BUSINESS NEWS BRIEFS: New CF programs, AdventHealth Ocala ‘A’ grade and SECO award

Jacob Dorland, left, CF Vintage Farm campus manager, and Tavis Douglass, right, associate professor and program manager for agribusiness, inspect crops. Learners studying at the farm campus will benefit from autonomous aircraft demonstrations and guest lectures by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University experts in a new partnership. [Photo courtesy College of Central Florida]

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Posted June 9, 2025 | By Susan Smiley-Height, [email protected]

CF announces new initiatives
The College of Central Florida recently announced two new initiatives, a partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the launch of a new Hospitality and Tourism Management program.

The agreement with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will give CF Agribusiness Management students access to innovative technologies and hands-on experience with the latest industry equipment. Learners studying at the CF Vintage Farm Campus will benefit from autonomous aircraft demonstrations and guest lectures by Embry-Riddle experts, who will focus on agricultural operations such as crop monitoring, livestock management and precision farming, the news release noted.

“Expanding the college’s agribusiness training opportunities is responsive to the needs of employers,” said Jim Henningsen, CF president, in the release. “With our area producing nearly $400 million in agriculture exports each year and generating an economic impact of more than $4 billion through our equine industry, CF is positioned to be Florida’s top educational provider for agribusiness career training, talent development and applied research.”

Embry-Riddle, located in Daytona Beach, will have access to CF facilities for collaborative events, research and career awareness initiatives.

“This partnership represents an exciting opportunity for students to explore the intersection of aviation and agriculture in a real-world setting,” said Alan Stolzer, dean of the Embry-Riddle College of Aviation, in the release. “We look forward to engaging with the College of Central Florida community and providing meaningful experiences that inspire the next generation of uncrewed aircraft systems leaders.”

CF was certified in 2024 as a National Institute of Food and Agriculture Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CF’s Vintage Farm Campus south of Ocala is the only working farm campus in the Florida College System.

In the Fall, CF will launch a new Hospitality and Tourism Management program designed to support Florida’s growing tourism industry. The program will start with the Guest Services Specialist college credit certificate. This entry-level credential equips students for roles such as concierge, guest services associate or front desk coordinator. The curriculum includes preparation for industry-recognized certifications like the Certified Guest Service Professional and ServSafe Food Manager/Handler, the release stated.

The certificate transitions into the associate in science in Hospitality and Tourism Management, which expands knowledge in areas such as hospitality principles, hotel management, event and conference planning, tourism marketing and digital media, leadership and human resource management.

Both programs feature internship opportunities, professional networking events and hands-on learning with major industry partners, including the World Equestrian Center.

“With an average salary for industry professionals of around $29 an hour and rapid job growth in Marion County, we’re excited to be able to offer local students the opportunity to become part of Florida’s $1.2+ billion tourism industry,” said John Ash, CF dean of business, technology and agricultural sciences.

To learn more, visit cf.edu

AdventHealth Ocala awarded ‘A’ grade
AdventHealth Ocala has been awarded an “A” hospital safety grade for the fifth consecutive time by The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit upholding the standard of excellence in patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers.

The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals nationwide based on more than 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them, the news release noted.

“We are thrilled and honored to receive this ‘A’ grade for the fifth time in a row. It shows just how hard our exceptional team members are working every day to keep our patients and visitors safe,” AdventHealth Ocala President and CEO Erika Skula said in the release. “The safety of our team members, patients and visitors is of the utmost importance to AdventHealth and we are very appreciative for the trust our community has placed in our hospital as we work to deliver exceptional, whole person care every day.”  

To learn more, go to adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-ocala

SECO Energy earns communication award
SECO Energy’s corporate communications team earned national recognition by winning gold in the Best Social Media Post – Classification 3 (for distribution cooperatives with more than 65,000 meters) category at the 2025 Spotlight on Excellence Awards. Presented by the Council of Rural Electric Communicators and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the award celebrates communication excellence among electric cooperatives nationwide.

The award-winning social media post featured a video message from SECO Energy Chief Executive Officer Curtis Wynn. Released in the hours ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall, the message urged members to prepare for the storm and highlighted SECO’s readiness efforts. The video project, led by Director of Corporate Communications Amanda Richardson and Multimedia Supervisor Bryan Wooley, received praise for its clarity, urgency and strong commitment to member safety.

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving Sumter, Citrus, Marion, Lake, Levy, Pasco and Hernando counties.

Learn more at secoenergy.com