Palm Beach Business.com The Bulletin Board

AT&T gives $50,000 grant to Broward County United Way

FORT LAUDERDALE — AT&T Inc. Tuesday announced a gift of $50,000 to United Way of Broward County, which will use the gift to continue its work to create long-lasting community change.

The United Way is focusing on education, income and
health. In Broward County, the organization has focused on

assessing problems, researching solutions and measuring results, along with funding community-wide initiatives such as the Day of Caring in which more than 800 volunteers renovated a local children's center that is home to some of the most technologically dependent children in the country.

Greenberg Traurig recognized

MIAMI — Greenberg Traurig has been selected as the best corporate law firm in Miami by directors serving on boards of publicly traded companies, for the seventh consecutive year. The results were published in Corporate Board Member magazine’s annual legal industry research study, sponsored by FTI Consulting.

The 60-plus attorneys in Greenberg Traurig’s corporate and securities practice in South Florida represent both public and privately held clients in a wide range of industries and in size and type.

Ultimate tops best workplace list

WESTON — Ultimate Software, a provider of human resources and payroll software, has been named the best medium-sized company to work for in America by The Great Place to Work Institute. Great Place Institute also produces Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list for large companies.

The annual list, now in its fifth year, was based on a randomly distributed employee opinion survey. Each company evaluated was given a score based on employees' responses to a detailed questionnaire about the organizations' workplace cultures.

Searcy Denney lawyers recognized

WEST PALM BEACH — Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley said Tuesday that nine of its attorneys are included on the list of Florida Super Lawyers 2008, the annual consumers guide published by Law and Politics.

The nine Searcy Denney attorneys included on the List of Florida Super Lawyers are:

— From West Palm Beach: Chris Searcy, Earl Denney, Jack Scarola, Greg Barnhart, John Shipley, Darryl Lewis, Christopher J. Speed and David J. White.

— From Tallahassee: William Norton.

In addition, Chris Searcy was named to the list of Top 10 Super Lawyers in Florida, and both Greg Barnhart and Jack Scarola made the annual guide's Top 100 list.

Uptime Institute recognizes Office Depot for IT energy savings

DELRAY BEACH — Office Depot was recognized with the Site Facilities Physical Infrastructure Overhead Best-in-Class Award at the 2008 Uptime Institute Green Enterprise IT Recognition Ceremony. The retailer was honored for its energy-efficiency improvements to its data center operations.

The Uptime Institute is a leading research-based think-tank and corporate advisory group that consults on business and technology issues related to critical computing, environment reliability and energy efficiency.

Through various initiatives in its Global Data Center, Office Depot was able to increase the reliability of its IT operations while expanding its capacity and reducing energy usage.

The winners of the first Green Enterprise IT Awards were announced April 29 at the third annual Green Enterprise Computing Symposium in Orlando, Florida. Office Depot was recognized in the Facilities Site Physical Infrastructure (power and cooling) category.

Office Depot recognized for efforts to aid women-owned businesses

DELRAY BEACH — The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Thursday named Office Depot to its annual listing of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises for the seventh consecutive year

The council named 16 corporations to this year’s list. It recognized Office Depot for programs and initiatives that provide women-owned businesses equal access to corporate contracts and cited as for goods and services.

The WBENC America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises Breakfast and Awards presentation will take place on Friday in Washington.

FPL tops Fortune magazine's most admired list among utilities

JUNO BEACH — For the second year in a row, Fortune magazine has named FPL Group Inc. No. 1 among electric and gas utilities in its list of “America’s Most Admired Companies.”

FPL received the top ranking among its peers in each of the eight specific areas evaluated, including innovation, use of corporate assets, social responsibility and quality of products and services

Earlier this year, Forbes magazine named FPL Group to its list of the “400 Best Big Companies in America” for 2008. CRO magazine also named FPL Group as one of only two U.S. electric power companies to this year’s “Global 100” list of the most sustainable corporations worldwide.

FPL makes "best coporate citizens" list for 2008

JUNO BEACH — CRO magazine and IW Financial have named FPL Group Inc. one of the country’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens” for 2008.

The companies selected for the list were analyzed in eight weighted categories, including environment, climate change, financial performance and philanthropy among others. CRO used only information available from public sources in evaluating the companies.

Other companies included among this year’s list included Intel Corp., Eaton Corp., Nike Inc., Genentech Inc. and Bank of America Corp.

Royal Caribbean to volunteer in Miami's Overtown community

MIAMI — More than 1,000 volunteers associated with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will spend Saturday painting and landscaping a South Florida community as part of the company's 11th annual G.I.V.E. Day.

G.I.V.E., which stands for "Get Involved Volunteer Everywhere," is a community service event that brings together Royal Caribbean employees, their families, friends, vendors and business partners to assist non-profit organizations and improve the quality of life in their local communities.

The volunteers will be painting and landscaping the 18-building, 116-unit Town Park Plaza South community in the Overtown neighborhood of Miami.

Town Park Plaza South is home to more than 350 residents who are determined to pass upcoming Department of Housing and Urban Development inspections and preserve this essential multi-family housing development. To accomplish this, the community must repair waterproofing, apply a new coat of exterior paint, and create more green space. G.I.V.E. Day volunteers will assist with the necessary repairs that will improve housing conditions.

Similar G.I.V.E. Day events will take place in Wichita, Kansas; Anchorage, Alaska; Seattle, Baltimore, Springfield, Oregon; London, England; and Barcelona and Madrid.

The 11th annual G.I.V.E. Day project is being coordinated with the
South Florida Local Initiatives Support Corporation and sponsored b ythe John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as part of ongoing efforts toward a comprehensive community revitalization of the Overtown neighborhood and preservation of affordable housing for families in the area.

Public Super Markets wins customer service award

LAKELAND — For the 14th consecutive year, Publix Super Markets is the highest-ranking grocer for customer satisfaction according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Publix scored 83 points, the same score as the previous year.

The ranking is based on customer interviews measuring factors such as customer expectations, perceived quality, perceived value, customer complaints and customer retention.

The ACSI is produced through a partnership of the University of Michigan Business School, the American Society for Quality and the international consulting firm, CFI Group.

3 Florida inner city businesses are recognized for excellence

MIAMI — The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City said Tuesday that three Florida companies have received the 2008 Inner City 100 Award for Excellence in Urban Business and are now finalists for the National Inner City 100 list.

The companies are: A.M.E’s Uniforms, Fort Lauderdale; Construct Two Group, Orlando and Kira Inc of Miami. ICIC’s President and CEO David G. Latimore will pesent the awards tonight in Miami.

Founded ten years ago by ICIC and Inc. magazine, the Inner City 100 is a program that ranks the fastest growing inner city businesses nationwide. Over the years, the list has spotlighted thousands of thriving urban businesses serving regional, national, and international markets; generating valuable new jobs; and making an incalculable difference in their communities.

FPL wins award for biodiesel use

JUNO BEACH — Florida Power & Light Co. has won the National Biodiesel Board’s “Eye on Biodiesel” award for its use of cleaner biodiesel fuel in its diesel fleet.

The board commended FPL for its use of B-20 (a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel), which the company first began using in 1999 as an alternative to diesel fuel. Biodiesel reduces net carbon dioxide emissions by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel. Today, FPL’s entire diesel fleet of almost 2,500 vehicles runs on B-20.

Mazzonis donate $15,000 to Saint Joseph's Episcopal school

becky cleveland getting check Becky Cleveland, left, receives a check from Trish Mazzoni.

BOYNTON BEACH — The school of the arts program at Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School has received a $15,000 donation from Trish and Bill Mazzoni of Mazzoni Farms Inc. in Boynton Beach. The money will be used to help cover production costs for the spring musical, Beauty and the Beast.

The Mazzonis , who’s daughter attended Saint Joseph’s, are long-time supporters of the school.

Citrix division wins Frost & Sullivan web conferencing award

FORT LAUDERDALE — Frost & Sullivan, a global research and consulting firm, has named Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, the 2008 Web Conferencing Company of the Year. The annual award is presented to a company that has demonstrated unparalleled excellence within its industry. Citrix Online was singled out for its market-leading services and successful market penetration.

Publix makes Fortune magazine's best company to work for list

LAKELAND — For the 11th consecutive year, Publix has been named as one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.” Publix was ranked No. 91 on this year’s list and was one of only 14 companies to have made the list every year since its inception in 1998. Publix also ranked No. 32 on Fortune’s Best Large-Sized Company list.

“It is such an honor to know that our associates’ responses reflect that we’re a great place to work,” said Publix CEO Charlie Jenkins Jr.

The ranking was determined by survey responses from randomly selected employees, evaluating trust in management, camaraderie and pride in the company. Each company was also required to complete a questionnaire on its policies and culture.

Integrative Acupuncture to hold open house for charity

DELRAY BEACH — Dr. Harmony Brown and Dr. Kim Marrone of Integrative Acupuncture are sponsoring a free open house on Friday to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and AVDA of Palm Beach County.

The even will run from 5 to 7 p.m. at Integrative’s offices at 220 Congress Park Drive, Suite 239.

The open house will include free demonstrations of tai chi, pilates yoga, and free mini massages. Anyone who donates $20 or more to the Leukemia Society or AVDA will receive a free wellness consultation and stress screening from Integrative Acupuncture.

The event is co-sponsored by Blush Salon in Pineapple Grove and Avenue Pilates.

Publix drug program hits milestone

LAKELAND — Publix Super Markets said Tuesday that it has filled one million free antibiotic prescription through its free prescription drug program. Publix also said it has added doxycycline hyclate capsules to the program.

Publlix launched the free prescription program in August and includes oral versions of amoxicillin; cephalexin; sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP); ciprofloxacin (excluding ciprofloxacin XR); penicillin VK; ampicillin and; erythromycin (excluding Ery-Tab).

New or current customers must provide a Publix pharmacist with their prescription, up to a 14-day supply, and it will be filled at no charge. The number of prescriptions customers may fill for free is not limited.

The free antibiotics are offered to customers regardless of their prescription insurance provider.

United Way seeks volunteers

BOYNTON BEACH — The Volunteer Center of United Way of Palm Beach County is currently recruiting volunteers to assist with conducting a nutrition survey of older adults living in Palm Beach County. This survey is the first of its kind for this community. It will be conducted the second week of February in several areas of the county.

Volunteers of all ages, especially those age 50 or older, are needed, to fulfill several volunteer positions, including serving as a door greeter, staffing a table to assist local residents who complete the survey, and helping to compile the daily surveys. Volunteers will be assigned to a location, and will be asked to work about two to four hours in the morning. Volunteers will be given a T-shirt and a name badge, clearly identifying them as part of the survey team.

Volunteers are required to undergo a two-hour training period. The training will be held Wednesday, February 6, and Thursday, February 7. Times and locations vary. Volunteers only need to attend one training session on either of those two days. Interested volunteers should call the Volunteer Center at (561) 375-6600.

United Way of Palm Beach County targets the community’s most pressing needs and focuses resources, agency partnerships and the energy of volunteers to create measurable results that have the greatest impact. To invest, volunteer, or for more information, call United Way of Palm Beach County at (561) 375-6600 or visit www.unitedwaypbc.org.

Quantum Group joins consortium

WELLINGTON — The Quantum Group Inc. said Wednesday that it has joined the Florida Research Consortium. The FRC includes includes 13 of Florida's public and private universities, The Scripps Research Institute, Torrey Pines Institute, IBM, AT&T and government officials. The consortium seeks to commercialize research coming out of Florida’s universities.

Quantum Group to ring Amex bell

WELLINGTON — The Quantum Group said Tuesday that company president and CEO Noel J. Guillama will ring the ceremonial market opening bell at the American Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

The company completed a public offering in December and began trading on the Amex under the symbol QGP.U. Quantum provides consulting and outsourcing services to health care companies.

Regions campaign raised $750,000

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Regions Financial Corporation said Monday that its “Accounts that Count” campaign raised $750,000 for Toys for Tots. The money provided 10,000 deserving children throughout the 16 states where Regions serves customers with new bikes and helmets.

For anyone who opened a qualifying account through Dec. 31, Regions made a donation through its Toys for Tots Bike Fund.

The Accounts That Count campaign began in October in Alabama and Florida with the remaining 14 states, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, where Regions has a presence beginning in November.

Florida song group retains Transmedia

MIAMI — A newly formed committee, 'Hold the Florida State Song Vote', has retained TransMedia Group to publicize its campaign to stop the vote seeking to replace Swanee River with a new state song.

Instead, the group wants Florida, Florida's current Welcome Song, adopted as the official state song. Florida, written by Lawrence Hurwit and Israel Abrams, was named the official state welcome song in 1985.

The voting for the song ends on Jan. 10, and Florida is not among the finalists.

Committee member Susan Cutaia says, "We already have an official song and it's been ignored in this competition. All we want is for everyone to hear Florida and then decide for themselves if it's worthy to be considered a finalist."

ION Media joins industry group

WEST PALM BEACH — ION Media Networks Inc. said Thursday that it has become a member of the Association for Maximum Service Television, a nonprofit trade association of local broadcast television stations committed to achieving the highest technical quality for the local broadcast system.

ION said it shares the organization’s positions on issues relating to protecting, improving and advancing U.S. over-the-air digital television broadcasting, including creating a unified standard for mobile digital broadcast TV reception nationwide.

“ION and MSTV are aligned on many important opportunities that lie ahead for our industry, including over-the-air digital and high-definition broadcasting,” ION CEO Brandon Burgess said.

Carnival Cruise wins Readers Choice award

MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Lines has been named the number one cruise line in Southern Living Magazine's 2008 Readers Choice Awards.

The annual awards are based on surveys available to the publication's 15 million readers who are asked to designate their number one choice in a variety of travel-related categories. Carnival was cited as the preferred cruise line more than any other cruise operator.

Readers cited activities and entertainment options, food, and convenient Southern U.S. departure points, with 17 ships departing from eight ports throughout Florida, Alabama, Texas and Louisiana. "The convenience is a real winner and a great reason to keep going back again for more of what their ships have to offer," said Wanda McKinney, Southern Living's associate travel editor.

Palm Beach Realty to host toy, book drive

WEST PALM BEACH — Palm Beach Realty Advisors Inc. is hosting its first annual Toy & Book Drive Holiday Event on Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at its West Palm Beach office, 5100 S. Dixie Highway. The event will benefit The Florence De George Boys & Girls Club of West Palm Beach and the Quantum House Foundation.

Special Guest Appearance and Book Signing will begin at 5:00 p.m. by real estate maverick and two-time international best selling author Frank McKinney.

The event is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or book or make a donation. A silent auction will be held; guests may bid on a variety of items from restaurant gift certificates to a sports fishing package. food and entertainment will be provided throughout the day.

Spirit Airlines tops email marketing list

MIRAMAR — Email Data Source, the leading provider of email competitive analysis data, ranked Spirit Airlines as the number one airline in its latest Email Brand Equity Index ranking of marketers in the airline industry.

The study ranked airlines on the quality and effectiveness of their email marketing efforts, as well as the representation of their brands in third party e-mails

The study, which included both low cost carriers and legacy airlines, ranked Spirit Airlines above JetBlue, Continental, Ryanair, Lufthansa, Delta, American Airlines, US Airways, Northwest Airlines and Icelandair.

524 Creative wins Silver Davey Awards

LAKE WORTH — Boutique advertising and design firm 524 Creative, which specializes in hospitality clients, has received two Silver Davey Awards, which honors outstanding work creative work from the best small firms worldwide.

The 2007 Davey Awards received more than 4,000 entries from ad agencies, interactive agencies, production firms, in-house creative professionals, graphic designers, design firms and public relations firms.

“We are thrilled to win the prestigious Silver Davey Awards for design projects on behalf of two of our firm's leading hospitality clients,” said April Wright, president of 524 Creative.

The firm won one award for a meetings and facilities guide prepared for the Rio Mar Beach Golf Resort & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Resort, in Puerto Rico.

524 Creative won the second for the 2007 meetings guide for the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel.

Labor Finders climbs franchise ranking lists

PALM BEACH GARDENS — Labor Finders International, a Palm Beach Gardens-based franchise company, has been ranked No. 104 on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list, which ranks the top franchise companies in the nation. The company moved up 86 spots from last year’s ranking of No. 190. Labor Finders International was also ranked No. 83 on Entrepreneur’s Fastest-Growing Franchise list, and No. 93 on its America’s Top Global Franchises list.

The initial Franchise 500 list in 1980 was the first ranking of franchises in the industry. All companies, regardless of size, are judged by the same criteria: objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation. The most important factors include financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system.

Additionally, Labor Finders International moved up four spots to be ranked No. 153 on the 2007 Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Systems list. In 2006, the company held the No. 157 position on the same list, which ranks the Top 200 franchise systems by worldwide sales.

Labor Finders International was also ranked No. 149 on this year’s Franchise Times list of the top 200 franchise systems ranked by domestic units.

“We are extremely focused on aggressively growing our business and maintaining our position as the one of the country’s top temporary industrial labor staffing companies,” said Jeffrey Burnett, president and CEO of Labor Finders International. “We certainly are pleased that our rankings this year reflect these efforts.”

Labor Finders International is the country’s oldest and largest privately held industrial labor staffing company. It is about to open its 300th office.