Smart Companies

Forecasters predict a busy hurricane season

admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:30:58 +0000

As many as 11 hurricanes could form in the Atlantic this year.

The federal government is predicting an above-average hurricane season in the Atlantic this year, with anywhere from seven to 11 hurricanes expected.

A typical season, based on the years 1981-2010, sees six hurricanes.

The Atlantic season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. This forecast, out Thursday from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), covers any storms that form in the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Overall, NOAA predicts that 13-20 named tropical storms are likely. Tropical storms have top wind speeds of 39 mph or higher. Once a storm’s winds reach 74 mph, it becomes a hurricane.

NOAA chief Kathryn Sullivan reports that three climate factors that strongly control Atlantic hurricane activity are expected to come together to produce an active or extremely active 2013 hurricane season. These are:

•A continuation of the long-term atmospheric climate pattern, which includes a strong west African monsoon, that is responsible for the ongoing era of high activity for Atlantic hurricanes that began in 1995;

•Warmer-than-average water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea

•El Nino is not expected to develop and suppress hurricane formation.

There are no mitigating factors that might decrease hurricane activity, reports Gerry Bell, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

…Click here to read more:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2013/05/23/hurricane-seasonal-forecast/2354829/

Tornado Relief: Donate To Red Cross

admin — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:53:14 +0000

Donate Here: https://www.redcross.org/donate/

Thoughts and Prayers to Those Affected by the Horrific Tornado in Oklahoma City

admin — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:09:38 +0000

Courtesy CNN.com

The Smart Companies family would like to send our thoughts and prayers to those affected by the horrific tornado event that happened Monday, May 20th in Oklahoma City…

Courtesy CNN.com

Click any images above to learn more at CNN.com CNN.com

Or click here to learn more:

2013 Entrepreneur of the Year: Brian Rist

admin — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:53:28 +0000

Congratulations are in order once again… as Brian Rist and the Smart Companies have won the Business Observer’s coveted ‘2013 Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award!

Click here to read the complete article: http://issuu.com/gcbr/docs/2013_entrepreneur_of_the_year/7

Or download page 8 about Brian Rist and the Smart Companies here:

2013 Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Names

admin — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:45:23 +0000

Official 2013 Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Name List:

Andrea
Barry
Chantal
Dorian
Erin
Fernand
Gabrielle
Humberto
Ingrid
Jerry
Karen
Lorenzo
Melissa
Nestor
Olga
Pablo
Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya
Van
Wendy

The names above are rotated on a six year schedule.

To view the name lists for all six years, click below:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml

Very Active 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season Predicted

admin — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:38:59 +0000

The start of hurricane season is now about three weeks away, and four independent forecast outlets unanimously agree it will be a busy one.
Colorado State’s Bill Gray and protege Philip Klotzbach, the pioneers of seasonal hurricane forecasting, predict a blockbuster hurricane season, with 18 named storms, 9 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes. (The 1981-2010 30-year averages are 12.1 named storms, 6.4 hurricanes, and 2.7 major hurricanes.)
“We anticipate an above-average Atlantic basin hurricane season due to the combination of an anomalously warm tropical Atlantic and a relatively low likelihood of El Niño,”…

Click here to read more from The Washington Post

From washingtonpost.com

Four other organizations have yet to release their outlooks: NOAA, the UK Met Office, Penn State and Florida State. NOAA’s seasonal hurricane outlook is scheduled to be released May 23. Last year, the UK Met Office, Penn State and Florida State released their outlooks in late May or early June.

CEO Brian Rist Visits Governor Rick Scott

admin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:37:15 +0000

This week, Smart Companies CEO Brian Rist visited with Florida Governor Rick Scott to discuss manufacturing in Southwest Florida and its importance to Florida’s economy. Brian Rist was quoted as saying, “Southwest Florida has been very good to us, and we are proud to know that we play a serious role in the manufacturing and job-creation success that southwest Florida is currently enjoying.”
According to news-press.com Gov. Rick Scott said, “Florida’s economy continues to grow jobs because of the decisions we have made over the last two years. It’s working. Over the last two years, Florida’s private-sector has created over 294,000 new jobs. Our state is headed in the right direction, and I congratulate Collier, Lee and Palm Beach counties for helping lead the way.”

The Smart Companies would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to all of our valued customers for their trust and business, and we welcome all new potential clients to visit our manufacturing facilities, or our new showrooms in Fort Myers and Naples to learn more about our products and services.
Thank you Southwest Florida!!

FINALISTS NAMED FOR 2013 BUSINESS ETHICS AWARD

admin — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:06:11 +0000

The Harry Chapin Food Bank, Smart Companies and Ted Todd Insurance were named as finalists for the 2013 Business Ethics Award being presented by the Uncommon Friends Foundation on June 6 at the Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers. Finalists were selected from an original pool of nominees that were reviewed by an independent panel of ethics experts.
Event admission is $100.
Tables of eight are $750.
Information is available at (239) 337-9503.
www.uncommonfriends.org

Our Thoughts And Prayers Are With You

admin — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:10:59 +0000

Our hearts go out those and their families affected by the events at the Boston Marathon…

CEO Brian Rist Appointed To Additional Board Of Director Positions

admin — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:59:59 +0000

This month, Smart Companies CEO Brian Rist has been appointed to two additional Board of Director positions! Mr. Rist is now on the Board of Directors for IHPA (International Hurricane Protection Association) and SRMA (Southern Regional Manufacturers Association).

Already on the Board of Directors for the CCCIA (Cape Coral Construction Association), ESSA, (Exterior Shutter & Shade Association), and previously on the Lee County BIA (Building Industry Association), these recent appointments add to Brian’s long list of affiliations with quality organizations within the building and hurricane protection industry.

Brian Rist is the President & founder of Storm Smart Industries and the inventor of the innovative Storm Catcher Wind Abatement Screens as well as the electronic wind pressure calculator program. Since founding Storm Smart in 1996, Brian has dedicated his energies to customer service, product development, and company growth as well as community relations. Rist is also the founder of Storm Smart’s “We Care” program and most recently Go Energy Smart.

Brian is considered an expert in the field of innovate hurricane protection and is certified and licensed as a residential contractor, building inspector, aluminium contractor, mobile home installation contractor, lead abatement removal contractor and as a hurricane shelter evaluator.

Throughout the years Brian’s efforts have lead to many personal awards such as; The CEO of the month News-Press (10/2008), Governors’ Award, Corporate Leadership (2008/2010) and Small Business Man of the Year, South Florida District 2010.

Brian’s leadership and encouragement has afforded Storm Smart Industries to win many accolades including; INC 500/5000 fastest growing privately held companies 2006-2009, BEST OF Award from the News-Press 2005-2010 in two categories, and the Horizon Council Special Growth award (2008).