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| Giving to Leadership Florida just got easier and more rewarding! |
Use GivingExpress and donate online through American Express. Your donations are tax-deductible AND you'll receive double points on your transaction. When you make a donation, you'll get an immediate e-mail confirmation.
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Leadership Florida gets a double benefit as well -- your donation and a discount on the transaction fee charged by American Express when you use GivingExpress.
You can also redeem Membership Rewards points to make donations through GivingExpress Online. You can redeem points in increments of 1,000, 5,000 10,000, 50,000 and 100,000 toward donations made in your name. For every 1,000 points, $10 will be donated Leadership Florida.
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Congratulations to LF's newest Elected Officials:
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State Senate - District 27
Dave Aronberg (XXVI) |
State Senate - District 15
Paula Dockery (XXII) |
State Senate - District 37
Garrett Richter (XVII) |
State House - District 89
Mary Brandenburg (XX) |
State House - District 6
Jimmy Patronis (XVI) |
State House - District 8
Alan Williams (XXV) |
State House - District 14
Mia Jones (XXIV) |
State House - District 34
Chris Dorworth (CLF I) |
State House - District 35
Dean Cannon (XIX) |
State House - District 40
Eric Eisnaugle (CLF III) |
State House - District 63
Seth McKeel (XXIII) |
State House - District 77
Denise Grimsley (XXIII) |
State House - District 116
Marcelo Llorente (XXVII) |
State House - District 120
Ron Saunders (VII) |
| The Fragile Mind by Jarik Conrad (XXVI). Race has always been an emotional and contentious subject in America. Too often, the focus has been on one extreme or the other. |
Dr. Conrad provides a refreshing perspective that goes beyond news program sound bites and newspaper headlines to tackle some difficult questions, such as:
Why do some people born into difficult circumstances succeed in life where others fail? What are the causes of urban violence in America? What does emotional intelligence have to do with understanding and appreciating diversity? What are the most common problems with diversity initiatives in many organizations? Dr. Conrad explores these questions based on what science tells us about our brains—their tremendous potential and their fragility.
Click here to read a review by XXVI classmate Chip Webster.
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Jim Donovan (I), president/CEO of Donovan Management, Inc., a Central Florida firm, encourages non-profits to "invite" donors to give in the revised edition of his book: Take the Fear Out of Asking for Major Gifts . Donovan's new edition offers a fundamental paradigm shift as he encourages readers to invite potential donors to give major gifts rather than solicit them. "People want to be invited along for the ride in addressing the noble cause, be it saving the planet or discovering a cure for cancer," said Donovan. |
Laymon Hicks (CLF X) is set to graduate from Florida State University this spring and recently published his second book. |
| Over Christmas break in 2007, Laymon wrote fourteen chapters of a book aimed at young adults. Instead of using all fourteen, he edited it to eight and with the resulting created a beautiful masterpiece and must read entitled: A Treasure Chest of Motivation: 8 Jewels of Wisdom for a Young Adult’s Success . |
Gubernatorial Appointments
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| Leadership Florida XXII member Susan Towler, vice president of community affairs at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida in Jacksonville, was appointed to the Florida Commission on Community Service for a term that runs through September 2010. |
| Governor Charlie Crist appointed Mary Young (XXVII), senior location executive for IBM in Coral Gables, to the Board of Professional Engineers. Her term began in October and ends in 2011. |
| Governor Crist reappointed J. R. Harding (XXVII), partnership specialist III of Division of Vocational Rehabilitation with Florida Department of Education in Tallahassee, to another year-long term on the Governor's Commission on Disabilities. |
Governor Charlie Crist today announced the appointment of Judge Nelly Khouzam (XXIII) to the Second District Court of Appeal in Lakeland. Nelly has served as a Circuit Court Judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit since 1994.
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Correction:
The previous e-cast contained information about the Selective Service System. These are Presidential appointments that require the approval of the Governor. The ideal applicant will be civic minded and able to make rational judgments.
Click here for a corrected link containing more information on the Selective Service System.
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Sunshine State Survey
The 3rd Annual Leadership Florida Sunshine State Survey is the most anticipated annual survey of Floridians on a wide
range of baseline measurements and topical issues.
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Underwriters:
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Florida is over-polled when it comes to politics, but under-surveyed on policy and civic engagement. This survey has become a critical source of citizen opinions on key issues facing this rapidly changing state--soon to be the nation's third largest. The series of questions asked annually provides leaders and academics in the public and private sectors with much-needed trend line data, while questions on newly-emerging issues give leaders an invaluable baseline look at where a wide cross-section of our state's residents stand on them.
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| • Citizen polling began last week. |
| • Key results released to media December 7-10. |
• LF Members Only
Special insiders preview and discussion of results via Webinar moderated by Dr. Susan MacManus, Distinguished Professor of Public Administration and Political Science at the University of South Florida, and Brad Coker, from Mason Dixon, is being scheduled to coincide with media release.
Watch for an invitation to tune in from the comfort of your office. |
• Regional rollout of results to community leaders January-February.
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
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December 2
| Gold Coast Region Salvation Army Toy Drive
Huizenga Plaza Christmas Tree drop off during Light Up Downtown, 6:00-7:00 p.m. |
January
| Gold Coast Region - Member’s Reception
Lisa Kitei’s home in Rio Vista, 6:00-8:00 p.m. |
January 14
| Board of Directors Meeting - Jacksonville |
January 15-16
| Class XXVII Session - Jacksonville, Omni Hotel |
March 18
| Council of Advisors Meeting - Tallahassee |
March 19
| Board of Directors Meeting - Tallahassee |
March 19-20
| Class XXVII Session - Tallahassee, DoubleTree |
May 13
| Board of Directors Meeting - Miami |
May 20-22
| Excutive Leadership Florida Class VI
Tallahassee |
8.5 Seconds of Patriotism
Ron Smith's (XXII) reflections on his "But for Leadership Florida" experience attending the launch of STS 126 – Shuttle Endeavor
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As I reflect on what may be the last night launch of the current generation of space shuttles, I give thanks to all the dedicated men and women who have worked on the space program since its inception. The breathtaking experience of watching a night launch provided a new perspective to all that I have ever learned about space, space travel and America ’s quest to visit space, the final frontier. Because of Leadership Florida, I had the pleasure of watching the launch less than four miles from the launch pad at a NASA visitor center set up next to the Apollo Saturn V Museum.
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The Launch
Four minutes to launch and a voice came over the loudspeaker asking everyone to stand for the singing of the national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. We were not in rhythm, but observing thousands of people singing while staring at the flag gave me goose bumps. One minute to launch and excitement filled the night air. You could see the joy in people’s eyes for what they were about to witness. There were people there watching their first launch and others that had been there for multiple shuttle launches. There was a magnificent full moon that appeared to be about 100 yards off the ground lighting up the sky. The crowd was cheering with anticipation and pride as the space shuttle Endeavor was about to embark on mission STS 126 of the shuttle program.
When the clock reached zero, Endeavor was given the green light to fire up its engines. As the engines started, the crowd went wild as Endeavor took off towards the heavens. It was then that I visualized with awe and amazement at the marvel of flight. The shuttle provided a spectacular sight as it lit up the sky against the full moon backdrop. For eight and a half seconds, a bright flame and smoke could be seen as the shuttle streaked at an angle at more than four thousand miles per hour and accelerating. There was a large boom as Endeavor left the platform, sighs of relief as the rocket boosters separated and incredible scenes. But the most fantastic experience did not occur until Endeavor approached the atmosphere. It was then that the sky rippled and the clouds parted as if the shuttle were being summoned from above. It was like a scene out of the movie The Matrix, when the glass rippled on a building before exploding towards the screen. It was unbelievable. A few seconds later, Endeavor was in space, and all that remained was a trail of smoke filling the night sky. A moment later the moon reappeared from behind the smoke and lit up the sky. The announcer provided a few more updates on Endeavor’s speed and the crowd cheered when informed that Endeavor passed the point of being able to return to Cape Canaveral. It was an experience that could only be fully appreciated in person.
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Once again I say thank you to all the patriots that serve in the space program. Thank you for all the accomplishments! Thank you for all the inventions, technologies, experiments and innovations that you have brought to the world! Thank you for setting the bar very high!
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God Bless and God Speed!
Ronald E. Smith, Ed.D (XXII)
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| Mario Trueba (XIX), president and CEO of BNY Mellon-Florida and chairman of Leadership Florida, has been selected as a 2008 Miami Ultimate CEO. The Ultimate CEO Awards provides recognition to some of South Florida’s most visionary, innovative and ambitious CEO’s from all walks of business life. |  |
| Drew Prusiecki (XXIV), general counsel for Jacksonville-based Acosta Sales and Marketing Company, has been elected chairman of the board of directors of the Northeast Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross for a fourth term. He previously served as board chairman-elect and was a member of the chapter’s Public Support Committee. |
| The Miami-Dade Sports Commission (MDSC) is proud to announce the addition of Art Noriega (XXVI), chief executive officer of the Miami Parking Authority, to the MDSC board of directors. |
 | Orlando Sentinel Editor Charlotte Hall (XXIII) is currently serving as president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the nation's largest association of daily newspaper editors. She will also chair the association's board. |
| Representative Jimmy Patronis (XVI) was recognized for his efforts to increase accessibility to affordable healthcare for all Floridians during the final week of legislative session for the Florida House of Representatives. Jimmy was named "Healthcare Rookie of the Year" by outgoing Healthcare Council Chairman Aaron Bean (XVII). |
| Marie York (XVI), the associate director for the Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions at Florida Atlantic University, was elected to the board of directors for the American Planning Association. Marie will be one of 13 members on the APA board of directors responsible for setting the association's policy direction and strategic goals. |
| Former Florida Secretary of State, Orlando Mayor and Leadership Florida Chair Glenda Hood's (I) history of innovative leadership in the public and private sector, as well as her many efforts to bring people together to improve communities have earned her the Association of Junior Leagues International Inc.’s highest honor, the Mary Harriman Community Leadership Award. |  |
| SCOPE honored Isabel Norton (XII) as a recipient of the Boundary Crosser Leadership Award. SCOPE defines a boundary crosser as someone who works in and across different sectors of the community, providing leadership and commitment to those areas for which he/she has a passion. |
| Sara Rubin (CLF VIII), a senior in Journalism and Political Science at the University of Florida, was selected as a member of the fourth class of the Gubernatorial Fellowship Program. Students participating in the program will gain first-hand experience into how state government operates. |
 | Trenam, Kemker, Scharf, Barkin, Frye, O'Neill & Mullis P.A.'s Bob Buesing (XX) was lauded in "Super Lawyers" for his business litigation specialty by Law & Politics. "Super Lawyers" is an annual listing of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. |
| The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit land conservation organization, selected Carlton Jones (XII), president and CEO of The Renaissance Group, as chair of its Jacksonville Field Office Advisory Council. TPL's Jacksonville Field Office Advisory Council also includes Class XVII's Clay Henderson (XVII), senior counsel at Holland & Knight LLP. |
| Former Leadership Florida Chair Leerie Jenkins (X), chief executive officer of Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc., was re-elected to serve a three-year term on Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida's (BCBSF) board of directors. |
| Glamour chooses the most impressive female students in America to honor in its annual Top 10 College Women Competition and Lalita Booth (CLF IX) from the University of Central Florida was chosen for that exclusive list this year. Click here to read the feature story about Lalita's road to the top in UCF's alumni magazine |  |
| "Cracker -- The Last Cowboys of Florida" won the Florida Best Film award and was a finalist in the Best Documentary category at the Central Florida Film Festival. Mac Martin (XXII), an Arcadia realtor, was the music director and co-producer. "Cracker's" predecessor, "The Cowboys of Florida" won several awards, including the Florida's Choice Award at the 2006 Independent Film Festival in Tampa. |
| Meg Lowman (XVI), professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at New College of Florida, has joined the Fulbright Specialists Roster. As a specialist, Meg will be placed with overseas academic institutions for short term assignments in countries requesting conservation, forest ecology or science education. |
 | Todd Gates (XXVI) was inducted in Southwest Florida Business Hall of Fame. He heads Gates, the North Naples-based real estate, construction and development company.
Leadership Florida's current Class XXVII member, Bob Dallari, was elected chairman of the Seminole County Board of Commissioners.
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| Chris Knopik (XVII) of KnopikVarnerMoore in Tampa, has been selected to be included in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the specialties of Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice law and Personal Injury Litigation. The Best Lawyers in America list represents 78 legal specialties in all 50 states and Washington, DC, are compiled through an exhaustive peer-review survey. |
Kristen Murtaugh (XXIII), who has served as FAU's Jupiter Campus vice president since 2002, has been named FAU's first vice president for strategic planning. She will assume her new duties in January 2009. FAU Treasure Coast Vice President Gerri McPherson (XXV) has had her duties expanded to include oversight of the Jupiter campus.
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| Bob McClelland (XVII) has joined MSCW, Inc., an Orlando-based design firm, has hired, as the firm’s new Business Development Leader. Bob has more than 25 years of experience in real estate and business development, sales and marketing. |
| Didier Menard (XXI) vice president and client service manager with CH2M HILL was named its Orlando Area Manager. He currently serves as the project engineer, leading the public involvement efforts for the Seminole County Program, client service manager of Lake Nona Development, and is a member of CH2M HILL's Southeast Government Affairs team, serving as the director for Florida. |
 | Carol Spalding (VII) left her position as president of the Open Campus of Florida Community College at Jacksonville to become president of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College based in Salisbury, N.C. Carol will be the college's third president. |
| Jacksonville resident Liz Ferrer (XXIII) has been named Bank of America's Florida state president. She will continue to serve as the global community development executive, responsible for the bank's community development and investment efforts. In her new role, Liz will provide business, civic and philanthropic leadership for Bank of America in Florida, one of the largest states in the company's franchise. |
David Smith (XXVII) (pictured right) has left his position as Tampa's City Attorney to become the managing partner/ shareholder for the Tampa office of GrayRobinson.
Farhood Basiri (CLF VIII) was accepted into UCF's Texts and Technology PhD program. While in Orlando, he will open the Central Florida office for the software development firm Bellwether Inc.
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| Comcast announced that Larry Schweber (XXIV) has been named vice president of marketing for the Atlanta region. Larry adds strength to the strategic growth plans for the Atlanta market, while supporting Comcast’s commitment to improving customer satisfaction. |
| Aakash M. Patel ( CLF VII) joined the team of Phillips Development & Realty, (PDR) as the company's public relations coordinator. He is responsible for the coordination of Phillips Development & Realty corporate and project public relations initiatives throughout the United States. |
 | We're so pleased that Bob LaSala (XIII) has returned to Florida from California to become Pinellas County's new administrator. Bob, who was employed by Pinellas County as chief assistant county administrator and assistant county administrator from 1979 to 1989, began his new job last month. |
| Yvonne Soler McKinley (XVI) recently began her new position as City Manager for the City of Doral. Yvonne is excited for "this unique opportunity to serve the residents of this newly created municipality and make it the finest place to live, work and play." |
| Tom Fiedler (XV) has accepted an offer to head Boston University’s College of Communication. Tom was selected from 75 applicants reviewed by a search committee composed of Boston University faculty and two College of Communication students. |
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