INDO-US In The News

By ERNEST HOOPER
Published May 22, 2007

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Jill Isaac stands before the cameras in the WEDU studios putting the final touches on the latest episode of Small Business Academy, but not without displaying her penchant for perfection.She begins the take but stumbles ever so slightly. I’m not even sure why she stops, but she starts over. She does it again before achieving the perfect closing on the third take.The stops and starts make me wonder if the frustration of being both producer and on-air talent for the show ever becomes too taxing, but nothing seems to dent Isaac’s love of television.

“For me, it’s about the influence and impact it has on the masses, ” Isaac said. “Society needs steering, and it’s not going to necessarily happen through books anymore.”

For the past eight months, Isaac has tried to steer people into the world of small business. The show profiles local entrepreneurs in an effort to inspire others.

The next installment, which airs Thursday at 9 p.m., explores how family-run Sol Davis Printing dealt with the death of Wilbert Davis, one of the first soldiers from Tampa to die in Iraq.

Upcoming shows will feature Jeffrey Hess of Hess Fine Arts and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales.

With WEDU sitting in a local enterprise zone, the station has a goal of promoting business development. Both Isaac’s show and a second program, Suncoast Business Forum, aim to educate about business opportunities.

Her show debuted in September. Reaction from friends and even strangers has Isaac convinced of the program’s impact.

One person asked her about starting a tea room after seeing a profile of Kim Pham, co-owner of Tampa’s Kaleisia Tea Lounge.

“I’m helping people. I know I am, ” Isaac said. “I’m encouraging them to get off the miserable situation they’re in with that minimum-paid job and inspiring them to start small businesses.”

Diversity also plays an important role.

“Tampa Bay is completely diverse, but it’s not being represented through the airwaves, ” Isaac said. “If you look at the representation of the community, it’s not reflected in TV.”

Isaac said she empathizes with entrepreneurs because of her own background. She worked as a producer for a number of small television news networks in Asia after graduating from the University of Toronto.

Her resume includes productions in such cities as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Hong Kong; New Delhi; Bangalore, India; Singapore; Bangkok; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Karachi, Pakistan.

She returned to North America to earn two master’s degrees from Seton Hall’s Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Affairs. Now she calls St. Petersburg home and says the area around the Vinoy Resort looks just like Singapore.

In addition to the show, Isaac also teaches a class on intercultural communications at the University of Tampa.

Television, however, remains her first love.

“This medium is one of the greatest influences out there, and I think that gets me excited, ” Isaac said.

It makes me want to take a chance. Almost.

That’s all I’m saying.

 

Jaseline Johnson

University of Tampa, adjunct professor

Larry Halstead

Web Editor/Staff Writer

Johnson is currently teaching cross-cultural communications at UT, a course that taps into her experience as a television producer in Asia. Fluent in Malayalam and French, she became a media consultant after a successful run as a producer.

But during the Asian economic crash in the late 1990s, Johnson lost her job as a producer because she was an expatriate with no seniority at the company. The layoff proved to be a life-changing event.

Johnson had produced game shows that won an Asian Television Award in 1998. At the awards night, she parlayed that recognition into becoming senior producer for Dateline Malaysia, which was heavily covered by international media and gave her the exposure and experience that prepared her for her next step.

That success enabled her to become a media consultant for various networks in Asia over the next four years until she was appointed as an associated producer for Canadian Broadcasting Corp. in Canada.

Her expertise in corporate media and her fluency of Asian language brought her numerous clients from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and the American United Emirates.

Working with international corporations has given Johnson an opportunity to mingle with some of the world’s richest and most powerful businessmen. One common thread among them was: “You must never get too used to a comfort zone. To be successful, you need to work outside of your safety net,” she said.

Success seems to be connected with action and successful people make mistakes, but they don’t quit, she added.

Johnson was recently accepted to the board of directors for the United Nations Association for the United States of America, Tampa Bay Chapter. She is also establishing a soup kitchen in St. Petersburg to feed the homeless and poor.

lhalstead@bizjournals.com | 813.342.2467

By AAKASH M. PATEL

	Dr. Akshay Desai

Seven Indian Americans received the prestigious Ellis Island Medals of Honor on May 12 for 2007, up from five last year, reflecting and increase in influence of the community in mainstream America. Among the seven were Florida physicians Akshay Desai, Kiran C. Patel, both of the Tampa Bay area, and Mammen Zachariah in South Florida. All three were presented the award at a ceremony for 100 recipients in New York.

The award was established by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) in 1986 to pay tribute to U.S. citizens who have made important civic, artistic, scientific and commercial contributions to America. Four U.S. presidents, several senators, congressman and Nobel Prize winners are among the remarkable group of past recipients. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor are sanctioned by the U.S. Congress and recipients’ names are listed in the Congressional Record.

A St. Petersburg-based physician and entrepreneur, Desai is founder and CEO of Universal Health Care Inc. He serves on the state’s Board of Education and is a member of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

	Dr. Kiran C. Patel

A Tampa-based physician and philanthropist, Patel is chairman of the nonprofit Dr. Kiran C. Patel Foundation for Global Understanding that develops and funds a wide variety of programs in health, education, arts and culture. He serves on the board of trustees of the University of South Florida and is a member of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

	Dr. Mammen Zachariah

A Fort Lauderdale-based physician, Zachariah is a cardiologist at Holy Cross Hospital. The hospital’s Zachariah Family Wellness Pavilion promotes heart-disease prevention. In 2004, then Florida Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Zachariah to the Florida Board of Medicine, a position in which he serves today.

“2007 marks another great year for achievement in many fields by a diverse group of individuals,” NECO co-chairman Nasser Kazeminy said. “NECO is proud to honor those who make a difference in all of our lives, and who embody those core human values which we as Americans cherish.”

For Zachariah and Patel, the Ellis Island Medals of Honor award seems to run in the family. Zach Zachariah, the brother of Dr. Mammen and also a Fort Lauderdale cardiologist, received the award in 2004. Dinesh Patel, the brother of Dr. Kiran and a founding managing director of vSpring Capital in Utah, received the award last year.

The other Indian Americans included in the list were: Kirti Desai of New Jersey, president of a construction company; Jacob Eapen, a pediatrician from California; Smita Shah of Illinois, president of an engineering and construction management firm; and Daniel Thomas, a periodontal specialist from Kansas.

Aakash M. Patel is secretary of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee and can be reached at 813-936-5100 or Apatel@bankonparagon.com

Tampa Bay Business Journal - May 4, 2007 by Danielle Randall Staff WriterThe closest Indian consulate to Tampa is Houston, and that’s too far for Bay area port and elected officials given India’s growing positioning as a global business force.A just concluded visit to Tampa by Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen and his wife along with Houston-based Consul General S.M. Gavai didn’t land a local consulate in Tampa, but it did make progress in laying a groundwork for increased international business with Asia.”It’s all about opportunities and future growth,” said Richard Wainio, director and CEO for the Tampa Port Authority. Last week, Sen made a round of visits to high-profile government officials such as Mayor Pam Iorio and renown philanthropist Dr. Kiran C. Patel. Sen and Gavai were guests of honor at an Indo-US Chamber of Commerce event held at the University of Tampa April 25. “We’re trying to get in on the ground floor and cultivate those opportunities, and we’re hoping to grow existing fertilizer [and steel] export trade to develop and further diversify trade relations,” Wainio said. Mayor invited abroad Real business connections between the Bay area and India’s business community begin with government officials having a better understanding of each other’s needs, elected officials said. Sen’s visit with Iorio and Mark Huey, Tampa’s economic development administrator, resulted in preliminary talks about working together. “It was a mutual commitment to try to broaden ties,” Huey said. “This is another example of Tampa’s growing prominence in the international market.” At the end of his visit with the mayor, Sen invited her to make a trip to India. For at least 25 years, India has had a trading relationship with the Port of Tampa. India receives nearly 100,000 tons of Tampa-originated cargo a year, the Port said. The port’s Asia Gulf Express Service began last August and utilizes two shipping lines, Emirates Shipping Line and ZIM Integrated Shipping Services. Combined, the lines provide 10 vessels with the capacity of 3,000-TEU each (20-foot equivalent units, or 20-foot container) direct from China, stopping in Korea, Panama and Kingston en route to Tampa weekly, the port said. But there’s a lot of room for growth. The port is hoping to further grow its container trading service connections to India in the next few years, Wainio said, pointing out that India could be among the top three largest global economies in the world based on projected gross domestic product in 20 years. Positioned for growth Connections with India are likely to impact every community in the country in coming years, said Santosh Govindaraju, chairman of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce. That makes communication between government officials key in making sure Tampa businesses don’t miss out on profitable business opportunities, he said. Tampa is also well positioned because it is home to some of the most prominent Indian American business people and philanthropists in the United States including Kiran C. Patel, who recently made a $18 million contribution to the University of South Florida. The community also includes Dr. Akshay Desai, president and CEO of Universal Health Care, a member of the Florida Board of Governors. Others include Shilen K. Patel, a director for Tampa-based Central Bank, and Raxit Shah, a hotelier who has served on the board for the InterContinental Hotels Group in Atlanta. drandall@bizjournals.com | 813.342.2463

From left to right: consul general from Houston Shri S.M.Gavai; Richard Wainio, director of Tampa Port Authority; Braham Aggarwal, president of the Indian American Chamber of Commerce in Orlando; Samant Sharma, president of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce in Tampa; Ambassador Ronen Sen; Santosh Govindaraju, chairman of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce in Tampa; and Aakash M. Patel, secretary of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce in Tampa. View Larger

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By AAKASH M. PATEL

Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen and his wife along with Houston-based Consul General S.M. Gavai made a brief visit to Tampa on April 25-26. It was the ambassador’s first visit to Florida after accepting an invitation from Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio. Sen has been Ambassador of India to the United States since August 2004. His office is the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Welcoming the ambassador was the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce. The Board of Directors and Executive Committee members sponsored a reception at the University of Tampa for local community leaders and government officials. Ambassador Sen’s visit also included a meeting with Mayor Iorio and city of Tampa officials.

“It’s all about opportunities and future growth,” said Richard Wainio, director and CEO for the Tampa Port Authority, who gave the opening remarks at the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce’s reception. The ambassador gave remarks on the current situation in India, and his insight into the future possibility of increased trade relations between Tampa and India.

As a token of appreciation, Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Executive Committee members presented Sen and Consul General Gavai with an authentic Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey. Both men proudly wore the jersey. “The Buccaneers have placed Tampa on the national radar of United States and we hope that visits such as these from Ambassador Sen indicate that Tampa will be a more prominent player in the global trade arena as well,” said Rachana Dinkar, vice-president of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee.

The next day, Ambassador Sen met with Mayor Iorio and Mark Huey, city of Tampa Economic Development director, to discuss the current relationship between Tampa and India. “It was a mutual commitment to try to broaden ties,” Huey said. “This is another example of Tampa’s growing prominence in the international market.”

Aakash M. Patel, secretary of the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, can be reached at (813) 936-5100 or email Apatel@bankonparagon.com

Tampa Bay Business Journal - March 7, 2007

Doing business in China is a hot business topic given recent world market fluctuations - and it’s also part of the focus of an upcoming all-day international business forum in Tampa Bay.

The Asian American Chambers of Commerce of Tampa Bay will host its third annual Business Forum on Saturday, March 17.

The AACC is comprised of Tampa’s Indo-U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay and other business professionals. This year’s forum is titled “How to do Business with India and China.”

As in past years, the forum will feature an entrepreneurial success panel.

Speakers on the panel will include Holland and Knight Partner Jeffrey L. Rubinger, former Dayhoff President Uday Lele, Reliance Consulting Managing Partner Amol Nirgudkar, and Rafael Bona, Bona Financial Group chief executive officer. The forum will also feature several prominent speakers who have successful businesses in India and in China, but reside in Tampa Bay, a release said.

The goal for 2007 was to choose topics that would attract the broader Tampa Bay business community, said AACC President and Indo-U.S. Chairman Santosh Govindaraju in a release.

The AACC Business Forum is open to the public and is scheduled to take place at the Philippine Bayanihan Arts & Events Center located at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive in Tampa. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the activities conclude at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10.

More information is available online.

Tampa Bay Business Journal - March 2, 2007
by Michael Hinman
Staff Writer

Courtesy of WEDU
Jaseline Johnson, right, speaks with Adrien Edwards, left, from Tea2greens.com and Rachel Cantor of RC Associates on the program ‘Small Business Academy.’
View Larger

TAMPA — Media consultant and television producer Jaseline Johnson believes she has the newest tool for entrepreneurs.

Using the name Jill Isaac, Johnson hosts the half-hour program “Small Business Academy” on public television station WEDU. Designed to present entrepreneurial strategy straight from those with experience, the show has featured a wide variety of guests from the famous such as “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart” winner Dawna Stone to the fascinating such as Kimberly Ibasfalean, who operates Captain Kim’s Boat Rides & Charters.

“There are just some interesting dynamics out there that the public are not exposed to,” Johnson said. “There are not that many shows that focus on small business. Even when you tune in to CNBC, they only recently started to focus on these areas. The media tends to steer the wrong way about covering larger corporations and not small businesses, and that’s a mistake.”

“Small Business Academy” typically airs the fourth Thursday of each month with an encore presentation the following Sunday. The program, one of WEDU’s first local programs produced in high definition, is underwritten by Raymond James Financial (NYSE: RJF).

WEDU also airs another monthly business show called “Suncoast Business Forum” hosted by Geoff Simon that focuses more on larger corporations, something that complements “Small Business Academy,” said Ellyne Lonergan, WEDU’s VP of programming and production.

Covering home-grown adviceBorn and raised in Toronto, Johnson has built a career in television production, spending a good part of the 1990s in Asia. She moved to the United States a few years ago, settling in New York to complete her master’s in diplomacy and international affairs at the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy before moving to St. Petersburg.

When she isn’t involved in television production, Johnson is an adjunct faculty instructor with the University of Tampa, teaching intercultural communications.

“This is a thriving business community, just as good as any other business city in the United States,” Johnson said. “People don’t realize that we do know what we’re doing here, and there’s a lot of good advice out there for people trying to do this.”

Hillsborough County’s Small Business Information Center also sees the need for advice.

“There is a lack of reality people have sometimes on what it really takes to start a business,” said Beth Calhoun, community services coordinator. “That includes financially, their startup costs, trying to reach customers. Many times they are not fully aware of who their competition is.”

The center provides a number of programs to educate soon-to-be and existing small and minority-owned businesses.

mhinman@bizjournals.com | 813.342.247

Fund-raising prowess said not to factor in appointment

Tampa Bay Business Journal - November 24, 2006
by Margie Manning
Senior staff writer

St. Petersburg — Governor-elect Charlie Crist is looking locally for answers to improve health care delivery in Florida.

He’s tapping entrepreneur Dr. A.K. Desai to head a group that will look for better ways to run the Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration.

The two agencies manage $16 billion in health care spending in Florida, which is about 21 percent of the state’s total $75 billion budget and second only to education in total state spending. The Health Care Citizens Review Group Desai will chair will identify opportunities for efficiencies in running the agencies, he said.

“As we spend billions of dollars, I’m sure there are opportunities to spend those wisely,” Desai said.

Between now and the inauguration, Desai said his group would conduct meetings in Tallahassee with department heads and key people among the administrative staff, reviewing legislative and budget priorities. He also said the group would talk to citizens who are receiving services from the departments.

Desai is one of nine Citizens Review Group leaders appointed by Crist.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker will head the “growth and environment” group, looking at the Department of Environmental Protection, Fish & Wildlife Commission, Department of Transportation and Department of Community Affairs.

Group leaders and members are volunteering their time, according to a release from Crist.

Separate personnel from policyMore than 300 state agency heads and top staff who serve under Gov. Jeb Bush have turned in their resignations, which is typical in preparation for a change in administrations. Crist’s transition team will deal with personnel issues, freeing the Citizens Review Group to concentrate solely on policy, Desai said.

“This eliminates the fear that people will lose their jobs because of what they will tell you,” said Susan MacManus, University of South Florida professor of public administration and political science.

Citizens Review Groups initially were established by Gov. Jeb Bush prior to his first term in office, said MacManus, who served on the group that looked at the Department of Health and AHCA eight years ago. Bush was one of the first governors in the nation to establish such groups, although many other governors have since followed his lead, she said.

Problem solverAlthough Desai and Baker are Republicans, as is Crist, group leaders are tapped for their expertise, not their political support, MacManus said.

Desai was a top fund-raiser for Crist, but Desai said that was separate from his appointment to the Citizens Review Group: “I was asked to head the group for my understanding of complex health care issues.”

Desai is chairman and CEO of Universal Health Care, a St. Petersburg-based managed care company that primarily focuses on Medicare and Medicaid coverage. He also has a private practice in St. Petersburg. He was appointed by Gov. Bush to the Board of Governors for the state university system and serves on the White House Commission on Asian American Pacific Islanders Health Committee that advises President Bush on issues affecting Asian Americans.

“I’m a policy wonk, and I like to be part of solving a problem,” Desai said.

Desai said he’s known Crist since the St. Petersburg resident ran for the state senate in the 1990s. Because Crist’s father and sister also are physicians, Desai said Crist is understanding and sympathetic to health care issues.

Also named to the Health Care Citizens Review Group was Dr. Alan Mendelsohn, a Broward County physician, who will be one of the team leaders looking at the Department of Health. A leader for the team looking at AHCA has yet to be appointed, Desai said.

mmmanning@bizjournals.com | 813.342.2473