FLAGLER’S HIGH-TECH CORRIDOR
high-tech
Technology has changed the way we work, live and
play. Thanks to the global access of the Internet,
high-tech companies don’t have to operate out of
congested urban areas to succeed. In fact, many
high-tech businesses are choosing laidback, coastal
communities like Flagler County for their operations.
This trend isn’t lost on three businesses that
embraced Flagler’s high-tech corridor and great
lifestyles: Cardinal Systems, Aveo Engineering and
Coastal Cloud.
Since Coastal Cloud’s launch in 2013, Tim and
Sara Hale’s employees have embraced the
philosophy “Live at the Beach. Work in the Cloud.”
Staff provides IT support to international and
domestic customers all day, but can break away at
lunch for a walk on the beach.
By supporting leading cloud-based IT solutions,
physical location was not an issue for the Hales, so
they chose a beachside community for their corporate
home and recently purchased the Hammock
Discover Center as a permanent headquarters.
From unassuming beachfront offices in Flagler
Beach, business partners Mike Kitaif and Jane Smith
operate Cardinal Systems, a software development
company they started in 2000. Cardinal Systems
provides leading edge software with a range of
technical and innovative applications in the field of
photogrammetry and LiDAR. The company’s clients
include large corporations, federal and state
governments, and aerial survey and mapping
companies.
As a Flagler Beach native and former pro surfer,
Mike is thrilled with the quiet success his company
enjoys in a town that is a great place to live and
work. Jane agrees and admits that she and her
husband chose Flagler Beach because it is an
eclectic little oceanfront community with the added
bonus of being able to take their dogs on the beach.
Serial entrepreneur Christian Nielsen, CEO of Aveo
Engineering had yet another year of technological
breakthroughs in the aerospace marketplace. Aveo
introduced the BorealisV™ visible violet spectrum
405nm disinfection light (NOT UV), with a unique
dual mode linear COB led for use in commercial
aircraft galleys and lavatories and EMS Air
Ambulance helicopters, destroying all virus and
bacteria on a continuous basis via harmless natural
light, to make flying a healthier and safer experience.
“Flagler County has the major artery of I-95 and a
portion of the Northeast Florida quadrant, known as
“Aerospace Alley”, running throughoutit. Additionally,
nearby to great universities and exceptional quality
of life make it easy to attract new employees. Finally,
the County has invested heavily in airport
infrastructure and “Helga van Eckert and her team
make it easy to do business”, stated CEO Nielsen.
“We are impressed with the business environment
and are confident that expanding to Flagler was the
right choice. Having achieved Aerospace Quality
Approval AS-9100D from Lloyds Register UK in
November 2018, Aveo Florida is now able to expand
its operations and facilities and hiring.”
With accolades like this, it’s no surprise that
Flagler County is emerging as an appealing option
for IT and aviation companies. The growth of Flagler’s
tech sector suggests that the word is getting out:
“From business to beaches, Flagler County has it all.”
For more information about moving or expanding
your business in Flagler County, go to page 80 for
contact information.
82 flaglerchamber.org • visitflagler.com