BUSINESS OBSERVER

+ Sod service company expands to landscaping market 
Dieter’s Sod Service Inc., a full-service, sod installation-and-renovation company, announced its expansion into the landscape-service market Jan. 23.

Under its new name, Dieter’s Sod & Landscaping, the company will continue to operate throughout Manatee, Sarasota and surrounding counties.

Residential and commercial customers can purchase tools and items such as grading, erosion control, hardscapes, irrigation, sod and plants from one source.

“The expansion into the landscape-services market is a natural progression, allowing us to offer all-inclusive, one-stop shopping for our customers,” said Dieter Zoellner, who founded Dieter’s Sod & Landscaping with his wife, Carole.

The Zoellners recently sold part of their ownership to the Bay Breeze Group, an agricultural company based in Hillsborough County. 

The Bay Breeze Group’s umbrella includes Bay Breeze Farms Inc., a producer of sod, fruits and vegetables; Vigiron, a fertilizer producer; and Envirolok of Florida, distributor of vegetated retaining wall systems for erosion control.

+ Neal marketing specialist speaks at builders show
Leisa Weintraub, vice president of marketing and creative director for Neal Communities, spoke at the National Association of Home Builders International Builders Show Jan. 24, in Las Vegas.

The show is the largest annual light-construction trade show in the world. It includes networking events, seminars and an exhibit hall, which features nearly 1,000 vendors demonstrating the latest building products and services.

With more than 25 years of experience in new-home marketing, Weintraub oversees all marketing and public relations for the Lakewood Ranch-based new-home building company.

She has also been responsible for creating, designing and managing the overall design theme for Neal’s communities.

At the show, Weintraub presented two seminars: “Taking Your Email Campaigns to the Next Level” and “Online Sales Counselors: Change the Game, Set More Appointments & Create Exceptional Customer Satisfaction.”

Weintraub has served as a sales and marketing council member of the Manatee County Home Builders Association; a chairwoman and vice chairwoman for the Aurora Awards; co-chairwoman of the Excel Awards; and is on the design committee for the National Association of Home Builders.

+ Water management district welcomes program manager
Tara Poulton has joined the Southwest Florida Water Management District as a government-affairs program manager.

Poulton will serve as a liaison between the district and the constituents of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.

She will work closely with county governments, municipalities and utilities staff.

Prior to joining the water management district, Poulton was the communications manager at the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, a department of Manatee County government.

She also spent several years at the United Way of Manatee County.

Poulton started her career in television, working as a news producer and reporter.

She is a graduate of the University of South Florida.

Poulton will work from the water management district’s Sarasota service office on Fruitville Road.

+ Janie Albertson joins Ted Todd Insurance Agency 
Janie Albertson has joined the Ted Todd Insurance Agency as manager of its Sarasota office.

A native of Port Charlotte, Albertson holds her Florida 2-20 and 2-18 insurance licenses.

“We’re excited to add her energy, expertise and friendly nature to our management team,” said Ted Todd, owner of Ted Todd Insurance Agency. “We’re very focused on serving Sarasota and Manatee counties, including the nearby Lakewood Ranch and University Parkway neighborhoods.”

The Sarasota office is located at 5265 University Parkway, Suite 107.