Business Briefs

Published January 11th, 2008

RBC Centura's Investment Banking Group was the exclusive financial advisor in negotiating the successful recapitalization of its client, Northwestern Management Services, LLC with The Beekman Group LLC, a private equity firm. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Northwestern is a dental practice management company. It provides comprehensive management and administrative services as well as non-clinical staffing, facilities and other resources for its affiliated dental practices, Gentle Dental Group.

In honor of Hospice by the Sea Month, declared by the City of Boca Raton and Mayor Steve Abrams, photographs and tiles of the gardens, fountains, and trees at Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton will be on display at the Golden Anchor Gallery, Northern Trust Bank, 3100 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, throughout January. Boca Raton resident Jerry Gotkin created the works -- a painter and fine art photographer who is catalogued in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC The exhibit, which is free, is open to the public during regular bank hours.

The CB Richard Ellis Boca Raton office came together for its first annual Toys for Tots Toy Drive. With the help of neighboring tenants, including Wachovia Bank and Prudential, at 5355 Town Center Road, the drive was able to collect approximately 100 -120 toys with an estimated value of over $1,000. "We were excited to have the opportunity to help those who are less fortunate," said Rick Miller, managing director for Palm Beach County. "It was a huge success and we are extremely happy with everyone's participation." The drive was initiated by Sara Block, client services coordinator, Boca Raton office.

Woolbright Development has announced a record breaking 2007 as the company signed leases totaling more than one million square feet in 34 shopping centers throughout Florida. This comes on the heels of another record set during the year when in one quarter Woolbright acquired eight centers in Florida totaling 1.1 million square feet and valued at more than $100 million. “This year, Woolbright has surpassed all growth expectations in terms of both leasing and acquisitions in what has generally been considered a challenging real estate market,” said Duane Stiller, president of Woolbright Development.

Northern Trust Bank in Boca Raton will exhibit former Boca Raton News photographic intern Betsey Chesler’s work in its banquet room and lobby during the month of March. Chesler reports that the landscape shots were all done locally, using an infrared camera.

Agilysys has announced that Aston Hotel, Sheffield, located in South Yorkshire, U.K., has selected a comprehensive Visual One Suite of Products by Agilysys to streamline operations at the 78-room property, which is scheduled to open in April 2008. Aston Hotel, Sheffield is owned and managed by Aston Hotels.

Fleet Feet Sports Boca is offering “No Boundaries,” a 12-week training program for beginners hoping to run or walk in a 5K race. The purpose of the program is to introduce participants to the lifetime fitness activities of running and walking and to encourage them to live healthier lifestyles. The program will begin Jan. 12 and will meet every Saturday morning from 7 a.m. to noon. Call for information.

The Delray Beach Garlic Fest has announced that Office Depot will be the main stage sponsor for the 9th annual event scheduled for Feb. 8, 9 and 10 at the Old School Square Cultural Arts Center, 51 N. Swinton Ave. The event includes a garlic chefs competition and entertainment.

Yueh-Mei Kim Nutter, a partner in Hodgson Russ LLP’s Florida Family & Marital and Business Litigation Practice Groups, has been named managing partner of the firm’s Florida offices, located in Boca Raton and Palm Beach. Ms. Nutter follows James M. Hankins as managing partner of the Florida offices. Hankins will continue to serve the firm’s clients as a partner in the firm’s Estates and Trusts Practice Group.