A few months ago, during a meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, an Investment Banker asked me if I was about to retire? He noticed that over the last year our group of companies has been selling a great deal of holdings, and some of those transactions have been making headlines around the globe.

My first reaction to comments about my retirement (and being in my early 60’s I took the hint) was: retirement is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible! And no, I am not planning on it for many years to come.

As the CEO of sitEX, Switzerland and US, former President and largest shareholder of VOXX International, CEO and owner of Avalon Park Group, together with a dedicated team, I have been active on 4 continents (America, Europe, Asia and Australia) over the last decade and more.

APG and affiliates indeed have been mostly on the selling side of companies, projects and buildings over the last year. Over more than 3 decades as an entrepreneur I learned, there is a time to buy, a time to hold and a time to sell.

However, there is another reason for some of the transactions: COMING HOME, home to Avalon Park, Orlando and Central Florida!

I grew up in Zurich, Switzerland, almost 5,000 miles away from Avalon Park. I love Zurich and I love Switzerland. However, over the last decades AVALON PARK ORLANDO became the town, where I feel the most at home.

From the corner office on the 4th floor of the APG building at 3801 Avalon Park East Blvd, downstairs to Marketplace, across the street to the East Orlando Gym (which soon will be renamed the Avalon Park Gym), and in all places of this great town of Avalon Park Orlando is where I feel a strong sense of belonging!

Nearly 200 Avalon Park Group team members work right here in Downtown Avalon Park—at Avalon Park Group, Encore, The 5th Floor, the Marketplace, and the Gym. We have learned much while expanding worldwide, but one conviction has grown stronger than ever: our greatest strengths—our people, capital, and experience—are meant for Central Florida.

Across our many local projects, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel stands out right now. It is truly “on fire.” Downtown One, a beautiful mixed-use building with apartments above retail, has opened its doors. Nearly 1,000 homes—from single-family to townhomes, cottages, and apartments—are currently under construction in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, along with a new high school. The scale of building we are seeing here rivals the boom of 2005.

We are also proud partners with Academica, based out of Miami, in charter schools in Orlando, Wesley Chapel, and Tavares—all rated A schools. Their popularity is clear—with waiting lists in some locations exceeding 2,000 students.

Encore, our assisted-living community in Avalon Park Orlando, was recently voted Best Assisted Living Community in Orlando. We are now in our 11th year of operations and continue to thrive.

With over 30 ventures in Central Florida, I can assure you there is never a dull moment at APG.

Stay tuned….there is still much more to come.