Sound Bytes March/April
CAPITAL
LOCAL HONORS
The Board of Directors of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) has unanimously elected Sandra Veszi Einhorn as chair of its board of directors. With over two decades of leadership in the housing and nonprofit sectors, Veszi Einhorn has become one of Florida’s foremost advocates for promoting bipartisan solutions to address housing affordability issues. Her wealth of experience and commitment to economic mobility through housing stability will continue to support legislative efforts and bring together stakeholders in a collaborative way. Veszi Einhorn has served on the board since being appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2019 and most recently served as the corporation’s vice chair and chair of its audit committee. As the executive director of the Coordinating Council of Broward since 2016, Veszi Einhorn has been at the forefront of housing advocacy in Broward County and across Florida. She was instrumental in the 2018 referendum that created the Broward County Affordable Housing Trust Fund, providing a critical revenue stream to support development and preservation. Under her leadership, the Coordinating Council also published Housing Broward: An Inclusive Plan, the county’s first comprehensive housing strategy. Additionally, she has led successful efforts to raise awareness and combat the stigmas surrounding housing affordability. She played a key role in developing marketing strategies that fostered broader community support for affordable housing initiatives, helping reduce resistance to new projects and
foster partnerships across sectors.
A renowned Florida State University particle physicist has earned a major award from one of the country’s preeminent physics organizations, recognizing her career achievements that have helped drive the field of physics forward for decades. Laura Reina, FSU Distinguished Research Professor and Joseph F. Owens Endowed Professor in the Department of Physics, is the recipient of the 2024 Jesse W. Beams Award from the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society (SESAPS), a scientific organization committed to advancing physics and creating a professional community for physicists. Reina, who earned her doctoral degree in elementary particle physics from the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste, Italy in 1992, joined FSU’s faculty in 1998. Since coming to FSU, Reina has earned awards including the FSU First Year Assistant Professor Award, the FSU Dirac-Hellmann Award, the FSU Developing Scholar Award, a Graduate Teaching Award, and the FSU PAI Award for Excellence in Teaching and Research. She was elected as an APS fellow in 2005, and in 2013, she earned the Fellowship of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 2024, Reina was elected to the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida.
Florida State University Associate Professor of Special Education Jenny Root has been selected as one of about 400 scientists and engineers to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), announced in January by the White House. The PECASE award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers. Root is one of 10 U.S. Department of Education recipients selected by President Joe Biden and only the third faculty member from FSU to ever receive the award. Root, a faculty member in the School of Teacher Education at the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, focuses her research on instructional methods to promote academic learning for students with autism and intellectual disability. She began as an assistant professor at FSU in 2016 and has received several honors, including the FSU Graduate Teaching Award in 2023. She has taught nearly 30 courses and helped write more than 60 journal articles and books.
NEW & NOTABLE
Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency, Leon County Government, and the City of Tallahassee celebrated the groundbreaking of the Northeast Park project located adjacent to Roberts Elementary and Montford Middle School on Centerville Road. Construction of the park is slated to be completed by late 2026 and will introduce a new array of recreational opportunities to Northeast Tallahassee-Leon County and include a diverse mix of active and passive recreational facilities designed to meet the community’s needs. Planned amenities include two full-sized, lighted baseball/softball fields, one lighted multi-use field, four pickleball courts, a basketball court, three sand volleyball courts, walking trails, a playground, open green space, a restroom and community center, concession stand, and paved parking with electric vehicle charging stations.
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) and Leon County Government introduced a newly activated Forestry Patrol Deputy, further strengthening public safety and expanding law enforcement coverage in western Leon County including the Apalachicola National Forest. This newly activated Forestry Patrol Deputy will provide dedicated law enforcement coverage across the region, including the expansive Apalachicola National Forest.
EMERALD COAST
LOCAL HONORS
HHM CPAs is excited to announce the relocation of Chelsea O’Shields, CPA, to the firm’s Pensacola office. O’Shields, who has been with HHM for nine years, will help lead the firm’s efforts as it continues to grow and expand in the Pensacola area. With almost a decade of experience at HHM CPAs, O’Shields has built a strong reputation for her expertise in tax strategy and client service. She specializes in creating tax solutions and planning that help business owners save on taxes through a variety of strategies. O’Shields’ focus includes identifying and consulting on state and federal tax credits, leveraging accelerated depreciation opportunities, structuring mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions to maximize tax savings, and more. O’Shields’ journey at HHM began in 2015 when she was hired as a tax season intern. Her passion for learning and dedication to client success led her to transition into a full-time role with the firm’s accounting and tax teams, where she quickly became a key player. Over the years, she has honed her skills under the guidance of HHM’s leadership, earning the trust of clients through her strategic approach and attention to detail. As a leader in the Pensacola office, O’Shields will continue to lead tax and assurance engagements.
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast has been recognized as a Maternal Levels of Care verified hospital by The Joint Commission through its collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and support from the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative. U.S. News & World Report has also named Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast as a 2025 High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care. This prestigious designation is the highest recognition a hospital can earn in the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual ratings. Additionally, U.S. News recognized Sacred Heart Emerald Coast as a Maternity Care Access Hospital, for its essential role in serving underserved communities at risk of becoming maternity care deserts. Only 118 hospitals—representing just 14 percent of all evaluated hospitals—earned this distinction for their critical contributions to maternity care access.
Ascension Sacred Heart announced that two of the system’s hospitals, Sacred Heart Pensacola and Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, have been named to Newsweek’s prestigious 2025 list of America’s Best-In-State Hospitals, placing the Sacred Heart facilities alongside just 25 other hospitals in Florida. The Sacred Heart hospitals were the only two in the Panhandle to be featured on the list. Newsweek and Statista highlighted 700 hospitals across the United States to help consumers find trusted medical facilities. This year, the rankings were compiled using quality metrics from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the American Hospital Association Annual Survey of Hospitals Database, a nationwide online survey among medical professionals, results from Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers Systems patient experience surveys and a voluntary Patient-Reported Outcome Measures implementation survey.
Quest Hospitality is pleased to announce Tory McPhail as its new director of culinary for the hospitality group and as executive chef for The Citizen and Fonville Press, leading the kitchens at both restaurant concepts. Originally from Ferndale, Washington, McPhail followed his passion for cooking and attended culinary school at South Seattle College, where he graduated top of his class. McPhail brings to Quest Hospitality team extensive experience from working at multiple renowned establishments, including Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, Louisiana; The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida; L’Escargo and The Picasso room in London, England, and The Mongoose in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, he played a key role in opening two additional locations of Commander’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Destin, Florida. In 2013, McPhail received the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: South. Shortly after, the U.S. State Department selected him as a Culinary Ambassador, traveling the world to explore the impact of various cultures and cuisines. Most recently, he worked at the Crazy Mountain Ranch in Montana as the executive chef and director of food and beverage. McPhail will focus on continuing to build upon the positive and collaborative team environment at both of the Alys Beach restaurants while also elevating beloved dishes and bringing new creativity to the menus, prioritizing locally sourced ingredients and refined techniques.
ATOR Labs and RSAE Labs, two tenant companies at the TechFarms business incubator in Panama City Beach, finished first and second in a pitch competition held at the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition in Pensacola in December. Space Florida, the state’s aerospace finance and development authority, sponsored The Takeoff: Northwest Florida Pitch Day, along with event partners TechFarms Capital and Saltmarsh accounting services. ATOR Labs, a leader in the development of respiratory protective device testing devices, earned this inaugural event’s top prize of $20,000. RSAE Labs, a provider of systems used to track assets across the global intermodal transportation network, earned $7,500 with its presentation. The competition served to connect startups with investors and to accelerate the scaling up of business models.
NEW & NOTABLE
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, the premier destination resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast, is thrilled to announce the comprehensive renovation of its acclaimed Burnt Pine Country Club, an exclusive social club within Sandestin’s private golf community of luxury residences. This investment highlights the resort’s commitment to world-class golf and dining for guests and members. The 10,000-square-foot country club’s updates include new amenities and design, and it now hosts group events and weddings for up to 120 guests. In partnership with Sara Becnel of Sandestin Investments LLC, Design Continuum enhanced the country club’s aesthetics and functionality, enriching members’ experiences. The new design merges modern luxury with coastal charm, creating an inviting space for lunches, events, gatherings,
and weddings.
The Agency has opened its newest office at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach. Known as The Agency Sandestin, this marks the global real estate brokerage’s sixth location in Florida, joining its offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Orlando, and Palm Beach. This expansion solidifies Sandestin’s reputation as a premier destination for luxury living and real estate. The Agency Sandestin offers clients unmatched access to cutting-edge marketing, public relations, and technology resources. For buyers and sellers seeking world-class real estate services, The Agency Sandestin is the premier choice for those looking to invest in the Emerald Coast’s unparalleled lifestyle. Leading The Agency Sandestin is managing partner Sara Becnel, a seasoned professional with decades of experience in the real estate industry. Becnel’s deep understanding of the local market and passion for excellence will guide the office as it serves the greater Miramar Beach area, including Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
Additionally, The Agency announced Glen Stegemann as the new broker and executive director. Stegemann brings over 30 years of experience in sales management and operations to his new role. Having led high-performing teams and established successful real estate ventures across Florida, Stegemann’s track record speaks for itself. Before joining The Agency, he served as managing broker for Royal Shell Real Estate in South Florida and co-founded Summit Real Estate Group and Barclays Real Estate Group. Stegemann’s career also includes serving as vice president of sales for stock development, where he honed his expertise in luxury residential real estate.
I-10
LOCAL HONORS
Sea Tow Big Bend, servicing Dekle Beach to Carrabelle, Florida, including the St. George Island State Park, is proud to announce it was recognized as the 2024 Franchise of the Year. During Sea Tow International’s annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, franchise owners and their team members are celebrated for their outstanding service, sales, marketing achievements, community support, and more. The Franchise of the Year award exemplifies Sea Tow’s high standards of service and operation. Sea Tow Big Bend franchise owners Joel and Tracie Singletary were honored with this achievement as they have shown excellence by embracing and participating in all aspects of the Sea Tow system. They remain focused on both current and future membership opportunities while providing outstanding on-water assistance and seeking additional revenue opportunities. Sea Tow Big Bend is committed to its local community and is seen as a valuable resource to others while always striving for exemplary customer experience.
