ThrillCorp. lands big deal and is hiring.
Orlando-based ThrillCorp, which focuses on an Orlando specialty — fun — is set to hire about 30 people in a rapid expansion.
ThrillCorp develops and operates amusement-park rides including unique designs such as the polercoaster — towers with roller coasters wrapped around them — and giant Ferris wheels.
Recently ThrillCorp won a $1.2 billion project that’s destined to become a landmark in downtown San Diego, a 480-foot-tall SkySpire observation tower.
“We are already hiring, in Orlando,” said Michael Kitchen, chief development officer for ThrillCorp. “As we take on the operation of the San Diego tower and other project, we’ll be hiring more nationally.”
ThrillCorp grew out of US Thrill Rides, also based in Orlando and made up of the same people. The difference is that the original company developed and sold rides to other companies; ThrillCorp will develop, own and operate facilities.
US Thrill Rides designed and developed the 520-foot-high tower coaster for SkyPlex, which has been approved for construction on International Drive. It employs a total of eight people, including Kitchen and his father, company founder Bill Kitchen.
The San Diego tower will anchor 70 acres of prime downtown waterfront. ThrillCorp’s winning proposal was one of 11 that the Port received for the site. The Port and Protea Waterfront Development are expected to complete final review of the proposal by October, then begin the development process immediately thereafter.
Kitchen said the company “did a tremendous job assembling and presenting a complete and compelling vision” for the San Diego property.
In addition to SkySpire, the redevelopment proposal in San Diego includes an interactive aquarium, Bayfront beaches, hotels, marinas, retail, dining and other entertainment.
The SkySpire features gondolas that spiral around the tower as they transport guests to a top level interactive observation experience to be designed in partnership with the Smithsonian Media. Guests can disembark at the top to enjoy the beauty of San Diego see tech exhibits to learn about the area and its history, Kitchen said.
ThrillCorp just started offering stock shares to the public under crowd-funding regulations.
David Gust, CEO of ThrillCorp, said of the company “We are on a mission to create the most unique entertainment experiences in the world and (San Diego) is another step along that path.”
PlanSource expo
Orlando-based human resources tech company PlanSource kicked off its first ever annual conference.
Unfortunately the conference wasn’t in Orlando. It was held in
Park City, Utah.
In his opening keynote address Thursday, Orlando-based CEO Dayne Williams outlined new products and features, including a mobile-responsive consumer-user experience. The company also announced new members of its partner network such as Cigna, one of the world’s largest insurance carriers.
The company said the event was attended by hundreds of industry experts and technology leaders, along with insurance brokers.
PlanSource is based at the Church Street Exchange Building in downtown Orlando.
Tax fraud
A federal jury in Tallahassee convicted two Central Florida residents — Jennifer Maldonado, 29, and her father Jorge Maldonado, 52, both of Oviedo — of conspiracy, wire fraud, theft of government property, and aggravated identity theft.
Co-conspirators Sharon Glover and Diane White, both 54 of Sanford, pleaded guilty in February 2016 to conspiracy, theft of government property and aggravated identity theft.
At trial, the government presented evidence that, between 2009 and 2011, Jorge Maldonado and his daughter Jennifer, who were both tax preparers, conspired with Glover and White to obtain more than $1.2 million in income-tax refunds issued on fraudulent tax returns.
The Maldonados filed returns that generated refunds. Glover and White cashed refund checks issued as a result of the fraudulent returns at a Tallahassee supermarket.
Glover and White cashed 505 checks by using fraudulent powers of attorney and forged signatures.
They face 20 years in prison for conspiracy and wire fraud, a maximum of 10 years in prison for theft of government property, and a mandatory term of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft.