Fluent in Floridian

As social media emerged in the early 2000s, many top corporate executives and business leaders wrote it off as a passing trend. Frustrated by crisis management professionals' hesitancy to embrace digital communications, Melissa Agnes saw an opportunity to serve a developing industry. Nearly 15 years later. Agnes is a leading voice on all things crisis management and communications. She joins Salte...

Fluent in Floridian is going on summer break! So far this year, the podcast has featured some fascinating Floridians, from high-profile politicos to pro athletes. Use this time to catch up on episodes you may have missed, and stay tuned for the new season to begin later this summer.

When Kamaiu Johnson was spotted swinging a tree branch at golf balls that rolled astray near his grandmother's house, onlookers could see that the teen was a natural talent. Many masterful strokes later, Johnson is now one of the few black golfers at the professional level, and he's committed to making golf look "more like America." Tune in as professional golfer Kamaiu Johnson joins SalterMitchel...

From hurricanes to pandemics to refugee crises, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has led the state's response to countless disasters. FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie joins SalterMitchell PR CEO + Founder April Salter to share stories from the emergency operations center, and discuss his career trajectory from local law enforcement to leading statewide emergency management operations...

Yolanda Cash Jackson may be Florida Trend's latest Floridian of the Year, but the self-described "girl from Liberty City" has been making her mark as a lobbyist for over two decades. In her compelling conversation with SalterMitchell PR President and Partner Heidi Otway, Jackson shares her story of growing up in South Florida and pivoting to a lobbying career in her late twenties. They also discus...

Harris Rosen made a name for himself as Florida's largest independent hotelier. A self-made millionaire, Rosen was president and COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts. But, he would have never pursued a career in hospitality had it not been for a chance encounter with Marilyn Monroe as a child. Not just a hotelier, Rosen was a visionary businessman whose ventures included an in-house healthcare company an...

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor joins SalterMitchell PR CEO April Salter to share how growing up in Tampa in the era of Title IX led her to become Tampa police chief and the first openly gay woman to serve as the city's mayor. Tune in to their conversation to hear Mayor Castor's perspective on what makes Tampa a world class city, the challenges it faces, and her goals for the future.

Florida Lottery Secretary John Davis joins SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway to discuss his journey from top-ranked high school recruit and star safety for the Florida State Seminoles to his current position leading the Florida Lottery. Tune in to their conversation to hear Secretary Davis share stories of leadership from both on and off the field.

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was elected to lead the City of Tampa out of the Great Recession. His vision has helped transform the city into a place where people want to live, work, play and invest. Buckhorn joins SalterMitchell PR CEO and Founder April Salter to discuss the roots of his political DNA, his storied career in Tampa, and why he believes mayors can make the biggest impact on a city...

Miami-Dade College President Madeline Pumariega has had a courtside seat to the growth of the country's largest public college. Listen to her conversation with SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway about the importance of basketball in her life, her journey to become a statewide leader in education, her former role as Chancellor of the Florida College System, and the vision she has for the futur...

In our newest episode of Fluent in Floridian, author and outdoorsman Jim McClellan joins SalterMitchell PR CEO April Salter to discuss his book, "Life Along the Apalachicola River," which depicts the Northwest Florida way of life he experienced growing up in the Apalachicola River Valley. Tune in as Jim and April recount the stories that shaped Jim's childhood and led to them working together for...

Poynter Institute President Neil Brown joins SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway to discuss the evolving role of media in our society, how Brown is helping to shape the next generation of journalists, and some of the head-scratching Florida stories that Brown has broken.

SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway is joined by award-winning agricultural and human rights activist Greg Asbed to discuss his work combatting forced labor in Florida's agriculture industry and around the globe.

SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway is joined by Florida Trend 500 Most Influential Leader and 2019-2021 Chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce Charles "Charley" Caulkins. They discuss his childhood, his transition to Florida, his work as a nationally-recognized labor and employment lawyer, and the Sunshine State's business boom amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Orlando City Soccer Club Founder Kay Rawlins joins SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway to discuss her journey from U.K. bank clerk and daycare owner to female leader paving the way in the American soccer industry. 

Sean Snaith, PhD joins Heidi Otway in a conversation that travels the globe. From Cairo, Egypt, to Kingston, Jamaica and other stops in between, Dr. Snaith studied economies and taught across the U.S. and in foreign countries before calling the University of Central Florida home.  Tune in as he takes us through his journey from humble beginnings in Pennsylvania to becoming an award-winning economi...

SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway discusses all things energy with Florida Municipal Power Agency General Manager and CEO Jacob Williams, who leads FMPA's efforts in advancing and improving the utilities industry. His agency serves more than 2 million residents and 10 percent of Florida's power. In a state dubbed the Sunshine State, that is no small undertaking.

SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway speaks with Florida Secretary of Commerce Jamal Sowell, a sixth-generation Floridian. During their conversation, he explains how his faith, family, and overseas military experience prepared him to serve as the state's Florida Secretary of Commerce.

SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway speaks with Dr. Cheryl Holder on her family's journey from Jamaica to New York, her decision to become a doctor and activist, and her current roles at the FlU College of Medicine, the Florida Clinicians for Climate Action and the Florida State Medical Association.

In our 80th episode of #FluentinFloridian, SalterMitchell PR CEO April Salter and Lieutenant Governor Nuñez discuss her South Florida upbringing, her education at Florida International University, and life outside of the office. Nuñez's love for the Sunshine State and its people display what it truly means to be fluent in Floridian. 

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida President and CEO Dave Krepcho wasn't always in the food banking business. The native Canadian was formerly in advertising before moving to South Florida. Krepcho got involved as a volunteer at a local food bank in Miami and found his calling. His previous work for Feed America led him to his position with Second Harvest, where thousands of Central Flori...

New Yorker turned Floridian, Council for Educational Change Executive Director Dr. Elaine Liftin got her start as a singer on Broadway. While attending Hunter College, she became intrigued by the challenge of education and, upon graduating, began her teaching career in South Florida. Dr. Liftin has dedicated her career to education advocacy and believes "if every child can get a quality education,...

An Orlando resident since she was eight years old, League of Women Voters Florida President Patti Brigham began her career as a public servant working in suicide prevention and crisis intervention. After graduating from the University of Central Florida, Patti went on to become a radio DJ, journalist, thespian, and eventually, a member of the League of Women Voters Florida. Now, as president of th...

The Children's Movement of Florida Chairman David Lawrence Jr. is a lifelong advocate of children's education and has proven to be an outstanding ally to kids across Florida. In his conversation with SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway, Lawrence discusses racism and discrimination in education and how we can confront them. He also discusses the importance of reading and how books can be a grea...