Local Buzz

ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS), added four new executives in the West Central Florida Region. ServisFirst Bank Tampa added Kaela Lerner as senior vice president, treasury management sales, and Tiffany Rodriguez as vice president, commercial banking officer. George Nicolopoulos joins ServisFirst Bank Sarasota as vice president, commercial banking. Philip de Freitas joins

The CI Group, a seller of interior and industrial products, has made two promotions in its leadership team, in Tampa. Gilbert Broco (pictured above) has been named president and Lauren Menendez has been named vice president – Tampa market. In his new role, Broco will manage the company’s day-to-day operations across all seven locations and

Michelle A. Turman, vice president of Shumaker Advisors, in Tampa, has been named to three positions at the University of South Florida. Turman was appointed to the USF Foundation Board of Directors Finance and Fundraising Committee, to the Search Advisory Committee for the new Dean of the USF College of Arts and Sciences and was

Bochner, an international law firm, based in New York City, and Stanton IP Law Firm, a Tampa Bay area patent and intellectual property law firm, have merged. Founded by area tech entrepreneur, and lawyer, Thomas Stanton, Stanton IP focuses on protecting, enforcing and monetizing intellectual property rights for their clients by obtaining patents both in

Power Design, a national multi-trade contractor and one of the largest private employers in St. Petersburg, has surpassed $1 billion in revenue, for the first time in the company’s history. “This achievement didn’t happen overnight. It has been accomplished through many years of unwavering discipline, teamwork and innovation. Our team members, and our partners, are

Tampa’s CoreX Legal has joined with Bochner, an international law firm based in New York City. Bochner serves startups to Fortune 500 companies, both nationally and globally. This move expands Bochner’s reach into Florida for the first time. CoreX Legal offers legal services to entrepreneurs, startups and technology companies of all sizes, focusing on the

Thomas Financial and Johnson, Kendall & Johnson have entered into partnership to bring personal and commercial property and casualty services to the Tampa Bay area under the umbrella of Thomas Financial’s existing life, health and wealth portfolio of services. JKJ, based in Newtown, Pennsylvania, specializes in creating insurance programs for businesses, while also working with

2BHospitality plans to open a new location of BellaBrava, in Land O’ Lakes, in December. The company’s third BellaBrava restaurant, BellaBrava Bexley, will be nearly 8,200 square feet, at 16722 Focus Loop. The other two BellaBrava locations are currently located in St. Petersburg and Tampa. Stillwaters Tavern, another concept from 2BHospitality, is also expected to

Preserve Vision Florida will honor Richard Gonzmart and Andrea Gonzmart Williams as its 2024 Persons of Vision, in recognition of their leadership in Tampa Bay. The 45th Annual Person of Vision Award Gala will be held on February 5, at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre, in Tampa. Richard Gonzmart and his daughter, Andrea Gonzmart Williams, are the

Edward Valaitis, founder and managing partner of Edison Avenue, in Tampa, launched his book, Exit Like a Winner, in May of 2022. The book is now available as an audiobook, narrated by Valaitis and three professional voice actors. This book is designed to help business owners determine both when to sell, and how to sell,

Franklin Street has named Garet Marr as regional managing director of the firm’s headquarters, in Tampa. Marr will join Patrick Kelly, regional managing director, in overseeing and growing the firm’s business lines in the Tampa market including insurance, investment sales, capital advisory, leasing, project management and property management. “Over the years, Garet’s dedication and expertise

University Area Community Development Corp. has named LaTiecea Hailey-Brown, former principal of Mort Elementary Community School, as chief operating officer. “LaTiecea truly has a proven track record of success and a passion for our community. We are thrilled to know she will make a positive impact in the University Area overall, as COO at University