Appointed Executive Director, Orlando
Downtown Development Board & Community Redevelopment Agency
In late 2023, Mayor Buddy Dyer named David Barilla as the new executive director of the Downtown Development Board and Community Redevelopment Agency, an organization he’s worked with for more than 13 years. In April 2024, Orlando city commissioners approved plans for a $500 million entertainment complex across the street from the Kia Center, a project in which Barilla was instrumental. It is expected to bring 3,400 jobs into the community once complete.
Heather Hoytink
President, South Division, PepsiCo
Heather Hoytink is a proud Orlando resident and the first female division president at PepsiCo Beverages North America. She also grew up in a military family. She and PepsiCo are committed to hiring local veterans and supporting them through the transition to civilian life here in Central Florida, and across the nation. Through the Rolling Remembrance program, she helps ease the financial burden on military families by offering college scholarships to those who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
Kenneth D. Robinson
President & CEO, Dr. Phillips, Inc. and The Dr. Phillips Foundation
In his roles at Dr. Phillips, Kenneth D. Robinson overseas real estate operations, an extensive disciplined investment portfolio and one of Central Florida’s largest grant-making organizations. His primary goal is to uphold the values, legacy and donor intent of the Phillips family. To date, Dr. Phillips Charities has gifted more than $222 million, most of which has stayed in Central Florida.
Captain John W. Murray
CEO, Canaveral Port Authority
A highly-respected maritime executive with more than four decades of maritime leadership, Captain John W. Murray opened Port Canaveral’s newest and largest cruise terminal—the biggest construction project in the Port’s history—expanded and improved five other cruise terminals and berths to accommodate newer and larger cruise ships and established Port Canaveral as North America’s first LNG cruise port. During his tenure, the Canaveral Port Authority has increased its revenues earned from all Port operations from $77.7 million in 2015 to a record high of $190 million in 2023.
Elisha Gonzalez
Vice President of Community Relations & Government Affairs, FAIRWINDS Credit Union, and Executive Director, FAIRWINDS Foundation
Elisha Gonzalez is now in her fifth year of leading the FAIRWINDS Foundation and continues to champion financial literacy. She’s renowned for her expertise in supporting both for-profit and nonprofit sectors, and her work building partnerships between industry and nonprofits in Florida has established her as a key influencer. Gonzalez is dedicated to improving the region through education and has served on several statewide committees appointed by Florida governors.
Lindsey Medina Thompson
President & Owner, Lemonhearted
A food and travel blog created as a guide for both locals and visitors, LemonHearted is free of ads, sponsored content and PR influence. This ensures that all coverage is authentic, and its creator, Thompson, pays for all meals and experiences, supporting local businesses instead of asking for comps.
Carlos Guillermo Smith
State Senator-Elect, Florida Senate District 17
With his election to the Florida House in 2016, Smith made history as Florida’s first openly-LGBTQ Latino lawmaker. He’ll return as a state senator in 2024, after he qualified for the Florida Senate District 17 in June without opposition. A respected civil rights leader, Smith is proud to be known as a forward-thinking Millenial who prioritizes people over politics.
Lee Constantine
District 3 Commissioner, Seminole County Government—Board of County Commissioners
Commissioner Constantine has represented Florida in public service for 46 years, when in 1978 he was elected as the youngest official in the City of Altamonte Springs’ history. He is serving his fourth term as chairman of the Wekiva River Basin Commission, honoring his commitment to protect the Wekiva River while building the beltway around Central Florida. He is also currently the vice-chairman of the Florida Conservation Coalition (FCC) and on the executive board of 1,000 Friends of Florida.
Karla Radka
President & CEO, Senior Resource Alliance
With more than two decades of public service, Radka has been a tireless advocate, leader and agent for positive change in Central Florida. Since taking the helm in 2019, she has also been instrumental in expanding access to services that support dignity, wellness and independence throughout life.
Ricky Ly
President & Owner, TastyChomps
Ricky Ly is the founder of the Orlando food blog, TastyChomps.com and author of the “Food Lovers’ Guide to Orlando,” chronicling the stories of Orlando’s growing food scene. Ly also spearheaded Orlando’s 407Day initiatives and was inducted into the Orlando Sentinel’s Culinary Hall of Fame in 2017.
David Smith
District 38 Representative, Florida House of Representatives
David Smith has sat on the Florida House of Representatives since 2018. He fights to keep Florida prosperous, and was part of the 2022-2024 legislative sessions that created a nearly $20 billion budget surplus. As chairman of the Manufacturing & Supply Chain Caucus, Smith has grown high paying jobs in this sector of Florida’s economy.
Mayra Uribe
District 3 Commissioner, Orange County Government—Board of County Commissioners
Mayra Uribe is a first-generation American and business owner born and raised in District 3. She is of Colombian and Argentinean descent and celebrates diversity in her community. Uribe serves on multiple boards, including MetroPlan Orlando, the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council and the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board.
Victoria Siplin
District 6 Commissioner, Orange County Government—Board of County Commissioners
Victoria Siplin was elected to the Board of County Commissioners in 2014, appointed Vice-Mayor in 2017 and was overwhelmingly reelected in 2018. Born in Nassau, Bahamas, Siplin is Haitian-American and is the chairwoman of the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network.
Olga Gonzalez
Mayor of Kissimmee
Olga Gonzalez has been serving as the Mayor of the City of Kissimmee since November 2020, when she became the first female Hispanic Mayor in Central Florida. She previously served as a City Commissioner from 2016–2020.
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Publish date : 2024-09-30 23:38:00
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