Florida: News

Contact: Stuart Doyle
(407) 956-5689
sdoyle@eflorida.com

 

 

Elections, appointments to Enterprise Florida board

 

            ORLANDO, Fla. (January 28, 2011) – The following elections and appointments were made yesterday at the quarterly meeting of the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors, held in Tallahassee:

 

Enterprise Florida Board of Directors

Newly elected:

Howell W. Melton, senior partner, Holland & Knight -- vice chairman for the two-year term 2011-13

Mark Crosswhite, president & CEO, Gulf Power, for a term ending January 27, 2012.

Clayton Hollis, vice president, public affairs, of Publix Super Markets for term ending May 2011

 

Re-elected at-large members for one year (term ending January 27, 2012)

 Frank DiBello, president, Space Florida

Al Petrangeli, CEO, Southeast Region/President Georgia Division, Balfour Beatty Construction

Andy Rosen, chairman & CEO, Kaplan Higher Education

Gene Schaefer, senior vice president, South Florida commercial market executive, Bank of America

Andrew Smulian, chairman & CEO, Akerman Senterfitt

 

Florida Opportunity Fund(http://www.floridaopportunityfund.com/)

 

Appointments approved by the Enterprise Florida board:

 Pete R. Pizarro, chairman and CEO of eLandia International, reappointed to the Florida Opportunity Fund Board of Directors for a three-year term

The Enterprise Florida board comprises top business, economic development and government leaders statewide.  Their leadership and guidance are vital to Enterprise Florida’s efforts toward economic diversification and high-wage job growth.

 

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. (www.eflorida.com) is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  Headquartered in Orlando, Enterprise Florida’s mission is to diversify Florida’s economy and create better paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create globally competitive businesses in innovative, high-growth industries. In pursuit of its mission, Enterprise Florida works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

 

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Enterprise Florida top executive to be replaced

 

ORLANDO, FL (January 28, 2011) – As part of his agenda to improve job creation and economic growth statewide, Governor Rick Scott yesterday released John Adams from his role as Enterprise Florida’s president and CEO.

 

The governor indicated that Enterprise Florida will play a role in executing his agenda but believes the results he expects will be better produced under the guidance of a new top executive of this public-private partnership, which sets the strategic direction of the state’s economic diversification efforts.

 

Enterprise Florida’s board of directors will conduct a search for Adams’ replacement.  Until then, Senior Vice President & COO Louis Laubscher will serve as interim executive officer of Enterprise Florida.

 

Adams was tapped for the position in November 2005 following a stint as CEO of the Laredo Development Foundation in Texas.  Formerly a U.S. Air Force captain, Adams earned Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. degrees from Texas A&M University. 

 

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  Headquartered in Orlando, Enterprise Florida’s mission is to diversify Florida’s economy and create better paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create globally competitive businesses in innovative, high-growth industries. In pursuit of its mission, Enterprise Florida works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

 

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Contact:   Stuart Doyle

(407) 956-5689

sdoyle@eflorida.com

 

Export sales mission to Chile, Peru on Enterprise Florida agenda

 

Florida businesses can register through March 28

 

            CORAL GABLES, FL (January 26, 2011) – Enterprise Florida invites businesses statewide to participate in anexport sales mission to Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru that’s scheduled for May 14-21, 2011.  The registration deadline is March 28 and companies can sign up by contacting:

- Ivan Barrios (305) 808-3390 oribarrios@eflorida.com

- Juliana Peña (305) 808-3388 orjpeña@eflorida.com

 

           Participation is limited to 15 manufacturers, distributors, exporters and service companies on a first-come/first-served basis after they meet eligibility criteria. 

 

Export sales missions help Florida’s smaller and medium-sized companies establish and build relationships with buyers in international growth markets for Florida products. They provide participants with customized, one-to-one appointments with companies in both nations.

 

Florida’s main products and services exported to Chile are:

- Electric Power Equipment

- Construction

- Mining Equipment

- Financial Services

- Healthcare/Medical Equipment

- Computer Hardware/Software/Services

- Food Processing/Packing Equipment

- Telecommunications Sector

- Pollution Control Equipment

- Travel Tourism Services

- Franchising

And to Peru:

- Mining Industry Equipment

- Plastic Materials and Resins

- Construction Equipment

- Industrial Chemicals

- Oil and Gas Field Machinery

- Telecommunications Equipment

- Pumps, Valves and Compressors

- Pollution Control Equipment

- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment

- Computers and Peripherals

- Security and Safety Equipment 

Chile ranks fifth among Florida’s top merchandise export destinations, with trade totaling more than $2.6 billion in 2009.  Peru is 13^th, with $2.5 billion in 2009.  Latin America is the leading export market for Florida companies, accounting for 60 percent of the state’s total merchandise trade.  It’s the leading export market for Florida companies. 

 

Business participation categories

Gold Key Participation– includes customized appointments for one company representative plus access to all mission events:  $1,800.  The cost for an additional representative is $425.

Mission Delegate– no appointment scheduling but access to all mission events:  $450.

 

Note:  airfare, lodging and meal accommodations are not included in the registration fees.

 

Enterprise Florida’s last excursion to Chile – a Team Florida (governor-led event) occurred in July 2001, with 170 individuals and 53 companies participating.  The most recent mission to Peru took place in October 2008. 

 

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  Headquartered in Orlando, Enterprise Florida’s mission is to diversify Florida’s economy and create better-paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create businesses in innovative, high-growth industries.  In pursuit of its mission, Enterprise Florida works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the state of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

   

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Contact: Stuart W. Doyle
(407) 956-5689
sdoyle@eflorida.com

  

Enterprise Florida re-establishes Florida office in Brazil 

New office aligns with strategy to help Fla. companies enter state’s largest trade market

 

ORLANDO, FL (January 24, 2011) – Opportunities for Florida’s smaller companies to do business in Brazil will increase, thanks to Enterprise Florida’s re-establishing a site in São Paulo.

 

The office, which opens this week, aims to help these companies publicize and secure customers for their products and services in Brazil, which is the state’s largest global market for trade.  

 

“Brazil is one of the world’s fastest growing economies,” emphasizes Manny Mencía, senior vice president of Enterprise Florida’s international business division.  “Considering its vast economic potential and continuously developing relationship with Florida, it became essential that we renew the state’s presence there to capitalize on vital business prospects.”

 

The office opening is part of a broader strategy for facilitating Brazil market entry for smaller and medium-sized Florida companies.  This comprehensive plan, called Brazil Market Expansion Initiative., includes a variety of tactics to fulfill the objective: 

- Assisting new-to-market Florida producers with penetrating the Brazilian market through a new Florida Platinum Key Program with the U.S. Commercial Service in Brazil and EFI’s new Brazil office.

- Helping Florida companies devise effective market-entry, marketing and selling strategies for Brazil

- Showcasing the state’s manufactured products in Brazil by conducting an Expo Florida Exhibition and trade missions there

- Identifying export sales leads for Florida companies through the Enterprise Florida’s Brazil office

- Attracting Brazilian investment into Florida through FDI (foreign direct investment) and proactive marketing and “road shows” in key Brazilian markets

- Participating and promoting tradeshows in Brazil that are themed on Florida's targeted industries for economic development

- Familiarizing Florida companies with Brazil’s opportunities and business practices through statewide “road shows”

 

Florida-Brazil trade 

Florida trade with Brazil in the past year has increased significantly.  Between October 2009 and October 2010, exports rose by 30.3 percent and imports by 11.4 percent.  While Florida exports to Brazil 2009 totaled more than $ 10.6 billion, that amount already had reached more than $11.2 billion by October 2010. 

 

“Brazil is a vital trade and FDI partner.  Our expanded focus on this market will surely boost Florida’s stature in the global marketplace,” Mencía assures.

 

Florida representatives 

Enterprise Florida has appointed Fabio Yukio Yamada as managing director of its Brazil office and Mariana Crivello Falkenburgeras business development manager. 

 

Yamada has 28 years’ experience in business development, having worked with leading international corporations including Chemical Bank, Johnson & Johnson, DuPont, 3M and Assa Abloy (Swedish group).  He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at University of Campinas in Brazil and an M.B. A. in international marketing at Carleton University in Canada.  Formerly a graduate business professor in São Paulo and at Lehigh University in Allentown, Pa., In Brazil, Yamada served as director of the University of Pittsburgh’s executive M.B.A. program and has worked with the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School.  He’s quite familiar with the role he now has with Enterprise Florida.  He has represented several U.S. states in Brazil since 2001, working with more than 200 companies annually to promote their exports there and to recruit Brazilian business to the U.S.   Yamada will focus on attracting Brazilian companies to establish and/or expand operations in Florida.

 

Mariana Falkenburger has worked for the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service and has much involvement in trade, investment and tourism promotion with Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania.  After earning an undergraduate degree in international relations and an MBA, she completed post graduate courses in international commerce.  Annually, Falkenburger has worked with an average of at least 60 companies covering industries such as plastics, environment, electronics, healthcare, aerospace, consumer goods, automotive, steel, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, tourism and banking.  For Enterprise Florida, her emphasis will be trade development for Florida’s small and mid-sized companies. 

 

Fabio Yukio Yamada, Managing Director

Mariana Falkenburger, Business Development Manager

Enterprise Florida Inc.

Rua Gomes de Carvalho 1266, suite 45 - São Paulo - SP

04547-005 - BRAZIL

Ph: +5511-3044-4848

Mobile: +5511-7207-2065

 

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  Headquartered in Orlando, Enterprise Florida’s mission is to diversify Florida’s economy and create better-paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create businesses in innovative, high-growth industries.  In pursuit of its mission, Enterprise Florida works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

 

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Contact: Stuart W. Doyle
(407) 956-5689
sdoyle@eflorida.com

  

Enterprise Florida launches plan to increase Brazil trade, investment

 

ORLANDO, FL (January 24, 2011) – To increase exports to Brazil, Florida’s largest global trade partner, and Brazilian investment into the state, Enterprise Florida has launched its Brazil Market Expansion Initiative.

 

“The main objective is twofold, to assist Florida’s small and medium-sized companies with penetrating the Brazilian market and to advance Brazilian investment in our state,” explains Manny Mencía, senior vice president over Enterprise Florida’s International Trade & Business Development division.  “The ultimate goal is to expand job creation in Florida through increased exports to and foreign direct investment from one of the world’s fastest growing markets.  We want to educate Brazilian companies about the many advantages that Florida offers to foreign companies as a supplier and business location.”

 

The Brazil Market Expansion Initiative is long-term and wide-ranging.  Already, one primary objective has been fulfilled:  Re-establishing a Florida presence in Brazil.  This week marks the re-opening of an Enterprise Florida office in São Paolo.  Among other tactics:

 

In Brazil

- Showcasing the state’s manufactured products through Expo Florida exhibitions

- Helping Florida companies participate in Brazilian tradeshows centered on Florida’s targeted industries for economic development.

- Identifying export sales leads for Florida companies through Enterprise Florida’s new Brazil office.

- Attracting Brazilian investment into Florida through FDI (foreign direct investment), proactive marketing by the Brazil office, and road shows in key Brazilian markets.

- Assisting new-to-market Florida producers with entering the Brazilian market through a new Florida Platinum Key Program with the U.S. Commercial Service in Brazil and Enterprise Florida’s Brazil office.

In Florida

- Helping companies devise effective market-entry, marketing and selling strategies  for the Brazilian market 

- Familiarizing Florida companies with Brazil’s opportunities and business practices through statewide “road shows”

- Florida-Brazil trade

Florida trade with Brazil in the past year has increased significantly.  Between October 2009 and October 2010, exports rose by 30.3 percent and imports by 11.4 percent.  While Florida exports to Brazil 2009 totaled more than $ 10.6 billion, that amount already had reached more than $11.2 billion by October 2010.

 

The top five export commodities include:

- Civilian aircraft, engines, and parts

- Parts for typewriters and other office machines

- Electric apparatus for line telephony and parts

- Electronic integrated circuits and microassembly, parts

- Automatic data processing machines; computer equipment

To learn more about business opportunities in Brazil, contact Fred Glickman, Enterprise Florida’s vice president for international development at (305) 808-3588 or fglickman@eflorida.com.

 

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  Headquartered in Orlando, Enterprise Florida’s mission is to diversify Florida’s economy and create better-paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create businesses in innovative, high-growth industries.  In pursuit of its mission, Enterprise Florida works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

 

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Enterprise Florida board to meet Jan. 27 in Tallahassee

What: Quarterly meeting of the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors

When: Thursday, January 27, 2011 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

Where: Doubetree Hotel -101 S. Adams Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  Headquartered in Orlando, Enterprise Florida’s mission is to diversify Florida’s economy and create better-paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create businesses in innovative, high-growth industries.  In pursuit of its mission, Enterprise Florida works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

 

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