Ryan Gravel, AICP
IS AN URBAN THINKER, DESIGNER, AUTHOR, AND BUILDER – AN ENTREPRENEUR WORKING ON IDEAS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CITIES. BEST KNOWN FOR HIS MASTER’S THESIS AND EARLY WORK THAT LAUNCHED THE ATLANTA BELTLINE, A 22-MILE TRANSIT GREENWAY CIRCLING DOWNTOWN ATLANTA, RYAN’S WORK CENTERS ON STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE THAT ADVANCE A BROAD, INCLUSIVE VISION FOR COMMUNITIES. HE WAS THE LEAD CREATOR OF THE ATLANTA CITY DESIGN, WHICH DESIGNS THE CITY’S INEVITABLE CHANGE SO THAT IT GROWS INTO A BETTER VERSION OF ITSELF. AND ALONG WITH OTHER PROJECTS AT SIXPITCH AND HIS BOOK, WHERE WE WANT TO LIVE, (ST. MARTIN’S PRESS), RYAN INVESTIGATES THE CULTURAL SIDE OF INFRASTRUCTURE, DESCRIBING HOW ITS INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR WAY OF LIFE CAN ILLUMINATE A BRIGHTER PATH FORWARD FOR CITIES.
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TERRY HORNE
TERRY HORNE, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CIVICCON (CIVIC CONVERSATIONS).THROUGH SPEAKER SERIES AND A CIVIC COURSE CURRICULUM, CIVICCON RAISES THE “CIVIC IQ” OF LOCAL CITIZENS SO THAT THEY ARE BETTER PREPARED TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF WHERE THEY LIVE. THE PREMISE IS THAT GREAT DIALOGUE WITH ENGAGED CITIZENS WILL RESULT IN BETTER COMMUNITIES.
KAREN THOMPSON
ASSISTANT CRA DIRECTOR - MAIN STREET LAKE WALES DIRECTOR, KAREN HAS NEARLY 20 YEARS OF REDEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE. KAREN HAS WORKED WITH SEVERAL MAIN STREET COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND BRINGS THAT EXPERIENCE TO HER CURRENT PASSION PROJECT, LAKE WALES CONNECTED.
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VICTOR DOVER, FAICP, LEED-AP, CNU-A
VICTOR DOVER ISTHE COFOUNDER OF DOVER, KOHL & PARTNERS TOWN PLANNING. A REVOLUTIONARY MAKEOVER IS UNDERWAY TO PROMOTE WALKING AND CYCLING AND APPEAL TO A NEW GENERATION OF CREATIVE, DEMANDING CITIZENS. VICTOR DOVER, URBAN DESIGNER AND CO-AUTHOR OF STREET DESIGN: THE SECRET TO GREAT CITIES AND TOWNS IS AN EXPERT ON HOW TO FIX OUR STREETS, AND, IN THE PROCESS, SHAPE ENDURING CITIES THAT PEOPLE REALLY LOVE. FOR 30 YEARS, DOVER HAS BEEN DESIGNING WALKABLE, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. HIS WORK SPANS FIVE CONTINENTS AND RANGES FROM REVITALIZING HISTORIC DOWNTOWNS TO RETROFITTING SUBURBIA. VICTOR IS A FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PLANNERS. HE SERVED AS THE NATIONAL CHAIR OF THE CONGRESS FOR THE NEW URBANISM FROM 2010 – 2012.
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JOHN MARSH
MARSH IS THE CO-FOUNDER OF MARSH COLLECTIVE AND HOST OF THE REDEMPTIFICATION PODCAST, SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR, A CONSULTANT HELPING STEWARD OVER $1B IN REDEMPTIVE REAL ESTATE IN 9 SMALL TOWNS (WITH POPULATIONS OF 800-180K) AROUND AMERICA, WITH LOVE FOR BUILDING THINGS THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL AND MEANINGFUL. OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS, JOHN AND ASHELY HAVE GUIDED OVER 40 STARTUP BUSINESSES IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, SUCH AS THE CONSTRUCTION, REAL ESTATE INVESTING, ADVERTISING, AND ALSO MULTIPLE RESTAURANTS. JOHN AND HIS WIFE HAVE RENOVATED 220+ BUILDINGS WITHIN 10 BLOCKS OF DOWNTOWN OPELIKA TO HELP SAVE THEIR CITY. TODAY, JOHN’S CURRENT FOCUS IS ON HELPING OTHERS MAKE GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND COMPANIES BY HELPING PATRONS BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN REDEEMING VISION AND EXECUTION.
LEIGH ANN LUNZ, RLA
LEIGH ANN LUNZ IS A REGISTERED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT WITH OVER 18 YEARS OF EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN, MASTER SITE PLANNING, AND URBAN DESIGN. OVER THE COURSE OF HER CAREER, SHE HAS WORKED ON MANY PROJECT TYPES SUCH AS FORCE PROTECTION, STREETSCAPES, PARK DESIGN, ACADEMIC CAMPUSES, AND COMMUNITY DESIGN AND MASTER PLANNING. SHE COMBINES AN EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION OF PLANT MATERIALS AND THE HISTORY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TO CREATE DESIGNS THAT EVOLVE FROM A SITE'S CULTURAL AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. LEIGH ANN ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE DESIGN PROCESS, INCLUDING CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, PROGRAM ANALYSIS, DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, CLIENT PRESENTATIONS, CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION, AND CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION.
ANGIE, V'ASHIAH & PATRICE
ANGIE, V'ASIAH & PATRICE ARE THE PROUD OWNERS OF AMONIE JOE'S INTERNATIONAL COFFEES AND DELIGHTS. THEIR BUSINESS IS MOTIVATED BY THEIR MOTHERS LOVE, AND FUELED BY HER BELIEFS TO WORK HARD TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE. WE ARE AMONIE JO'S.
GREGORY G. CURTIN, PH.D
GREGORY G. CURTIN, PHD, JD, FOUNDER AND CEO OF CIVICCONNECT, AND A LEADER IN THE EMERGING "SMART" AND CONNECTED WORLD—SMART CITIES, SMART INFRASTRUCTURE, E-GOVERNMENT, CONNECTED COMMUNITIES, ETC. CIVICCONNECT IS A PLATFORM-AS-A-SERVICE (PAAS) FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SMART CONNECTED COMMUNITIES. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE FUTURE OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES.
RICK BAKER
RICK BAKER HAS BEEN A BUSINESS ACQUISITION LAWYER, A LAW FIRM PRESIDENT, A UNIVERSITY VICE-PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT OF A ST. PETERSBURG-BASED DEVELOPMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY. PRESENTLY HE ISAN ADVISOR AND INVESTOR IN COMPANIES INVOLVED IN URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY. FROM 2001 TO 2010, HE SERVED AS MAYOR OF ST. PETERSBURG - FLORIDA’S FOURTH LARGEST CITY. UNDER MAYOR BAKER’S LEADERSHIP ST. PETERSBURG EXPERIENCED A RENAISSANCE UNMATCHED IN CITY HISTORY. IN 2008, MAYOR BAKER WAS NAMED AMERICA’S MAYOR/PUBLIC OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR BY GOVERNING MAGAZINE, AND IN 2011, WAS NAMED “AMERICA’S GREATEST MAYOR OFTHE DECADE” IN NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE’S DAILY BEAST.
LAURA LEE GWINN
HOMELESSNESS PANEL
LAURA LEE GWINN HAS SERVED THE HOMELESS COALITION OF POLK COUNTY (HCPC) SINCE 2013. PRIOR TO HER CURRENT POSITION AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GWINN SERVED AS HMIS PROJECT MANAGER AND AS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR HCPC. SHE OVERSAW THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COC’S COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM, THE MERGER OF TWO COCS IN POLK COUNTY, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE COC. IN ADDITION, GWINN SERVES ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR POLK COUNTY THE POLK COUNTY HOMELESS YOUTH TASK FORCE.
HONORABLE ROBERT WILLIAMS
HOMELESSNESS PANEL
THE HONORABLE ROBERT L. WILLIAMS, JR. SERVED AS A POLK COUNTY JUDGE FOR THE 10TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FOR NEARLY 13 YEARS, HAVING RETIRED IN JANUARY 2019 WITH SENIOR JUDGE STATUS. DURING HIS TENURE SERVING AS A JURIST, JUDGE WILLIAMS PRESIDED OVER ALL THE CIRCUIT’S PROBLEM SOLVING COURT DIVISIONS OVER MULTIPLE YEARS. HE HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE PRESIDING IN THE MENTAL/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COURT SYSTEM, AS WELL AS WORKING IN ALL SIX DIVISIONS OF THE CIRCUIT’S DRUG COURT SYSTEM. HE HELPED INITIATE BOTH THE POST ADJUDICATION DRUG COURT-MISDEMEANOR PROGRAM, AND THE COURT’S NEWEST PROGRAM KNOWN AS THE VETERANS TREATMENT DOCKET (SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS VETERANS COURT).
DC Reeves
D.C. Reeves is the founder and ceo
of perfect plain brewing company in pensacola, fl, AUTHOR OF THE MICROBREWERY HANDBOOK: CRAFT, BREW, AND BUILD YOUR OWN MICROBREWERY SUCCESS AND THE CHIEF ENTREPRENEURIAL OFFICER FOR THE STUDER COMMUNITY INSTITUTE. D.C. IS MANAGING THE PROCESS OF CREATING AN ENTREPRENEURIAL ECO-SYSTEM IN PENSACOLA. REEVES HAS TRAVELED THE COUNTRY BENCHMARKING OTHER CITIES AND THE BEST ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAMS I TO CREATE A GREAT PLACE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO
start and grow.
beth mckee
ROOTS SINGER, SONGWRITER, COMMUNITY CULTIVATOR. BETH MCKEE HAS BEEN A WORKING MUSICIAN SINCE THE AGE OF 14. IN 2010, BETH FOUNDED SWAMP SISTAS - A GRASSROOTS NOT FOR PROFIT WITH A DUAL PASSION FOR MUSIC AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISM. THIS ORGANIZATION HAS PRESENTED NEARLY A DOZEN SWAMP SISTAS LA LAS IN FLORIDA AND NORTH CAROLINA, AND HAS RAISED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR VARIOUS COMMUNITY CAUSES AND ORGANIZATIONS. THE GROUP CONTINUES TO SEEK CREATIVE WAYS TO ‘DO GOOD’ WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN MUSICIANS.
MATT LUKENS
MATT LUKENS IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE LUNZ GROUP ANIMATION STUDIO. MATT DEVELOPS VISUAL STRATEGIES FOR CLIENTS, HELPING THEM ASCERTAIN THE SCOPE, SCALE AND CONTEXT OF THEIR PROJECT. MOTIVATED, CURIOUS AND CREATIVE, MATT COMBINES HIS EXPERTISE AS A DATA ANALYST WITH HIS INSTINCT FOR DESIGN TO PRODUCE VIBRANT VISUALIZATIONS THAT ARE BOTH BEAUTIFUL AND RESPONSIVE TO THEIR REALISTIC CONTEXT. HIS BACKGROUND IN BOTH FINE ART AND ARCHITECTURE GIVES CLIENTS FREEDOM TO EXPLORE THEIR PROJECT’S BOUNDARIES WHILE PINPOINTING THE VALUE OF THEIR INVESTMENT.
MAYOR EUGENE W.GRANT
IN 2017, MAYOR GRANT SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH IBM TO BUILD A $30 MILLION CLOUD-BASED, INTELLIGENT OPERATIONS CENTER IN THE CITY OF SEAT PLEASANT, A SMART CITY OF EXCELLENCE. THIS MULTI-YEAR ENDEAVOR WILL ELEVATE SEAT PLEASANT TO BECOME THE FIRST AUTHENTIC SMALL SMART CITY IN THE WORLD.IN ADDITION TO THIS SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT, MAYOR GRANT SUCCESSFULLY PETITIONED THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DESIGNATE SEATP LEASANT AS A “RURAL COMMUNITY,” POTENTIALLY GIVING THE CITY ACCESS TO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FEDERAL GRANTS AND FUNDING. BECAUSE OF THE MAYOR’S CONTINUAL EFFORTS, HE IS CURRENTLY USING $4.1 MILLION IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCING TO REMODEL CITY HALL AND THE MAINTENANCE BUILDING INTO SMART BUILDINGS.
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STEVE WRAY
STEVE WRAY IS A VICE PRESIDENT,STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, AT ECONSULT SOLUTIONS, INC. (ESI). HE LEADS PROJECTS ANDSPEAKS FREQUENTLY ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES, INCLUDING SMART CITIES, THE ROLE OFINNOVATION IN COMMUNITIES, AND JOBS OF THE FUTURE. PRIOR TO JOINING ESI IN 2017, STEVE LED THE ECONOMY LEAGUE OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA, A REGIONAL CIVIC LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION, WHERE HE LED THE DEVELOPMENT OF GROUNDBREAKING INITIATIVES LIKE WORLD CLASS GREATER PHILADELPHIA, PRE-K FOR PA AND GRADUATE! PHILADELPHIA. HE ALSO SERVED AS POLICY DIRECTOR FOR PENNSYLVANIA’S LT. GOVERNOR AND ACTING GOVERNOR AND AS A CONSULTANT FOR A GLOBAL.
REAL ESTATE FIRM.
JEFFREY PURDY, P.E.
JEFFREY E. PURDY, PE, IS AN ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT AND OPERATIONS MANAGER OF INTELLIGENT INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS (IIS). JEFF HAS MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN TRANSPORTATION AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING,FIBER OPTIC AND WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND STRATEGIC PLANNING. THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, HE HAS ASSISTED FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES IMPLEMENTING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO ACHIEVE ORGANIZATIONAL MISSIONS, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. TODAY, HE GUIDES STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES PREPARE FOR AND ADOPT NEW TECHNOLOGIES INCLUDING 5G COMMUNICATIONS, CONNECTED AND AUTOMATED VEHICLES (CAV), MOBILITY AS A SERVICE (MAAS) AND APPLICATIONS WITHIN THE INTERNET-OF-THINGS (IOT).
BRANDON CAMPBELL
I'VE MADE A CAREER OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING BECAUSE I LOVE CONNECTING PEOPLE AND PLACES. WHETHER PLANNING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE, IMPLEMENTING SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS, OR ADJUSTING EXISTING TRAFFIC CONTROL TO MAKE YOUR COMMUTE EASIER, I FIND SATISFACTION IN IMPROVING PEOPLES' LIVES. MY PASSION FOR MY FIELD HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE OR PARTICIPATE IN A WIDE RANGE OF PROJECTS FROM SMALL-SCALE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS TO INDUSTRY-LEADING TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT.CURRENTLY I SERVE AS A SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF TAMPA, FLORIDA. IN THIS ROLE I MANAGE OPERATIONS, TECHNOLOGY, AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL CAPITAL PROJECTS FROM PLANNING THROUGH IMPLEMENTATION.
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STEVE ELIAS, PE
STEVE IS A DIVISION MANAGER FOR MUNICIPAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING WITH 27 YEARS OF INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN EXPERIENCE WITH NEARLY 30 DIFFERENT CENTRAL AND SOUTH FLORIDA MUNICIPALITIES. STEVEN HAS LEAD MASTER PLANNING EFFORTS FOR MORE THAN 20 MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, WASTEWATER, TRANSPORTATION, SOLID WASTE, AND REUSE INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVES. MR. ELIAS CURRENTLY SERVES ON PENNONI’S SMART SOLUTIONS/SMART COMMUNITY, FUNDING SOLUTIONS, AND ENERGY TEAMS; AND HAS BEEN AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY WITH A FOCUS OF TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS FOR ENGINEERING PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
TOM NOCERA
TEAM BUILDER, AERIAL TRANSIT DEVELOPER AND “OLDERPRENEUR”, NOCERA GRADUATED FROM ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE IN CLEARWATER EARNING BOTH A DEGREE IN AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY AND A COMMERCIAL PILOT'S LICENSE. THAT EDUCATION LED TO A SUMMER JOB AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER THAT ALTERED THE COURSE OF HIS LIFE. IN JULY, 1969 MR. NOCERA BECAME THE YOUNGEST ENGINEER ON THE LAUNCH CREW FOR APOLLO 11 - MANKIND'S FIRST FOOTSTEPS ON THE MOON. AFTER RETIRING FROM THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, MR. NOCERA SET UP 5 FLORIDA COMPANIES AND ASSEMBLED A REMARKABLE TEAM TO BRING ABOUT A 21ST CENTURY SOLUTION TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION. THE FREE ENTERPRISE SOLUTION HE’LL TALK ABOUT IS BECOMING KNOWN AS AERIAL PERSONAL RAPID TRANSIT. HE WILL INTRODUCE THE TECHNOLOGIES WHICH WILL PROVIDE "MOBILITY ON DEMAND"™️ AND BECOME THE CATALYST FOR TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.
BRAD BEATTY
BRAD BEATTY IS THE DIRECTOR FOR HEART FOR WINTER HAVEN. HEART FOR WINTER HAVEN IS A FAITH-BASED, NON-PROFIT 501(C)(3) CORPORATION COMMITTED TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND CHURCHES TO CREATED A CONNECTED WINTER HAVEN, WORKING TOGETHER TO RENEW PEOPLE AND PLACES, ONE LIFE-TRANSFORMING DEED AT A TIME.
JOSHUA MILLER
JOSHUA MILLER GREW UP IN WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA AND IS AN ALUMNI OF WINTER HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL. TRAINED ON TRUMPET, HORN, BASS AND GUITAR, HE PARTICIPATED IN MUSIC PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT HIS YEARS IN POLK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. HE RECEIVED HIS DEGREE IN MUSIC MANAGEMENT FROM FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE, AND COMPLETED HIS INTERNSHIP AT AN ACTIVE RECORD LABEL IN NEW YORK CITY.MR. MILLER IS A CERTIFIED FLORIDA ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION ADJUDICATOR AND HAS JUDGED ORCHESTRAS ON THE DISTRICT LEVEL ACROSS THE STATE, AS WELL AS BEING THE DISTRICT CHAIR FOR THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS. HIS ORCHESTRA CONSISTENTLY RECEIVE STRAIGHT SUPERIOR RATINGS AT MUSIC PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT EACH YEAR. HE IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION, THE AMERICAN STRING TEACHER ASSOCIATION, AND THE FLORIDA MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION.
Neil takemoto
Neil Takemoto is a co-founder of the CSPM Group, a consulting firm that manages partnerships between local communities and large-scale real estate development investors for multiple downtown revitalization projects including: urban
redevelopment and revitalization in Hempstead,
Huntington Station and Riverside, Long Island, NY, New Rochelle, NY and a comprehensive plan in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Previously, he is the founder and CEO of Cooltown Beta Communities, a firm that pioneered the field of crowdsourced placemaking, encompassing his work over the last 19 years that has been committed to developing destinations with significant economic, environmental and social benefit.
He is the founder of Cooltown Studios, a crowdsourced placemaking blog/news site that attracts 40,000 unique visitors a month. With Andres Duany, Neil co-founded the National Town Builders Association in 1997, the only business trade group of Smart Growth/New Urbanism real estate developers. Prior to that, he founded a national nonprofit educational clearinghouse for the New Urbanism field.
Ryan Frazier
My name is Ryan Frazier. I was born and raised in Winter Haven. I started writing and preforming my poems for three years and it has opened a whole new world for me. My career aspirations are to major in theater and minor in creative writing. The only thing I want to do in my life is to allow the poems that I create to touch and inspire the life of someone one who hears them.
Anthony lyons
Gainesville, Florida is the epicenter of a human design centered movement to radically alter the way that city government provides basic services to its community members. In the middle of it all is Anthony Lyons, Gainesville’s eclectic City Manager. Not your typical local government bureaucrat, Fast Company Magazine, a cutting edge media firm with a focus on
innovation and technology says, he “is rethinking the role of local government in community life.”
Anthony is a man on a mission to use human design centered thinking, an approach pioneered by the well-known innovation and design firm IDEO, to make the City of Gainesville the most citizen-user centered city in the world. He is leading a charge to bypass incremental change of the city’s service delivery processes. Creating game-changing breakthroughs that exponentially improve the citizen-user experience and government responsiveness to the needs, aspirations and desires of the people that it serves, is what inspires his zeal.
Appointed City Manager by the Gainesville City Commission in
April 2016, Anthony is responsible for a team of more than 1500 city employees. Prior to his current position, he served as Gainesville’s Interim City Manager, Interim Planning and Service Director as well as two tenures as the City’s Community Redevelopment Director. He has received nearly 50 awards from international, national, state, and local organizations in recognition of his community building achievements. His penchant for design aesthetics is informed by a Bachelor Arts degree in Art History from Indiana University Bloomington. He is
a husband of 22 years and a father of an eleven-year old.
saba ghole
Saba Ghole is an architectural/urban designer turned education and technology entrepreneur. She received her Masters in Urban Design at MIT. Her multidisciplinary explorations in painting, photography, graphic design, film, architecture and urban planning have formed her holistic understanding of design, creative education and the interface of people and their environments. Her experience in the urban design world exposed her to a myriad of innovative educational projects including the Central Los Angeles High School #9 (a school of visual and performing arts in downtown Los Angeles), the National Research Foundation’s CREATE project (a Campus for Research Excellence And Technological Enterprise in Singapore), and the Princess Nora Bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh (the world’s largest center of higher learning for women
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Josh mcmanus
Josh McManus leads operations at Detroit-based Rock Ventures LLC, the organization that serves and connects entrepreneur and Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman and majority owner of the NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers Dan Gilbert’s Family of more than 100 companies, as well as his investments, real estate purchases and community activities. McManus joined the Rock Ventures team in 2015. McManus’ experience includes more than 20 years as a serial social and business entrepreneur. An innovator in entrepreneurial development, talent attraction and retention, placemaking and cultivating emerging leadership, McManus’ work focuses on creating opportunity and prosperity in post-industrial American cities. His work has taken him around the world for exploration and study and he’s helped build companies and community projects in Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Akron, and Detroit. An insatiable reader, proud father, and prolific beard grower, McManus often says that he’s “living the dream” and he truly believes it. Nationally, he is a Marshall Memorial Fellow and a Next American Vanguard. Locally, he has helped in the formation of a variety of organizations and has served on a variety of institutional boards. McManus is a regular public speaker with emphasis on informed urban action, talent attraction and retention, innovation and entrepreneurial development. His thoughts have been featured by Forbes, Fast Company, The Economist, Entrepreneur, GOOD, USA Today, The Huffington Post and even Garden and Gun.
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Rick Baker
Rick Baker has been described as possibly one of America's greatest Mayors. Mayor of St. Petersburg from 2001, he was reelected in November 2005 with more than 70% of the votes cast. Author of The Seamless City: A Conservative Mayor's Approach to Urban Revitalization that Can Work Anywhere.
St. Petersburg is only the 68th largest city in the U.S. and the fourth-largest in Florida. Baker did not inherit a city that was already turning around, like many mayors who entered office after the urban renaissance of the 1990s. He did not have billion-dollar budgets or national attention. He did the hard work himself, inspiring a city government and its citizens to aim higher and believe that together they could achieve excellence. Rick Baker is a proven leader, educator, visionary and author who has a passion for Florida.
Reinaldo Borges
Mr, Borges is Principal of Borges + Associates is a leading world-class architectural design and consulting firm that has been involved in Major Real Estate Development projects within the United States and Internationally. With headquarters in
Miami, Florida serving North and South America and Offices in Hagerstown, Maryland, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and India, the firm brings its award-winning portfolio of projects to the leading developers of these serviced markets.
The firm’s collective experience of more than 25 years in design leadership, Borges + Associates has extensive experience in the typologies of Multi-family Residential projects, Corporate Offices, Athletic Facilities, Community Centers, Fire Stations, Ports, Airports, Urban Mixed-Use Developments, Hotels and Resorts, Single Family Homes, Retail and Entertainment Centers, Master Planning, and Life Style Centers, among others.
While a design director with Arquitectonica, he was the design team leader for the American Airlines Miami Heat Arena, with the formation of his own firm, he was design architect of record for the 56 story Infinity at Brickell Tower and Grand Beach hotel to
name a few. In 2016 AIA Miami awarded Mr. Borges with the distinction of the Architect of the Year Award.
RESILIENCY LEADERSHIP: Mr. Borges is currently the Chairman of the Miami AIA Sea Level Rise Task Force, has been appointed to the City of Miami Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee, serves in the Florida AIA Strategic Council with emphasis on representing
South Florida and its SLR challenges. Has lectured at numerous organizations and institutions on the topic of Sea Level Rise with an emphasis on the architectural and urban design challenges. He is active member of both the Miami and Miami Beach Chamber and serves on the Executive Board and Advocacy
Council of the Miami Beach Chamber. He is being featured as a
FUTURIST/ARCHITECT on the upcoming documentary “Years of Living Dangerously” with Jack Black and has constant communications with world leaders and thinkers
on the challenges of Climate Change and a focus on Sea Level Rise. On this topic he has lectured at the University of Miami School of Architecture, Harvard University Studio on Resiliency Design among others.
Sharon West Mc Cormick
Director of Business Attraction & Marketing Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency – Marketing & Cultural Arts Director As the Director of Business Attraction & Marketing for RMA –a consulting and management firm, Sharon McCormick develops and implements strategic plans for cities resulting in the reinvention of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts and the cultural renaissance of once blighted areas. Through engaging events and social and cultural experiences; business attraction and retention campaigns; and creative incentive programs and partnerships, McCormick is a strong community engagement and place-making / place-keeping advocate. She also currently serves as the Marketing & Cultural Arts Director for the City of Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency - a city actively pursuing creativity and the arts, recognizing this critical component for economic vitality and success. With over 25 years of branding, marketing, cultural development and public relations experience, McCormick is an expert at crafting and implementing strategic redevelopment/economic/cultural development marketing plans and an international award winner for her marketing and public relations programs.
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Casmore Shaw
Director of Business Attraction & Marketing Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency – Marketing & Cultural Arts Director As the Director of Business Attraction & Marketing for RMA –a consulting and management firm, Sharon McCormick develops and implements strategic plans for cities resulting in the reinvention of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts and the cultural renaissance of once blighted areas. Through engaging events and social and cultural experiences; business attraction and retention campaigns; and creative incentive programs and partnerships, McCormick is a strong community engagement and place-making / place-keeping advocate. She also currently serves as the Marketing & Cultural Arts Director for the City of Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency - a city actively pursuing creativity and the arts, recognizing this critical component for economic vitality and success. With over 25 years of branding, marketing, cultural development and public relations experience, McCormick is an expert at crafting and implementing strategic redevelopment/economic/cultural development marketing plans and an international award winner for her marketing and public relations programs.
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Josh Bowers &
Denise Perris
Josh and Denise are avid outdoor sports athletes having competed at professional, Olympic, and international levels, and are expert technologists.
Josh’s career in outdoor sports began grinding fiberglass, repairing sails, rigging sailboats, and managing a West Marine. His sailing career took
him around the world allowing him to live and race in Australia and Europe. After developing a sensitivity to fiberglass, which forced him from the boat yard. He moved into technology, specializing in the launch of new products and services for database and reporting technologies. Denise was a member of the 2008 Olympic Team and a professional wakeboarder. A nerd with a Ph.d from Texas A&M, 15 years of experience as a
consultant in the sport industry, an assistant professor of entrepreneurship, and a leading researcher in data analytics, leadership, and how to build communities using sport as hook.
Their mission is to get more people outside, and
recognize this requires building partnerships within local communities. Applying their technology expertise they launched Pavilion the first purpose built
automated email marketing platform to keep people informed on everything happening outside. Pavilion enables local organizations to automatically update
their email subscribers with upcoming 5ks, hikes, bike rides, and kayak trips. Over
the last year Pavilion has tracked over 140,000 outdoor recreation opportunities happening across the United States, providing insight into recreation pursuits and economic impacts on local communities
Robyn Wilson
Robyn Wilson is the owner and founder of The Poor Porker Inc, a DIY lifestyle brand and beignet business based on the simple fact that you really can do anything you want to do if you’re willing to work hard for it. She started her company with $300, a great beignet recipe, a cast iron frying kettle and a whole lot of heart. Her award winning designs and food have been featured in Food and Wine, Marie Claire and Glamour magazine. Robyn is an expert treasure hunter; She loves digging deep and finding the goods. She’ll never pass up a good garage sale. She has a passion for breathing life into previously discarded things. Since 2011, her simple beignet business has expanded to a 6,000 square foot destination spot in the heart of Lakeland, Florida called 801 E. Main. Within her space, she continues to offer Beignets out of her food truck, The Poor Porker, in addition to a boutique selling unique and finely procured items, Bearcat and Big 6, and a brand new bar inspired by her parent’s love story, Calexico. 801 E. Main is continuing to grow, and is used as a venue for a number of events within the community.
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Anita Strang
On behalf of the Main Street Winter Haven Board of Directors, Welcome to CityWorks(X)po Florida! We are so excited to host all of you in beautiful downtown Winter Haven. We want to give a great big shout out to CityWorks(X)po Founder Ed Walker for allowing us to bring (X)po to Florida. MSWH has partnered with the City of Winter Haven, the Winter Haven Chamber and the Winter Haven Economic Development Council to make this exciting idea exchange happen. Our hope is that (X)po's impact grows, connecting Florida cities with great ideas and the great people making them happen everyday! 2017 is (X)po Florida's second year, and we have taken on the challenge of creating a cool pop up space for this year's (X)po, we think you will love it. Looking forward to meeting you at CityWorks(X)po FLorida ;-).
HIEP NGUYEN
Hiep Nguyen, serves as the Chief Information Officer for the City of Winter Haven, and leads the City through its Innovation Pivot as it endeavors to become a smart, progressive, thriving municipality as part of larger vibrant community in Polk County, Florida. Entrepreneurs and start-up companies use the term “pivot” to describe a course-correction in strategy to adapt their focus to business, technological, customer and other environmental realities. As technology has become more ubiquitous, complex, and disruptive, a change in our perspective in the application of technology is necessary. The Innovation Pivot is a recognition of innovation as a core value, and the embracing the culture of inclusion, diverse human perspectives, entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and collaboration.
Josh Mcmanus
JOSH MCMANUS IS FOUNDER AND CHIEF INVENTION OFFICER FOR LITTLE THINGS LABS A PROBLEM-SOLVING PRACTICE WORKING IN POST-INDUSTRIAL PLACES. MCMANUS’ EXPERIENCE INCLUDES MORE THAN 20 YEARS AS A SERIAL SOCIAL AND BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR. AN INNOVATOR IN ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT, TALENT ATTRACTION AND RETENTION, PLACEMAKING AND CULTIVATING EMERGING LEADERSHIP, MCMANUS’ WORK FOCUSES ON CREATING OPPORTUNITY AND PROSPERITY IN POST-INDUSTRIAL AMERICAN CITIES. HIS WORK HAS TAKEN HIM AROUND THE WORLD FOR EXPLORATION AND STUDY AND HE’S HELPED BUILD COMPANIES AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN CHATTANOOGA, CINCINNATI, AKRON, AND DETROIT. AN INSATIABLE READER, PROUD FATHER, AND PROLIFIC BEARD GROWER, MCMANUS OFTEN SAYS THAT HE’S “LIVING THE DREAM” AND HE TRULY BELIEVES IT. NATIONALLY, HE IS A MARSHALL MEMORIAL FELLOW AND A NEXT AMERICAN VANGUARD. LOCALLY, HE HAS HELPED IN THE FORMATION OF A VARIETY OF ORGANIZATIONS AND HAS SERVED ON A VARIETY OF INSTITUTIONAL BOARDS. MCMANUS IS A REGULAR PUBLIC SPEAKER WITH EMPHASIS ON INFORMED URBAN ACTION, TALENT ATTRACTION AND RETENTION, INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT. HIS THOUGHTS HAVE BEEN FEATURED BY FORBES, FAST COMPANY, THE ECONOMIST, ENTREPRENEUR, GOOD, USA TODAY, THE HUFFINGTON POST AND EVEN GARDEN AND GUN.
Josh Bump Galletta
I am Josh “Bump” Galletta. I am a commercial artist and illustrator based in lakeland, Florida with my beautiful wife Mary, my awesome kids Emmersyn and Fynn, and our crazy dog Ellie. I specialize in creating dynamic designs with an organic typography feel. I am looking forward to sharing about #Makersmarket. what happens When a community with local makers and creatives have a space to come together and offer their unique products, it city thrives. Markets similar to New York’s The Brooklyn Flea, London’s Portobello Market and Chelsea Market are great ways to supporting the local...
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Eliza Harris Juliano
As a principal at canin associates, i help developers and communities build and rebuild neighborhoods where walking or biking to run an errand or go to school is a safe and pleasant experience. we design places that work for tweens, grandmas, and everyone in between. I went to high school in a suburb where i was trapped until i got my drivers license. at cnu, i learned it didn't have to be that way. we have choices about what kind of communities we want to build for ourselves and our kids. in addition to advising communities as my day job, I spend many nights serving on community committees and nonprofit boards to make the place I live safer and more comfortable for people who want to or have to walk to work, the grocery store, or where ever else life takes them. #iamcnu
Joe Minicozzi
Joe Minicozzi is an urban planner imagining new ways to think about and visualize land use, urban design and economics. Joe founded Urban3 to explain and visualize market dynamics created by tax and land use policies. Urban3's work establishes new conversations across multiple professional sectors, policy makers, and the public to creatively address the challenges of urbanization. Urban3's extensive studies have ranged geographically from over 30 states, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Joe holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami and Master of Architecture and Urban Design from Harvard University. In 2017, Joe was recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Urbanists of all time
Wendi B. Carpenter
Internationally experienced and forward-thinking retired Rear Admiral Wendi B Carpenter has led a broad range of complex, cross functional organizations in military, government, nonprofit and commercial sectors. Recognized innovator and strategist. Conceives and achieves breakthrough goals. Ms. Carpenter is the epitome of a proven leader who understands the VALUE OF GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
WENDI IS THE CURRENT Executive Director Phillips Trust and Independent Consultant.
R.John Anderson
R. John Anderson is a co-founder and principal for Anderson|Kim Architecture + Urban Design and development company, Artifex. He has a very diverse experience beginning with a practical foundation in the construction trades, advancing through design and development practice in public and private roles. With over thirty years of experience in the field, John is well-versed in the practical realities of delivering complex projects from design through entitlement and construction. John Anderson is a co-founder and principal for Anderson|Kim Architecture + Urban Design and development company, Artifex. He has a very diverse experience beginning with a practical foundation in the construction trades, advancing through design and development practice in public and private roles. With over thirty years of experience in the field, John is well-versed in the practical realities of delivering complex projects from design through entitlement and construction. Prior to the formation of Anderson|Kim, John directed planning and design for New Urban Builders, a firm that has demonstrated how sustainable neighborhoods could be successfully delivered by a California production builder/developer. His ability to triage conventional building schemes to demonstrate the financial benefits of urbanism has made him an ally to private developers and municipalities alike.
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Rob Greenfield
Rob Greenfield embarks on extreme adventures and activism campaigns to bring attention to important global issues and inspire change. He created The Food Waste Fiasco, cycled across the USA three times on a bamboo bicycle, and in 2015-2016 lived off the grid in a 50 square-foot tiny home in San Diego before auctioning it and raising funds to build 10 tiny houses for people with no homes. He then simplified his life down to just 111 possessions, all of which fit onto his back or his bike. He currently lives in Orlando, Florida in a tiny house he built near zero waste, with 99% repurposed materials for under $1,500. His current project is to grow and forage 100% of the food he eats for an entire year (from 11/11/2018 to 11/11/2019). He is the host of Free Ride on Discovery Channel, the author of Dude Making a Difference, and has spoken at over 130 events in 13 countries. Rob donates 100% of his media income to grassroots nonprofits and has committed to living simply and responsibly for life.
Dan Chesnicka
Dan Chesnicka is the Producing Director of Theater Winter Haven, an award-winning community theater in Winter Haven, Florida. Prior to joining the world of theater, Dan was the co-founder and CEO of a product development company and is the inventor of Hitch Critters, Truck Antlers, and other novelty products that have sold hundreds of thousands of units and are responsible for millions of chuckles. Dan also spent a dozen years working at Walt Disney World and is credited with developing a number of innovative programs. Dan's passion for community theatre was ignited by his children's involvement and after serving on the Board of Directors at Theatre Winter Haven, he assumed his current position four years ago. Under his leadership, Theatre Winter Haven won numerous awards at the local, state, and national level and nearly doubled the bottom line. Dan sees the performing arts as a way to connect people in the community, reduce isolation, and drive revenue to businesses in the city.
PANEL DISCUSSION - REALIZE BRADENTON
Jordan Ross
As Founder of Ross Technology Group and Co-Founder of Guerilla Apps, Jordan brings his charisma and unique entrepreneur ability to the tech industry for clients all over the world. He was born and raised in Manatee County and has studied business at Florida International University. He believes that entrepreneurship is the key to leveling the playing field and works to continue serving his community as an advocate for equal opportunity in low-income communities.
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Catherine Ferrer
As Community Engagement Coordinator for Realize Bradenton, Catherine brings her relational leadership style to make good on the promise that downtown is everyone’s neighborhood. Catherine has a B.A. in Political Science from New College of Florida and is a certified Public Innovator through the Harwood Institute. She has a deep belief that nothing happens without relationships and works to connect volunteers, community partners, Millennials, Gen Z, and people from all walks of life to co-create a vibrant and prosperous city.
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JOHNETTE ISHAM
As Executive Director of Realize Bradenton, Johnette brings her design thinking approach to the events, place branding, and civic engagement projects that promote Downtown Bradenton. Johnette has degrees and advanced certifications are from Rhode Island School of Design, Lesley University, Harvard University and Case Western Business School. She has a deep belief that working together works and actively builds bridges to engage partners from multiple sectors in developing and promoting the physical, cultural, and social assets of the Bradenton area.
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