Vanessa Ng & CommLoan Can Provide The Funding You Need To Expand Your Business! 

Commercial lender Vanessa Ng (photos) knows that busy entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses don’t have time to call a bank, apply for a loan, wait to hear back and then call a different bank if they’re turned down by, or just not sure they like, the first option. 

That’s why she works for CommLoan, a company that allows her to help business owners apply for a loan through a streamlined process that provides many options to meets their needs quickly. 

“CommLoan is really efficient and can provide a quote to the borrower within minutes,” Vanessa explains. “We have a database of 750 lenders we work with through a proprietary system called CUPID, and, in some cases, it will give us back 300 options.” 

CUPID, which stands for Commercial Underwriting Pricing Index Data, is an innovative platform developed by CommLoan, a company that was founded in 2014 in Scottsdale, AZ, by long-time mortgage banker Mitch Ginsberg. CommLoan lends nationwide, except in Nevada and North and South Dakota. 

Vanessa joined CommLoan about a year ago, adding commercial lending to her 12-year career as a residential lender. 

She currently works with business owners all over the country and says she is hoping to increase awareness of CommLoan locally in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas. 

Vanessa is originally from South Tampa and graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Finance in 2012. She went straight into the mortgage business out of college and first moved to New Tampa for five years, and then, to Wesley Chapel, where she now lives in Estancia at Wiregrass Ranch. 

“There is a lot of expansion and growing businesses in Wesley Chapel, Dade City and Zephyrhills,” she says, “and I’m trying to help out those entrepreneurs.” 

She says she often provides loans for new commercial properties, such as gas stations or car washes, multifamily properties and single-tenant-use buildings, such as medical offices. 

Vanessa also helps business owners who have equity in their current properties refinance their existing loans to get cash out, or help those who have a maturing loan and want to refinance. 

Vanessa says her loans are for a minimum of $300,000 and can go up to as much as $100 million. She notes that some of these loans are as low as zero percent down. 

“CommLoan provides tailored solutions,” Vanessa explains. “So, whether a buyer is looking for no prepayment penalty, a non-recourse loan, or some other specific criteria, I’m able to filter the search for that. Within seconds, I can get the best rates and the best programs for my buyer.” 

CommLoan’s hundreds of lenders include everything from large national, commercial and regional banks to midsize banks, credit unions and debt funds. 

Easing Frustrations 

Vanessa explains that, sometimes, clients come to her feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. 

“If someone goes to a bank for a loan, but then gets turned down, it can leave them scrambling if they’re already under contract to buy a property,” Vanessa explains. “Once I understand the scenario, I can send it to a dozen lenders at the same time and, sometimes, I’ll get offers the same day. It’s very different from waiting a week to just get turned down by one bank. These are busy entrepreneurs who don’t have time to waste hours or days trying to get a loan.” 

She says her job is to remove the frustration from the process. “I do all of the legwork so you can keep running your business.” 

Steven Sockwell and his wife, Lindy, have several investment properties near Rockville, IL. A few months ago, they were working with a RealtorÂź to purchase a new rental property and the Realtor recommended Vanessa and CommLoan as a lender. Even though Vanessa was far away in Florida, Steven decided to reach out to her. 

“Ever since then, she’s been great to work with,” Steven says. “We’ve had several things she’s helped us with, including two transactions from start to finish. She’s very helpful and the transactions have been smooth.” 

He adds that Vanessa has, “a wealth of knowledge” and credits her experience with helping them get the properties they wanted. 

“She’s a very hard worker,” Steven adds. “Anything I have questions about, she’s able to answer them.” 

He says he’s in the process of buying another rental property and that he will continue to work with Vanessa and CommLoan because it’s been such an easy process. 

“One thing I’ve noticed about CommLoan is that everything is very streamlined,” he says. “The information in documentation is very straightforward and to the point. It’s so different than going to a local bank here where everything is so convoluted and you have to read, re-read, and re-read again to understand it. Instead, everything is very orderly and tells you want to do next, step-by-step. And, anything we don’t understand, we ask and Vanessa answers quickly.” 

Steven says Vanessa also helped him look at his current portfolio of properties and figured out how to use the equity in those properties to, “seize the moment” to buy other properties. 

“I didn’t know how to go about doing that and she walked us through it,” Steven says. 

He also says working with Vanessa has been so easy, even if he wasn’t in the process of purchasing a property and needing a loan, he would still feel comfortable reaching out to ask her questions. 

“She would answer,” he says. “I’m sure of it. She’s a great person to work with.” 

For more information, contact Vanessa Ng via email at vng@commloan.com, call or text her at (561) 310-4720 or visit VanessaNg.CommLoan.com. 

Sunday, January 12, 3 p.m.-5 p.m.– “New Tampa Unplugged,” featuring Daniella Mass. 

At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Daniella Mass, “The Liri Pop Princess,” is a composer and young coloratura soprano from Colombia who was featured on “America’s Got Talent.” Tickets cost $15 for a theater seat, $20 for a table seat. To purchase tickets & get more info, call (813) 829-2760 or visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events. 

Baseball & Softball Are For Everyone At The North Tampa Athletic Association! 

When Duncan Pastore was growing up in New Tampa, he played recreational baseball with what is now the North Tampa Athletic Association (NTAA), dreaming of one day playing Major League Baseball. 

Duncan became a Wharton High standout who recently signed with the New York Yankees and, at age 24, is currently playing for its Single-A affiliate, the Yankees’ Florida State League (Single A) affiliate, the Tampa Tarpons. 

Back in Duncan’s NTAA days, his father Lou was one of the league’s volunteers, ensuring his son and others in the community had a thriving league for youth baseball and softball, even serving as league president. 

“Duncan playing with the Yankees is a dream come true,” Lou says. “It’s every kid’s dream to play professional baseball and eventually [make it to] the big leagues. As you move up the ladder from high school to college, the chances of you making it one step further is less each time. The fact that he was able to do it makes me, his mom, and everyone who knows him extremely proud of him.” 

And to think, it all started on the fields in New Tampa. 

This spring, hundreds of boys and girls will have their opportunity to work on their dreams their dreams to follow in Duncan’s footsteps, while others will play just to get outside, have fun and develop skills such as teamwork and sportsmanship in the NTAA. 

Duncan Pastore 
(Source: Nova SE University)

Registration is now open for boys and girls ages three to 16 (as of April 30, 2025) to play baseball and softball with NTAA. 

Robert Pickett is the director of baseball for ages 12 and under for the league. 

“We’re a thriving and growing league, right in the heart of New Tampa, and a lot of people don’t know about it,” Robert says. 

While the NTAA had more than 450 players last season, Robert says an ideal size would be closer to 600-700 playing baseball and softball. “The more teams there are, the more competitive it is,” Robert explains. “I’d rather have 10 teams in each division instead of three. It’s more fun.” 

That’s why he and others from the entirely volunteer-run league are increasing their recruiting efforts this year, hoping that new players will grow the NTAA community. 

The NTAA plays baseball and softball at two field complexes. One is Eber Field, located near the corner of Cross Creek Blvd. and Kinnan St., and the other is Live Oak Park, located behind Turner Bartels K-8 School. 

“Every night the parks are bustling,” Robert says. “If you drive by Eber Field on a Tuesday night, you’ll see games on two fields, concessions are open, families are everywhere,” he says. “You can go hang out and feel the sense of community.” 

Registration for the Spring 2025 NTAA season will remain open until mid-January. That’s vastly different than at the nearby Wesley Chapel Athletic Association (WCAA), where registration filled within minutes of opening. 

Some parents have asked why NTAA is open for registration while WCAA is completely full. What’s the difference? 

According to Robert, it all comes down to capacity. 

With the ongoing explosive growth of Wesley Chapel (vs. the nearly-built-out community in New Tampa), there’s simply more demand for WCAA youth baseball and softball than there is space for players. 

Because WCAA and NTAA are both part of the Babe Ruth League, there are flexible geographic boundaries, unlike with Little League Baseball programs. So, WCAA’s capacity is crunched by both tremendous growth in its “home” area, and kids from Dade City and Zephyrhills who want to play in Wesley Chapel. 

Meanwhile, NTAA’s geographic location makes it sandwiched in between other areas where New Tampa kids can go to play, such as Lutz or Wesley Chapel. 

To register, visit NT-AA.com 

That means there’s still room in the NTAA for kids in nearby Wesley Chapel to be part of a league that is this year celebrating 10 years since switching from Little League Baseball to the Babe Ruth League, which provides more flexibility for players who don’t live in the 33647 zip code. 

“It’s a great outlet to have fun,” Lou says of participation in NTAA. “Sports can teach kids a lot about how to grow up and mature and become great leaders and teammates. At the same time, kids can just go out and play and not have to worry about cleaning their room or all the things they have to do.” 

Lou says NTAA taught his son to be a role model for other kids, which started with Duncan looking up to the older players, and then wanting to be like them. 

“Duncan wanted to break the park’s home run record,” Lou explains, “and then, when he was 12, he did it. The younger kids looking on went chasing for that home run ball as if (Yankees star) Aaron Judge himself had hit it over the fence. They ran it back to the dugout and Duncan signed it and gave it back to them. He learned to be a role model at such a young age, and that’s a big part of who he is today.” 

Lou currently actually works for the Yankees as a groundskeeper for George Steinbrenner Field, where the Tampa Tarpons play, and still also maintains the fields for NTAA. 

“I have now taken care of every field Duncan has played on since he started playing baseball,” Lou says, adding that he also takes a lot of pride in maintaining the fields so NTAA kids have an outstanding place to play. 

In January, Duncan will return to his childhood baseball fields to host a one-day camp for young players, ages 5 to 12, whether or not they are registered to play with NTAA. He will be joined by other professional baseball players who want to give back to their community and mentor young people who want to sharpen their skills. 

“Youth Day with the Pros” will be held on Saturday, January 11, at the Live Oak baseball complex. To register, go to NT-AA.com. 

Registration for NTAA’s spring baseball and softball season is open now through mid-January. Players must be at least three years old on April 30, 2025, and no older than 16 on that date. Practices, which begin in early February (the season runs through May) are held at Live Oak Park (behind Turner Bartels K-8 School) and Eber Field (at the corner of Cross Creek Blvd. and Kinnan St.). For more information, see the ad below. To register, go to NT-AA.com. 

Dr. Teena Hughes Has Been Caring For Local Kids For More Than 30 Years! 

The staff at Teena Hughes, M.D., P.A., Pediatrics, located on E. Fletcher Ave., is led by Dr. Teena Hughes (front row, 3rd from left) and her son Dr. Roger Hughes (4th from left & next page). (Photos by Charmaine George)

For more than 30 years, Teena Hughes, M.D., has been a trusted pediatrician in Tampa, supporting generations of families in their healthcare journeys. Born in Clewiston, FL, she was raised in the Fort Lauderdale and Orlando areas. 

After earning her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of South Florida and completing her three-year pediatric residency at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, she spent several years gaining experience with a large healthcare group before deciding to open her own practice. Today, the Teena Hughes, M.D., P.A., Pediatrics office on E. Fletcher Ave. near N. 46th St., located only 20 minutes or so south of the Hillsborough County line near Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.,, is well-known by local parents and their children. 

Dr. Teena’s eldest son, Roger Hughes, III, D.O., joined the practice in July 2021, but his route to pediatrics wasn’t immediate. After earning a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Microbiology from the University of Florida in Gainesville and completing his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree at the Bradenton, FL, campus of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, he pursued a three-year residency at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL. 

Although he admits he initially was uncertain about focusing on pediatrics, Dr. Roger says everything changed during medical school. 

“I was always interested in medicine and knew I would be a physician, but didn’t really have an interest in pediatrics” he says, “until I experienced it. In medical school you have a chance to try different areas of medicine, and I immediately fell in love with pediatrics and knew this was the right path for me.” 

Just as Dr. Teena has brought her own second generation into the practice, she says, “Many of the patients I cared for as children are now bringing their own kids to me,” she says. “It’s heartwarming to see the next generation walk through my doors.” 

Dr. Roger adds that they have families coming from as far away as Riverview and Dade City. “They come for the personalized care they remember getting themselves,” Dr. Roger says, “and know their children will receive the same.” 

He also says that working alongside his mother has been both rewarding and practical. 

“It’s great having two doctors here,” he says. “We can cover for each other while keeping the small, family-friendly atmosphere our patients love.” Dr. Roger recalls one particularly touching moment: “A former patient said he enjoyed coming to the office when he was small and always anticipated going to the treasure chest — it was his favorite thing. Now, he’s bringing his own child here.” 

The office offers a wide range of services tailored to meet the needs of young patients and their families. From wellness checkups and sick visits to vaccinations and minor procedures like ear piercing and wart removal, Teena Hughes Pediatrics provides a level of care that is both extensive and convenient. 

For example, ear piercing recently has become a sought-after service, handled with a doctor’s precision. 

“One of my nurses,” Dr. Teena says, “had just come on board and asked about piercing. I told her we didn’t do it. But then, I became educated about the fact that many Hispanic families believe in piercing a child’s ears as early as they can. She told me we needed to start doing it and it has been a success. Parents trust us to do it because it’s safe and hygienic. We even get teenagers coming in for second piercings with their parents’ approval.” Please note that Dr. Teena will only pierce ears and you don’t have to be one of her patients to receive the service. 

Dr. Teena and Dr. Roger’s affiliation with AdventHealth Tampa (AHT) hospital ensures a seamless connection to hospital care. Each morning, either Dr. Teena or Dr. Roger visit newborns at AHT, offering parents peace of mind as they navigate the early days of parenthood. Both doctors feel comfortable with pediatric patients of all ages, from newborns through teens. 

Published Research, Too 

The practice also participates in clinical research studies, contributing to advancements in pediatric medicine. Recently, Dr. Teena co-authored a study on PCV20 (which stands for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 20-valent), which protects against seven more strains of pneumococcus (or pneumonia) than PCV13. Published in the prestigious Pediatrics (the official peer-reviewed flagship journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics), this research underscores the practice’s commitment to improving children’s health. 

Families also can even participate in studies, such as those evaluating different types of baby formula. Participants receive formula free of charge and help researchers gather valuable insights by keeping journals of their experiences. 

“These studies provide an opportunity for parents to access additional resources while contributing to medical advancements,” Dr. Teena explains. “The products they are evaluating are usually products they already use.” 

The team includes three Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) — nurse practitioners Kelsey Overton, Adrienne Graham and Desiree Bonnet — who work closely with Dr. Teena and Dr. Roger to provide additional top-notch care. This cohesive team ensures that every family feels supported, no matter the need. 

Dr. Teena balances her professional life with her role as a mother and grandmother. With four children and one grandson, family is at the heart of everything she does. Her second son Casey currently is completing a post-graduate residency in Chicago and, while his future plans are undecided, Dr. Teena welcomes the possibility of him joining the practice and adding to her legacy. 

She also is proud of the relationships she’s built over the years. “Being a pediatrician is about more than just medicine,” she says. “It’s about trust, compassion, and being there for families during every stage of life.” 

The office also is highly accessible, with hours designed for busy families. Open Mon.- Fri., 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and 8 a.m.-noon on Sat., the practice offers same-day and next-day appointments, as well as walk-ins at 8 a.m. Patients can schedule appointments online through the practice’s website, which also provides a wealth of educational resources on topics like car seat safety, immunizations and traveling with children. 

Teena Hughes, M.D., P.A., Pediatrics is located at 4444 E Fletcher Ave., Suite C, and accepts most major health insurance plans. For appointments and more info, call (813) 903-0060 or visit TeenaHughesPediatrics.com.

‘We Didn’t Lose Our Father. He Was Taken From Us.’ 

Steven Alan Glantz 
August 23, 1957-December 18, 2024 

On Dec. 18, Gabriel Glantz, who had been living in his mom Marcia’s homeland of Brazil, was staying at his childhood home in Kingshyre at Cross Creek, awaiting the impending birth of his sister Isabel’s baby. 

Gabe says there was a knock at the door, and since he was making dinner, his father, Steve, went to see who was there. 

Seconds later, Gabe heard multiple gunshots fired and minutes later, ambulance and law enforcement vehicles arrived on the scene and sped Steve away to a hospital. But tragically, Steve passed away shortly after reaching the hospital. 

Not long after his father had been shot, Gabe, 37, heard one additional shot fired, which was apparently the gunman — the Glantzes’ Kingshyre neighbor Timothy Lobianco, 66 — taking his own life. Gabe says that Lobianco apparently walked back to his own house, told his wife “I did something…and don’t follow me,” before walking back outside and shooting himself. 

Although the Glantz family doesn’t fully know why Lobianco killed this beloved husband, father and grandfather, Gabe’s brother Kyle, 34, said that Steve, Lobianco and another long-time Kingshyre neighbor had done quite a bit of motorcycle riding together. But, several years ago, Lobianco suffered a head injury in a serious accident on his bike and his demeanor definitely grew angrier in the years that followed. 

“We don’t know why our dad became the focal point of [Lobianco’s] anger,” Kyle told me a week or so after Steve was laid to rest on Dec. 22 at the Gan Shalom Cemetery on County Line Rd. in Lutz. “All we know is that we didn’t lose our father. He was taken from us.” And, as if the shooting wasn’t tragic enough, Steve was killed the same night Isabel, 28, gave birth to a baby girl. Marcia, Steve’s wife of 40 years, was already at the hospital with their daughter when Steve was shot. 

Although Steve and I never really “hung out” together much, we became close friends during his several-year stint as the volunteer president of what was then called the New Tampa Little League (NTLL), when we both had sons playing ball at what is now called Eber Field on Kinnan St., just north of Cross Creek Blvd. Steve was completely dedicated to not only running the league, but also expertly handling the inevitable squabbles between parents, as well as always making sure the fields were kept perfectly manicured. He loved the field maintenance so much, he kept handling it long after he was no longer running the league. 

Seemingly always smiling, always personable, the one-time All-American high school springboard diver and barefoot waterskier was, “an amazing husband, father and friend,” according to Hazzan Jodi Sered-Lever of Congregation Mekhor Shalom, who presided over Steve’s burial, which was attended by more than 200 people (including yours truly), the vast majority being New Tampa neighbors who came to support and pay their respects to the Glantz family, who buried Steve only four days after he was killed. 

Kyle was the first to speak at the funeral. “From our family to everybody here,” he said, “the amount of support, the outpouring of love and prayers and thoughts …you don’t understand how much it has helped us trying to traverse through these last few days. This crowd is a testament to who our father was and the impact that he left on not only our family but on this entire community, from Little League to running into him at Publix, I just want to say a most sincere ‘thank you.’ It truly means a lot and it’s just fulfilling to know how much my father meant to so many people.” 

To that sentiment, Gabe then added, “I think everyone here will take how [our dad] viewed life with them into the future. He was a wonderful father, but I don’t think we realized just how blessed we really were. He was always there for us, and myself in particular, to where I knew that I could take much larger risks than I should because I knew he was always there, no matter what.” 

He added, “Everyone knows he was a community guy…friends with and always keeping up with everyone. He was involved in the Little League for a long time. Even after Kyle and I stopped playing, he stuck around for 5 or 6 more years just because he liked riding around on that lawn mower. He put our grandfather Arnold up in that hot dog truck, selling burgers and hot dogs at the fields on the weekends, just so they could be closer together. I don’t know which he loved more — meeting up with people at Publix or sitting in Section 116 at the Lightning games.” 

Gabe also noted, “The last time we went to Publix together was after he picked me up at the airport and he took me to a specific line just to show me off to one of my high school friends’ mothers.” 

He then closed by saying, “In light of recent events, just be nice…love thy neighbor…and if you come across anything you find unusual in the community that you think someone needs to know about, don’t hesitate because…you just never know.” 

After Steve’s sons were finished speaking, Hazzan Sered-Lever named all of Steve’s relatives and then turned her attention to his passing. 

“Tragically, we are all here today because of evil. Evil has touched Steven’s family, his friends and this community and all who knew and loved him.” 

She continued, “Why did this destruction and devastation take place? Where was God? Why didn’t God protect Steven? As painful and as heartbreaking as it is to take in, I submit that God can not stop human acts of evil from happening. The prayers in my prayer book describe God as ‘gracious and compassionate.’ If God could have stopped this, God would have, but God couldn’t. So, where is God in this unmitigated tragedy? God is the source of comfort who is with us as we take the necessary steps to continue living in the face of our heartbreak. And, through this heartbreak, we remember, we honor, and we pay tribute to Steven.” 

And finally, Hazzan Shered-Lever said, “Steven was compassionate, dedicated, committed, a hard worker and a planner. He was a people person, which also made him so successful in sales. But, it was never transactional [with him]. It was always [about] relationships. He loved to talk to people and was an extraordinary listener. People would open up to him like magic. He knew everyone’s life story, taking after his dad. He always wanted to help anybody and everybody. His friendship was legendary and he sought to solve any problem someone was experiencing.” (Note-As one of those friends Steve helped back when he was the president of the Little League, I can attest first-hand to the truth of this statement). “He experienced such joy in interacting with people that he was the mayor of wherever he went, including the Little League, and one of the fields was named in his honor.” 

Steven was a consummate family man. His family was more important to him than anything else in the world. 

“To the entire Glantz family, we can not take away your pain, but we are holding each one of you in our hearts. The love you have for Steven and his love for each one of you endures forever.” 

Rest in peace, Steve. You are sorely missed.