CHARLOTTE VARNES, KID’S ALRIGHT > PAGE 20 • SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM OCTOBER 2020
How You Can Help Our
ZOO
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Where the Art of Healing comes to Life SPACE COAST BUSINESS | SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM
OCTOBER 2020
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Table of
CONTENTS SPACE COAST BUSINESS OCTOBER 2020
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ON THE COVER: BREVARD ZOO: HOW YOU CAN HELP Our Zoo Review Photo by Jason Hook Photography
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ASRC FEDERAL SHOOTS FOR THE STARS
Stamping Out Manufacturing with 3-D Printing
best practice Car Buying - Kelly Automotive Group & INFINITI of Melbourne
Virtual Car Buying Experience Finacial Focus - Edward Jones. Member SIPC
What an Unplanned Career Transition Means for You
26 28
“One of the emerging roles zoos play, in addition to the focus we make on conservation and education, is to ensure people are connecting with the natural world around them.”
KEITH WINSTEN
EVERY ISSUE
President’s Note This Kid’s Alright The Ethical Capitalist
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Find more at:
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UP CLOSE with
KEITH WINSTEN
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PRESIDENT’S NOTE
A RESILIENT LIFE I recently pulled a book off the shelf that a friend had given me over a decade ago: A Resilient Life by Gordon MacDonald. In it, he recalls the lessons he learned from a prep school track coach named Marvin Goldberg, and how, 50 years later, they remain some of the most significant he had ever learned. MacDonald wrote, “At 15 and 16 he was helping us learn for the first time that the satisfactions of life go to the man or woman who pursues selfcontrol and who is willing to push the body and mind beyond natural points of resistance.” I don’t know about you, but I feel we all are being pushed beyond our “natural points of resistance” of late. Some days I feel like a runner hoping for that “second wind” or a fellow at a busy intersection with nothing to find his way but a white cane with a red tip.
I am sure, likewise, we will move beyond COVID-19 in due time and with lessons learned. This month, we highlight some stories of why this area is so resilient and some of the people that make it so, especially our own Dr. Dolittle, Brevard Zoo’s Keith Winsten and his army of animal lovers, volunteers and community patrons that have helped put our community zoo on the map and ranked among the top in the country. There is a lot of insight and inspiration in the pages that follow, and we hope you’ll recognize some meaningful life lessons in the words and information we are honored to share with you.
However, this community has a very resilient legacy. We came roaring back from two major program shutdowns at Kennedy Space Center, Saturn and the Space Shuttle, and now (and once again) are redefining the exploration of space. We have survived market and real estate crashes, the threats of military base closures, economic downturn and unemployment.
Eric
ERIC WRIGHT, PRESIDENT
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SCB Contributors - October 2020
Michael Candelaria Michael Candelaria is a veteran writer and editor of the magazine industry in Central Florida, covering a variety of topics and stories from city/regional and business magazines to travel/leisure and sports magazines. He formerly served as the editor of Orlando magazine and president of the Florida Magazine Association. He is well-known in the Central Florida community, working with numerous high-profile business and civic organizations. mikecandelaria4@gmail.com
Heather Motro In addition to writing and serving as Assistant Managing Editor for Space Coast Magazines, Heather Motro writes the sustainability blog The Blergh, manages social media for the Marine Resources Council and was co-Editor-in-Chief of Holy Trinity High School’s award-winning yearbook. She is a member of Clemson University Honors College Class of ’24 (go Tigers!). IG & FB: theblerghblog
Fred Mays Fred Mays is a freelance writer and photographer who resides in Satellite Beach. He is a retired television journalist, and active on media issues with the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition. His blog is www.floridaunplugged.net.
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OCTOBER 2020 Eric Wright, President EDITORIAL Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher Heather Motro, Assistant Managing Editor
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CHALLENGES
FACING BREVARD ZOO
he Brevard Zoo, one of the Space Coast’s most beloved “feel good” destinations, is facing critical decisions in coming months as it tries to navigate the grim reality of losing up to a third of its operating budget this year, estimated at more than
$4 million dollars.
The effects of the pandemic lockdown have devastated the non-profit organization, which is facing a 50% reduction in attendance while costs remain static for overhead, employee pay, and feeding, housing and caring for the menagerie of animals that share space in the open concept zoo. At one point this past spring, during the two months of the complete shutdown, the zoo had to tap deep-pocket benefactors to be able to feed the animals and meet payroll. Part-time staff was let go when the zoo shut down in March and full-time staff also had to adapt: hourly workers were cut down to 32 hours a week and salaried staff took a 15% pay cut. A few positions have been permanently eliminated.
Story by Fred Mays, Contributing Writer Photography and Illustration by Jason Hook Photography OCTOBER 2020
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New RULES for Visiting the Zoo Since March, attendance has plummeted to less than half of what it had been last year. For two months, there were no visitors at all during peak season for the Zoo. When it reopened in May, the Zoo started a “timed entry” policy to limit crowd size and encourage social distancing. Now, online reservation must be scheduled ahead of time to gain entry to the 75-acre expanse. Andrea Hill, the zoo’s Communications Director, says in normal times 45% of the zoo visitors come from outside Brevard County, many of them international tourists. The international number has dropped to near zero. In normal times, 90% of the zoo’s funds are realized through admission-related income.
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According to reports, the annual economic impact of the Zoo exceeds $59.5 million. Jackie Barker, president of the board that oversees the zoo, says the future “is very difficult to forecast. We have adjusted our budget for the rest of the year based on meeting goals of 50% attendance, but nobody knows what the future looks like.” Instead of putting together a full 2021 budget, the board is only planning through the first quarter of next year to see how things go. She is thankful for the community response to fundraising campaigns, “people have been very generous”. She also had high praise for the zoo staff, “they are so passionate”.
Seeking Community SUPPORT
HOMETOWN Zoo, National Reputation The Brevard Zoo is small compared to other zoos but has a national reputation for excellence. USA Today recently ranked it #5 in the country, higher than the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. Additionally, the Zoo has continually been recognized as a leading institution in top ten zoo lists and awards from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Founders of the zoo recall bringing their own hammers and tool kits to lend a hand building the original zoo 26 years ago. In fact, the community effort recruited more than 16,000 volunteers and raised $3.5 million and to construct the largest community-built zoo in the world.
In order to keep operating, the zoo is in the midst of an ambitious million-dollar fund raising campaign. As of this writing, Winsten says it has already raised $600,000 with the average donation coming in at about $200. To be sure, the Zoo is leaning on wealthy contributors. But there also have been touching stories of small individual giving. The youngster who brought in a piggy bank. The college student who donated his entire savings, $512, because of the learning experiences he had at the zoo school. Melanie Tisdale, her husband Cliff and two daughters have been Zoo members for over 10 years. “We give what we can with a growing family, $20 here, $20 there,” she said. They have an annual membership and went to the Zoo monthly before COVID. “People should give at whatever level they’re capable of. It’s such a special place.”
PLEASE HELP SAVE OUR ZOO
To make a contribution, go to: brevardzoo.org/support
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Migration, Not EXTINCTION Renowned for its research and conservation efforts, a few popular programs developed at the Zoo are facing - at the very least - change. Some may even be migrated to Zoo partners. The long-term Sea Turtle Rehabilitation program may be handed off to conservation partners, said Winsten. There has been one temporary casualty of the zoo economy. The highly anticipated Brevard Aquarium project is on hold. In the most recent rounds of funding at the state level, Gov. DeSantis effectively sucked the air out of this project when he vetoed a $500,000 appropriation for the aquarium. The design stage will continue, but fundraising won’t resume until the zoo is back on its feet. “We need a healthy zoo in order to have an aquarium,” said Winsten. “This is a speed bump, not a stop sign.” Restore Our Shores, which builds oyster reefs and plants mangroves along the Indian River Lagoon to help mitigate shoreline erosion and improve water quality has been able to continue because its paid for by state grants and money from the lagoon sales tax trust fund. Something else has changed. According to Winsten, the zoo is “migrating to virtual platforms” not just for fundraising, but as a way of carrying out the zoo’s educational objectives. The traditional zoo camps have been replaced with online learning. Camps that used to run nine weeks in person, now run four weeks online. It seems to be working. “While mom and dad are working from home, the kids are on zoo camp.” Annual fundraising events like Safari Under the Stars, Boo at the Zoo, and Jazzoo are likely going to be held online this year.
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Crowd FUNDING in Crowdless Times Facebook has become a fundraising powerhouse for the Zoo. This spring one Facebook campaign had a goal of $1,000. It actually raised $10,000. According to Winsten, “people really want to help”. Barbara Wall, an Indian Harbour Beach realtor and longtime zoo advocate, has started a weekly “adopt an animal” Facebook campaign. Each week features a different animal. Response has been greater than she expected. Some friends are giving large amounts, many Facebook followers are giving what they can. Andrea Hill says the zoo has an emotional appeal in the community. “We’re all hurting, but people still give.” See the Up Close feature on Keith Winsten in the Space Coast Business section of this magazine, pp 32. •
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO
FEED ZOO ANIMALS?
GIRAFFE
KOMODO
$166
per month x 1 komodo (Sheldon)
SLOTH
$105
per month x 4 sloths
CHEETAH
$168
per month x 4 cheetahs
$517
RHINO
$1,096 per month x 3 rhinos
$3,288
per month x 9 giraffes
$4,653
$672
$166
$420
BREVARD ZOO BY THE NUMBERS Full time employees Part time employees Annual visitors (2019)
141 70 425,000
VISIT
PLAN YOUR
Visitors (2020) Estimated at 50% of previous year ZOO HOURS 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (members) 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (non-members) TIMED ENTRY TICKET PRICES Adults: $24.70 Children (ages 3 to 11): $14.70 Seniors: $22.70 Payment is credit/debit card only. No cash. Masks are required for everyone over 7 years old.
Zoo animals Different species
900+ 195
To make a contribution to the zoo, go to: brevardzoo.org/support
OCTOBER 2020
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Ken Brace, in front of several samples of his work
PUTTING A STAMP on Manufacturing By Mike Candelaria, Contributing Writer Medical images supplied by Rapid Prototyping Services, LLC
E
ven after 15 years in the business, Ken Brace steadfastly continues plugging away at his techno-craft, producing parts, widgets, and even anatomically correct samples from his modest but well-equipped 3D “print� shop in Satellite Beach. All the while, his customer base continues to grow. OCTOBER 2020
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That pretty much describes Rapid Prototyping Services, a company started in 2004 after Brace scrapped a sheet-metal business he had operated with his father. The “print” is three-dimensional printing — a high-tech manufacturing process of making solid plastic objects from digital files of computer-aided designs. During the process, successive layers of material are layered by machine until the object is created in exacting detail. In essence, a design that can be detailed and viewed on a computer screen is reproduced by Brace’s specialty equipment for area engineers, inventors and other customers seeking immediate, tangible feedback on their creations. “The gist of 3D printing is you don’t have to wait for a machine shop to do it. … I can service them so well when they’re local. Some of the engineers will give me a CAD (Computer Aided Design) file in the afternoon and pick up the part on their way into work the next morning,” he said. Most of his clients are from local defense and aerospace industries and related commercial spinoff companies. Brace lauds the manufacturing environment across the county, calling it “first class.” Heightened activity at Cape Canaveral and the continued expansion of companies such as Northrop Grumman have been particular boons to his business, helping to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. The medical field also has begun requesting prototyping services from Brace. “I’m getting my hands into a lot of different areas. The medical guys are starting to realize what we can do with medical imaging,” said Brace, a 1986 engineering graduate of the University of Central Florida. Using the results from an MRI, for example, one surgeon had Brace 3D print the nasal cavity of a patient before surgery. Sterilized, the nasal cavity sat on a table during the medical procedure as a visual aid. Similarly, Brace has 3D printed a patient’s congestive heart for another
doctor, “so there are no surprises when they get in there,” he said. He’s printed a hip ball joint, too, again from an MRI, enabling a doctor to know exactly how worn the joint was before initiating surgery. “This medical [piece] adds a whole new realm to the work I am doing,” Brace commented. Indeed, 3D printing is a big deal. Recently, in response to the pandemic, Florida Tech engineers used their prototyping equipment to print safety masks for medical professionals and first responders. The prototyping industry is experiencing tremendous growth as technologies advance and as new materials are used to create end products. Bio-products such as bones, muscles and ears have been printed and successfully attached in animal trials. Foods have been printed, buildings erected, tools and even bullets and guns - all 3D printed. At Brace’s business, the setting is decidedly low key. First, Brace himself is casual and friendly, and the same could be said for his “business partner,” Pepper, a female Cocker Spaniel who doubles as greeter at the door. “It can get hectic at times, but most of the time it’s manageable,” he said. Even so, the office is quite impressive, highlighted by six large Stratasys Ltd. 3D printers capable of running nonstop. Stratasys is a recognized leader in 3D printers and production systems for office-based rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing. In the past two years, Brace has invested in additional equipment and added roughly 1,000 square feet to the shop. “I’ve got a million dollars’ worth of equipment on the floor and no employees…It’s awesome.” Brace’s easy tone belies his experience with machinery. In his previous sheet-metal business, it wasn’t uncommon for 70 people working two 10-hour
shifts to be on the floor. When it was sold, Brace said the company had about $5 million in machinery. Actually, metal might be back in his future. While 3D printing in metals has been around for some time, it’s emerging as a go-to resource for large manufacturers. One example: General Electric Co. has qualified 3D metal printing for jet engines — with technology that works much like a home inkjet printer, but instead involving a flat bed of metal powder. The changes have caught Brace’s eye. [3D printing in metal] is not a new segment, but it’s a maturing segment that’s getting a lot of attention. … I’m watching it with interest,” he said, adding that, as always, the goal in manufacturing is to make something better, faster and less expensive than in the past. In the meantime, Brace continues to “give back,” working with the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast to help attract new companies to the area and promote the power of manufacturing to high school students as a career option. Notably, he has been a regular donor of 3D printers to a group of young engineers at his alma mater. Limbitless Solutions, a central Florida nonprofit organization at UCF, specializes in creating and donating personalized 3D-printed prosthetic arms for children and is receiving national and international acclaim for their efforts. He is grateful for the opportunity to help, and in his easy manner, thankful as well. “I’m fortunate,” he said.
Rapid Prototyping Services, LLC, is located at 710 South Patrick Dr., Satellite Beach. For more information, call 321-536-2611 or online at www.rapidps.com.
OCTOBER 2020
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D esiré Stewart:
ON WORKING WOMEN AND THE PAPER CLINIC Story by Heather Motro, Assistant Editor Photography by Jason Hook Photography
hile Desiré Stewart and I spoke over the phone for this article, she described her current situation: cradling a cell phone in one hand and her newborn girl, Reagan, in the other. Balancing priorities is something she’s used to: She runs a business to help other businesses while also sitting on multiple boards; she handled a pregnancy in the middle of a pandemic and now, she’s raising baby Reagan while cautiously considering how to reenter work at her office. Stewart’s enterprise and her commitment to her daughter are proof that a woman can find a way to strike the work/life balance, but it not always easy. And getting here also wasn’t easy.
Becoming a Businesswoman For most of her life, being a business owner wasn’t necessarily on Stewart’s radar. Instead, she had every intention of becoming a medical doctor. Then, in between pre-med undergraduate studies at the University of Florida and starting medical school, she took a gap year to work with a startup medical laser company. As she watched the company figure out marketing and entrepreneurship and navigate assistance with a local chamber of commerce, she discovered that these things thrilled her more than the medical work she thought she was destined to pursue. Rather than
completely abandon her hard-earned pre-med degree, she earned an MBA in healthcare management at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne and started her ascent up the ranks in medical company management. In her first years at those companies, Stewart stood ground against repeated pushback from the corporate world. “I don’t know if it was because I was a woman or because I was so young, but a lot of people would try to overstep my authority or second-guess some of the decisions I made,” she said. “Thankfully I had a private office then and I would just go in and take ten deep breathes, do some yoga stretches and say ‘Alright, people don’t like me right now, but we gotta move forward.’” Surprisingly, the discrimination came most often from other women in the workplace. She remembered one humiliating day when she wore the same dress as a female manager a few decades older. Later that day, Stewart was told not to wear the dress again. “It was very perplexing,” Stewart said. A dress might seem not seem important in the corporate landscape, but Stewart is convinced the manager somehow perceived it as a threat. That was ten years ago. Since then, Stewart said, the business world has undergone change for the better. In the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce
as well as her own business, The Paper Clinic, she’s noticed that “the older women are actually supportive and taking on a mentorship role rather than looking at the [younger women as] competition… I think women are less [likely] to judge each other and more supportive when they see [other women] kicking butt in the workplace.”
The Paper Clinic In addition to management roles at healthcare companies, Stewart also was involved with managing operations for her husband’s law firm, so she understood far too well the challenges-and headaches-of a growing business. “In our first two years of Stewart Law, we moved offices four times in one year,” she said with an exasperated laugh. She spent hours changing addresses and registrations, office setups and more. All that change and flux ignited the idea that grew to be the Paper Clinic, she said. “To have an office space that can help somebody who’s working from home and is a solopreneur and as they grow their team, their capabilities, where they can just stay in one place rather than shop for a new office year after year.” The Paper Clinic, a fitting name given Stewart’s medical background, is not your typical shared office space, however. Picture an extensive, 4,500 sq. ft. space in the Office Park in Viera. Cubicles line OCTOBER 2020
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“To have an office space that can help somebody who’s working from home and is a solopreneur and as they grow their team, their capabilities, where they can just stay in one place rather than shop for a new office year after year.”
DESIRÉ STEWART’S SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR WORKING MOMS: Google calendar and her assistant to help manage each day’s to-do lists: Stewart’s assistant and associates helped keep the Paper Clinic running for its clients during quarantine, even when Stewart had to stay home. HER FAMILY: “I don’t know how women would do it without having family in their business. Even with employees, it requires a certain degree of flexibility and understanding on their part. If they weren’t family, or if I didn’t have my family members advocating for the business, it might be a little bit more difficult. But everybody’s been super supportive.” STAYING ACTIVE: Stewart dances and choreographs with the dance group Live 2 Dance. “I found out early in my career that it’s always good to have an outlet, and I’ve always been really active with my health and fitness.” BREVARD’S BOSS BABES: Stewart and her friends started Brevard’s Boss Babes as a networking club for local working women. Search “Brevard’s Boss Babes” on Facebook if brunches, networking “speed dating” and camaraderie sound like something you’d like to be a part of.
The Paper Clinic is located at 7341 Office Park Place, Suite 202, Viera. For more information, or hours of operation, visit www.thepaperclinic.com or call 321-261-0418.
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two of the perimeter walls, which serve as home base for local entrepreneurs. Then there’s the classroom and collaborative space large enough for plenty of people to each have their own executive-sized desk, or for 40 people to sit, safely distanced, for a presentation or lecture.
Networking and Connecting The Paper Clinic hosts networking events, parties and periodic classes to set businesses up for success. “Somebody might be an expert in their field but then they have no idea how to work QuickBooks, or even how to set up a bank account for a business,” she said. This is where Stewart and her associates share their extensive knowledge to help their clients master essential entrepreneurial skills.
Prior to quarantine, these were face-to-face experiences, but in the new era of social distancing- plus with a new baby at homeStewart transitioned to virtual resources. Any kind of business you can imagine, from law firms, niche marketers, mortgage companies, and others, are welcomed to The Paper Clinic with open arms. It’s open to students, too. When high schools went online, The Paper Clinic offered their offices as quiet, socially-distanced havens for high schoolers to study for Advanced Placement exams.
Mentoring & Inspiring Stewart’s also working to secure a partnership to offer in-depth business education to high school and community college students. She hopes that seeing “… the juggling act that we do each day, you know, changing hats every 20 minutes from being the accountant to the salesperson to the marketing person,” will inspire students to get involved with small businesses, pursue a higher level of business education or start their own business, as she did.
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For nearly 30 years, the team of certified public accountants and advisors at Flavin Nooney & Person has been helping clients throughout Central Florida and beyond. "We're a full-service firm dedicated to providing our clients with professional, personalized financial service and guidance,” explained Tom Flavin, CEO and founder. “We serve the tax, financial planning and accounting needs of small and mid-sized businesses, business owners and wealthy individuals, and we appreciate each client has their own personal and professional goals.” Since opening its doors in September 1989 and taking on its first five clients,
From Left: Chuck Ellefson - CPA/CVA, Wazeena Rustom, Dawn Nolan, Barbara Nooney - CPA/PFS, Thomas P. Flavin - CPA/PFS, Aaron Stitzel - CPA/PFS, Tyler Heckman
the firm’s philosophy has been to provide topnotch, personalized service. “Since our founding we’ve served thousands of clients,” said Flavin. “But those original five clients are still with us, and that’s very important to me. We’re grateful for our clients' trust and we strive to exceed their expectations. We’re fortunate to live and work in the paradise known as East Central Florida. Our clients live here, too. We see them when they’re out to dinner with their families. We bump into them at the movie theater, or at the supermarket. For this reason, I’ve always conducted my business with the utmost integrity, keeping our clients’ needs front and center. When we meet, I want to be able
to smile at them, say hello, ask about their kids and know I’ve provided the best service I possibly can for them.” To meet its clients’ needs, the firm continues to expand its capabilities and menu of services. Over the next few years it intends to focus on enhancing the growing financial planning and wealth management segment of its practice. “People desperately need truly independent financial advice and investment guidance,” said Flavin. “As CPA’s and licensed investment advisors, we're uniquely qualified to provide that advice and guidance.” •
321-725-4700 info@flavincpa.com flavincpa.com 2200 South Babcock Street, Melbourne FL 32901 OCTOBER 2020
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THIS KID’S ALRIGHT YOUTH
TO WATCH
2020
SPOTLIGHT ON
CHARLOTTE VARNES
Story by Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher Photography by Jason Hook Photography
rom the time she was a young girl, Charlotte Varnes said she knew she wanted to be a writer. Specifically, a journalist. Her dad, Mitch Varnes, was a journalist for years (now he owns a sports promotions and events company). “I learned that style of writing from him and wanted to focus on that,” she said. The Indialantic resident and Holy Trinity honors graduate set her path in motion early. She served on staff at the school newspaper for three years, anchored a few broadcasts for the schools tv news program, and served as junior editor for HTGROWL.com, the student’s news website.
SNAPSHOT
In her senior year of high school, she was named Editor in Chief of the Growl, and launched a podcast called She Wrote That.
20
NAME
Charlotte Varnes
AGE
18
SCHOOL
TALENT
Medill College of Journalism at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Communication Arts
SPACE COAST BUSINESS | SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM
In her senior year of high school, she was named editor-in-chief of the Growl, and launched a podcast called She Wrote That. The platform features female writers, bloggers, authors, journalists, and storytellers. “Each episode, I sit down with someone different and discuss their writing experience and being a female in the industry and what that means” she said.
Four podcasts (at press time) have aired. The introductions are organized well and allow the listener to understand exactly what to expect from the cast. The podcasts are about 45 minutes each and available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Facebook and Twitter. Charlotte’s guests have included fellow HT student and Space Coast Magazines junior editor Helen Motro; Florida Today freelance writer and Facebook page moderator Lyn Dowling; USA Today writer and DC Activist Savannah Behrmann; and children’s book author and LGBTQIA activist Mikayla Denault. The approach to the onair interviews is similar to regular interviewing, Charlotte said.
“I find something special about each guest and try to focus on that,” she said. Charlotte is headed to the Medill College of Journalism at Northwestern University for her freshman year. Consistently recognized as one of the top three J Schools in the country, it’s also going to be a huge adjustment come winter, when daily highs hover in the low 40’s. “It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time,” she said, noting that all the original planning was bombshelled by COVID-19 and new requirements for classroom attendance, social distancing, etc. Most classes will be hybrid, a mix of in-class learning with online learning.
“I’m glad I’ll at least have a roommate to spend time with, even if we have to social distance from everyone else.” Listen to Charlotte’s podcasts on Apple Podcasts: bitly.ws/9tuT
Charlotte plans to continue producing the She Wrote That podcasts as time allows. “The goal is to uplift and encourage female writers and create a platform that allows their voices to be heard outside of their writing.” Yea, this kid’s alright. •
submit your youth nominee: THIS KID’S ALRIGHT will be a regular feature about under 25 youth in Brevard County who impress us with their foresight, problem solving skills, business acumen and other leadership skills. If you know of someone we should consider, please email shawna@spacecoastmagazines.com with a brief description of the candidate, age, and why you think they should be considered. Candidates will be considered on a case-by-case basis and presented as space allows.
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Public radio
WFIT-FM is your source for public radio on the Space Coast with news, music and more. Listen live via app, iTunes or web browser streaming.
for the Space Coast
wfit.org/listen-live OCTOBER 2020
21
THE MISSION
SHOOTING FOR THE STARS ASRC Federal Provides Top Level Support for Orion, Moon Quest Story by Mike Candelaria, Contributing Writer Images provides by ASRC Federal
Ask Lloyd Gregg or Pedro Medelius any question these days, and their answer is likely to rotate entirely on this premise, and without apology: To land the first woman and the next man on the Moon by 2024.
The job is big, actually HUGE. Gregg and Medelius, respectively, are vice president/general manager and chief technologist/chief scientist at ASRC Federal. With a presence in Brevard County since early 2000s, ASRC Federal companies support a wide range of NASA missions and centers, including NASA’s Orion program as a major subcontractor for Lockheed Martin. With continued expansion and investment, ASRC Federal is active on a number of significant contracts with NASA at Kennedy Space Center and the U.S. Air Force at Cape Canaveral. In July, a new office was opened in Merritt Island. Across its family of companies, ASRC Federal employs more than 600 highly skilled workers on the Space Coast. 22
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MOON SHOT ON THE WAY TO MARS
Even with all these projects, the NASA spacecraft effort — in the form of the Orion program — is never far from top of mind or tip of tongue. Specifically for Orion, ASRC Federal provides technical services and operational support to human spacecraft assembly, testing, integration and production, which occurs primarily in the Operations & Checkout facility at Kennedy Space
”
We will for the first time be able to land anywhere on the lunar surface and [also for the first time] plan on establishing a lunar colony and having humans inhabit another astronomical body. — Lloyd Gregg
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Center. This includes orbital arc welding, optics/alignment support, thermal blanket/barrier fabrication and thermal system installation, flight cable fabrication, electrical ground support equipment fabrication, test engineering, mission operations, ground operations and manufacturing engineering.
ALL WITH ONE GOAL.
“There is significant energy to return to the moon and continue onto Mars!” said Gregg, who has worked more than 30 years in the space industry in positions ranging from systems engineering and human space operations to project management. “… For the first time, the entire crew will descend to the lunar surface. Unlike Apollo that required an astronaut to control the command module in orbit,
Orion is autonomous enough to operate independently of human control. Also, we will for the first time be able to land anywhere on the lunar surface and [also for the first time] plan on establishing a lunar colony and having humans inhabit another astronomical body.”
ers) needed to perform the feat requires the continued development of a highly skilled workforce, such as an Orion apprentice program in place between ASRC Federal and Eastern Florida State College. This program attracts students in the college’s Aerospace Technology program, trains them and pays their part-time salaries with the goal of creating a talent pipeline. ASRC Federal also assists in many school sciences events, robotic competitions and related activities.
“From a technological standpoint,” Medelius said, “I believe we are ready to go back to the moon. Humankind has always had the desire to explore and has wanted to answer the question of what lies beyond what we currently see and understand. We did it back in the 1960s when we Lloyd Gregg went to the moon, and we can do it again.”
There is a sense of urgency, which has brought a commitment from the top tiers of US government: the effort has been But how? deemed mission-essential by the federal government. According PARTNERSHIP, to Gregg, even during FUNDING & HIGHLY the pandemic, workers SKILLED LABOR haven’t missed a beat — while, of course, complyGetting back to the moon ing with safety protocols by 2024 will require a and recommended guidecontinued partnership Pedro Medelius between government lines from the Centers for and industry, as well as continued Disease Control and Prevention. funding for NASA to accelerate production of needed hardware “The [employee] dedication to this and infrastructure, said Gregg. mission is evident every day as they step into the ‘factory floor’ to Training will also be a critical bring our country one step closer component, he said, noting that to the next major step in space the human capital (qualified work- exploration,” Gregg said.
Explore
TO ADVANCE
Medelius, who has more than 30 U.S. patents and nearly 30 international patents to his credit during his 30-plus years in the industry, pointed to knowhow and sheer will. “Similar to what happened at the beginning of air travel close to 100 years ago, the technology has matured enough for private-sector companies to be able to invest for the long term,” he said. “It is hard to pinpoint a single driver for our success in the space industry, other than our continued desire to explore and advance. A combination of better materials, new process, more efficient
There will always be risk associated with any endeavor propulsion systems, electronics, artificial intelligence, autonomous operations and others has enabled significant progress over the past several decades. As the calendar moves closer towards launch time, moving forward means no turning back, Medelius concluded. “There will always be a risk associated with any endeavor,” he said. “But we must be willing to accept it and continue to explore in order to advance our understanding of our solar system, our galaxy and the universe.”
•• •
ASRC Federal Holding Company is the government services subsidiary of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, an Alaska Native Corporation owned by approximately 13,000 Iñupiat shareholders. For more information, visit online at www.asrcfederal.com.
OCTOBER 2020
23
THE ETHICAL CAPITALIST BY ERIC WRIGHT, PRESIDENT
Reframing Reality
How Perspective Shift Can Change Outcome
W
hen Ron Howard’s historical tribute to the space program “Apollo 13” hit the theatres I think I was one of the first in line to buy a ticket. Growing up in the shadow of the moon race, I vividly remember my father’s conspicuous absence for several days as those three American astronauts were teetering on the brink of oblivion. A NASA engineer, my dad and the other members of that remarkable team performed the engineering miracles that brought Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert safely back to earth. When the capsule was approaching re-entry, well aware that the chances of a safe and successful landing were slim to none, the world held its collective breath. During this climactic scene in the movie, the modern equivalent of a press secretary was working through the devastating impact this mission could have on the space program. Agreeing, NASA’s Director remarked, “This could be the worst disaster NASA’s ever faced.” Gene Kranz, the courageous flight director (masterfully
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played by Ed Harris in the movie) made a response that would forever define the skill and the art of reframing: “With all due respect, sir, I believe this is going to be our finest hour.” Kranz was right. Apollo 13 became “the most successful failure” in NASA’s history.
Vivid vs. Valid
Reframing is simply changing our perspective or “frame of reference.” It is looking at a situation or a problem from a different point of view. As Kranz said in another scene in the movie while trying to get the engineering team to think creatively, “I don’t care about what anything was designed to do, I care about what it can do.” Before you discount this, recognize the premise was one of the points which Daniel Kahneman incorporated into his research on why busines owners make poor decisions. His findings won him the Nobel Prize for Economics. Framing: According to Kahneman, framing is how we approach any problem to solve it. Since we make thousands of problem-solv-
SPACE COAST BUSINESS | SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM
ing decisions every day, many almost unconsciously, it is little wonder that our methods for addressing new quandaries tend to fall into rather predictable patterns. What is it that draws us into our volitional ruts? Information Accessing: In our decision-making process, we tend to respond not on the most reliable data, but the most recallable data. Typically, we access the data that confirms our bias, presuppositions or our “frame of
reference”. As one writer said, “What is vivid is more important than what is valid or relevant.” Our experience becomes more authoritative than the cumulative experience of others. Many times, our emotions are more real and therefore more valid than the truth. To put it another way, our emotions become the truth. Thus, we begin to operate what can only be described as a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” Because we filter out anything to the contrary, our expectations and impressions are confirmed and act to drive to the conclusions we already have assumed are the inevitable outcome. Cognitive Consistency and Optimism: In addition to trending towards certain consistent patterns of thinking, we also tend to act the same way because we are convinced we are “right.” Research has shown that “bad data is worse than no data because it generates the illusion of reason.” We are confident in our decisions because we think we have the facts to back us up.
There are myriad examples of reframing, but one of the most powerful stories I recall was about Naval Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale, awarded the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War, during which he was a prisoner of war for over seven years. Recalling his time there, he said: “Well, you have to understand, it was very depressing. Yet, despite all those circumstances, I never ever wavered in my absolute faith that not only would I prevail—get out of this—but I would also prevail by turning it into the defining event of my life that would make me a stronger and better person.” “I can tell you who didn’t make it out. It was the opti-
“
mists. They were the ones who always said, ‘We’re going to be out by Christmas.’ Christmas would come and it would go. And then there would be another Christmas. And they died of a broken heart.” “This is what I learned from those years in the prison camp. You must never ever ever confuse, on the one hand, the need for absolute, unwavering faith that you can prevail, despite those constraints, with on the other hand, the need for the discipline to begin by confronting the brutal facts, whatever they are. We’re not getting out of here by Christmas.” That is what was termed the “Stockdale Paradox.”
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Against All Odds
Reframing is simply changing our perspective or “frame of reference. – Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale
OCTOBER 2020
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Best PRACTICE
CAR BUYING
For more business resources go to: spacecoastbusiness.com/category/best-practice
KELLY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
By Shawna L. Lucas, Publisher
onths before the pandemic would shutter businesses across the world. Kelly Ford and INFINITI Of Melbourne already had implemented a seamless, entirely-virtual car buying experience to make life easy and comfortable for all their clients and potential customers. Chris Saraceno, who serves as Vice President and Partner of the Kelly Automotive Group, has been in the Automotive industry since 1984. Through intense research, his many connections and studying the data of consumer buying patterns, he clearly knows and understands trends. “We knew we needed to offer a unique buying experience at Kelly Automotive Group similar to what people were able to do with Amazon or Tesla for a few reasons: First, most people start the car buying process online with research; Second, most people want to come into a dealership knowing the final purchase price and/or payment; Third, people are so busy today they want to limit their time at the dealerships.
“Implementing something like this was the best way to respond to the needs, wants and desires of our customers, potential clients and the community,” he said. Industry analysis supports Saraceno’s positions. For many dealerships, the cost, time and effort of developing or researching a customer-focused program that offers an entirely virtual online experience-like you see with high tech companies-is too daunting. “Through some common connections, we discov-
ered a world class dynamic web platform that had exactly what we knew would make life easier for our customers during the automotive research, buying and ownership experience. In 2019, the Express Buy Online function was added to our web sites at INFINITI of Melbourne and Kelly Ford,” Saraceno explained.
TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE According to the software manufacturer, this platform is the world’s first fully
Chris Saraceno, center, with some of The Kelly Ford and INFINITI of Melbourne team members.
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integrated online car purchasing program, allowing consumers to research, purchase, finance and take delivery of a vehicle virtually. The service also allows for trade-ins using a calculator to determine the trade-in value. From start to finish, depending on how quickly you navigate through the system, the process takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Financing options, unlike the negotiating roundtables of past days, is lightning quick with multiple options sent to financing companies that are responding in real time. Information is submitted through a number of presets that trigger the application to financiers based on credit background, household income, age and a number of other factors. “After the online forms are completed, the buyer visits our showrooms to test drive their vehicle and sign their paperwork. At-home test drives and deliveries are also offered and done approximately 32% of the time. This option was added a few months into the process due to numerous customer requests,” said Saraceno. The addition of the “Express Buy Online” feature has paid off. Since inception, more than 3,000 buyers have participated in the online process at Kelly Ford and INFINITI of Melbourne, and more than 300 families have opened a Kelly Express Buy Online accounts. Nationally, more than 25% of car buyers who open an account complete the
process and purchase a vehicle, about double the traditional agreement percentage of an online traditional lead
CUSTOMERS FIRST, ALWAYS This response to customer needs aligns seamlessly with the philosophy of Kelly Automotive Group’s shared vision and mission statement: Providing “The Best” sales and service experience to our customers and community. Their mantra is backed by their actions, behaviors and results. The Kelly Automotive Group has been awarded Top Customer Satisfactions Awards with every automotive division they represent. The Kelly family entered into the Automotive industry in 1934 they have been in Brevard for over 45 years. In fact Tim Kelly, (the founder’s grandson), his wife Alicia, three children and two dogs relocated to the Space Coast from Pennsylvania five years ago where they currently operate other dealerships (Nissan, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Buick, GMC, Mitsubishi and two Risk Free Used Vehicle Centers) to support growth and acquisitions on the Space Coast. •
WITH KELLY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP’S EXPRESS BUY OR LEASE ONLINE YOU CAN:
BUY OR LEASE ONLINE Select a new or used vehicle from our inventory, use a refundable deposit to reserve your vehicle and lock in the Express Buy Online price, arrange for home delivery, finance in advance to save time when we deliver your vehicle or when you pick up your vehicle. Finance in advance to save time when you get here.
TRADE ONLINE Save time on your next vehicle purchase with an instant trade-in offer through Kelly Automotive Group Express Buy Online. Provide trade details and we’ll give you an offer in minutes, day or night.
KELLY FORD is located at 776 Magnolia Ave., Melbourne. For info, call 855-438-1424 or online at kellyfordsales.com INFINITI OF MELBOURNE is located at 901 South Apollo Blvd., Melbourne. For info, 321-323-7709 or online at INFINITIofmelbourne.com
FINANCE ONLINE Complete your purchase and buy or lease your next vehicle online, all from the comfort of your home or office. Pick it up at our dealership, or we’ll deliver it to your home or business.
SERVICES
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CRI MELBOURNE 215 Baytree Drive Melbourne, FL 32940 321.255.0088 OCTOBER 2020
27
Best PRACTICE
FINANCIAL FOCUS
For more business resources go to: spacecoastbusiness.com/category/best-practice
WHAT DOES AN UNPLANNED CAREER TRANSITION MEAN FOR YOU? he COVID-19 pandemic has unsettled the country’s employment picture for months and will likely continue to do so for a while. However, the nature and terminology of this disruption varies greatly among individuals – some have seen their jobs disappear, others have been “furloughed” and still others have been offered early retirement. If you’re in this final group – those either offered or feeling forced to accept an early retirement – how should you respond? Try to look at your situation holistically, rather than strictly in a short-term manner. Consider these four areas:
RETIREMENT What does retirement really look like to you? Are you ready to fully retire or would you like to work part time? Are you confident that you can work somewhere else for a few years before retiring on your own terms? If you’re not certain you can work elsewhere, how can you adjust your desired retirement lifestyle – what you planned to do, where you hoped to live, etc. – to meet your new reality?
INCOME
COLLEEN J. MITCHELL, AAMS®
CAMERON B. MITCHELL, AAMS®, CRPC®
Financial Advisor
Financial Advisor
colleen.mitchell@ edwardjones.com
cameron.mitchell@ edwardjones.com
(321) 254-5202
(321) 425-6493
OFFICE:
OFFICE:
7370 Cabot Ct, Suite 102 Viera, FL 32940
600 W Eau Gallie Melbourne, FL 32935
You may want to work with a financial professional to address key incomerelated issues.
Just how financially affected you’ll be from an early retirement depends on several factors: how much you’ve already saved and invested, whether you’re married and have a working spouse, whether you’ve paid off your mortgage, and so on. To get an accurate picture, you’ll need to answer several questions, including these: Do I need to start taking withdrawals from my IRA and 401(k)? If so, how much can I afford to take out each year without running the risk of outliving my resources? Should I adjust my current investment mix? If I haven’t yet started collecting Social Security, should I do so now, or can I afford to wait until my monthly payments will be bigger? Are there any other sources of income I can leverage? You may want to work with a financial professional to address these and other key income-related issues. 28
SPACE COAST BUSINESS | SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM
INSURANCE If you received health insurance through your employer, an early retirement could present you with a dilemma, especially if you’re not quite old enough for Medicare. You might be eligible for COBRA, which provides ex-employees and their dependents the option of continued health insurance for potentially up to 36 months, but this coverage can be expensive. As an alternative, you might be able to negotiate an extended severance package, which could provide you with health insurance for several months. Or, you might be able to get on the health insurance plan of your working spouse.
LEGACY Many people want to take care of their family while they’re alive and leave something behind when they’re gone. If you take early retirement, you might lose your employer’s group life insurance. Of course, if this plan was not sufficient, you may have already supplemented it with your own policy, but, if you haven’t, you may need to shop around for coverage, particularly if you still have children living at home. You also may want to take this opportunity to review your key financial accounts to make sure your beneficiary designations still accurately reflect your wishes.
Going through an unplanned career transition is certainly challenging. But looking closely at the four areas described above, and making the appropriate choices based on a thorough understanding of your entire financial picture may help relieve some of the stress and position you better to start the next phase of your life. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
author bio
Edward Jones. Member SIPC. •
Cameron and Colleen Mitchell, husband and wife, enjoy working with clients and local businesses in the Brevard area. They work diligently to understand what's important to their clients and use an established process and in-depth analysis to build personalized strategies to help them achieve their goals.
OCTOBER 2020
29
UP CLOSE WITH
KEITH WINSTEN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BREVARD ZOO Unlike man-made destinations that draw people to Central Florida from around the world, the Space Coast has long been famous for “authentic experiences.” Here, people come to be immersed in nature and human achievements that rival any science fiction novel. Walking the beaches, kayaking the rivers, standing a few feet from an actual Space Shuttle, or watching a thunderous launch, this is what visitors and residents love. For over 25 years, Brevard Zoo has been a crucial part of that real-world showcase and has gained an international reputation for wildlife care and preservation. Leading
By Eric Wright, President
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the Zoo since 2004, Keith Winsten has brought a passion for nature and an entrepreneurial approach to making this zoo, our zoo, a key part of Brevard’s identity.
OCTOBER 2020
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EW: Explain the why and the uniqueness of the Brevard Zoo? KW: The ‘why’ of the Zoo is really found in its history. It was envisioned and built for Brevard, by people in Brevard. Most zoos are the legacy of a relatively small, wealthy group of citizens. This Zoo was a rather audacious community dream. Many enjoyed being a part of the Zoo’s actual construction, though not all of them thought it would actually make it. Also, from the beginning, it has operated with a very entrepreneurial approach, because it doesn’t rely on recurring public operating funds. Of the 225 accredited zoos in the U.S., there only a handful that have our operating model. That has made us very nimble and responsive, creating an incredibly engaging public experience that can compete with the myriad of options in Central Florida. The other is the mission side of the Zoo’s work. Responding to that call we set up one of the most unique sea turtle healing centers anywhere. Why did we do that? Because we are in one of the largest sea turtle nesting areas in the world. We also responded to that call, by mobilizing literally tens of thousands of people to engage in restoration of the Indian River Lagoon. There are others, like our educational program for young people. All of these move us toward the mission of helping wildlife and people thrive together. EW: Your educational program goes beyond just what you do on site in Brevard, correct? KW: Yes, by necessity, we had to move our typical camp to a virtual platform. Suddenly, we were getting responses from people all over the country and even in Canada and Mexico, whose children are participating in our virtual camp. Working parents are contacting us and saying, ‘I am getting three hours of work done because my kids are so engaged in your camp.’ One of the emerging roles zoos play, in addition to the focus we make on conservation and education, is to ensure people are connecting with the natural world around them. We have many outdoor activities for kids on the Space Coast, but many, many young people in other places spend their time staring at a video screen. We are a bridge between communities and the nature. EW: Research is also a component of many zoos, what about here?
All this, however, was more opportunistic than anything we planned in some long-term strategy. We connected world-class talent with the platform the Zoo has and watched it grow. We’ve always been like that line from Hamilton, “I’m just like my country, I’m young, hungry and scrappy.” To survive and to compete we had to be. From the beginning, everyone involved with the Zoo understood we have to provide an unparalleled experience that people wanted to come back to and we have continued to look for ways to make that happen. Like an entrepreneur, we invest in projects or experiences, where there is a return on the investment for us and where there is the return on the investment for the community. Also, hopefully, we can help people become better consumers of science. That people would understand the scientific approach, the rigorous debate and inquiry that comes before a conclusion is made. We can serve people in how to process scientific information and scientific methods. EW: What, as a leader, what have been your greatest ah-ha moments and things you are most proud of? KW: It was back in the 2008 recession and I woke up one night and realized our model of targeting young children living in Brevard wasn’t sustainable. It was good and it would always be a part of our mission, but, economically, that couldn’t keep us going. So we started marketing outside of Brevard and increased that proportion from being between 30-35 percent of our attendance, to 45 percent. We also added the Tree Top Trek to appeal to an older demographic. Also, in the world there are some 275 people who have been recognized as “Diplomats” in zoological medicine. It is a very difficult and prestigious accreditation. Two of them work here full time. Our Zoo is becoming known for that work. EW: Tell me about the genesis and the evolution of the aquarium project? KW: Like all entrepreneurial endeavors, we always look for opportunities that align with our brand. What will give our guests authentic experiences and the zoo economic stability. We saw that there was no aquarium south of Charleston on the I-95 corridor and there was an incredible aquatic dimension to the Zoo already. Plus, the site at Port Canaveral was an ideal place to observe wildlife, like dolphins and manatees already. Also, we need something that convenes and focuses our efforts on the lagoon.
KW: We have always had a heavy applied conservation piece. A couple of years ago, Florida Tech hired a professor, Dr. Darby Proctor, who studies animal cognition. One of We had confidence that if we built it, adethe factors in attracting her was the opportunity quate numbers of people would come. We to work with our primates. She now is a critical have a track record of providing unique guest part of our team, who is not only doing research, experiences and we knew the experts that she is helping us design the environments could help us realize the vision. The challenge our animals are in. Since then, FIT has hired a was the capital dollars to build it, because we second research professor and the partnership wanted to limit our debt. We ran attendance continues to grow. projections and took the most conservative 32 SPACE COAST BUSINESS | SPACECOASTBUSINESS.COM
one. As you know, when the state cut the funds for [our] feasibility studies, a family donated the money. Then, because they were so enthusiastic about the project, they donated another $13 million. That community investment, just like how we started 26 years ago, has brought us to the place, where, right before COVID-19, we were ready to begin our major fundraising. EW: Let’s pivot right there, how has COVID-19 impacted the Zoo and how have you responded? KW: Like many tourist-based organizations, we make our money in the first six months of the year, [with] March and April being the most important months. Our cost continues [beyond that period]: if we lose our professional staff it would take years to reassemble, and our attraction is animals, not rides, which have to be cared for. We focused on repositioning people and working on projects that were difficult to do when the Zoo is open. We also had to furlough a number of our part-time staff, then we reopened, which was really scary for us. Fortunately, we are primarily an outdoor experience, our indoor exhibits we didn’t reopen. We required masks, both for the safety of people and our animals. Currently, we are down in attendance by 50 percent and think that will continue until there is a vaccine. Everyone’s salary and hours were reduced. We are also fundraising for operational support because the Zoo has to stay financially healthy for the hope, which is the aquarium, to become a reality. In this past month, we have been able to project what the reasonable need is to sustain the Zoo at its current level. Many donors contacted us and said, ‘We gave to support this project, but please use our gift wherever it is most needed.’ EW: What is the individual story that stands out the most to you, if in 20 years you were looking back. KW: There are many, but one I often tell is about the Zoo School, where we serve Title One schools. For nine weeks of the school year, kids come by bus and this is where they go to school. One day, my office called me and said there was a young man who wanted to make a donation, would you like to meet him? I said sure. He was college-aged and he came to donate $512. He said, ‘In my family, most didn’t make it through high school, and no one had graduated from college. In fifth grade, I came to Zoo School. I love animals and for those nine weeks I got straight A’s, because if I did well, I could participate in every activity. At the end of the nine weeks, I realized I could do this. I’m now in my senior year at Florida Tech and wanted to give something back to the zoo.’ •