BUSINESS OBSERVER

+ SmartHouse Integration recognized for its innovation
The Consumer Electronics Association awarded SmartHouse Integration the Platinum Mark of Excellence for Innovation at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

SmartHouse Integration is a one-stop home-electronic integration company that enables home electronics to communicate to conserve energy. The company also gives homeowners the ability to control home appliances through their tablets or phones.

“If you are not home and there is a leak in your house, it notifies you,” said SmartHouse President Mark van den Broek. The technology also regulates the HVAC in customers’ homes based on time of year and the amount of people in the house.

Van den Broek started the company in 1996, in Ohio, after working for a Fortune 500 company. In 2006, he moved to Sarasota, with his wife and children.

+ Blalock Walters makes Fortune magazine list
Blalock Walters, attorneys at law, made Fortune magazine’s list of 2013 Top Ranked Law Firms in the U.S. The list is compromised of firms in which at least one of three lawyers has achieved LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards.

“We are honored to be recognized by such a recognized publication,” said Jonathan Fleece, principal at Blalock Walters. “All of our attorneys commit themselves to making a difference for our clients and community. Certainly our AV-rated members are shining examples of this.” 

+ SouthTech expands its technology team
SouthTech, an IT services firm, has hired James Babiak as a systems engineer.

“Everyone here is a highly skilled professional, dedicated to providing exemplary customer service, not to mention extremely friendly and welcoming,” said Babiak.

Babiak has a strong foundation in computer networking and more than 13 years of experience. He is originally from the New York/New Jersey area but has been living in the Sarasota/Bradenton area with his wife and daughter for seven years.

“I heard many great things about SouthTech before I came on board and am excited to be part of an outstanding team here,” said Babiak.

SouthTech provides clients with planning, guidance and technological support to help them meet business goals.

+ PR association accepting Golden Image applications
The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association is accepting submissions for its Golden Image Awards competition, which recognizes the best practices and programs in the public-relations sphere.

The Florida Public Relations Association, founded in 1938, is the oldest public-relations organization in the U.S. There are four categories in the competition: public-relations programs, printed tools of public relations, audio/visual/online tools of public relations and student projects in public relations. For information, visit cwcfpra.com. Entries are due by 5 p.m. March 15.

+ Premier Sotheby’s names top sales team for 2012
Judy Green, CEO of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, announced Feb. 7 that The Schemmel Property Group was named the firm’s top-producing sales team in Sarasota and Manatee counties in 2012.

The group, made up of Joel Schemmel, Sharon Chiodi and Tracy Eisnaugle, earned total closed sales of $26.3 million.

They consistently rank among the top agents in Sarasota County, also achieving the top-producing team award for 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The group’s success contributed to a strong year for Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. The company had sales of more than $2.3 billion through the end of 2012, a 35% increase compared to last year. 

“Joel Schemmel and his team personify the Premier Sotheby’s International Realty commitment to exceptional market knowledge, service and excellence in every transaction,” Green said.

Schemmel has a background as an attorney and CPA. He worked at Arthur Andersen, Andersen Legal and the Ernst & Young Law Alliance, both in the U.S. and Europe.

Schemmel, who obtained his law degree from Chicago Kent College of Law and his accounting degree from the University of Iowa, is a registered attorney in Florida and Illinois and a certificated CPA in Illinois.

A resident of Sarasota since 1997, Chiodi graduated from Chestnut Hill College with a degree in economics.
Prior to her real-estate career, she worked in sales, financial-administration management and customer service for Andersen Consulting and ADT Security Services.

She currently serves on the executive board of directors for Community Haven.

Eisnaugle, a longtime Sarasota resident, earned her degree in interior design from Florida State University and spent years as a designer in Sarasota working in high-end residential design, model merchandising and managing a design center for Lee Wetherington Homes.

She is involved in Junior League of Sarasota, Young Professionals Group, Habitat for Humanity, The New College Library Fund, Children First and more.

+ Kerkering, Barberio gives employee promotions
Kerkering, Barberio & Co., Certified Public Accountants, KB Pension Services, Inc. and Kerkering Barberio Financial Services Inc. have promoted employees.

Ashley Salter is moving from a senior accountant to supervisor. Staff accountants Heather Coonradt and Dennis Roberts are now in-charge accountants. Alelaide Aurelius is moving from pension administrator I to pension administrator II, and Helen Raymond has been promoted to operations specialist.

The company has been serving clients since 1972 and is one of the largest independent certified accounting firms in Southwest Florida.