BUSINESS OBSERVER

+ McFarland and Associates opens in Sarasota
McFarland and Associates Inc., a private investigation firm specializing in detecting, countering and supporting legal action against cybercrime and fraud, has opened at 1800 Second Ave., Suite 880, in Sarasota.

McFarland and Associates forensic experts find and analyze electronic evidence from computers, networks, databases and other digital media, and preserve it for admissibility in civil and criminal court proceedings.

Harold D. McFarland, a Florida licensed private investigator and certified fraud examiner, is the president and chief forensic scientist of the firm and is a nationally recognized expert in computer and information technology forensics.

+ Autumn to develop new local assisted-living campus
Autumn, a developer in the assisted-living industry, has finalized plans to begin construction on a new assisted-living campus at 3251 Proctor Road. The community, named Autumn of Sarasota, is set to break ground in the first quarter of 2013, with an expected cost of more than $65 million.

The new community will create 200 to 250 professional jobs when fully operational, with positions including medical-care providers, nurses, administrators and physical therapy specialists.

“We’re excited about creating a world-class assisted-living community that will offer the elderly the support they need and deserve,” said Jim Soper, CEO of Autumn, in a release. “We’re proud that we’re doing our part to create viable, long-term jobs for Sarasota. This project will generate great opportunities for community businesses.”

+ Sarasota native opens CAM by Stacia Inc.
Stacia Searcy Scofero has opened Community Association Management by Stacia Inc., to provide administrative, financial and maintenance services to homeowner, condominium and mobile-home associations and cooperatives throughout Southwest Florida.

Scofero, a licensed Community Association Manager, Certified Manager of Community Associations and Association Management Specialist, holds expertise in community association governance and recordkeeping, budgeting and accounting, risk management and insurance, maintenance, contracting and human resources management.

A Sarasota native and graduate of Sarasota High School, Scofero has more than 20 years of management and staff experience with Southwest Florida property management and construction companies.

+ Sarasota Airport Holiday Inn wins Torchbearer Award
The Sarasota Airport Holiday Inn, located at 8009 15th St. E., received the chain’s most prestigious honor, the Torchbearer Award.

More than 4,000 hotels competed for the award, and 102 won, according to InterContinental Hotels Group.
In a release, President for the Americas of IHG Kirk Kinsell called the Holiday Inn-Airport “one of the top hotels in our industry.”