FLORIDA TODAY's Business Newsmakers

Newport achieves 'Green' designation

Chana Newport, with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty, recently was awarded the National Association of REALTORS Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.

Newport achieved the designation after completing topic-specific course work designed specifically for Realtors.  The designation courses were created in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of industry experts from across the country; ensuring designees gain comprehensive knowledge of green homes and issues of resource-efficiency in relation to real estate and home owners.

Newport was trained in understanding what makes a property green, helping clients evaluate the cost/benefits of resource-efficient features and practices, distinguishing between industry rating and classification systems, listing and marketing green homes and buildings, discussing the financial grants and incentives available to homeowners, and understanding how buyer and seller preferences may be inspired by resource-efficiency.

For more information about NAR’s Green Designation, visit www.greenresourcecouncil.org

Coutu joins Whittaker Cooper

Connie Coutu has joined Whittaker Cooper Financial Group as a client service associate.

Coutu has 28 years of financial service industry experience and will be responsible for directly assisting the office's financial advisors with day-to-day client service activities and is a designated contact for clients.

Coutu is also responsible for monitoring client investments and transactions and for answering applicable client questions.

A New England College of Business graduate, Coutu a finance major and holds an associate of science degree in business administration.

Whittaker Cooper Financial Group is located at 1692 West Hibiscus Boulevard in Melbourne, 32901. For more information, call 321-723-3352 or visit the website at http://raymondjames.com/whittakercooper/.

Bill Moore, chief operating officer at Viera Builders Inc. recently announced the promotion of Nicholas “Nick” Crowe to vice president of construction.

Crowe will now be responsible for assisting the COO in directing and managing all construction, architecture and permitting activities for Viera Builders, along with providing strategic leadership and vision to the company.

“I have been blessed to work for Viera Builders for the past 5 1/2 years and be a part of the communities growth during this time,” stated Crowe. “I am excited about this new role and the opportunities it brings to further progress Viera Builders impact and commitment to our community and customers.”

Crowe began his career with Viera Builders in 2012 as a Building Superintendent continuously being promoted to Area Construction Manager and then Director of Construction before his most recent promotion to Vice President of Construction. Crowe graduated from the University of Florida and has over 14 years of experience in construction and management.

Viera Builders and The Viera Company are wholly-owned subsidiaries of A. Duda & Sons, Inc. Viera Builders currently is constructing roughly 70 percent of the homes and neighborhoods in Viera. For more information about Viera Builders visit www.vierabuilders.com.

To submit an item for the Business Newsmakers feature contact Wayne T. Price at 321-242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com.