A Quarterly Economic Development Publication Winter 2016

P A L M B E A C H C O U N T YGrowing the Life Sciences Sector | The Business of Sports | Quality Education

Cool Workplaces

Millennialsfor

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CONTENTSCreating a Strong, Sustainable Life Sciences Sector

Deep roots in biotechnology and bioscience

Business of Sports Leaders Discuss Impact on County

News & EventsWest Palm Beach Welcomes Wexford Capital

Boca a ‘Top Five’ City!Relocations & Expansions

Quality EducationA Key Driver in Economic Development

Where Are They Now?A Riviera Beach Business Update

Cool Workplaces for MillennialsCollaborative office settings appeal to talented young professionals.

TO OUR MEMBERS AND PARTNERS:

As a high-energy innovative organization, the Business Development Board is continually

looking for new ways to stimulate economic energy, promote business diversity, and enrich the

vitality of Palm Beach County.

In that spirit, we recently launched a comprehensive survey of our county’s life sciences

sector, which is making a growing contribution to the regional economy. You can read more

about this initiative in this issue of Palm Beach County Business, and be sure to visit our new life

sciences website, www.lifehelix.org.

If you are wondering about the workplace of the future, it’s already here in Palm Beach

County. Our talented architects and designers – as well as creative, forward-looking companies

– have created exciting office spaces that appeal to Millennials, Gen Xers and Boomers alike. This

is one of the ways that our business community is focusing on recruiting and retaining talented

professionals who are making a positive impact on our county.

Education is an important theme for all of us at the BDB. We understand the importance of

offering a varied range of high-quality programs to students and their families, while supporting

the workforce needs of area businesses, To help achieve those goals, we work closely with the

Palm Beach County School District, private schools, colleges and universities, as well as the Education Foundation of Palm

Beach County, CareerSource and other public and private organizations.

Looking ahead to next year, I’m excited by the great response we have received so far to our “Claim Your Future Showcase”

planned for the Palm Beach County Convention Center in February. Leading employers will spotlight their activities and get

junior and senior high school students excited about the career opportunities we offer right here at home.

Thank you all for supporting education and economic development in Palm Beach County!

Kelly Smallridge

President and CEO

Welcome from the President

Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Inc.310 Evernia Street | West Palm Beach, FL 33401561.835.1008 | www.bdb.org

Palm Beach County’sEconomic Development Resource

ON THE COVERGlidden Spina + Partners’ Reception Area

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Palm Beach County has deep roots in the life

sciences sector. Entrepreneurial physicians, dentists

and surgeons launched “homegrown” biotech companies

like 3i (Implant Innovations, Inc.) and the Anspach Companies,

both now part of global organizations. The arrival of noted

research institutes Scripps Florida and Max Planck Florida Institute

for Neuroscience, brought the region’s life sciences sector to a new level.

Creating a Strong, Sustainable

LifeSciencesSector

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“Today, we have a critical mass in the life sciences,” says John

Couris, president and CEO, Jupiter Medical Center, and co-chair of

the Business Development Board’s Life Sciences Task Force. “Our

challenge now is to extend that presence across our county and create

a strong and sustainable sector for generations to come.”

Together, Scripps and Max Planck employ more than 700 people,

with over 200 arriving in the last four years, said Kelly Smallridge,

president and CEO, Business Development Board of Palm Beach

County (BDB). “We understand that at least 14 companies have been

created, expanded, or moved here due to their presence. Clearly, they

have had an impact, but we believe that impact could be magnified.”

To help keep the life sciences sector moving forward, the BDB

recently launched a new site, www.lifehelix.org, that showcases the

county’s assets and brings key players together.

“Many people don’t realize that Palm Beach County has divisions

of Johnson & Johnson and Zimmer Biomet, and the headquarters of

Cancer Treatment Centers of America,” said Smallridge. “In fact,

nobody has a really good handle on exactly what science is happening

here, what collaborations are taking place, and what opportunities

there are to push our strengths forward.”

In August the BDB kicked off a major study by consulting firm

Facility Logix to better understand the current landscape of the life

science sector, and the challenges and opportunities for growth. The

study will provide a comprehensive inventory of the county’s life

sciences companies, institutions, support organizations, other entities,

plus a blueprint for progress over the next 10-15 years.

For the 2014-15 federal fiscal year, grants by the

National Institutes of Health (NIH) to Florida research

institutions reached $521 million, a new record, according

to a recent study by the Palm Beach Post. Although

nationally, NIH grants were down 1 percent, Florida

grants rose 10 percent over 2014. In Palm Beach County:

n Scripps Florida rose 24 percent to $36 million.

n Max Planck increased 107 percent to $3.6 million.

n Florida Atlantic University received $4.6 million.

NIH GRANTS

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“The results will be presented to private, education and

government stakeholders for strategic planning purposes, and be used

to create a solid coalition to enact short and long-

term initiatives to foster the industry in Palm Beach

County,” Smallridge said.

Meanwhile, the region’s healthcare institutions

are adding clinical trials and academic medicine

programs, aligning their services with life sciences

research and commercialization programs. For

example, JFK Medical Center in Atlantis is a

teaching affiliate of the University of Miami Miller

School of Medicine, and Jupiter Medical Center

recently announced a partnership with Mount Sinai

Heart New York at Jupiter Medical Center, to

enhance cardiac patient care services and research

in South Florida.

“Jupiter Medical Center has a long history in clinical research,” said

Couris. “We have a clinical research review board looking at other

prospective studies in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics and other fields.”

In 2014, JMC launched the Joe Namath Neurological Research

Center to study and combat the debilitating effects of traumatic brain

injuries (TBI). “We are using hyperbaric oxygen therapy

to treat injured patients, including men and women in the

military,” Couris said. “We have already seen measurable

improvements, and if our clinical study shows this

treatment works, it can be taken to the patient’s bedside.”

In addition, Palm Beach County is home to five

universities, including Florida Atlantic University, whose

Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine is building the

county’s strengths in basic, applied and translational

biomedical research. Palm Beach State College also

supports the industry with a 90,000 square-foot

Bioscience Technology Complex on its Palm Beach

Gardens campus.

“Clearly, Palm Beach County has become a

destination for cutting-edge healthcare and life sciences treatment and

research,” said Gina Melby, CEO, HCA Palm Beach Hospitals and BDB

chair. “We will continue on that path for decades to come.”

n John Couris, Jupiter Medical Center - co-chair

n Gina Melby, JFK Medical Center - co-chair

n David Bjorkman, M.D., M.S.P.H.,

Florida Atlantic University, College of Medicine

n Rina Dukor, BioTools

n Daniel Flynn, Florida Atlantic University

n Michael Gregson, Wavefront Health

Technologies

n Matthias Haury, Max Planck Florida Institute

n Ken Kirby, Transdermal Delivery Solutions

n Tom Kodakek, Scripps Research Institute Florida

n Ferris Lander, Ferris H. Lander, Inc.

n Becky Ann Mercer, Palm Beach State College

n Huntley Miller, Career Source

Palm Beach County

n Barbara Noble, Max Planck Florida Institute

n Sheila Poirier, BioTest

n Fred Sancilio, Sancilio and Company

n Bernard Siegel, World Stem Cell Summit

n Ofelia Utset, Opko Health

n David Willoughby, Ocean Ridge Biosciences

n Claudia Zylberberg, Akron Biotech

The BDB’s Life Sciencesand Healthcare IndustryCluster Task Force

John Couris

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From baseball’s spring training games to the Honda Classic, the BocaBowl and the Winter Equestrian Festival, sports has a year-round

impact on the Palm Beach County economy.

“Sports brings dollars into our region and plays a big role in

economic development,” said BDB president and CEO Kelly

Smallridge at a November 17 breakfast panel session at the Marriott

West Palm Beach.

Steve Politziner, VP/GM of ESPN West Palm Beach, moderated a

lively panel discussion with George Linley, executive director, Palm

Beach County Sports Commission; Mike Bauer, general manager, Roger

Dean Stadium; Ken Kennerly, executive director, The Honda Classic;

and Doug Mosley, executive director, Marmot Boca Raton Bowl.

Linley began the discussion by providing an overview of the

county’s sports offerings, including gymnastics, tennis, swimming,

biking, lacrosse, fencing and running. Last year, the sports commission

supported 138 different events that brought in $264 million in direct

visitor spending. “The Winter Equestrian Festival is one of the largest

events,” Linley added. “Polo and other equestrian competitions have

worldwide appeal, and we had 15,000 participants travel here and stay

for a month or longer.”

Kennerly said golf continues to be a major attraction for both

amateurs and PGA professionals. “We’ve seen steady growth in attendance

and viewership of The Honda Classic over the years,” he added.

Last year’s Boca Bowl was such a success that a

major sponsor signed up for this year’s game, which

will be held December 22 at Florida Atlantic

University Stadium and be televised nationally. “Our

goal is to have two great teams compete, bring down

their fans and showcase Boca Raton on TV,” said

Mosley.

Bauer noted that approval for a new spring

training ballpark in West Palm Beach is good news for

Roger Dean Stadium as well. “We will now have four

Major League Baseball teams playing close to each

other on the I-95 corridor,” he said. “We believe this

concentration may also entice other clubs to bring

their spring training activities back to Florida from

Arizona.”

When Politziner asked how businesses can take

advantage of sports activity, Linley said, “All our venues offer great

opportunities to brand your business and get in front of players,

families and other fans. By supporting them, you let them know you

consider yourself to be an important part of the community.”

Discuss Impact on County

SportsLeaders

Steve Politziner moderates panel discussion

Steve Politziner, George Linley, Mike Bauer, Ken Kennerly,Doug Mosley

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West Palm Beach Welcomes Wexford Capital

&EventsNews

Palm Beach County’s high quality of life was the key reason

Wexford Capital LP opened a new office in West Palm Beach in early

2015. “You don’t have to put up with the snow and cold weather,” said

Joseph M. Jacobs, president of the investment advisory firm, which

has other offices in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Oklahoma City.

“Clients and employees alike love coming here to play golf and tennis,

go boating, or just enjoy the beach and the sunshine.”

Convenient flights from Palm Beach International Airport to

New York, low-stress commutes to work and Florida’s low-tax

climate – including no personal income tax – were other added

benefits for Wexford Capital in deciding to make West Palm Beach

its new headquarters.

“With video conferencing and other online communication

tools, it’s relatively easy to run a geographically decentralized

business,” said Jacobs, who co-founded the firm in 1994. “Palm

Beach County is also attracting younger workers in their 20s and

30s, and that’s another benefit for financial firms like Wexford.”

Originally from the Northeast, Jacobs and business partner

Chuck Davidson were part-time residents of Palm Beach County

for many years before opening the West Palm Beach office in 2015.

“Our office is designed for about 20 people, including our key

executives,” Jacobs said, adding that Wexford’s administrative

functions will remain in Greenwich and Oklahoma City. Overall,

the company has about 80 employees, some of whom work in

multiple offices.

Wexford Capital LP is an SEC registered investment advisor

with approximately $4.0 billion of assets under management. The

firm manages a series of hedge funds and private equity funds, and

has made more than $6 billion in private equity investments.

“One of our core investment areas is real estate, and we have

a number of projects underway in South Florida, including three

condominium developments in Miami,” Jacobs said. “Being

located here gives us the added benefit of staying close to those

projects.”

Relocations & Expansions

Sunshine State Biomass CooperativeBrings New Jobs to Pahokee

Sunshine State Biomass Cooperative (SSBC) is establishing a

major recycling operation in Pahokee. The SSBC, in partnership with

BioCarbon Technologies Inc., (BCT) currently operates a registered

Source Organic Processing Facility (SOPF) in Pahokee.

Now, SSBC intends to expand operations through a $5 million

capital investment to employ cutting-edge patented torrefaction

technology to Florida’s recycling of yard waste. The 25-acre site,

including a 20,000 square foot facility that already employs a small

number of local workers, will ultimately employ up to 200 people

with salaries that match or surpass Pahokee’s average wage. The

Pahokee site currently recycles yard waste from Miami-Dade,

Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

“This project is a great win for Pahokee” said Kelly Smallridge,

president and CEO of the BDB. “It will help build upon the Glades

Region’s agricultural industry, employ 200 people, and it will have a

lasting impact for the community.” The BDB assisted the company

through the permitting process with select Palm Beach County

entities and introduced it to CareerSource Palm Beach County to

help it fill its staffing needs.

“The City is enthusiastic about the new economic development

occurring in Pahokee. I welcome this new expansion of the SSBC

family to the community. The future is bright for sustainable

economic opportunities in the City of Pahokee,” said Chandler

Williamson, City Manager of Pahokee.

Entrepreneur.com recently named Boca Raton in its “Top 5

Cities You Wouldn’t Expect to Have a Thriving Startup Scene.”

Boca ranked fourth on the list behind Seattle, Boston and

Cleveland, all of which are much larger cities. One of Boca’s

strengths was the fact that 47 percent of its residents have a

bachelor’s degree or higher. Boca also has dozens of startups

founded by tech professionals.

Boca a ‘Top Five’ City!

9PBCB

Relocations & Expansionscontinued

“The bulk of our hiring will occur during the summer of 2016,”

said David Disbrow, president of the SSBC. The SSBC in partnership

with BCT, operates an additional SOPF in Arcadia, Florida and will

soon open a third facility in Fort Pierce.

East Coast Metal Structure Corp.Expands to Riviera Beach

East Coast Metal Structure Corp. is expanding its operations in

Palm Beach County, with assistance from the Business Development

Board, Palm Beach County and the City of Riviera Beach. The

company purchased 21,000 square feet of space at 3450 Dr. Martin

Luther King Jr. Blvd in Riviera Beach, where it will make a $2 million

capital investment and hire 40 new employees. East Coast Metal

Structures will also maintain its current location in Lantana, where it

employs 110 people.

“East Coast’s 20th century values and 21st century technology

have made this company an industry leader,” said Charles Hardee Post,

vice president. “Palm Beach County is the ideal location for our

company and we are excited for the opportunity to open another

facility in Riviera Beach.”

East Coast Metal Structures specializes in the fabrication and

erection of bar joists, structural steel, metal decking, railings, stairs,

louvers and miscellaneous metals.

The BDB assisted the company with coordination of multiple

resources including the Port of Palm Beach Foreign Trade Zone, FPL,

CareerSource Palm Beach County, State of Florida Manufacturing Tax

Exemptions, and SBA financing. The county assisted with Enterprise

Zone incentives and provision of alternative financing resources. The

City of Riviera Beach provided technical assistance and referred the

project to the BDB.

“East Coast Metal Structures is a family-owned business that has

served the Southeastern United States and the Caribbean for more

than 30 years,” said Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the

Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. “The company’s

recent expansion success story is indicative of many county-based

businesses the BDB serves. It’s always nice to relocate new companies

to the area, but it is extremely rewarding to see homegrown businesses

flourish.”

Yachtico Relocating CorporateHQ to Palm Beach County

Yachtico, the largest global online yacht booking company, is

relocating its corporate headquarters from Germany to Boca

Raton. The company has leased 5,000 square feet of space at 3651

FAU Blvd., where it will hire 50 new employees with an average wage

of $65,000.

“It makes great sense for Yachtico to have a presence in Florida,

especially Palm Beach County,” said Kelly Smallridge, BDB president

and CEO. “The area provides an abundance of opportunities for the

company.” The BDB assisted the company through the incentive

process, and provided real estate searches and information on local

service providers and schools.

Connecting vacationers to the largest collection of trusted,

professionally operated boat charters for week-long journeys,

Yachtico.com is a complete resource for the seafaring traveler.

Yachtico.com boasts 16,000 motor boats, sail boats and house boats

worldwide, offering travelers affordable and luxury choices in every

season.

Yachitco received a Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund (QTI)

incentive of $250,000, with $200,000 from the State of Florida and a

$50,000 contribution from the City of Boca Raton.

Bill Johnson, president & CEO of Enterprise Florida, said, “As we

continue to market Florida as the best state to live, work and play, more

and more great companies like Yachtico will create opportunities for

Floridians and strengthen our economy.”

Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie welcomed Yachtico, saying, “We

are pleased that one of the largest international yacht charter and

rental companies has decided to relocate its corporate headquarters

from Berlin to Boca Raton. We look forward to continuing to work

with them and having them as part of our community.”

Zimmer Biomet expanding in Palm Beach Gardens

Zimmer Biomet is expanding in Palm Beach Gardens, creating

178 jobs in addition to retaining 473 positions. The company will also

make a $1.8 million capital investment in the community.

Medical device manufacturers Zimmer and Biomet recently

completed combining their two brands into one company. Zimmer

Biomet collaborates with healthcare professionals around the globe to

design, manufacture and market orthopedic reconstructive, dental and

surgical products. The company has operations in more than 25 countries

around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries.

David Josza, vice president and general manager of Zimmer

Biomet’s Dental Division, said, “On behalf of the Zimmer Biomet

team, I would like to thank Governor Scott, Enterprise Florida and all

our local partners for supporting this project. We look forward to

continuing to build the new Zimmer Biomet brand in Florida.”

The project was made possible through strong partnerships

between Enterprise Florida, the Florida Department of Economic

Opportunity, CareerSource Florida, Palm Beach County, the City of

Palm Beach Gardens, and the Business Development Board of Palm

Beach County.

“Zimmer is a very significant project as it represents the

retention of an existing employer and the new presence of a globally

recognized innovative company selecting Palm Beach County in

which to grow its operations,” said Kelly Smallridge, BDB president

and CEO. “Biomet enjoyed a rich history in Palm Beach County and

we are thrilled that Zimmer Biomet will continue to have a strong

and growing presence here.”

10 PBCB

A high-quality public school system is one of the foundations forsuccessful economic development, according to Dr. Robert Avossa, the

new superintendent of the Palm Beach County School District.

“We need to set a bold vision and build a bold agenda for

excellence in the future,” Avossa told several hundred Business

Development Board members at the September 10

quarterly luncheon at the Kravis Center.

At the luncheon, Kelly Smallridge, BDB

president and CEO, gave the “Annual Economic

Development Update,” outlining the 33-year-old

organization’s accomplishments in recruiting new

companies, retaining existing operations and

expanding area businesses.

Altogether, 3,604 jobs were created or retained in

FY 2015, and nearly 4,800 more potential jobs are in

the pipeline, Smallridge said. Total capital investment

of approximately $285 million and absorption of 1.36

million square feet of commercial space were both

records for the fiscal year.

Of the 25 BDB projects in the 2015 fiscal year,

13 companies went to the North County, five to

Central County, five to South County and two to the

Glades, she said. She noted that there was an increase

in projects related to logistics, distribution and international commerce.

“Our team is always out there promoting our county as a great

place to do business,” she added. “While the BDB is recognized as the

number one economic development organization in Florida, we can

always improve our offering.”

In his talk, Avossa said he has spent his first few months on the job

listening to teachers, parents, students, administrators and other

staffers. “We also want to be sure we align our programs with the needs

of the business and professional communities here,”

he said. “We want to retain our talented graduates

right here in Palm Beach County.”

Avossa noted that the school district is the 11th

largest in the U.S. with 22,000 employees and a $2

billion annual budget. “I am looking forward to

helping this organization become more nimble and

react more quickly to our students and parents,” he

said. “We also have to do more to customize and

personalize the educational experience for each

student. For instance, not every child goes to college,

and we need to offer high-quality vocational

education as well.”

Finally, Avossa emphasized that Palm Beach

County schools and businesses need to support

each other. “You can help us with mentorships

and internships, as well as letting us know about

your changing workforce needs,” he said. “We will

be launching our strategic plan in early 2016, and we want the

business community to stand with us as we take a bold step to the

future.”

Dr. Robert Avossa

Kelly Smallridge with Frank Barbieri, Jr., vice chairman, Palm BeachCounty School District

Quality Education a Key Driverin Economic Development

“We want toretain ourtalentedgraduatesright here inPalm BeachCounty.”

— Dr. Robert Avossa,Palm Beach County

School Superintendent

11PBCB

Attracting new industries to our community and ensuring the growth of

employment opportunities is central to the partnership between the

Palm Beach County Commission and the BDB. To that end, two Palm

Beach County businesses – Baron Sign Manufacturing and Smart for

Life® – relied on the County’s unique ability to provide economic

incentives and technical assistance to relocate and expand their business

operations in Riviera Beach. In both cases, business is booming!

More than 10 years ago, Baron Sign Manufacturing owners Sandra

and Jerry Foland made the bold decision to expand their business. With

more than $2.6 million in loan financing from the county’s Section 108

program, the company constructed a 40,000 square foot facility in

Riviera Beach. The economy has fluctuated widely since then, but

Baron Sign has weathered the storm. “Sign manufacturing is a

barometer of the economy,” says CEO Sandy Foland. When the

economy is strong, signs are needed – new businesses need to establish

their presence and existing businesses can take the time and resources

to invest in their image.

Consider this “sign” of a strong economy – Baron Sign currently

has its largest backlog in orders since 2008. Judy Rudy, Executive

Administrator, confirms, “We currently have two years of work in the

pipeline” and anticipates additional growth for Baron Sign within the

next year. With a current full-time staff of 40, Baron Sign is looking to

fill three open positions. A bigger shop translates to an increase in

productivity and the capacity to design and fabricate larger signs. Plus,

the mezzanine-level employee break room and staff lounge provides

an inspiring birds-eye view of the manufacturing floor. Inspiration,

however, is not constrained by the Baron Sign Manufacturing building

walls. There is pride in knowing that Palm Beach County’s economic

development programs, offered through the Department of Economic

Sustainability (DES), helped keep “Made in the USA” a reality for Baron

Sign. Ms. Rudy remarks, “At Baron Sign, we take pride in the finished

product, we take pride in keeping jobs in Riviera Beach, and we take

pride in knowing that when an individual Baron Sign employee

succeeds, we as a business succeed.”

Smart for Life® was seriously considering moving its commercial

baking operation to Mexico City, Mexico. The Board of County

Commissioners, through DES, utilized federal funds from the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S.

Department of Energy to offer $713,000 in low interest financing for fixed

assets, working capital, and energy conservation measures to keep Smart

for Life® in Palm Beach County. The award of these funds helped Smart

for Life® acquire a 25,000 square foot facility in Riviera Beach. “We really

wanted to stay in the U.S.,” says Dr. Sasson E. Moulavi, the Smart for Life®

founder, “And assistance from the County and the City of Riviera Beach

really helped us make that decision.”

Since the 2012 grand opening, business has exceeded expectations.

The trailblazing weight management industry leader added two new

brands, saw a 50% increase in sales, and increased production. The

manufacturing and distribution center still leaves Smart for Life® with

room for growth. Among other products, the facility currently produces

one million weight loss cookies per month. A planned manufacturing

line expansion will soon increase production to 2.5 million cookies per

month. In addition, in 2016 Smart for Life® will hire at least 20 new full-

time employees to implement a new production contract for a major

retailer. The commercial baking operation has a current staff of 60, with

very few part-time employees and minimal staff turn-over. The business

operates on an open door policy, where any and all are encouraged to

provide input; that combined with a relaxed atmosphere and a high

quality product are all reasons why the Riviera Beach Smart for Life®

manufacturing and distribution center is a great place to work.

Dr. Moulavi’s high standards are not limited to his Smart for Life®

weight loss products. For example, blue floors throughout the plant make

for a more cheerful work environment; weekly prizes reward punctuality,

accuracy, and quality; solar power reduces energy costs while helping

minimize negative environmental impact; and production is limited to

two 8-hour shifts per day rather than a 24 hour cycle. In 2013, Smart for

Life® was recognized as “Manufacturer of the Year” by the South Florida

Manufacturers Association. Dr. Moulavi shares one secret to the

manufacturer’s success, “Using a 360° method, with input from staff

above, below, and along-side the employee, we work to meet three goals:

an employee who wants to be here; an employee with the capacity to do

the job; and an employee who cares about the company and the product.”

To learn more about Baron Sign Manufacturing, Smart for Life®,

or any of the County’s business assistance programs, please contact me

at 561-233-2653 or showard@pbcgov.org.

A Riviera BeachBusiness Update

Where areThey Now?

By Sherry Howard, Deputy DirectorPalm Beach County Department of Economic Sustainability

12 PBCB

PalmBeachCounty

Cool Workplaces

MillennialsEditor’s Note: This is the second of two parts focusing

on Palm Beach County’s appeal to younger workers.

A well-designed, cool-looking office is one of the ways Palm Beach County

businesses are appealing to talented young professionals. Millennials like open

layouts, collaborative spaces and a creative approach to artwork, furnishings and

accessories, according to several area professionals.

“We are seeing more flexible work environments,” says Rick Gonzalez,

president, REG Architects in West Palm Beach, which has approximately 15

employees. “Companies want to be able to use office space in multiple ways, such

as changing a reception area to a social space for a client reception.”

REG’s office in an historic building from the 1920s reflects that workplace

strategy. “We can change our lunch area into a training space, and move furniture

to make it easier to sit down and have a collaborative conversation,” he says. “Our

brick walls, exposed ducts and Dade County pine trusses give our office a sense of

history and authenticity.”

Keith Spina, senior partner, Glidden-Spina + Partners, says office tenants and

owners are paying close attention to office layout, as well as the size of the

workspace. “Traditionally, executives would want private offices,” he says. “Now,

they want to see what’s going on around them. However, you still have to find a

way to provide individual privacy for phone calls and other purposes.”

Offers

for

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Glidden Spina + Partners

REG Architects

14 PBCB

Noise is another issue with open floor plans. “We have looked

at acoustical solutions, including white noise,” Spina says.

“Another solution is to let workers use the music apps on their

phones to play their favorite songs.”

Standing desks that easily move up and down are now

featured in many Palm Beach County offices. “Boomers, Gen Xers

and Millennials all like the idea of being able to stand up and

change their posture during the day,” Spina says. “It can help you

stay healthy on and off the job.”

To accommodate a more mobile workforce, some businesses

are using a “hot-desk” plan where employees can plug their

mobile devices into any vacant space in the office. “This can

reduce the overall space requirements for a company,” Spina adds.

Spina says his firm has created a business lounge, rather than

a lunchroom, where employees can read emails, check social

media or talk to their friends on a break. “We also offer them a

daily salad bar, and have a fitness program to help them balance

work with the rest of their lives.”

Daniel Cane, CEO, Modernizing Medicine in Boca Raton,

points to the importance of lighting in designing an appealing

workplace. “Light needs to permeate the office, because it’s so

closely tied to the energy level of an organization,” he says. “We

use a lot of glass in our office, because it blocks sounds, but allows

the light to flow from one end of the office to the other.”

Carey O’Donnell, president, The O’Donnell Agency, turned

ground-floor retail space in West Palm Beach into a creative office

setting for her 15-person team. “Our office is designed for the way

Millennials work,” she says. “We have our art and social media

departments in the middle of a big open area.” The office includes

a giant metal tree sculpture, a 1965 Mustang, a lounge area and

several couches. “Our clients enjoy coming in to hang out and

have a cup of coffee with us,” she says.

As Gonzalez says, “Millennials want to be in downtown areas

with a sense of character. They want to be able to walk to shops,

restaurants and outdoor events. They also enjoy beaches, parks

and other natural settings. With all that Palm Beach County has

to offer, I think we are well positioned to attract Millennials in

the next few years.”

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