NEWS RELEASE
The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the achievements of local companies at its17th Annual Industry Appreciation Awards luncheon on September 18, at the Indian River State College Richardson Center. Brite Future Electric and White Glove Moving & Storage/Pak Mail Beachside were honored as the Chamber’s 2014 Small and Medium Company of the Year, respectively, based on employment levels.
Earlier in the week, the Indian River Board of County Commissioners presented a Proclamation designating September 15-19, 2014 as Industry Appreciation Week in Indian River County.
Jay Hart with Wells Fargo Bank and Chairman of the Chamber’s Economic Leadership Alliance served as Master of Ceremonies for the luncheon, along with Lynn Fiske with EGP-The Document Imaging People. Ms. Fiske chairs the Chamber’s Industry Appreciation Awards Committee. Mr. Hart stated that “the awards event is an important part of the Chamber’s business retention program and Chamber initiatives for job creation. We show our appreciation to those businesses which have made a positive impact in our community during the past year, either through architectural enhancements or by way of community involvement and economic impact.”
The awards luncheon also paid tribute to the late John Dean, a local architect and community supporter who passed away earlier this year. Tony Donadio, principal of Donadio and Associates Architects, spoke of Mr. Dean and his long list of accomplishments, many of which had been recognized by the Industry Appreciation Awards program through the years. “I had the pleasure of working with John on many local projects, and serving with him on the boards of local non-profits. John was an honest and very humble man who was passionate about architecture and preserving the historic charm of our community”, shared Mr. Donadio.
The Chamber’s Company of the Year award recognizes local businesses that stimulate the Indian River County economy, make contributions back to the community, provide quality year-round employment, and have an overall positive impact on our county.
White Glove Moving & Storage/Pak Mail Beachside was recognized as Company of the Year for a business with 25-50 employees. Phil DeLange is President of White Glove and Pak Mail, and oversees its 50 employees. They offer affordable and reliable shipping solutions nationwide. The company generates nearly $45,000 annually in property and payroll taxes, with over $550,000 in local purchases each year. White Glove earned the 2013 Angie’s List Super Service award. The companies are active in the Cell Phones for Soldiers program, plus numerous local charitable organizations.
Bright Futures Electric was recognized as the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year. Brite Future Electric is an electrical contracting company that was established in 2008. The company has 9 employees, generates an estimated $80,300 in annual payroll taxes with $129,000 in goods and services purchased locally each year. Brite Future Electric contributes over $7300 annually to local organizations, and provides a 10% discount on service work for all charitable organizations. The company president, Tony Gervasio, is involved with a pre-apprenticeship training program called “Electrical 101,” a 13-week program that identifies at-risk youth and starts them on a path to a career in the electrical trades
The Chamber’s Latin Business of the Year was awarded to Cork Tapas and Dessert Bar/Havana Club Cigars, owned by Chef David Rodriguez. Combined, the companies have ten employees and generate over $17,000 in annual payroll and property taxes. Collectively, Cork and Havana Club purchase about $175,000 in local goods and services. The company donates over $13,000 annually to local organizations including the Hibiscus Children’s Center and March of Dimes. A Ladies Cigar Club was recently formed to serve as a Community Service Organization.
The Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes firms less than five years old that show increased growth and a true entrepreneurial spirit, while overcoming challenges and becoming a good corporate citizen.
The 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year is Lou Kolbaur, owner of Chive Restaurant on Old Dixie Highway in Vero Beach. Chive opened in 2013 and has three full-time employees and five part-time. The owner invested $70,000 in equipment and furnishings in the restaurant’s current location, and is in the process of expanding into a larger location on Royal Palm Pointe. Chive is involved with many local charities, schools and festivals, including The Homeless Family Center’s “Vero’s Top Chef” Challenge.
The Chamber’s Manufacturer of the Year award considers growth of the company, quality of the jobs, its economic impact, and sales that are primarily outside our region or state, making them a contributory company. There were three local manufactures recognized: small, medium and large, based on employment.
The 2014 Large Manufacturer of the Year was presented to Novurania of America. Novurania was founded in 1989 by Robert and Sylvia Collada, relocating from Miami to its current facility on south U.S. Highway One in 1995. With 80 employees, the company manufactures yacht tenders for the luxury yacht industry as well as commercial and governmental uses. Eighty percent of their products are distributed outside Florida and 60 percent are sold outside the U.S. Its annual economic impact from property and payroll taxes is over $200,000, with an estimated $150,000 in the purchase of local goods and services each year.
The mid-sized Manufacturer of the Year is Nylacarb Corporation, located on 98th Avenue. Nylacarb is a family business that was founded in 1987 by Frank Cooley and his sons. With 36 employees, the company manufactures plastic-injected molded parts, sold primarily to other manufacturers in Florida, with 30% sold outside the state to those in the medical, automotive, agricultural, and environmental industries. The company has experienced an eight to ten percent annual growth over the past several years, and has an annual economic impact of about $95,000, including taxes and local purchases.
Triton Submarines LLC, with 20 employees, is the Chamber’s 2014 small Manufacturer of the Year. Triton Submarines was established in 2007 by Bruce Jones, CEO, and Patrick Lahey, President. Located off 90th Avenue, the company manufactures small personal submersibles used primarily in the yachting industry but are marketed for ocean research, eco-tourism and film making. All their submarines are sold outside Florida, and fifty percent are sold outside the US. The company offers free tours of its manufacturing facility, and houses the world’s only private submersible simulator, an integral part of Triton’s comprehensive pilot training program.
Architectural Recognition awards were also presented. Award criteria includes: impact on immediate area; building’s unique features; and the building or project being “user friendly”. The following architectural projects were recognized:
NEW CONSTRUCTION
- Small (less than 10,000sf) – Dogs for Life Training and Administration Center
1230 16th Avenue, Vero Beach
- Large (over 20,000sf) – Sebastian Charter Junior High
782 Wave Street, Sebastian
SMALL COMMERCIAL BUILDING RENOVATION
- Small (less than 10,000sf) – Vero Beach Dental Spa
3036 20th Street, Vero Beach
- Medium (10,000-20,000sf) – Reiner Plaza
3975 20th Street, Vero Beach
- Large (over 20,000sf) – Christi’s Fitness
1250 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach
LARGE PROJECT RENOVATION
3 Avenues Shopping Center – Miracle Mile
Indian River Boulevard, Vero Beach
BEST RE-USE OF PROPERTY
- South county – Modesitt State Farm Agency; the former Wings of Joy
1940 58th Avenue, Vero Beach
- North county – Sebastian Vacation Rentals; former used auto sales
1301 U.S. Highway One, Sebastian
- Non-profit – Camp Haven – the former Citrus Motel
3256 U.S. Highway One, Vero Beach
NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION (tie)
· Seranoa by GHO Homes – located behind Oslo Middle School
- The Isles at Waterway Village – located off 58th Avenue and 53rd Street
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