Florida Business Minds

With the holiday season upon us, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez welcomes United Way Miami President and CEO Symeria Hudson to share her organization's impact, the needs of many across the area, and challenges in the year ahead.

Traffic congestion is relative, but that's no consolation for Florida residents who are adjusting to a pandemic-influx of new residents and now, the post-pandemic surge in return-to-office traffic. In this timely download, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner calls on Greg Slater, CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, for his insight and past experience in traffic-clogged Maryland.

Higher interest rates killed many projects and stalled others, slowing Florida's fast-paced growth for the past two years. In this download, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon invites BHRS Companies Founder Brandon Hurd to share why he's cautiously optimistic about the year ahead, and where he sees opportunity for growth.

No stranger to the Orlando-area, Justin Williams returns from Atlanta to lead Winter Park's award-winning boutique hotel, The Alfond Inn. In this engaging episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao features Williams, who in addition to leading The Alfond Inn, is active in the community as a mentor to the next generation of leaders.

Founded in 2014, the eMerge Americas global tech conference set the stage for what has become a fast-growing tech scene. Is South Florida, and on a larger scale the Sunshine State, set to become the next Silicon Valley? And what's the outlook for 2025 and beyond? In this episode, eMerge Co-Founder, CEO & President Melissa Medina joins SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez to share her vision...

Lynnette Clinton is thrilled to be back as the Chief Information Officer at BayCare Health System, in spite of the circumstances. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Clinton to share her career journey, and why she returned to lead the IT team at BayCare.

When hurricanes roll through Florida, the Gatorland team isn't worried about their gators and crocs escaping. They're actually more concerned about renegade reptiles attempting to get into the park- that's how good life is at Gatorland. In this entertaining episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao chats with Gatorland CEO Mark McHugh, who shares the success of this family busines...

It's the biggest in-water boat show in the world, and every year FLIBS gets even bigger and better. In this episode, South Florida Business Journal Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez welcomes Andrew Doole, President of U.S. Boat Shows for Informa Markets to take us behind-the-scenes to preview new attractions and amenities, and the massive effort it takes to make it happen.

At the intersection of media, advertising and community impact, Wingard Partner and VP of Public Relations and Communications Natalie DeYoung has her eyes & ears on the latest trends. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon leads the conversation with DeYoung, who shares what's working for her clients.

Riding a horse to the nearby Burger King as a kid, Mainsail Lodging & Development President Joe Collier probably never envisioned he'd be leading a hospitality company that's left it's mark across Florida, and beyond. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites the Miami-native to trace his Tennessee roots, his passion for history and hospitality, and the state of the i...

With a variety of projects in the works and clients requesting support across the state, ETM's leader, Tyler Mathews, is planting teams in Tampa Bay and Orlando. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon invites Mathews to share ETM's success story, and how he plans to duplicate that level of service in development consulting and public works in multiple markets.

A family-owned favorite in Sanford since 2001, Hollerbach's German Restaurant, like others in the industry, is battling inflation and higher labor costs. CEO Christina Hollerbach is also fed up with the lack of hospitality from Sanford city leaders, and she's been invited to open a restaurant in a neighboring community. In this candid conversation, brats are on the back burner as Hollerb...

Founded almost 40 years ago, The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University has served as the incubator for numerous technology startups and as a real-time learning experience for everyone from students to entrepreneurs. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites President Andrew Duffell to share the impact on the region's growing tech scene.

For over 50 years, Palmetto-based and family owned and operated Feld Entertainment has produced and presented the biggest traveling shows in the world: Disney On Ice, Monster Jam, and now the return of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, among others. In this fun-filled episode, Tampa Bay Business Journal Editor Alexis Muellner reminisces about the past, present and future of the business with...

Know for weaving social innovation, arts & culture and impact investing into commercial real estate development, Tony Cho is transforming northern Springfield with the Phoenix Arts and Innovation District, or PHX-JAX. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon connects with the founder and CEO of Future of Cities to learn more about his vision.

The threat of a cyber attack alone is enough to keep business owners up at night. The confusing and often contradictory advice offered by IT and cybersecurity consultants is just as perplexing. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Danny Jenkins, CEO of the fast-growing Orlando-based ThreatLocker to share simple "hygiene tips" to help keep your business data safe.

If you'd like to read the tea leaves on South Florida's economic future, just call on the people who are shaping it. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez takes the temperature with Peter Dyga, President & CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors, who has a pulse on the region.

He grew up in rural Arkansas and his first big break was selling farm equipment in the south during the 1970's. As Oscar Horton explains, "In 1974, a 5-9 African American that weighed about 130 pounds with an afro selling cotton pickers was a tough job". But Oscar pulled it off and climbed the corporate ladder before moving to Tampa Bay in 2000 to take over as owner and CEO of Sun S...

Well known as a personal injury attorney across Florida and the Southeast, Eddie Farah is also a big fan of his hometown Jacksonville. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon joins Farah to learn why family and friends are so important, and to get his outlook on downtown JAX.

Patients often lose time and waste money awaiting referrals for orthopedic issues. Dr. Alejandro Badia aims to change that with OrthoNOW. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites Dr. Badia to share his vision, and discuss other timely issues impacting healthcare.

Orlando is the epicenter of gaming, and a lot has changed since EA Sports released NCAA Football 14 over a decade ago. College athletes now broker name, image and likeness deals (NIL), powerhouse programs have changed conferences, and technology has advanced dramatically. In this timely download, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao welcomes Daryl Holt, EA's SVP and Group GM who shares the jour...

His earned his first civic leadership victory as a third grader at Bay Crest Elementary, winning new & improved lunchroom snacks for the cafeteria. Now, as Savills Co-Head for Florida and Tampa Bay market leader, Mike Griffin reflects on the growth and future opportunities, both in commercial real estate, business, and civic leadership.

Residential real estate is all about referrals & relationships. So how did Corey Hasting and company take over the Jacksonville market in less than a decade? In this download, JBJ Editor-in-Chief Tim Gibbons invites the Engel & Volkers First Coast CEO to share how and why his brokerage is the market leader.

There are no drugstores halfway to Mars, so space exploration will only go as far as space medicine will take us. In this fascinating episode, OBJ Associate Managing Editor Richard Bilbao welcomes Dr. Emmanuel Urquieta, who joins UCF's College of Medicine as vice chair for aerospace medicine. 

Higher interest rates have stifled real estate development across the country, but Related Companies isn't tapping the brakes. In this download, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez checks in with Jordan Rathlev, SVP for Related Southeast, to get an update on Related's projects and a forecast for Florida.