Tom Pease grew up knowing about the importance of hurricane preparedness. His father, Tim Pease, owned Pease Industries, and Tom traveled across the country in the 1970's, setting up distributorships for the Rolling Shutter Division of his dad's company.

Then along came Hurricane David in late August/early September of 1979, and after witnessing first-hand the life-saving effects of the very product he represented, Tom decided to set down roots in Vero Beach, raise his family, and open his own company, Florida Shutters, Inc. Code changes brought forth material changes in the rolling shutters, from PVC to insulated or extruded aluminum, and Florida Shutters expanded its line of hurricane protection products to include hurricane panels, which are easily stored when not in use, and accordions, which are slid closed and locked with a key, providing extra security.

The more decorative louvered Colonial and Bahama shutters, made of structural aluminum coated with an alkyd enamel custom paint to match any color, were added to the product line in the mid 1980's . Tom found so many of his barrier island customers, which constitute easily 80% of his overall Indian River County business, desired these shutters for aesthetic reasons.

"The fact that they withstand winds up to 140 miles per hour are almost a secondary benefit to many homeowners," commented Tom.

Having worked closely with architects and contractors over the years, Tom understood the need for a product that was effective and easy to use, while at the same time one that complemented any shape or size window or door opening. The result was the tongue-and-grove Colonial and Bahama panel, invented by Tom himself and which has since been replicated by many other companies.

With the exception of the rolling shutters, all of the shutter products sold by Florida Shutters are manufactured right in Vero Beach at their facility at 1055 Commerce Avenue, just south of 12 th Street. This fact brings comfort to many individuals who have either themselves been victims of, or who have known someone else who has been a victim of, the "fly-by-night" companies that came in after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004.

"We have been right here in Vero Beach since 1979, and we have worked hard to gain the trust of our customers," said Tom. "We not only manufacture our own shutters, we install them. If there's ever a problem, the buck stops here, not with some out-of-town company who may or may not be there when you need them."

Tom's son Tommy (as in Junior), is one of 38 local residents employed by Florida Shutters. Post-2004 hurricanes, that number peaked at 65 employees with 11 active service trucks.

In addition to the hurricane products already mentioned, Florida Shutters also manufactures custom aluminum gates and mailboxes for developments. In addition, they are a dealer for Armor Screen, a mesh fiber screen designed to provide wind protection. They also offer retractable awnings, which help save in utility costs, a fact that doesn't go unnoticed in Vero Beach these days.

Complete information on their product line can be found at their website at www.floridashuttersinc.com. Tom can be reached directly at 772-569-2200, or if you're outside the local calling area, toll free at 800-741-2202.