BUSINESS OBSERVER

+ Carter Psychology opens Ranch location
Carter Psychology Center has opened a new office in Lakewood Ranch.

The new location, at 9015 Town Center Parkway, Suite 103, Lakewood Ranch, offers individualized psychotherapy, marriage counseling and executive coaching. It also offers memory-care services in a private setting.

Dr. Michael Spellman, lead psychologist at the new office, attributed the decision to open a Lakewood Ranch location to feedback from clients.

“Our clients and friends made it clear that Lakewood Ranch residents need and want access to high quality psychological services in a comfortable setting close to home,” he said. “We are fortunate to have heard their opinions and fortunate for having the range of expertise and experience that will allow us to meet the needs in the community.”

For information or to make an appointment, call 753-0064 or visit carterpsych.com.

+ Community Haven gets chairman, accreditation
Jeffrey Woodin has been elected chairman of the board of directors at Community Haven for Adults and Children.

“I am honored to be part of this wonderful organization and will do what I can to bring awareness into the community so that we can continue to help the disabled achieve their goals,” Woodin said.

Immediate past chairman, Christopher Whaley, has completed a three-year term, but will remain on the board.

The new 2012/2013 board includes: Ted Bogusz, Raymond Reher, Sharon Chiodi, Julie Audet, Patricia Crauwels, Richard Findlay, Ryan Frailing, Matt Hightower, Michale Scicluna, Joni Leetzow Rametta, Eric Hoonhout and Jo Rita Stevens.

Additionally, CHAC recently received a three-year accreditation for three of its adult programs from CARF. The three programs earning CARF approval were residential programs (community living and supported living), employment services (job development, job site training and job supports) and the adult day training program.

+ MGA Insurance adds new manager
MGA Insurance recently welcomed Bret Duval into its fold, as the company’s property and casualty agency manager.

Duval comes to the East County from Rhode Island. He has more than 28 years in the property- and casualty-insurance industry and his background includes experience in underwriting, producing, marketing, operations and agency management.

+ Grapevine continues growth
Full-service advertising, marketing and public relations agency, Grapevine Communications is continuing to grow, signing 11 new clients in the first half of 2012. The agency was recently recognized by the East County Observer’s sister paper, the Gulf Coast Business Review, which named Grapevine as one of the region’s 500 largest companies.

“As we celebrate our 10th anniversary this year, we are continuing to grow and diversify, both in the types of clients we serve and the services we offer,” said Grapevine founder and President Angela Massaro-Fain. “We’re proud to be the only Sarasota-Manatee advertising agency to be named one of the largest 500 companies in the region by the Gulf Coast Business Review for five years in a row.”

+ Ranch business strikes deal
A Lakewood Ranch-based medical-and-industrial equipment manufacturer is making big gains in the hospital software industry.

Roper Industries is purchasing Arizona-based Sunquest Information Systems for $1.42 billion. Sunquest, a hospital software company, provides diagnostic and laboratory software to more than 1,700 hospitals around the world.

“Sunquest meets all of Roper’s key acquisition criteria and is an ideal fit with both our medical and software platforms,” said Brian Jellison, Roper’s chairman, president and CEO. “The business is the market leader in software solutions for the critically important health-care provider laboratory market. We expect Sunquest to benefit in all economic environments from very favorable market forces — an aging population, expansion of anatomic pathology and the need for reduced health-care costs and improved quality of care.

Sunquest’s software and application engineering capabilities deliver an outstanding return on investment for their customers.

The deal is the largest one the company has ever made, officials said.

Manatee Glens administrator earns accolades
The Florida Council for Community Mental Health recently named Heidi Blair, Manatee Glens’ vice president of administrative services, the 2012/13 Administrator/Supervisor of the Year.

Her duties include information technology, as well as quality, risk management, records and facilities.
Blair began her career with Manatee Glens 24 years ago as a unit clerk in the Manatee Glens hospital.
Two other Manatee Glens employees were nominated for awards: Deborah McKeever in the Direct Service Provider category and Nathaniel Hall in the Peer Specialist Division.

Eye Clinic names director of communication
The Manatee Sarasota Eye Clinic announced Aug. 8 that Tiffany Briggs has been promoted to director of communications.

Briggs, a graduate of the University of South Florida, has been with the company for almost two years, working as communications coordinator.

“We are excited to have Tiffany step into this key position at our practice, and are looking forward to proceeding with her marketing initiatives,” said Ben Davis, CEO and practice administrator with Manatee Sarasota Eye Clinic.

Briggs now handles the marketing and communications for all seven of Eye Clinic’s offices, including its Lakewood Ranch location.