Stories Summer 2007

Sandy Sansing
The good steward

(Publishers’ note: Please see my note in the Publishers’ Letter earlier in this magazine. The interview that follows is one that I am grateful to Mr. Sandy Sansing for sharing with me. Enjoy!)

WW: Who really is Sandy Sansing?

Mr. Sansing: I was raised in a Christian, middle-class family right here in Pensacola. In my early years, I worked as a grocery bagger to earn enough money to attend Pensacola Junior College. I wouldn’t say that I was the smartest student in my class, but I worked very hard with what the good Lord had given me. That philosophy, working hard with what the Lord has given me, has served me extremely well over the years. You have to have a passion for your mission in life and for your business. That passion is what drives me every day.

WW: You have been very successful with Sansing Automotive and have been doing it for 20+ years. Why don’t you kick back and enjoy the good life?

Mr. Sansing: I am enjoying the good life! The Lord has blessed me in many ways, and I feel a tremendous responsibility to be a good steward of what I have been given. My goal is to treat my customers with respect and dignity, help my employees achieve their potential, and share my blessings with those less fortunate. I can’t justify spending every day on the golf course, even though some days it is tempting.

WW: Much has been noted about your involvement with local children’s organizations. Can you tell us a little bit about that and any others that may be close to your heart?

Mr. Sansing: From a very early age, I have been aware of the needs of children in our community. I feel that God wants me to help our children. I’m heavily involved in the Gulf Coast Kids’ House, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Big Oak Ranch run by John and Brody Croyle. We also partner with WEAR and the United Way in fund-raising efforts for Communities Caring at Christmas and Cram the Van, which provides school supplies for underprivileged children.

WW: What makes Sansing Automotive successful, and why would someone come here for an automobile or to work for Sandy Sansing?

Mr. Sansing: We are successful because we value our staff. I have learned that to be successful, you must surround yourself with motivated people, help them to grow, reward them, and then get out of their way. We tell them to balance their lives and spend time with their families. We are not open on Sundays for that very reason; Sunday is family day. If we have employee satisfaction first, then customer satisfaction will follow. In fact, for the last 6 years, we have been number one in Customer Satisfaction with BMW, and just recently, for the second year in a row, we received the Circle of Excellence from Nissan North America for sales, services, and customer satisfaction. We could not do that if we didn’t first satisfy the needs of our staff.

WW: What would you tell young professionals about getting into the car business today?

Mr. Sansing: Most young people don’t look at the car business as an opportunity any more. With the high cost of inventory and real estate overhead, they don’t think that they can be an owner. However, tell them to come see me. I have four partners in four different stores that have come in with nothing and worked their way up to being a partner with me. I love to see people succeed and share in the rewards of that success. It’s another part of being a good steward: teaching the next generation how to succeed and how to be a good steward.

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FavorHouse of Northwest Florida
A shelter from domestic violence

Every night when Sue Hand leaves work, she hopes that tomorrow she will not have a job. As the Executive Director of FavorHouse, Sue and her staff confront the many faces of domestic violence in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Unfortunately, the number of domestic violence victims FavorHouse sees is on the rise, up over 30% during the last nine months.

FavorHouse provides counseling, support, food, clothing, and shelter—at no charge—to victims of domestic violence in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Hand explains that “women come to FavorHouse with children and needs.” As a private, not-for-profit corporation, FavorHouse relies heavily on individual and community support to provide victims with the most basic of necessities.

During Hurricane Ivan, a tree demolished the FavorHouse Escambia shelter. Now after 19 months, it is once again back in operation. Although the loss of the building was painful, it was losing the reminders of its smallest occupants that devastated the staff. When constantly repainting the walls became too costly, the staff allowed the children to decorate the walls with their handprints and footprints, as a symbol of their family’s safety. When the house was destroyed, unfortunately so too were all of the memories the children left behind.

For more information on how you can help support FavorHouse, please call 850–434-1177. If you or someone you know is in crisis, counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 850–434-6600 or 850–994-3560.

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United Bank
Helping you find the good life out here…

There is a trendy new name for families moving out of the cities to smaller, more rural communities. These “Ruralpolitans” are people who move away from urban areas to enjoy the wide-open spaces of the countryside.

In some cases, couples need larger homes for their growing families or a newly married couple is anticipating the arrival of children. Retired couples often relocate to more rural communities to escape the traffic and hustle and bustle of city life. Purchasing land for recreational purposes may be just what you need to relax and unwind. Whatever the reason, people want a bank that they can trust and services they need.

Whether your dream involves purchasing land or a bigger house, United Bank can help make it come true. They offer the resources, service, and guidance to meet all of the banking needs for your evolving lifestyle.

Even though your lifestyle may change, the services and knowledge United Bank offers will always remain steadfast. Offering services to the Gulf Coast region is what they’re all about. When you’re looking for your slice of heaven in greener pastures, come see the services that United Bank has been perfecting for over 100 years. They know Ruralpolitans and invite you to come in to see why their customers rely on United Bank for their banking needs. Stop by any of their locations in Santa Rosa and Baldwin counties; visit www.unitedbank.com ; or call 800–423-7026 to see what services United Bank can offer to make your life easier.

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Linking Arms
Because they are our future

At the age of 20, Kenneth Dickerson’s life changed forever. His 18 year old sister, Regina, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Greenville, MS. From that moment on, Dickerson knew something had to be done to deter young people from committing violent crimes.

According to research conducted by the national non-profit organization, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, most violent crimes among youth are committed after school, between the hours of 3 PM and 6 PM. Kenneth Dickerson, a former airman for the U.S. Air Force, decided to work toward changing those statistics.

Through his non-profit, faith-based organization, Linking Arms, Dickerson works with at-risk youth by providing after school sports, mentoring, and tutoring activities. Since the program began in June 2005, Dickerson has helped hundreds of students. “We serviced 40 youth through our NFL flag football program in 2006,” Dickerson said. “So far, in 2007, we serviced 60 youth through our NFL flag football program. We’ve academically tutored more than 100 youth, taught Internet skills to at least 50 youth, and more than 1500 youth have visited our community center for dance and fun on the weekends.” In addition to those activities, Dickerson is eager to take the program even farther. “We are starting a fall track and field program for elementary aged youths. We will be able to service 150 young boys and girls with this unique initiative,” Dickerson said.

The Linking Arms’ GoGirlGo! Program, a mentoring program for elementary and middle school girls in grades 3 through 8, is prepared to service an additional 200 girls.

For more information about Linking Arms or about volunteering with the organization, contact Kenneth R. Dickerson at 850–607-6608, KDickerson@LinkingArms.org, or visit the Linking Arms website at www.LinkingArms.org.

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Gulf Coast Office Products
The secret of our success

In 1993, Mark and John Wright opened the first location of Gulf Coast Office Products (GCOP) with only four employees and the desire to revolutionize quality customer service in the office supply industry. Lane Harper joined the team three years later, and the company quickly opened two more locations. As giant office supply stores moved into the area, these determined business owners refused to give in to the self-service mentality that the corporate big box stores brought with them. Instead, they maintained that good customer service determined a business’ success. For GCOP, customer service has made all the difference, the owners say, and their prices are competitive with the large, office supply chain stores. Today, GCOP boasts 60 employees and five offices in the Gulf Coast region.

At GCOP, customers have a partner handling all of their business needs from office supplies and printing to furnishings. The company’s highly trained employees, who average 12–15 years experience in the industry, are experts at recognizing their customers’ needs, whether the customers are local, state, small, or national businesses.

Every aspect of GCOP services revolve around molding to the way their customers do business. They can print, store, and ship the client’s forms on an as-needed basis. They can also provide monthly purchase management reports customized to the client’s needs. As a business owner himself, Mark Wright explains, “We know our clients’ time is better spent on their business and that is why GCOP offers a variety of time-saving services, including an online catalog, email, fax, and telephone ordering.”

GCOP also offers customers the best in furnishings for their offices by using furniture brands such as Knoll, Global, and La-Z-Boy. “Our company,” Lane Harper says, “never stops improving our services in order to improve our customers’ business.” Employees can assist customers from the beginning of an office renovation project with the design phase and stay actively involved all the way through to installation.

Actively involved in local charities and organizations, GCOP has received national recognition as a leader in the industry, receiving awards like the TriMega Purchasing Association Tier III Dealer Award. Recently, his peers elected Mark Wright a director of NOPA (National Office Products Alliance).

GCOP is growing to serve the needs of the expanding Gulf Coast. Having outgrown current facilities, Gulf Coast Office Products is in the process of building a 37,000 square-foot facility in Pensacola, which should be completed by the end of this year. They have also been renovating or relocating the Ft. Walton Beach, Montgomery, and Mobile locations.

Mark Wright said, “Gulf Coast Office Products is never content with who we are today. We are always trying to improve our service and product offerings to better serve our customers.”

Experience the difference GCOP can make for your business. Visit them on the web at www.gcop.com , or call the Pensacola National Headquarters at 850–434-5588; Ft. Walton Beach at 850–244-6122; or in Alabama: Mobile at 251–476-7100; Bay Minette at 251–937-9800; or Montgomery at 334–279-8748.

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Gulf Coast Kid’s House
Our children. Our future.

At 3:00 AM the stillness of the night is shattered by the ringing of a telephone. John is jolted from sleep; as he reaches for the phone, he prays. The voice on the other end of the line confirms his worst fear: another case of child abuse has been reported. It is John’s responsibility to begin the investigation. He quickly dresses, kisses his wife, and heads out. John is a 10–year veteran Protective Investigator with the Florida Department of Children and Families who currently works out of the Gulf Coast Kid’s House. John reflects on the child advocacy center as he drives, and he realizes it is fortunate that this child will have the support of all of the dedicated people who work at GCKH.

John knows he is responding to a domestic violence situation and has asked the Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies to meet him at the home where they meet with the father and an 8 year old boy. John talks with the child while the deputies take the father’s statement. The child tells John that his mother and father had a fight and that mom was hitting dad. When the child got in the way, mom hit him in the face, knocking him down and kicking him. John and the deputies tell the father about Gulf Coast Kid’s House and give him an appointment to bring his son to “Kid’s House” at 9:00 AM.

When the family arrives at GCKH, they are greeted by a friendly volunteer, and the child is welcomed by a wonderful play room. Members of the team, including John and Jan, a member of the Families’ Count Child Protection Team, meet with the parents to discuss the GCKH procedures and the medical examination that will be handled by the CPT Nurse.

Then Jan also talks with the child about his injuries. While the child is receiving his exam, the case advocate talks with the father to help determine what services are needed in the home and encourages him to seek therapy for their son through Lutheran Services counseling, which is housed at GCKH. The gathered evidence will be presented to the Assistant State Attorney, housed in GCKH, who brings charges against the abuser; the accused is arrested, and a trial date is set. During the entire process, a child victim advocate works with the child and family to ensure they are kept informed of the case progress and to provide assistance as needed.

John breathes a sigh of relief; within just a few hours, the investigative process is completed. John offers a silent prayer of thanks that GCKH exists and that the team works efficiently to help children through the worst experience of their young lives.

The Gulf Coast Kid’s House is located at 3401 N. 12th Avenue in Pensacola. More information about services and events can be found on its website, www.gulfcoastkidshouse.org or by calling 850–595-5800.

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United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida
Providing peace of mind for families

Marking more than 50 years of service to infants, children, adolescents, and adults in northwest Florida, United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida has been providing peace of mind to families since 1953.

Created in July 2001 as a separate arm of the organization to help focus long-range development efforts, the United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida Foundation was founded to raise and manage private dollars to meet the growing needs of those served by UCP.

Several exciting things are happening at UCP these days, involving the UCP Foundation and one of UCP’s programs. Supported employment provides training and assistance to support individuals with developmental disabilities in seeking and sustaining gainful employment. Staff members work diligently to help program participants find an appropriate job match, one where the individual can be both productive and satisfied.

Supported employment is a proven and successful approach of shifting people from dependence on a service delivery system to independence through competitive employment. It also encourages individuals to grow within their own communities through work, social interaction, and integration.

This program is where a new venture of the UCP Foundation comes in. Still in the initial stages of development, plans are being honed to open a consignment resale shop that will be used as a hands-on opportunity for more advanced employment training and skills development. This business enterprise will not only serve as a training facility for the supported employment participants, but it will also provide a source of income for the UCP Foundation. Stay tuned for more details.

For additional information, please call UCP at 850–432-1596 in Pensacola; toll free at 888–432-1596; or visit www.ucpnwfl.org. UCP’s corporate offices are located at 2912 North E Street in Pensacola.

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APR Custom Marketing
“You can’t be everywhere, but your name can be!”

A local land developer knew that they wanted to say “thank you” to the builders who were putting up homes in the development and to the new homeowners. In addition, they needed a way to keep their name in front of prospective buyers. They had met with four different companies, but none of them seemed to understand the developers’ specific needs.

A new startup company needed everything: business cards, brochures, and giveaways for an upcoming tradeshow, but they didn’t even have a logo. How were they going to find all of these things while getting the company up and running?

APR Custom Marketing works with companies—startup or existing—to help them define their overall marketing plan or event marketing needs. APR starts by interviewing the client to find out specifically what their clients’ business is and who its current and potential customers are. APR then suggests appropriate products to cost effectively implement the company’s branding and marketing strategies. From concept development through delivery, APR partners with their clients to ensure a successful outcome.

“Many times our customers know that they need to present a professional image, but they aren’t sure how to portray that to their clients and potential clients,” says Mary Sievers, the president of APR. “We walk them through a proprietary 15-point questionnaire that helps them answer the who, what, when, and where of their marketing needs. Once we have established that basis, then we can cost effectively help them meet their branding and marketing goals.”

For more information on how APR Custom Marketing can help you with your marketing needs, call 850–475-7852 or email APR at APRmarketing@bellsouth.net.

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Paula’s Picture Perfect
A born photographer…

As long as Paula Petsel can remember, she had a camera in her hands. Petsel got her first 35mm camera for Christmas at age 13. At that time, she was very shy and wanted to become a photographer for National Geographic. She imagined traveling the world, photographing amazing nature and animals.

While in college, Petsel worked for a professional photographer and learned about wedding, senior, and family photography. It was here that she came out of her shell and realized how much she enjoyed working with people.

After working at a couple of other studios and for a private investigator (that’s a whole story in itself!), Petsel opened her own studio. Although she enjoyed taking gorgeous portraits of people, she still longed to photograph her number one passion… animals!

Over the next several years, each time someone called to schedule a family portrait, Petsel would ask if they had pets. She would then encourage them to bring their pets as part of the family portrait. People were amazed at how well she could get the animals to respond.

Now with 20 years experience, Petsel runs Paula’s Picture Perfect photography studio where pets are ALWAYS welcome. She doesn’t forget about all those pets that are in need of a home either. For the past seven years, she has raised money for the Pensacola Humane Society, NOAH, and other animal rescue organizations by offering pet picture day with sitting fees going directly to each organization. All pets are welcome no matter how large, small, or unusual! The next time you plan a family portrait, don’t forget about your pets. Remember: they are family too!

Paula Petsel can be reached at 850–944-5224 or at her studio at 7711 Helms Road in Pensacola, FL.

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Quality Alarm Systems Inc. and Entertainment Too!
Selling “Peace of Mind” & Entertainment Too!

Imagine walking through your front door, lights automatically greet you, quiet music plays, and the hot tub is heating to offer relaxation while dinner is cooking – all from one touch pad!

Electronic Design Automation (EDA), the limitless possibilities of integrating lighting, security systems, entertainment, and technology is here. And, Pensacola-based Quality Alarm Systems Inc. and Entertainment Too! is the Gulf Coast team to design, install, and maintain their customer’s “vision”. Whether new home construction or remodeling/retrofit projects, both companies offer the highest quality of service, components, and design techniques to their customers.

Over 20 years ago, Jerry and Lynn Hesse began Quality Alarm Systems Inc., and began installing low-voltage security alarm systems. Their guiding force was to professionally install “peace of mind,” and in doing so they created an innovative concept for the alarm industry. This concept provides monthly monitoring service with a lifetime maintenance/support warranty for $20.00 per month, while requiring no long-term contract. These systems can be independent or encompass complete security integration with well-placed security cameras monitored from every television in the house or anywhere in the world with high-speed Internet access. This locally owned company has installation and maintenance vehicles in both Florida and Alabama. Their trucks are fully equipped to handle any customer’s problem, and a technician is on-call 24/7.

Realizing the increased demand for custom-designed electronic home systems, Entertainment Too! was opened at 3613 North Palafox Street in 1996. The retail location showcases their product lines (Hitachi, Klipsch, Marantz, Pioneer, Sonance), and demonstrates systems integration. When installing structured wiring, a security system, audio/video equipment, or an automation application, they pride themselves in providing quality workmanship. Entertainment Too! provides “turn key” home audio/video solutions. Whether it’s a basic surround sound system to enhance the television and movie viewing experience, a multi-room music system for entertaining family and guests, or a complex home theater design, incorporating automation technology; their design team constructs and organizes the entire installation, including entertainment furniture and accessories.

Traditional room station or telephone–style intercom systems are also offered, as well as central vacuum systems. A central vacuum system offers better indoor air quality, more power, longer carpet life, quiet operation and added home value.

Remember, possibilities are limitless!

For more information, visit www.entertainmenttoo.com , or call 850–433-9600.
Quality Alarm Systems Licenses: Florida, #EF0000797; Alabama, #141.

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Worldwide Interiors
A world apart

Looking for a great deal on something exotic and unusual or maybe new furniture for your coastal property? You should consider Worldwide Interiors at 22730 Canal Road in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Worldwide Interiors is one of the few direct importers of home furnishings and accessories in the southeastern United States. What is a direct importer? Well, a direct importer is a company that eliminates the middleman by arranging its own manufacturing at the source.

No matter if it is beautiful solid teak, mahogany, or exotic woven furnishings for your indoor or outdoor living areas, fine silks from Thailand, pottery from Mexico and Asia, or fabulous accessories from the world over, Worldwide Interiors has these things and much more. Worldwide Interiors has everything you’re looking for from fine upholstered pieces to great mattress sets, from timeless solid teak outdoor furnishings to complete home or condo packages—all at tremendous savings. Offering an excellent complimentary design service, Worldwide Interiors can make any property from a beachfront condo to an estate sized primary residence look fabulous.

Managing partner Keith Lee travels the world to find just the right items to maximize the beauty of your environment, and Worldwide Interiors offers his finds to everyone at wholesale prices. You can select fine furniture from the Spice Island of Java; antiques, artifacts, and handicrafts from Bali; woven wood blinds; bamboo; and local and regional original art. Keith says, “If you desire the beauty of fine home furnishings at the very best value available, then Worldwide Interiors should be your shopping destination.”

“The best thing about our unique business is that virtually every item in our massive inventory is purchased at the absolute source and directly imported via oceangoing container from the country of origin. This type of sourcing arrangement cuts out all the middlemen and guarantees our customers wholesale prices. The bottom line is that we simply offer the best look, best quality, and best value anywhere. We absolutely cannot be undersold,” Keith explains.

To experience the beauty of Worldwide Interiors, stop in today. For more information, visit its website at www.worldwideinteriors.com or telephone a member of the Worldwide Interiors sales team at 251–968-5210 or toll free at 888–736-4060. Worldwide Interiors… bringing the world to you!

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Pensacola Landscaping and Lawn Care
Beautifying the Gulf Coast since 1989

For 18 years, Pensacola Landscaping and Lawn Care, Inc. has been creating and maintaining beautiful landscapes along the Gulf Coast. A locally owned company, Pensacola Landscaping and Lawn Care is recognized as the landscape leader on the Gulf Coast.

According to Todd King, Pensacola Landscaping and Lawn Care owner/operator, the company’s success is the result of the expertise of its staff. Pensacola Landscaping and Lawn Care’s staff consists of a professional landscape designer, two horticulturists, a licensed irrigation contractor, and two certified pest control operators. From start to finish, their customers have this first-rate knowledge and experience available to plan their landscape, irrigation, and landscape management needs. “With the experience of our staff, we can design a project the most practical and cost effective way and still provide excellent quality,” says King.

Pensacola Landscaping and Lawn Care employs over 70 people year round to provide landscape design and build, full service landscape maintenance, quality irrigation installations and monitoring, and fertilization and spraying programs.

They go to great lengths to protect their customers and their crews. Pensacola Landscaping and Lawn Care carries workers’ compensation and full comprehensive insurance to insure customers’ property protection. The company also assigns crew leaders to supervise all on-site activities to ensure the safety of their team.

With a history of beautifying the Gulf Coast since 1989, it’s evident that Pensacola Landscaping and Lawn Care aims to provide the best value for your property.

For more information on how Pensacola Landscaping and Lawn Care can help you with your landscaping and lawn needs, visit them on the web at www.pensacolalandscaping.com or via phone at 850–476-2125 or 888–476-2125.

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CES Team One Communications, Inc.
The “Go To” team on the Gulf Coast

CES, Inc., also known as Communications Engineering Services, has been serving Pensacola for over 25 years as the only authorized Motorola service and sales dealer. Over the years they have expanded into Mobile, Alabama and Gulfport and Pascagoula, Mississippi. During that time of growth is when the name Team One Communications became a part of the company name CES, Team One Communications.

When most people think of CES Team One Communications, they think of Motorola; and when they think of Motorola, they think of cellular phones and two way radios. Their core business is the large public safety radio systems, and the industrial and enterprise private radio systems, all of which are designed, sold, installed, and maintained from their professionally trained staff out of their local office here in Pensacola, Florida. The world of two way radios is going digital, which means more features and benefits for even the basic radio to radio push-to-talk applications for smaller businesses. The new digital radios allow for better sound quality throughout their range plus features like text messages, one to one calls, one to a group or one to all calls. The new features are found in the DTR series and the MotoTurbo series.

CES Team One and Motorola now have expanded beyond the traditional two way radio business. CES Team One is able to take you into the world of Wireless Broadband. Think of high speed broadband connections to single sites, multiple sites or even remote sites, wirelessly. This newly developed product designed by Motorola is called Canopy. This device is used to replace T-1 landlines, last mile connectivity for broadband users, remote video surveillance, and high capacity backhaul. These are exciting times in the wireless industry, and CES Team One has been here in Pensacola for over 25 years and will continue to be here to serve Pensacola’s needs for two way radios and wireless broadband.

For more information, go to www.teamonecommunication.com or call 850–432-7787.

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Crime Stoppers
Keeping communities, schools safe

The Pensacola area has long been recognized as a metropolitan region with a small-town feel. Low crime rates, mild temperatures, quality cultural offerings, and abundant outdoor activities are just a few of the reasons people who love this area love to talk about it.

One local organization is doing more than just talking by putting its money where its mouth is.

Serving all of Escambia County, Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers and its affiliate, Student Crime Stoppers, pay tens of thousands of dollars in rewards each year to citizens and students who provide confidential tips about criminal activity.

“The entire Northwest Florida region is a very safe place to live and work, but that doesn’t mean crime doesn’t exist,” said Crime Stoppers’ Chairman Mike Doubek. “We’re here to encourage people who see or hear about a crime to report it in a safe, confidential environment. The message is very simple: if you see something, say something.”

Since its inception in June 1984, Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers’ activities have helped clear nearly 6,000 cases, resulting in 4,100 arrests as well as the recovery of $3.6 million in stolen property and the seizure of $2 million worth of drugs.

Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers, managed by a citizen volunteer board of directors in cooperation with law enforcement professionals, is a member of the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, Southeastern Crime Stoppers, Crime Stoppers USA, and Crime Stoppers International.

For information, contact Lt. Rex Blackburn, Program Coordinator, at 850–436-9387. To report a crime, call 850–433-STOP. To make a financial contribution or to volunteer to help, call 850–436-9387

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