THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 8, 1995 TAG: 9509060158
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
A home-grown telecommunications business will construct a new $1 million headquarters building in PortCentre for two companies, Mid-Atlantic BellCom and Communications Management Associates.
The companies are owned by James R. Revell and Richard O. Flora II, both former employees of the Bell System AT&T.
Flora said the companies have purchased a two-acre site and will construct a 10,000-square-foot building.
Currently, the companies have offices in Richmond and Deep Creek. The Chesapeake office will be closed.
Total employment now stands at around 30. Flora said they plan to add 10 to 15 employees over the next two years.
``We definitely are expanding,'' he said.
The business started four years ago with Communications Management Associates, a consulting firm that did design and engineering.
``We did the paper stuff,'' Flora said.
A year later, they started the second company for sales, installation and service of telecommunications systems.
``We offer one-stop shopping for communications systems,'' Flora said.
In addition, he said, the companies do a lot of contract work for the telephone companies.
Among their other clients are Colonial Williamsburg and U.S. Navy installations at the Naval Shipyard here and at St. Juliens Navy Depot.
Flora said he and Revell, a Portsmouth native, feel the PortCentre location is advantageous for their company.
``Its proximity to many places in Hampton Roads is amazing,'' he said. ``I think this is one of Portsmouth's well-kept secrets.''
The area is located between Downtown and the Naval Shipyard.
Mayor Gloria O. Webb said the city is excited to have the young company move to Portsmouth.
``We feel they are growing businesses with very high potential and will be a great asset to the Portsmouth business community,'' she said.
Flora said he believes PortCentre is on ``verge of a major breakthrough.''
``We are happy to be part of this resurgent area,'' he said.
Flora said he and Revell have been working on moving their business for about nine months.
``At one time, we considered renovating an existing building in Portsmouth,'' he said. ``Then we looked at PortCentre and realized we could build a new building for about the same amount of money.''
In addition, he said, the site is located in an enterprise zone, which offers certain tax advantages.
Commonwealth Construction will start the building almost immediately. Flora said he expects to move in late January or early February.
PortCentre Commerce Park also will get another new tenant sometime soon, when Direct Marketing Enterprises will move to the commerce park from New York. by CNB