Highlighted Auxiliary and Enterprise Development Projects, Accomplishments, and Announcements

 

2025

We are excited to announce the hiring of FIU’s Director for Real Estate and Strategic Projects – Terry Horak – to manage the development of exciting new real estate centered opportunities, support units with real estate matters, and support strategic projects that involve real property.   

Terry has enjoyed a 30+ year career in all facets of real estate development and investment and has been active in most major U.S. markets throughout the journey.  Hailing from western Kansas, Terry’s path began with a B.S. in Construction Science from Kansas State University and a M.S. in Land and Property Development from Texas A&M University. 

He has held leadership positions with industry leading firms including American General/AIG, Trammell Crow Company/CBRE, Faison, Greystar, and Burroughs & Chapin which led to a tremendous bailiwick of leadership experience to deploy, and a network of fantastic relationships to tap into throughout the nation.

Throughout his career Terry has been instrumental in the underwriting and execution of over $10 billion of real estate projects and investments including residential, industrial, retail and office.  Notable projects include 1 million square foot Truist Center for Bank of America, and 400,000 square foot East Coast Regional Headquarters for Microsoft, both in Charlotte, North Carolina. Additionally, Terry was part of the team taking Trammell Crow Company public in 1998, later leading to a merger with CBRE.

South Florida has been home to Terry for the last 15 years as he catered to clients throughout the eastern half of the United States.  Prior to Florida, he was based in the Carolinas where he held regional leadership positions overseeing real estate projects throughout the Southeast including Florida.

2024

The Office of Auxiliary and Enterprise Development has been working on several strategic projects in 2024.  Below are some highlights of the work in progress:

Developed comprehensive auxiliary rate review process and hosted multiple well-attended training session

Began development of strategic marketing plan for space rentals (licenses) at FIU to generate unrestricted auxiliary revenue from third parties

Developed and implemented strategy to control cost and maximize revenue generation for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which supports the Chaplin School of Hospitatlity and Tourism Management

Developed a comprehensive financial reporting and data prep platform to streamline ad hoc financial reporting, board reporting, and budget preparation

Developed new auxiliary centric financial dashboards to support financial planning and accountability

Completed assessment of auxiliary overhead assessment

Overhauled Auxiliary Guidelines and conducted training session for the university community

Hosted multiple Brown Bag Lunch and Learn sessions to update the auxiliary community

Hosted the Auxiliary Task Force (Forum)

Completed Auxiliary Smart Bill cleanup and implemented approval process in PantherSoft Financials

Assumed responsibility for FIU budget system and planning tools support

Completed analysis and received approval for largest student housing project at FIU

Completed financial analysis and funding model development for FIU Aquatic Center at MMC

Enhanced budget tools at FIU with many requested improvements

Completed demand analysis for workforce housing at FIU

2023

The team at the Office of Auxiliary and Enterprise Development had a productive and successful year supporting the auxiliary community at FIU with business planning, financial analysis, real estate projects, and budgeting.  In 2022-23, the team successfully worked on key iniatives in support of FIU’s Strategic Plan including:

New Student Housing Facility at MMC 

FIU Aquatics Center at MMC

Varsity eSports Program 

FIU Online Interactive Arena

National Forensic Science and Technology Center (NFSTC)

Bezo Academy at BBC

Trish & Dan Bell Chapel

Miami-Dade County / FIU Crime Lab Public Private Partnership

Holt Anotomicals Acquisition Assessment

Royal Caribbean Expansion at BBC

FIU in Guyana

Amazon Headquarters II 

Brewfest

South Beach Wine and Food Festival

Casa Cuba

The College of Medicine / Baptist Health Partnership

FIU Alumni Center

Neumann Earth Learning Lab at BBC

Acquisition of Real Estate in Sweetwater, Florida

Miami Herald @ BBC

The Wolfsonian-FIU Mixed Use Expansion

2022

Office of Auxiliary and Enterprise Development, in conjunction with the Central Reservations Office (CRO), begins Phase II implementation of the Event Management System (EMS), which includes approximately 1,285 spaces across 178 units/departments/colleges and the integration with Sync/Pub to synchronize the full academic schedule in EMS.

2021

The Office of Auxiliary and Enterprise Development completes planning and transition of the Central Reservation Office (CRO) from Student Affairs.  This includes the expansion of the team, new office space, and expansion of services to be provided to the office with the mission of generating external revenue to support FIU’s Strategic Plan and initiatives.  

Accounts Receivable and Billing goes live July 2020 to support auxiliary units with the billing of third parties for the various auxiliary services FIU offers the community.  This new platform is integrated into PantherSoft Financials and allows for the seamless generation of invoices, management of collections, and ease of payment to FIU auxiliaries using online credit card payments.  

https://controller.fiu.edu/departments/accounting-reporting/general-analysis-disbursements/auxiliary-services-accounts-receivable/

 

May 2020

The North Miami Brewfest 2019; Update for 2020 event    

What began as a project led by hospitality management students at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, evolved into a one-day festival showcasing the most unique brews from the best breweries in South Florida. Passionate top industry experts and faculty enlighten the public with the science behind brewing in educational seminars, while carefully crafted food and beer pairings offer an elevated twist to their experience. The North Miami (Nomi) BrewFest continues on its mission to celebrate innovation in the craft brew industry, brewpubs and home brew organizations while supporting the Brewing Science Program at the FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Brewing. The 2020 BrewFest has been postponed until November of 2021.  

 

 

March 2020

The Central Reservation Office   

The Central Reservation Office was created out of demand for management of a system where members of our community could enjoy our campus and all of its facilities. In contribution with the AED administration, Phase I of the project created an Event Management System (EMS) for internal and external users of the University to be able to reserve venues at FIU locations in South Florida and Washington DC. Event support is provided for private events, professional meetings, performances exhibits, and more. Phase II of this project will onboard further non-academic locations.  

 

 

March 2020

National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC)  

The National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) is a non-profit organization focused on improving the quality and consistency of forensic sciences in crime laboratories. In 2018, the NFSTC was acquired and joined the Global Forensic and Justice Center, an FIU program where it collaborates with law enforcement, military professionals, and laboratories to provide new forensic research, technology, practices and solutions across all forensic disciplines. Projects are supported through grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, and the US Dept. of Justice.  

 

 

March 2020

Possum Trot 

A field site recently acquired as a donation to FIU, Possum Trot is a 30-acre farm located in Redland, Florida with 22 acres of rare tropical fruit trees and plants designated towards agricultural and ecological research for the FIU Agroecology Program. Experimental learning through workshops, classes and training will serve to educate the farming community in responding to challenges of ecological and social sustainability as well as addressing food security challenges. Biological testing on diseases for a Tropical Plants Natural Products Library and plant genetic conservation will align with the International Center of Tropical Botany, Biomolecular Sciences Institute and the College of Arts, Sciences & Education as a whole.  

 

 

March 2020

Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies 

Aligning with its status as a Carnegie “R1” top-tier research university, FIU has acquired the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies located in Port St. Lucie, Florida as a special purpose center to advance medicinal chemical and chemical biological research. The state-of-the-art research facility provides FIU with wet laboratories, a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance laboratory, vivarium, and auditorium to lead efforts in discovering cures for neurodegenerative diseases such as brain cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, and Parkinson’s disease. An allocated $5 million over the course of a decade will cover maintenance on the building with additional plans to increase the number of research teams from 4 to 18 within three years in hopes of increasing grant funding from $2.2 million to $18 million annually.  

 

 

March 2020

 $5M from Miami Dade County to FIU for Relief Fund (and United Way)

After the initial funding round served SOBEWFF participants, a $5 million grant from the County, as part of the Miami-Dade County Business Grant Program and provided by Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez is earmarked to be distributed to eligible hospitality employees of eligible businesses. The disbursements will be processed with the help of the United Way of Miami-Dade.  

 

March 2020

FIU Chaplin School Hospitality Industry Relief Fund 

In March of 2020, the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) recognized the strain on its celebrated local hospitality community brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The SOBEWFF® & FIU Chaplin School Hospitality Industry Relief Fund was initiated to grant more than $1.6 million for rapid support of over 500 independently owned and operated restaurants and bars severely impacted by mandatory closures and reduced business in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach county. Funds enabled business owners to compensate employees and cover expenses incurred as of March 1, 2020. Additional donations collected will fund future rounds of local relief efforts.   

March 2020

Parkview II Housing Facility 

Designated to be the tallest building in the Modesto A. Maidique campus and approved by the Florida Board of Governors on March 25th, 2020, the charismatically nicknamed Parkview II student residential high rise is scheduled to open by Fall 2022. Towering a total of 13 stories, the contemporary design will allow for views of the Miami skyline and the Everglades to the 700 upperclassmen that will occupy its bedrooms and studios. The $87.5M million project will be funded through revenue bonds based on projected income while averting increases to student’s tuition and fees. 

February 2020

The 19th Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival 

With a total of 31.8 million raised to date for the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU), the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) continues its legacy as one of America’s most prestigious culinary showcasing. Over 1,200 student volunteers support festival organizers in areas of logistics, inventory, sponsorship fulfillment and restaurant and exhibitor recruitment to execute over 110 events including seated dinners, tastings, bashes, cooking classes and more. World renowned chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirit producers entertain the more than 65,000 guests in the five-day destination full of spirits, food, and fun. The 20th annual festival will take place May 20 – 23, 2021.

 

April 2019

FIU Hotel, Conference Center, and Alumni Center 

Florida International University continues to ground its roots in the city of Sweetwater towards its mission to remain ‘Worlds ahead.’ Recently approved by the Florida Board of Governors, it will be first university in South Florida to build a privately funded $66 million university-affiliated hotel and conference center. This new facility will host academic, research, and professional conferences that will serve to establish relationships between the FIU community and outer institutions and organizations. Our eager students will have valuable opportunities to seek mentorships, employment, or pursue networking and leadership development translating into industry related experience. An influx of visitors will boost local businesses creating a labor demand for newly created jobs. The FIU Hotel, Conference Center, and Alumni Center, set to be located on the northwest corner of campus near the recreation fields and the Florida Turnpike, is scheduled for completion in Fall of 2021.

February 2019

The 3rd annual Brew Miami — Craft Beer & Food Pairing Festival

Brought to you by Florida International University staff members in collaboration with Miami Brewers Alliance, a non-profit organization of brewers educating consumers and supporting start-Ups, Brew Miami finishes its third year successfully quenching the thirst of beer lovers and pleasuring the taste buds of foodies alike. Highlighting dozens of the most distinctive local breweries, recognized restaurants and charming food trucks, the event works to spur public excitement and stimulate growth in the craft beer industry. A care-free ambiance with promising a good time keeps spectators intrigued as the festival has become a crowd favorite with the anticipation building for the next year’s Brew Miami. All proceeds gathered from Brew Miami partially benefit the United Way.

November 2018

The 2nd annual North Miami Brewfest — Learn, Brew, Taste.

North Miami BrewFest is a one-day beer festival, which just took place on Saturday November 10th, featuring some of the best craft breweries and their one-of-a-kind beers. Its mission is to help continue to influence brewing science education and innovation for the craft beer industry, brewpubs, and homebrew organizations. The event includes several educational seminars delivered by faculty and top industry experts who share unparalleled expertise and passion for beer brewing and the science behind it. NoMi BrewFest began as a student project, led by hospitality management students at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. Proceeds from the North Miami Brewfest support the FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and its Brewing Science program.  

January 2018

The 17th annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival

The 17th annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF®) returns to EAT. DRINK. EDUCATE. February 21 – 25, 2018. Widely recognized as one of America’s most prestigious gourmet gatherings, the Festival attracts more than 65,000 guests annually and has raised more than $26 million to date for the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU). More than 1,200 students assist Festival organizers with sponsorship fulfillment, restaurant and exhibitor recruitment, logistics, and inventory as well as working alongside some of the world’s greatest celebrity chefs and winemakers. Next year’s edition will feature more than 90 events, including signature fan-favorite soirées, an array of new parties and intimate dining experiences, an expanded CRAVE Greater Fort Lauderdale Series, and much more. In September 2017, BizBash named the Festival the #1 Food & Restaurant Industry event in the United States for the fifth year in a row.