Avalon Park is more than an 1,860-acre neighborhood nestled in southeast Orange County. The community also plays host as an emerging district for dozens of women who mean business. Whether they own their own business or manage a facility for a larger company, the business-minded, strong-willed women of Avalon are making a name for themselves all while balancing a family and a career. In this special section of Insight we highlight many, although certainly not all, of “The Women of Avalon Business.” The listings below are in alphabetical order by last name and are not intended to indicate any type of numerical ranking.

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Tiffany Johnson-Bailey

Every day is someone’s special day. That’s the mantra that Tiffany Johnson-Bayley continually repeats at her Avalon Park Jewelers storefront. An entrepreneur since high school, her newest business offers fine jewelry for any celebration and any budget, as well as on-site jewelry and watch repair. “I know what people want.  Jewelry at a fair price, repairs in a timely manner and both delivered with a smile,” she says. “That’s our goal and our customers appreciate it.”

In fact, going above and beyond for customers is a daily occurrence for Johnson-Bayley. “Recently I had a customer stop by with her bridal party to get her ring cleaned and one of the diamonds came out in the cleaner,” she recalls. “I called my jeweler in on his day off, had him replace the diamond and then I drove the ring to her at her rehearsal dinner across town. She was ecstatic.”

Bayley says going that extra mile has always given her great joy. “I love what I do; and I truly feel like my customers are my friends,” she says. “And you never want to disappoint your friends.”

Name: Tiffany Johnson-Bayley

Position: Owner

Company: Avalon Park Jewelers, Orlando Gold Buyers

Yrs of Experience: 30

Phone: 321-235-5553

E-mail: TiffanyBayley@Aol.com

Web site: AvalonParkJewelers.com

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Dr. Beth Burns

When a young Beth Burns, M.D., was growing up in Chicago she knew from a young age that she wanted two things in life: to help people live a healthier life and to raise a family of her own. Fast forward to today and you’ll find Dr. Burns is a board certified physician specializing in internal medicine at Avalon Park Internal Medicine and a happily married mother of 11-year-old triplets.

A resident of East Orlando the past eight years, Dr. Burns says she loves the area and that it reminds her of where she grew up, although with a little less snow. Her practice focuses on personal healthcare for adults with multiple medical issues. “We make sure to spend the time necessary to help internal medicine patients with their complex health issues,” she says. “We also strive to get answers for patients and be as thorough and complete as possible.”

Dr. Burns chose the Avalon Park area to open her business for two reasons. “The local community and familiar faces can’t be beat,” she says.

Name:  Beth Burns

Position: Physician

Company:  Avalon Park Internal Medicine (part of Florida Physicians Medical Group)

Yrs of Experience: 16 years

Phone: 407-306-0982

Web site: www.AvalonParkInternalMedicine.com

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Jennifer Campos

Jennifer Campos, owner of Avalon All Star Cuts, knows what it takes to make and keep her customers satisfied. Specializing in haircuts for men and boys, she is fully aware that they can get their haircut anywhere, which is why she puts such an emphasis on customer service and giving back to the local community. “In addition to having a fun, relaxed environment with great stylists that listen to what you want, we provide everyone that walks through the door with the VIP treatment,” she says. “Customers comment all the time about how wonderfully they were treated and how refreshing that feeling is.”

But Campos and her team are dedicated to more than just customer service. They also pledge their commitment to positively impact the surrounding community daily, going as far as to create a program to provide haircuts to those in need and even a scholarship that focuses on youth and childhood development.

“For me, being able to give back and make a difference for others has always been far more important than the bottom line,” says Campos.

Name: Jennifer Campos

Position: Owner

Company: Avalon All Star Cuts

Yrs of Experience: 15 years in Sales/Marketing. 3 years as a business owner.

Phone: 407.281.0545

E-mail: AvalonAllStarCuts@Yahoo.com

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Dalia Cantor

Would you ever say that your tax preparation is a joyful experience? You just might if you were a client of Dalia Cantor and Avalon Park Accounting. “I’ve had clients say it before, and we take great pride in that,” says the business owner and single-mother of a teenager. If providing a full suite of services ranging from QuickBooks training to CFO consulting wasn’t enough, the firm can offer all their services in seven languages.

A tri-athlete and adamant volunteer with the Avalon Park Kiwanis Club, Cantor says being a woman and a business owner has never hindered her. In fact, sometimes it helps. “Being a woman can be an advantage as some clients respond better to women, especially when they are in financial distress,” she says.

“We are small enough to be able to care about each of our clients and yet diversified enough to be their outsourced accounting firm that can help them maintain order, save money and give them more free time,” she says. “The bottom line is that if it’s important to our clients, it’s important to us and you can take that to the bank!”

Name: Dalia Cantor

Position: Owner and Founder

Company: Avalon Park Accounting

Yrs of Experience: 14

Phone: 407-275-3202

E-mail: DCantor@AvalonParkAccounting.com

Web site: www.AvalonParkAccounting.com

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Patti Dorrell

Patti Dorrell, program director of NeuroRestorative Avalon Park, knows without a doubt she is making a difference in the lives of her clients every day. The NeuroRestorative facility in the Keith A. Ewing Medical Building is the only one of its kind in Florida. There, the expert team working alongside Dorrell offers post-acute rehabilitation services for adults with brain and spinal cord injuries as well as other neurological challenges.

“We chose to open in Avalon Park to provide our participants easy access to participate in a community setting,” she says. “As a company we believe all individuals belong in a community and we’re able to easily do that here.”

Offering a continuum of care and rehabilitation options, including active duty service members and veterans, Dorrell loves the autonomy she has in her current role all the while being able to help people during a vulnerable time in their life.

“I think the nicest compliment I ever received was someone telling me they were thrilled to discover they could achieve enough independence to live alone again,” she says.

Name: Patti Dorrell

Position: Program Director

Company: NeuroRestorative Avalon Park

Yrs of Experience: 25 plus

Phone: 321.354.0023 x 2021

E-mail: Patricia.Dorrell@TheMentorNetwork.com

Web site: www.NeuroRestorative.com

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Jennifer Englert - Paula Leite - Kate Martin

Three heads are better than one. That’s the approach that Jennifer Englert, Paula Leite and Kate Martin have taken with their full service law firm, representing clients in almost every legal scenario one may face.

Friends, mothers and partners, the three have successfully created a “community” law office, combining the surplus of services offered by larger firms with the personal touch found in smaller practices. “We all have different specialties so we work together with one client to make sure all their needs are met in one spot,” says Englert. “They are not a number to us because we really take their needs very personally. They’re friends and neighbors.”

The three joined after spending time at larger firms. “We opened our own practice so we could spend time with clients the way we want, plus have the ability to do pro bono work,” says Leite.

“We go out of our way to help clients by meeting them in their homes, jobs and even the hospital,” says Martin. “We’ll do whatever it takes to help honestly, because that’s how we’d want to be treated.”

Name: Jennifer Englert/Paula Leite/Kate Martin

Position: Partners

Company: Englert, Leite & Martin, PL

Yrs of Experience: 12

Phone: 407-512-4394

E-mail: Contact@ELMattorneys.com

Web site: www.ELMattorneys.com

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Veronica Figueroa

People like Veronica Figueroa are just plain driven. On top of being a wife and mother of five (four of which are teenagers), she is also owner of two Avalon area businesses - Avalon Town Center Realty and Avalon Sweet Spot, formerly known as Pop Pop’s Ice Cream.

“No matter what the business is, my company philosophy is to always make the customer feel special,” she says. In fact, she contributes her success to customer service and creating lasting relationships. “Real estate is my passion and I project that passion to my clients and they appreciate that. The same with the ice cream shop, people want to feel positive energy and see smiling faces, and it always helps when we can remember your favorite ice cream, too!”

Her goal is to own the number one real estate office in Avalon and have one of the community’s favorite hangouts with Sweet Spot. “My family loves Avalon Park and we’re just doing our part to make the community that much better,” she says.

Name: Veronica Figueroa

Position/Company: Broker/Owner, Avalon Town Center Realty and Owner, Avalon Sweet Spot

Years of Experience: 10 years in real estate

Phone: 407-207-1053 (Avalon Town Center Realty), 407-207-1939 (Avalon Sweet Spot)

E-mail: Veronica@ATCrealty.com

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Shelly Gref

What do you get when you combine high quality food, low prices and a friendly, community-first atmosphere? Eastside Bistro, of course. When Shelly and her husband, Paul, decided to open their own restaurant, they knew they wanted it to be in their Avalon Park community. “We decided to go back to what we love: people, food and wine,” says Gref. “We wanted it here because it’s where we’re raising our two sons, where we go to church and where we support non-profits. It’s home.”

Since opening several years ago, the restaurant has continued to grow, thanks in large part to the owner’s attitude. “We try our best for every customer and I think they appreciate that,” says Gref.

The busy mother says the best part of being a successful small business owner is her schedule, “I never miss anything that my children are involved in because I just take the day off whenever they have ball games, school events or sleepovers.”

Asked what keeps her motivated, Gref says it’s easy: “Every morning I see those two boys run down the stairs I am motivated all over again.”

Name: Shelly Gref

Position: Owner

Company: Eastside Bistro

Yrs of Experience: 15+ years

Phone: 407-381-0096

E-mail: EastsideBistroAvalon@Yahoo.com

Web site: www.EastsideBistroAtAvalon.com

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Liz Jones

Liz Jones has always wanted to own her own business. When she finally decided it was time make her dream come true - in her spare time between raising two daughters and singing for the band Crash Reality - she knew exactly what she wanted to do. “I have had a love for photography since I was in elementary school so that’s why, with the support of my amazing husband, friends and family, I formed Your Story Photography,” she says.

Offering clients a fun, unique interaction coupled with affordable prices and packages has made the business a success. “I want people to have lasting memories and I will do whatever it takes to make that happen,” she says. “My favorite compliment is when clients tell me they cried watching their DVD photo slideshow. That’s when I know I did my job.”

Jones says one of her favorite aspects of owning her own business, aside from working for herself, is connecting with the people of Avalon. “In order to run any business you have to realize it’s all about the people, and the people here are amazing,” she says.

Name: Liz Jones

Position: Owner

Company: Your Story Photography

Yrs of Experience: A Lifetime!

Phone: 407-616-2202

E-mail: Liz@YourStoryPhotographyFL.com

Web site: www.YourStoryPhotographyFL.com

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Sheila Lafont

As a mother of two and Vice President, Branch Manager of the FAIRWINDS Credit Union Avalon Park branch, Sheila Lafont promises that she will be there every step of the way for her members, whether there’s an issue or not. “I am not a typical 9am-5pm banker because I’ll work nights and weekends - whatever it takes really; and people tell me all the time how happy they are with the level of personalization and service they receive at Fairwinds,” she says.

Whether it’s picking up the phone at any time of day or just researching a member’s question to come up with the best answer, Lafont is as detail-oriented as they come in the world of banking. And, according to her, working for a credit union makes it that much better. “We are owned by our members and as a financial cooperative, they receive the benefits of owning the organization in the form of better rates, lower costs and enhanced products and services,” she says.

“Most importantly though, our members know we care. We care about them, their money and their time.”

Name: Sheila Lafont

Position: VP, Branch Manager

Company: Fairwinds Credit Union

Yrs of Experience: 19

Phone: 407.515.3054

E-mail: SLafont@Fairwinds.org

Web site: www.Fairwinds.org

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T’Kea Le Grande

Going the extra mile is a daily occurrence for T’Kea Le Grande and her studio, Avalon Dance. In fact, she says that she hopes her clients and students expect it of her and her staff. A family-centered dance studio teaching both traditional and nontraditional dance classes to students aged two to adult, Avalon Dance offers something for any dance enthusiast. “We develop all of our dancers by teaching them dance as a discipline, but also how to translate that discipline into their lives,” says Le Grande.

For her, the best part about owning her own business is coming to work every day doing something she loves. “In addition to my 3-year-old daughter, I find something new each day that motivates and inspires me to be better than I was the day before,” she says. “Every time I enter the studio and see the faces of the young lives I have the potential to affect, I push myself to dig deeper and do more. Every student at Avalon Dance deserves that.”

Name: T’Kea Le Grande

Position:  Owner/Artistic Director of Avalon Dance

Company: Avalon Dance: The Performing Arts Company

Yrs of Experience: 26 years of dancing, 11 years of teaching

Phone: 407.380.3444

E-mail: TKea.LeGrande@Yahoo.com

Web site: www.AvalonDance.net

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Michelle Owens

Michelle Owens’ Yoga East Studio opened because she wanted to share her and her husband’s love of yoga with her neighbors in Avalon Park. Prior to opening this summer, the nearest yoga studio was a 45 minute drive and that just didn’t sit right with the married couple of 23 years. Since opening, the Owens family has created a unique retreat from the hectic pace of everyday life where visitors can let go of their worries guilt-free.

“As soon as people walk into Yoga East they relax their shoulders, lower their voices and smile, and that’s before they’ve been to class or gotten their massage,” she says. “We draw a great deal of energy from our minds and bodies, yet rarely take time to recharge them. When people come here we teach them that the time they take for themselves is required nourishment for a healthy mind, body and spirit.”

Owens says knowing her family has supported her since day one makes it that much easier. “Knowing we’re doing this together helps me crawl out of bed for our 6:00 a.m. yoga classes,” she jokes.

Name: Michelle A. Owens

Position: Owner

Company: Yoga East Studio

Yrs of Experience: First time business owner.

Phone: 407.730.3257

E-mail: Michelle@YogaEastOrlando.com

Web site: www.YogaEastOrlando.com

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Teena Patel

Owning a dog is so much more than a bowl of food, a walk here and there and an occasional bath. Educating dog owners and helping them truly understand and bond with their four-legged friends is what University of Doglando and Groom, Grub & Belly Rub is all about for founder and owner, Teena Patel. “Our services are different because we really care,” she says. “It’s our dedication to canine welfare and our understanding, knowledge and expertise in the industry that make us leaders of the pack.”

Being a dog lover her entire life, Patel opened her businesses after extensive research, certification and a tour of 30 different dog daycares throughout the U.S. “I have seen what is out there and I wanted to provide a more natural environment for dogs,” she says.

Although the experience hasn’t been easy every step of the way, Patel wouldn’t trade it. “We work toward education, enrichment, welfare and wellbeing and there’s no better feeling than reaching your goals in business or with each individual client and dog,” she says.

Name: Teena Patel

Position: Founder, Owner

Company: University of Doglando and Groom Grub & Belly Rub

Yrs of Experience: 14 years

Phone:  407.832.3763

E-mail: Info@Doglando.com

Web site: www.Doglando.com, www.GroomGrub.com

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Debby Staab

When you do what you love, it shows. That’s one of the reasons that Debby Staab has been successful in her eight years owning Primrose School at Avalon Park. For her, the decision on where parents should take their children for their early childhood education is an easy one. “We differentiate ourselves from other childcare facilities with the implementation of onsite ownership, strong management, a proven curriculum and high quality educators,” she says.

For her, the best part of owning a business in Avalon is being part of a community that focuses so much on family. “I enjoy seeing the children grow from infants to young children ready for their next level of education,” she says. “I enjoy being a part of their family more than anything.”

Staab wholeheartedly believes children are the most precious treasures their parents have. “My philosophy is grounded in my love for children,” she says. That philosophy has paid off, as most new Primrose students are referred by existing parents and alumni. In fact, the mantra has been so successful that a new Primrose School will open in Lake Nona in 2012 under Staab’s ownership.

Name: Debby Staab

Position: Owner

Company: Primrose School at Avalon Park

Yrs of Experience: 11 Years

Phone: 407.737.1500

E-mail: DStaab@NE.com

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Kristen Swanson-Mace

Kristin Swanson-Mace is something of an anomaly in the field of successful defense lawyers simply because most in the field are part of large firms. As the sole practitioner of her own practice she specializes in the area of workers’ compensation defense for employers, carriers and self-insured.

But, owning her own firm is the way she likes it, not only because she can offer her clients one-on-one counseling services, personally tending to them as she sees fit, but because owning her own practice allows her to make the day-to-day decisions all the while focusing on what’s most important to her: family. “Going out on my own helped me create a balance between family and career,” she says.

Recently selected to Orlando Home & Leisure magazine’s “Top Women Lawyers” in their June 2011 issue, the Providence College and the California Western School of Law graduate says she sets herself apart from the competition by helping clients in any way she can, whenever she can.

“I have a lot of compassion for people who are hurting; and I try to help them resolve their problems as best I can,” she says.

Name: Kristin Swanson-Mace

Position: President

Company: Law Offices of Kristin Swanson-Mace

Years of Experience: 25 years

Phone: 407.380.9995

E-mail: WCatty@msn.com

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Dr. Cecilia Tesinsky

Balancing home, work and family life is nothing new for the husband and wife optometry team of Cecilia and Ken Tesinsky, who just celebrated their two year anniversary of opening Avalon Park Eye Care. In addition to raising their two boys, a two and 4-year-old, the couple aims to provide the best eye care and eyewear products available in the area.

“One of the things we take pride in is that we spend time with our patients to give them the best eye exam possible while making sure their ocular health needs and concerns are addressed,” says Tesinsky. “While offering the most current fashions in eyewear, we also use the most advanced products in contact and eyeglass lenses, so there’s a real blend of fashion and science in our office.”

Since simultaneously moving to Avalon Park and starting their business, the couple’s favorite aspect has been meeting and getting to know their patients and neighbors. “The residents and patrons of Avalon Park are amazing,” she says. “It feels wonderful to be able to not only provide care, but to also be a part of such a great community.”

Name: Cecilia Tesinsky

Position: Optometrist/Owner

Company: Avalon Park Eye Care

Yrs of Experience: 8

Phone: 407.567.9955

E-mail: Info@AvalonParkEyeCare.com

Website: www.AvalonParkEyeCare.com

Blockbuster films like “Avatar” explored the idea of technology and virtual reality being able to make advances in the military, so spectacular, that most would brush them off as science fiction. Today, Orlando is home to the simulation capital of the world and companies are getting closer and closer to bringing this concept to reality with simulation training, shifting the landscape of our local economy in the process.

There are three main forms of simulation training. Live, which puts the forces in training into a full-out live battle situation simulation. They learn to deal with the different sights, sounds and even smells they will encounter once they go overseas. Virtual, which places the trainee in a completely virtual world where they can complete different kinds of training exercises. This lets them practice their shoot or don’t shoot decision-making in a controlled environment. And constructive, which has the staff in an operational center where they play computer war games.

“What that means is, if you were conducting a live exercise with a small unit, you could also use the virtual capability to immerse someone in a virtual world who would also see feedback from the live exercise that’s going on,” says Lt. Gen (Ret) Thomas L. Baptiste, the president and executive director of the National Center for Simulation.

This boundary-pushing technology got its start in 1965 when a small detachment of simulation experts from the Army and the Navy moved to the naval training base that has since become Baldwin Park. The detachment stayed there until 1988, when a fortunate move occurred.

Senator Bill Nelson worked with the chief of naval operations to move the detachment to Research Park, which was still in the beginning stages of its development, with a grant of around 40 acres.

“Over the past 45 years, that little nucleus of Army and Navy simulation experts has grown to include the Marine Corps, the Army has expanded in a big way and the Coast Guard,” says Baptiste. The industry took note of this move, and over a hundred modeling simulation and training industry companies located themselves here.

This group became the foundation for Team Orlando. Team Orlando is a cooperative effort between the US government, academia and the simulation industry. “That has grown from those humble beginnings, to being a $5 billion per year industry,” says Baptiste. Simulation training moves beyond combat. It already has extended its impact to many different areas - one of which is medical care.

Beth H. Pettitt is the medical simulation research branch chief for the Simulation and Training Technology Center. She is researching to develop the medical training for the military further. And the research is paying off. Even the odor of a fresh wound can now be simulated.

“They actually have to asses the physiology of a wounded patient,” she says, “Whereas before they used lifeless manikins, or they used other soldiers that aren’t going to portray the right signs and symptoms of the illness or injury. We’ve given them the tools to make it possible for them to have to learn more about the actual physiology and anatomy of what’s going on.”

The simulation industry gets a chance to show off its new innovations at the upcoming MT3 Conference (Medical Technology, Treatment and Training). “[The next step is] training physicians and training nurses and so on,” says Dr. Randall Shumaker, director of operations of the Institute for Simulation and Technology. “But also to deal with things like disaster management.”

“Where digital media, entertainment and simulation come together to create new and novel ways to educate and train. I think that’s the move of the future,” says Baptiste.

Article by Katelyn Dobkin

This spring, alongside blooming flowers and flourishing trees scurrying to fill in voids left from winter, you may notice several new businesses budding along with the flowers throughout the area. Here are a few to check out this season.

While in the midst of spring-cleaning, have work and play apparel professionally cleaned in a “greener” way by KleanSmart. In early 2009, Francisco Martinez, along with his wife and business partners, began searching for an up-and-coming location to set up a discount dry cleaning store. “We chose East Orlando for its demographic projection as well as its convenient location close to the airport,” explains Martinez, co-owner of KleanSmart.

Adapting to the trend of going green, KleanSmart uses the most advanced technology. “By using the most environmentally friendly solvent, Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning, and maintaining our equipment, we take the upmost care to keep our business green,” says Martinez. “Our business is an example of the dynamism and opportunities provided by the ongoing growth and development of East Orlando.” With state-of-the-art, eco-friendly technology, personalized service and expertly trained personnel, KleanSmart aims to provide the best possible care for your clothes and the environment.

Looking for a new method to enhance your well-being? Unlike conventional medicine, Synergy Wellness Chiropractic emphasizes on improving your health in an effort to reduce the risk of pain and illness through an assortment of treatments. Since opening in mid-February, Dr. Noah Herbert, owner and clinical director of Synergy Wellness Chiropractic, has seen an increase in patients. “I believe this area is growing at a rapid rate,” he says.

Though the current economy may challenge new businesses, Herbert considers it a great time for business owners to take advantage of lower interest rates and possible negotiations on lease terms with a number of office space vacancies. “The benefit of a healthcare profession is that no matter the economic climate, there is still a need for healthcare practitioners,” he adds.

The clinic is also working towards saving some green while going green with the addition of absorbing plants in every room, florescent lighting and the installation of light dimmers, which require less energy to operate.

Recently, as many struggle with the high cost of grocery bills, eating out has become more of a luxury. Avalon Pockets, a family-owned business in Avalon Park, has designed an affordable Mediterranean menu consisting of everything from Greek Gyros to Turkish Kabobs while allowing locals an opportunity to enjoy a good meal in a nice, quaint setting.

“We chose the area specifically for the atmosphere to promote fresh food made right here in the store, as an alternative to fast food,” says Sal Shimy, owner of Avalon Pockets. In the months to come, the eatery would not only like to have an influence on healthier eating habits, but also on greener habits by setting an example for businesses with their use of energy efficient equipment and recycling whatever waste they can daily. Since opening a month ago, feedback from the locals has been the greatest help. “Everybody likes to try new places, and if they like the food, they will come back and recommend it to friends,” says Shimy. “We are working on trying to cut down waiting times without affecting the quality or freshness of the food by staffing better, which in turn will provide additional jobs to our community.”

Now that spring has sprung, be sure to stop by a new local business when you’re out and about to help support the growing community of East Orlando we call home.

Article by Carol Galbicsek

When you think of a great educational system, what probably comes to mind is a fantastic teacher you know, that truly involved administrator at your child’s school, or the dedicated parent who runs the local PTA. But the local pizza joint or car dealership? What do they have to do with education?

What you may not realize is that nearly 2,500 businesses throughout Central Florida partner with Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) to enhance education. The businesses range in size from, yes, your local pizza place and car dealership, to law offices, dentists, hotels, chambers of commerce and right on up to Orlando’s huge theme parks. These Partners in Education, as the program through Orange County Public Schools is called, play a vital role in supporting students, teachers, administrators and parents.

“As the fourth largest school district in Florida,” states Pamela Carson, senior manager for community resources at Orange County Public Schools, which oversees the Partners in Education program, “We appreciate and depend on our community’s active interest in local education.”

For example, each year Omar Rodriguez, general manager of Carl Black of Orlando, located on East Colonial Drive, donates use of a new car to the OCPS Teacher of the Year. This is the fourth year of his generosity, which is valued at approximately $18,000 per year. “At Carl Black, we are deeply committed to the community, and we decided to show that in the best way we could,” says Rodriguez. “These teachers dedicate so much to Orange County children, and honoring them is just the right thing to do.”

Avalon Elementary highlights their partnerships with Avalon Church and Championship Martial Arts.  Principal Pamela Sanders champions all the partnerships her school cultivates, “A true partnership involves more than financial contributions, with the right components in place a school-business partnership is a win-win relationship.”

Avalon Park Group’s (APG) marketing director, Stephanie Hodson, agrees. At first, she says, her company’s partnership was based on financial concerns. APG donated the land for Avalon Elementary and built the school, as well as similar land-use donations to the middle and high school. “In the beginning, it helped with home sales to be creating great schools, now there’s not so much a sense of a financial reason, but it’s still so important to us to be a partner and support the schools.”

APG still goes above and beyond, organizing and partially funding an international trip for 30 Avalon Elementary staff each summer, as well as donating new technologies for the classrooms.

Waterford Elementary’s assistant principal Kathy Long says her partners have given in-kind donations that enable the school to deal with the recent budget cuts, and also helped families who are facing economic hardships this year. She gives specific kudos to Walmart Neighborhood Center on South Alafaya Trail and Chick-fil-A in Waterford Lakes Town Center: “Companies like these have enabled us to reach out and help them with school supplies, backpacks, whatever is needed.”

But it is important to note that Partners in Education are not just about donations of money or products. Allowing employees to volunteer their time at a school is just as valuable. Dave Schmitt, CEO of DSE Engineering, makes his partnership with Castle Creek Elementary a priority at his office. “We encourage our employees to be involved wherever their interests lie, from the Engineering, Planning and Science Days we do in the local schools, to helping out with community food drives, science fair judging and a variety of other community-oriented events.”

But Schmitt doubles his involvement as the President of Avalon Park Kiwanis Club, which sponsors and mentors K-Kids in elementary schools, Builders Clubs in Middle Schools and Key Clubs in high schools.

“Businesses that are Partners in Education realize as many benefits as do the schoolchildren, from an enhanced image in the community to improved employee morale, the investment in Central Florida’s future workforce and the exposure to new, diverse markets,”  explains OCPS’s Carson.  “Our students profit from having more resources for their school work, increased achievement in grades and attendance and from seeing a variety of role models in the business community.”

There are many ways in which any business can become a partner. To explore how your business or organization can create a partnership with an Orange County Public School, contact the school’s Partner in Education Coordinator. In addition, if a business is not sure of which schools need partners, they may contact Sara Au, at the Orange County Public Schools Partners in Education office, at sara.au@ocps.net or 407.317.3323.

Article by Sara Au, OCPS Partners in Education

The University of Central Florida was awarded more than $300,000 in state grants to help move research from the laboratories to the marketplace.

The money comes from the $2 million the 2010 Florida Legislature appropriated for the State University Research Commercialization Assistance Grants Program. A total of 21 projects from 10 state universities were awarded grants. Like UCF, the University of Florida earned four grants. Both universities received the most grants in the state.

The projects awarded funding hold the promise of benefiting Floridians in a variety of ways, from improving devices that help premature babies to developing alternative energy technology. A thriving research community also is key to Florida’s economic health.

UCF’s research focuses on ways to diagnose prostate cancer early, destroy breast cancer, revolutionize communications and improve blood-testing technology used in the medical field.

“We are thankful that the legislature recognizes the caliber of commercialization possibilities here at home and has seen fit to help four UCF technologies develop and hopefully take root in Florida,” said M.J. Soileau, vice president for Research & Commercialization at UCF.

For a complete list of the projects from around the state visit: http://www.flbog.edu/new_florida/_docs/SURCAG-2010-awards.pdf

“This is an exciting day for the dedicated researchers, faculty members and students who work so hard conducting lab work, testing the theories and innovations that will help create jobs and transform our state into a knowledge-based economy for long-term economic growth,” said Ann Duncan of Tampa, the Board of Governors representative on the FTRSB who is also the chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee on the 17-member Florida Board of Governors of the State University System.

“We appreciate the legislative support for commercialization grants, and the Board of Governors is confident that these awards will translate into

extraordinary examples of collaboration across our public university system,” she added.

Overall, 45 proposals were submitted.

Elected officials recognize the importance of research being conducted at Florida’s universities.

“Our ability to take to market promising research from our public universities is critical to Florida’s future economic health and is one of the best investments that we can make on behalf of the citizens of our state,” said Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine.

For full details about the New Florida Initiative of the Florida Board of Governors and State University System, visit http://www.flbog.edu/new_florida/