Florida Agency Network, a network of independent agencies providing title services in 30 locations across the state, will expand its headquarter operations in Plant City, relocating up to 30 employees and hiring up to 100 additional staff in the next three to five years. The new positions will fill a variety of roles including executive management, accounting, human resources, data processing and information technology.
“This is an exciting time to expand our business in Plant City,” said Aaron Davis, CEO of the Florida Agency Network and its multiple brands. “We saw the private sector and the city coming together to strengthen support for growing companies like ours with the establishment of Plant City Economic Development Corp. We’re looking forward to the new opportunities this organization will bring for our business, as well as the entire community.”
Florida Agency Network will invest $5.2 million in the project through the acquisition of additional office space at its current location in the Alexander Oaks Office Park at 1507 South Alexander Street in Plant City, the purchase of land on an adjacent parcel, and the building of a new 12,000 square foot headquarter office. The acquisition plus the new build will result in over 50,000 square feet of total space at Alexander Oaks, half of which the company will occupy for its operations.
“We are excited to retain and assist Aaron’s company in their tremendous growth,” Plant City Mayor Rick Lott said. “Our homegrown businesses making a choice to stay and invest here is a sure sign of more great things to come.”
To attract and retain young, educated talent, the Florida Agency Network will rely on to grow its operations, the company is designing its new space with an open plan format, which will encourage creativity and collaboration.
“This is a major win for Plant City and all of Hillsborough County,” said J.P. DuBuque, interim president and CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. “We are committed to working in partnership with the newly formed Plant City Economic Development Corp. to provide the permitting, workforce training, and other business assistance services that help companies like Florida Agency Network thrive here by staying focused on their core business.”
The Florida Agency Network has planted deep roots in the Plant City community. Davis is currently engaged in the Plant City Chamber of Commerce and the founding of the new economic development corporation.
“The world is waking up to the exceptional opportunities Plant City affords to grow a company, raise a family, and take advantage of an excellent location that is convenient to all of Central Florida, Port of Tampa, Tampa Airport, and major interstates,” Plant City Economic Development Corp. Chairman Randy Larson said. “We know that Florida Agency Network had the opportunity to locate its headquarters anywhere else in the state, but it chose Plant City and Hillsborough County. We look forward to their continued success and supporting them as they expand.”
Florida Agency Network joins an impressive roster of companies that have recently decided to locate or expand their operations in Plant City and Hillsborough County, including James Hardie, Dart Container, Cody Talbert Distribution and Fitlife Foods.
Individuals interested in open job listings may refer to the company’s website at www.flagency.net.
In other FAN news, Davis also announced the company completed its SSAE 16 SOC 2 Type 1 examination. It was performed by 360 Advanced, P.A., a full-service audit and consulting firm that specializes in integrated compliance solutions, 360 Advanced also conducted SOC 1 examination for FAN and presented the certification October 1st.
The SOC 2 Type 1 report focuses on the non-financial controls of an organization as they relate to maintaining the integrity of Non Public Personal Information (NPPI). The SOC 2 report is modelled around four areas of review: policies, communications, procedures and monitoring. Each of these pillars has specific parameters which must be met to demonstrate compliance in order for certification to be granted.
Developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”), Trusted Service Principles (TSP) Framework is based on a criteria geared towards technology and cloud-based computing systems. The TSP Framework is comprised of five standards whereby a practitioner is required to examine and report on. Companies who complete an annual SOC 2 examination are able to demonstrate a substantially higher level of assurance and operational visibility as compared to those companies who have not yet achieved certification.
In obtaining SOC 2 Type 1 examination, Florida Agency Network reinforces a commitment to security, confidentiality, availability, privacy and processing integrity by ensuring the highest quality and security of services provided to their clients. Since the implementation of the TILA/RESPA reform on Oct. 3, 2015, many title companies have yet to complete either the SOC 1 or SOC 2 examination, leaving their stakeholders in a position of risk to the exposure or breach of Non Public Personal Information (NPPI).
“We are proud to announce the completion of our SOC 2 certification. We are one of a few in our industry with the acclaim of both SOC 1 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 1 certification. I think this clearly portrays the standard to which we strive to protect data and NPPI (Non Public Personal Information). Having gone through this rigorous assessment, we can provide certification and proof that the Florida Agency Network and its affiliates have taken its systems, procedures, and control levels above and beyond what the industry has designated in its Best Practices. This certification puts us on a tier similar to that of our banking and lending partners when it comes to compliance and protection,” Davis said.