The Growth Fire

Joel Swanson is the VP of Marketing at Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, a Minnesota-based financial cooperative offering full-service personal and business banking products. At Affinity Plus, Joel leads all marketing, public relations, and community initiatives. During his five-year tenure, he and his team have implemented a brand refresh responsible for the credit union's record growth. Before...

Scott K. Edinger is the Founder of Edinger Consulting, where he helps worldwide Fortune 50 CEOs and executive leaders develop leadership strategies to drive top and bottom-line results. Scott is also a published author, having penned over 100 articles for prominent publications like Forbes and the Harvard Business Review . He's written three books, including The Growth Leader: Strategies to Drive...

Thayer Smith is the CEO of YPO, a global leadership community connecting elite chief executives and cultivating extraordinary leaders to improve lives and businesses worldwide. Before joining the C-suite at YPO, Thayer led Bayshore Capital as an Operating Partner. Thayer has lent his expertise in complex manufacturing, financial management, strategic planning, and leadership development. He's also...

June Archer is known as the Puzzle Maker because of her ability to analyze and solve complex business problems across various industries. She is a former C-suite leader and business builder of global brands, including the Walt Disney Company, Sesame Workshop, Godiva Chocolatier, and NEST Fragrances. In her spare time, June lends her talents to organizations such as the American Marketing Associati...

Ross Gibbs is a Coach, Expert Implementer, and Speaker at EOS Worldwide, where he creates simplified processes to help organizations improve their business models to achieve success. His business coaching career launched after a successful profession in sales and marketing. Ross is a serial entrepreneur who has successfully owned and exited four companies, including a consulting firm and a boxing...

Jon Morris is the Founder and CEO of Ramsay Innovations, helping businesses quickly scale through financial education and strategic funds allocations. Before joining Ramsay Innovations, Jon founded Rise Interactive, a full-service internet marketing agency — growing it from a $10,000 bootstrap business to one of the largest independent digital agencies. Beyond his leadership responsibilities, Jon...

Cynthia Cleveland is a Partner at CEO Coaching International, the leading coaching firm for growth-focused CEOs and entrepreneurs. Cynthia is a five-time CEO and president who led companies generating over $4 billion in worldwide sales in consumer products, entertainment, and retail industries. In her 30-plus-year career, she has overseen popular brands, including Universal Studios, Teleflora, Mat...

Jon Tsourakis is the Co-owner, President, and Chief Revenue Officer at Oyova, an agency offering integrated digital solutions such as app development, web design, and marketing to create efficient processes for company growth. Jon is a serial entrepreneur and marketing strategist whose continual study of brand identity, business communications, buyer behavior, sales conversion, and various digital...

Scott Price is the Founder and CEO of A-LIGN, a technology-enabled security and compliance engine that mitigates cybersecurity risks. Scott has over 20 years of leadership experience, having held executive positions at Arthur Andersen and SAS 70 Solutions. His dedication to leadership has earned him industry awards and nominations, such as Accounting Today's 2016 Managing Partner Elite and Ernst &...

Steve Wyatt is the VP of Marketing and Global Creative Director of Content at Kenneth Cole Productions, an American fashion house founded in 1982. He celebrates 20 years with the company, working across all labels, product categories, communication channels, and global territories. Additionally, he has contributed to the brand's social impact initiatives for organizations such as The Mental Health...

Matthew Connor, Founder and CEO of CyberLynx, began his programming career at 12 while working as a coder for his father's company. His passion led him to develop his own company, which focuses on offering premium IT services — specializing in protecting growing businesses from ransomware. CyberLynx, previously known as Your IT Department, continues to provide cybersecurity and professional IT and...

Bridgette Bello is the CEO and Publisher of Tampa Bay Business & Wealth , a magazine examining the lives of Tampa Bay's most accomplished business leaders. Under her tenure, TBBW has been awarded two Charlie Awards from the Florida Magazine Association. Bridgette is a media professional with over 30 years of experience. Before joining TBBW , she was the President and Publisher of the Tampa Bay Bus...

Hugh Campbell is the President of AC4S Technologies, a hybrid cloud company providing technology solutions such as IT network management, data migrations, and hardware and software solutions. Hugh has experience in planning, designing, and implementing large-scale telecommunications networks for commercial and government sectors. Prior to starting AC4S, he held executive leadership roles at Interm...

Elizabeth Zucker is the Managing Partner at Interior Investments of St. Louis, a contract office furniture dealership providing solutions for professional organizations, including furniture selection, order fulfillment, delivery, and installation. Under Elizabeth's leadership, the company has successfully scaled to $35 million. Before joining Interior Investments of St. Louis, Elizabeth spent six...

Carrie Charles is the Co-founder and CEO of Broadstaff, a staffing firm providing workforce solutions in the energy, technology, and telecommunications sectors. Under Carrie's tutelage, the firm was recognized in 2022 by Inc. Magazine and Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of the fastest-growing companies. Her additional accolades include the 2021 Tampa Bay CEO of the Year and Tampa Bay Businesswom...

Kevin Hourigan is the President of Spinutech, a full-service website design and digital marketing agency dedicated to developing customized and data-driven digital marketing solutions. Before merging his business with his current business partner, Kevin founded Bayshore Solutions, which he operated for over two decades. When Kevin is not leading his digital agency, he spends his time boating, skii...

Dwayne Allen is the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Unisys, a global technology solutions company devoted to helping its customers reach innovative breakthroughs via intellectual property, patents, and strategic planning. Dwayne has exercised his expertise in digital transformation in various fields including healthcare, financial services, government, manufacturing, and hosp...

Jamie Harden is the CEO and President of Creative Sign Designs, a company specializing in the production of architectural design solutions by providing consultation, design, project management, fabrication, and installation services. Before his CEO tenure, Jamie held executive leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Bank of America and Vice President of Nations Bank/NCNB, where he ach...

Boating enthusiast Billy Pavlock is the Founder and CEO of Nautical Network, a contemporary global creative and media outlet helping maritime companies create brand awareness to increase business growth. Billy was introduced to the boating industry after opening a car and detailing business upon graduating college. Passionate about the maritime industry and marketing, Billy's niche business has re...

Marc Reifenrath is the Co-founder and CEO of Spinutech, a full-service website design and digital marketing agency dedicated to developing customized and data-driven digital marketing solutions. Marc is passionate about culture and understands firsthand how critical a company's culture is to achieving and maintaining success. When he has time away from growing his team and working with clients, Ma...

George Spowart is the Chief Marketing Officer at Red Rover, a moving and storage solutions company more affordable and convenient than traditional options. He directs all marketing and sales activities, including brand strategy, creative development, media planning/buying, website, call center, and public relations. George's skill for developing strong working relationships has contributed to his...

Kara Goldin is the Founder of Hint Inc., a beverage company most known for Hint Water, an award-winning unsweetened water with hints of fruit. Kara has been named one of InStyle's Badass 50, Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business, Fortune's Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs, Fortune's Most Innovative Women in Food & Drink , and EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Northern California. She is a...

Marc Reifenrath is the Co-founder and CEO of Spinutech, a full-service website design and digital marketing agency dedicated to developing customized and data-driven digital marketing solutions. Marc watched Spinutech grow from a college startup to one of the premier digital marketing agencies in the country, and he understands how culture plays a critical role in a company's success. Outside of h...

Shelia Reed is the Business Engagement and Strategy Lead at Ameritas, a mutual-based organization offering insurance, financial services, and employee benefits. As an experienced sales and marketing leader in both the financial and healthcare industry, Shelia helps companies identify brand strategies that leverage the most growth. She was chosen as a finalist for the Chief Marketer of the Year awa...

Steve Weintraub is the Founder and CEO of Gold & Diamond Source, a family-owned fine gold and diamond jewelry store. Steve was introduced to the jewelry business by a friend from high school and began making gold-plated seashells. In 1983, they built a 10,000-square-foot building and Steve began producing fine jewelry. After joining forces with his wife Julie, Steve's business grew from a small je...