Business Briefs

+ Premier Sotheby’s hires new broker associate
The new broker associate at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in Lakewood Ranch also likes to fight fires.

The real-estate company announced March 25 that Douglas Grosso, a volunteer fireman with a master’s degree in business administration, has joined the firm.

Grosso began his real-estate career in Fort Lauderdale, working in commercial and general real-estate sales.

Grosso has also worked as a mortgage banker/loan originator and a commercial production manager, where his responsibilities included recruitment of loan officers and coordination of sales and marketing programs. 

“We are delighted to have Douglas join our team,” said Jodi Emrick, managing broker of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s Lakewood Ranch office. “His well-rounded real-estate background, as well as his experience in banking and customer service, is an asset to our office.”

Before joining Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, Grosso worked as a business banking relationship manager and managed a portfolio of 120 clients with relationships in excess of $20 million.

He also has experience as a project manager for a land-development company and as a commercial real-estate broker for an international real-estate firm.

An enthusiastic outdoorsman, he enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, sailing and diving. 

He is a current member and prior vice president of the Sarasota Sportsmens Association and helps educate local youth about outdoors sportsmanship and safe practices.

+ Business broker sees opportunity in Manatee
Truforte Business Group, a Fort Myers-based business broker, is opening an office in the East County.

The new office will open the week of April 1. An increase in buyers who seek to own and operate businesses in Manatee and Sarasota counties prompted the expansion.

“We are excited about the opportunities in Sarasota and Manatee counties,” says Jamie Aymerich, a local business sales consultant for Truforte, in the statement. “Our clients are always looking for new opportunities, and 2013 seems to have brought about an increase in activity from buyers on a national, as well as international, level.”

A former associate publisher of Sarasota magazine, Aymerich joined Truforte last year. She “has been instrumental in the orchestration of opportunities ranging in size from $30,000 up to $3.5 million,” according to the release.

Founded in 1994, Truforte now has 10 consultants who broker sales and purchases of businesses. Its new Lakewood Ranch office will be in the ComCenter on Town Center Parkway.
— Mark Gordon

+ Ryland Homes adds new model to Arbor Reserve
A new model with a “cool” name is coming to Arbor Reserve, an East County community on Lockwood Ridge Road.

Ryland Homes has completed a new model home — a four bedroom, two-and-a-half bath design called Frost II.

Mike Finley, vice president of sales and marketing for the Tampa Division of Ryland Homes, made the announcement in a March 26 press release.

Arbor Reserve features 59 home sites with homes ranging from 1,853 square feet to 2,736 square feet.
Frost II comes in at 2,600 square feet.

Arbor Reserve also features a community swimming pool, cabana and private park.

Homes are priced from the low $200,000s.