From the Corner Office

Eleni founded Gates Hospitality Group, which handles brand building, corporate communications, public relations and more for restaurants and other businesses, earlier this year. She was previously head of investor relations and corporate communications for East Manatee County-based First Watch Restaurant Group. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Eleni talked about what she’s learned from some importan...

AG Lafley is the former CEO of consumer products giant Procter & Gamble, where he ran the company for 15 years over two different tenures. Since retiring and moving to Sarasota, he has worked with small businesses and nonprofits, and also led the development and operations at the Bay Sarasota. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and AG talked about how he overcame difficulties and challenges at P&G...

Darla has more than 20 years of experience in everything from corporate sales and operations to leadership development. She currently runs Darla Bonk Consulting, and, with her husband, Architectural Metal Flashings. Two more biographical nuggets: She’s a Fort Myers city councilwoman and she hosts a weekly podcast, “On Your Way.” On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Darla talked about her diverse and wi...

Jennifer Grondahl has been with the  Baltimore Orioles since 2018, splitting her time between Maryland and the team’s spring training home in Sarasota.  Prior to the Orioles, she was president of the YMCA Foundation of Sarasota; founded and ran a marketing and events company in Sarasota; and was the executive director of the American Cancer Society. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Jennifer talked ...

Andrew Wright is the founder of three companies: Franklin Street, a full-service commercial real estate firm with more than $7 billion in transaction volume over 20 years; private equity firm Ally Capital Group; and Next Level Brands, a hospitality/dining company. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Andrew talked about his humble and blue-collar origin story, which led him to put a premium on work eth...

Tim is a go-to thought leader in investing in startups, entrepreneurship and related topics in both Southwest Florida and the entire Sunshine State. In addition to being a partner at Fifth Avenue Family Office in Naples, which works with a select group of high net-worth families, Tim is also chair of the Tamiami Angel Funds. Tim has been named to Florida Trend magazine’s list of Florida’s 500 Most Influential Business Leaders six t...

Global business brokerage Transworld Business Advisors is based in South Florida, with a heavy presence on the west coast of the state. Andy Cagnetta, after owning and running a pasta shop in Connecticut, joined Transworld in 1995. In 1997, driven, his bio says, “by his entrepreneurial spirit and belief in the industry’s potential, he purchased the company.” Transworld now has multiple Florida offices, including one in Tampa, and a...

John Burpee has been in the Florida commercial real estate market for more than 30 years. He consults with national investment firms, financial institutions and private investors, and has brokered more than $2.1 billion in commercial investment real estate deals. He’s also president of the Florida Gulfcoast Commercial Association of Realtors, and has worked as a court-appointed receiver. On this episode, Business Observer Managing ...

Erin McLeod has worked in public relations, communications, consulting, health care, hospitality and the club industry. She’s been with the Senior Friendship Centers in Sarasota since 2004; she has been CEO of the nonprofit since 2015. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Erin talked about her career origins and how she, on the spot, thought of a top-notch acronym on the spot in a job interview several...

Dara Shareef is the managing partner of Benchmark International, where he oversees the transaction team in the firm’s U.S. headquarters in Tampa. Benchmark recently made a big splash in the region, in signing a naming rights deal for what’s now Benchmark International Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Dara talked about lessons in empathy and grit he learned fr...

Sophia Shaw has had many interesting roles, from leading the Chicago Botanical Garden, to being an Adjunct Professor at the Kellogg School of Management. After all that, her work is just getting started. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Sophia talk about Sophia's start up, PlanPerfect, her 'why' to get into nonprofit work, the importance of planning to plan and why initiative is a crucial leadershi...

Doug is the executive director of the Child Protection Center of Sarasota, a nonprofit dedicated to prevention, intervention and treatment of child abuse. Doug has been with the organization for 30 years, and it has led it since 2011. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Doug talked about his career transition in going from the U.S. Army to social work; what he looks for in young leaders; and how he bui...

Bob has been president and CEO of Smith & Associates for some 30 years. The firm is one of the largest independent real estate brokerage firms in the Tampa Bay region, selling properties in St Petersburg and Tampa. The firm has also helped bring more than 40 upscale developments to the region. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Bob talked about how Bob has adapted to three decades of big changes i...

Shep has been CEO of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee since 2021. He previously worked for Federations in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati; in Ohio he was CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati for 16 years. Prior to Federations, Shep, an attorney, worked for a Washington, D.C. law firm that worked for nonprofit clients. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Shep talked about building community con...

Ian Schmoyer has helped lead the homebuilding company he founded eight years ago, Christopher Alan Homes, to become both one of the largest privately-owned homebuilding firms in Lee County and a top 100 firm nationwide. The company, with a focus on amenable and affordable homes, builds in Charlotte and Lee counties in Southwest Florida and Palm Bay on Florida's East Coast. On this episode Ian and Business Observer Managing Editor M...

Greg Slater has had a 30-year career in highways and transportation, the last three or so in Tampa as CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority. Before that he was the Maryland Secretary of Transportation. His current organization, THEA, recently approved a $752 million work plan, which will include projects for safer streets and congestion relief. On this episode Greg and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk...

Kevin Gillen has been a market president for Synovus Bank in Florida since 2020, covering the Tampa Bay and Sarasota-Manatee markets, among other regions. He previously held banking leadership positions for financial institutions in New Jersey and the Washington, D.C. area. On this episode Kevin and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about the winding path of Kevin’s career and what has driven him to be a better lea...

Jerel McCants is a leading architect in the Tampa Bay market, having built his own firm from scratch with a focus on how people use spaces. He founded the company in 2010, and it focuses on commercial and residential builds, with work on the both coasts of Florida. On this episode Jerel and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about his philosophy of designing spaces that bring people together and how and why he launc...

Brittany Lamont was named president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance in 2021. Prior to that Lamont, a vocal advocate for the local business and civic communities, was a vice president at the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. On this episode Brittany and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about her career in chambers of commerce and what motivates her. They also talked about what she looks for in leaders, ...