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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.
196 Episodes
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Miami native Mary Usategui rose to the top of South Florida’s banking industry during a period of rapid mergers and acquisitions, an evolution that reshaped the finance landscape and created an opportunity to reaffirm the value of relationship-driven banking. Inspired to build on that tradition, she founded the area’s first new bank established from the ground up since 2008, with a strong focus on personal, one-on-one connections.
With an estimated 750,000 more residents moving to the Tampa area in the next decade, Tampa International Airport and the transportation network feeding it will be vital. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner checks in with TPA CEO Michael Stephens who reflects on his first year at the helm, and looks to the future of one of America's favorite airports.
Business leaders and executives can acquire an MBA, but the mental aspect of leadership is often learned the hard way, by mistake, or through experiencing trial and error. In this download, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Dr. Naakesh Dewan, Vice President of Behavioral Health at GuideWell and Florida Blue, to guide us through this important, yet often overlooked aspect in business success.
Growing up in the family business, Bill Finfrock always knew he'd help lead the next generation of the design-build firm. There have been many challenges over the past 80 years, but Finfrock's innovative approach, bringing architects, engineers and builders together under one roof has sparked innovation and success. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao profiles this family business success story.
In a business that's dominated by men, Kristi Beaudoin has earned her way into the C-Suite, leading acquisitions while integrating AI and technology at Coastal Waste & Recycling. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites Beaudoin to share insight on her industry.
There's no question that Florida has attracted technology companies and significant investments over the past decade. But where do we stand, and what challenges do we face? In this episode, JBJ Reporter Carter Mudgett invites NLP Logix President and CFO Fallon Gorman to share her assessment and outlook.
Collaboration and cooperation inspire innovation, and that's what's happening for tech and business startups at The Link in the heart of Nocatee Town Center. In this episode, JBJ Reporter Matt Denis connects with The Link Co-Founder Raghu Misra and CSO Randall Thomas to learn more about the culture inspiring growth.
With less than six months until the FIFA World Cup kicks off across North America, organizers at Florida Citrus Sports are gearing up for friendlies between some of the biggest names in the game. OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Florida Cup Series CEO and former soccer star Ricardo Villar to give us a preview.
Without air conditioning, it's safe to safe that Florida would still be just a winter retreat. Now, technology is transforming AC, led by the vision of Blue Frontier CEO Daniel Betts. In this download, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites the AC entrepreneur to share advances that could save money and the environment.
It's no secret that funding children's charities is an investment in our next generation of leaders. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner calls on Florida Children's Museum CEO Kerry Falwell to share how business leaders are making a difference, and her approach to inspire giving.
Long before Disney, Universal and SeaWorld were attracting millions of visitors, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm was THE place for adventure. For 130 years, families have ventured to Florida's First Coast to see the closest living relatives of dinosaurs. In this episode, JBJ Managing Editor Stuart Korfhage invites Director John Brueggen to share how the Alligator Farm Zoological Park keeps attracting an audience.
Orlando is well-known for its theme parks and entertainment. But it's not all fun in the sun, as Orlando's nightlife is leveling up thanks to Live! at Pointe Orlando Marketing Director Brittany Graham. She was an "influencer" way before that word became a cliche. OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao connects with Graham to learn why O-Town is attracting big names to its diverse venues.
There's no shortage of exceptional dining options across the state, and Florida's hospitality industry is next level. V&E Hospitality CEO Matias Pesce and his team are leading the industry with a wide variety of successful concepts they've parlayed into Vegas. In this download, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites Pesce to share his passion for excellence, and how judo plays a role in his success.
As we wrap up 2025 and look to a new year, TBBJ Editor-at-Large Ashley Kritzer calls on CBRE Senior Managing Director and North Florida Market Leader Mike DiBlasi for an update on the region and the future of the industry.
Ants, termites and rodents are facing extermination efforts across the Sunshine State as Turner Pest Control continues to expand from the company's war room in Jacksonville. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon gets an update from President Kevin Poland.
It's been a challenging year in the hospitality industry, but that comes with the territory. Rosen Hotels & Resorts CEO Frank Santos has seen it all in almost 40 years with the privately owned and operated company. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Santos to share his personal career journey, and his vision for the future at Rosen Hotels & Resorts, and Florida's hospitality industry.
'Iconic" might be an understatement for Pier Sixty-Six, known as THE destination for generations of South Floridians and guests from around the world. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez calls on Club GM John Myers to share the story of this reimagined resort offering something for everyone.
With a major presence in Tampa, Appspace is at the epicenter of AI and the workplace evolution. In this timely download, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Appspace President Holly Grogan to share plans for continued growth in the midst of the transformation that's taking place each day in the workplace.
Access to capital is often a major obstacle for small business owners and entrepreneurs growing their business. In this episode, JBJ Reporter Carter Mudgett invites Mona Co-Founder Andrew Leon Hanna to share what he and his team are doing to not only make it easier to access funding, but also add clarity to the process.
As the year winds down, venture capital investors and business start-ups are looking toward 2026 for opportunities. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Govo Venture Partners Managing Partner and CIO Rob Panepinto to share his outlook and expertise on the Florida market.
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