At Florida Southern College’s Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (CFEE), learning goes far beyond the classroom, giving students opportunities to develop their ideas into reality. The CFEE opened as the Center for Free Enterprise in 2013 with a focus on free enterprise and why entrepreneurship matters in society, said Michael Weber, dean of the […]
Six local people who have contributed to the arts and culture of Polk County, along with the winners of six annual awards, will be honored at the Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance (PACA) Hall of Fame Gala in October. “This year’s Hall of Fame inductees represent the diverse arts and cultural contributions made by Polk […]
Lakeland, FL – The University of South Florida (USF) Alumni Association has recognized MADE as one of the 2023 USF Fast 56—the fastest-growing USF alumni-owned or -led businesses in the world. MADE, led by USF Alum Michelle Ledford, is a branding and marketing agency founded in Lakeland, Florida with business partner Allen Reed. In a press release provided by […]
Winter Haven Hospital’s young family medicine residency program has just graduated to the next level – it sent five recent graduates into the workforce, and all are staying in the Polk County area. “This feels like a great accomplishment. When this program started, it was just me in an office by myself. Now we have […]
Bank of Central Florida and Gulf Coast Avionics have been setting themselves apart for years, and now they have been honored with the Central Florida Development Council’s annual success in business awards. In addition, Lakeland City Commissioner Stephanie Madden received the 2023 Chair’s Award at the CFDC’s annual banquet, held Sept. 28 at Haus 820 […]
It’s always been about planes and airports for Gene Conrad, and he’ll be putting his knowledge to use in a new way as chairman of the Central Florida Development Council’s board of directors. Born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Conrad moved to Lakeland in January 2010 and served as the director of Lakeland’s airport for 12 years, […]
W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor started as a HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) and plumbing company, but now, at just over 60 years old, it does whatever it takes – almost — to get the job done. However, W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor still does not do electrical, said Emily Andrews, vice president of Marketing and […]
With demand for Respiratory Therapists growing, Polk State College is being recognized for excellence in its respiratory therapy program, which graduates students who often stay in Polk County to work. Respiratory therapists may be the unsung heroes in healthcare facilities, working with doctors and nurses to provide oxygen and breathing treatments, intubate patients, manage ventilators, […]
When future Thomas Capital owner, Jeff Donalson graduated from the University of Florida with a master’s degree in environmental engineering, he went straight to a job in Miami. He quickly realized that wasn’t for him and returned to his native Winter Haven, where another job awaited. After three years, his life was not what he […]
Florida Southern College has landed on The Princeton Review’s 2024 guide of The Best 389 Colleges, selected for its engaged learning environment, beautiful campus, the expertise its professors possess, its theater program and career services. “I am always happy when the college is recognized nationally for the excellence that is a hallmark of our living-learning […]