Brevard Business BBN News Vol. 35 No. 50 December 11, 2017 $1.00 A Weekly Space Coast Business Magazine with Publishing Roots in America since 1839 Titusville–area CPA firm Retz Baker merges with Berman Hopkins By Ken Datzman Investment dollars have been pouring into the North Brevard County market for the last five years. New commercial construction projects and building renovation are changing the face of Titusville, and the momentum just continues to build as North Brevard enters a new phase of growth. People who live there are experiencing this new dynamic up close. “I have lived in Titusville for most of my life — all but 12 years — and I have experienced the up–and– down periods,” said businessman Stan Retz, a partner in Retz Baker — a longtime certified public accounting firm on South Washington Avenue — with colleague Douglas Baker. “The things that have been happening in Titusville over the last five to six years — the BLACK ONLY type revitalization and the growth and the opening of new businesses — are the most exciting times ever for this city, I believe. There is a bright future ahead in North Brevard.” Retz is a 1977 graduate of Astronaut High School and a 1980 honors graduate of the University of Central Florida. The uplifting economic development activity in North Brevard has not gone unnoticed by Melbourne–based Berman Hopkins Wright & LaHam, CPAs and Associates LLP, which also has an office in Orlando. “The North Brevard market is changing, and seems poised to grow,” said Phillip Hayes, the managing partner of Berman Hopkins, which will celebrate its 60th year in business in 2018. “North Brevard is very important to Brevard County, and I think it’s going to be even more important in the years ahead. And our firm wants to be part of that growth, as we continue to build our practice and remain an independent firm.” Berman Hopkins found that the best way for it to BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth tap growth in North Brevard was through Retz The longtime CPA firm Retz Baker in Titusville has merged with Melbourne–based Berman Hopkins Wright & LaHam/CPAs and Associates. Baker, the largest independent CPA firm in that Retz Baker is the largest CPA firm in North Brevard. The two partners are Stan Retz and Douglas Baker. Independent Berman Hopkins will be market. marking its 60th year in business in 2018 and plans to tap new growth in North Brevard. From left: Retz, CPA; Phillip Hayes, managing partner, The two Retz Baker partners started working Berman Hopkins; and Baker, CPA. They are at Berman Hopkins’ corporate office on Spyglass Hill Road in Melbourne. together in the practice 37 years ago in Titusville, and have forged a strong base of clients across various sectors. Their client list includes general 32904 contractors, manufacturers, and professionals. INC. NEWS, “When we started Retz Baker, we were perhaps BUSINESS BREVARD the youngest CPAs to open a firm in Brevard PAID US POSTAGE US County,” said Baker, who has a master’s degree in STANDARD PRESORTED Please see Berman Hopkins, page 23 BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS online at BrevardBusinessNews.com Dussich Dance Studio on Merritt Island welcomes all levels to dance, fitness classes as way to get in shape Students do not need to have prior By Jamie Desena–McFarland knowledge of ballet or pilates, and all levels may participate as the movements can be MERRITT ISLAND — Year after year, modified to increase or decrease the the top New Year’s resolutions are related challenge. to personal health and fitness. Exercises are done at the barre and on According to Nielsen survey data, the floor, Luedtke noted, and sometimes staying fit and healthy was the most weights and medicine balls are used. commonly made New Year’s resolution in Several students in the class said they January 2015 and 2016, accounting for 37 keep coming back because it continuously and 36 percent of responses, respectively. gives them the kind of workout they need, Losing weight was the second–most and they enjoy the supportive environment popular resolution both years. that the class provides. Yet, it’s no surprise that people break “It is a full body workout in 60 minutes,” their resolutions almost as frequently as Luedtke said. “We focus on strength, they make them. flexibility, stamina, core muscles, and More than 40 percent of Americans isolated repetition,” Luedtke continued. “I made New Year’s resolutions in 2017, am not someone who enjoys going to the Junior Achievement according to the research institute Statis- gym and lifting a lot of weights or running tics Brain, but less than 10 percent felt for a long period of time on a treadmill. For pick up BBN they were successful in achieving their some people that is great! But everybody’s resolution. body works differently.” 11/20/17 Dussich Dance Studio is highlighting its New students are encouraged to try the barre fitness class as a way for people to class for $5 until the end of December. page 10 get in shape — and stay in shape — in That’s half the normal price. 2018. In January, students who purchase The class follows the “Fit in 60” three barre fitness classes can receive one curriculum, a unique style of exercise that free — so instead of the normal price of blends ballet and pilates along with cardio, $40, students would pay $30 to receive four muscle resistance and isometric move- classes. FULL COLOR ments. Luedtke, who holds a bachelor of fine Students can burn between 500–700 arts degree in dance performance and has calories per class, according to the program been teaching for nine years, said she’d like website. to offer new incentives after January. “All of the holiday cooking, parties, and Aside from the barre fitness class, which change to your normal work and school is held at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, Dussich schedules can interrupt and disturb your faculty members noted that the studio otherwise healthy habits,” said instructor offers a variety of dance classes for people Emily Luedtke, a certified Fit in 60 Barre of all ages and levels. And, the faculty Fitness instructor who also teaches dance members added, students often say they to students of all ages. look forward to returning to classes weekly “Activities such as barre class can throughout the year. become a fun, weekly commitment to help Dussich Dance Studio is located at you get back on track and feel okay about 125 Imperial St. For more information on the occasional over–indulging,” Luedtke the business, call 452–2046 or visit added. www.Dussich.com. Cheri Smith–Darmanin affiliates with Coldwell Banker Residential Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate recently announced that Cheri Smith– Darmanin, an experienced real–estate professional, has become a sales associate with its Palm Bay office. According to Smith, “I look forward to providing the best customer service and helping area buyers and sellers achieve their wish list for their perfect home.” Formerly with 1 Call Real Estate, Smith specializes in residential property sales. “We are very happy to welcome Cheri to the Coldwell Banker network. Her real estate and lending experience, along with her knowledge of the area and strong commitment to exceptional customer service leads to making customers for life,” said Michael Pruitt, branch manager of the Palm Bay and Melbourne offices. Smith–Darmanin may be contacted at (954) 298–0428, or [email protected]. BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 2 Call Adrienne Roth at 321-951-7777 for Advertising Information DECEMBER 11, 2017 DECEMBER 11, 2017 Visit BrevardBusinessNews.com for Advertising Information BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 3 BBN BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS online at BrevardBusinessNews.com Want preschoolers to become successful in life? Allow them to play more during the day and even ask if there is homework for the ing, and too little thinking.” By Kim Nassoiy children. These things have very little meaning to A recent Psychology Today article, “The Emerging UCF Forum columnist children. Crisis in Critical Thinking,” addressed the deficit in Play is work to children. They want to use their senses problem–solving skills in today’s college students. These I work in a field where play reigns supreme. I’m an to discover and explore. They want to figure out what students are the babies of the ‘90s “baby genius” push. early childhood educator. something does or how it can be used. Think of it as Educators used flashcards with infants and toddlers and I have studied the research and know how children “biology with a lab.” They don’t even want an adult’s spent more time on rote learning than letting them play. learn best. Yet, I watch curriculums and policies being help. Children spent little time discovering and failing at written that stifle the learning of our youngest citizens in For those of you with children or who work with them, tasks, which teach persistence and resilience. The preschool. They are being asked to learn things beyond you know this to be true. Children are often saying to opportunities to fail and try again were missed, which are their capabilities. Teachers are being asked to teach their adults: “No” or “I can do it myself.” crucial to learning and brain development. things that are not developmentally appropriate. There Through play, children develop a love of learning. All the research supports what early childhood seems to be no stopping the sometimes misguided They are the facilitators of their own education. This is teachers know: It is time to get back to the basics. “machine” that seeks to theoretically turn children into essential to becoming a lifelong learner.