Florida Blue parent company acquires New Directions

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Close-up of two business professionals in suits shaking hands during a meeting.

GuideWell Mutual Holding Corp., the parent company of Florida Blue, acquired New Directions Behavioral Health, a managed behavioral health organization headquartered in Kansas City. GuideWell is currently a minority shareholder of New Directions. Through this transaction, GuideWell will acquire all interests from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City and Blue Cross Blue Shield of … Read more

Breweries partnering with National Pediatric Cancer Foundation to serve craft beer with a cause

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Breweries, in more than 30 states, across the United States have partnered for the second year of Brewing Funds the Cure, an initiative created to help raise funds for the Tampa-based National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. In October, craft brewers worked to create the signature craft beer Rising Hope, an IPA that will be sold on … Read more

Sarasota luxury real estate firm adds seasoned chief marketing officer

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Michael Saunders & Co., a leading Sarasota brokerage, named Randall Graham as its new chief marketing officer. Graham brings more than 25 years’ experience to the firm in traditional, and digital, media. He previously was vice president of marketing for The Ebby Halliday Companies in Dallas. Ebby Halliday is one of the country’s largest brokers … Read more

HCI Group subsidiary launches first phase of national expansion

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TypTap Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Tampa-based HCI Group (NYSE: HCI), is preparing to launch the first phase of a planned nationwide homeowner’s insurance expansion, which was announced in August. The first phase includes applying to state insurance regulators in 20 states outside of Florida, including Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, … Read more

Vick Tipnes writes his debut book, ‘Did You Sell Your Soul?’

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Front and back cover of Did You Sell Your Soul? It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Story by Vick Tipnes.

If you follow Vick Tipnes, CEO of Blackstone Medical Services, on social media, it’s evident he goes to great lengths to share his personal story and obstacles to help enlighten and inspire.

His first book, Did You Sell Your Soul? It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Story, which premiered in August, focuses on how to overcome obstacles, remain focused and achieve your life goals. All lessons he learned the hard way, as told in his April 2020 cover story with TBBW.

Tipnes shared Chapter One from the book with TBBW.

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Clearwater Marine Aquarium unveils new guest spaces, food court and more (PHOTOS)

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Clearwater Marine Aquarium showed off more completed parts of its $80 million expansion Friday, including a food court, retail area and above water viewing deck. This addition is part of the $80 million expansion which began with the unveiling of the new 1.5 million gallon dolphin habitat in July. “We’re proud to be a community … Read more

Community Foundation opens Pinellas office, launches new mental health initiative

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The Community Foundation opened a new Pinellas County office in St. Petersburg at 110 Central Avenue. The Foundation has a principal office in Tampa and maintains staffing, or offices, in several areas within the five counties it serves. The Foundation also launched a new initiative Mental Health First Aid. The initiative teaches people in key … Read more

MarineMax acquires Illinois-based boat retail company, adds 20 locations

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MarineMax, based in Clearwater, has acquired SkipperBud’s, based in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois and its affiliate, Silver Seas, adding 20 locations to the MarineMax footprint in the United States. With the acquisition, MarineMax adds locations in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, California, Washington and Florida. It also expands MarineMax’s real estate holdings with the addition of 11 … Read more

Leadership Tampa Bay names 2020-2021 Board of Directors

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magazine publisher in tampa

Leadership Tampa Bay has named their 2020-2021 board members. The organization named board members during their annual meeting at the Centre Club. Click through the gallery to see who will be leading the organization in the next year.[image_slider_no_space on_click=”prettyphoto” height=”300″ images=”9304,9339,9306,9338,9308,9309,9310,9334,9337,9313,9314,9315,9316,9317,9340,9319,9347,9321,9322,9323,9324,9341,9326,9342,9328,9329,9330,9343″]