The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Custom homebuilder incorporates models into sales approach

By

Construction is underway on the Westshore model, a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home with an elevator. It is expected to be completed in spring 2027. Photo courtesy of American Momentum Bank

TAMPA – AR Homes by Custom Craft is expanding its presence in Tampa Bay.

The custom homebuilder is taking a different approach to sales through a series of model and inventory homes designed to meet demand for high-end luxury homes. Included in the projects is a model storm-ready home in South Tampa that is designed for coastal and flood-prone areas.

The projects are being financed by American Momentum Bank. The bank has provided over $3.27 million in loans to finance the projects, which include a 4,068-square-foot inventory home in Odessa, a 3,824-square-foot inventory home in Lutz and a 4,785-square-foot model home in Tampa.

“Despite what’s happening in the overall market, the luxury home market in Tampa is strong,” said Adam Smith, president of Custom Craft Homes. “While it’s not common for custom homebuilders to be investing in inventory and model homes, it’s part of our overall growth strategy and will allow us to cater to our high-end clientele and deliver luxury homes quickly.”

Custom Craft Homes specializes in “on-your-lot” custom luxury homes in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. It has built homes in the Avila Golf & Country Club subdivision in North Tampa, and the Skylake and Victoria Lakes communities in Lutz and Odessa, respectively.

Model homes are uncommon among custom builders, but leaders at Custom Craft Homes believe they play an important role in helping luxury buyers understand a home’s design, finishes, sight lines and livability before making a purchase decision.

“We believe that when people can see and touch a home and get a sense of your architectural style, they become more comfortable in their buying decisions,” Smith said. “This has been proven by the bigger builders, and it’s the reason we feel strongly about building a model luxury home.”

Custom Craft Homes was founded in 1988 and self-funded all projects, until it established a relationship with American Momentum Bank in 2025. The first loan was to build a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home in Odessa – the “Grandview” model in Victoria Lakes – which now serves as a model home open to the public seven days a week between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“American Momentum Bank has deep experience working with homebuilders in the Tampa Bay area, having financed the construction of hundreds of new homes across West Central Florida, including townhome, infill spec homes, and horizontal and vertical construction within small to mid-sized subdivisions,” said Valerie Girrens, senior vice president, senior commercial relationship manager at American Momentum Bank. “We remain committed to residential construction throughout various market cycles.”

The storm-ready model home, located at 210 S. Occident Street in Tampa’s Beach Park neighborhood, will be an elevated three-story residence that combines AR Homes’ architectural style with enhanced protection from potential flood risks. The first floor will feature a six-plus-car garage, with living spaces on the second and third floors.

The “Westshore” model is a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home with an elevator, a gourmet kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, 90-degree sliding glass doors that open to the outdoor living space, a pool, a sunken fire pit and a floating staircase. The home features impact windows and doors and a whole-home generator. Construction is underway and is expected to be completed in spring 2027.

Construction is also underway on the “Grayton” model in the Skylake community in Lutz. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom home includes a club room that can be used for recreation or a media room. The outdoor space also includes a custom-designed outdoor kitchen, pool and spa and a 659-square-foot cabana providing covered outdoor space for indoor-outdoor living. The home is available for purchase and expected to be completed in February 2027.

“What we are finding is that people want something they can move into within 90 days, whether they are relocating or just looking to upgrade their home,” Smith said. “Custom homes have a lengthy planning and completion process, so having inventory available gives buyers a faster path to ownership while still delivering the design, quality and craftsmanship they expect from us.” 

Local Wildlife: Parrot spreads its wings at aquarium

By

Photo courtesy of The Florida Aquarium

A double yellow-headed parrot helped the Florida Aquarium kick off 813 Day. The celebration, inspired by the city’s area code, featured special activities to encourage natural behaviors among the aquarium’s animals while keeping them active and engaged. Photo courtesy of The Florida Aquarium

Health & Wellness: Doctor performs 1,000th robotic surgery

By

A robot positioned in an operating room for a surgery. The surgeon operates the robot from a console. Photo courtesy of BayCare Health System

 

Doctor performs 1,000th robotic surgery

LUTZ – Dr. Louis Matherne IV, a general surgeon at Lutz’s St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, recently performed his 1,000th robotic surgery.

A surgeon guides and controls the robot’s mechanical arms and surgical instruments from a console with a high-resolution 3-D screen. When the surgeon moves, the robotic arms respond precisely to those movements in real time. The instruments work identically to the movement of a surgeon’s arm, elbow and wrist, however with an enhanced range of motion. 

Matherne performs surgeries on the gallbladder, appendix, colon, small bowel and hernias. Robotic surgery can offer patients smaller, more precise incisions, faster recoveries, shorter hospital stays and outpatient surgery options. 

 

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel expands stroke treatment

WESLEY CHAPEL – AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has added a biplane neurointerventional suite designed to provide advanced treatment for severe strokes.

The technology allows physicians to perform minimally invasive procedures including mechanical thrombectomy, which removes blood clots from the brain and restores blood flow in patients experiencing severe ischemic strokes.

“Having the ability to provide advanced stroke intervention on our campus means patients can receive critical treatment faster, which can lead to better outcomes and improved recovery,” said Dr. Jason Maljaar, medical director of neurology.

The hospital has also added specialized neurointerventional physicians, allowing more patients to receive treatment in Pasco County without being transferred to another facility.

The suite can also be used to treat brain aneurysms, perform diagnostic cerebral angiograms and provide other emergency and elective neurovascular procedures.

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel is a Primary Stroke Center and is pursuing Comprehensive Stroke Center designation.

 

BayCare names first support services VP

CLEARWATER – BayCare has hired Lawrence “Wren” Roberts as its first vice president of support services.

Roberts brings more than 30 years of support services leadership experience, including nearly 20 years overseeing health care operations across multiple facilities.

He joins BayCare from Centra Health in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he most recently served as senior director of support services. He oversaw food and nutrition, environmental services, security, emergency management and life safety across the health system’s campuses.

Roberts previously worked for Marriott and Sodexo. He also managed food production for South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City from 1992 to 1995.

 

AdventHealth Heart of Florida earns safe sleep designation

DAVENPORT – AdventHealth Heart of Florida has received the Gold Level Safe Sleep Hospital designation from the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program.

The designation is the program’s highest level of recognition for hospitals providing infant safe sleep education, staff training and community outreach.

AdventHealth Heart of Florida provides safe sleep training for care teams, educates parents and caregivers before discharge and connects families in need with safe sleep spaces for newborns. 

“Every family deserves access to the information and resources that can help keep their baby safe,” said Janell Chyle, director of women’s services at AdventHealth Heart of Florida.

 

Quick Hits

  • September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Tuesday, Sept. 8, is 988 Day. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay answers local calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It also provides suicide prevention care coordination services. On the web: crisiscenter.com

What’s Happening (Sept. 3-11, 2026)

By

Sept. 3

Caregiver Support Group

A facilitator from the Alzheimer’s Association leads a monthly support group at Land O’ Lakes Library for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s. 813-929-1214

10-11:30 a.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes

 

Menacing Mosquitoes

A Master Gardener discusses mosquitoes at Wesley Chapel Library. Learn tips to keep them out of the garden. 352-518-5064

11 a.m.-noon; 27531 Mystic Oak Blvd., Wesley Chapel

 

Butterfly Gardens

Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center hosts a Plant Parent Club program on butterfly gardens with gardener Susan Dalton Carney. Registration required to receive a take-home kit. 727-815-7126

6-6:50 p.m.; 12118 Lake Blanche Drive, Odessa

 

Sept. 4

Bingo

Adults play bingo at Hugh Embry Library. 352-567-3576

2-3 p.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

Sept. 5

Book Club

The Saturday Book Club at New River Library discusses “The Book Club for Troublesome Women” by Marie Bostwick. 813-788-6375

10:30-11:30 a.m.; 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel

 

Ukulele Jam

The Tampa Bay Ukulele Society leads a Ukulele Jam at New River Library. Bring your ukulele. 813-788-6375

Noon-2 p.m.; 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel

 

Sept. 8

Medicare/Medicaid & SNAP Help

Adults can get help applying for the QMB state buy-in program to help pay Medicare Part B premiums, Medicaid and SNAP benefits at Zephyrhills Public Library. Contact José Rodríguez at 813-420-3013 for more information. 

9 a.m.-3 p.m.; 5347 8th St., Zephyrhills

 

Indoor Ponds

A Master Gardener explains how to create a planted aquatic system indoors at New River Library. Registration required. 813-788-6375

2-3 p.m.; 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel

 

Therapy Dogs

Regency Park Library invites children to practice reading with certified therapy dogs from Sharing Our World Therapy Dogs. 727-861-3049

5-6 p.m.; 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey

 

Sept. 10

Crafty Connections

Wesley Chapel Library hosts a social crafting session during Crafty Connections. Adults can bring their own project or work on a featured craft. 352-518-5064

11 a.m.-noon; 27531 Mystic Oak Blvd., Wesley Chapel

 

Tween Book Club

South Holiday Library hosts Story Seekers, a monthly book club for tweens. 727-834-3331

4-5 p.m.; 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday

 

Republican Club

The Wesley Chapel Republican Club hosts U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis as guest speaker at its September meeting at Myrtle Lake Baptist Church. New members and guests are welcome. Coffee and dessert will be served.

6:30 p.m.; 2017 Reigler Road, Land O’ Lakes

 

Sept. 11

9/11 Remembrance

BNI and Seniors in Service host 9/11: A Time of Remembrance at the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village. The event honors those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, as well as veterans and first responders. Brian Orr shares his experience in New York during the attacks. Bring canned food for local food pantries. 

8-9 a.m.; 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City

 

Brainstorms NPR launches campaign for proposed STEAM center

By

NEW PORT RICHEY – Brainstorms NPR Inc. has launched 250 Neighbors, a community campaign inviting 250 people to put their names behind the proposed Brainstorms STEAM Discovery Center in downtown New Port Richey.

Brainstorms is asking residents to give what they can, whether $10, $25, $50, $100 or more, because every person who participates becomes part of a demonstration that the community believes in the project. Every dollar contributed also counts toward a $125,000 matching commitment secured for the proposed center.

“As America marks its 250th anniversary this year, we thought there was something fitting about asking 250 members of our own community to invest in what the next generation will inherit,” said Daisy Thomas, vice president of the board of directors for Brainstorms. “We want people to be able to say, ‘I helped make this happen.'”

Brainstorms NPR has proposed transforming the property at Main and Bank streets into a science discovery center designed to serve children, families, educators and the broader Nature Coast community. 

The proposed center would combine hands-on STEAM learning, environmental education, technology, family programming and community engagement while creating a new year-round destination in downtown New Port Richey.

The campaign comes as Brainstorms prepares for the next stage of public consideration of the Main and Bank proposal. Rather than relying only on large donors or institutional support, the organization wants the campaign to capture the number of community members willing to stand behind the idea.

“A $10 gift and a $1,000 gift are obviously different financially, but for this campaign they share something important,” Thomas said. “Both represent a person saying they believe our community should have a place where kids can discover what excites them, families can learn together,and the next generation can see more of what is possible right here.”

 

Want to learn more?

Brainstorms is also inviting residents to learn more about the proposal through two public Ask Us Anything sessions.

The first session will be held from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Sept. 2, followed by a second session from 5 to 6:15 p.m. Sept. 9. Both sessions will take place in the Magnolia Room at New Port Richey Public Library.

 

Hope Services expands with second vocational training center

By

HUDSON – Hope Services has purchased a second Life Skills and Vocational Training Center in Hudson.

The nonprofit provides vocational training and employment support to people with disabilities and others facing barriers to employment. Its new center, formerly a GTE Financial building at 6901 Old County Road 52 in Hudson, will expand the nonprofit’s ability to provide hands-on, industry-focused training throughout the region.

One of the center’s offerings will be Hope Services’ basic medical training program. The facility will include a simulated hospital room where participants can become familiar with the environment, equipment and responsibilities they may encounter in entry-level health care positions.

“This new center gives us the opportunity to meet people closer to where they live and connect them with training that can lead to meaningful employment,” said David Caldas, executive director of operations. “Every classroom and training area has been designed to help individuals build practical skills, confidence and greater independence.”

The new center will allow Hope Services to serve more clients while expanding its capacity to provide career-focused training that aligns with local workforce needs. 

“It is the beginning of a new chapter of hope for our community,” said Cindy Bray, founder and CEO. “When we started Hope Services 23 years ago, we dreamed of creating opportunities for people who are too often overlooked. This new center will allow us to reach even more individuals, help them discover their abilities and prepare them for meaningful and fulfilling careers.”

 

Want to help?

Visit hopegetsjobs.org/how-to-help/ to learn more about sponsorship opportunities or ways to support Hope Services.

Business Digest: GTE Financial hosts small business seminar

By

GTE Financial hosts small business seminar

TAMPA – Representatives from 42 local businesses recently gathered at GTE Financial’s Tampa headquarters for a seminar focused on financial issues facing entrepreneurs.

The event was held in partnership with Spectrum Reach and the Tampa Bay Chamber as part of Spectrum Reach’s Pay It Forward program.

Business owners received guidance on accessing capital, managing credit, budgeting for expansion, protecting their businesses and planning for the future. Experts in business banking, insurance and economic development participated.

Spectrum Reach launched Pay It Forward in 2021 to support locally owned businesses. The program has assisted more than 2,500 businesses with more than $50 million in media, resources and creative services as well as $13 million in local business grants.

 

Outplay Marketing earns Best of Florida honor

LAND O’ LAKES – Outplay Marketing has been named a 2026 Best of Florida winner in the Digital Marketing Firms category.

Outplay Marketing provides review and reputation management, website design and management, search engine optimization, digital advertising, social media marketing and content marketing.

“Earning the Best of Florida award for the third year in a row is an incredible honor and a testament to our team’s relentless drive and consistency,” owner and CEO Mike Gross said. “Achieving this three-peat recognition reinforces our mission to help small and medium-sized businesses maximize visibility, outplay competitors and scale effectively in an evolving digital landscape.”

The Best of Florida Awards recognize businesses for performance, client loyalty and leadership.

On the web: outplaymarketing.com

 

Post offices to close for Labor Day

TAMPA – U.S. Postal Service locations will be closed Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day.

Regular mail delivery and retail services will resume Sept. 8.

Customers can continue to access several services online during the holiday, including ordering stamps and boxes, placing mail on hold, changing an address, renting or renewing a P.O. box and printing prepaid shipping labels.

Self-service kiosks are also available at select post office locations, with many accessible 24 hours a day. Services vary by location but can include purchasing postage and stamps, weighing and mailing packages, tracking packages, printing labels from QR codes and using USPS Smart Lockers for package pickup and drop-off.

On the web: usps.com

 

Quick Hits

  • There’s still time to register for the Pasco EDC’s 38th annual awards. The event takes place from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel. General admission costs $150. On the web: pascoedc.com
  • McDonald’s is hosting a hiring week from Aug. 30 to Sept. 5. Apply at jobs.mchire.com.

 

North Tampa Bay events

LAND O’ LAKES – The North Tampa Bay Chamber will host Coffee Social, Rise & Connect and women’s programming. 

  • Dr. Sehreen Mumtaz, of Remission Rheumatology, discusses “What Women Need to Know About Autoimmune Disease and Inflammation” at the Leading Ladies Network from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 4 at USF Credit Union, 20610 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa. Admission costs $15. Register in advance. 
  • Stacey Nance, of Tampa International Airport, discusses concessions and retail opportunities during the Rise & Connect series from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 9 at Hunter’s Green Country Club, 18101 Longwater Run Drive, Tampa. Members pay $10. Others pay $15. Register in advance. 
  • Members network during Coffee Social from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 19 at GTE Financial, 8040 Curley Road, Wesley Chapel. Register in advance.

Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details about the chamber and events.

 

Greater Pasco events

NEW PORT RICHEY – The Greater Pasco Chamber will host the Greater Pasco Veterans Roundtable, Land O’ Lakes Business Exchange, Monthly Membership Breakfast and women’s programming. 

  • Members attend the Greater Pasco Veterans Roundtable from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 9 at Patriot Stogies, 6153 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey. Members get in free. Others pay $10. Register in advance.
  • Members trade materials during the Land O’ Lakes Business Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 10 at SpringHill Suites, 16615 Crosspointe Run, Land O’ Lakes. Members get in free. Others pay $10. Lunch costs $14. Register in advance. 
  • Pasco County Commissioner Lisa Yeager, David Engel and JP Murphy discuss Work Local – Pasco County Small Business Support Program during the Monthly Membership Breakfast from 8:45 to 10 a.m. Sept. 11 at HCA Florida Hospital, 9330 SR 54, Trinity. Members pay $25. Others pay $30. Register in advance.
  • Marlene Velez, CEO of MVPartners Group, speaks at the next Professional Women in Business Networking Lunch from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 16 at HCA Florida Hospital Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, Trinity. Members pay $12. Others pay $15. Register in advance. 

Visit + for details about the chamber and events. 

 

East Pasco events

DADE CITY – The East Pasco Chamber will host After Hours Networking, Coffee & Networking and the Monthly Business Breakfast.

  • Members mingle during After Hours Networking at 4 p.m. Sept. 3 at The ABL, 14135 7th St., Dade City. 
  • Members network during Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 4 at the Zephyrhills office (38550 5th Ave.). 
  • Members network during Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at the Dade City office (14112 8th St.) and 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Zephyrhills office (38550 5th Ave.). 
  • Members attend the Monthly Business Breakfast from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Sept. 10 at Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills. Registration costs $15. Register in advance.
  • Members network during Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 15 at the Dade City office (14112 8th St.) and 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 18 at the Zephyrhills office (38550 5th Ave.). 

Visit eastpascochamber.org for details about the chamber and events. 

 

Officials urge precautions as dengue cases rise

By

PASCO COUNTY – The Pasco County Mosquito Control District is urging residents to take precautions against mosquito bites following an increase in dengue fever cases across the region.

The most recent Florida Department of Health arbovirus surveillance data show locally acquired dengue transmission occurring in multiple Tampa Bay-area counties. The latest information available identifies 30 confirmed locally acquired dengue cases in Hillsborough County, three in Pinellas County and one in Citrus County. There are additional suspected cases still under investigation.

The Pasco County Mosquito Control District is also aware of a dengue case involving someone who lives in Pasco County. At this time, the location where that individual acquired the infection is still under epidemiological investigation to determine exposure.

“Dengue transmission is a regional public health concern, and we cannot look at this solely on a county-by-county basis,” said Adriane Rogers, executive director of the Pasco County Mosquito Control District. “Thousands of people live in one county and work, attend school, shop, recreate or visit family in another. Residents of Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are highly interconnected. That means mosquito-borne disease activity in one community can have implications for the entire region.”

Dengue is caused by a virus transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are well adapted to living around people and lay eggs in very small amounts of standing water commonly found around homes and businesses.

Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services has also identified dengue-positive Aedes aegypti mosquito pools in Hillsborough County, demonstrating that infected mosquitoes are involved in transmission in the region.

The Pasco County Mosquito Control District is encouraging residents throughout Pasco County and neighboring communities to take the following precautions:

  • Dump and drain standing water around homes and businesses at least weekly. This includes flowerpots, buckets, toys, birdbaths, pool covers, gutters and other containers that can hold water.
  • Wear repellent containing a U.S. EPA-registered active ingredient such as DEET, picaridi and IR3535.
  • Wear long sleeves, long pants and shoes with socks while outside during daytime and at night, when practical.
  • Keep doors and windows closed or properly screened to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes.
  • Check yards and properties regularly for small containers or other items capable of holding water.
  • Report mosquito problems to the appropriate local mosquito control agency.

Dengue symptoms can include fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, bone pain, nausea, vomiting and rash. Symptoms typically develop within several days after an infected mosquito bite. 

Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact a health care provider and inform them of their potential exposure to dengue.

Dengue is not spread directly from person to person through casual contact. It is primarily transmitted when an infected mosquito bites a person and subsequently bites another person.

The Pasco County Mosquito Control District routinely conducts mosquito surveillance and control operations throughout its 765-square-mile service area and is closely monitoring the dengue situation across the region. 

The district is coordinating its response with public health partners and evaluating mosquito surveillance data, disease activity and operational needs as additional information becomes available.

“This is the time for vigilance, not panic,” Rogers said. “Dengue is a serious mosquito-borne disease, but there are meaningful steps every resident can take to reduce their risk. Our team will continue monitoring mosquito populations and responding to areas of concern with increased control applications, but mosquito control works best when residents, travelers, businesses, healthcare providers and public health agencies all work together.”

On the web: pascomosquito.org

 

Chalk Talk: Kids art program raises record $38,632

By

Kids art program raises record $38,632 for schools

TAMPA – The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office raised a record $38,632 for local schools through its Kids Tag Art Program. 

Sixty-six Hillsborough County elementary schools participated this year, with each school receiving $585 to support its art programs.

Tax Collector Nancy Millan brought the Kids Tag Art Program to Hillsborough County in 2021. It has raised more than $181,813 for art education across the county. 

This year’s program also generated $5,043 in direct Kids Tag Art merchandise sales, with proceeds from every plate, keychain and mug sold going straight back to participating schools.

“These numbers tell the story of a community that believes in investing in its young artists,” Millan said.

This year’s top honorees were: 

  • Tax Collector’s Choice Award: Melina Fenton, Apollo Beach K-8 School
  • Title Sponsor Award (Suncoast Credit Union): Annabelle Webster, J.S. Robinson Elementary
  • TECO Powerful Art Award: Samantha Garcia-Gomez, Lake Magdalene Elementary School
  • Best Teacher Artwork Award: Melissa Santiago, Hunter’s Green Elementary School

On the web: HillsTaxFL.gov/shop 

 

DAVRON donates money, supplies to Christian Social Services

LAND O’ LAKES – DAVRON recently held a Backpacks for Kids School Supply Drive for Christian Social Services in Land O’ Lakes. 

The company is an executive search and outplacement firm for the engineering, architecture, construction and manufacturing industries. 

Staff collected school supplies such as backpacks, notebooks, calculators, folders and pencils. DAVRON also donated a $5,000 check to help Christian Social Services continue supporting children and families.

 

Students make dean’s, president’s lists

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Several students from Lutz and Odessa made honors lists for the spring semester at the University of Alabama. 

Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or above to make the dean’s list and 4.0 to make the president’s list. 

Lutz students to make the dean’s list were Isabella Becker, Audrey Durrieu, Victoria Ferreira and Christopher Hovan. Odessa students to make the dean’s list were Dillon Costello and Jaden Scott.

Lutz students to make the president’s list were Renata Blatt, Danielle Kanas and Madison Maxwell. Odessa students to make the president’s list were Logan Hinsberg and Graydon Horn.

 

Student achievements

  • Tiana Alfsen, College of Letters and Science, earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. Alfsen, who attended UW-Madison’s College of Letters and Science, also made the dean’s list for the spring semester.
  • Kelsey Barrett, of Odessa, made the provost’s list at Troy University in Troy, Alabama, for the spring semester/term 4. Students must have a grade point average of at least 3.65.
  • Caitlyn Culpepper, of Odessa, received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi’s College of Liberal Arts. Culpepper majored in biochemistry and Spanish.
  • Allison Ferguson, of Lutz, has enrolled at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and plans to major in International Affairs – BA.
  • Noah Kliewer, of Lutz, made the dean’s list at Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.4.
  • Kassandra Kocan, of Odessa, earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. 
  • Sarah Roberson, of Lutz, made the dean’s list at Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.4.
  • Sarah Salemy, of Odessa, earned a Master of Science in College Student Personnel at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island. 
  • Kaleb Smith, of Odessa, has enrolled at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and plans to major in Business Management – BBA. 
  • Frank Xu, of Wesley Chapel, made the dean’s list for the spring 2026 semester at Washington University in St. Louis. Xu, who is enrolled in the university’s College of Arts & Sciences, earned a grade point average of at least 3.6.

 

Florida SBDC at USF team members win state awards

By

2026 Florida SBDC New Business Starts Lifetime Achievement Award winners.

TAMPA – Several members of the Florida Small Business Development Center at University of South Florida were recognized Aug. 19 at the Sunseeker Resort during the Florida SBDC Network’s Performance Excellence Awards.

The event celebrates outstanding contributions across Florida’s nine regional small business development centers.

“We were honored to attend the Florida SBDC Network’s Annual Awards and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our team,” said Carl Hadden, regional director of the Florida SBDC at USF. “We are especially proud of our award-winning team members whose dedication to helping entrepreneurs succeed was recognized with the Florida Rising Star Award and Lifetime Achievement Awards for New Business Starts and Capital Access.”

Randy Hayes shows off his Rising Star of the Year award. Photo courtesy of Florida SBDC at USF

Randy Hayes, assistant director and business consultant at the Florida SBDC at USF, has been named the Florida Rising Star of the Year. This award recognizes employees with fewer than five years of service who have made a difference in their region. Hayes was recognized for his contributions to small business growth, leading the state in new business starts and capital transactions while consistently delivering strong client service and results.

Several team members were recognized for their extraordinary contributions to Florida’s small business community, including Capital Access Lifetime Achievement awardees:

  • Bill Burnham, Florida SBDC at USF – $75M-plus
  • Brad Owens, Florida SBDC at USF – $50M-plus

New Business Starts Lifetime Achievement awardees were:

  • Bill Burnham, Florida SBDC at USF – 125-plus
  • Randy Hayes, Florida SBDC at USF – 125-plus
  • Kurt Forster, Florida SBDC at PCED – 75-plus
  • Debra Schweikowsky, Florida SBDC at PCED – 75-plus

Two team members were honored for their years of service: Yanina Rosario (15 years) and Bill Burnham (10 years).