Paul Cortissoz
CEO / Co-ounder, HR Soul Consulting

paul@hrsoul.com

Paul is the CEO and Co-Founder of HR Soul Consulting, a nationally recognized HR consulting firm honored with the Inc Magazine Power Partner Award for four consecutive years and the Tampa Bay Times “Best of the Best” Award for three years. With 30 years of cross-industry HR experience, he has held senior roles at Heineken USA, Columbia University, Yellow Pages, Gap Inc., and Liberty Mutual. Paul specializes in organizational development, talent management, and leadership development, delivering HR solutions tied to measurable business results. He holds a B.A. from York University, a postgraduate diploma in HR Management from Seneca College, and certifications including SPHR and a DEI certificate from the University of South Florida.

Lauren Arevalo
Branch Manager – Orlando Office, AppleOne Employment Services

larevalo@appleone.com

I am a professional recruiter and leader in the staffing industry, serving as the Branch Manager of the Orlando office at AppleOne, with 25 years of experience connecting great people with great companies. As a leader within AppleOne, I have the privilege of supporting a high-performing team that has consistently been recognized as the #1 branch in the nation.

Based in Orlando, I focus primarily on the Central Florida market while proudly servicing clients and candidates nationwide. I specialize in developing customized staffing solutions across the Legal, Financial, Administrative, Technical, Engineering, and Telecommunications industries.

I take pride in partnering with my clients, sitting on the same side of the desk to deliver results through a consistent process, unrivaled service, and access to high-quality talent. Equally passionate about candidate development, my team and I focus on coaching, career development, and improving marketability to ensure lasting success for the professionals we represent.

Laura Gallaher
CEO & Founder, Gallaher Edge

laura@gallaheredge.com

Dr. Laura Gallaher is a professional speaker and organizational psychologist who inspires driven self-starters to transform their relationship with themselves and accomplish more than ever. She combines insights on radical self-acceptance with humor to create a unique connection with her audience. Despite being a national best-selling author, Dr. Laura stands out from the typical “academic” personality of her PhD peers. Her notable achievements include being hired by NASA to reshape organizational culture after the Columbia accident, leading significant changes in performance management at Disney, and inspiring Yahoo’s global teams to pursue transformation from within.

Deb Dixson
Senior Advisor – Leadership Vision Consulting; President – DJ Dixson Consulting

deb@leadershipvisionconsulting.com

Deb Dixson is a senior executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience across business, IT, information security, and risk management. During her 14 years at Best Buy, she was recognized as a visionary leader, founding the company’s first Information Security organization.

Prior to retiring in 2018 as Senior Vice President, Global Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), she built a unified comprehensive Enterprise Risk and Compliance organization, merging previously disparate risk teams and providing clearer insight for executive leadership and the Board.

Deb is known as a highly effective people leader with a strong track record of building high-performing, engaged teams. She credits much of her leadership development success to her work with Dr. Linda & Brian Schubring of Leadership Vision Consulting and currently serves as a Senior Advisor. She also wrote the foreword to their national best-selling book Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane.

Lauren Hodges
Owner, Performance on Purpose, LLC

lauren@performance-on-purpose.com

Lauren Hodges, Ed.D. is an expert in human performance sciences, an award winning learning designer, author, and owner of Performance on Purpose, a global training and coaching company focused on the intersections of leadership and human performance. She lives in Satellite Beach, FL with her husband and two teenage boys.

Mark Brewer, CAP
President & CEO, Central Florida Foundation

mbrewer@cffound.org

Mark Brewer is the President/CEO of Central Florida Foundation, the region’s community foundation. Mark joined the Foundation in 2000 and has worked with hundreds of individuals, families, and corporations to establish philanthropy plans, endowments, funding strategies, and planned gifts. He frequently advises private and corporate foundation grant makers across the region and plays a public policy advisory role on strategy and advisory boards around the state of Florida and has served in a leadership role in national and community initiatives.

Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in business, a master’s degree in Public Administration with a specialty in Nonprofit Management and is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®. His graduate studies include work in policy and law at Walden University.

Ralph Betancourt
President & CEO, First Colony Bank of Florida

rbetancourt@firstcolonybank.net

With over 35 years of commercial banking experience, Ralph Betancourt is a banking veteran in the Central Florida area. Ralph is President & CEO of First Colony Bank of Florida which opened its doors in Maitland in 2008 as a true community bank with local shareholders, local board and local decision making. With 20 employees and $300 million in assets, First Colony Bank specializes in working with small businesses, professionals and real estate investors throughout Central Florida.

Prior to joining First Colony Bank in 2018, Ralph was the Market President for Sunshine Bank (f/k/a Florida Bank of Commerce) in downtown Orlando where he managed a team of commercial bankers. Ralph spent the first 17 years of his banking career in commercial banking with Southeast Bank / First Union / Wachovia Bank before joining Florida Capital Bank in 2005 as the Commercial Bank Executive of Central Florida. Ralph earned his B.S. in Finance at the University of Florida.

Russell Slappey
CEO, Nperspective CFO & Strategic Services

rslappey@nperspective.com

Russell is the founder/CEO and Managing Partner of Nperspective, and is responsible for overseeing the firm and all of the companies divisions. He combines over 20 years of experience in Accounting, Information Systems and Taxation. He takes a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves approach in working with business owners.

In this presentation we will discuss the job duties and differences between the CFO, controller & CPA in running the daily business. We will also explore what needs to be prepared to get ready for a transition of the business. Further, we will discuss understanding the role of a CFO in a transition related to forecasting.

Geoffrey Gallo, ChFC, CExP, CVBA
Partner – Advisory Services & Client Relations, H&CO LLP

ggallo@hco.com

Geoffrey brings over 40 years of sales, marketing, financial and operations experience in various industries to his role as Partner, Advisory Services & Practice Development. Using his broad expertise in strategic planning implementation, tax planning, incentive compensation, asset protection and estate planning, Geoffrey works with business owners to identify needs and solutions, with a specific focus on helping them achieve their growth and exit goals.

As a real estate investor himself, he has a special passion for helping realtors, property managers, & developers reach their growth objectives through strategic and tactical tax ideas—bridging the gap between practical business decisions and long-term wealth creation.

Leading the firm’s channel marketing programs, he also directs building strategic alliance partnerships for the firm, bringing other professionals together to seamlessly deliver on H&CO’s comprehensive planning process and value proposition.

Christine Noll-Rhan
Partner, Carr, Riggs & Ingram

cnollrhan@criadv.com

Christine Noll-Rhan is a Florida CPA and an audit partner with Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC and has over 20 years of experience. She received her bachelor’s in accounting from Penn State University and her master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University. She is the partner in charge of the Melbourne office for Carr, Riggs & Ingram. She specialized in attest services (audit, reviews, agreed upon procedures) as well as consulting clients on best practices to keep their assets safe.

Jack Henkel
Senior Cluster Manager & FL FAST Program Manager, Florida High Tech Corridor

jack.henkel@floridahightech.com

Jack Henkel serves high tech companies across 23 counties of Central Florida as the Senior Cluster Manager of the Cenfluence initiative at the Florida High Tech Corridor. In addition, Jack is the Program Manager for the Corridor’s FL FAST (Federal & State Technology Partnership Program), an SBA funded program to build capacity and awareness across the state of Florida for entrepreneurs pursuing SBIR/STTR funding for research and development. Across 20 years in the Central Florida innovation ecosystem Jack has worked with more than 1,000 deep-tech entrepreneurs who have raised more $200 million in R&D and growth capital.

Jennifer McKinley
Program Director, Florida High Tech Corridor

jennifer.mckinley@ucf.edu

Jennifer McKinley serves as the Program Director for the Florida High Tech Corridor’s Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP) at the University of Central Florida. She oversees strategic funding initiatives that advance university research toward commercialization, strengthen industry partnerships, and support development of a technology-focused workforce.

She began her career at Lucent Technologies, collaborating with manufacturing engineers and Bell Labs researchers on semiconductor process innovation. She later co-founded two technology companies focused on materials characterization and infrared optical products, and most recently served in UCF’s Office of Technology Transfer, evaluating intellectual property and supporting early-stage commercialization.

She holds a B.S. in Chemistry and an M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from UCF and is pursuing an Executive MBA at Rollins College.

Joe Carlucci
Director of Strategic Growth, Cenfluence / Florida High Tech Corridor

joe.carlucci@floridahightech.com

Joe is an innovation strategist and ecosystem builder with experience helping organizations turn complex ideas into practical, measurable innovation systems. As CEO of The Innovation Geek and Growth Strategy Director at Cenfluence, he works across corporate innovation, economic development, and emerging technology to help teams move from strategy to execution to profitability.

Joe’s professional journey has led him to help develop, lead and support innovation programs across economic development agencies, entrepreneur support organizations, and medium to large corporates in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, energy, life sciences, learning sciences, gaming and immersive technology, and semiconductors. His current work has him focused mainly on building collaborative frameworks that connect industry, universities, government, and entrepreneurs to accelerate pilots, attract talent and funding, and drive real-world deployment.

John King
Certified Outgrow Advisor and Expert EOS Implementer, Drive: Leadership and Management Coaching

john.king@runoutgrow.com

John King helps entrepreneurial leadership teams unlock their full potential by driving predictable, proactive growth. He equips salespeople and other customer-facing team members to confidently reach out, build meaningful relationships, and generate consistent, organic growth.

John doesn’t just teach the Outgrow methodology—he lives it. Over the past five years, he’s scaled his own coaching business using the same tools and mindset he now brings to his clients. An Expert EOS Implementer with more than 600 full-day sessions delivered, John brings a rare blend of real-world sales experience, operational rigor, and a deep understanding for the entrepreneurial journey.

Whether he’s working with sales teams, leadership teams, or other customer facing team members, John’s mission is simple: help good people do great work, and grow with purpose.

Dave Riley
Professional EOS Implementer, EOS Worldwide

Dave.Riley@EOSworldwide.com

Dave Riley is a former founder and operator who knows firsthand what it feels like to be stuck inside a business you helped build. He spent years wrestling with people issues, accountability gaps, and a vision that never quite translated into traction.

His first exit worked on paper, but it didn’t feel like success. That experience reshaped how Dave thinks about leadership, clarity, and freedom. In his next chapter as an operator, he acquired, merged, grew, and exited two companies over four years, this time with structure, discipline, and a leadership system that matched the reality of running a business.

Today, Dave works with founders and leadership teams as a Professional EOS Implementer®, helping CEOs replace chaos with clarity and effort with execution. His work is grounded in real operating experience, not theory, and focused on helping leaders build businesses that work for them, not because of them.

Thomas O’Neal
Director of I-Corps, Professor, GrowFL Founder, UCF

thomas.oneal@yahoo.com

Dr. O’Neal is a Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems and has served as the Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization at UCF. He is the founder of the UCF Business Incubation Program (UCFBIP), Founder of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute (GrowFL), and is the Director of I-Corps at UCF, Florida’s first I-Corps site. He is also President of the UCF Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors.

His pioneering work in business incubation and entrepreneurial ecosystems has helped build Central Florida’s innovation-based economy. Dr. O’Neal’s international recognition as an expert in research, engineering, technology transfer, business incubation, and economic development has led to presentations and instructional engagements on five continents. He has presented or taught at 20 international conferences, 41 national conferences, and approximately 200 conferences throughout the State of Florida.

Lacy Rex
Cyber Practice Leader, Oswald Companies

With over 15 years of insurance experience focused exclusively on executive risk coverage areas, Lacy’s cybersecurity expertise has earned her international speaking engagements and panel opportunities. She actively engages with insurance carriers to create new coverages and manuscript forms. Driving customized, innovative policy language and providing tailored consulting services across multiple industry segments, Lacy is an innovator in the cyber insurance space.

Lacy integrates her product and market knowledge to find solutions to client issues. She also works closely with insurance companies to draft policy enhancements, providing innovative solutions to local, national, and international companies. As the pace of Cyber incidents continues to soar, Lacy is at the forefront of protecting her clients’ largest and most valuable assets.

Loren Horsager
CEO, Model Mind AI

loren.horsager@modelmind.ai

Loren Horsager is a tech entrepreneur and the dynamic force behind Model Mind AI, where he serves as the Founder and CEO. Drawing upon 30 years of extensive experience leading software development firms, Loren envisioned a world where AI could be harnessed to propel growth-oriented organizations forward. This led to the creation of Model Mind AI, providing hands-on, interactive training by our team of AI experts on tools such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.

Loren’s career spans across various industries, from Fortune 500 banks to nimble small and mid-sized companies. His innovative spirit is reflected in the many successful products he has developed and startups he has grown over the years.

Holding a B.S. in Economics from the University of Minnesota, Loren combines his robust technical acumen with economic insights to develop solutions that not only cater to technological needs, but also consider the broader economic impacts.

John Ohlwiler
CEO, Sentry Technology Solutions

john.ohlwiler@sentryitsolutions.com

John Ohlwiler is the Founder and CEO of Sentry Technology Solutions, a managed IT services provider helping businesses across 30 states turn technology into a competitive advantage. After serving as CIO at a large healthcare company, John founded Sentry in 2014 to bridge the gap between technology complexity and strategic business outcomes. Under his leadership, Sentry earned #857 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 with 493% growth and was named a GrowFL Florida Company to watch. What sets Sentry apart is their proprietary Technology Maturity Model—a framework that helps businesses know exactly where they are and provides a clear technology roadmap from foundational IT to meaningful AI adoption with measurable ROI. A published Forbes Technology Council member, John helps fellow CEOs cut through the AI hype to focus on what delivers results today.

Mike Deneen
Partner, Ingredient

A digital media professional with over 15 years of experience leading definition, design and development of B2C and B2B initiatives for both start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. Comprehensive experience includes planning, development and execution of large-scale projects, encompassing requirements definition, persona development, user experience definition, e-commerce affiliate management, custom CMS development and automated email marketing.

Isar Meitis
CEO, Multiplai.ai

Isar a 3-time CEO with a track record in B2B, B2C, services, defense, and e-commerce. Isar scaled one of his businesses to $100M. He knows a thing or two about business strategy and scaling. Isar is here to provide you with a rare combination of knowledge and real-world experience in AI and business growth. AI is transforming business. But only 2% of business leaders know how to leverage it effectively.

Matt Rose
Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer, Tech Rage IT

matt@techrageit.com

Matt Rose is the co-founder and Chief Experience Officer at Tech Rage IT, an award-winning IT managed services provider. He has served in roles including consultant and virtual CIO, supporting organizations from local businesses to Forbes Global 200 companies.

Matt is a recognized technology leader featured in the Orlando Business Journal, MSP Success, and ChannelPro SMB, and is a frequent technology expert for Fox 35 Orlando. Under his leadership, Tech Rage IT has earned honors including Florida Company to Watch by GrowFL, Top Technology Company in Central Florida, Business of the Year by the Seminole Business Awards, a two-time NextGen 101 winner, a 2025 MSP to Watch, and placement on the CRN MSP 500 list.

Matt regularly speaks on cybersecurity, leadership, and emerging technology trends. He holds degrees in Information Science and Cybersecurity, is PMP certified, and serves as Co-Chair of the East Central Chapter of GrowFL.

Peter McAlindon, Ph.D.
Entrepreneur in Residence, Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business

pmcalindon@rollins.edu

Peter McAlindon, Ph.D., is the Entrepreneur in Residence at the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business.

Areas of expertise and courses taught include entrepreneurship (start-up ventures), commercializing NASA technology, angel investing and early-stage funding, human-computer interaction, product design and development, and research methods and statistics.

Dr. McAlindon is a co-founder of venVelo, an Orlando-based business accelerator and seed capital fund. He is also the inventor of the orbiTouch Keyless Keyboard, a keyboard designed for individuals lacking the finger or hand dexterity to use a traditional keyboard or mouse.

Jay Liebowitz, Ph.D.
Founding Director of the AI-EDGE Center, Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business

jleibowitz@rollins.edu

Dr. Liebowitz also brings extensive industry experience having held various roles in prominent organizations, including NASA and the Navy Center for Applied Research in AI/NRL, where he applied AI solutions to real-world challenges and fostered innovation. He continues to share his expertise through lectures and consultations worldwide, solidifying his reputation as a leading authority in AI.

As part of his role as Professor of Business Innovation and Industry Transformation, Dr. Liebowitz will lead the development of a new center at Rollins and Crummer, the Center for AI-EDGE (Executive-Decision-making, Governance, and Execution). The center will be designed around realizing expectations of AI for the executive, focused on improving decision-making processes through AI, addressing key issues around AI ethics and governance, and producing analysts who are well-educated to analyze, interpret, and communicate the AI results to C-level executives.

Erich Hanson
Founder & CEO, August Ash

ehanson@augustash.com

Erich Hanson is the Founder and CEO of August Ash, a web development and digital marketing firm with over 25 years of experience in creating innovative digital solutions for businesses. Since 2012, Erich has leveraged EOS to drive the company’s growth. He’s an active member of CEO Nexus and splits his time between Minnesota and Florida.

Steve Schad
Founder / CEO, Optima HR Solutions

Steve@OptimaHR.net

Steve Schad is CEO of Optima HR Solutions, a Minnesota-based HR outsourcing and advisory firm helping small and mid-sized companies build modern, scalable people operations without carrying full internal departments.

He works with founders, CEOs, and executive teams facing growth, labor constraints, rising compliance demands, and pressure to do more with leaner teams. His focus is organization design, talent strategy, and practical operations that clarify what must remain core, what can be externalized, and how to build resilient and cost-effective operating models.

Optima serves as a fractional HR department, pairing strategic leadership with execution across HR operations, compliance, workforce planning, and HR technology. Steve has advised organizations across multiple industries.

Steve will share how today’s economic and labor landscape is reshaping staffing models and how companies can use outsourcing strategically to strengthen focus, execution, and long-term growth.

Joe Raymond
Managing Partner, RVR Consulting Group

jraymond@rvrteam.com

Joe is the Managing Partner of RVR Consulting Group Holdings, helping small to mid-market companies maximize potential throughout their lifecycle. A proven leader in launching, growing, and exiting businesses, he also co-founded CECO.org and serves on multiple community boards supporting motor disabilities.

Dolly Penland
President & CEO, Business Results

Results@BusinessResultsLLC.com

Business Results helps companies improve their bottom line by addressing their most valuable resource: their people. We have helped a wide range of companies dramatically improve their results. We help you reach your goals by giving you the knowledge and tools to be more effective. Let us help you exceed your goals.

As Human Capital Strategists, we teach clients how to optimize their talent by aligning their business strategy with their people strategy for optimal Business Results. We teach leaders on how to use the PI® and CATIL® Talent Optimization data to design, hire and inspire successful teams.

We believe that the effectiveness of consulting or training effort can be greatly enhanced by the support your people receive afterward. We will give you the tools and help you develop the effective support systems that turn words into actions and actions into new and effective habits. We give you all the help you need to reach your business goals.

Brian Mills
Shareholder, Maynard Nexsen PC

bmills@maynardnexsen.com

Brian is a member of Maynard Nexsen’s Government Solutions Group, a dedicated inter-disciplinary team of legal professionals providing client support and representation before multiple levels of government and at every stage of the procurement process.

A native Floridian, Brian has spent over 20 years advising clients through all types of business matters and complex transactions related to entity formation, corporate transactions, mergers, acquisitions, corporate governance, and private equity and debt financings, outsourcing, strategic alliance, and teaming arrangements, consulting and service agreements. Brian’s clients span a broad range of industries, having a particular concentration in the technology, manufacturing, and commercial space and launch markets.

Mindi Hertzog
Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service

mindi.hertzog@trade.gov

Mindi Hertzog is a Senior International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Commercial Service. She spent 2015-2018 in Brazil serving as a Diplomat and has an extensive career in both government and the private sector. She has an Executive MBA from UCLA, and a BS in Biology from Cedar Crest College.

Discover which international markets offer the best opportunities for your products and services. Learn effective strategies for marketing your offerings globally, and understand how your organization can export without having to leave Florida. Gain insights into export compliance, financing, and more.

Stephanie Kempton
CEO & President, Kempton Research

skempton@kemptonresearch.com

Stephanie has more than 30 years of marketing and communications experience. Her research and planning expertise has directly contributed to enhanced business performance for a wide range of brands and businesses. She has obtained her Principal Certification from the Insights Association.

I will be speaking to a one page document that will outline types of market research to find new customers, what these market research sources are, how to use them to find new customers and and how to obtain them from research providers in the market.

Tammie Sweet
Executive Director, GrowFL

tammie@growfl.com

Tammie Sweet has a long history of work experience in economic, community, and business development. She currently serves as the Executive Director of GrowFL. In this role, she is passionate about empowering Florida businesses to achieve their full potential. GrowFL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Florida’s second-stage companies. Tammie has held several leadership roles in economic development over the last 30 years, including serving as President and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Collier County and as a Past Chair of the Florida Economic Development Council.

Shannon Muniz
Founder & President, Strategic Sales Management / Sales Xceleration

smuniz@salesxceleration.com

Shannon is a seasoned sales leader who partners with small and medium-sized businesses as their Fractional VP of Sales, helping them build sustainable revenue growth and prepare for their next chapter – whether that’s scaling, investment, or exit. With 25+ years in enterprise technology sales and her own successful startup exit (Novatus to Conga in 2016), she brings both Fortune 500 expertise and founder experience to growing companies.

Since founding Strategic Sales Management in 2019, Shannon has guided more than 50 companies through sales transformations across technology, manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and professional services sectors. Her approach focuses on building lasting value through the right people, proven processes, and sustainable systems that buyers and investors seek.

Kenneth Theriot
CEO, TheRiot Agency

ken@theriot.agency

Kenneth Theriot is the CEO of TheRiot Agency and a graduate of the University of South Florida, with more than 20 years of experience in strategic brand marketing, revenue operations, and digital transformation.

Since founding TRA in 2015, Kenneth has grown the firm into a technology-first brand marketing and RevOps agency that helps organizations maximize their top-line and enterprise value to maximize organizational value. TRA integrates research-driven strategy, creative, and revenue operations to align brand, demand, customer experience, UX, and digital innovation with scalable revenue systems.

Kenneth believes a brand is more than a logo and has built a multidisciplinary team delivering data-driven results. He is a member of the Forbes Agency Council, where he regularly contributes thought leadership on emerging trends in marketing, technology, and growth. He also serves on the Board of GrowFL, supporting second-stage companies across Florida.

Kai Isaac
CEO, Naura AI

kai.isaac@filmscapepro.com

Naura makes AI simple, accessible, and actionable for businesses. We help companies cut through the complexity and apply AI where it drives real results — in brand marketing, business operations, and sales workflows. The outcome is amplified efficiency, creativity, and growth, with seamless integration.

Doug Starcher
Managing Partner, Nelson Mullins

doug.starcher@nelsonmullins.com

Doug Starcher serves as the Managing Partner of the Orlando office of Nelson Mullins and is head of the Florida M&A Team.  Doug has been recognized by the M&A Advisor in New York as the Seller’s Attorney on the 2015 Technology Deal of the Year over $250 million and again in 2018 on the Financials Deal of the Year. In addition to his Mergers and Acquisitions practice, Doug serves as outside general counsel for entrepreneurs and growth companies. He regularly counsels clients as a trusted advisor with regard to organizational structuring, capitalization, contracts, technology licensing, and business strategy.

William Lowman
President, Shuffield, Lowman & Wilson, P.A.

wlowman@shuffieldlowman.com

Bill Lowman is a founder and president of ShuffieldLowman with decades of experience guiding clients through complex mergers and acquisitions. His practice also includes succession and tax planning for high-net-worth individuals, families with closely held businesses, estate planning, securities, executive compensation planning, and general tax law.

In the M&A space, Bill prepares clients with pre-transaction planning, from both a personal estate and business perspective. He helps clients navigate buy-side and sell-side transactions with a seamless, relationship-driven approach supported by a trusted network of investment bankers, accountants, financial planners, wealth managers, and other key advisors. He is a frequent speaker on pre-transaction planning and the M&A process.

Bill advises companies across all industries, from family-owned enterprises to many of Central Florida’s Top Golden 100 Companies, on the legal and strategic aspects of their business operations.

Julia Dennis
Partner, Shuffield, Lowman & Wilson, P.A.

jdennis@shuffieldlowman.com

Julia Dennis is an M&A attorney with extensive experience advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, recapitalizations, private capital raises, and securities law matters. Her practice also includes intellectual property and technology transactions, commercial contracts, and general corporate counseling.

Julia represents a diverse client base across a broad range of industries that are founder-led startups, family-owned businesses, public companies, and private equity-sponsored portfolio companies. She regularly guides founder-owned and management-run businesses through first-time exit transactions and advises private equity-backed companies on platform and add-on acquisitions.

Her transactional work includes joint ventures, minority investments, employee incentive plans, and complex corporate restructurings. Julia also counsels clients on copyright and trademark matters and negotiates licensing, SaaS, and other key commercial agreements.

Christopher Swink, CEPA
SVP/Senior Wealth Management, Northern Trust

cs554@ntrs.com

Christopher Swink is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Senior Wealth Strategist at Northern Trust. He has more than 28 years of experience advising business owners and multigenerational families. He focuses on exit preparation, tax mitigation, liquidity planning, and the financial and personal transitions that come with stepping away from a business.

Christopher works with families on legacy planning and governance, helping them clarify values, strengthen communication, and build decision making structures that last. He and his Northern Trust team integrate investment management, estate strategies, risk oversight, and family guidance into one coordinated plan. His approach is grounded in thoughtful questions and clear conversations that help clients align their wealth with the future they want for their families.

Rob Ashcroft
Managing Wealth Advisor

ra179@ntrs.com

Rob Ashcroft is Director of Business Owner Consulting in Northern Trust’s Advisory Services Group. He works closely with owners of privately held companies, helping them develop liquidity and succession plans. He helps clients assess their options in the context of prevailing market conditions, industry trends and the personal needs and preferences of the owners. He helps clients understand what potential buyers may demand and expect, as well as how to prepare their companies for the smoothest possible sale process. He can support owners as they select a suitable investment bank or M&A advisor.

Riad Shanawany
CEO & President, Myriad Capital

riad@myriad-capital.com

Riad Shanawany, Owner of Myriad Capital, has been in the financial services industry for over 26 years,serving hundreds of clients throughout the state of Florida & nationwide. Our owner’s commitment is deeply rooted, & our core values, integrity ethics represent who we are & how we serve our clients.

Riad Shanawany holds various prestigious professional designations & degrees in the financial planning field including Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor. He received his Personal Financial Planning Certificate from the UM & his BABA from UF. In addition, Riad has proven himself to be a devoted leader and continual resource in the industry, having coached, mentored, and strategized cases for other advisors.

Riad grew up with his family in Florida since he was 10 years old. His father was a well known Medical Doctor in Ocala, & his younger brother is a successful attorney that resides there as well.

Hobbies are travel, photography, fishing, and golf.

Regina Rabitaille
Partner, Nelson Mullins

regina.rabitaille@nelsonmullins.com

I lead the trusts and estates practice for Nelson Mullins. My practice fodcuses exclusively in the area of estate planning, business succession planning and tax planning. I work closely with clients and advisors to ensure their personal and business assets are structured in the most protected and tax efficient manner.

Chris Cucci
EVP, Chief Strategy Officer, Climate First Bank

chris.cucci@climatefirstbank.com

Chris Cucci has spent his banking career, spanning over two decades, in the Central Florida market where he’s had the opportunity to finance transactions across the nation. He serves as EVP, Chief Strategy Officer at Climate First Bank where he leads strategic initiatives and oversees the bank’s lending in mission-aligned sectors including commercial solar, ESOP finance, and more. Cucci also serves as Senior Advisor at OneEthos, fintech affiliate to Climate First Bank, where he supports efforts to provide mission-based technology solutions to community finance partners nationwide. Active in the community, he serves on the board of directors for CCIM Central District and as board Chair for Osceola Community Health Services. His prior experience includes commercial banking and leadership roles at South State Bank, Wells Fargo, and JPMorgan Chase. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida.

Will Stewart
Managing Director, PCE Investment Bankers

wstewart@pcecompanies.com

Will Stewart, a partner at PCE and head of the firm’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) practice, is regarded as an expert in the ESOP community. He is a frequent speaker, panelist, and presenter at ESOP-focused conferences and events and has closed more than $3 billion of ESOP transactions.

What is an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and does it fit for me and my Company? The presenters include an ESOP advisor with experience leading companies through transactions and a business owner who has recently been through an ESOP transaction.

Will Wellons
President, Wellons Communications

will@wellonscommunications.com

Will is a skilled strategic public relations professional who has worked with a broad spectrum of clients, including those in design, hospitality, attractions, real estate and finance. He has vast experience in all facets of public relations; including media relations, investor relations, and crisis management.

Social media continues to change by the day. Companies have to be consistent and up to date on the best practices for social media or their sales and reputation will suffer. We will have a discussion on how to stay ahead of the social media trends.

Michael Shepardson
Partner, PNP Advisory Services

mshepardson@praeclarum1.com

Michael Shepardson, MBA, CEPA is a corporate finance executive with 30+ years of experience across M&A, capital raising, real estate, private equity, and turnarounds. As Founder of PNP Advisory Services, he serves as a fractional CFO/COO—building investor-grade forecasts and models, leading sell-side processes, running diligence, and negotiating financing and restructurings to maximize enterprise value and close transactions. He brings operator credibility from eight years as CEO of PACA Foods, and institutional deal experience from senior roles at Trustreet Properties and GE Capital’s Franchise Finance platform, where he led teams of 100+ and helped execute over $3B of retail asset transactions while driving ~$300M of new business annually in a challenging market. He received both his BA & MBA from the University of Notre Dame and also studied at the London Business School.

Myriad Capital
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

www.myriad-capital.com

Myriad Capital is an independent, privately owned firm with a singular focus on comprehensive wealth management for busy professionals, families, their family businesses, and their trusts.

As a private firm, we are in one business only: private client wealth management. Few investment decisions are as important as a comprehensive financial plan. It is the blueprint for your investment, legacy, and tax plans. Our multi-step process involves understanding specific client goals and developing, implementing, and monitoring a customized wealth plan to achieve those goals.

Our commitment is to help select individuals and families to grow and preserve their wealth. We strive for multi-generational planning and think of generations, not quarters.

Riad Shanawany
CEO & President, Myriad Capital

riad@myriad-capital.com

Riad Shanawany, Owner of Myriad Capital, has been in the financial services industry for over 26 years,serving hundreds of clients throughout the state of Florida & nationwide. Our owner’s commitment is deeply rooted, & our core values, integrity ethics represent who we are & how we serve our clients.

Riad Shanawany holds various prestigious professional designations & degrees in the financial planning field including Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor. He received his Personal Financial Planning Certificate from the UM & his BABA from UF. In addition, Riad has proven himself to be a devoted leader and continual resource in the industry, having coached, mentored, and strategized cases for other advisors.

Riad grew up with his family in Florida since he was 10 years old. His father was a well known Medical Doctor in Ocala, & his younger brother is a successful attorney that resides there as well.

Hobbies are travel, photography, fishing, and golf.

Sentry Technology Solutions
Orlando, FL

sentrytechsolutions.com

Sentry Technology Solutions empowers businesses and franchise groups with strategic technology leadership, combining managed IT, enterprise-grade cybersecurity and AI-powered solutions with hands-on guidance. As their trusted technology partner, we help businesses scale securely, boost operational efficiency, and maintain seamless security and compliance across one or multiple locations—delivering the confidence business executives and franchise leaders need to thrive.

John Ohlwiler
CEO, Sentry Technology Solutions

john.ohlwiler@sentryitsolutions.com

John Ohlwiler is the Founder and CEO of Sentry Technology Solutions, a managed IT services provider helping businesses across 30 states turn technology into a competitive advantage. After serving as CIO at a large healthcare company, John founded Sentry in 2014 to bridge the gap between technology complexity and strategic business outcomes. Under his leadership, Sentry earned #857 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 with 493% growth and was named a GrowFL Florida Company to watch. What sets Sentry apart is their proprietary Technology Maturity Model—a framework that helps businesses know exactly where they are and provides a clear technology roadmap from foundational IT to meaningful AI adoption with measurable ROI. A published Forbes Technology Council member, John helps fellow CEOs cut through the AI hype to focus on what delivers results today.

Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business
Winter Park, FL

crummer.rollins.edu

Rollins College educates students for global citizenship and responsible leadership, empowering graduates to pursue meaningful lives and productive careers. We are committed to the liberal arts ethos and guided by its values and ideals. Our guiding principles are excellence, innovation, and community.

Peter McAlindon, Ph.D.
Entrepreneur in Residence, Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business

pmcalindon@rollins.edu

Peter McAlindon, Ph.D., is the Entrepreneur in Residence at the Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business.

Areas of expertise and courses taught include entrepreneurship (start-up ventures), commercializing NASA technology, angel investing and early-stage funding, human-computer interaction, product design and development, and research methods and statistics.

Dr. McAlindon is a co-founder of venVelo, an Orlando-based business accelerator and seed capital fund. He is also the inventor of the orbiTouch Keyless Keyboard, a keyboard designed for individuals lacking the finger or hand dexterity to use a traditional keyboard or mouse.

AppleOne Employment Services
Orlando, FL

www.appleone.com

At AppleOne, we believe in relationships. Since 1964, we have connected people with opportunities. We don’t just fill positions; we build careers and companies. Hiring is hard, and looking for a career is even harder. Hiring Made Human is our belief that we can make your experience better.

Lauren Arevalo
Branch Manager – Orlando Office, AppleOne Employment Services

larevalo@appleone.com

I am a professional recruiter and leader in the staffing industry, serving as the Branch Manager of the Orlando office at AppleOne, with 25 years of experience connecting great people with great companies. As a leader within AppleOne, I have the privilege of supporting a high-performing team that has consistently been recognized as the #1 branch in the nation.

Based in Orlando, I focus primarily on the Central Florida market while proudly servicing clients and candidates nationwide. I specialize in developing customized staffing solutions across the Legal, Financial, Administrative, Technical, Engineering, and Telecommunications industries.

I take pride in partnering with my clients, sitting on the same side of the desk to deliver results through a consistent process, unrivaled service, and access to high-quality talent. Equally passionate about candidate development, my team and I focus on coaching, career development, and improving marketability to ensure lasting success for the professionals we represent.

Armory Hill Advocates
Orlando, FL

armoryhilladvocates.com

At Armory Hill Advocates, we help healthcare and nonprofit organizations navigate this complexity with clarity and confidence. With decades of experience in healthcare policy, government relations, and public affairs, we anticipate the impact of legislative and regulatory shifts so our clients can stay focused on their mission. We work as an extension of your team, providing insight, strategic counsel, and trusted relationships at the state and federal levels. Our approach is grounded in partnership, integrity, and a deep respect for the people and organizations we serve.

Jon Rawlson
President & Founder

jon@armoryhilladvocates.com

Jon is a dynamic force in government affairs, serving as a trusted ally for healthcare organizations across the care continuum, including hospitals, health systems, emerging technologies, pharmacies, outpatient centers, and long‑term care facilities. He is known for a hands‑on, solutions‑driven approach that helps organizations navigate complex legislative and public affairs challenges. Jon works at the intersection of policy and innovation, supporting clients nationwide.

With more than 30 years of experience in public policy, government relations, and grassroots advocacy, he has built influential networks and advanced policies shaping pharmacy and home care. A recognized pharmacy policy expert, he leads strategic outreach to national and state political organizations. Jon also serves as outside counsel for Holland & Knight, drawing on prior experience at leading national law firms to advise on healthcare, transportation, and tax‑exempt policy matters.

Climate First Bank
Winter Park, FL

www.climatefirstbank.com

Climate First Bank is the world’s first FDIC insured bank founded to combat the climate crisis. With a digital banking platform serving clients nationwide, Climate First is on a mission to support the employee ownership movement through ESOP finance. The full-service bank offers competitive deposit and treasury products with flexible financing options.

Bank like tomorrow depends on it.

Chris Cucci
EVP, Chief Strategy Officer, Climate First Bank

chris.cucci@climatefirstbank.com

Chris Cucci has spent his banking career, spanning over two decades, in the Central Florida market where he’s had the opportunity to finance transactions across the nation. He serves as EVP, Chief Strategy Officer at Climate First Bank where he leads strategic initiatives and oversees the bank’s lending in mission-aligned sectors including commercial solar, ESOP finance, and more. Cucci also serves as Senior Advisor at OneEthos, fintech affiliate to Climate First Bank, where he supports efforts to provide mission-based technology solutions to community finance partners nationwide. Active in the community, he serves on the board of directors for CCIM Central District and as board Chair for Osceola Community Health Services. His prior experience includes commercial banking and leadership roles at South State Bank, Wells Fargo, and JPMorgan Chase. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida.

Drive: Leadership and Management Coaching
Maitland, FL

www.driveandgrow.com

John King helps entrepreneurs get what they want by implementing two proven business systems: EOS and Outgrow.

EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is a business operating system for the entire company that delivers a clear vision, real traction through discipline and accountability, and healthy teams.

Outgrow is a revenue growth system that propels companies towards their vision by consistently delivering 15-30% predictable sales growth.

John King
Certified Outgrow Advisor and Expert EOS Implementer, Drive: Leadership and Management Coaching

john.king@runoutgrow.com

John King helps entrepreneurial leadership teams unlock their full potential by driving predictable, proactive growth. He equips salespeople and other customer-facing team members to confidently reach out, build meaningful relationships, and generate consistent, organic growth.

John doesn’t just teach the Outgrow methodology—he lives it. Over the past five years, he’s scaled his own coaching business using the same tools and mindset he now brings to his clients. An Expert EOS Implementer with more than 600 full-day sessions delivered, John brings a rare blend of real-world sales experience, operational rigor, and a deep understanding for the entrepreneurial journey.

Whether he’s working with sales teams, leadership teams, or other customer facing team members, John’s mission is simple: help good people do great work, and grow with purpose.

GrowFL, Inc.
Gainesville, FL

growfl.com

GrowFL: Accelerating Florida’s Second-Stage Companies

GrowFL is dedicated to supporting and accelerating the growth of second-stage companies throughout Florida. Established in 2009, we operate with a singular focus: putting the CEO at the center of everything we do. Our mission is to provide the critical strategies, resources, and support necessary for next-level growth. We serve companies that have moved beyond the startup phase—typically maintaining 10+ employees and at least $1 million in annual revenue—and possess a clear intent to scale.

By providing focused, efficient access to a powerful network of peer leaders and industry experts, GrowFL helps business owners navigate the unique challenges of the second stage. Our efforts drive continued prosperity for individual companies while diversifying and strengthening Florida’s economy. Through peer-to-peer connections and specialized expertise, we turn high-potential businesses into enduring economic engines.

Tammie Sweet
Executive Director, GrowFL

tammie@growfl.com

Tammie Sweet has a long history of work experience in economic, community, and business development. She currently serves as the Executive Director of GrowFL. In this role, she is passionate about empowering Florida businesses to achieve their full potential. GrowFL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Florida’s second-stage companies. Tammie has held several leadership roles in economic development over the last 30 years, including serving as President and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Collier County and as a Past Chair of the Florida Economic Development Council.

Northern Trust
Tampa, FL

www.northerntrust.com/…

Northern Trust Corporation is a preeminent global financial institution that provides asset servicing, investment management and wealth management services for institutions, high net-worth individuals and families. For more than 130 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader for exceptional service, financial expertise, integrity and innovation. Today, we have more than 23,000 employees around the globe and manage more than $1.7 trillion (as of June 30, 2025) in assets for our clients.

We earn our clients’ trust by staying true to our steadfast fiduciary heritage and providing exceptional service tailored to each client’s specific needs. Our market-leading technological capabilities allow us to deliver the highest level of service to our clients with speed and precision.

Christopher Swink, CEPA
SVP/Senior Wealth Management, Northern Trust

cs554@ntrs.com

Christopher Swink is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Senior Wealth Strategist at Northern Trust. He has more than 28 years of experience advising business owners and multigenerational families. He focuses on exit preparation, tax mitigation, liquidity planning, and the financial and personal transitions that come with stepping away from a business.

Christopher works with families on legacy planning and governance, helping them clarify values, strengthen communication, and build decision making structures that last. He and his Northern Trust team integrate investment management, estate strategies, risk oversight, and family guidance into one coordinated plan. His approach is grounded in thoughtful questions and clear conversations that help clients align their wealth with the future they want for their families.

Rob Ashcroft
Managing Wealth Advisor

ra179@ntrs.com

Rob Ashcroft is Director of Business Owner Consulting in Northern Trust’s Advisory Services Group. He works closely with owners of privately held companies, helping them develop liquidity and succession plans. He helps clients assess their options in the context of prevailing market conditions, industry trends and the personal needs and preferences of the owners. He helps clients understand what potential buyers may demand and expect, as well as how to prepare their companies for the smoothest possible sale process. He can support owners as they select a suitable investment bank or M&A advisor.

Nperspective CFO & Strategic Services
Winter Park, FL

www.nperspective.com

Nperspective CFO & Strategic Services partners with growth-oriented CEOs and leadership teams to bring senior-level financial strategy without the cost of a full-time CFO. We help organizations gain clarity, improve profitability, and make confident decisions through forward-looking financial leadership. Our fractional CFO and strategic advisory services support companies in building scalable financial systems, strengthening reporting and controls, improving cash flow, and preparing for succession, acquisition, or exit. With deep experience across industries, Nperspective serves as a trusted financial partner, aligning financial insight with strategic goals to drive sustainable growth and long-term value.

Russell Slappey
CEO, Nperspective CFO & Strategic Services

rslappey@nperspective.com

Russell is the founder/CEO and Managing Partner of Nperspective, and is responsible for overseeing the firm and all of the companies divisions. He combines over 20 years of experience in Accounting, Information Systems and Taxation. He takes a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves approach in working with business owners.

In this presentation we will discuss the job duties and differences between the CFO, controller & CPA in running the daily business. We will also explore what needs to be prepared to get ready for a transition of the business. Further, we will discuss understanding the role of a CFO in a transition related to forecasting.

Shuffield, Lowman & Wilson, P.A.
Orlando, FL

shuffieldlowman.com

ShuffieldLowman is a full-service, 55-attorney law firm with five Central Florida offices in Orlando, DeLand, Port Orange, Tavares, and Lake Nona. The firm provides legal counsel across a broad range of practice areas, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, estate planning and probate, guardianship and elder law, real estate, commercial and civil litigation, and fiduciary litigation.

The firm’s M&A team advises buyers, sellers, founders, and investors on transactions ranging from $1 million to $500 million in total enterprise value across a wide range of industries. Attorneys take a nimble, team-based approach, custom-fitting deal teams to deliver efficient, seamless execution from due diligence through closing and post-closing matters. Working closely with trusted investment bankers, accountants, financial planners, wealth managers, and other advisors, ShuffieldLowman is committed to client success and driven by results.

William Lowman
President, Shuffield, Lowman & Wilson, P.A.

wlowman@shuffieldlowman.com

Bill Lowman is a founder and president of ShuffieldLowman with decades of experience guiding clients through complex mergers and acquisitions. His practice also includes succession and tax planning for high-net-worth individuals, families with closely held businesses, estate planning, securities, executive compensation planning, and general tax law.

In the M&A space, Bill prepares clients with pre-transaction planning, from both a personal estate and business perspective. He helps clients navigate buy-side and sell-side transactions with a seamless, relationship-driven approach supported by a trusted network of investment bankers, accountants, financial planners, wealth managers, and other key advisors. He is a frequent speaker on pre-transaction planning and the M&A process.

Bill advises companies across all industries, from family-owned enterprises to many of Central Florida’s Top Golden 100 Companies, on the legal and strategic aspects of their business operations.

Express Badging Services, Inc.
Cocoa Beach, FL

expressbadging.com

Nperspective CFO & Strategic Services partners with growth-oriented CEOs and leadership teams to bring senior-level financial strategy without the cost of a full-time CFO. We help organizations gain clarity, improve profitability, and make confident decisions through forward-looking financial leadership. Our fractional CFO and strategic advisory services support companies in building scalable financial systems, strengthening reporting and controls, improving cash flow, and preparing for succession, acquisition, or exit. With deep experience across industries, Nperspective serves as a trusted financial partner, aligning financial insight with strategic goals to drive sustainable growth and long-term value.

Joe French
Co-Founder and President, Express Badging Services, Inc.

joe.french@expressbadging.com

Russell is the founder/CEO and Managing Partner of Nperspective, and is responsible for overseeing the firm and all of the companies divisions. He combines over 20 years of experience in Accounting, Information Systems and Taxation. He takes a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves approach in working with business owners.

In this presentation we will discuss the job duties and differences between the CFO, controller & CPA in running the daily business. We will also explore what needs to be prepared to get ready for a transition of the business. Further, we will discuss understanding the role of a CFO in a transition related to forecasting.

First Colony Bank of Florida
Maitland, FL

www.firstcolonybank.net

Since 2008, First Colony Bank has been one of Central Florida’s true community banks with local shareholders, local board, local decision-making and experienced bankers with long tenures in the Central Florida market. Headquartered in Maitland, Florida, First Colony Bank specializes in working with small business owners, professionals and real estate investors throughout Central Florida. Our culture is deeply rooted in developing long-term relationships with our clients by taking the time to understand their business and we strive to add value by being responsive and helping to achieve their goals & objectives with thoughtful solutions.

Ralph Betancourt
President & CEO, First Colony Bank of Florida

rbetancourt@firstcolonybank.net

With over 35 years of commercial banking experience, Ralph Betancourt is a banking veteran in the Central Florida area. Ralph is President & CEO of First Colony Bank of Florida which opened its doors in Maitland in 2008 as a true community bank with local shareholders, local board and local decision making. With 20 employees and $300 million in assets, First Colony Bank specializes in working with small businesses, professionals and real estate investors throughout Central Florida.

Prior to joining First Colony Bank in 2018, Ralph was the Market President for Sunshine Bank (f/k/a Florida Bank of Commerce) in downtown Orlando where he managed a team of commercial bankers. Ralph spent the first 17 years of his banking career in commercial banking with Southeast Bank / First Union / Wachovia Bank before joining Florida Capital Bank in 2005 as the Commercial Bank Executive of Central Florida. Ralph earned his B.S. in Finance at the University of Florida.

Tech Rage IT
Longwood, FL

www.techrageit.com

Tech Rage IT is an award-winning managed IT and cybersecurity services provider based in Central Florida. We help small and mid-sized businesses reduce risk, improve reliability, and scale with confidence by delivering proactive IT support, cybersecurity protection, and strategic technology guidance.

Our team focuses on preventing issues before they disrupt operations, combining responsive support with long-term planning aligned to each client’s business goals. We serve organizations across industries including professional services, construction, manufacturing, and nonprofit, acting as a trusted technology partner rather than just a help desk.

Recognized by GrowFL, Channel Futures, MSP Success, CRN, and the Orlando Business Journal, Tech Rage IT is known for practical expertise, clear communication, and a relentless focus on positive outcomes. Our mission is simple: prevent tech rage and help businesses move forward securely.

Matt Rose
Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer, Tech Rage IT

matt@techrageit.com

Matt Rose is the co-founder and Chief Experience Officer at Tech Rage IT, an award-winning IT managed services provider. He has served in roles including consultant and virtual CIO, supporting organizations from local businesses to Forbes Global 200 companies.

Matt is a recognized technology leader featured in the Orlando Business Journal, MSP Success, and ChannelPro SMB, and is a frequent technology expert for Fox 35 Orlando. Under his leadership, Tech Rage IT has earned honors including Florida Company to Watch by GrowFL, Top Technology Company in Central Florida, Business of the Year by the Seminole Business Awards, a two-time NextGen 101 winner, a 2025 MSP to Watch, and placement on the CRN MSP 500 list.

Matt regularly speaks on cybersecurity, leadership, and emerging technology trends. He holds degrees in Information Science and Cybersecurity, is PMP certified, and serves as Co-Chair of the East Central Chapter of GrowFL.