November 2020 SPOTLIGHT
​EEC Solutions

NOVEMBER 2020 SPOTLIGHT
​Rental and Realty Group

Haines City, FL - EEC Solutions (EEC) is a veteran-owned small business located in Haines City, Florida, operated by veteran Alex Morales-Hernandez. Alex, the CEO and President of EEC, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he lived until he enlisted in the United States Army. Alex enlisted in the United States Army on April 18, 1995, and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer Three after 21 years of military service. He served in the Special Operations Enterprise and, lastly, in the Defense Attaché System as the Operations Coordinator, Assistant Army Attaché, and Acting Defense Attaché in countries such as Bolivia, Chad, El Salvador, Colombia, Malawi, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. He is a 2013 graduate of Central Michigan University, with a Master of Science in Administration; speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese and French; and is a recipient of numerous military awards, including the 3rd highest award in the Department of State, “Award for Heroism.”

For over 23 years, EEC’s experts have been providing services, products, and skills to numerous government agencies, small businesses, and professionals around the world. EEC consistently provides innovative quality solutions that meet or exceed the requirements and expectations of customers. Some of their services/products include: Consulting, Strategic Planning & Engagement, Professional Development Assessments, Security Education & Training, and COVID-19 PPE Products. EEC actively pursues ever-improving quality through programs that enable each employee to do their job accurately and efficiently. 

EEC Solutions is actively committed to giving back to the community. They operate in and create a chain reaction of caring and charitable giving amongst others. They dedicate their time and resources to numerous non-profit organizations in our community, meanwhile creating opportunities for networking and empowerment amongst our youth. 

Additionally, EEC Solutions is excited to announce the launch of “The Spotlight: with the Ambassador and the Chief,” featuring Ambassador Harry Thomas, and their very own CEO, Alex! This podcast will discuss current events with a diverse range of guest speakers, from politicians and veterans to social activists and media personalities. Overall, the goal is to inspire listeners to confront issues facing the global community. The launch was on October 28th, and it will be broadcast every Wednesday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on the VoiceAmerica Variety Channel. 

For more information, please visit EEC Solutions at www.dbaeecsolutions.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @eecsolutions .

Contact: Alex Morales-Hernandez
support@dbaeecsolutions.com

See the Press Release.

Davenport, FL - Rental and Realty Group is a fully licensed brokerage and long term management company in Davenport, Florida. The company was established in 2009. Their focus is on servicing the Polk County community in sales and long term management. Rental and Realty Group prides itself on great communication, user friendly platforms, and real results. With hundreds of homes on management, they offer a full range of services for all needs. Rental and Realty Group’s services include: tenant allocations and full management, such as maintenance, accounting, and more. 
 
Real-life clients give testimonials to Rental and Realty Group’s quality of service. “Excellent company to rent from!” - Kiah (2020). “I was working with another company. Rental and Realty Group went far beyond any company I have used. I would recommend them highly. They are quick to respond to issues and get the problem solved in a timely manner.” - Gary (2020). These reviews and more truly speak for themselves. 
 
Rental and Realty Group would love to connect with you to see how they can help your business grow! Contact Lucas@rentalrealtygroup.com for a consultation. You can also visit their website at www.rentalandrealtygroup.com, or call them at 863-421-7200. 
 
Contact: Rental and Realty Group
Lucas@rentalrealtygroup.com

See the Press Release.

---

October 2020 SPOTLIGHT - compassionate hearts united foundation, inc.

 Haines City, FL - On May 11, 2019, Marielys Camacho-Reyes’s oldest daughter graduated from college. During the commencement speeches that day, Marielys was not only watching her daughter becoming an adult, but she was also listening to one of the most motivational speeches she had ever heard in her life. The guest speaker was an alumni who went on to create her own community magazine. The alumni had no idea what she was doing, but all she knew was that she wanted to run her own magazine and that nothing was going to stop her. Like the speaker, Marielys had always dreamed of starting a newspaper, one published by her own nonprofit organization.

Marielys’s dream of starting the newspaper came with a lot of challenges, and one of them was being stationed overseas for three years due to her husband's active-duty military status. At that time, they were sent to Zimbabwe, Africa, and Marielys’s dream of starting her beloved newspaper and charity foundation were put on hold. Her husband decided to retire from the military, and they came back to the United States in May 2016. After dealing with multiple health issues, Marielys finally decided that it was time for her to make her dream of starting a newspaper under a nonprofit organization come true.

The day after her daughter’s commencement ceremony, Marielys took the first step toward her dream and created the first page of her newspaper, The Northeast Polk Gazette (currently named Compassionate Hearts Gazette). On that day, Marielys not only created her newspaper, but she also founded and registered her own nonprofit foundation that she called PR Media, Inc. (currently named the Compassionate Hearts UNITED Foundation, Inc.). Marielys’s intentions with forming her nonprofit were to be able to provide support to other nonprofit organizations and charitable causes based on their individual missions and immediate needs, while at the same time, providing a monthly online newspaper that features nonprofit news from around the community. A year later, Compassionate Hearts UNITED Foundation, Inc. and the Compassionate Hearts Gazette are serving the community and are active reminders that dreams can come true.

For more information about the Compassionate Hearts UNITED Foundation, Inc. or to make a donation in support of the organization’s charitable missions, you can visit their website at www.chufinc.org

Contact: Marielys Camacho-Reyes
marielyscr@chufinc.org

See the Press Release.

OCTOBER 2020 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 
State Representative Sam Killebrew

District 41, FL - After serving in the U.S. Navy, lifelong Florida and Polk County resident, Representative Sam H. Killebrew owned and operated multiple construction and manufacturing companies including: Killebrew Manufacturing Company, Imperial Trailer Service, Killebrew Inc., and Rotational Molding Company. He is also a former partner of the Florida Strategic Group, LLC. Sam is actively involved in the progress and expansion of New Beginnings High School, which aims to help students who have dropped out  of school to earn a high school diploma.  Representative Killevrew is also an avid supporter of Hope Equine Rescue in Winter Haven, Florida.

After selling all of his companies and retiring, Representative Killebrew ran for and was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2016 and is currently running for re-election for a third term. Additionally, he serves as Vice Chair for the House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee, and is a member of the Florida Veterans and Military Families Caucus. He also sits on numerous boards and civic organizations throughout the State. He regularly sponsors legislation to protect veterans, animals, and children and families.

He is married to Eileen Killebrew of Lake Wales and they have 5 children, 7 grandchildren, and 5 dogs. Sam has played an influential role in bringing over $17 million to Polk County for various road/highway projects, water quality preservation and restoration, educational programs, and other projects around the district.

Notable legislation Sam has sponsored or co-sponsored:

- Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had
Permanent, Combat-Related Disabilities: Will allow the surviving spouse of a combat-
wounded veteran to keep their ad valorem tax discount after the veteran dies.

- Emotional Support Animals: Will help to decrease fraud in the housing/rental industry
in regards to ESAs.

- Domestic Violence Injunctions: Will allow judges to add family pets to restraining
orders in cases of domestic violence giving victims (majority of times women) more
empowerment to seek safety.

- State Funds – Fought to prohibit the state from raiding the Sadowski Housing Trust
Fund to provide more affordable housing to residents of Florida. He plans to file a bill
next year that will add it to the state statute.

- Emergency Sheltering of Persons with Pets: Mandates that local municipalities provide
at least one (1) shelter that allows pets during mandatory evacuations.

- Enrollment of Dependent Children of Active Duty Military Personnel in the Florida
Virtual School: Allows students of active duty military personnel who are stationed abroad but
claim Florida as their resident state to attend Florida virtual school.

- Prohibited Discrimination: Prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation & gender identity with exceptions for constitutionally protected free exercise of religion.

Contact: State Representative Sam Killebrew
sam.killebrew@myfloridahouse.gov

​See the Press Release.

---

September 2020 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 
New Direction Academy

An accredited private school for grades K–12, our students benefit from: 

• Individualized Learning Plans    
• Outlining Academic Goals
• Dedicated Teachers Trained to Teach 
• Rolling Start Dates Every Semester
• Accredited by FDOE and AdvancED
• Full Scholarship Opportunities 

 
 New Direction Academy offers a personalized program for students to experience engaging curriculum, a dedicated support team, and a dynamic school community. K-12 Private Academy, students from anywhere in the world leverage K12's quality curriculum and instruction to receive a great education. 
 
New Direction Academy is open now, and they have welcomed this year’s students and families back to school. New Direction Academy will follow CDC, state, and local guidelines with safety and health as their highest priority. They will offer the best of in-person and online mobile classrooms and will continue to Put Students First in every decision they make. Visit their website at http://www.newdirectionacademy.com/index.html, or call them at 863-438-7493 for more information.
 
Contact: New Direction Academy
http://www.newdirectionacademy.com/contact-and-location

View the Press Release.

SEPTEMBER 2020 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 
FLorida FFA Leadership Training Center

Release for Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce:

The Florida FFA Foundation’s Leadership Training Center has been in operation on the shores of Lake Pierce for almost 30 years. Its beautiful rustic feel and lodge setting make it a great place for visitors and FFA members. The FFA Foundation opened its doors in Polk County and has called it home since 1991, when the center was started. The mission of the Florida FFA Foundation is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. That’s no small task, with over 25,000 FFA members in Florida and 425 agriculture education programs in schools; the foundation works to support and host these students right here in Polk County. 

Each year the FFA training center hosts numerous FFA events and contests. There are two notable annual events - the FFA Beast Feast and the FFA Hall of Fame. The Beast Feast is an annual event hosted to raise funds to support operations of the foundation. These include offsetting travel costs, giving scholarships, and providing awards for all FFA members. The wild game “Beast Feast” dinner and auction involve FFA members with donors and supporters. The beautiful day on Lake Pierce starts with a sporting clays shoot hosted by our partner, Polk Sporting Clays. Guests then venture to the lawn area for various foods served by FFA members and fun activities for all. The FFA Hall of Fame is designed to induct supporters, teachers, and pioneers for FFA and agriculture education into a well respected group. This event happens each September and attracts many of FFA’s best to come together and celebrate as one community. This facility is a landmark for FFA and is a product of many people’s toils. 

When FFA members are not utilizing the facility, it is open to other guests. The center and its staff welcome a variety of events for community organizations, corporate groups, church programs, and individuals to visit the approximately 100 acres of Central Florida’s splendor. The lake front provides access for kayaks and canoes to venture through Catfish Creek, while the surrounding Catfish Creek State Preserve offers beautiful nature hiking trails. The facility offers community style villas, individual lodge rooms, and meeting spaces to accommodate a variety of events. The pool, Lake Pierce, Polk Sporting Clays, ropes course, and outdoor settings allow for limitless recreation activities. The revenue generated by this facility supports the programs and work of the FFA Foundation. This also includes a special rate for FFA chapters to utilize the facility. The work of the FFA Foundation has depended upon the generous donors and guests that continue to provide even through the tough times. This is just a testimony to the impact agriculture education and FFA can have on its members.... forever Blue and Gold!

​View the Press Release.

---

August 2020 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 
Healthy Bookkeeping online

Belleair, FL - Susan A. Reilly is the owner of Healthy Bookkeeping Online. Her experience with bookkeeping began at a young age with helping her father manage the books for his business. Through helping her father, Susan discovered that she has a passion for money management. Later on, she became a co-owner of five small companies, which allowed her to further develop her bookkeeping skills in addition to acquiring business management skills. Today, Susan has over thirty years of bookkeeping experience. Her vast experience has given her an understanding of the challenges that small business owners face. Healthy Bookkeeping Online utilizes clear and simple bookkeeping to help small business owners succeed.

Running a business can be stressful, but Healthy Bookkeeping Online can help to reduce a business owner’s stress level through their offered bookkeeping services. Healthy Bookkeeping helps small businesses that are in the following situations: a business with two business bank accounts and one business credit card and a mountain of receipts, a business with at least 75 transactions per month across bank accounts and credit cards that must be categorized and reconciled, a business that has payroll for the the business owner and employees, and more. You don’t have to sort through your bookkeeping struggles alone; let Susan with Healthy Bookkeeping Online help you.

If you want to focus on your small business and why you started your business to begin with but not deal with your bookkeeping, contact Healthy Bookkeeping Online for a complimentary bookkeeping consultation. Visit healthybookkeeping.online/contact. You can also email Susan at susan@healthybookkeeping.online, or you can call (727)434-1364. Take back control of your books today with the help of Healthy Bookkeeping Online. 

Contact: Susan A. Reilly, Healthy Bookkeeping Online 
susan@healthybookkeeping.online

View the Press Release.

AUGUST 2020 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 
Stacy Stokes of Centerstate Bank

Haines City, FL - The Haines City CenterState Bank located at 36099 US Highway 27 has been a Chamber Member for 29 years. Since becoming a Member, CenterState Bank has been involved with both the Chamber and the surrounding community. With community in mind, they recognize how important it is to form relationships with the individual bank members, and their employees reflect CenterState’s caring, community-minded values. Stacy Vandiver Stokes, VP Branch Manager III, reflects CenterState’s values and exemplifies the exceptional service and care that CenterState Bank employees provide.

Stacy was born and raised in Haines City. She graduated from Haines City High School in 1987, and is a 2011 graduate of the University of Florida’s Florida School of Banking. She has been married for 17 years. Stacy’s career in banking began in 1999. Currently, she serves as a VP Branch Manager III with CenterState Bank, and she has been a CenterState Consumer Loan Officer since 2007. In her current role, Stacy manages two branches, the Haines City location and the Four Corners location. 

Alongside her career with CenterState, Stacy plays an active role in the community. She is the 2020 Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce Board Chair, and was honored as the Chamber’s 2015 Volunteer of the Year. For the past several years, she has also been one of the Chairs for the Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program. In addition, Stacy was a past president of the Haines City Rotary and a recipient of the Rotary’s Paul Harris award. Stacy Stokes exemplifies CenterState Bank’s values in her career, community service, and everyday life. 

Contact: Stacy Stokes 
sstokes@centerstatebank.com 

View the Press Release.

---

July 2020 Member Spotlight 
​Polk State College

Polk County, FL - Polk State College opened its doors in 1964 as Polk County’s first public higher education institution and remains committed to providing access to affordable, quality higher education across its seven locations today, including college courses available at Ridge Community High School. Polk State serves approximately 16,000 degree-seeking students each year as well as 12,000 individuals in workforce training programs through the Polk State Corporate College. With more than 60 degree, certificate, and certification programs in areas including business, engineering and technology, health sciences, education, and public safety, there is a path for everyone at Polk State.

As Polk State continues to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the College is ensuring that students have access to the resources they need to navigate this unprecedented
time. Enrollment is taking place for the Fall 2020 Semester, which will start on August 17. In partnership with the community, Polk State is shaping the future through collaboration, innovation, and quality higher education that supports students in meeting their educational goals and Polk County’s workforce needs.

The College is always seeking internship and employment opportunities for students and graduates, and encourages Chamber members to register on www.joinhandshake.com. Polk State students and alumni – as well as higher education institutions and employers across the country – use Handshake to connect. With Polk State boasting the second highest job-placement and continuing-education rate in the Florida College System at 96.9 percent, and with 70 percent of Polk State’s students remaining in Polk County after graduation, the talent pipeline is here for local businesses because We are Polk and We are the Solution. Visit www.polk.edu.

Contact: Polk State College 
http://www.polk.edu
​
View the Press Release.

July 2020 Member Spotlight
Hope Callihan, Broker Associate

Haines City, FL - Hope Callihan has been licensed as a real estate agent since September 8, 2000. She began her career with ERA in Haines City. After being with ERA for a year, Hope opened her own office, A HomeTown Realty in Haines City. In 2017, A HomeTown Realty combined offices with Stacey Towns Realty, LLC. 

Hope is a native, born and raised Haines Citian. She attended Haines City High School and graduated in 1983. That same year, Hope married her husband, Kelly, and they have 1 son together. Hope still lives and works in the great community of Haines City.

Hope is a member of the East Polk County Association of Realtors, FAR, NAR, Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Polk Kiwanis, and a member of Ridge Community Church. Hope enjoys working with first-time home buyers, helping to make their home buying dreams become realities. When you are looking to buy or sell, think of your local “HomeTown Girl” ™. 

Contact: Hope Callihan, Broker Associate 
hope@hcrealtor.com

View the Press Release.

---

NEP Chamber Member SPotlight

Starting in July 2020, our Chamber will begin our new monthly NEP Chamber Member Spotlight series. At the beginning of each month, we will share a short excerpt about one of our awesome Members, and it could be you! This excerpt will be an included article featured on this page. It will also be shared as a press release and included in our weekly e-newsletter and on our social media platforms. 
 
If you would like to see your business included in this series, please submit the following information to Olivia Feliciano - olivia.feliciano@northeastpolkchamber.com.
 
- One - three paragraphs discussing your business. 
 In your article, you may talk about the history of your business, the great things your business has done for the community, the services your business offers, future plans, or anything else that you want to share with other Members and the community.
 
- An accompanying photo. 
 The photo may be of your logo, your business itself, your staff, or a relevant photo that accompanies what your article discusses. 
 
If you would like to be featured in our new spotlight series but need help putting together an article, this can be arranged as well. 

​View the PRESS RELEASE.

---

Thank you to our 2020 Chairman's Circle Sponsors