Business Observer

+ Four new execs to bolster fast-growth at Datum
Technology consulting firm Datum Corp., one of the fastest-growing firms in the region, added four executives to its senior leadership team, including the former director of support services at Bloomin’ Brands.

The need for another layer of executives is clear: Datum, with at least $30 million in annual sales and 80 employees, hired more than 20 people over the past year and plans to hire another 40 in 2015, according to a release. An IT services and software consulting firm, Datum specializes in the multi-unit restaurant industry. Past and current clients include Hurricane Grill & Wings, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and The Brass Tap, First Watch Restaurants and Stonewood Grill & Tavern. Founded in 2003, Datum performs IT services in nearly 3,500 client locations that support more than 145,000 employees.

“We are pleased to welcome this extremely talented group of new leaders to Datum,” Datum CEO Tom Frost says in the release. “Their extensive knowledge and skills within the industry will help to take our company to the next level and provide unparalleled support for our clients.”

The new executives include:

• Jeannette Castro, who previously implemented and managed point-of-sale systems and inventory databases for the Sbarro pizza chain. Castro will handle back office systems at Datum.

• Rob Hendrickson, who has consulted in project management for cabinet-level federal agencies and Fortune 500 companies for 20 years. He will oversee client delivery management at Datum.

• Karl Simons, who oversaw support services at Bloomin’ Brands, a department with 60 employees. He will take on a similar role at Datum.

• Adam Moochnek, a former project leader at NCR Corp, where he managed large accounts. Moochnek will be a major account manager at Datum.

— Mark Gordon

+ Neal breaks ground on Indigo community
Neal Communities broke ground this week on Indigo, its newest neighborhood in Lakewood Ranch.
Indigo is a 55-and-up community that will sit just northeast of Central Park. The neighborhood will have 453 homes on 151.32 acres when it’s complete.

Located at the intersection of Pope Road and 44th Avenue East, Indigo will be a gated, island resort-style community with maintenance-included homes and a recreation center with a lifestyle director.

The builder worked with land planers to preserve mature oak trees present on the east and north sides of the property and worked with the Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District to relocate a border road, White Eagle Boulevard, to the west to save additional trees on the west boundary of the property.

“The result is a truly beautiful, naturally preserved site that is more lush than what is typically found on Florida’s abundantly well farmed areas,” said Neal Communities CEO Pat Neal, in a news release. “The outcome will showcase those stunning views for residents with an old Florida feel.”