Ambassadors

Brian Cooper, our Director of Sales and roofing rockstar, may daydream about teeing off on the PGA Tour, but his true passion lies in shingles and nails!

With over 35 years of experience as a Commodity Trader and Director of Sales on the New York Mercantile Exchange, Brian brings an exceptional level of professionalism, strategic insight, and people-first leadership to the roofing industry. His background speaks for itself-but it's his work ethic, honesty, and integrity that truly set him apart.

Since September 2024, Brian has proudly served as an Ambassador for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, further reflecting his commitment to both our business and our local community. Whether it's guiding customers through the roofing process or representing Mighty Dog Roofing throughout Naples, Brian's dedication and energy shine through in all he does.

As co-owner of Sand Dollar Shelling and Boat Tours, which I proudly run with my husband Evan, we offer a variety of unforgettable experiences on the stunning waters of Naples Bay and the Ten Thousand Islands. Our tours include shelling adventures, dolphin and eco tours, Port Royal sightseeing, sunset cruises, tiki boat tours, and a convenient water shuttle service. Each tour is crafted to showcase the natural beauty, rich wildlife, and unique charm of Southwest Florida’s coastal waterways.

Before launching our business, I had a successful career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). While I valued my time in the financial world, transitioning to this hands-on, hospitality-driven industry has been incredibly rewarding. It has allowed me to blend my organizational and leadership skills with a deep passion for the outdoors and community engagement.

We joined the Chamber of Commerce to broaden our reach within the community and to connect with other local businesses and organizations in a meaningful, positive way. From day one, we’ve experienced genuine support and encouragement from Chamber members and staff, which has played a significant role in our growth.

After seeing the impact the Chamber has had on both our personal and professional lives, I chose to become an Ambassador as a way to give back. It’s truly fulfilling to welcome and support new members as they begin their own journey within this vibrant network.

Being a member of the Chamber has enriched our lives in so many ways. Professionally, it has opened doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and increased visibility. Personally, it has connected us with an inspiring community of fellow business owners and leaders who share our passion for Naples and its continued growth. We’re honored to be part of such a dynamic and supportive organization.

Sue’s mission is to empower and embolden individuals to maximize the opportunities and potential that change brings. As a speaker, change strategist, author, executive coach, caregiving coach, and mentor, she lives out this mission through her purpose-driven work. She guides and inspires leaders and emerging leaders committed to business growth and next-level leadership, helping them become great leaders of themselves and others. In addition, she supports non-professional caregivers in becoming confident, balanced, and well-supported throughout all phases of their caregiving journey—enabling both businesses and working family caregivers to thrive.

Sue joined the Greater Naples Chamber because she is passionate about supporting the community she lives in. Throughout her life, she has benefited from the generosity and support of others, and she is grateful for the opportunity to pay that forward.

She became an Ambassador because of her deep appreciation for the Chamber’s impact—not only in the community, but in her own life. She frequently shares her positive experiences with others and wanted to become more intentional and informed in her advocacy for the Chamber.

Through her involvement, the Chamber has made a significant difference in Sue’s personal and professional life. She has built meaningful friendships, found mentorship, expanded her network, and gained valuable insight into the Collier County community—experiences she may not have otherwise encountered without this connection.

I moved to Naples in March 2020 from NYC/NJ with my family and am very fortunate to say I love my job in hospitality.  Part of my calling as Director of Sales is to ensure my guests have a wonderful experience in beautiful SWFL. I specialize in partnerships, business development, sales, marketing, connections, building, and participating in communities.

Award recipient for December 2023 Business of the Month by the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and Commissioners.

My mission is to enjoy family, life, travel, connecting with the community and sales & marketing. 

Kathy Beuttel was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to Naples in 2006.  She currently serves as an Advertising Account Manager for Naples Illustrated, a premier luxury lifestyle magazine, for the past 10 years. With over 40 years of experience in sales, telecommunications, advertising, and marketing management, Kathy is proud of her career accomplishments and the meaningful relationships she’s built along the way.

Kathy joined the Greater Naples Chamber to become more deeply connected to her community and to continue developing her leadership skills. In 2018, she became an ambassador to represent her company, support the Chamber’s mission, and stay informed about the exciting growth and changes shaping the Naples market. Her dedication and enthusiasm led her peers to nominate her as Ambassador Chair, a role she has proudly held for the past four years.

Kathy finds great joy in helping others feel seen, welcomed, and empowered. Whether welcoming new members, attending events, or simply sharing a warm smile, Kathy is driven by a desire to make a positive impact.  Being part of the Greater Naples Chamber has enriched her life both personally and professionally and she is grateful for the chance to give back and contribute to the vibrant spirit of the Naples community she loves.

Michelle and her husband Kevin have been married since 1992 and have owned Naples Networks Services since 2004. They provide IT consulting, maintenance & VOIP Phones to small and medium companies in and around Collier County. Naples Network Services was voted best in business by Gulfshore Business readers in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and was recipient of the Greater Naples Chamber Business of the month in September of 2021.  Michelle was Ambassador of the year in 2019, has chaired their Small Business Council since 2019 - she was awarded The Chairman's Award in 2023.

Liz is a Massachusetts native who has called Naples home for almost 30 years. She is employed as the Director of Client Services of the Maxwell Mortgage Team of CrossCountry Mortgage. An active member of the Chamber for more than 10 years  Liz has also served as Ambassador Vice Chair and then Chair. 

"My favorite part of being an Ambassador is welcoming new members and others who are new to Naples. I enjoy helping people make connections that will drive their businesses. I will never forget how Naples Chamber members welcomed me when I came to town."

Liz is a proud citizen of Red Sox Nation and a Spring Training Season Ticket Holder. She also enjoys live theater productions whenever a Broadway Touring show comes to the area.  

Timothy E. Hall is a seasoned business executive with many years of experience at the executive level of several Regional banks. In addition, Hall, who has a passion for Education, was a founding Director and subsequently President and CEO of the Chelsea School in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Since moving to Florida in 2007, Hall was a Senior Consultant with a CPA firm, Thompson, Cobb and Bazillo, which undertook a number of contracts with the FDIC. For overtwo years, Hall supervised an Asset Review team in each of the banks that the FDIC was taking over. He subsequently served as a Senior Asset Manager with Hudson Realty Capital where he specialized in the workout of a portfolio of loans acquired from the FDIC. For anotherthree years, Hall was a Senior Vice President with First American Bank where he concentrated his efforts in developing and maintaining a commercial loan portfolio. Presently, Hall is a consultant with the Small Business Development Corp with the Lutgert School of Business of the Florida Gulf Coast University.

Brad H. Hyde, CPFA, AIF, serves as the Director of Consulting Retirement & Wealth at OneDigital Investment Advisors, LLC. With more than 25 years of experience in corporate and nonprofit retirement plan consulting, Brad specializes in 401(k), 403(b), and defined benefit plans. He is known for providing customized solutions that align with client objectives while supporting his firm’s broader mission and vision. Throughout his career, Brad has held leadership positions at organizations such as PNC Bank, PNC Capital, Alerus Financial, and was the founder of PensionTrend, Inc. 

Deeply committed to his community, Brad is actively involved with the Naples Chamber of Commerce, Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, and SHRM of Southwest Florida. He also dedicates his time to nonprofit organizations including Valerie’s House, Avow Hospice, and Goodwill Industries of SWFL.

Born and raised in Columbus Ohio where I raised 3 wonderful boys,  I now have 3 beautiful grandchildren who I adore. 

When I started my career in Business Development, my company was already part of the Chamber of Commerce. I started attending Chamber events and getting to know the staff and other members.  I found it to be rewarding not only to meet others business professionals in the community but also to broaden my network base and form friendships along the way.

I decided to become an ambassador because I felt it was a way to give back to the community that I had grown to love.  Welcoming new businesses and attending ribbon cuttings is very rewarding and keeps me on the pulse of what is happening in our city.  It’s rewarding to help promote new companies whose success strengthens our economy.

Being an ambassador has made me a more well-rounded professional and deepened my appreciation for all that Naples has to offer. I’m proud to be part of it.

Tim Philbrick is the Community Engagement Manager for the Avow Foundation in Naples. With over 30 years of valuable business experience, including small business ownership and management roles at Cannon USA, Xerox, and Accustaff, Tim brings a wealth of knowledge to his role.

In his free time, you might catch Tim on the basketball courts, where he has been officiating for over 35 years, or out on the water enjoying some fishing under the Florida sunshine. Tim is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan and Florida Gulf Coast University. He shares his life with his lovely wife Jamie and their three children, not to mention their adorable grand-duaghter.

Denise is originally from Brooklyn, NY and moved here in 2004.  She started working as a temp for Spherion Staffing in 2014 and then became their Staffing Coordinator soon thereafter and was promoted to Area Manager for the Naples office in 2017.  She was Employee of the Year for 2021 and also won Office of the Year for 4 years. She loves helping people find their dream job.

Denise is very involved in helping veterans and has been an Auxiliary member for the American Legion Post 303 in Bonita Springs.  She is currently the President of the Auxiliary and volunteers her spare time there whenever she can. Before becoming Auxiliary President, she was 1^st Vice President as well as Chaplain. She also holds the Chair for Children & Youth as well as Membership.  She also is a lifetime member of the VFW in Bonita Springs.  Helping people is one of her passions and with her dad being a veteran she has a special place in her heart for these clubs.

She has been a volunteer ambassador since 2017 for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce. She has won Ambassador of the Year for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce for 2025. Being involved with the chamber has opened up so many new connections that have become lifelong friends.  

She been a member of Naples Area Professional League of Executive Services since 2020 and also a member of SHRM Naples since 2019.

She has 2 amazing boys, Dylan 15 years old and Kayden 13 years old that warm her heart and she loves spending time with them.

Melissa Severance is the owner of Inspire Big Dreams, an executive consulting firm dedicated to empowering business leaders through transformative coaching, customized training, and strategic HR consulting services. She is also the founder and host of DisruptHR Naples, a dynamic learning and networking events that unites top leaders to exchange cutting-edge ideas and foster innovative workplaces.

With over 20 years of experience as a transformative human resource leader, Melissa began her career in accounting at a Big 4 public accounting firm before pivoting to HR leadership and executive coaching. Drawing on this unique blend of expertise, she delivers impactful coaching, workshops, and training programs focused on leadership development, mindfulness, and HR strategies.

Melissa is a certified mindfulness facilitator, avid meditator, and yogi. She integrates mindfulness practices into her leadership development work, enabling others to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose. She is also certified in Digital Wellness and Adult Mental Health First Aid, further enriching her ability to support individuals and teams in navigating the complexities of modern work environments.

Melissa is deeply committed to serving her Florida HR community. She serves as vice president of programs on the board of SHRM Naples and as Director of Well-Being for the HR Florida Council (SHRM Florida), where she supports the chapters' wellness and health initiatives.

I joined the Chamber because I believe in the power of community and collaboration. As a local business owner focused on leadership development I wanted to connect with other leaders who share the same vision of upskilling and empowering our workforce. The Chamber’s dedication to supporting local businesses and fostering growth aligns perfectly with my passion for helping others thrive and building a stronger community together.

I decided to become an Ambassador to give back to the organization that has supported my business and my vision. As someone passionate about creating future-ready workplaces, serving as an Ambassador allows me to connect with other businesses, welcome new members, and share insights on how we can all prepare for the rapidly changing world of work. I love being able to represent the Chamber’s mission while promoting the importance of leadership growth and workforce development.

The Chamber has expanded my professional network and opened doors to partnerships that align with my mission of helping leaders grow and businesses prepare for the future. Personally, I’ve formed friendships with like-minded professionals who inspire and challenge me to be a better leader. The Chamber’s resources and supportive community have helped me grow both as a business owner and as a champion for creating future-ready leaders and teams.

Originally from Southern California, I have been living in Naples for almost 8 years now. As a young professional, I have had the pleasure of working with Paychex for the last 5 years as a Senior Business Consultant specializing in supporting small to large businesses with federal and state compliance, HR support, Fortune 500 employee benefits, and seamless integrations. My ideal partners to work with are professionals who also work with business owners such as CPAs, Enrolled Agents, bookkeepers, insurance agents, bankers, and many other business focused industries

Originally from Tennessee, Lisa Winters has proudly called Naples home for over 20 years. Deeply rooted in the community, she is known for her active involvement with numerous organizations and charitable causes across Southwest Florida. Lisa is a dedicated member of NABOR, serves on the Community Involvement Committee, supports RPAC, and is affiliated with the Bonita Estero Board of REALTORS®, the Women's Council of REALTORS®, and the Board of Directors for COMA of Florida. 

Lisa brings a wealth of experience in luxury home marketing, with over 15 years in advertising sales for prestigious publications such as Home & Design. She also spent seven years with Storm Smart, contributing to the company’s growth in the home protection space. Currently, Lisa serves as a Project Consultant at KGT Builders, an award-winning design-build firm, where she leverages her expertise to elevate brand presence, foster partnerships, and drive sales in the high-end remodeling market.

Her passion for connecting people, supporting local businesses, and making a meaningful impact continues to define her work as an Ambassador for the Naples Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jamie is a proud Naples native! Her professional career has been within hospitality, to include 21 years in the resort industry. Her current journey is Group Sales & Events Manager for the Perry Hotel Naples.

She is passionate about community and is always happy to make new connections.