COBA Alums Shine in Tampa Bay
Business Journal's "30 Under 30"

The 30 Under 30 Award is presented annually by the Tampa Bay Business Journal to 30 outstanding young business leaders (under the age of 30) in the Tampa Bay Area. COBA is proud to have the following alumni in the 2005 "class:"
                                                                                                                                      Alison Jimenez, M.A., Economics, c/o 2002
Daniel Sefair, B.S. Finance, c/o 2000
Rich Heruska
Brian Lamb, B.S. Accounting, c/0 1998

 

What business do you engage in?

I am the President and CEO of Dynamic Securities Analytics, Inc. (“DSA”). DSA is a securities litigation consulting firm that focuses on retail brokerage accounts. DSA prepares economic analysis of individual investors’ brokerage accounts to measure profitability and to pinpoint the determining factors of performance. DSA is retained by national brokerages and law firms to perform the analysis.

Earning a Master of Arts in Economics from USF helps to qualify me as an expert witness by demonstrating that I have the knowledge and ability to prepare complex analysis. Additionally, the challenging courses in Mathematical Economics and Econometrics illustrated how I could apply many of the principals that I had learned in other classes.
 

Passing the oral exam to graduate. What a relief! I was the only part-time Master of Arts in Economics student to graduate in 2002, so you can see what a challenge it was to earn the degree while working full-time. My brother (and Vice President of DSA), Steven Kemmerling, is also currently working towards a Masters of Arts in Economics at USF now, so I get to re-live it. I also cherish the friends I made while attending USF, especially through the USF Water Polo club.
 

I hope to see my business grow by providing the best services and products to my customers.  I want to utilize technology to provide easier access to work product for my clients, but without sacrificing any of the personal customer service that DSA is already known for.  I would also like to continue to contribute to the Tampa community and one day serve on USF’s board.
 

Get a career-related internship while in school.  It will help you to determine if that is in fact what you wan to do with your career, and it will give you an advantage in landing your first full-time job.
 

I own a real estate development company (Mize & Sefair Development) We specialize in condos (high & mid rises), town-homes, and lofts. Currently we are developing over 30 residential projects in the Bay area. Our Company also offers in-house mortgage services, title services, real estate brokerage services, and as of 2006 we now offer construction services (LandTec Construction).  LandTec is now also building projects for other bay area developers.
 

All the tools that I learned and use in my field of business, I gathered from the professors at COBA.  I learned discipline, business techniques and team work from various professors.
 

I hope to be able to develop projects in other countries within 5 years.  That is one of the biggest goals that I have set up for our company.
 

Take risk and be responsible with your decisions. In order to be successful you have to go out there and make things happens because nothing will be given to you. Everything that you want has to be earned.
 

Home Discovery Real Estate Services.  We are a Full-Service Real Estate Company that offers people Real Estate, Lending, Title, Insurance, and Home Services.  We are the nations leading low-commission (We only charge 2% to sell a home) Real Estate company and service the entire state of Florida.
 

By providing me an environment where I could grow as a person, a businessman, and as a leader.  USF & COBA believes in student involvement and promotes students to get involved in a leadership role.  I served as a leader in the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, USF Ambassadors, The Association of Marketing Students, and Student Government.  Many of the skills I leverage as an Officer within Home Discovery are talents I first developed as a student leader.
 

As the Director of Green & Gold Pride for Student Government in 96-97, I coordinated the first Pep Rally before the first intra-squad football scrimmage.  We had thousands of students take over the Intramural Fields, we had skydivers fly in, I got tons of USF paraphernalia donated, and it was the largest spirited gathering of students I had ever seen.  I just attended our First Bowl Game in Charlotte and it's exciting to reflect back to when USF football was based out of a trailer by the IM fields.  How far we have come!!
 

Professionally speaking, I will help lead Home Discovery to nationwide growth while continuing to strive for our long term goal of being the #1 Real Estate company in the Nation.  I will also start to invest in the budding entrepreneurs of Tampa Bay & Florida.  Chris Sullivan, Chairman & Founder of Outback Steakhouse, has played an important role in Home Discovery’s growth and I want to be able to give back in a similar fashion as he has in the business community. 

Personally, I will have a family with my wife Laura, be the best father possible, and be a leader in the community.

Stand out and leave your legacy!  Don’t become another “number” on campus, make a difference by getting involved outside of the classroom.  I have interviewed 100’s of people since I helped co-found Home Discovery, applied knowledge is more important then classroom knowledge.  Volunteer, Intern with as many places as possible, and take a leadership role within a student organization.
 

I am engage in the residential real estate business primarily in the state of Florida.  I am the Chief Financial Officer for Home Discovery Real Estate Services Corporation, a full service real estate company that provides title insurance services, home loans, and residential real estate services.

USF, particularly COBA, assisted in my success my providing me with a comprehensive education on financial and strategic analysis with the Accounting and Finance curriculum.  The most important contribution to my success were the relationships I gained from the University and they continue to make a positive difference in my career.
 

What is your favorite memory of USF?

Playing college basketball was truly a memorable experience.  I was able to play against some of the best players in the country while having fun with the great student support at the games. 
 

Stay focused on your academic curriculum and an equal balance on professional relationships for the future.  Stay active in student organizations and any opportunities to volunteer in the community.  Develop a reputation built on integrity and reliability.