Florida Division of Largest U.S. Healthcare Union Establishes Office at Miramar Park of Commerce in Miramar, FL

Monica Russo

 MIRAMAR, FL – At the Miramar Park of Commerce, the largest locally owned and managed business park in South Florida, Sunbeam Properties & Development announced that 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East - Florida d/b/a 1199SEIU Florida signed a new lease for 9,975 sq. ft. of office space at 2871 Corporate Way in MPC-15.

1199SEIU Florida is a division of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare union in the nation with more than 400,000 members in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and Florida. In addition to its office in the Miramar Park of Commerce, which serves South Florida, 1199SEIU Florida also has an office in Tampa.

“1199SEIU Florida represents more than 25,000 healthcare workers in Florida’s hospital and nursing home industry,” said Monica Russo, 1199SEIU’s executive vice president for Florida.

Maridee Bell

“1199SEIU Florida works to secure fair wages and benefits, safe work environments, paid time off, stable retirement, childcare, education benefits and more for its members, who in turn work diligently to provide high quality care in some of the largest for-profit and academic healthcare institutions in the state.”

1199SEIU Florida also advocates for its members, patients and communities through government and elected officials, working to help elect working-family-friendly candidates and drafting worker-friendly legislation.

Lauren Pace

“To represent such an expansive group healthcare workers in South Florida, it’s important for 1199SEIU Florida to have an accessible location in a state-of-the-art facility,” said Sunbeam Properties Vice President Maridee Bell.

 “Labor unions like 1199SEIU Florida require space that offers functionality and connectivity suitable for serving members locally and across the state. The Miramar Park of Commerce is one of the few places in South Florida that already has the infrastructure in place to accommodate these requirements.”

In the transaction, 1199SEIU Florida was represented by Tom Viscount of Butters Realty and the Park was represented by Bell and Lauren Pace of Sunbeam Properties and Ryan Goggins of Colliers International.

Ryan Goggins

  For more information on Miramar Park,, contact Lauren Pace (lpace@wsvn.com)

 or Maridee Bell (mbell@wsvn.com)

 at 10212 USA Today Way, Miramar, FL 33025 or call 954-450-7900.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

 Lexi Robinson

954-776-1999, ext. 255

lrobinson@piersongrant.com or

Harriet Sausner, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, MPC-15, 2871 Corporate Way, Miramar, FL, 33025, 786-594-4348, harriet.sausner@1199.org

Meta Housing Corp. Expands into New Housing Types; Promotes Aaron Mandel and Chris Maffris to Executive Vice President

Aaron Mandel

LOS ANGELES, CA (Aug. 29, 2017) – Meta Housing Corporation , a Los Angeles-based affordable housing developer, has announced the promotions of Aaron Mandel and Chris Maffris to Executive Vice President.

These promotions coincide with the firm’s ongoing growth and expansion into new housing types, according to Kasey Burke, President of Meta Housing Corporation.

“Aaron and Chris have been instrumental in successfully driving our mission of providing high-quality affordable housing forward,” says Burke. “They have both played a tremendous role in expanding our development pipeline and our presence in developing additional housing types.”

Burke explains that Meta Housing has long focused on affordable housing for families and seniors and has recently expanded into developing new affordable housing types such as veterans, homeless and supportive housing.

“These promotions demonstrate the significant value we place on Aaron and Chris, and their abilities to further aid in the growth of the firm,” says Burke. “Over the last decade, they have become integral to our leadership team, effectively overseeing the growth of the development team and new development opportunities.”

Chris Maffris

            Mr. Mandel has been with Meta Housing for more than 13 years. During his tenure, he has overseen the financing and development of more than 2,000 apartment units.

            In his new role, he will provide strategic direction and management for Meta’s development division. He will also continue to oversee all aspects of development projects from initial land acquisition all the way through lease-up, as well as structuring and arranging complex layered financing for these developments.

            Mr. Maffris, who joined Meta in 2003, has supervised the development of more than 3,700 apartment units and 30,000 square-feet of commercial space.

In his new role, Maffris will oversee the development team while focusing on urban infill and revitalization projects that strengthen neighborhoods and improve outcomes for residents.

            Mr. Maffris received a degree in Economics with a Specialization in Computer Science from UCLA. Mr. Mandel earned a degree in International Relations with a minor in Economics from Pomona College where he was a member of the varsity soccer team.

About Meta Housing Corporation

Since 1993, Meta Housing Corporation has established itself as one of Southern California’s most experienced and trusted developers of apartment communities for families and seniors, developing more than 6,000 residential units.  

 For more information on this news release, please contact:

Miki Akil/Lexi Astfalk

Brower, Miller & Cole

makil@browermillercole.com

(949) 955-7940

www.metahousing.com

WoodSpring Suites Implements 100 Percent Pet-Friendly Policy Nationwide

Wendy Hoekwater

Gary DeLapp

Charlotte, NC —WoodSpring Hotels, the nation’s fastest-growing extended-stay hotel company, announced it has implemented a 100 percent pet-friendly policy at its WoodSpring Suites hotels nationwide. 

Guests will be required to pay a one-time fee for any cat or dog depending on the length of stay. Additionally, all WoodSpring Suites hotels will have waste stations available for their guests’ pets to use when taking them outside.

“Many Americans consider their pets to be members of their family, and a growing number of families are making their pets a more integral part of their travel experience,” said Wendy Hoekwater, WoodSpring Hotels chief marketing officer. “As a hotel brand that caters to long-term stays, we are taking great strides to ensure our guests receive a space they truly feel is like a second home.”

“Not only does our pet-friendly program open our doors to our guests’ furry friends, but it also opens doors to a profitable and competitive consumer segment,” said Gary DeLapp, WoodSpring Hotels President and CEO.

“According to the American Pets Products Association, Americans spent $66.75 billion on their pets in 2016, with estimates going as high as $69.36 billion in 2017. 

“We’re now able to attract guests with pets looking for awesome and affordable extended stay hotel accommodations, and we expect to see our occupancy and room revenue increase as a direct result of our pet-friendly program.”

This announcement comes shortly after the brand enters the final stages of its repositioning, which includes other guest-centric updates, such as brand-wide free wireless internet and new bedding.

“Working with our key stakeholders, we are constantly making sure we’re tapped into what extended stay guests wants in their hotel and then offering those desires at a reasonable rate,” DeLapp added. “Our pet-friendly program is just another great example of this process coming to life.”

 For more information on this news release, please contact:

PATRICK DALY

OFFICE MANAGER

DALY GRAY PUBLIC RELATIONS, INC.

620 Herndon Parkway, Suite 115 | Herndon, VA 20170

Main: 703-435-6293

Mobile: 703-300-8289

patrick@dalygray.com

www.dalygray.com  or

Crystal Franz

Vice President of Corporate Communications

cfranz@woodspring.com

www.woodspringfranchise.com.