LoJacono named Community News Publications’ editor
Kyle LoJacono was promoted to editor of The Laker/Lutz News on May 29. He has been with the publications since July 2009 when he started as a freelance correspondent.
LoJacono was brought on staff in October 2009 and has served as the publications’ sports editor since December 2010. He takes over for Cindy Spence, who is moving with her family to Gainesville after serving as editor since November.
“I’ve worked hard to make the sports section of my hometown paper one of the best in the state,” LoJacono said. “Cindy did an amazing job in her six months as editor making these papers better than ever before. I plan on building from that foundation she set.”
LoJacono is a 2009 graduate of Florida State University and has lived in Lutz since moving with his family from Buffalo, N.Y., when he was 4.
In another personnel move, Jeff Odom joined The Laker/Lutz News as a staff writer on June 11. He has spent the last seven months as a freelance correspondent for the publications.
“Jeff has done more than what’s been asked of him time and time again, and is the most enthusiastic young journalist I’ve met,” LoJacono said. “He will make a great addition to our staff, which I think is the best around including Community Editor B.C. Manion and artists Matt Mistretta and Stefanie Burlingame.”
Saint Leo University helps Habitat ReStore
Saint Leo University donated more than 60 rooms of furniture to Habitat for Humanity, providing seven truckloads of wardrobes, dressers, chairs, desks and twin-size mattresses.
The university provided so much furniture that the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Zephyrhills could not store it all in its warehouse and shared the bounty with other affiliates, including the Lakeland Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter.
Saint Leo University is renovating two residential buildings on campus, Alumni Hall and Roderick Hall, and has a long-standing relationship with Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County.
Asaftei joins Florida Hospital Zephyrhills
Laura Asaftei has been named administrative director of human resources for Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. She will handle a broad range of personnel duties.
Prior to joining the facility, she was the human resources director at Florida Hospital Carrollwood. She has been with the Adventist Health System for four years and was part of the human resources team that managed the merger with University Community Hospital in 2010.
She has a Master of Business Administration from Webster University and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southern Adventist University with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a minor in public relations. She also has a Professional in Human Resources certification from the HR Certification Institute.
Gulfside’s community relations awarded
Gulfside Regional Hospice recently received three awards for its public relations and marketing efforts for its annual Hike for Hospice.
The awards were presented at the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Tampa Bay Chapter’s Local Image Awards Luncheon.
The awards Gulfside won were the Grand All Image Award, Image Award and Judges’ Award from FPRA Tampa Bay.
The Grand All Image Award is given to the best Image Award winning entry in the Public Relations Program Division. Gulfside also won the Image Award in the Special Events Category at the local awards and the Judges’ Awards, which is given to projects that demonstrate maximum results on a minimum budget.
Members of the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter in Polk County judged the entries. Judges are accredited in public relations and are previous Image Award program winners.
Ryland Homes offers homes in Ashton Oaks
Ryland Homes has started sales of 43 new single family homes priced from $146,990 to $200,990 in the newest phase at Ashton Oaks, located on Ashton Oaks Boulevard off SR 54 in Wesley Chapel.
The three-, four- and five-bedroom homes range from 1,274 square feet to 2,259 square feet of living space.
Ashton Oaks also features a community pool and cabana. For more information, go to www.ryland.com/tampa.
Made in America contest
The National Mail Order Association is hosting a contest to give American manufacturers and inventors a chance to get their products noticed.
The national Made in America Hot Product Contest, which began June 1, is seeking contestants to submit their original products to the official contest website and online voters will decide the winner. For more information about the contest, visit http://www.nmoa.org/contest.
Homebuilder sales teams help homeless
Fifteen members of the Pulte Homes, Centex and Del Webb sales team in Tampa recently did a volunteer day of kitchen duty to help feed homeless men, women and families at Trinity Café in downtown Tampa.
Advance Auto Parts opens second Wesley Chapel site
Advance Auto Parts has opened its second Wesley Chapel location and celebrated the occasion with a June 1 ribbon cutting at the new store at 27270 SR 54.
The store offers a wide range of parts, national brands and free services including windshield wiper and battery installation.
Company officials said they chose the location because it is convenient for its customers.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.
Body Tech Xpress has Lutz location
Body Tech Xpress had its grand opening for its Lutz location on May 26.
The facility, 19259 N. Dale Mabry Highway, is a private fitness facility, which offers access at all times for its members. It has isolation machines, free weights, treadmills, other equipment and services. For more information, call (813) 909-0888.
Habitat for Humanity sixth among nation’s homebuilders
Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County built and rehabilitated 12 homes in 2011, helping the national organization to rank as No. 6 among the nation’s homebuilders.
Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County purchases building materials locally and subcontracts with local electrical, plumbing and air-conditioning companies to provide affordable housing within the local community.
The national organization ranked No. 6 among homebuilders last year, according to a list compiled by BUILDER, a publication for the residential construction industry.
