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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
181 episodes
Orlando: Rosen Hotels & Resorts CEO Frank Santos Shares His Vision for Future Growth
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 Edit...
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25:08
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South Florida: Fort Lauderdale's Iconic Pier Sixty-Six Shines for a New Generation
'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 s...
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12:11
Tampa Bay: Appspace President Holly Grogan Talks Growth and the Impact of AI
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...
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23:01
Jacksonville: Mona Co-Founder Andrew Leon Hanna Shares His Vision for Small Business FinTech
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 no...
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18:03
Orlando: An Update on Florida's Venture Capital Market with Govo's Rob Panepinto
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 shar...
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23:09
South Florida: With Land at a Premium, RK Centers Finds Success with Retail Strategy
South Florida's commercial real estate crunch is forcing developers to get creative. In this download, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites Andrew Zidar, VP of Acquisitions and Development for RK Centers, to share his company's winning for...
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11:57
Tampa Bay: United Soccer League in Growth Mode as Sport's Popularity Continues to Rise
As North America prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, US soccer teams and executives on all levels are ready to take advantage of the moment. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner calls on United Soccer League President and Chief So...
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23:43
Jacksonville: Nick Carrera Brings His Asado Life Restaurant to the Shipyards
As the Jags "Stadium of the Future" takes shape, the adjacent Shipyards redevelopment continues adding premium experiences. In this episode, JBJ Managing Editor Stuart Korfhage and Reporter Matt Denis connect with Asado Life Owner Nick Carrera,...
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14:26
Orlando: Pharmaceutical Entrepreneur Stan Loomis Leads Industry Innovation
One of the world's most respected pharmaceutical entrepreneurs, Robert "Stan" Loomis is the Founder of Olympia Pharmaceuticals and Wesley Pharmaceuticals. In this download, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao leads a lively and informative conve...
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24:11
South Florida: Real Estate Veteran Lyle Stern Reflects on the Past, Present and Future of South Beach
Vertical Real Estate Co-Founder Lyle Stern's big break came when he attracted Blockbuster Video to South Beach. Hundreds of other retailers have followed since, from national brands to high profile restaurants. In this episode, Stern joins SFBJ...
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16:43
Tampa Bay: Florida Chamber CEO Shares Stats Impacting Businesses in Every Zip Code
Florida's economic future depends heavily on investment in education. That mission starts in kindergarten and also requires continuing education to uplift millions of job ready people. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Florid...
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23:55
Jacksonville: Angela TenBroeck on Protecting and Growing Florida's Food Supply
A fourth-generation farmer, Angela TenBroeck is a leader in innovative farming techniques, an entrepreneur, and the advocate for protecting our food supply. In this download, JBJ Reporter Matt Denis invites TenBroeck to share her insight and pe...
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17:25
Orlando: Addition Financial CEO Kevin Miller Talks Growth, Lending and What Business Leaders Should Know
Economic uncertainty is top of mind for Florida business owners, including those in the financial services sector. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao connects with Addition Financial President & CEO Kevin Miller to get an u...
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21:55
South Florida: City National's Jorge Gonzalez on Why Florida's Boom-Bust Cycles Are History
A native Miamian with over 36 years experience in the banking sector, City National Vice Chairman and CEO Jorge Gonzalez has seen it all in South Florida. In this episode with SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez, he offers an update on rates, the...
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19:07
Tampa Bay: Tackling the Challenges of Housing Costs with PMG Affordable's Dan Coakley
Tackling affordable housing issues is a nationwide crisis, particularly in Florida with the influx of new residents the past decade. In this episode, TBBJ Real Estate Reporter Ashley Gurbal Kritzer invites Dan Coakley, Principal of PMG Affordab...
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17:21
Jacksonville: How Lisa "The Boatanista" Almeida Went From Rough Seas to Smooth Sailing
She started running Freedom Boat Club in 2009 during the depths of the Great Recession. Then Mother Nature delivered one of the coldest Florida winters in memory, so even avid boaters weren't interested in memberships. In this episode, JBJ Edit...
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21:35
Orlando: Publix Fights Off Competition as Florida's Grocery Battle Heats Up
Whether the economy's up, or down, we have to eat. With the cost of dining out on the rise, consumers are shifting their buying habits and that benefits grocery stores. So it's no surprise the fast-growing Florida market is attracting new, nich...
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23:53
South Florida: JM Family Enterprises CEO Dan Chait Reports on the Automotive Sector
As a major player in the automotive industry, with interests in financial services and franchising, JM Family Enterprises has a pulse on consumers across South Florida. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites President and CE...
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17:05
Tampa Bay: Peoples Gas VP Shawn Connell Forecasts the Future of Natural Gas in Florida
Sponsored Content: With over 500,000 customers across the state, adding more each day, Peoples Gas has a pulse on Florida's growth and what builders and consumers demand. In this episode, sponsored by Peoples Gas, Vice President of Resid...
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17:33
Jacksonville: Florida's Homeowners Insurance Crisis Creates Opportunity for Itel
Hurricanes have wreaked havoc with Florida's property insurance market, driving premiums so high that it often kills a real estate transaction. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon invites Itel President Chris Touchton to explain h...
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16:55
Orlando: OEP's Bob O'Malley on the Future of Brightline and Commuter Rail Across Florida
Bob O'Malley sits at the intersection of public affairs, government relations and transportation policy. As the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP), perhaps no one is as well-versed in the chal...
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19:33
South Florida Means Business: Bob Swindell Shares Why the Growth Will Continue
While the migration of people and businesses has slowed somewhat, the Sunshine State and South Florida in particular remain highly desirable long-term. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance ...
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18:07
Tampa Bay: Habitat for Humanity CEO Mike Sutton Builds Relationships to Inspire Giving
Florida's growth has sparked a business boom, but the influx of people has driven up real estate prices, making affordable housing scarce. In this episode, TBBJ Managing Editor Pam Huff invites Habitat for Humanity Gulfside CEO Mike Sutton to s...
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16:36
Jacksonville: Axia Advisors Sean Shapiro on Growing Consolidation in the Trades Sector
Once a sector dominated by mom & pop shops and locally-owned small businesses, the highly-skilled trades sector is seeing strategic consolidation from private equity firms looking to scale best practices nationally and cash in. In this down...
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24:18
Orlando: The Impact of a Winning Women's Soccer Team on the Central Florida Community
There's no question sports bring people together, particularly when teams win. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Jarrod Dillon, President of Business Operations for Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride and Inter&Co Stadi...
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22:38