Wednesday's Daily Pulse

› Ex Rooms To Go Security Director Charged in Kickback Schemes [St. Petersburg Times]
Federal prosecutors filed mail fraud charges Tuesday against a former security director for Rooms To Go. Brian W. Ouellette, 49, of Valrico worked as a security director for the Seffner-based furniture chain from the 1990s to at least 2007. He and another security director, James B. Loftus, Jr., 58, of Georgia, joined the company after retiring as detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Loftus pleaded guilty in November to taking payments through a shell company from Security Alliance, which had been selected to provide security guards for Rooms To Go, prosecutors said. Ouellette is charged with participating in that kickback scheme. He is also accused of running another scheme where he collected payments to a shell company from vendors chosen to get information from Rooms To Go employees Ouellette had recruited to be informants.

› Have You Hugged Your Business Plan Today? [Miami Herald]
Entering the Miami Herald's Business Plan Challenge offers a terrific benefit — even if you don't end up winning. It might just be the kick start you need to get that business plan in the works. "There is a learning curve for entrepreneurs and writing a business plan requires the writer to look at every aspect of the business,'' said Martin Luytjes, a professor at Florida International University who teaches business planning and often requires his students to write them. "It's a great exercise in developing the critical thinking that is necessary to be a success in business.'' You'll need a business plan if you are seeking investors or a bank loan. But even if you are bootstrapping it, it helps you set goals and start preparing a roadmap for your business. "Whether raising capital or not, writing a business plan provides a rigorous, methodical way to think through a new business concept in its entirety,'' said Robert Hacker, an FIU business professor and a Business Plan Challenge judge. "While the plan will change after testing by the market, a thorough plan better prepares the entrepreneur."

› Canaveral Council of Technical Societies Is 50 Years Old [Florida Today]
As the shuttle program ends this year, throwing thousands of engineers out of work, the Canaveral Council of Technical Societies is seeing a resurgence in interest as it marks its 50th anniversary. Organizers and longtime members hope the organization, which saw its membership peak as the Apollo program shifted into the shuttle program 30 years ago, can become a focal point for networking as the new era of the commercial space industry unfolds. "One of the aims of the organization is to be a way of bringing different groups together," CCTS vice chairman David Fleming, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Florida Tech, said. The renewed interest already seems to be taking hold, at least if interest in the group's annual banquet is any indicator.

› Florida Food Importers Will Be Affected by Safety Reform [Palm Beach Post]
The sweeping food safety reforms that President Obama signed into law in January will have a significant impact on food importers who will be required to verify the safety of food from their suppliers, a produce industry official said. Once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration implements the rules and regulations, the agency will have the power to refuse entry of food products from countries where inspectors are denied access, said Robert Guenther, a senior vice president with United Fresh Produce Association, Washington, D.C. Guenther told a group of about 50 South Florida agricultural producers meeting at the University of Florida's Everglades Research and Education Center that there could be backlash if the FDA bans products from a region or country. "Will they say, 'We will inspect yours?' There could be some trade issues,'" Guenther said Monday . The Food Safety and Modernization Act, the most significant overhaul to the U.S. food safety system in over 70 years, is aimed at prevention. Congress passed it in response to high-profile outbreaks of illnesses during the past few years linked to products such as spinach, peanut butter and sprouts.

› Metro Orlando EDC Chooses Research Triangle Veteran as CEO [Orlando Sentinel]
The Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission has hired an executive with experience recruiting science and technology companies as its new president and chief executive officer. The EDC announced Tuesday that Rick Weddle, head of North Carolina's Research Triangle Park, was selected to lead the local economic-development agency. As president and CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, Weddle oversaw a research-and-development center with corporate residents including Cisco, GlaxoSmithKline and IBM Corp. The Metro Orlando EDC has been without a permanent leader since former President Ray Gilley vacated the position in August. The opening had fueled speculation that someone local, such as former Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty, might take the job. But the quasi-public EDC remained mum throughout a long-running candidate search until announcing Weddle's appointment Tuesday afternoon.

› Wells Fargo Closing Jacksonville Service Center that Employs 150 [Florida Times-Union]
Wells Fargo & Co. is closing a customer service center in Jacksonville that employs 150 people, the company announced Tuesday. The California-based company currently employs about 3,900 people in North Florida and 16,000 total in Florida after acquiring Wachovia Corp. in December 2008. It currently has about 200 openings in North Florida, and the 150 workers at the Customer Connection center in Deerwood Park who are losing their jobs will have the opportunity to apply for those positions, Wells Fargo spokeswoman Kathy Harrison said. The affected workers will also have access to career counseling and can apply for jobs at Customer Connection centers in other locations, Harrison said. The employees will receive moving assistance if they are accepted at another location.

› South Florida Entrepreneurs Star at Small Business Forum [Miami Herald]
Budding entrepreneurs and small business owners can get advice, share ideas and network at the annual Miami Herald Small Business Forum, to be held this Thursday. Nationally recognized business experts and entrepreneurial innovators, including the CEO of Lime Fresh Mexican Grill and the president of LEASA Industries, will dole out tips and answer questions during various panel discussions. Panels focus on business financing, opportunities for international business and jumpstarting innovative products in food, services, jewelry and technology. The seminar will be held at Florida International University's South Campus, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Keynoting the day is Dennis Ratner, founder and CEO of Hair Cuttery. Tickets for the seminar cost $25 and include a continental breakfast and light lunch.