Gary R. Cunningham Entrepreneurial Award
Summary
CIA Developers has created the Entrepreneurial Award to assist the up-and-coming entrepreneur in Brevard County. With the honor of receiving this award, the recipient also receives rental space at any CIA managed property. The recipient is chosen through a selection process led by a committee comprised of seven area business leaders. The selection process begins on December 1st, 2012 at which time applications will be accepted.
Participation
CIA Developers will allow applications from any startup or early-stage company that wishes to apply. For applicants wishing to apply on behalf of their educational institution, representatives have been established with following colleges; Brevard Community College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Institute of Technology and University of Central Florida.
If you are applying on behalf of a school, please submit applications to the corresponding contact provided below. All general questions are to be submitted to aaron@cia-developers.com
Florida Institute of Technology Dr. Scott Benjamin sbenjamin@fit.edu (321) 674-7904 College of Business 150 W. University Blvd. Melbourne, FL 32901
University of Central Florida Dr. Tom O’Neal oneal@mail.ucf.edu (407) 488-1120 Office of Research & Commercialization 12201 Research Parkway, Suite 501 Orlando, FL 32826-3246
Application Process
- Faculty may also apply
- Obtain an application by clicking here for a downloadable PDF
- Carefully review the application
- Properly complete the application and submit to appropriate representative or to aaron@cia-developers.com. Applications are due at the close of business on March 15th, 2013.
- Representative reviews and ranks the application and submits application to the selection committee by Friday, March 22rd 2013
- Application notifications will be sent to applicants by Friday, March 29th 2013
- Finalists will conduct formal presentations to the selection committee once a date has been set
- Award recipient and runner up will be announced on Wednesday, May 1st, 2013
Gary R. Cunningham
In 1981, the late Gary R. Cunningham relocated from Daytona Beach to Melbourne. Gary, a developer of speculative industrial real estate for lease, was lured to Melbourne by the efforts of Bruce Ingram, the economic development officer at that time. Gary’s first project in Brevard County was a joint venture with a life insurance company to build the first industrial park for lease on John Rodes Boulevard. Melbourne Business Park was built as 123,000 square feet of 100% speculative industrial space for lease.Bruce Ingram joined Cunningham and Associates, Inc. in 1984 as a leasing agent for Melbourne Business Park and Fortune Park, which was under construction at the time. In 1989, the company that had since become Cunningham & Ingram, Inc. was joined by W.R. “Buz” Anderson Jr. as “CFO” of the Management and Development firm that had grown the portfolio to include five separate locations and 503,300 square feet. In 1990 Buz Anderson became a partner and the company was renamed Cunningham, Ingram & Anderson, Inc., commonly known as CIA Developers.
In 1999 Gary retired and sold his interest in CIA Developers to his partners. Today CIA Developers is owned and operated by Gary R. Cunningham II, the late Gary’s son who joined the firm in 1995, Bruce Ingram & W.R. “Buz” Anderson Jr. The portfolio of Industrial, Flex and Office space for lease includes over 1.2 million square feet in Brevard and Volusia Counties and is home to over 120 businesses, many that have grown in size through various CIA managed properties.
Gary firmly believed that the entrepreneurial spirit makes the world go round. Accordingly, he took the opportunity to help many business owners in various ways throughout his career and in retirement. It was only natural that this award be named in honor of our friend Gary R. Cunningham.
Past Award Recipients
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2012 – Better Than Broadway Studio www.betterthanbroadwaystudio.com |
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2010 – C2C Development www.c2c-dev.com |
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2011 – Sea Watch Technologies www.sea-watch.net |
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2009 – Quix Products www.quixbottle.com |
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2011 – Pot Belly Produce Co. www.eastcoasthydro.com |
Additional Questions or Comments
If you have additional questions or comments, please feel free to contact the representative listed below via email.Aaron Anderson aaron@cia-developers.com
4320 Woodland Park Drive
West Melbourne, FL 32904