6 minute read
Meet the Next Generation of Talent
For companies eager to grow their business, Palm Beach County has an abundance of young talent equally eager to grow their careers. Read about six such professionals on the path to success ...
Scott Meskin
Business Development Manager, Johnson Controls Security Products (Southeast U.S.)
Age: 27
Education: Florida State University
Birthplace : Wellington, Florida
Residence: Wellington, Florida
Career: After graduation, I took an executive internship in Las Vegas supporting an Air Force Defense Contractor. After the internship, I moved to Orlando for work. Most recently, I accepted my current position, where we offer the world’s largest portfolio of building technology and software.
Where would you take a friend visiting for the weekend: We’re going to either Downtown West Palm Beach, Atlantic Avenue [in Delray Beach] or golfing at one of the great courses in Palm Beach County.
CHELSEA BENNICE, PH.D.
CHELSEA BENNICE, PH.D.Postdoctoral Fellow, FAU Marine Lab
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
Age: 37
Education: B.S., The Ohio State University; M.S. and Ph.D., both Florida Atlantic University
Birthplace: Port Clinton, Ohio
Residence: Lake Worth Beach, Florida
Career: As a postdoctoral fellow at the FAU Marine Lab, I perform research with a focus on octopus behavior and sea turtle conservation. I mentor students on how to conduct research as well as be effective scientific communicators to the general public. Why Palm Beach County? It’s a perfect location for a marine biologist to work—close to the ocean.
Where would you take a friend visiting for the weekend: I’d take my friend to the parks and the beaches. We would visit one of my favorite spots—Phil Foster Park, Blue Heron Bridge to snorkel.
Dominique Zaino
Marketing Consultant, ESPN West Palm and Good Karma Brands
Age: 29
Education: Florida State University
Birthplace: Jupiter, Florida Residence: Downtown Abacoa, Jupiter, Florida
Career: As a marketing consultant, I help local and regional businesses build and promote their brands through the power of ESPN and sports via ESPN audio, ESPN Digital, and ESPN event solutions. I love working in Palm Beach County because it offers a clean and safe environment for businesses to flourish. We truly live and work where others vacation.
Where would you take a friend visiting for the weekend: Food Shack restaurant in Jupiter, The Breakers Palm Beach on Palm Beach Island, and Spruzzo rooftop bar at the Ben Hotel in downtown West Palm Beach.
Clayton Idle
Managing Director, Tortoise Properties, and Managing Broker, Tortoise Realty Group
Age: 40
Education: Florida State University
Birthplace: North Palm Beach, Florida
Residence: Delray Beach, Florida, with my wife, Lindsay, and three young children
Why I love working in Palm Beach County: It’s the best place on the planet. I travel a lot throughout the county for work and enjoy the beautiful and diverse scenery with fun restaurants and activities for any mood. I can work all day and still sneak in nine holes with my family or friends after work. Who wouldn’t enjoy that?
Where would you take a friend visiting for the weekend? Vibrant Atlantic Avenue for dinner, Delray Dunes Country Club for golf, The Breakers and Palm Beach Lake Trail for a chance to take in the rich history and renowned beauty of the island, and fishing or sunset cruising in Jupiter near the Lighthouse.
Education: Degree, Electrical Engineering, Community College of the Air Force; Bachelor’s in Business, University of Phoenix; MBA, American Intercontinental University; and certificates from Harvard and Cornell
Birthplace: Rochester, New York
Residence: Wellington, Florida
Career: I joined the Air Force at 17. After five years in, I decided to get out and start my own business. I franchised it, and through that process learned a lot about the industry. Someone from United Franchise Group connected with me on LinkedIn. I came to Palm Beach County originally for work, but the community brought me back. I love it here because of the people and the proximity to Miami.
Where would you take a friend visiting for the weekend? Friday happy hour at El Camino in The Square, with a stop into The Ben’s rooftop and dinner at nearby Elisabetta’s. Saturday we’d do the beach and spend the day in Delray, and we’d spend Sunday on Palm Beach island.
Noah Katz
Marketing Manager, Comcast
Age: 30
Education: B.A., Economics, Indiana University; MBA, Data Analytics, University of Southern Indiana
Birthplace: Evansville, Indiana
Residence: West Palm Beach, Florida
What brought you to Palm Beach County? After undergrad, I was hired as an intern at Comcast in Indianapolis. I was brought on full-time and relocated to the West Palm Beach regional headquarters in 2018.
Why I love working in Palm Beach County: Palm Beach County is a rapidly growing area in terms of local businesses and real estate. The community offers a lot of opportunity to grow and thrive personally and professionally.
Where would you take a friend visiting for the weekend? Clematis Street [in downtown West Palm Beach] and Worth Avenue [on Palm Beach island].
Jason Anderson
Chief Strategy Officer for United Franchise Group (UFG); President of CoWorks
Age: 40
Education: Degree, Electrical Engineering, Community College of the Air Force; Bachelor’s in Business, University of Phoenix; MBA, American Intercontinental University; and certificates from Harvard and Cornell
Birthplace: Rochester, New York
Residence: Wellington, Florida
Career: I joined the Air Force at 17. After five years in, I decided to get out and start my own business. I franchised it, and through that process learned a lot about the industry. Someone from United Franchise Group connected with me on LinkedIn. I came to Palm Beach County originally for work, but the community brought me back. I love it here because of the people and the proximity to Miami.
Where would you take a friend visiting for the weekend? Friday happy hour at El Camino in The Square, with a stop into The Ben’s rooftop and dinner at nearby Elisabetta’s. Saturday we’d do the beach and spend the day in Delray, and we’d spend Sunday on Palm Beach island.
