Florida Executive Realty Celebrates The Opening Of Its Newly Expanded Office!

(L.-r.) Neighborhood News’ Gary Nager, with Doug Loyd and Kristy Darragh of Florida Executive Realty

When I first met Kristy Darragh in 1995, she was a relatively new agent with Florida Executive Realty (FER). Since 1992, or two years before I purchased the Neighborhood News with a former partner, FER has been operating out of what was once called the “Tampa Palms Information Center.”

At that time, Kristy bought one 1/8-page ad, sold the one house in the ad and called me to say she was buying a full-page ad with us. She’s been on our back cover of every New Tampa issue ever since.

“I’m also going to tell my boss, Doug Loyd, that he should buy a full-page ad, too,” she said. And, the rest of that story is history. Part of that history is that FER is the real estate office that we named, back in 2000, as our “Advertiser of the Millennium.”

Fast forward about a quarter of a century. FER has grown from just that one office and two people — Doug (who actually opened the office with former partner John Zielenbach) and his now-VP/general manager Michelle Weinhold (affectionately called “Red” by many in the office) — to six offices and 200 agents and staff. In addition to helping buyers and sellers of homes, FER today also offers full-service property management, mortgage and title services and even new construction services.

I sat down with Doug and Kristy recently to not only write this story, but also to do a WCNT-tv/NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net Video Business Feature about the expansion and tell more about FER and its rich history.

The building which is home to FER today — and which, rumor has it, was built in about 30 days — was one of the first two constructed in Tampa Palms back in 1986.

“This building was here before Tampa Palms Country Club, before Tampa Palms Elementary and definitely before any homes or shopping centers,” Doug says. “They were just starting to build the first subdivisions in Tampa Palms — Ashmont, Coventry and Canterbury.”

Through it all, the building has held up pretty well, but FER kept outgrowing it.

So, shortly before Kristy bought into FER as Doug’s partner 16 years ago, a second floor was added to the original 3,200-sq.-ft. building, but despite several interior re-dos since then to accommodate the office’s growing staff, Doug and Kristy have been talking about expanding and upgrading it.

Well, with Kristy and Doug, talk usually becomes action, and so today, the Tampa Palms office has been expanded by about 1,200 sq. ft. inside, and a beautiful patio and garden area (perfect for special events and even weddings that is dedicated to the memory of former FER Realtor Mark Stern) have been created outside. And, the entire building has received a wi-fi and wiring upgrade.

And, while Doug is thrilled to finally have a legitimate office, Kristy is proudest of the new “virtual agent” office that is adjacent to the new conference room.

“Because everything is online today,” she says, “agents don’t have to work 9-to-5 anymore. So, we created a space where agents from all six of our offices can stop in, plug in and then get going again.”

Doug adds, “It’s hard to believe we’ve been in business this long and haven’t had a proper conference room. But maybe, the most popular thing we’ve built is the patio. And, Phase 2 of the expansion will be to redo the rest of the existing office to match this new look.”

Still Truly Local…

Doug says that despite the fact that there are many real estate companies with offices in every U.S. state, “real estate, by definition, is still a truly local business.”

Kristy adds, “And, while Tampa Palms is still the mother ship for us, I have listings and have sold homes throughout New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and beyond. Doug has had a vision for this company and it’s working.”

Part of Doug’s vision has been to duplicate what he did in Tampa Palms, as FER’s Westchase and Fishhawk Ranch offices also are in the former community centers/information offices for those developments.

And, all six offices — Tampa Palms, Westchase, Fishhawk, South Tampa, Carrollwood and Brandon — participate in FER’s HOPE Foundation, a Florida 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization established in 2015 (HOPE is an acronym for Housing, Opportunity, People and Education).

Doug says, “The HOPE Foundation is our way of giving back to those in need throughout the areas we serve.”

There currently are four nonprofit organizations receiving contributions from the Foundation — the Academy Prep Center of Tampa, A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay in Brandon, Quantum Leap Farm of Odessa and former Tampa Bay Bucs WR Vincent Jackson’s Foundation — Jackson in Action.

“With contributions from all six offices, we’ll be donating about $40,000 to those charities (total) this year,” Doug says. “We’re pretty proud of that.” The Foundation also names a “Humanitarian of the Year” every year at FER’s “Awards of Excellence” ceremony. The 2018 Humanitarian of the Year was Sue Dei from FER’s Carrollwood office.

The Tampa Palms office of Florida Executive Realty is located at 15802 Amberly Dr. For more information, visit FloridaExectutiveRealty.com or call the office at (813) 972-3430, or Kristy Darragh at (813) 931-6700. And, please visit YouTube.com/WCNT-tv or search “Neighborhood News” on Facebook to view FER’s Featured Business video segment.

 

Olympus Pools Is Growing, And Helping, In The Local Community

The team at Olympus Pools not only takes great pride in their pools, but also in their community service, like donating time and money to local schools, the New Tampa YMCA and organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay, where they filled carts of food and delivered them to the needy. (Photo: Alexis Staten)

Olympus Pools owners James and Alexis Staten are getting ready to bring their business closer to the community they’ve been part of for six years.

“New Tampa is our home,” says Alexis, who grew up in Coral Springs and has five children ranging between ages 9-15 with James, who was born in New Smyrna Beach. “We’re here for the long term and really take pride in being the main pool builder (in our area), so we want to invest in the area.”

Alexis says that more than half of Olympus’ custom-designed pools have been built in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area, including K-Bar Ranch, Meadow Pointe, Grand Hampton and many more, so requiring customers to travel to the current showroom near Tampa International Airport was something the Statens decided to fix.

“Plans are in the works for a new facility to open up in Lutz this summer, with a lot more space, so several customers can work with designers at the same time,” says James, who adds that he had worked every job there is in the pool business before opening Olympus. “Now when people are thinking about a new pool, they will be able to get to us in ten minutes or less.”

The bigger and better showroom will feature a slew of brand new features, cutting-edge design and of course, the latest technology in pools — something the Statens have always made paramount.

“Everything we do is digital,” says Alexis. “We want to do more than just build a pool; we’re providing an experience.”

The company uses a 3-D imaging AutoCAD system to bring the customer’s vision of a new pool to life before the Olympus Pools’ construction staff even breaks ground.

You can take a 360-degree tour of your pool on a high-definition screen. The technology even allows you to see what the pool will look like at dusk or at night, and can also give you a close-up view of what it will be like floating through the pool.

The Statens’ latest addition to their high-tech arsenal is a smartphone app that keeps customers informed about their pool project 24/7.

Users can receive daily updates via the project management app, pay bills and even ask staff questions that will be answered the same day (in most cases). Olympus employees use the app to post blueprints, photographs and more to keep you fully informed, even if you aren’t home.

“Our technology and in-house equipment helps us deliver the finished product faster,” James says. “Nobody’s ever sad when the construction is over.”

It doesn’t matter whether you’re budgeting for a $30,000 or a $300,000 pool, Olympus uses the same top-quality products.

“We use the best filters, best pumps and best salt systems included with every pool,” James says. “Even the most basic design gets the most premium quality money can buy.”

How About These Add-Ons?

Olympus Pools doesn’t just build pools to swim in, they specialize in delivering the entire pool experience, along with other customized offerings.

Built-in pool bars are a popular choice these days, because they save space that would normally be taken up on the pool deck, and they offer comfort and convenience. Olympus Pools can build something fancy or simple, and are able to accommodate virtually any design you can dream of, so customers and their family and guests can enjoy their food and drink without ever having to leave their pool.

And, if you want to keep the party outdoors, Olympus Pools also builds outdoor kitchens to enhance your pool time. From a refrigerator to a grill to a storage space, outdoor kitchens can be the ultimate entertainment space.
And, while Olympus is not a standalone kitchen builder, they can add them to your new pool construction project. Custom-designed kitchens, custom outdoor cabinetry, grilling islands with built-in grills, smokers and pizza ovens, fireplaces and fire pits and appliances are all available.

The Statens also take great pride in their staff, most of whom have been with them from the company’s birth in 2013. There are six designers and four project managers on staff, and more than 150 crew members in the field on a daily basis. James, Alexis and their senior employees have more than 200 years of combined experience in a steadily-growing industry. Olympus Pools designed and built just shy of 400 pools in 2018.

James says that the family-oriented, team environment in which everyone reaps the benefits of hard work is the key to Olympus’ success.

“We feel the most pride and satisfaction when a customer is thrilled with his new pool; that means a lot to us,” says James. “The best people in this industry can go anywhere, so we try to create an environment where we’re supporting our staff and helping them give the best customer service possible.”

Customer & Community Service

Olympus Pools employees, more than half of whom live and work in the New Tampa area, enjoy team-building events throughout the year and have enthusiastically joined the Statens in their mission to better the community they all love.

“Our kids are growing here, their lives are here,” says Alexis of the company’s community service efforts. “We have the means to help our community thrive, and we want to do that as much as we can.”

Three years ago, James began contributing a portion of Olympus’ profits to DonorsChoose.org, an organization that brings much-needed supplies and improvements to low-income Hillsborough County schools, and the company now sponsors a classroom about five times annually.
Students at those schools recently received new tablets and multimedia equipment to keep them on track with children in more affluent schools.

Olympus Pools has also supported local schools like Hunter’s Green and Pride Elementary and Turner/Bartels K-8 School with technology items the past few years, and the pool maker also supports student athletics by sponsoring several local Little League teams.

The Statens send their children to the Turner/Bartels K-8 School and Turner Elementary, and in 2018, James led the effort to remove a hazardous wooden structure outside of Turner. Olympus installed a new paver deck area and gazebo, creating a nice area where students can eat lunch outside.
The Statens also sponsored the school’s annual Winterfest fundraiser, participate in the Great American Teach-In each year and have supported the Hillsborough County Anti-Bullying initiative.

And, to celebrate Water Safety Month last May, Olympus donated more than $2,000 of that month’s profits to the New Tampa YMCA’s scholarship fund, providing swimming lessons to local kids who otherwise could not afford them.

The Statens’ 9-year-old son Jacob introduced them to Feeding Tampa Bay, a child-hunger nonprofit, when he asked for donations instead of gifts to mark his fifth birthday. He has done so every birthday since, and the organization has become a family favorite that now includes the entire Olympus staff.

“It’s very cool to see over 20 people filling their carts, loading and unloading pallets of food,” James says. “It’s fun for all of us, and it’s nice to have a hands-on activity rather than just writing a check.”

Alexis says that her employees work especially hard that time of year, because they know if they don’t sell enough pools, the funds to help won’t be there.

“We joke with them that if they don’t sell, children won’t eat,” said James with a smile. “But, they always come through.”

In 2018, Olympus raised enough for 2,200 meals and toiletries. The company has pledged to help even more as they continue to grow, creating one totally unique backyard oasis at a time for their customers in New Tampa and beyond.

For more info about Olympus Pools, visit “Olympus Pools” on Facebook or OlympusPoolsFL.com or call (813) 983-7854. Olympus works with clients in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando counties. The company’s current design center is located at 4422 N. Lauber Way in Tampa, but the new Olympus showroom will open in Lutz sometime this summer.

Liberty Students Turn Principal Into A Sundae For Fund-Raising Success!

Sixth-grader J.D. Ammirati got to pour the first round of chocolate syrup over the face of his dad, Liberty Middle School principal James Ammirati, as part of a reward for raising $5,254.37 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

She has seen a principal take pies in the face, another sing songs from the top of the school and another kiss a pig, goat and a llama on the lips.

But until March 15 at Liberty Middle School, Tracey Maniecki of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society had never seen a principal turned into a human sundae.

A smiling James Ammirati, Liberty’s principal, sat on a chair in the gymnasium as hundreds of students cheered loudly for every scoop of vanilla ice cream, every drop of Hershey’s chocolate syrup, each piece of crumbled Oreo cookie, every sprinkle and, naturally, the jars of cherries that were dumped over his head.

It was all for a good cause, as well as a reward for every homeroom that raised more than $100 towards Liberty’s final tally of $5,254.37.

“About two months ago, I met with Ms. Katie Smith and also several students that are on Student Council, and we just threw around some ideas and this is the one they landed on,” said Ammirati. “I was all in because its for a great cause. And, it obviously drove our numbers up.”

 Smith, a 7th- and 8th-grade Spanish teacher and Student Council advisor, has led the fund raiser the past five years, but says she usually raised about $1,000. This year, she says the students were sparked by stories of children whose only wish was to make it to their eighth birthday.

“For a child not much older than that, it really hit home,” Smith said. “It hit home for me, too.”

Money was raised from donations from students, with some parents sending their kids to school with checks of more than $100, while additional funds were raised selling treats like chocolate and Takis.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get the principals engaged, but I can’t say enough about Katie Smith and the fact she was able to get the principal on board to raise the awareness,” Maniecki said.

Ammirati tilted his head back during the sundae making, joking that he consumed enough ice cream and toppings that he probably gained a few pounds.

Next year, he hopes to be involved again, but wouldn’t mind a warmer payoff.

“It was freezing,” he said.

Wesley Chapel’s Best Big Bro

Howie Taylor and his “little brother” Hunter have enjoyed many adventures together, including this recent visit to Busch Gardens Tampa. The two were named the Big Brother & Little Brother of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.

All that Howie Taylor says he wanted for his fifth birthday was a toy truck.

Instead, he got a baby brother.

Howie, now 52, and his brother Chris were inseparable. They grew up in Kansas City, MO; closer to each other than to any of their other siblings because of that shared birthday. They stayed close even as they settled in different places — Chris in Nebraska, and Howie with his wife Karen in Wesley Chapel, with whom he has two adult daughters. Howie has been a Wesley Chapel resident for the past 20 years. 

In 2014, Chris passed away, and Howie sunk into a deep depression. Just a year later, his youngest daughter moved out, widening the sudden empty space in Howie’s life.

All that changed in 2016, when Howie walked into a Dairy Queen and left with a flyer that would bring him a new little brother.

The flyer was for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.

It led to a connection with a 12-year-old Land O’Lakes boy named Hunter, that turned into more than either expected — Howie and Hunter were recently named the Big Brother and Little Brother of the Year by the Tampa Bay chapter of the nonprofit organization, and have a shot at the national prize, which will be announced later this year. 

“It’s kind of a whirlwind right now,” said Howie, who was asked to travel to Tallahassee and speak to legislators about the importance of mentoring. “We’ve got 500 kids sitting out there like Hunter was, just waiting on somebody to step up and offer a few hours of their time.” 

Filling Needs

The loss of Chris, combined with his daughter’s moving out, left a noticeable void in Howie’s world.

 “The house just seemed so much bigger,” says Howie, a web developer.

Hoping for a sense of normalcy and a way to fill his time in a positive way, Howie began seeking out volunteering opportunities. Even before his brother’s death, Howie was no stranger to giving back. He helped found the Gasparilla Krewe of Blackbeard’s Revenge, which has raised nearly $300,000 for local charities since its inception in 2011. 

He also worked with the YMCA, Metropolitan Ministries and other organizations before he walked into that Dairy Queen.

Hunter says he was looking for something, too. 

“I was spending all my time in my room, playing video games,” says Hunter, who is now 15 and plays multiple percussion instruments in the band at Land O’Lakes High School. “My mom told me I should probably go out and do stuff!”

You Have To Start Somewhere

Soon after discovering that flyer, Howie was sitting in a Land O’Lakes kitchen with Hunter and his family, getting to know his new best friend.

When Howie and Hunter first met, Hunter admits he was introverted, unsure of himself and uncomfortable in his own skin. He talked to other online video game players much more than he ever talked to people in real life.

“You couldn’t drag more than a few words at a time out of him,” says Fred Tanzer, Hunter’s grandfather. “Before Howie, the willingness on his part to open up just wasn’t there.”

Hunter, his older brother and their mother have lived with Fred and his wife, Linda, for the past 12 years. Hunter’s father calls him nightly, but their interaction ends there.

“Hunter hasn’t had a lot of parental anything from his dad,” says Linda. “Howie has just been a ray of light. He’s 100-percent invested, not 98 or 99 percent.”

Adults who volunteer to become Big Brothers or Big Sisters go through a background check and an orientation session, after which matching specialists select a Little Brother or Sister for them. The adults must commit to eight hours a month with their young “siblings.”.

“Both my kids are girls,” Howie says. “I never had a little boy to work under the hood of the car, play in the garage or throw a ball around with. I was hoping for someone not too rambunctious, but I just wanted to help.”

Back in 2016, Howie wanted to expose Hunter to the world outside his room, but not overwhelm him on their first excursion. He thought about his hobby of flying drones and realized it was the perfect compromise.

“We talked about how the dexterity you learn from video games can be good for a lot of things,” Howie says. “Within a few minutes, I handed him the controls and he had the thing out there dancing for me. He was a natural.”

Since that first meeting, the pair have shared a bevy of experiences that Hunter believes he never would have done otherwise, including offshore fishing, regular trips to Busch Gardens, charity walks and other volunteer events, car shows and even appearing together on Howie’s Gasparilla Krewe float the last three years.

“One of my favorite memories was watching him dance and sing at a Pentatonix concert,” says Howie. “I remember him asking if it was okay to do that, because it was his first concert.”

Hunter still talks about their offshore fishing trip; they caught black sea bass and sheepshead, and had a fish fry surrounded by new friends.

One of Howie’s Krewe connections hooked Hunter and two friends from school up with a recent trip to Monster Jam in a limousine.

“We see each other at least three or four times more than the minimum eight hours a month,” said Howie. “I’ve probably seen him three times just this week, and I hope to see him regularly for the rest of my life.”

Hunter’s grandparents consider Howie to be part of their family, which is Jewish. Although Howie isn’t Jewish himself, he has come up with small gifts for Hunter and attended Hanukkah festivities every year at their home.

“Whenever the school band has a concert, Howie and Karen are there,” Linda says. “Birthdays, he’s always at the parties. We feel very blessed that Howie came into his life — and ours.”

Hunter, who says he hopes to turn his gaming talent into a YouTube channel, said he has grown up during his time with Howie, particularly while volunteering, and realizes just how fortunate he is.

“I have a lot more than most people, and I’ve learned to respect others and be confident,” he says.

Howie adds that his friendship with Hunter has helped fill the voids in his own life left by his brother’s passing and his “empty nest” more than he ever imagined it would. 

“I’ve always got someone to hang out with,” Howie says. “I heard it said once that when your grown-up kids call you out of the blue, it’s like winning the lottery. I feel the same way when I get a call from Hunter after a long day at work.”

Howie hopes that those considering becoming a Big Brother or Sister will reach out to the organization and join.

“Anybody can do it, and it doesn’t take a lot of time or money,” he says. “It just takes interest, and a little bit of that can make such a huge difference.”

For more information, visit BBBSTampaBay.org, or call (813) 769-3600.

Why Would Anyone Do Five Straight Days Of Karaoke? Because You Can!?!

The amazing Torrie Weinstein rocked O’Brien’s

So, when Jannah and I attended a great Super Bowl party at our friends Torrie and Keith Weinstein’s beautiful motor home at the Quail Run RV Park off Old Pasco Rd. in Wesley Chapel, we had no idea we would end up singing karaoke every night for the next four in “The Chap” (plus a fifth night in New Tampa).

How did this come about and why would anyone subject themselves to not just attending five consecutive karaoke nights, but singing every one of those nights?

To be honest, none of us are really sure how it all happened, but it started with an innocent comment during the Super Bowl from Torrie that “they have karaoke here tomorrow afternoon. Wanna go?”

So, Jannah and I made our way back through the private gates of this really nice RV park the following afternoon — as karaoke at Quail Run begins promptly at 6 and ends even more promptly at 9. Unlike most karaoke locales, which are bars, you can bring your own “liquid courage” to Quail Run, which provides the karaoke just for its residents and their guests. 

The really funny thing was that these mostly-older-than-us local residents found a way to line dance to every song the entire night. I mean, of course they’d line dance to “I Got Friends in Low Places,” but I was flabbergasted that they also did a different line dance when I sang Billy Joel’s “Piano Man.” Line dancing to “Piano Man?” Really? 

 Even so, the folks were very hospitable and they did seem to like the rendition of the Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton hit “Islands in the Stream” that Jannah and I do as one of our many duets. But of course, they especially loved Torrie, who is this tiny little girl with a true set of pipes. I’m pretty sure that the Quail Run folks would pay a cover charge to sit and listen to an evening of just Torrie singing “This Ain’t Your Mama’s Broken Heart” and other line-dance-able tunes. In fact, someone even suggested it to the management at Quail Run.

But, when we all realized that we were doing karaoke on a Monday night for the first time, we also recognized that in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel alone, you currently can sing at an open-to-the-public karaoke bar every Tuesday through Friday. I can’t tell you exactly how we went from saying that we could to agreeing that we were going to, but here’s how the rest of our week went:

Tuesday Night — The Brass Tap

 In stark contrast to Quail Run, the Brass Tap in the Shops at Wiregrass starts its karaoke on Tuesday later than any of the other locales in our area (it usually starts at around 9:30), and it definitely attracts the youngest crowd. And, even though Torrie is the only near-millennial in our happy group, we always have a lot of fun singing at The Brass Tap. Keith even sang once — “Tequila” by The Champs. (Look it up!)

Wednesday Night — O’Brien’s

 O’Brien’s Irish Pub (see ad on pg. 35) is where Jannah and I first sang together and I’ve written before about karaoke jock Gary Carmichael of Heart & Soul Karaoke and our awesome crowd of fellow regulars at O’Brien’s, which also was where we first met Torrie and Keith.

One of those regulars is our friend Derrell Newell, also known as “Elvis D,” a professional Elvis impersonator who also did a great Roy Orbison impression helping Jannah and me on “Handle With Care” by the Traveling Wilburys. 

We also were excited that a few of the folks from Quail Run met us at O’Brien’s — we assumed to watch Torrie again.

Thursday Night — The Basement

Even though it “only” has beer and wine, we all agreed that we also always have fun at The Basement, where our friend Gary also runs the show — and Gary has probably the best “legal” list of karaoke songs to sing of any karaoke jock I’ve met.

We all agreed that this would be the earliest night for us of this now-too-long week of ruining our hearing, so that we could still make it to Friday intact. Once again, Torrie brought down the house with her current favorite karaoke tune — “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” the Roberta Flack hit from the 1970s that was redone with an almost reggae beat by the Fugees in 1996).

Friday Night — Bayscape Bistro at Heritage Isles Golf Club

The Bayscape Bistro at Heritage Isles Golf Club on Cross Creek Blvd. (near Morris Bridge Rd.) in New Tampa (see “Gary’s Favorites” on pages 31-35) is more than just one of my favorite new restaurants in our area.

Owners Eddie and Lourdes Bujarski, the couple who ran the Culinary Arts program at New Tampa’s Wharton High for nearly two decades, have a great little neighborhood restaurant and bar with a fun crowd of regulars. 

We also were happy that we convinced our friend Ron, the O’Brien’s regular who first introduced us to Torrie and Keith, to come out to join us at Bayscape Bistro.

And, even though neither Torrie nor Jannah agreed to do the same, I decided that I was going to try to make it through the week without repeating even one song, just to challenge myself. And, judging by the 22 tunes on my “set list” (right), I accomplished my goal, even though I have no idea why I would even try it.

So, there you have it…our five-day Karaokethon. It was a lot of fun, but would we ever do it again? “Oh hell no,” we all agreed.