Member News

POLK WORKS OFFERS FREE JOB READINESS CLASSES

In today’s tough economy, the job market is more competitive than ever. It is critical for job seekers to stand out and increase their chances of landing a job. To help prepare those seeking employment, Polk Works is offering free job readiness classes.
The Polk Works Job Readiness Workshop is a free 10-day program specifically designed for adults who are interested in gaining career advancement.
Interested participants may attend one day if a particular topic is of interest, or may plan to attend the entire 10-day schedule. Topics center on tips and techniques for standing out from the competition and the latest job search tactics for obtaining employment.
Attendees may learn from a variety of interesting topics and subjects including conducting job searches, completing applications, writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing techniques, communication, conflict resolution, money management, job retention and much more.
Different topics are scheduled daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Winter Haven and Lakeland One-Stop Centers.
The workshops fill up quickly and are scheduled by appointment only.
For more information, please call Polk Works at (863) 508-1100, or visit the employment organization’s website at www.polkworks.org.

PSC's ROB CLANCEY NAMED NCCET PRESIDENT

Rob Clancey, an administrator at Polk State College, has been elected president-elect of the National Council for Continuing Education and Training for the 2011-2012 term.
Clancey has served as Director of Polk State’s Corporate College since 2003 and has served on the NCCET Board of Directors since 2005. He has a distinguished career as an educator and college administrator and in the private sector.
NCCET is the nation’s premier association for continuing education professionals. The Council’s membership includes over 300 institutions from across the United States and works to promote best practices in continuing and contract training.
Clancey plans to “work with my colleagues on the Board as well as the Council’s staff to continue to execute and refine the strategic plans we have worked on over the last several years, during my prior terms as an NCCET board member,” he says. “Now, more than ever, organizations and workers – employed or displaced – are looking to continuing education and training as a way to maintain competitiveness and add value. The Council monitors and leverages ‘best practice’ in the field, and we have a clear record of supporting innovation and professional development for our members.”
At Polk State College, Clancey’s responsibility includes a $2 million contract training operation, headquartered at Polk State’s Airside facility in Lakeland, Florida, and serving 12,000 students from private industry and nonprofit organizations annually.
Dr. Eileen Holden, President of Polk State College, hailed the announcement as a validation of the important work Clancey and his staff do on a daily basis: “We are certainly proud of Rob and our Corporate College model. I anticipate that he and his colleagues at NCCET will make an important impact on continuing education during the coming year. There is no doubt that continuing education is one of the ways that we will get not only Florida’s but also the nation’s economies moving again.”
In addition to its Airside Center, Polk State College has campuses in Winter Haven and Lakeland and a center in Lake Wales.
For more information, visit corporatepsc.com.

JOHN CLYATT IS UF OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS

The University of Florida’s School of Forest Resources and Conservation recently gave John Clyatt of Pickett & Associates, Inc., an Outstanding Alumnus award.
Each year the school recognizes an alum who has made outstanding contributions to the school’s various programs, in the recipient’s profession and in his community.
“I was deeply honored to receive this award,” said Clyatt. “My grandfather and father both attended the university, so when I was growing up, as far as I was concerned there was no other school to consider.”
Clyatt is a third-generation surveyor and a 1983 honors graduate of the UF Surveying and Mapping Program. He is the president of Pickett & Associates, Inc. Currently he is the chairman of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation advisory board. For more information contact Pickett & Associates, Inc. at (863) 533-9095.
Pickett & Associates, Inc. is located at 475 S. First Avenue in Bartow.

CITY NAMES INTERIM CRA DIRECTOR

An interim Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) director has been chosen, and it’s Patrick Brett, former senior planner and technology manager for the Central Florida Regional Planning Council.
Brett holds a batchelor’s degree in international relations and is nearing completion of a Master’s Degree in urban and regional planning. He has nearly 10 years of experience working with municipal and regional Florida governments and has served as the assistant director of the largest CRA in Miami-Dade County, the North Miami CRA, prior to relocating to Bartow in 2006.
Brett is married with two children. For more information, call (863) 534-0121.

WATSON CLINIC'S CARDIOLOGISTS CO-AUTHOR STUDY

Watson Clinic cardiologists Patrick J. Reddy, MD, and Kevin F. Browne, Jr., MD, are key contributors to an important research study concerning the interaction between grapefruit juice and the popular medication Lipitor, which is prescribed to control high cholesterol levels. This study - titled ‘Serum concentrations and clinical effects of atorvastatin in patients taking grapefruit juice daily’ - was recently published by the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and challenges the widely-held claim that regular doses of grapefruit juice have an adverse effect on the absorption of Lipitor (atorvastatin) by increasing the drug level in the blood stream, therefore reducing the safety of the drug and leading to possible liver or muscle damage.
The findings of Drs. Reddy & Browne and their colleagues on the study conclude that typical daily consumption of grapefruit juice causes a slight, but insignificant elevation of Lipitor serum levels in the patients who take the medication on a regular basis. The liver and muscle lab tests showed no significant change. Their research indicates that typical consumption of grapefruit juice is safe with Lipitor and there is no necessity for reducing the dosage of Lipitor when consuming grapefruit juice.

TINDALE-OLIVER PARTNERS WITH GREENOVATIVE DESIGN

Tindale-Oliver & Associates (TOA) recently joined the Greenovative Design & Engineering Team, an affiliation of companies focused on green technology and development.
The Team takes the seeds of “green” knowledge and grows and expands them into innovative applications to serve the needs of others in the government, industrial, commercial, and private sectors.
TOA’s experience in planning and developing transportation and public infrastructure will support the Team in the areas of master planning, green facility and operational planning, site development, land use codes/ordinances, alternative transportation, and public finance.
The Greenovative Team began as a natural outgrowth of a project by Madrid Engineering Group, Inc. (MEG) with the goal of building a new “green” office complex.
Currently, MEG leads a partnership of architects, environmental scientists, engineers, construction managers, and specialized technicians that enable the Greenovative Team to provide environmentally-conscious building and energy solutions related to new and existing structures and processes. To find out more, visit: www.greenovativedesign.com.

JJ CORBETT IS POLK COUNTY HALL OF FAMER

J.J. Corbett, retired Polk County School’s educator and coach, was one of five inducted into the Polk County Hall of Fame last month during the Polk County All Sports Awards.
Corbett is a former coach for the Union Academy and Bartow High School’s football, track & field and cross country teams.
Corbett has always loved athletics and played football and basketball when he attended Union Academy.
He went on to Bethune-Cookman College and North Carolina A&T College where he majored in mathematics and physical education and played collegiate football. In between the two colleges, he was drafted into the service, where he was a paratrooper in the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, known as the Triple Nickels.
He came out of school and was asked to become a math teacher at the Union Academy. He accepted and began coaching football. In 1952, Claude Woodruff came to the Academy and was asked to start a track & field team. Corbett was named the coach and led his teams to two state championships. Throughout his teaching and coaching career, he has experienced many highlights.
In 2008, Corbett was a Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. He has won many awards and honors for his work in the public schools and his military career.
He was inducted into the Polk County Hall of Fame on June 21, 2011, at the Lakeland Center. The event was hosted by Polk County Sports Marketing.

WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE LETS PARTICIPANTS WIN BIG

Ultimate Fitness Center, (UFC) is hosting a 12-week weight loss challenge beginning July 15, 2011 at its Bartow location at 290 E. Van Fleet Drive. With the rewards of personal development and actual weight loss, also comes large cash prizes for participants. Entry fee for UFC members is $300. Non-members may participate for $375. UFC will offer weekly weigh-ins and incentives for good health and lifestyle changes. The competition ends on October 8, 2011. For more information please contact the UFC at (863) 533-5300 or visit its website www.ultimatefitnessbartow.com.

TOURNEY TO BENEFIT LELAND FAMILY MINISTRIES

Woodman of the World is sponsoring a charity golf tournament. All proceeds are to benefit Leland Family Ministries.
The scramble is Saturday July 30, 2011. It will be held at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course, and will start at 8:00 a.m. Cost is $240 per team ($60 per player).
Leland Family Ministries is a nonprofit, faith-based organization. The ministry is committed to connecting offenders, addicts and their families to the Word of God. For further information, please contact Woodman of the World at (863) 647-3829.


Member News POLK WORKS OFFERS FREE JOB READINESS CLASSES In today’s tough economy, the job market is more competitive than ever. It is critical for job seekers to stand out and increase their chances of landing a job. To help prepare those seeking employment, Polk Works is offering free job readiness classes. The Polk Works Job Readiness Workshop is a free 10-day program specifically designed for adults who are interested in gaining career advancement. Interested participants may attend one day if a particular topic is of interest, or may plan to attend the entire 10-day schedule. Topics center on tips and techniques for standing out from the competition and the latest job search tactics for obtaining employment. Attendees may learn from a variety of interesting topics and subjects including conducting job searches, completing applications, writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing techniques, communication, conflict resolution, money management, job retention and much more. Different topics are scheduled daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Winter Haven and Lakeland One-Stop Centers. The workshops fill up quickly and are scheduled by appointment only. For more information, please call Polk Works at (863) 508-1100, or visit the employment organization’s website at www.polkworks.org. PSC's ROB CLANCEY NAMED NCCET PRESIDENT Rob Clancey, an administrator at Polk State College, has been elected president-elect of the National Council for Continuing Education and Training for the 2011-2012 term. Clancey has served as Director of Polk State’s Corporate College since 2003 and has served on the NCCET Board of Directors since 2005. He has a distinguished career as an educator and college administrator and in the private sector. NCCET is the nation’s premier association for continuing education professionals. The Council’s membership includes over 300 institutions from across the United States and works to promote best practices in continuing and contract training. Clancey plans to “work with my colleagues on the Board as well as the Council’s staff to continue to execute and refine the strategic plans we have worked on over the last several years, during my prior terms as an NCCET board member,” he says. “Now, more than ever, organizations and workers – employed or displaced – are looking to continuing education and training as a way to maintain competitiveness and add value. The Council monitors and leverages ‘best practice’ in the field, and we have a clear record of supporting innovation and professional development for our members.” At Polk State College, Clancey’s responsibility includes a $2 million contract training operation, headquartered at Polk State’s Airside facility in Lakeland, Florida, and serving 12,000 students from private industry and nonprofit organizations annually. Dr. Eileen Holden, President of Polk State College, hailed the announcement as a validation of the important work Clancey and his staff do on a daily basis: “We are certainly proud of Rob and our Corporate College model. I anticipate that he and his colleagues at NCCET will make an important impact on continuing education during the coming year. There is no doubt that continuing education is one of the ways that we will get not only Florida’s but also the nation’s economies moving again.” In addition to its Airside Center, Polk State College has campuses in Winter Haven and Lakeland and a center in Lake Wales. For more information, visit corporatepsc.com. JOHN CLYATT IS UF OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS The University of Florida’s School of Forest Resources and Conservation recently gave John Clyatt of Pickett & Associates, Inc., an Outstanding Alumnus award. Each year the school recognizes an alum who has made outstanding contributions to the school’s various programs, in the recipient’s profession and in his community. “I was deeply honored to receive this award,” said Clyatt. “My grandfather and father both attended the university, so when I was growing up, as far as I was concerned there was no other school to consider.” Clyatt is a third-generation surveyor and a 1983 honors graduate of the UF Surveying and Mapping Program. He is the president of Pickett & Associates, Inc. Currently he is the chairman of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation advisory board. For more information contact Pickett & Associates, Inc. at (863) 533-9095. Pickett & Associates, Inc. is located at 475 S. First Avenue in Bartow. CITY NAMES INTERIM CRA DIRECTOR An interim Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) director has been chosen, and it’s Patrick Brett, former senior planner and technology manager for the Central Florida Regional Planning Council. Brett holds a batchelor’s degree in international relations and is nearing completion of a Master’s Degree in urban and regional planning. He has nearly 10 years of experience working with municipal and regional Florida governments and has served as the assistant director of the largest CRA in Miami-Dade County, the North Miami CRA, prior to relocating to Bartow in 2006. Brett is married with two children. For more information, call (863) 534-0121. WATSON CLINIC'S CARDIOLOGISTS CO-AUTHOR STUDY Watson Clinic cardiologists Patrick J. Reddy, MD, and Kevin F. Browne, Jr., MD, are key contributors to an important research study concerning the interaction between grapefruit juice and the popular medication Lipitor, which is prescribed to control high cholesterol levels. This study - titled ‘Serum concentrations and clinical effects of atorvastatin in patients taking grapefruit juice daily’ - was recently published by the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and challenges the widely-held claim that regular doses of grapefruit juice have an adverse effect on the absorption of Lipitor (atorvastatin) by increasing the drug level in the blood stream, therefore reducing the safety of the drug and leading to possible liver or muscle damage. The findings of Drs. Reddy & Browne and their colleagues on the study conclude that typical daily consumption of grapefruit juice causes a slight, but insignificant elevation of Lipitor serum levels in the patients who take the medication on a regular basis. The liver and muscle lab tests showed no significant change. Their research indicates that typical consumption of grapefruit juice is safe with Lipitor and there is no necessity for reducing the dosage of Lipitor when consuming grapefruit juice. TINDALE-OLIVER PARTNERS WITH GREENOVATIVE DESIGN Tindale-Oliver & Associates (TOA) recently joined the Greenovative Design & Engineering Team, an affiliation of companies focused on green technology and development. The Team takes the seeds of “green” knowledge and grows and expands them into innovative applications to serve the needs of others in the government, industrial, commercial, and private sectors. TOA’s experience in planning and developing transportation and public infrastructure will support the Team in the areas of master planning, green facility and operational planning, site development, land use codes/ordinances, alternative transportation, and public finance. The Greenovative Team began as a natural outgrowth of a project by Madrid Engineering Group, Inc. (MEG) with the goal of building a new “green” office complex. Currently, MEG leads a partnership of architects, environmental scientists, engineers, construction managers, and specialized technicians that enable the Greenovative Team to provide environmentally-conscious building and energy solutions related to new and existing structures and processes. To find out more, visit: www.greenovativedesign.com. JJ CORBETT IS POLK COUNTY HALL OF FAMER J.J. Corbett, retired Polk County School’s educator and coach, was one of five inducted into the Polk County Hall of Fame last month during the Polk County All Sports Awards. Corbett is a former coach for the Union Academy and Bartow High School’s football, track & field and cross country teams. Corbett has always loved athletics and played football and basketball when he attended Union Academy. He went on to Bethune-Cookman College and North Carolina A&T College where he majored in mathematics and physical education and played collegiate football. In between the two colleges, he was drafted into the service, where he was a paratrooper in the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, known as the Triple Nickels. He came out of school and was asked to become a math teacher at the Union Academy. He accepted and began coaching football. In 1952, Claude Woodruff came to the Academy and was asked to start a track & field team. Corbett was named the coach and led his teams to two state championships. Throughout his teaching and coaching career, he has experienced many highlights. In 2008, Corbett was a Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. He has won many awards and honors for his work in the public schools and his military career. He was inducted into the Polk County Hall of Fame on June 21, 2011, at the Lakeland Center. The event was hosted by Polk County Sports Marketing. WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE LETS PARTICIPANTS WIN BIG Ultimate Fitness Center, (UFC) is hosting a 12-week weight loss challenge beginning July 15, 2011 at its Bartow location at 290 E. Van Fleet Drive. With the rewards of personal development and actual weight loss, also comes large cash prizes for participants. Entry fee for UFC members is $300. Non-members may participate for $375. UFC will offer weekly weigh-ins and incentives for good health and lifestyle changes. The competition ends on October 8, 2011. For more information please contact the UFC at (863) 533-5300 or visit its website www.ultimatefitnessbartow.com. TOURNEY TO BENEFIT LELAND FAMILY MINISTRIES Woodman of the World is sponsoring a charity golf tournament. All proceeds are to benefit Leland Family Ministries. The scramble is Saturday July 30, 2011. It will be held at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course, and will start at 8:00 a.m. Cost is $240 per team ($60 per player). Leland Family Ministries is a nonprofit, faith-based organization. The ministry is committed to connecting offenders, addicts and their families to the Word of God. For further information, please contact Woodman of the World at (863) 647-3829.
Business Update - July 2011 Business Update Newsletter