LEADERS TO WATCH

Treasure Coast Business Leaders to Watch 2022

Treasure Coast business movers and shakers contributing to regional growth

Vision for the future is an important component for any business owner, manager or aspiring entrepreneur. Whether it is a nonprofit, for-profit, government, small or big business, the organization will always require a vision for growth, expansion or innovation. The mechanism that allows the organization to execute this vision is leadership. From motivating and inspiring the team and community to creating and organizing the tasks and work plan — leadership plays a critical role.

So, what is good leadership?

The most common definition is the ability to inspire confidence and support among the people who are needed to achieve organizational goals. An important element regarding leadership is that it can be practiced to some extent even by those who do not hold or are not assigned a formal leadership position.

The Treasure Coast region has begun to experience dynamic growth and changes to the economic landscape. These marketplace changes will require leadership at all levels and from all industry sectors. Understanding the important role leadership will continue to play in the region, Treasure Coast Business has created its first issue dedicated to leaders to watch as our communities and marketplace continue to grow.

The region has a strong foundation of innovative and influential leaders. If all those worthy of appearing in this article were included, this issue would resemble a dictionary not a magazine. This article is simply to provide a sampling of the hundreds of influential leaders who work and lead every day along the Treasure Coast.

With the assistance of regional business organizations, a list was created with the following eligibility requirements:

• Individuals must have been in business for five or more years
• Businesses and their owners must reside in the region
• No elected officials.

The individuals profiled in this segment serve as examples of the different pathways to fostering a positive effect on the development of our community, its residents and especially our youth.


William ‘Will’ Armstead

William ‘Will’ Armstead
CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County

William “Will” Armstead was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, along with his seven brothers and sisters. A veteran of the U.S. Army and Army National Guard, he served 16 years that included deployments during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. He received more than a dozen awards and medals for his outstanding leadership and retired as a sergeant 1st class senior noncommissioned officer.

As a civilian, Armstead’s career soared as a regional general manager for Aramark – a publicly held $16 billion worldwide food and uniform services company. He successfully managed $26 million in annual revenue in the Southeast division and increased revenue 12% year after year.

His career continued to excel at A’viands, a privately owned $140 million services management company. As director of operations, he managed $65 million in annual revenue at 126 locations in 26 states.

Armstead’s personal life mission is to serve people in need, especially disadvantaged children. Even while working for large corporations, he has always been a community-based leader, serving multiple nonprofits including Big Brothers Big Sisters, PACE and Safe Space. For eight years, he served on the Boys & Girls Club board and also as board president. He also serves on Global Vision Citadel Ministries and Alzheimer’s Community Care, just to name a few.

Although he is a busy executive, Armstead makes time for family. He and wife, Rachel, have six sons and four daughters. They also are foster parents, which is how they came to adopt brothers Nathyn and Marcus in 2018. The family attends First Baptist Church of Lake Park where he serves as a deacon.

In 2015, Armstead became chief executive officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County – a nonprofit organization that serves more than 15,000 children yearly with 166 employees and an annual budget of more than $5 million. He is clearly dedicated to the club’s mission of helping children reach their full potential. His outgoing, friendly manner attracts people who may have never experienced the Boys & Girls Club. He believes that people sincerely want to help kids – especially those who need it the most.

In his rare spare time, he enjoys fishing, golfing and quality family time.

His passion and strongest attributes are his compassion for people and his ability to lead by example. He pushes people to be the best version of themselves and he wants that more for others than for himself.

Whom on the Treasure Coast do you most admire and why?

One of the many people on the Treasure Coast that I admire most is Elizabeth Barbella, CEO of The Community Foundation Martin – St. Lucie. Under her leadership, the foundation has grown from a quiet organization to a robust organization serving philanthropists and nonprofits in Martin and St. Lucie counties. She’s a visionary leader, a mentor and valued adviser.

If given $50,000 to start a new business, what type of business would you start and why?

If given $50,000, I would open a day-care. There are not enough day-care businesses on the Treasure Coast, which is a problem for working families and their employers.

If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what song would you choose and why?

In 1991, I was stationed in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. I remember vividly the first time I heard Lee Greenwood’s hit song, God Bless the USA, blaring full blast over the loudspeakers on base. That song gave me chill bumps then and still does today.


Philip A. Busch

Philip A. Busch
president of Southern Eagle Distributing

With a long family history in the development and sales of beverages, Philip A. Busch is a prominent Treasure Coast business leader. As the president of Southern Eagle Distributing and The Busch Family Foundation, Busch has an impressive track record of running a successful, family-owned business.

His strengths and expertise are in the acquisition, sales and marketing of beverage brands. Some of the brands include Anheuser-Busch, Constellation, Sailfish Brewing, Celsius, Essentia Water, a newly launched spirit portfolio, and more than 60 other local and national suppliers.

He is committed to being a great corporate citizen and a leader with his philanthropic endeavors.

Through the foundation, Busch, with the help of his employees, supports local causes such as combating homelessness, fighting hunger, helping veterans and assisting youth programs such as the Boys & Girls Club.

If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what song would you choose?

The Budweiser theme song – Here Comes the King

Have you ever watched a movie and gained a new perspective on life? What movie was it and what did you learn?

Jeremiah Johnson – the appreciation of silence and accomplishing objectives on your own. Do the right thing, especially when no one is looking.

What was the first leadership role you can remember being in?

The first leadership role I had was playing sports, specifically football. Being a leader on both defense and offense, I was responsible for pushing the team to give their all, have discipline, and be aware of their surroundings.


Shane Mullan

Shane Mullan
COO Aluma Tower Co.

Shane Mullan, chief operating officer, joined Aluma Tower Company in 2006. He began his journey with Aluma as a welder/fabricator and quickly rose through the ranks as shop lead, production manager, vice president of sales and vice president of operations.

As production manager, he was successful in reducing overtime by improving workflow and implementing proven work procedures on the production floor. As vice president of sales, he developed Aluma’s first outside sales team and implemented many of the company’s sales processes that are still used today.

And as vice president of operations, Mullan led the company through record-breaking revenue growth, which resulted in the company making the INC. 5000 list in 2020. He has also assisted in the development of new products, such as Aluma’s skid system, the Scorpion trailer model and Aluma’s un-guyed tower systems.

Since becoming COO, Mullan has been able to leverage his experience and vast knowledge of the products to become a well-respected and important element of Aluma’s leadership team. His current focus is on the growth of the business, both in volume and margin, while maintaining quality, efficiency and on-time delivery.

In addition to his role at Aluma, Mullan is also on the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce board and sits on multiple community committees. He has an associate degree in business administration and management from Indian River State College and a Master Welder Certification from Tulsa Welding School in Jacksonville.

Mullan moved to Indian River County with his family in 1986 from Yonkers, New York. He resides in Vero Beach with his wife, and dog, Louie. His daughter is a student at the University of Miami. He spends his free time traveling with his wife and doing DIY projects on their home.

What leadership skills do you find most useful?

Relationship building/nurturing and decision making are the leadership skills I utilize most on a day-to-day basis. This applies to both internal and external relationships and activities. Building relationships and nurturing them are two different, highly important skills. Decision making, specifically knowing when and how to make decisions is a key skill I utilize every day. Recognizing situations that require a rapid decision, being able to make the right one and being conscious of the impacts of that decision are critical.

How do you think people would communicate in a perfect world?

Verbally. We have lost the critical intimacy of face-to-face communication. We all get caught up in technology at times, sometimes I will be typing an email and then have to remind myself the recipient is right down the hall. When I catch it, I will walk down for the discussion and memorialize it in writing if necessary.

Have you ever watched a movie and gained a new perspective on life? What movie was it and what did you learn?

Braveheart. It was always a favorite of mine as a young man. It taught me to be selfless and always be willing to stand on the front lines no matter how far I make it in life.


Tabitha Trent

Tabitha Trent
SouthState manager and vice president

Tabitha Trent, who is a lifetime resident of Okeechobee, attended Indian River State College and University of Central Florida, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She also attended the Florida School of Banking at the University of Florida, graduating with honors.

Trent, who has been in banking for 35 years, is a community banker at heart and believes in investing in the lives of the community she serves. She serves or supports the Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County, Okeechobee Utility Authority board of directors, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office’s Citizens Advisory Board, Altobello Charitable Donor Trust Fund, GRAD Nite, Economic Development Corp. of Okeechobee and the Pregnancy Center of Okeechobee.

Her passions in life are her faith and her family. She enjoys serving alongside her More 2 Life church family. She and her husband, Jay, have a son, Chase, who recently graduated from Indian River State College and is pursuing his lifelong career with Florida Power and Light.

What leadership skills do you find most useful?

Follow-up: inspect what you expect. Be an effective communicator; communication is key. Be firm but fair. Empower your team members. Honesty and integrity, always do the right thing first.

How would you sell hot chocolate in Florida, during the summer?

I would commission a fleet of hand-pushed ice cream carts along the majestic Treasure Coast beaches and sell frozen hot chocolate fudgesickles dipped in marshmallow to sweltering hot beachcombers and sunbathers.

Whom on the Treasure Coast do you most admire and why?

Throughout my life I have been blessed with many people in which I admire and who have impacted my life and career. From my parents, family members, managers, colleagues and community leaders, there are two individuals who stand out the most – my pastor and his wife. We each have a calling in life and sometimes the call is not always the easiest path. My pastor’s life is a prime example of the struggles and ultimate joy of following your calling no matter what the cost.


Mike Adams

Mike Adams
president of Adams Ranch

Mike Adams, who was born in 1955 in Fort Pierce Memorial Hospital, attended Fort Pierce Elementary School and Pinecrest High School in Fort Lauderdale. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1976. In January 1985, he was elected president of Adams Ranch and handles the cattle and citrus operations in St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Osceola counties. Adams has served as supervisor of the St. Lucie County Soil and Water Conservation District. He is an Indian River Citrus League board alternate and is on its Land and Water Committee; and a board member and past president of the St. Lucie County Farm Bureau. He is also president of the Florida Bradford Breeders Association and the Treasure Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council. He and his wife, Rachael, have five children.

What leadership skills do you find most useful?

The cattle business and family business involves generations just not measured on the clock. Agriculture is a very dynamic business and is a constant learning process, so one must be flexible to change.

If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what song would you choose and why?

The theme to the classic television show, Rawhide. 

What was the first leadership role you can remember being in and how did the experience shape how you lead today?

My experience with the Treasure Coast Research Park continues to be interesting. Working with St. Lucie County, the federal government, the University of Florida and others to build a business incubator for the food industry. There were years of FaceTime and meetings before building the Sunshine Kitchen. At the end of the day, it is an asset to our community as we strive to better our citizens.


Bert Culbreth

Bert Culbreth
owner of The Gilbert Family of Companies

Bert Culbreth is a third-generation owner of The Gilbert Family of Companies in Okeechobee, which consists of Gilbert Realty, Gilbert Ford, Gilbert Chevrolet, Gilbert Outdoors and Gilbert Oil Co.

He serves on boards including the Indian River State College Foundation Board, Okeechobee County Economic Development Corp., Seacoast Bank – Heartland Community Board and Ford Dealer Council Representative – Orlando Region. Culbreth is also a member of the Okeechobee Masonic Lodge and past director of the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association. His hobbies include golf, hunting, fishing and aviation. He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter.

Whom on the Treasure Coast do you most admire and why?

I’ve been lucky to have many mentors and role models in my life including my parents. If I had to choose one person on the Treasure Coast it would be Sam Mullinax. Sam and his partner started a small company years ago in Stuart and through hard work grew it to a premier national brand and the leader in their space. In the years I’ve known Sam, he has always impressed me with his positive outlook on life and his dedication to his faith. Sam leads by example in his life and inspires me to do the same.

What is your favorite spot on the Treasure Coast to grab a bite to eat?

In Okeechobee we enjoy visiting Lightsey’s Seafood Restaurant and OK Corral Gun Club for lunch or dinner. Our favorite spot on the Treasure Coast to grab a bite is Drift Kitchen & Bar in the Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa.

What was the first leadership role you can remember being in and how has the experience shaped how you lead today?

Early in my career, my sister and I had two key managers leave at the same time in our business. We were not familiar at the time with all of the aspects of the job that they were handling as we were new to this role. We had to learn on the fly and made a lot of mistakes in the process. It was a trial and error situation and we learned some valuable lessons in the process. We also learned all of the aspects of these positions so that we would never get in that situation again.


Dr. Greg Rosencrance

Dr. Greg Rosencrance
president of Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital

Dr. Greg Rosencrance earned his undergraduate degree from West Virginia University and his medical degree from Marshall University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency training in medicine as chief medical resident at the Charleston Area Medical Center in West Virginia. He is board certified in internal medicine.

Prior to accepting the appointment as president of Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, he served as chairman of the Medicine Institute at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, from 2016 to 2018.

He was instrumental in restructuring the Medicine Institute to Cleveland Clinic Community Care.

Community Care serves as the medical home for accessible, comprehensive and coordinated care for patients. It includes adult primary care, family medicine, consultative internal medicine, geriatrics, hospital medicine and infectious diseases.

Rosencrance served as the center director for medicine and medical subspecialties at Cleveland Clinic Florida from 2014 to 2016. He helped organize and implement the care model in South Florida where he received many accolades for his work.

He is a devoted medical doctor who has received many awards and honors for his work, including being named the Ayash Distinguished Professor of Internal Medicine. One of his proudest moments was the $100,000 establishment of the Dr. J. Gregory Rosencrance Clinic Fund in 1993 by Marjorie Johnson.

Whom on the Treasure Coast do you most admire and why?
The person I admire most is my wife, Jackie, for her resiliency, guidance and perseverance. She is my confidant.

What are the core values you implement into your organization every day and why they are important?

The core values I implement into the organization every day are: quality and safety, empathy, inclusion, integrity, teamwork and innovation. As a health care institution, doing the right things that not only promote the wellness of the patient, but also those of the caregivers, come first. Setting the highest standards and excellent outcomes through effective interactions, decision-making and actions are critically important for the patient. Empathy helps to alleviate suffering, and we try to create joy whenever possible. Our organization sets a standard to intentionally create an environment of compassionate belonging where all are valued and respected. Integrity creates high moral principles and professional standards by a commitment to honesty, confidentiality, trust, respect and transparency. We must work together as a team to ensure the best possible care, safety and well-being of our patients and fellow caregivers. We strive and support innovation to drive large and small changes to transform healthcare everywhere.

What is your favorite spot on the Treasure Coast to grab a bite to eat?

My favorite spot on the Treasure Coast to grab a bite to eat is Waldo’s. It has incredible charm and a great meal, all served on the outdoor deck, right on the oceanfront.


Kaylee King

Kaylee King
business manager for Okeechobee County Economic Development Corp.

Kaylee King is a business manager who is constantly learning and growing. King, who lives and works in her hometown of Okeechobee, is passionate about her role as a business manager with the Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation because it allows her to use her marketing and relational expertise to grow the county’s tax base. This helps provide job opportunities for this rural community.

She uses her great frame of reference in marketing, which has helped her to recruit and retain around 30 different projects during her time at the corporation. A graduate of Indian River State College and the University of Central Florida, she pivoted from her original love for health care administration and discovered her true passion for marketing while working at her family’s local health care practice as a customer relations coordinator.

She has consulted for various local businesses, business owners, organizations and events in Okeechobee to help elevate their online presence and create results.

Whom on the Treasure Coast do you most admire and why?

Hands down, Dr. Jennifer Laskey, owner and dentist of Family Dentistry of Okeechobee. She has been my mentor and role model since I was a young child. The values I learned from working in health care have changed my life forever. The way she has always treated her patient family, she is constantly approaching situations with integrity. I have watched her balance being a woman business owner, a mother, a practitioner and a wife. She is very inspiring. This type of leadership just makes the business experience so much better!

What core values do you implement into your organization every day and why are they important?

The core values that come most naturally to my personal and professional life are service and creativity. I am a very creative person, and I have found this approach can translate very well into your work environment. We see all around us how businesses are having to adapt and pivot into the new changes that the pandemic has afforded. Companies and organizations that are creative are growing. The value of service is so near to my heart. Whether we are serving our community, our board of directors, our patients, or our customers, people are the key part of the equation for me. I was raised in an industry with a very high level of customer service, and so this principle has always brought the most fulfillment to my projects. It’s all about people, and that is what fuels my fire.

If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what song would you choose and why?

I was working on a big photo shoot with a team of about 15 women. It was summer in Florida, in a cow pasture that had amazing scenery. All were glammed out in their gowns. The bugs were biting and excitement was dying down. I pulled out my portable speaker and turned on Beyonce’s Before I Let Go and suddenly the atmosphere changed. They turned on their queen mode attitude so fast and starting having fun dancing. I love that music can set the mood so quickly, even though the environment was the same. It is such a fun song, up-beat, girl power, a go-getter mantra with a little fun for dancing. The photos turned out stunning and you could tell they had fun doing it. So this song and this memory, makes the song my go to.


Rob Gluckman

Rob Gluckman
CEO for health care companies

Rob Gluckman, who graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, received his law degree from St. Thomas University College of Law in Miami.

He was an assistant state attorney in the 19th Judicial Circuit for 2½ years before becoming an associate and eventually a managing partner in the law firm of Hurley, Rogner, Miller, Cox and Waranch. After practicing for more than 10 years, Gluckman became the chief executive officer for Treasure Coast Urgent Care, Employee Wellness, P.A. and Treasure Coast Primary Care.

Gluckman is an avid offshore fisherman, promoting catch and release and spending time with his three rescue dogs. He is on the board of directors for the YMCA of the Treasure Coast. He previously served as board chairman for the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce and on a number of other not-for-profit boards of directors during the past 15 years.

What leadership skills do you find most useful?

Empathy, honesty, critical and outside of the box thinking.

If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what song would you choose?

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

Have you ever watched a movie and gained a new perspective on life? What movie was it and what did you learn?

Yes, Rudy. I learned never give up and hard work earns you respect.


William J. Penney

William J. Penney
president, CEO, board chairman of Marine Bank & Trust Vero Beach

William “Bill” Penney was born and raised in West Palm Beach and has lived in Vero Beach since 1984. He graduated from Palm Beach Junior College, Florida Atlantic University and the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University.

He has worked at Marine Bank & Trust for 18 years; 12 years as president and CEO and eight years as chairman of the board.

An avid cyclist, he rode 65 miles to celebrate his 65th birthday in 2021 and raised $12,000 for the Alzheimer’s & Parkinson Association of Indian River County.

Whom on the Treasure Coast do you most admire and why?

I have great admiration for all the entrepreneurs that have opened businesses. It takes a lot of determination and sacrifice, but the result has a domino effect. Businesses create jobs, wealth and resources that contribute to the quality of life in our community.

How do you think people would communicate in a perfect world?
From Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Seek first to understand, then be understood.

Have you ever watched a movie and gained a new perspective on life? What movie was it and what did you learn?

It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart is a great example of the lasting and positive impact that community bankers can have on their communities.


Maddie Williams

Maddie Williams
executive director of Treasure Coast Builders Association

Maddie Williams, who is originally from Massachusetts, moved with her family to Port St. Lucie in 1989. She has been in the construction industry for 30 years, beginning her career working for a local residential homebuilder in 1991.

She joined the Treasure Coast Builders Association in 2002 as special projects director and was appointed executive director in 2011. In this position, she focuses on advocating on behalf of the construction industry, which includes governmental affairs issues, skilled trades training and other workforce development issues.

Williams is very involved in her local community and serves on the board of directors of Career Source Research Coast and vice chairman of its Youth Council Committee. She also serves on the boards of St. Lucie County Cultural Alliance, St. Lucie County Art in Public Places and is chairman of the Port St. Lucie Art Advisory Council. She volunteers her time with Family Meals of St. Lucie County, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity and is a member of the Fort Pierce Woman’s Club.

What is your favorite spot on the Treasure Coast to grab a bite to eat?

Shuckers on the Beach

What was the first leadership role you can remember being in?

I taught Sunday school to a kindergarten class and babysat when I was a teenager. It taught me patience and responsibility, traits that I try to practice every day.

What leadership skills do you find most useful?

Communication skills and attention to detail have helped me be successful in both my work and personal life.


Keith Fletcher

Keith Fletcher
president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County

Keith “Fletch” Fletcher is president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County, the largest youth services provider in Martin County.

During his four-year tenure, the depth and breadth of services has expanded dramatically, in mental health support, workforce programming and school-based partnerships. Fletcher is a graduate of Leadership Martin, a two-time chairman of Leadership Miami, a graduate of Leadership Florida’s Connect program and served as the institute co-chairman twice.

He has previously been selected as a Top 40 under 40 by the South Florida Business Journal and was a recent recipient of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s prestigious Outstanding New CEO Award for Southeast America. He and his wife, Leyla, have two daughters, Zoe, 6, and Kaia, 4.

What leadership skills do you find most useful?

To me, leadership is the ability to create a desire in people to want to struggle for shared aspirations. The ability to inspire, to continuously evaluate and improve, to not only innovate individual but to be supportive of a broader innovation ecosystem, to collaborate, to see possibility or opportunity when others see problems. Keep focused on the 3 Ps in your portfolio – people, products and process. Leadership is, as we know, rooted in values and integrity but is contextual so you have to be able to be what you need to be in that moment, without comprising self or organization, to move the mission forward.

Tell us your favorite spot on the Treasure Coast to grab a bite to eat.

Wow. So tough. I am out and about in the community a lot. The sliders and a recent concoction at Ocean Republic Brewery always hits the spot. For quiet conversation, The Grille at Martin Landing is perfect. Lola’s is great for the best seafood. Had a fantastic chile infused espresso at Barista Creamery just last week for the first time. So I love to explore. But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible food truck scene – including ours here at the Boys & Girls Clubs – and some of the incredible home cooking I have received from our friends and supporters – nothing beats Ms. Delphina’s marinated sliced avocado, conch fritters and fried shrimp right there in Port Salerno.

How do you think people would communicate in a perfect world?

Transparently, making clear motive and intention without any pretense. Focusing more on what’s right about our kids, our communities, our world and less about what’s wrong with them. With a general orientation to navigate to yes and talk about what’s possible instead of why something can’t be done. In a way that understands privilege and position and perspective but uses all those things as a way to build longer tables, not taller fences.


Chad Olson

Chad Olson
managing director of the South Florida Region for Benchmark Hospitality

Chad Olson joined Benchmark in October 2015 as general manager of Costa d’ Este Beach Resort & Spa and Cardozo South Beach. He was promoted to managing director of the South Florida Region in 2019 with direct oversight of four hotels.

Prior to joining Benchmark, Olson worked for more than 25 years in California for companies such as JRK Hotels, Joie de Vivre Hospitality and Woodside Hospitality.

What was the first leadership role you can remember being in and how did the experience shape how you lead today?

Assistant front office manager at a resort in Arizona. I was a complete failure in my approach on how to interact and lead a team but through lots of failures and the open mindedness and humble pie, I learned.

What is your favorite spot on the Treasure Coast to grab a bite to eat?

Depends on the mood but in either case, I enjoy patronizing the independent restaurants. From the casual end of the spectrum, Little Jim’s in Fort Pierce, to my favorite, Fire and Wine in Vero Beach.

What leadership skills do you find most useful?

Servant leadership, humility, risk taking and overly communicating.


Larry Lee

Larry Lee
State Farm agent and co-owner of WFLM

Larry Lee Jr. grew up in Fort Pierce, graduated from Fort Pierce Central High School in 1972 and received a degree in health and physical education from Livingstone College in 1976. He married his college sweetheart, Alice, and they have one daughter, Dr. LaTasha Lee.

Lee owns a State Farm insurance agency and he and his wife own WFLM radio station. He’s a graduate of Leadership Florida and is featured in the book The Influentials by Jon Berry and Ed Keller. In 2002, he was inducted into the Livingstone College Football Hall of Fame. And in 2004, he received the Leadership Florida Distinguished Alumni Award.

In 2012, Larry was elected to the Florida House of Representatives becoming the first Black state representative in the history of St. Lucie County. He has served on several bank boards. He is the co-founder of the Ave D Boys Choir, the Jazz & Blues Society and Boy Scouts Troop 772.

His passion for helping youth and senior citizens led him to found the Lighthouse Foundation to serve those populations on Florida’s Treasure Coast and later created the Restoring the Village Initiative to help improve the neighborhood he grew up in, Lincoln Park.

If given $50,000 to start a new business, what type of business would you start and why?

If given $50,000 to start a new business, it would be a business that helps create entrepreneurship for youth. I feel that we need to invest more in our youth.

If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what song would you choose and why?

My favorite song is Wake Up Everybody by Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes. That song has a powerful message. It was made during my senior year in college, but its message is as strong today as it was in 1975.

What was the first leadership role you can remember being in and how did it shape you today?

My first leadership role occurred during my junior year in college. I was co-captain of the football team. During my senior year at Livingstone College, while serving as captain of the team, we had the No. 1 defense in the nation among small colleges. Playing football taught me so much about teambuilding. It helped me learn how to build a successful insurance agency, a political career and a not-for-profit foundation.


Travis Leonard

Travis Leonard
CEO and managing partner of A&G Concrete Pools

Travis Leonard, who was born in New Jersey, moved to Florida in 1988 with his family.

Leonard was hired by A&G in 1999 for in-house sales and design and was promoted to sales manager in 2006. In 2008, he accepted a partnership in the company and obtained a state license in commercial and residential swimming pool construction in early 2009.

Today A&G is a leader in the swimming pool industry with more than 100 full-time employees. It constructs more than 400 pools yearly.

In 2021, he was selected by Gov. Ron DeSantis to be a St. Lucie County Fire Board commissioner. Leonard also has been on the St. Lucie County Licensing Board since 2016 and was elected its chairman this year.

He married his high school sweetheart, Genia, in 2001 and they have two daughters.

If given $50,000 to start a new business, what type of business would you start and why?

A trade school. Being in the construction industry and seeing the skilled tradesman aging and retiring each day truly scares me. They have an amazing talent and decades of experience that needs to be passed on. Having young people be able to learn a trade and be proud of that trade would make me happy.

Have you ever watched a movie and gained a new perspective on life? What movie was it and what did you learn?

Limitless. Every shortcut has its shortfalls, shortcuts to success, if they work at all they do not last long. Too often in today’s world everyone is looking for the quick buck and wind up failing. Hard work and determination, along with persistence, have allowed me to be so successful.

What was the first leadership role you can remember being in and how has it shaped how you lead today?

Through high school I worked at Capri Pizza delivering pizzas to start and quickly worked my way up to pizzaiolo. Having this position made me responsible for staff, preparing food to be ready for the evening rush, and how to get the best out of the team we had.


James Brann

James Brann
owner-operator of The Porch Factory

Born and raised in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Brann graduated from Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational High School. He moved to Florida in 1990 and attended Indian River State College night classes for business while working for a local heating and airconditioning company in the early 90s.

He is owner and operator of The Porch Factory, which manufactures and installs custom screen rooms and pool enclosures across the Treasure Coast. A past president of the Treasure Coast Builders Association, Brann is chairman of the Skilled Trades Task force. He has two daughters, Andrea, 26, and Samantha, 24.

Whom on the Treasure Coast do you most admire and why?

I admire Jeff Braun from Coastal Building Contractors. Jeff runs a successful business in a selfless way… takes care of his employees, quietly supports the community in many ways, fully supports his local and state builders association for the better of others.

What was the first leadership role you can remember being in and how has the experience shaped how you lead today?

I was a service manager at a local air conditioning business at the age of 25, working with three other managers older and more experienced than I was. My young ego had to learn to sit back so that the rest of me could listen and learn from the experience in front of me! A few hard knocks at the beginning shaped that process.

If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what song would you choose and why?

Queen – We are the Champions – it’s about determination and perseverance, fighting through battles to reach a goal.

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