Bonus scheme approval
Space Florida’s Board of Directors approve the creation of a bonus plan for employees. Under the plan, the maximum amounts of annual payouts would depend on employees’ positions. Some employees could receive a bonus worth five percent of their pay while President and Chief Executive Officer Frank DiBello, who is paid $267,952 a year, would be eligible to receive up to 50 percent of his pay — $133,976. Board Member Biter:
All we’re doing is agreeing that this is the structure, that this makes sense. When the actual numbers come back, we’ll have the opportunity to discuss and say that’s way too much or that’s too little.
SRQ interview
In an interview with a Sarasota magazine, Biter recounts influences in his life:
I can’t begin to describe how I’ve been shaped by my parents. They are the biggest influences. They have done the most for me and gave me a work ethic by never letting me get away with anything. They held me accountable but never micro-managed my life. They set boundaries that were pretty broad, and, as long as I operated within their rules, had the opportunity to learn and to fail and to try again in life.
His heroes:
Bill Gates and Michael Dell are heroes of mine. Watching what other successful people do is important, but I was always more impressed with people who came from nothing. I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon, and there was not anyone in my family with real business experience, but I knew I wanted more for myself. To see people come from middle-class families and become super successful, that was my goal, and these men were whom I wanted to replicate.
Florida Homes interview
Biter talks politics, business, home life, and his interest in developing low-cost housing:
Before I was heavily invested in the stock market. I felt like, I don’t even know these companies. Why are they making money, why not? I decided to put my money where I live, make my town better and make money at the same time. I’m not bashful about that. Some people have criticized me for wanting to make money. Well, that’s what people do, we make money. You create jobs and make money. There are ways to do that, that are evil and ways that are not evil. If you make a good service or product and people are paying you for it, then it is ok by me.