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SRQ DAILY Jun 30, 2014

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"It's a win for the county, it's a win for the churches, it's a win for the residents of the communities, it's a win for Omega's principle executives, and it's a win for our investors."

- Pat Trammell, Omega Communities
 

-Source: Sarasota Association of Realtors
[Real Estate]  Total Unit Sales

The real estate saw a solid May, with a total of 1,100 closed sales in May, with 747 single-family home sales and 353 condominium sales. While that is a slight decrease from last May, where there were 1,127 closings, the association noted that April so far has been ahead of the pace for 2013, which ended up with the second highest number of closed sales in association history. 

[Development]  Omega Communities Launching Sarasota Projects
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

A senior housing development company could bring a $30-million annual economic impact to Sarasota County through the opening of two assisted living campuses, the first projects in an ambitious business model that looks to open similar locations in Louisiana and Alabama as well.

Omega Communities has started construction on two projects in the county, The Fountains of Hope in Sarasota and The Springs at South Biscayne Church in North Port. Both projects are being billed as assisted living and memory care campuses being created through affinity agreements with existing area churches. The projects are built on land leased from the Church of Hope, off Wendell Kent Road in Sarasota, and South Biscayne Church, off Tamiami Trail in North Port. As part of the agreement, the churches will actually receive a portion of profits from the Omega Communities projects, and in turn provide access to the faith-based services provided at the churches.

“What makes our facilities different are the pastors,” said James Taylor, Jr., chief operating officer of Omega Communities. “With over 10,000 people turning 65 each day, there is a great need for senior communities where families immediately feel safe entrusting the care of themselves or their loved ones.”

Omega Communities, which is headquartered in Alabama, has an agreement to acquire a project in Lousiana and is pursuing two projects in Alabama. The Springs is first project to break ground and Fountains will break ground in July, the company said. The company has plans to open up 25 new facilities in the next five to seven years and to acquire 15 existing or completed facilities during the same period of time. The company lists on its website Sarasota-based Lawson Group Architects as its principal architect and Gilbane Building Company, which has a Sarasota office, as its general contractor. Tampa-based Cushman and Wakefield is providing the company's market studies and project appraisals.

While The Springs has already broken ground, the company has announced the most details so far about Fountains, which will include 106 residences and employ more than 100 people when it is completed and opened in the third quarter of 2015. During construction, the project is expected to create between 150 and 200 jobs. The Fountains will be houses in a 90,000-square-foot facility on a 10-acre parcel of the Church of Hope campus. Life Care Services will provide management services.

As for The Springs, Omega's website notes that fundraising is still underway and that the project's total cost will be about $25.6 million. The facility has the potential to host 390 senior living units, plus medical offices and other healthcare-related services.

“It’s a win for the county, it’s a win for the churches, it’s a win for the residents of the communities, it’s a win for Omega’s principle executives, and it’s a win for our investors,” said Pat Trammell, founder, chairman and CEO of Omega Communities. 

[Healthcare]  Valerie Powell-Stafford, Chief Operating Officer, Blake Medical Center
Natalie Brown

A trauma center isn’t the only new aspect of Blake Medical Center in Bradenton. After five years as COO at Doctors Hospital in Sarasota, Valerie Powell-Stafford accepted that position at Blake. Although she’s still growing into her new role (she had been there four days at the time of this interview), Powell-Stafford shared with SRQ her enthusiasm for the hospital’s programs and its community initiatives.

How did you get involved in healthcare administration? I’ve been in the healthcare administration industry for over twenty years. I actually became interested while I was an undergrad. I started out as an accounting major but I wanted to be involved in a field where I could work more with people and use my business acumen to help them. Right now, I’m just learning the ropes here and getting to know the staff members and the medical staff. I have also starting making the rounds to some of the patients and getting to know how to improve our services.

What caused you to move to Blake Medical Center? I really believe in our hospital’s mission, which is “to provide exceptional care to every patient at every time.” It takes a lot of effort and teamwork to be the best, which is demonstrated by our numerous awards and accolades. Patient satisfaction is important to us. We want to make sure that patients have a positive experience here. My focus is to really look at the programs and services that we offer to see how we can improve and better serve our patients and the community. Programs such as trauma services and the daVinci robotics program are new to Blake, and there are some opportunities to grow them and let the community know about their benefits. 

[Recognition]  IMG Alumni Among 2014 NBA Draft Selections

Four IMG Academy alumni/trainees were among this year’s NBA Draft selections. IMG-trained Duke shooting guard Rodney Hood was taken in the first round by the Utah Jazz at #23 overall. Early into the second round, Tennessee forward Jarnell Stokes, one of Hood’s training partners, was selected by the Jazz with the fifth pick of the round. IMG alumnus and UConn forward DeAndre Daniels was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the seventh pick of the second round. Stanford center/forward Dwight Powell, also an IMG alumnus, was selected with the fifteenth pick of the second round. 

IMG Academy

[Synergy]  Darwin Brewing to Begin Distribution

Darwin Brewing Company and Gold Coast Eagle Distributing have partnered to distribute Darwin’s brews into the local market. To celebrate, the beer will be tapped and ready for beer connoisseurs on Jul. 3 at a Pub Crawl. Darwin Brewing Company was founded by Darwin Santa Maria and Matt Cornelius with the goals of crafting distinctive indigenous artisan brews and sharing the flavors, culture and native mystique of South Americas Andean region. 

Darwin Brewing Company

[Recognition]  Gooldy Certified Residential Specialist

Yvonne Gooldy, a Realtor at Michael Saunders and Company, has been awarded the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist Designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS. Those who receive the designation have completed advanced professional training and demonstrated outstanding professional achievement. Gooldy has earned several national designations including Graduate Realtor Institute, Short Sale and Foreclosure Resources. 

Michael Saunders and Company



[BREAKFAST SYMPOSIUM]  SB2: Regional Philanthropy

The next SB2 event is on Thursday, July 17 from 7:30am-9:00am at The Francis. Join leaders in the regional giving and giving back industries, John Annis, Vice President of Community Investment, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Veronica Brady, Senior Vice President for Philanthropy, Gulf Coast Community, Sandra Frank, Chief Executive Officer, All Faiths Food Bank Foundation, and Bob Rosinsky, President and CEO of Goodwill Manasota, for a dynamic panel discussion as they share their insights on the philanthropic dynamics of the community, resource development to meet new needs, and trends in the non-profit sector. 

Get Tickets Online

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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