Florida Business Minds

Florida Business Minds is a weekly podcast focused on the top business leaders in our state. Each week, we profile executives from across the state, rotating between the Tampa Bay, South Florida, Orlando and Jacksonville markets. Florida Business Minds is proudly presented by The Business Journals of Florida and sponsored by Peoples Gas.

Orlando: Hispanic Chamber CEO Pedro Turushina Extends Reach to All Central Florida Business Owners

The biggest misconception about the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando? That it's only for Hispanic business owners and entrepreneurs. President & CEO Pedro Turushina joins OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao to share why he and his team are supporting all businesses across the region, and at the same time offering support for their Hispanic members.

03-11
21:29

South Florida: The State of Healthcare in South Florida with Broward Health CEO Shane Strum

Currently serving the dual role of President/CEO of Broward Health and Interim CEO of Memorial Healthcare, few have a pulse on the healthcare market as strong as Shane Strum. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites one of the busiest executives in the business to share what's happening, plus the collaboration between Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare, and the possibility of a future merger.

03-04
14:52

Tampa Bay: Larry Feldman - "Things Were So Damn Cheap We Had to Buy Them"

Real estate is in the Feldman family DNA. Larry's father owned strip centers and he, in turn, taught his son Mack the ins & outs of the business with a few of his own unique leasing strategies while playing Monopoly. In this episode, TBBJ Real Estate Editor Ashley Gurbal Kritzer invites the Feldman Equities leaders to share their story, and explain what makes St. Petersburg so special.

02-25
27:05

Jacksonville: Homegrown Hero Allishia Bauman Leads City Year Kids & Community Focus

With a growing focus on our communities, City Year is well positioned to make an impact- both in Jacksonville and across our state. In this download, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon invites City Year Jacksonville Executive Director Allishia Bauman to share how her team is making a difference.

02-18
23:48

Orlando: Cole NeSmith and Creative City Project Drive the Arts in America's Entertainment Capital

In a mecca where theme parks attract millions annually, it's often forgotten that the arts also play a major role in Orlando. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Cole NeSmith, Founder & CEO of Creative City Project, to share what's happening behind-the-scenes.

02-11
28:37

South Florida: It's Called Native Realty for a Reason, and the Outlook is Optimistic

Jaime Sturgis and his team were born & raised in South Florida, so they know the neighborhoods and have a crystal ball when it comes to picking the next hot zip codes. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites Sturgis to share a few of his secrets and offer an outlook for 2025.

02-04
14:24

Tampa Bay: The Accidental Entrepreneur Who Tells All After Finding Unexpected Success

Like many entrepreneurs, Lauren Wittenberg Weiner had to figure things out on the fly when she entered the male-dominated field of military contracting. In this episode, she shares her story with TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner and previews her new book "Unruly".

01-28
25:25

Jacksonville: Cadrenal Founder & CEO Quang Pham Rings the Bell Again with New Drug

His family came to America as Vietnamese refugees, and now Quang Pham epitomizes the American Dream. The first Vietnamese American to earn naval aviator's wings, Pham parlayed his leadership skills in the pharmaceutical industry. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon welcomes Pham back to the podcast for an update on Cadrenal's groundbreaking tecarfarin drug.

01-21
21:36

Orlando: CFX Executive Director Michelle Maikisch Provides a Road Map for 2025 and Beyond

Florida's growth continues and that means more & more traffic across the state, particularly in Central Florida, at the crossroads of the Sunshine State. In our season-opening episode, Orlando Business Journal Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao connects with Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) leader Michelle Maikisch to learn what her and her team are doing to keep people and business moving.

01-14
23:59

South Florida: Serial Entrepreneur Christopher Barnett On Growing Business While Giving Back

South Florida Business Journal Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez opens the year with an inspiring conversation. EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 National Overall Winner Christopher Barnett joins the podcast to share his entrepreneurial journey. Barnett is the Founder & Chairman of ABA Centers, CurativeAI and ICBD Holdings, the parent company to his portfolio of ventures.

01-07
14:55

Tampa Bay: Boys & Girls Club Alum Freddy Williams Sees a Bright Future for Florida's Next Generation

These days, there's no shortage of negative influence on our next generation of leaders. Locally and across Florida, the Boys & Girls Clubs provide much more than just fun and games. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Freddy Williams, President of the Tampa Bay and Suncoast Boys & Girls Clubs, to share his story and the positive influence the clubs are having in the lives of our youth.

12-31
23:37

Jacksonville: Opera Singer Robyn Lamp Takes the Lead at Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival

It's a festive time of year, and with that in mind Jacksonville Business Journal Editor-in-Chief James Cannon calls on Robyn Lamp, who takes over as Executive Director at the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival. Lamp reflects on her career which includes performing at Carnegie Hall, and her transition to the business side of the arts.

12-24
16:09

Orlando: GO Sports CEO Jason Siegel Reports on the Business of Sports in Orlando

Known for theme parks & tourism, Orlando is also growing its reputation as a mecca for major sporting events. In this download, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao connects with Greater Orlando Sports Commission President & CEO Jason Siegel, who shares the team effort behind the success, and what the future holds for more big events.

12-17
33:03

South Florida: United Way Miami President & CEO Symeria Hudson the Impact of Giving

With the holiday season upon us, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez welcomes United Way Miami President and CEO Symeria Hudson to share her organization's impact, the needs of many across the area, and challenges in the year ahead.

12-10
16:42

Tampa Bay: THEA CEO Greg Slater on Traffic Management Lessons That Apply Statewide

Traffic congestion is relative, but that's no consolation for Florida residents who are adjusting to a pandemic-influx of new residents and now, the post-pandemic surge in return-to-office traffic. In this timely download, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner calls on Greg Slater, CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, for his insight and past experience in traffic-clogged Maryland.

12-03
27:04

Jacksonville: BHRS Companies Founder Brandon Hurd's Optimistic Outlook for 2025

Higher interest rates killed many projects and stalled others, slowing Florida's fast-paced growth for the past two years. In this download, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon invites BHRS Companies Founder Brandon Hurd to share why he's cautiously optimistic about the year ahead, and where he sees opportunity for growth.

11-26
22:36

Orlando: Justin Williams Returns to Lead the Luxurious and Artistic Alfond Inn

No stranger to the Orlando-area, Justin Williams returns from Atlanta to lead Winter Park's award-winning boutique hotel, The Alfond Inn. In this engaging episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao features Williams, who in addition to leading The Alfond Inn, is active in the community as a mentor to the next generation of leaders.

11-19
21:45

South Florida: Melissa Medina and the Impact of eMerge Americas on Florida's Tech Scene

Founded in 2014, the eMerge Americas global tech conference set the stage for what has become a fast-growing tech scene. Is South Florida, and on a larger scale the Sunshine State, set to become the next Silicon Valley? And what's the outlook for 2025 and beyond? In this episode, eMerge Co-Founder, CEO & President Melissa Medina joins SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez to share her vision for the state and the impact of artificial intelligence.

11-12
16:15

Tampa Bay: Lynnette Clinton Rejoins BayCare Health System the Day Before Hurricane Helene

Lynnette Clinton is thrilled to be back as the Chief Information Officer at BayCare Health System, in spite of the circumstances. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Clinton to share her career journey, and why she returned to lead the IT team at BayCare.

11-05
19:02

Orlando: Central Florida's Oldest Theme Park Celebrates 75 Years of Family Entertainment

When hurricanes roll through Florida, the Gatorland team isn't worried about their gators and crocs escaping. They're actually more concerned about renegade reptiles attempting to get into the park- that's how good life is at Gatorland. In this entertaining episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao chats with Gatorland CEO Mark McHugh, who shares the success of this family business that dates back to 1949.

10-29
27:52

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