Sperry Van Ness International Expands Presence with Nine New Franchises across the U.S.

IRVINE, CA (Oct. 5, 2011) –Sperry Van Ness International today announced the addition of nine new franchises in San Jose, Calif., New York, N.Y., Sarasota, Fla., San Diego, Calif., Portland, Ore., El Centro, Calif., Las Vegas, Nev., Boulder, Colo. and Nashville, Tenn.

The nine new franchises, all completed this year, are part of Sperry Van Ness International’s national expansion program, which started in 2001 and has grown to more than 800 advisors representing more than 150 markets today.

“These franchise sales demonstrate our commitment to the growth of Sperry Van Ness International,” said Kevin Maggiacomo (top right photo), chief executive officer and president of Sperry Van Ness International.

“Expanding the presence of Sperry Van Ness International into new markets across the United States is an important part of our organization’s mission of creating unprecedented value for our advisors and clients. We are currently on pace to exceed last year’s growth by at least 50 percent.”

The following firms are now independently owned and operated franchises of Sperry Van Ness International:

· SVN/First Guardian Group, led by Paul Getty (middle right photo) and Dinesh Gupta (middle left photo), is located at 100 Century Center Ct., Suite 503 in San Jose, Calif.

SVN/Realsite Group, led by Anthony Casalena, is located at 123 Third Ave., Suite 9C in New York, N.Y.

· SVN/Commercial Advisory Group, led by Larry Starr, is located at 1626 Ringling Blvd., Suite 500 in Sarasota, Fla.

· SVN/Promus Commercial, led by Lauri Greenblatt Hines, Scott Cook and Jim Taylor, is located at 8745 Aero Dr., Suite 308 in San Diego, Calif.

· SVN/Bluestone& Hockley, led by Cliff Hockley (lower left photo) and Julie Hockley, is located at 9320 SW Barbur Blvd., Suite 300 in Portland, Ore.

SVN/Valley Commercial Real Estate, led by Ryan Childers, Travis Lyon and Jim Taylor, is located at 1430 Broadway in El Centro, Calif.

· SVN/Resort Management, LLC, led by Robert Hasman, is located at 4955 S. Durango Dr., Suite 222 in Las Vegas, Nev.

· SVN/Hayoun, led by Sylvain Hayoun, is located at 1871 Folsom St., in Boulder, Colo.

· SVN/The Genesis Group, led by Carnell Scruggs, is located at 718 Thompson Ln., Suite 108-185 in Nashville, Tenn.

“Aligning with top-tier brokerages in new markets continues to strengthen Sperry Van Ness International’s value proposition, opening new doors for our advisors and clients. We are currently working on six additional franchise sales that we hope to complete by the end of 2011,” added Maggiacomo.

 For more information, visit http://www.svn.com/.

Contact: Megan Morales, (714) 273-2472, megan.morales@svn.com

Emerson International to host “Homes for the Cure” Showcase of New Homes at Eagle Creek Golf Community in Orlando, FL

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Emerson International will host a “Homes for the Cure” showcase of new homes at Eagle Creek Golf community in southeast Orlando to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Foundation.

Eric Emerson (top right photo), vice president and general manager of Emerson International, said Centerline Homes is building three new homes fronting on the Eagle Creek golf course to be showcased at the Homes for the Cure event scheduled there for next February. 

The three homes are part of the Concept Home Series sponsored by Builder Magazine, with features for the specific lifestyles of three generations: Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y, Emerson said. The homes range in size from 2,400 square feet of living space to 5,000 square feet with three, four and five bedrooms in one and two story designs.

After a private showing to the delegates of the International Builders Show, the three homes will be unveiled to the public, with all proceeds going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. 

For more information, contact:

 Eric J. Emerson, Vice President and General Manager Emerson International, Inc. 407-834-9560;

Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

NAI Realvest Negoatiates New Lease for 7,800 SFof Retail Space in Tavares, FL

MAITLAND, F – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 7,800 square feet retail space at 335 Duncan Drive in Tavares.

 NAI Realvest Principals Matt Cichocki (top right photo) and Kevin O’ Connor (bottom left photo) negotiated the lease agreement representing the landlord, S & M Properties Investments, LLC of Orlando. 

 The tenant, Design Lab, Inc. based in Taylors, S.C. manufactures and sells uniforms for government, law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies.   The Tavares location – the former Master Tile building – will serve as Design Lab’s retail outlet for Lake County.

For more information, contact:

Matt Cichocki, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989, mcichocki@realvest.com

Kevin O’Connor, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989, koconnor@realvest.com

Patrick Mahoney, President, 407-875-9989,  pmahoney@realvest.com

Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142,  lvershelco@aol.com

Latino Hotel Association Increases Membership Benefits and Forms Partnership with Buzbee Law Firm

  

HOUSTON, TX, Oct. 5, 2011—Officials from Latino Hotel Association (LHA), the global organization dedicated to expanding Latino ownership, leadership, and commerce in the hotel industry, today announced a strategic partnership with the Buzbee Law Firm, an organization that represents plaintiffs interests in a number of fields, including a specialty group created to handle British Petroleum oil spill claims.

Under the partnership agreement, Buzbee and LHA will educate hoteliers on the Deep Water Horizon oil spill and its impact on the lodging industry.  Also, the two groups will distribute to LHA members information regarding the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, the claims process and calculation of damages to hoteliers located in the Gulf of Mexico.

“The Buzbee Law Firm has an extensive track record with numerous verdicts in excess of $1 million and a $100 million verdict against British Petroleum, currently the largest verdict against the oil company,” said Angela Gonzalez-Rowe (top right photo), president and founder of LHA.

  “In the last six months, attorneys at the Buzbee Law Firm have collected for its clients more than $100 million, in addition to more than $1 billion since the firm’s inception.  Buzbee has recently collected tens of millions for hoteliers affected by the oil spill. Buzbee adds great legal expertise support to our organization and will be an invaluable resource to our members.”

“Coupled with LHA, we will offer a bilingual white paper in English and in Spanish on the British Petroleum oil spill, its impact on hoteliers in the United States and Mexico, and potential opportunities to recover lost revenue,” said Tony Buzbee (middle left photo) Managing Partner, The Buzbee Law Firm.

“One of our primary tasks will be to assist LHA members in filing claims for damages with no upfront costs to the hotelier.  Also, we will present an educational forum at the upcoming LHA International Conference in November.  We look forward to being of service to the many members of the growing Latino hotelier community.”

Located in Houston, the Buzbee Law Firm specializes in representing employees and small businesses.  Founded by  Tony Buzbee, the firm has won clients more payments, either through trial or settlement, than those clients represented by competitors.  In addition, The Buzbee Law Firm has years of developing close working relationships with some of the best law firms in most major cities in the United States. 

For more information on The Buzbee Law Firm, please visit http://www.txattorneys.com/.

 Additional information is available at the Latino Hotel Association’s website, http://www.latinohotelassociation.com/.

Contact: Jerry Daly, Daly Gray Public Relations, (703) 435-6293

jerry@dalygray.com

                               

Marquis Residences Celebrates Miami Broker Incentive Winner Maria Antonieta Laviosa

Miami, FL – Oct. 5, 2011 – Marquis Residences (lower right photo), the crown jewel of Miami’s luxury condominium real estate market, is pleased to announce the winner of its Broker Incentive Contest launched in May of this year.

 Maria Antonieta Laviosa (top right photo), a licensed real estate broker with Concept International Realty Inc., was the first to sell two residences within two months at Marquis and was awarded an iPad 2.

“We are thrilled that Maria is the first to win our Broker Incentive Contest and are happy that her clients have chosen Marquis as their home,” said Wendy Marks Pine (middle left photo), Sales Director for Marquis.

“We look forward to continued success with our incentive program and a little healthy competition amongst the brokers, since we’ll be extending the incentive program through the end of the year.”

The Broker Incentive program will award another iPad 2 to the next two brokers to sell two residences in two months, as well as three luxury watches to our top three brokers who sell three units in three months.

 Marquis Residences consists of single-level homes, duplex townhouses and suites, all furnished with high-end stainless steel Viking appliances in European-style gourmet kitchens, including a choice of teak, Zebrano and other exotic natural wood cabinetry. All bathrooms are by Sand Studio and feature Duravit Starck water closets and double sink.

Residents have access to luxury five-star hotel services managed by Richfield Hospitality, including concierge, security, valet, housekeeping and room service. An 8,000-square-foot spa and fitness center overlooks the Biscayne Bay, while the 14th floor sky pool and private balconies offer stunning views of the city below.

There is private elevator access to many of the homes and residents can dine out at Tempo Miami’s chic Amuse Restaurant & Lounge or enjoy the full menu in the privacy of their own homes.

A product of prestigious New York-based developer, Africa-Israel USA, Marquis Residences is ideally located at the crossroads of Miami Beach and the burgeoning Downtown Miami Arts & Entertainment district.

 Marquis’ 292 luxury condos offer proximity to sophisticated hotspots and points of interest, including the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami Art Museum, Miami International Airport, Port of Miami, American Airlines Arena and Museum Park, future home to the Miami Science Museum.

 The 67-story building was designed by the internationally acclaimed architects of Arquitectonica with unmatched 360-degree views of Downtown Miami, Miami Beach and Biscayne Bay. Biscayne Beacon, a 16-story lighting fixture, crowns the tower from sunset to sunrise, making Marquis Residences an enduring landmark of the Miami skyline.

Leviev Boymelgreen Marquis Developers, LLC ("LBMD") is a wholly owned subsidiary of Africa Israel Investments Ltd. (“AI”) USA Corp (“AFI USA”), the international holding and Investment Company controlled by world-renowned businessman Lev Leviev (lower left photo).

Most of AFI USA’s activity in North America in the last 10 years has centered on luxury residential real estate in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, South Carolina, Texas, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Miami.

 The parent company, AI, is a global powerhouse with a long history of diverse interests across multiple industry sectors, including telecommunications, commercial construction, media and energy.

 http://www.afigroup‐global.com/

Additional information about Richfield Hospitality can be found at the company’s website, http://www.richfield.com/.

Robin Diamond

Hundred Stories PR

(305) 903 - 5444

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts Continues Expansion in Thailand with Grand Opening of Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa

KOH SAMUI, THAILAND -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce that Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa (top centered  and bottom right photos) has officially opened to guests and visitors.

 Located on an idyllic stretch of exclusive Lamai Beach, Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa is a chic and intimate resort with a unique blend of stylish amenities, luxury services, an inspiring atmosphere and rich, cultural experiences that offers guests a new perspective.

 Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa goes beyond the traditional five-star hotel experience and invites guests to discover more than just a new destination – to experience a new perspective with a focus on contemporary art and cuisine.

 In conjunction with its opening, Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa has unveiled a signature arrival experience for its guests featuring "The Sampan's Diary," a custom artwork created locally for Le Méridien.

 A long, multidimensional piece that leads the guest to the hotel's front entrance, The Sampan's Diary is a poem painted with Chinese characters on cobblestones that tells the story of a Chinese migrant's journey to a faraway land.

Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa was designed with Feng Shui principles in mind to be a place that preserves beauty, celebrates history and culture, enhances prosperity, and creates physical and spiritual happiness.

  

Three nights accommodations for up to 154 people in the resort’s 77 suites and villas, including the luxurious Ocean Front Pool Villa for the bride and groom

Le Méridien, the Paris-born hotel brand currently represented by 104 properties in 50 countries, was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) in November 2005.

 For more information, please visit http://www.lemeridien.com/.

 MEDIA CONTACTS:

Hwee Peng Yeo // Glodow Nead Communications Asia for Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa

+65 9768.6087 // hweepeng@glodownead.com 

Cassidy Turley Hired to Lease Retail Space at The Lofts of Kennesaw Near Atlanta

  

ATLANTA, GA – Oct. 4, 2011- Cassidy Turley, a leading commercial real estate services provider in the U.S., has been hired to lease the retail portion of The Lofts of Kennesaw (top left rendering), a new off-campus housing project adjacent to Kennesaw State University (middle right photo).

The two-building complex will comprise 217 units of student housing with 803 bedrooms and 20,000 square-feet of street-level retail.

The project already is being well received by the KSU student population.  Cassidy Turley’s Jack Arnold (lower left photo) and Rob Adamson (lower right photo) are spearheading the project’s retail leasing. They said the project is generating “tremendous interest.”

Cassidy Turley entered the Atlanta market on Sept. 1, when the company completed its acquisition of the brokerage and property management businesses of Carter.

Arnold and Adamson already have secured two retail tenants for The Lofts of Kennesaw. Approximately 8,000 square feet has been pre-leased to restaurants McCray’s Tavern and Blue Moon Pizza, and Cassidy Turley is actively working to secure final leases for the remaining 12,000 square-feet.  The retail portion will deliver to tenants in late spring of 2012.

“This project offers the best of all worlds for retailers: excellent traffic counts, visibility and demographic features, plus a captive audience in the students directly above you as well as the traffic generated by the adjacent sports complex,” said Arnold.

 Construction recently commenced on The Lofts of Kennesaw. Renderings of the two-building project were released this week, giving architectural perspectives for this project. The Lofts of Kennesaw is projected to be completed by mid-summer 2012 and ready for student occupancy by the start of the fall 2012 semester.

The Lofts of Kennesaw will provide an off-campus alternative for students with direct access to the sports complex across the street that currently includes the main stadium for the university’s soccer events, practice facility fields, intramural fields and home for Atlanta’s professional women’s soccer team, Atlanta Beat.

“This project offers a glimpse of the demand for student housing at Kennesaw State and will provide a captive audience for the retail space within the project,” said Adamson. “We are very excited about this development that will serve as a community where students can live, study and play.”

 Please visit http://www.cassidyturley.com/ for more information about Cassidy Turley.

 Contact:

Laura Dudebout

O: 404.965.5023

C: 678.642.4301

ldudebout@wilbertnewsstrategies.com

The 1,354-room Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites Los Angeles Unveils a New Look after Completing Significant Renovations

 LOS ANGELES, CA – Oct. 4, 2011 – The iconic Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles (top left photo) has announced the completion of comprehensive renovations and invites guests, clients and the community to celebrate its new look with a month-long open house in October.

The transformation of one of Los Angeles’ favorite Hollywood backdrops redefines the essence of modern luxury, creating a renewing stay complete with Westin signature touches for the traveler’s mind, body and spirit. 

Significant upgrades and refreshed designs enhance the experience for hotel guests whether traveling for business or pleasure. The all encompassing renovation has rejuvenated 1,209 guestrooms and 145 suites, public areas, the Lobby Court and Lobby Lounge, LA Prime, BonaVista Lounge, the front desk, the outdoor pool, and all 110,000-square-feet of meeting, event and banquet space.

To celebrate the culmination of the largest renovation seen at this luxury hotel, an Open House will be held during the month of October for guests, meeting planners and the community who wish to experience the newly renovated hotel.

 For further information visit www.thebonaventure.com or contact the hotel directly at 213-624-1000 or email labon@westin.com.  

  For more information, visit the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites’ web site at: http://www.thebonaventure.com./

 Contact:  Michael Czarcinski, Managing Director, The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Phone: (213) 624-1000; Email: michael.czarcinski@westin.com

                 

Manhattan Residential Sales Prices Up Slightly from a Year Ago; Number of Sales Over $5 Million Up 16%; Manhattan Average Apartment Price $1,437,302

       

  

NEW YORK, NY, Oct. 4, 2011-- According to the third quarter Manhattan residential market report released today by Brown Harris Stevens, the average Manhattan apartment sale price of $1,437,302 was on par with last quarter and up just 1% from same period in 2010.

As was the case with last quarter, this quarter sales over $5 million helped drive the average price higher. The median price, which measures the middle of the market and is not as impacted by high-end sales, fell 4% over the past year to $850,000. At 2,492, the number of reported sales was up 1% from a year ago.

 The average price for cooperatives sold during the third quarter of 2011 was up 2% from a year ago, to $1,180,442, with the average price for 3-bedroom and larger co-op apartments rising 17% over the same period. The average condominium price was $1,756,744, up just 2% from a year ago with all size categories seeing an increase in price.

 “Although the report shows that prices are up, this is due once again to an unusual number of sales at the high-end of the market,” said Hall  F. Willkie (top right photo), president of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales..

“If we discount these high-end sales, I believe the average price in most categories would be largely unchanged from last quarter. As Manhattan continues to outpace the national economy, I expect that we will see a stable residential real estate market,”

On the East Side, the average sales price for 3-bedroom and larger apartments was up 29% due in large part to 5 sales over $20M this quarter. Last year at this time there was only 1 such sale.  

Sales at The Laureate (middle left photo) of 3-bedroom and larger apartments impacted the West Side market; 3-bedroom and larger apartments were up 13% over last year and average condo price pre square foot was up 11%.

·Downtown prices were mixed over the past year, with most size categories seeing a small change expect three-bedroom and larger apartments which saw the biggest change as their average sales price was down 19% from a year ago.

 Brown Harris Stevens, established in 1873, is the premier provider of residential real estate services in New York. 

The company has offices throughout New York City, the Hamptons, and Palm Beach. Brown Harris Stevens offers more luxury residential exclusives than any other Manhattan firm, and serves as the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate Inc., a subsidiary of Christie’s International PLC, the world’s oldest fine arts auctioneer.

 For more information, please visit http://www.brownharrisstevens.com/.

 Contact: Jennifer Little, Rubenstein Public Relations, 212.843.8364

jlittle@rubensteinpr.com

Walmart Supercenter and Sam’s Club Buildings in Douglasville, GA Trade for $32.8 Million

  

 DOUGLASVILLE, GA – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has brokered the sale of a 352,073-square foot Walmart Supercenter (top left photo) and Sam’s Club located approximately 20 miles west of downtown Atlanta. The sales price of $32.8 million represents $93 per square foot.

Craig F. Johnson, an associate vice president in the firm’s Atlanta office, represented the seller, a California-based investor and the all-cash buyer, a private REIT.

“Investors seeking steady returns and capital preservation are demonstrating strong interest in top-quality Atlanta net-leased assets,” says Johnson. “There is a tremendous amount of capital looking for investment-grade single-tenant properties. We are receiving strong bids from institutions and large investors who are setting pricing benchmarks,” adds Johnson.

The Douglasville Walmart Supercenter and Sam’s Club are located at 7001 Concourse Pkwy. in Douglasville. The 1.2 million-square foot Arbor Place (middle right photo) regional mall and many national retailers are directly across from the property on Interstate 20 in the largest retail corridor just west of Atlanta.

 The population of Douglasville has grown 37 percent since 2000, which is almost twice Georgia’s overall growth rate. Douglasville’s population is expected to increase another 15 percent during the next five years.

The Walmart Supercenter and Sam’s Club buildings were constructed in 1999. The base triple-net lease term runs through November 2019 and contains six five-year options. 

The population within five miles of the property is 81,657 and the annual median household income is $58,840.

Contact: Stacey Corso, Public Relations Manager, (925) 953-1716

Rachel Elias Wein to speak at Florida State University Real Estate Conference and ICSC North Florida roundtable

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Rachel Elias Wein (top right photo), AIA, founder and principal of WeinPlus, a real estate advisory services practice in St. Petersburg, will be a featured speaker for real estate undergraduate students at Florida State University in Tallahassee on Oct. 27.

 Wein will be participating in the Real Estate Trends and Networking conference as part of the “If I were 21” panel.

 Wein, will also head a roundtable discussion before an audience of real estate developers and executives in the retail trade at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) North Florida Conference Jan. 31 in Jacksonville.

 Wein will lead a discussion on real estate development management entitled, “Creating Value: Close Fast, Open Faster.”

 Wein is a frequent speaker at conferences and before university audiences and she was recently named to the University of Florida Real Estate Advisory Board. She earned Bachelor of Design, Master of Architecture, and Master of Science in Real Estate degrees from the University of Florida,

For more information, contact

Rachel Elias Wein, AIA, Principal, WeinPlus, 727-386-9346

Larry Vershel, Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

CBRE Orlando Brokers $17.3 Million Sale of Harbour and Hidden Harbour Apartments in Melbourne, FL

MELBOURNE, FL--CB Richard Ellis is pleased to announce the sale of Harbour and Hidden Harbour apartments (top left photo and lower right photo) in Melbourne for $17,340,000.

 Built in 1987, the Harbours feature 378 units in two contiguous properties. The properties were 93% occupied at closing.

Shelton Granade and Luke Wickham of CBRE’s Central Florida Multi-Housing Group exclusively represented the seller. The closing was CBRE’s third in three weeks and a market-leading 17th multi-housing transaction locally in 2011 year to date.

Buyer interest in multi-housing assets in Central Florida has increased

significantly.

For further information, please contact the Central Florida Multi-Housing Group of CB Richard Ellis.

Shelton Granade,Senior Vice President, T 407.839.3103, shelton.granade@cbre.com

Luke Wickham, Director of Operations, T 407.839.3130

luke.wickham@cbre.com

MPV Compark Management LLC Selects Grubb & Ellis to Market 148 Acres of Land in Compark Business Campus in Parker, CO

 DENVER, CO (Oct. 3, 2011) – Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE), a leading real estate services and investment firm, today announced that MPV Compark Management LLC selected the company to market for sale 148 acres of land within Compark Business Campus (top left photo), a 480-acre mixed-use development located at the intersection of the East 470 Tollway and Chambers Road in the Town of Parker. 

Tom Wanberg and Steve Rahe, senior vice presidents, Investment Services, and members of the company’s Multi Housing Group, will market the land in conjunction with Mike Wafer, SIOR, senior vice president, Industrial Group, and member of the company’s Industrial Client Advisory Team and Global Logistics practice group, Craig Paton, vice president, Investment Services, and John Gustafson, senior associate, Office Group, and member of the company’s Healthcare Properties practice group.

 “Compark Business Campus offers high visibility within a growing corridor and is well-located near regional transportation services and along a major thoroughfare,” said Paton, who has more than 27 years of experience in land sales.  “Developers, owner-users and investors have the opportunity to acquire land zoned for nearly every use within a well-located, master-planned business campus.”

 Located at the north end of Compark Business Campus, the land is split up into parcels zoned for office, medical office, industrial, flex, retail and multi housing use. 

 Since construction began at Compark Business Campus in 2001, approximately 160 acres of property sites have been completed that includes roughly 1 million square feet of retail, flex and office space, as well as two residential projects. 

The campus is currently home to Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, American Furniture Warehouse, Baxa Corporation, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, dba as LabCorp, and Quantum Corporation. 

 The remaining 190 acres of land of the campus is currently zoned to be open space.  

“We believe the park has matured and is now in a very strategic location within the growing corridor between Interstate 25 and Parker Road on the 470 Tollway,” said Mike Vickers, manager, MPV Compark Management LLC.  “The opportunities are endless and we look forward to witnessing the business park and corridor’s expansion.”

 Compark Business Campus is easily accessible via Interstate 25 and Denver’s Regional Transportation District light rail.  It is situated within a few miles of Sky Ridge Hospital (middle left photo), Parker Adventist Hospital and Centennial Medical Plaza.  

The property is also near Cherry Creek Regional Trail as well as a number of local schools within Douglas County and is adjacent to Arapahoe County Airport and approximately 30 miles from Denver International Airport.   

 Contact: Julia McCartney, Phone: 714.975.2230                                     

Email:  julia.mccartney@grubbellis.com                                                                                                               

WELBRO’s Patricia Walker Installed as NAWIC Education Foundation President for 2011-2012 Year

ORLANDO, FL -- The NAWIC Education Foundation (NEF) installed Patricia “Pat” Walker (top right photo), CIT, CDS, a long-time member and leader in the organization, as its president at the organization’s Annual Trustees Meeting held during the National Association of Women in Construction’s 56th Annual Meeting and Convention in St. Louis, Mo.

Walker is Craft Resource and Safety Manager for WELBRO Building Corporation in Maitland, Fla. In that position, she carries out the company’s human resources processes for the Craft employee population and oversees the safety on all company projects. She replaces Amy Berg, CIT, who now serves as past president of NEF.

Walker joined NAWIC in 1989, and after taking an Introduction to Construction course that her chapter was sponsoring, she was introduced to NEF.

 “Education is a platform I have strongly promoted over the years, and believe it is the secret to the success of our NAWIC chapters,” says Walker, who, after getting her feet wet with the Introduction to Construction course, began organizing and facilitating NEF courses for her chapter. As a result of her commitment and devotion to NEF, she was asked to serve on the NEF board of trustees.

For more information, contact:

Corine A. Hall, CPSM

Marketing Manager WELBRO Building Corporation

Telephone: 407/475-0800 2301 Maitland Center Pkwy, Suite 250, Maitland, Florida 32751

chall@welbro.com

PlayGolfPlanet.com and Fairways for Warriors Team Up to Organize Veteran’s Day Charity Golf Tournament at Eagle Creek Nov. 11

 KISSIMMEE, FL. (Oct. 03, 2011) --- PlayGolfPlanet.com, a web community that links golfers with area courses, has partnered with Fairways for Warriors, Inc. to organize the first annual Fairways for Warriors Veteran’s Day Golf Tournament at Eagle Creek Golf Club (top left photo) Friday, Nov. 11.

Eagle Creek Golf Club is located on Emerson Lake Blvd. off Narcoossee Rd. near Lake Nona in Southeast Orlando.

Tom Underdown, President for Fairways for Warriors, said the first annual Fairways for Warriors Veteran’s Day Golf Tournament has a noble mission: to raise more than $10,000 to buy a SoloRider golf cart equipped for the disabled.

“Fairways for Warriors is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation formed this year to bring the game of golf to combat-wounded veterans as a form of mental and physical rehabilitation,” Cameron Cress (middle right photo), founder and chief executive officer of PlayGolfPlanet.com, said.

“Relearning the fine motor skills required for golf helps accelerate the physical rehabilitation of disabled soldiers,” Cress explained.

The first annual Fairways for Warriors Veteran’s Day Golf Tournament is a 4-man scramble format and is open to all players for $60 per person which includes lunch.

Participants can take part in a silent auction that includes a golfing foursome at California’s famous Pebble Beach Golf Club (bottom left photo) with a caddy, a $2,500 set of Ping golf clubs, and golf foursome at Celebrations Golf Club, Legends Golf Club in Clermont, Kings Ridge Club in Clermont, the Golden Bear Club in Windermere, Eagle Creek Golf Club and the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Grand Lakes in Orlando, One day passes for six people to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure.

 In addition, a threesome for Bay Hill Golf Course – fourth will be the donating member - Dr. Jay Strack.

 PlayGolfPlanet.com is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in Kissimmee at 111 E. Monument Avenue.

For more information, contact

Tom Underdown, President Fairways for Warriors, 407-399-0977 Tom.Underdown@fairwaysforwarriors.org

http://www.fairwaysforwarriors.com/

 Cameron Cress, Founder/CEO PlayGolfPlanet, 407-615-7106,  ccress@playgolfplaneat.com

Rafael Caamano, Site Manager Kissimmee UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-343-4300,  Rafael.Caamano@ucf.edu  

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LvershelCo@aol.com  

Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.