Great Entrepreneurs is pleased to announce The Top 50 Business Leaders of Jacksonville for 2022. This Florida city is home to countless businesses who are industry experts in advanced manufacturing, logistics and distribution, life sciences and more. This year’s awardees are leading their organizations through new growth and uncharted territories. They have the vision, motivation and expertise that is required to steer their respective businesses towards success and distinction.
Among this year’s awardees is Joan Ray, Executive Vice President of The Elliot Group, whose work with the executive search firm has allowed her to place over 100 chief financial officers in her career. Awardee Karen Worth, Regional Vice President of Clinical for Comprehensive Pharmacy Services, leads the management of over 300 staff focusing on improving clinical services and patient outcomes while meeting cost reduction targets. Also awarded is Jeremy Morgan, Co-Founder and CEO of Krystal Klean, who facilitated the growth of more than 10,000 customers across the entire Southeast United States for the full-service building care company.
We applaud this year's awardees for their dedication and achievements. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Business Leaders of Jacksonville for 2022.
1. Jeremy Morgan
Co-Founder & CEO, Krystal Klean
Jeremy Morgan is the Chief Executive Officer of Krystal Klean, the Southeast’s leading building care company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, they offer window cleaning, caulking and waterproofing, pressure washing, soft roof washing, interior and exterior painting, and much more. Krystal Klean was founded more than 20 years ago with the goal of providing affordable, quality building care services. Morgan co-founded the company and scaled it from zero to 50 employees. Since their beginnings, he has helped facilitate the growth of more than 10,000 customers across a range of divisions and service areas serving the entire Southeast.
Before joining Krystal Klean, Morgan worked with ES Track where he handled mixed fleet and telematic solutions for contractors. Prior to that, he was a senior key account manager with EquipmentShare.
2. Michael Shumer
Chief Executive Officer, Crucial Care
Michael Shumer is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Crucial Care. Crucial Care is the first value-based emergency medicine practice in the U.S. They provide hospital level emergency services combined with robust care orchestration to yield meaningful improvements in patient well-being that meaningfully lowers downstream hospital utilization. Shumer has 17 years of experience. He began his career in 2005.
In addition to his role with Crucial Care, Shumer is a chairman for Medical Life Holdings, a portfolio of value-based companies dedicated to improving patient well-being and lowering the cost of healthcare. He graduated from the University of Florida with a doctorate in veterinary medicine.
3. Nick Largura
Chief Executive Officer, Superior Construction
Nick Largura serves as Chief Executive Officer for Superior Construction. He first joined the company in 2004 as project coordinator. Superior Construction’s entrepreneurial spirit, quality construction, and pursuit of complex projects began in the 1920s. Established in Gary, Indiana, the company foundation has always been in building the infrastructure of America. Schools, post offices, and libraries are some of the first projects Superior Construction completed, helping shape the America they know today. As the company grows, so too do the types of work they perform. They now take on large, complex structures in transportation, industrial, and a variety of necessary American infrastructure, delivering quality work safely and honestly nationwide. In his role, Largura’s main responsibilities include strategic planning, large scale capital expenditures and key partnerships liaison. He is actively involved in both the Southeast and Midwest operations to reinforce the company's mission, vision, and core values.
Largura earned an undergraduate degree in business administration and management from the College of Charleston.
4. Jeffrey Pruett
Vice President, Universal Engineering Sciences
Jeffrey Pruett began his professional career 25 years ago. Today, he is a Vice President of Universal Engineering Sciences, a rapidly growing engineering and consulting firm with nearly six decades of experience in geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, building code compliance, threshold inspections and environmental consulting. UES is considered a pioneer of the industry and stands at the forefront of emerging technology, best practices, and influential legislature. UES’s mission is to make significant contributions to its industry and create a lasting, positive impact in the communities where they live and work by providing the highest-quality geotechnical engineering services through superior customer service.
Pruett graduated from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree in engineering.
5. Joan Ray
Executive Vice President, The Elliot Group
Joan Ray is an Executive Vice President with The Elliot Group. She joined the company 1992 and has been working in executive recruitment and senior-level assignments since 1986. Prior to joining The Elliot Group, Ray had six years of HR management experience for a major corporation and six years of executive search experience in the hospitality sector. As EVP, her work spans the c-suite and includes placements in restaurants, beauty, retail, and lodging, and she has placed over 100 CFOs in her career.
For several years, Ray taught dining room management at the Art Institute of Atlanta as an adjunct instructor. She was a board member of the Women’s Foodservice Forum for nine years and served as chair of the executive development and the membership committees, as well as vice chair of the endowment committee. She has been the recipient of the Women’s Foodservice Forum President’s Award. Ray is often featured as a panelist and speaker within the consumer and foodservice world. She is a frequent contributor to Restaurant Finance Monitor articles regarding human capital and was recently featured on the Revenue Management Solutions webcast panel “Art + Data Science = Superior Customer Experience” moderated by Forbes’ contributor Alicia Kelso. Joan has a keen eye for trends and best-in-class leadership practices. Joan is renowned for her business acumen, insight, guidance, and thoughtful approach. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and completed graduate coursework in HR services at Marquette University.
6. Mike Brannen
Senior Vice President, Miller Electric Company
Mike Brannen is a Senior Vice President of Miller Electric Company. He first joined the company in 1987. What started as an electrical lamp and appliance store in 1928 has grown into one of the largest companies in the industry with over 3,000 employees. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida and with a network of branch offices, Miller Electric Company provides comprehensive power and technology solutions to Fortune 500 clients in a diversified range of industries. They are a family business that remains committed to continued stewardship in its communities and industry.
7. Tim Holmes
Owner, Wheatfields Restaurants
Tim Holmes is the Owner of Wheatfields Restaurants. WheatFields has received local, regional, and national recognition in the years since opening. Operating for 25 years in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs, Wheatfields Restaurant and Bar opened its sister restaurant, Wheatfields Bistro & Wine Bar in the fall of 2009 in Clifton Park. Handcrafting pasta for 25 years is one of the concept’s attributes plus sourcing local and regional products whenever possible. Holmes prides himself in their true culture of hospitality where he welcomes new guests and those who return over and over again.
In addition to his roles with Wheatfields Restaurants, Holmes is the president and co-founder of BeerWinePizza. He is also the owner of Holmes Hospitality, a full-service consulting company. Holmes earned an undergraduate degree in restaurant and hotel management from Paul Smith's College.
8. Colin Frost
Owner, Worldwide Express
Colin Frost is the Owner of Worldwide Express, a top-rated third-party logistics company, helping more than 92,000 small to medium-sized businesses ship smarter. They are an Authorized UPS Reseller, as well as the second largest privately held freight brokerage in the country, arranging the delivery of more than 25,000,000 small package, LTL and truckload shipments annually. Frost has 24 years of experience. He began his career in 1998.
Frost is a national sales contest winner and has previously won the top three sales managers. Before joining Worldwide Express, he was a manager at Enterprise Leasing and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Frost graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with an undergraduate degree in psychology.
9. J Scott McCall
President & CEO, Title Resource Group
J Scott McCall began his professional career 35 years ago. Today, he is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Title Resource Group, a driving force in the title and settlement services industry. They are national in scope, but locally staffed, with a wealth of experience in settlement services. They operate in 48 states as well as the District of Columbia, and provide closing services in all 50.
McCall first got his start in 1987 as a group SVP at LFG. From there, he went on to join the Title Resource Group as an SVP. McCall graduated from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School with a JD and from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree in political science and government.
10. Karen Worth
Regional Vice President of Clinical, Comprehensive Pharmacy Services
Karen Worth is the Regional Vice President of Clinical of Comprehensive Pharmacy Services. She first joined the company in 2002. In her roles, Worth directs and supports hospital pharmacies across territory in meeting clinical, financial, operational, and quality targets. She analyzes drug trends to identify opportunity areas, leads clinical program and tool development initiatives and assists in pharmacist and technician training. She is known for being a clinical and pharmacy operations executive with extensive experience in guiding clinical specialist teams within large healthcare systems.
Previously, Worth was a pharmacy manager at Shands Ambulatory Pharmacy and before that a pharmacy manager at Winn-Dixie. Earlier in her career she worked with Diversified Pharmaceutical Services as a clinical program manager. Worth earned a Pharm.D. from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
11. Kim Addair
Vice President, Alutiiq
Kim Addair is the Vice President of Alutiiq, a wholly owned subsidiary of Afognak Native Corporation, an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC) formed under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Afognak Native Corporation and its shareholders on the Afognak Native Corporation site are dedicated to delivering cost-effective, quality services and solutions to their customers. They place their customers’ interests first and strive for trusting, long-term, and mutually beneficial relationships. Addair has 11 years of experience. She began her career in 2011.
12. Patrick Johns
Senior Vice President, RS&H
Patrick Johns is the Senior Vice President of RS&H. He first joined the company in 2003 as mechanical engineer. RS&H, Inc. is a privately held architectural, engineering, planning, and environmental services corporation headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, where they also provide clients with facilities and infrastructure consulting. They believe there’s a connection between its exceptional work and its accolades as a best place to work. Their associates are driven to care about each other, their clients, their projects and the communities where they live and work.
Johns earned an MS and an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida.
13. John Berlin
Group President, Carlisle Interconnect
John Berlin began his professional career 27 years ago. Today, he is a Group President of Carlisle Interconnect, a diversified global company with a portfolio of businesses focused on the manufacture and distribution of highly engineered products for both original equipment and aftermarket channels. Berlin is known for being an experienced individual with a demonstrated history of working in the aerospace, medical, industrial, electrical and electronic manufacturing industry. He is a strong business development professional skilled in talent management, acquisition pipeline cultivation and integration, organic growth through new product development leadership, engineering management, AS9100, continuous improvement and value stream mapping.
Berlin graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and from Colorado School of Mines with an undergraduate degree in geological engineering.
14. Joe Augustus
Executive Vice President, Swisher
Joe Augustus is the Executive Vice President of Swisher, a leading lifestyle brand for adult consumers. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Swisher also has a global manufacturing presence in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and West Virginia. Swisher’s superior customer relationships matched with an unwavering commitment to innovative thinking and action have driven the company to grow and adapt to the evolving preferences of adult consumers for nearly 160 years. Augustus is known for being an accomplished executive with 34 years of experience in government and external relations at the federal, state and local levels.
Augustus graduated from Western New England University with an undergraduate degree in business administration and management.
15. Jeff Kmiec
Vice President, The Greenbrier
Jeff Kmiec began his professional career 22 years ago. Today, he is the Vice President of The Greenbrier, a National Historic Landmark and an award-winning resort that has been welcoming guests since 1778. Known as "America's Resort," it encompasses 10,000 acres of undulating landscape that include five championship golf courses, a championship indoor and outdoor tennis facility, The Greenbrier Clinic, a 40,000-square-foot spa, a mélange of sporting activities, shops, and more. Purchased in 2009 by West Virginia entrepreneur James C. Justice II, The Greenbrier has undergone a $250+ million restoration and is now home to The Greenbrier Classic.
Kmiec first got his start in 2000 as a director of sales and marketing at Lakeview Golf Resort and Spa. From there, he went on to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, before eventually moving on to Sawgrass Golf Resort, his most recent position prior to joining The Greenbrier. Kmiec graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with an undergraduate degree in mathematics.
16. Mitchell Rhodes
Chief Executive Officer & VP, Gate Petroleum Company
Mitchell Rhodes is the Chief Executive Officer of Gate Petroleum Company. Originally formed in the early 1960s to resell fuel to a few residential accounts, Gate Fuel Service has evolved to a multi-branded, multi-line petroleum distributor. Gate provides gas, diesel, lubricant and DEF deliveries to storage tanks, private card locks, marine and bulk fueling throughout the Southeastern U.S. The company’s transportation team operates a fleet of tankers and provides petroleum distribution and transportation for all of Gate Petroleum’s retail stores, as well as commercial accounts throughout the Southeast. Rhodes has 55 years of experience. He began his career in 1967.
17. Jeffrey Doyle
President & COO, Triangle Fastener
Jeffrey Doyle is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Triangle Fastener Corporation. He first joined the company in 2008 as VP. TFC has been supplying the commercial construction industry with standard and specialty fasteners, tools, sealants, and accessories since 1977. From its 24 locations, they also specialize in providing hard-to-find items for critical applications. Doyle has served with the company for nearly 40 years in various roles including regional manager and vice president. He earned an undergraduate degree in economics from Washington and Jefferson College.
18. Dennis Burleigh
President & CEO, Pilot Pen
Dennis Burleigh began his professional career 46 years ago. Today, he is a President and Chief Executive Officer of Pilot Pen, a Japanese pen manufacturer based in Tokyo, Japan. It produces writing instruments, stationery and jewelry, but is best known for its pens. Its sales continue to grow year after year because of the quality of its products, and the innovation of its research and development teams. Its spirit of innovation has always focused on serving consumer’s writing needs and making writing a pleasure. Its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in the United States, Japan, and around the world operate under strict quality control standards, ensuring the superior quality of all Pilot products.
Burleigh first got his start in 1976 as a staff consultant in the AS division at Arthur Anderson. From there, he went on to BIC, before eventually rising to CFO at Surgilite, Inc., his most recent position prior to joining Pilot Pen. Burleigh graduated from the University of Connecticut School of business with an MBA.
19. Jason Brannen
Vice President, Eagle Electric
Jason Brannen began his professional career 26 years ago. Today, he is the Vice President of Eagle Electric. Eagle Electric Inc was founded by Kurt Brooks in 1987, incorporated in the state of Utah in 1990 and has been in its current location since 1996. Eagle Electric provides a high-quality electrical installation, specializing in new and remodel commercial construction but can also deal with residential electrical needs. They have their own excavating equipment and operators to complete almost any electrical site work. They have worked on a wide range of projects from small to large, including DFCM and LEEDS projects.
20. Mac Heavener
President & CEO, Trinity Baptist College
Mac Heavener is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Baptist College. He favors training and education that has practical value. His sales and management training materials have been translated and used on 5 continents. He has been an adjunct instructor for the University of Florida, University of North Florida, Florida Community College at Jacksonville; and a guest lecturer at the Emory University Graduate School of Business and on Leadership at Trinity Baptist College.
Heavener began his career in real estate as a mortgage banker before opening his own real estate company in 1970. It had grown to become one of Florida’s largest residential companies by 1976, at which time he became a partner in ERA Real Estate. He served the company as its national training director and VP of marketing before being appointed as president of the national ERA ServiCenter. Mac helped ERA grow from a start-up operation to over 3,000 offices operating in 23 countries. He was the first person inducted into the ERA Hall of Fame. Heavener received his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Florida with proficiencies in real estate, finance and marketing. Following graduation, he served 6 years in the U.S. Army National Guard at the 111th Aviation Company in Jacksonville.
21. Caleb Goelz
Chief Executive Officer, Flotech
Caleb Goelz is the Chief Executive Officer of Flotech. Flotech provides valve repair, tube repairs, safety valve certification, valve actuation, control valve repair and new valves from locations throughout the U.S. Southeast. They are committed to providing excellent customer service, a dependable and trained team of valve technicians, and the best products in the industry. With the combination of valve expertise, in-house machining capabilities, valve/parts inventory and complete tube services they are a true full-service center for customers’ requirements. Flotech operates customer service centers in Jacksonville, Florida, Mobile, Alabama, and Charleston, South Carolina. From these locations, they provide complete valve repair service as well as valve actuation, modification, certification, and testing for the U.S. Southeast area including Florida, Georgia, Virginia, South, and North Carolina. Goelz has served with the company for nearly 18 years.
22. Christopher Morse
President, Civil Services
Christopher Morse is the President of Civil Services Inc. He first joined the company in 1989. CSI has grown from an entrepreneurial one-person minority owned firm to a full-service civil engineering company, steeped in the tradition of providing high quality services, products and relationships. As a multidisciplinary corporation, CSI offers clients a single point of contact for numerous specialized services including roadway, bridge design, structural engineering, water resources, value engineering, civil site design, program management, and CEI. These services are provided with the same level of personal attention and expertise that is usually synonymous with firms offering a single discipline.
Previously, Morse was a senior bridge engineer at John E. Foster and Associates and before that a bridge engineer at Hensley Schmidt. Morse earned an undergraduate degree in engineering from Howard University.
23. Michael Assaf
President, Liberty Ambulance
Michael Assaf began his professional career 23 years ago. Today, he is a President of Liberty Ambulance, a medical practice company providing ambulance services in Jacksonville, FL. Liberty Ambulance provides a new generation of excellence in medical transportation. Their purpose is to provide the highest level of care for their patients with excellence in patient care and customer service. Adherence to this founding concept has facilitated their continued growth. They provide a range of ambulance transportation services to all major hospitals and health care facilities in the Los Angeles County and Orange County areas.
Assaf graduated from Florida Community College Jacksonville with an undergraduate degree in emergency medical technology.
24. Michael Kincaid
CEO & President, Stenner Pump Company
Michael Kincaid is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Stenner Pump Company. He first joined the company in 2000. The Stenner Pump Company has been manufacturing peristaltic pumps since 1957. Their reliable performance means a dependable pump and a dependable pump reduces service time and expense. Over the years the original pump has gone through revisions. Stenner manufactures from raw goods to the final assembly. The majority of the components are designed and manufactured at the corporate headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida.
Previously, Kincaid was a production manager at Sulzer and before that a production manager at Ahlstrom Pump Inc. Kincaid earned an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Technological University.
25. Steve Ganoe
President & Owner, St. Johns Ship Building
Steve Ganoe is the President and Owner of St. Johns Ship Building. St. Johns Ship Building, Inc. is a full-service shipbuilding and marine repair company specializing in new construction and repair. Their projects include everything from landing grafts, barges, offshore service vessels, push boats, ocean going tugs, tank barges and CTV. St. Johns has over 30 years combined experience, 900' of bulkhead waterfront including a 400' launch basin. The shipyard also has a 1,200 Ton Dry Dock, a 425' X 75' fabrication shop, as well as a complete carpentry, electrical and machine shop. Their facility is located on 98 acres along the St. Johns River in Palatka, Florida, approximately 68 miles southwest of Jacksonville, FL. Ganoe has over 15 years of experience. He began his career in 2007.
26. Mike Seethaler
President, Raintree Graphics
Mike Seethaler began his professional career 33 years ago. Today, he is the President of Raintree Graphics, one of the fastest growing printing companies in Northeast Florida. Since opening in 1989, they have outgrown three buildings, culminating in a move to its latest 55,000 square foot facility. Additionally, its staff has doubled in size in the last five years. This growth is no accident and has resulted in Quick Printing magazine ranking them 25th among the top 100 quick and small commercial printers in America. Superior printing and a comprehensive list of services have made them one of the premier printing companies in America. They provide a wide variety of products and services for businesses and organizations of all sizes throughout Northeast Florida and beyond. The PGA Tour, EverBank, The University of Florida and the Mayo Clinic rely on them for everything from forms and business cards to annual reports and catalogs.
Seethaler graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with an undergraduate degree in business administration and management.
27. Caral Edelberg
Chief Executive Officer, Edelberg and Associates
Caral Edelberg is the Chief Executive Officer of Edelberg & Associates. E&A is a widely recognized expert on emergency department (ED), hospitalist, ambulance and urgent care revenue cycle management, coding and compliance. E&A provides coding and compliance support for many medical specialties/subspecialties. Edelberg has personally managed coding, billing and compliance improvement projects for hundreds of facilities across the country. She develops training, auditing and monitoring tools while providing compliance audits used to identify coding and billing problems for many medical specialties.
Edelberg has previously been awarded Honorary Lifetime Membership in the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) for her outstanding work in the medical profession and the Association. This is a unique honor for a non-physician. She is a long-term member of the Coding and Nomenclature Advisory Committee for the American College of Emergency Physicians and as such assists with development of ACEPs Frequently Asked Questions on coding and reimbursement. She is a current member of the board of directors for the Emergency Department Practice Management Association. She is a frequent lecturer and author for many healthcare organizations. Edelberg has dual coding certifications from the American Health Information Management Association and the American Academy of Professional Coders. She is also certified in Healthcare Compliance through the Healthcare Compliance Association; is a certified medical auditor; a certified ambulance coder, and an active member of the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists. Edelberg is also an AHIMA certified Instructor in ICD-10 diagnosis coding.
28. Jan Baljon
President, Speck Pumps-Pool Products
Jan Baljon is the President of Speck Pumps-Pool Products. Since 1909 Speck Pumps has been an industry leader in pump technology. Through successful innovations and precision engineering, Speck Pumps has become a supplier for a variety of industries around the world. One of its pumps even accompanied American astronauts into space. Pumps manufactured by Speck can be divided into two main categories including industrial and swimming pool. Industrial applications including cooling, medical appliances and aerospace equipment. Their pumps are used for spas, residential and commercial swimming pools, pool/spa combinations, vanishing edge pools, fountains and waterfalls. In addition to its extensive line of pumps, they offer filters, equipment packs and its world-renowned water treadmills – The Badu SwimJet Systems. Baljon has 39 years of experience. He began his career in 1983.
29. Sharon Suggs
President & CEO, Allstate Steel Company
Sharon Suggs is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Allstate Steel Company, a privately-owned structural steel fabrication company founded in 1963. Its goal is to provide clients in the construction industry the highest quality fabrication in the most timely and efficient manner possible. The number one priority is responsive, personalized service regardless of job size. The company has built its enviable reputation through close client cooperation and the consistent delivery of quality products on time and on budget. Allstate Steel fabricates and installs the structural steel framing and other components of the structural package used in building large commercial structures such as retail malls, office buildings, hospitals, and warehouses throughout the United States.
30. Kevin Griffin
Co-Owner, Sea Breeze Food Service
Kevin Griffin is the Co-Owner of Sea Breeze Food Service. He first joined the company in 1995. Seabreeze Food Service is a family-owned and operated food service distributor serving northeast Florida, Gainesville, Tallahassee and southern Georgia. They offer over 4000 food service products for delivery and as part of its will call service from its distribution center on Edgewood drive in Jacksonville. Seabreeze Food Service stands behind its products and its salespeople know its products and how they can help restaurants and commercial kitchen operators over a wide variety of quality food products for reasonable costs.
31. Lynn Robbins
President, Healthplex Associates
Lynn Robbins is the President of Healthplex Associates. Healthplex Associates is an industry leader in the area of medical wellness centers. They assist hospitals and health systems to analyze the value of a medical wellness center as part of their population health and ambulatory care strategy. They have worked with over 400 hospitals and health systems over the last 20 years. Robbins joined the organization in 2008 serving as an executive vice president.
Robbins graduated from the University of Delaware with a master’s degree in accounting and business management.
32. Jordan England
Co-Founder & CEO, Industry West
Jordan England began his professional career 13 years ago. Today, he is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Industry West, the modern furniture maker that connects people with places in every piece and creates spaces for it all to come together. Industry West curates modern, artisan-crafted furniture and decor, with an emphasis on high-design. They curate modern design from global crafters, introducing handmade pieces with distinctive character into residential, hospitality, and commercial spaces. Their goal is simple, to allow people to express themselves in every place through quality pieces from modern industrial chairs to sectional modular sofas to handcrafted marble tables.
In his roles, England has led the development of the company's brand and product line since inception. He continues to play an active role in all daily operations and leads the team's product curation and development. England graduated from Emory University with an undergraduate degree in history.
33. Greg Burghardt
President, Rockaway
Greg Burghardt is the President of Rockaway. Rockaway is a full-service landscape provider. Whether it's advice that’s needed, landscape design and installation, landscape maintenance, irrigation, lighting services or commercial horticultural management services, their customers are taken care of by the knowledgeable and passionate Rockaway team. Burghardt graduated from Rutgers University with an undergraduate degree in business management and plant science.
34. Tara Prieto
CEO & President, Alternate Energy Technologies
Tara Prieto is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Alternate Energy Technologies, America’s solar thermal manufacturer. She has over 15 years of experience in the solar heating industry. Solar thermal and solar hydronic heating are the most efficient use of solar technology and are the primary and mandatory way to heat water in many countries. As the CEO of the largest U.S. solar thermal manufacturer, Prieto has worked in almost all aspects of the company. She is committed to growing AET through innovation, the best product, service, and reputation to continue her father's legacy of making AET a well-respected name in the solar thermal industry. Her current focus is to continue expanding AET’s business footprint in international markets and developing lasting partnerships with contractors, dealers, distributors, and vendor partners.
Prieto first got her start in 2000 as a teller and member of service representative at Campus USA Credit Union, before eventually rising to national account representative at The LeverEdge, her most recent position prior to joining Alternate Energy. Prieto graduated from St. Johns River State College with an undergraduate degree in management and business.
35. Luke Loyd
President, Fox Equipment
Luke Loyd is the President of Fox Equipment. Fox Equipment provides expansion joint and damper solutions for various process gas applications. They have an in-house design, engineering and fabrication team that allows them to provide a product that is second to none. All products are made to order per their customer-specific requirements. Fox Equipment has equipment installed in power utility, steel, cement, refineries, pulp and paper, glass and chemical industries throughout the world. Fox Equipment is a manufacturer of custom dampers, expansion joints, stacks and noise control products. Loyd has 17 years of experience. He began his career in 2004.
Loyd graduated from the University of Central Missouri with an undergraduate degree in mechanical design.
36. Jody Fusinatto
President, House of Floors
Jody Fusinatto is the President of House of Floors. He first joined the company in 1998. House of Floors provides same-day, next-day and Saturday services for convenience. Regardless of the flooring needs, they can ensure that units will be ready for move-in within 24-hours of a phone call, even if it's on a Saturday. With professional installers on hand, they're sure to be able to meet all of your flooring needs. Their installers are prompt, efficient, and highly skilled in flooring installations. From the moment a House of Floors uniformed installer arrives on a property, their clients can be assured that they will conduct themselves professionally and with as little disruption as possible to the property's residents and staff. Fully licensed and bonded, they offer an unlimited one-year warranty on all installations.
37. Renee Harrell
Controller & VP, Haskell
Renee Harrell is a Controller and Vice President for Haskell. She first joined the company in 1996 and has spent her entire career dedicated to the company. Haskell combines architecture, engineering and construction expertise with a corporate culture of transparency and integrity. Combining technical excellence and trust, the result is unmatched customer experience. Haskell employs over 2,000 architects, engineers, constructors and administrative professionals in 20 offices across the U.S., Latin America and Asia. They earn over $1B annually in commercial and industrial markets for both private and public sector clients.
Harrell earned an undergraduate degree in business administration from Valdosta State University.
38. Fred Brown
Owner, Crane Ramen
Fred Brown is the Owner of Crane Ramen. Crane Ramen offers a craft ramen bar featuring artisan noodles and locally sourced ingredients. Located in the heart of Gainesville, Florida, their meat, eggs and poultry are local whenever possible, and most of their veggies come from farms located within 100 miles of the restaurant. All of their food is scratch-made and they have their stocks running 24 hours a day. Brown has 14 years of experience. He began his career in 2008.
In addition to his roles with Crane Ramen, Brown is the director of Radius Workshops where they conduct arts and cultural workshops and tours in the U.S. and abroad. They are currently working on a food and wine tour in Lyon, France and a painting workshop with Louise Freshman Brown in Provence. Brown graduated from Syracuse University.
39. Robert Barlanti
President & COO, Sigma Plastics Group
Robert Barlanti began his professional career 40 years ago. Today, he is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Sigma Plastics Group. Sigma Plastics Group has grown into North America’s largest privately held manufacturer of extruded polyethylene films and bags. Founded in 1978 with just one facility, today they offer more than forty locations across the United States and Canada, each designed to serve and surpass their customers’ expectations with their commitment to quality, innovation and expertise in flexible packaging with more than 2 billion pounds of resin throughput. Sigma Plastics Group is the one source for extruded polyethylene film and bags. Barlanti first got his start in 1982 as a president at Coastal Films of Florida.
40. Michael Martin
VP & Co-Founder, teXium
Michael Martin is the Vice President and Co-Founder of teXium. teXium, a member of the UPSTACK family of companies, is an agency of technology and communications professionals representing 100+ carriers and technology partners nationwide. Martin is responsible for all sales and marketing initiatives at teXium, providing exponential growth year after year for the organization. His other primary responsibility is understanding teXium multi-industry customer base and the available technology options for their organization. Martin has 25 years of experience. He began his career in 1997.
Before joining teXium, Martin was a senior account executive at PAETEC and before that, a manager of major accounts at Authentium. Earlier in his career he worked with Deltacom as an account executive. Martin graduated from Trinity International University with an undergraduate degree in sociology.
41. Elias Mahfuz
Chief Executive Officer, Granite Depot
Elias Mahfuz is the Chief Executive Officer of Granite Depot. He first joined the company in 2002. Granite Depot is a direct importer of natural stone products from around the world. The company specializes in retail sales direct to consumers as well as wholesale to contractors and builders. They deliver raw slabs and fabricated installed products and import directly from countries around the world to ensure that their customers are getting the best quality possible. The professional staff at Granite Depot is always ready to go the extra mile to make sure that each individual is getting the best product for a project. Their experienced staff has years of knowledge in every facet of granite from quarry to installation.
42. Christian Hosking
President, Coffee Perks
Christian Hosking began his professional career 27 years ago. Today, he is the President of Coffee Perks, the largest independent, locally owned Coffee Service Company in Jacksonville, providing coffee, micro markets, and more to over 1500 customers locally and hundreds across the country. Coffee Perks offers the latest in coffee brewing technology and is supported by the most experienced staff in the industry. They have incorporated a fully vetted and approved operator list across the country in conjunction with the most robust ship-to program in the industry to support their relationships with their clients.
43. David Perez
Co-Founder, COO & CFO, Americanna Laboratories
David Perez is the Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Americanna Laboratories. He first joined the company in 2018. Americanna Laboratories is a Florida Licensed CMTL and Hemp testing laboratory providing accurate and reliable analysis of Cannabis products. Americanna has grown from its pharmaceutical, food safety and agrochemical roots and boasts the most technologically advanced staff and equipment of any analytical laboratory. They have applied their 30 years of experience to become one of the premier labs in the Cannabis industry and are the first Florida USDA approved lab, a certified Florida hemp testing laboratory and have received our CMTL from the Florida Department of Health.
In addition to his roles with Americanna, Perez is the general manager of ADPEN Laboratories, ADPEN is a contract analytical laboratory specializing in the agrochemical, pharmaceutical and food safety industry for over 30 years. His responsibility as GM is for the day-to-day business planning including material and manpower resources, and funding needed to conduct studies according to their protocol. He also supervises the areas of marketing, finance, human resources, operations and purchasing. Perez earned an undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of North Florida.
44. Collins White
Founder, Owner & President, Defenshield
Collins White is the Founder, Owner and President of Defenshield, a veteran-owned, SBA-certified small business specializing in the engineering and development of bullet, blast, and fragment resistant equipment for the government, military, law enforcement and private sector for anti-terror, force protection, and physical security requirements. Defenshield continues to grow with multi-million-dollar sales. Their highest profile deployment was to NYC for the protection of President Obama at the UN general assembly. They are currently exporting with products in use at approximately half the nuclear facilities in Japan, police stations in Mexico, and embassies in the Middle East. White has 40 years of experience. He began his career in 1982.
Before founding Defenshield, White was a senior engineer at Applied Biosystems and before that a senior engineer at Carrier Transicold. Earlier in his career he worked with the United States Air Force as an avionics technician. White graduated from SUNY Polytechnic Institute with an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering.
45. Geoffrey Messick
CEO & Managing Partner, ROI Logistics
Geoffrey Messick began his professional career 21 years ago. Today, he is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of ROI Logistics, an independent, veteran owned corporation, founded in 2007. ROI offers full-scale information and logistics technology services, authorized distributor and integrator for a variety of best-in-class software and hardware manufacturers. The team at ROI have 50+ years of combined experience in supply chain efficiency and logistics management, B2B integration technology and real estate expertise. ROI has grown from providing a single product into a visionary company that offers extensive best in class solutions to the many facets of the supply chain that further maximize the value proposition.
Messick is responsible for long-term strategic planning, domestic/international expansion, enhancing synergy between clients and channel partners, working closely with software developers in research/development, continuous process improvements strategies that assist applicable contacts in maximizing return on investment and/or increasing revenue. He has held supply chain management/logistics positions for companies such as Mayo Clinic, TNT Logistics North America, and the United States Navy. Messick earned his undergraduate degree in transportation and logistics from the University of North Florida.
46. Rusty Gardner
Owner & President, BoatFlorida.com
Rusty Gardner is the Owner and President of BoatFlorida.com. He founded the company in 2011. BoatFlorida.com is a network of free online sites and communities for local boaters in Florida. With a network of 25 websites, BoatFlorida.com covers the entire state with local sites, classifieds, a business directory, and soon an online store. BoatFlorida.com began with a modest idea and a single site called BoatBrevard.com. From the success of this site, they found there was a need for this service in other areas of Florida. This is the ultimate social networking connection site for Florida boaters and now there is much more than just Central Florida being covered. Now the popularity of BoatBrevard.com has led to an expansion to cover all boating areas of the Sunshine State. Gardner earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from Carson Newman.
47. David Gile
President & CEO, Gheelay
David Gile is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gheelay. Gheelay provides a full range of civil and environmental engineering services required to plan, design, and permit a wide range of projects, from small site developments to large infrastructure improvement projects.
Before joining Gheelay, Gile was a senior project engineer at Pond and Company and before that a project manager and engineer at AECOM. Earlier in his career he worked with The Haskell Company as a civil engineer. Gile graduated from the University of Florida with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering.
48. Mike Schwiebert
President & Founder, AugHog Products
Mike Schwiebert began his professional career 30 years ago. Today, he is the President and Founder of AugHog Products. AugHog is an American manufacturer and fabricator of beach, boating, pool, and other outdoor products. They strive to make high quality products that will last customers for years. Many resorts and beach rental companies around the world use their AugBrella beach umbrella anchors and their relaxation station swimming pool lounges to enhance their customers' beach and pool experience.
Schwiebert first got his start in 1992 as an owner of MBC, a custom home builder and general contractor. From there, he went on to Cives Steel Company as a Southeast regional sales manager, his most recent position prior to joining AugHog Products. Schwiebert graduated from Stautzenberger College-Maumee with an undergraduate degree in real estate.
49. Gabriel Curry
President, Fuelbox Industrial
Gabriel Curry is the President of Fuelbox Industrial. He first joined the company in 2021. Fuelbox Industrial is an industrial supplier in the pallet industry. By sparking productivity through innovation, Fuelbox is determined to become the most customer-focused company in the industrial space by simplifying supply and improving the lives of its customers, team, and community.
Previously, Curry was a general manager at Green Dynamix and before that a president at Impact Media. Earlier in his career he worked with HUB Industrial Supply as an account executive.
50. David Webb
CEO, BrightMove, Inc.
David Webb is the Chief Executive Officer of BrightMove. He first joined the company in 2004. BrightMove is an award-winning, cloud-based Applicant Tracking System (ATS) for Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), staffing, PEO and corporate HR teams around the world. Their team provides all the tools needed for any size organization to make more placements and achieve greater ROI.
In addition to his roles with BrightMove, Webb is a private investor in Prowave Consulting, an exclusive provider of high-end application tuning and architecture for Java Containers. He graduated from the University of North Florida with an undergraduate degree in computer science.
