Young Business Leaders

■ Focus on: BANKING & FINANCE, pages 12-21 Inside: LOCAL LENDERS: Area banks credit increased loan activity to new SBA rules, low interest rates an...
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■ Focus on: BANKING & FINANCE, pages 12-21

Inside:

LOCAL LENDERS:

Area banks credit increased loan activity to new SBA rules, low interest rates and improving economy … Page 12

LISTS:

Area’s largest financial institutions, financial adviser firms … Pages 16, 20

READY TO HELP:

June 27, 2011

Area financial planners, investment advisers assist investors in navigating uncertain economy … Page 19

Young Business Leaders

2011 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Daytona Beach, FL Permit #150

Meet six up-and-coming young professionals who are making a difference in their communities — Pages 5-9

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Volusia/Flagler Business Report

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You have the ambition. You have the plan. Make sure you have the capital.

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Volusia/Flagler Business Report

June 27, 2011 3

ON THE COVER: Meet the Business Report’s 2011 Young Business Leaders. Pictured, left to right: Vonzelle Johnson, Erum Kistemaker, Carrie Register, James Stowers, Mark Watts, Kelly White. See stories on pages 5-9.

0000940901 ■ Focus on: BANKING & FINANCE, pages 12-21

Inside: LOCAL LENDERS:

Area banks credit increased loan activity to new SBA rules, low interest rates and improving economy … Page 12

LISTS:

Area’s largest financial institutions, financial adviser firms … Pages 16, 20 June 27, 2011

READY TO HELP:

Area financial planners, investment advisers assist investors in navigating uncertain economy … Page 19

Photos: David Massey, Sean McNeil

Young Business Leaders

1 011 201

Remounting

Sale

Whether you are getting engaged or looking to restyle your current wedding ring.

Meet six up-and-coming young professionals who are making a difference in their communities — Pages 5-9

INSIDE:

People on the Move ..................................................................................................................Pages 10-11 Calendar of upcoming local business events................................................................Pages 10-11

Focus: 2011 Young Business Leaders

Editor’s Notebook: How we chose this year’s winners......................................................Page 5 Vonzelle Johnson ..................................................................................................................................Page 5 Erum Kistemaker ................................................................................................................................Page 6 Carrie Register ......................................................................................................................................Page 6 James Stowers........................................................................................................................................Page 7 Mark Watts..............................................................................................................................................Page 8 Kelly White ............................................................................................................................................Page 9

Focus: Banking & Finance

Local lenders: Area banks credit increased loan activity to new SBA rules, low interest rates and improving economy ..........................................................................Page 12 Executive Q&As: Several area bankers offer their views on the banking industry, the local economy............................................................................................Pages 14-18, 21 The List: Area’s largest financial institutions ......................................................................Page 16 Ready to help: Area financial planners, investment advisers assist investors in navigating uncertain economy ..........................................................................Page 19 The List: Area’s largest financial adviser firms ..................................................................Page 20

Volusia/Flagler Business Report Connecting Business to Business June 27, 2011 Copyright © 2011 Halifax Media Acquisition LLC

Mailing address: Volusia/Flagler Business Report c/o Daytona Beach News-Journal 901 6th St., Daytona Beach, FL 32117 Phone: 386-681-2470 Email: [email protected] for editorial submissions [email protected] for advertising inquiries Web site: www.vfbr.com Editor: Clayton Park Graphic Designer: John Klipfel Contributing writers: Tom Knox, Bob Koslow, Hilary Lehman, Valerie Whitney Business desk clerk: Peggy Ellis Photographers: Peter Bauer, Tom Knox, David Massey, Sean McNeil, David Tucker Advertising: Rebecca Zimmerman

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Support your Local Chamber Activities & Events FLAGLER BEACH / PALM COAST BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 7/14/2011 • 5:30-7:00 PM Business After Hours for July will be a "miniblock party" sponsored by Alliance Financial Partners and the Palm Coast Observer at One Florida Park Drive North. Stop by starting at 5:30 pm for food, fun, giveaways and networking with other members. Admission is $5 for members and $10 for guests/future members. A portion of the proceeds from the function will be donated to a local charity. BUNNELL CHAMBER BUSINESS & BISCUITS 7/19/2011 • 7:30-9:00 AM The Bunnell Chamber will host its quarterly Business & Biscuits on Tuesday, July 19 at the State Street Dinner. Come enjoy a great meal and network with other members. Breakfast starts at 7:30 am. Cost is $10 for members and $12 for future members. Please RSVP to 386-437-0106. Thank you! FABULOUS FOURTH FESTIVAL 7/4/2011 • 9:00 AM-10:00 PM Grab the kids, your shades and some sunscreen and come to Flagler Beach for one of the most popular Independence Day celebrations around. Presented by Politis Law Firm and hosted by the Flagler Beach Chambers, the one-day celebration kicks off at 9 am with fun activities scheduled throughout the day. There will be a parade, watermelon and hot dog eating contests, Cornhole Tournament, Battle of the Bands, street festival and a very special event for preschool age "Lil' Kahunas" and "Tiny Tikis". At dusk, stake out a spot for the perfect ending to a perfect day...a mag-

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nificent fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean. Here's the schedule of events: 10 am Independent Day Parade 11 am Cornhole Competition 12 pm Watermelon Eatin' Contest 1 pm TIny Tiki/Lil' Kahuna Event 2 pm Hot Dog Eating Competition sponsored by Chi Dog 3 pm Battle of the Bands 9 pm Fireworks display ORMOND BEACH Chamber Closed due to Holiday Monday, July 4 Generation Ormond Event Thursday, July 7 5:30-7:00 pm Our Guest Speaker will be: Ned Harper "Resources for Small Businesses to Succeed" LPGA International 1000 Champions Dr. Daytona Beach Business Sparkler Wednesday, July 13 5:00-7:00 pm Homewood Suites by Hiton HOLLY HILL Tuesday, July 26th Quarterly Breakfast at Bishop's Glen. Meet & Greet 7:15 am and meeting starts at 7:30 am. State Representative Fred Costello is our scheduled guest speaker and the public is welcome to attend. Cost for breakfast is $10, but only $5 for chamber members. Reservations a must...RSVP to Rose at 255-7311 prior to Thursday, July 21st.

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DELAND JULY 4 Chamber will be closed Monday, July 4th for the Holiday. JULY 12 • 8 AM, “Coffee with the Chamber” Networking Event DeLand Area Chamber, 336 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. Member Admission $2, Future Members $10. JULY 26 • 11:30-1 PM, “Get Connected” Networking Luncheon, Victoria Gardens Club House, 1001 Garden Club Drive, DeLand. Member Admission: Lunch $10 or Beverage $2, Future Members: $10 entry plus cost of lunch $10 or Beverage $2 RSVP to 734-4331. SE VOLUSIA JULY 4 Offices closed in observance of Independence Day JULY 20 General Membership Luncheon Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach Elk's Lodge 820 W. Park Ave., Edgewater 32132 12pm • $7 With guest speaker Ellen Darden with the New Smyrna Beach Board of REALTORS New Smyrna Beach Library JULY 21 Business After Hours Emeritus at Port Orange, 1675 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange 32137 • 5-7pm JULY 27 Network Leads Group Region's Bank, 900 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach 32168 8:30am

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June 27, 2011 5

Focus: 2011 YOUNG BUSINESS LEADERS

2011 Meet this year’s winners Young Business Leaders

By Clayton Park

F

Clayton Park

Business Report Editor

or those concerned about the future of our community, a look at the Volusia/Flagler Business Report’s 2011 “Young Business Leaders” honorees profiled in this issue may offer some encouragement. This is the sixth consecutive year the Business Report has chosen several outstanding individuals under the age of 40 from the Volusia-Flagler area to recognize for their accomplishments, both professionally and as community volunteers. A look at the honorees both for this year as well as in the previous five years shows that our community has not only managed to retain some of the brightest and best homegrown talent, but also managed to attract

Editor’s Notebook some outstanding individuals from other parts of the country. This year’s pool of nominees, submitted by our readers as well as our staff, included an outstanding group of young professionals making a significant impact in our community. The final selections were made by a panel that included Lori Catron, News-Journal marketing & promotions director, Brad Gordner, News-Journal marketing develop-

ment manager, Sarah Bates, News-Journal marketing research manager, Maya Arth, News-Journal marketing research analyst, Rebecca Zimmerman, News-Journal special sections manager, and myself. This year’s Young Business Leader award winners are Vonzelle Johnson, Erum Kistemaker, Carrie Register, James Stowers, Mark Watts and Kelly White.. Choosing this year’s honorees was no easy task. We considered nominees’ ongoing personal and professional growth as well as notable achievements over the past year. We also took into consideration professional and charitable leadership roles, education, recent awards, and volunteer activities. Without a doubt, many of those nominated but not selected this time will be even stronger contenders for the honor in the coming years as they continue to make

Vonzelle Johnson

Enterprising 20-something making impact both as newly elected DeLand city commssioner, nonprofit exec and college instructor By Valerie Whitney Staff Writer

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ewly elected DeLand City Commissioner Vonzelle Johnson didn’t set out to enter politics. But now that he is an elected official, Johnson hopes to use his leadership role to encourage more young professionals to play it forward. Johnson, 27, who holds bachelors and masters degrees in sociology and social work from Colgate University and Valdosta State University, respectively, had planned to head out to the West Coast to look for work. “But God gave me a greater purpose and a vision,” he said, about his decision to return to DeLand two years ago and start a non-profit mentoring organization aimed at young men. The program, known as BASIC — Brothers Advocating Service and Inspiration in the Community — has grown in size and stature. Using the program as a platform, Johnson spearheaded several community initiatives and facilitated several collaborative efforts by community partners in an effort to provide service to the community. He no longer runs

the day-to-day operation, turning that role over to an associate director. This summer the program has five interns — all college students — looking to make a difference in someone’s life. In recognition of his accomplishments both professionally as well as in his efforts to better his community, the Business Report selected Johnson as a “2011 Young Business Leader” for the Volusia-Flagler area. Michael Woods, an attorney with Cobb Cole in DeLand, nominated Johnson for the honor. “As a new city commissioner, he has conducted himself very well. We are talking about a young man who decided to become influential in his community, set about doing it and did it,” Woods wrote of Johnson. Besides his duties as a City Commissioner, Johnson’s days now consist of working at Stetson University in a mentoring program for first-generation college students. He also is an adjunct professor in social work at BethuneCookman University in Daytona Beach. Both are a far cry from his first job while still in high school as a cashier for a McDonald’s restaurant in DeLand that

used to sit on a site now occupied by a Moe’s Southwest Grill restaurant. “I started there learning the art of customer service,” Johnson said. See JOHNSON p. 22

Vonzelle Johnson Age: 27 Title: Student Success Coach/Adjunct professor/City Commissioner Company: Stetson University/Bethune-Cookman University/City of DeLand Work history: Founder of non-profit organization BASIC; first job— worked as a cashier at McDonald’s in DeLand while in high school Community involvement: Founder, BASIC Inc.; DeLand Downtown CRA; advisory board -Volusia County 4-H; African-American advisory committee, Volusia County Schools; board of directors, Stewart-Marchmen-ACT; community partner, Southwest Middle School; tutor, Chisholm Community Center; Spring Hill Neighborhood Association; West Volusia Branch NAACP; and Spring Hill Community Redevelopment Agency Hobbies: Golf Family: Single. Mother lives in DeLand. He also has an older brother serving in the Navy Company website: www.vonzellejohnson.com

strides both professionally as well as in the community. We look forward to monitoring their progress. Winners from past years were not eligible this year. To be considered, the candidates’ primary office also had to be within the Volusia-Flagler area. The six young professionals we have chosen to honor this year are dynamic rising stars who have clearly shown they are making a positive difference. They also give us hope that our community will remain in good hands for many years to come. Profiles of this year’s Young Business Leaders honorees appear on pages 5-9. ■

Clayton Park can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-681-2470.

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Focus: 2011 YOUNG BUSINESS LEADERS

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

Erum Kistemaker

Attorney making mark in legal profession and community, while balancing work with family By Tom Knox Staff Writer

E

rum Kistemaker has been all over the world and worked all types of cases as an international attorney, but she ultimately wants to leave her mark in two spots: helping women in law and innovating the legal profession, which she says has been a traditionally staid industry. Kistemaker, born to Pakistani doctor parents in Halifax, England, a town 30 minutes west of Leeds, moved to Ormond Beach when she was 8. After attending law school at the University of Miami, she moved to London to practice international business law at Wragge & Co., the United Kingdom’s 27th largest law firm. But she missed Florida and her family and friends, and after practicing law at various companies and firms, she and her friend from law school, Christene Ertl, started their own firm in November called Ertl & Kistemaker Business Law Group. The two attorneys and two parale-

gals in the law firm’s Daytona Beach office work with all kinds of business law but focus on real estate. Both women are mothers of young sons, and wanted to spend quality time with their kids while still being successful attorneys — no small task in the fastpaced world of law. She and Ertl share an office — Ertl is there three days a week, Kistemaker is there the other two days. They work from home when not in the office — a way to save costs that is easier to do today because of cell phones, laptops and iPads. Using social media and mobile devices to enhance the firm (and entice similar-minded lawyers in the future who don’t need to drive to the office every day) is a big part of the duo’s vision. “We both worked for rigid firms,” Kistemaker said. “We had to be in the office. Me and Christene joined forces for a new firm.” They eventually plan to own their own building and put a playset in the See KISTEMAKER p. 22

Erum Kistemaker Age: 35 Title: Attorney/partner Company: Ertl & Kistemaker Business Law Group First job: Assistant state attorney, Seventh Judicial Circuit, age 24 Previous jobs: Associate general counsel for ICI Homes; associate attorney in London, England for international law firm Wragge & Co.; associate attorney, Carlton Fields, Miami; assistant state attorney with the Seventh Judicial Circuit in Florida Community involvement: Board of directors, American Cancer Society, Volusia/Flagler; chairwoman, New Member Education/Development, Junior League of Daytona Beach; Board of Directors, Volusia/Flagler Young Professional Group; member, Volusia County Bar Association and Volusia and Flagler Association of Women Lawyers; legal action committee member, Volusia Building Industry Association Family: Husband Jeroen; son Zavier, 3 Website: e-kbusinesslaw.com.

Carrie Register ISC marketing official dedicated to giving back to community By Clayton Park Staff Writer

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arrie Register has Gillian Zucker to thank for putting her on a career path that has resulted in her current job as an account director in partnership marketing for International Speedway Corp. ‘In 2004, the recent University of Florida graduate was weighing her career options when Zucker, a thenneighbor of Register’s parents in Port Orange, suggested she apply for a job at Daytona International Speedway, which was seeking to hire a sales and marketing coordinator. Zucker, who was then a vice president at DIS, is now president of the Auto Club Speedway, an International Speedway Corp.-owned racetrack in Fontana, Calif. Register got hired and upon working her first race at DIS, watching the racecars whiz around the track, she said she realized: “Wow, I’ve got a really great job.” “It’s so amazing,” she said, adding that she had previously only

been to two races at the Speedway in her life. “I never realized what went into a race. There’s so much going on behind the scenes.” Register proceeded to receive a series of promotions that has led to her current position, where she works closely with several of ISC’s major multi-track sponsors, including Bank of America, Budweiser, Coca-Cola, Dannon and Unilever. The 31-year-old has also made a name for herself in the community, both as a volunteer for the Daytona Beach Junior League as well as through her involvement in the Daytona Beach Young Professionals Group, where she currently co-chairs the group’s leadership development committee. Register is a 2006 graduate of the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Daytona program. Maja Sander, the Cobb Cole attorney who is currently president of the YPG, praises Register as a “true business leader” whose contributions to the organization have been “tremendous.” As organizer of the YPG’s quarterly power lunches, “she has

worked diligently to bring some of the biggest names in our community to speak.” Tim Stockman, president of Stockman Consulting who is also involved in YPG, describes Register as See REGISTER p. 22

Carrie Register Age: 31 Job title: Account Director/Partnership Marketing, International Speedway Corp. Previous employment: Multiple positions in sales and marketing at Daytona International Speedway First job: Cashier at Castle Adventure, a miniature golf course in Port Orange, age 15 Family: Parents Charles and Patti Register, younger sister Brittany Williams (age 25), pet dog Rico (age 6) Fun facts: Went skydiving for first time earlier this year; once killed a nearly 8-foot alligator with a “bang stick” and has a wallet made from its skin Company website: www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com

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Focus: 2011 YOUNG BUSINESS LEADERS

James Stowers “Ah ha” moment inspires Ormond Beach attorney to become involved in improving quality of life in his community By Valerie Whitney Staff Writer

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pproaching the end of senior year in Orange Park High School in North Florida, James A. Stowers had two goals. The Jacksonville native wanted to attend an out-of-state college and he wanted an athletic scholarship that would help pay for his education. “I wanted to be independent and meet new people from a different region of the country,” said Stowers, who scored both with an offer from the College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, Mass., where he majored in history and played basketball. During a class discussion on environmental history, Stowers experienced an “ah ha” moment that set the tone for his future. One of the examples used in class was Easter Island, whose native population is believed to have overused its natural resources and collapsed. “That got me to thinking about how communities are planned and the whole idea of sustained development,” said Stowers, who now lives in Ormond Beach. Following undergraduate school, he

moved back to the Sunshine State where he had the opportunity to study urban and regional planning, as well as get a law degree from the University of Florida. He interned with the law firm of Cobb Cole in Daytona Beach and after graduation was offered a position there where he continues to work as an attorney. Stowers, 33, uses his educational background and environmental bent to help businesses and communities make land use decisions. He co-chaired a design committee for Ormond MainStreet that came up with landscaping ideas for a locale on the city’s beachside. He also helped organize the clean-up, landscaping and painting of an abandoned service station in the city. Those activities and others earned him recognition as one of the Business Report’s “Young Business Leaders” for 2011. “It’s rewarding,” Stowers said, to see one of his ideas on ways to improve the community actually put to use. “This is our downtown. We wanted it to look better,” he said. Joshua Pope, a partner in the firm of See STOWERS p. 22

James A. Stowers Age: 33 Job title: Attorney Company: Cobb Cole First Job: Summer job as a high school student collating information booklets for an advertising/marketing firm Previous job: Intern at Cobb Cole College: Bachelor’s degree, College of the Holy Cross; master’s in urban and regional planning, as well as juris doctor, University of Florida; Community involvement: Zone 1 City Commission, Ormond Beach; committee member, VCARD; director and chair of design committee, Ormond MainStreet; director, Volusia/Flagler YMCA; graduate, Ormond Chamber Leadership Class Vll; board, Ormond Beach Historic Landmark Preservation; economic prosperity committee, Ormond Chamber of Commerce; and boys basketball coach at St. James Episcopal School Fun Facts: Named “Rising Star” by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine in 2010; LEED AP certified by the U.S. Green Buiding Council in 2008 –first attorney in Volusia County to earn this certification Family: wife Andraea Company website: www.cobbcole.com

0000940598

is proud to congratulate attorneys

James Stowers & Mark Watts on being named

James Stowers Daytona Office 2011 Young Business Leader

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~ 2011 Young Business Leaders ~ SERVING YOU. SERVING THE COMMUNITY. 150 Magnolia Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32114 - 386-255-8171 351 E. New York Ave. Ste. 200, DeLand, FL 32724 - 386-736-7700 www.cobbcole.com

Mark Watts DeLand Office 2011 Young Business Leader

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Focus: 2011 YOUNG BUSINESS LEADERS

Mark Watts DeLand attorney demonstrates commitment to professional excellence and bettering his community Report as a “2011 Young Business Leader”

By Bob Koslow Staff Writer

W

hen Mark Watts was a little boy, he dreamed of being an astronaut. At DeLand High School, he dabbled with architecture. In the end, he became an attorney, like his dad. He eventually joined the same firm and is now a partner at Cobb Cole. He works out of the law firm’s DeLand office. “It was a natural fit, but in law school I was determined to go do my own thing and that’s why I initially started in the (Pinellas) county attorney’s office,” Watts said. “Working with my dad has been a big benefit just because I have access to his knowledge and experience. It’s also helped me, having the name recognition, gaining a foothold when starting out.” Watts’ parents — C. Allen Watts and Joyce DeLoach — also were role models teaching him to get involved in his community. He took those lessons to heart. For his achievements, both professionally as well as a volunteer involved in improving the quality of life in his community, Watts has been selected by the Business

for the Volusia-Flagler area. “My perspective is it’s part of my job as a member of the community,” said Watts. “I’m doing what we should all be doing to make the community better and I hope in the end they can say that is what I did.” Watts does more then join organizations. He leads them. Watts is a past president of the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce. On June 16, he took over as head of the Volusia County Association for Responsible Development (VCARD) for the next two years. And next year, he steps up as president of DeLand Breakfast Rotary. “Mark is one of those hometown products that we hope to retain in this area,” wrote Cobb Cole attorney Michael Woods in nominating Watts for the ‘Young Business Leader’ honor. “He is passionate about his community and what it will look like when his children are grown. I am impressed as to how he is able to juggle his professional, community and familial responsibilities. He’s involved in a number of different endeav-

ors and I think he does it because he has See WATTS p. 22

Mark Watts Age: 37 Job title: Attorney, partner Company: Cobb Cole Previous employment: Assistant Pinellas County Attorney First job: Publix bagger, age 16 College: Florida State University, Stetson University College of Law Community involvement: Volusia County Association for Responsible Development, 2011-2013 president, 2008 Member of the Year; DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce, past president; City of DeLand, member Growth Management and Downtown Residential Development Steering Committee; DeLand Family YMCA, member board of directors and chair finance committee; DeLand Breakfast Rotary, president elect, chair 2011 Annual Wild Game Feast; Leadership DeLand 2000; Leadership Daytona Beach 2002; DeLand Little league, volunteer coach and formed travel team Family: Wife Natasha; son Baylor, 12; daughter Grace, 9; daughter Maya, 6 Company website: www.cobbcole.com

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June 27, 2011 9

Focus: 2011 YOUNG BUSINESS LEADERS

Kelly White

Realtor brings passion for revitalizing community to city commission post

By Bob Koslow Staff Writer

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itting at a piano for hours, day after day, preparing for an extended performance taught Kelly White how to meticulously break down the pieces and systematically put them to memory. White has used those same skills and lessons to successfully open and run a real estate company and also get elected last year to the Daytona Beach City Commission. “I love looking at things that appear difficult and figuring out how to deal with them, organizing them and creating processes to solve them,” said the 30-yearold owner/broker of Jack White Land Company. “I’m attracted to long-range goals and building systems.” Because of her early successes in business and community involvement, White has been selected as one of the Business Report’s 2011 Young Business Leaders for the Volusia-Flagler area. “I never thought I would own a brokerage firm and be a city commissioner,” White said. “I thought I would be an elementary school music teacher putting on plays because so many of my role models 0000940851

were amazing music teachers.” White, born and raised in Daytona Beach, started playing piano at age six. The Seabreeze High School graduate attended music camps at Stetson University in DeLand and eventually earned a music education degree in 2003. She also earned a master’s degree in music education in Kodaly Studies (folk music) from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. White started her career teaching music in school and privately. She also formed the Daytona Beach Young Voices Youth Choir. After a couple of years, cutbacks in the school’s budget resulted in reducing her hours and pay. She left teaching in 2005 to work in with her husband, developer Jack White, in the business now known as White-Challis Redevelopment Company. Jack White at the time was developing Wall Street Lofts, a mixed downtown residential and retail project, where the couple lives. In 2007, Kelly White formed the Jack White Land Company to sell condominium units in the Lofts and manage the development company’s properties. Her business has grown into a team of six that

also sells other homes and commercial buildings, many of which are in downtown Daytona Beach and other historic neighborhoods. “I live smack dab in the middle of Daytona Beach and I’m going to make it a comfortable place. There is one thing to be

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Kelly White Age: 30 Job title: Owner/broker Company: Jack White Land Company Previous employment: Elementary school music teacher First job: LPGA golf club snack shop, age 18 College: Stetson University, Capital University Community involvement: Elected 2010 Daytona Beach City Commission; former chair Daytona Beach Partnership Association’s economic restructuring committee; former member City of Daytona Beach Beautification/Tree Advisory Board; former member Daytona Beach International Festival Club; member Daytona Beach Young Professionals Group Family: Husband, Jack Company website: www.jackwhitelandcompany.com

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10 June 27, 2011

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

People on the Move

Pendry

LeBeau

Hunt

Ralston

Donald “Trace” Pendry has been named executive director of the Florida Hospital Memorial Foundation, Daytona Beach. He will oversee the foundation’s fundraising activities and work to build relationships among community partners. He previously was an assistant state attorney in the office of the 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney. Allen LeBeau has been named marketing director for Palm Coast Plantation, a Flagler County development. A Realtor for eight years, he will continue to be affiliated with ReMax/Heritage. Joni Hunt has been named Government Affairs leader for Florida Hospital Volusia/Flagler. She will be responsible for planning, supporting and implementing government and public affairs efforts for Florida Hospital Volusia/Flagler. She previously worked for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she was responsible for governmental affairs. Addam Ralston, Billie Jo Kaler and Caryn

Kaler

Brooks

Adkins

Recker

Moore

Jarosz

Keller

Gillikin

Darby

Feaganes

Baker, of Realty Pros Assured, Ormond Beach, have graduated from the Ormond Leadership Program presented by the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce. The program provides civic-minded individuals with information relating to issues, opportunities and challenges facing the Ormond Beach community. Sandra Brooks, an advanced registered nurse practitioner, earned her doctorate in nursing practice from Vanderbilt University. She owns Behavioral Health of Ormond Beach, a private practice opened in 2006 and see patients with psychiatric and mental health issues for medication management, psychotherapy and counseling. Kahlin K. Adkins has joined Halifax Health Hospice, Port Orange, as special event manager in the fund development department. She formerly was a community representative for the American Cancer Society and regional director for a four-county area for the American Lung Association.

Heather Recker has joined Bright House Media Strategies, Daytona Beach, as an account executive covering the Central Florida area. She formerly was a sales executive with Digital Press Inc. Joel Bauman has been selected as Stetson University’s new vice president for Enrollment Management and will begin working at Stetson in August. Since 2004 he has been vice president for Enrollment at Westminster College in Salt Lake City and previously work at New College of Florida in Sarasota and the University of Tampa. Kirsten Wynn Moore, marketing director for Greg Wynn Financial Services, Ormond Beach, has graduated from the Ormond Leadership Program presented by the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce. The program provides civic-minded individuals with information relating to issues, opportunities and challenges facing the Ormond Beach community. Carine Jarosz has joined the firm of

Damore, Delgado, Romanik & Rawlins, Daytona Beach, as an associate attorney. She previously worked as a prosecutor in the State Attorney’s Office, 7th Judicial Circuit, for six years. Thomas Keller and Douglas Gillikin have joined James Moore & Co., P.L., CPAs and Consultants, Daytona Beach. Keller, who recently graduated from Stetson University, is a staff accountant, who will perform a range of duties, including auditing and tax work. Gillikin has five years of accounting experience and has been hired as a semi-senior accountant. He will be responsible for compilation, reviews and audit fieldwork. John Darby, Joanne Feaganes and David Galt are new sales associates with Adams, Cameron & Co., Realtors. Darby previously worked in West Florida and in Tennessee, He is a member of the Daytona Beach Area, Florida and National Associations of Realtors. Feaganes previously owned and operated a transportation business with the auto

June

for Small Businesses. Cost: Free for members, $10 future members. Bring own lunch. Information: 386-761-1601.

Wednesday 20

Tuesday 28

July

Riverside Pavilion, 3431 Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. Speaker: and topic: Janice Suskey, Port Orange Counseling Center, “When Love is Not Enough.” Cost: $9 for catered lunch or bring own lunch. Information: 386-761-1601.

VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION workshop, 7:45 a.m.-noon, Country Pure Foods,

Friday 1

Calendar 1915 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. Presented by Manufacturing Excellence Division, speaker: Paula Heiret, continuous improvement manager, Command Medical Products, “Achieve Higher Business Results and Realize Cash Faster.” Cost: $49. Information: 386-673-0505 or vmaonline.com/events.

WEST VOLUSIA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE A.M. Connection – DeBary, 8-9:30

a.m., Gateway Center for the Arts, 880 N. U.S. 17-92, DeBary. Spotlight: A Perfect Closet and Cabinet. Information: 386-490-4616.

DELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Get Connected lunch, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Victo-

ria Gardens Club House, 1001 Garden Club Drive, DeLand. Cost: Free for members, $10 lunch; $20 future members, includes lunch; $2 beverage only. Information: 386-734-4331.

Wednesday 29 PORT ORANGE SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Soup to Nuts Pow-

er Lunch, noon, Riverside Pavilion, 3431 Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. Speaker and topic: Ned Harper, Small Business Development Center, Daytona State College, “Loans

PORT ORANGE SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Morning Mix &

Mingle, 8 a.m., PNC Bank, 4035 S. Nova Road, Port Orange. Cost: $5 members, $10 future members. Information: 386-761-1601.

Thursday 7 ORMOND BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Generation Ormond, 5:30-7 p.m., LPGA Inter-

national, 1000 Champions Drive, Daytona Beach. Speaker and topic: Ned Harper, “Resources for Small Businesses to Succeed.” Information: 386-677-3454.

Friday 8 DAYTONA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE monthly network luncheon, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Carrabba Italian Grill, 220, W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Cost: $15. Information: 386-255-0981 or [email protected]

Wednesday 13 PORT ORANGE SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Business Women’s Council luncheon, noon,

ORMOND BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE business sparkler, 5-7 p.m., Homewood Suites

by Hilton, 165 Bill France Blvd., Daytona Beach. Information: 386-677-3454.

Thursday 14 FLAGLER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & AFFILIATES business after hours

block party, 5:30 p.m., 1 Florida Park N., Palm Coast. Cost: $5 members, $10 future members and guests. Information: 386-437-0106.

Tuesday 19 FLAGLER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & AFFILIATES Bunnell Chamber Busi-

ness and Biscuits, 7:30-9 a.m., State Street Dine, 603 N. State St., Bunnell. Cost: $10 members, $12 future members. Information: 386-437-0106.

DAYTONA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE business after hours, 5:30-7:30 p.m.,

Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. Sponsored by Ovations Food Services. Cost: $10 members, $35 future members, includes food and two drinks. Information: 386-255-0981, ext. 405.

PORT ORANGE SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Sunrise Business

Forum, 7:45 a.m., Riverside Pavilion, 3431 Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. Topic: “Finding and Keeping Good Employees.” Cost: Free for members, $10 future members. Information: 386-761-1601.

VOLUSIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION plant tour, 9 a.m., Teledyne Oil and Gas, 1026 N.

Williamson Blvd., Daytona Beach. Information: 386-6730505 or vmaonline.com/events.

SOUTHEAST VOLUSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE membership luncheon, noon, Edgewa-

ter-New Smyrna Beach Elks Lodge, 820 W. Park Ave., Edgewater. Speaker: Ellen Darden, New Smyrna Beach Board of Realtors. Cost: $7. Information: 386-428-2449.

WEST VOLUSIA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE lunch and learn, 1:30 a.m.-1 p.m.,

Deltona Women’s Club, 1049 E. Normandy Blvd., Deltona. Speaker: Ned Harper, Small Business Development Center. Cost: Free for member, $10 nonmembers and guests. Information: 386-490-4606.

Thursday 21 WEST VOLUSIA REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Business Builder, 7:30-9 a.m., Hol-

iday Inn Express, 1330 Saxon Blvd., Orange City. Speaker: Dr. Terry Watts, Watts Chiropractic Center, on how to

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

Galt

McDowell

June 27, 2011 11

Novack

industry and holds real estate licenses in Florida and Michigan. Galt is a third-generation Floridian and worked as a land surveyor for 35 years. Edward McDowell has been appointed director of adult day training at the Duvall Home, Glenwood, a provider of residential and community-based services for the developmentally disabled. He worked for the Hillsborough County Schools for 35 years as a teacher, principal and director of the school district. For the past two years, he was director of development for the Duvall Home. Daryl Novak has joined Adams, Cameron & Co., Realtors, Ormond Beach, as a sales associate. He previously worked in the structural steel building industry for six years and earned his real estate license in 2007. Chris Pollard, Jack Pollard, Pat Colgin, Amy Marin and Sandra Yearwood, sales professionals for McColly Real Estate, Daytona Beach Shores, have been recognized for out-

C. Pollard J. Pollard

Colgin

Marin

standing sales production for 2010 at the company’s annual awards breakfast. Joyce Shanahan, city manager of Ormond Beach, was elected president-elect for the Florida City and County Management Association for 2011-2012 at the association’s recent annual conference. Michael Pleus, DeLand’s city manager, was elected to an at-large member of the district board. Lisa Bryl has joined Exit Beach Realty, Ormond Beach, as a sales associate. She has worked in various area of the real estate business for more than 20 years, including owning and managing investment property, selling and managing condominiums and hotel management. Ellen Lenkevich has joined Florida Hospital Flagler, Palm Coast, as chief nursing officer. Her areas of responsibility will include the following departments: nursing administration, in-patient nursing units, emergency services, pharmacy services, laboratory

Yearwood Shanahan

Pleus

services, clinical effectiveness, patient experience and wound care. Lenkevich previously worked for the Mercy Memorial Hospital System, Monroe, Mich., for 23 years. David Higdon has joined NASCAR, Daytona Beach, as managing director of the company’s Integrated Marketing Communications Department. He will play a leadership role in the development of communication strategy and in overseeing communications across the company. Higdon previously worked for the LPGA tour, where he oversaw corporate communications. Several Realtors have joined Realty Pros Assured, Ormond Beach. They are: David Gueltig, Cecelia Gueltig, Charlotte McBride, Lynne Kinne, Danika Decker, Peggy Placek, Joan Burroughs, Louis Misita, Nancy Meseroll, Todd Barker, Ben Ritger, and Amelia Mecklem. Attorneys Lew Burns and Ron Hertel have joined the law firm of Chiumento, Gun-

Bryl

Lenkevich

Higdon

tharp and Selis, Palm Coast. Burns has practice law for 30 years as a trial attorney focusing on personal injury, construction law and the defense of physicians, doctors and other professionals. Hertel previously practiced law for more than five years in Miami, focusing on business law, commercial litigation and real estate. ■

How to submit items: The Business Report welcomes submissions of announcements about your company’s recent new hires, staff promotions and industry and/or community awards. Email announcements and photographs (individual headshots only; 300 dpi preferred) to [email protected]. People on the Move announcements should include name and new title of the person, the company’s name, and the city where that person works or will work. Please include the person’s previous company and title.

0000940619

avoid stumbles in public speaking. Cost: Free for members. $10 nonmembers and guests. Continental breakfast buffet available for additional $7. Information: 386490-4606.

SOUTHEAST VOLUSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE business after hours, 5p.m., Emeritus at Port Orange, 1675 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange, cohosted with Port Orange South Daytona Chamber of

Commerce. Information: 386-428-2449 or 386-761-1601.

Friday 29 PORT ORANGE SOUTH DAYTONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Summer Luau, 6-

9 p.m., Riverside Pavilion, 3431 Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange. Putting contests, prizes. Cost: $15. Information and tickets: 386-761-1601. ■

How to submit items: E-mail notices of upcoming business events for possible inclusion in the Calendar at least 30 days in advance of the event to [email protected]. Events must be held either in Volusia or Flagler counties and must be of a business nature

0000940888

Top left to bottom right: Marcie Kirkland, Doreen Courtheyn, Phyllis Matthesen, Jerry Autry, Michelle Delaney and Mike Heard

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12 June 27, 2011

Focus: BANKING & FINANCE

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

Local lenders:

Area banks credit increased loan activity to new SBA rules, low interest rates and improving economy By Tom Knox Staff Writer

A

combination of new rules for the U.S. Small Business Administration, lower interest rates and an economy that isn’t as bad as it was three years ago is leading to more loans in the business community, local bankers say. SBA statistics bear that out. The SBA, formed more than 50 years ago to assist small business, doesn’t make direct loans to small businesses. But it does help business owners in the loan process through a thirdparty bank or other lender. Then, the SBA acts as a guarantor on the lender’s loan. To be clear, SBA loans in the North Florida market, which includes Volusia and Flagler counties, are much lower Loso in number and amount from fiscal year 2007. The SBA’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. That was a year before the economy took a huge tumble and the infamous “bank bailout.” But the numbers are creeping up lately. There were 2,006 SBA loans made in this market in 2007 worth almost $442 million. A year later, the number of loans dipped 36 percent, to 1,276 and $344.2 million. In 2009, there were just 725 loans worth $215.8 million. Last year, the number ticked 13 percent to 821 loans at $254.5 million. Through May 31 this year, 606 loans have been made for $264.1 million. With four months left in the fiscal year, a higher loan amount has already been met than in all of 2010.

David Fuller, president and CEO of the Central Florida division of SunTrust Bank.

“What we’ve seen is a little less demand in the small business segment than five years ago, but recently we’ve seen some uptick because rates are at an all-time low,” said Steve Loso, Regions Bank’s senior vice president and city president for Brevard and

Volusia counties. Regions has 10 banks in Volusia County. With the prospect of a recovery more probable now than a few years ago, potential borrowers who were sitting on the fence are getting interested, he said.

Regions has issued the seventh-most loans in the North Florida region so far this year. The SBA’s largest programs are the 7(a) and 504 programs. The 7(a) is intended to help businesses with special requirements.

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Volusia/Flagler Business Report

For instance, Loso said, the 7(a) program allows for longer-term financing, which can help with cash flow and acquiring equipment or real estate. Eighty percent of North Florida’s loans this year have been in the 7(a) program. The 504 program, by contrast, is a longterm financing tool designed to help businesses expand over time through real estate or equipment purchases. It accomplishes this by providing small businesses with longterm, fixed-rate financing to acquire those major pieces like real estate or modern equipment. Loans in this program are financed by nonprofits called a certified development company, a conventional lender such a bank and the borrower. “With the decline in real estate values, SBA 504 loans continue to provide a way borrowers can purchase or refinance property with only a 10 percent equity requirement,” said Jim Mitchell, commercial market president of Hancock Bank’s Northeast Florida region. Hancock has two banks in the two-county area. “This opens up the market to more potential transactions that may otherwise be tight on cash equity.” Late last year, Congress passed a $42 billion small business bill. The bulk of its makeup was the creation of a $30 billion lending fund that directs taxpayer money to community and regional banks to lend out to

June 27, 2011 13

Reece

small businesses. It included several temporary and permanent changes intended to help out struggling businesses: ■ A permanent raise of the maximum loan size for 7(a) and 504 loans from

$2 million to $5 million. ■ A permanent raise of the maximum loan size for SBA microloans from $35,000 to $50,000. Microloans, as the name implies, are small, short-term loans. ■ A temporary raise, until Sept. 27, for SBA Express loans from $350,000 to $1 million. This is a type of 7(a) loan that offers streamlined loan procedures for borrowers from poor communities and current members and veterans of the military. SunTrust Bank has the most branches of any bank in the Volusia-Flagler county market, with 30. Within the past year, it added an SBA officer in Central Florida, and last month was named nationwide SBA Export Lender of the Year, meaning it provided more financing to exporters through the SBA than any other bank last year.

0000940482

“It helps people for whom this is their first entree into exporting,” said David Fuller, president and CEO of the Central Florida division of SunTrust Bank. Bankers say that prospective and established business owners looking to get a loan, whether it’s an SBA loan or a conventional loan, need to be prepared to make their case. Here are some tips to business owners who are thinking about obtaining a loan: ■ If you’re a startup, why is your company going to be different from those already established? Is it something brand new that nobody has thought of, or an improvement to an existing idea? ■ Loan underwriting used to be weighed heavily on the historical performance of an existing company. It’s still a big part of it, but business has been tough the last few years because of the economy, Fuller said, so make sure you show what’s causing your borrowing and what led to the growth. Projecting the future is more important, but explaining numbers from the past still are, too. ■ If applying for an SBA loan, show that you have the ability to repay a loan over a long period of time. ■ Don’t forget to anticipate permitting and appraisal fees if expanding the size of the business. Business owners sometimes forget about outside costs associated with business expansion. 0000940484 PDFA

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Overall, borrowers today are more educated than they were in the past, Loso said. That’s partly because the availability of credit has been reduced and criteria for borrowers to obtain a loan is strict. Because lending money is still tight, borrowers seem to be more aware of what they need to do to move forward. Doug Reece, Wells Fargo’s business banking manager for the Volusia-Flagler area, which has 28 branches, said he’s seeing more qualified borrowers that want to expand in Volusia’s manufacturing sector. Lending is getting better, but it still has a long way to go before it hits pre-recession numbers. “Commercial real estate remains rather soft,” he said. “We are anticipating a slow increase but it’s not going to change overnight.” Wells Fargo last month was named Florida’s No. 1 lender in dollars in SBA 7(a) loans for the first half of this fiscal year. Of the 606 SBA loans issued in North Florida from Oct. 1, 2010 to May 31, Volusia businesses received 47 loans worth $16.4 million. Flagler County received four loans worth $81,000. ■

Tom Knox can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-681-2728.

14 June 27, 2011

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

Focus: BANKING & FINANCE

Executive Q&A: Jim Boyle, Doug Reece, Wells Fargo By Tom Knox Staff Writer

S

an Francisco-based Wells Fargo & Co. acquired Charlotte, N.C.-based Wachovia Bank in 2009 and changed the name of Wachovia’s branches in Florida to Wells Fargo earlier this month. The Business Report recently interviewed two of Wells Fargo’s top local executives, Jim Boyle, community banking president for the Northeast Florida region, and Doug Reece, business banking manager for the Volusia-Flagler area. Here’s what they had to say:

WELLS FARGO & Co. Where based: San Francisco Number of Volusia-Flagler employees: 400 Number of Volusia-Flagler branches: 28

Q: What is the favorite part of your job? REECE: My favorite part of the job is

getting with our customers and helping them succeed f inancially. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping them succeed because you help them grow, help them prosper, it’s fun and it creates more business. It’s a double-edged sword. Q: What are the biggest challenges as you’re finishing the switch from the Wachovia brand to the Wells Fargo brand? BOYLE: Making sure all of our people are

comfortable going through what they’re going through. We have a saying – “no team member left behind.” It’s challenging but exciting, learning all the new system, the new way of doing banking here.

The great thing is it’s a great management structure we’re working with, and the bottom line is we’re helping our customers succeed f inancially. It’s not selling products, it’s exploring options for them to make sure they’re getting everything they need and want.

Q: How different is banking now than a couple years ago, when there was a lot of anti-banking sentiment? It seems more positive now. BOYLE: A few years back you had our cus-

tomers walking in, and if something changed it was like, “Oh, you took TARP (the federal government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program) money and we’re bailing you out.” And if you read the newspaper you can see that Wells Fargo didn’t entirely ask for the TARP money, and it was the right thing to do and we paid back our TARP money and the government made a ton of money from us paying it back. So yes, it’s different because people aren’t as angry, they don’t see that they’re bailing us out. REECE: I would say when the world started changing, it was change. And when it’s change you want to look to blame X or blame Y, and I think the big difference we had is everybody was involved in the economy. It was the banks, the attorneys, the consumers — we all were enjoying it. It was good for everybody. Then when it all came down, everybody wanted to say, ‘It wasn’t me, it was them.’ Now everybody is saying we all had a good time, things are starting to look better, we’re starting to come out of it. It really was no one particular industry or bank or consumer, it was all just a piece of it.

Jim Boyle, at right, is community banking president for Wells Fargo’s Northeast Florida region, which includes the Volusia-Flagler area. Doug Reece is the bank’s business banking manager for the Wells Fargo Volusia-Flagler area.

Doug Reece

Jim Boyle

Age: 42 Job title: Business banking manager for Volusia-Flagler area. Company: Wells Fargo & Co. Hometown: Charlotte, NC. When joined company: 20 years. Started out with Wachovia in North Carolina Education: The Citadel for undergraduate degree, and University of North Carolina-Charlotte for graduate degree

Age: 50 Job title: Community banking president for Northeast Florida region (which includes the Volusia-Flagler area) Company: Wells Fargo & Co. Hometown: Derry, Pa. How long with company: 29 years. Started out at Atlantic Bank in South Florida, and has stayed with the company through its various brand changes. Education: Clarion University in Pennsylvania

Q: What should I look for in a bank? BOYLE: The great thing about us being a

local community bank flavored with a big bank is we still have the same people. It’s not like Wells Fargo came in and had these pods that they dropped all these people off to work in these locations.

Executive Q&A: David Maholias, Gateway Bank By Tom Knox Staff Writer

T

he Business Report recently interviewed David Maholias, president and CEO, Daytona Beach-based Gateway Bank of Florida. Here’s what he had to say: Q: What’s your favorite part of your job? A: As a community banker, I enjoy helping

people meet their f inancial needs. In turn, they become more successful in their business or full their dreams of buying a home. Q: What are the biggest challenges? A: Banking is a highly regulated industry.

In the past several years, regulatory guidance has been challenging in the face of dramatic changes and rapid implementations. The effects on consumers and the industry, however,

may not be realized for years.

Q: As a consumer, what should I look for in a bank? A: The bigger, lowest cost provider is not

always the answer! Finding a banker that is community centric and has the knowledge to be value added to your business or personal finances is critical. The bank should be sound f inancially with good capital ratios. Especially important is working with a bank led by local directors and management that are vested in doing business in its community.

Q: How different is banking now than a couple years ago, when there was a lot of anti-banking sentiment? It seems more positive now.

A: The sentiment of banking is a much more positive environment. ■

Tom Knox can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-681-2728.

David Maholias Age: 47 Job title: President and CEO Company: Gateway Bank of Florida in Daytona Beach Hometown: Milwaukee, Wis. When joined company: 2005 Previous employment: Executive Vice President, Senior Lender/Retail Bank Administrator, SouthtrustBank First job: Commercial lender at Barnett Bank Branches in Volusia-Flagler: 3

In a lot of cases it the same location, we’re adding positions, and we’re a big part of the community. We’re bigger now than we ever were. ■ Tom Knox can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-681-2728.

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

June 27, 2011 15 0000917171 PDFA

Focus: BANKING & FINANCE

Executive Q&A: Cynthia Ramirez, Florida Capital Bank By Tom Knox

Staff Writer

T

he Business Report recently asked Cynthia Ramirez, Volusia-Flagler market CEO for Florida Capital Bank in Daytona Beach to talk about her job. Here’s what she said: Q: What’s your favorite part of the job? A: My teammates and cus-

tomers — Florida Capital Bank’s focus since inception has been to hire experienced bankers who deliver quality customer service to our customers. Since our start in 2005, the number of loyal customers continues to grow and it’s exciting to work closely with them to help weather this economy.

Q: What are your biggest challenges? A: The protracted nature of the current

economic downturn — in 2008, not many thought the downturn would last this long or cut so deeply across so many industries. Our customers continue to weather the economy but some have not fared as well as others and we’ve had a few commercial foreclosures locally. My role has expanded to include some of our challenged clientele across the state which has provided a learning opportunity for me in dealing with special assets. As with all banks, regulatory capital requirements are a main focus and we had success in 2010 with several initiatives including a capital raise of $15 million. Q: As a consumer, what should I look for in a bank? A: When selecting a bank, review the

product offerings that are pertinent to your needs and then evaluate the service charges associated with those particular products. I also recommend evaluating the ease in which you may contact the bank — is there a direct phone number and/or email to your local banker so when you have a question you can readily speak with them? With many of the electronic banking features such as on-line banking, direct deposit and remote deposit for business customers, location of the local branch isn’t as critical as it was before these features. Some customers enjoy visiting with tellers and personal bankers so location may play a role in their particular selection process.

Q: How different is banking now than a couple years ago, when there was a lot of anti-banking sentiment? It seems more positive now.

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FUNERAL HOME A: The banker jokes appear to be subsiding ever so slightly. As community bankers, we continue to work closely with our challenged loan customers and only want to take legal action as a last course. I want to be a banker, not a property manager. I feel most of the remaining anti-banking sentiment is geared towards the larger banks or residential mortgagors who still don’t appear to be working with many borrowers. ■

Tom Knox can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-6812728.

Cynthia Ramirez Age: 48 Job title: President and CEO, Volusia and Flagler counties Company: Florida Capital Bank Hometown: DeBary When began current position: 2005

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What sort of jobs you did before joining the bank: Bank of America Market President for Volusia, Flagler & Putnam Counties; prior to starting banking career in 1988, worked as a clerk for the West Volusia Bureau of the Daytona Beach NewsJournal from 1980 to 1987 First job: Concessionaire for the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford, age 16 Number of employees in Volusia-Flagler: 7 Branches in Volusia-Flagler: 1

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16 June 27, 2011

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

Financial Institutions

Ranked by deposits as of June Ranked bytotal total deposits as30,of2010 June 30, 2010

Total in-market (Volusia/ # of Local Flagler) deposits ($000) as of Offices June 30, 2009

Company

Top Local Executive

Address & Website

Phone

Where based

1

Wells Fargo B

Doug Reece, Business banking manager for Volusia-Flagler market

441 Seabreeze Blvd., Daytona Beach 32118 www.wachovia.com

(386) 254-7244

California

25

$2,252,456

2

SunTrust Bank

Jeff Blass

(386) 323-7601

Georgia

31

$2,059,009

3

Bank of America NA

Sam Willett

(386) 947-3798

North Carolina

24

$1,558,208

4

BB&T

Ken Ayers

(386) 677-4154

North Carolina

10

$506,457

5

PNC Bank

Debbie Orr

(386) 756-3910

Pennsylvania

10

$453,304

6

TD Bank C

1060 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach 32114 www.tdbank.com

(386) 254-7601

New Jersey

13

$439,231

7

Regions Bank

900 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach 32168 www.regionsbank.com

(386) 428-2466

Alabama

10

$377,795

Jim Weite, Regional Vice President, Commercial Banking-Volusia-Flagler market Steve Loso, Senior Vice President/City PresidentBrevard & Volusia counties Hunt Dawkins, Regional Retail Manager

2570 W. International Speedway Blvd., Suite 100, Daytona Beach 32114 www.suntrust.com 1025 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach 32114 www.bankofamerica.com 193 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach 32176 www.bbt.com 4035 S. Nova Road, Port Orange 32127 www.pnc.com

1000 Legion Place, Orlando 32801 407-425-3025 Mississippi $216,114 2D www.hancockbank.com 1020 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach 32174 (386) 677-6966 Florida 6 $183,321 RBC Bank USA Marco Santoro 9 www.rbcbankusa.com 444 Seabreeze Blvd., suite 100, Daytona Beach 32118 (386) 872-2265 Michigan 8 $170,901 Fifth Third Bank Chris Arana 10 www.53.com 259 Bill France Blvd., Daytona Beach 32114 (386) 671-9525 Florida 3 $164,483 Prosperity Bank Garry Lubi 11 www.prosperitybank.com 204 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand 32720 (386) 734-5930 Florida 4 $155,619 12 Mainstreet Community Bank Ben Flowers, President/CEO www.mainstreetcbf.com 2222 State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach 32168 (386) 428-2299 Florida 3 $149,121 Friends Bank Pete Klironomos 13 www.friendsbank.com 1696 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach 32117 (386) 274-6020 Florida 4 $142,516 Floridian Bank Tom Dargan 14 www.floridianbank.com David Bridgeman, CEO/ 1113 Saxon Blvd., Orange City 32763 (386) 774-2001 Florida 1 $139,837 Pinnacle Bank 15 President www.pinnaclebank-fl.com Mitch Bryant 1812 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill 32117 (386) 756-4600 Florida 5 $139,616 Premier American E 16 Dawn Begley www.premieramericanbank.com 312 W. First Street, Sanford 32771 (407) 323-1121 Florida 5 $131,655 Federal Trust Bank Dennis T. Ward 17 www.federaltrust.com 1950 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach David Maholias 32114 (386) 947-5400 Florida 3 $127,806 18 Gateway Bank of Florida www.gatewaybankfl.com 990 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand 32720 Surety Bank Ryan James (386) 734-1647 Florida 2 $122,150 19 www.mysuretybank.com Cynthia Ramirez, President/ 1305 Beville Rd., Daytona Beach 32119 Florida Capital Bank (386) 671-7171 Florida 1 $89,266 20 CEO-Volusia-Flagler market www.flcb.com 1290 Palm Coast Pkwy. NW, Palm Coast 32137 Intracoastal Bank Bruce Page, CEO (386) 447-1662 Florida 1 $87,809 21 www.intracoastalbank.net President/ 1240 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach 32174 (386) 672-3003 Florida 2 $82,187 22 East Coast Community Bank Rafael Ramirez, CEO www.eastcoastcommunitybank.com 3615 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange 32129 Reunion Bank of Florida Mark Chastain (386) 868-0068 Florida 1 $54,977 23 www.reunionbank.com Bank of 800 Deltona Boulevard, Deltona 32725 Joe Desousa (386) 860-5560 FL 1 $44,221 24 First Commercial Florida www.fcbflorida.com The financial institutions list is ranked by total deposits in the Volusia and Flagler market areas as of June 30, 2010, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Number of offices are those within the two county area. For more information, contact the Business Report at [email protected]. B Company changed name of its Volusia-Flagler area branches from Wachovia in June 2011. C Formerly Riverside Bank D Palm Coast, Orange City. E Acquired assets of Sunshine State Community Bank in February 2011.

8

Hancock Bank

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

June 27, 2011 17

Focus: BANKING & FINANCE

Executive Q&A: Rafael Ramirez, East Coast Community Bank — bankers’ biggest market in Florida is in real estate — hotels, homes, commercial buildings, lots — that’s what Florida’s about. That’s how we get people to move down here — the weather, the beaches. If we get that f ixed up, it’s even more important than unemployment. The credit crunch is still not over. Don’t misunderstand me — there are many indicators showing an improving economy, and they’re real. We’re starting to see more home sales and some movement, but prices are still very depressed.

By Tom Knox Staff Writer

O

rmond Beach-based East Coast Community Bank, which also has a branch in Port Orange, announced in January a merger with Winter Park-based BankFirst. The switch to the BankFirst brand should happen later this year, pending shareholder and regulator approval. The Business Report recently asked Rafael Ramirez, president and CEO of East Coast Community Bank, to discuss his job as well as his views on the banking industry, local economy and his company’s upcoming merger with BankFirst. Here’s what he had to say: Q: What’s your favorite part of the job? A: I’m a people person, so it’s interaction

with people, and being able to fulf ill customers’ needs, as well as interaction with different agencies — just dealing with people is my favorite part of the job. That’s the reason why my off ice is in the lobby — as you walk in, the first office you see straight ahead is my off ice. We made sure of that when we did the plans for this bank (about seven years ago). Q: What are your biggest challenges?

0000940595

transaction that we help them avoid – “The landscaper told me to bring them money” — and we say, “Well, it shouldn’t cost you that.”

Q: How different is banking now than a couple years ago, when there was a lot of anti-banking sentiment? It seems more positive now. A: It’s different — I think there’s a lot of See RAMIREZ p. 23

Rafael Ramirez Age: 55 Job title: President and CEO Company: East Coast Community Bank Born in: Puerto Rico When you joined your company: 2002 What sort of jobs you did before joining the bank: Before joining East Coast Community Bank in 2002, worked as Executive Vice President and Senior Lender of the Bank at Ormond-by-the-Sea First job: In 1980, as a graduate student at Loyola University in New Orleans, worked as a collector and consumer loan officer at a savings bank called Dixie Savings Number of employees in Volusia-Flagler: 19 Branches in Volusia-Flagler: 2

Q: What should I look for in a bank? A: One of the biggest frustrations, with-

A: I’m 55. In my entire career, the biggest challenge is the economy. It brings so many factors into the equations — peoples’ real-life struggles, terrible unemployment. There’s just so many things that affect it that it is a very hard time to be in this kind of business. It’s still really hard, and in Florida especially, one of the biggest factors is the value of property. And that’s a critical factor for banks

out saying names, is that some of the banks’ strategies create — everytime a customer comes, the teller has to sell them three more accounts. People get burned out with that. When you go to a community bank, you see the same faces. There’s very low turnover. And because of low turnover the people get familiar with the customers. They know the transactions — they really get to know those people. That also helps with fraud. Several times we have noticed a customer do an unusual 0000940636

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18 June 27, 2011

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

Let’s Get Down To Business...

Focus: BANKING & FINANCE

Executive Q&A: Jim Mitchell, Hancock Bank By Tom Knox Staff Writer

T

he Business Report recently interviewed Jim Mitchell, commercial market president of Hancock Bank’s Northeast Florida region. Here’s what he had to say: Q: What’s the favorite part of your job? A: The people I have the chance to

work with every day. Banking has been a great experience for me because it’s given me the opportunity to interact with such a varied customer base. It’s a privilege to see and understand so many different types of businesses and professions in our community and, especially, to play a part in helping these folks achieve their financial goals and dreams. Q: What are the biggest challenges? A: The economy, loss of jobs, and de-

clining real estate values. Many individuals and businesses have been hurt financially in the last three years, and dealing with those issues on a one-to-one basis can

25

1 25

AUGUST • Economic Development Quarterly Ad Deadline: 7/19/11 FOCUS: Business Success Guide (HR/Marketing/Technology) LISTS: Staffing Companies IT & Website Design Firms AD DEADLINES: 8/16/11

V

O L U S I A

/F

L A G L E R

By Tom Knox Staff Writer

T

he Business Report recently interviewed W. Ben Flowers Jr., president and CEO of DeLand-based Mainstreet Community Bank, about his job and about his views on the local banking industry. Here’s what he had to say: Q: What’s your favorite part of your job? A: Being a community banker and

working with customers in our market place. Helping my customers achieve their personal and business goals by assisting in their financing needs. Q: What are the biggest challenges? A: By far it is the regulatory environment.

Connecting

Business

to

Business

For more information call your sales representative direct or

Rebecca Zimmerman

386-681-2500 or email

rebecca.zimmerman@ news-jrnl.com

Q: As a consumer, what should I look for in a bank? A: During my 30 years in banking,

both consumers and business customers have consistently cited several attributes they look for when choosing a bank. First, a good bank is an institution that adopts a common-sense approach to financial safety and soundness. A good bank maintains a strong capital base to weather changes in the economic climate so that the bank can be there to help customers with their f inancial needs on “sunny days” and “rainy days” alike. Some folks prefer to “shop” banks for the best price. However, if a bank offers a reasonably competitive price complemented by an exceptional commitment to See MITCHELL p. 23

Jim Mitchell Age: 54 Job title: Commercial Market President, Northeast Florida region Company: Hancock Bank Hometown: Tallahassee, Fla.; grew up in Havana, Fla. When joined company: March 2010 Previous employment: Started with Barnett Bank of Jacksonville in 1981. Joined Barnett Bank of Volusia County in 1982 and worked in the Volusia-Flagler market until 1999. Held various positions including branch manager, commercial lender, senior credit officer, and director of retail banking. From 19992009, had regional commercial responsibility for North Florida and South Georgia with Bank of America First job: Field worker on tobacco farm in summer after 5th grade Number of employees in Volusia-Flagler: 20 Branches in Volusia-Flagler: 2

Executive Q&A: Ben Flowers, Mainstreet Community Bank

Upcoming Issue: JULY FOCUS: Influential Women in Business FOCUS: Business in Education LISTS: Local Private Schools Higher Education Institutions AD DEADLINES: 7/12/11

be diff icult. Hancock Bank is relatively new in this market, and we are looking to grow. But, f inding companies that want to expand and grow in the current economy can be challenging.

Banking is a small margin business and the current regulatory environment means more restrictions on programs that banks provide to their customers. This will result in increased costs to banks as they have to deal with the ever-changing rules and regulations. I worry that the new rules and laws embedded in Dodd-Frank (legislation) will have some unintended consequences, which will cause the consumer additional expense, as banks have to adjust their business models to adapt to these rules and regulations.

Q: What should I look for in a bank? A: The people! Banking is not overly

complex at the community bank level. It centers on service to our customer. As a community banker it is an advantage and it is important that our customers know that we are empowered and capable of making decisions locally; which can be tailored to their specific needs.

Q: How different is banking now than a couple years ago, when there was a lot of anti-banking sentiment? It seems more positive now. A: Not so sure, there still a lot of nega-

tive perceptions about banks. Many people still believe that the taxpayers “bailed out” all the banks. While that may be somewhat true for some of the largest banks, most banks including ourselves received no government assistance. In fact, we have seen our FDIC insurance premiums soar, because the FDIC absorbs the losses when a bank fails and the FDIC is solely funded by the banks that they insure. ■

W. Ben Flowers Jr.

Age: 48 Job title: president/CEO Company: Mainstreet Community Bank in DeLand Born in: DeLand When you joined Mainstreet: Helped start the bank in 2002 What sort of jobs you did before Mainstreet: Branch manager, commercial lender, team leader of commercial lending First professional job: Management Associate for SunBank of Volusia County in 1985. Prior to graduating from University of Florida, first job was working at Hontoon Marina in DeLand Tom Knox can be reached at Number of employees in Volusia-Flagler: 43 [email protected] or at Branches in Volusia-Flagler: 4

386-681-2728 .

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

Focus: BANKING & FINANCE

June 27, 2011 19

Ready to help:

Area financial planners, investment advisers assist investors in navigating uncertain economy By Valerie Whitney Staff Writer

H

elping clients achieve short and long-range financial goals is the job of certified financial planners and personal investment advisers. They do this by combining their experience and understanding of tax laws, insurance and investments. Advisers typically focus on estate plan-

Ameriprise Financial in Palm Coast, said she has substantially more clients today that four years ago. ”When times become uncertain, I have found people will seek the advice of professionals more consistently,” SantiagoMonroe said. Despite the economic roller coaster the past few years, the stock market is slowly but surely bouncing back, area financial planners and investment advisers say.

boomers retiring every day for the next 20 years, much more emphasis is going to be placed on personal finances and on retirement security. Consumers want control over their money but they also want more guarantees that they won’t run out of money during what is supposed to be their ‘golden years’.” Santiago-Monroe said people are far more concerned than a few years back. “I especially see this in the younger generation (those under 40). However, what concerns me now is that as the market moves back up, I am seeing the same individuals who took unnecessary risk in the past, are beginning to do the same as before,” she said. Wynn noted that the stock market has been going “backwards” for several weeks in response to phenomena such as the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March and severe weather in locations around the globe. “But, corporate profits are good. I think by the end of the year, the market will be higher than it is now,” he said. So, what should investors being doing

Photo: David Tucker

See HELP p. 23

Greg Wynn of Greg Wynn Financial Services on U.S. Highway 1 in Ormond Beach.

0000940923

Photo: Peter Bauer

David Holland of Holland Financial on Granada Avenue in Ormond Beach.

ning, saving for college, retirement, as well as general investment. But, there are some who concentrate on specific areas like asset protection and retirement. The Business Report contacted several area financial planners and investment advisers for their thoughts in the aftermath of the recent recession. “Business has been good throughout the downturn. Bad economic times often cause people to become more concerned about their finances and spurs them to seek help. In a strong economy, it often seems easy to make money, leading to a false sense of security,” said David Graffagnino of The Executive Compensation Group LLC in Daytona Beach. David Holland, of Holland Financial in Ormond Beach, said he has noticed an increase in investors wanting advice. Holland also said investors have become increasingly concerned about stock market volatility, even though the stock market has recovered a lot of its losses during the last two years. Greg Wynn, of Greg Wynn Financial Services in Ormond Beach, said business, overall, is significantly up year to date and has steadily increased each year since 2008. That said, however, Wynn noted that summer, in general, tends to be a slower time of year in the office and that activity typically begins accelerating in September. A b i ga i l X . S a n t i a go - M o n ro e , o f

“After the recession, the stock market made a strong comeback from August 2010 through April of this year. We have now had six consecutive down weeks for the market averages, with worries over the soft economic statistics for April and May,” Graffagnino said.

Enroll Today! www.wynning401kservices.com

If you do not see your plan listed on the website call us at 677-9464 David Graffagnino of The Executive Compensation Group LLC in Daytona Beach.

Still, he said, a lot of his clients are concerned given the high unemployment rates, continued pressure on real estate, increasing inflation pressure and low interest rates on savings. Holland agreed. “A few recent studies I have seen indicate that people continue to be more worried about their financial security than in the past,” he said. “With 10,000 baby-

Gregory N. Wynn Branch Manager Investment Advisor Representative

Erin Wynn Masters

Certified Financial Planner® Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™ Investment Advisor Representative

Galin Wynn Crist Financial Advisor Office Manager

Kirstin Wynn Moore Marketing Director Client Relations Manager

Office: 386.677.9464 • Fax: 386.677.4944 Toll Free: 866.883.9464 1450 N. U.S. 1 • Ste. 600 • Ormond Beach, FL 32174 www.wynning401kservices.com

20 June 27, 2011

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

Financial Advisers Ranked byby assets under under management Ranked assets management Company

1 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Top Local Executive

Address, Phone & Website Phone

Assets Under Management Number of Certified Financial Planners

Specialty

Charles Matousek

231 North Woodland Boulevard, DeLand 32720 (386) 740-2000 www.morganstanley.com

$550,000,000 3

Financial Planning Services, 401K Rollovers, Private Money Management

444 Seabreeze Blvd., Suite 700, Daytona Beach 32118 (386) 252-5571 www.raymondjames.com

$423,000,000 2

Wealth Management and Financial Advisory Services

1401 Beville Rd, Daytona Beach 32119 (386) 760-2000 http://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/randall.w.freitas/ 345 Clyde Morris Blvd. Ste 460, Ormond Beach 32174 (386) 671-0976 www.2020fa.com 1673 Mason Ave., Daytona Beach 32117 (386) 788-3737 www.FinancialTeam.com 1259 W. Granada Blvd., Suite B, Ormond Beach 32174 (386) 615-7526 www.billgrigat.com 1870 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach 32174 (386) 671-7526 www.hollandfinancial.com

$240,000,000 2

Financial and Retirement Planning. Also 1 CEP (Certified Estate Planner).

$200,000,000 B 1

People in Life Transitions

$155,000,000 2

Fee-Only Advisory Services

$150,000,000 2

Comprehensive Financial Planning, Investments and Retirement Planning

$133,000,000 4

Financial planning with an emphasis on retirees and preretirees.

$132,000,000 2

Customized Financial Planning and Consulting

Alexis A. Lenssen, Certified Financial

Planner, Wealth Management & Associates 2 Raymond James Specialist, Vice President, Investments, Inc. Resident Branch Manager

3

Ameriprise Financial

Randy Freitas, CEP,MS, Branch Manager/Sr. Financial Advisor

4

20/20 Financial Advisers

Robert Branch, CFP, ChFC

5

FirsTrust, LLC

Mike Koenig

6

Anchor Certified Planners Group, Inc.

William A. Grigat

7

Holland Financial

David D. Holland, Owner, Certified Financial Planner

8

Atlantic Financial Planning Group, LLC

Gerald P. Keyes, CPA/PFS, CFP, CMA, MBA Howard Stange Marc Wooten

1400 Hand Ave., Ste. P C, Ormond Beach 32174 $125,000,000 Retirement Planning (386) 677-7977 3 www.ameriprise.com Private Investment, Insurance, Trust and Money 131 E. New York Ave, DeLand 32724 $120,000,000 Wells Fargo Advisors/Miller Robert "Bubba" Miller, AAMS, RFC, CFP Management for Family Owned Businesses, Retired 386-738-8854 / 800-706-9331 2 Investment Group Friends, Family and their referrals. investwithbubba.com 1450 N. US Highway 1, Suite #600, Ormond Beach 32174 $120,000,000 Gregory N. Wynn, Broker Manager Income planning during retirement 386-677-9464 Greg Wynn Financial Services 1 Investment Advisor Representative www.gregwynnfinancialservices.com 555 W. Granada Blvd., Ste. F-12, Ormond Beach 32174 $100,000,000 Asset planning for retirees LPL Financial Justin Bundza, Branch Manager (386) 672-0871 0 lpl.financial.lpl.com 812 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand 32720 $90,000,000 The Strategic Wealth Solution: Total Financial Fleishel Financial Associates* Thomas B. Fleishel (386) 738-1800 1 Coordination & Planning www.fleishelfinancial.com 145 E. Rich Ave., DeLand 32724 $63,000,000 Comprehensive Financial Planning Robertson Advisory Inc. L. Thomas Robertson, CFP (386) 734-2566 1 www.robertsonadvisory.com 505 E. New York Ave., DeLand 32724 $62,000,000 Comprehensive Financial Planning and Portfolio Bauerle Financial Todd Bauerle (386) 734-4548 1 Management 4240 Ridgewood Ave, Port Orange,, FL 32127 $60,000,000 Customize investment and estate plans for clients. Tax Robbie L. Kennerson, P.A. Robbie Kennerson, Financial Planner 386-675-6973 0 reductions strategies. www.rlkadvisorygroup.com 430 Oakridge Blvd., Ste. 1, Daytona Beach 32118 $58,000,000 Asset Management, Retirement Planning, Estate Ameriprise Financial Dirinda R. Maddy, CFP, CLU (386) 258-9452 1 Planning & Group Benefits www.ameripriseadvisors.com/dirinda.r.maddy 389 Palm Coast Pkwy., Palm Coast 32137 $50,000,000 Tax-Free IRA/401K Planning, Educational Seminars Ron Thompson & Associates Ron Thompson (877) 733-5157 1 435 S. Ridgewood Ave., suite 202, Daytona Beach 32114 $50,000,000 Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Financial Buckley Financial Group Jim Buckley, CFP (386) 238-3382 1 Planning www.buckleyfinancialgroup.com 233 North Causeway Suite A, New Smyrna Beach 32169 Chris Williams $45,000,000 Strategic asset management for retirees and small Raymond James Financial (386) 427-8245 Michael D. Halsema 2 businesses. Services www.raymondjames.com Jeannine Specklair The Financial Advisers List is based on company reports and excludes firms that did not respond to our survey. For more information, contact the Business Report at [email protected]. B Includes assets in 401(k)s C Also has office at 4873 Palm Coast Parkway in Palm Coast 32137 (phone: 386-597-2994).

Financial/Kasturi, 9 Ameriprise Monroe & Associates

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

20

1825 Business Park Blvd., Suite E, Daytona Beach 32114 (386) 253-1980 www.atlanticfpg.com

Abby Santiago-Monroe Kris Kasturi

Upcoming lists:

■ July 25 Local Private Schools ■ July 25 Higher Education Institutions

For more information call: 386-681-2470

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

June 27, 2011 21 0000940259 PDFA

Focus: BANKING & FINANCE

Executive Q&A: Cindy Stover, TD Bank

By Tom Knox Staff Writer

T

D Bank Financial Group of Toronto in April 2010 acquired the assets of Ft. Pierce-based Riverside National Bank, which had several branches in the Volusia County, following Riverside’s seizure by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The bank, which converted its former Riverside branches to TD branches last fall, recently announced its hiring of veteran local banker Jim Weite Jr. to fill its newly created position of regional vice president in commercial banking for the Volusia-Flagler area. TD has 13 branches and roughly 80 employees in Volusia County. Weite will work out of the bank’s Daytona Beach branch at 1060 W. International Speedway Blvd., and will report to Cindy Stover, TD’s regional market president for North Florida. The Business Report recently interviewed Stover. Here’s what she had to say: Q: What’s your favorite part of your job? A: The relationship building with both the

customers and TD Bank employees. Also, having the opportunity to be a part of helping them grow or strategize on their future needs.

Q: What are the biggest challenges? A: The economy has been a challenge for so

many in our communities; I feel very blessed to be with a company that is growing and cares about the employees, our customers and communities.

Q: As a consumer, what should I look for in a bank? A: Knowledgeable bankers who care about

the customer and are with a bank with the financial strength to assist you with your needs while providing products and security for both you and your business is a big plus. TD Bank provides the “wow!” service while providing the convenience many customers need in this

hectic life style. We are open seven days a week and have 24-hour live customer service available to customers.

Q: How different is banking now than a couple of years ago, when there was a lot of anti-banking sentiment? It seems more positive now. A: Many used the term “banker” to describe

Wall Street Bankers with the complex instruments which were highly criticized by the press and public. The economy has posed challenges for many in our communities. I feel we are back to the basics of banking. Knowing our customers, understanding their business and helping them through the challenging times. It all goes back to relationships. ■

Tom Knox can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-6812728.

Cindy Stover Age: 52 Job title: North Florida Market President Company: TD Bank Hometown: Brunswick, Ga. When joined company: 2001 through Mercantile Bank Previous employment: Commercial Team Leader for Barnett Bank/Bank of America, worked in branches, commercial, private banking First job: “My Dad’s business at H&H Service Store in Brunswick,” said Stover, who added: “I answered the phones and did whatever was needed in a small business. He taught me the customer is always right! He sold appliances and television sets. I remember, his customers would have issues with their TV and he would leave in the middle of the night to take care of them often taking away our TV or appliance if necessary.” Number of employees in Volusia-Flagler: 128 Branches in Volusia-Flagler: 13.

Be a hometown hero! Meetings and conventions held at the Ocean Center benefit the whole community. You can help us help you when you “bring a meeting home.” If you belong to an organization that holds meetings or conventions out of town, we suggest a change of venue. Why not meet in your backyard …at the Ocean Center. It’s a world class complex in an affordable and accessible destination that people love. You can bring a meeting home. Simply tell us the name of your organization and its president or other contact person. We’ll send everything he or she needs to know to hold a successful meeting …in your back yard. It will help your organization. And it will help your hometown. So call or click today. Bring a meeting home! 101 N. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach, FL 32118 386.254.4500 • fax 386.254.4512 http://volusia.org/oceancenter/hsh.htm

22 June 27, 2011

Volusia/Flagler Business Report

JOHNSON from p. 5

REGISTER from p. 6

After graduating from DeLand High, he left the community for Syracuse, N.Y., where he was introduced to snow and cold weather. He said he thought about transferring back to a school in a warmer climate but decided to tough it out. “The opportunities were so great,” said Johnson, who considered going to law school but decided on social work because it provided him to help people make changes in their lives. While canvassing the community for BASIC, according to Johnson, he learned that many young people felt their voices were not being heard. At the same time, he saw few young professionals stepping up to the plate. Those two things prompted him to take a chance on public service and run for the commission seat against an incumbent. The day after he won last fall, he was at the office, ready for work. Since then he has been off and running to various meetings on public policies all the while working his day jobs. “I really have a set schedule that I have to adhere to,” said Johnson, who volunteers his time as a tutor at the Chisholm Center, is board member for the Volusia County 4-H, and also serves on an advisory committee for Volusia County Schools, among other things. Johnson, who is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership, said his real life serves as a perfect case study for his studies. Two months ago, he helped pulled together a community coalition aimed at helped to stamp out violence in the Spring Hill area in the wake of two recent shootings. “Everything I do, I’m trying to make sure it is not just me so that if anything happens we still have platforms to service our people,” he said. ■

inspirational for her ability to thrive as a woman in the male-dominated profession of motorsports while also being someone who consistently “gives back to her community through service and engagement.” Register’s achievements both professionally as well as in the community have earned her recognition as one of the Business Report’s 2011 “Young Business Leaders.” Register credits her father, Dr. Charles Register, an eye doctor who runs Beach Vision Center in New Smyrna Beach, and her mother, Patti, who also works at Beach Vision Center, with having instilled in her a strong work ethic and belief in the importance of community involvement. Of Daytona Beach, she said she views the city as “a hidden jewel” with a great potential to grow. “I love my family and my friends and the beach. It’s a great lifestyle, but I’d like to see it become more,” she said. To other young professionals, she advises: “If you want the town to get better, I think you need to get involved.” Register said she has never regretted her decision to stay in the community where she grew up. “I love Daytona Beach and I think ISC is a fantastic company to work for,” she said, adding that she enjoys getting to work with such high-energy people. “I definitely picked the right career path.” ■

Clayton Park can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-681-2470.

Valerie Whitney can be reached at STOWERS from p. 7 [email protected] or at 386-681-2283.

KISTEMAKER from p. 6

backyard, Kistemaker said. The firm is in the process of starting a women’s foundation to raise $1,000 to $5,000 for a local female law student. “I have the vision of empowering women and helping women make their mark on the community,” she said. Just eight months into the new business, Kistemaker said she is much happier now than she was when she worked for traditional firms. If they end up hiring more staffers, they want them to be well-balanced. “I can have lunch with my kid,” she said. “I don’t want someone that’s work, work, work, work.” ■

Tom Knox can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-681-2728.

Cobb Cole, said Stowers epitomizes what it means to be a young business leader. “His background in urban/regional planning and land use law, his understanding of sustainability/green building practices, and his passion and enthusiasm for this community, makes James uniquely suited to help our area’s residents and business leaders make informed business retention, economic development and redevelopment decisions,” Pope said. Area residents took notice and last year some approached Stowers about running for local government to fill a seat on the Ormond Beach City Commission held by an incumbent who was stepping down. He was hesitant at first, but chose to throw his hat in the rink for the Zone 1 seat. “I thought it was a good opportunity to continue what I was doing,” he said, referring to his interest in helping shaping the future of his adopted hometown. Stowers bested two other candidates to win the seat. He makes it a point to be available to his

constituents. During the NBA playoffs, for example, he received an email around 10 p.m. from a resident inquiring about an upcoming meeting. Though it was late, he responded that very night. Besides his work with the MainStreet organization, Stowers currently serves on the Volusia/Flagler YMCA Corporate Board of Directors and on the economic prosperity committee of the Ormond Chamber of Commerce. He also is a 2010 graduate of Ormond Beach Leadership. The 6-foot-6-inch tall Stowers still finds time to occasionally play basketball with friends and also is a basketball coach for a church school. ■

Valerie Whitney can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-6812283.

WATTS FROM p. 8

the ability to do so and thinks it is the right thing to do. His influence is felt throughout the county.” Watts, 37, was born in Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach. He was raised for all but two years in DeLand and graduated from DeLand High School in 1992. He attended Florida State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in international affairs in 31⁄2 years. He’s a founding member of the university’s Phi Alpha Delta pre-law chapter and was a volunteer intern for 1,000 Friends of Florida, an organization that his dad once served as president. He attended Stetson University law school in St. Petersburg and completed his degree in 21⁄2 years while serving as president of the Environmental Law Society, a member of the Student Council on Professionalism and Ethics and chairing the council’s Outreach Committee. A summer internship in the Pinellas County Attorney Office led to a job while still in school and then a post-graduate job for six months before Watts returned to Volusia County in mid-1999. Watts worked at Cobb Cole’s Daytona Beach office for six years before moving to the firm’s DeLand office. His areas of practice are primarily land use and local government relations. “It’s the type of stuff that most affects you as a member of the community and allows me to most affect what happens that is good in the community,” Watts said. Cobb Cole encourages and supports associates and shareholders getting involved in community activities. Watts also credits his wife, Natasha, for her support and cooperation. “Coaching baseball was not one of the things I set out to do, but sometimes there tends to be a void and I end up in situations no one else is stepping up and I just agree to go ahead and do it,” Watts said. “It’s hard to balance it all, but I think all our needs are be-

ing met. I am learning to get better at saying ‘no.’ We started recently making sure that Sundays are free so after church we have family time.” Watts says that being a middle child in an extended family that includes five sisters and three brothers enable him to develop skills at reaching compromise and consensus, useful in work and within community organizations. “Mark is always able to do things with civility,” said Nick Conte Jr., executive director of the DeLand Area Chamber. “What I admire most is that he takes on topics that can be considered controversial, but everybody always respects him. He represents himself and the community with class.” ■

Bob Koslow can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-681-2285.

WHITE from p. 9

involved, but also that if no one is as passionate about it as I am, then I’ll do it,” she said. White also joined the Daytona Beach Partnership Association, which promotes economic development in the downtown area along Beach Street while protecting the area’s heritage. White is on the association’s board. Naomi Weiss, the association’s executive director, remembers her first visit to White’s office. “She had all these large sheets of paper on the walls with the company broken down into departments. She was a staff of one and had to do it all but the papers gave her the ability to get all the jobs done,” Weiss said. “Kelly is a natural leader. She genuinely listens to people and has the ability to see different sides to diverse issues. She’s well balanced between introvert and extrovert.” White’s passion to see an improved downtown area, which includes a homeless center and the Ocean Center, led her to seek and win election to the City Commission for a four-year term. “Between Jack and I, we are so committed because we have made such an investment, financially, emotionally and psychologically, and having grown up here, it’s almost not logical at times,” she said. White still makes time to play piano twice a week for worship services at the Drive-In Christian Church in Daytona Beach Shores. She describes it as her “me” time to reconnect to her musical roots. All that may just be enough for now. “My parents said to plan your work and work your plan and not to get ahead of yourself or take on too much,” White said. “Right now I have to go back to that and remind myself to manage what I have.” ■

Bob Koslow can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-681-2285.

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June 27, 2011 23 0000941030

good things now rather than two or three years ago. A lot of innovation and more convenient ways for banking. Obviously the anti-banking sentiment, as a bank person, I take it personally. But not because people talk bad about banks. I feel that people need to understand why there’s a credit crunch — it’s not because we don’t want to make loans — that’s how we make money. There is a lot of regulation we have to comply with — some say you have to have a certain amount of capital, and that amount of capital dictates how much the bank grows. When a loan defaults, we have to charge it off, or charge half of it off. So it eats away our capital. So as banks are facing this terrible environment of losses, it’s hurting the room we have for money.

The other reason is just in general the economy is affecting everybody, and there are less-qualif ied borrowers. And because of the environment — we haven’t changed our underwriting criteria. You still have to qualify the same way you did two or three years ago. ... If you look ahead 10 years from now, there’s probably going to be less banks. Banks look for all the alternatives to make the plan work — they can either do it by merging with somebody like BankFirst, who’s awesome, or you can go to the community to raise capital. But this is a tough environment for banks to raise capital. ■ Tom Knox can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-6812728.

Q: How different is banking now than a couple years ago, when there was a lot of anti-banking sentiment? It seems more positive now. A: It was tough being a banker in 2007-

2008 when the f inancial world was on the verge of collapse. Bankers were not very popular. Those of us who adhered to the honor and integrity that were ingrained in us as financial professionals were often lumped in with the Wall Street crowd as the reasons for the country’s economic problems.

Many larger banks appeared to be more worried about their own survival than their customers’ needs, and many of the weak banks have since failed. Hancock Bank, on the other hand, did not participate in the risky business practices that contributed signif icantly to the economic meltdown. We did not do sub-prime lending; we sustained a conservative business model to carry the company through tough economic times; and we were and are able to lend money because we have remained f inancially strong and stable. We did not need or accept any (federal) TARP money and have been consistent in our ability to meet our customers’ needs throughout this difficult period. ■ Tom Knox can be reached at [email protected] or at 386-681-2728.

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HELP from p. 19

now? Graffagnino said he would advise consumers to review their estate and business succession plans under the new tax law and increased exemption limits. At the same time, he noted, that many clients are tempted to try to move “safe” money into riskier assets to capture higher yields, but this is almost always a mistake. Holland said whether someone is already retired or 20 years away from retirement, it is very important for everyone to put a financial plan in place. “Too many people fret and worry about the day-to-day movements of the stock market” he said. “If someone feels like they have to look at what the market does everyday, then they probably have too much

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MITCHELL from p. 18

customer service — service well above and beyond the standard “have-a-nice-day” variety — the customer benef its in the long run. A bank with a longstanding commitment to service is traditionally much more focused on what the customer actually needs.

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RAMIREZ from p. 17

money in the market.” Wynn, meanwhile, said he thinks the market will be higher at the end of the year than it is now. “We think we can weather this storm,” he said. Santiago-Monroe said it important for consumers to plan for needs first, then wants. “Don’t confuse those two! Second get a coach to help you stick to the plan and help guide you when confronting obstacles. The best thing you can do for yourself is seek knowledgeable advice then take it. Stay the course and do not get caught up in all the media hype.” ■

Valerie Whitney can be reached at [email protected] or at 386681-2283.

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Volusia/Flagler Business Report

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