Barry Jacobson of Solar Impact receives National Professional Engineer of the Year Award
This year’s National Professional Engineer of the Year Award is honoring one of Gainesville’s finest promoters of renewable energy. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE) selected Barry Jacobson as the recipient of the 2013 PEI Award. Established in 2003, this award was endowed by donors through the ASABE Foundation. The PEI Professional Engineer of the Year Award is the highest award given to a licensed professional engineer by the society.
In 2007, Barry and his wife, Elaine, founded Solar Impact Inc., a solar panel installation company in Gainesville. The company focuses on design of commercial and residential solar photovoltaic and hot water systems. Since then, Solar Impact has grown to be the leading solar electric company in north-central Florida.
Jacobson said “I am pleased and honored to receive this recognition. I’ve been very fortunate to work with many great people on projects that make a difference to our community and our environment.”
Jacobson has been active in and supportive of the Florida Section of ASABE, attending annual meetings and presenting on various topics including watershed modeling and innovative solar power solutions. He helped develop the Watershed Assessment Model (WAM), which has become one of the leading watershed hydrologic and contaminant transport models in the southeastern United States. He has been recognized by local and national public and private organizations for his expertise in solar design and evaluation.
Jacobson was chosen for this award because of his outstanding contributions to the engineering profession, the public welfare and humankind. His contributions to the Gainesville community have helped Gainesville to receive national and international recognition in solar energy.
Jacobson will be honored with the presentation of this award during the 2013 ASABE Annual International Meeting in Kansas City, MO on July 24, 2013.
For more information about this award, or Solar Impact’s services, please contact Don Ryan at 352-281-8132 or by email at [email protected].
Mary Hausch, Hippodrome Founding Member and Producing Director is awarded the University of Florida Distinguished Alumna Award
The Hippodrome is proud to announce that Mary Hausch, Founding Member and Producing Director, is the winner of one of the most prestigious awards presented by the University of Florida, the Distinguished Alumna Award. Mary was recognized by the UF Committee on Honorary Degrees, Distinguished Alumnus Awards and Memorials for her extraordinary vision, leadership, insight, creativity and inspiration in her 40 years at the Hippodrome.
Jerry Dickey, Director and Professor School of Theatre and Dance, nominated Mary. He said “Mary Hausch is a beloved treasure of the Gainesville community and the State of Florida! Under Mary’s guidance over the past forty years, The Hippodrome Theatre has entertained literally millions of audience members, become the anchor of cultural life in downtown Gainesville, and established itself as one of the nation’s top non-for-profit professional theatres. The training program and national reputation of the UF School of Theatre and Dance have been vastly enriched by its association with Mary and The Hipp. Hundreds of our alumni, faculty and staff have been employed by The Hippodrome, and many of our current students are launching their professional careers at the theatre. We owe Mary our sincere gratitude and admiration and are delighted that her accomplishments are being recognized by the University of Florida.
Lucinda Lavelli, Dean College of Fine Arts, also nominated Mary. Ms. Lavelli stated that “Mary Hausch has led a career devoted to theatre. Her sustained commitment to excellence and the community has carved a place for her in the history of the city, state and region. The university is most pleased to be able to recognize this significant achievement of one of its alumna.”
Mary has collaborated with an incredible team of artists and administrators to produce productions and develop programs that have touched the lives of an amazing 4.5 million people including 350 plays and 150 world and regional premieres and award-winning education and outreach programs. She has directed over 150 productions and acted in 50. She wrote and directed the original play, An Enchanted Land, about the life of Majorie Kinnan Rawlings and took the production to the 1999 Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland, where it won Best of the Fringe.
Mary feels that one of her most important accomplishments at the Hipp is to make art accessible to our community in a very personal way. The Hipp has done this by bringing some of the world’s most prominent playwrights and filmmakers to Gainesville; by introducing audiences to the arts through talkbacks, observerships, tours, classes, camps, playwriting festivals, film festivals, internships and hundreds of other programs. “I feel that through my role as an artist and administrator, I can help integrate arts into the lives of so many people, I can help assure the survival of theatre as a vital art form and help create the audiences of tomorrow.”
CHW announces the promotion of Kevin S. Hebert to Director of Design and Technical Operations
Causseaux, Hewett, & Walpole, Inc. (CHW), a leading civil engineering, surveying, planning, and construction engineering inspection firm announced the promotion of Kevin S. Hebert, PE, LEED AP to Director of Design and Technical Operations. Hebert is expanding his current responsibilities to include ensuring the implementation of CHW’s Quality Management Plan. This involves reviewing project documents and plans during the design process, prior to construction issuance, for technical and constructability purposes. He will continue to report to CHW President, Robert J. Walpole, PE, LEED AP.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin to our executive team and look forward to his contribution to CHW’s continued success,” said Walpole.
Hebert brings over 15 years of experience in Land Development, Stormwater Management, Eminent Domain, and Accident Reconstruction to his role as CHW’s Director of Design and Technical Operations. He is a 1998 graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Jacksonville University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. Hebert holds professional affiliations with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA).
TWO-HEAD VIDEO ATTENDS SNL WORKSHOP
Two-Head Video recently returned from spending a full day with Saturday Night Live’s film unit Director of Photography, Alex Buono. During the 12-hour workshop, participants worked side-by-side with Buono in an on-set learning experience. Using a variety of leading-edge cameras, sound and lighting equipment, attendees became the crew and executed scenes from some of SNL’s famous “shorts”. Buono also provided an in-depth look at his process for turning around projects in a grueling 48 hour time period, which is often the case with SNL.
Also covered during the sessions was an overview of the future of cinematography using 4K technology, vital issues to consider both on set and in editing, as well as a tutorial on visual storytelling elements using examples from the masters of cinema.
“The program was confirmation that we have stayed current with the trends in the industry. Alex also provided us with valuable new tools and techniques to help us continue to tell visual stories cost-effectively with maximum impact”, said Two-Head Director of Photography and owner D J Head.
RTI Biologics® Completes Acquisition of Pioneer® Surgical Technology, Combined Company Name Is RTI Surgical Inc.
RTI Biologics Inc. (RTI) (Nasdaq: RTIX), a leading provider of orthopedic and other biologic implants, has completed the acquisition of Pioneer® Surgical Technology (Pioneer). RTI previously announced plans to acquire all of the outstanding stock of Pioneer for $130 million in cash on June 12, 2013.
The transaction was funded through a combination of cash on hand, a 5-year $80 million senior secured credit facility, which includes a $60 million term loan and a $20 million revolving credit facility, from TD Bank, N.A., TD Securities “USA” LLC, and Regions Bank, and a $50 million concurrent private placement of convertible preferred equity from Water Street Healthcare Partners (Water Street), a strategic private equity firm focused exclusively on the health care industry.
Effective immediately, the new name of the company is RTI Surgical Inc. The company’s worldwide headquarters will remain in Alachua, Fla. and the stock will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol RTIX.
As part of the transaction, RTI has appointed two representatives from Water Street to serve on its board of directors. Curt Selquist, an operating partner with more than 35 years of health care experience, will serve as a director. Prior to Water Street, Selquist was the company group chairman of Johnson & Johnson Medical and Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Systems. Joining Selquist on the board is Ned Villers, a partner with Water Street who has invested in companies specializing in medical products and health care services since 1999.
“The acquisition of Pioneer supports RTI’s strategic initiatives to expand our current implant portfolio into metals and synthetics, grow direct distribution and increase our global footprint,” said Brian K. Hutchison, president and CEO of RTI Surgical. “RTI Surgical is now positioned for growth as a global surgical implant company providing orthopedic and biologic implant solutions for surgeons and patients around the world. We are excited about the many opportunities this acquisition brings to the company.”
Bosshardt Realty Services Announces Promotion of Chris Handy to Vice President
Bosshardt Realty Services President, Aaron Bosshardt, along with the Vice Presidents, announced the promotion of Chris Handy to Vice President in a unanimous vote. Handy is acknowledged for his work in the real estate profession, for his volunteer work at the Board of Realtors® and for the tremendous character he’s shown both as a professional and a person.
Handy is a Licensed Broker Associate, Realtor®, member of the Gainesville MLS, the Gainesville-Alachua County Association of Realtors®, the local Board of Realtors® and the National Association of Realtors®. He has been a member of the Bosshardt team for eight years, specializing in residential real estate and investment.
Holding the highest designation awarded to residential sales associates, Handy is a member of the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS®), awarded to only four percent of Realtors® nationwide. He is also a member of the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), which requires 125 additional hours of training. For the international investor, seller or buyer, Handy is a TRC® designee, who facilitates the sale, purchase, or transfer of properties with interests in the US or overseas.
A member of the Green Resource Council, Handy is able to assist buyers in the purchase of green properties and can advise buyers on taking measures to make their homes more environmentally friendly, in an effort to economize and improve the quality of living.
“Chris Handy epitomizes the true nature of what a Vice President at Bosshardt Realty should aspire to be. He is committed to total customer satisfaction,” said Aaron Bosshardt.
Trimark Properties selects Charles Perry Partners, Inc. (CPPI) as Construction Manager for Infusion Technology Center at UF Innovation Square
Gainesville-based Trimark Properties announced it has selected Charles Perry Partners, Inc. (CPPI) as Construction Manager for its newest portfolio addition — its state-of-the-art, $30 million, eight-story Infusion Technology Center at UF Innovation Square, the first new privately owned commercial building within the core of Innovation Square. Sustainably designed by Jeffrey Raasch with FLAD Architects to achieve Green Globes certification from the Green Building Initiative (GBI), with civil engineering by Causseaux, Hewitt & Walpole, Inc., the Infusion Technology Center will feature over 150,000 square feet of fully customizable Class A space including lab, research, retail and office. When completed in 2014, it will offer retail and restaurant space at street level, plus high-tech wet/dry lab space, office space, and a rooftop terrace. Complementing the adjacent Florida Innovation Hub, the Infusion Technology Center will feature cast-in-place concrete with precast curtain wall, metal wall panels, and terra cotta exterior skin elements.
In making the announcement, Trimark Properties’ Managing Partner John Fleming stated, “Trimark Properties is extremely excited to be working with Charles Perry Partners, Inc. (CPPI) on this premier project. We were pleased with the overall quality and professionalism of each general construction firm that submitted proposals and wish to thank all involved for their time and effort. However, CPPI’s level of professionalism, expertise, pre-construction knowledge, local experience, and quality of previous work completed for Trimark Properties were invaluable in helping to make our decision to partner once again with CPPI.” He added that Trimark is currently in lease negotiations with several tenants and that CPPI is set to break ground in the third quarter of this year.
CPPI’s Chairman/President Breck Weingart stated, “Charles Perry Partners, Inc. is pleased and excited to continue our working relationship with Trimark Properties as we prepare to begin construction on their new Infusion Technology Center. The Infusion Technology Center, the second new building in Innovation Square, is a 150,000 square foot science and technology center adjacent to the Florida Innovation Hub that CPPI constructed in 2011. By selecting CPPI, Trimark has committed to keeping the majority of the construction dollars within the local economy. We certainly appreciate their confidence and look forward to providing Trimark and the Gainesville community with another quality project.”
Prudential Trend Real Estate Network Receives High Customer Satisfaction Rankings
J.D. Power and Associates announced yesterday morning that the Prudential Real Estate network ranked highest for customer satisfaction in three of the four segments included in J.D. Power’s annual Home Buyer/Home Seller Satisfaction Study. The network scored highest in Repeat Home Buyer, First-Time Home Buyer, and First-Time Home Seller categories. It ranked third in the Repeat Home Seller segment. This represents the third time in six years that the Prudential Real Estate network ranked highest in seller satisfaction including recognition in 2008 and 2010.
City of Gainesville Employee Receives Distinguished Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Designation
The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is honored to announce Erica Chatman, facilities coordinator, has recently received the distinguished certification of Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) on the recommendation of the Board of Directors for the Convention Industry Council. Chatman currently serves as the facilities coordinator for the Historic Thomas Center. She came to work for the City of Gainesville in August 2008, after a successful career as an event planner for a non-profit organization, as well as a tradeshow coordinator for the long-term care industry. Chatman has been working toward this achievement throughout her career and said, “I am pleased to be able to share a unique level of expertise in meeting and event planning to all of our clients.”
The Convention Industry Council is an international organization that provides a forum for member organizations to exchange information on global trends and topics, promulgate excellence in best practices and guidelines, collaborate on industry issues and advocate the value of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions. The Convention Industry Council and CMPs are dedicated to maintaining high professional standards and advancing the art and science of professional meeting management.
The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is proud to have Chatman recognized among the 14,000 meeting professionals in 36 countries and territories worldwide who have attained this exemplary level of professional achievement.
City of Gainesville Employee Elected President of Building Officials Association of Florida
The City of Gainesville Building Inspections Department is pleased to announce Plans Examiner II Linda Patrick was elected as 2013-2014 President to the Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF) at this year’s Annual Educational Conference. Mrs. Patrick is an 18-year employee in Building Inspections, and, as a Plans Examiner II, she assists in the review of construction plans for the State of Florida’s mandated Florida Building Code.
Over the past 15 years, Mrs. Patrick has been active not only in the local North Florida Chapter of BOAF/ICC but also in the state association sitting on many committees throughout the years. Prior to serving as President, in 2011, Mrs. Patrick made the decision to run for the office of State BOAF Treasurer, committing her to the five-year obligation that is required for state officers. Throughout the history of the BOAF organization, she is the second woman to serve as President.
The Building Officials Association of Florida is a professional organization made up of state-licensed building code officials (building officials, plans examiners, inspectors), construction trade professionals (architects, engineers, contractors) and trade associates.
BOAF has more than 1,500 members and Mrs. Patrick is proud to not only represent those members but work on continuing the tradition of assisting in the development of the model codes and standards; the uniform interpretation and application of the codes and the promotion of building enforcement professionals.