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FloridaHomesMag.com | 27 P Upon arriving at Jesse Biter's office on the top floor of his HUB building , Sarasota's tech entrepreneur mecca, I was struck by the nonconformity of the interior design. His office space is one large open room, approx imately three thousand square feet with windows framing three sides. About two dozen desks line the windows, all-facing towards the middle of the room. No partitions or walls, just young people on headphones staring , not out the windows, but towards the middle of this big open space. On the flanking wall was a large projec- tor /T V apartus with traditional school desks painted bright red on wheels, hap- hazardly parked in clusters. At the center, a conference table where I was seated. It looked to be exactly what it was, a young group of people with substantial fund- ing , who decided to rethink commercial office aesthetics. Sur veying the unconventional work en- viroment, I noticed a man on a treadmill with a desktop mounted to it. I had seen these contraptions in magazines, but never actually in person. He removed his headphones as he stepped off the treadmill, continuing his stride now moving towards me with a big smile and cheerful blue eyes, he introduced himself, "Hi, I'm Jesse." Unlike some tech gurus, who stereoty pi- cally are challenged in the social skills department, Biter did not gaze off into the distance as he pontificated on his theories of life and business. Quite the opposite, he looked me straight in the eyes as he spoke with a calm, unassum- ing yet confident tone about a range of topics on which he was obviously well informed. As he talked about his passion for politics and making a difference in his own community, it was obvious that he has a thorough understanding of business, politics and development. If he ever had an inclination for political office, he would be exactly the kind of man who would undoubtedly garner a lot of support. But, he assured me that he likes working behind the scenes, where he feels he can actually accomplish more. Unlike some entrepreneurs that make it big at a young age only to langish in past glor y on their sofa, Biter is a tireless worker. In addition to his company, Dealers United, his real estate develop- ment projects, his involvement with the HUB in Sarasota, an entrepreneurial think tank, as well as his interest in Abbeton, an angel investment fund, Biter is closely involved with the Enterprise Florida project. He travels extensively with Governor R ick Sco and the team to various domestic and international cities to present the economic advantages of doing business in the state of Florida. Aware of Biter's political inclinations, I asked him what exactly was the catalyst that motivated him to get involved in politics. Biter: My father taught me that you are either part of the problem or part of the solu- tion. So I figured I couldn' t just sit back and complain, so that is why I got involved. Being the Florida campaign manager for Rick Santorum was an amazing experience. First of all, I learned how someone can be and how the press can portray somebody completely different. To watch someone speak for an hour and a half and give great ideas and great ways to change the country through everyone's lives om the richest to the poorest. And then for the newspaper to write, "Rick Santorum hates gays." W H AT? It was just amazing how they twisted things. To really be a close part of a national campaign, to see how it was run, was very exciting. W hy did you decide to become a developer and investor in down- town Sarasota? Biter: Before I was heavily invested in the stock market. I felt like, I don' t even know these companies. W hy are they making Facinating Floridians Jesse Biter EntrEprEnEur Savant My father taught me that you can be part of the problem or part of the solution. Jesse Biter, Technolog y Entrepreneur, Political Strategist, Urban Developer. 26 | FLORIDA HOMES MAGAZINE By Jules Lewis Gibson Photography by Detlev Von Kessel Fascinating Floridian Jesse and Katie Biter photgraphed on the balcony of their home in Downtown Sarasota. Continued on page 28 " "

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