50 Most powerful people in orlando
hey are the people who make things happen in Orlando—political leaders, university presidents, community ac- Ttivists, business owners, legal minds, philanthropists. They are movers and shakers, who also possess the power to move and in- spire others. The people on our 10th annual 50 Most Pow- erful list also have interesting backgrounds. This year you’ll find extended features on six of them and how they got to where they are. We’ve also identified 12 individuals not yet on the list who nonetheless bear watching in the coming year. If there’s anything that should be said about power, it’s this: More often than not, the people who possess it aren’t afraid to take chances, to work for change. As attorney John Morgan, No. 4 on our list, put it: “I don’t walk down the middle of the road. There you only find yellow stripes and dead armadillos.’’
BY BARRY GLENN PHOTOS BY ROBERTO GONZALEZ
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 35 buddy dyer
1 1 Buddy Dyer Mayor of Orlando Age: 54 Buddy Dyer’s strength lies in his ability to literally change squad, he’s also thinking in terms of marrying the world’s largest the face of Orlando, and that’s why the Democratic mayor, first tourist destination with the world’s most popular sport. With Bra- elected in 2003, tops our 2013 Most Powerful list. zilian multimillionaire Flavio Augusto da Silva, a local resident, “It’s about being able to create a vision and bring a lot of as a big investor in the team, a tourism/soccer bridge could be people into it, then move forward,’’ Dyer says. Certainly, a lot of established between South America and Orlando, Dyer says. projects he has championed are moving forward these days—the Thinking outside the box with proposals like pro soccer or Creative performing arts center, SunRail, Creative Village, the renovation Village, the high-tech business-residential mecca that would be a of the Citrus Bowl, a $100 million sports and entertainment com- metropolis in itself, goes along with Dyer’s vision of having the kind plex across from Amway Center, and the likelihood that Orlando of city that will draw a creative class—“talented young entrepreneurs will get a Major League Soccer team and a new stadium to go who are going to come up with the next innovation in emerging media along with it. or medical science or things of that nature.’’ Dyer says he prizes a “culture of collaboration’’ fostered There was much talk about Dyer running for governor next year, among city, county, state and federal governments, business and he acknowledges that many encouraged him to do so. But he used people, educational institutions and philanthropists on the various his State of the City speech to quash the rumors. For certain, there is efforts. That collaboration has been evident in the past year as unfinished business—including addressing the changing face of home- relations between the city and Orange County have become less lessness brought on by the 2008 recession, and the revitalization of the fractious, resulting in agreement on the Citrus Bowl project and Parramore area, where some residents are worrying about the effort more funding for the performing arts center. turning into a gentrification project. That Dyer would push for a pro soccer team here has puzzled So will Dyer run for a fourth term in 2016? “I’ve got two and a half some observers—isn’t this college football country, after all? years to think about that,’’ he says, smiling. While the mayor is confident that residents would support a pro Then he adds, with a serious tone: “I have not stopped enjoying this team the way they have backed the current Orlando City Soccer job, I can say that. Every day I get up and it’s fun to come to work.’’ 36 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2013 2013 50 Most powerful
2 Teresa Jacobs Mayor of Orange County Age: 56 Like Buddy Dyer, Teresa Jacobs has made it a goal to draw the best and the brightest to Central Florida. She delivered teresa in April by releasing another $25 million jacobs in county money to go toward building the third and final hall of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, for the ballet and symphony. How big was that? Former Orlando Mayor Bill Frederick told the Orlando Sentinel: “If this gift had not been forthcoming…this phase would not have been completed in my lifetime.’’ Yet, part of the reason Jacobs steered 2 that money toward DPAC is in keeping with the perception that she is a champion of the people, and Some see Jacobs as vulnerable in her re-election bid next therefore the guardian of their money. Construction of the rest of year—primarily because of the county commission’s blocking the center is well underway, so to have waited to build that third of a paid sick-time referendum (Jacobs actually voted to allow hall would have added greatly to the total cost—not a wise use of the measure before voters), along with a related text-messaging funds in her view. controversy. It would be unwise, however, to underestimate her For now, the Republican mayor is pushing a county branding power: She held a 63 percent favorable rating among voters in a initiative so that more people and businesses want to move here. recent local poll. Her campaign slogan: “Smart. Tough. Making She’s also optimistic about a pro soccer team and stadium—al- a Difference.’’ though it’s obvious she wants to see more private money in play. “No question about it,’’ she says. “I’m a stickler for details.’’ JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 37 2013 50 Most powerful
3 john hitt
craig by a former student. The chal- ustler lenge ahead for UCF, which has nearly 60,000 students, may be to not grow too fast: The university has one of the country’s highest teacher- student ratios.
4 John Morgan Attorney, Businessman, Philanthropist Age: 57 (See profile, page 40)
5 Bill Nelson U.S. Senator Age: 70 It’s a question that won’t go away: Will Nelson run for governor? The senator, who has a home in Baldwin Park, has said repeatedly that he has no 6 intention of doing so. And why 3 John Hitt grant from NASA to build and should he? Starting a third term, President, University of launch an upper-atmosphere he has built up seniority in the Central Florida imaging instrument. Hitt’s Senate, currently chairing a Age: 72 formula for success includes Special Committee on Aging, as The man is approaching laying out a clear vision and well as serving on the Budget, legendary status: Hitt has goals, then using a talented Armed Services, Commerce, and been at the helm of UCF for supporting cast of VPs and Finance committees. Yet Nelson 21 years, nearly half of the others to help achieve them. laments the extreme partisan- school’s life. UCF is the coun- That excellence extends to ship on the Hill, so if party try’s second largest university the UCF police department, leaders called on him to go up and continues to draw tons whose quickness in respond- against Gov. Rick Scott, it might of research money: In April, ing to a 911 call in March likely be difficult to say no. Can we get it received a $55 million prevented a campus massacre Vegas odds on this, please?
38 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2013 john hitt george kalogridis
7 6 Craig Ustler tion and living space that is later this year, with a SunRail President and Owner, poised to change the face of stop to follow. Ustler Development Inc. downtown over the next 15 Age: 44 years. Ustler’s team is busy 7 George Kalogridis The Orlando native is the putting transit and infra- President, Walt Disney thinking man’s developer, structure components for the World Resort believing that people and project into place. They’re Age: 59 a sense of community, not also working on a five-story He started his career with The buildings, create urban urban apartment community Mouse four decades ago as a renewal. And there’s a lot to at Florida Hospital Health Vil- busboy at Disney’s Contempo- think about: mainly Creative lage, targeted at the hospital rary Resort. Now Kalogridis is Village, the 68-acre digital workforce. The first of the 248 in charge of all of Walt Disney mecca of business, educa- units are projected to open World, which at 67,000 cast (continued on page 42)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 39 John Morgan & Mark Nejame Everything’s coming up roses By Jim Leusner Orlando attorneys John Morgan (right) reaches from Florida to New York with Disney executive Al Weiss to help con- and Mark NeJame (left) are at the top of 239 lawyers. His business ventures in- sumers refinance mortgages. NeJame and their games. Both have successful law clude hotels, a carnival company and the his wife, Josie, also are the driving force practices, are regulars on TV news shows, WonderWorks interactive tourist attrac- behind Runway To Hope, a children’s and are involved in political fundraising, tion chain. Along with wife Ultima, he cancer charity that raised a whopping local philanthropy and business ventures. has donated millions to charity, includ- $700,000 at its recent annual gala. Not bad for two University of Florida ing $2 million to Second Harvest Food NeJame, 58, grew up in College Park. frat brothers who met in 1974, stayed Bank. One of the Orlando area’s most Morgan, 57, relocated from Kentucky to friends despite a battle over selling plants well-connected power brokers, Morgan Winter Park in 1971 as a 9th grader. Both (more on that later), and partnered in two is also leading a drive to legalize medical headed to Gainesville for college in 1972 local nightclub ventures. For 39 years, marijuana in Florida. and 1974. the two have referred cases to each other. NeJame, a longtime criminal defense “We have spent many hours psycho- Morgan’s firm even represents NeJame’s attorney who has branched out as a TV analyzing ourselves and each other,” mother in ongoing tobacco company legal analyst on the Casey Anthony and Morgan says. litigation. George Zimmerman murder cases, has ex- They discovered remarkably similar, Morgan is the king of lawyer advertis- panded his 16-attorney law firm to include humble beginnings. Both dealt with ing with his signature “For The People” a civil and commercial business practice. absentee fathers and family alcoholism. credo. His Morgan & Morgan law firm He is working on a venture with former Both worked newspaper routes as kids;
40 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2013 bagged groceries at Winn-Dixie; and became entrepreneurs at an early age. Both also made a point of standing up to school bullies. In Orlando, NeJame delivered the Sentinel Star (now the Orlando Sentinel), earning 3 cents on each 10-cent sale. One month, he earned $100 and said he had the largest paper route in Orlando. Morgan delivered the Lexington Herald-Leader. “If people didn’t pay me, I’d egg their house in the morning,” he says matter-of-factly. “That happened a couple of times.” Those experiences helped forge their sometimes-loved, sometimes-hated personas: the tenacious criminal defense attorney and personal injury lawyer eager to take on insurance companies. 12 “I always had a burning desire to help the underdog,” to watch NeJame says. These leaders are also making a Morgan decided to become a personal injury lawyer after mark in our community. his brother, Tim, was paralyzed in a lifeguard accident in 1975. The two met at the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at the Uni- versity of Florida. NeJame was a longhaired, 5-foot-4 junior in platform shoes who dressed like every day was Saturday Night George Aguel – The former Stephanie Porta – An out- Fever. Morgan was a preppy type with khakis, white shirts Disney exec heads Visit spoken proponent of mandatory and sweaters. But both considered themselves working-class Orlando, the area’s tourism sick time in Orange County, the students in a frat filled with rich kids. NeJame was a junior and bureau, as the number of visi- Organize Now activist contin- Morgan was a freshman who saw him as friendly to pledges. tors continues to set records. ues to battle big business. But their friendship was put to the test in 1975. NeJame had started a successful plant business in high John Burden – The 37-year- Kathy Ramsberger – The school, selling and shipping ferns. Eventually, he opened a old is CEO of one of the area’s president of the Dr. Phillips store in Gainesville, The Plant Parlor, and flew to Tallahas- fastest-growing community Center for the Performing Arts see on weekends to sell and rent plants to business clients. banks, Old Florida National. will increasingly be in the Then Morgan arrived at UF, and his girlfriend, a former Miss spotlight as the dazzling venue Apopka whose family was in the nursery business, encouraged Val Demings – The former prepares to open late next year. him to sell plants, too. Orlando police chief may The week before school started was a busy one. Stu- challenge incumbent Te- Thad Seymour Jr. – Lake dents were buying furnishings for their rooms, including resa Jacobs next year for the Nona’s VP of Health and Life plants. Morgan staked out three corners next to NeJame’s county mayor’s post. Sciences oversees strategic store and sold plants out of trucks. Furious, NeJame called planning and business devel- police and asked them to check on whether Morgan had a Maritza Martinez – The opment for the burgeoning business license. associate VP and director of Medical City complex. “I go to the U-Haul and pull out the peddler’s permit,” Mor- community relations at UCF gan says. “I think I held up a wad of cash at Mark.” is a rising star, having chaired Darren Soto – The 35-year- The next day, NeJame emptied out his store and staked both the Hispanic and Winter old state senator from Orlando out the same corners. “I said, ‘All right, two can play at this Park chambers of commerce. is an up-and-coming Demo- game,’ ” NeJame recalls. “And he called the authorities on me crat and has a reputation for Timothy McKinney and I didn’t have a peddler’s permit. So I had to go back to – He across-the-aisle cooperation. the store.” and his United Global Out- David Uth Morgan continued his one-week-a-year plant sale through- reach have brought a school – The pastor of out college and law school at 20 Southeastern schools, earning and other improvements to First Baptist Church of Orlan- $17,000 in his final year. the impoverished east Orange do has taken a leadership role Though the plant war tested their friendship, both roar with community of Bithlo. in the fights against human laughter while reliving their careers over cigars in downtown trafficking and homelessness. Harold Mills – As CEO of Orlando. But the rivalry taught them valuable business lessons. ZeroChaos, a staff services Carol Wick – The head of “Get the damned peddler’s permit,” NeJame laughs. firm, he heads up one of the Harbor House of Central Flor- “Preparation. Preparation. Preparation,” Morgan says with largest African American- ida provides a safe haven for a smile. owned businesses in the battered women and serves on “And if you’re going to shoot at the king,” NeJame says, country, and he has President a special county commission “you better damn well kill him.” Obama’s ear. on domestic violence.
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 41 LARS HOUMANN 2013 50 Most powerful 8
8 Lars Houmann President and CEO, Florida Hospital Age: 55 Houmann is at the forefront of the 23-hospital chain’s eye-popping growth, with the Orlando campus about to be transformed by the addi- tion of housing targeted at employees, and the accom- panying SunRail stop. The hospital added a children’s bone marrow transplant center last fall, a $55 million bioresearch center is in the works, and its Florida Hospital Medical Group continues to grow (more than 300 doctors in 120 offices). Houmann alex is a big player outside the martins hospital too: He is chairman 9 of the Florida Chamber of members is the area’s largest in. Next up is the conversion Commerce and heads up private employer. He says of Downtown Disney into bioOrlando, a group that getting news of his appoint- the livelier Disney Springs, works to build momentum in ment in January was “a true and the launch of the My the life sciences sector of the pinch-me-am-I-dreaming Magic+ vacation-planning local economy. moment.’’ And why not? system, complete with It’s all good right now, with high-tech wristband. Expect 9 Alex Martins theme park attendance Kalogridis to be as involved CEO, Orlando Magic up—the Magic Kingdom set a as predecessor Meg Crofton Age: 49 one-day attendance record on various boards and in The Dwight Howard saga was around Easter—and the New funneling Disney donations a no-win situation. Or so we Fantasyland and Art of Ani- of cash and volunteers into thought. Although many fans mation Resort packing them the community. lit into Martins and Magic GM
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Rob Hennigan for trading How- a long-term vision.’’ Another 10 John Mica ard, the self-absorbed center vision: a proposed Magic- U.S. Representative proved to be a big problem led $100 million sports and Age: 70 child in L.A. And the Magic entertainment complex across As one local political observer actually got some promising from Amway Center. As if all put it: “This guy has trans- prospects out of the deal. of this weren’t a full-time job, portation in his veins.’’ That Now, after a season in which Martins continues to immerse the SunRail commuter train the team owned the NBA’s himself in Orlando’s business will be up and running next worst record, the Magic are and philanthropic community, year is due in large part to the rebuilding with the draft. In a serving on numerous boards power that Mica has wielded letter to season ticket-holders, ranging from the Coalition for with transportation projects. Martins emphasized the the Homeless to the perform- These days the Winter Park importance of “maintaining ing arts center. Republican, elected last year (continued on page 45)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 43 Deborah German
A head and heart for medicine By Susan Jenks
Inside her spacious, book-lined office, Dr. Deborah German care. Invariably, the students list the qualities they look for in a makes one concession to whimsy—a metallic lime-green frog treating physician as kindness, skill and compassion, she says, so perched on the edge of her desk. But, within minutes of meeting she tells them, “your job is to become this physician. This is the the founding dean of the University of Central Florida’s medical task ahead.” school, it’s clear she’s far too busy to expend much energy on A second generation Italian-American who grew up in a work- anything quaint or frivolous. ing class family near Providence, Rhode Island, German isn’t Warm, yet intense, German, 62, has spent the past seven years quite sure how she came to medicine, but she always knew she building from scratch the new UCF medical school and turning it, wanted to help others, to make a difference. She also suggests she hopes, into a top-tier academic choice on par with Harvard, with a laugh how the “wires got crossed” in her brain at a young where she earned her own medical degree on a full scholarship in age, engendering in her a love of work, not play. She still loves the 1970s. With the graduation of UCF’s charter class on May 17, washing her car by hand, she says. it seems she’s well on her way toward meeting that goal. Even so, increasing career demands over the years created All but one of the 36 students who graduated have been accept- struggles and guilt as she juggled family and work. Her two chil- ed into residencies across the country. While they’re encouraged dren always came first, German says, but finding time to exercise to come back to Florida to practice medicine, she says, even if proved difficult until she decided to train as an aerobics instruc- they go elsewhere, they’ll help spread UCF’s reputation. “Excel- tor, then took her preschoolers along to Duke, where she taught lence attracts excellence,” says German who helped raise more low-impact aerobics. At the time, she also ran the Duke gout than $6 million—$160,000 per student—so that the inaugural clinic as its director and worked as an associate dean of medi- class could graduate debt-free. “By attracting this type of quality” cal education. “My kids knew all the routines,” she says. “They from 4,000 applicants for just 41 slots, she says, “we created the danced at the back of the class. But I always wondered if I was environment we wanted to have.” doing the right thing.” Although tuition is no longer free, the incoming class in the fall The answer came about a decade ago when her youngest will be nearly four times the original size, all with the same head daughter, Julia, home from college, began rummaging through and heart for medicine that German views as one of the school’s old music tapes. Suddenly, loud music blared from upstairs, Ger- core values. During orientation, she underscores what she means man says, and when she went to investigate, there was Julia “with in her annual “good doctor” talk. She asks incoming students to this big smile on her face, playing the old aerobics tapes and say- envision the person they love most as ill and waiting for medical ing we should dance together again.”
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tom 13 williams to an 11th term, is using his influence to push for money for the massive Interstate 4 revamp and development of a rail hub at Orlando International Airport. He is a major Transportation Secu- rity Administration critic and has vowed to replace agency airport screeners with private contractors. Mica also is a big backer of the local simulation industry and considers finishing the stalled Veterans Hospital at Medical City a priority.
11 Andy Gardiner State Senator Age: 44 jim The soft-spoken Republi- pugh can has served in the state 14 Legislature—as either a rep- resentative or senator—for 13 the go-to lawmaker for a tax- Dean, College of Medicine years and is about to assume break package to help build a Age: 62 the ultimate power post: Sen- soccer stadium in Orlando; he See profile, opposite page. ate president. Ask those who got it through the Senate, but have been around Gardiner it died in the House. Gar- 13 Tom Williams about the keys to his suc- diner also serves as Orlando Chairman and CEO, Univer- cess and you hear things like Health’s vice president of sal Parks and Resorts “hard-working,’’ “solid’’ and external affairs and commu- Age: 65 “likable.’’ He’s a conservative, nity relations. Muggles aren’t supposed but his laid-back, get-things- to have magical powers, done style appeals to moder- 12 Deborah German but apparently nobody told ates, both in the Legislature UCF Vice President for Universal. The company is and at the polls. Gardiner was Medical Affairs; making the most of the wildly (continued on page 46)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 45 kelly cohen
2013 50 Most powerful 16
especially after the economic downturn in 2008. But Pugh didn’t listen, pledging millions bill to ensure that construction sublette started—and he persuaded others with deep pockets to do so, too. More than $100 million in private pledges have been made. Now, the center is set to open next year and fundraising for a third hall, to showcase the symphony and ballet, is in the home stretch. Pugh has been a driving force through it all, convincing leaders and residents alike that an arts center is a vital component of a world-class city.
15 Harris Rosen Hotelier, Philanthropist 17 Age: 73 successful Wizarding World ny’s expansion shows no signs Over the years, his positions of Harry Potter attraction in of letting up: Next stops for on using the tourist tax for Orlando with the addition of Pottermania are Universal’s downtown venues (against) the London-themed Diagon parks in Hollywood and Japan. and allowing casino gambling Alley next year (complete with (something worth studying) a Hogwarts train to transport 14 Jim Pugh have put him at odds with guests). Meanwhile, Trans- Developer, local leaders. But the self- formers: The Ride—3D is set to Board Chairman, Dr. Phillips made hotel magnate remains open this summer. Williams, Center for the a power in the community, a Universal veteran who’s a Performing Arts both because of the reach of perennial presence on our list, Age: 76 his business—seven hotels and is at the parks helm here and Many said the $500 million more than 6,300 rooms—and across the world. The compa- arts center would never fly, the breadth of his generosity.
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He has pumped $10 million into 16 Kelly Cohen ing the coming Creative Village, the low-income Tangelo Park Lobbyist/Managing Partner, and has close ties to many on neighborhood over the past Southern Strategy Group this list, including Buddy Dyer two decades, providing free Age: 39 (she worked on his campaigns daycare to youngsters ages 2 to Cohen is a master at connect- for attorney general and 4 and scholarships to every stu- ing with people and connecting Orlando mayor). Cohen serves dent accepted to a Florida state them with one another, which on the boards of the Metro university. Rosen also recently means that politicians and busi- Orlando Economic Development contributed $1 million to help ness leaders seek her advice Commission and Wells Fargo’s Give Kids the World Village and always return her calls. The community advisory panel. expand its mission of giving Democratic adviser and fund- She also has taken an active vacations to children with life- raiser is a big player in almost role in getting the word out threatening illnesses. any project downtown, includ- about Clean the World, the (continued on page 48)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 47 sandy shugart
19 local group that recycles dis- particular a philanthropic plan efforts so expect Sublette carded soap from hotels and where businesses are being and School Superintendent distributes it worldwide to asked to provide financial sup- Barbara Jenkins to campaign prevent illness and disease. port for eight initiatives. They aggressively for extending the include computers and Internet half-cent sales tax for schools 17 Bill Sublette access for poor students, that was approved in 2010 but Chairman, Orange County mentoring programs, literacy expires next year. School Board tutoring and a licensed nurse Age: 50 at every school. Other priori- 18 Sherrie Sitarik Sublette projects a genuine ties: Making digital literacy an President and CEO, commitment to his task and is essential part of learning and Orlando Health moving forward with an aggres- renovating 30 schools. Funding Age: 56 sive agenda for the district—in shortfalls are hampering those A new patient tower is under
48 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2013 jerry demings 2013 50 Most powerful 22
construction, renovations are progressing (including a new emergency department), and the Winnie Palmer Hospital plans a 30-bed expansion. Sitarik, who rose from the nursing ranks, oversees the ever-changing complex on South Orange Avenue. Yet there are challenges: Orlando Health recently implemented the first staff cuts in its 100- year history. On the plus side of the ledger, however, the nonprofit giant completed its purchase of the Physicians Associates doctors group. Orlando Health also took the bold step of not hiring new employees who are tobacco frank users. And guess whose spon- kruppenbacher sor logo is on the jerseys of the 23 increasingly popular Orlando City Soccer team? winning the prestigious Aspen can Council on Education, Prize as the nation’s best Workforce Central Florida and 19 Sandy Shugart community college in 2011. Orlando Health. President, Valencia College It’s hard to argue with that Age: 56 success, although the chair of 20 Clarence Otis He’s a Renaissance man for Valencia’s board of trustees Chairman and CEO, sure: Shugart writes poems chose to clash recently with Darden Restaurants and songs, as well as treatises the president over how the Age: 57 on leadership. The renaissance college was being run; the It’s been a challenging at Valencia continues under state Senate promptly declined year for the world’s larg- his watch, with the school now to reappoint her. Shugart also est casual-dining company boasting 60,000 students and serves on several prominent as its flagship Olive Garden still basking in the glow of boards, including the Ameri- and Red Lobster brands deal (continued on page 50)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 49 24 2013 50 Most powerful
rasesh thakkar
more a follower than a leader. “I’m a plodder. I move along and reach a goal,’’ Webster, a Winter Garden Republican, told us in an interview last year. But that low-key style belies a substantial undercur- karen rent of political strength: He dee turned Democratic firebrand Alan Grayson out of the House in 2010, then fought off a challenge from former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings last November. Webster, who served in the Florida Legisla- ture for 28 years, is now focus- ing on transit issues, pushing for a train that would connect South Florida and Orlando International Airport, as well as a commuter line linking 25 Lake County and Orlando. with serious competition from in grants this year to more 22 Jerry Demings fast-casual chains like Chipotle than 850 nonprofits in the U.S. Orange County Sheriff and Panera Bread. But Darden and Canada. Otis is a board Age: 54 remains Orlando’s only Fortune member of the Metro Orlando The lifelong Orlando-area res- 500 company—No. 328 for Economic Development Com- ident was elected to a second 2013. And it continues to rank mission, connecting with CEOs four-year term by a wide mar- highly on Fortune magazine’s of companies considering gin last November, so it’s obvi- list of Best 100 Companies to relocating to Orlando. ous that Demings’ straightfor- Work For—an honor that Otis is ward, low-key style goes over particularly proud of—having 21 Daniel Webster well. So does this: During his jumped from 99th to 65th in U.S. Representative first four years, serious crime the past year. The company Age: 64 in Orange County declined also handed out $1.9 million He’s a political pragmatist, by 20 percent, while overall
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jim atchison 26 crime dipped 27 percent. Law lawbreakers, but the Legis- direct line to Gov. Rick Scott. enforcement definitely runs lature passed a law severely Kruppenbacher, a member in the family: Both Demings restricting their use. of John Morgan’s power- and his wife, Val, have served house legal firm, is gung-ho as Orlando’s police chief. 23 Frank Kruppenbacher on airport expansion, from She is weighing her political Attorney, Chairman of the terminals to parking to build- options, including a possible Greater Orlando Aviation ing a depot for a proposed run for county mayor next Authority light rail train that would link year as a Democrat. Sheriff Age: 60 Orlando International Airport Demings made news earlier He heads the board that runs and South Florida. He also this year when he proposed the country’s 13th busiest air- serves as general counsel of that the sheriff’s department port, is a big Republican fund- the Florida Virtual School and use drones to keep an eye on raiser and pretty much has a as Apopka city attorney. Krup- (continued on page 53)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 51 Flora Maria Garcia
Getting Hard Work Down to a Fine Art By Darlyn Finch Kuhn
Flora Maria Garcia took the reins as president and CEO of led the organization to create a web-based giving program, United Arts of Central Florida a little more than a year ago but which she says should help draw younger donors. has worked in the nonprofit art sector for over 30 years. With Garcia, 57, credits her father with giving her the self-esteem degrees in fine arts and modern languages, she spent the first she needed to excel in life. Her family emigrated from Cuba decade of her career working with business people and trying when she was 7. Her father was an international auditor, tra- to foster relationships and broker deals. But she realized that ditional in many ways, and her mother was a housewife. But she needed to be able to better speak their language. Despite Garcia says he treated her the same way he treated her brothers, having two small children under the age of 5, she went back and always talked to her about what she wanted to do when she to school for an intensive double degree—Master’s in busi- grew up. “He didn’t make me feel that I was less than them or ness administration and arts administration. She took 18 credit that I had to go and be a wife to someone. He emphasized edu- hours plus an internship for three consecutive semesters. cation and my career goals, and I think that was very grounding “It was hard, but really worth it,” Garcia says. “It gave me for me,” she says. “Looking back, that was probably the biggest the knowledge base and the confidence to be able to address gift he could give me. And that focus on education is something the business of the arts and how art ties to business and eco- I also instilled in my children.” nomic development. My job is to present arts and culture as Despite the strong support from her family, Garcia has faced something important to the community that touches so many challenges. But she meets each one head-on. “I’ve had a lot of facets of our lives: economic development, tourism, education challenges in the leadership positions that I’ve held, some po- and even self-esteem in children. By being able to connect litical, some funding, especially where my goal has been to ac- the dots of how the arts tie into other aspects of society that cess the large dollars that come through the public sector,” she are important to a lot of people, it really helps move the arts says. “I always see it as an opportunity, because I love looking agenda forward.” at a challenge as a puzzle, to figure out how to make it work. That agenda got a big boost recently with the news that I am also the eternal optimist. I believe that there’s always a United Arts raised about $2 million in its annual fundraising solution, and you can look at something from many different campaign, exceeding the goal by nearly $400,000. Garcia also angles. If one thing doesn’t work, you try something else.’’
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27 mayanne downs penbacher is active in child welfare issues and charitable roger causes: He and wife Patsy oxendale recently chaired the American Heart Association’s annual Heart Ball gala.
24 Rasesh Thakkar Senior Managing Director, Tavistock Group Age: 51 Thakkar is the point person for British billionaire Joe Lewis’ investments in Central Florida, including Isleworth and the burgeoning Lake Nona, with its Medical City complex. Thak- kar’s current big project at Lake Nona is Laureate Park, a community that will eventually boast 2,700 homes; Tavistock teamed up with GE to make the 28 development ultra energy-effi- cient, and the neighborhood is 25 Karen Dee mark in philanthropic efforts, wired to deliver Internet speeds President, Florida and Mid- including chairing the Women’s 10 times faster than a typical South Regions, Leadership Council of the local link. Thakkar sponsored last Fifth Third Bank United Way. The group recently year’s first annual Lake Nona Age: 52 raised more than $100,000 for Impact Forum, a health innova- Fifth Third expanded Dee’s programs that address health tion conference that included role last fall beyond Florida to and social service issues of heavy hitters like Johnson & include four other Southern women and children. Dee also Johnson and Harvard Medical states so that she now oversees started Fifth Third’s Summer School. He also serves on the 2,800 employees and nearly of Dreams program, which Florida Council of 100, a group $16 billion in assets. Her base, provides summer camps for of business leaders that advises however, is Orlando and that’s homeless students in Central the governor. where Dee has made a big Florida. Now in its third year, (continued on page 54)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 53 belvin perry jr.
2013 50 Most powerful 29
scene. Atchison, who worked his way up from parking lot attendant at Busch Gardens, is a visible presence in the community, serving on the UCF Board of Trustees.
27 Mayanne Downs City Attorney; Shareholder, GrayRobinson Age: 56 Orlando’s city attorney since 2007, Downs is a strong presence at city hall. She’s a confidante of Mayor Buddy Dyer—they were law school classmates at the University of Florida, she worked on his first mayoral campaign and their families have fred vacationed together. So as leonhardt the mayor tries to figure 31 out how to finance projects it has served more than 4,000 World. In April, the company to fit his vision of a world- children in three counties, pro- launched an initial public class city, you can bet that viding hundreds of thousands of stock offering of $700 mil- he seeks a lot of input from meals as well as supplies for the lion (complete with Atchison Downs. Widely regarded as start of school in the fall. bringing penguins to the New one of the area’s sharpest York Stock Exchange). Then in legal minds, Downs, a for- 26 Jim Atchison May, the park opened its big- mer president of The Florida CEO and President, gest attraction ever, “Antarc- Bar, was just appointed to a SeaWorld Parks & tica: Empire of the Penguin,’’ six-year term on the Judicial Entertainment a 4-acre version of the icy Qualifications Commission, Age: 47 continent that it hopes will and her name regularly It’s been a whirlwind few chip away at Disney’s domina- appears on numerous top months for Atchison and Sea- tion of the local theme park lawyer lists.
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28 Roger Oxendale array of cutting-edge spe- how to inspire healthier eat- CEO, Nemours Children’s cialists, with the prestigious ing among youngsters. Hospital Lake Nona location—next to Age: 59 UCF’s medical school and the 29 Belvin Perry Jr. With the opening of its Sanford-Burnham Medical Chief Judge, dazzling 137-bed hospital— Research Institute—being 9th Judicial Circuit “designed by families, for an obvious draw. Oxendale Age: 63 families’’—Nemours and also is focusing on initiatives After a surprise Today show Oxendale have become outside the hospital walls, interview in May on the Casey major players on the health- including a program that will Anthony case he oversaw two care scene. Nemours has send teams into child-care years ago, some speculated assembled an impressive settings to train providers on Belvin Perry was preparing to (continued on page 56)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 55 alan grayson
33 step down. But the longtime probing—and suspending—the 30 Mark NeJame chief judge has no immedi- troubled GPS monitoring and Attorney, Philanthropist ate plans to leave before his home confinement defendant Age: 58 2019 term expires. He’s been programs. Perry’s service (See profile, page 40) busy lobbying the Legislature has won him professionalism on court matters, and serving awards from the Florida and 31 Frederick Leonhardt on a state Supreme Court com- Orange County Bar associa- Attorney/Shareholder, mittee streamlining Death Row tions. Off the bench, he chairs GrayRobinson appeals. Last year he wrapped 100 Black Men’s Project Suc- Age: 63 up his Florida Innocence cess, a life-skills mentoring Leonhardt’s lobbying, political Commission chairmanship. program at his alma mater, and business connections keep Locally, he’s has been busy Jones High School. him plugged into key Orlando
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jacob 34 stuart and Tallahassee issues for pow- erhouse law firm GrayRobinson. His clients include the Univer- sity of Central Florida, Darden Restaurants and Orlando City Soccer. A well-known Repub- ted lican fundraiser, he serves on prominent statewide boards maines including Enterprise Florida; the Florida Chamber of Commerce; and the private, nonprofit Florida Council of 100, which advises the governor on improv- ing the state. Leonhardt also is a board member at the nonparti- san James Madison Institute, a Tallahassee-based policy think tank. His goal: to improve the economy with business-friendly laws and policies. 32 Jeff Ashton 35 State Attorney Age: 55 cleared out many Lamar hires two-year hiatus, and it’s a Some labeled Ashton’s 2012 and cut the number of man- kinder, gentler Grayson this election victory over six-term agement positions. He also time around. Well, sort of. incumbent Lawson Lamar an installed his co-counsel in the Although we haven’t heard upset, but Ashton was hardly Anthony case, Linda Drane a peep about “K Street an unknown. The longtime Burdick, as chief assistant whores,’’ he did accuse GOP homicide prosecutor became state attorney. Sen. Paul Ryan of wishing a national figure during the that poor, sick people would Casey Anthony trial two years 33 Alan Grayson simply die. Grayson’s 43-point ago and wrote a book about U.S. Representative swing from his 2010 loss the case. Now the 30-year Age: 55 was the biggest comeback in veteran of the state attorney’s The outspoken Democrat House history, and he likely office has the top job and has is back in Congress after a has a solid hold on the 9th (continued on page 59)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 57 dick batchelor
No stranger to making friends count By Brad Kuhn
Dick Batchelor, like Blanche DuBois, has always relied on the second presidential campaign in 1972 and later became one of the kindness of strangers, but anyone who knows him will tell you youngest people ever elected to the state Legislature (1974-1982). that, with Batchelor, no one remains a stranger for long. In 1991, he organized the first Florida fundraiser for presidential Artists paint. Writers write. Batchelor makes friends. And he candidate Bill Clinton, who would later appoint Batchelor to the persuades those friends to open their hearts—and wallets—for United Nations Human Rights Commission, an organization that the politicians and causes he supports. examines trafficking of women and children, child prostitution The third of seven children born to a North Carolina tobacco and use of children as soldiers. tenant farmer, Batchelor, 65, moved to Orlando at age five and He has always advocated for the “under-represented.” That lived in the Reeves Terrace public housing project, and later Orlo includes children in need. Since 1981, Batchelor has served as Vista. His family never had much money, but he worked odd jobs honorary chairman of the “Dick Batchelor Run for the Children,” to buy the stylish clothes that earned him the yearbook senior a charity race that has raised more than a million dollars for superlative “Best Dressed” at Evans High School in Pine Hills. children’s groups throughout Central Florida. He continues to ad- With no plans after high school, he enlisted in the Marines and vocate for children and other groups, while advising companies, served in a maintenance battalion near the Vietnamese port city governments and politicians on public policy through the Dick of Da Nang. Batchelor Management Group. “That was during the Tet Offensive,” he recalls. “The Vietnam “Dick has amazing energy and heart,” says former Orange experience forced me to take a sober look at policy.” County Commissioner Linda Chapin. “He remains as committed Returning home, Batchelor attended Valencia Community to his causes and to improving life in our community as when he College (now Valencia College) and Florida Technological was a freshman legislator.” University (now the University of Central Florida) on the GI While Batchelor has done much for children and families in Bill and fell in love . . . with politics. He launched the Young Central Florida—he currently is co-chair of a county panel devel- Democrats Club at Valencia and quickly gained a reputation for oping strategies to battle domestic violence—he says his greatest his ability to corral and deploy massive numbers of volunteers accomplishment is his family: wife Andrea and sons Richard, for Democratic causes. David and Matt. “Coming out of the environment I came from,” He also discovered a talent for matching politicians and causes he said, “my biggest motivation is having my family be proud of with money. He took a leadership role in Hubert Humphrey’s what I do.”
58 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2013 jeffrey miller 2013 50 Most powerful 36 Congressional District for years to come. The media- savvy congressman touts his helen ability to deliver for con- donegan stituents: Recently he fought successfully against budget- cutters’ threats to close Kissimmee Gateway Airport’s control tower.
34 Jacob Stuart President, Central Florida Partnership Age: 64 The Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 100th anni- versary and the gentlemanly Stuart has been its leader in one position or another for more than 30 of those years (the Chamber is one of four 37 groups that make up the seven-county Central Florida 35-36 Ted Maines gram, Maines and Miller have Partnership). No surprise, Interior Designer and Activist worked to increase awareness then, that the Orlando native Age: 55 of the problem through part- has been unabashedly pro- Jeffrey Miller nerships with groups ranging business in helping steer the Lawyer, Activist from the Orange County Library area’s future, and he acts Age: 61 System to the Florida Athletic accordingly: Stuart was a The longtime partners give Association. They are big key SunRail supporter and their time and money to a Obama supporters and have he was one of the leaders wide array of causes but are held numerous fundraisers against the proposed Orange particularly invested in the in their home for Democratic County sick-time ballot battle against bullying. Through candidates (Val Demings, Bill initiative. the local Holocaust Center’s Nelson, Joe Saunders, Linda UpStander anti-bullying pro- Stewart) as well as community (continued on page 60)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 59 barbara jenkins
38 and arts groups (Planned the university’s landmark and her “Friends of Helen’’ Parenthood, Orlando Ballet). 50th anniversary gala in luncheons provide valuable Helping elect candidates who June, and it’s little wonder— networking opportunities for support marriage equality is she’s one of Orlando’s most local businesswomen. important to them: The couple well-connected people, not to celebrated their 30th anniver- mention a savvy fundraiser 38 Barbara Jenkins sary in May. and organizer. Her past and Orange County School present resumé of service— Superintendent 37 Helen Donegan from bank boards to char- Age: 52 UCF Vice President of ity event chair—is beyond Jenkins was hired a year Community Relations impressive. She is the found- ago to replace the retiring Age: 66 ing chair of the local United Ron Blocker as head of the Donegan was in charge of Way’s Leadership Council, nation’s 11th largest school
60 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2013 2013 barbara 50 Most jenkins powerful
39 scott maxwell district and has been a vis- ible presence. She knows the local school system well: A graduate of Winter Park High and UCF, she started out as an Orange district teacher in 1983 and worked her way up to deputy superintendent before getting the top job. Along with school board chairman Bill Sublette, Jen- kins is focusing on implement- ing a digital curriculum and garnering business donors for the system’s philanthropic plan, among other goals. Another priority is school safety: Jenkins ordered ran- dom metal-detector screen- ings in May after a loaded gun was found in a high-school rich student’s backpack. 40 maladecki 39 Scott Maxwell Rep. Chris Dorworth, who the tragedy of human traf- Columnist, Orlando Sentinel was in line to become House ficking in Central Florida. Age: 41 speaker. Voters responded Maxwell is the fearless head- by sending Dorworth to a 40 Rich Maladecki master of the old school of shocking defeat in the GOP President and CEO, watchdog journalism, always primary. Maxwell also has Central Florida Hotel & keeping an eye on the mov- been a major voice in get- Lodging Association ers and shakers (including ting state rules changed to Age: 59 some on this list). A major make FCAT testing less rigid Visitors to the nation’s top coup in the past year: point- for the profoundly disabled; tourist destination need ing out the ethical lapses, helping head off the closing places to stay—so it’s a no- unpaid bills and question- of a regional commission on brainer why Maladecki’s orga- able partnerships of state homelessness; and exposing nization is critical to the area. (continued on page 62)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 61 scott 2013 randolph 50 Most powerful
susannah 42 randolph A grassroots liberal power couple on the rise. Many expected Scott Randolph, a former state legislator and a honcho in the local Demo- cratic Party, to run for state party chair. Instead, he opted for the local tax collector post, run for decades by the late Earl K. Wood. One of Randolph’s first acts was to offer a health benefit stipend to office employees with same-sex partners who were adversely affected by federal tax rules. Look for Randolph to make a bid for county mayor sometime down the road. Susannah Randolph, meanwhile, is an outspoken advocate of women’s issues, serving on the board of 43 Planned Parenthood. She also He has headed the CFHLA for 41 Flora Maria Garcia is the former head of the pro- 14 years, which makes him an President, United Arts of gressive group Florida Watch automatic power player in the Central Florida Action, where she organized region’s economic growth. But Age: 57 a “Pink Slip Rick’’ campaign it isn’t just about the number (See profile, page 52) against Gov. Rick Scott. of beds: CFHLA also invests in the future by raising money 42-43 Scott Randolph 44 Dick Batchelor for scholarships for young Orange County Tax Collector Business and Political people trying to gain a foot- Age: 39 Consultant, Advocate for hold in the hospitality indus- Susannah Randolph Children’s Causes try. Maladecki also has been District Director for U.S. Age: 65 a strong voice in the push to Rep. Alan Grayson (see profile, page 58) renovate the Citrus Bowl. Age: 38
62 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2013 marcos marchena
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45 Marcos Marchena Kruppenbacher, he’s a major 46 Doug Taylor Attorney, Marchena and figure in Republican Party Downtown Business Owner Graham circles. Marchena also serves Age: 47 Age: 53 on the University of Central As co-owner of six downtown As general counsel for the Florida’s Board of Trustees nightclubs and restaurants Greater Orlando Aviation (he’s a 1982 grad) and has on or near Church Street, Authority, Marchena is in chaired the Florida Transpor- Taylor is a player in the effort a position to influence tation Commission, as well to draw more people into the what happens at the air- as the panel that nominates heart of Orlando. The key, port, whether it’s building a federal judges for the Middle he says, is to tap into the new terminal or garage, or District of Florida. multitude of tourists/conven- establishing a rail line hub. tioneers in the I-Drive and Like GOAA chairman Frank attractions area and devise (continued on page 65)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 63 Gary cain
Giving Back to the Group That Saved Him By Mark I. Pinsky
Sometimes in a community, the greatest influence is the least club and what was going on there. He’d almost rather be any- apparent—or immediate. It worked that way for Gary Cain. As an where than home.” 11-year-old in a troubled home in Panama City, Cain says, “the Sewell became Cain’s mentor, giving him books on success wheels were coming off my family.” and motivation and his first paying job. He was named the club’s His father was an alcoholic, and his mother, the daughter of a Boy of the Year for 1966, and later Sewell arranged a full schol- prostitute, had spent much of her youth in a Baptist orphanage. arship for him at Tuculum College in Tennessee. One of his brothers was in prison and one sister was pregnant After graduating, Cain began repaying his debt, climbing the at 15. When his parents’ marriage broke up, the family had to youth organization’s ladder from Bristol, Virginia, to Lafayette, move from its modest cinder block home—“where I saw a knife Louisiana, to the Pacific region, where he established 23 new come out more than one time”—to a trailer. “I was ripping and clubs serving thousands of young people. running—a shoplifter.” For the past 19 years, Cain, 58, has served as president and Apart from the county library, he had no refuge—until he chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central walked into the Boys Club of Panama City, located in an old Florida, supervising 80 full-time and 360 part-time employees armory. He was greeted by the club’s director, Errol Sewell, with from a new headquarters in downtown Orlando. Along the way the words “Gary Cain, I’m glad you’re here,” words that would he raised a family and found time to earn a Rollins MBA. be etched in his memory. At the club, he says, “I could be a kid.” More importantly, he has had a growing impact on 29 grow- “We got him at the perfect age,” recalls Sewell, who would ing clubs, serving an estimated 13,000 young people in the later rise to become senior vice president of Boys & Girls Clubs four Central Florida counties—Orange, Seminole, Osceola and of America. “They were his formative years when he was thirst- Brevard—he oversees. The organization reports that last year, of ing for doing things and learning things, meeting people. He was club members who were high school seniors, 99 percent gradu- unusual. This kid had an enormous, incredible resilience. He was ated and less than one-tenth of 1 percent were arrested. one of those kids who had greatness bottled up inside. All he Cain says that after 35 years serving the organization, he still needed was to have someone help him find that goodness inside. has “grand plans and grand visions,” including new clubs in Or- “Gary right away was expressive with a voracious appetite lando’s Parramore neighborhood and in Cocoa. “It’s great to have for involvement. His was the first name on a sign-up sheet,” a purpose in life,” he says. “I’ve never lacked for purpose. Every says Sewell. “He was the first one to show up. He loved the day is a new opportunity with a kid.”
64 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | JULY 2013 2013 doug taylor 50 Most powerful 46 harriett a form of transportation to get lake them downtown. Taylor, a mem- ber of the Downtown Develop- ment Board and chairman of the Church Street District Merchants Association, has been instru- mental in staging an increasing number of festivals, including numerous Latin jazz events, to draw audiences downtown. He also has led fundraising for the Nap Ford Charter School Foundation; the group brought in a record $200,000 during the past year.
47 Gary Cain President/Chief Profes- sional Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida Age: 58 48 (see profile, opposite page) arts community, where she has Rawlins’ team of Lions has 48 Harriett Lake made it her mission to ensure shattered the notion that soccer Philanthropist that Orlando Ballet remains would never catch on in Orlando, Age: 91 in stable financial health. She setting attendance records for One of the most generous doesn’t seek attention, but she the USL Pro League (the Lions people you’ll ever meet has deserves every bit of it. drew a record 9,589 to the Citrus doled out more than $10 mil- Bowl for an April game). Now lion to good causes over the 49 Phil Rawlins Rawlins is teaming up with Mayor last seven years, from Orlando President, Orlando City Buddy Dyer in the drive to get a Health’s Level One Trauma Cen- Soccer Club Major League Soccer franchise ter to Florida Hospital Cancer Age: 54 for the city. But MSL requires Institute’s Eden Spa. But Lake His is the club that roared. About commitment for a soccer-specific is especially appreciated in the to complete its third season, stadium to be built, and we all (continued on page 66)
JULY 2013 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | 65 49 2013 50 Most powerful phil rawlins
rick weddle
50 know how touchy those venue— Weddle is beginning his sector in the wake of budget funding issues are with local third year at the helm of the cuts. He has some heavy hit- governments. Don’t be surprised organization whose mission ters to help get the EDC mes- to see Rawlins and his financial is helping businesses relocate sage out: The group’s board backers shoulder more of the to or expand in the Orlando includes notables like Florida cost of the venue if that’s what area. As such, he pushes poli- Hospital’s Lars Houmann, lob- it takes. cies designed to create, retain byist Kelly Cohen and UCF’s and grow jobs. His group is John Hitt. 50 Rick Weddle busy creating a stronger busi- President and CEO, ness brand for the area, and Metro Orlando Economic Weddle helped organize a task Development Commission force to protect the region’s Age: 61 military defense industry
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