Business & Technology News

Florida Tech Receives $5 Million Grant

The Harris Corporation Charitable Fund, held by the Community Foundation of Brevard, has donated $5 million to Florida Institute of Technology to create the Harris Institute for Assured Information, which will focus on developing advanced solutions to help solve the global information security problem. In addition to the cash donation, Harris Corporation will provide strong research and development support to assist the new institute over the next four years.

The Harris Institute will be housed in a new 24,000- square-foot Harris Center for Science and Engineering on Florida Tech’s Melbourne campus. Unlike other information research efforts that target classified government applications, the new institute will develop solutions for a wide range of real-world commercial and government applications. These include banking and finance, retail, healthcare, education, civil agencies and others.

In addition to developing advanced solutions, the institute will help foster new, highly qualified talent in the important, fast growing field by providing post graduate and research opportunities.

Florida Tech’s existing information assurance center in the College of Engineering, is under the leadership of Richard Ford. It is already recognized for its work and numerous government and national foundation contracts.

The donation is part of the Golden Anniversary Campaign for Florida Tech and brings the university up to $43 million toward its $50 million goal. Florida Tech’s Senior Vice President for Advancement Thomas G. Fox noted that, historically, this is the corporation’s second lead gift for a Florida Tech capital campaign. “Harris has a strong tradition of giving to the university and for that we are extremely grateful,” said Fox. “Nearly 20 years ago, Harris made a $5 million gift that was the centerpiece of a successful $25 million campaign. This tremendous new contribution will serve to create the same kind of momentum for the Golden Anniversary Campaign.”

The grant will fund three efforts. First, $1.75 million will help build the Harris Center for Science and Engineering. The new, 8,000-square-foot Harris Institute for Assured Information will take up most of one floor in this new building. Second, $2.5 million will finance a Harris Faculty Chair in Assured Information. Third, $750,000 will support student scholarships and fellowships.

Joe Sofia Joins Florida Business Bank

Florida Business Bank recently named Joe Sofia as Vice President and Commerc i a l Loan Officer responsible for lending and business development. Prior to joining FBB, Sofia served as a Branch Manager at National City Bank in Columbus, Ohio. His principal focus was on growing small business commercial loans and deposits, as well as overseeing all aspects of branch operations. While at National City Bank, he completed the credit and commercial banking development program.

Sofia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a MBA in finance and marketing from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio.

Community Educators receives a Five Star Rating

BauerFinancial, Inc. Coral Gables, Florida widely anticipated bank and credit union star-ratings were released and Community Educators Credit Union was given a Five Star rating. The website Bauerfinancial.com provides financial data compiled for credit unions as reported to the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the governing body for credit unions. BauerFinancial has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. The star ratings classify each credit union based upon a complex formula which factors in relevant data including, but not limited to capital, historical trends, loan delinquencies, differences in the book and market values of the investment portfolio, profitability, repossessed assets, reserves, charge-offs, regulatory compliance and asset quality. (Although credit unions are not-for-profit institutions, losses can impact capital and safety.) Negative trends are projected forward to compensate for the lag time in the data.

Community Educators Promotes Four to Assistant Vice President

President and CEO David Brock of Community Educators Credit Union has announced the following four staff member promotions to Assistant Vice Presidents. Christine Dawson was promoted to Assistant Vice President and has been named Community Educator’s credit manager. Dawson will be in charge of indirect lending and the real estate department. Shelley Fick was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Human Resources. David Hill was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Information Technology. Paula O’Brien was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Electronic Services.

KSC Federal Credit Union’s “A-Positive Future”

Kennedy Space Center Federal Credit Union is encouraging and rewarding students in Brevard and Volusia counties who study and earn top grades. Knowing how important it is that students achieve the highest success possible, KSC Federal Credit Union has begun a new program called “A-Positive Future”, an incentive for students to achieve the highest marks on their semester report cards. Students in grades K-12 will be rewarded for each “A” on their fall and spring semester report cards,” reports Kelly Haskins, AVP Marketing for KSC Federal Credit Union. “For each “A” they receive as a final semester average, they will be able to receive an entry into a drawing at any KSC Federal Credit Union branch. The more “A’s” they receive, the more entries into the drawings! Younger students who do not earn letter grades can show us their report card with final “O” averages to enter the drawings.” Students may enter their report card only one time per semester. A random drawing from all entries received by February 15, 2008 for the fall semester, and by July 15, 2008 for the spring semester will be held, for great prizes like a $50 savings bond, an I-Pod Nano, or the grand prize of a laptop computer. For info visit www.kscfcu.org or call 455-9400.

Riverside Bank Announces Sweepstakes

Riverside Bank has announced a sweepstakes in which winners will have one month’s mortgage or rent paid for by the Bank. The contest is created in response to a slumping economy at a time when most households are feeling the results of holiday spending.

“We understand that many people in the home towns we serve are feeling the pinch of the difficult economy. We thought by presenting this sweepstakes, in the Riverside caring way, we could ease their pain a little,” said Alan Boggs, Regional President in Brevard County. “By eliminating the responsibility of one month’s mortgage or rent payment, winners can use their funds toward paying off other bills or whatever else they choose.”

The contest ends at 11:59:59 (EST) on March 31, 2008. A total of 15 winners will be selected; five at the end of each of three months, one in each of the Bank’s five operating regions — Central Region (Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin Counties), Palm Beach County, Heartland Region (Polk, Highlands and Okeechobee Counties), North Region (Volusia and Lake Counties) and Brevard Region (Brevard County).

To enter the contest, individuals should visit any Riverside Bank branch and complete an entry form. They do not need to be a Riverside customer and do not need to open an account. The promotion is open to legal residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older as of January 14, 2008. Commercial mortgage and commercial rent payments are not eligible.

Employees of Riverside and their immediate families are not eligible.

Craig Technologies Named in Defense and Space Contract Awards

Craig Technologies is named prime contractor for the E6 Training Systems Analysis Contract (ETSAC) awarded by NAVAIR, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWC TSD) in Orlando. The Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract (ID/IQC) work began in September 2007 and will provide analysis for E-6B aircraft training. The analysis requires a complex study of the interrelated components of the learning system leading to purposeful recommendations to validate, align or improve the learning system to meet Fleet needs.

Other objectives include analyses of integration of a community Learning Management System (LMS) and the implementation of an E-6B Training/Aircraft Concurrency Database (TACD). Inconsistencies and variations within the training system shall be identified and strategies for improved learning and performance shall be recommended.

Work for this effort is being done in the following locations: Orlando, FL, Cape Canaveral, FL, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, OK, PAX River, MD, Suffolk, VA, San Diego, CA, and Centerville, VA.

Craig Technologies is a Woman-Owned, Service- Disabled Veteran-Owned, HUBZone and 8(a) certified company in operations since 1999, providing Information Technology solutions to defense and government agencies.

Margie Mitchell Promoted To Senior Vice President/Chief Operations Officer of KSC Federal Credit Union

Kennedy Space Center Federal Credit Union is proud to announce that Margie Mitchell has been promoted to Senior Vice President/Chief Operations Officer. Mitchell has been a team member with KSCFCU for 18 years. She began her career with KSCFCU as a teller, and has since worked in lending as Vice President of Loans. Mitchell has worked in many aspects of the credit union including Vice President Member Services and was the Branch supervisor at the Titusville Branch for many years. Prior to her career at KSCFCU, Mitchell worked for eight years at Tinker Federal Credit Union in Oklahoma. She earned her Certified Credit Union Executive designation in 1997.

Dr. Bart Harmon Named Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Bart Harmon, MD, MPH, a national leader in military healthcare and health information systems, has joined Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) as chief medical officer of the company’s new Healthcare Solutions business. Harris Healthcare Solutions is delivering enterprise intelligence solutions to private and military healthcare clients by leveraging the company’s leadership in assured communications and information technology, including an extensive portfolio of digital content management and visualization products for commercial and government healthcare markets.

Dr. Harmon was previously chief medical information officer and director of information management for the Military Health System of the U.S. Department of Defense. In this role he served on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. Harmon received his medical degree from the University of Washington, a master’s degree in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health, and a bachelor of science degree from Northwest Nazarene University. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and the General Staff course. He retired from the U.S. Army at the rank of Colonel. Dr. Harmon will be based at the Harris offices in Falls Church, Virginia.

Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse Receives $10,000 Sponsorship From A.T. & T.

The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse recently received a $10,000 sponsorship contribution from A.T. & T. The donation, specifically earmarked for the first show of the season, ‘Guys and Dolls,’ was presented to the Cocoa Village Playhouse Board of Directors, by Judy Spencer, A.T. & T., Regional director.

Under the direction of Anastacia Hawkins-Smith, the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse has been producing ‘musicals’ for more than seventeen seasons. The playhouse has more than 55,000 audience viewers and 4,000 season ticket holders. In addition, the playhouse hosts ‘Stars of Tomorrow,’ a youth program designed to help theatre students develop skills necessary to be successful in the performing arts.

The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse is a direct support organization of Brevard Community College. All programs are sponsored in part through the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners Cultural Grant, the Brevard Cultural Alliance, the Margaret Heinz Foundation, and contributions from individuals, corporations, and organizations.

Porsche of Melbourne Named 2007 Porsche Premier Dealer

Porsche of Melbourne has the honor of being named a 2007 Porsche Premier Dealer! The Porsche Premier Dealer Program identifies the top 25 Porsche Dealers in North America. It recognizes and rewards those Porsche Dealerships that best embrace the ‘Porsche Business Model’ – achieving the highest performance among their peers in Brand utilization, product representation and the development of key ‘Porsche business drivers’; and in doing so, succeed as independent entrepreneurs who routinely exceed the expectations of their Porsche customers. Those who purchase a Porsche are buying more than a car – they’re buying a legend. Porsche enthusiasts are driven, successful people who demand the very best. Owning a Porsche is a reflection of their values. The Porsche Premier Dealer program is dedicated to rewarding authorized Porsche dealers who routinely go above and beyond these demands in their devotion to both the Porsche brand and their valued customers.

Porsche of Melbourne recently hosted a party on January 19. Owner, Shay Rowe, was pleased to introduce racing legend Derek Bell, M.B.E., as keynote speaker. Derek has won two World Sports Car Championship, three in the 24 Hours of Daytona and five victories at Le Mans. He spoke of his experiences in the evolution of Porsche racing and of the upcoming Rolex 24 where he will race with his son, Justin Bell. A live auction was held and the highest bidder won the opportunity to drive in a race car with Derek Bell at Sebring. A total of $3,850 was raised and donated to the Women's Center.

Please contact us for any of your Porsche needs, and you will receive the service that has earned Porsche of Melbourne the honor of being one of the Top 25 Porsche Dealers in North America! Visit us at 509 E. Nasa Blvd. in Melbourne or online at www.mbmelbourne.com. 321-956-0600.