‘Making communities better’
Published May 9th, 2008
By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR
A Boca Raton firm, Woolbright Development, has won a “Business of the Year” award for its growth, innovation and community support.
“This award is a tribute to our more than 160 employees statewide who work every day to transform shopping centers and surrounding communities into desirable places to work, live, play and prosper,” said Duane Stiller, president of the Boca Raton-based firm. “We appreciate the recognition.”
“Woolbright wants to make Florida communities better places to live and work,” he said, by developing and redeveloping shopping centers and supporting health care, the arts and education.
The South Florida Business Journal presented the award to Woolbright, citing its “record breaking growth, innovative employee initiatives and support of numerous community organizations in 2007. The magazine called Woolbright “the specialist in developing and redeveloping open-air shopping centers in Florida.
Based in Boca Raton, but with offices throughout the state, Woolbright is one of Florida’s largest buyers of retail properties and one of the largest owners of shopping centers located throughout the state,” said Stiller. All its properties are within the state, he added.
The company president said Woolbright had a record 2007, with signed leases totaling more than one million square feet in 34 shopping centers throughout Florida.
Acquires Centers
It also acquired eight shopping centers totaling 1.1 million square feet, valued at more than $100 million in one quarter. These included the acquisition of and leasing efforts for Collection at Vanderbilt in Naples, Miramar Square in Miramar, London Square in Kendall, Lake Mary Village in Lake Mary and the Shops at Boca Grove in Boca Raton.
The firm also supported a number of community causes, Stiller said, with donations, event sponsorships and company wide volunteerism.
“Woolbright is a dedicated community partner,” he said. “An internal program called ‘The Pillars of Woolbright’ highlights charitable giving and community support as a top priority, one that is truly ingrained in the core of the company and employees.”
Education, healthcare and arts programs are a primary focus for Woolbright’s community initiatives, he said. Among those Woolbright supported in 2007 were Junior League of Boca Raton, Boca Raton Community Hospital, Kids In Distress, George Snow Scholarship Fund, Festival of the Arts Boca and Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse.
“Woolbright is a shopping center developer by trade, but a difference-maker at heart,” Stiller said, “with the ultimate goal of transforming Florida’s communities.”
The “Business of the Year” award honors businesses for achievements based on revenue growth, job creation, commitment to employees and community involvement. There were 49 finalists representing eight industries, with each finalist recognized for innovation, courage and determination to excel. Dale M. King can be reached at 561-549-0832 or at dking@bocanews.com
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