increaseadministrative costs to the employer andcould have a counter effect on the intentof the Living Wage.

For example, these added wages andcosts may force companies doing businesswith the City to reduce the amount theybudget for training and education reim-bursement, and, perhaps, replace less-

skilled employees with higher-skilled employees.

On the other hand, someadvocates for the Living Wagebelieve it’s still not enough.

They stress that enacting aLiving Wage of $8.50 does notsolve the problem of the personwho works full-time yet is stillunable to support a family of four.As a result, these supporters alsowould like to see other conditions added tothe Living Wage policy, like health benefitsand/or cost of living increases.

Unlike Orlando, Broward County’s,Miami-Dade County’s and The City ofMiami Beach’s Living Wage provisionshave allowances for health benefits. The Living Wage in Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach is $8.56 an hour with health benefits or $9.81 withoutbenefits. In Broward County it is $9.57 with health benefits and $10.82 without.

Advocates would like to see thesetypes of options adopted in Orlando’s

Living Wage. City of OrlandoMayor Buddy Dyer has indicat-ed that he will revisit the terms of the Living Wage astime passes.

Comply with PolicyIf you are an employer who

has a contract in excess of$100,000 with the City ofOrlando to provide services for

the City and/or if you are a subcontractorof an employer that fits into this category,Orlando’s Living Wage applies to you, and you must pay all of your employeeswho perform those services a minimumof $8.50 per hour.

The penalties for failure to comply withOrlando’s Living Wage policy may result in termination of the contract and/orpreclusion from future city contracts.

Because labor and employment laws are so complex, FirstMonday is presenting a series of articles by local attorneys to helpChamber Members identify labor issues and avoid possible pitfalls.

Paying the PiperThe Living Wage policy is a nuisance to some, but a mandate nevertheless.By Jeffrey B. Jones, Esq., Fisher & Phillips LLP

As expected, some businessowners who have service con-tracts with the City of Orlandobelieve that forcing them to paytheir employees $3.35 morethan the federal governmentmandates is costly.

For more, contact Jeffrey B. Jones at 407-541-0878 or e-mail jbjones@laborlawyers.com.

Jeffrey B. Jones

14 A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 FM

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

The Human Relations DoctorDr. Mimi Hull is a fully licensed

corporate psychologist whoseChamber Member firm, Hull &Associates, specializes in HumanRelations assessment, training,consulting and facilitation.

Below are some questionsposed to Dr. Hull by people in the local business community.Her expert advice immediatelyfollows the questions.

Dear Dr. Mimi,

I have been promoted, and my newjob entails helping to hire new employ-ees for one of the managers. How do Igo about hiring an employee whenthere isn’t even a job description?

— M&L

Dear M&L,

You have to begin by developing a job description. The number one reasonthat the wrong person is hired is that theposition is not clearly defined. We oftenfind that there are great people workingfor organizations, but that they are in the wrong positions. Have an in-depthdiscussion with the manager of the jobrequirements before attempting to fill anyposition. The manager needs to describethoroughly the job responsibilities, how the job aligns with the goals of theorganization and of the department andwhat the culture of the department is.

For the manager to better under-stand the qualities of the ideal candidate, you might identify the attributes of thepeople who do that particular job well.These individuals are the exemplars, the standard against which potential candidates are measured through pre-employment tests, assessments, surveys and interviews.

We also often conduct task analysiswhere the successful employees are shadowed, in order to identify in precisedetail the skills, knowledge, tools, conditions and requirements needed to perform the job. We find that what people think they do and what they actually do may not be the same thing!Start before you have to fill any vacancies.You’ll be glad you did!

Dear Dr. Mimi,

I’m having a problem in the officethat I feel awkward confronting. There’sa woman whom I work in close quarterswith who talks and talks. Don’t get me

wrong, she is a great employee and I thoroughly enjoy our conversations, but she’s a very big distraction to me. Is there a nice way for me to say some-thing? I have to stay late to finish mywork because of the conversations.

— Distracted

Dear Distracted,

Sit down with this woman andexplain to her that you have a hard timestaying focused when she is talkingbecause you do enjoy the conversations.Be polite but firm. Let her know that youenjoy her, but when you talk with her,you fall behind in your work. Suggestthat you can catch up at times like lunchand breaks. If she starts to talk with you,remind her that you have work to do. Itmay take a few times for her to get themessage, but don’t give up! Remember,it takes two to have a conversation.

Dear Dr. Mimi,

My manager yells at employees infront of other employees and sometimeseven in front of customers. The managerneeds to be more tactful in the way hegoes about correcting his employees. Ihate being corrected in front of others,and I just want him to take me and theother employees aside if there’s a prob-lem that needs to be discussed. I feel like saying something in front of everyone so he can know how it feels. It wouldserve him right!

— Highly Annoyed

Dear Highly Annoyed,

No one likes to be reprimanded infront of others, as it’s uncomfortable and demeaning and yes, it’s time to talkwith him. However, don’t follow in hisfootsteps and say something in front ofeveryone. Make an appointment for aconfidential conversation. Explain to him that you know that you and otheremployees make mistakes but that youwould appreciate it if he would talk to you privately about the mistakes. It alsosounds like your office is ripe for someconflict management or team buildingtraining. When tempers keep flaring, it’sbetter not to fight fire with fire. A trainedfacilitator can help you get the resent-ments off the chest and on the table in a civilized and productive manner.

Dear Dr. Mimi,

I’m the manager of a large compa-ny and have hired an employee thatseems to be costing my company more

than he’s earning for us. Customerslove him but his mistakes are reallybeginning to have an impact. I don’twant to let him go. Do you have anysuggestions on how to work throughthis issue?

— Confused

Dear Confused,

Meet with this employee as soon asa mistake is discovered and pinpoint theexact problem that he’s having and howto remedy it. Don’t make corrections for him. Have him make them and thenbring the corrected product back to you.Consider putting him on probation for a specific amount of time so he knows he’s being held accountable for hisactions. This may mean a time invest-ment for you, but in the end it maynot only benefit the company and yourcustomers, but the employee as well.

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If you are having a problem with a personality dispute, or a hard-to-handlegroup, or just want to get your employees to work better together, you can eitherphone or e-mail Dr. Hull at 407-628-0669 or drmimi@hullonline.com.

Dr. Mimi Hull

16 A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 FM

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

Video Communications for the Digital AgeWith a plethora of options available, knowing their advantages can maximize effectiveness.By Steve Martin, President, Omni Productions, Inc., OAF Member

During the 80s and 90s, companiesthat wanted to communicate marketingmessages with video were faced with a fairly simple formula: Define the message you want to communicate, produce the video and distribute it on VHS.

Today, that formula has become more complex.

While VHS is still a viable distributionoption for many projects, it’s by no means the only option. Digital media istransforming the landscape of corporatecommunications. Multimedia computerson every desktop, DVD players in mosthomes and high-speed internet access provide a multitude of ways in which toreach your target audience.

The result: More efficient distributionof your message.

VHS vs. DVD vs. CD-Rom vs.Streaming Media

If your advertising or marketing planincludes the use of video, using the right

format for your message delivery is one keyto maximizing effectiveness. As an exam-ple, let’s suppose that your typical client isa business with 25 or more employees andthat you want to send them a video. Theymight have one or possibly several TVs in their office — probably located in conference or break rooms. If the idea is tohave a group of people watch the tapetogether, VHS or DVD might be the idealdelivery method.

But what if the video is intended to be watched by one person at a time? Inthis case, CD-Rom or streaming video is more efficient since every computer in the facility likely has a CD-Rom orInternet connection. In addition to making it more convenient for the view-er, it creates a more personal connection.

On the consumer side, if your planincludes delivering a promotional video to middle/high income homes,DVD offers much better quality and more viewing options than VHS. A basicmenu can reveal several video programs

for different product lines as well as multiple language tracks and even Weblinks for those watching the DVD ontheir computer.

VHS, DVD and CD-Rom assume thatyou know where your audience is andcan deliver a physical tape or disc. Butwhat about clients who visit your Website? The same video that you have onVHS, DVD or CD-Rom can be streamed.With a fast Internet connection, thequality can be as good as or better thanCD-Rom or VHS — and it’s getting betterevery day.

Of course, regardless of the medium,the bottom line is that you’ll need a

well-crafted message delivered to a clearly defined audience.

Some things never change.

The Orlando Advertising Federation (OAF) is Central Florida’s leading organization for advertising professionals. For more, go to www.oaf.com.

For more information on video communications, contact Steve Martin at407-281-9087 or visit www.omnivideo.com.

May 2004 marked the 10-year anniversary of E-PASS in the Central Florida community. Today, nearly 420,000 customers use E-PASS while driving the expressway network, representing 55 percent of total toll transactions.

“The growth we’ve seen in E-PASS over the last 10 years has been truly amazing,” said ExpresswayAuthority Chairman Allan E. Keen. “It was theExpressway Authority’s goal to provide a safer and more pleasant experience for our customers when traveling on the expressway system, and E-PASS has done just that.”

In May of 1994, the Expressway Authority broughtthe first electronic toll collection device to Central Floridawith the inception of E-PASS. Immediately following, the

Expressway Authority removed gates from its system to provide a safer driving environment, which also allowed E-PASS customers to proceed through toll plazas without stopping.

In July 2000, the first toll plaza featuring ExpressLanes opened at Forest Lake Main Line Toll Plaza,allowing E-PASS customers to pay their tolls at highwayspeed. In August 2003, the first toll plaza conversion to Express Lanes opened at State Road (SR) 417University Main Toll Plaza.

As part of the SR 408 Widening Project, all toll plazason the Expressway Authority system will feature ExpressLanes by 2007. Today, E-PASS can be used on all toll roads

throughout Florida as part of an interoperability agree-ment with the Florida SunPass system.

“While we’d like to take credit for the tremendoussuccess of E-PASS, we all know that its success is due to our hundreds of thousands of customers that haveembraced the technology,” said Executive Director MikeSnyder. “Support from the Central Florida community was critical to the success of E-PASS.”

The Orlando-Orange County ExpresswayAuthority, established in 1963 by the state legislature, is responsible for the planning, design, construction,operation and maintenance of a 92-mile limited-accessexpressway system to serve the metropolitan Orlandoarea. The Expressway Authority’s system includes StateRoad 408 (East-West Expressway), State Road 528 (Bee Line Expressway), State Road 417 (Central FloridaGreeneWay) and State Road 429 (Western Expressway).

A Decade of ConvenienceE-PASS celebrates its 10-year anniversary.

“It was the Expressway Authority’s goalto provide a safer and more pleasantexperience for our customers whentraveling on the expressway system,and E-PASS has done just that.”

— Allan E. KeenExpressway Authority Chairman

If your advertising or marketingplan includes the use of video,using the right format for yourmessage delivery is one key tomaximizing effectiveness.

FM A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 17

Corporate Credit Cards: A Business EssentialHow your business can benefit from a corporate credit card.By Catherine McGuinness

As much as 20 percent of total consumer purchases may come fromsmall businesses. As a result, more andmore small businesses are turningtowards corporate credit cards for theirpurchasing needs. Corporate credit cardsoffer more advantages and security toemployers unlike the use of personalcards, cash and checks to do business.

The following information frombankrate.com and FAIRWINDS CreditUnion reinforces that corporate creditcards do benefit small businesses in the long run.

Avoid Sticky FingersCorporate credit cards allow you to

monitor exactly how your employees areusing them. In addition to billing state-ments, some credit card issuers will allowyou to access and monitor employeespending via the Internet. This can help

employers determine the frequency andappropriateness of the purchases made.

The Information Super Highway

In order to attract more small business,many companies are providing portals on their Web sites complete with onlineaccount access. A corporate credit card cangive you a convenient outlet to make purchases online. Some companies willeven offer discounts when you buy onlinewith a corporate card.

Convenience,Convenience, Convenience

Once offered to large corporationsexclusively, small businesses are now alsoenjoying the perks of a corporate creditcard. Some features include:

■ 24-hour online account information

■ Emergency card replacement

■ Emergency cash disbursement

■ Travel assistance

■ Auto rental insurance

■ Spending limits from $5,000

■ Employee liability insurance

■ Travel accident insurance

■ Purchase protection and extended warranties

■ Individual credit lines on each card

■ Monthly, quarterly, and annual transaction reports

Check with your financial institutionto verify what kind of corporate credit card is offered and what specific featuresare provided.

More on CorporateCredit CardsYou can also visit the followingWeb sites to learn more aboutcorporate credit cards:

www.fairwinds.org

www.bankrate.com

www.visa.com

www.mastercard.com

For more, contact the FAIRWINDS BusinessServices department at 407-277-6030, ext. 12200.

18 A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 FM

COVER STORY

Just like in the Electronic Arts’ (EA)video game Madden NFL Football 2005,when you pick good players, you end up with a winning team. That’s exactlywhat happened when EA approached the University of Central Florida (UCF)looking for ways to turn out more qualified students to work in the videogame development industry.

UCF jumped at the challenge and,with input from EA, developed theFlorida Interactive EntertainmentAcademy (FIEA), which will provide apostgraduate certificate program thattrains students to design, program andtest video games. The program will notonly help Electronic Arts, but it will also help the community by bringing qualified talent to companies in CentralFlorida, while also serving as a draw to other digital media companies considering relocating their offices to Central Florida.

“Our goal is to start a cloud of newcompanies,” says Mike Moshell, Ph.D.,head of UCF’s digital media division of the School of Film and Digital Media.Moshell witnessed this phenomena first-hand when many of the people who worked for a large Austin-based video game company went off and started their own game companies.

“Today there are 17 video gamingcompanies in Austin,” he says. “We wantthe same thing to happen in Orlando.”

The SparkThe concept started at UCF in

1990 with the Institute for Simulation and Training. Back then, UCF offeredcomputer graphics stations and realizedthat computer science students weren’tthe only ones using the machines. “Wehad engineering, art studies and musicstudents putting together video games,”remembers Moshell.

As a result, the digital media majordeveloped, although it wasn’t until therequest for grooming more local talentthat UCF considered a specific video game development program.

It was in 2003 that Electronic Arts, a leading interactive entertainment software company headquartered in

Redwood City, Calif., bought a CentralFlorida gaming company called Tiburon.The company contacted UCF through the Economic Development Commissionto ask how the university might increaseoutput of students with appropriate skillsfor the game industry.

“We need more talented people,” saysBen Noel, Vice President and Studio COOof Electronic Arts Maitland-based Tiburonstudio. “We’re trying to put forth ourbusiness plan for the future, but right nowwe’re recruiting about 70 percent of ouremployees from outside the state. Wedon’t want to bank on a 10-year businessplan where we have to relocate talentrather than find it here.”

UCF understood the company’s senseof frustration and urgency, and immedi-ately saw an opportunity to enhance the region’s digital media future. “Werealized the quickest thing we could dowas to develop a postgraduate finishing

school for students so they could get the right skill mix required to work in this industry,” says Moshell.

The FIEA represents a major step inregards to giving other digital media companies incentive to move to CentralFlorida and to entice companies such as Electronic Arts to expand their localoffices. The opening of the new school,funded largely with a $4.2 million stategrant, comes at a time when the role of video games in the entertainmentindustry continues to grow.

A Booming IndustryDigital media is booming on a

national level, but Central Florida is one of the few regions where all four digitalmedia industries — simulation, themepark, film production and interactiveentertainment – are converging. “CentralFlorida has strength in all four,” says Trent Flood, Director of public relations for the Economic DevelopmentCommission. “That puts us, as a region, in a strategic position.”

According to the Metro OrlandoEconomic Development Commission,the progressive digital media sector inMetro Orlando has sprung from the convergence of several established fieldsin the region, including model and

simulation, film and television produc-tion, theme park/ride and show, and theinteractive and immersive entertainmentindustry. Today, the region is positionedin the heart of one of the top 12 clustersfor digital media in the country.

As new applications for digital technology have continued to emerge,the industry has kept pace in MetroOrlando. With a focus on content creation and enabling technologies, the digital media sector features morethan 1,000 companies, 30,000 workersand annual revenue of an estimated $9 billion (figure includes location-basedentertainment).

Digital media is more than just build-ing video games, but the video gameindustry is unique in that it requires amixture of talents in computer science,engineering, film and arts and graphics.Finding people who are trained in allthese varied fields is hard to do.

Enter the FIEA.“The holy grail of gaming is to create

an interactive story that will emotionallyinvolve the game player,” says Sterling Van Wagenen, Director of UCF’s School ofFilm and Digital Media, “It’s the emotionalinvolvement that makes the experiencemeaningful — the more exciting the story,the better the experience.”

Making video games is very much like making a movie, so it requires verysharp engineers, graphic artists and production people who know how tomanage. Instead of teaching students simply how to use an art program, theFIEA will train them to create a project,manage the project and build prototypes.

This is what makes the FIEA programso valuable. Students must be trained indigital technology, filmmaking, computerscience, engineering, storytelling and art. Ifyou put all those pieces together, says VanWagenen, you have a talented employee.

And this is what video gaming companies get excited about.

Noel believes that the program willnot only benefit his company, but thecommunity as a whole. “Central Floridacould use this academy and its programsas feeder grounds and pipelines into the industry,” he says. “It’s extremely

High ImpactA strategic partnership makes Central Florida more attractive to digital media companies.By Tracey Velt

UCF responded when EA asked for a more qualified workforce to work in the video game development industry.

The program will not onlyhelp Electronic Arts, but it willalso help the community bybringing qualified talent tocompanies in Central Florida...

s

FM A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 19

important for local businesses to developbetter relationships with local universi-ties, and this will help facilitate that.”

n-Space Inc.Headquartered in Orlando, n-Space,

Inc. designs, develops and markets videogames for the Sony PlayStation andother console platforms. The companyhas developed millions of interactivevideo games such as Rugrats, Search forReptar, Duke Nukem and Time To Kill. It was founded in 1994 and currentlyemploys about 40 people.

Erick S. Dyke, President and Founderof n-Space, is excited that FIEA will focuson getting students used to working inteams. This teaching approach to whatgoes into making a product will help n-Space and other video gaming companies in Central Florida developcompetent work forces.

According to Dyke, the academy willgive new video game employees a betteridea of what the business is all about,and they’ll have a good idea right fromthe start about what it takes to make avideo game. “Many people come in —artists, programmers — and theyinstantly think they’re going to bedesigning complicated video art or writing complex code,” he says. “Thereality is they’re going to be part of a 30- to 40-person team. The digital mediaindustry is becoming more professional,and the teams are getting bigger.”

Until recently, Dyke recruited themajority of his talent from other states.“This has changed recently,” he says.“We’re finding more local talent.”

The AcademyThe FIEA, which will open in fall

2005, likely will be located in downtownOrlando and should produce about 100

graduates a year. Students, who arerequired to have undergraduate degreesin fields such as computer science, art ordigital media before enrolling, can com-plete the program in about 16 months.

Students will receive graduate certifi-cates, which allow for more flexibility anda condensed schedule compared with amaster’s degree. Because it is not a statedegree-granting program, the academywill have a different fee structure.

FIEA students will be part of production teams during their studies at UCF and will work with faculty experienced in software design, production, art and a variety of otherfields. Although the curriculum is notcomplete, Moshell says he fully expectsElectronic Arts and other local videogame companies to help develop the coursework.

Building Our Tech Community

Both Moshell and Van Wagenen citethe book, “The Rise of the Creative Class,”by Richard Florida, which talks about howthe presence of creative people in a com-munity affects economic development.

“It’s important for communities toattract highly creative people who, inturn, will stimulate the economy in many non-traditional ways,” says VanWagenen. “Austin and Seattle are twoexamples of what can happen if you provide training programs and partnerships with local companies tobring creative people to a community.”

Orlando wasn’t one of the top 10cities mentioned in the book, and bothMoshell and Van Wagenen want to

change that. “I expect this partnershipwith Electronic Arts will raise the publicperception about Orlando and the importance we place on attracting companies who in turn attract high-wage, creative people to Central Florida,”says Van Wagenen.

“I see this as a very important step in the stimulation of creative jobs in ourcommunity.”

Moshell agrees: “For both CentralFlorida and UCF, the most importantcompanies are the ones that don’t existyet. And, with the help of partnershipssuch as this one, those companies have abetter chance of being born and thrivingin our community.”

Madden NFL Footbal 2005 and NCAA Football 2005 are just a few of the popular new game titles available from Electronic Arts. Both are created here in Central Florida.

Other digital media companies, which are located in Central Florida, also need qualified people to producestate-of-the-art, realistic-looking video games.

“It’s important for communi-ties to attract highly creativepeople who, in turn, will stimulate the economy inmany non-traditional ways...”

Every 33 seconds another Americandies from heart disease, and every 45 seconds someone suffers a stroke.

Recognizing that heart disease andstroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers ofCentral Floridians, Orlando RegionalHealthcare President and CEO JohnHillenmeyer, along with local prominentattorney, Tico Perez, a partner with Baker& Hostetler LLP, will serve as co-chairs ofthe American Heart Association’s 2004Greater Orlando Heart Walk.

“Heart disease and stroke are the twoprimary killers of Central Floridians, andit’s important to educate the communityabout these devastating diseases,” saysHillenmeyer. “The more our communityknows about their risk and prevention,the more lives we can save.”

Perez agrees: “No man in my familyhas lived past the age of 60 because of

heart disease; I’d like to break that trend. I feel this is a great opportunity to raiseawareness in our community and espe-cially in the Latino community. Themoney raised for the Heart Walk helpsfund important research and education ofheart disease and stroke, which will helpall of us to live longer, healthier lives.”

The 2004 Greater Orlando Heart Walkwill take place Saturday, September 18, at Loch Haven Park. As co-chairs of theevent, Hillenmeyer and Perez will helprecruit local businesses to join the HeartWalk through walker participation andcorporate sponsorship.

The theme of this year’s Heart Walk isChange Tomorrow. Today. More than 5,000Central Florida residents are expected toparticipate in this year’s event in the fightagainst heart disease and stroke. Localbusinesses and individuals form walkteams through their workplace or withfamily and friends. Some will walk forthemselves as survivors; others walk inthe memory of a loved one who has suffered from cardiovascular disease.

The goal of the 2004 Greater OrlandoHeart Walk is $600,000. Funds raisedfrom the Heart Walks support heart and stroke research as well as public and professional education programs.Research funded by the American Heart Association has yielded important

discoveries such as CPR, life-extendingdrugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery andsurgical techniques to repair heart defectsin adults and children.

The Heart Walk, a national AmericanHeart Association event, has raised morethan $398 million nationally in its 12-yearhistory. Last year across the nation, 750,000walkers raised $72 million for the AmericanHeart Association through the Heart Walks.

Since 1924 the American HeartAssociation has helped protect people ofall ages and ethnicities from the ravagesof heart disease and stroke. These diseasesclaim more than 930,000 American livesa year. The association invested morethan $348 million in fiscal year 2002-03for research, professional and public

education and advocacy so people acrossAmerica can live stronger, longer lives.

Take a WalkCommunity leaders take “lead” in Greater Orlando 2004 Heart Walk.

20 A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 FM

EVERY COMMUNITY NEEDS LEADERS TO ENSURE POSITIVE GROWTH; QUALITYEDUCATIONAL OPTIONS ENSURE THE CREATION OF TOMORROW’S LEADERS.LEADERSHIP & EDUCATION

Call 407-843-1330 or visit http://heartwalk.kintera.org/2004OrlandoFLto register as a walker for the event. Teamphotos and donation turn-in begin at 7:30a.m., with the Heart Walk beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 18, atLoch Haven Park.

The Center for Entrepreneurship in the CrummerGraduate School of Business at Rollins College waslaunched a little under one year ago to provide support insome critical areas to existing enterprises with exceptionalgrowth potential. In the process, Rollins students are gaining invaluable practical experience.

Michael A. Cipollaro, Executive Director of the Center forEntrepreneurship, says the program serves both the business community and the school’s MBA candidates. “The Centeroffers two main programs that provide experiential learning for our students and knowledge transfer to the enterprises.”

One of these innovative programs is the StudentConsulting Practica Program. In this program, projects are submitted to eligible students who apply for their preferences. Businesses pay a one-time administrative fee

of $2,000 and agree to commit the time and energy necessary to see the project through. The MBA studentsare supervised by a seasoned professional, either a member of the faculty or a local practitioner.

“If you have a project that a team of MBA students cansuccessfully complete during a 12-week semester, and youare prepared to work closely with them, we can make ithappen.” says Cipollaro.

The program is designed to have students tackle proj-ects that growing businesses don’t have the staff or perhapsthe expertise to do, and that can be handled by a talentedteam of students. It exposes the students to a practical,hands-on experience in delivering real world solutions.

The Center for Entrepreneurship also offers studentsand local businesses participation in its Growth Enterprise

Mentor Program, which matches enterprises with seasoned executives.

The mentor offers 6 to 8 hours of his or her time per month for an 8- to 10-month period. A three-personstudent team supports the mentor and conducts a variety of activities in support of the program.

“The program has significant advantages for both thebusinesses and the students,” Cipollaro says. “It has been a very successful community endeavor thus far.”

Connecting Our Future Work ForceCenter for Entrepreneurship links graduate business students with local corporations.

For more, contact Rebecca Nikolajski, Center forEntrepreneurship at Rollins College, at 407-691-1125.

Participants from last year’s event walked to help fight heart disease and stroke.

John Hillenmeyer (left) and Tico Perez will serve as co-chairs of the American Heart Association’s2004 Greater Orlando Heart Walk.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FM A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 21

AUGUST 11Leadership Alumni Board MeetingWhen: 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Where: Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce75 South Ivanhoe Boulevard,OrlandoContact: Anita Grant at 407-835-2535 or e-mailanita.grant@orlando.orgSponsors: Metro OrlandoEconomic DevelopmentCommission and The NorthHighland Company

AUGUST 12Leadership Orlando Class63 Smart, Quality GrowthWhen: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Contact: Kelly Nicholson at 407-835-2527 or e-mail kelly.nicholson@orlando.org

AUGUST 19Small Business ChamberBoard MeetingWhen: 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Where: Disney/SBA NationalEntrepreneur Center 315 East Robinson Street, Suite 100, OrlandoSpeaker: Orange County ChairmanRich CrottyContact: Liz Froebig at 407-835-2494 or e-mail liz.froebig@orlando.orgSponsors: R.C. StevensConstruction and The CatalystStudio, Inc.

AUGUST 24Chamber Connection MeetingWhen: 7:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.Where: Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce75 South Ivanhoe Boulevard,OrlandoContact: Ileana San Martin at 407-835-2487 or e-mail ileana.sanmartin@orlando.org

AUGUST 25Board of GovernorsExecutive Board MeetingWhen: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.Where: Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce75 South Ivanhoe Boulevard,OrlandoContact: Lisa Winkelbauer at 407-835-2448 or e-mail lisa.winkelbauer@orlando.orgSponsor: Lynx

AUGUST 25Leadership Orlando Class 64 Quality of Life(Healthcare)When: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Contact: Kelly Nicholson at 407-835-2527 or e-mail kelly.nicholson@orlando.org

AUGUST 31UCF Community Kickoff LuncheonWhen: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Where: Rosen Centre Hotel9840 International Drive, Orlando Info: Join us as we “kickoff” theUniversity of Central Florida’s 2004football season. New UCF HeadCoach George O’Leary will discusshis strategies and game plan for the season, as well as the changesmade in the off season. Our masterof ceremonies will be ESPN CollegeFootball Analyst Lee Corso. The UCF cheerleaders, along with theUCF marching band, will lead thefestivities. With all of the excitementbuilding for the Golden Knights, this is one pep rally you won’t want to miss.Tickets: $75 Individual AdvanceTickets; $500 Corporate Table of 8(includes priority seating, corporaterecognition and player/coach seating lottery eligibility)Contact: Lisa Winkelbauer at 407-835-2448 or e-mail lisa.winkelbauer@orlando.org

Registration deadline is Friday,August 20, 2004. All moniesare non-refundable afterFriday, August 20, 2004.

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:Host Sponsor:OUC-The Reliable One

Supporting Sponsors: All-FloridaMortgage Centers, Inc., NicholsonHomes, PBS&J, Progress Energy, RBCCentura Bank, SeaWorld AdventureParks, Shutts & Bowen LLP, TopDrawer Consignments, Inc., UCFAlumni Association, UPI LLC

Media Sponsors: AM 580 WDBO,Central Florida News 13

The Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida (HFGF) needs volunteer board members who are willing to sharetheir expertise. The HFGF is a small, non-profit organization located in Winter Park. If you are interested, contactFran Haynes at 407-629-0000.

The Orlando Regional Chamber ofCommerce and Leadership Orlando com-mend these business and communityleaders on their successful completion ofLeadership Orlando Class 62.

Leadership Orlando Class 62 was led byClass Chair Fred R. Kittinger, Jr., AssociateVice President for University Relations andDirector, State & Local Government,University of Central Florida.

Christopher L. AddisonJardon and Howard Technologies, Inc.

Daniel BachrachBaker & Hostetler LLP

Christopher BareTen/United

Melissa C. BarryCNL Bank

David E. BaxterDoubletree Hotel at the Entrance of

Universal Orlando

Barbara L. BernierFlorida A&M University College of Law

Bakari F. BurnsHealth Care Center for the Homeless

David E. BurnsMerrill Lynch

Michael L. CantrellCoca-Cola Bottling Company of Orlando

Antonetta M. CaraccioloDiscovery Cove

Yvonne ChangWalt Disney World Co.

Sarah A. ClampErnst & Young LLP

Glenn ClarkCingular Wireless

Charles P. CobbleGlatting Jackson Kercher

Anglin Lopez Rinehart, Inc.

Douglas L. ConnerLevy Restaurants at the

Orange County Convention Center

Naomi P. CooperThe Florida Senate

Frank J. de HeerDisney Cruise Line

Cindy C. DewFlorida’s Blood Centers, Inc.

Bryan N. DouglasOrlando-Orange County

Expressway Authority

Millie J. ErichsenRoy E. Crummer Graduate

School of Business

Kristen L. FischerFarmer Baker Barrios Architects, Inc.

Reid B. FisherPark Square Enterprises, Inc.

Kate FishersChastang, Ferrell,

Sims & Eiserman, LLC

Marshall S. FoxWashington Mutual Bank

Nikita J. FrenneyMV Transportation, Inc.

Paula M. GastenveldValencia Community College

Robert J. GibsonABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Inc.

Shannon D. GrahamOUC - The Reliable One

Karen GuinUniversity of Central Florida

Jodie A. HardmanBank of America

Joan K. HarrelsonOrange County Clerk of Courts

Eric C. HickmanRBC Centura Bank

Theodore F. JansenWalt Disney World Co.

Thomas KarastamatisSiemens Westinghouse

Power Corporation

Ed M. KoziolInCharge Institute

Robert A. KrawczykDeloitte

John F. KrugMetro Orlando Economic

Development Commission

Steven M. LangstonRLF Architects & Engineers

Gregg R. LehrerGrayRobinson, P.A.

Erik W. LindborgBellSouth

Jane A. LockettIBM Global Services

Joe I. MantillaOrange County Sheriff’s Office

Eric B. MarksAkerman Senterfitt

Lyndel A. MasonZimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe, P.A.

Captain Larry S. McCrackenNAVAIR Orlando

Jennifer K. McDanielUniversity of Central Florida

Elizabeth J. MorganMorgan Ministries, Inc.

Michelle K. MorseDynetech Corporation

Darrell L. MurrayNETsystems Communications

John C. Nagle, IVPBS&J

Julie M. NasserEaster Seals Florida, Inc.

Joseph L. O’ConnellCAE USA Inc.

Judith A. PariseauGoodwill Industries of Central Florida

Kimberly M. Parr-KuykendallInnovative Source Design Group, Inc.

Christy E. PearsonOrlando Regional Healthcare

Elizabeth M. PhillipsPecora & Pecora, Inc.

Vallie W. PiloianMedWare, Inc.

Elizabeth PinkstonSoutheast Mortgage Group

Arnold T. PostellNASA-Kennedy Space Center

David PriceAmerican Bridge Company

Steven B. RiversHardin Construction Company, LLC

Timothy P. RyanOrange County Government

Andrew M. SchraderSiemens Westinghouse

Power Corporation

James W. Smith, IIIFlorida A&M University

College of Law

Lawrence L. Smith, Jr., P.E.Dyer, Riddle, Mills & Precourt, Inc.

Amy R. StachnikRippe Health Assessment

at Celebration Health

Christopher R. StewartOffice of Sen. Lee Constantine

Andry E. SweetChildren’s Home Society of Florida

Adam S. TanenbaumCarlton Fields

Robin A. ThomasJPMorgan Chase

Robert A. VargasFlorida Physicans Medical Group

Kevin R. WeickelWalt Disney World Co.

Lisa T. WinkelbauerOrlando Regional Chamber

of Commerce

Vickey L. WollanHumana, Inc.

Robert C. Yee, EsquireMontessori World School

Michael J. ZehrZehr Software Services

Watch for great things to come fromthese Leadership Orlando graduates!

LEADERSHIP & EDUCATION

22 A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 FM

For Leadership Orlando enrollment information, contact Kathy Panter at 407-835-2499 or via e-mail at kathy.panter@orlando.org.

SEPTEMBER 17 Hubbs-Sea WorldResearch Institute.Featuring Dr. Duane DeFreese. TheHubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute,an independent, not-for-profit scien-tific research institution is “dedicatedto ensuring that future generationsexperience the benefits of a healthyenvironment by conserving the ecological integrity of our oceansand estuaries as a foundation for marine-based economies, sus-tainable fisheries, public recreation,transportation, tourism, and qualityof life.” The Institute’s mission is “toreturn to the sea some measure ofthe benefits derived from it.”

NOVEMBER 10Lockheed MartinSpeakers will include thePresidents of the three LockheedMartin companies located inCentral Florida: Joseph R.Cleveland, Lockheed Martin ChiefInformation Officer and President,Enterprise Information Systems;Stanley R. Arthur, President,Lockheed Martin Missiles and FireControl; and Dan J. Crowley,President, Lockheed MartinSimulation, Training and Support.

Listening to Leaders is a series of breakfast forums designed to continue the learning experiencestarted in Leadership Orlando. Theseries is generously sponsored by ourLeadership Stewards: Joseph Terry ofBank of America, Anne Chinoda ofFlorida’s Blood Centers, Richard Fryerof IFREC Real Estate Schools, Inc.,Betsy Culpepper of Orlando RegionalHealthcare, Roseann Harrington ofOUC — The Reliable One, andThomas Pellarin of PBS&J.

UpcomingListening toLeaders Forums

Register online at www.orlando.org. Admission iscomplimentary for paid membersof Leadership Alumni. All others pay$15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Congratulations are in order!

FM A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 23

Florida’s Children First! (FCF!), a statewide, non-profitchild advocacy organization headquartered in Orlando,recently raised more than $21,000 at a cocktail reception andawards ceremony held at The University Club of Orlando.

Proceeds from the event, which honored foster care survivor Alexandria Villiana Hobbs and recognized her for her determination, courage and ability to thrive whileovercoming obstacles and hardships, will be used to helpthe FCF! accomplish its lofty goals.

These goals include advancing children’s legal rights,consistent with their medical, educational and social needs,and achieving significant improvements in all systemsaffecting children’s lives,with a special emphasis on thechild welfare system.

“FCF! is making achievements little piece by littlepiece,” says Executive Director Gerard F. Glynn, “This isdone through litigation, legislative and policy advocacy,executive branch monitoring, training and technical assistance to lawyers representing children, public awareness and the education of law students.”

A Community EventHobbs’ videotaped acceptance began with a warm

thank you to FCF! and ended with a quote from Maya

Angelou “I rise,” to which she added, “I rise and will continue to succeed. Thank you Florida’s Children First! for giving children a voice.”

The event honored Hobbs, as well as The Dr. P. PhillipsFoundation for its invaluable leadership, support andresources provided to charities that serve Florida’s childrenin need; the Orange County Bar Association for the thou-sands of members who have given hundreds of thousands of hours protecting the child victims of abuse and neglectfor more than 30 years; Representative David J. Mealor forhis dedication and commitment to make children’s issues a priority by being a voice for them in the state legislature;and Bob Opsahl for his accurate reporting on importantissues that affect Florida’s children through his weekly seriesWednesday’s Child, which seeks to find permanent homesfor foster children through adoption.

The event’s impressive attendance list included locallegislators, litigators, members of the media, judiciary, and FCF! officials demonstrating the willingness of the CentralFlorida community to work together and rally around making children’s issues a priority. “A great partnership isdeveloping,” says Glynn. “There really are lots of peoplewho care, which motivates me to accomplish as much aswe possibly can.”

The University Club of Orlando donated both the posh meeting space and food for the evening event. Other sponsors for the event included Akerman Senterfitt, Philco Construction, Maher, Guiley & Maher, Inc., andindividuals such as Harry Jacobs.

Children FirstLocal organization raises money and awareness for the plight of foster children.

For more, log on to www.FloridasChildrenFirst.org or call 321-206-5760.

From left: FCF! President Howard M. Talenfeld, Paul SanGiovanni of the Orange County Bar Association, and FCF! Executive Director Gerard F. Glynn.

LEADERSHIP & EDUCATION

26 A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 FM

With its fiscal year ending on June 30,2004, Heart of Florida United Way recent-ly issued a report card to the communitydetailing its year-long efforts to improvelives in Orange, Osceola and Seminolecounties. The findings show that morethan 400,000 people a year receive healthand human services thanks to Heart of Florida United Way, its volunteers,agencies and supporters.

“If it wasn’t for the countless individu-als, companies and community organizations who volunteered their timeand donated money and in-kind goods,”said John D. Hawkins, President/CEO ofHeart of Florida United Way, “many ofpeople’s most basic needs would havegone unmet.”

Heart of Florida United Way impactsthe community through its five signatureprograms: Volunteer Center; Gifts in KindCenter; Ryan White CARE program; 2-1-1Community Resources and Elder

Helpline; and by raising funds for localhealth and human service charities. The organization has recently begun toexpand its role in developing comprehen-sive strategies to address health andhuman service issues.

“Fundraising represents just one of theways we make a difference in the commu-nity,” said Hawkins. “We feel it’s impor-tant to share with the community all ofthe ways we help so we can better engagethem in the solutions we are seeking.”

Making a DifferenceHeart of Florida United Way’s

Volunteer Center connects individuals,families, students and corporate volunteergroups with opportunities to volunteer.During fiscal year 2003-2004, the centerconnected more than 2,000 volunteerswith charities who needed their assistance. The center’s high profile Days of Caring featured 950 volunteerscompleting volunteer projects during one weekend throughout the tri-countyarea. Its new online volunteer manage-ment program has 1,402 registered users.

The Gifts In Kind Center provideslocal charities with new or barely usedmerchandise or products that businessesno longer need or want to sell, whichallows charities to use more of theirmoney to deliver services to those inneed. During fiscal year 2003-2004, thecenter distributed $1,099,129 worth ofgoods, ranging from sporting goodsequipment to personal care items.

As the manager of the local RyanWhite CARE program, Heart of FloridaUnited Way helps HIV/AIDS patients inBrevard, Orange, Osceola and Seminolecounties who are uninsured or unable topay for extensive and expensive AIDStreatments. Fiscal year 2003-2004 sawHeart of Florida United Way disburse$1,737,706 in state and national funds toprovide quality healthcare to more than2,000 people living with HIV/AIDS inCentral Florida.

2-1-1 is a free, three-digit telephoneservice that provides access to more than3,800 social programs and services includ-ing domestic abuse programs, clothingand furniture needs, youth programs,

services for people with disabilities, volunteer opportunities, service for elders, housing assistance, child care andcounseling services. 2-1-1 has become an important and widely used tool, asmore than 61,000 calls for assistance were received between July 1, 2003 andJune 8, 2004.

Heart of Florida United Way’s fiscalyear 2003-2004 fundraising efforts result-ed in 71 member and special initiativeagencies and 12 contract organizationsreceiving $10,458,991 in allocations, a15.4 percent reduction from the previousyear. The funds will provide a wide rangeof vital health and human services, suchas spousal abuse shelters, after school programs and meals on wheels deliveries,to nearly 400,000 residents.

The funds will be distributed betweenJuly 2004 and June 2005. Funding recommendations were determined and presented to Heart of Florida United Way’s board of directors by theFund Distribution Panel, a volunteer committee made up of more than 100local volunteers.

Positive ImpactHundreds of thousands benefit from regional organization’s efforts.

2-1-1 is a free telephone service that provides access to more than 3,800 social programs and services.

Fiscal Year 2003-2004 Report Card

■ Volunteer Center — More than2,000 people connected with volunteer opportunities.

■ Gifts In Kind Center —$1,099,128.98 in goods distrib-uted to local charities.

■ 2-1-1 — 61,587 calls for helpanswered between July 1, 2003and June 8, 2004.

■ Ryan White CARE — $1,737,706in funds distributed to help thoseliving with HIV/AIDS. More than2,000 patients assisted.

■ Raising Funds — Total allocationof $10,458,991 to 70 memberagencies and 13 contract organi-zations. Allocations will providehealth and human services tonearly 400,000 residents. Heart of Florida United Way impacts the lives

of many through its various programs.

Leadership Orlando is a programdesigned to allow Central Floridians tobecome connected and engaged communi-ty leaders.

To accomplish that purpose, Leadershipclasses meet for a series of nine day-long

sessions over an eight-month period. Eachsession examines some of the key themesand issues surrounding our community.Leadership sessions emphasize the People,the Places, the Possibilities and Purpose thatour community has to offer.

Class 65 will begin with a two-dayOrientation Session on Wednesday andThursday, November 3 and 4. The monthlysessions will take place the first Thursday ofeach month from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Enroll Now!Leadership Orlando Class 65

For more, call Kathy Panter at 407-835-2499, or visit www.orlando.org and click on“Leadership Orlando.”

Go ahead and ask other CentralFloridians what single thing wouldimprove their quality of life. Alreadyknow the answer? An easier, more effi-cient way to commute to work is whatmost people will tell you.

Get ready Central Florida, becausestarting in 2009, you may have anotheroption to get to work: Commuter train.

Thanks to a proposed commuter railproject championed by CongressmanJohn Mica, you may have the chance tolower your blood pressure by avoiding thedrive on I-4. Instead, you may be puttingyour feet up and relaxing on the morningtrain to work.

In recognition of the continuing highrate of growth in the Orlando Urban Area,board members from both METROPLANORLANDO (the transportation planningorganization for Orange, Osceola andSeminole counties) and LYNX (theregional public transportation agency)agreed to move forward with theNorth/South Commuter Rail CorridorProject. Both boards passed resolutions insupport of moving to the next step of theproject at a joint board meeting held earli-er this summer.

The project, an important componentof a multi-modal transportation system,will provide a valuable commutingoption for Central Florida’s workforce.

What is Commuter Rail?Commuter rail transit uses similar

technology to a traditional train and canrun on existing tracks. The trains typicallyhave between two and 10 cars and cancarry up to 300 passengers at a speed of65-80 mph. Service is typically used toconnect outlying areas to centralizedcities over long distances and primarilyruns only during peak rush hour times.

Why Commuter Rail?Commuter rail is a more cost-effective

way to move people through CentralFlorida than adding additional roads.Widening I-4 cannot keep up with thedemand of the area, and each new laneon I-4 costs slightly more than $1 billion.

At completion, the commuter railproject is projected to cost $332 million,with the federal government contribut-ing upwards of 50 percent and the statecontributing around 25 percent. Theremaining costs would be spread acrossthe counties.

■ Large capacity — Commuter rail has alarger capacity than buses to move people.By 2009, the proposed train is projected tocarry 2,400 people a day and 6,000 a dayupon completion.

■ No traffic delays — Just like cars, busescan also get stuck in traffic. But commuterrail will not. The crossings at intersectionswould be re-engineered for better safety,and traffic lights will be synchronized toensure the flow of traffic.

Project GoalsThe commuter rail project is designed

to connect Central Floridians from hometo work in a faster, less-congested andmore-relaxed style. And with a projected6,000 people a day using the commuterrail system upon completion, the roadswill also be less congested.

The project will include two phases.Phase I will connect 27 miles and sevenstations from DeBary to DowntownOrlando. Eventually, the project will con-nect DeBary to Kissimmee, spreadingacross 55 miles of rail with 12 stations.

The service is proposed to be offeredprimarily during 30-minute peak rushhour times between 6:00 – 8:30 a.m. andagain from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. Off-peak serv-ice times are still to be determined.

The next step in the process involvesthe Florida Department of Transportation(FDOT) conducting an environmentalassessment. This is required to determinethe impact of commuter rail operationson Central Florida’s ecosystem. Theassessment will begin this fall and isexpected to be complete by next summer.Once the assessment is complete, FDOTwill gather a community consensus andidentify all funding sources.

On the Right TrackCommuter rail project provides valuable commuting option for Central Floridians.

28 A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 FM

THE THREE “TS” ARE MOVING CENTRAL FLORIDA INTO THE FUTURE. SEE HOWTOURISM, TRADE AND TRANSPORTATION ARE WORKING FOR ALL OF US.TOURISM, TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

■ Phase I of the project will run from DeBary to Downtown Orlando,encompassing 27 miles of rail withseven stations.

■ The project will run from DeBary toKissimmee, spreading across 55 mileswith 12 stations.

■ The commuter rail trains are proposedto run on current CSX tracks throughCentral Florida, eliminating the needto build additional tracks.

■ This is separate from any other pro-jected forms of rail.

■ Proposed commuter rail stations:DeBary/Orange City, Sanford, LakeMary, Altamonte Springs, Winter Park,Florida Hospital, LYNX Central Station,Orlando Amtrak Station, Sand LakeRoad, Osceola Parkway, DowntownKissimmee and Poinciana Blvd.

The proposed commuter rail project would help ease traffic congestion on Central Florida roads.

Project Facts

To learn more about North/SouthCommuter Rail Corridor Project, contactJennifer Wakefield at METROPLAN ORLANDOat 407-481-5672 ext. 305 or by e-mail atjwakefield@metroplanorlando.com. Visitwww.metroplanorlando.com for informationon this and other transportation issues.

The METROPLANORLANDO Board recentlyelected Seminole CountyChairman Daryl McLain to serve as Chairman for the2004/2005 fiscal year.McLain replaces OrangeCounty Commissioner TedEdwards as the head of the region’stransportation planning organization.

Also elected to office terms on theMETROPLAN ORLANDO Board were

City of KissimmeeCommissioner WendellMcKinnon as Vice Chairmanand Orange CountyCommissioner Linda Stewartas Secretary/Treasurer.

The METROPLANORLANDO Board is comprised

of elected and appointed officials whorepresent local governments and theregion’s transportation agencies.

Seminole County Chairman Daryl McLainElected to Lead METROPLAN ORLANDO

30 A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 FM

TOURISM, TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

CVB Celebrates 20 Years of Industry & Community Service

Partnerships serve an importantfunction in our community. As withany large — and growing — metro-politan area, our community’s needsvery often outweigh the resourcesavailable to meet them. Therefore,the essential job of advancing community-wide objectives is oftenbest served through partnerships.The Orlando CVB has played animportant role in advancing several initiatives of importance toour community this year alone.

Florida Citrus SportsAfter a presentation from

Florida Citrus Sports leaders, theOrlando CVB’s board of directorsrecognized the positive impact thata Bowl Championship Series (BCS)game could have on Orlando andpledged its support as a communitypartner. CVB staff worked withFlorida Citrus Sports staff for monthson a proposal to host a new BCSgame in Orlando. When the selection process was accelerated,both teams worked late into thenight to produce a world-class bidresponse of which our communitycan be proud.

United Arts, EDCThe Orlando CVB is working

with several other local organiza-tions on programs of substantialbenefit to our community. Eachyear, the CVB produces 11 majorpublications reaching 5.6 millionpeople, highlighting our destina-tion’s attributes to vacationers, meeting planners and travel trade professionals. The CVB hasleveraged this expertise to benefitseveral community organizations. The CVB’s in-house publicationsteam produces Orlando ArtsMagazine for United Arts of CentralFlorida, enabling the not-for-profitarts organization to focus its timeand resources in other areas.

Following that successful model, theOrlando CVB recently entered into apartnership with the Metro OrlandoEconomic Development Commissionto produce Texture, a magazineaimed at showcasing our area’stechnology landscape to site selection consultants and companies considering relocation or expansion.The Orlando CVB has long been a proponent of both quality-of-lifeenrichment and economic diversification — these partnershipsprovide us with an opportunity to let our actions speak louder than our words.

Orlando RegionalHealthcareFoundation

Recently, directors resolved to assist the Orlando RegionalHealthcare Foundation in fundingthe construction and operation of the Perry Pavilion at OrlandoRegional Sand Lake Hospital. Thepavilion, located on the hospitalcampus, will provide short-termhousing for the families of patientsbeing treated at Sand Lake Hospital.

The Metro Orlando Economic DevelopmentCommission’s new high-tech magazine,Texture, is the CVB’s latest publishing partnership.

In July of 1984, the Orlando CVBopened its doors with a staff of two and93 charter members in what is now arestaurant in The Marketplace at Dr.Phillips. There were two major themeparks, 44,530 hotel rooms, and we hosted 16 trade shows in a conventioncenter with 150,000 square feet of exhibit space. Orlando now boasts eightmajor theme parks, 114,000 hotel roomsand last year hosted 90 trade shows in abuilding with 2.1 million square feet ofexhibit space. The Orlando CVB hasgrown to 1,300 corporate members andhas expanded its reach and function tobe able to maximize the opportunitiesto generate economic benefit to thecommunity. Today, the Orlando CVBteam consists of 140 full-time employeesin Orlando, three convention sales satellite offices and representation inseven international markets.

But nothing great happens with justone voice. The formation of the CVBand its continued success has been builton partnerships with the industry andleadership. We would be remiss if we did not thank the leaders of OrangeCounty. Their outstanding leadershipand positive support goes back morethan 20 years to then Orange CountyAdministrator Jim Harris, who oversawthe formation of the CVB for the coun-ty. The steadfast support continuedthrough the terms of former ChairmanLinda Chapin and exists with currentChairman Richard Crotty. All three ofthese leaders and the commissionerswho have served alongside them haveallowed a team of professionals to dotheir jobs and trusted committed CVB Board leadership to see that theorganization provided enormousreturns to the community.

Over those years, the CVB hasworked to increase visitation in theleisure market and helped book, yes, billions of dollars of convention andtrade show business. It has also becomean outstanding corporate citizen. TheCVB works closely with a range of

organizations including United Arts, the Orlando Regional Chamber ofCommerce, Florida Citrus Sports and the Economic DevelopmentCommission of Mid-Florida to build a greater Orlando, a greater OrangeCounty and a greater Central Floridawith the same fervor it demonstrateswhen marketing the destination to the world.

While we celebrate 20 years of service with pride, we will not look backwards for very long, for history isthe prologue of the future. If we are tokeep our community as a leading traveland meeting destination, it will requirethe collaboration of the industry, support from the public sector and relationships with the greater businesscommunity. We look forward to cele-brating the next 20 years of communityservice and accomplishments. We willget there the way we got to where we are today… by working together with the industry, the public sector, and civic and business organizations to contribute to the ongoing well-being of our community.

Thank you for your support.

Cordially,

John A. Griswold Chairman, Orlando/Orange CountyConvention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. President, CNL Hospitality Corp.

The Latest in CVB/Community Partnerships

FM A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 31

Hoteliers Celebrate Education Programs

Executives of the Association ofBritish Travel Agents (ABTA), alongwith three U.K. travel trade journal-ists, visited Orlando June 14–18 toget a first-hand look at the venuesattendees will visit during the 2004ABTA Convention being held November 25–28. With approxi-mately 1,800 U.K. travel agents andtour operators expected to attendthe convention, it marks the firsttime in ABTA’s 51-year history thatthe event will be held in Orlando.

During their Orlando visit, thegroup toured the host hotels andthe Orange County ConventionCenter as well as Walt Disney WorldResort, Universal Orlando Resortand SeaWorld Orlando, where theconvention's evening functions willtake place. They also found time toenjoy skydiving at SkyVenture andspeeding across the water at BoggyCreek Airboat Rides.

A special thanks goes to theRenaissance Orlando Resort atSeaWorld for hosting the group.

Rosen Receives MPI Achievement AwardBritish VIPsGet SneakPreview ofConvention’sHost City

The Greater Orlando Area Chapterof Meeting Professionals International(GOAMPI) bestowed the Chapter'sinaugural Professional AchievementAward upon local hotelier Harris Rosenduring GOAMPI's Annual Awards &Board Installation Gala held on June 17at the Hyatt Regency OrlandoInternational Airport.

The Professional AchievementAward recognizes community leaders in the meetings industry who have con-tributed to the industry's growth andoverall impact on the region's economy.Rosen is the founder and president ofRosen Hotels & Resorts. Among Rosen's many industry and civic accomplishments include: the Tangelo Park Pilot Program, which has awardedmore than 220 full college scholarshipsto youngsters who live in the disenfran-chised area; and his recent donation ofmore than $18 million to the Universityof Central Florida to construct and govern the Rosen School of HospitalityManagement. For his unselfish contributions to improving the

quality of life for parents and children in Orlando, Rosen was awarded the distinguished AMVETS Silver HelmetAward and was named “1999 Orlandoan of the Year” by Orlando magazine.

"We wanted to recognize HarrisRosen for his strong impact on thelocal hospitality community and histremendous support for promoting theeducational aspects of the meetingsindustry," says Rodney Gutierrez, CMP,president of the Greater Orlando AreaChapter of MPI. "His contributions tothe University of Central Florida'sHospitality Management School will

have a tremendous impact not only on the local hospitality communitybut to the industry at large!"

The GOAMPI ProfessionalAchievement Award has been estab-lished to recognize industry profession-als from the local community who havedemonstrated leadership through community development, support forthe meeting industry, and vision for theindustry's sustained growth. The awardwill be presented on an annual basis.

The Central Florida Hotel &Lodging Association (CFHLA) celebrat-ed two of its award-winning educationprograms — Teacher Academy andAdopt-A-School — on June 25 duringits membership luncheon held at theOrange County Convention Center’sNorth-South Building.

The CFHLA Teachers Academyoffers educators the paid opportunityto job shadow at a CFHLA memberhotel. For one week during the sum-mer, educators learn first hand theroles of a hotel management team, job shadowing a different person each day. The program began fouryears ago and now has more than 100teacher alumni. This program offerseducators the opportunity to learn the positive realities of managementroles of Florida’s number-one industry.These experiences have translated into modified school curriculums, which

apply real workforce experiences andneeds. The program contributes to the educational development of students in becoming a competitiveand trained workforce.

The CFHLA Adopt-A-School pro-gram pairs member hotels with localschools during a school year. Theadoptive partners have a physical presence at the schools, working witheach in a number of ways, including

providing in-kind contributions, mentoring students, and supportingschool events and teacher recognitionprograms. Last year, 45 Adopt-A-Schoolpartnerships were created.

Hospitality understands that children are the future workforce of this community and partners with public schools as often as possible withprograms such as these.

Rodney Gutierrez presents Harris Rosen theorganization’s first annual ProfessionalAchievement Award.

CFHLA awarded certificates of participation during its June Member Luncheon to the 26 hotel general managers and 26 teachers who participated in CFHLA’s Teacher Academy.

Orlando/Orange County CVB, Inc. Corporate Partners

From left: Rodney Gutierrez, Dr. DeborahBreiter and Dr. Paul Rompf, Rosen College ofHospitality Management associate professorsand Harris Rosen, and Rosen College DeanAbe Pizam.

With approximately 1,800U.K. travel agents andtour operators expectedto attend the convention,it marks the first time inABTA’s 51-year history thatthe event will be held inOrlando.

Participants of the ABTA familiarizationtour pose with a true Florida native atBoggy Creek Airboat Rides.

34 A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 FM

COMMUNITY, CULTURE AND TRENDS. IT’S ALL REPRESENTED HERE.

CULTURE & TRENDS

There is no greater joy than living your dreams and living at your highest potential. Business ownership allowsyou to become empowered and to live the American dream,yet this “dream” has turned into a nightmare for manyaspiring entrepreneurs. Even with the support of manywell-intended technical assistance providers, some businessowners fail to reach their potential.

This potential can be reached by taking advantage ofthe next level of entrepreneurial support provided by manylocal agencies and individuals — The Small Business Coach.

A Small Business Coach is experienced, certified, andtrained to help you succeed in business by providing coaching for all aspects of business and management thatcan hasten success. These include: Vision, Team Building,Business Plans, Financing, Strategic Planning, Mission,Training, Conflict Management, Productivity, and more.

How Coaching WorksTypically, your Small Business Coach will speak with

you on the telephone once a week. Because coaching isdone over the telephone, it doesn’t matter where your business is located, but most owners prefer the convenienceof a local coach.

In each session, you will focus on one or more areas in your life and business in which you’d like to unlock your potential in discovering where you want to go, what’s blocking you and how you can create a bright and successful future.

Just as you commit to a weekly schedule, the SmallBusiness Coach commits to getting to know you and giv-ing you personal attention for your specific situation, goalsand dreams.

A Small Business Coach/Business Owner relationship is a supportive partnership. The relationship between the coach and the client is the key. Coaches are there to support and encourage you to create a plan and remove roadblocks. Together, you are helped to move successfullytowards your goals.

Enhancing Your BusinessYour success depends largely on creating a vision,

designing a plan, and then following through. A SmallBusiness Coach can help you stay focused and motivated inorder to create results. A Small Business Coach can help you:

■ Create empowering actions

■ Set and achieve goals

■ Maximize productivity

■ Get focused and stay motivated

■ Manage time effectively and stop procrastination

■ Organize and balance your life and business

■ Brainstorm creative and intuitive solutions

■ Inspire yourself and others

A Small Business Coach can be a valuable asset to youand your business. These professionals will provide the personalized service you need in order to reach your nextlevel of business success — a level that often cannot beaccomplished solely through education training.

If you choose your Small Business Coach wisely, he or she can become a valuable asset and confidante. However,inexperienced, unproven, untrained, unequipped and ill-equipped Small Business Consultants can be a hindranceto your success, so choose wisely.

For more, contact 407-428-5850 or visit www.aacccforl.net.

The Small Business CoachEmpowering the small business owner to succeed. By Ann Brown Payne, Member, AACCCF

Being able to speak with your Small Business Coach via telephonemakes it easier to set up a weekly schedule.

El 1ro. de agosto, organizaciones eindividuos por todo el país harán unesfuerzo para aumentar el conocimientosobre la necesidad de donación deórganos y tejidos, especialmente en lascomunidades minoritarias. En estemomento, más de 85,000 niños y adultosesperan por un trasplante de órganos ysobre 58,000 de ellos esperan portrasplantes del riñón. De éstos, losHispanos representan más del 17porciento. ¿Por qué?

Los Hispanos tienen tres veces másprobabilidades de sufrir enfermedades delriñón que el resto de la población general,debido a la alta incidencia de hiperten-sión, diabetes y la dieta. Aunque es posibleencontrar un órgano compatible en

cualquier grupo étnico, es mucho másprobable encontrar el mejor órgano en undonante de la misma etnia. Usted puedeayudar a salvar una vida al aprender loshechos y compartir la información conotros. Pero para tomar una decisión sobreser un donante de órganos y tejidos, es necesario que obtenga la informacióncorrecta.

Los Hechos Sobre La Donación deÓrganos y Tejidos:

■ El trasplante no es una terapia experimen-tal. Es un procedimiento médico aceptado yel porcentaje de supervivencia es excelente.

■ La familia del donante no incurre en ningúngasto por la donación de órganos y tejidos.

■ La mayoría de las religiones ven la

donación de órganos y tejidos como unacto de amor. Los católicos, por ejemplo,ven la donación de órganos como un actode caridad, amor fraternal y sacrificio. Lostrasplantes son moralmente y éticamenteaceptados por el Vaticano.

■ Su edad no determina si puede ser undonante.

■ La donación no cambia el aspecto físicodel cuerpo.

■ Si usted va al hospital por enfermedad opor heridas, la prioridad número uno essalvar su vida. La donación de órganos ytejidos solamente se considera después dela muerte.

No olvidemos que los seres humanosnacemos con la cualidad de dar…démosle

a quienes lo necesitan. Sea un donante deórganos y tejidos, firme una tarjeta dedonante y manténgala en su cartera.Recuerde que debe identificarse como un donante la próxima vez que ustedrenueve su licencia de conductor.Cerciórese de comunicarle sus deseos a su familia también.

In celebration of the positive Hispanic influence in Central Florida, the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce will be featuring a monthly news story “en español” in FirstMonday for your reading pleasure.

Donar sus órganos es donar vidaLos seres humanos nacemos con grandes cualidades y una de ellas es la habilidad de ayudar a otros.

Para más información, comuníquese conLesley Ann McMillen al 407-303-3633 o visitewww.donevida.org.

36 A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 FM

CULTURE & TRENDS

The Society for Human ResourceManagement (SHRM) recently releasedthe SHRM Workplace Forecast, whichprojects the top 10 trends affecting theAmerican workplace according to a sur-vey of HR professionals. The rising cost ofhealth care tops the list, while securityissues, labor shortages and exportation ofU.S. jobs also rank as hot topics.

“Being aware of trends affecting theworkplace can help an organizationproactively anticipate challenges ahead,”said Susan R. Meisinger, SPHR, Presidentand CEO of SHRM. “Great companieshave HR professionals leading the waywith smart people strategies as organiza-tions adapt to changing times.”

The “SHRM Workplace Forecast 2004-2005: A Strategic Outlook” examinesthe issues that are affecting macro-trendsin the workplace and the jobs, duties andconcerns of HR professionals. The forecastsurveyed a random sample of 558 SHRM members.

The top 10 trends overall were:

1. Rise in health care costs

2. Focus on domestic safety and security

3. Use of technology to communicate withemployees

4. Growing complexity of legal compliance

5. Use of technology to perform transaction-al HR functions

6. Focus on global security

7. Preparing for the next wave ofretirement/labor shortage

8. Use and development of e-learning

9. Exporting of U.S. manufacturing jobs todeveloping countries

10. Changing definition of family

Critical AreasIn addition, the survey looks at the

top 10 key concerns, and other trendsidentified by the SHRM Workplace Trendsand Forecasting Program, that influenceoverall trends within the following eightkey areas: demographics, economics,employment, international issues, political trends, society, science and technology, and HR industry trends.

■ Demographics: The aging of the work-force, the need for elder care, changingfamily patterns, and high rates of immi-gration are all demographic trends thatimpact organizations and their workforces.

■ Economics: Economic trends includehealth care and pension costs, demand forhigh-skilled workers, and changes in corpo-rate governance resulting from scandals.

■ Employment: Lower HR staff toemployee ratios, demand for flexible workschedules, linking pay and performance,employee demand for customized employ-ment relationships, and the backlashagainst managed care all impact the keyemployment trends.

■ International: International trends are formed by exporting U.S. jobs, security concerns, the expanding global marketplace, ethnic and regional differences, anti-Americanism, and a growing economic interdependence among the countries of the world.

■ Politics: The political trends in the U.S.reflect the issues that are most important

in workplaces and households across thenation. These include a focus on domesticsecurity, health care reform, increasedpolitical partisanship, 2004 elections, and a weakening of affirmative actionpolicies.

■ Society: The changing definition of afamily, a 24/7 work culture, and broaden-ing diversity are some of the componentsthat make the list of societal trends.

■ Science & Technology: The use of tech-nology for employee communications,employee monitoring, and development of e-learning are all trends of growingimportance to HR professionals. However,so are an increased concern for intellectualproperty, identity theft issues, and the vulnerability of technology to potential terrorist attacks.

■ HR Trends: Current trends in the HRindustry include the growing complexity oflegal compliance, use of technology to performtransactional HR functions, demonstratingHR’s return on investment, and the empha-sis on HR competencies for practitioners.

Trend FocusHealth care costs, security, and use of technology top list of HR trends to watch.

With more than $200 billion worth ofnew hospitals planned during the nextdecade, a new report argues that the waythe facilities are designed will have a directimpact on how patients and staff will fare.

“Hospitals are dangerous, stressfulplaces where quality care is too often provided in spite of the physical environ-ment than because of it,” said CraigZimring, an environmental psychologistand architect at the Georgia Institute ofTechnology. “The good news is that wedon’t have to keep building hospitals this way.”

Zimring and Roger Ulrich, a professorof architecture at Texas A&M University,collaborated to review and compile 600studies on how hospital design affectedpatient outcomes and satisfaction. The Center for Health Design inConcord, Calif., and the Robert WoodJohnson Foundation sponsored the six-month project.

Although the United States spends$500 billion a year on hospital care,many Americans find being hospitalizedis no ticket to health. Recent studies by the Institute of Medicine suggest asmany 98,000 Americans die each yearfrom preventable medical errors while in the hospital, and some 2 million, or 1 in 20 of those admitted, contract dangerous infections.

Studies also show that hospital surroundings create stress for patients,their families and staff. Rooms have poorlighting and windows that look out onwalls or parking lots. There is little or no place for visitors to sit. The noise of equipment, staff, visitors and otherpatients make a mockery of the quaintnotion of hospital quiet zones.

Nurses’ stations are crowded, noisyand poorly located to monitor and reachpatients, contributing to errors andmishaps. One recent study found noise

levels equal to a jackhammer in a patientroom opposite a nursing station. Poor air quality and ventilation, coupled withhaving two or more patients sharing aroom, are major causes of infectionspicked up in hospitals.

Another cause of infection is a lack ofhandwashing by staff between patients.Fixing this is partially an issue of trainingand management, but “tests have shownthat just putting a sink in a place thatdoctors, nurses and other staff pass beforethey reach the patient makes a huge difference,” Ulrich said.

Ulrich and Zimring said the evidencesuggests these changes are most urgent:

■ Get rid of double-occupancy rooms, which will curb infections and reduce stress for everyone.

■ Improve ventilation systems and add air filters.

■ Install more sound-absorbing ceiling, wall

and floor material and provide better lighting and more access to natural light.

■ Make hospitals easier to navigate withmore logical layouts and better maps and directions.

Models done of a 300-bed hospitalwith all the new design features showedthat it would cost about $12 million moreto build than a facility with conventionalfeatures, but it also showed that thesmarter design features paid for them-selves within a year by improving efficiency, patient safety and satisfactionand market share.

Health TrendsBetter designed hospitals help patients and staff.By Lee Bowman, Scripps Howard News Service

For more, go to www.healthdesign.org.

FM A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 37

As time goes by, the HispanicChamber of Commerce of MetroOrlando is growing more proud of itsprofessional, diverse, loyal, hard-workingand enthusiastic membership. In typicalfashion, we celebrate our members’accomplishments, support their effortsand, of course, congratulate them ontheir well-deserved successes.

One Chamber member recentlycelebrated its eighth anniversary as amember of the local Hispanic radio sta-tion community — Radio Paz Orlando,WOTS 1220 AM.

Radio Paz Orlando is a project of the Orlando Catholic Diocese ofOrlando. Its purpose is to provide good news to the local community in a positive, truthful and timely manner. Although the majority of its

programming is in Spanish, there aresegments in English, Vietnamese andPortuguese to embrace the station’sdiverse Catholic audience in southOrange and most of Osceola County.

Much has happened since RadioPaz went on air in 1996. It has grownfrom a three-hour radio program into amajor radio project and a vehicle ofcommunication and community service.Even local business organizations suchas our Hispanic Chamber and govern-ment entities such as the South Florida

Water Management District and the cityof Orlando have realized Radio Paz’sstrength, and they have created strategicalliances to reach the station’s growing,diverse audience.

Many attribute Radio Paz’s successto its increasing number of listeners, butothers agree that its success is thanks inlarge part to its commitment to profes-sionalism and objective journalism. Thestation offers unique, diverse program-ming that combines Catholic-orientedand human interest programming with experienced Latin-American journalistic style.

The Hispanic Chamber congratu-lates Radio Paz Orlando for its years ofbeing an entrepreneur and enrichingour Hispanic community. This next levelof Hispanic radio is what our local

Hispanic market needs in order to createa true, strong and professional Hispanicjournalistic culture in Central Florida.

The Good News RadioCreating a true Hispanic journalistic culture.By Jose David Alvarez, HCCMO Director, CBR Public Relations

Its purpose is to providegood news to the local community in a positive,truthful and timely manner.

For more, visit www.radiopazorlando.org or call 407-246-4928. For more on the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, call 407-428-5870 or visit www.hispanicchamber.net.

WELCOME JUNE'S NEW MEMBERS. LOOK FOR JULY'S NEW MEMBERS IN THE NEXT ISSUE.MEMBERSHIP

America’s Source Title Services195 Wekiva Springs RoadSuite 200Longwood, FL 32779Mr. AJ MaaliTitle Insurance Companies

Atlantic Envelope Company2243 Springs Landing BoulevardLongwood, FL 32779Mr. Rick JohnsonPrinting and Publishing

Big City Catering, Inc.9500 Satellite BoulevardSuite 220Orlando, FL 32837Mr. Tony DoblinCatering

Casa Monica Hotel95 Cordova StreetSt. Augustine, FL 32084Ms. Michelle ThallHotels, Motels and Resorts

Central Florida Internists453 North Kirkman RoadSuite 203Orlando, FL 32811Ms. Gail C. MorrisPhysicians/Surgeons

Central Florida RecordDestruction & Storage, Inc.

1064 South Dillard StreetWinter Garden, FL 34787Lakeba Wallace, RHITDocument Destruction

Central Parking System315 East Robinson StreetSuite 520Orlando, FL 32801Mr. Sean FosterParking Stations and Garages

Century 21 Elite Properties —Christopher Andrews

6700 Conroy RoadSuite 150Orlando, FL 32835Mr. Christopher AndrewsReal Estate(Commercial/Industrial)

CFSE Business Services, Inc.1400 West Fairbanks AvenueSuite 202Winter Park, FL 32789Thaddeus Seymour, Jr., Ph.D.Business (Brokers)

Classic Families, Inc.215 Celebration PlaceSuite 100Celebration, FL 34747Ms. Jackie EwingReal Estate (Rentals)

Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT

901 North Lake Destiny RoadSuite 110Maitland, FL 32751Mr. Timothy SpencerReal Estate(Commercial/Industrial)

Coldwell Banker/Winsome Smikle

1000 Wekiva Springs RoadLongwood, FL 32779Ms. Winsome SmikleReal Estate

Cruise Planners4687 Cheyenne Point TrailKissimmee, FL 32746Mr. Craig NordengrenCruises/Cruise Lines

Curtis Services7380 Sand Lake RoadSuite 5012Orlando, FL 32819Mr. John W. CampbellSecurity Guard and Patrol Service

Disaster Services, Inc.7703 Kingspointe ParkwaySuite 900Orlando, FL 32819Mr. Mark S. KleemanFire and Water Damage Restoration

Electric Picture DisplaySystems, Inc.

100 Ruby StreetRockledge, FL 32955Mr. R.P. HigginsAudio/Video

Embassies of GodInternational

P.O. Box 772707Orlando, FL 32877Reverend Simone NoelOrganizations (Non-Profit)

EntryPoint8010 Sunport DriveSuite 114Orlando, FL 32807Mr. Scott CooperWindows and Doors

Franklin Bank195 Wekiva Springs RoadSuite 200Longwood, FL 32779Mr. AJ MaaliMortgage Bankers or Brokers

Frontline Outreach3000 C.R. Smith StreetOrlando, FL 32805Mr. Arto Woodley, Jr.Organizations (Non-Profit)

Genie Pro Sales Center1075 Gills DriveSuite 400Orlando, FL 32824Mr. Angel ColonGarage Doors and Openers

Hellmann WorldwideLogistics, Inc.

8249 Parkline BoulevardSuite 400Orlando, FL 32809Ms. Joan Michaud SmithFreight(Forwarders/Distributors)

Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation

10655 Central Port DriveOrlando, FL 32824Mr. Ron ChapmanConstruction(Machinery/Building Equipment)

Investment Advisors ofCentral Florida, Inc.

1407 East Robinson StreetOrlando, FL 32801Mr. Michael L. BenseyFinancial(Consultants/Planners/Services)

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service350 East Pine StreetOrlando, FL 32806Ms. Roxanne RoseTax Services

K&K Business Solutions, Inc.7055 Blair DriveOrlando, FL 32818Ms. Andrea KnudsenBusiness Services

K&S Graphic Designs1700 Peregrine Falcons Way#202Orlando, FL 32837Ms. Wanda SantiagoGraphic Design/Illustrators

L.T.J. Properties, LLC1969 South Alafaya TrailSuite 351Orlando, FL 32828Ms. Liam GillenReal Estate (Investment)

Lawyers AdvantageTitle Group

850 Concourse Parkway SouthSuite 100Maitland, FL 32751Ms. Rhonda RittenhouseTitle Insurance Companies

Liberty National Bank502 North Highway 17-92Longwood, FL 32750Mr. Ryan D. TennysonBanks

Marc’s The Spot10300 Yorkmere CourtOrlando, FL 32817Mr. Marcos PaganPrinters (Service/Supplies)

Mercedes-Benz of South Orlando

4301 Millenia BoulevardOrlando, FL 32839Ms. Leslie HackettAutomobile Dealers (New and Used)

Miller Insurance Group3548 South Orange AvenueOrlando, FL 32806Mr. Michael LublinInsurance (Property and Casualty)

NEXTEL1101 North Keller RoadSuite G-2Orlando, FL 32810-NBMs. Kim WatsonCellular Communications

Olivier Lilette861 Victoria TerraceAltamonte Springs, FL 32701Mr. Olivier LiletteIndividuals

Our Town Realty10645 Narcoossee RoadOrlando, FL 32832Ms. Brenda ChapmanReal Estate

Peterbrooke Chocolatier300 Park Avenue SouthWinter Park, FL 32789Mr. Omar ZufariChocolates

Platinum Key, Inc.5447 International DriveOrlando, FL 32819Ms. Linda OhlinVacation (Rentals/Ownership)

Real Estate Research Consultants

518 South Magnolia AvenueOrlando, FL 32801Mr. William H. OwenReal Estate(Developers/Builders)

Rhodes + Brito Architects Inc.601 North Magnolia AvenueSuite 100Orlando, FL 32801Mr. Ruffin RhodesArchitectural Services

Robert Harris1972 Lake Fountain Drive#111Orlando, FL 32839Mr. Robert HarrisIndividuals

Rosie Nguyen2484 West State Road 434Longwood, FL 32779Ms. Rosie NguyenMortgage Bankers or Brokers

Southeast Print & Design266 Wilshire BoulevardSuite 115Casselberry, FL 32702Mr. Eddie JarmakowiczPrinters (Service/Supplies)

Taylor Consulting GroupP.O. Box 2075Lake Mary, FL 32746Mr. Robert R. TaylorHuman Resources Consultant

TeraMedia — A Division of CitySaver’s

501 East Jackson StreetOrlando, FL 32801Ms. Tammy MercerMarketing/Direct Mail

The Club Registry2110 Countryside DriveApopka, FL 32712Mr. Zack W. JordanMagazines

The Compliance and Audit Group

7680 Universal BoulevardSuite 580Orlando, FL 32819Dr. Suzanne W.H. MillerComputer (Network Security)

Transit Television Network8544 Commodity CircleOrlando, FL 32819Mr. Jeff JensenAdvertising (Mass Transit)

Wellesley Apartments8775 Wellesley Lake DriveOrlando, FL 32818Ms. Kesha HolmesApartments

World Market1744 Sand Lake RoadOrlando, FL 32809Ms. Christine CramerRetail and Variety Stores

Regional Board of Advisors Chamber TrusteesSmall Business Chamber

38 A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 FM

BUSINESS.

COMMUNITY.

INTERACTION.

ADVERTISIN

G PARTN

ERS

Central City Market ..........................11

Central Florida News 13 ....................9www.cfnews13.com

Coca-Cola..........................................12www.coca-cola.com

Crystal Springs ..................................8www.water.com

Enterprise ..........................................23

Fairwinds Credit Union.......................17www.fairwinds.org

Florida Hospital ............................32, 33www.flhosp.org

Funai Classic ......................................29www.orlando.org

Hue ....................................................11www.huerestaurant.com

Hue Catering ......................................11www.huecatering.com

Images Auto Spa ................................14

K.D.R. Photo Systems .........................37E-mail: kdrphoto@netscape.net

Kres....................................................11www.kreschophouse.com

The Plaza ..........................................40www.plazaorlando.com

Vista Lakes ............................................2www.vistalakes.com

UCF Get Motivated ............................35www.ucfgetmotivated.com

UCF Luncheon....................................15www.orlando.org

FM A U G U S T 2 0 0 4 39

The Voice of BusinessBusinessForce gives local businesses a unified voice for good government.

In past years, the Central Florida business community has attempted to become more activelyinvolved in the important work of politics, but individually, and not as one voice. Businesses had to go it alone, along a very rocky road having to face each candidate and each election, in singularfashion, absent a long-term plan or vision for ourfamily of communities.

Local businesses had to conduct independentresearch on each candidate and each issue and hadto produce separate and unrelated “report cards” of accountability for each elected official. Thereexisted no way or method of sharing commoninformation and common goals.

Now, with BusinessForce, businesses, large andsmall, will have a unified voice, speaking out for“Pro-Business” candidates and for good govern-ment. The purpose of BusinessForce is to promoteresponsible public policy and, on a non-partisanbasis, support candidates and elected officials who advocate positive business practices at the state and local levels.

Created by the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, BusinessForce will operate in total compliance with all election laws. BusinessForce hasits own Executive Board, separate from the OrlandoRegional Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber is now assembling the SustainingTrustees of BusinessForce and wants to invite you to join in order to help successfully guide this

important pro-business organization. As aSustaining Trustee, you will be a member ofBusinessForce and will share in the responsibility ofits governance and management, as well as be invit-ed to participate in BusinessForce special events.

Each Sustaining Trustee is being asked to pledge$250 per year for three years. In fulfillment of thispledge, you will sit as a Sustaining Trustee untilDecember 31, 2006.

Your initial $250 pledge can be fulfilled any timebetween now and December 31, 2004, and can behonored with either a personal or company check.

BusinessForce will be “ready to go” in time forthe August 31, 2004, Primary Election. Join ourefforts — together, we will make the “voice of busi-ness” a much stronger force for good government!

Show your support by contacting Mike Ketchum,Vice President for Public Policy, at 407-835-2464 ormichael.ketchum@orlando.org.

The purpose of BusinessForce is topromote responsible public policyand, on a non-partisan basis, supportcandidates and elected officials whoadvocate positive business practicesat the state and local levels.

From left: Chamber Chairman Wayne Wolfson; CongressmanTom Feeney; Joe York, Host/Sponsor for BusinessForce Eventsand Regional Director at BellSouth; and Pat Christiansen,Chairman of BusinessForce and Shareholder at AkermanSenterfitt, at a recent BellSouth “Insider’s Briefing.”