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January 23, 2012
January 20, 2012
January 06, 2012
January 02, 2012
December 21, 2011
'Tis The Season To Be GREEN...
First Green Bank hosted its inaugural staff Christmas Party at the Mount Dora Headquarters building!
An organic buffet from Whole Foods proved to be as delicious as it was aesthetically pleasing and many staff members brought home made deserts... so many that the dessert buffet covered at least 5 feet of counter length!
After dining and deserting, Annual Awards were presented to those who had been chosen, annual health contest awards were presented to those had sweated and disciplined their way to them, and CEO Ken LaRoe and President Paul Rountree gave an annual address.
With spirits high and smiles all around, the staff and their guests enjoyed a wonderful evening, celebrated a year well worked, and rumor has it, might have done some dancing and played a little Rock Band together on the mezzanine!
The First Green Bankers would like to wish our customers, associates, friends, neighbors and community a most Merry Christmas and happy, prosperous New Year.
Inaugural Headquarters Christmas Party Gallery
December 01, 2011
December Business of the Month: KWC, LLC
Congratulations to our December Business of the Month.
KCW, LLC was established in 2003 as a vision to be seen by CATV Market as a vital link in the supply chain, adding value, service and solutions for our customers. Their mission is to "add value for our customers by anticipating and identifying needs and providing cost-effective solutions. Through excellent and efficient service we will meet our customers' expectations. They will view us as a leader in distribution."
Certified with the State of Florida as a Minority Business Enterprise, KCW is a woman-owned company with Colleen Wallace as the majority owner/operator.
To access KWC's website and obtain further information about their services or their contact information, please click on their logo below, it is linked to the site.
November 23, 2011
We have moved into our LEED World Headquarters!
First Green Bank officially moved into our new LEED World Headquarters building on November 14, 2011. Although many projects are still in the process of being completed, we are thrilled to be working in our lovely, ultra efificient, green building. Please pardon our imprefections when you visit, we are hoping to have every detail completed very soon...
Atrium view from the mezzanine level...
Atrium and coffee bar as seen from the stairs to the stairs to the mezzanine...
Customer Service area...
Teller Counter...
Retail Waiting Area...
Mezzanine Staff Fitness Center...
The Boardroom...
November 07, 2011
First Green Bank Sponsored Cyclist Steven Perezluha WINS “Cat 3” State Time Trial
Our First Green Bank sponsored cyclist, Steven Perezluha, won the Florida State Cat 3 Time Trial Championship on October 8th – his first major competition since the Race Across America in July. “Cat 3” is short for Category 3, and it is a very competitive division, so this is another quite remarkable and respectable achievement for Steven, and brings him another step closer to his ultimate goal of being a professional cyclist and racing the Tour de France.
“1st Place in the Cat 3 State Time Trial. This after doubting myself and 2 weeks out from my painful crash on the pavement while training. I was a little hesitant but then I thought, “hey this is your thing, just go out there and leave no regrets, be confident -- you got this, there's no one on your wheel, just look straight ahead, don't look back.” 53:13 and 28.0 average for the 40 KM. Congrats to 2nd place Jack Gonzalez.” –Steven Perezluha
To view professional photos of Steven riding in this race please visit the following website: http://www.martinmccroryphotography.com/Events/2011-10-08-Florida-State-TT/19419821_g4rLkg#1518913636_M2mGhV7-A-LB.
Steven also won another Cat 3 road race in Brooksville, Florida on October 16, 2011.
“Felt strong today in the 68 mile Brooksville Road Race, won the Cat 3 and 4th overall (Cat 1-2-3). 68 miles and little hills are right up my alley for a decent race. I was the only Cat 3 competitor in the 10+ man break that lasted until the last lap where it split apart. Congrats to Pedro Medina on the overall victory who got ahead of what dwindled down to a 6-man break with some 5<miles to go. I attacked the 2 guys I was with and soloed to the finish. Learning more each race! Every Cat 1-2-3 race I have been in the break has succeeded. I hate getting stuck in the pack, the tempo is much more consistent in the break. Note to self: don't float ahead on the little hills and when ready to lay the GaGa down, go full throttle! When I'm hammering it after a break away, solo, or just a time trial I really do not think much about who's behind me, it’s almost like 90% a song or beat running through my mind and 10% about the other guys. If you have the competition on your mind too much you may lose sight of dominating the road ahead. "Laying the GaGa down" means going all out and spilling my guts out through a hard effort or attack, leaving nothing behind.” –Steven Perezluha
Steven also won the Cat 3 Florida State road race on Saturday, October 29, 2011 near Sugarloaf Mountain.
“Won the Cat 3 State Road Race Today. Had to be very patient and had some unfinished business to unleash after getting 2nd in the 19-23 age group, and 6th in the combined 19-34 group. In that race, I attacked 3-4 times and on the 4th time soloed it to the final road and got caught. After getting 8th place last year in the Cat 4 state road race by making the same mistake, I was out today to unleash my attack at the right time. I waited to the last lap, and right after the demolished break away got caught I attacked on Bruce Hunt Road, the place where everyone seemed to by falling apart into a headwind and uphill. I attacked hard and soloed it 6.5 miles to the finish winning by 1 minute and 15 seconds. Not to get caught this time...” –Steven Perezluha
November 01, 2011
October 27, 2011
First Green Bank Receives 2011 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR LEEDership Award from U.S.G.B.C. Central Florida Chapter
On the evening of October 26, 2011, the U.S. Green Building Council Central Florida Chapter announced that First Green Bank is the recipient of the 2011 Business of the Year LEEDership Award.
The award was given at the Annual LEEDership Award Dinner at the Hilton, Orlando. The LEEDership Awards recognize outstanding projects and achievements by businesses, community leaders, and chapter volunteers annually.
The annual gala was a wonderful formal dinner affair, and included a keynote address by Mark MacCracken, Chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council National Board of Directors and CEO of CALMAC Manufacturing Corporation.
We greatly value being Business of the Year. Our sincere thanks to Shannon Monteleone, Executive Director for the USGBC Central Florida Chapter, for hosting a phenomenal event.
Slow Food Orlando catered the event and the food was fantastic. A great time was had by all...
(Robbie Gossett, Ken LaRoe, Mark MacCracken, Melissa Atkins, Audrey O'Shaughnessy, Paul Rountree)
Mark MacCracken, Chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council National Board of Directors opening the evening's ceremonies...
First Green friend and Executive Director of the Southeast Region U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer Barrows smiling happily at the close of the evening...
First Green Bank President, Paul Rountree, and his wife, Tonya...
First Green Bank CFO, Melissa Atkins, and her husband, Chris...
First Green Bank Credit Analyst Robbie Gossett and his wife, Philipa...
First Green Bank Chairman & CEO Ken LaRoe in conversation with USGBC's Mark MacCracken...
First Green Banker Robbie Gossett holds up the Business of The Year Award. We are very thankful to Robbie for composing our Business of the Year application package!
