Summer/Fall Soundbytes 2026

Local honors and happenings throughout the Panhandle

CAPITAL

LOCAL HONORS » RumbergerKirk has added board-certified Education Law attorney Meagan L. Logan as a partner in its Tallahassee office. Logan focuses her practice on employment and labor, government and administrative law, and casualty litigation. She advises public and private sector organizations on employment matters, collective bargaining, and a broad range of legal issues. She also defends individuals and companies alike in a wide range of civil litigation, handling matters from pre-suit through appeal. Logan earned board certification in Education Law in 2025—a distinction that reflects both her expertise and her commitment to the field. She is also rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and was named to the Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars list from 2010 through 2022. Before joining RumbergerKirk, Logan handled matters involving municipal liability, general liability defense, appellate litigation, and civil rights. She is the past president of the Jacksonville Association of Defense Counsel and the past chair of the government law section of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association. She also served as president of the Rotary Club of Lake City in 2021-2022.

The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Philip Browning as its new director of business development, strengthening the organization’s commitment to driving economic growth and expanding opportunities for businesses across the region. A longtime Tallahassee resident and active community leader, Browning brings a dynamic blend of business expertise and deep chamber and civic leadership experience to the role. In his new position, he will focus on fostering strategic partnerships, supporting member engagement, and advancing initiatives that contribute to a more vibrant and competitive business environment in Florida’s capital city. Browning has been deeply engaged in the local business and civic community. He previously served as a member of Access Tallahassee, including roles on the Access Council and as Council Chair. During his tenure, he helped lead impactful community initiatives such as the installation of Little Free Libraries throughout the area. He also brings significant institutional knowledge from his five years on the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, where he served as chair of both the Economic Competitiveness Committee and the Talent and Workforce Committee. Browning was also a part of Leadership Tallahassee Class 38. Most recently, Browning served as vice president of sales at Synchros, where he expanded the company from a regional payroll provider into a national payroll and HR solutions firm by cultivating new client relationships and driving strategic growth.

Seventy high school seniors took a major step toward their futures at the 2026 WOW Jobs event, where they collectively received 137 job offers from 11 local employers during a single day of on-site interviews and hiring conversations. Hosted by North Florida Worlds of Work, WOW Jobs is designed to connect graduating seniors directly with career opportunities, including full- time, part-time, and apprenticeship roles. The event took place Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Lively Technical College and brought together students and employers in a fast-paced, interview-style setting. Participating companies included the City of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Coca-Cola UNITED, Capital City Bank, and Leon County Schools, among others. Students arrived prepared, having received prior support in resume building and interview skills and rotated through multiple employer interviews throughout the morning. Many received contingent offers on the spot, underscoring both the demand for young talent and the effectiveness of early workforce engagement. WOW Jobs is part of the broader North Florida Worlds of Work initiative, which strengthens the regional workforce pipeline by aligning student career pathways with industry needs. The full Worlds of Work (WOW) event returns this October at Lively Technical College and Tallahassee State College, featuring 11 career “worlds,” 18 industries, and more than 100 employers. More than 3,000 students will take part in hands-on activities designed to spark career interests and guide future decisions.

The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida has appointed Nick Wiley as its new executive director, ushering in a new chapter of conservation leadership for one of the state’s largest conservation nonprofits. Wiley brings more than three decades of experience in wildlife conservation, public service, and nonprofit management to the role. Most recently, he served as chief operating officer for Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Before that, he spent 30 years with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), where he rose from field biologist to executive director, a position he held for eight years. Throughout his career, Wiley has been recognized as a strong advocate for connecting people with the outdoors through expanded opportunities for hunting, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. His background combines scientific expertise with executive leadership and a long record of collaboration, public engagement, and stewardship of Florida’s natural resources. Wiley also brings broad credibility across the conservation field. He is a fellow of the National Conservation Leadership Institute, a past president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and has served on several boards, including the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports, and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.

LiveOak Fiber, a high-growth fiber internet provider serving communities across Florida and Georgia, is proud to announce it has been Certified™ by Great Place To Work®, the global authority on workplace culture and employee experience, for the fourth consecutive year. Great Place To Work® Certification™ is the most definitive “employer- of-choice” recognition companies can earn, relying on real-time feedback from employees about their workplace experience. LiveOak Fiber’s results reflect high levels of trust, collaboration, and pride across teams, as well as strong alignment with the company’s mission and values. According to Great Place To Work® research, job seekers are significantly more likely to find strong leadership and positive employee experiences at Certified™ companies, and employees at Certified™ workplaces are more likely to feel fairly treated, engaged, and excited about coming to work. As LiveOak Fiber continues to expand its all-fiber network and invest in the communities it serves, the company remains focused on fostering a workplace culture that grows alongside its team.

LOCAL HAPPENINGS

The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce brought together business and community leaders in April for its 2026 Economic Forum, presented by Capital City Bank, delivering a data-driven look at the trends shaping Florida’s economy and their impact on the Tallahassee region. Held at the Turnbull Conference Center, the annual forum featured keynote speaker Dr. Keith Richard, vice president of research for the Florida Chamber Foundation. Richard outlined Florida’s path to becoming a top 10 global economy by 2030 and emphasized the challenges that could slow that progress. Issues addressed were workforce gaps challenging employers, housing affordability, and census costs. Speakers emphasized the need for alignment among business, government, and community leaders to address key priorities, including: workforce development, affordable housing, childhood poverty, and infrastructure investment.

Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) has reached a definitive milestone in its United Forward initiative, appointing two industry-leading firms to create a powerful framework to drive diversification and economic growth across Northwest Florida. Supported by a $4.7 million Triumph Gulf Coast grant, these partnerships signal the official transition from regional planning to high-impact execution across Northwest Florida. FGNW has selected VisionFirst Advisors to serve as the “FORWARD Facilitator,” a specialized role dedicated to overseeing the implementation of the Next Generation of Northwest Florida FORWARD, the regional strategy for economic transformation. Simultaneously, The Moore Agency has been tapped to lead comprehensive target audience research, which will inform the development of FGNW’s multi-year Market Activation Plan. This plan will showcase the region’s economic development assets and create a cycle of prosperity. Increased visibility leads to greater awareness, generating more quality jobs, capital investment, and enhanced wages for residents in Northwest Florida.

A Florida State University student in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is turning a lifelong health challenge into a purpose-driven business that serves families with food allergies while shaping her future as an entrepreneur. Brooke Abbott, a junior majoring in commercial entrepreneurship, grew up in Texas with severe food allergies that often left her searching for answers. Years of discomfort and illness eventually led to a diagnosis that changed everything—gluten and dairy allergies. In 2021, while still in high school, she launched All The Goods Gluten-Free Bakery. Her offerings range from breads, muffins, and brownies to cookies, cupcakes, and custom cakes. After graduating high school, Abbott decided to pursue entrepreneurship full time and ultimately moved to Florida through FSU’s Aspire Transfer Program, attending Tallahassee State College before entering the commercial entrepreneurship program in 2023. Since then, hands-on learning in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship has helped refine her business and long-term vision. Today, Abbott balances a full academic course load while running an in-demand bakery, managing everything from orders and marketing to accounting and baking. Looking ahead, she plans to expand her business in North Florida after graduation.

NEW & NOTABLE

» Urban Street Development (USD), the South-Florida-based developer behind the CollegeTown master plan, announced the completion of the Stadium Tower expansion of Hotel Indigo Tallahassee– CollegeTown. The addition brings 94 new guestrooms, including six two-bedroom suites, and 5,500 square feet of prime frontage retail to the existing 143-room hotel, bringing the total to 237 rooms. The expanded property opened ahead of graduation season, one of the year’s busiest periods for visitors to Florida State University and Florida A&M University during campus sports events, family visits, and milestone weekends. The property is uniquely positioned in CollegeTown, facing Doak Campbell Stadium, the south entrance of FSU, all on-campus sports complexes, including baseball, softball, and soccer venues, and the Tallahassee Airport. Its location also places guests close to the restaurants, nightlife, and everyday activity that define the district, while also offering convenient access to downtown Tallahassee and nearby campus destinations. The new retail space fronts the Gaines Street and Woodward Avenue roundabout, with a covered patio and prominent street frontage well-suited for a food and beverage operator. Positioned at one of the most visible corners in CollegeTown, it benefits from the steady flow of hotel guests, campus- related traffic, and the surrounding district’s day-to-night activity. Urban Street Development is actively seeking an experienced operator to bring the space to life in a way that complements both the hotel and the broader CollegeTown district.

» Baskerville-Donovan, Inc., a long-established engineering firm serving communities across the Gulf Coast and beyond, has announced a new name and brand identity — Donovan-Hill Group. The updated name and brand reflect the company’s continued evolution while honoring the legacy the firm has built through decades of engineering, infrastructure, and community development projects. The new brand centers on the theme “Engineering a Legacy,” representing the firm’s long history of technical expertise, strong relationships, and commitment to improving the communities it serves. Fred Donovan Jr., chairman of Donovan- Hill Group, said the new name recognizes the firm’s heritage and its future direction. Founded in 1927, the firm has earned a reputation for delivering engineering solutions that address complex infrastructure challenges while maintaining strong collaborations with clients, regulatory agencies, and local communities.

» The Capital City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its relocation to a new office location at 914 Railroad Avenue in Tallahassee, reinforcing its continued commitment to serving members and strengthening the local business community. Building on this momentum, the Capital City Chamber of Commerce and Domi Station are also announcing a strategic partnership aimed at advancing a more connected, aligned, and results-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tallahassee. This collaboration brings together business development, innovation, and incubator support to create stronger pathways for entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow, scale, and succeed. Through this partnership, both organizations will align their efforts to deliver measurable outcomes, including expanded access to opportunities, strengthened business networks, and accelerated business growth. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that businesses are not only prepared but positioned to compete and thrive in today’s marketplace. This work will be carried out in continued collaboration with community and regional business partners, reinforcing a unified approach to supporting economic development and long-term business success across the region.

NORTHWEST FLORIDA

LOCAL HONORS

Eric Schuck, MD, FAAP, has been named vice president and chief medical officer of Nemours Children’s Health, Pensacola, effective Feb. 1, 2026. In this role, Dr. Schuck will lead clinical quality and safety initiatives, oversee physician practice operations, and lead collaborations with community stakeholders across Northwest Florida. Dr. Schuck brings more than 25 years of experience in health care leadership and pediatric care. Prior to joining Nemours Children’s, he served as interi chief medical officer for Alamance Regional Medical Center and Anni Penn Hospital, both part of Cone Health. Before that, he served as chief medical officer for several HCA Healthcare North Florida Division facilities, including HCA Fort Walton-Destin/Twin Cities Hospitals, HCA Florida West Florida Hospital, and HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. Dr. Schuck earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine as an Air Force Health Professions Scholarship recipient. He completed his pediatric residency at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base/Dayton Children’s Hospital. In addition, he served nearly 10 years in the United States Air Force. Dr. Schuck will also practice at Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, Florida. In July 2025, Nemours and Studer launched a significant new collaboration to enhance pediatric care services in the region. Nemours Children’s pediatric providers now offer nearly two dozen subspecialty care services at Studer.

» ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS), announced the addition of Mike Miller, president and founder of Miller CPAs & Advisors, to the ServisFirst Bank Northwest Florida Advisory Board, effective April 2026. Miller leads the growing accounting and advisory firm, which provides tax, audit, and consulting services to a diverse client base. With more than 20 years of experience in public accounting, he is recognized for his financial leadership, strategic insight, and ability to guide organizations through complex business environments. In his role, he oversees the firm’s strategic direction, financial performance, and professional development initiatives. As a trusted advisor to business owners, contractors, and individuals, Miller specializes in strategic tax planning, financial reporting, and organizational decision-making, particularly within the construction, real estate, and utility industries. Prior to founding Miller CPAs & Advisors, he held leadership positions with a large regional accounting firm serving clients across multiple markets and industries. He also previously worked in nonprofit financial leadership and public accounting roles. Miller remains active in industry and Community organizations. He previously served as Treasurer of the Northwest Florida Utility Contractors Association and currently Chairs the Membership Development Committee for Associated Builders and Contractors – North Florida Chapter. He is also involved with the Home Builders Association of Northwest Florida and the Florida Surety Association. Miller earned degrees from Pensacola Christian College and University of West Florida.