Space Coast BUSINESS - 2020 Business Leaders of the Year

UP CLOSE WITH TOM VICE OF AERION > PAGE 50 • SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM WINTER 2020

Business

LEADER

YEAR of the

Lisa Steffen, Collins Aerospace

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UP CLOSE WITH TOM VICE

Table of

CONTENTS SPACE COAST BUSINESS WINTER 2020

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ON THE COVER: BUSINESS LEADERS OF THE YEAR

OF AERION > PAGE 47 • SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM WINTER 2020

Business

Featuring: Lisa Steffen Photo by Jason Hook Photography

BUSINESS LEADERS OF THE YEAR

5

LEADERS

YEAR of the

Lisa Steffin, Collins Aerospace

Skilled Labor Opportunities on the Space Coast

38 Stylish New Condo Project Coming to Cocoa Beach

45 Carlson Gracie Gym: Martial Arts Merges with Family Ties

“I have been truly blessed to be loved, supported, and challenged by four incredibly courageous, compassionate, and brilliant women in my life – my mother, my wife, and my two daughters.”

TOM VICE

EVERY ISSUE

President’s Note

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The Ethical Capitalist

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PRESIDENT’S NOTE

MOVING FORWARD nlike previous years, where most people are planning how to put the holiday capstone on the end of the year, the prevailing sentiment today is, “Let’s just close the books on 2020 and move forward.”

Personally and professionally, this year has delivered up a set of monumental, unexpected and unprecedented challenges. Unlike other storms we all must face from time to time, the maelstrom of 2020 hasn’t been isolated or focused in its impact. To varying degrees, it has hit everyone, with a portfolio of losses we will never forget.

Perhaps that is why I am so excited to help you reframe 2020 by highlighting in this issue a group of leaders whose skill, character and dogged perseverance has spun challenges into opportunities. From Lisa Steffen, the dynamic leader of Collins Aerospace on the Space Coast, to our Up Close feature on the laser-focused and visionary CEO of Aerion Supersonic, Tom Vice.

“Leadership,” as former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell said, “is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care.”

As anyone who leads anything, from a class of curious kindergarteners to a small business or a multi-national corporation, leaders are there to help solve problems.

This year, we have witnessed a community of spirit where all of YOU have done just that. You have seized the reins of leadership over your own actions and attitudes, displacing fear and projecting kindness and hope when it was needed most. We must continue into 2021 with this resolve, with this pledge to uphold the kindness and hope so important to our peace of mind, our success in business and our community engagement.

Eric

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Space Coast Business Contributing Writers MICHAEL CANDELARIA is a veteran writer and editor of the magazine industry in Central Florida, from city/ regional, business, travel/leisure and sports magazines. He formerly served as the editor of Orlando magazine and president of the Florida Magazine Association. He is well-known in the Central Florida community, working with numerous high-profile business and civic organizations. mikecandelaria4@ gmail.com

BRIAN BALUTA serves as Director, Communications & Partner Relations at Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. With decades of strategic communications experience at various levels of government, Brian is skilled in the planning and execution of integrated marketing communications campaigns and helping audiences understand legislation on the economy, health care and tax reform. BBaluta@ SpaceCoastEDC.org

DARCY MAEDA MANNING Darcy Maeda Manning is a 20-year public relations executive turned professional makeup artist who moonlights as a freelance writer.

The So Cal native has a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and calls Merritt Island home with her husband and son. FB: Makeup by Darcy IG: @makeupbydarcymm

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Space Coast BUSINESS® 1900 S. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901 Space Coast BUSINESS® is a registered trademark of Space Coast Magzines, LLC (“SCM”). The contents of Space Coast BUSINESS, associated websites, and any other print or electronic publications published by SCM or related to the brand, including advertisements, articles, graphics, websites, web postings, photographs and all other information (“content”), are for informational purposes only, are protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published, broadcast or modified in any way without the prior written consent of SCM, or in the case of third party content, the owner of that content. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. SCM does not necessarily endorse, verify, or agree with the content, and makes no warranties or representations, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or usefulness of any content. SCM shall not be held liable for any errors or omissions in the content. ©2020 All rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or in part, is prohibited without written permission from the publisher.

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EmplOyment Opportunities on the Space Coast

[ Manufacturing And Health Care Looking to fill Gaps [

By Brian Baluta, Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast

Aviation Manufacturing Opportunities

While many new high-school graduates were pondering the possibilities of their futures at the beginning of the summer earlier this year, four recent graduates from Eau Gallie High School’s (EGHS) Aviation Assembly and Fabrication Program knew exactly what they were going to do—start careers in advanced manufacturing working on state-of-the-art aircraft while earning great wages and benefits. Embraer, which manufactures several lines of executive jets in Melbourne, snatched up the candidates who are products of one of Brevard Public Schools’ career and technical education (CTE) choices.

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, production jobs are still very much in-demand for the Space Coast’s best-in-state manufacturing sector, which offers wages 21% higher than the national average. For instance, since 2008, Embraer has expanded and added new products to its line at the Melbourne facility and added another location in Titusville. The company currently employs more than 800 in Brevard County and is hiring. The company recently announced the Phenom 300MED aircraft, which can be used for medivac operations, will be produced in Melbourne.

“With all the uncertainty in the world, to have a manufacturer the quality of Embraer find a rich talent pipeline in our local schools bodes well for the future of Brevard County’s economy,” said Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC), which helped launch the EGHS aviation program and secured its first teaching aircraft. “During the last decade, we’ve strategically cultivated a state-leading core of manufacturing employers with high-wage jobs, like Embraer, who are helping us weather the COVID-19 downturn.”

“In 2008, Embraer selected the Space Coast as the U.S. home of Embraer WINTER 2020

5

training and mentoring of worldclass aviation professionals.”

“By being responsive to industry in our own backyard, we can equip Brevard County students with in-demand skills to not only get them jobs, but careers, “said Matt Susin, EDC executive committee member and vice chairman of the School Board of Brevard County School Districts. “Congratulations to these new EGHS graduates and Embraer for recognizing that it is possible to earn a paycheck and learn a profession without going into student loan debt.”

Executive Jets for several reasons, including the highly-skilled local workforce. Since then, we have been

with Eastern Florida State College can help students hit the ground running with manufacturing careers.

“to have a manufacturer the quality of EmbrAer find a rich talent pipelinE in Our lOcal SchooLs bodes wEll fOr thE future of BrevArd County’s Economy,” sAid Lynda WeatHerman, presidEnt and ceO of the edC of florida’s Space Coast. able to expand our presence here, thanks to the support of local workforce development initiatives, such as the EGHS Aviation Assembly and Fabrication Program. We are delighted to have four recent graduates join the Embraer family to assemble the most disruptive and technologically advanced aircraft in the business aviation industry,” said Kirsten Patchett, vice president of human resources for Embraer North America.

CareEr and tech training

Career and technical training, like that offered by EGHS, or the EDC’s Certified Production Technician (CPT) Program offered in partnership

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“During my last summer in the EGHS Aviation Assembly and Fabrication Program, I completed an internship at Embraer, where I was excited to apply, first-hand, what I was learning in school,” said Kiaralys Alva, interiors technician at Embraer. “Upon graduation, thanks to the program, I already had a fulltime position lined up at Embraer. I now get to do what I love, with the confidence that comes from the

To explore career options with Embraer, go to https://embraer.com/ global/en/join-us. To apply for the 10-week online CPT program, for which scholarships are available, go to https://manufacturinginbrevard.org/.

Healthcare Opportunities

Perhaps not so surprising, another industry hiring during the pandemic is healthcare. “By 2030, there will be a predicted shortage of 150,000 healthcare workers in the U.S.,” said Weatherman.

“The need to recruit, train and foster upcoming talent in this critical field is essential now more than ever, and I want to thank EDC investor Sutton Properties for stepping up to meet the challenge.”

In August, the EDC secured a health care training grant of $25,000 from Sutton Properties of Melbourne for the Macedonia Education Technology and Career Academy program (METCA) of the Elderly Compassionate Care Program of Brevard County.

METCA is housed under the Macedonia Community Development Corporation of South Brevard, a nonprofit 501C (3) managed by the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.

Established in 2017, this program assists lower-income and minority health care students of the Space Coast with obtaining scholarships for career training in Home Health aide (HHA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), LPN transition to Registered Nurse (RN) and Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs. In addition, METCA provides enrollment preparatory courses, mentoring and supportive resources to scholarship students to ensure their successful completion of training and eventual job placement.

“METCA, Elderly Compassionate Care Program is designed to help disadvantaged men and women navigate the pathway to becoming healthcare professionals. We primarily assist qualified student candidates with accessing scholarship funding, which is often their biggest barrier, and provide pre-enrollment tools to help make them

competitive,” said founder and executive director of METCA, Teri Jones.

“We need more health care professionals to care for our Brevard County residents, and the funding support begins with donors. We are grateful to those who choose to become a partner and or donor, because you are the foundation for the success of METCA.” LPN graduate Adale VanPelt is particularly grateful for the assistance.

“The METCA program that Teri Jones coordinated allowed me to further my education and help my family. It gave me the skills to be successful in life and something to be proud of. Not only did METCA give me those skills, but it also gave me a means in which to obtain those skills. I would not have been

able to afford college if METCA did not come through and taken a chance on my desire to help people,” she said.

Another student, LPN graduate Cassandra Jackson echoed similar sentiments.

“My goal was to be a nurse for a long time, but financially it was not possible to pursue that career. METCA provided me with the opportunity to fulfill my goals by assisting me with paying for my testing and schooling.

My life has been greatly improved financially and economically.”

To learn more about METCA, visit www.METCAecc.org.

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Best PRACTICE

LEGAL FOCUS

For more business resources, go to: spacecoastbusiness.com/category/best-practice

UNDERSTANDING DAMAGES IN ACCIDENT CASES

I

Instead, the jury is asked to use their common sense and consider all the evidence they have heard. As such, there are many factors that will come into play when determining the value of your non-economic damages.

There is no “one size fits all” case, and the value of yours depends on many factors, including the facts of the accident, your injuries, any long-standing prior conditions and the damages caused to you.

The idea behind damages is that an injured person should be compensated for the burden caused by another’s negligence. It is nearly impossible to know the full amount of your damages right off the bat. In fact, only a jury can make this decision. Sure, many attorneys can give you an estimate based upon similar cases he or she has handled in the past. However, each case is unique, and your damages can be vastly different compared to someone else’s, because there are many different types of damages and no person suffers the same damages as another.

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages Your damages are unique to you. The amount of damages you are entitled to will depend largely on the injuries you suffered, along with what are called economic and noneconomic damages.

Economic damages are monetary amounts that can be calculated and measured. For example, if you went to the hospital following an accident, you have likely incurred medical bills as a result. If you missed time from work, you have lost wages as a result. Other out-of-pocket expenses, such as prescription medications, property damage, and chiropractic visits, are all examples of economic damages.

Non-economic damages are a little trickier. Non-economic damages can only be recovered if it is determined that your injury is permanent in nature. Non-economic damages cannot be measured or calculated. Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, disfigurement and inconvenience.

These are damages that are personal to you and how the injuries caused by your accident have affected you individually.

What Will A Jury Think?

There is no hard and fast rule on how to calculate non-economic damages. In fact, a jury is told there is no standard to 8

calculating non-economic damages.

f you have been injured in an accident, you may be wondering what your personal injury case is worth.

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ALEXA MOIA, is an attorney with Alpizar Law and practices in the areas of automobile, trucking, motorcycle, bicycle, moped and pedestrian accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death.

She is currently the treasurer of the Brevard County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.

OFFICE:

1528 Palm Bay Road, NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905

EMAIL:

alexa@alpizarlaw.com PHONE:

321-676-2511

Some factors include whether the jury finds you credible; whether your testimony regarding your pain is consistent with your medical records; whether you have long-standing pre-existing conditions similar to the injuries caused by the accident; whether the insurance company has obtained surveillance footage of you acting in a manner that is inconsistent with your injuries; whether your doctor’s testimony supports your testimony or whether your diagnosis and injuries makes sense to the jury.

Your Case, Your Damages When you have been injured because of another person’s negligence, you have the right to seek reimbursement for the damages that person caused you as a result of the accident. As you can see, the value of your damages will depend largely on your injuries and how a jury perceives you.

A trial attorney can guide you from start to finish to ensure the jury is well-informed and that their verdict reflects what you deserve. For over 40 years, Alpizar Law, LLC has been fighting in the courtroom to ensure our clients are compensated fully and fairly for the damages they have suffered.

CRI Local Partner Spotlight

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Best PRACTICE

ACCOUNTING FOCUS

For more business resources, go to: spacecoastbusiness.com/category/best-practice

CREDIT CARD FRAUD IN SMALL BUSINESS

W

hen managed properly, the use of credit cards in any business can reduce time spent on purchasing activities, and accumulate rewards and extend payment terms. The ease of ordering online or grabbing small items as needed makes a business credit card a must-have for many businesses. However, small businesses are at the highest risk for certain types of fraud due to lack of internal control and limited personnel to provide oversight and the use of credit cards can increase risk.

• Check and payment tampering are FOUR times more likely in businesses with less than 100 employees.

• Small businesses have the highest median loss of $150,000.

• Long-term employees stole a median of $200,000.

• The typical fraud case is not identified for 14 months and causes a monthly loss of $8,300.

• 5% of all revenue is lost to fraud each year.

Management must decide the risk they and their current or future investors can absorb. Finding creative solutions to provide oversight is a prerequisite for reducing future loss.

What steps can small businesses take the reduce credit card fraud?

Establish a credit card policy. Determine, enforce and monitor the rules regarding the use of the credit card.

Assign credit cards in an employee’s name. When a credit card statement arrives with an unknown purchase, the purchaser is easily identifiable.

Set spending limits. Putting a cap on how much an employee can spend without action from an administrator reduces potential losses.

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Require itemized receipts for every transaction. Did I buy cases of paper or a TV for my bedroom at the local superstore?

Itemized receipts also show taxes paid, which can be very important for any tax audit.

smb acc

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ Report to the Nations 2020 Global Study on Occupational Fraud and Abuse small businesses face greater fraud consequences.

1 2 3 4

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Limit the number of credit cards issued. The fewer credit cards floating around, the less risk of fraud or abuse.

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SHANNON BLOOM, a CPA and certified fraud examiner (CFE), owns SMB Accounting and Consulting, LLC. After leaving her role as a civilian accountant for the USAF, Shannon begin helping local small businesses with controller/ CFO and government compliance for contractors.

OFFICE:

7640 N Wickham Rd., Suite 109-B, Melbourne, FL 32940

EMAIL:

info@ smbaccountant.com PHONE:

321-775-3724

6

Reconcile credit card statements monthly. Verify that receipts have been submitted for each transaction that match to the statement to create accountability and controls to identify questionable transactions.

7

Develop an approval process.

Approval (ideally before the purchase is made, but afterwards is better than nothing) shows cardholders there is accountability and oversight and ensures only needed purchases are made.

8

Compare credit card purchases to expense reimbursement requests. A common tactic is to purchase something on a company credit card and then ask for reimbursement of the same purchase through an expense reimbursement request.

Policies and procedures for credit card regulation and monitoring must be tailored to the needs and risk appetite of the company.

Small businesses have limited resources and must compare the cost of controls to the benefit of implementing them.

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Best PRACTICE

LEGAL FOCUS

For more business resources, go to: spacecoastbusiness.com/category/best-practice

SO NOW YOU ARE THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Y

DO I GET PAID TO SERVE AS A PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE?

ou have been named personal representative (“PR”) in a loved one’s last will and testament…what exactly does that mean?

A Personal Representative (sometimes called “executor”, “executrix”, “administrator”, or “administratrix”) is legally responsible for winding down and distributing a deceased person’s estate, which includes (but not limited to) tasks such as ensuring creditors are addressed and assets are appropriately distributed to beneficiaries during what is referred to as a formal probate administration.

Serving as a personal representative can at times be a challenge, as not only are you dealing with the emotions of losing a loved one, you are now also in charge of quite the list of tasks and to-dos. The good news is that working with an experienced probate attorney will make the process much simpler and less complex.

To obtain the necessary authority to serve as personal representative, the decedent’s Will must be admitted to probate and the personal representative appointed via Letters of Administration and an Order Admitting the Will and Appointing Personal Representative. Depending on the terms of the will and/or the judge assigned, the personal representative may have to post a bond. Once appointed, you as the official personal representative step into the shoes of the decedent and handle the matters of the estate. A personal representative can be appointed even if there is not a will.

WHO CAN SERVE AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN FLORIDA? To serve as a personal representative in Florida, you must be: (i) at least 18 years old; (ii) mentally and physically capable of performing the duties of a personal representative, and (iii) either: a Florida resident, OR related to the decedent by blood or marriage such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or other close relative of the decedent. Florida law prohibits anyone with a felony conviction from serving as a personal representative.

JESSICA LYNN SILVA, is the owner of Law Office of Jessica Lynn Silva, PLLC (a/k/a Jessica Lynn Law) and practices as an attorney in the areas of estate planning, wills, trusts, probate administrations, ancillary administrations, and trust administrations. In addition, Jessica is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified county mediator.

OFFICES:

7341 Office Park Place, Suite 202, Viera (Suntree), FL 32940 1360 S. Patrick Drive, Suite 4, Satellite Beach, FL 32937

The decedent’s will most likely allows for a personal representative to receive compensation, and either: (1) specifies a specific dollar amount; (2) opts to allow for the statutory allowed amount under Florida law; or (3) leaves a specific bequest. Your compensation will be taxable as ordinary income with the exception of a specific bequest.

If you choose not to accept compensation, consider filing a fee waiver with the court. It is recommended you keep a detailed list of all time and expenses related to probating the estate.

Should you have a need for an experienced estate planning and probate attorney, please feel free to reach out to the Law Office of Jessica Lynn Silva, PLLC via call or text to (321) 474-2034 or email at law@jessicalynnlaw.com. You are also welcome to reach out and request a copy of our helpful Personal Representative’s Checklist.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice to your particular situation as each situation is unique. It is always recommended you contact an attorney and seek his/her counsel.

PHONE: (321) 4742034 (call or text) EMAIL: jessica@

jessicalynnlaw.com

WEBSITE: www.

jessicalynnlaw.com WINTER 2020

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Best PRACTICE

REAL ESTATE FOCUS

For more business resources go to: spacecoastbusiness.com/category/best-practice

REAL ESTATE INVESTING OFFERS STEADY GROWTH

I

Traditionally, implementing a “buy and hold” strategy and remaining calm during market corrections results in long-term gains over time.

Diversity with all of your investments remains the key to being financial solvency and a healthy portfolio should include a mix of stocks, bonds, cash, real estate and other alternative investments.

Determining whether or not real estate investing makes sense should entail some research on the market and buying/selling trends.

Some of the pros: •

• Investment real estate can have

t’s a great feeling when retirement, IRA, 401K and investment accounts go up 20 percent in a year. But that can change on a dime if the stock market goes down 20 percent in a matter of weeks.

Real estate typically realizes long-term gains as the market appreciates.

• Primary residences can often be purchased and fi-

nanced with a monthly mortgage payment that is less expensive than renting and gains can be tax-free.

• Rental property can provide income and, in many cases, the rent exceeds the costs of the property (mortgage, taxes, insurance and other related expenses).

• BOBBIE DYER is Division President of Dyer Mortgage Group in Melbourne and has more than 30 years in mortgage banking, over 10,000 loans closed and over $500,000,000 in home mortgages.

Dyer has been recognized as a Nationwide Top Producer, along with being voted one of the “70 Elite Women in Mortgage Banking in the U.S. in 2018.”

OFFICE

10 S Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901 PHONE

321-215-4419 EMAILS

bdyer@ dyermortgage.com bdyer @dyermtg.com

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SPACE COAST BUSINESS | SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM

significant tax benefits (speak to your financial advisor or CPA to determine how much you could save in income taxes).

Second homes can be used for personal use and rented seasonally to offset a percentage of the expenses.

• Return on investment and finan-

cial gains generally are higher than many other types of investments.

Now some of the cons:

• Real estate is not a liquid asset •

if you need quick cash.

Downturns in the economy can have significant impact on home values; you may lose money if you have to sell at the wrong time.

• “Flips” can turn to “flops.” TV

shows, infomercials and seminars can be misleading, often overstating the amount of money to be made and understating the amount of costs and risks.

• Being a landlord can be tough.

It involves managing tenants, maintaining the property, understanding the legal requirements and applicable landlord/ tenant laws, and doing repairs.

There is also the likelihood at some point you will deal with evicting a tenant and having months of vacancies with no rental income.

When you are ready to explore real estate investing, consider these tips:

1 2 3

Partner with a realtor who specializes or is experienced in investment real estate. Savvy agents will know where the deals are and how to get the best balance of location, price and potential rental income.

If your first real estate investment will be your primary residence, your realtor and lender can advise you about down payment assistance, special financing with no-low money down, future rental income and a long-term plan for future real estate purchases.

Speak to a local lender who can advise you on how much you will qualify for, review your overall budget, structure the right financing, work with your financial professional to ensure this investment is in your best interest, and provide guidance from start to finish. Need assistance finding the right local realtor? Local lenders can refer you to experienced agents they have worked with and help you save time and money.

These agents know of real estate opportunities that may not

be listed for sale and can watch for a property that would meet your needs before it’s on the market.

4 5

Consult with your financial advisor, CPA or attorney and determine how much real estate should be part of your portfolio. In some cases, you can buy real estate through a self-directed IRA. This can be used for either the down payment or purchase price.

If you plan on purchasing investment property for short term rentals such as VRBO or AIRBNB, check with local government ordinances, whether taxes need to be collected and minimum rental periods. Some condos do not allow rentals less than six months. Even single-family homes and communities may have restrictions you should be aware of.

All investing has risk, and there are no guarantees you will make money in the stock market or by investing in real estate. It’s great to see our investments go up in value but be smart and be prepared for the down turns that will occur over time.

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Company

PROFILE

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EDWARD JONES Cameron Mitchell

process, leveraging professional grade software and the many resources he has available to build personalized strategies to help his clients achieve their goals.

Cameron’s deep desire to help people and create meaningful, lasting relationships is what led him to a career in financial services.

Cameron saw at a young age that sound financial advice can transcend and make a positive difference in people’s lives and their family’s lives, generationally. He credits his father and grandfathers with instilling in him a tireless work ethic and strong integrity to help better the lives of his clients.

Cameron and his Edward Jones office have become a cornerstone in the community through his professional work and through volunteering, sponsoring and supporting local charity events and nonprofit organizations.

When Cameron is not working, he enjoys being outdoors fishing and hunting, and traveling and cooking with his wife Colleen.

CAMERON BEGAN HIS CAREER at Edward Jones in 2015, moving back to Florida in 2016 and opening his Edward Jones practice in the Eau Gallie Arts District in 2017.

Cameron is extremely passionate about the work he is doing for his clients both here locally and across the country, focusing intently on what’s most important to them and their financial goals. Cameron uses an established planning 321-425-6493 cameron.mitchell@edwardjones.com edwardjones.com 600 W Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32935

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Cameron holds his Series 7, Series 66, 215 licenses and two professional designations awarded by the College of Financial Planning: Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®) & Chartered Retirement Planning Councilor (CRPC®).

Cameron offers no-cost, complimentary portfolio reviews and evening appointments. If you have questions about your financial goals, or your portfolio performance, feel free to call his office today.

2020 Portrait Photography by Jason Hook Photography.

Content by Eric Wright, President, unless otherwise noted.

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LISA STEFFEN Collins Aerospace

T

hough she is proud of her Iowa Hawkeyes, Lisa Steffen has adapted well to our warm winters since assuming her role as general manager, Communications, Navigation & Surveillance Programs / Melbourne site leader at Collins Aerospace in 2019. The company has deep roots in the community, with over 1,500 employees and a history going back almost a half century.

Now part of United Technologies through an acquisition in 2018, the Melbourne operation manufactures some of the most sophisticated aviation guidance, radar and communications systems in the world.

“Until we came to Melbourne, I never lived more than 30 miles from where I grew up,” Steffan said of her home state of Iowa. She completed undergraduate work at the University of Iowa in electrical engineering, then went to work in Cedar Rapids as a co-op student for Rockwell Collins.

“I didn’t even consider engineering right out of high school, I was good in math and science and started out as an accounting major” Numbers Game “I didn’t even consider engineering right out of high school,” she said, “I was good in math and science and started out as an accounting

major.” When a friend recommended that she consider engineering, she leaned in and quickly realized that electrical engineering was what connected for her.

“Regardless of which discipline of engineering you are in, what engineers really love and gravitate towards is problem solving.”

Eventually, she led the engineering team that designed the cockpit displays for Boeing aircraft and continued to rise quickly through the ranks at Rockwell Collins, while also earning a MS in Computer Engineering (from the cross-state rival Iowa State University) and an MBA (from the University of Iowa).

“Regardless of which discipline of engineering you are in, what engineers really love and gravitate towards is problem solving,” she said. “So, whether it is about a computer chip, avionics display or project management, what we do is solve problems.”

Though she admits problems may vary greatly and usually require different skill sets to resolve, the analytical approach has commonalities that Steffen is able to identify and utilize.

“I’ve always enjoyed human interaction, which is true of some, but not all, engineers. My time managing the customer interaction with Boeing was especially fulfilling for that very reason,” she said.

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Those skills certainly have been stress-tested: as she was celebrating her first anniversary as the site leader in Melbourne earlier this year, the pandemic hit.

knowledge. So being clear with our people and laying out what our plans moving forward are, has been crucial,” she said.

On the flip side, employees who were able to transition to work from home did so, and almost overnight.

Domino Effect Airlines around the world have been grounded, which has had a domino effect for Collins Aerospace’s customers — the aircraft manufacturers.

“It has been challenging for us, as it has been for everyone,” she said.

“We have our manufacturing employees, who have to be on site to do their jobs. Yet, they must work with all the health and safety gear, along with the protocols that are essential for their protection. It is a whole new set of processes and spacing requirements that our facility was not initially designed for.” Masks and protective wear can certainly be cumbersome, but most of us don’t have to deal with it for eight hours straight.

“Let’s face it, keeping everyone safe and (at the same time) motivated hasn’t been easy. In addition, there is a certain amount of uncertainty about the industry, which is common

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“Being clear with our people and laying out what our plans moving forward are, has been crucial.”

Steffen, the mother of four, was keenly aware of the challenges her staff was facing with new work requirements, changing school protocols, restrictions on close contact with friends and family and isolation issues. Lives at every level, and for every employee, have remained in flux.

Adapting, Not Reacting Like many other companies facing these same challenges, a new way of thinking was essential to continue. “It takes a new set of skills to make

sure all your people feel positive, connected and engaged,” Steffen said.

of their decisions… and if we take a different course, I want them to know the ‘why’ as well.”

“I’ve always been a take-charge-let’s-get-thisdone type of person,” she said. “Though I didn’t equate that with being a leader early in my career.”

There were only three women that graduated with her in her electrical engineering class at the University of Iowa. And, for the first five or six years at Rockwell Collins, she remembers being the only female in the room, most of the time.

Possessing that authentic, straightforward approach that is so characteristic of people in the Midwest, Steffen said, “I have always tried to be a, “what-you-see-is-what-you-get”, type of person. Just genuine and who I am, regardless of who I am dealing with.”

She is quick to acknowledge she has learned valuable lessons from amazing leaders along the path of her career. But she realized that it would be disingenuous to try to copy another’s style in an effort to lead.

“I realized I have to lead using my style, because I’ve learned you can only be successful if you are true to who you really are. Otherwise, you stray from your own natural sweet spot,” she said.

The Right Stuff Steffen believes that trust (and a bit of faith) are vital to an effective team. “If I empower someone to make a decision, then I have to be willing to support their decisions, even if it is not necessarily the decision I would make,” she said.

“That doesn’t mean we don’t change or adjust if we need to, but I want to understand the ‘why’

“Being the only woman puts a kind of spotlight on you, therefore you should embrace it as an opportunity, not be intimidated by it.”

“On the engineering and the business side, that is changing dramatically,” she said. “But being a mom and a professional, I think is different than being a father [and a professional].

“However, I remind younger women I am mentoring that it is just different, not better or worse. Actually, being the only woman puts a kind of spotlight on you, therefore you should embrace it as an opportunity, not be intimidated by it.”

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JOSHUA ADAMS Rock, Paper, Simple

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here do you begin when trying to describe the leader of one of the fastest growing marketing companies in the area, on whose business card and website his position description is listed as “Head Honcho.” It is all part of the disarmingly humorous and creative way Joshua Adams has built Rock, Paper, Simple (RPS) into a firm that was recently recognized by GrowFL as one of their prestigious Florida 2020 “Companies to Watch.”

Make no mistake, the boyish grin and quit wit is part of his pervasive personality that has transferred to a company spirit that also is laser focused and purpose and process-driven, while dancing on the leading edge of an ever-evolving market. In growth mode, RPS recently relocated into a new facility that includes a 500-square-foot video studio and expanded office and creative space for its 16 employees.

Adams began visiting the Space Coast with family years before he moved here. Each winter, after shutting down the family landscaping and lawn service company before the frigid western PA winters, they traveled south for the sun and surf. “It is hard to plant shrubbery in two feet of snow,” he said.

He began managing the nursery part of the business when he was 14 because of a family health crisis. One of his many ventures, Adams ran the nursey and also sold used Legos online and started learning coding and building websites.

Though Adams is an avid gamer - computer and board games - it was programing that fueled his imagination.

“I remember sneaking down to our computer at night, not to play games, but to code. My dad gave me a book on computer programing when I was 11 and it absolutely captivated me,” he said.

At 18, he made his last trip to Brevard, opting to remain here instead of heading back to the family business up north after the winter vacation was over. “I suppose the reason I have such a passion for this area is not only be-

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cause of what this community is and has the potential to be, but I really discovered myself here, personally, professionally and spiritually,” he said.

His persistent approach and desire to deliver on expectations caught the eye of a local marketing agency which he eventually joined as a partner. It was challenging, but also a critical learning experience, as the business was poorly managed and deeply in debt.

“I learned a great deal during that very trying time, a lot about the marketing world and branding, in addition to a lot about how to not run a company,” he said.

Adams started Rock, Paper, Simple in 2013, as a one-person web design business in his garage, with a few freelancers and a sprinkling of interns. Many of his clients came through chamber lead groups and networking functions.

Soon he was adding people to help with sales, design and administration. “When I went through Ignite 360 (a business mentoring program with WeVenture), they said, ‘You will hire an administrator and a salesperson.’ It was great advice, as I couldn’t sustain the pace I was moving at and effectively [scale my business]. Now, when certain good decisions are made and I don’t even know about it until later, I’m thrilled because that means my team is empowered to do their jobs,” he said.

RPS was thoughtful about its business model and considerate of (especially) smaller companies, essentially offering all the services of a marketing staff without the price of them on the company payroll. Adam’s team also built clear and simple processes for their services that outlined the steps necessary to meet client goals.

PRS also looks out for their clients by forfeiting industry standard commissions on ad spends. That way they are not investing in what’s lucrative for them, but they are focused on what’s most effective for their clients, he said.

It is a formula that is producing remarkable results for both the clients and the business model of Rock, Paper, Simple.

I suppose the reason I have such a passion for this area is not only because of what this community is and has the potential to be, but I really discovered myself here, personally, professionally and spiritually.

”

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AL STEIGINGA , L.J. BURR, & TONY GEBHARDT Long Doggers, Meg O’Malley’s Irish Restaurant, Hemingway’s Tavern

By Steven R. Hicks, Ed.D., Contributing Writer

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he next time you’re in Satellite Beach enjoying a cold beer and a hot slaw dog or basket of wings at Long Doggers, you’ll probably notice a collection of surf boards, say hello to a friend you haven’t seen in a few weeks and feel yourself relaxing just a bit at one of Brevard’s favorite local spots, thanks to L.J. Burr, Al Steiginga and Tony Gebhardt.

Let this sink in: these three partners, along with a few others (different at each restaurant), have created a favorite “locals spot” in five distinct locations around the county. With similar, but unique, restaurants in Indialantic, Melbourne, Satellite Beach, Palm Bay, Viera and Cocoa Beach, along with Meg O’Malley’s Irish Restaurant in downtown

“We are part of the Brevard community, it’s built into the fabric of our daily work-lives.”

surfing safari in a Volkswagen van to the Outer Banks in North Carolina and form life-long friendships that carry on today and provide the solid foundation of the organization today.

Like family, Long Doggers is in their blood, but according to Burr, it is the “relentless restlessness for improvement” that keeps that blood pumping.

That isn’t just marketing hyperbole, it is all true.

(Full disclosure: I was employed by the company for a few years, and still consider eating there (frequently) like a family dinner at home).

Melbourne and Hemingway’s Tavern in Melbourne, the parent company, LDE, Inc., is a nearly $30 million per year Brevard food services powerhouse, employing over 300 people.

Purely and proudly local.

Burr, Steiginga, and Gebhardt on occasion still argue like brothers. I’ve been there, seen that.

But they also come together to run this successful melding of friends, family and business in a way that honors hard work, commitment and community. Family? Certainly. After nearly 25 years, children of first-generation employees and owners now work at Long Doggers, and Meg’s, and Hemingway’s.

The origin story has been on the Long Doggers menu for years. A bunch of guys go on a

Like family, Long Doggers is in their blood, but according to Burr, it is the “relentless restless-

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ness for improvement” that keeps that blood pumping. This alignment of mission challenges everyone from CEO to cook and is a Long Doggers leadership best practice. To succeed at LDE, Inc., you learn to recognize that every job matters as much as any other, and each is singularly critical to delivering the best guest experience.

“We all respect each other.

The corporate office exists to better the lives of our staff. Fairness, thoughtfulness and energy are the criteria for staff retention. As a practice, we want truth over harmony.

That makes collaboration more difficult [sometimes] but delivers better results.”

An odd circumstance for this company, and one that is hard to fathom, is that the systems in place came after their initial success. When the group decided to expand, systems needed to be created and tested, not only for promoting consistency across the brand but also for ensuring the fair treatment of employees. That turned out to be one of Burr’s strengths as he took on writing the playbook for how an LDE restaurant was to be run.

Successive locations follow guidelines now, and Gebhardt monitors their progress, making adjustments unique to each location. In a meeting once, the group was considering adding quesadillas to the menu. Geb-

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hardt added to the conversation that if a family of five was seated and they all ordered the new quesadillas, the entire cooktop could be taken for all the time it takes to prepare them. That could slow down the orders for other guests, or they’d have wait for space to cook them one at a time. Either way, the guest experience would be compromised and that did not seem like the right way to go. That’s the level of detail the team is constantly addressing, and also why Long Doggers doesn’t serve quesadillas!

When the federal government announced its first programs to help local businesses survive during the pandemic, Long Doggers adjusted its model to include selling groceries to their communities through drive-up windows and curbside service. And in a widely publicized, wildly appreciated step, they gave their employees raises instead of furloughs. Raises.

The doors were shut, the stools stacked in a corner, but each Long Doggers location determinedly remained a vital part of their respective communities. Burr said, “We are part of the Brevard community, it’s built into the fabric of our daily work-lives.”

To this group, “local” isn’t an adjective, it’s a verb. Being locally-owned comes with local responsibilities, and LDE is mindful about protecting theirs, spearheading efforts to reduce plastic straws and Styrofoam containers, supporting programs to seed oysters in the Indian River Lagoon, and striving daily to raise awareness of our impact to the local environment. Burr believes strongly that if you’re not a steward for your community, you’re not truly successful.

How do these values of friendship, dedication and commitment to community manifest in the restaurants?

Burr says, “We all respect each other. The corpo-

coast ratespace office exists to better the lives of our staff.

Fairness, thoughtfulness and energy are the criteria for staff retention. As a practice, we want truth over harmony. That makes collaboration more difficult [sometimes] but delivers better results.”

That’s the “radically relaxed” magic of LDE, Inc.: every person’s efforts are recognized and appreciated as vital to the success of the organization.

staff in an impromptu social media workshop. Gebhardt is, and has always been, the CFO making sure the entire operation rolls smoothly and forward.

Each of these three would tell you instantly that there are many other names that should be celebrated here. That’s the “radically relaxed” magic of LDE, Inc.: every person’s efforts are recognized and appreciated as vital to the success of the organization.

Having spent many years at the original Long Doggers location in Indialantic, Burr now spends his time overseeing daily operations, guiding each individual restaurant. Steiginga drives marketing, so don’t be surprised to find him on the beach with front-of-house

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BRIAN HAIRE

PRC, Property, Renovation & Construction

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he path of the entrepreneur is rarely, if ever, that of a straight line. Instead, it looks more like the irregular track of the S&P 500 or the Dow. But with the successful business owners, this seemingly erratic course consistently tracks upwards, despite setbacks and dips.

Such is the case with Brian Haire, who owns and manages Property, Renovation & Construction, LLC, (PRC, LLC), one of the largest residential and commercial roofing companies on the Space Coast. Subsidiaries of the company, which position it as a one-stop build shop, include Ability Windows & Doors - the oldest window company in the county - and another legacy firm, Smitty’s Welding and Metal Fabrication, which has been in business since 1956.

“We are now a family of companies. We install roofs, we make and install the fascia, we install the windows and doors, all with the same trusted care and workmanship people have come to expect.” With the recent addition of Smitty’s, he added, “Now we can make an install unique decorative metal work, which we also manufacture.”

With both those subsidiaries, Haire could have chosen to start anew instead of acquiring them, but he wanted to continue the legacy these companies represented and take advantage of the institutional knowledge found within them through their master welders, metal fabricators and installers, who he hoped could serve as mentors to a new generation of much needed, skilled craftsmen.

Haire, who comes across as a focused yet compassionate and engaged leader, describes himself as a [previously] troubled teen. He spent time at a wilderness camp, he said, “only because I was too young for prison.” Afterwards, he left his home in North Carolina and moved to Defiance, OH, which he said, “perfectly matched my personally at the time.” There, however, a faith awakening transformed his life and he moved back to Wilmington, NC, where he got into the water treatment business while serving as a youth pastor, eventually settling in Myrtle Beach.

At just 25, he was the youngest Rainsoft dealer in the world, out of some 5,000 dealerships at the time. He later transitioned out of water treatment when he was introduced to the owner of Baker Roofing Co., one of the largest roofing contractors in the nation. He began working for them and after the memorable 2004 hurricane season, convinced Baker to open a branch in Florida, which he led.

When Baker decided to close the Florida office, Haire launched PRC. Fortunately, he was able to carry over many of the relationships he had forged while working for Baker. Soon, what began in a small office in Suntree scaled quickly, nearly doubling in growth every year in the first five years and employing as many as 180 employees. During this time, he launched a 501(c)3 called Random Acts of Jesus that targets a needy family or charitable organization each month for construction-related needs, such as making a house ADA-complaint or replacing windows or doors.

Haire's latest entrepreneurial endeavor, scheduled to launch in early 2021, is the Welcome Home Design Center, a 15,000 square foot showroom on US 1 just south of Historic Downtown Melbourne. Haire has created a place where architects, builders and designers can bring their clients, or homeowners can come to see what a roof, window, door, railing or gate options would look like at full scale. It is an immersive experience which he conceived when trying to show clients roofing samples by laying them out on their front lawn.

The Design Center also features beautifully crafted gathering spaces for meetings and events. Once he has beta-tested the showroom in Melbourne, he has plans to expand the concept to other locations throughout the state. “What we have found is that the more we can guide the process from selection to fabrication to installation, the better the client outcome will be,” he said.

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JAMIE FORREST

Chief Operating Officer, Health First Health Plans, Inc.

By Mike Candelaria, Contributing Writer

S

erendipity comes in many forms. Just ask Jamie Forrest.

As Forrest was completing a master’s degree in health care administration at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, her adviser commented that if Forrest was going to live in Melbourne, Health First would be the place to work.

So, Forrest followed up on the advice, and when a manager’s position became available, she shifted her sights from hospital to health insurance. As it turned out, in a career of many smart moves, that was a particularly good one for her. She joined the company in 2012 as director of Medicare Sales & Service.

“Health Insurance — I remember thinking this was not the path I envisioned, but little did I know that by taking the road less traveled, I would have such a fulfilling career,” said Forrest, today chief operating officer at Health First Health Plans Inc., a role she began in August 2019.

As Brevard’s largest health care provider, Health First operates Holmes Regional Medical Center, Cape Canaveral Hospital, Viera Hospital and Palm Bay Hospital, along with three merging “wellness villages" to be located in Melbourne, Palm Bay and Merritt Island. Now beginning construction, the villages will offer services such as outpatient procedures, imaging and diagnostics, plus walking trails and community events, among other components.

“Across every industry, organizations are experiencing change on varying fronts. And perhaps nowhere is the need for change more pronounced than in healthcare,” Forrest explained.

“That is why Health First is focused on changing the health model from ‘sick care’ to keeping our community well.”

In addition, constant changes in her industry have helped Forrest to steer her own company.

“I am an organized, thoughtful planner, but in life and especially the healthcare industry change is constant, and I learned how to be comfortable with the uncomfortable,” she explained. “Whether it is a new position or responsibility, I learned that the uneasiness of something new will subside, and that I am capable of navigating whatever change lies ahead.”

A multitude of role models have made a difference, too.

“Along my journey, I’ve learned from so many talented leaders, friends, colleagues and family members. A key leader once shared that no one was perfect, and he hoped that I recognized and applied the best leadership qualities from others,” Forrest said.

“I have created a toolbox of leadership traits from those I admire whether they are in the healthcare industry or not.”

Further, it can be said that Forrest is quite the juggler — the wife of a working spouse and mother of two young children. She described herself with a bit of jest: “I often feel like I wear the hat of a juggling circus clown.”

Indeed, Forrest isn’t all business. She grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and remains a beach lover who was part of a relatively small community. There is much of the same in Brevard, where she has now lived for 15 years.

Forrest isn’t leading those changes by accident.

Not coincidentally, she believes in the saying that “a rising tide lifts all boats.”

“I consider myself a natural leader,” she noted. “I’ve been thrown into the deep end of the pool a few times at work, which is not the time to learn to swim. So, I think thriving in those instances is an indication of instinct and the ability to lead.

“The first time I heard this quote, it really resonated with me,” Forrest said. “Strong leadership and engaged associates help an organization perform its best, which allows the organization to best serve its customers.”

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TERI JONES

Founder and Executive Director of METCA

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ften the challenges we face and are able to overcome provide the motivation for assisting others who are striving to make a difference in their lives and for their families. That is certainly the case with Teri Jones, the founder and executive director of METCA, the Macedonia Education Technology and Career Academy program of the Elderly Compassionate Care Program of Brevard County.

METCA is an initiative that Jones developed with the Rev. Nathaniel Harris and Jerry Phillips, the financial officer of Macedonia Baptist Church. The program provides a career path to financially disadvantaged members of the community with education opportunities, scholarship funding, preparatory courses, mentoring and support resources in the career fields of Home Health Aid (HHA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), LPN transition to Registered Nurse (RN) and Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs.

This helps address to critical needs for both the healthcare sector and the student: First, demand is high, and the supply of trained medical workers remains low, now and in the foreseeable future. Second, entry level positions are accessible after a relatively short training program - and once that employment gate is breached, more career possibilities unfold.

To Get Through, You Have to Go Through

The journey to founding METCA started when Jones graduated from high school in northern California at 16, with a grade point average that attracted scholarship opportunities from top-tier schools. Today she is working on earning a PhD, but back then, rather than helping to facilitate that opportunity, her mother pointed to the impracticality of attending college.

So, Jones felt her best option was to enlist in the Army.

“After a while,” she recalled, “I realized I was doing the work of an officer and I was certainly as capable and intelligent as the officers I served. So, I thought, why don’t I become one?”

Officer’s Candidate School could probably be described as one of the most grueling 12 weeks one could conceive, especially if you were a woman at a time when women in the program were rare. Of the 250 individuals who started in her OCS class, only

100 finished. Even Jones, who was both a dancer and body builder, found the program physically and mentally exhausting. Nevertheless, she persisted and graduated as the sole African American female in her class.

“I was always very competitive and gravitated towards challenges,” she said. “The Army teaches you to be mission-focused, even in the worst of times, and to be that role model that others are looking to. If you’re strong, they will make you stronger, but if you are not, that will surface as well.

Those lessons I have never forgotten.”

After a career in the Army, Jones held positions at Career Source Brevard and Brevard Community College, now Eastern Florida State College. In 2014, she heard Space Coast EDC Director Lynda Weatherman speak about careers in manufacturing and was captivated. Just a few months later, Rev. Harris approached her about the unemployment challenges young people in the neighborhoods near Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church were facing.

“A lightbulb came on in my mind: What if what Lynda Weatherman was trying to do (to provide a skilled manufacturing workforce) and what Pastor Harris wanted to do (to help people not just get a job, but a career) could be combined?

“Lynda Weatherman said, ‘I have the money for training, but not the people. Pastor Harris said, ‘I have the people, not the money.’ My goal was to bring these together.”

That partnership led to the first CPT classes in the summer of 2015 at Macedonia. Later, Jones pivoted the focus of METCA towards healthcare and built alliances with community organizations like the Space Coast Health Foundation, Health First Foundation, Career Source Brevard and Goodwill, along with educational institutions like Keiser University, Brevard Public Schools and Eastern Florida State College.

The challenges remain daunting, but Teri Jones, “likes a challenge,” and the transformative impact she is having on the lives of the people in our community are worth celebrating. By facilitating access to education and careers that lead to financial freedom and personal empowerment, Jones is lifting others up and changing the paradigm from what was not before possible to what is now within reach.

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EXPANDING ON THE SPACE COAST: Florida Health Care Plans and W+J Construction

By Eric Wright, President

lorida Health Care Plans (FHCP) has become a force in providing quality health insurance plans coupled with exceptional integrated medical services along Florida’s east coast, from Palm Bay to St. Augustine.

Launched more than 46 years ago in Volusia county, FHCP has expanded services into Flagler, St. Johns, Seminole and Brevard counties.

FHCP is the oldest federally qualified HMO in Florida and the second oldest in continuous existence in the US. The organization has become well regarded for customer satisfaction among their members, who have consistently ranked them as a Best Health Insurance Company in numerous community circles, including the Florida Today Best of Brevard online voting campaign for four consecutive years.

Florida Health Care Plans 5151 Babcock St. Palm Bay, FL 32905 fhcp.com W+J Construction 1005 Viera Blvd #202, Rockledge, FL 32955 wjconstruction.com

Evidence of their expanding presence on the Space Coast can be seen at their new location on Babcock Street in Palm Bay, slated to open at the end of the year.

The facility is unique because it houses a myriad of services under one roof. “We are excited to expand our footprint in Brevard with a new 9,800 square foot building,” David Schandel, CEO and president of FHCP said.

The facility will include primary care, specialty services, lab, pharmacy, infusion, ultrasound, radiology and a sales and service center. In the spacious facility, the pharmacy alone is large enough to allow eight to 10 professionals to work simultaneously, and the nurses station accommodates six to seven nurses.

The project was different for both FHCP and their general contracting partner, W+J Construction of Melbourne because the buildout took place during a pandemic; site safety protocols had to be adjusted to keep everyone healthy.

“Unlike many other projects we worked on during the pandemic, this particular one was more fortunate in that we didn’t experience any material delays or staff shortages. In fact, due to the team’s strong coordination and advanced planning, we were able to not only complete this project on time, but a month ahead of the original schedule.” Erik Costin, W+J’s vice president said.

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“We take an active role in all the Brevard chambers of commerce, and [are active] in many other organizations, agencies and programs that are working to make a difference in the community we serve.”

Community Commitment & Engagement In something very characteristic of both FHCP’s and W+J’s commitment to community engagement, the two companies met in a rather uncharacteristic way for clients and contractors.

Representatives from both companies happened to be seated together at a Brevard Achievement Center awards breakfast. During the course of their conversations, FHCP indicated they had plans for further expansion into Brevard. W+J followed up with FHCP after the event and provided a preliminary cost estimate for their plans to build out an existing facility they had purchased in Palm Bay. Not long after that chance meeting, FHCP’s planning and development team expressed an interest and the conversation turned into a site visit and a meeting at W+J’s office.

Soon after, the Palm Bay project was initiated. According to Costin, “Working with FHCP was an excellent experience.

The communication and decision making between FHCP and W+J was proactive, always on time and always looking for the best interest of our project.”

Looking out for the welfare of the community is an important consideration for FHCP and central to their commitment of holistic health.

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“We take an active role in all the Brevard chambers of commerce, and [are active] in many other organizations, agencies and programs that are working to make a difference in the community we serve,” said Joe Rowlette, wellness & communications coordinator for Florida Health Care Plans. Rowlette was born and raised in Brevard County, and he said he understands how important it is to be involved and give back to your community.

FHCP’s goal is to keep their members as healthy as possible. Members are encouraged to visit primary care physicians not only when they are sick, but also for annual health assessments and preventative care. Members also are encouraged to participate in the many wellness programs offered by FHCP, such as the Preferred Fitness Program offered to members free of charge with unlimited access to over 80 gyms and fitness centers and select YMCA’s.

Summing it up, Schandel said, “At Florida Health Care Plans, we believe that it is our responsibility to positively impact the overall health and wellness of our members and we committed ourselves to create a health care system to do just that. When this facility opens in December, it will be offering a number of health and wellness services for a convenient one-stop experience.”

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Joe Rowlette, Wellness & Communications Coordinator for Florida Health Care Plans

“Unlike many other projects we worked on during the pandemic, this particular one was more fortunate in that we didn’t experience any material delays or staff shortages.”

Erik Costin, W+J’s vice president

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ERO

-30, 2020 6 2 .

Oct

DH COVI

To All Our Hometown Heroes & Our Generous Sponsors

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Brevard,

Get ready, this project is a game changer.

The Surf Oceanfront Condominium

Cocoa Beach’s New Wave of Coastal Living Luxury

By Darcy Maeda Manning, Contributing Writer

Downtown Cocoa Beach will soon be buzzing with an exciting new luxury beachfront condominium project lead by Cocoa Beach Development Group LLC, a trifecta of local entities consisting of Christopher Burton Luxury Homes, Dorough Brothers Property Group, and Alyssa Boyd, real estate broker for Sand Dollar Realty of Brevard. The Surf at Cocoa Beach Condominium boasts unparalleled luxury and modern sophistication for those seeking the ultimate resort lifestyle.

Backstreet Boys Howie D’s $35 million property to

wel com e residents in 2022

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UNIQUE DESIGN FEATURES INCLUDE:  Eight

unique floor plans

 A gigantic

second level fishbowl-like heated swimming pool facing A1A

 10-

and 11-foot ceilings in each residence

 Two-car

private garages for every unit

 Spacious

private balconies with glass railing for unobstructed views of the ocean

 Modern

interior with high end specifications customized to each individual buyer

 Floor-to-ceiling

hurricane-rated windows that open up to spectacular ocean views

 Designer

European cabinetry with quartz countertops in kitchen and bathrooms

 Spacious,

spa-like bathrooms with stand-alone soaker tubs

 Second-level

entertainment area featuring a pool area with summer kitchen & terrace lounge area with fountain, fully equipped fitness center, and club room with entertainment kitchen

The $35 million, five-story building broke ground this month and anticipates welcoming its residents in Fall 2022.

More than half of the 25 units were sold within seven months of being listed, and General Contractor Chris Burton anticipates The Surf’s units being sold out well before construction is completed. Reservations are being accepted by contacting Alyssa Boyd, owner/realestate broker for Sand Dollar Realty of Brevard.

“The architect on this project is Jackson Kirschner Architects, who is the absolute premium designer of luxury custom estate homes and exclusive condominiums, and we have Cathy Sands of Blue Daze Designs in Orlando as the interior designer. We took a residential approach 40

to the finishes and floor plans to offer buyers a very custom residence. This is not your typical condo,” said Burton.

Burton formerly was the general contractor for his friend and business part-

The Surf’s design aesthetic is a combination of Howie’s love of modern SoCal design and clean lines with Burton’s signature high-quality finishes and soaring ceilings. Think Miami’s South Beach

“Downtown Cocoa Beach is a hidden gem. I wouldn’t want this project anywhere else in Brevard ,” said Howi e. ner Backstreet Boys Howie D’s current residence in Lansing Island, a prestigious, gated waterfront community in Indian Harbour Beach.

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meets California’s Manhattan Beach.

The late Charles Boyd, the Brevard building giant who helped develop the community of Suntree among many

others, is responsible for The Surf’s inception.

Boyd is Broker Alyssa Boyd’s father and Chris Burton’s uncle, and also Howie D’s partner in the 2016 development of Flores de la Costa, a $10 million oceanfront condominium just north of the Cocoa Beach Pier.

“There is so much trust between all members of our team. It’s been a true collaboration of the region’s top luxury home experts and it shows.

The Surf is going to be a landmark destination,” said Burton.

The residences, which feel more like a custom home than a traditional condo, largely due to their soaring 10- and 11-foot ceilings, range from $1M to $2.2M and are 1,770 to 4,000+ square feet. Buyers can select from eight different floor plans and a variety of appliance,

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PROJECT AT A GLANCE Project cost: $35 million Residents move in: Fall 2022 5 stories: 3 commercial storefronts 25 residences: ranging from $1 million to $2.2 million and 1,770 to 4,000+ sq ft Location: 2 acres of oceanfront property between Minutemen Causeway and N. 1st St Architect: Jackson Kirschner Architects Interior Designer: Blue Daze Designs General Contractor: Christopher Burton Luxury Homes Development Team: Dorough Brothers Development & Consulting Real Estate Brokerage: Sand Dollar Realty Brevard, Alyssa Boyd 321-591-7585, alyssa@sanddollarrealtybrevard.com 42

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lighting, furnishings, and entertainment packages to create an inviting space uniquely customized to their needs.

Howie and brother John Dorough banter back and forth about why Cocoa Beach was such an obvious choice for this project and their love for the area. “Cocoa Beach was our local beach growing up.

We have a lot of great memories here that we now share with our own families and kids. I could’ve moved my family anywhere from Los Angeles, but we chose Brevard County. This is our quiet oasis.”

What the team emphasizes is the lifestyle that The Surf will afford, claiming that the project is not geared toward any specific age group, but rather those seeking coastal living luxury, a lifestyle that involves parking your car in your garage on a Friday evening and not having to get back in until Monday morning.

One that involves walking or bike riding to your favorite coffee shops, eateries, retail shops, surf and more. A lifestyle that would also appeal to busy Orlando executives who want to return home every day to the surf, salty air and sand in their toes.

“The Surf would likely appeal to anyone in their 40s to 80s looking to live life to its fullest,” said Alyssa Boyd. “We already have a good mix, from families with young children to successful bachelors confirmed to move in.”

Thanks to The Surf at Cocoa Beach Condominium, this hidden gem is going to sparkle a whole lot brighter.

“Downtown Cocoa Beach is a hidden gem. I wouldn’t want this project anywhere else in Brevard,” said Howie.

For more information, call Alyssa Boyd at 321-591-7585 or online at www.surfcondoscocoabeach.com

The Surf at Cocoa Beach Condominium is located at 41 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach

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BATTLING UNEASY TIMES

By Mike Candelaria, Contributing Writer

Jiu-Jitsu for building confidence, mental & physical power and strengthening family ties, one submission at a time.

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MENTORED BY A LIVING LEGEND: David Sutton & Professor Carlson Gracie Jr., a legend in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

avid Sutton first fell in love with martial arts as a child growing up in North Carolina. The son of a single mother, he was drawn to the actions and ideas of combat that nurtured physical, mental and spiritual development.

So, it’s no surprise that Sutton today has a 7,000-square-foot facility that caters to families, including children as young as four.

There’s more. For about 17 years, he left martial arts, returning years later after sitting in a taekwondo studio watching his own son in a class. That was two decades ago — well before the time suck of smartphones — and Sutton figured “I might as well participate.”

It was a game changer.

Cultivating Family at the Gym Now his son is 23 and Sutton is 45, with a total of four children. On any given day, they all can be found at his Carlson Gracie gym in Melbourne which he and wife Evelyn Sutton jointly operate. (Evelyn is also the Creative Director for Space Coast Magazines). She runs LuxDei Studio, which offers art and yoga, while his studio specializes in Brazilian Jiujitsu and MMA and Muay Thai.

There, family life for the 175 members ranging in ages from four to age 68 is being shaped by one step, deep breath and pose at a time.

“That’s what I want. I want family,” Sutton said about his facility. “I put out there that we’re a family-first gym, and that is what people are picking up on.

“If my whole family is there, why shouldn’t your whole family be there?”

It almost didn’t happen, if not for abundant drive and determination.

CARLSON GRACIE SEMINAR: Emphasis on technique and high level instruction are top priorities at David Sutton’s gym. He regularly hosts intensives and seminars for the students, as well as daily classes with special BJJ programs for childrens, adults and women’s only classes

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THE BOND THAT TIES THE SUTTONS: Family first mentality starts at home and continues at the gym

“When you have a family that’s training together, after the class you’ve shared something super close and personal. It gives everybody in the family something in common.”

David Sutton

Early this year, as Covid-19 slowed the world almost to a halt, Suttons’ plans were stalled. They had just combined their operations and moved into that sprawling space, only to be drop kicked by the pandemic. But instead of giving in, they pressed forward. And ultimately, creative “compliant training” — mostly kickboxing — outside at Wickham Park in March helped to attract newcomers and keep members engaged.

“I knew we had a good following,” he said, adding that during the summer “it just completely blossomed.”

A Fight Sparks a Passion Many years earlier, a fateful encounter gave Sutton some needed direction. While still trying to figure out his path in the martial arts, a Jiu-Jitsu training session provided a path. During that

five-minutes of sparring, he was matched against a much smaller partner who consistently outmaneuvered him. The continual defeat sparked a fire.

“It gave me the determination that ‘this is what I want to know,’” he said about that session and, particularly, about the Carlson Gracie approach to Jiu-Jitsu.

Carlson Gracie, Sr., is globally recognized as the godfather of mixed martial arts

(MMA). Also, he’s known to bring Jiu-Jitsu “to the people,” Sutton explained. “[Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu] is for everybody, and that’s what I liked about him,” Sutton commented.

“Jiu-Jitsu is not made for the big, strong person.

It’s made for the smaller, weaker to beat the larger and stronger. Everything that we do is based on technique, not strength. Timing and not power.”

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A STRONG BOND: David Sutton Sr. and son, David Sutton Jr., share the love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a practice that continues to strenghten their relationship over the years.

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Similarly, Sutton approaches his business with finesse, noting that “the easy part is the training.” In other words, his management style isn’t heavy-handed.

“I run my business the same way I would want to go into someone else’s. And I have the gym that I would want to have a membership at,” he said.

Sutton’s combination of moves is helping to strengthen family life during this uneasy time.

“When you have a family that’s training together, after the class you’ve shared something super-close and personal,” he concluded. “It gives everybody in the family something in common.”

CARLSON GRACIE JIUJITSU TEAM MELBOURNE is located at 880 Mc Clendon Street, Melbourne.

For more information, online at www.bjjmelbournefl.com or call 321-890-8037.

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UP CLOSE WITH

TOM VICE

CEO AERION SUPERSONIC

Universally described as the most revolutionary advancement in commercial aviation in over 50 years, not only is Aerion Supersonic’s AS2 executive jet able to reach speeds of Mach 1.4—the first supersonic commercial aircraft to do so since the Concorde made its initial flight in 1969— it also has been engineered to run entirely on synthetic fuels, yielding a zero-carbon footprint.

Further, its Boomless CruiseTM technology ensures that the deafening sonic boom (an Achilles’ heels of earlier attempts at supersonic transport) never reaches the ground. The potential impact of this revolutionary effort on all commercial aviation is obvious.

Amazingly, the headquarters, design, engineering and manufacturing center will take place right here on the Space Coast, at the Orlando Melbourne International airport campus.

By Eric Wright, President

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Aerion CEO Tom Vice discussed the vision and the impact with us not long after he rolled out the company’s plan at the virtual annual board meeting of the Economic Development Council of Florida’s Space Coast, which - along with Airport Executives and Space Florida - helped facilitate their move to the area.

Vice is as just as comfortable discussing the beauty, as well as the sociological and philosophical ramifications of Aerion’s technological innovation, as he is its engineering.

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EW: We are all shaped by people and principles that define who we are. Who were the people and what were the principles that were essential to your formation?

TV (Tom Vice): Four people and four fundamental beliefs have, and continue, to shape my life. I have been truly blessed to be loved, supported, and challenged by four incredibly courageous, compassionate, and brilliant women in my life – my mother, my wife, and my two daughters.

As I look back over my life, four beliefs have served me well both in hard times and in good times. I was fortunate to learn early in life that I had to find what I really loved doing and then do it. Life will throw a lot of challenges, surprises, disappointments, and opportunities at you. The only thing that can keep you going is 52

you must absolutely love what you are doing and feel passionate about doing it well. Your work will consume a significant amount of your life and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe in.

Secondly, I always believed that whatever I decided to do it had to be important; I had to try and make a real difference. I wanted to do something bold and to stand for something. I like to think of my life as seeking out revolutionary ideas, innovations, and trying to find breakthroughs to hard problems that were worth solving. Industrial revolutions create new industries, national capabilities, and exciting new companies. These revolutions are driven by ingenious, courageous and determined mavericks, most of the time working amongst teams of Mavericks. These teams

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take advantage of a new technology or, even more likely today, the convergence of technologies in unique ways.

Redefining fear, [or] maybe better said, harnessing fear, is the third belief I learned early in life. It started out of necessity as a young boy, but I learned to face my fears head on. I would actively seek them out, overcome them, and get ready for the next one – it became very apparent that life has a way of continuing to serve them up. In taking the harder, more exciting and more rewarding path, not the safe one, I experienced setbacks more than once. And, when they happened, I choose not to see them as failures - I came to understand that setbacks would inevitably happen in life.

It is how you deal with them and the path you decide to take that will matter most. Looking

vations occur when engineering and design intersect; when science and the arts merge.

It is an incredible intersection to witness and even better to create.

EW: Tell me about your pre-Aerion career?

TV: I worked with an incredible team of brilliant people for 31 years at Northrop Grumman. I joined Northrop in 1986 on the B-2 Stealth aircraft while attending the University of Southern California pursuing my aerospace engineering degree. I learned so much from so many wonderful mentors, technologists and scientists.

I would become the president of Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems sector – 23,000 employees pushing the state-of-the-art in space exploration observatories, military and civil satellites, trusted cognitive autonomy, advanced stealth and intelligence aircraft, directed energy, hypersonics and advanced microelectronics.

Our Scaled Composites team in Mojave, CA designed SpaceShip One and Two, paving the way for private suborbital space access and built the world’s largest wingspan aircraft.

EW: Describe the genesis of the Aerion aircraft: Why this product at this time?

TV: Last year, humanity spent about 12 billion hours on airplanes and the time spent on aircraft is expected to double by 2040. Yet, commercial air travel is slower today than it was in 1958 with the introduction of the Boeing 707. And in the general aviation market, where the customers buy private aviation explicitly to save time, the product itself, the aircraft, has only had a 10% increase in speed over the nearly 60 years of existence.

back, the hard times prepared me for life in ways that the good times never did.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, I deeply believe you have to surround yourself with friends and colleagues who will have the confidence and capability to challenge your understanding of our world. I learned through experience that the best ideas and achievements take genuine teamwork and inclusive collaboration. You have to learn from everyone and let respect and dignity for others shine in everything you do.

EW: Did you get into the aerospace industry by design or opportunity?

TV: By design. I was drawn to aerospace as a very young boy. I cannot imagine doing anything else with my life. I simply love the

beauty of flight, the engineering of flight and the adventure it provides. The thought of designing machines to transport humanity across our world, across our solar system, or across our universe, is fantastic.

We had a brief history of supersonic travel with the Concorde, however that aircraft was too loud, the emissions were too high, and it was too short on range: in the end only 14 aircraft were delivered to customers. And, on environmental sustainability – the aviation industry’s long-term objective to reduce carbon emissions by half of 2005 levels by 2050 is not enough. We can and must do more.

I’ve always had a passion for engineering and fast machines. As a child, I watched every Apollo rocket launch in awe. I would run outside to see military jets fly over my backyard.

My favorite toys were chemistry sets, rocket motors, model aircraft or an encyclopedia set.

And, of course, my favorite television show was Star Trek.

Throughout history – when the right questions were asked – incredible breakthroughs advanced our society. Questions based on first principles have a way of focusing humanity’s ingenuity and creativity on solving hard problems.

So, as we think about how humanity will travel around the world in the future, it is critical that we ask the right questions once again.

When I began taking engineering courses, I appreciated the laws and methods of engineering, but what really excited me was the incredible beauty of engineering. This recognition allowed me to see that brilliant inno-

I don’t think the right question is “should we slow down or even stop traveling” especially stop traveling by air. Global mobility allows us to connect, to explore, to learn and become compassionate.

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and manufacturing talent pool, the right business climate with global access, the unique attributes of the Orlando Melbourne International Airport and a truly unique aerospace and aviation cluster of innovative technology companies. We are excited to be in Melbourne and build the future of supersonic here.

Scan this QR code with your smartphone to read our June feature story on Aerion coming to the Space Coast.

I think the better question to ask is, “it possible to travel at supersonic speeds while being kind to our planet?” This question forces us to revolutionize global mobility by inventing the next generation of high-speed global transportation networks.

Our very first product, the AS2, will fly at 1,000 mph. We’ve designed the AS2 with the most powerful technologies and tools available anywhere; technologies and tools we have been developing over the last 16 years. The AS2 will not only be the first supersonic in nearly 60 years, it will be the most advanced supersonic aircraft in history, powered by synthetic fuels and the first aircraft designed to be net carbon-neutral in history.

EW: Give us the highlights of its development from conception to present?

TV: This has been a hugely complex challenge in aircraft, jet engine and fuel-energy development. We had to simultaneously solve several hard challenges in the area of aerodynamics, thermodynamics, acoustics, materials, systems integration, certification, logistics and sustainability.

have now brought together the best aerospace companies in the world to bring this remarkable aircraft to the market.

We are also really excited to start the construction of Aerion Park in Melbourne this year. The Park will be a gorgeous state-ofthe-art campus for the design and manufacturing of the AS2. It will the most sustainable engineering and manufacturing campus anywhere. Next, we start production in 2023.

EW: What was the attraction of the Space Coast and MLB (personal/professional)?

TV: For Aerion, we conducted an extensive two-year study, considering several potential sites for our future home. Melbourne Florida emerged as the clear choice for our company to build Aerion Park. The state of Florida and the City of Melbourne offer an excellent educational system, a significant engineering

Development tools just weren’t available when we started, so we acquired a company in Silicon Valley and developed the necessary tools ourselves. These tools are now recognized as the most advanced in the world for high-speed flight. All of our optimization tools are designed to be massively scalable and run in parallel both on our own high-performance computing clusters and in the Cloud. We have analyzed millions of design points and thousands of aircraft configurations to arrive at the AS2.

To verify the AS2 digital design we flew in two wind tunnels – a low speed, subsonic, wind tunnel in the USA, and a Mach 3 tunnel in France. Both were incredibly successful. Our AS2 is the most advanced supersonic aircraft in history and we are really proud of it. We 54

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Melbourne is just a wonderful community for our employees. A great place to raise a family.

It has incredible schools. Kim, my wife, and my daughters and I have called Melbourne home for over a decade. We love this special place.

EW: How would you describe the culture and spirit of the company you are building?

TV: We are a team that believe we will change the world. Aerion is a really exciting place. We have a start-up mindset, but with decades of experience and research underneath us. We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, collaborative innovators and courageous creative engineers, bonded by unwavering integrity, and driven to build the next generation of global transportation networks – networks that significantly reduce the time and friction of travel while leaving no carbon footprint behind.

EW: You speak of global transportation networks, that what you are creating isn’t just an executive jet company, but the future of commercial jet aviation. Is that correct?

Where do you see Aerion in 20 years?

TV: We will disrupt every segment of aviation and ultimately serve all of humanity. We want to connect the world and bring people closer. We believe we can create a more vibrant and compassionate world when we remove the barriers of distance and time. Our mission is to build a future where humanity can travel between any two points on our planet within three hours.

Where the experience of travel is incredible.

I actually see Aerion in the future through the lens of what we will enable our customers to do differently. In 20 years, when you want to travel from your office or home say in Los Angeles, and you want to have dinner with colleagues or family in Tokyo, through Aerion Connect, we will pick you up at your home or office and safely transport you to the restaurant in Tokyo in three hours – and every element of the bespoke experience will be absolutely incredible. We will be the future of global mobility.

EW: What part of this project have you, and are you, enjoying the most?

TV: Without hesitation, the most enjoyable aspect of my job is working with the Aerion Family. They are truly the most amazing people in the world.

THE ETHICAL CAPITALIST

BY ERIC WRIGHT, PRESIDENT

GIVING IS GETTING

Keeping a ‘Holiday Mindset’ Year ‘Round

R

esearch has validated that when we make efforts to care for others, particularly when we are in need ourselves, our resilience and personal health risks are positively impacted and mitigated. In fact, studies also have shown that when we engage in acts of kindness by reaching out to others, endorphins and serotonin that increase our sense of wellbeing are released in the pleasure center of the brain. These chemicals detox our brains, bring healing to our body, increase our motivation and clarity, and those factors can help us, in turn, to more successfully manage our lives.

I am not proposing efforts to help others as simply a way to feel better about ourselves or a sort of charitable happy hour or a way compensate for our good fortune. Rather, it is an acknowledgment that we are wired to find benefit in showing value and care for others, with the unintended consequence of getting what we give return.

As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Businesses owners around the country are starting to experience an awakening of these ideals by realizing that employee attraction and retention go far beyond compensation packages and benefits, extending philosophically to the affinity and sense of connection that an individual or their family feels to the community where they live. We first saw this surface with the insurgence of community work centers that catered to many employee needs including creativity, wellness, nutrition, family care, health care and more in the Silicon Valley startups of the 1980s.

Radical at the time, engaged leaders recognize a business’ purpose and team building should be strengthened by far more collective and individual service to the community than a day on a ropes course.

Taking It To the Street One of many organizations to take this value to heart is Christian Care Ministries (CCM), which employees 350 in

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with Habitat for Humanity, the possibilities are endless and the rewards, well, eternal.

A sense of unity emerges when this sort of work is encouraged and supported. You may even begin to notice a more motivated workforce that looks at their community, and fellow employees, with more compassion and more understanding.

If you are a business owner, engaging in this sort of program for your company will lead to surprising benefits for you and your employees, especially if you encourage giving from the heart as much as giving from the pocket.

Melbourne and 700 nationwide, administering their Medi-Share program to over 400,000 members. Each year, they host a “Day of Sharing.”

Their event this year occurred on October 3 and “is one of the most rewarding activities for our employees. Though this year we are taking extra precautions, like social distancing, face masks and most of our work will be outdoors, we will deploy 300 volunteers to serve 15 non-profit organizations in Melbourne,” said Dr. Stephany Eley who is CCM’s Civic Outreach Liaison.

On this day, volunteers were deployed to assist organizations addressing myriad health, environmental and

UP LOOK

“

Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion—packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing—will fall into your lap. The portion you give will ‑Luke 6:38 determine the portion you receive in return

socio-economic issues, including coastal waters, human trafficking and more. In addition to the collective sense of purpose CCM’s employees and their families experience on the “Day of Sharing,” personnel receive up to three paid days a year to serve places of worship, ministries and community organizations throughout the year.

Doing Good Things Many organizations have been encouraging and facilitating this type of community engagement for decades.

Whether it is serving on a nonprofit board, teaching a class for Junior Achievement, mentoring a student, packing backpacks for the Children’s Hunger Project or building a home 56

”

This idea of giving back or giving before you get back, is not a new trend; it is an ancient principle awaiting discovery by every generation. This is key to a fulfilling life, which also will enrich the lives of others.

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ERO

-30, 2020 6 2 .

Oct

DH COVI

To All Our Hometown Heroes & Our Generous Sponsors

From our Family to Yours

Happy Holidays

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