850 Business Magazine • Winter 2025

HONORING 12 WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE

INVENTORS FUSE INNOVATION WITH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

GULF COAST AEROSPACE CORRIDOR IS OPENING ALONG THE PANHANDLE

LOCAL BAKERY TAKES PASTRIES TO NEW HEIGHTS

THE GOOD LIFE WON’T WAIT

Trade your alarm clock for steel drums and a long commute for a leisurely stroll with panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway. At Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, every day is a vacation where “wasting away” means soaking up the sun and every moment revolves around fun.

HOMESITES ARE AVAILABLE NOW. GET THE BEST VALUE IN 55+ ACTIVE LIVING!

NEW HOMES FROM THE $300s. LOW HOA FEES. NO CDD FEES. | SALES CENTER & 13 MODELS OPEN DAILY. LESS THAN 8 MILES FROM THE EMERALD COAST BEACH!

Respected. Responsive. Local.

Since 1988

Structural restoration contractor specializing in exterior restoration of condominiums, municipal buildings, commercial properties and government facilities.

↑ Pinnacle Award Recipients

This year celebrates 11 years of honoring women leaders in our community. The 12 honorees share the qualities found in the previous Pinnacle Award recipients: All are audacious, perspicacious, and courageous. Among the winners of the 2024 class are educators, founders, and entrepreneurs, all positive influencers of change within the lives of those they serve. Join us in honoring these women for their contributions to Northwest Florida.

Pursuits

15 ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Jennifer Young attributes much of her success in the expansion of TC Bakery to her grandmother’s cookbook, a community focus, and following her passion. She delights in opening her kitchen every day, bringing cakes, cinnamon rolls, and pies to her community. TC Bakery’s new location inside Tallahassee International Airport elevates her pastries to historic heights.

18

AVIATION The partnership between Florida’s Great Northwest and Airbus is a push to create an aerospace corridor along the Gulf Coast to outpace the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Corridor. Jennifer Conoley, president and CEO of FGNW, is hyperfocused on establishing a pipeline for the aerospace industry across Northwest Florida by establishing relationships with aviation manufacturing companies and aerospace suppliers, facilitating relocation into the corridor. Her goal is to ensure Northwest Florida is a competitive player for this future growth surrounding Airbus, whose facility in Mobile, Alabama is set to become the world’s fourth largest commercial aircraft assembly line after its expansion is complete.

Periscope

59 FAMU-FSU COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

The only joint college of engineering in the United States offers an extensive research ecosystem to its 3,000 students, especially in the areas of magnets, cryogenics, and superconductivity and

ON THE COVER: Pinnacle Award recipients Hong Potomski, Market Leader, Florida Blue; Sara Becnel, President, Sandestin Investments, photographed at The Lodge 30A Greenway Station in Santa Rosa Beach; Dr. Alma Littles, Dean, Florida State University College of Medicine; and Berneice Cox, President and CEO, United Way of the Big Bend, photographed at Hotel Indigo in Tallahassee. PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOO MEDIA

are encouraged to pursue cross-discipline collaboration. Particularly, programs are designed to generate within student innovators an entrepreneurial mindset, helping to patent and monetize on their inventions.

66 THE MAGLAB

The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory welcomes Kathleen Amm as the new director of the facility that has produced over 100 patents with researchers authoring roughly 400 publications per year. After graduating from FSU with her PhD, Amm worked in research and development for GE, leading teams to produce innovative power applications of superconducting technologies. Armed with over 25 years of experience in the private sector, Amm is excited to return to an academic institution, hoping to pioneer the Maglab into the AI revolution.

72 FAMU COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Current enrollment into the Master of Business Administration program at the School of Business and Industry at FAMU exceeds 100 students. SBI Interim Dean Dr. Ira W. Bates attributes the recent growth to a dynamic faculty, the quality of the program, and graduate internships. The most popular areas of study are marketing, supply chain management, and finance, as well as the college’s partnership with several Fortune 500 corporations and government entities. The college boasts an exceptionally high job-placement rate of 85 percent, which is another draw for potential students.

76 CAPITAL CITY BANK

After serving Northern Florida for nearly 130 years, Capital City Bank has opened an office in Bay County with plans for expansion across the Panhandle and Gulf Coast regions. With growth spurred by The St. Joe Company, a real

estate developer based out of Panama City, the area is more attractive to national businesses and financial institutions. Capital City Bank sees an opportunity to open its customer-centric services to the coastal communities.

Special Sections

41 INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

Artificial Intelligence pervades most facets of modern technology and is now being implemented in everything from education, pedagogy, and

instruction to research and development, both academic and entrepreneurial. In education, the Merlyn digital assistant eases the burden for educators with voice-activated integration into instructional tools, providing teachers with more time for instruction and working with students. Okaloosa County introduces AI curriculum, expanding their library to include instructional tools for students to learn how to code, work with robotics, and pursue AI technologies. The University of West Florida introduces a predictive analytics dashboard to

aid in attrition assessment and student retention. Tim Shoop, CEO of Digital Boardwalk, embraces the AI boom, offering additional insights into the new frontier in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and other technologies. Long before AI hit mainstream media, the Maglab utilized machine learning algorithms to keep all systems operational inside the lab.

20 CONQUERING

CONCERNS Ciminelli Real Estate Services provides tailored solutions to help clients effectively manage the various challenges facing the commercial real estate market.

22

RESTORATION

EXPERT Get to know George Atchison, owner of Phoenix Coatings, a structural restoration company. Atchison details what makes his company unique, how he got into the business, and more.

24 SIP AND SAVOR

Sample all the flavors at the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. Over 500 fine wines and spirits will be on hand along with delectable bites from the area’s top chefs.

850businessmagazine.com

GIVEAWAY

ULTIMATE HILTON SANDESTIN BEACH RESORT GETAWAY

Our work lives can be very rewarding but also challenging, and it’s important to achieve a healthy work-life balance. There’s no better way to unplug, relax, and unwind than by experiencing an amazing Ultimate Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort Getaway. Enter to win the escape you’ve been longing for! Enter for your chance to win at 850BusinessMagazine.com/ ultimate-hilton-getaway.

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT

Northwest Florida continues to position itself as the Southeast United States cyber coast and an expanding hub for high-tech enterprises. 850 Business Magazine’s Innovation & Technology section tracks the region’s progress and offers information on networking conferences, entrepreneurial activity, and service providers who strengthen IT infrastructure. Visit 850BusinessMagazine.com/ innovation for more. JOIN US MARCH 2025 FOR

Watersound Fountains, an independent living community owned by The St. Joe Company and managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, has opened its doors to residents. This 148-apartment resortstyle independent living community is located in Inlet Beach, Florida. Learn more at 850BusinessMagazine.com/ wartersound-fountains-opensdoors-to-residents.

Read the latest 850 Business Magazine “Bytes”—essential information about business openings, professional promotions, awards, honors, and more —at your convenience online.

CONNECT

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Thank you for your nominations. Now, it’s time to save the date as we honor 12 outstanding women from across Northwest Florida. Please join us in March 2025. Final location and details are coming soon. For more information, visit 850BusinessMagazine.com/ pinnacle-awards.

PUBLISHER

MCKENZIE BURLEIGH

EDITORIAL

LEAD EDITOR, 850 BUSINESS MAGAZINE David Ekrut, PhD

EDITOR, EMERALD COAST MAGAZINE Paige Aigret

EDITOR, NORTHWEST FLORIDA WEDDINGS MAGAZINE Rebecca Padgett Frett

CUSTOM CONTENT EDITOR Brian Burnsed

SENIOR COPY EDITOR Melinda Lanigan

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lazaro Aleman, Hannah Burke, Mike Fender, Michael Goetz, Al Krulick, Laci Swann

CREATIVE

PRODUCTION MANAGER Daniel Vitter

DESIGN DIRECTOR Jennifer Ekrut

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, TALLAHASSEE MAGAZINE Saige Roberts

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR, EMERALD COAST MAGAZINE Sarah Burger

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dave Barfield, Stephen Bilenky, Boo Media, Mike Fender, Scott Holstein, Alicia Osborne, Travis L. Patterson/TLP Media, Lance Skundrich, Mark Wallheiser, The Workmans

SALES, MARKETING & EVENTS

SALES MANAGER Lori Magee Yeaton

DIRECTOR OF NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, EASTERN DIVISION Daniel Parisi

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Tracy Mulligan

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Rayna Bishop, Julie Dorr

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Darla Harrison, Erica Wilson

ACCOUNT MANAGER Renee Johnson

MARKETING & EVENTS SPECIALIST Alix Black

OPERATIONS

CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION SPECIALIST Melinda Lanigan

OFFICE MANAGER Amber Ridgeway

PUBLISHER EMERITUS Brian Rowland GROUP PUBLISHER Terry Duffy

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Todd Schmidt

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Daphne Nikolopoulos

CEO Stefan Wanczyk

PRESIDENT John Balardo

EDITORIAL

SUBSCRIPTIONS

What if Everything Ends Up Great?

Reflecting on legacy and transition with gratitude and optimism

As Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “The only constant in life is change.” But if change is constant, why is it so often met with resistance as an instinctual human reaction?

In the last few months, my colleagues and I have experienced a lot of change. The company we’ve all worked for, known, and loved for years and decades has met both an end and a new beginning.

Publisher of Rowland Publishing Inc. Brian Rowland made the decision to sell his namesake company and officially retire.

Rowland was my boss, mentor, and friend of 20 years. As a pillar of Northwest Florida communities, he’s left a lasting impact. I have heard and continue to hear firsthand accounts of gestures large and small by Rowland over the years. In those stories, a common theme shined through—shared words of wisdom and opportunity.

Rowland was known to give just about anyone a chance. While resume and experience are important, hiring came down to a gut feeling for Rowland. Some hires brought unique creativity, some resulted in enhanced workplace dynamics, and others inspired lifelong working and personal relationships. In any case, careers and lives were changed or shaped in some way by a Rowland experience.

I remember my Rowland Publishing interview about 20 years ago. I met with then Vice President of Finance Greg Springs. I felt like it went well, but I was absolutely nervous. Springs called in the company’s president and publisher to conclude the interview. In walked Rowland, calm, cool, and collected in his blue jeans, button-up yellow linen shirt, and tennis shoes. Leaning back casually in his seat, he asked me, “If you could describe yourself as an animal, what would it be and why?” I answered that I would be a golden retriever, describing myself as loyal, loving, dedicated, and smart. Little did I know at the time his immense passion for dogs.

I got the job and had the pleasure to learn, observe, fail, grow, and admire this unique human. I spent a lot of time working alongside Rowland. He was hard on me and pushed me. At the same time, he supported and guided me. And when we didn’t see eye to eye on something, we were always able to respect each other’s position, an understanding we called, “I can live with it.”

As with all change, the sale of Rowland Publishing has been a significant adjustment for myself and my colleagues.

When Rowland started the search to find the best new owners to continue the company’s 34-year legacy, he knew he had found the perfect match in Palm Beach Media Group, a subsidiary of Hour Media.

In September 2024, when Palm Beach Media Group took over, the inherited staff from Rowland Publishing all had questions and concerns about what was to come and how these changes would impact lives both personally and professionally. Initially, most were experiencing worry about the unknown.

Upon first meeting the leadership team from Hour Media and Palm Beach Media Group, I was struck with a gut feeling. While I didn’t get a chance to inquire as to what animal they identify as, I just knew that the change they were bringing had the potential for great things.

Hour Media’s industry longevity alone is inspiring, and their portfolio is impressive as the largest city and regional lifestyle publishers in the country. But also, I’ve seen in the company a commitment to quality and excellence and a sincere investment in the people within the organization.

At our in-person onboarding meetings in Tallahassee after the acquisition, we saw many of our questions answered and learned

of opportunities to come. During this time, I took a moment to share a thought with my longtime friends and co-workers …

“What if everything ends up great?”

I encouraged others to wonder if this could be the opportunity we didn’t know we were waiting for.

Today, I am excited and honored to continue producing your local business magazine. As a publication of Palm Beach Media Group, we remain dedicated to telling the stories of people, places, and opportunities that create the fiber of our community. My passion to inspire, educate, and support the communities we serve remains, and I thank you, our readers, for supporting us along the way.

I also thank Brian Rowland for his 34 years of dedication to Northwest Florida—publishing countless magazines, books, newspapers, maps, guides, programs, and more. I have sincere respect and gratitude for my past experiences under Rowland’s leadership, and I am humbly honored and ecstatic to begin the new legacy of what is to come.

As we approach the new year, I encourage all to remember my question during times of uncertainty and change:

“What if everything ends up great?”

It just might!

Much love,

McKenzie Burleigh mburleigh@palmbeachmedia.com

PHOTO BY BOO MEDIA

TRACEY COHEN

TERESA HORTON

HONG POTOMSKI

CARRIE ZIMMERMAN

JENNIFER GROVE

SUMMER GRIFFITH (TURNBULL AWARD)

DR. ALMA LITTLES

BERNEICE COX

CAROL DOVER

SARA BECNEL

KARAH FRIDLEY-YOUNG

HILLARY GLENN

TALLAHASSEE STATE COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the reappointment of Jonathan Kilpatrick and Frank “Monte” Stevens and the appointment of Monesia Brown to the Tallahassee State College District Board of Trustees. Kilpatrick was originally appointed to the board in 2014, formerly the chair. He is the founder and CEO of Trulight LLC, specializing in technology strategy, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity. Kilpatrick has spent more than 30 years of his career leading innovative technology solutions, previously serving as the chief information officer for the City of Tallahassee. Kilpatrick is a lieutenant colonel in the Florida Air National Guard serving as a cyber systems officer. He is currently assigned to the Joint Forces Headquarters in St. Augustine, Florida, where he serves as the cybersecurity advisor to the Air National Guard State Staff. He also serves as a preacher at the First Baptist Church of St. Marks.

Stevens is a partner at The Southern Group. Previously, he was deputy chief of staff at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and worked in legislative affairs at the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Financial Services. Stevens was a member of two national champion debate teams at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science before earning a master’s degree in speech communication from Kansas State University. He was originally appointed to the board by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2021.

Monesia “Mone” Brown is vice president of government relations for North Highland, a global consultancy firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. An attorney and consultant, her career has focused on legislative and executive branch matters such as economic development, state procurement, education, and more. Her experience spans emergency disaster response and recovery, corporate community investment, and managing corporate initiatives in Florida in partnership with state and local governments. Prior to joining North Highland, she served as director of public affairs and government relations for Walmart Inc. She also served as a member of the Florida State Board of Education from 2021 to 2024.

CAPITAL

LOCAL HONORS

The Florida Dental Association (FDA) is proud to announce that Lianne Bell, of Tallahassee, was recognized with the Team Impact Award at the 2024 FDA Awards Luncheon in Orlando. Bell has worked in the FDA’s Leadership Affairs department for almost six years. In her role with the FDA, she oversees the administration of the Board of Trustees, the House of Delegates, and the FDA’s delegation to the American Dental Association. Bell also staffs the FDA Leadership Development Committee, which helps develop new leaders for organized dentistry. Bell works closely with the FDA’s officers and staff to prepare and plan for leadership meetings and happenings. A native of Tallahassee, she received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and taught in the classroom for 10 years before making a career change.

For the past 12 years, Leon County Government has continually secured its position as a topranked digital county government, earning distinguished recognition from the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) Named the highestranked Florida county in its population category, Leon County secured

fourth place nationally in the 22nd annual Digital Counties Survey. This achievement showcases the county’s unwavering commitment to leveraging technology to enhance services and streamline operations for its citizens. The annual survey conducted by CDG and NACo recognizes counties that excel in utilizing technology to align with county goals, save tax dollars through newfound efficiencies, boost transparency and cybersecurity, encourage citizen engagement, and proactively address citizen expectations. The judging process identifies the most outstanding examples of counties that successfully integrate technology to support strategic priorities.

Architects Lewis + Whitlock (ALW), a Tallahassee-based architecture, interior design, and planning firm, was named the recipient of two prestigious design awards for the Governors Inn and the Rosewood Memorial Pavilion during the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida annual convention and awards ceremony held at The Breakers Resort in Palm Beach. The firm received the Merit Award of Excellence for Renovations and Additions for revitalizing the historical architecture of the Governors Inn, a hospitality icon located in downtown Tallahassee. ALW also received the Honor Award of Excellence in the Unbuilt category for the design of the Rosewood Memorial Pavilion. The objective of the AIA design awards

program is to encourage excellence in architecture, elevate the public awareness of good design, and recognize those architects whose work enriches our communities and the profession at large. A distinguished body of experts from the architectural community were selected as jurors to evaluate works submitted by architects in Florida.

Capital City Bank has again been named to Florida Trend’s annual Best Companies to Work For in Florida list, ranking 19th in the Large Companies category and achieving a significant rise from its previous position of 24th. The 2024 issue is the 16th annual Best Companies edition and marks the 13th consecutive year Capital City Bank has been selected. The recognition by Florida Trend is one of several others Capital City Bank has recently received acknowledging the company’s merits.

In April, Forbes ranked Capital City Bank 15th out of 100 in their America’s Best Banks list. The

bank has also been ranked among the top employers in the financial industry by American Banker magazine. The most recent edition of the magazine’s annual Best Banks to Work For feature, which was published in November 2023, marked the Florida-based community bank’s 11th consecutive year being recognized.

Tallahassee State College District Board of Trustees elected Karen B. Moore as chair at their August meeting. She takes the gavel from outgoing chair Jonathan Kilpatrick In addition, Eugene Lamb Jr. was elected to vice chair. Trustee Frank Messersmith put forward the motion to nominate Moore and Lamb, which was approved unanimously.

Moore is the chief executive officer of Moore Inc., an independent

and globally ranked integrated communications firm. Moore has served as a trustee since 2007 when she was first appointed by Governor Charlie Crist. She has been reappointed by Governors Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis. Moore’s professional contributions coupled with her significant service to the State of Florida have earned her much recognition. She regularly appears on Florida Trend’s 500 Most Influential Florida Business Leaders and on Florida Politics’ 100 Most Influential. She serves on several notable boards, including the Florida Chamber of Commerce, TaxWatch, and BioFlorida. She is the current vice chair of the Florida College System Foundation, which provides scholarships for students attending Florida’s community and state colleges, and she previously served as chair of the Association of Florida Colleges Trustees Commission. She was recognized as Trustee of the Year by the Commission in 2021. TSC’s Richard W.

SACHS MEDIA BECOMES AGENCY OF THE YEAR

and Karen B. Moore Veterans Success Center was named in honor of Moore and her husband, who are the founders of the Moore Veterans Leadership Academy at the college. She also has fully endowed three scholarships at TSC—one for women seeking to return to college, a second for those seeking to earn a GED and continue their education, and the third for veterans.

Lamb was first appointed to the District Board of Trustees in 2007 by Governor Charlie Crist. Since then, he has been reappointed by Governors Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis. Additionally, Lamb has served as the Chair of the Board for four non-consecutive terms. In 2023, he received the Southern Region Trustee Leadership Award from the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).

Leon County Administrator

Vincent S. Long has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award by Florida

State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy This is the highest honor given to alumni and recognized Long for his exceptional professional achievements, significant contributions to society, and unwavering support of both the college and university. Long is a two-time graduate of Florida State University, having earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. With nearly 30 years of service to Leon County, he has managed historic crises, implemented generational projects, and has consistently set the standard in public service. Long is recognized statewide, nationally, and internationally for his strategic, operational, and policy expertise. Most recently, in 2022, he was awarded the International City/County Manager’s Association (ICMA) Award for Career Excellence, the highest recognition in the profession for a local government CEO internationally.

Sachs Media took center stage at the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Golden Image Awards Gala, snagging the coveted title of Agency of the Year and the prestigious Dick Pope All-Florida Grand Golden Image Award for its “Saving Social Media” campaign—the fourth time in the past 15 years the firm has captured this top honor. The firm’s campaign, “Saving Social Media: Fighting for the First Amendment in the Digital Era,” conducted on behalf of the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), was instrumental in achieving a landmark Supreme Court ruling in favor of free speech online. In addition to winning the top all-around award, this campaign also received the Golden Image Award for Top Public Affairs Campaign of the Year and the Judges’ Creativity Award, showcasing Sachs Media’s exceptional ability to drive national public affairs outcomes through strategic communication. Sachs Media also swept up top honors in other categories at the FPRA Golden Image Awards, including the Award of Distinction (Integrated Marketing) for its work promoting Fort Mose and the Award of Distinction (Public Service) for its educational campaign with the Elder Law Section of The Florida Bar.

HAPPENINGS

After many years of dedicated service, Tallahassee Ballet’s CEO, Janet Pichard, and artistic director, Tyrone Brooks, have decided to step back from their respective positions. Pichard will assume the role of CEO emeritus, helping to manage financial aspects and the continuation of grant work, while Brooks will become the artistic advisor, continuing to give his insight and expertise to the professional company.

During Pichard’s tenure, The Tallahassee Ballet’s budget has grown from $250,000 to over $1,000,000; she established The Tallahassee Ballet School, the professional company; and located TTB into a state-of-the-art ballet facility. Brooks’ dynamic leadership, commitment, and passion for the art form have inspired TTB’s dancers and audiences alike. His bold artistic vision brought numerous cutting-edge choreographers and progressive programming to Tallahassee.

The Tallahassee Ballet is pleased to announce the new CEO, Lauren Hernandez, and new artistic director, Meagan Helman

Hernandez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University, and her tenure at TTB has included multiple administrative and artistic positions, including chief operating officer. As COO and previously the development director for TTB,

Hernandez has expanded fundraising efforts while managing all TTB staff and operations.

Hernandez’s knowledge of both business and art makes her an ideal fit for this role.

Helman has excelled as the interim artistic director for TTB. She danced professionally for over 10 years as a principal dancer with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland, holds a Master of Arts in Dance from Florida State University, and is an adjunct professor at FSU’s School of Dance.

EMERALD COAST

LOCAL HONORS

The Florida Dental Association (FDA) is proud to announce that Dr. Jolene Paramore, of Panama City, was awarded the J. Leon Schwartz Lifetime Service Award at the 2024 FDA Awards Luncheon in Orlando. Dr. Paramore brings a wealth of experience serving the dental profession and advocating for oral health at the state and national levels. She is a past president of the Bay Dental Society, Northwest District Dental Association, and the FDA—only the second woman to serve as FDA president. In 2010, she was honored as the FDA’s Dentist of the Year. Dr. Paramore also served

as chair of the FDA’s Workforce Innovation Task Group, which led the development of Florida’s Action for Dental Health, the FDA’s comprehensive initiative to improve oral health and the overall health of Floridians. Dr. Paramore is a seventhgeneration Floridian and has practiced as a periodontist in Panama City for 30 years. A proud graduate of the University of Florida, she received her dental degree and completed her residency in periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. She is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

The Florida Dental Association (FDA) is proud to announce Dr. Jeffrey Ottley, of Milton, was sworn in as the 2024-2025 president of the Florida Dental Association. Dr. Ottley has held leadership positions in organized dentistry at the local, state, and national levels. He has served as president of the Escambia-Santa Rosa County Dental Association and on the FDA Leadership Development Committee and Governmental Action Committee. He has served on the FDA Board of Trustees since 2012 and currently serves as a delegate to the American Dental Association. Dr. Ottley volunteers on the board for Florida Donated Dental Services and is a Deputy Regent for Florida in the International College of Dentists. He also volunteers his time and service at the FDA

Foundation’s Florida Mission of Mercy, a nocost dental clinic hosted each year in different Florida cities. A secondgeneration dentist, Dr. Ottley has been practicing dentistry in Milton for more than 20 years. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida (UF) and Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the UF College of Dental Medicine.

The WSRE-TV Foundation board of directors has elected new officers for the 2024-2025 fiscal year: Dr. Brent Videau, Chair; E.L. Roché, vice chair; Amy Day, secretary; Laura Shaud, treasurer; Jarrod Dawson, past chair; and Jill Hubbs, executive director. Joining the board are Nan DeStafney; Mack Fountain; Laura Griffin; Mamie Hixon; Rick Lambert; and Dr. Bill Spain. Returning directors are Lindsay Carpentier; Capt. Sterling Gilliam, USN (Ret.); Jonathan Haas; Daniel Joyner; Tyler Kercher; Larry Love; Kim Parker; Stephanie Powell; Julie Sheppard; Alex Smith; Carson Wilber; Alea Williams; and P.C. Wu, PhD.

WSRE-TV Foundation Inc. was established in 1991 as a direct support organization of Pensacola State College to support the activities, capital, and operating needs of WSRE, the PBS member station licensed to the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees.

The Highland Group, a leading real estate and commercial

construction firm, is proud to announce that Tarjani Christian, project manager at The Highland Group, has been selected for the Leadership Bay Class of 2024-2025. The Leadership Bay Program is an initiative of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, with a mission to cultivate leaders who are well-informed and prepared to assume leadership roles in their communities, fostering positive change. This program aligns seamlessly with The Highland Group’s commitment to nurturing the growth and development of its employees, empowering them to become leaders within both the company and their communities.

The board of directors of LOYALTY Credit Union proudly announces the appointment of Park Broome as its new president and chief executive officer. Park most recently served as LOYALTY’S chief strategy officer following the merger of Central Credit Union of Florida and Tallahassee-Leon Federal Credit Union. Prior to the merge, Park held the roles of executive vice president and interim CEO of Tallahassee-Leon Federal Credit Union since 2019. His 25 years of experience in the financial services industry include operations, member services, both

consumer and commercial lending, and most recently, executive leadership. Park’s commitment to our communities is represented through his civic and philanthropic involvement with organizations such as the Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way, and the League of Southeastern Credit Unions through their various local league chapters. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Flagler College along with holding designations as a Credit Union Business Lending Professional and Credit Union Development Educator.

NEW & NOTABLE

Pensacola welcomes a new $40 million biomedically based research complex constructed by the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition

The complex will maximize the health services for everyone from elite military operators and veterans to those with neurodegenerative diseases, musculoskeletal problems, and chronic metabolic conditions. The Healthspan,

Resilience and Performance Research Complex is another step in the evolution of the vision that has been the bedrock of IHMC since its founding by Dr. Kenneth Ford, the institute’s chief executive officer.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort®, a premier destination on Florida’s Emerald Coast, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob LaCasse as its new general manager. With a distinguished career that spans over three decades in various prestigious hospitality roles across the United States, LaCasse brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for the hospitality industry to his new role at Sandestin®. LaCasse’s career is marked by significant achievements and leadership roles at renowned properties, including Tradewinds Resorts in St. Pete Beach, Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, and several others across the Palm Beaches and the Florida

Keys. His extensive background managing multifaceted properties aligns perfectly with the diverse operations at Sandestin®, encompassing hotels, multiple golf courses, diverse dining options, conference facilities, retail operations, marina activities, vacation ownership, and various residential communities. In his new role, LaCasse will oversee all aspects of the resort’s operations, focusing on delivering exceptional guest experiences, fostering a positive work environment, and driving significant revenue growth. His responsibilities will also include maintaining high standards of quality across all resort facilities.

TOC Panama City Clinic is delighted to welcome Dr. Aaron Shores, a distinguished pain management physician, to their practice. With 20 years of dedicated service in Northwest Florida, Dr. Shores brings a compassionate approach to patient care, greatly enhancing the ability to manage and treat chronic pain effectively. TOC is also welcoming Dr. Mark Woernle,

EMPOWERING FAMU ATHLETES THROUGH NIL

whose expertise in spine surgery will further expand their capabilities, allowing them to address a broader range of spinal conditions with advanced surgical techniques. This will greatly benefit the community and patients in need of back and spine care, providing them with access to specialized treatments and improved outcomes for spinal conditions.

Vue on 30a is thrilled to announce the appointment of its new event manager, Nikki Jameson, whose extensive background in luxury hospitality, event management, and marketing will undoubtedly enhance the event experience for its members and guests. With a rich history of leadership roles in toptier resorts and hotels, including the Watercolor Inn and Resort, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort®, and Westin Hotels & Resorts, Jameson brings unparalleled expertise to Vue on 30a. Her experience ranges from managing large-scale wedding conventions and corporate events to spearheading sales and marketing strategies that have significantly boosted revenue and client satisfaction. In her most recent

SOCIAL HOUSE® vodka is thrilled to announce a significant partnership with FANG Exchange, an innovative NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) Collective dedicated to empowering student-athletes at FAMU. This collaboration celebrates the release of the exclusive SOCIAL HOUSE® Vodka FANG Exchange Limited Edition bottle, crafted to honor the resilience and spirit of its athletes while providing them with crucial support as they navigate the new Name, Image, and Likeness landscape. With the formation of the FANG Exchange NIL Collective, FAMU athletes are poised to receive support under the new NIL legislation. This partnership with SOCIAL HOUSE® vodka will provide FAMU’s athletes with the tools and resources necessary to secure endorsements and build their personal brands.

position as concierge manager and HOA administrator at Watercolor Inn and Resort, Jameson was instrumental in creating bespoke guest experiences and managing complex operational logistics, further solidifying her reputation for excellence. Her prior roles in convention services, catering, and wedding management at prestigious resorts provided her with a deep understanding of the intricacies of event planning and execution.

HAPPENINGS

Governor DeSantis visited Pensacola State College to award more than $12 million to Northwest Florida through the Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF). The governor awarded funds for workforce development and infrastructure improvements through the JGGF and the Defense Infrastructure Grant. Awards were made to Pensacola State College, the City of DeFuniak Springs, Santa Rosa County, and Jackson County for projects that will support the aviation and aerospace industry, the military and defense industry, and increase access to workforce housing.

Sweet Success

Jennifer Young’s journey of transforming challenges into delectable delights

AVIATION / FLORIDA’S GREAT NORTHWEST

story by LACI SWANN

From the tangy delight of fresh key lime pies to the rich indulgence of butter pecan cheesecakes and the customer-favorite Red Velvet Cake, baking gives Jennifer Young a sense of purpose. Her passion for creating mouthwatering desserts shines through in every bite, making TC Bakery a cherished destination for sweet-treat aficionados.

Young, a trailblazing Black entrepreneur, is the owner of TC Bakery, which specializes in desserts and classic Southern treats, featuring nostalgic and timeless flavors from her childhood. The bakery supplies fresh pastries to businesses around Tallahassee, including Piggly Wiggly, RedEye Coffee, Fresh 4 Less, and Community Co-Op. TC

Bakery’s latest venture has catapulted the business to new heights by partnering with Tailwind Hospitality, Inc. in Tallahassee International Airport.

Young’s journey to success was not always paved with sugar and spice and everything nice. When Young became mother to twins in 2016, she immediately felt overwhelmed by the challenge of raising two infants alongside her high-school-aged children. During her battle with severe postpartum depression, a gift from her father helped her fight her way back.

“I realized I needed an outlet,” Young shared. “When my father had given me my grandmother’s cookbook, I decided to make several of those recipes as a way to release the anxiety I was feeling.”

←→ Jennifer Young (left) is the owner of TC Bakery, which specializes in desserts and classic Southern treats, featuring nostalgic and timeless flavors from her childhood, such as a banana pudding cheesecake (opposite, top) and red velvet cupcakes (opposite, bottom).

At the time, Young was a grant manager for the State of Florida, but baking gave her solace from the stresses of her daily toil. For nearly three years, Young balanced her government job with her after-hours baking gig of creating cakes. The overwhelming support and inquiries about her cakes from friends and strangers alike made it clear that baking could provide her the means necessary to expand her cottage food side hustle to something more.

Young found encouragement to find a permanent home for TC Bakery from her father, who once ran a restaurant on FAMU’s campus. The same building her parents once occupied in Southside Tallahassee was available. Though the roof was damaged and in need of repairs, Young leased the building, marking the beginning of TC Bakery’s brick and mortar journey.

In 2022, Young relocated to Crawfordville to accommodate her rapidly expanding operations. Today, TC Bakery delights customers with an array of delectable treats, including cakes, cinnamon rolls, cheesecakes, muffins, cupcakes, and pies.

While her business continues to thrive, Young’s dedication to her craft and the joy she brings to others remain her driving force.

“ Hearing ‘ t his is the best thing I’ve ever had’ gives me more joy than money ever could,” Jennifer smiled. “I really get a kick out of it! I’ll take that over money any day.”

Garnering widespread recognition and boosting demand for desserts, Young is poised to share her culinary delights with an even broader audience. TC Bakery plans to expand to a second

location in Tallahassee, along with the launch of a commercial kitchen designed to support aspiring bakers and treat makers in the community, underscoring Young’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for fellow baking enthusiasts.

Young attributes her success to her strong support system, the community, and her faith. She strives to hold true to her upbringing.

“The success hasn’t changed me a bit,” Young said. “I’m still country Jennifer, passionate about what I do and loving every moment of it. I truly believe I’ve found my calling.” ▪

Airbus Effect

Florida’s Great Northwest hopes to create a Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor

story by MIKE FENDER

Watching the world’s fourth-largest commercial aerospace manufacturing city explode with growth just off your doorstep might be a source of envy for many. But don’t count Northwest Florida in that mix.

Building upon the ripple effect of this growth in Mobile, Alabama has become a mission for Jennifer Conoley and her staff at Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW). As president and CEO of the organization promoting economic growth along the Panhandle, Conoley has been laser-focused on building relationships with Airbus officials, sharing the story of what Northwest Florida has to offer.

Those relationships, the success stories, and future goals were the primary topics of discussion at the FGNW quarterly directors meeting held at Florida State University Panama City on June 27, 2024.

Airbus and Boeing are the top two manufacturers of commercial aircraft in the world. The Airbus facility in Mobile, which broke ground just over a decade ago, has seen steady growth and is set to become the world’s fourth largest of its kind, behind facilities in Germany, France, and Seattle.

The 80 people attending the meeting listened to Airbus Head of State and Local Affairs Craig Savage talk about the company’s success and spell out why Northwest Florida is an important player in the future growth of Mobile.

“We now have an order book backlog of 8,000 aircraft,” Savage said. Shortening that backlog so customers don’t have to wait until 2032 to get their aircraft is fueling growth for his company.

To shorten that backlog, Airbus hopes to take advantage of the 3,000 military veterans who get out of the service along

the Gulf Coast annually. Savage said talent acquisition is one of the big requirements to build out their ecosystem.

“We all want that talent to stay along the Gulf Coast,” he said, adding that of the 2,200 Airbus employees working in Mobile, 30 percent are military veterans.

Savage, an Air Force veteran himself once stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, still has an 850 area code on his phone, a detail that makes Conoley claim him as a Northwest Floridian.

“We are on a mission in lockstep with Airbus to create the Gulf Coast Aerospace

↑ Craig Savage, the Airbus head of state and local affairs, addresses the audience. ↗ The Florida’s Great Northwest quarterly meeting of the board of directors was held Thursday, June 27, 2024 at the Holley Academic Center, Florida State University Panama City. Jennifer Conoley, president and CEO of FGNW (pictured), addresses the audience.

Corridor, and we want to outpace the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Corridor,” Conoley told the audience. For her organization, targeting aerospace suppliers in the region and forming relationships with the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) is equally important.

To do this, Conoley and staff have been meeting with Airbus officials and other aviation companies all over the world at trade shows and events in locations like Paris, France.

“It’s all about timing and finding the right person,” she said.

Conoley wants the smaller companies that make parts for Airbus to consider this region in their growth plans to be closer to the main facility.

We are on a mission in lockstep with Airbus to create the Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor, and we want to outpace the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Corridor ”

JENNIFER CONOLEY, PRESIDENT AND CEO, FLORIDA’S GREAT NORTHWEST (FGNW)

According to Shane Chadwick, FGNW’s business intelligence and marketing manager, an analytical approach to forming these relationships is already starting to yield results. By targeting last-mile delivery component manufacturers, Chadwick said Northwest Florida has a competitive advantage being located close to six aerospace OEMs, as well as having six military installations within the region.

Chadwick uses a business intelligence software platform to target which of the 1,300 Airbus suppliers are likely to have a corporate expansion project in the future. He notes that in the past three years, this philosophy has yielded

three site location announcements creating over 700 jobs and $75 million in capital investment in the region.

In the past four months, Chadwick said FGNW has reached out to 100 companies resulting in two new projects and one site visit.

“We’re just sharing our story,” Conoley told the Holley Academic Center audience. Her goal is to ensure Northwest Florida is a competitive player for this future growth surrounding Airbus. “We’re not asking anybody to say Northwest Florida is the only place you should be. But we want them to say Northwest Florida is absolutely somewhere you should consider.” ▪ photography

CONQUERING CONCERNS in Commercial Real Estate

Ciminelli Real Estate Services recognizes then tackles common worries

As a commercial business owner, it would be naive to assume headwinds regarding the market won’t come your way. Rather than induce anxiety, it’s best to be aware and prepared for the biggest concerns that face the commercial real estate market in 2025.

“We often find that these concerns become connected, creating a snowball effect, which we want to get ahead of,” says Stewart Proctor, CCIM.

Recognizing these concerns can help the Ciminelli team to help you address and mitigate the issue.

“We operate as the quarterback in these situations alongside our strategic partners,” said Proctor.

Where the Ciminelli team are the sales/leasing agents and property managers, they enlist a supporting cast including architects, designers, litigation attorneys, planners, contractors, and other professionals to assist based upon the company’s concern.

Ciminelli works alongside clients and strategic partners to ensure good year-round preventative measures are in place such as testing generators weekly and checking that all technology has effective backup systems. Should a storm strike, they are out assessing damage to properties as soon as it’s safely possible.

By leveraging their extensive experience and fullservice capabilities, Ciminelli can provide tailored solutions to help clients effectively manage the various challenges facing the commercial real estate market today.

→ INTEREST RATE INCREASES

As interest rates rise, the cost of borrowing increases, making it more costly for investors to pursue new projects or refinance existing ones. This can lead to reduced demand in commercial real estate and lower property values.

To combat this, the Ciminelli team assists clients in exploring alternative financing options such as fixed-rate loans, interest rate caps, or private equity partnerships.

→ ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY AND RECESSION FEARS

Over the past few years, the possibility of a recession has been lingering. Recession can lead to reduced business spending which in turn lowers demand for commercial space, creates higher vacancy rates, induces downsizing, and decreases rental income. This almost always puts downward pressure on rent.

Ciminelli offers portfoliomanagement services to diversify and balance risk, ensuring clients are not overly exposed to volatile sectors, repositioning properties to attract stable, recessionresistant tenants.

→ SHIFTS IN WORK AND CONSUMER BEHAVIOR

Since the emergence of COVID-19, there has been a continuation of remote and hybrid work models. Many companies have either downsized or eliminated traditional office spaces, leading to higher vacancy rates and reduced service and merchandise demands. Adaptability is key, and Ciminelli has helped many clients reimagine and repurpose their office spaces. They work alongside strategic partners to offer interior and exterior planning and redesigns to convert spaces into flexible, hybrid-friendly environments, or to reconfigure retail footprints to accommodate e-commerce integration.

→ INFLATION AND RISING OPERATING COSTS

Rising inflation impacts virtually every area of life, especially when it comes to a business. Higher costs reduce profitability, can lead to increase property taxes, a rise in utility costs, and more.

Ciminelli can help clients manage swelling costs by conducting operational audits to identify efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities such as implementing energy management programs, optimizing service contracts, reducing maintenance and operations costs, and exploring purchasing in bulk.

→ REGULATORY AND POLITICAL RISKS

During an election year, concerns increase around shifting politics and the potential change in regulations which often come with new administrations. Morphing (or fluctuating) regulations and zoning laws can impede an owners’ ability to develop or repurpose properties. Changes in tax policies could also affect property taxes, capital gains taxes, or deductions can increase the cost of doing business. As a result of staying informed on local laws and regulations, Ciminelli offers services in navigating zoning changes, obtaining necessary permits, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

→ HURRICANES/ NATURAL DISASTERS

Possibly the hardest to predict is the occurrence of a hurricane or natural disaster. As the 2024 storm season proved for Florida and beyond, the impressions of a weather-related event can be devastating, be it flooding, property damage, or equipment damage. Contact Ciminelli to discuss how they can help assist during challenging times.

Phoenix Coatings George Atchison

What services do you provide? We are a structural restoration company that offers two modes of operation — non-catastrophe restorations and post-catastrophe restorations. For non-catastrophe, we limit our scope to the exterior, which includes anything structural, from the roof to the foundation. For post-catastrophe, we often hire subcontractors to cover the entire building, from interior to exterior work.

What sets your company apart?

The people, without a doubt. Many of the employees in management, administration and fieldwork have been with the company since its beginning in 1988. That kind of longevity often makes other companies envious because I can ensure the quality of each job will be reliable and held to the same high standard.

How did you get into this business? I am a thirdgeneration construction worker, and after spending some time in the Marine Corps, I returned back to my roots. My wife Louise and I have remained the owners for over three decades.

What is your company’s mission? To be the area’s leading contractor for concrete rehabilitation, waterproofing and building reconstruction services. To maintain our leadership edge by providing excellence in products and services and by anticipating the future needs of our clients. To be fiscally responsible in the management of our company.

How do you define success?

Getting up every day and going to work, whether I feel bad or good, whether things are going wrong or well. It is all about perseverance. Calvin Coolidge said of all the traits in the world, one that is never wasted is perseverance. If you have perseverance, you can overcome anything.

What do you hope people experience from working with your company? A respect for work ethic. If we can impart a strong work ethic into our younger generations, then they will be better business people, fathers, mothers and citizens.

What impact do you hope to make within your community? I hope my legacy will be that I was fair. Whether I am working with an employee, a community member or a client, they should be treated with fairness and respect.

Photos

SOUTH WALTON BEACHES WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

Premier festival continues to offer superior sips

The beloved South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is leveling up this year, filling attendees’ cups with wines from the prestigious Napa Valley Vintners. As a premier wine and food festival in the region, guests can sip and sample over 600 fine wines, spirits, and cuisine with a featured tent dedicated to bringing the flavors of Napa Valley to the Emerald Coast.

The thirteenth annual South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival will take place the weekend of April 24-27, spanning the streets of Grand Boulevard’s Town Center. This signature event treats attendees with access to some of the finest winemakers, distillers, brewers, and chefs in the country by taking part in tastings,

educational seminars, and culinary stations all in support of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, benefitting local children’s charities.

The festival begins on Thursday, April 24, with the Winemakers & Shakers event from 5-7 p.m. VIP guests begin Friday with the VIP Tasting from 4-6 p.m. with an extensive, rare library of wines ready for tasting, and a Taste of Grand Boulevard, featuring toptiered bites from Grand Boulevard’s exciting array of restaurants. Friday continues with the Craft Beer & Spirits Jam. This event, taking place from 5:30-8 p.m., offers a vibrant block party vibe complete with craft beers, local spirits, food truck-style samples, and live music.

The main event, The Grand Tasting, will take place on Saturday

from 3-6 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Attendees stroll the streets tasting hundreds of varieties of wines from throughout the world, poured by knowledgeable wine industry leaders and sommeliers.

For the first year, the festival has the honor of welcoming the Napa Valley Vintners in their own dedicated tent. This esteemed organization will bring 15 of the region’s best wineries to provide tastes of some of the world’s most coveted wines.

“We are thrilled to welcome Napa Valley Vintners and excited to have attendees try something new and different that they will fall in love with,” says Stacey Brady, executive director of South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. “Having them be a part of our event shows this festival’s credibility and influence within the industry.”

Back for a second year by popluar demand, another applauded wine region, Willamette Valley, will have a dedicated tent pouring from more than a dozen renowned Oregon winemakers.

There will be four total seminars, two on Saturday and two on Sunday, which provide guests with the opportunity to hear from seasoned winemakers and distillers while being treated to tastings that can’t be found anywhere else at the festival.

Between glasses, visit the Culinary Village and Nosh Pavilions for provisions provided by some of the best restaurants and chefs in the region.

Throughout the weekend, the soothing sounds and soulful croons of songwriters will be heard from stages from the Nashville Songwriters Showcase, brought in by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.

In its thirteenth year, the festival felt it was due for a marketing rebrand, which will be revealed as an exciting new element that promotes and furthers the reach of this already prestigious event.

“We are excited to show off the next iteration of what the festival looks and feels like through this rebrand,” said Brady. “Each year, we continue to offer more exclusive opportunities for our guests to experience.”

2024 CLASS OF

PIN NACLE AWARDS

For 11 years, 850 Business Magazine’s Pinnacle Awards have recognized the prestigious achievements of women leaders and influencers across the Florida Panhandle and Gulf Coast. These visionaries contribute to their communities as entrepreneurs, educators, volunteers, and pioneers within their trades. Honorees are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and are motivated to elevate the members of the communities they serve. This year, 12 highly distinguished winners are profiled for their feats throughout their careers and beyond. DAVID

EKRUT,

P h D

PHOTOS BY ALICIA OSBORNE (DOVER) AND COURTEY OF THE ZIMMERMAN AGENCY (ZIMMERMAN)

Emerald Coast recipients venue: THE LODGE 30A // Emerald Coast recipients makeup: DESTIN MOBILE MAKEUP BOX // Emerald Coast recipients hair: JA 30A SALON Tallahassee recipients venue: HOTEL INDIGO TALLAHASSEE // Tallahassee recipients hair and makeup: SOLEIL 7 SALONS // Art Direction: MCKENZIE BURLEIGH

photography by BOO MEDIA

TERESA HORTON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SEASIDE SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Moving to Santa Rosa Beach from her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, Teresa Horton knew she was taking a chance— one that led to the greatest professional pride she’s ever experienced. A few months after her 2018 move, a call from an out-ofstate recruiter led Horton to her current position as executive director for the Seaside Family School. There, she applied her significant experience in nonprofit management, event and campaign fundraising, and event management— honed by nearly 20 years of professional philanthropic experience serving the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association and Foundation and the Cincinnati Children’s Department of Development.

Horton has a history of visionary leadership and a record of fostering organizational growth, innovation, and optimizing resources to achieve a core mission by earning the confidence of key stakeholders and a large volunteer base by establishing a positive and enthusiastic culture.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? Making people smile. I want to leave everyone I interact with feeling valued, loved, and that what they’re doing is important. Whether it be a student, parent, foundation member, or the outside community, they all play a role in our school’s success.

WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED ALONG THE WAY THAT HAVE IMPROVED YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? Everyone we come across has a story and purpose in this world. I’ve seen how overlooked roles, such as clean-up crew volunteers, can help us foster relationships in the community. Value all the wonderful things people can bring to the table, whether it’s time, effort, or a donation. It all matters, and it’s critical for success.

WHAT CHANGES DO YOU HOPE TO SEE IN YOUR COMMUNITY OVER THE COMING YEARS? My current endeavor is to fundraise for the expansion of our

Collegiate High School where South Walton students can locally attend class, providing students the chance to make academic gains, decrease longterm student debt, and provide a steady stream of educated individuals into our community’s workforce.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT OUTSIDE THE WORKPLACE? I love being outdoors. To be active while exploring such unique ecosystems makes you feel strongly about protecting it. I support organizations like the Paper Bear Project, Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles, E.O.

Wilson Biophilia Center, and Alaqua. Also, I love contributing to our town’s incredible offering in the arts. Anytime I can enjoy live music, promote local artists, or share a beautiful meal, I am thrilled.

WHO HAS SERVED AS A MENTOR ON YOUR JOURNEY? Hands down, my mom is my No. 1 inspiration. She raised seven children while working full-time as a nurse and has dedicated her life to serving others. Her joy and purpose come from helping others, and it’s impossible not to be inspired and in awe of that kind of selflessness.

TURNBULL AWARD WINNER

SUMMER GRIFFITH

FOUNDER, DRIP DROP FITNESS

When Summer Griffith, a New York City native, came to Tallahassee, she decided to make things happen. After earning a bachelor’s degree and starting an MBA program at Florida State University, she took a leap and signed a lease on a commercial space—at 23 years old and living in a sorority house.

With no prior fitness or dance experience, she started Drip Drop Fitness, an inclusive, energetic studio offering fitness classes that don’t feel like exercise. In seven years in business, Drip Drop Fitness has been named the city’s Best Specialty Fitness Studio for four consecutive years and also is among the Seminole 100, which recognizes the fastest-growing FSU alumni-owned businesses. Access Tallahassee named Griffith a Future 5 in 2021, and FSU named her one of 7 Under 30 in 2020. Griffith lives in Tallahassee with her high-schoolsweetheart-turned-husband with whom she’s expecting her first child this spring.

DESCRIBE A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER. I have a few defining moments, like when we sold out our first class and when we had our first-ever waitlist. Having a member tell me how Drip Drop Fitness saved their life—that they were depressed and suicidal but coming to class brought joy to their life and saved them.

TELL US ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU WERE MET WITH A CROSSROADS DECISION. Every day seems like a crossroad when you’re an entrepreneur. I rely on my gut, experiences, and faith to help me navigate tough situations—and COVID-19 was one of the most challenging times for the way it affected service industries. I was constantly faced with hard decisions and hurdles to jump just to keep my business open.

WHO HAS SERVED AS A MENTOR, AND HOW DID THEY IMPACT YOUR PATH?

This may be an unconventional answer, but my therapist—who is neither a friend nor mentor—served as a constant neutral helping me through my career journey.

Having someone to talk to through all the ups and downs of entrepreneurship is key.

WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED THAT HAVE IMPROVED YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? I must remind myself every day: You can’t make everyone happy. Saying “no” can be a challenge, but I’ve learned its okay to decline requests, even if it disappoints others.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN PURSUING THEIR CAREERS?

Surround yourself with a strong support system that believes in you and encourages you, and always stay true to your values. You can’t go wrong if you’re doing what you love and living authentically. Don’t shy away from swimming against the current. Starting a business is challenging and not a typical journey. It can be isolating at times but keep on swimming.

SARA BECNEL

PRESIDENT, SANDESTIN INVESTMENTS

Hospitality, retail, and development may run through Sara Becnel’s veins, but she got to the top by earning her stripes. She was a restaurant hostess at 14, and her first post-college job was with Silver Shells Beach Resort & Spa, where she worked in housekeeping, engineering, the front desk, and the reservations call center. She worked retail at Banana Republic, then Bloomingdales after a move to Orlando, where she then became owner of a Verizon phone store.

In 2012, the director of retail position opened at Sandestin—Becnel’s dream job—and she wrapped up business in Orlando and moved home. In time, Becnel became the executive director of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and got involved with real estate development in addition to the retail operations. Her career continued to climb, and she now serves as president for Sandestin Investments. Under her leadership, Hotel Effie and Osprey Pointe were built and renovations were made at the Linkside and Baytowne conference centers as well as the Beach Club and Burnt Pine Club. Recently she became the majority shareholder of Sandestin Real Estate, Sandestin Investments’ in-house brokerage. Becnel also serves as co-trustee for the Sandestin Foundation for Kids.

DESCRIBE A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER. Designing and building Hotel Effie was a major defining achievement. It was my first hotel development, and I learned a ton, working on that project for five years.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS? I believe if you learn something or can grow from something, then it is a successful endeavor.

WHEN WERE YOU MET WITH A CROSSROADS DECISION, AND HOW DID YOU FACE IT? Gosh, I make hundreds of decisions a week and usually am not at a crossroads. When it happens, I listen to my intuition, take time to digest, and reach out to trusted advisors and coaches if I cannot find the answer on my own.

DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR, AND HOW DID THEY IMPACT YOUR CAREER PATH?

My father has served as a mentor and inspiration in my journey. My whole life, I followed him around on job sites in my little pink hard hat. I recently found a paper from kindergarten that asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I answered “real estate developer” so I guess you can say it has always been my dream and in my blood.

WHAT CHANGES DO YOU HOPE TO SEE IN YOUR COMMUNITY OVER THE COMING YEARS? The community has grown so much since I started coming here in the ’80s and moved here in the late ’90s. It has been incredible to see the growth, and I appreciate that we have more culture, industry, restaurants, and young professionals and would like to see more cultural growth and luxury shopping.

TRACEY COHEN

PRESIDENT AND CEO, TARGET PRINT & MAIL

After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tracey Cohen worked for a short time in Atlanta for a market research firm before joining Target Copy in 2004, the company her mother founded in 1982. She became president in 2009 and later expanded the company’s focus, changing the name to Target Print & Mail. The printing, signs, and mailing services provider has always been woman-owned and operated, and Cohen is proud to have brought the company through many changes and significant growth. Cohen served on the boards of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Foundation for Leon County Schools, and Tallahassee Entrepreneurs Organization. She’s active with the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and lives in the city with her husband Jeremy Cohen and daughters Molly and Paige.

DESCRIBE A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER. Target Copy struggled in the economic downturn from 2009-2012. In 2015, I pivoted from the campus copy shop model and acquired a local commercial printing and mailing company. That turned out to be the right choice as we have continued to grow, adding signs, promotional products, and graphic design to our portfolio.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?

Short term, my focus is on producing beautiful, high-quality projects that are delivered on time. Long term, I define success based on achieving a few financial goals and on developing a strong culture and a cohesive team.

WHO HAS SERVED AS YOUR MENTOR OR INSPIRATION, AND HOW DID THEY IMPACT YOUR PATH?

My mother, Mayda Williams, paved the way for me in countless ways. She showed me what it means to be a strong, outspoken woman in the business world, unapologetic about her ambition, and always fighting for what she believed in. My mom was a trailblazer, and I’m still learning from her 15 years after she sold the business.

WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED ALONG THE WAY THAT HAVE IMPROVED YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? My mother always said, “Be the squeaky wheel.” I have found that being pleasantly persistent has ensured that the company was taken seriously and treated as not just a vendor, but as a partner. Also, loyalty has real value and pays dividends when times get tough.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU WISH YOU’D BEEN GIVEN BEFORE ENTERING YOUR INDUSTRY? Any industry, even print, has growth potential if you listen to your customers and make smart investments based on what their long-term needs are. I was warned that “everything was going digital” before I bought the company, but our business continues to grow, and we see a lot of potential ahead.

DR. ALMA LITTLES

DEAN, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Dr. Alma Littles is a long-time patient advocate who recognizes the importance of being part of and giving back to the community. After serving as interim dean of the Florida State University College of Medicine, she was named to the permanent position in July 2024. Previously, Littles served as senior associate dean for medical education and academic affairs since 2003, leading the college’s accreditation efforts, curriculum development, and expansion of its community-based education model.

Littles has been involved in medical student education since 1989 and has been a family medicine physician specializing in rural communities.

Shortly after joining FSU’s faculty in 2001, she became the founding chair of the department of family medicine and rural health and continues to advocate for quality health care for citizens from rural communities and underserved populations pursuing the medical profession.

She’s held many academic, professional, and community-oriented positions and honors through the years and serves as secretary of Shiloh P.B. Church in Quincy, Florida, where she lives with her husband Gentle Littles, III, and raised her son Gentle Germaine Littles.

DESCRIBE A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER. When I left private practice for academia, I realized I could contribute to the health of many more patients by helping train the next generation of physicians and other health care providers.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?

Success is seeing what needs to be done, working with others to devise a plan, and making it happen.

WHO HAS SERVED AS A MENTOR TO YOU IN YOUR CAREER JOURNEY, AND HOW DID THEY IMPACT YOUR PATH?

My mother was a significant mentor for

me; her strength and compassion were unmatched. Dr. Pat Woodward was my pediatrician, and as I solidified that I wanted to be a doctor, he became a role model. With each stage of my career, there were many who provided inspiration, including Dr. Alex Brickler, Dr. Bud Harrison, and Dr. Don Zorn.

WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED ALONG THE WAY THAT HAVE IMPROVED YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? Having several relatives suffer premature morbidity and mortality taught me that every day is a gift. We should be grateful and use that time to make the world a better place.

WHAT CHANGES DO YOU HOPE TO SEE IN YOUR COMMUNITY OVER THE COMING YEARS? I would like to see enhanced patient care services in the Florida Panhandle and other rural communities, so patients won’t have to travel long distances to receive not only basic, but more advanced care when it’s needed.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN PURSUING THEIR CAREERS? Don’t underestimate who you are and what you’re capable of achieving. Find mentors doing what you’d like to do, and connect with them either personally or vicariously by reading about them and following the path of their successes.

KARAH FRIDLEYYOUNG

PRESIDENT, DESTIN CHARITY WINE AUCTION FOUNDATION

Karah Fridley-Young, president of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF), was born and raised in Destin and is a graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School and Auburn University. She has been with DCWAF since 2012, has also served on the board for Young Professionals of Walton County, and currently serves on the board of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. The United Way included FridleyYoung in its inaugural 40 Under 40 class in 2021, Scarlett Magazine named her Woman of the Year award in 2023, and Habitat for Humanity of Walton County named her Power Woman of the Year. Outside of her professional achievements, Fridley-Young is a devoted dog mom to two golden retrievers, Huck and Honey.

DESCRIBE A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER. When I was named president of the DCWAF, which coincided with my tenth work anniversary, it was a milestone that recognized my hard work and provided a moment of reflection. It felt like a culmination of many experiences, highlighting the relationships I’d built, challenges I’d navigated, and the successes we’d achieved together.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS? As a nonprofit leader, I define success through a combination of impact, sustainability, and community engagement. Success means making a measurable difference in the lives of those we serve, ensuring that the organization can continue its work over the long term, fostering a strong, committed team, and adapting to challenges.

WHEN WERE YOU MET WITH A CROSSROADS DECISION, AND HOW DID YOU FACE THAT? The pandemic prompted all of us to reevaluate how and why we do things. With our traditional fundraising model disrupted and the urgent needs of our charities becoming more apparent, we knew we had to find innovative ways to continue raising funds for children in need. It was a time that challenged

my team to think creatively and adapt to new circumstances because despite the obstacles, our mission remained critical.

WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED ALONG THE WAY THAT IMPROVED YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? Be authentic and invest in yourself. Staying true to yourself fosters trust and strengthens relationships with colleagues.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN PURSUING THEIR CAREERS?

Trust yourself and embrace your voice— contributing to discussions and sharing ideas leads to new opportunities. Seek mentorship and build a strong network. Surrounding yourself with those you admire and a tribe that supports you is vital. Invest in yourself, practice resilience, have humility, and play to your strengths.

HONG POTOMSKI

MARKET LEADER, FLORIDA BLUE

Hong Potomski, MBA, FACHE, has a passion for building healthy communities. As Florida Blue’s market leader for the Panhandle region, she leads, develops, and executes market strategies, establishing and nurturing key partnerships and striving to improve the health and well-being of the community served by the leading health insurer in the state.

Potomski has held leadership roles in strategy and operations with hospital and health insurance organizations with a goal to improve health literacy, equity, and access to quality care. She serves on the American College of Health Executives North Florida Chapter Board, University of West Florida Foundation Board, and College of Health Advisory Council, United Way of Emerald Coast and Health Equity Committee, and Achieve Healthy EscaRosa. She was recently recognized as a Healthcare Harmony award recipient from the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Medical Society, one of seven Rising Executives in Florida Trend, University of West Florida’s 2023 Alumni Community Spirit award, and Inweekly’s 2024 Power List.

WHAT WAS A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER? I am proud to have led the effort to bring the first Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) program to the Panhandle. The program opened in the summer of 2017, and within a week, the clinical team saved a 17-year-old.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? My family. I am grateful every day that my parents took a risk to chase the American Dream, escaping their home country of Vietnam, living in a refugee camp in Hong Kong, and coming to the United States with literally nothing. Their tenacity and grit as entrepreneurs allowed my brother and me to have the resources needed for a great education and career.

WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED THAT HAVE IMPROVED YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? Lead with integrity. Consistency is key. Surround yourself with

good people. Be resilient. Practice gratitude and positivity. Celebrate the wins—big or small. Use your PTO. Eat the cake—all is good in moderation. Soak in the family time. Breathe.

WHAT CHANGES DO YOU HOPE TO SEE IN YOUR COMMUNITY OVER THE COMING YEARS? As we continue to promote the great quality of life in our region, I hope to see a continued focus on improving the health and well-being of our communities. This includes enhanced

preventive care, increased access to affordable and quality health care, improved mental health support, addressing health disparities, more emphasis on holistic and integrative care, and better support for caregivers and families.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU WISH YOU’D BEEN GIVEN BEFORE ENTERING YOUR INDUSTRY? This journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Slow down and take it all in. Don’t let one moment or experience define you.

JENNIFER GROVE

VICE PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS (RETIRED), BAPTIST HEALTH CARE

Jennifer Grove has served the communities of Northwest Florida for over 30 years, most recently as vice president of external relations at Baptist Health Care. Before retiring in July 2024, Grove provided leadership for corporate marketing, government relations, the Baptist Health Care Foundation, faith and community health programs, and programs that engage thousands of Baptist team members in community impact efforts. Before joining Baptist in 2019, Grove led workforce development and community relations for Gulf Power and The Southern Company for 25 years. Through long-term service on state, regional, and local boards, Grove has helped bring resources to Northwest Florida communities. She is passionate about workforce development and education as a pathway to prosperity and believes that by bringing talent, networks, and resources together, everyone’s quality of life can be lifted.

In retirement, Grove hopes to travel with her husband, Ray, spend time with family, and foster Drift-JenG, her coastalinspired jewelry, painting, and interior design passion.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS? Success is about living out my guiding principles of being inclusive, supportive of all, trustworthy and vulnerable, and impactful on those in my life. I’ve also learned that the definition of success is not static, so how we best contribute can’t be either.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? I am motivated by a deep desire to help others see the potential they have and to help build pathways to prosperity and well-being for all.

WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED ALONG THE WAY THAT HAVE IMPROVED YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? Be open to opportunities, even if they sound crazy. Fear

and excitement feel the same way in your tummy—having that feeling is when we grow. Listen to others about how they see you, your talents, your purpose, and your impact. Don’t put your career plan on a vision board. Let it evolve over time.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT OUTSIDE THE WORKPLACE? In this first phase of my retirement, I am leaning into my passion for creating. I have long

designed jewelry, interior spaces, and painted, but I have always had to fit time for that around my career and family.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU WISH YOU’D BEEN GIVEN BEFORE ENTERING YOUR INDUSTRY? Don’t get hung up on a defined career ladder or role. Sometimes you have to search for the elements of your life that help you connect to or grow your purpose—and it may not be your job at all.

HILLARY GLENN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, POINT WASHINGTON MEDICAL CLINIC

Dr. Hillary Glenn, DNP, APRN-BC, serves as executive director of the Point Washington Medical Clinic, a nonprofit primary care facility in Santa Rosa Beach, which she co-founded in 2017. What began as a oneday-per-week clinic has evolved into a $3 million facility that has provided $4 million in health care services to the community—with a dedicated team of more than 140 volunteers who have contributed 33,000 hours of service, saving the area more than $5 million annually by preventing unnecessary emergency room visits. Dr. Glenn, who has called Walton County home since 2009, manages operations, fundraising, board relations, and volunteer coordination. She provides direct patient care, is a certified functional medicine provider and yoga instructor, and an avid adventurer. She shares her Point Washington home with her husband, Tamás Juhász.

DESCRIBE A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER. In 1999, I traveled to Vietnam where I met a 9-year-old girl. I learned that her mother died four months earlier after childbirth because she was not able to walk two hours to the nearest health facility. The story haunted me. I decided to leave my career, and I began the journey into health care.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?

I view success as a blend of purposeful work, meaningful community engagement, and creating a positive impact that extends beyond myself—supported by a health balance between professional drive and personal renewal.

TELL US ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU WERE MET WITH A CROSSROADS DECISION. HOW DID YOU FACE THAT?

In my early 30s while living in New York City, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis that progressed rapidly, making city living a

challenge. I turned to my doctor for guidance, whose advice to move closer to family hit hard. Accepting that I would likely need support in daily life, I made the tough choice to leave New York and relocate to the Florida Panhandle to be nearer to family—a move that would ultimately transform my life.

WHAT CHANGES DO YOU HOPE TO SEE IN YOUR COMMUNITY OVER THE COMING YEARS? I would love to see a community that celebrates differences, demonstrates genuine compassion, and

takes concrete action to support those in need. By lifting up individuals who haven’t had the same opportunities as others, we build a stronger community.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN PURSUING THEIR CAREERS? Dream big. Pay attention to your dreams. Keep yourself physically ready for the energy that dreams require, and access your heart and spirit. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Life has a funny way of opening new insights.

BERNEICE COX

PRESIDENT AND CEO, UNITED WAY OF THE BIG BEND

For Berneice Cox, the heart of the community lives strong within her. She stepped down from her role as CEO of a private sector consulting firm to lead the United Way of the Big Bend through COVID-19. She also hosts and produces the NBC television show Our Issues Tallahassee

Cox is a graduate of Tusculum University and former adjunct professor at Florida State University. She worked for more than 20 years advocating for her clients in front of the Florida governor, Cabinet, House of Representatives, and Senate, as well as on the national level with the U.S. Florida Senate and Congressional Delegation.

Volunteer work has also been a mainstay for Cox throughout her career. She’s served as the past chair of the board of directors for the United Way of the Big Bend, including Leon County and eight surrounding counties, board member for the United Way of Florida Board of Governors, Tusculum University Alumni Executive Board, past chair of Women4FSU, board member with the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, and much more.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? Respect given and received. When people feel respected and appreciated, they will move mountains.

WHO HAS SERVED AS AN INSPIRATION FOR YOU IN YOUR CAREER JOURNEY, AND HOW DID THEY IMPACT YOUR PATH? My mother was an inspiration to me. She was strong while having grace, genuine and caring while having a lot of grit. My mother-in-law was also a woman ahead of her time.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT OUTSIDE OF THE WORKPLACE?

I love reading, biking, or walking on the many beautiful trails we have in Tallahassee and Leon County.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU WISH YOU’D BEEN GIVEN BEFORE ENTERING YOUR INDUSTRY? Be prepared to regularly eat dinner at 10 p.m.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN PURSUING THEIR CAREERS? Don’t gossip, and stay away from people who do. Walk away as fast

as you can when you’re around someone or a group that engages in gossip, which inevitably leads to misinformation and small ideas.

Surround yourself with people who talk about big ideas, improving themselves or their community. Lean in on the positive, and surround yourself with positive-thinking people.

CAROL B. DOVER

PRESIDENT AND CEO, FLORIDA RESTAURANT & LODGING ASSOCIATION (FRLA)

If there’s one thing that Carol Dover can do, it’s build a bridge. She’s not a carpenter or a construction chief, but the skill has been essential in her nearly 30 years as president and CEO of the 10,000-member Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA), as well as in her work as a lobbyist and government executive, and board member for the National Restaurant Association, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and Visit Florida as well as serving as chair of the Florida Horse Park.

Dover’s work protects, educates, and promotes the diverse interests of Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry, which employs 2 million diverse individuals. She’s received many awards and honors, including being named the FSU Alumni of the Year; she received the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show Beacon Award; and, in 2024, she was inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame for her contributions to the growth and success of Florida’s tourism and hospitality industry.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?

I believe that success is working hard each day and never compromising your integrity. I define success as establishing a team to trust and share a vision with and then watching as they achieve it.

DESCRIBE A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER. I’ve been blessed with many incredible moments, but the defining moment was my recent induction into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame. To be recognized among such legendary industry icons from Walt Disney and John Ringling to Governor Jeb Bush and Harris Rosen has been the honor of a lifetime.

DO YOU HAVE AN INSPIRATION OR MENTOR IN YOUR CAREER JOURNEY, AND HOW DID THEY IMPACT YOU?

Definitely my mother. Whether facing challenges early on in my career when few women were in leadership roles

in hospitality or when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a global economic collapse that wiped out nearly 100,000 hotels and restaurants in the U.S., I have thought of my greatest mentor—my mother—and her constant reminder to me to never, ever give up.

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT OUTSIDE OF THE WORKPLACE?

As a breast cancer survivor, I am engaged in raising awareness and funds

for breast cancer. I’m a competitive equestrian who lives on and runs a working horse farm, and I’m an active and involved mother and grandmother. My family is everything to me.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN PURSUING THEIR CAREERS? Never give up. Build bridges. Do not compete, but lift each other up and share your successes. We can accomplish so much more together.

CARRIE ZIMMERMAN

USA OLYMPIAN; CO-FOUNDER AND FORMER CEO, THE ZIMMERMAN AGENCY

Carrie Zimmerman vaulted from being an Olympic gymnast in the 1976 Montreal Games—the first American woman to score a 10 in floor exercise—to the boardroom as a global entrepreneur. With her husband Curtis, she co-founded The Zimmerman Agency, an integrated marketing firm headquartered in Tallahassee. One of the top three largest hospitality public relations agencies in the U.S., The Zimmerman Agency represents clients in 36 countries and employs 134 professionals.

Zimmerman says her “Wow!” business philosophy was based on disruptive thinking and fearless enthusiasm inspired by executives across the globe. She was named one of Microsoft’s Top 10 Savviest Businesswomen, and Inc. magazine has featured her as a Gold Medal Millionaire Entrepreneur. She also served as a board member and president of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Association and twice has addressed the United Nations on the powerful synergy between elite athletics and global entrepreneurship to a forum of worldwide leaders.

DESCRIBE A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER. Our team was presenting year-end highlights when I noticed the client was staring at me, instead of the team. I asked why, and his response stunned me. “I just love how incredibly proud you are of your team,” he explained. “Your face shows such admiration and respect for them.” The brilliance of our team is inspiring; it humbles me.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? My motivation is unapologetically simple; I love to win, but honorably, with no compromise on integrity or ethics.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU WISH YOU’D BEEN GIVEN BEFORE ENTERING YOUR INDUSTRY? When I started in business, I was told “temper your enthusiasm, slow down, contain your energy, don’t suggest things which are impossible.” Thankfully I wasn’t a good listener and believed adamantly and confidently in disrupting the norm.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN PURSUING THEIR CAREERS? My immediate answer is to remove the “young” and “woman” from the question. Advice for women is no different than the advice for men: Be curious. Be confident. Be hopeful. Be fearless. Be inspired. Be passionate. Be brilliant. Be bold. Be creative. Be crazy. Be relentless. Be strong. Be thankful. Be happy. Be yourself.

TELL US ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU WERE MET WITH A CROSSROADS DECISION AND HOW YOU FACED IT. A couple years ago, I began to “phase forward” with succession on my side of the business—an easy task as our leadership team had been in place for decades. It was a huge personal decision not to work for the first time since I was 15 years old. Allowing a team who was so talented to take the welldeserved spotlight trumped my own desire for intensity and constant pressure.

Congratulations Alma Littles, M.D., dean of the Florida State University College of Medicine, for being chosen a recipient of the 2025 Pinnacle Award.

Thank you for leading the charge in educating our next generation of physicians, physician assistants, scientists and other professionals who will provide care to people in our region and beyond. WWW.MED.FSU.EDU

INNOVATION& TECHNOLOGY

ENTREPRENEURSHIP, ECONOMY, AND EDUCATION Inside the AI Boom altering all aspects of instruction, research, and cybersecurity

Learning Curve

Classroom AI proves valuable to teachers

story by MICHAEL GOETZ

Teaching is stressful. The nonprofit RAND Corporation found in 2021 that educators reported job-related stress at double the average rate of all other professions. Surely, the some 9,500 K-12 teaching vacancies in Florida have added to the burdens on instructional staffs.

Destin resident Matthew Pace, the senior director of enterprise information technology and security for New Yorkbased Merlyn Mind, believes AI can help.

With over 25 years of experience in the tech industry, Pace oversees AI development at Merlyn Mind. Previously, he worked as the IT director for the City of Destin.

Pace understands classroom challenges from the teacher’s perspective. He comes from a long line of educators.

Merlyn Mind gave Pace an opportunity to give back to teachers. Merlyn Mind’s first product, Merlyn, is described on the company’s website as an “AI-powered digital assistant purpose-built for education.”

Technological implementations such as Canvas and SMART Boards are commonplace in the K-12 environment. Unfortunately, as much as these tools assist teachers, they can also interfere with instruction due to technical difficulties or teacher unfamiliarity.

A University of Phoenix study found that 43 percent of teachers rate themselves as “average or below average” in dealing with technology.

The Merlyn digital assistant was developed in an effort to create a seamless, integrated classroom experience. The Symphony Classroom is Merlyn Mind’s

↓→ The Merlyn digital assistant was developed in an effort to create a seamless, integrated classroom experience. “If you have a presentation queued, whether it’s Google Classroom or Microsoft PowerPoint, you can say, ‘Open my presentation on whales,’ and it will pull up,” Pace said.

hub device, a minimalist computer that connects all the different devices in a classroom into one intuitive platform. Teachers would no longer need to fiddle with remotes to find the correct input for their display; instead, they would ask Merlyn to “change to my overhead projector.”

Using its natural language processing, Merlyn recognizes voice commands.

“If you have a presentation queued, whether it’s Google Classroom or Microsoft PowerPoint, you can say, ‘Open my presentation on whales,’ and it will pull up,” Pace said. He explained that teachers can toggle through slides using their voice rather than a clicker or mouse. A student asking about the world’s largest ocean would be given the answer in a moment.

When asked how Merlyn might detect commands coming from a student, Pace said that although the AI is unable to discern a teacher’s voice specifically, “there are ways to turn off the microphones that are on the unit.”

Preliminary research shows promise for the burgeoning product. According to a study conducted by Creativity Labs, teachers at a Southern California charter school reported having “significantly more time for teaching and learning than a matched control group.”

However, in that same study, some teachers reported the device did not understand their inputs due to their English pronunciation. Given the diverse spectrum of educators in the country, as the study notes, this implicit bias could present an obstacle to Merlyn’s wider adoption and usage if left uncorrected.

Parents and educators may hesitate at the thought of AI being implemented in

their children’s classrooms. Pace believes that concerns about AI, stemming from science fiction or the possibility of job loss, are likely to prove unwarranted.

“AI is a computer program,” he said. “Humans are programming it to do a task we want it to do.”

Elaborating further on job security for laborers, Pace said that he sees AI helping with “menial tasks” and “increasing efficiency across the board.” His capstone project for Rutgers University explored how a chatbot could help the staff of a public entity by decreasing the time spent answering common questions from citizens.

Pace does not see AI as mitigating human development, either. He compared AI to a calculator. In his eyes, both are simply tools meant to assist people in completing work and research.

“You can do things faster, but you still have to show your work,” he said.

Pace believes people should “focus on the benefits of AI and making sure we have regulations in place” to ensure we make the most of the industry’s inevitable growth. He wants people to make an effort to get acquainted with upcoming technology and artificial intelligence.

“Understanding it is better than fearing it,” he said. ▪

AI is a computer program. Humans are programming it to do a task we want it to do. … You can do things faster, but you still have to show your work.”

—D ESTIN RESIDENT MATTHEW PACE, CGCIO, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ENTERPRISE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SECURITY FOR MERLYN MIND AND EMERGENCE AI

Preparing for a World Driven by Data

Okaloosa County School District introduces AI curriculum

story by HANNAH BURKE

Before retiring as the program administrator at the Okaloosa County School District’s Artificial Intelligence Institute, Jerral Horton facilitated a new age of technology for her district. During her tenure, Horton was keenly aware of the infiltration of artificial intelligence into everyday life.

Standing before the Triumph Gulf Coast Board last spring, Horton, explained that AI is more than just ChatGPT and self-driving cars.

It’s at work when, at the press of a button, you order a new pair of shoes from

Amazon, when you ask Siri a question on your iPhone, and when you cash your latest paycheck via your banking app.

A quick search on Indeed.com, Horton said, will net you over 17,000 AI-related jobs on a local, national, and international scale, with local yearly salaries ranging from $60,000 to $192,000.

The Okaloosa County Schools personnel, given the rapid pace at which Narrow AI (artificial intelligence designed for a specific task) is advancing, approached Triumph Gulf Coast seeking a grant for career-based AI education

In partnership with the University of Florida and its EQuIPD grant program, the district has launched a K-12 Artificial Intelligence Program, which supplies middle school and high school students with instruction in AI, machine learning, data science, and Python, the most popular computer programming language.

Horton said the AI curriculum was designed to lead to industry certifications useful to students seeking employment in the field or planning to pursue advanced AI studies. It is the first of its kind in Florida and was made possible by a

Triumph Gulf Coast grant of $2,840,000. The district is providing matching funds.

Following the program’s inaugural year in 2022–23, Horton had good news for the Triumph board. Triumph required that at least 50 students qualify for certifications in year one. Choctawhatchee High School and the eight middle schools that offered AI instruction combined to sail past that goal; 214 certifications were awarded.

Getting there, Horton said, wasn’t easy.

“For starters, the framework being written by the University of Florida was not yet complete,” Horton said. “We had to use other course numbers that were not specifically designed for our track and adapt those standards to what we were trying to teach. Also, very few of our teachers, except for a few computer whizzes, knew how to code. We were flailing.”

The summer before the fall semester, instructors were sent to a weeklong, University of Florida-led “boot camp” in Orlando, where they learned the basics of Python coding and how to design lesson plans for their classes. Horton said she also purchased teacher education resources, such as Teachers Pay Teachers and Knowledge Pillars.

“They were having to learn along with their students,” Horton said, “and I honestly didn’t know if it was going to be successful. But, after the first semester, teachers found a resource that worked for them, the standards were officially completed by UF, and we finally had some framework from which we could work. We started buying into the program, and students started having success.”

As it stands, the program’s four-year track encompasses the following classes: Foundations of Programming for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Database Design, Machine Learning and Applications, and a fourthyear capstone project and internship with industry partners.

Horton said they will continue to track industry needs, and as of this year, an advisory board has been established to create partnerships with local industries for

the 2025-26 school year. The idea is to create a talent pipeline for places such as Eglin Air Force Base, local software developers, and companies that rely on AI.

“As of this school year, we have just begun implementing the second-year course,” said Horton. “We have added Crestview High School and Baker, a K-12 school, and currently have 392 students enrolled in the program, with 41 in the data science course.”

Dottie Holland, a teacher at Choctawhatchee High School, has just begun instructing second-year students.

The program’s evolution hinges on a twofold approach: incorporating cutting-edge tools and technologies and deepening the connection between learning and real-world impact.”

— DOTTIE HOLLAND, A TEACHER AT CHOCTAWHATCHEE HIGH SCHOOL

“This phase of learning centers on importing and processing data through Python libraries and packages,” Holland said. “Students are guided through the entire data processing lifecycle encompassing data acquisition, purification, analysis, and communication of findings.”

Holland said she is excited about delving into the question, which often looms in her students’ minds: “How will learning this benefit me?”

“My aim is to address that comprehensively,” Holland said. “By showcasing success stories of past students who have gone on to make meaningful contributions in their careers, I hope to underline the tangible value that our curriculum brings. And, I plan to create opportunities for students to engage in real-world projects to give them a taste of what lies beyond the classroom.”

Horton said plans to begin incorporating elementary school pullout programs were an ongoing project this past summer. According to her, Destin Elementary School is “just about ready to go, where fourth-grade teachers will begin taking their students to the school’s STEM lab that we’ve recently outfitted with new furniture, storage bins, and frontline teaching technology.”

A s of this writing, plans are in the works to add Wright and Elliott Point Elementary Schools.

Both Horton and Holland are optimistic about the program’s progress.

“The program’s evolution hinges on a twofold approach: incorporating cuttingedge tools and technologies and deepening the connection between learning and realworld impact,” Holland said. “By doing so, we ensure that our students not only graduate with knowledge but with the confidence and capability to tackle the challenges of the data-driven world that awaits them.” ▪

↑ Students at Destin Elementary School hands-on STEM/AI Lab take advantage of their new facilities, made possible by the Triumph Gulf Coast grant of $2.84 million, which helped transform the school library into a vibrant new space, allowing students to learn coding, science, and robotics.

Forecasting a Better Student Experience

Predictive analytics retain students at the University of West Florida

story by HANNAH BURKE

When Dr. Jaromy Kuhl acted as dean for the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering at the University of West Florida in Pensacola and discovered graduation rates were only at 19 percent, he decided to take the initiative to change this number.

In collaboration with Dr. Anthony Okafor, a professor in the college’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Kuhl developed a new tool in 2018 to increase academic progress rates (APR) and graduation metrics in the form of a student success dashboard.

Currently dubbed the Predictive Analytics and Modeling (PAM) Lab Dashboard until an official name is patented, the tool is housed under the university’s Institute for Analytics and Industry Advancement, which is devoted to cultivating user-friendly analytics that inform data-driven decision making and predictions to improve the success of educational institutions and organizations.

“The PAM Lab Dashboard was cultivated on UWF grounds to address the needs of our students and administrators, but now we’re expanding to hopefully help universities with the same metrics as well,” said PAM Lab Director of Business Development Lesley Cox,

←↑ The Predictive Analytics and Modeling (PAM) Lab Dashboard cultivates user-friendly analytics to inform data-driven decision-making and predictions to improve the success of educational institutions and organizations.

who oversees the commercialization and expansion of the lab’s services. “We’re under NDAs [non-disclosure agreements] with a couple of universities currently, so I’m not allowed to disclose their names, but we have steady, achievable goals over the next few years to get more on board.”

The dashboard utilizes advanced predictive modeling and data visualization to personalize student success and that of the overall institution campus wide and functions to offer a comprehensive view of an institution’s health by integrating data across student demographics, course performance levels, and advisory information.

“My personal favorite feature of this tool is its ability to track at-risk students at early identification, so we can allow for timely intervention,” Cox said. “So, we track demographics from where a student went to high school and pre-college factors to on-campus statistics such as course pass rates, how often

is its ability to track at-risk students at early identification, so we can allow for timely intervention So, we track demographics from where a student went to high school and pre-college factors to on-campus statistics such as course pass rates, how often they switch majors, how many hours they take at a time, and financial aid considerations. All of that data can be used to predict and analyze future trends of how that student may perform within certain majors and programs.”

— LESLEY COX, PAM LAB DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

My personal favorite feature of this tool

Pictured: Full Stack Developer Brian Le (left) and Front-End Developer Kelie Kan (right)

they switch majors, how many hours they take at a time, and financial aid considerations. All of that data can be used to predict and analyze future trends of how that student may perform within certain majors and programs.”

The lab uses several mathematical methods to create specific algorithms tailored to each student, Cox explained. “Much of this involves statistics machine learning and network analysis, multivariate regression, clustering classification analysis, market basket analysis (a data mining technique), and even just linear algebra,” she said.

The new algorithms expand data models to include previously unused confounding variables. For example, the consideration of whether a student took a foreign language in high school increases the predictive model’s accuracy in determining at-risk rates for first-time college students.

In addition to recording student performance, academic progress, retention, and risk levels to project prospective trends, Cox said the dashboard provides integrative tools to assist academic advisors in developing holistic action plans for students.

“Instead of being reactive, they can be proactive and have real-time interventions with students before they reach that overwhelming drop-out point,” Cox said. Too, college administrators can forecast the effect of new initiatives and potential strategies for further student support.

While this product is the PAM lab’s pride and joy, they

also offer customized data services for businesses and other institutions, such as consultant services to internal and external clients designed to assemble statistics for entities based on descriptive, diagnostic, prescriptive, predictive, and cognitive analytics. The aim of the services is to offer an examination of phenomena, how and why it occurred, how it may impact the future, and what should happen next to achieve success.

Everyone is moving toward AI, so we have to as well.

Integrating AI will ensure we are using all our data efficiently and effectively. As it progresses and the dashboard grows, we most definitely will implement more AI on both the academic and business side of things.”

LESLEY COX, PAM LAB DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Cox said outside of education, they are primarily working in the health care sector, predicting patient outcomes with treatment plans.

“One of the things we are excited about is working with a specific health company to use historical data on treatment in cancer cells

to come up with proper treatment plans,” Cox said. “We are also using a predictive model with health and behavior within sports as well as insurance cost reductions. We’re able to take everything a step further by developing industry-specific models and creating userfriendly interfaces.”

Their services provide a competitive advantage to businesses by aiding in “making datadriven decisions across the board, no matter what their background is,” Cox explained. At this writing, Cox said the PAM lab’s most current project is AI-assisted advising.

“Everyone is moving toward AI, so we have to as well,” she said. “Integrating AI will ensure we are using all our data efficiently and effectively. As it progresses and the dashboard grows, we most definitely will implement more AI on both the academic and business side of things.”

The PAM Lab measures its success through metrics. In 2020, UWF’s APR was 80.3 percent In 2023, it increased to 86.8 percent.

“Knowing we were able to contribute to those metrics is a reward in itself for us,” Cox said. “And, I think it makes the [UWF] president really happy.” ▪

↑ PAM employs several mathematical methods to create specific algorithms tailored to each student, much of which implements statistical machine learning and network analysis, multivariate regression, clustering classification analysis, market basket analysis (a data mining technique), and linear algebra.

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Taking the Boardwalk

From LA to Pensacola

story by DAVID EKRUT, P h D

Long before Tim Shoop founded Digital Boardwalk, he lived in a tent on the beaches of North Malibu. In his mid-20s, Shoop moved to the West Coast to pursue an acting career. While finishing up his service in the Navy, Shoop read a People magazine about how Brad Pitt got his start and thought, “I can do that.” After exiting the Navy, he shipped his belongings to his parents in Pensacola and set out to become famous.

“With no contacts or job prospects,” Shoop said, “I packed my Jeep with camping supplies, clothes, and $300 in cash, and set off for Hollywood.”

He spent nearly three months on the beach, bathing at public showers

and living on cheap foods, such as Ramen, tuna, crackers, and beanie weenies. Shoop believes, “This period of voluntary homelessness allowed me to live within my means and focus on my larger goals,”—which at the time was to afford meals better than Ramen noodles. While trying to catch his big break, Shoop fell back on the one thing he knew well.

“I got my first computer when I was 13,” Shoop recalled. He learned how computers worked and taught himself to write code. He had the online handle, Maniac, which he used to connect with other tech enthusiasts online as a kid. He had also been involved with theater and acting in his youth.

“So, it was acting or tech,” he said. While in California, he pursued both. In between auditioning for gigs, he earned a living in IT and took the opportunity to learn all aspects of the business, from answering phones, sales, and installing printers for Jamie Lee Curtis and other celebrities, but this wasn’t enough to sate his ambition.

One night, powered by a vision and copious amounts of coffee, Shoop wrote his first business plan, called ShoopTek Industries. He found investors and pitched his idea, but nothing came of it. Pushing 30, Shoop looked at the bigger picture and decided to leave Hollywood. Though he never ended up on the big screen, he values his time chasing that dream.

“I believe everyone has a unique path to follow,” Shoop said of his eccentric past, “and I will always have a fun story to tell my grandkids.”

Shoop moved to Pensacola, where he began working for Steve Jones selling computer training. At the same time, he launched New Vision Computers, taking contracts to build custom computers.

After growing into a multi-location retail chain, Shoop met with a broker to evaluate his company and was told the company was not worth much and a waste of the broker’s time. Though Shoop now agrees with the broker’s assessment, at the time, the news was devastating.

“After the meeting,” Shoop said, “I sat in my car with tears in my eyes feeling disheartened.”

H is lowest point was not homelessness or rejections from his acting pursuits, it was that moment when he realized his business was not viable for the long run.

“I was $200,000 to $300,000 in debt,” he recalled, and the broker had evaluated his business at about that much.

← Digital Boardwalk employs roughly 30 people, 90 percent of which are remote workers. Shoop discusses strategy with his team from the conference room of his offices.

It is essential to embrace it [AI]. At our company, we utilize Microsoft Copilot, among other AI tools, and integrate it into our customers’ environments For businesses, it is a tool that will help achieve more and remain competitive in the marketplace.”

— TIM SHOOP, FOUNDER OF DIGITAL BOARDWALK

Shoop decided to pivot his business to include a plan for recurring monthly revenue from clients—a fundamental component the broker had said he was missing. This new business, called The Red Door Project, which got its name based on the door color of the small room he worked out of, was to sell IT as a monthly service. He took the idea to one of his major clients who rejected him outright.

“This was before Netflix had normalized subscription fees,” Shoop said, so it was a hard sell, but Shoop persisted, and it paid off.

The Red Door Project evolved into his current company, Digital Boardwalk, which handles IT support for small- to mid-sized

companies and offers “a complete IT team for less than in-house staff.”

Additionally, the company provides proactive solutions to technology problems, cybersecurity, and growth-model planning for expanding businesses. With the advent of artificial intelligence and more advanced machine-learning models, Shoop and his teams are aware that in addition to providing new services for the general populace and consumers, any evolutions in technology will benefit unethical actors as well.

“AI has the potential to be a transformative technology, but without proper control and protection, it can be exploited,” Shoop said of the dangers of AI. “We are already witnessing AI being utilized

↑↓ Digital Boardwalk offers proactive solutions to technology problems, cybersecurity, and growth-model planning for expanding businesses. Shoop is proactive in anticipating any evolutions in technology benefitting unethical actors that might affect his clients and business.

by TRAVIS L. PATTERSON

to enhance cyberattacks. Its proficiency in natural language processing enables attackers to craft campaigns in multiple languages with near-perfect grammar, spelling, and tone.”

A decade ago, polymorphic malware changed the landscape of cyber defense, which is code that utilizes a mutation engine to modify its structure enough to avoid detection from malware scanners while maintaining its root function to steal data. With AI, malicious operators can utilize more sophisticated means of cyberattacks.

“This evolution makes it increasingly challenging for cyber defenses to detect threats and for end users to recognize them,” Shoop explained, but that, “Time is an ever-moving constant, and with it comes inevitable change.”

Few will refute that AI is the new proverbial Pandora’s box. Now that our digital lives are permeated by the technology, there is no off switch. For good or ill, artificial intelligence is the new must-have search phrase used in marketing strategies, pitch decks, and grant proposals surrounding innovative technology for the foreseeable future.

“ It is essential to embrace it. At our company, we utilize Microsoft Copilot, among other AI tools, and integrate it into our customers’ environments,” Shoop said, who takes the optimistic approach that AI will not replace jobs but enhance efficiency and job satisfaction, adding, “For businesses, it is a tool that will help achieve more and remain competitive in the marketplace.”

His podcast, Nerds on Tap, meets with business leaders to discuss such matters as entrepreneurship and the impacts of technology on business while enjoying brews provided by local pubs, where they promise, an “unscripted journey filled with impromptu laughter, compelling tech anecdotes, and a hearty dose of beer trivia.” ▪

↑ Shoop cohosts a podcast, called Nerds on Tap, where he enjoys a pint of a local brew while discussing entrepreneurial endeavors and the ever-changing flux of innovation and technology.

photography

← CONTROL ROOM Live 17 hours a day with expert technicians working on dozens of computer screens to monitor every inch of wire and plumbing, assessing temperatures and taking field measurements. Supervised by Magnet Operations Head Bryon Dalton, this system is considered the brain of the lab, where all the data comes in and most of the daily operational decisions are made.

We record signals while we work This is where machine learning and algorithms come in for us.”

JULIA SMITH, P h D, NATIONAL HIGH MAGNETIC FIELD

LABORATORY SCIENTIST

AI is Taking Over

At the MagLab, algorithms are lessening downtime

story by DAVID EKRUT, P h D

Artificial Intelligence is seeping into industries from visual arts and journalism to computer programming and research. Soon, stories found in magazines may require a label—“Created by a Human”—to let readers know the copy they are consuming is not computer generated.

As companies like OpenAI bring artificial intelligence into the mainstream, many may begin to wonder if Skynet, a superintelligent, sentient computer system bent on global domination, is right around the corner. Whether or not the robot uprising is nigh might still be up for debate, but there is no escaping the pervasiveness of machine learning and AI in our society.

In the 3rd century B.C., the Egyptians invented the water clock, which is likely the first feedback control system on record. The first “closed-loop” automatic control system was invented in 1624 by Cornelis Drebbel, who

designed a mercury thermostat to regulate the temperature of a chicken incubator by controlling a furnace.

Inventors have iterated these designs, improving functionality with each step. Almost 400 years later, home temperatures can be adjusted from the other side of the planet with a signal sent from a handheld smartphone.

Humanity is pressing ever forward, seeing to the automation of monotonous tasks like laundering clothes, washing dishes and mowing the lawn. Few stop to consider these wonders or the generations of thinkers required to create such marvels.

In business, time is money. Capitalism demands efficiency, driving innovation inexorably toward an automation boom. Scarcity necessitates speed and accuracy to preserve resources. For Julia Smith, PhD, a scientist at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, or the MagLab, extra time is never a luxury.

“We try to maximize the time that we can give to our users,” who travel from all over the world to conduct research at the MagLab, Smith explained. “So everything has to work when they come.”

The largest and highest powered magnet lab in the world is available to researchers for free, provided they can book highly coveted and sought-after timeslots. Bookings can take years to align and can be further complicated by failures in equipment, some of which was developed at the MagLab and only exists at its facilities.

“With limited resources in time, money and personnel, we have to find clever ways to go about things,” Smith said.

The MagLab employs diagnostic equipment to monitor potential points of failure, but much like analog traffic cameras, these were traditionally only used when a mishap occurred. By the time the lab realized something was wrong, the accident had already occurred. Recording equipment is useful for establishing fault; however, much like the crunched vehicles blocking a major intersection, the damage has already been done.

This is where artificial intelligence comes to the rescue. No, there is no iRobot in her lab. Smith and her team do not deploy repair-bots around the lab to fix faulty equipment. That level of science fiction has yet to become reality. The use of machine learning is less obvious than it is in film, but the uses provide incalculable value to researchers.

“We record signals while we work,” Smith said. While traditionally data on magnetic health can be pulled manually for analysis, real-time analysis is occurring behind the scenes, Smith explained, adding, “This is where machine learning and algorithms come in for us.”

Magnetic health is monitored with Time-Series Forecasting. Test ramps are generated for coils using increased current in resistive magnets. Thresholds for acceptable limits are established

using second order polynomial fits with coil resistance as a function of the current. Expected resistance can be established for coils and used to measure deviations in a time-series representation, allowing faculty at the MagLab to predict when coils might need to be replaced ahead of failures.

Their very clever machine-learning algorithm generates a seven-day deviation forecast, then messages Smith and her colleagues on Slack, enabling “proactive coil performance

monitoring” for eight different magnets at the MagLab.

A nother problem area where machine learning assists Smith’s team is Concept Drift Detection, “which is an abrupt or gradual change in the underlying distribution of a target variable and can be a sign of abnormal environmental changes or faults in an industrial process.”

Data mining research at the facility is focusing on specific parameters affecting system performance of the magnets, such

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Engineering Tomorrow

Innovating for the entrepreneurial mindset

story by LAZARO ALEMAN

Graduate research assistant Srikar Telikapalli works with a novel design concept for superconducting power cables for electric transportation in the Center for Advanced Power Systems at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

The FAMU/FSU College of Engineering (COE) is the only shared college of engineering in the United States. Joining the colleges was a state mandate, passed by the Florida Legislature in 1982, combining the historically black university with the Research-1 institution.

Once students finish the prerequisites at their home institutions, they take their core engineering courses together at the COE, earning the same degrees.

“With 3,000 students and a faculty of about 144, we’re a small college,” said Tisha Keller, the COE’s assistant dean for marketing, media, and communications. “But we have this huge research ecosystem that is unparalleled, especially in the areas of magnets, cryogenics,

and superconductivity. Basically, our college has resources that you wouldn’t expect us to have.” Students are granted access to perform research at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, the Center for Advanced Power Systems, the High-Performance Materials Institute, and Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Response Center, several of which are renowned in their fields and within walking distance of one another.

“I don’t think people in Tallahassee appreciate what they have here,” Keller said. “I don’t think they know that the world’s smallest, strongest magnet was developed at Innovation Park.”

In addition to the broad categories of degrees generally available at other institutions, several specialized majors are available to FAMU/FSU students,

↑ Grad student Shefik Bowen, left, watches as fellow grad student Omar Taleb works on anionic polymerization synthesis of block-copolymers in the environmental lab at the Aero-Propulsion, Mechatronics, and Energy (AME) Center. ← FAMU-FSU College of Engineering exterior

including mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering with cross training available. For example, students studying mechanical engineering have the opportunity to learn about topics in aeronautics and magnetic/materials sciences.

“There’s so much high tech, really specialized research done in these broad areas that isn’t done elsewhere,” Keller said. “Like with magnets and resilience; just crazy stuff that daily impacts our lives but that most people don’t associate with engineering.”

A focal point of the program is getting students into the lab early to ignite their passions for engineering through the application of learning theories. Additionally, students can work with luminaries in their field and instructors at the pinnacle of academic engineering.

“They figure out that engineering’s more than they thought it was and that maybe there’s no limit to how

↑ Dr. Sam McCalpin installs a probe into the bore of a magnet at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) . ↙ Students studying mechanical engineering have the opportunity to learn about topics in aeronautics and magnetic/materials sciences. Megan Pettingill works with her team to design a 3D printed RC airplane that was entered in a SAE Aero Design/3D Printed Aircraft Competition.

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they can affect the world with their major,” Keller said.

A goal of the school is to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship for young inventors. In partnership with the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, the COE offers an entrepreneur in residence program with aims to collaborate with students to commercialize their inventions. Competitions with cash prizes allow students the opportunity to pitch innovations and new technologies while also patenting and protecting their ideas.

“Students have invented things like seatbelt restraints,” Keller said, “alarms so parents don’t leave their kids in hot cars, and human trafficking devices for restrooms so females can alert authorities they need help. Students have also invented new ways to deliver diabetes medicine and other things. Some have started companies.”

The COE, she noted, annually generates two-thirds of FSU’s patents and 100 percent of FAMU’s, along with having faculty who have founded companies and others responsible for groundbreaking research and discoveries.

“There’s a lot going on,” Keller said. “We work with the Navy on electric ships and aircrafts, which is next-generation stuff. We just got $10 million through FAMU from the National Science Foundation to look at quantum engineering. It’s absolutely incredible stuff that they’re doing right here and now at this college.”

Quantum algorithms first emerged in 1984 when Charles Bennett and Gilles Brassard applied quantum theory to the field of cryptography, demonstrating superiority in security protocols. Since then, there has been an explosion in the synergy of computing and quantum theory. Modern technology is furthering this trend, creating new opportunities for quantum engineering, which FAMU/FSU COE is embracing.

Keller quoted Dean Suvranu De who said, “In the past, engineers went to school to learn how to make steam and car engines. The next generation will be learning how to do quantum computing.” ▪

← Senior mechanical engineering student

Melanie Munroe poses with a prototype of the anti-human trafficking device she developed with ESD Team 523.

↓ Mechanical ESD Team 511 - The Detector Baby (ME), from left, David Miller, Karli Cash, Shadi Bilal, and Matthew Zawiski with their prototype at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

Shlermine Everidge, MD Breast Surgical Oncologist

Kathleen Amm

The new MagLab director comes full circle

BY DAVID EKRUT, P h D

When the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, colloquially called the MagLab, opened its doors, Dr. Kathleen Amm was a graduate student at Florida State University, studying condensed matter physics.

“I was out here at the national lab right when it started, so I got to set up the lab,” she said, discussing the unique experience of being able to come back and see the changes after all these years.

The MagLab is a high-performing facility associated with FSU, the University of Florida, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. The MagLab holds numerous world records for its powerful magnets and invites collaborators from academia and private industry to conduct magnetic field research in several disciplines of science, including physics, biological engineering, and chemistry.

The most powerful magnet at the MagLab can hold a field of 45.5 Tesla (T), the unit for magnetic flux density. For a frame of reference, 1 T has approximately 20,000 times more strength than the magnetic field of the Earth’s surface. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines with a strength of 1-3 T will generate precise images within the human body.

The MagLab has a 21 T MRI. “We call it the world’s strongest MRI,” Amm explained. The bore is not large enough for humans but is used to look at, “biological processes inside the body, such as proteins.”

↙ Kathleen Amm, FSU alumni, returns to Tallahassee as the new director of the Maglab.

BUILD YOUR DREAM BUILD YOUR DREAM

“To build our infrastructure, we need to have good partners, like SPERRY. It really is team work because what we do requires a lot of work from a lot of people.”

— Ricardo Schneider President, Danfoss Turbocor

Imaging is only one application capability of high-magnetic field technologies. Materials research at the MagLab will enable a deeper understanding of constituent components of the basic building blocks of matter. Nuclear magnetic resonance can be used to study the transport of lithium-ion charging cycles, which is crucial for understanding how to optimize lithium-ion batteries, used in many consumer devices globally.

The MagLab has produced over 100 lifetime patents with researchers authoring 400 publications per year. A high-performing facility requires a versatile director to oversee operations.

Amm acquired the role in May 2024, bringing with her over 25 years of industrial and academic research experience. Being back feels like a full circle moment. Amm’s first patent came while she was still a graduate student at Florida State University in 1996, where she and her coauthors developed a process for preparing mercury-barium-calcium-copper-oxide-based superconductor materials. Superconductors are a material capable of sustaining an electrical charge without resistance, allowing an electrical current to persist indefinitely. Since leaving FSU, she has collaborated on a total of 22 patents and has over 70 publications, ranging in topics from superconductors to applications of magnetic fields.

“I went into physics because of my father,” Amm said “He was a good geophysicist and always inspired me with science when I was young.”

Her father worked predominately in the oil industry but also was able to study rocks carried back from the moon. And though greatly inspired

I went into physics because of my father. He was a good geophysicist and always inspired me with science when I was young.”

—DR. KATHLEEN AMM , THE NATIONAL HIGH

MAGNETIC FIELD LABORATORY

DIRECTOR

by her father’s geophysical research, Amm said she was “just graduating from high school around that time, there was the big discovery of the high temperature superconductors,” so she joined the revolution.

For much of her career, Amm worked for GE, where she saw many products from ideation to creation, then into the market, but the one “near and dear to my heart still has not been commercialized,” Amm said. The technology, which Amm called low cryogenic magnets. Historically, MRI takes thousands of liters of helium to cool the magnets. Amm’s team created a closed-loop helium system comprised of ten layers of helium that cooled the magnet quickly.

The product inevitably did not go to market because the company deemed it too expensive, Amm explained, “but it’s happening. These closed loop cooling systems are getting out there on the market.”

Returning to an academic institution has been an interesting transition for Amm, but the MagLab has numerous partnerships with industry. With her experience in both realms, Amm was an obvious best choice to pioneer the MagLab into new territory.

Specifically, Amm said, “I think it’s absolutely imperative that we have a strategy around AI.”

Artificial intelligence is the next revolution, but “we need to think about the ethics of what is being done,” Amm said and is strategizing with her teams on how best to create and implement AI in ways that are responsible. ▪

Celebrating 30 Years!

Thank you to the Artists who made it possible! Borromeo String Quartet, Steven Banks, Thomas Mesa, Ilya Yakushev, Harlem Quartet, Terrence Wilson, Astralis Chamber Ensemble, Ensemble Schumann, Imani Winds, Cann Sisters, Daniel Hsu, Axiom Brass, Paul Galbraith, Itamar Zorman, Amy Moretti, Windsync, Akropolis, Vienna Piano Trio, Juilliard String Quartet, and many more!

January 19, 2025

Vega String Quartet, Artist-in-Residence

Sunday, Opperman Hall, FSU, 4 pm

February 13, 2025

Valentine Gala Celebrating Our 30 Year Anniversary Invitation only, RSVP required (Contact us by January 2, 2025 if you would like to be invited to celebrate with us!)

Thursday, Governor’s Club, 6:30 pm

March 9, 2025

Duo Beaux Arts, four-hand piano

Sunday, Opperman Hall, FSU, 4 pm

TALLAHASSEE offers the perfect environment for your technology venture to flourish—from cutting-edge startups to established industry leaders.

DISCOVER OUR

Thriving Technology Community

There are over 1,400 information technology businesses in the Tallahassee Metro Area.

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49.3% of individuals 25 or older in the City of Tallahassee have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

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IT jobs in the Tallahassee Metro Area are projected to grow 11% in the next five years.

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There are over 1,400 information technology businesses in the Tallahassee Metro Area. The top tech industries are:

Gov-Tech

Cybersecurity

Health-Tech

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Tallahassee fosters a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem through various business incubators and accelerators:

• Domi Station

• FAMU Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

• The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship

• FSU Research Foundation

• IGNITE Tallahassee

Whether you are looking to grow, relocate or start your tech company in Florida’s Capital Community, the Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) is your link to site location, talent solutions, financial guidance, technical assistance, and other concierge services.

FAMU: In the business of MBAs

Exceptionalism with every degree

story by LAZARO ALEMAN

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, established in 1887 as the Normal College for Colored Students, is now the third largest Black university in the United States and the sole remaining publicly funded historically Black college or university in the state of Florida. The focus of the university is to better the lives of the students who enter the colleges, and specifically, the School of Business and Industry (SBI) at FAMU aims to augment the ranks of Black graduates with MBAs.

Typically averaging about 90 students annually, the program’s current enrollment exceeds 100, a testament to its growing popularity. SBI Interim Dean Ira W. Bates, PhD, attributes the growth to a multiplicity of factors, including “a dynamic faculty, the quality and flexibility of the courses, graduate assistantships, fellowships, and graduate internships.”

The one-year MBA program is designed for full-time students to become leaders in global business, industry, and commerce. According to the program objective, “The program

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

SBI Interim Dean Ira W. Bates, PhD

is broad in approach; it integrates the functional areas of business with carefully tailored behavioral skills enhancement programs to develop holistically competent managers.”

Though students can choose from a list of electives to tailor the MBA to fit their specific goals to excel in their fields, all students receive a well-rounded education and indepth immersion into the inner workings of the business world and the marketplace, with an emphasis on such disciplines as accounting, human resources, strategic planning, and leadership.

“The most popular areas that draw students are marketing, supply-chain management, and finance,” said Bates. Also contributing to the program’s success is the job placement program. Several Fortune 500 corporate partners support

the school through financial contributions, career-development opportunities, and disciplinespecific content, most notably in partnerships that include Accenture, the Walt Disney Company, Edward Jones, Ford, John Deere, and JPMorgan. They also work with branches of the government, such as the Naval Department, to find the best career path for their graduates.

Shawnta Friday-Stroud, PhD, the Sybil Collins Mobley endowed professor and executive director for strategic partnerships, said the program aims to provide far more than just a degree.

“We offer our MBA students specialized career services, including resume writing, interviewing preparations, internships, and full-time placement interviews, as well as career expos,” Friday-Stroud

explained. “We also provide them with opportunities to obtain relevant professional certifications.”

The college can boast an exceptionally high job-placement rate of 85 percent with salaries ranging between $55,000 and $100,000 annually, with a median of $77,500—varying based on the career path, program ranking, location, and signing bonuses among the factors that can influence the final figure.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an MBA can provide a definitive advantage for some jobs compared to positions held by those with only a bachelor’s degree. For example, employment in the financial sector, particularly working in securities, commodities, and financial services, agents with an MBA earn up to 89 percent more than their associates.

↑ G. Scott Uzzell (center), graduated from the FAMU School of Business and is currently serving as a member of the FAMU Foundation Board. Uzzell was the vice president and general manager of Nike North America until this past November. Uzzell is pictured here with former FAMU President Larry Robinson and wife Sharon during the 2019 FAMU homecoming convocation in which he attended as a speaker.

Our undergraduate and graduate students, as well as alumni, have a long tradition of demonstrating that our system of rigorous academic preparation, combined with practical business experiences gained as a result of our integrated corporate and private partnerships, enables them to successfully compete in, and contribute to, today’s global society.”

↙ FAMU alum John W. Thompson, former chair of Microsoft

AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

“Our undergraduate and graduate students, as well as alumni,” Friday-Stroud said, “have a long tradition of demonstrating that our system of rigorous academic preparation, combined with practical business experiences gained as a result of our integrated corporate and private partnerships, enables them to successfully compete in, and contribute to, today’s global society.”

In the bestseller, A Passion for Excellence: The Leadership Difference, author Tom Peters described the SBI as “the Marine Corps of business schools: pride, poise, excellence!”

Friday-Stroud is cognizant of the SBI legacy and determined to build on it by offering an ever-competitive global business education with a demanding curriculum, dedicated faculty, and student-centered academic environment.

She cited among the program’s many notable alumni: John W. Thompson, the former chair of Microsoft; G. Scott Uzzell, the former vice president and general manager of Nike North America; and Eric Gillman, assurance partner at PwC.

Friday-Stroud identified the SBI’s focus moving forward as enrollment growth, which will be achieved by creating more options and flexibility for the students. “Student success and providing exceptional support services remain our first priority.” ▪

Tom Peters A Passion for Excellence: The Leadership Difference In his book, Peters offers insights into management strategies for innovative leaders.

—SHAWNTA FRIDAY-STROUD, P h D, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Capital City Bank

Financing Tallahassee for 130 years

story by AL KRULICK

Before automobiles or even electricity existed in Tallahassee, there was Capital City Bank, which first opened its doors on April 1, 1895, to service a population of 3,000 people. After weathering two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the Great Recession of 2008, Capital City Bank has become a pillar of fortitude and stability within the region.

According to the Social Security Administration, more than 9,000 banks failed during the 1930s. As a point of scale, 567 banks closed from 2001 to 2024. During all this time, Capital City Bank expanded operations. As the institution’s 130th anniversary approaches, there are more than 50 locations across Florida and into South Georgia and Eastern Alabama. Most recently,

they have opened a new location on North Florida’s Emerald Coast.

“ We already had a small presence there with our Chipley office over in Washington County and Port St. Joe in Gulf County,” explained Beth Corum, Capital City Bank’s COO, “but Panama City, Destin—that area had not been as high on the radar.”

In 2017 and 2018, the Panama Citybased St. Joe Company made the area much more attractive to financial institutions. The real estate developer and asset company owns, sells, develops, and manages a broad and expansive portfolio of real estate and properties across the Emerald Coast. In 2023 alone, the company sold 1,704 residential properties in Northwest Florida and opened 5 new hotels, totaling 646 rooms.

“Any time you see the type of growth that occurs in a market like that,” Corum said, “you not only can bring in new consumers, but you also have all the ancillary pieces. You’ve got the businesses that pop up, and you’ve got all of the construction that goes on, whether it’s homes or office buildings. And because we have offerings for all those different verticals, it just made a really good opportunity for us.”

Capital City Bank opened its first office in Bay County in 2020 at Breakfast Point, the Watersound office in South Walton County in January 2023, and the Bay County branch in the Panama City/ Lynn Haven area this year. Early next year, there will be another ribbon cutting at the Latitude Margaritaville megadevelopment in West Bay.

Capital City Bank takes pride in its customer loyalty. Despite steep competition in financial markets, they maintain

↑ The Capital City Bank at the Monroe Street location as it stood in 1957. The branding and building design were considered modern for the era.

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a strong base and marketing strategy specific to Florida’s demographic. In terms of knowing how to keep its customers, Stephen Stabler, Capital City Bank’s regional market executive for the Emerald Coast, pointed to the institution’s long and lucrative history.

“What has made us so successful is the personalized approach that we have,” Stabler said. “Relationship banking has been a cornerstone for us, and it’s what has enabled us to keep our name on the door for 129-plus years. When people see that star on our building, they know what we’re about—a bank of choice for individuals and businesses seeking a financial partnership. When you come in and meet our people, you’ll know that we make a difference, and any client will quickly see that the knowledge and guidance provided by our associates is what sets us apart.”

Corum agreed, saying, “We have always operated with the philosophy that we can ‘out-product’ a smaller bank, and we can ‘out-service’ a larger bank.” Meaning, their staff makes the effort to provide a personalized touch to every customer coming into their branches, from managing assets and succession to setting up a child’s first account or planning for college.

“We want to assist our clients in building secure futures because we really believe whether it’s an individual, or a small business, or a large company,” Stabler said, “if they’re successful, the community will be successful. So, we like to play a part in all of that.”

Another policy that sets the bank apart from competitors is that the Capital City Bank Foundation supports local nonprofits and encourages their associates to volunteer within their communities. One of the bank’s fundamental principles lies in the notion that building a strong community will create a strong bank.

Corum and Stabler are optimistic about the bank’s future on the coast.

“We have operated in North Florida for 129 years,” Corum stated, “and I think that gives us a little bit of a competitive edge at times because I think we understand what North Florida looks like. Obviously, the Emerald Coast complexion is a little different, but at its core, it is still North Florida, and we think we can put together a successful franchise in that area that’s complementary to what we have done for the last 129 years.”

Stabler agreed, adding, “This area continues to experience strong growth, and we believe these communities embrace our approach to banking. The counties have grown tremendously, and we believe they will continue to grow, which creates great opportunities for us on the banking side to grow with them.” ▪

We have always operated with the philosophy that we can ‘out-product’ a smaller bank, and we can ‘out-service’ a larger bank.”—BETH CORUM, CAPITAL CITY BANK’S EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

↑ Over the nearly 130 years, relationships have been the cornerstone for Capital City Bank. “When people see that star on our building, they know what we’re about—a bank of choice for individuals and businesses seeking a financial partnership,” said Stephen Stabler, Capital City Bank’s regional market executive.

St. Joe Company’s Breakfast Point development location

Beth Corum

Stephen Stabler

Ethical Guardrails for AI

Artificial Intelligence is the new frontier for technological innovation, impacting all aspects of the global economy. There is a consensus that AI will benefit society if used ethically, but how important will it be to create restraints for these new technologies?

Though generative AI has the potential to increase efficiency across several sectors of industry, intellectual property needs to be protected, which will require governmentally mandated guardrails for the companies training their algorithms on the works of the artists, authors, and programmers that are likely to be replaced by these technologies. Until that happens, I remain cautiously optimistic about the potential of AI.”

DR. DAVID EKRUT, LEAD EDITOR, 850 BUSINESS MAGAZINE

With AI and machine learning, you have to be mindful about how you use [other scientist’s] data.”

DR. JULIA SMITH, T HE NATIONAL HIGH MAGNETIC FIELD LABORATORY, RESEARCH SCIENTIST

[Research is focused] on the use of myths, misinformation, disinformation, and deepfakes and its impact on democracy and the threat to democracy.”

DR. LAURA GREENE , MAGLAB CHIEF SCIENTIST, NATIONAL ACADEMY SCIENTIST, AND MEMBER OF PRESIDENT BIDEN ’ S COUNCIL OF ADVISORS ON SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

I think the misconception is that AI is somehow a living thing created by humans. It’s simply a tool to speed up innovation and creativity. For businesses in particular, AI is essential to stay at the forefront of your competition, by enhancing productivity, and deliver consistent results.”

—TIM

SHOOP, FOUNDER OF DIGITAL BOARDWALK

I think it’s absolutely imperative that we have a strategy around AI. We need to think about the ethics of what is being done and how we deal with that.”

—DR.

KATHLEEN AMM, THE NATIONAL HI GH MAGNETIC FIELD LABORATORY DIRECTOR