Soundbytes Winter 2024
News in brief
CAPITAL // LOCAL HONORS
Tallahassee State College District Board of Trustees
» Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the reappointment of Jonathan Kilpatrick and Frank “Monte” Stevens and the appointment of Monesia Brown to the Tallahassee State College District Board of Trustees. Kilpatrick was originally appointed to the board in 2014, formerly the chair. He is the founder and CEO of Trulight LLC, specializing in technology strategy, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity. Kilpatrick has spent more than 30 years of his career leading innovative technology solutions, previously serving as the chief information officer for the City of Tallahassee. Kilpatrick is a lieutenant colonel in the Florida Air National Guard serving as a cyber systems officer. He is currently assigned to the Joint Forces Headquarters in St. Augustine, Florida, where he serves as the cybersecurity advisor to the Air National Guard State Staff. He also serves as a preacher at the First Baptist Church of St. Marks.
Stevens is a partner at The Southern Group. Previously, he was deputy chief of staff at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and worked in legislative affairs at the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Financial Services. Stevens was a member of two national champion debate teams at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science before earning a master’s degree in speech communication from Kansas State University. He was originally appointed to the board by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2021.
Monesia “Mone” Brown is vice president of government relations for North Highland, a global consultancy firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. An attorney and consultant, her career has focused on legislative and executive branch matters such as economic development, state procurement, education, and more. Her experience spans emergency disaster response and recovery, corporate community investment, and managing corporate initiatives in Florida in partnership with state and local governments. Prior to joining North Highland, she served as director of public affairs and government relations for Walmart Inc. She also served as a member of the Florida State Board of Education from 2021 to 2024.
CAPITAL // LOCAL HONORS
» The Florida Dental Association (FDA) is proud to announce that Lianne Bell, of Tallahassee, was recognized with the Team Impact Award at the 2024 FDA Awards Luncheon in Orlando. Bell has worked in the FDA’s Leadership Affairs department for almost six years. In her role with the FDA, she oversees the administration of the Board of Trustees, the House of Delegates, and the FDA’s delegation to the American Dental Association. Bell also staffs the FDA Leadership Development Committee, which helps develop new leaders for organized dentistry. Bell works closely with the FDA’s officers and staff to prepare and plan for leadership meetings and happenings. A native of Tallahassee, she received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and taught in the classroom for 10 years before making a career change.
» For the past 12 years, Leon County Government has continually secured its position as a top-ranked digital county government, earning distinguished recognition from the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo). Named the highest-ranked Florida county in its population category, Leon County secured fourth place nationally in the 22nd annual Digital Counties Survey. This achievement showcases the county’s unwavering commitment to leveraging technology to enhance services and streamline operations for its citizens. The annual survey conducted by CDG and NACo recognizes counties that excel in utilizing technology to align with county goals, save tax dollars through newfound efficiencies, boost transparency and cybersecurity, encourage citizen engagement, and proactively address citizen expectations. The judging process identifies the most outstanding examples of counties that successfully integrate technology to support strategic priorities.
Architects Lewis + Whitlock (ALW), a Tallahassee-based architecture, interior design, and planning firm, was named the recipient of two prestigious design awards for the Governors Inn and the Rosewood Memorial Pavilion during the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida annual convention and awards ceremony held at The Breakers Resort in Palm Beach. The firm received the Merit Award of Excellence for Renovations and Additions for revitalizing the historical architecture of the Governors Inn, a hospitality icon located in downtown Tallahassee. ALW also received the Honor Award of Excellence in the Unbuilt category for the design of the Rosewood Memorial Pavilion. The objective of the AIA design awards program is to encourage excellence in architecture, elevate the public awareness of good design, and recognize those architects whose work enriches our communities and the profession at large. A distinguished body of experts from the architectural community were selected as jurors to evaluate works submitted by architects in Florida.
Capital City Bank has again been named to Florida Trend’s annual Best Companies to Work For in Florida list, ranking 19th in the Large Companies category and achieving a significant rise from its previous position of 24th. The 2024 issue is the 16th annual Best Companies edition and marks the 13th consecutive year Capital City Bank has been selected. The recognition by Florida Trend is one of several others Capital City Bank has recently received acknowledging the company’s merits. In April, Forbes ranked Capital City Bank 15th out of 100 in their America’s Best Banks list. The bank has also been ranked among the top employers in the financial industry by American Banker magazine. The most recent edition of the magazine’s annual Best Banks to Work For feature, which was published in November 2023, marked the Florida-based community bank’s 11th consecutive year being recognized.
Tallahassee State College District Board of Trustees elected Karen B. Moore as chair at their August meeting. She takes the gavel from outgoing chair Jonathan Kilpatrick. In addition, Eugene Lamb Jr. was elected to vice chair. Trustee Frank Messersmith put forward the motion to nominate Moore and Lamb, which was approved unanimously.
Moore is the chief executive officer of Moore Inc., an independent and globally ranked integrated communications firm. Moore has served as a trustee since 2007 when she was first appointed by Governor Charlie Crist. She has been reappointed by Governors Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis. Moore’s professional contributions coupled with her significant service to the State of Florida have earned her much recognition. She regularly appears on Florida Trend’s 500 Most Influential Florida Business Leaders and on Florida Politics’ 100 Most Influential. She serves on several notable boards, including the Florida Chamber of Commerce, TaxWatch, and BioFlorida. She is the current vice chair of the Florida College System Foundation, which provides scholarships for students attending Florida’s community and state colleges, and she previously served as chair of the Association of Florida Colleges Trustees Commission. She was recognized as Trustee of the Year by the Commission in 2021. TSC’s Richard W. and Karen B. Moore Veterans Success Center was named in honor of Moore and her husband, who are the founders of the Moore Veterans Leadership Academy at the college. She also has fully endowed three scholarships at TSC—one for women seeking to return to college, a second for those seeking to earn a GED and continue their education, and the third for veterans.
Lamb was first appointed to the District Board of Trustees in 2007 by Governor Charlie Crist. Since then, he has been re-appointed by Governors Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis. Additionally, Lamb has served as the Chair of the Board for four non-consecutive terms. In 2023, he received the Southern Region Trustee Leadership Award from the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).
» Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award by Florida State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. This is the highest honor given to alumni and recognized Long for his exceptional professional achievements, significant contributions to society, and unwavering support of both the college and university. Long is a two-time graduate of Florida State University, having earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. With nearly 30 years of service to Leon County, he has managed historic crises, implemented generational projects, and has consistently set the standard in public service. Long is recognized statewide, nationally, and internationally for his strategic, operational, and policy expertise. Most recently, in 2022, he was awarded the International City/County Manager’s Association (ICMA)
Award for Career Excellence, the highest recognition in the profession for a local government CEO internationally.
CAPITAL // NEW & NOTABLE
Sachs Media Becomes Agency of the Year
» Sachs Media took center stage at the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Golden Image Awards Gala, snagging the coveted title of Agency of the Year and the prestigious Dick Pope All-Florida Grand Golden Image Award for its “Saving Social Media” campaign—the fourth time in the past 15 years the firm has captured this top honor. The firm’s campaign, “Saving Social Media: Fighting for the First Amendment in the Digital Era,” conducted on behalf of the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), was instrumental in achieving a landmark Supreme Court ruling in favor of free speech online. In addition to winning the top all-around award, this campaign also received the Golden Image Award for Top Public Affairs Campaign of the Year and the Judges’ Creativity Award, showcasing Sachs Media’s exceptional ability to drive national public affairs outcomes through strategic communication. Sachs Media also swept up top honors in other categories at the FPRA Golden Image Awards, including the Award of Distinction (Integrated Marketing) for its work promoting Fort Mose and the Award of Distinction (Public Service) for its educational campaign with the Elder Law Section of The Florida Bar.
Empowering FAMU Athletes Through NIL
» SOCIAL HOUSE® vodka is thrilled to announce a significant partnership with FANG Exchange, an innovative NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) Collective dedicated to empowering student-athletes at FAMU. This collaboration celebrates the release of the exclusive SOCIAL HOUSE® Vodka FANG Exchange Limited Edition bottle, crafted to honor the resilience and spirit of its athletes while providing them with crucial support as they navigate the new Name, Image, and Likeness landscape. With the formation of the FANG Exchange NIL Collective, FAMU athletes are poised to receive support under the new NIL legislation. This partnership with SOCIAL HOUSE® vodka will provide FAMU’s athletes with the tools and resources necessary to secure endorsements and build their personal brands.
CAPITAL // HAPPENINGS
» After many years of dedicated service, Tallahassee Ballet’s CEO, Janet Pichard, and artistic director, Tyrone Brooks, have decided to step back from their respective positions. Pichard will assume the role of CEO emeritus, helping to manage financial aspects and the continuation of grant work, while Brooks will become the artistic advisor, continuing to give his insight and expertise to the professional company. During Pichard’s tenure, The Tallahassee Ballet’s budget has grown from $250,000 to over $1,000,000; she established The Tallahassee Ballet School, the professional company; and located TTB into a state-of-the-art ballet facility. Brooks’ dynamic leadership, commitment, and passion for the art form have inspired TTB’s dancers and audiences alike. His bold artistic vision brought numerous cutting-edge choreographers and progressive programming to Tallahassee.
» The Tallahassee Ballet is pleased to announce the new CEO, Lauren Hernandez, and new artistic director, Meagan Helman.
Hernandez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University, and her tenure at TTB has included multiple administrative and artistic positions, including chief operating officer. As COO and previously the development director for TTB, Hernandez has expanded fundraising efforts while managing all TTB staff and operations. Hernandez’s knowledge of both business and art makes her an ideal fit for this role.
Helman has excelled as the interim artistic director for TTB. She danced professionally for over 10 years as a principal dancer with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland, holds a Master of Arts in Dance from Florida State University, and is an adjunct professor at FSU’s School of Dance.
EMERALD COAST \\ LOCAL HONORS
» The Florida Dental Association (FDA) is proud to announce that Dr. Jolene Paramore, of Panama City, was awarded the J. Leon Schwartz Lifetime Service Award at the 2024 FDA Awards Luncheon in Orlando. Dr. Paramore brings a wealth of experience serving the dental profession and advocating for oral health at the state and national levels. She is a past president of the Bay Dental Society, Northwest District Dental Association, and the FDA—only the second woman to serve as FDA president. In 2010, she was honored as the FDA’s Dentist of the Year. Dr. Paramore also served as chair of the FDA’s Workforce Innovation Task Group, which led the development of Florida’s Action for Dental Health, the FDA’s comprehensive initiative to improve oral health and the overall health of Floridians. Dr. Paramore is a seventh-generation Floridian and has practiced as a periodontist in Panama City for 30 years. A proud graduate of the University of Florida, she received her dental degree and completed her residency in periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. She is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
» The Florida Dental Association (FDA) is proud to announce Dr. Jeffrey Ottley, of Milton, was sworn in as the 2024-2025 president of the Florida Dental Association. Dr. Ottley has held leadership positions in organized dentistry at the local, state, and national levels. He has served as president of the Escambia-Santa Rosa County Dental Association and on the FDA Leadership Development Committee and Governmental Action Committee. He has served on the FDA Board of Trustees since 2012 and currently serves as a delegate to the American Dental Association. Dr. Ottley volunteers on the board for Florida Donated Dental Services and is a Deputy Regent for Florida in the International College of Dentists. He also volunteers his time and service at the FDA Foundation’s Florida Mission of Mercy, a no-cost dental clinic hosted each year in different Florida cities. A second-generation dentist, Dr. Ottley has been practicing dentistry in Milton for more than 20 years. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida (UF) and Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the UF College of Dental Medicine.
» The WSRE-TV Foundation board of directors has elected new officers for the 2024-2025 fiscal year: Dr. Brent Videau, Chair; E.L. Roché, vice chair; Amy Day, secretary; Laura Shaud, treasurer; Jarrod Dawson, past chair; and Jill Hubbs, executive director. Joining the board are Nan DeStafney; Mack Fountain; Laura Griffin; Mamie Hixon; Rick Lambert; and Dr. Bill Spain. Returning directors are Lindsay Carpentier; Capt. Sterling Gilliam, USN (Ret.); Jonathan Haas; Daniel Joyner; Tyler Kercher; Larry Love; Kim Parker; Stephanie Powell; Julie Sheppard; Alex Smith; Carson Wilber; Alea Williams; and P.C. Wu, PhD. WSRE-TV Foundation Inc. was established in 1991 as a direct support organization of Pensacola State College to support the activities, capital, and operating needs of WSRE, the PBS member station licensed to the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees.
» The Highland Group, a leading real estate and commercial construction firm, is proud to announce that Tarjani Christian, project manager at The Highland Group, has been selected for the Leadership Bay Class of 2024-2025. The Leadership Bay Program is an initiative of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, with a mission to cultivate leaders who are well-informed and prepared to assume leadership roles in their communities, fostering positive change. This program aligns seamlessly with The Highland Group’s commitment to nurturing the growth and development of its employees, empowering them to become leaders within both the company and their communities.
» The board of directors of LOYALTY Credit Union proudly announces the appointment of Park Broome as its new president and chief executive officer. Park most recently served as LOYALTY’S chief strategy officer following the merger of Central Credit Union of Florida and Tallahassee-Leon Federal Credit Union. Prior to the merge, Park held the roles of executive vice president and interim CEO of Tallahassee-Leon Federal Credit Union since 2019. His 25 years of experience in the financial services industry include operations, member services, both consumer and commercial lending, and most recently, executive leadership. Park’s commitment to our communities is represented through his civic and philanthropic involvement with organizations such as the Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way, and the League of Southeastern Credit Unions through their various local league chapters. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Flagler College along with holding designations as a Credit Union Business Lending Professional and Credit Union Development Educator.
NEW & NOTABLE
» Pensacola welcomes a new $40 million biomedically based research complex constructed by the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition. The complex will maximize the health services for everyone from elite military operators and veterans to those with neurodegenerative diseases, musculoskeletal problems, and chronic metabolic conditions. The Healthspan, Resilience and Performance Research Complex is another step in the evolution of the vision that has been the bedrock of IHMC since its founding by Dr. Kenneth Ford, the institute’s chief executive officer.
» Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort®, a premier destination on Florida’s Emerald Coast, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob LaCasse as its new general manager. With a distinguished career that spans over three decades in various prestigious hospitality roles across the United States, LaCasse brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for the hospitality industry to his new role at Sandestin®. LaCasse’s career is marked by significant achievements and leadership roles at renowned properties, including Tradewinds Resorts in St. Pete Beach, Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, and several others across the Palm Beaches and the Florida Keys. His extensive background managing multifaceted properties aligns perfectly with the diverse operations at Sandestin®, encompassing hotels, multiple golf courses, diverse dining options, conference facilities, retail operations, marina activities, vacation ownership, and various residential communities. In his new role, LaCasse will oversee all aspects of the resort’s operations, focusing on delivering exceptional guest experiences, fostering a positive work environment, and driving significant revenue growth. His responsibilities will also include maintaining high standards of quality across all resort facilities.
» TOC Panama City Clinic is delighted to welcome Dr. Aaron Shores, a distinguished pain management physician, to their practice. With 20 years of dedicated service in Northwest Florida, Dr. Shores brings a compassionate approach to patient care, greatly enhancing the ability to manage and treat chronic pain effectively. TOC is also welcoming Dr. Mark Woernle, whose expertise in spine surgery will further expand their capabilities, allowing them to address a broader range of spinal conditions with advanced surgical techniques. This will greatly benefit the community and patients in need of back and spine care, providing them with access to specialized treatments and improved outcomes for spinal conditions.
» Vue on 30a is thrilled to announce the appointment of its new event manager, Nikki Jameson, whose extensive background in luxury hospitality, event management, and marketing will undoubtedly enhance the event experience for its members and guests. With a rich history of leadership roles in top-tier resorts and hotels, including the Watercolor Inn and Resort, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort®, and Westin Hotels & Resorts, Jameson brings unparalleled expertise to Vue on 30a. Her experience ranges from managing large-scale wedding conventions and corporate events to spearheading sales and marketing strategies that have significantly boosted revenue and client satisfaction. In her most recent position as concierge manager and HOA administrator at Watercolor Inn and Resort, Jameson was instrumental in creating bespoke guest experiences and managing complex operational logistics, further solidifying her reputation for excellence. Her prior roles in convention services, catering, and wedding management at prestigious resorts provided her with a deep understanding of the intricacies of event planning and execution.
HAPPENINGS
» Governor DeSantis visited Pensacola State College to award more than $12 million to Northwest Florida through the Job Growth Grant Fund (JGGF). The governor awarded funds for workforce development and infrastructure improvements through the JGGF and the Defense Infrastructure Grant. Awards were made to Pensacola State College, the City of DeFuniak Springs, Santa Rosa County, and Jackson County for projects that will support the aviation and aerospace industry, the military and defense industry, and increase access to workforce housing.
