Board of Directors

John Carter is the Vice President of Planning & Development with Minto Communities – Southeast Florida. John Carter is a 20+ year veteran of the civil engineering/development industry. Over his career he has specialized in program management of large-scale development programs and building successful teams to implement development programs. John is also a Certified Professional Planner. John’s first professional post was with a national engineering company (Kimley-Horn) where he departed after building a successful practice and being invited into the ownership structure of the company. Most recently John focused his talents as Vice President of Planning and Development for WCI Communities where he managed a development portfolio of $700 million with an annual cash flow in excess of $100 million. In this leadership role John and his team were responsible for all land acquisition, planning, engineering, and construction of amenity-rich master planned communities. Currently, John directs the land acquisition, planning and development activities for Minto-Southeast Florida operations.

Andrew McGinnis is Regional Vice President of the Palm Beach & Treasure Coast Market for TD Bank.  Andrew’s primary responsibilities include managing the Middle Market, Commercial and Small Business lines of business for Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties.  Andrew began covering the Palm Beach market in May 2015, and prior to that he spent the majority of his 23+ year banking career in Central Florida.  Andrew is a 1993 graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance.  His wife Laura is a grammar school principal and they have two daughters, Meredith and Elizabeth.

Laura Trosclair is Executive Vice President of Domestic Retail Banking for Mercantil Bank, heading the bank’s retail operations, and the strategy for the Bank’s domestic retail expansion, which includes branches in Florida, New York, and Texas. Prior to joining Mercantil Bank, Trosclair was Executive Vice President for Regions Bank, responsible for retail franchising, which included the oversight of the organization’s 110 banking centers throughout the region. Her 27-year career at Regions included roles as Senior Retail Executive, Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer, and Executive Vice President, to name a few. She is a Board Member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida and a former Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. Laura holds a Bachelors Degree in Science in Business Administration from Florida Southern College and is a graduate from the University of Washington, Pacific Coast Banking School.

Thomas Bean is Director of Public & Community Engagement for Florida Power & Light Company, one of the nation’s leading electric utilities, and foundation manager for NextEra Energy Foundation. He is the Chairman of the Board of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, council member with Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County and board member for Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Prior to joining FPL in 2009, Thomas spent seven years as a staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives, including serving as chief of staff to U.S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart of Miami, FL. Thomas earned a B.S. degree in Journalism from the University of Florida and a M.A. degree in Religion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He lives in Palm Beach Gardens with his wife, Ramona, and three children.

Francisco J. Gonzalez is an attorney and partner at the Wellington-based law firm of Gonzalez, Shenkman & Buckstein, P.L., where he heads the firm’s commercial and residential real estate and business transactions practice. Gonzalez, formerly of Steel, Hector & Davis, LLP, earned his B.S. with honors in Journalism and Communications from the University of Florida in 1991, after which he attended the Catholic University of America, graduating in 1994 with his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Active in the community, Gonzalez sits on Board member and is legal counsel for our association; concurrently, serves as vice-chair of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber Economic Development Task Force. He has served on the board of Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches and is a Class of 2002 graduate of Leadership West Palm Beach. Frank and his wife, Christina, reside in Wellington with their three sons, Nicholas, Nathan and Daniel.

Aaron recently joined BB&T on April 4^th, 2016 as a Business Services Officer and Vice President in Palm Beach County.  He relocated from the Pensacola, FL area where he held the position of Treasury Services Officer and Vice President for Synovus Bank.  While in Pensacola, Aaron was involved with many non-profits in the community that included; Board Treasurer of Community Drug & Alcohol Council of Escambia & Santa Rosa County, Pensacola Young Professionals Quality of Life Chair, and Day of Caring  Committee Member and Project Coordinator for United Way of Escambia County.

Aaron was born in Seoul, South Korea.  He was adopted at the age of 2 ½, and was raised in Iowa.  He attended Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, FL.  He majored in Business and minored in Marketing.  After college, Aaron joined AmSouth Bank in Pensacola where he managed a team of Representatives in the Customer Service Department.  He then joined Synovus Bank in 2005 to manage their local Call Center.  Next he managed the local Loan Operations Department.  After Loan Operations, Aaron oversaw all Sales activity as the Bank’s Sales Manager.  Aaron completed his career with Synovus as the Treasury Services Officer.  Aaron has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Independent News Pensacola, received the Pensacola Young Professionals “Leader of the Year” Award, and graduated from Pensacola’s Chamber of Commerce “Leadership Pensacola” Program.

Aaron recently completed the Business Academy through BB&T University, and he resides in Palm Beach Gardens, FL with his wife Carla.

Pam Tahan currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Wellington Regional Medical Center and has fifteen years as a seasoned, senior health care executive. Before joining Wellington Regional Medical Center, Pam served as the Chief Operating Officer at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital in Pennsylvania and Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center. Additionally, Pam served as the Chief Executive Officer at Summit Medical Center in Arizona.

Pam holds a Master in Healthcare Administration from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, a Bachelor of Science in Policy Analysis and Management from Cornell University. Pam has a professional association with the American College of Healthcare Executives and sits on the Board of Cornell University – Sloan Program in Health Administration, King’s College School of Business – MHA Program and Healthy Northeast Pennsylvania Initiative.

Rachelle Crain is a marketing professional with more than 30 years-experience in the real estate, golf and shopping center industries. She’s held past positions with General Electric’s real estate division, Jack Nicklaus’ Golden Bear Golf Centers, Simon Property Group and The Taubman Company. She joined the Wellington business community as the Marketing Director for The Mall at Wellington Green in March 2007. Having earned her marketing degree from Branell Women’s College in Atlanta, Georgia, she is responsible for developing and implementing a strategic community focused marketing and sponsorship plan designed to assist leasing efforts, and increase center sales and shopper visits.

Recognized as the “Mall Team of the Year” in 2016 by Starwood Retail Partners, The Mall at Wellington Green’s popular MallStars Kids Club which boasts over 5,600 members has recently been implemented across Starwood’s portfolio of 30 malls. In 2016, The Mall at Wellington Green piloted a new strategy utilizing placemaking to foster happy, healthy communities. The program is now a company-wide, community-based platform known as Live 360°. And in 2018 the mall will pilot a Teen Art Salon to provide a place for youth to gather and be inspired through various mediums of artistic expression.

A recipient of the 2013 Women of Worth Award, Rachelle now serves as the chairperson of the Women of Worth Awards Committee. She enjoys working with local organizations such as Boys & Girls Club, American Heart Association, Palm Beach County Public Library, and the American Red Cross.

Robbin Lee served as the Chief Executive Officer at Wellington Regional Medical Center and has over twenty-five years as a seasoned, senior health care executive. Before joining Wellington Regional Medical Center, Robbin served as Chief Operating Officer at HCA’s Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and JFK Medical Center, as well as the Chief Executive Officer at Northlake Medical Center in Atlanta. Robbin’s major focus is leading not-for-profit and for-profit, academic and community based healthcare organizations and is a results-oriented, decisive leader with success in providing overall leadership and direction supporting strategic visioning, operational improvements, financial performance and physician alignment initiatives. She has a proven track record of building teams, physician relations, and strategic planning. Robbin holds a Masters in Business Administration from Goizueta Business School, Emory University in Georgia, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Magna cum Laude, from Shorter College in Georgia and a Diploma in Nursing from Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Georgia. Robbin has professional associations with the American College of Healthcare Executives and Women’s Healthcare Executive Association.

Mary Lou Bedford became the CEO of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce on July 1, 2015. Since accepting the position, Mary Lou has provided direction to maintain the organization’s philosophy, vision, mission, while focusing on the goals and objections. She has implemented new procedures as well as improved programs to better serve the membership. Under her leadership, there has been a greater emphasis on advocacy and economic development resulting in higher levels of partnering, collaboration, and finding solutions to better serve the needs of the business community.

Mary Lou received her B.S. in Communications with concentrations in Public Relations and Media from California State University, Sacramento.

A resident of Wellington for the past 23 years, Mary Lou and her husband, Scott, are involved in many organizations throughout Palm Beach County. They have two wonderful daughters, Hilary and Amy.

Rikki Lober Bagatell is a Partner in Shutts & Bowen’s Corporate and Real Estate Practice Groups in the West Palm Beach Office.  In her corporate practice, she represents domestic and foreign clients in connection with the purchase and sale of businesses through asset transfer, stock transfer, merger, and other structures; the formation of business entities and joint ventures; strategic planning and compliance matters; private offerings of securities and venture capital transactions; contracts, including commercial agreements, sales agreements, license agreements, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, employment agreements and non-competition agreements; split-ups; and general corporate matters.  Her healthcare practice includes structuring of new healthcare-related ventures, purchase and sale of provider and healthcare businesses, shareholder agreements, employment agreements, governance issues, and general corporate advice. She has extensive experience in the area of sophisticated commercial real estate transactions, including all phases of real estate acquisitions, development, financing, including tax credit financing, leasing and dispositions.

David G. Bates is a shareholder, serves on Gunster’s board of directors, and is co-chair of the firm’s Technology & Emerging Companies practice. David joined the firm in 1992 after graduating from Tulane University with his JD/MBA in 1991. For over two decades, David has counseled clients in the areas of technology law, venture capital, licensing and distribution, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance and securities. David has represented companies and investors in a wide variety of industries and at all stages of growth, from private start-up ventures to large public companies. David provides strategic counseling on mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, corporate governance and joint ventures. David also advises clients on corporate structuring and restructuring, employment, compensation and non-compete arrangements, securities, franchising and licensing, distribution, sports and other business agreements. David is the president of the Gold Coast Venture Capital Association and two-term chairman of the Enterprise Development Corporation. David’s honors include being named Corporate Lawyer of the Year for West Palm Beach in 2016 and 2013 by Best Lawyers in America, as well as one of the Top 100 lawyers in Florida by Florida Super Lawyers. He has been listed among Florida Trend’s Legal Elite for more than 10 consecutive years, and in Best Lawyers for corporate law, mergers & acquisitions law and technology law.

Andy Blizzard is the Vice President of Revenue for Palm Beach Newspapers where he is responsible for multi-media advertising sales for The Palm Beach Post, PalmBeachPost.com, the Palm Beach Daily News, PalmBeachDailyNews.com. Palm Beach Newspapers is a division of Gatehouse Media, one of the largest publishers of locally- based media in the United States, headquartered in New York. Andy began his career in Dayton, Ohio, working for the Dayton Daily News and The Journal-Herald newspapers before moving to Palm Beach County in 2014. Andy has worked with many of the largest businesses and advertising agencies from across the country helping to implement successful local marketing strategies. Andy currently serves as Immediate Past Board Chair for Intersect Marketing Solutions. Previous board experience includes The Chamber of Commerce of The Palm Beaches, Ohio Newspaper Association, Ad Ohio, and Crayons 2 Classrooms.

As Vice President of Land Development for WGI, Jeff oversees the design and approvals of private land planning projects throughout Palm Beach and Broward Counties.  His experience includes all aspects of the approval process from due diligence and design through entitlements and construction on a diverse range of projects including residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, infill and redevelopment efforts. Originally from Canada, Jeff relocated to West Palm Beach in 2000 to join the planning firm of Land Design South, where he was managing partner.  He is a registered Landscape Architect in FL, having previously served as State Chapter President of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Lyn Cacella joined Florida Public Utilities, a 92-year old company providing electric, natural gas and propane products and services, in November of 2013 as Dealer Services Account Manager and in January, 2016 was promoted to Residential Growth & Retention Manager. In her current position, she provides leadership to the Company’s inside sales team and manages the state-wide Energy Partner program and merchandise manufacturers and suppliers as they relate to the sales team.
During the course of her career, Lyn has held senior management positions with one of Florida’s largest agricultural financial institutions as their Director of Marketing, she was the Direct Sales Manager for Palm Beach County’s largest citrus grower/packer and served as the Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Growing Tours and Agritourism Association.
She is currently the Secretary for the Deerfield Beach Historical Society and the immediate Past-President of the Board of Directors for the Florida Chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association. Lyn has served on numerous other Florida agricultural associations and boards over the years, including Florida Ag in the Classroom, Leadership Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association.
She is a graduate of the Wedgworth Leadership for Agriculture and Natural Resources program, Florida Atlantic University’s Frontline Leadership Training/Leadership Skills for Women in Management program; and recently earned her Range Officer Certification from the National Rifle Association, her Level I Instructor certification from the National Sporting Clays Association and a Six Sigma, Green Belt Certification from Florida Atlantic University.

Sal Delgreco is Executive Manager at Infiniti of the Palm Beaches, a member of the Schumacher Family of Dealerships. Infiniti of the Palm Beaches is located at 3101 Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach. Sal has been with the Schumacher Auto Group for 12 years. The Schumacher Family of Dealerships also includes Buick, GMC, Chevrolet, Subaru, Volkswagen, and Mitsubishi . The employees of Schumacher strive to offer superior automotive sales and service to carry out their Mission Statement: To Serve Customers For Life. Sal and his wife, Michelle, have lived in Wellington since 2003. They have two children – Arianna and Giovanni. A transplant from the Boston area, Delgreco’s allegiance to sports teams still lies up north, but he doesn’t miss the winters. In his spare time, he enjoys boating and being out in the South Florida sun.

Mark Eggen is founder and CEO of TSI Supercool, an ISO: 9001:2008 certified manufacturer of Specialty Synthetic Lubricants, U/V Dye, Leak Stops, and Flush products. TSI Supercool has earned a reputation for superior quality throughout the international marketplace and will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2019. Mark is a lifelong resident of Palm Beach County and serves as chairman of the finance board at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lake Worth. He and his wife Eileen have 2 daughters, Erica Dunhill and Rachel Azqueta, who also currently live in Palm Beach County.

Dr. Lane is a podiatric surgeon with offices in Wellington and West Palm Beach, Florida and been providing podiatric services to the residents of Palm Beach County for 20 years. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas State University and is a graduate of Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Lane is Board Certified by the American Board of Wound Management and has developed a passion for wound healing and Diabetic Limb Salvage over the course of her 20 year practice. She is actively involved in all aspects of advanced wound healing, including being Principal Investigator on several clinical trials for the development of wound healing products and medications. She is on staff at several local hospitals and Wound Care Centers. Dr. Lane also has served and continues to serve on several hospital and community healthcare related committees that strive to better the delivery of healthcare to Palm Beach County Residents.

Bio Coming Soon.

Rob Holden has been a part of the Palm Beach County business community for over 10 years. He spent his early childhood with his family in England, before returning to the states where he completed his education and graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor Degree in Marketing. His career spans retail sales and management, waste management, recycling and event operations. His career began at Olde Native Trading Company where he served as the Territory Manager for South Florida and then National Sales Manager. In 2008 he joined the team at Southern Waste Systems where he served as the Senior Account Manager until their recent acquisition. Currently, Rob oversees the Construction Accounts Division for Waste Management of Florida, Inc.

His dedication to serving the community includes serving on the Habitat for Humanity Northern Palm Beach County Golf Committee and the PGA Hope Foundation Committee.  He is a member of the Construction Association of South Florida, the Associated General Contractors of America and the AEC Trendsetters as well as a Honda Classic Ambassador.

Holden is a graduate of the 2014 Leadership Palm Beach County Focus Program and a member of the 2009 Central Palm Beach County Chamber Leadership class.

Rob and his wife Lauren live in Jupiter with their daughters, Emma and Ealyn.

Ken Kosza is the Chief Operations Officer of Retreat Premier Addiction Treatment Centers, providing executive leadership to over 600 employees for the past five years. Ken has been instrumental in the rapid growth and expansion of the company from a local treatment center in Lancaster, PA to a nationwide brand. In 2016, Retreat opened its flagship location here in Palm Beach County, and is currently orchestrating the opening of a location in New Haven, CT; further expanding the footprint of Retreat and the capacity to serve our communities with nearly 400 residential beds.

Prior to joining Retreat, Ken had a strong clinical background, working as an outpatient therapist for several years at Rehab After Work/Life Counseling Services and progressing quickly into the role of Director of Business Development. Through this role and then eventually as the Executive Director and Vice President, Ken was a key contributor as the company expanded to become a more global healthcare provider; Onward Behavioral Health, which included over 25 branch locations and 400+ employees.

Ken completed his undergraduate studies in Psychology at Springfield College and earned his Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Lasalle University. He serves as a board member of DASPOP (Drug and Alcohol Services Providers Organization of Pennsylvania). He resides in Wellington with his wife Andrea and their five children.

Kimberly is passionate about the role education plays in improving lives and creating opportunities for students and communities.  She serves as the Campus President of Keiser University, Florida’s Career University, in West Palm Beach. She is on numerous local boards including the Career Source of Palm Beach County, the Economic Council, the Education Foundation, the Literacy Council, the YWCA, and Junior Achievement and is a Class of 2016 graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County.   Kimberly has served on multiple panels discussing issues in higher education and leadership.  She enjoys supporting organizations which are dedicated to promoting education as well as helping to advance and support women and children. Kimberly lives in Jupiter and has four amazing children.

David Leland is the co-founder and CEO of Print It Plus, a commercial printing company that he and his wife, Kimberly Leland, started in Royal Palm Beach in 1988. David has worked to improve the western communities where he has lived and owned his business for nearly 30 years. As an active member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce since 1989, serving on the board from 1990 to 2000 and most notably serving as Vice President of Operations in 1993 and President in 1995. In his 28 year tenure as a member of the chamber, David has given his time to assisting in the staging and production of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber Holiday Parade nearly every year. In addition to his dedication to the chamber, David sits on the Planning and Zoning board of the Village of Royal Palm Beach and has also been involved in the Crestwood Middle School SAC Committee, the Royal Palm Beach Jaycees, the Royal Palm Beach High School Parental Debate Committee, and was a youth football coach for over 30 years. David and his wife have three children. Their oldest daughter Kathryn Leland Napier works for E.J. Gallo Winery. Their middle child, Kayla Leland Pragid works as an attorney at the Law Firm of Akerman. Their youngest child, Dallas Leland is in College at UCF.

Mr. Malefatto has been practicing environmental, land use and administrative law in Florida since 1980. He has represented Fortune 500 companies, developers, home builders, small businesses, and local governments in a variety of environmental permitting, enforcement and transactional matters, and in all manner of Florida land use proceedings.

He leverages his in-depth knowledge and broad experience in environmental and land use law to keep clients up-to-date on regulatory trends before regulations are adopted and counsels clients when environmental issues arise. Mr. Malefatto is intimately familiar with all aspects of environmental permitting and land development entitlements, and has handled a broad range of projects and activities, including condominium, marina and mixed-use developments, brownfields redevelopment, land use and environmental approvals for utility plants, contaminated property remediation and the defense of enforcement actions by local, state and federal governmental agencies. He also guides clients involved in corporate and real estate transactions through necessary and Important due diligence evaluations.

Mr. Malefatto holds an AV® Preeminent™ Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers and every edition of Chambers & Partners USA Guide since its inception in 2003. Mr. Malefatto earned his J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law in 1979, and a B.A. from New York University in 1975.

Was born and raised in Vermont. Received his education and training in the Printing Industry beginning with Lane Press in 1972. Later went to work with Simmonds Precision Press and then with Sir Speedy Printing as shop manager Moved to South Florida in 1980 and worked for Max Davis Associates for a short period of time. Then in 1980, he had the opportunity to work with Sir Speedy Printing in Lake Worth. In 1992 he purchased Sir Speedy Printing, and shortly thereafter he left the Franchise and became Banyan Printing. He has been a Lake Worth Chamber Board Member for 25 years, a Past Chairman of the Board in 2006. Banyan Printing received the 2012 Business of the Year Award from the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. Banyan has been delivering personalized and relevant printed communication solutions to business enterprises since 1976. They are a 35 years young company providing a comprehensive approach as a total solutions provider.

Michael Morgan currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer at the Center for Bone and Joint Surgery of the Palm Beaches, PA.  Michael has been in the healthcare industry for six years, demonstrating a commitment to providing the citizens of Palm Beach County accessible, quality orthopedic care in the midst of a vastly changing industry.  Michael graduated with honors, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance at the University of Kentucky and is currently finishing his MBA at Florida Atlantic University.

With 20-plus years in the financial services industry, Carol O’Neil founded CEO Financial Services about five years ago to help people get their “financial house in order” – and keep it that way for the rest of their lives. Her idea was simple: create a comprehensive financial plan for each client and then manage this plan toward each goal. This allows clients more time to concentrate on things they cannot delegate. The business has expanded and now offers far more comprehensive financial services. “After many years in this business, the financial issues have become the easy part; what motivates me now is empowering our clients to make the most intelligent choices with their money, fulfill their aspirations and seeing them experience genuine happiness and security in their lives,” O’Neil said. “This gives us a sense that we are making a difference helping coach people.” She holds degrees in economics and communications from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and is a certified financial divorce analyst. She is pursuing her certified financial planner designation and a master’s in taxation. O’Neil and her husband, Jim, live in Lake Worth. Most of their free time is spent with their immediate family or involved with the community.

Palm Beach State College President Ava L. Parker leads Palm Beach County’s largest higher education institution with a strategic approach emphasizing innovation, student success, and business and community collaboration.  Parker is the first female president of the institution, which opened in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college.  Growing with the county, the College now offers more than 130 programs of study, including bachelor’s and associate degrees, professional certificates and career training. Serving 48,000 students annually, Palm Beach State has earned national distinction as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College.

Parker previously was executive vice president and chief operating officer at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s first public university focused on applied research in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. She also served for more than a decade on the Florida Board of Governors of the State University System and on the University of Central Florida’s Board of Trustees.  She was a partner in the Jacksonville law firm of Lawrence & Parker, general counsel at Edward Waters College, general counsel for the 11th Episcopal District of the AME Church, assistant general counsel for the state Department of Transportation, and assistant public defender in Miami-Dade County. She is on the board of directors of Orchid Island Capital, a publicly-traded specialty finance company.

Parker earned B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Florida. She and her husband, Joe Gibbons, have two children.

Deana Pizzo is the CEO of I.T. Solutions of South Florida, a Technology Solutions Provider serving South Florida. Being a hands-on CEO, Deana is responsible for the company’s business marketing, development and management. Deana attended Florida Atlantic University. She is passionate about eco-friendly technology and loves helping business owners expand their business while using fewer resources. Her potential was recognized in when she received the “Woman to Watch” award from Women in Technology International (WITI)- South Florida and again in March 2014 as a recipient of the Central Palm Beach County Community Foundation “WOW (Women of Worth) Stiletto Awards- Entrepreneur Category” to honor outstanding women who have achieved professional excellence, serve their community, and have strengthened and enriched the quality of life in Palm Beach County by helping to advance the educational, cultural and economic interests of the community. She also serves as Board Chair for NonProfits First. Her company specializes in Flat Rate IT Support, Cloud Computing, Network Management, Colocation Services, Backup and Disaster Recovery, IT Consulting, Hosted Email, Office Moves, Voice and Data Structured Cabling and Construction IT consulting. Deana is a loving wife, and has three children, ages 14(2) and 17. She is very involved in her church and strives to honor God in every way, in her personal life and business. She is an active volunteer within the community and a proud member of the Leadership Palm Beach County.

John Powell is Senior Vice President and Area Business Banking Manager for the Gold Coast area at Wells Fargo serving Palm Beach and Broward Counties.  Wells Fargo’s Business Banking, part of Wholesale Banking, primarily serves small to lower middle market businesses that have annual sales from $5 to $25 million.  Business Banking provides a comprehensive offering of business lending, and cash and business risk management products and services.  John has more than 30 years experience in commercial banking and commercial real estate finance and has been in the South Florida market since 1987.  Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2009, he held various senior positions with GE Capital, Wachovia and Bank of America.  He is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County, Trustee of Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches and past Board President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach County.  John graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.B.A. degree in finance.

Eddy L. Rodriguez is a Senior Vice President in Commercial Banking for SunTrust Bank. He manages the Commercial Portfolio for Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast focusing on Middle Market Companies ranging from $10MM to over $250MM in revenue. Although Eddy specializes in the Agribusiness and Healthcare industries, he also serves clients in Importing/Export, Manufacturing, and Service Industries throughout the footprint. Eddy earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Financing as well as his Master’s in Business Administration with a Finance Concentration from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He also has over 17-years of experience in commercial banking and the finance industry; also, he has been an active member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber since 2005. Eddy is a Palm Beach County native and resides in Wellington with his wife Lisa and their two children, Eduardo and Zoë.

Tad Rowe was born in Florida, graduated from Forest Hill High School in 1985 and received his Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida in 1994.  He currently resides in Palm Beach Gardens with his wife and 2 children.  Tad is a professional engineer and has been with Simmons & White since 1996.  His areas of expertise include commercial, residential and equestrian land development including design and permitting of paving, drainage, and water and wastewater systems.  Mr. Rowe has managed and supervised many projects from inception through completion, working with all involved parties – clients, elected officials, regulatory agencies, attorneys, funding agencies, sub-consultants, construction contractors, and the public.

Judy Clayton Sanchez is the Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs for the United States Sugar Corp. She joined U.S. Sugar in 1994, transferring from its South Bay Growers vegetable operations. She is responsible for U. S. Sugar’s media and public relations activities and its public education/information programs, and coordinates all external and internal communications functions, acts as corporate spokeswoman and assists with the company’s public affairs efforts. Sanchez has a bachelor’s degree in communications and attended the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communication and Florida Atlantic University. She serves on the board of directors for the Agriculture Institute of Florida, Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau, Sustainable Florida and the Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic Alliance of Palm Beach County. Sanchez serves on the Public Education Advisory Committee for The Sugar Association and the steering committee of the Lake Okeechobee Regional Initiative, Collins Center. She is member of the Belle Glade and Clewiston chambers of commerce. She also served on the South Florida Water Management District’s Water Resources and Advisory Council and its Lake Okeechobee subcommittee. Sanchez and her husband, Julio, live in Belle Glade and have two grown sons. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Mickey Smith received his undergraduate degree, in engineering, from Virginia Tech and his law degree, with high honors, from Duke University School of Law. Smith has practiced trial law in Florida for more than 30 years. He is board-certified and recertified as a specialist in civil trial law by both The Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Smith’s practice is limited to representing individuals and families who have suffered serious personal injury, wrongful death or have been victimized by the bad-faith practices of an insurance company. For many years, Smith represented the interests of insurance companies, but since 2002, he has exclusively represented ordinary people with valid claims. His efforts have been repeatedly recognized by his peers. Smith has been elected to The Best Lawyers in America (personal injury and insurance law); The Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff’s Lawyers in America; Florida Super Lawyers; Florida Legal Elite; Florida’s Top Lawyers; and the American Board of Trial Advocates (past president of Palm Beach chapter and current executive committee member). Smith is also a member of MENSA. He has lived in the western communities for more than 25 years with his wife, Elizabeth, a public school teacher. He realizes that being a good lawyer involves not only knowledge of the law, but also being compassionate and responsive to clients’ needs.

Michael Stone is an integral part of the Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) and International Equestrian Group (IEG) team. He currently serves as the President of ESP, overseeing all aspects of management at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), as well as holds responsibility for community outreach efforts, alongside marketing and promotional campaigns for ESP. In addition, he oversees management at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, the Colorado Horse Park, and the Rolex Central Park Horse Show. He is the representative and liaison to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and other related organizations.

Caroline Villanueva is South Florida External Affairs Manager for Florida Crystals Corporation where she is responsible for projects pertaining to policy, economic development and community relations in Palm Beach County. Ms. Villanueva has worked closely with agricultural property owners and local governments for over a decade.

Prior to joining Florida Crystals Corporation, Caroline was a senior land planner at Urban Design Kilday Studios where she prepared comprehensive plan amendments including for the Florida Crystals’ South Florida Intermodal Logistics Center in western Palm Beach County. Prior to UDKS, Caroline was an Asset Manager for Lennar Homes’ joint venture projects in St. Lucie County. She was responsible for managing corporate partnerships and entitlements of large, master planned property holdings. Caroline began her career at the U.S. Government Accountability Office in Atlanta where she was responsible for policy analysis of certain federal programs. She received her Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from the Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon University and undergraduate business degree from the University of Miami.

Caroline is the company’s board member to the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. She is a board member of the Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic Alliance of Palm Beach County and a board member of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County. Caroline also represents the company at the Glades Career Readiness Roundtable. She is a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County. Caroline is a member of the Palm Beach County Planning Congress. She also is a mentor in HMHB’s Cribs to Caps Program and volunteers with Junior Achievement.