INDO-US In The News

The St. Petersburg Times

Emerge Tampa, the Chamber of Commerce’s young professionals branch launched in 2004 to spruce up Tampa’s sometimes unhip image, unveiled its third generation of leaders on Wednesday: Candace Cusseaux, an associate at Cushman & Wakefield, and Pradeep Vanguri, an instructor at the University of South Florida, will take the reins in January as Emerge co-chairs for 2008. Cusseaux, 26, a 2003 graduate of Florida State, works in commercial real estate and is involved with civic organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs. Vanguri, 30, a member of the INDO-US Chamber of Commerce, is an assistant professor and program director in USF’s athletic training education program. He graduated in 1998 from East Carolina University, then earned a master’s at N.C. State and a doctorate in instructional technology from the University of Alabama. They will replace Mark Colvenbach, 34, and Nicole Levin, 27, who complete a two-year stint as co-chairs.

By Times Staff
Published September 27, 2007

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Emerge Tampa, the Chamber of Commerce’s young professionals branch launched in 2004 to spruce up Tampa’s sometimes unhip image, unveiled its third generation of leaders on Wednesday: Candace Cusseaux, an associate at Cushman & Wakefield, and Pradeep Vanguri, an instructor at the University of South Florida, will take the reins in January as Emerge co-chairs for 2008. Cusseaux, 26, a 2003 graduate of Florida State, works in commercial real estate and is involved with civic organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs. Vanguri, 30, a member of the INDO-US Chamber of Commerce, is an assistant professor and program director in USF’s athletic training education program. He graduated in 1998 from East Carolina University, then earned a master’s at N.C. State and a doctorate in instructional technology from the University of Alabama. They will replace Mark Colvenbach, 34, and Nicole Levin, 27, who complete a two-year stint as co-chairs.

Cypress Gardens sale in works

LandSouth Holdings LLC, a Mulberry real estate investment firm, is on the threshold of buying Cypress Gardens for $16.8-million. The firm, which reportedly is signing Cypress Gardens owner Kent Buescher to run the place, is the lone bidder in an auction for the Winter Haven park to raise cash to settle with creditors and help lift Buescher’s Adventure Parks Group LLC out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A judge in Georgia is being asked to rule today on whether to hand the keys to Florida’s oldest theme park over to LandSouth and sell Buescher’s other park, Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Ga., for $34.5-million to Hershend Family Entertainment. Hershend owns several amusement parks including Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo., and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. A committee of unsecured creditors is fighting the sale. The creditors argue the proceeds are $76-million short of paying off the debts. An expert valued the parks at $101-million and Buescher’s links to the winning bidder had not been disclosed.

[Last modified September 26, 2007, 23:30:26]

By AAKASH M. PATEL

Louisiana gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal made a brief stop in St. Petersburg on Sept. 20, just one month before his election. Jindal, the only Indian-American in Congress, attended a fundraiser at the home of Dr. Akshay and Seema Desai in St. Petersburg. Also in attendance to give his endorsement was Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. Congressman Jindal is considered to be the front runner in the Louisiana governor’s race. Now 36 and making his second bid for the governorship, Jindal is hoping voters see him more as a hard-working team player. To date, Jindal’s overall campaign contributions total more than $10 million with $105,000 being raised at Desai’s fundraiser.“I know how he feels just one month before an election,” Gov. Crist told the audience in his introduction speech. “It’s tough, but Bobby, you will be the next Governor of Louisiana.”During Jindal’s remarks, he thanked all 75 attendees and spoke about his election. If he gets 50 percent of the vote on Oct. 20, he wins the election, but anything less and a runoff will take place Nov. 17. “Florida is Louisiana’s sister state, and we’ve dealt with a lot of the same issues.” “I’ve got a 100 point plan that will benefit the citizens of Louisiana,” said Jindal.

Those such as Desai who have watched Jindal’s career believe that his years in Congress could serve him well if he gets elected governor. “Bobby is a young, dynamic, intelligent person,” said Desai in an exclusive interview with Khaas Baat. “He is a problem-solver, believes in good governance, and his skill sets will benefit the citizens of Louisiana.” Desai serves as a member of the Florida Board of Education.

Aakash M. Patel is secretary of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee and has been a Khaas Baat contributor since 2005. He can be reached at Aakash.M.Patel@gmail.com
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