Local business leaders recognized
Terri Williamson, an advertising representative for The Laker/Lutz News, accepts the newspaper’s award for Medium Business of the Year at the annual Pasco Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce awards banquet at Heritage Harbor. She’s joined by, from left, John Jaay, Darla Sarhaddi, Elayne Bassinger and Harland Henry. Other winners including OurTownFla.com as Small Business of the Year, and its owner Tony Masella as Volunteer of the Year. Ierna’s Heating & Cooling was Large Business of the Year and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay was the Non-Profit of the Year.
SmartStart gets new member
Computers Etc., an information technology company providing complete IT management, support and training, has joined the SmartStart Dade City incubator.
As an offsite member, Computers Etc. has around-the-clock access to the facility, which includes free WiFi, parking, co-working space, a post office box, and meeting rooms.
In addition, Computers Etc. will receive one-on-one mentoring and get assistance from SmartStart’s intern from Saint Leo University’s master of business administration program.
The SmartStart Dade City incubator is the first of its kind in Pasco County, giving companies the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment with other small businesses, gain access to technical support, and network with other business leaders and community partners.
SmartStart is located at 15000 Citrus Country Drive in Dade City. For more information, visit SmartStartPasco.com.
Community Business Expo coming
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host its 2014 Community Business Expo March 14 and March 15 at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.
The event runs from 4 p.m. to 7 pm., March 14, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on March 15, with the theme “The Price is Right – Shop Local.”
Sponsorships and booth space remain available, but are limited.
For more information, visit CentralPascoChamber.com, or call (813) 909-2722.
March meeting for Women-n-Charge
Women-n-Charge will meet March 7 beginning at 11:30 a.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa.
Speaking is Debra Lombardozzi, who will talk about how to identify personality types so that people can communicate more effectively.
Cost is $15 for members ahead of the meeting, and $18 for all guests and those who haven’t prepaid by March 5.
For more information, call (813) 600-9849, or email .
RPE passes SSAE 16 audit
RPE Outsourcing LLC of Land O’ Lakes, has completed a Service Organizations Control 1 Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 16 Type 2 examination, known more commonly as SSAE 16.
The audit was developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to provide a uniform method of disclosing independently assessed information about the design and operation of internal controls. RPE is a retail cloud computing consultant and an information technologies management service provider.
“Retailers today are more aware than ever of data security and compliance issues, and having confirmation a data center meets the highest standards is critical,” said Cliff Epstein, president of RPE, in a release. The audit helps support the company’s commitment to “safeguarding sensitive information” and keep its data operations secure.
