SouthwestFlorida.com was
created to make searching for businesses, attractions
and accommodations in Southwest Florida easier for the
booming internet community. Initially in 1996, as LeeCounty.com,
SouthwestFlorida.com
was targeted only to the Lee County, Florida area, but
we soon realized the need to expand to all of the surrounding
counties. Now, as SouthwestFlorida.com, we have grown
into one the largest network of sites in Southwest Florida.
Total Concept, Inc. has been specializing in the creation
of high quality graphics since it was originally established
in New York in 1981. Our advanced techniques in creative
computer generated art, combined
with state-of-the-art hardware and software, contribute
to the ongoing success that allows us to remain a popular
choice for all your graphic needs.
In 1993, Total Concept re-established itself in Southwest
Florida. Already recognized as a major graphic design resource
for business logos, brochures, catalogs and other printed
materials, in 1995 we expanded into the rapidly growing
field of web site design for business, entertainment, government
and the arts.
Primary Principals of the "Southwest Florida
Team"
Thomas Messina - President/CEO/BMOC
Background:
Tom Messina was born in Fayettville, North Carolina. Soon
after his birth he moved to Long Island, New York, where
he spent his growing years. Messina comes from a long line
of artists, mostly sculptors, learning and weilding their
craft in Italy, where part of his family still dwells.
Always having an interest in pen and pencil illustration,
Messina attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y where
he majored in Fine Arts. While at Pratt, he began work
in realist and abstract painting, in both watercolors and
acrylics. He still remains eclectic and versitile in his
choice of mediums today.
Family:
In 1975 Messina married his wife Gayle, with whom he has
raised 2 children, both boys. The Messina's now have two
grandchildren. He and his wife are both local residents
of Pine Island, Florida, having moved here in 1991.
Hobbies & Interests:
Messina has always had a calling to water, which explains
his love of fishing, boating and canoeing. On top of being
an avid outdoorsman he loves chess and working with computers.
Professional Background:
Messina is the president of Total Concept, Inc., a graphic
arts studio located at 4632 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral,
Florida. Blending his love of the arts and technology,
Messina opened the business in 1980 after working as an
art director and designer in New York for 2 years.
Parting Words:
"
Just because you have 64 crayons in a box, doesn't mean
you have to use all of them"-Tom Messina
Raymond Daugherty Jr. - Business Employee
Background:
Born in Fort Myers, Florida in 1976, Raymond has been in Florida for the
past
34 years. Upon graduating North Fort Myers High school in
1994, he decided it was time to conqure the world, but soon realized he needed
to set his plans to a much smaller scale. Moving up to Tampa, Raymond earned
his Associates in Science degree for Commercial Art, graduating there within
the top 5% of his class.
In 1997, Raymond began his career with Total Concept, Inc. and has been a loyal
follower of "the man" ever since, taking part in everything from all-night
work
"parties"
to meet deadlines, to helping clients, to designing/coding SouthwestFlorida.com
and some
of the
sites
that
make-up
the
the vast Southwest Florida Network of Sites.
Hobbies & Interests:
At one point in time, Raymond was an aspiring comic book artist (being accepted
into the Joe Kubert School of Cartooning and Graphic Arts, but unable to attend). An
avid worker, Raymond still gets unequaled enjoyment sitting behind his drawing
table until the wee hours of the morning, only to fall asleep, and wake up in
the morning stuck to the table, and having graphite smeared across his face.
Favorite Book: Dante's "The Divine Comedy"
Parting Words:
"
If it itches, scratch it. If it moves and itches again,
get cream."- Raymond Daugherty |
