( Business Portrait ) Orlando / Orange County Follow the Leaders

( Business Portrait ) Orlando / Orange County Follow the Leaders. Follow Florida Trend.

Follow the 250,000 business, government and civic leaders who rely on Florida Trend each month to deliver the latest news items and developing trends in Florida business. Why not join them at a special introductory subscription rate?

www.FloridaTrend.com/subscribe ( Business Portrait: Orange County ) T rend Florida www.FloridaTrend.com

Publisher Andrew P. Corty A Word from the Publisher Executive Editor Mark R. Howard EDITORIAL Managing Editor John Annunziata Welcome to Florida Trend’s South Florida Editor Mike Vogel Associate Editors Amy Keller, Art Levy, Lilly Rockwell Business Portrait featuring Restaurant Editor Chris Sherman Contributors Rochelle Broder-Singer, Lori Capullo, Orlando and Orange County. In Charlotte Crane, Jerry Jackson this digital e-zine format, you’ll Art see the full report that was fea- Art Director Gary Bernloehr tured in our May 2013 issue. Associate Art Director Jason Morton To paint this portrait, Florida ADMINISTRATION Business Manager Barbara Goodman Trend editors looked behind the Accounting David A. Dale scenes to report on what makes Staff Accountant Jenny Shea Florida’s largest inland city so Circulation Director of Audience Development Karen Tyson dynamic. From the key business Print & Fulfillment Supervisor Connie Greenblatt assets that drive Orlando’s econo- Customer Relations Marsha Almodovar my — health care, education, re- Florida Trend continues its BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Associate Publisher Janice G. Sharp search and high-tech simulation, series of Community and Business Marketing & Special Projects Coordinator manufacturing and a military Portraits on cities and counties Leslie Vasbinder component — to key demograph- around the state in coming edi- Creative/Graphic Designer Anne Meyer Production ics, top leaders and quality of life, tions. I invite you to subscribe to Director of Production Jill South they covered it all. our print edition so that you don’t online publishing Check out the run-down of miss a single one. Information on Online Project Manager Joyce Edmondson corporate headquarters and how to contact us is printed below. Online Publishing Specialist Robb Brown promising businesses beginning We look forward to hearing ADVERTISING SALES Director of Advertising Lynn Lotkowictz on page 20, and you’ll see why from you. 727/892-2612 the dynamics of Orlando mean it — Andy Corty Senior Market Director / Central Florida could emerge as a true world city Orlando - Treasure Coast - Gainesville - Brevard County Publisher Laura Peters Armstrong 407/951-6359 over the next two decades. [[email protected]] Senior Market Director / Tampa Bay Tampa - St. Petersburg - Sarasota - Naples - Ft. Myers Christine King 727/892-2641 Senior Market Director / South Florida Miami - Ft. Lauderdale - Palm Beaches Maggie Caruso 727/892-2640 Senior Market Director / North Florida How to Reach Us Jacksonville - Tallahassee - Panama City - Pensacola Jaime McKnight 727/892-2645 Letters To Florida Trend National Sales Director / New York - Atlanta - Chicago Mail: Florida Trend, P.O. Box 611, St. Petersburg, FL 33731 Lynn Lotkowictz 727/892-2612 Fax: 727/822-5083 Advertising Support Representative E-mail: [email protected] Rana Becker 727/892-2642 All letters should include the author’s telephone number or e-mail address. Florida Trend edits some letters for length and clarity. Published by Trend Magazines Inc. Chairman Paul Tash Florida trend online President Andrew P. Corty Website: www.FloridaTrend.com Secretary Barbara Goodman Includes back issues. Treasurer Jana Jones

Reprints/e-prints Made in the U.S.A. Florida Trend (ISSN 0015-4326) P.O. Box 611, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Telephone: 727/821-5800. (Street address: To purchase article reprints or e-prints, contact Wright’s Reprints at 490 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701.) Copyright 2013 Trend 877/652-5295 or www.wrightsreprints.com. Magazines Inc. All rights reserved. The following are registered trademarks and logos of Trend Magazines Inc., and their unauthorized use is strictly prohibited: Florida Trend; Golden Spoon Awards; Subscriptions Florida Trendline; Tallahassee Trend; Trendsetter Awards; Florida CEO For individual and corporate subscriptions, renewals, changes, questions and single Trends; Tampa Bay’s Best; dba Florida; Florida Small Business; Florida Trend’s Research Florida; Legal Elite; Florida Trend’s NEXT - Your copies, visit us online at www.FloridaTrend.com or contact our Circulation Department. Future After High School; Florida College Planner; Teen Trendsetters. Phone: 800/829-9103 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST) Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the Fax: 727/822-5083 publisher is prohibited. Florida Trend accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or résumé material. E-mail: [email protected] Subscriber Services online at www.floridatrend.com/customerservice, or call 1-800-829-9103. Address Change: Send address with mailing ADVERTISING label from past issue to Florida Trend, P.O. Box 16238, North Hollywood, CA 91615. Allow six weeks. www.FloridaTrend.com/MediaKit Phone: 727/821-5800 Member: BPA Worldwide, Alliance of Area Business E-mail: [email protected] Publications, Florida Magazine Association

floridatrend.com may 2013 3 ( Business Portrait ) Orlando / Orange County

4 may 2013 floridatrend.com The broad outlines of Orlando’s economy are Orlando’s other arm, still developing but now well-defined. One strong arm, of course, is increasingly muscular, is an amalgam of the area’s tourism industry, a global powerhouse health care, education, research and high-tech with the nation’s biggest hotel market and second- simulation and manufacturing, including a largest convention center. At a given moment, military component. Along with the University more than 1 million people in Orange County are of Central Florida, the state’s largest, Orange visitors from someplace else. The equivalent of County boasts two world-class research centers: the U.S. population passes through the area every The Central Florida Research Park, the world’s five years — excepting the fact that an increasing epicenter for simulation and training, with chunk of the visiting group is from abroad. The strong ties to military and medical simulation; number of international visitors to Orlando and the rapidly emerging Lake Nona/Medical increased by more than 30% between 2007 and City area, home to UCF’s new medical school, 2011, and the overall health of the industry has Nemours Children’s Hospital, the Sanford- driven multimillion-dollar expansions at the Burnham Research Institute and an under- major theme park venues and continuing hotel construction VA hospital that will be the construction. Disney, it should be noted, still VA’s most technologically advanced. Sizable occupies only 30% of its developable space. components of the non-tourism economy still

floridatrend.com may 2013 5 ( Business Portrait: Orange County )

Orange County Demographics > White: 45.8% (57.5% statewide) > Black: 21.7% (16.5% statewide) > Hispanic: 27.5% (22.9% statewide) > Notable: Orlando’s Hispanic population tends to be Puerto Rican, while northwest Orange County has more Mexicans, who work in the Apopka area’s agricultural industries. > Notable: Orange County has almost twice as many Asian- owned businesses as the statewide average, in part because downtown Orlando has a thriving Downtown Orlando mix of Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants, grocers, shops, medical exist in relative obscurity, including a $5-bil- business leaders to get involved in civic and and professional offices. lion pharmaceutical distribution industry. philanthropic work. After some political fits A growing number of and starts, construction is under way on a The area’s economic and social infrastruc- Asians also own nurseries glitzy performing arts center that will add ture is mostly keeping pace. Orlando Inter- and greenhouses for critical mass to downtown, which already national Airport is supporting both tourism commercial tropical plant includes the state-of-the-art Amway Center, and non-tourism, domestic and international production in northwest a planned renovation of the Citrus Bowl and travel, with 10% of its passengers interna- Orange County. several large apartment projects that will tional. The SunRail metro system, now under further boost the urban population. > Commute times: 26.3 construction, could help create a web linking minutes (25.7 statewide) downtown, the airport and a proposed private Orlando has plenty of challenges, company rail line to south Florida and Miami. including the short-term threat posed by > Homeownership: 59.6% (69% statewide) The area’s human capital, meanwhile, is potential cutbacks in military funding. The younger than the Florida average and prob- area’s road system is growing, but traffic is > Median household ably the state’s most tech-friendly. Local still a big problem and likely will remain so. income: $49,731 boosters say the county has higher-than- Longer-term, the biggest challenge will likely ($47,827 statewide) average smartphone-adoption rates and a be the potential social chasm that could > Retail sales per capita: higher “preference for technology.” They’d open between the 27% of area residents who $18,005 like to see Orange County become a center are Hispanic and the more-affluent Anglo ($14,353 statewide) for electric car infrastructure. Cisco and GE population. Two-thirds of the county’s K-12 view the Lake Nona area as promising enough students receive free or reduced lunch; > Education levels: that both are making considerable corporate 21% are from families where English is the Bachelor’s degree or investments, with Cisco partnering with Lake second language. higher, 30% Nona and eight other cities worldwide to pio- (26% statewide) While certainly less international in some neer the integration of new technologies. respects than Miami, the dynamics of Or- > Black-owned businesses: Relatively unencumbered with an over- lando, Florida’s largest inland city, mean it 10.9% (9% statewide) developed good-old-boy network, Orlando’s could emerge as a true world city over the > Asian-owned businesses: business leadership has worked to maintain next two decades. With its non-tourism arm 6.1% (3.2% statewide) a regional approach to development — seven now well-developed enough to cast its own counties now share the same approach to shadow, the region’s future will be defined by > Women-owned permitting, for example — and an open-to- how well it and the traditional tourism drivers businesses: 29.9% all-comers approach that encourages young can act in synergy. (28.9% statewide)

6 may 2013 floridatrend.com photograph: Macbeth Photography What if children’s health care went beyond expectations and offered something truly amazing? A hospital designed by families, for families. Surrounded by nature and filled with sunlight. With cool, new features that empower children. And parents. And spacious, private rooms so the whole family can be together. We are Nemours Children’s Hospital. And we offer families a new place of hope and healing.

Your child. Our promise.

Nemours.org ( Orange County )

Economic Backbone > Business Goals and Issues: The main business goal remains a moving target: Diversifying the Orlando-area economy to reduce reliance on tourism, which offers mainly lower wage jobs and part-time positions with few, if any, benefits. Issues: Long-term, traffic and transportation. Short-term: The new VA hospital under construction in east Orlando is far behind schedule. And for pedestrians and bicyclists, Orlando is among the more hazardous cities in the country, so a number of initiatives are under way to try to improve safety on city streets and crosswalks. Sunday Music in the Park, Winter Park > Agriculture: Orange County is no longer the citrus center that it was for more Major Cities and > Windermere: 2,462. Chartered than a century, but the county still has Communities in 1925, the town was founded more than 3,500 acres of oranges and in the late 1800s by English > Orlando: 238,300. The county other citrus, and in the 2010-11 season entrepreneurs and has the highest seat, incorporated in 1875. harvested 1.1 million boxes of citrus. residential property values of any Orlando is Florida’s largest With 11,000 head of cattle and one of municipality in Orange County. inland city. the nation’s largest tropical foliage and The gated, upscale Isleworth nursery industries, the county generates > Apopka: 41,542. Incorporated community is a neighbor. $270 million a year in farm sales, ninth- in 1882. John Land has served highest in the state. Two of Florida’s as mayor for more than 55 > Oakland: 2,538. Founded in 1887, largest citrus businesses are in west years, one of the longest serving it rivaled Orlando for prominence Orange: Heller Bros. Packing, a family- mayors in the nation. before a fire destroyed much of owned citrus grower and shipper for the town’s business district and > Ocoee: 35,579. Incorporated almost 75 years, and Louis Dreyfus Citrus, its wooden structures, including a in 1925, the city is among the a major orange juice packaging plant for prized opera house in 1912. fastest-growing in the county. domestic and international sales. The > Eatonville: 2,159. Incorporated legendary orange juice pioneer Minute > Winter Garden: 34,568. in 1887, the town, founded by Maid, founded in Orange County in the Incorporated in 1908. The African-Americans, is one of the 1940s and headquartered in downtown West Orange Trail, a biking oldest incorporated African- Orlando until the late 1960s, still has its and hiking rails-to-trail success American communities in Minute Maid Research and Development story, has helped revive the the nation. unit based in northwest Orange County. former citrus community and its historic downtown. > Winter Park: 27,852. Founded in the late 1800s, the city is home to Rollins College and a significant share of wealthier residents and corporate executives. The county has one of the > Maitland: 17,751. Incorporated nation’s largest in 1885, the community grew tropical foliage up around Fort Maitland, and nursery built just north of Orlando during the Seminole wars. industries. The town became a major bedroom community and now is attracting more businesses, shops and urban development.

8 may 2013 floridatrend.com photographs: Andre Jenny/Stock Connection Worldwide/Newscom top; Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times bottom Downtown orlanDo on the rise $1.1 Billion in Real Estate Development Underway DowntownOrlandO.com ( Business Portrait: Orange County )

SeaWorld Orlando's TurtleTrek attraction

> Tourism: About one in every five employees, rank among the top five paychecks in the Orlando area comes private employers in metro Orlando. A from a tourist attraction, hotel or new cluster of health, bioscience and hospitality workplace. That rate has research facilities at Lake Nona in east held steady for decades, despite efforts Orlando, dubbed “Medical City,” is to recruit better-paying industries. But boosting the region’s national profile the fact that hospitality still accounts for even more. Early anchors include about 20% of the workforce, just as it Nemours Children’s Hospital, Sanford- did in the 1980s and 1990s, is in itself Burnham Research Institute and the an achievement. It means that, even UCF College of Medicine. Deborah as tourism giants have grown larger, German, a physician and dean of the thousands of jobs in other fields have new medical school, says the clustering been added. of top-flight health, research and education institutions in east Orlando > Healthcare: Orlando has become will be a powerful magnet to attract a magnet for innovative medical some of the nation’s best and brightest. procedures in specialty areas such as cancer and coronary care, attracting > Construction: A rebound in patients from around the nation and construction of homes, apartments, world. Orlando Health and its nine highways and the new SunRail hospitals, for example, treat about commuter train project has local 3,000 international patients per year. building trades growing once again. Adventist Health’s Florida Hospital Construction was gutted by the system, with 21,000 employees, and recession but now is projected to Orlando Health, with more than 15,000 be the fastest-growing employment

Sanford- Burnham Research Institute was an early anchor at Medical City.

10 may 2013 floridatrend.com bottom photograph: Michael Cairns ® LYNX is excited for the arrival of SunRail in 2014!

An elevated commuter stop will connect passengers to LYNX Central Station, shopping and dining. Once completed, the 61-mile commuter rail project will make Central Florida a multi-modal transportation destination.

® LYNX is excited for the New LYMMO

Both LYMMO projects will be completed in early 2014. New LYMMO will connect Callahan, Parramore and Thornton Park neighborhoods. This will serve such destinations as Lake Eola, Publix, the future Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, the Amway Center, FAMU Law School, Creative Village, and the UCF School of Visual Arts and Design. For more information visit www.golymmo.com.

Looking ahead to a better commute WWW.GOLYNX.COM ( Orange County )

category in metro Orlando through 2016, averaging gains of more than 10% a year, according to the latest forecast by the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Competitiveness. Much of the growth is in the Lake Nona area of east Orlando where “Medical City” and a new VA hospital are under construction, and an unincorporated area called Horizon West. Still, the 63,000 construction jobs projected to be in place locally by 2016, up from 44,200 in 2013, will be well below the 85,400 employed in construction in 2007 as the housing boom peaked. > K-12: Orange County’s K-12 public school system, the nation’s 10th-largest, has improved its reputation for quality in recent years despite significant challenges, including a rising number of homeless students and language barriers. “Twenty- one percent of our students come to us speaking another language,” says Barbara Jenkins, With our roots in Central Florida Orange County’s superintendent of schools. since 1980, we’ve expanded our reach statewide to assist clients, business leaders and entrepreneurs > Higher Education: UCF tops a diverse roster, and the school’s to blaze a trail for innovation and growth. college of medicine, centerpiece Dean Mead’s lawyers provide strategic legal of the new Medical City at counsel to a diverse spectrum of industries Lake Nona, just received full including: accreditation. Rollins College in Winter Park, founded in the late n Agriculture 1800s, consistently earns plaudits n Banking and Finance among private, liberal arts schools. n Construction The Crummer Graduate School of n Energy Business at Rollins is particularly n Health Care well-respected. Valencia College, n Higher Education launched in the 1960s as Valencia n Hospitality and Resorts Community College for associate degree candidates, now offers n Real Estate Development and Leasing bachelor degrees and was the n Retail Trade inaugural national winner of the n Telecommunications Aspen Prize as the nation’s best n Utilities community college in 2011. Miami-based Barry University’s law school is in east Orlando, Orlando n Fort Pierce n Gainesville n Viera/Melbourne and Florida A&M University’s law www.DeanMead.com (877) 363-8992 school is in downtown Orlando. Follow us on our blogs and social media. Full Sail University, founded in 1979 as a recording studio, offers Marc D. Chapman, President and Chairman of the Board degrees for students pursuing media and entertainment careers.

12 may 2013 floridatrend.com Organizations in Funding

At the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, we celebrate our 40th year of creating innovative civic solutions that help people help themselves through our partnerships with human service organizations, educational eﬀ orts, community health care initiatives and the arts.

Find out what a diﬀ erence you can make in your community. Become a philanthropist and donate your time, your experience, your dollars to a worthwhile organization today. Get involved.

Y R T F O EDYTH BUSH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

S A R E Y We’re here for good.

EDB Fl Trendrev.indd 1 3/20/13 10:13 AM

David A. Odahowski, President • edythbush.org • Join us on Facebook! sponsored report

Chef Scott Hunnel idely acclaimed for its inspired dining and vibrant Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World® Resort Wentertainment options, Orlando is now home to six chefs recognized by the James Beard Foundation as “Best Chef in the South” Semiﬁ nalists: • Kathleen Blake, The Rusty Spoon • Scott Hunnel, Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa • Brandon McGlamery, Luma on Park • James and Julie Petrakis, The Ravenous Pig • Hari Pulapaka, Cress Restaurant Their award-winning fare is on the menu at four featured dining hotspots in the newly designated Orlando Dining & Entertainment Districts. The six distinct districts comprise an extensive menu of ﬁ ne-dining establishments, international eateries, casual cafes and chic wine bars. Before and after dining, a vibrant entertainment scene of national and “indie” music acts, engaging shows and exciting evening events at Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando® Resort and SeaWorld® Orlando provide plenty to see and do.

Orlando Dining Entertainment Districts 3 5

1. Convention Area 4. Disney/Lake Buena Vista A diverse selection of Big names provide plenty of star restaurants and nearly power, adding to a selection of endless options means exquisite fi ne dining, casually there’s something here elegant eateries and fi rst-class for everyone. entertainment. 2. Restaurant Row 5. Downtown A vibrant This stretch of Sand entertainment district just Lake Road, just minutes 20 minutes from the Orange from the convention County Convention Center with 2 center, serves up cool nightclubs, live music and some of the fi nest fare theatrical venues, cafes and Orlando has to offer at restaurants, quaint pubs and more than two dozen rooftop bars. upscale and casual 6. Winter Park New-world 1 restaurants. sophistication meets old- 3. Universal/ world charm in Winter Park, a CityWalk® picturesque city where arts and An electrifying selection culture are part of everyday life, of dining and nightlife complete with chic bistros, fi ne experiences for every dining, gastropubs, trendy wine palate and level of rooms, museums, art galleries excitement. and specialty boutiques.

For more information, including chef and restaurant spotlights, visit OrlandoDistricts.com. sponsored report

Chef Scott Hunnel idely acclaimed for its inspired dining and vibrant Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World® Resort Wentertainment options, Orlando is now home to Orlando meetings inspire six chefs recognized by the James Beard Foundation as “Best Chef in the South” Semiﬁ nalists: • Kathleen Blake, The Rusty Spoon • Scott Hunnel, Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand and entertain. Floridian Resort & Spa • Brandon McGlamery, Luma on Park • James and Julie Petrakis, The Ravenous Pig • Hari Pulapaka, Cress Restaurant Their award-winning fare is on the menu at four featured dining hotspots in the newly designated Orlando Dining & Entertainment Districts. The six distinct districts comprise an extensive menu of ﬁ ne-dining establishments, international eateries, casual cafes and chic wine bars. Before and after dining, a vibrant entertainment scene of national and “indie” music acts, engaging shows and exciting evening events at Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando® Resort and SeaWorld® Orlando provide plenty to see and do.

Orlando Dining Entertainment Districts 3 5

1. Convention Area 4. Disney/Lake Buena Vista A diverse selection of Big names provide plenty of star restaurants and nearly power, adding to a selection of endless options means exquisite fi ne dining, casually there’s something here elegant eateries and fi rst-class for everyone. entertainment. 2. Restaurant Row 5. Downtown A vibrant This stretch of Sand entertainment district just Lake Road, just minutes 20 minutes from the Orange from the convention County Convention Center with 2 center, serves up cool nightclubs, live music and some of the fi nest fare theatrical venues, cafes and Orlando has to offer at restaurants, quaint pubs and more than two dozen rooftop bars. upscale and casual 6. Winter Park New-world 1 restaurants. sophistication meets old- 3. Universal/ world charm in Winter Park, a CityWalk® picturesque city where arts and An electrifying selection culture are part of everyday life, of dining and nightlife complete with chic bistros, fi ne Luxury hotels are one of the many reasons meeting professionals rank Orlando as experiences for every dining, gastropubs, trendy wine the No. 1 overall convention destination.* And with 15 of the top 100 hotels** plus palate and level of rooms, museums, art galleries excitement. and specialty boutiques. distinctive dining and entertainment districts, Orlando gives your attendees the inspiring environment they deserve.

4 Discover all that’s new in Orlando. Contact your Visit Orlando Destination Specialist at 800-362-4424, or visit OrlandoMeeting.com.

For more information, including chef and *According to the METROPOLL XIII survey. restaurant spotlights, **According to Cvent’s 2012 “Top 100 Meeting Hotels in the United States.” OrlandoMeeting.com visit OrlandoDistricts.com.

M866 FL Trend Spread Ad_May2013.indd 1 3/14/13 12:52 PM John Hitt’s 5 Simple Goals The University of Central Florida president keeps school leaders focused on ‘a short list of goals.’ By Roger Roy

What’s changed during John Hitt’s tenure as president of the University of Cen- tral Florida? How much time do you have? Enrollment has tripled to 59,000, propel- ling UCF from the nation’s 115th-largest university to second-largest. A new College of Medicine anchors a multi-billion-dollar “Medical City” under development in east Orlando. The school’s partnerships with industry and government have generated resources for education and research and jobs for graduates. U.S. News & World Report last year named UCF fifth nationally Here’s what hasn’t changed: Hitt’s clusive and diverse; and become America’s on its list of “Up and Coming Universities.” goals for the university. In his inaugural leading partnership university. The Carnegie Endowment for Teaching speech at UCF in 1992, Hitt laid out, in Through it all, those inaugural goals ranks UCF as a “very high research activ- fewer than 50 words, the five priorities that have endured as “an agreed direction of ity” university. And UCF has completed have continued to shape every step of the travel” for the university, Hitt says. more than $1 billion in construction proj- university’s growth and transformation ects, including a 45,000-seat football stadi- over the course of two decades: Offer the A Texas native who earned his doctorate um. In Hitt’s 21-year tenure, the university best undergraduate education in Florida; in psychology from Tulane University, Hitt has awarded more than 175,000 degrees achieve international prominence in key says he learned the power of a concise set — more than three-quarters of all the programs of graduate study and research; of priorities while he was an administrator diplomas earned since UCF was founded provide an international focus to programs at the University of Maine. When he asked 50 years ago. of teaching and research; become more in- a colleague about the university’s goals, he was shown a list of more than 30. “If you’re trying to influence the behav- ior of a large organization, you need a short list of goals that you can remember,” Hitt says. When he was named interim president at Maine, he narrowed that list to just five — and found they soon had the atten- tion of everyone from faculty members to the press. While the goals have guided the evolu- tion of UCF, its growing role as an economic driver for the region has been shaped by Hitt’s vision of a university’s place in its community. It’s a view with roots to the 1860s, when Congress authorized each state to establish a “land grant college” offering classical higher education along with instruction in agriculture, mechanical arts and military leadership “to promote

16 may 2013 floridatrend.com ( Business Portrait: Orange County )

could take that model of understanding what without a medical school. A medical school “They’re not the state needed … and apply it more gener- could attract and anchor a center of bio- meant to be ally so you’d ask, what are the real needs of medical research. The community would the area you’re in? How do you help meet benefit from educational and economic really goals that those needs? Obviously, not every need is opportunities as well as increased access to can be achieved going to be appropriate to be met in a univer- top medical care. sity,” he says. “But you ought to understand The state Board of Governors approved and moved on how the local economy is put together. What the school in 2006; classes began three will make this a better, more vibrant place? from so much years later. What will provide the kinds of jobs we want as they are the for our kids and grandkids? Where should While the medical school was still under continuing we make major investments in areas of construction, its Lake Nona campus was graduate programs and research?” selected as the site for a new Veterans Ad- focus of our ministration hospital, Nemours Children’s Among the answers: UCF’s Rosen College Hospital, M.D. Anderson Cancer Research energies as an of Hospitality Management, the Institute Institute and the Sanford-Burnham Medical for Simulation and Training, the College of Research Institute. institution.” Optics and Photonics and the Florida In- — John Hitt, president, teractive Entertainment Academy, a video- Hitt considers the medical school a shin- University of gaming graduate school. ing example of his vision of a university Central Florida investing resources and energy to benefit Those investments have been successful students, the university and the community. because they benefit not just the university “It just helps the whole economy work,” and its students, but also the businesses, he says. industries and governments that are UCF’s partners, Hitt says. But while Hitt’s goals for UCF have endured, so have some of the challenges the “Some people will say in school faces in coping with the strains of higher education that they its rapid growth. Funding worries and high want to have partners,” he student-to-faculty ratios are chronic. With- says. “But what they really out a new strategy for funding or higher mean is they want somebody tuitions, Hitt says, “We’ve grown about as to lob resources over the much as we can.” transom and come back in a few years and learn what UCF awarded more bachelor degrees wonderful things we’ve than any other state university last year. But done with them. That’s not a the school now turns away more first-time partnership.” college students than it accepts. To Hitt, a student turned away is a lost opportunity. UCF’s investments in hospitality, computer simula- The first in his family to attend college, tion, gaming and laser optics Hitt likes to say, “I didn’t know what a leveraged industries with Ph.D. was.” an established presence in It would be easier as an administrator to Classes at the College of Medicine the region. But when UCF run a university that wasn’t trying to grow, began in 2009. embarked on what Hitt Hitt says. considers UCF’s most impor- the liberal and practical education of the tant achievement in his tenure — creating a But everything in his professional experi- industrial classes in the several pursuits and medical school — the university was starting ence has strengthened his belief that offering professions of life.” from scratch. a quality education to as many young people as possible is the best way to ensure success Those colleges provided graduates with Establishing a medical school is among for them and their community. the knowledge and expertise vital to expand- the most expensive, time-consuming tasks ing the economies of the communities they “Higher education is still the crucial a university can take on. UCF’s top lobbyist served, with benefits to the students, the determinant,” Hitt says. “It just made all the suggested it might take 15 years or more to colleges and the communities, Hitt says. At difference in our lives.” bring it to fruition. UCF, he has aimed to update that model to Hitt, who is now 72, noted that his con- fit a metropolitan research university of the “A lot of people thought I was nuts,” tract expires in 2016. As he said with a laugh, 21st century. Hitt says. “I can’t do this forever. Maybe the next presi- “I thought if you looked at what was hap- But to him the logic was clear. Research dent will have some better goals,” Hitt says. pening in cities across the United States that showed a coming shortage of doctors. Or- “But I’m still content that we’ve got the right had the possibility of major universities, you lando was one of the country’s largest cities direction of travel for UCF.”

floridatrend.com may 2013 17

( Business Portrait: Orange County )

Biggest Private 4. Universal Orlando: 16,500 10. Walgreen Co.: 6,200 16. Westgate Resorts/CFI: Employers 3,600 5. Orlando Health: 15,000 11. SeaWorld Parks & 1. Walt Disney World and Entertainment: 6,000 17. CVS/Caremark: 3,500 6. Hilton Hotels: 9,600 Disney businesses: 67,000 12. Health First: 5,800 7. McDonald’s: 8,000 18. SunTrust Banks: 3,400 2. Florida Hospital 13. Siemens: 4,400 (Adventist Health): 21,000 8. Lockheed Martin: 7,500 19. Wyndham Worldwide: 14. J.P. Morgan Chase: 4,000 3,300 3. Publix Super Markets: 9. Darden Restaurants: 19,000 7,000 15. Home Depot: 3,800 20. 7-11 Corp.: 3,200

Headquarters > Darden Restaurants: Owner of Olive Garden, Red Lobster and QUESTION other national restaurant chains, I.P. S? Darden is the nation’s largest casual dining company, and the only Fortune 500 firm based in Orlando. ema rad rks Paten T ts > SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment: The Orlando-based company, petition L . Law om iti I.P r C ga owner of Busch Gardens and ai t f io ade Sec n n Tr ret U s P SeaWorld parks in four states, is ro t e preparing a $100-million IPO to sell

g c

n t

i i

s o n n stock to the public. e c

i L itigat . L io P n > . ng Signature Flight Support: The I si hi c nselin u g

n o world’s largest aviation fixed-base

a C

r ment F ge operator provides fuel, hangar and in r

f n office rentals, ground handling, I pyright Co s aircraft maintenance and other services at more than 100 airports W in the U.S., Europe, South America, e Africa and Asia. Owned by British- H based BBA Aviation, Signature a has had its world headquarters in ve downtown Orlando since the early An ! 1990s, when it was formed through swers a merger of two large fixed- base operators. > Westgate Resorts/Central Florida Investments: One of the largest privately held timeshare companies in the world, Westgate, Protect your next brainstorm Orlando • 407.841.2330 founded in 1982 by David with the brain trust of an Jacksonville • 904.398.7000 Siegel, owns and operates luxury experienced I.P. law firm. Miami • 305.374.8303 resorts in nearly a dozen travel Contact ADDM&G today Melbourne • 321.622.8651 destinations such as Las Vegas for further information. Tampa • 813.639.4222 and Park City, Utah. Westgate www.addmg.com Winter Springs • 407.796.5064 downsized after the credit crunch and liquidity crisis of 2007, but within the past year the Orlando- based business has rebounded, raising more than $420 million to refinance debt and establish new GRAY MATTER MATTERS lines of credit.

20 may 2013 floridatrend.com Lockheed Martin employs 7,500 in the Orlando area.

> Wyndham Vacation Ownership: > Hard Rock International: The Orlando- > Row Sham Bow: The Orlando area has Headquartered in Orlando, Wyndham based company owns or licenses about earned a reputation as a leader in the has developed or acquired more than 175 Hard Rock Cafes, 18 hotels and eight video game field, attracting workers 180 timeshare resorts throughout the casinos in 55 countries. The company with a combination of high-tech code U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and its Hard Rock brand are privately writing skills, an artist’s eye and a feel for and the South Pacific with more than owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. cutting-edge entertainment. Orlando 25,000 individual units and 915,000 startup Row Sham Bow is a new product owners. It is the world’s largest developer development leader in the field, winning and marketer of flexible points-based Promising Businesses awards and raves from industry insiders. timeshare vacations. Founded in 2011 by computer-game > Engineering and Computer veteran Philip Holt, the company has Simulations: The small Orlando spacious digs in a prime downtown software development firm, founded Orlando office tower, a solid financial in 1997, is one of the leaders in investor and a staff of talented techies. the community’s high-tech growth field. CEO Frances Armstrong leads > Clean the World: The 4-year-old non- a staff of 55 engineers and artists profit collects, cleans, recycles and creating interactive performance distributes unused or discarded items assessment tools, educational games such as soap and shampoo from hotels. and mobile learning and information Last year, the firm recycled 3.2 million management systems. bars of soap and nearly 1.7 million bottles of shampoo, conditioners, > BungoBox: The fast-growing Orlando- lotions and gel. It kept perfectly useable based company with the catchy name material out of garbage dumps and sent and edgy slogan — “We Make Moving it to charitable organizations serving the Less Sucky” — was founded in 2009 and needy in the U.S. and abroad. recently awarded its 21st franchise to serve the New York City area. BungoBox rents reusable, interlocking plastic moving containers. > Bags Inc.: What started as a small valet parking company in Orlando has grown to become a travel service innovator, handling more than 5 million bags a year for airline and cruise ship passengers, commercial companies, hotels and other businesses. It also offers off-airport Cousins Bob (standing) and Tom check-in service, luggage and cargo Cannon started moving box screening, sorting, skycap and other Clean the World recycled 3.2 rental business BungoBox. transportation services. million bars of soap last year.

top photograph: Lockheed Martin floridatrend.com may 2013 21 ( Business Portrait: Orange County )

of the National Center for Simulation, an Orlando-based consortium of government, industry and academia that promotes the modeling and simulation industry. “Even here, many people aren’t really aware of it,” Baptiste says, “but we are the global epicenter for modeling and simulation.” Baptiste credits that dominance to a history of cooperation among government, industry and academia. The industry’s big break came in the 1980s, when a 40-acre parcel at Central Florida Research Park adjacent to the University of Central Florida was offered as a home for a simulation and training center that had been part of the Orlando Naval Training Center. In the years since, a Navy-Army arrange- ment to co-locate procurement of training devices and simulation technology has Graduate research assistant Crystal Maraj checks the alignment of a grown to include the Marines, Air Force, wrap-around simulation display. Coast Guard and 10 federal agencies. Team Orlando, as the joint effort is called, employs nearly 2,800 with an average salary of more than $82,000, Baptiste says. In tourism’s wide shadow, Orlando also has built a global presence in computer Military and government customers Beyond modeling and simulation. still have the deepest pockets for Orlando’s simulation technology. That might make The region is home to top military and expected cuts in military spending seem like government simulation customers, more dark clouds ahead. But Baptiste, a retired than 150 companies and thousands of high- Tourism Air Force lieutenant general and fighter paying jobs. Yet despite pilot, expects simulation and training to Government, industry the $4.8 billion a year that remain strong. In a smaller, cheaper mili- the industry pumps into and academia team up tary, the demand for training could actually the local economy, it’s increase, he says, because training by simu- to create an epicenter for remained a surprisingly lator can be done for a fraction of the cost. modeling and simulation. quiet success, concedes Tom Baptiste, president “Simulation is a proven, cost-effective By Roger Roy Tom Baptiste and executive director way to train,” he says.

book reserved dining, ride payment system Fantasyland’s Drawing the Line and show times before for purchases Dumbo the Flying they leave home. Once and, eventually, a Elephant ride on Lines at the park, visitors can park entry system there’s a second Disney is going high- review and change plans to eliminate carousel. And tech to reduce waiting and reservations over turnstiles. Waiting visitors are given times. A new, $1-billion a smart phone. Within in line, says Jim a pager that looks MyMagic+ system allows the next few months, MacPhee, senior MacPhee like a circus ticket those planning to visit visitors will be able to vice president of and directed to the resort to use the My use wristbands with radio Walt Disney World Parks, a nearby big top pavilion Disney Experience Web frequency identification “is not in our human DNA.” where kids play in a circus- site or mobile app to get chip technology that also Disney also has introduced themed experience while the latest information on will serve as hotel keys, interactive experiences awaiting their turn to ride. resort offerings and to identification, an optional into its waiting lines. At — Roger Roy

22 may 2013 floridatrend.com

( Business Portrait: Orange County )

At 13,297 acres, Orlando International Airport is the third- largest airport by land mass in the United States.

Business Assets to I-4. The north-south rail line will > Business Leadership: The region’s roughly parallel the interstate from rapid growth in recent decades has > Orlando International Airport: Volusia County to downtown Orlando opened the doors to a more diverse The airport is one of the busiest in and eventually extend south to range of business leaders, including the world with more than 35 million Osceola County, spanning more than women and minorities. The county passengers a year. OIA employs more 60 miles. No other part of the state bristles with chambers of commerce than 600 and another 16,000 work on has anything comparable. Lynx, the for virtually all segments — including airport property for airlines and other regional public bus service, is gearing one for a growing roster of successful companies. The airport includes a up to be the primary system for gay-owned businesses. UCF has a 1,400-acre master planned cargo the critical commuters’ “last mile,” thriving business-incubation program center, where much of the area’s although sources of financing for creating future boardroom leaders, and domestic and international trade expansion and operating subsidies UCF economics professor Sean Snaith arrives and departs. A multimillion- remain uncertain. Three other has become a leading local business dollar expansion of the Customs and potential passenger trains are in analyst. As head of the Central Florida international arrivals section is under planning stages, proposing to ferry Partnership and myregion.org, Jacob way, partly in response to a surge people to and from Orlando and Stuart has overseen a regional effort in overseas visitation, now accounting Orlando International Airport from to coordinate economic activity in for about one in 10 passengers. the east and west and northwest. the region. The airport’s budget tops $400 million a year, and the total annual economic impact is estimated to be $16 billion. > University of Central Florida: UCF has grown to be the second-largest university in the nation [“John Hitt’s 5 Simple Goals,” page 66]. With 12 The SunRail colleges, including the state’s newest commuter College of Medicine, UCF offers 212 train project degree programs. has been a > Transportation (Lynx/SunRail): The job booster. SunRail commuter train, now being readied for a 2014 run through the heart of downtown, will add an element of urban vitality for Orlando and give at least some commuters an alternative

24 may 2013 floridatrend.com 2013 ad CHOICE_Layout 1 3/14/13 10:18 AM Page 1

BY YOUR SIDE T H R O U G H A L L L I F E ’ S M O M E N T S

BOCA RATON COCONUT GROVE W E A R E H E R E F O R Y O U. FT. LAUDERDALE We are a full-service financial institution skilled in handling all of your needs. LAKE MARY ORLANDO Experienced client advisors PALM BEACH Individualized service PALM BEACH GARDENS PONTE VEDRA BEACH Solution-driven SARASOTA STUART TAMPA BAY WINDERMERE WINTER PARK CORAL GABLES coming soon

TO FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF WHY SEASIDE IS THE ADVISOR YOU WANT BY YOUR SIDE, CALL:

Tim Myers, Central Florida & Tampa Bay Don Roberts, North Florida Tom Quale, Sarasota Steve Hayworth, South Florida 407.567.2210 904.473.1975 941.487.1020 305.779.2310

® 2013, Seaside National Bank & Trust is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office PLEASE VISIT OUR NEWLY-DESIGNED WEBSITE AT SEASIDEBANK.COM ( Business Portrait: Orange County )

Disney World accounts for 85% of the revenue. But Disney, along with other district taxpayers, also remits property taxes to Orange County, $105 million in 2012, and another $8 million to Magic Osceola County. Studies financed players and by Disney claim a net-positive tax executives benefit to the region, but questions are major remain about the cost-benefit ratio contributors and analysis. to the > Timeshare Cluster: Orlando is the community. timeshare capital of the world. Major vacation-ownership companies based in Orlando include Westgate Resorts, the largest privately held timeshare business in the world, and Marriott Vacations Worldwide, a publicly traded 2011 spinoff of Marriott. The Marriott timeshare company in 2012 earned a profit of $16 million — $158 million earnings on an adjusted pre- tax basis — on revenue of nearly $1.65 billion. > Downtown Orlando: Photos of Orange Avenue from the 1920s through the ’50s show automobiles > Professional Sports: The growing a city or county, with a governing and pedestrians in the bustling city Orlando skyline and newly renovated board, taxing authority, utilities and center, but the rise of suburbia and iconic fountain in Lake Eola Park municipal services. The special tax shopping centers in the 1960s drew are seen by millions who tune in district built and maintains 134 miles people away from downtown. A to nationally televised Orlando of roads and 67 miles of waterways, rebound began in the 1980s when Magic basketball games. The Magic handles 60,000 tons of waste and an entertainer and marketing whiz organization, top execs and athletes recycles 30 tons of paper and other with a handlebar moustache built the who earn multi-million-dollar salaries, material every year. The 38.5 square- Church Street Station entertainment contribute significantly to local mile district’s assessed property complex. Bob Snow’s early Americana charities, schools and social affairs, in value surpassed $7 billion in 2012. theme district, with brass bands, both money and time. Many, such as And the $269 million that the district can-can girls and lively saloons, gave former Magic star Shaquille O’Neal, call collected in property taxes, utility and new life to the historic part of town, the Orlando area home and maintain permit fees in 2012 covered all of its where brick buildings from the 1800s estates and local relationships even operating costs and debt expenses. sat vacant. Church Street Station after moving to other teams. A pro itself finally succumbed to hockey farm-system franchise, the Solar competition from Disney, Bears, also plays home games at the but now much of downtown, new Amway Center, and the city, a including Church Street, is perennial candidate for major league rebounding as apartments soccer expansion, now has a wealthy and condos attract residents Brazilian businessman backing the idea and businesses to serve them. of building a stadium specifically for A $300-million Dr. Phillips pro soccer to enhance the chances of Center for Performing Arts winning a franchise. is under construction across from City Hall, a mixed-use > Reedy Creek Improvement District: “creative district” is being In the days before tax incentives planned and the Orlando lured private businesses, Disney got Magic just bought more something even better from the state: downtown property for Its own government. Reedy Creek The Dr. Phillips Center for Performing development near the new Improvement District operates like Arts is under construction downtown. Amway Center.

26 may 2013 floridatrend.com top photograph: Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images - Tripadvisor.com, 2012 - Ivan via Facebook

- Nicholas via Facebook - Travel + Leisure Magazine, 2012

What has so many people singing the praises of Orlando International Airport (MCO)?

Is it our convenient, center-of-it-all location? How about our 40+ airlines with nonstop service to 100+ domestic and international destinations? Is it our award-winning customer service? Amenities like free WiFi, an on-site AAA 4-Diamond Hyatt Regency, 120 stores and restaurants, or our many parking options? What is it that brings so many local and visiting business and leisure travelers through Orlando International?

Our fans tell us it's all of the above. We think you'll agree.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ( Business Portrait: Orange County )

development as monumental as Disney’s arrival could be largely worked out quietly by a relative handful of people in business and politics. “I know when I got here that people told me, like a lot of places, there used to be this feeling that you had a small number of people who called the shots, maybe without much public involvement,” Cohen says. “But that hasn’t been my experience at all. Every- where you go in this community now, you’ll hear people say, ‘What can we do, working together, to make things happen?’ ” After a few years of practicing law in Miami, Cohen decided to move to Orlando after meeting Dyer, then a state senator, in 2002 and deciding to work on his campaign for Florida attorney general. “He was the first politician I ever met,” Cohen says. “At lunch, I was so nervous that when I was cutting my salad, my knife went flying out of my hand.” Dyer lost that race, but Cohen got a crash course in campaign organization and fundraising. The following year, Dyer tapped Cohen as finance director for his successful campaign for Orlando mayor. Cohen had expected to move on after the campaign, maybe to New York or Washington. But she quickly found herself immersed in Orlando. She served on Dyer’s transition team and has been a part of all three of his subsequent mayoral campaigns. In 2005, Cohen established the Or- lando office she manages for the regional lobbying firm Southern Strategies Group. Cohen’s name is high on the shortest list A confidant of Orlando Mayor Buddy of those called when top players in busi- Dyer, Cohen has worked on or been an ness and political circles need fundraisers. Fitting In adviser on all of his mayoral campaigns. She Dyer has turned to her for community was appointed to the board of the Metro Or- causes such as his City Kidz youth pro- Kelly Cohen thought lando Economic Development Commission grams. Cohen’s also on a host of boards, when she was 33 years old — the youngest including Clean the World, Ronald Mc- Orlando would be just a in the organization’s history. She has been Donald House, the Nap Ford Community stepping stone. named one of Orlando Magazine’s “50 Most School and Orlando Children’s Trust. Powerful People.” Orlando Business Journal Cohen says her experience in Orlando By Roger Roy named her among the city’s “Forty Under shows the city is willing to offer a seat at 40” promising young business leaders, and When Kelly Cohen came to Orlando, she the table for anyone willing to pitch in. for 2011, the magazine dubbed her “Out- expected it to be a quick stop on the way to standing Female of the Year.” “It’s really about being willing to do somewhere else. the grunt work, the grass roots,” she says. But Cohen never got around to leaving But Cohen thinks her success says as “From the moment I got here, I volun- — or maybe she just got too busy. In any much about Orlando as it does about her. teered for every single thing I could, and case, 10 years later, the 39-year-old lobbyist She says the city is a place where younger I got involved with as many of the people and business development consultant finds professionals can quickly make an impact here as I could. I just made a point of never herself at work in Orlando’s top political on the community — a mark of how things saying, ‘What can you do for me,’ but in- and business circles. have changed since the days when even a stead saying, ‘What can I do for you?’ ”

28 may 2013 floridatrend.com photograph: Norma Lopez Molina 13ORH037_BRAND_FLORIDA_TREND_MAY_PRESS.pdf 1 4/3/13 1:47 PM

Patient-First is more than my promise, it’s my passion. Everything I do starts with you. Sherrie Sitarik — President/CEO of Orlando Health

When you love what you do, the desire to be the best and do your best for others comes easy. at’s why Orlando Health is committed to ensuring that everything we do is in the best interest of our patients. It is a passion that’s helped nurture our Patient-First culture, and partly why our hospitals have been honored with an “A” Hospital Safety Score by e Leapfrog Group. But to our CEO, Sherrie, a former nurse, it’s more. Patient-First is a heartfelt promise that our family of caregivers will do what no other provider in the area does better—put you rst.

Orlando Regional Medical Center • Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children • Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando • Dr. P. Phillips Hospital • Health Central Hospital • South Seminole Hospital South Lake Hospital • Physician Associates • Orlando Health Physician Group Agency with a Critical Mission: Sponsored Report Connecting a Vision “We look forward to serving the region’s transportation and economic development needs in the future, as it has The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority is done for the last 50 years.” led by a five-member board, which includes the Orange Connecting Communities, County Mayor and the District 5 Secretary of the Florida Connecting People Department of Transportation as ex-officio members with Connecting Economies three appointees made by the governor. The Board is the For 25 years, Lori Ann governing body and maintains local control and decisions Klimczack worked in about operations, maintenance and improvements of the a confined business The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority expressway system. office with the same people all day. When links key economic centers. she moved to Florida, she wanted a change. She found it with Florida’s economic competitiveness depends Florida Toll Services, MOUNT on reliable and efficient movement of goods DORA a contractor with the and people. Its geographic placement Expressway Authority. SANFORD lends it to be a significant logistics center Wekiwa Springs State Park for global commerce. While Metro-Orlando Seminole “We see all kinds of people all day long,” says Lori Ann, State College Orlando Sanford International a toll service attendant. “Even in the brief exchange at serves as the epicenter of east-west mobility, Airport Seminole The Orlando-Orange County Expressway State College the booth, we learn a lot about our customers. Some we TOLL TOLL 4 help with directions, lend sympathy if they seem upset, Authority links the businesses, universities, 429 414 TOLL WINTER 417 or just give a smile to help them have a better day. Some and attractions to manufacturing activity APOPKA From left to right: Noranne Downs, Secretary, FDOT District 5; TOLL ALTAMONTE SPRINGS regulars still come through the lanes even when they have and growth across Central Florida’s vibrant 451 SPRINGS OVIEDO Scott Batterson, Vice Chairman; Walter A. Ketcham, Jr., Chairman; Seminole Teresa Jacobs, Orange County Mayor, Secretary/Treasurer State College E-PASS just to say hello. One gentleman who passes by communities. TOLL Seminole 414 State College regularly is awaiting the birth of his first grandchild … it WINTER WINTER PARK What is now a 109-mile expressway system GARDEN doesn’t take long to get connected with our customers.” University In recent years, with the economic challenges facing our self-supported by user fees, started out TOLL Rollins Full Sail of Central College University Florida communities, transparency and increased accountability 429 Florida as a 24-mile expressway connecting Cape Citrus Bowl Orlando Center for Dr. Phillips Executive Valencia Simulation has become a priority. Orange County Mayor Teresa Canaveral to Orlando, spurred on when Amway Center Airport College and Training Fast Facts: Center for the Performing Arts TOLL Jacobs has taken the lead in this effort. President Kennedy announced the United 408 DOWNTOWN Valencia • Planning for the future. 100% of revenues States would put a man on the moon and College ORLANDO TOLL “I’m proud that the Expressway Authority adopted the Kennedy generated are reinvested into improvements Orlando’s wish to retain its Central Florida 417 Space same high ethics and transparency standards as Orange Center Universal Studios and operations. Orlando Port leadership position. In 1963, the Florida TOLL Canaveral County -- arguably the most stringent in the state,” says TOLL 429 TOLL Legislature authorized the Orlando-Orange Orange 528 Mayor Jacobs. • Self-sustaining. User fees (tolls), not taxes, County 528 Convention County expressway system, and 50 years Center support maintenance, operation and Orlando Walt Disney World International International Part of the Expressway Authority’s mission is to improve later it’s a $6 billion asset with an estimated Drive Airport construction. the mobility and quality of life in Central Florida by 800,000 transactions per day. 4 Seaworld TOLL Valencia College enhancing safety and preparing for the community’s • Job creation. 98% of OOCEA work is 417 future transportation needs. This means giving customers performed by the private sector. Osceola Parkway Lake Nona Medical Center time-saving options for bypassing congestion, which KISSIMMEE • Safety first. Combining dynamic message equates to $259 savings each year in travel time. signs, state-of-the-art engineering and LEGEND betterment programs such as Road Rangers “Our customers have entrusted us with their toll dollars Existing OOCEA System and Designated Texter campaign make Future OOCEA Segments and see us as the best option to get them where they are Florida's Turnpike System customer safety the priority. Future Roadway by Others going – saving them time and arriving safely,” says Walter Osceola Parkway A. Ketcham Jr., Expressway Authority Chairman. Agency with a Critical Mission: Sponsored Report Connecting a Vision “We look forward to serving the region’s transportation and economic development needs in the future, as it has The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority is done for the last 50 years.” led by a five-member board, which includes the Orange Connecting Communities, County Mayor and the District 5 Secretary of the Florida Connecting People Department of Transportation as ex-officio members with Connecting Economies three appointees made by the governor. The Board is the For 25 years, Lori Ann governing body and maintains local control and decisions Klimczack worked in about operations, maintenance and improvements of the a confined business The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority expressway system. office with the same people all day. When links key economic centers. she moved to Florida, she wanted a change. She found it with Florida’s economic competitiveness depends Florida Toll Services, MOUNT on reliable and efficient movement of goods DORA a contractor with the and people. Its geographic placement Expressway Authority. SANFORD lends it to be a significant logistics center Wekiwa Springs State Park for global commerce. While Metro-Orlando Seminole “We see all kinds of people all day long,” says Lori Ann, State College Orlando Sanford International a toll service attendant. “Even in the brief exchange at serves as the epicenter of east-west mobility, Airport Seminole The Orlando-Orange County Expressway State College the booth, we learn a lot about our customers. Some we TOLL TOLL 4 help with directions, lend sympathy if they seem upset, Authority links the businesses, universities, 429 414 TOLL WINTER 417 or just give a smile to help them have a better day. Some and attractions to manufacturing activity APOPKA From left to right: Noranne Downs, Secretary, FDOT District 5; TOLL ALTAMONTE SPRINGS regulars still come through the lanes even when they have and growth across Central Florida’s vibrant 451 SPRINGS OVIEDO Scott Batterson, Vice Chairman; Walter A. Ketcham, Jr., Chairman; Seminole Teresa Jacobs, Orange County Mayor, Secretary/Treasurer State College E-PASS just to say hello. One gentleman who passes by communities. TOLL Seminole 414 State College regularly is awaiting the birth of his first grandchild … it WINTER WINTER PARK What is now a 109-mile expressway system GARDEN doesn’t take long to get connected with our customers.” University In recent years, with the economic challenges facing our self-supported by user fees, started out TOLL Rollins Full Sail of Central College University Florida communities, transparency and increased accountability 429 Florida as a 24-mile expressway connecting Cape Citrus Bowl Orlando Center for Dr. Phillips Executive Valencia Simulation has become a priority. Orange County Mayor Teresa Canaveral to Orlando, spurred on when Amway Center Airport College and Training Fast Facts: Center for the Performing Arts TOLL Jacobs has taken the lead in this effort. President Kennedy announced the United 408 DOWNTOWN Valencia • Planning for the future. 100% of revenues States would put a man on the moon and College ORLANDO TOLL “I’m proud that the Expressway Authority adopted the Kennedy generated are reinvested into improvements Orlando’s wish to retain its Central Florida 417 Space same high ethics and transparency standards as Orange Center Universal Studios and operations. Orlando Port leadership position. In 1963, the Florida TOLL Canaveral County -- arguably the most stringent in the state,” says TOLL 429 TOLL Legislature authorized the Orlando-Orange Orange 528 Mayor Jacobs. • Self-sustaining. User fees (tolls), not taxes, County 528 Convention County expressway system, and 50 years Center support maintenance, operation and Orlando Walt Disney World International International Part of the Expressway Authority’s mission is to improve later it’s a $6 billion asset with an estimated Drive Airport construction. the mobility and quality of life in Central Florida by 800,000 transactions per day. 4 Seaworld TOLL Valencia College enhancing safety and preparing for the community’s • Job creation. 98% of OOCEA work is 417 future transportation needs. This means giving customers performed by the private sector. Osceola Parkway Lake Nona Medical Center time-saving options for bypassing congestion, which KISSIMMEE • Safety first. Combining dynamic message equates to $259 savings each year in travel time. signs, state-of-the-art engineering and LEGEND betterment programs such as Road Rangers “Our customers have entrusted us with their toll dollars Existing OOCEA System and Designated Texter campaign make Future OOCEA Segments and see us as the best option to get them where they are Florida's Turnpike System customer safety the priority. Future Roadway by Others going – saving them time and arriving safely,” says Walter Osceola Parkway A. Ketcham Jr., Expressway Authority Chairman. ( Orange County )

Leadership

> George Aguel: President/CEO, Visit Orlando tourism promotion agency > Jim Atchison: President/CEO, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment > Dick Batchelor: High-profile Orlando business consultant, supporter of health and children’s charities, former Florida legislator > Ed Baxa: Partner, Foley & Lardner law firm, Orlando > R. Van Bogan: > Karen Dee: Florida region president, Fifth Third Bank in Orlando Chairman, Florida Bank Baxa of Commerce > Carolyn Fennell: director of public owner, Tavistock Group, which owns > Allie L. Braswell Jr.: President/CEO, affairs, Greater Orlando Aviation upscale country clubs, luxury residential Central Florida Urban League Authority; director, Federal Reserve and commercial property at Isleworth > David Brown: Chairman, Broad and Bank of Atlanta, Jacksonville branch near Windermere and Lake Nona in Cassel law firm east Orlando > David Fuller: President/CEO, SunTrust > Phil Brown: Executive director, Greater Bank, Central Florida > Alex Martins: CEO, Orlando Magic Orlando Aviation Authority > Deborah German: Vice president > John Morgan: Founder, Morgan > Marc Chapman: Managing partner/ for medical affairs/dean, University of & Morgan law firm, Orlando; president, Dean, Mead law firm Central Florida College of Medicine business owner > Donald Christopher: Managing > Steve Hogan: CEO, Florida > David Odahowski: President/CEO, shareholder, Baker Donelson Citrus Sports Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation in Orlando > Max Crumit: Executive director, > Lars Houmann: President/ Orlando/Orange County CEO, Florida Hospital, Expressway Authority Florida Division of Adventist Health System > Kathy DeVault: International affairs coordinator, City > Teresa Jacobs: Mayor, of Orlando Orange County > Orlando Evora: Co-managing > Barbara Jenkins: shareholder, Greenberg Traurig Superintendent, Orange Jenkins law firm, Orlando County Public Schools > Tony Jenkins: Market president, Florida Blue > George Kalogridis: President, Walt Disney Resort, Lake Buena Vista > Frank Kruppenbacher: Attorney; chairman, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority > Fred Leonhardt: Senior partner, Gray Robinson law firm, Orlando; longtime leader with Enterprise Florida > John M. Lewis Jr.: CEO, Lynx transportation system > Rasesh Thakkar: Senior managing > Buddy Dyer: Mayor, Orlando > Joe C. Lewis: British-born director, Tavistock Group resident of the Bahamas/

32 may 2013 floridatrend.com photographs: PRNewsFoto/Fifth Third Bank top right; Macbeth Photography bottom left; Scott A. Miller/ZUMAPRESS bottom right AND NEMOURSOUC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL: empowering the next generation.

At OUC—The Reliable One, partnering with Nemours Children’s Hospital means far more than just powering one of the area’s newest state-of-the- art medical facilities. It also means helping Nemours conserve energy and protect the environment.

One example: multi-colored, energy-efficient LED lighting designed to give young patients at Nemours a small sense of control and comfort during their hospital stay by allowing them to choose the color of lights in their rooms.

These lights not only illuminate the Orlando skyline, they also help brighten the world for the children at Nemours – reflecting the power of strong community partnerships. To educate children about the benefits of saving energy and water, OUC sponsored a “Believe in Conservation” art contest. Winners participated in Nemours’ grand opening by flipping the switch on the hospital’s multi-colored lights.

The iconic image of colorful, energy-efficient LED lights at Nemours Children’s Hospital shows millions of visitors flying in to Orlando that the city is home to innovation in Lake Nona’s emerging Medical City. To see what else we’re doing in the community, visit www.ouc.com

Nemours_Florida Trend_2013-03_8-125x10-75.indd 1 3/29/2013 9:52:36 AM ( Business Portrait: Orange County )

> Thomas O’Neal: Associate vice president Center for the Performing Arts of research and commercialization, > Katherine Ramsberger: President, Dr. P. University of Central Florida Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center > Roger Oxendale: CEO, Nemours Children’s Hospital; senior vice president, > Phil Rawlins: Co-owner/president, Nemours Orlando Orlando City Soccer Club > David Pace: Executive vice president, > Harris Rosen: Founder/owner, Rosen CBRE commercial real estate, Orlando Hotels & Resorts portfolio; philanthropist > James H. Pugh Jr.: Chairman, Dr. Phillips > James Seneff: Founder/executive

> Clarence Otis: Chairman/ Resourceful. CEO, Darden Restaurants chairman, CNL Financial Group, Responsive an Orlando-based group of real estate investment trusts and related Reliable businesses with $26 billion in assets > Sanford C. “Sandy” Shugart: With our local eight-office President, Valencia College, one of the largest community colleges network, we can avoid or in the country and the inaugural resolve a wide variety of site winner of the national Aspen Award issues through our knowledge for Community College Excellence Florida Hospital Women’s Pavilion of local conditions and > David Siegel: Founder/owner/ Rendering courtesy of HKS Architects experience working with our president/CEO, Westgate Resorts public and private partners. timeshare company and its parent, Central Florida Investments. The self-made multimillionaire’s company is one of the top employers in central Florida. > Sherrie Sitarik: President/CEO, Orlando Health > Jacob Stuart: Doctor Phillips Center for the Performing Arts President, Central Florida Partnership, umbrella organization for Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and related groups > Paul Tang: Vice president/ managing director, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress; chairman, Visit Orlando > Doug Taylor: Co-owner, Church Florida Polytechnic University Street Entertainment, which includes downtown Orlando nightclubs and businesses; active member of the Downtown Eight Offices Serving Florida Development Board (800) 593 7777 terracon.com > Eric Ushkowitz: Economic development administrator, Orange Geotechnical Environmental Construction Materials Facilities County government

> Craig Ustler: Prominent downtown photograph: Phelan Ebenhack/ZUMAPRESS

34 may 2013 floridatrend.com “The Orange County School Board is an equal opportunity agency” ( Orange County )

Orlando business owner and West, Green & developer, Ustler Development > Rick Walsh: President, Knobhill Associates, PL Group, investment and strategic counseling company, and former senior Darden executive, called on in recent years to reform scandal- tainted organizations including Florida’s Blood Centers and Workforce Central Florida. > Rick Weddle: President/CEO, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission > Tom Williams: Chairman/CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts Richard D. West and Caryn M. Green, the partners of West, Green & Associates, PL, limit their practice to marital and family law and are celebrating the rm’s 10th year anniversary. ey are Board Certi ed in Marital and Family Law by Why I Live Here e Florida Bar and are the only family law rm in the Tri-County Central “I am very fortunate to have a career Florida area with three Board Certi ed Specialists. e partners have been where I could work anywhere: Los An- recognized over the past 8+ years in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, Super Lawyers, geles, San Francisco, New York, Austin, Best Lawyers and Law Firms in America, and Orlando magazine. Europe, China. I started my career in Seattle, worked in the Midwest and in West, Green & Associates LA. I came to Orlando for a job with 801 N. Orange Ave., Suite 700 • Orlando, FL 32801 EA Tiburon expecting to be here about (407) 425-8878 • westgreenfamilylaw.com five years, but hoping for more. That was in 2005. Marion We chose this place. We are here for the duration. West CountyGreen ad.indd 1 4/5/13 8:37 AM Volusia Transportation I catch shows when I can at The Lake County Planning Social and The Beacham downtown. County Land Development I love to hit the farmers market in Environmental Winter Park on Saturdays and spend my weekend cooking. We go to New

Smyrna Beach, and I spend time on the F D O T chain of lakes in Winter Park. U SunRail S 4 41 T 17-92 With a great quality of life, fantas- ra n Seminole s tic weather, beaches nearby, amuse- it Shaping S County tu d ment parks, a good music scene, a y Central Florida’s thriving technology community, ready access to higher education, a lev local government focused on smart t I Mag s EMM Economic Spine e urbanism, and the emergence of W To be competitive means being connected. n critical cultural institutions like the o

i Look no further than SunRail. It’s Central

r Dr. Phillips Center for the Perform- o Orange Florida’s economic spine. VHB is proud to be H ing Arts, this is an incredible place to County part of the team delivering sustainable live and work. LYNX US 192 Trans transportation solutions for SunRail and the it Study other key projects that branch out through the Orlando is a great American city and 192 region. Together these projects will drive has all the assets it needs to become Poincian a economic growth, community connections and a great global city. I want to be a part

r opportunities. Investing in opportunity! of that. k

Polk a Osceola y Philip Holt, 43, County County Orlando I Sarasota CEO/Chairman of Row Sham Bow, VHB MOBILITY & COMMUNITY PROJECTS www.vhb.com/fl computer-game development studio in Orlando

36 may 2013 floridatrend.com