Board Members

Derrick Ayers
Strategic CPA with Big 4 Background, SEC, Private Company & Fortune 500 Financial Services Industry experience.
- Broad knowledge base of Accounting, FP&A, Treasury Management, Risk Management, Human Resources & Benefits, Legal & IT in multiple industries including Financial Services - Banking, Wealth Management & Insurance, Real Estate, Construction, and ECommerce/Distribution.
- Exposure to multiple accounting ERP systems (Quickbooks Online, Netsuite, LoneWolf, SAGE, MS Dynamics, Applied, IBM Cognos, and Hyperion)

Bill Barker
My passion is helping strengthen the communities we serve as we help local businesses grow. We do this in an environment where our teams work collaboratively, and everyone understands the value of their contributions and teamwork and thus put service above self. We believe it is important to have an inspired vision, to encourage the heart, to model the way, to challenge the process for the better, and therefore enable everyone to achieve their full potential.

Theodore Bill
Theodore "Ted" Bill – Ted is CEO of Wire Experts Group, a collection of wire manufacturing companies that includes Naples, Florida based Pelican Wire Company and Loveland, Colorado based Rubadue Wire. Ted is proud to have overseen the transition of the business in 2008 to be 100% employee owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP. Ted has served as CEO of Wire Experts Group, Inc. since it was formed in 2014.
In the community Ted serves as a board member for the Naples Players, a local not-for-profit theater company dedicated to building community through exceptional access to the power of theatre. He is a board member of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and serves as chair of the Talent Advisory Committee. Ted is President of the Florida chapter of The ESOP Association and President of the Southwest Regional Manufacturing Association.
Prior to working for Pelican Wire, Ted spent 13 years with Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida where he worked in Industrial Engineering and Information Technology. Ted has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida, and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Central Florida.

Michelle Borders
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.

Russell Budd
Russell Budd is the founding partner of PBS Contractors. Founded in 1986, PBS has a focus on craftsmanship, integrity, and community impact.
Russell led PBS Contractors to become Southwest Florida’s Concierge Builder®, renowned for luxury homes, commercial projects, and a commitment to enriching lives through every project.
Beyond the job site, Russell has dedicated decades to strengthening the Naples community through service, philanthropy, and leadership. He serves on several boards, and his impact through PBS Contractors spans numerous nonprofit organizations across the region. He also chairs community events like the Farm City BBQ and founded Russell’s Barbecue, a biannual fundraiser supporting local nonprofits.
Now serving in a mentorship and advisory role within the company, Russell continues to inspire the next generation of leaders while championing initiatives that strengthen the fabric of Southwest Florida.

Scott Burgess
Blessed to serve as CEO of the David Lawrence Center in Naples, FL. DLC is the only not-for-profit, comprehensive community mental health center and addiction facility treating children, adolescents and adults in Collier County. We are honored to provide near 315,000 services annually across the entire continuum of care. Our supports include: 24/7/365 crisis intervention and assessment services, inpatient crisis stabilization & detox services, individual, family and group therapy, medication management, substance use disorder residential rehab., supportive housing, an array of specialty treatment court programs, prevention and education, community based intensive services for children and families as well as adults, etc.
DLC, and its 400 staff, are dedicated to providing world class care for all in need. Our specialized and compassionate care fuels our mission to provide help, healing, and hope to everyone we are privileged to serve.

Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Jenna is an award-winning political reporter turned public affairs professional, who most recently served as the director of government relations at the Greater Naples Chamber. There, she helped advance the chamber’s governmental and legislative priorities at the city, county and state levels. She also managed the successful One Collier campaign, which, in 2018, supported the passage of a one-cent infrastructure sales surtax in Collier County. Jenna graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, with a degree in journalism. After college, she spent more than a decade covering local and state government and politics, for the Naples Daily News and then Florida Politics.
Jenna currently serves as the board secretary and a founding board member of the Collier County Community Land Trust and is a member of the Women’s Foundation of Collier County Board of Directors. In 2020, she was named a 40 Under 40 honoree by Gulfshore Business. She has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, was a member of the Alliance for Period Supplies of Southwest Florida Board of Directors and served on the host committee for the David Lawrence Centers Sound Minds event.

Brian Collins
Brian Collins is a Managing Director on the Real Estate team. Brian joined BDT & MSD in 2023 and is focused on its real estate developments including Naples Beach Club. Prior to joining BDT & MSD, Brian was EVP, Director of Development at Silverstein Properties. Previously, Brian was SVP, Head of Development at Fisher Brothers, President of Intrawest, and Partner and COO of Millennium Partners. Brian is a member of the Urban Land Institute and he earned a M.S. from New York University Stern School of Business and a B.A. from Colgate University.

Eileen Connolly-Keesler
As President, Connolly-Keesler oversees the Community Foundation of Collier County’s mission, to address community needs by providing leadership and coordination through grantmaking and fund development. The Community Foundation, now 35 years old, manages more than 750 funds, collaborates with hundreds of nonprofits, $250 million in assets and has distributed nearly $200 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofit organizations and community programs since its inception. Eileen joined the organization in January 2013.
Eileen is Board Chair of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance and serves on the boards of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, Moorings Park Foundation and CFLeads (Community Foundations Leading Change). She is a chair of the State-wide Community Foundation Steering Committee for FPN, Florida Philanthropic Network Policy Committee. She also served on the Greater Naples Planned Giving Council Board and was a Rotarian for over 28 years.

Kristen Coury
Kristen is the Founder, CEO, and Producing Artistic Director of Gulfshore Playhouse. She founded the Playhouse in 2004 and since then has grown the company from a staff member of one with no budget to a bustling professional theatre and education not-for-profit organization with 56 employees and a budget that, in 2024, will be well over $11M annually. Kristen spearheaded an over $70M campaign to build a brand new state-of-the-art Theatre and Education Center at the gateway to Downtown Naples, and brokered a public/private partnership with the City of Naples, through which Gulfshore Playhouse and the Wynn Family donated over an acre of land to the City upon which to build a parking garage. The new Baker Theatre and Education Center will open to the public in November of 2024. Kristen was named one of the Men and Women of the Year by Gulfshore Life in 2013, received the Murray Hendel Civic Achievement Award in 2023, and was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Business Leaders in Collier County for the past three years. She is a lifetime member of the Leadership Collier Foundation, Class of 2020, and a lifetime member of Leadership Florida, Cornerstone 40. In 2023, she was invited by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo to serve on the Florida State Council for Arts and Culture.

Brett Diamond
Brett Diamond - Principal of DeAngelis Diamond & Co Founder of Venture X.
DeAngelis Diamond is an award-winning construction management company committed to embracing change and innovation to better serve our clients and communities. Currently built of 295+ Team Members with $550 million in annual revenue.
Venture X is a luxurious office space designed with health and well-being in mind. We launched the first in 2012 in Naples, Florida, turning it into a franchise in 2016. There are currently over 100 locations open and under development around the world.

Carlo Fassi
Carlo Fassi is the Regional Manager for External Affairs and Economic Development for TECO Peoples Gas. He currently covers the Southwest Florida service territory for the natural gas distribution utility. His prior experience includes serving as Deputy Director of Government Affairs for the City of Jacksonville, as an Associate with The Southern Group, as a Public Affairs Assistant in the Office of the State Attorney, and as a Public Affairs Consultant with Kinder Morgan, Inc.
As a self-employed political campaign consultant and manager, he also worked on numerous campaigns for public office. He attended the University of North Florida, where he studied Political Science and History. As a student at UNF, he was twice elected student body president and, in that capacity, served on the UNF Board of Trustees. He also chaired the Florida Student Association and represented Florida’s 300,000+ students on the State University System Board of Governors. From 2017 to 2021, he served on the Board of Trustees for the Jacksonville Public Library and served as its chairman for three years.

Blake Gable
Blake has been an integral part of his family business for more than 20 years with a focus on real estate and mineral investment and development. He oversees a team of 130 employees, 1.3 million square feet of commercial properties, private land holdings of more than 80,000 acres, and one of South Florida’s largest citrus operations. Commitment to his community is a priority for Blake, who is a graduate of both Leadership Collier and Leadership Florida.
In addition, he is the Chairperson of the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees, where he directs his efforts towards the future of higher education for the state of Florida and career opportunities for University graduates. Blake also sits on the Audit and Governance Committees for the Board at Consolidated-Tomoko Land Company, a real estate company with a portfolio of income investments in many markets in the United States.

Bill Gaston
Over the past 20 years in the construction industry, William has managed over $100M of project, from inception through warranty, for a wide variety of project types to include: clubhouse facilities, banks, office buildings, retail, fire stations, medical facilities, apartment buildings, assisted living facilities, condominiums, lucury homes, and industrial distribution facilities. William has held a state-certified building license since 2002 and co-founded BUILD in 2006. He holds a degree from the University of Florida's M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Building construction school in the country.

Mary Beth Geier
Mary Beth Geier serves as the Florida Director & Senior Program Officer for the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. In her role at the foundation, Mary Beth is responsible for their philanthropy throughout the SWFL region, as well as the Anguilla, BWI. She performs site visits, prepares evaluations and offers recommendations while serving as the liaison to the numerous charitable organizations in our community.
Prior to working for the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, Mary Beth was the assistant principal of a parochial school in north central Florida. In her role as assistant principal, she was responsible for teacher in-service programs, evaluation of lesson plans, student and teacher schedules, and student conduct.
In addition to her role at the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, Mary Beth serves on several local boards and advisory committees which include: Board of Directors, Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation; Board of Directors, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce; and the FGCU College of Education Dean’s Advisory Council.
Originally from New Jersey, Mary Beth moved to Florida a 25 years ago where she graduated, with honors, from St. Leo University. More recently, she received her M.A. in Educational Leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University. Mary Beth was recognized by Naples Illustrated as a Leading Lady of Collier County in January 2018 and as an Influential Leader for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Mary Beth lives in Naples and enjoys traveling to visit her children who live in North Florida, Minnesota and Washington.

Dudley Goodlette
Mr. Goodlette has been in private practice of law in Naples, Florida since 1973. Mr. Goodlette was a member of the Florida legislature from 1998 to 2006. He served as Chief of Staff, Office of the Speaker, Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to 2010. Mr. Goodlette was appointed to serve as Interim President of Edison State College from January 2012 to August 2012. From 2018 to 2023, Mr. Goodlette was Of Counsel with the firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes and Holt in the Naples office. Mr. Goodlette graduated from the College of Law, University of Florida, and received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Eastern Kentucky University. Mr. Goodlette is a member of the Compensation Committee, Business Development Committee, IT Data Security Committee, and Nominating Committee.

David Gordley
David has over 30 years of banking experience, serving as Naples Market President since 2013. His primary responsibility is to lead First Horizon Bank in the growth of the Company within Collier County, including all marketing, sales, revenue and expense initiatives. His diverse banking background also includes leadership and management positions in middle market, large corporate, residential mortgage, commercial real estate and treasury management services with regional and community banks.

Andrew Hill
Andrew (“Andy”) D.W. Hill has more than 30 years of portfolio management experience. He currently serves as the President of Andrew Hill Investment Advisors, a Naples-based boutique investment advisory firm that he co-founded in 2010 with long-time business partner Jennifer Figurelli. Since its inception, the firm has steadily grown to more than $180 million in client assets under management.
Prior to forming his own firm, Andy was a Senior Portfolio Manager and regional Chief Investment Officer with two regional Trust banks. While working at both institutions, Andy served in various nationwide investment strategy capacities, including forming asset allocation recommendations and political research.
Andy holds an MBA from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Canisius University and has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He is a Past President of the Chartered Financial Analysts Society of Naples. Andy has been honored with induction into the Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society and induction into the Canisius University DiGamma Honor Society.
Frequently interviewed by the media on the financial markets, Andy’s comments are often quoted in Investor’s Business Daily, Naples Daily News and Fort Myers News-Press. He also has appeared on CNBC and FOX.
In addition to his responsibilities with Andrew Hill Investment Advisors, Andy is a frequent speaker on sustainable investing strategies. In 2023, he was re-appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve on the Big Cypress Basin Board. Andy also currently serves as officer of the Executive Finance Committee of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.
Andy is married to Dr. Susan M. Liberski and they have a German Shepherd dog, “Ranger”. In his spare time, Andy enjoys spending time with family, playing hockey, fishing on his boat and relaxing at his second home in Chokoloskee, Florida.
Clark Hill
During his forty-year career in the Hospitality Industry, Clark Hill has opened and managed upscale, full-service hotels in several locations throughout the United States. Clark is currently general manager of the AAA Four Diamond Hilton Naples featuring Shula's Steak House in Naples, Florida, a position he has held for the past twenty-three years
Clark is Vice Chairman of the Tourist Development Council and serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, Collier County Chapter. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Moorings Park. Clark is the Past Board Chair of United Way of Collier County and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Naples Chamber. He is a graduate of Leadership Collier, Class of 2012.

Paul Hiltz
Paul Hiltz is a visionary healthcare system CEO, who continuously innovates and improves his organization, while maintaining high standards in clinical quality and patient satisfaction.
Creates high levels of medical staff satisfaction, loyalty and engagement through strategies designed to empower and motivate physicians. Builds high performing teams of executives and motivates employees through strategic communications and transparency. Creates win/win relationships with communities and governments that lead to innovative new services and facilities. A skilled financial manager who reengineers operations and improves processes to yield outstanding financial results.
Hiltz turned around Mercy Hospital - Mt. Any, improving EBITDA by $5.5 million over four years. Envisions and implements revenue-producing programs and services. An accomplished strategist who can translate vision and strategy into action. Has a clear view of the future of healthcare and prepares his organization to thrive in that world. Served as the founding President of Mercy Health Select (MHS), one of the first Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) in the country, growing covered lives to 23,000 in the first year of operation. MHS was named as "One of the Top 100 ACO's to Know" by Becker's Hospital Review. He won the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from the Xavier Graduate Program in Health Administration for 2017. Other recipients have been luminaries in the field of healthcare administration.

Cotrenia Hood
Cotrenia Hood has over 20 years’ experience in business development. After a successful career in business with fortune 500 companies, Cotrenia transitioned to working with Chambers of Commerce where she led business and economic development in both Louisiana and Naples, Florida.
She felt a deep passion to step out as an entrepreneur and in 2015 founded Steel Bleu, a business and executive consulting firm.
Cotrenia serves on several boards and leadership counsels. She was also honored as Gulfshore Business Magazine Women in Business, an inductee to Florida Weekly’s “Power Women” and a graduate of Leadership Collier and Cornerstone Class 40 of Leadership Florida.
A sought-after speaker on the topic of business & leadership development as well as innovative strategies. Cotrenia has also been featured in magazines as well as hosts a segment, “Building a World Class Business” on WINK and the CW.
Cotrenia has a passion for helping today’s business leader by providing knowledge, tools, and strategy to scale their businesses and elevate their position in this new economy.

Buddy Hornbeck
Buddy Hornbeck is a commercial insurance producer for Arthur J. Gallagher in Naples, FL. He works on insurance in all industries but his primary focus is Real Estate/Development, Condominium/Homeowner Associations, Hospitality, and Construction. Buddy and his wife Lindsey have three kids and love spending their free time enjoying the beautiful beaches and community of Naples. Buddy is also the chairman of the Winged Foot Scholarship Foundation.

Greg Johnson
Greg Johnson brings to Conditioned Air over 30 years of executive experience in the service industry with proven results. With extensive expertise in long-term organizational strategy, talent development, and acquisitions, Greg is positioning Conditioned Air for continued success as Southwest Florida's leading provider of HVAC services. But when you ask Greg about his accomplishments, he insists that his track record of success would not be possible without the hard work, talent, and dedication of an organization's greatest asset, its employees.
Greg serves Conditioned Air as Executive Chairman, and with any hat he wears, Greg takes a visionary and hands-on approach to leadership in which he is singularly focused on putting the customer first. On any given day, you will find him tirelessly working alongside the management team to move the company toward industry best practices and ultimately, toward fulfilling its mission.
Greg hails from Colorado where he earned his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University and his Master's in Business Administration at the University of Colorado. He and his wife, Becky, reside in Naples, Florida, and have 2 grown children who live in Florida and California. In addition to spending time with his family, Greg enjoys boating, golfing, and fishing among many other outdoor activities.

Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer is a multi-faceted entrepreneur from True Fashionistas, Florida’s largest lifestyle resale store, to Cooies Cookies a company she started with her teenage daughter to online store Pink Farmhouse and most recently The Fashionista Life which embodies her podcast, blog, motivational speaking business and coaching business for women entrepreneurs.

Jan Kantor
Jan Kantor is the founder and owner of Success Systems, a business consulting firm that helps organizations improve internal communication, leadership, teamwork, and overall business performance. A resident of Naples, Florida for over 50 years, Jan is a respected voice in business and civic leadership throughout Southwest Florida.
Originally from Miami, Jan began his radio career at age 16, turning a hobby into a profession. After moving to Southwest Florida in 1973, he and a partner acquired two local radio stations and led them to great success. He sold his share of the stations in 1982, retired briefly, then launched Success Systems to address the growing need for business development resources in the region. The firm also offers executive coaching to help leaders clarify vision, improve execution, and drive meaningful growth.
Jan has been instrumental in shaping leadership programs across the area. He served on the charter steering committees for Leadership Lee (1985) and Leadership Southwest Florida (1989) and was a founder and first chairman of Leadership Bonita. In 2009, he established the Leadership Collier Alumni Association, which continues to thrive today. He was honored as Director of the Year by the Bonita Springs Area Chamber Board of Directors. Jan serves currently as the Chairman of the Leadership Collier Foundation.
A longtime columnist for local publications, Jan is also the author of Inspiring People in the Workplace, a practical guide to motivating and leading others. He is married to Kim Ciccarelli Kantor, and together they remain active in the community they’ve long called home.

Jason Korn
Jason is an attorney with the law firm of Dentons Cohen & Grigsby, located in Naples. Dentons is the largest global firm in the world, with over 10,000 attorneys in over 80 countries. Jason serves as the Firm’s Managing Shareholder for its Florida office.
Jason has served in numerous leadership roles in various civic, charitable and community organizations. The Collier County Education Foundation honored Jason with its annual Men of Distinction™ award, “recognizing men who have distinguished themselves through extensive charitable community service in Collier County, men whose fervent passion for helping others made, and continues to make, the community a better place.” In 2021, the Naples Chamber of Commerce awarded Jason with the Greater Naples Chamber Chairman’s Award, which recognizes an individual for their “dedication to community betterment, who helped the Chamber fulfil its mission of cultivating economic opportunity for all” and “who goes above and beyond, in service to the Chamber and the community as a whole.”
Jason is the former President of the Trial Lawyers Section of the Collier County Bar Association, the former President of the American Inns of Court, Collier County, and the former Chairman of the Judicial Nominating Committee of the 20th Judicial Circuit (appointed by Governor Jeb Bush). In 2022, the Collier County Bar Association recognized Jason as the recipient of the Donald Van Koughnet “Lion of the Law Award” for Collier County. The award recognizes excellence in legal skills, professionalism, and public service. Criteria for the award include a career marked by reputation for professionalism and character, one possessed of great legal skill in advocacy, and commitment to community service. Jason’s style of litigation earned him recognition earlier in his career by Gulfshore Life Magazine in the area of complex litigation and as one of the “Go-To Lawyers’’ and “A-List Advocates” in the five counties of Southwest Florida.

Cee Cee Marinelli
A native Neapolitan, Cee Cee has been associated with the Barron Collier Companies since 2006 with responsibilities in leasing and development for all of BCC’s commercial properties. She is a member of Leadership Collier Class 2013 and Leadership Florida’s Connect Class VII.

Michael Moore
Michael "Mick" Moore is a partner and owner of the Vanderbilt Beach Resort and the Turtle Club Restaurant located on Vanderbilt Beach in Naples. Prior to joining his family's hospitality businesses, Mick was a full time civil trial lawyer with Roetzel & Andress in Naples. Mick continues to practice law today on a part time basis at the firm of Woods Weidenmiller Michetti & Rudnick in Naples. Mick earned his J.D. degree from William & Mary Law School and his B.A. degree from Dartmouth College.
Mick grew up in Naples and attended Naples Park Elementary School, Pine Ridge Middle School and Barron Collier High School. Mick is active, and has held leadership positions, in a number of civic and charitable organizations including the Naples North Rotary Club, Trinity by the Cove Episcopal Church, and the YMCA of Collier County. Mick was also a member of the Leadership Collier Class of 2020.

Matthew Morinello
Matthew Morinello works in the Pharmacy Benefits space, where he drives impactful change in healthcare benefits through meaningful interactions. His background in hotel planning and control, including international experience in Lake Como, Italy, has honed his attention to detail and extraordinary commitment to customer service. With a Master’s in Business Management from Niagara University, Matthew’s leadership is grounded in this extensive experience.
Since relocating to Naples in 2018 from Upstate New York, Matthew has been deeply engaged in local initiatives, demonstrating a strong commitment to community service. He serves as a Vice Chair for the Greater Naples Board of Directors and has recently joined the Leadership Collier Foundation Advisory Council, following his graduation from Leadership Collier in 2024. He is also proud to be the class chair for Everglades Day for the Leadership Collier Class of 2025.
Matthew has played a key role in securing corporate partnerships with essential local organizations, including Healthcare Network, Avow Cares, the American Heart Association, and Leadership League (sponsorship for Leadership Collier). He is also an investor for The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce as a Legacy Leader.
In his work with the Immokalee Foundation, Matthew has developed a new annual networking seminar to assist students in mastering best practices for networking, specifically in preparation for their annual CEO summit.
Matthew and his fiancé, Grace, have each contributed over 100 hours to the Catty Shack Cat Cafe, a foster facility supporting the Gulf Coast Humane Society, underscoring their commitment to local animal welfare.
Matthew has strong personal ties to Everglades City, reflecting his deep connection with local environmental and community issues. Outside of his professional roles, he enjoys fishing, gardening—a skill passed down from his grandfather—and values continuous personal education and cultural exploration. His personal and professional interest in culture and the arts highlights his appreciation for Naples' growing status as a global leader in these fields, further underscoring his commitment to contributing to Florida’s growth and well-being.

Mary Morton
Mary Morton is Chief Financial Officer of The Moorings Park Institute, Incorporated. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Mary earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Business Administration, focusing on accounting and finance. She is a licensed CPA in New York and Florida. Prior to joining Moorings Park in 2012, Mary served as Assurance Manager for a national public accounting firm where she performed audits, reviews and other assurance and attestation services for companies in a variety of industries across the country.

Alon Naftali
Lead’s a team of talented and energetic Commercial Banking specialists focused on Southwest Florida. We strive to combine a strategic advisory role with best-in-class service to our clients, freeing up their time to work on their business, not in it.

Patrick O'Connor
Patrick O'Connor has made a name for himself in many Naples venues, with roles as a dedicated, professional REALTOR®, a caring husband and a responsible citizen in his community. It is his mission to excel in life, both personally and professionally. Patrick proudly graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in finance after obtaining his real estate license in 1978.
Now, with over 46 years of real estate experience, including appraising, he has developed a knack for finding his clients the perfect home, which, for many, is their single biggest financial investment. Whether his customers are looking for pet-friendly communities or luxury waterfront, he will search for properties until the right fit comes along. In addition to finding buyers their consummate home, he is also skilled in assisting sellers, often yielding a higher-than-expected sales price in a relatively short period of time. Patrick O'Connor has been consistently recognized year over year as a top producer of Premier Sotheby's International Realty's Park Shore office, and he is honored to be a member of the inaugural class of Club 1744, the company's exclusive group of industry-leading global real estate advisors.
Patrick is a member of the Naples Area Board of REALTORS®, the Florida Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®.

Amy Patterson
Amy Patterson has dedicated herself to public service in Collier County for more than two decades. She has served as Deputy County Manager since May 2021, was named Acting County Manager a year later, and in June 2022, was unanimously selected as County Manager.
Born and raised in Naples, Patterson began her career in Collier County Government in 2000 as a job-bank employee in the Growth Management Department. She worked diligently, gaining valuable experience serving as Fiscal/Impact Fee Analyst, Impact Fee Coordinator, and Director of Capital Project Planning, Impact Fees & Program Management.
As Deputy County Manager, Patterson was responsible for oversight of the daily operations of the County agency. As County Manager, Patterson oversees a net adopted budget of $2.1 billion and 2,164 employees. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, belongs to several professional organizations, and is a guest lecturer throughout the community, the state, and around the country. Patterson is focused on managing county operations with maximum efficiency, transparency, and accountability. She is the first woman to serve as County Manager in Collier County.

Margarita Pazmino
Margarita Pazmino serves as the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation’s Director of Community Relations and Development.
Margarita has dedicated the last eight years of her career to working with non-profit organizations. Before joining the Foundation, she spent over six years at Florida Atlantic University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, building community relationships, securing strategic partnerships, and helping grow the program and expand its reach.
Margarita graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

Kevin Rambosk
Sheriff Kevin Rambosk earned his bachelor’s degree in public safety administration from William Paterson University and his master’s degree in business administration from Nova University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Sons of the American Revolution; 2010 Innovation Award, Collier County Economic Development Council; member: Immigration and Border Security Committee, National Sheriffs’ Association; former board of directors, Leadership Collier Foundation; board of directors: Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, Collier Senior Resources Emeritus, The Shelter for Abused Women and Children. L.E.A.D Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence ; Trinity Life Foundation, board of directors; 2020 NAACP Humanitarian Award; and former Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America; vice chair, Substance Abuse Coalition of Collier County; co-chair, SW Florida Regional Domestic Security Task Force; 2012 Men of Distinction Award, The Education Foundation of Collier County; 2013 Excellence in Leadership Award, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce; 2014 David S. Crawford Law Enforcement Officer Victim Services Award, Florida Attorney General’s Office; 2016 Commissioner’s Business Recognition Award, Florida Department of Education; Board of Directors, Florida Sheriff’s Association.

Eloy Ricardo
As Fire Chief, Eloy Ricardo directs North Collier Fire Rescue’s all-hazards response efforts. A fundamental element to Ricardo’s management style is the Service First philosophy that guides him in all aspects of his personal and professional life and provides for the highest level of service to the community he serves.
Ricardo’s history with the District began in 2001 as a Firefighter. His leadership capabilities, coupled with the understanding that the wisest decisions are based on the best interests of the constituents served, propelled him upward through the ranks from Firefighter, Lieutenant, Inspector and Assistant Chief of Life Safety to his current position of Fire Chief. Notable achievements under Ricardo’s command includes the 2014 integration of North Collier and Collier County plans reviewers at the County’s Growth Management office in order to provide one-stop, efficient and seamless service to area residents, builders, and developers. Additionally, in 2010, Ricardo was a driving force behind the development of legislation providing for the voluntary merger of special districts – legislation that later was utilized in the 2015 North Naples Fire-Big Corkscrew Island Fire merger.
Hailing originally from New York state, and then Miami since his youth, Ricardo’s more than two decades of experience as a public servant expands well beyond the confines of North Collier Fire. Affiliations include the Collier County Fire & EMS Chiefs’ Association, Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association, Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Firefighters, Florida Association of Special Districts and the National Association of State Fire Marshals. Moreover, by the nomination of his peers, Ricardo also served as District Vice President for the Florida Professional Firefighters for more than thirteen years.
Understanding the importance of community, Ricardo has volunteered as an assistant football coach at Gulf Coast High School since 2011, leading the school to their first district championship in 2017. This engagement with his community’s youth inspired Ricardo to create the Helmet to Heroes program that mentors area high school football players interested in fire, EMS or law enforcement to realize careers as first responders. The program has already graduated students from both firefighter and EMT academies. Additionally, Ricardo has assisted on the Executive Board of the Pop Warner Naples Hurricanes Youth Football Association. Beyond the Naples community, Ricardo’s volunteerism included a Florida International Volunteer Corp trip to Nicaragua to teach locals firefighting, an inspirational journey as Ricardo notes.
Recognition includes 2015 and 2018 State of Florida Training Center of Year for which Ricardo oversees as well as the 2017 State of Florida Professional Firefighter of the Year, the first Collier County Firefighter to receive the award.
Chief Ricardo has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University.

Garrett Richter
Garrett Richter serves as Market President for First Foundation Inc. In his role, Mr. Richter brings over 50 years of banking experience to lead the company’s Florida market areas for First Foundation Bank. Prior to joining First Foundation, Mr. Richter served as the founder, President, CEO and a director of First Florida Integrity Bank and the President and a director of TGR Financial, Inc., the bank’s holding company.
Mr. Richter’s banking career began at Mellon Bank in February 1969, but his employment was interrupted when he entered the Army in November 1969. He was awarded a Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry while serving in Vietnam with the 75th Ranger Company from 1970-71.
Mr. Richter was elected to the Florida Legislature in 2006. He served one term in the Florida House of Representatives, followed by two terms in the Florida Senate, where he was the President Pro Tempore from 2012 to 2016. During his tenure in the Florida Senate, he chaired the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, the Senate Gaming Committee and the Ethics and Elections Committee. Garrett served as the chairman of the Florida Defense Support Task force from 2015-2016, working to protect and enhance Florida’s military missions and installations.
Mr. Richter is the past chairman of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and is an alumni and past Board of Regents member of Leadership Florida and past chairman of Leadership Collier. He served as of director of Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta from 2019 – 2021. Garrett previously served on the Florida Ethics Commission.
Mr. Richter is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin.

Adam Ryzenman
Adam Ryzenman is a distinguished technology leader and software architect with over 15 years of comprehensive experience in designing, developing, and deploying scalable, high-performance software solutions. He possesses deep expertise in cloud-native architectures (AWS, Azure), microservices, DevOps practices, and applying Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to solve complex business challenges. Adam is passionate about fostering innovation, building and mentoring high-performing engineering teams, and driving digital transformation initiatives. He is recognized for his strategic vision, hands-on technical skills, and his ability to bridge the gap between technical possibilities and business objectives. Adam thrives in dynamic environments where he can leverage cutting-edge technologies to deliver impactful products.

Hector Sanchez
As the Vice President of Ropes & Assemblies Division, I lead manufacturing sites that produce high-quality wire rope products and fittings for aerospace and defense applications, as well as for other critical industries. I have more than four years of experience in multi-site operation leadership and P&L responsibility, delivering profitability and growth in a challenging and competitive market.
My core competencies include manufacturing process improvement, operations management, engineering, and lean principles, which I apply to optimize the performance and efficiency of our facilities and teams. I also have a strong track record of developing strategic relationships and market diversification, which enabled me to expand into new segments and products during the COVID-19 pandemic and the aerospace downturn, resulting in incremental gains in 2021 and beyond. I am currently enrolled in the Leadership Collier program at the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, which is a leadership development program for professionals in the region. My mission is to drive operational and commercial excellence for Central Wire and its customers, while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Julie Schmelzle
Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager (Series 7 and 63) at Bank of America with responsibility for corporate client relationships with $50MM to $2Bil in revenues across diversified industry sectors with deep expertise in Agribusiness, Retail, and Financial Intermediaries (national responsibility). A career spanning 30+ years advising corporate clients in operational efficiency, treasury, capital structure and markets and risk management; she also serves as part of the local executive team for Southwest Florida and serves on the Bank of America Innovation in Commercial Banking Council (U.S.).
With a business and economic backdrop from her professional experience, she has been extensively involved in local economic development serving in various roles including EDC Chair, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce (Opportunity Naples Community Strategic Plan and current Chair of The Greater Naples Chamber). Additional community and leadership roles include the Naples Airport Authority (Noise Compatibility Committee) and long-time trustee – Vice Chair of Community School of Naples.

John Schmieding
John Schmieding is the Senior Vice President, General Counsel at Arthrex, Inc., a leading worldwide designer and manufacturer of medical devices for orthopedic surgery. Since 2002, John has been responsible for all global legal concerns of the corporation. In the past 25 years in private practice, John has worked extensively in matters involving complex civil and patent litigation, insurance defense, mergers and acquisitions, employment law and health law. He also has written and lectured on topics relating to the validation and enforceability of E-Contracts, corporate governance, risk assessment and asset protection. At Arthrex, John’s responsibilities have ranged from overseeing all counseling on global growth.
He has also participated in product development by being a named inventor on several patented surgical innovations. John currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Florida Class of 35, and the Seacrest Country Day School Board Trustee Committee. He is a 2018 recipient of the First Chair Award for In-House Counsel. John earned his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, where he received the American Jurisprudence Award for Constitutional Law II. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University in both English and Criminal Justice-Pre-Law.

Jeanne Seewald
Jeanne L. Seewald is an attorney with Hahn Loeser & Park LLP in Naples. She is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and past partner-in-charge of the Southwest Florida offices. She focuses her practice on advising businesses in the area of intellectual property including trademark, copyright, patent, domain name and licensing, and in the area of mergers and acquisitions. She is board certified by The Florida Bar as an expert in intellectual property law and served as Chair of The Florida Bar Intellectual Property Board Certification Committee and Chair of the Intellectual Property Law Committee of The Florida Bar. Jeanne is a past President of the Collier County Bar Association and is a past President of the Collier County Women’s Bar Association. She received her undergraduate degree from Hendrix College, MBA from the University of Central Arkansas and law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Jeanne and her husband, Don, have lived in Naples since 1999 and enjoy spending time at the beach.

Paul Selvidio
For nearly fourteen years, I have had the joy of serving our extraordinary school in a variety of roles - first as Chief Financial Officer, then as both Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, and now as Head of School. Each chapter of my journey at CSN has deepened my appreciation for the vibrant, student-centered culture that defines our community. I’ve also had the pleasure of teaching and coaching in the Upper School, an experience that continues to inform my perspective and passion for academic and personal excellence. These diverse roles have provided me with a unique perspective on our school's operations, culture, and, most importantly, its spirit. During my tenure, I have challenged myself and others - students, faculty, and staff alike - to overachieve, to be resilient, and to pursue excellence in all their efforts.
My wife, Brooke, and I are proud to be part of the CSN family, not only professionally, but personally - our three children, Makayla ‘30, Peter ‘32, and Elizabeth ‘34, are all thriving students at CSN. We have seen firsthand the transformative power of a CSN education, and we are deeply invested in the school’s mission and future.
Prior to joining CSN, I was a Certified Public Accountant and consultant with the firm CliftonLarsonAllen. I consulted for a broad and diverse group of clients nationally, including educational institutions, nonprofits, and financial enterprises. I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School before earning a B.S. in Accounting and a B.S. in Finance from Florida State University.
I currently serve on the boards of the Florida High School Athletic Association and the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.

Chris Simoneau
Christopher Simoneau joined Lee Health in March 2019. Chris is responsible for strategic direction and oversight of Lee Health’s fundraising, brand development, marketing, and internal and external communications in alignment with our mission, vision, values, and strategic objectives.
Chris has more than 25 years of experience in institutional advancement and fundraising. He joined us from Florida Gulf Coast University where he served as Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of the FGCU Foundation. Chris led all university advancement activities, including development and fundraising, marketing and communications, community relations, special events, and alumni relations. He was also the Senior Director of University Advancement for Tufts University in Medford, Mass., and the Associate Vice President of Strategic Planning and University Relations at Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance at Villanova University and his MBA at Columbia University.Chris is active in a variety of professional and community service activities. He serves as Chair of the School District of Lee County’s Independent Sales Surtax Oversight Committee, a member of the board of the Naples Chamber of Commerce, a manager of Lee Healthcare Holdings, LLC, and as immediate past president of the Lee and Collier Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Chris previously served on the boards of the Moorings Park Foundation, SWFL Economic Development Alliance, and Engage Estero (ECCL).

Randy Smith
Randy Smith is the CEO of Naples Transportation & Tours (NT&T) and a Director at HF Companies (HFC). Since 1990, Randy has led NT&T, transforming it from a small operation with just 2 vehicles and 3 employees into a thriving business with 76 vehicles and over 100 employees. He also oversees Global Works Events & Destination Management and plays a hands-on role in managing several other HF Companies’ hospitality businesses in Southwest Florida. Since NT&T’s acquisition by HF Companies in 2018, Randy has collaborated closely with David Hoffmann and the acquisition team to expand the transportation and hospitality verticals across the U.S., as well as HF Companies’ real estate holdings in Southwest Florida.
Dedicated to community service, Randy is an active member of several boards, including the Naples Area Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, the Florida Limousine Association, and the Florida Gulf Coast University Resort Hospitality Management Advisory Board. He previously served on the Collier County Public Vehicle Advisory Board. In 2023, the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau honored Randy as the Tourism Leader of the Year.
A nearly lifelong resident of Southwest Florida, Randy earned his degree from the University of Florida School of Business and is a proud graduate of Leadership Collier. Randy and his wife, Karol, live in Naples and have two children. In his free time, Randy enjoys playing on Naples’ world-class golf courses and pickleball courts.

Aysegul Timur
Aysegul Timur, Ph.D. is President of Florida Gulf Coast University; she is the institution's fifth president. In her previous role at FGCU, Dr. Timur served as Vice President and Vice Provost for Strategy and Program Innovation, where she has worked since 2019.
Dr. Timur received her doctoral degree in Business Administration, majoring in Economics, from the University of South Florida, and both her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration from the University of Istanbul. Her areas of specialization include business policy and organizational development, quality and continuous improvement, health (especially pharmaceutical pricing), and international economics. She is a go-to expert for workforce development and was recently honored by the Florida College Access Network as one of its first Workforce Education Innovators. Before joining the University team, she held a variety of faculty and executive leadership positions in higher education, including full professor of economics.
Vicki Tracy
A 40 year resident of Naples, Vicki Tracy has extensive experience with prestigious start up firms and developments throughout Collier County. Her career in Naples has included such start ups as HMA, Ezon Corporation, Hardy Development, Royal Palm Academy, and the Arlington, a multi-million dollar retirement community, where she served as Director. She is also known for her civic involvement, accomplishing numerous local awards such as Woman of the Year, Women of Distinction, Women Who Make a Difference, and countless leadership awards. Her most recent endeavor has been joining the team at Gulf Coast International Properties as their chief operating officer.

Jamie Ulmer
Jamie brings a wealth of healthcare leadership experience, including more than 24 years of service in the military where he began his medical career. During his years of service, he saw multiple deployments and job assignments with progressive leadership responsibilities. In 2013, Jamie honorably retired from active duty as Executive/Operations Officer in Fort Bragg, NC.
Upon his retirement from the military, Jamie worked for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control as the state’s public health administrator for emergency medical services for children; served as public health administrator for the United States Army, Fort Jackson, SC; and was recruited to be chief operating officer of Rural Health Services, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Aiken, SC. Prior to joining, Healthcare Network he was CEO of Heart of Florida, an FQHC serving Marion County, FL.
Jamie earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from South Carolina State University and a master’s degree in human resources development and health services management from Webster University in St. Louis.

Patrick Utter
Patrick has been with Collier Enterprises since 1995 and is responsible for its real estate portfolio, including asset sales, new development, construction, land sales, leasing and property management. During his tenure at Collier, he has negotiated contracts and closed over $645MM in asset sales. He is responsible for the complete master planning, design and permitting of 5,400 acres, totaling 9,849 residential units and 525,000 SF of commercial development.
Patrick has been successful in completing complex land use agreements such as: developments of regional impact, interlocal agreements, annexation, planned unit developments, environmental resource permits, and rezoning. By integrating his knowledge of local regulations with his appreciation of Florida’s ecology, Patrick has helped foster relationships with community groups while developing new projects that help further develop Florida’s economy. Patrick earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and later earned an MBA from the University of South Florida. He is a registered professional engineer, a licensed real estate broker and a certified property manager.

Lisa VanDien
Lisa Van Dien is the General Counsel and Vice President at London Bay since January 2015. Prior to that, Lisa worked as an Attorney at the law firm Cheffy Passidomo from June 1999 to May 2014. Lisa holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Richmond School of Law, earned in 1996, and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs from Syracuse University, obtained in 1991.

Chris Vernon
Mr. Vernon handles the litigation and arbitration of complex business and financial disputes throughout Southwest Florida, including contract, construction, probate, and real estate disputes. Mr. Vernon’s national practice encompasses the representation of investors in all manner of securities disputes throughout the United States. He is “AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated” by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating an attorney can receive for their professional ethics and legal ability by their peers and the judiciary. Mr. Vernon has also been repeatedly recognized by Florida Super Lawyers (2006-2022) and The Best Lawyers in America (2009-2024) in multiple categories (Commercial Litigation, Securities/Capital Markets Law, and Bet-the-Company Litigation). He has also testified as an expert on investment matters as well as matters relating to FINRA arbitration. Submit an inquiry for Chris to be an expert witness for your case here.

Deanna Wallin
Deanna Wallin, a former nurse turned skincare pioneer, founded Naples Soap Company out of her passion for assisting individuals suffering from chronic skin issues such as eczema and psoriasis.
A Southwest Florida native, Wallin earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Barry University. She returned home to earn her LPN certification from Lorenzo Walker Technical College and worked in the healthcare industry in Southwest Florida for 15 years.
Following the recession of 2007-08, she was looking to make a career change and was inspired to share her journey to find relief from her own painful, chronic skin conditions. In 2009, she opened a small 300 square foot retail store in Tin City where she sold skin care items including natural soaps and body butters.
Today, Naples Soap Company operates 13 across the state of Florida, offers products nationwide direct to the consumer through a robust e-commerce site (naplessoap.com). The Company’s wholesale division sells to spas, boutiques and retail shops across the United States.
In 2021, Deanna took the company public. Naples Soap Company stock is traded on the OTC markets under the symbol NASO. As CEO, Deanna provides strategic direction for the company while overseeing company operations, product development, merchandising, buying, marketing, investor relations, and talent development.
She has earned numerous professional and business accolades including:
- Gulfshore Business Remarkable Business Women Award 2023
- Naples Illustrated Naples 100 Collier County Most Influential Business Leaders 2022
- Naples Illustrated Naples 100 Collier County Most Influential Business Leaders 2021
- Naples Illustrated Naples 100 Collier County Most Influential Business Leaders 2020
- Business Observer Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner 2020
- Florida Retail Federation Retailer of the Year Award 2015
- Greater Naples Chamber Business Expansion Award 2014
- Greater Naples Chamber Excellence in Industry Company to Watch 2013
- Greater Naples Chamber Entrepreneurship Award 2011

Michael Wynn
MICHAEL has served as board chairman of the Wynn Family Companies and President of Sunshine Ace Hardware in Naples, Florida since 2005. Mr. Wynn is the past Chair of the board of directors of the Miami Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He is also a member of the board of directors for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce (past-chair), Leadership Collier Foundation (past-chair), Moorings Park Institute (Vice Chair), and the NCH Healthcare System (2nd Vice Chair.) He is a member of the Florida Council of 100, a gubernatorial appointee on the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Board of Trustees and a member of the board of directors for Leadership Florida. He is a proud graduate of Barron Collier High School and received a BS in business administration from the University of South Florida in 1997 and an MBA in business administration from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2005. He was awarded Hardware Industry’s Top Gun Award presented by the National Retail Hardware Association in 2014, Finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2014, 2017 FGCU Alumni of the Year, voted the 2017 Gulfshore Business Best Boss for a Large Company, Business Observer’s 2019 Icons of Business and awarded the 2019 Naples Daily News Outstanding Citizen of the Year. Sunshine Ace Hardware has been recognized by Gulfshore Business Magazine as a Best Place To Work in 2022 & 2023

Matthew Zwack
Matthew, a LEED Accredited Professional, became involved in the construction industry in 1996, working his way to Foreman for Mills Construction Company in South Dakota, where he built commercial buildings from the ground up. After moving to Southwest Florida and becoming a Lead Finish Carpenter, he joined Owen‑Ames‑Kimball in 2005 as an assistant superintendent. His experience with public, private, civil, and architectural projects allows Matt to lead our company with confidence.
Matthew grew up with a father that worked in construction and was always very proud of his projects, so he knew he wanted to do the same thing and have the same feeling of pride for his own completed projects. Outside of work, he enjoys working on various projects at home. Matthew is currently working to restore a 1970 Airstream camper.