New CEO at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel
Denyse Bales-Chubb is the new president and chief executive for Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, beginning Aug. 1.
She replaces Brian Adams, who filled a similar position at Florida Hospital Tampa earlier this year.
“Denyse is committed to our mission and growing the legacy of Seventh-day Adventist health care,” said Don Jernigan, president and chief executive of Adventist Health System, in a release. “I’m pleased to welcome her to our system, and look forward to seeing her contributions to both Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel and Adventist Health System.”
Bales-Chubb brings more than 25 years of health care experience, most recently serving as vice president and administrator of Adventist Medical Center Selma and Adventist Medical Center Reedley, both located in Southern California. She has worked for other organizations as well, including United WestLabs, Valley Baptist Health Plan, Tenet Health System, Columbia Healthcare, Lutheran Health Systems, and Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center.
Bales-Chubb has a master’s degree in health care administration from Wichita State University in Kansas, and a bachelor’s degree in medical technology and biology from Fort Hays State University in Missouri.
Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel is an 83-bed facility located on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in central Pasco County.
A new restaurant?
The Laker/Lutz News is working on a story about new restaurants that have opened since the beginning of the year.
New restaurants in the coverage area interested in being considered as part of the story can call Diane Kortus at (813) 909-2800, or email her at .
RaceTrac coming to State Road 56
The State Road 56 corridor between Land O’ Lakes and New Tampa continues to grow, with a third major gas station getting ready to set up shop … this time to help eastbound travelers.
RaceTrac Petroleum Inc., out of Atlanta, purchased 4.6 acres of vacant land along State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel where it intersects with Northwood Palms Road last month for $1.4 million, according to county property records. It will be located across the street from Colonial Grand at Seven Oaks.
A RaceTrac spokeswoman told The Laker last week the company did indeed buy the property with the intention of building a store there, but details of when that might happen and what might exactly be there have yet to be worked out.
When built, it would become the area’s fourth RaceTrac, including one finished last year down the road near the intersection of State Road 54 and Livingston Road. Others are located at 3817 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., and 15474 State Road 52, both in Land O’ Lakes.
Consignment shop has new owner
Connie Whittington is the new owner of Our Little Lambs Children’s Consignment Shop, located at 1532 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz.
The shop will host a back-to-school sale from Aug. 1-3.
For more information, call (813) 909-1881.
Sponsorship announced for SmartStart business incubator
In what officials are calling a surprise announcement, Florida High Tech Corridor Council president Randy Berridge announced his organization is offering a $50,000 sponsorship for the SmartStart Business Incubator program.
The announcement was made last week at the opening of the second incubator location in New Port Richey, joining the existing one in Dade City.
The council and the University of South Florida back “numerous initiatives that support small and growing companies, and the SmartStart program is a terrific program that is already beginning to show successful results,” Berridge said, in a release. “We are glad to help foster the entrepreneurial activity in Pasco County.”
This is the group’s second sponsorship of Pasco Economic Development Council’s SmartStart Program with USF. Last year, both groups announced it would provide a $50,000 sponsorship during the opening of the Dade City business incubator.
The SmartStart program has helped create 42 jobs, and has projected to create a total of 65 jobs over the next two years, officials said.
For information, visit SmartStartPasco.com, or email Krista Covey at .
7-Eleven store location sold
The 7-Eleven store located at 2400 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, has been sold to a New York-based property manager for $4.2 million, according to county property records.
Lakes Pooh LLC bought the property from Commercial Net Lease Realty, now known as National Retail Properties, which had originally purchased the vacant land at the corner of State Road 54 and Land O’ Lakes Boulevard for $965,000 in 1998.
Lakes Pooh is associated with Manhattan Skyline Management Corp., according to state corporate records, which manages “several thousand luxury apartments in New York City’s most desirable neighborhoods,” according to the company’s website.
The company did not release plans for any possible changes at the 7-Eleven location, and a request for comment had not been returned.
