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This Tampa Bay company gives syrup to bee keepers — and other fun facts you didn't know

 
Monin Gourmet Syrups in Clearwater recycles its unused syrups by giving them to bee keepers. Pictured: Catherine Bach, Heather Lance, Sabrina Godfrey and Anthony Munoz accept an award in Nashville at Coffee Fest. (Courtesy of Monin)
Monin Gourmet Syrups in Clearwater recycles its unused syrups by giving them to bee keepers. Pictured: Catherine Bach, Heather Lance, Sabrina Godfrey and Anthony Munoz accept an award in Nashville at Coffee Fest. (Courtesy of Monin)
Published April 6, 2018

Tampa Bay's top workplaces aren't necessarily all business.

Some have quirky pasts that will make you chuckle — one even has had its products used in space.

So here's a round-up of the most interesting facts employees submitted about their companies to our top workplace surveys.

(Warning: Some of these tid-bits might make you a touch jealous your company isn't as cool.)

Where the staff has the best sense of humor

TOPS Software, LLC — a Clearwater software company — once went by Property Management Systems… or PMS.

The company later changed it because its owners said they didn't think the former moniker all the way through.

Where workers do things you wouldn't expect

Monin Gourmet Flavoring isn't only providing the syrup for your favorite Kahwa latte. The Clearwater company recycles its syrups by sending them to Florida bee keepers who use them to feed the queen bees.

NAC Group, Inc., a St. Petersburg company, makes and distributes electronic components — and some of those components have made it all the way to space.

NAC sells parts that are in the International Space Station. Its parts were also used during the 30 years of NASA's Space Shuttle Program and the company's staff has also worked on designs for the Mission to Mars.

Where you'll be well fed

ConnectWise, a Tampa technology solution company, gives its employees a stipend lunch with loads of healthy options. Tampa law firm Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig LLP has "Cake day" each month to celebrate birthdays and new employees. American Strategic Insurance in St. Petersburg surprises its workers with free breakfast and lunches throughout the year.

Where you can work off that extra slice of cake

ConnectWise may have a facility gym, but Tampa's nonprofit University Area CDC has a "bod squad" mid-day yoga and boot-camp style exercise classes. The community resource group even awards the "Biggest Loser" on its staff with a day off.

Where there's some famous ties

Jeremy Maddox with Optimal Performance & Physical Therapies has been the Tampa physical therapy consultant for the New York Yankees for nearly 10 years.

Barbizon Modeling and Acting in Tampa has had a slew of famous faces come through its doors. Here are some highlights: former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, E! News Host Giuliana Rancic, actor Ryan Phillippe and Sports Illustrated model Julie Henderson.

Where there's a special history

TransferWise, which has an office in Ybor, is a money wiring service based in New York. One of its founders was the first employee of Skype.

Achieva Credit Union in Dunedin was founded in 1937 with only $99.25. It's membership was solely Pinellas County teachers.

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The Suncoast Credit Union of Tampa has had only four CEOs since it started way back in 1934: Henry Claywell (1934-67), Perry Dawson (1967-96), Tom Dorety (1996-2016) and Kevin Johnson (2016-present).

Contact Sara DiNatale at sdinatale@tampabay.com. Follow @sara_dinatale.