AdventHealth News: Erik Wangsness & Ryan Quattlebaum Both Get New Jobs 

Assuming new roles for AdventHealth are Erik Wangsness (above; photo by Charmaine George) and Ryan Quattlebaum (photo below). Wangsness, who had been serving as the president & CEO of Advent Health Wesley Chapel (AHWC), will assume the same position at AdventHealth Tampa.

News continues to be coming from AdventHealth, which has named Erik Wangsness as the new president & CEO of AdventHealth Tampa (located on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., north of E. Fletcher Ave.), which became effective on Dec. 15. Wangsness will report to David Otatti, president and CEO of AdventHealth’s West Florida Division. 

“Erik is a consummate servant leader who I believe will continue to enhance our quality of care, expanding access to services and building on the strong foundation established by the team at AdventHealth Tampa,” Ottati said. “I know that Erik will uphold and build our mission, leading our teams to provide uncommon compassion and whole-person care to each person who walks through those doors.” 

Wangsness most recently served as president and CEO of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, where he guided the development of the facility’s new Graduate Medical Education program and provided oversight of a major expansion project currently under way. 

One of his last public appearances as AHWC’s leader was at the North Tampa Bay Chamber breakfast at Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch on Nov. 5, where Wangsness was the featured speaker (top left photo). 

“I am excited and honored for the opportunity to serve AdventHealth Tampa and the surrounding community, working alongside the incredible leaders, physicians and team members to provide whole-person care,” Wangsness said. “Together, we will make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve.” 

Wangsness earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Master’s degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Minnesota. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Pasco Economic Development Council (EDC). 

Good Luck, Ryan! 
Quattlebaum (photo provided by AdventHealth) takes over for Wangsness at AHWC. 

Taking over for Wangsness as the new president and CEO of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, effective Dec. 29, will be Ryan Quattlebaum (right photo). Quattlebaum will report to Jennifer Wandersleben, Heartland Region president and CEO, who also provides market leadership for Hardee, Highlands, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties. 

“Ryan is a passionate leader, and it is a joy to see him grow and step into this new role. His vision and leadership will be instrumental in driving our continued growth and success in Wesley Chapel, which is one of the fastest-growing communities in the West Florida Division,” Wandersleben said. 

Since 2022, Quattlebaum has served as the president and CEO for AdventHealth North Pinellas in Tarpon Springs. Under Quattlebaum’s leadership, the facility earned national accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), the bronze standard – Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department (GEDA) accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians and “A” Hospital Safety Grades from the Leapfrog Group in 2023. 

“I’m honored to return to AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and work with dedicated care teams, physicians and leaders who are committed to providing whole-person care,” Quattlebaum said. “As I step into this new role, I look forward to building and strengthening relationships in our Wesley Chapel facility and surrounding community to expand our faith-based care and services.” 

Quattlebaum has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from the Hough Graduate School of Business at the University of Florida in Gainesville and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from La Sierra University. He’s an active member of his community, serving as a committee member for the workforce improvement committee for the Florida Hospital Association and currently serves on the Policy Council of the Pasco EDC. — GN 

The Townes At Cross Creek Townhomes Are Filling Up Quickly! 

The Townes at Cross Creek townhomes by Lennar Homes (on Cross Creek Blvd., across from the main entrance to Heritage Isles) offer a more affordable alternative then most single-family homes in the New Tampa area. (Photo by Joel Provenzano) 

A little over a year ago, in our Sept. 23 New Tampa issue, we told you about an upcoming townhome community that Lennar was getting ready to build, called the Townes at Cross Creek. 

The unique thing about this development is the fact that it is new residential construction, in the heart of what was otherwise an entirely built out and established Cross Creek Blvd. corridor, something that hadn’t been seen in years. 

For the past couple of years, townhomes have been extremely popular with buyers — especially with rising real estate prices —as a mostly less-expensive option to traditional single family-homes, while still offering the living space, garages and floorplan options buyers desire, just with less land. 

And, that’s been great for Lennar, as the construction giant has been actively building a large portion of the new townhome market around the Tampa Bay area, typically at the lowest price point compared with their competitors, with DR Horton being Lennar’s closest rival. 

Keeping Pace 

According to sales rep Carlos Torres and construction manager Fernando Ospina, the Townes have been going absolutely gangbusters since they began being built in June of this year. And, that’s without even having an onsite sales office open yet! 

The Townes at Cross Creek are divided into two phases. Although there is no “Phase A” or “Phase C” (and we have no idea why), “Phase B” consists of 60 units (located directly across the street from the entrance to the Heritage Isles community); and “Phase D,” consists of 35 units further to the east, being built almost simultaneously together, but oddly about a half mile from each other on two completely separate parcels of land. 

As of Nov 25, 27 of the 60 units in Phase B were already, according to Lennar’s website, and the Lennar team told us a few more were working towards closing, including the “model,” where the garage space was actively being built into the on-site sales office for the development (but it was not yet open as of our press time). 

We were told that the buyer for the model was itching to close because, when the model sells while still being used as a model, the builder will do a lease-back to the buyer, effectively paying the buyer rent until Lennar is done using it and will then convert the sales office back into a two-car garage. 

When Ospina, was asked why the on-site sales office wasn’t finished yet, he explained that, “It took longer than expected to get the needed permit, but it was received Nov. 16,” where they promptly started the build-out, and are now close to adding furniture. He chuckled and said the delay was due to, “The City of Tampa, you know, being the City of Tampa,” eluding to the always- arduous permitting process. 

Other than that, he said construction had been going really well, with the number of days for each townhome building completion (under his purview) being only about 129 days, a full month faster than the average for his company. 

“Even though we’ve been doing great, we could ideally use another construction manager to help keep pace,” Ospina said as he flipped through the multi-page checklist he had in his hands, detailing inspection item after inspection item, everything that needed to be perfect before a unit could be finished. 

Details & Pricing 

The day we showed up to look at the community, three other groups of people also pulled up (one of whom had an appointment), but Torres was able to effectively split up his time, making sure everyone’s questions were answered. 

Torres said that they’ve been so busy that they wondered if they would really even need to open the on-site sales office at all. He’s been driving out and meeting people with appointments on-site, and currently any customers who want to sit down and discuss numbers or go over paperwork have met him at Lennar’s Two Rivers office in Zephyrhills, about 10 minutes away, at: 35027 Brackett Bend Rd. 

Ospina said that most of the buildings will be done over the next five months, with occupancy for Phase D being ready in March, April, and May. The very last building on the project schedule is actually a 6-unit building across from the future on-site sales office in Phase B, to be ready for occupancy before the fall of next year. 

As construction progresses, units are only being released for sale in very small handfuls. Lennar’s online transparency makes seeing the inventory quick and straightforward. The website for the community actually shows which units have sold, which are currently for sale (with exact current prices) and which ones are upcoming on an interactive map, along with the floorplans. 

All three floorplans feature 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms with usable covered patios that can easily be screened. All units also have large kitchen islands (above), as well as a second-story loft, which even the in the small plan was still a usable size and layout. Here are the three units at the Townes: 

Allegiance – 1,597 sq. ft., with a 1-car garage; being offered at $319,990 

Constitution – 1,760 sq. ft., 1-car garage; being offered at $339,900 

Declaration- 1,807 sq. ft., 2 car garage; being offered at $364,900 (this is the model and the end units on each building) 

These were the advertised online prices at the time of writing the article and are subject to change), but Torres said that additional discounts may be offered at various times, and the prices for the Declaration plan may go all the way up to around $410,000, depending upon the lot. 

The prices seem very competitive to whats being offered in other Lennar communities, especially considering these are being built in the desirable and geographically well-positioned New Tampa. Prices are even similar to what was being sold by Lennar up in Connerton, a community on the north end of Land O’ Lakes, but these New Tampa units do come with some drawbacks. 

The $384 monthly homeowner association (HOA) fee is definitely on the high side, especially considering that this community has no amenities. Torres also says that no utilities are included in the HOA fee, but that it does cover outside maintenance and insurance. The units at the Townes also have tiny backyards — noticeably smaller than other recent townhome communities we’ve toured. 

Torres asked that anyone interested in seeing the community should make an appointment, and check to see if the on-site sales office has been opened yet. The phone number is (888) 211-6153. Carlo Torres also can be reached by email at carlo.torres@lennar.com.

Box Of Cubans Now Open In Former New Tampa Mochinut Location! 

In our Oct. 29 issue, we told you that Box of Cubans restaurant was getting ready to open in the space previously occupied by Mochinut’s New Tampa location at 17512 Doña Michelle Dr., off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just north of the BBD exit off I-75 in the area known as Highwoods Preserve. 

(Photo by Katherine Baker)

Well, owners Marcos and Oni Silverio and their son, Marcos Jr. (MJ) have now opened their second Box of Cubans location (the other is in Riverview) and everything we’ve sampled so far has been pretty great. 

In addition to tasty pressed Cuban sandwiches (left photo), Box of Cubans also offers 14 different varieties of empanadas — from beef & cheese and chicken to banana nutella and guava & cream cheese. My current favorite sandwich is the “pan con bistec,” with mojo-marinated Palomillo steak, Swiss cheese, sautĂ©ed onions, crispy potato straws, mayo and a house cilantro sauce (top photo). There also are Cuban rice bowls with black or red beans and your choice of protein, garlic toast and sweet plantains that I haven’t sampled yet, although I did also enjoy Box of Cubans’ black beans and rice. 

Box of Cubans also serves a variety of breakfast items, even though it doesn’t open until 11 a.m. during the week and 10 a.m. on Saturday & Sunday. “We sell our breakfast all day,” Marcos told me. “And we already have customers coming in at 6 p.m. on a Tuesday ordering our breakfast sandwiches.” 

The bacon, egg & cheese on pressed Cuban bread is delicious and I also enjoyed the ham, egg & cheese empanada. But, my surprise favorite breakfast item is the torrejas, or Cuban-style French toast (right photo), which is topped with powdered sugar and served with both breakfast syrup and a warm strawberry dipping sauce. IncrĂ©ible! The cafĂ© con lechĂ© is excellent, too, and other hot and cold coffee drinks are available. 

To place an order online, visit BoxofCubans.com, or call (813) 632-9021 and please tell them I sent you! — GN 

CAO Bakery Is Open! Paris Baguette Is Coming Soon!

Even though it’s located inside the Kangaroo Express gas station at 17519 BBD Blvd. (in New Tampa’s North Palms Village), don’t be afraid to try the new CAO (which stands for “Cuban American Original”) Bakery & CafĂ© — it’s muy bueno! 

The Cuban-style bakery, with 16 Miami-area locations and one in West Tampa, features freshly made breakfast and lunch sandwiches (like the bacon, fresh scrambled egg & cheese on roll above), plus empanadas, Latin pastries and Cuban coffee drinks. It’s open Mon.-Sat., 6 a.m.-8 p.m., and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday, and does have inside seating. To order online, visit CAOBakeryCafe.com. 

Speaking of bakeries, although we don’t know when, the 20th location of Paris Baguette Bakery (photo below) will open in the former Orangetheory Fitness spot in Highwoods Preserve (at 17515 Preserve Walk Ln.), next to Cold Stone Creamery. 

Like Tous Les Jours in the Lotte Plaza Market, Paris Baguette is Korean-owned (with 4,000 locations worldwide, including 200 in the U.S. & Canada) and features a variety of French-style pastries, plus cakes, quiches, salads and breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and a variety of hot & cold beverages. For more information, visit ParisBaguette.com.-GN 

Jessica Vaughn & Karen Perez Named School Board Chair & Vice Chair, Respectively 

The Hillsborough County School Board includes (back row, l.-r.) Nadia Combs (Dist. 1), Lynn Gray (Dist. 7), Henry “Shake” Washington (Dist. 5), Stacy Hahn (Dist. 2), Patricia “Patti” Rendon (Dist. 4), new Board Chair Jessica Vaughn (Dist. 3; center) & vice-chair Karen Perez (Dist. 6; right). At the far left in the front row is Superintendent of Schools Van Ayres. (Photo: Hillsborough County Schools) 

Although the November elections didn’t go too well for other New Tampa residents — with Jim Davison (Hillsborough County Commission) and Rico Smith (State House of Representatives) both losing, Tampa Palms residents Jessica Vaughn (New Tampa’s District 3) and Karen Perez (countywide District 6) not only won reelection in their respective Hillsborough School Board races in August, they have now been named the Board’s chair and vice-chair, respectively. 

Vaughn says this is big news for our area, as New Tampa has never held the Board’s top two spots before. “Karen already has been a District-wide member, so she has had to have a more ‘global’ perspective and be more all over the county,” Vaughn says, “but now, as the chair, I also have to be more involved District-wide, even though I’m still the District 3 member. It means a lot more work, but I’m ready.” 

Vaughn and Perez were elected as the new leaders on Nov. 19, at the Board’s annual reorganization meeting. 

Vaughn says she already has been hard at work, “trying to put resources into schools which haven’t always had resources.” She says that among the schools she has been pushing for are Freedom High, Turner-Bartels K-8 School and upgrades for Benito and Liberty middle schools. “I have been working closely with Liberty principal Frank Diaz to get him the resources he needs,” Vaughn says. 

She says that a hot-button issue right now is the possible expansion of middle school sports programs. “Our residents want sports like lacrosse and tackle football with full equipment in middle schools,” she says. “But, these are expensive sports and there may not be enough money in our budget to make them work at the middle school level. I support the idea but I don’t know if the Board will support the funding for it.” 

Speaking of the budget, Vaughn says she is “so thankful” that Hillsborough County voters overwhelmingly (with more than 66% of voters voting “Yes”) passed the millage increase to increase salaries for teachers and staff members. “That was huge for us, so our teacher and staff salaries can become more competitive with other large districts,” she said. 

Although Vaughn didn’t know exactly when the additional funds would begin showing up in paychecks, because the District is currently without a Chief Financial Officer (former CFO Romaneir Johnson took the same position with Broward County Schools), “but we’re hoping to have a new CFO in place by Jan. 1.” 

Vaughn also was happy that Hillsborough voters decided to renew the half-cent Community Investment Tax (CIT), so the District also will continue to have funds for capital outlays like improvements at District schools. 

“I’m also thrilled that voters across Florida voted against making School Board races partisan,” she says. “It seems that people really want politics out of education.” 

Speaking of partisan politics, Vaughn says she was relieved to have won reelection following a negative campaign spearheaded by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and her opponent, Myosha Powell, who accused Vaughn of being a “civil servant who thinks that we’re her subjects.” Vaughn was reelected with about 59% of ballots cast, as all four incumbents running for reelection ended up holding onto their seats. “I’m proud to have support across the aisle,” she says. 

Montessori & TOY News 

Another issue Vaughn is working on is converting Heritage Elementary on Cross Creek Blvd. into a Montessori school, beginning with one grade and adding an additional grade every year. 

“It’s working well at Essrig Elementary (near Citrus Park,” she says. “The community seems to like it and a lot of people are choosing private Montessoris over public schools these days. We’re losing families in New Tampa and Temple Terrace to it.” The only issue, she says, is that Montessori education doesn’t always translate well to standardized tests.” 

And, while the finalists weren’t announced until after we went to press with this issue, Vaughn says New Tampa and Dist. 3 have, “the most finalists” for Teacher of the Year and the other Hillsborough Education Foundation awards.