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.
Episodes
147 episodes
South Florida: How AI and Hybrid Work are Transforming the Legal Profession
The pandemic forced change in many industries including the legal profession. Then along came artificial intelligence, saving time but slashing billable hours and altering client expectations. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez ...
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14:25
PR Pro Jason Mudd: The Tools Have Changed, But the Profession Remains the Same
Naturally curious and an early adopter of the internet and more recently artificial intelligence, Axia Public Relations CEO Jason Mudd has built a national PR powerhouse from Jacksonville. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon conne...
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23:44
Orlando: Align CEO Dena Jalbert Reports the M&A Market is Hot In Spite of Tariff Shock
Several key factors combine to make 2025 potentially a big year for mergers & acquisitions. In this episode, Orlando Business Journal Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Align Business Advisory Services Founder & CEO Dena Jalbert to ...
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31:28
South Florida: Carlos Fernandez-Guzman Explains Why Tariffs May Be a Good Thing
With consumer confidence waning and recession fears rising in national surveys, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez calls on Carlos Fernandez-Guzman, President and CEO of Pacific National Bank for insight and perspective. The banking and business...
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20:30
Tampa Bay: Cirkul Co-Founder Garrett Waggoner on the Hydration Company's Super Bowl Splash
Just over a month after the Tampa Bay start-up debuted its first Super Bowl commercial, Co-Founder Garrett Waggoner is gauging the success. The hybrid hydration company with its innovative bottle design allows users to control how much flavor t...
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23:03
Jacksonville: JU President Tim Cost Offers an Upbeat Assessment of Higher Ed's Impact Across Florida
As the first alumnus to serve as Jacksonville University President in the school's 85 year history, Tim Cost has a unique perspective and approach. After a successful, high profile career in the corporate world, he's brought a business-focused ...
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24:32
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 ...
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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...
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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 R...
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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 Ba...
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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, ...
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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 sh...
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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...
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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 episod...
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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...
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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. Barn...
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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 Fred...
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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 whi...
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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 Sie...
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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.
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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 Mu...
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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 cautious...
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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...
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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 f...
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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 ...
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19:02