20 Questions with Joe Handy

Joe Handy has more than 20 years of experience in leading cultural institutions. He joined CMA, in 2022, from the National Black MBA Association, where he served as president and chief executive officer.  In 2005, Handy joined the Georgia Aquarium’s founding team as director of visitor services and went on to serve as the Aquarium’s … Read more

Mansions on the Market: Waterfront estate on Oceanview Drive (PHOTOS)

List price: $14 million Specs: 9 bedrooms | 12 bathrooms, 2 half-bathrooms | 12,522 square feet Details: This private waterfront estate, on Oceanview Drive, was custom-built by Alvarez Homes and renovated in 2019. The home’s entry foyer opens to the grand living room with west-facing windows and an adjacent dining room that leads to multiple … Read more

One Liners Pinellas: MarineMax, 3 Daughter’s Brewing and more

► 3 Daughters Brewing, in St. Petersburg, released a line of vodka-and-soda-canned cocktails, in three flavors, including grapefruit, pineapple and mango. (Pictured above)  ► Avison Young’s Florida Capital Markets Group completed the $22.5 million sale of the 134,362-square-foot, 13-acre retail property, at 21800 U.S. Highway 19 N, in Clearwater, to an affiliate of the Philadelphia … Read more

EXCLUSIVE: CEO Council of Tampa Bay’s new chair shares her mission to ‘embrace the whole CEO’

Amy Martinez-Monfort is looking to make 2023 an “unforgettable” year for members of the CEO Council of Tampa Bay. As the newest chair for the CEO-centric membership organization, she says with the board she has, she’s confident the year will produce valuable resources and events that members will find tremendous value in. She also credits … Read more

MarineMax acquires Hollywood, Florida-based retail technology platform

MarineMax (NYSE: HZO), a recreational boat and yacht retailer based in Clearwater, has completed the acquisition of Boatzon, an online boat and marine digital retail platform, through its recently formed technology entity, New Wave Innovations. The Boatzon platform allows users to browse for financing, purchase and insure a boat, entirely online, according to a statement. … Read more

CEO Connect: Brad Oleshansky talks about his pursuit of a vision

Brad Oleshansky has had more careers than most. He went to film school, law school and even represented Los Angeles rappers in the 1990s.  He has worked for Disney and Simon Marketing, which ran the Monopoly promotion for McDonald’s during a scandal in 2000.  He built his first “experiential automotive destination” in Pontiac, Michigan, called … Read more

One Liners Sarasota and Manatee: Pulte Homes, University Town Center and more

► Gateway Commons Shopping Center, in Palmetto, has added Pure Barre, Mid-Florida Insurance Group, the Blend Coffee & Cocktails and will soon announce a fast-food restaurant, a wireless provider and a medical group, a statement said. (Pictured above)  ► The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority announced Kent D. Bontrager, vice president, engineering at Sarasota Bradenton International … Read more

Small Business of the Year Spotlight: Yacht Starship Dining Cruises

Yacht Starship Dining Cruises, LLC      Troy Manthey, president and CEO & Jill Manthey, vice president of sales & community relations/owners Year won SBOY: 2016 Number of employees: 225 Year business established: 2001 What does your company do? What makes it unique? Yacht Starship Dining Cruises is the largest operator of dining yachts in Florida, with … Read more