LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE - 3rd QTR 2009 VOLUME 8 No 3 | Page 11

Cirsco … thriving , despite the times !

After graduating from the University of Cincinnati , Hig Rodriquez

Dillinger worked with a number of building materials companies . In 2002 , he decided to leverage his experience and contacts to launch a Commercial Industrial Roof Services Company , “ It seemed natural that we would take all of that expertise and put it to use as a roof consultant ,” Dillinger stated . Dillinger came to the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida in order to learn how to obtain his certification as a Minority Business Enterprise and how to win government contracts .
According to Dillinger , “ The consultants at the Small Business Development Center provide high quality advice . They were very helpful and really cared about my business . I attend many functions where Small Business Development Center consultants participate and I am impressed by the commitment of their people .” Like many entrepreneurs , Dillinger discovered that his customers wanted more . Customers did not only want a roof consultant , but also a quality roof contractor to protect their roofs .
CIRSCO soon expanded beyond consulting customers about how to extend the life of their roof . The company works primarily with multiplefacility building owners and property managers providing maintenance inspections , budgeting , planning , roof repairs , restorations , recovery , and replacements , “ We focus almost exclusively on helping the owners and managers of existing buildings to protect their roofs that in turn protect their buildings ” Dillinger explains .
Dillinger has developed the company to a family firm of 22 employees . His sons Scott and Steve and daughter Nichol work in the business . The company has received many awards such as the 2007 & 2008 Top 25 Minority-Owned Companies in Tampa Bay , the Nation ’ s Top 100 Disabled Veteran owned Business , Nation ’ s Top 500 Hispanic Owned Business and many more . Till this day Dillinger makes use of the resources provided by the Small Business Development Center , he has benefited from the 44 counseling sessions provided by the center to grow his business .
CIRSCO is going where its customers take it- well beyond the original vision in 2002 ; customers want CIRSCO to provide services for their facilities , landscaping , parking lots , irrigation systems , and storm water management . The company ’ s success is based on the foundation of their motto , “ Treat customers as human beings and understand their needs .” While other companies are reducing their number of employees due to the recession , CIRSCO is growing and looking to hire quality people . For further information , visit www . cirsco . com or call 813-740-8080 .
Florida minimum wage increased
Florida ’ s minimum wage increased from $ 7.21 an hour to $ 7.25 an hour when the
Bank of America Corp . is mailing letters to borrowers who may be eligible for a foreclosure relief .

The program is part of an agreement the bank made with state attorneys general in October . Bank of America has allocated up to $ 150 million nationwide to assist certain borrowers who experienced a foreclosure , short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure on mortgages originated by Countrywide Financial Corp . Bank of America bought Countrywide in July 2008 for $ 2.5 billion .

Forty states are participating in the program . Borrowers will be notified by letter if they are eligible for a settlement payment . Payment amounts will vary .
Inquiries concerning the foreclosure-relief program should be directed to Rust Consulting at ( 866 ) 411-6987 or countrywidesettlementinfo . com . new federal minimum wage went into effect on July 24 . Federal law requires employers to pay the higher minimum wage between federal and state figures .
Also , the hourly minimum wage for tipped employees increased from $ 4.19 plus tips .
Florida law requires the Agency for Workforce Innovation to calculate a new minimum wage every year on Sept . 30th , based on the Consumer Price Index . If higher than the federal rate , the state figures would take effect the following January .
The foreclosure-relief effort is one of three components of Bank of America ’ s agreement with the state attorneys general .
The second component , the National Homeownership Retention Program , is designed to achieve affordable and sustainable mortgage payments for up to 400,000 borrowers who financed their homes with subprime or payment-option , adjustable-rate mortgages serviced by Countrywide .
The third component provides relocation assistance to borrowers who experience a foreclosure sale and agree to leave the property voluntarily . They are eligible to receive a cash payment to ease their transition to a new place of residence .
Charlotte-based Bank of America ( NYSE : BAC ) is Central Florida ’ s second-largest bank with $ 5.5 billion in deposits and market share of 21.4 percent . The bank has $ 15.25 billion in deposits with 158 offices in Tampa Bay , and its 20 percent market share ranks No . 1 in the region , according to the latest FDIC numbers .