EMPOWERING EXECUTIVES & PROFESSIONALS

Biltmore Who's Who News and Events

Viktor Franovik

Biltmore Who's Who Selects Viktor Franovik (aka Victor M. Vega, Jr.) as this week's Honored Member of the Executive and Professional Registry for 2009.

Viktor Franovik, fashion designer for Franovik Designs, has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who's Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Viktor Franovik’s commitment to excellence in the Fashion industry.

Franovik, a 1984 graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, has taken on a challenge with his business partner in Eco-Friendly fashion, creating some of the trendiest styles, including Haute Couture, by using recycled materials, fabrics and vintage garments.

After moving to Miami from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Franovik met his partner in Hollywood and they have been working together ever since. With over twenty combined years of experience between the two of them, they began experimenting with carnival and Halloween costumes by being eco-conscience, yet stylish. "We have a client pool that we cater too and also official designers to several pageant organizations, Ms. Latina International, Miss Earth United States, Miss Earth Florida, just to name a few," he said. In 2008, Franovik Designs was created, followed by a magazine, Models and Designers, and now partnering with a cosmetic line, Motives. Explaining himself as "The Renaissance Man", there is no limit to what is required of him or his business. "I am heavily involved in every aspect, from the designs to the models, publications, websites. Nothing goes out without me seeing or supervising it," he replied.

Franovik has always taken a liking to fashion after taking a graphic design elective while he was in college. He was always very fond of the arts, having a flair for working with colors and textures, being crafty and conveying his ideas on paper. And when he is not busy running his fashion business, he is also the Associate Vice-President for the University of Miami Hospital, his other true passion.

His hopes are to continue juggling both careers, and have his "green" fashion become more popular through some key international networks. Franovik Designs has been published in several papers, including the Santo Domingo Times, Palm Beach Illustrated and the Nuvia Rose in Brazil.

Franovik is a member of both Dade and Broward County's Chamber of Commerce, and he is an active volunteer and participant in numerus organizations and fundraising events for the American Heart Association, Angel's Pediatric Heart House, and other causes like HIV/AIDS, Breast Cancer, the Humane Society, and environmental issues. He was named Top Walker by the American Heart Association in 2008 for raising over $15,000 to their cause.

For more information, visit http://www.franovik.com.

Viktor Franovik
posted by Biltmore Who's Who on Monday, May 17, 2010

Viktor Franovik aka Victor M. Vega, Jr.

Biltmore Who's Who Selects Viktor Franovik (aka Victor M. Vega, Jr.) as this week's Honored Member of the Executive and Professional Registry for 2009.

Viktor Franovik, fashion designer for Franovik Designs, has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who’s Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Viktor Franovik's commitment to excellence in the Fashion industry.

Franovik, a 1984 graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, has taken on a challenge with his business partner in Eco-Friendly fashion, creating some of the trendiest styles, including Haute Couture, by using recycled materials, fabrics and vintage garments.

After moving to Miami from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Franovik met his partner in Hollywood and they have been working together ever since. With over twenty combined years of experience between the two of them, they began experimenting with carnival and Halloween costumes by being eco-conscience, yet stylish. "We have a client pool that we cater too and also official designers to several pageant organizations, Ms. Latina International, Miss Earth United States, Miss Earth Florida, just to name a few," he said. In 2008, Franovik Designs was created, followed by a magazine, Models and Designers, and now partnering with a cosmetic line, Motives. Explaining himself as "The Renaissance Man", there is no limit to what is required of him or his business. "I am heavily involved in every aspect, from the designs to the models, publications, websites. Nothing goes out without me seeing or supervising it," he replied.

Franovik has always taken a liking to fashion after taking a graphic design elective while he was in college. He was always very fond of the arts, having a flair for working with colors and textures, being crafty and conveying his ideas on paper. And when he is not busy running his fashion business, he is also the Associate Vice-President for the University of Miami Hospital, his other true passion.

His hopes are to continue juggling both careers, and have his "green" fashion become more popular through some key international networks. Franovik Designs has been published in several papers, including the Santo Domingo Times, Palm Beach Illustrated and the Nuvia Rose in Brazil.

Franovik is a member of both Dade and Broward County's Chamber of Commerce, and he is an active volunteer and participant in numerous organizations and fundraising events for the American Heart Association, Angel's Pediatric Heart House, and other causes like HIV/AIDS, Breast Cancer, the Humane Society, and environmental issues. He was named Top Walker by the American Heart Association in 2008 for raising over $15,000 to their cause.

For more information, visit http://www.franovik.com.

Viktor Franovik aka Victor M. Vega, Jr.
posted by Biltmore Who's Who on Friday, May 14, 2010

Henry Bennett

Biltmore Who's Who Selects Henry Bennett as this week's Honored Member of the Executive and Professional Registry for 2009.

Henry Bennett, owner of Gene's Hot Rod Parts, has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who's Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Henry Bennett's commitment to excellence in the automotive industry.

Bennett, who has been working in the industry for the past 25 years, has invested the last year and a half taking over a business that buys and rebuilding cars. With all his experience building old cars and trucks and restoring and painting them, he was excited to take the big leap into entrepreneurship. "I knew it would be something I would enjoy doing," he said. "The most rewarding aspect of the business is taking the cars to the car shows to show them off." He added that he really enjoys meeting new people in the industry and sharing in their insight. Bennett is also retired fire-fighter of twenty eight years for the city of Springfield, Massachusetts.

In addition to looking for cars to buy and restore, Bennett purchases and sells antique Ford car parts and hotrod parts. He also goes on numerous road shows, and swap meets, and brings his trailer with him to sell his products. In addition to selling products face to face, he has an online store. Back at the office, his main priorities are promoting his company, sales, advertising, conducting inventory, processing all outgoing orders, the billing aspect of the business and delivery to his customers.

Bennett hopes to improve his business by gaining more clientele and getting customers more familiar with his products and services through his online store. He is currently working on his first retail catalog.

Bennett is a member of the better business bureau, the National Street Rod Association, Main Street Cruisers and Right Coast Association. He has received numerous trophies for his cars and trucks that he has built over the years. He was a full-time firefighter in Springfield, Massachusetts for twenty-eight years prior. He is a strong supporter of Toys for Tots and the American Cancer Society. In his spare time, Henry enjoys going camping and traveling.

For more information, visit http://www.geneshotrodparts.com.

Henry Bennett
posted by Biltmore Who's Who on Friday, May 07, 2010

Dawn Martinez

Biltmore Who's Who Selects Dawn Martinez as this week’s Honored Member of the Executive and Professional Registry for 2009.

Dawn Martinez, dental technician and owner of Spiffy Safety Eyewear, has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who's Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Dawn Martinez's commitment to excellence in the field of professional coaching.

Dawn Martinez, Dental Technician and Owner of Spiffy Safety Eyewear, has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who's Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Dawn Martinez’s commitment to excellence in the healthcare industry.

Martinez, who attended Catherine's College in Burbank, has spent the last seven years in the dental field, restoring, refilling and extracting teeth, as well as taking impressions and moldings. But it wasn't until five years ago that she decided to take hygiene to the next level.

Developed after working with a nervous little girl in the dentist's chair, Martinez decided to let her wear her OSHA eyewear to make her feel better. After deciding to take them home and decorate them for future patients, her fellow staff and patients encouraged her to make more. Soon after, her new business was formed.

Spiffy Safety Eyewear is a designer eyewear company specifically made for dental and medical settings, testing facilities, school and science class settings, and at-home arts and crafts and building environments. "Other people's encouragement and their belief in me has been one of my biggest inspirations," she explained of her new business.

Martinez hopes to someday sell her business and get into other aspects of dental, but for the time being she is very proud and excited about her online eyewear business.

After just recently visiting Port au Prince, Haiti, Martinez hopes to volunteer her time there in the near future. She has already sent over some of her eyewear, and hopes to send over other donated oral hygiene goods in the near future, and maybe her services as well. She is also a volunteer for AHAMES, also known as Americhelp, a non-profit organization that helps to make healthcare accessible to the neglected areas of Haiti. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys horses, snorkeling and volleyball.

For more information, visit http://www.spiffyeyewear.health.officelive.com.

Dawn Martinez
posted by Biltmore Who's Who on Friday, April 30, 2010

Thomas E. Donnell, Jr.

Biltmore Who's Who Selects Thomas E. Donnell, Jr. as this week's Honored Member of the Executive and Professional Registry for 2009.

Thomas E. Donnell, Jr., owner and founder of TLD Investments, has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who's Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Thomas E. Donnell's commitment to excellence in the real estate industry.

Beginning his venture in real estate investing in 2002, Donnell became self-taught on the many aspects of the real estate market and its tremendous opportunities. In an effort to not only create significant wealth, he wanted to teach and inspire others with similar investment goals. "My focus initially began with foreclosures, rehabbing and flipping properties," he explained. "For the first year I performed many transactions creating a small, lucrative business. As I studied the real estate market and all its possibilities, I realized there was a greater need."

Donnell's investment company focuses on a variety of real estate projects, including foreclosures, short sales, tax liens, the wholesale/retail market and, more recently, lease-option programs. He also acts as an independent associate with Pre-Paid Legal Services and is a certified business consultant for marketing legal plans for those individuals and businesses that may need legal assistance in the process.

After growing up in a single-parent environment and seeing first-hand how difficult it was for his mother to raise a family on her own, his determination to become a self-made success was very important to him. "I've always wanted to be an entrepreneur and help others achieve success. I have a lot of self-pride and determination, which in turn has allowed me to set goals and work persistently and consistently towards achieving those goals," Donnell said. Some of his most inspiration mentors in the field include Broker James Garcia, the founder and owner of Confidence Mortgage, and other real estate gurus like Marko Rubel, Peter Conti and Richard Roop.

Donnell hopes to continue growing his business by way of exposure to the various real estate market strategies and by teaching other interested investors the process and techniques of the trade. He is currently working on his first book/manual, titled "Creative Real Estate to Wealth," which will offer his expertise and services as a mentor and coach to help those with similar goals.

Mr. Donnell holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in economics from San Jose State University and is a CFG Real Estate graduate. He is also certified in small business and group business for marketing through Pre-Paid Legal. He's a member of the REI Club, numerous local real estate clubs and his local Chamber of Commerce. He's been recognized by ReiClub.com as an authorized weekly blogger and was the recipient of a Professional Leader Award by a local investors club. He acts as a mentor and trainer in the field for local business trades and does guest speaker appearances on a national talk real estate radio show called "Income Property Investment Talk." He also speaks on leadership at local high school classrooms and other events. Thomas is also a volunteer wrestling coach at his local high school. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, photography and spending time with his family.

For more information, visit http://www.tldinvestmentproperties.com.

Thomas E. Donnell, Jr.
posted by Biltmore Who's Who on Monday, April 05, 2010

Angela Steffen

Biltmore Who's Who Selects Angela Steffen as this week's Honored Member of the Executive and Professional Registry for 2009.

Angela Steffen, sales associate for Pulte Homes, has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who's Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Angela Steffen’s commitment to excellence in the field of home sales.

Working at the company's most progressive "green" community in the city, known for their solar and platinum LEED accreditations with cutting technology, Steffen acts as the sales consultant, working and running Villa Trieste, their new 185 new home community located in Summerlin.

Over the past seven years, Steffen has worked in with new home sales, opening and closing six successful communities for her company, and selling over 420 homes. Starting out with her company in 2002, Steffen's responsibilities include making sure that all of their customers receive all the information they need in order to make an informed decision on buying an home. "I take our customers from the beginning stages of the home buying process, which includes giving them an overview of our community, demonstrating our models, selecting a home site, and then taking them to contract," she explained. "I am with the home buyer throughout the entire process and also make sure that they are taken care of after close."

In addition to Steffen's day to day business functions, she proudly spends a lot of time networking with other green organizations to help push public knowledge of the community, introducing and educating them to the "unparallel product" that her company provides. She explained that her homes are fifty-seven percent more efficient than any home built to code in the market. "My job is to help inform and educate people on the opportunity to buy from the largest and most progressive builder in the market. We are providing the hybrid of homes in the Vegas market."

Trained by her company's Top Gun training program, Steffen has also had the pleasure of teaching some of their sales courses to other employees. She's been recognized several times as top sales associate of the quarter for highest number of sales, highest CSMS and Pulte Mortgage capture. She has also been recognized as a TOPS sales agent for four years for the communities where she has sold homes.

Ms. Steffen holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and is currently working toward her residential LEED accreditation. She was recently selected to start-up Villa Trieste, the flagship community for Pulte Homes. She's is a member of the USBGC chapter, Green Alliance and various other networking groups locally. Steffen is also a strong supporter for the Habitat for Humanity, Shade Tree, Calvary Chapel, and an advocate and supporter for ALS. In her spare time, Angela enjoys yoga, running and travel.

Angela Steffen
posted by Biltmore Who's Who on Monday, March 29, 2010

Keith Talley

Biltmore Who's Who Selects Keith Talley as this week's Honored Member of the Executive and Professional Registry for 2009.

Keith Talley, Independent Senior Associate for Prepaid Legal, Inc., has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who's Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Keith Talley's commitment to excellence in sales of law products.

Having an abundance of experience in his current field, almost twenty-five years, Talley started out with his company on a part-time basis when he was still teaching high school biology and coaching golf full-time at a nearby school. After making the transition in 2000 and dedicating all of his time to Prepaid Legal, Inc., he took his strong work ethic and hard work with him without looking back.

Working as a senior associate for the company, Talley teaches and advises his clients how to obtain full access to quality legal advice for whatever their needs might be, much the same as they do when they carry life, auto and home owners insurance. "With identity theft on the rise, I can help a client put the best identity theft coverage in the marketplace in their portfolio for as little as $9.95 for both husband and wife," he explained. Talley also recruits and trains others how to become financially independent by joining Prepaid Legal family and making these services available to friends, family members and small businesses.

Talley hopes to work his way up to executive director for his company in the near future, knowing that he must continue to work hard by helping each of his clients become financially successful. He credits his "people person" skills as one of his greatest qualities thus far. "I care deeply about others needs and have a passion for being a problem solver," Talley said. He's also completed many training sessions over the years on how to be knowledgeable enough on company products and the business as a whole and has led numerous trainings and stays informed in his area of expertise.

Mr. Talley holds two degrees, a Bachelor's in Biology from Nebraska State College, followed by a Master's in Education from the University of Arizona, and is also small business certified. He has served as a deacon for the past 30 years at First Baptist Church where he also volunteers. Keith also enjoys playing golf, traveling and doing home remodeling in his free time.
For more information, visit http://www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/wileyktalley.

Keith Talley
posted by Biltmore Who's Who on Friday, March 19, 2010

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