BUSINESS OBSERVER

+ Grapevine founder recognized
Grapevine Communications founder and President Angela Massaro-Fain is a finalist in the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2012 Business Woman of the Year Awards.

Out of 300 nominations, Massaro-Fain was one of 51 Bay Area women chosen as a finalist, with only five selected from the Manatee-Sarasota area.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Angela,” said John Fain, Grapevine’s executive vice president. “She is dedicated to our clients’ success and works tirelessly on behalf of numerous local charitable organizations. It’s gratifying to have the Tampa Bay Business Journal recognize Angela’s leadership and influential role in our business community.”

An awards gala to announce the winners and celebrate their accomplishments will be held Aug. 17, at Innisbrook Golf Resort.

+ TechHouse celebrates expansion
An East County-based information-technology consulting company recently celebrated the grand opening of its expanded offices.

TechHouse Integrated Information Systems held a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 3 for the new facility at 6910 Professional Parkway E., in Lakewood Ranch.

The company has seen tremendous growth in recent months, resulting in a larger building, the addition of two new employees and three job openings.

“With only two exceptions, TechHouse has grown each year since our inception in 1995,” CEO and founder Kathy Durfee said. “We have had organic growth that is the result of re-investing in the business. The organic growth has enabled us to learn as we grow and to make mistakes when we were smaller and the mistakes are less expensive. We focus on driving positive net income — primarily by increasing gross margin and secondarily by minimizing unnecessary operating expense. This discipline helps us manage expenses and drive better net income.”