MarineMax acquires Wisconsin-based yacht manufacturer

MarineMax (NYSE: HZO), a boat and yacht retailer based in Clearwater, acquired KCS International, also known as Cruisers Yachts, headquartered in Oconto, Wisconsin. Cruisers Yachts produces models from 33’ to 60’ feet. The company recently announced the expansion of its production capacity by purchasing a 216,000 square foot, purpose-built boat manufacturing plant in Pulaski, Wisconsin, … Read more

A powerful and misunderstood key to leadership success

By Mary Key, Ph.D. What is influence? The movies often portray influence as making a dramatic speech at the climax of the story (complete with music swelling in the background) or making a killer presentation that convinces everyone in the room they’ve underestimated you. It’s more complex than that. Influencing is a critical competency of … Read more

Grab your clubs: It will be a weekend for golf enthusiasts in the Tampa Bay area

After a year of canceled events, golf tournaments are back in full swing with The PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship kicking off this week and St. Pete Fools Charity Club holding its first annual golf tournament on Sunday, May 2. Both tournaments will raise money for philanthropic causes. In 2019, the Valspar Championship, held at the … Read more

Celebrating World Art Day in Ybor City with Goats for a Cause

Tampa’s Mayor Jane Castor and Maestro Mark Sforzini, of the St. Pete Opera, were in Ybor City to celebrate World Art Day and a solo exhibition by French artist Geff Strik. The event was for a good cause as guests supported Project GOAT – The Global Offensive Against Trafficking. The internationally acclaimed  artist Geff Strik, … Read more

Greece opens to American tourists; France likely next

With newly vaccinated, jet-setting Tampa Bay area residents anxiously waiting to see when the world—especially Europe—would reopen for travel, it’s welcome news that Greece has removed its COVID-19 travel restrictions. Consider this a “pre-opening” as the official reopening date is May 14, but travelers from the European Union, the United States, Britain, Serbia, Israel and … Read more

Rita Lowman honored with Dottie Berger MacKinnon award from Tampa Bay Chamber

Rita Lowman, president of Pilot Bank, received the 2021 Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence Award by the Tampa Bay Chamber. The Woman of Influence Award recognizes a woman whose leadership has made a positive impact in Hillsborough County. It pays tribute to an individual who exemplifies outstanding professional values; demonstrates the ability to go … Read more

How telemedicine is changing health care for practitioners and patients

By Kathy Hargreaves, CPA/CFP/CPC & Dawn Morgan, CPA COVID has been a disrupter for change everywhere and it has permanently altered our expectations about the way physicians, and other providers, approach the delivery of health care. When the virus was recognized as a critical threat, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a mandate which closed, or … Read more

Four crucial considerations before hiring a CMO

By Christy Vogel Congrats! Your business survived the pandemic. Things are going well at your company. Revenue is steady, a niche has been established and you’re ready to take things to the next level. You want to further distinguish your brand from your competitors and grow market share, so you and your leadership team decide … Read more

In his final days as director of Florida Division of Emergency Management, Jared Moskowitz speaks up

A young man in a perpetual hurry, Jared Moskowitz has been in public life for 15 years and he’s only 40. After earning his BA in political science at George Washington and his law degree from Nova Southeastern, he interned for Vice President Al Gore and served as an elector for President Barack Obama in … Read more