Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Michelle Bauer, CEcD – Chair
Chief Operating Officer
Tampa Bay EDC
Suzanne Christman, CEcD, MEDP – Past Chair
Director of Business Development
Pinellas County Economic Development
Lucienne Pears – Chair Elect
VP Economic and Business Development
Babcock Ranch and Kitson Partners
Scarlett Phaneuf, CEcD, MEDP – Vice Chair of Membership and Regional Strategies
Economic Development Representative
PowerSouth Energy Cooperative
Jennifer Conoley, CEcD, MEDP – Chair Appointment
President & CEO
Florida’s Great Northwest
Mary Swoope, MEDP – Conference Chair
Manager, Industry Recruitment
Duke Energy
Heather Shubirg, MEDP – Vice Co-Chair of Professional Development
Chief Growth Officer
Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership
Sherry Ambrose – Vice Co-Chair of Professional Development
Manager of Economic Development,
Florida Power and Light
David Coddington, LEED AP – VC of Advocacy and Communications
Vice President of Business Development
Greater Ft. Lauderdale Alliance
Casey Barnes, CEcD – Vice Chair of Finance
VP Business Development
Orlando Economic Partnership
Regional Directors
Verdell Hawkins – Northwest Regional Director
Manager, Economic Development
Florida Power & Light
Jimmy Norris – North Central Regional Director
Economic Development Director
Suwannee County Economic Development Office
Heidi Jameson – Northeast Regional Director
Director Of Business Development
JAXUSA Partnership
Tracy Garcia, CEcD, MEDP – East Central Regional Director
Senior Director, Economic Development
Orlando Economic Partnership
Denise Grimsley – South Central Regional Director
Executive Director
Hardee County EDC
James Kohnstamm, CEcD – Southeast Regional Director
Executive Vice President
Miami-Dade Beacon Council
Melanie Schmees, MBA – Southwest Regional Director
Manager, Sponsored Programs
Florida Gulf Coast University
Max Stewart – Tampa Bay Regional Director
Vice President, Economic Development
Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation
Chair Appointments and Ex Officios
Rob Long – Ex Officio
President and CEO
Space Florida
Mark Wilson – Ex Officio
President and CEO
The Florida Chamber of Commerce
Greg Britton – Ex Officio
CEO
Florida SBDC Network
Adrienne Johnston – Ex Officio
President & CEO
CareerSource Florida
Maria Grulich – Ex Officio
Director of Global Business
FloridaRealtors
Dan Sidler – Chair Appointment
Vice President, CareerEdge & Economic Development
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Byron Clayton – Chair Appointment
Senior Vice President and Chief of Sector Partnerships
CareerSource Tampa Bay
Zach Gilmore – Chair Appointment
Vice President of Business Development
Jackson County EDC
