-A Select 21 Applicants from the 7-county Region Accepted into the Political, Public Policy Initiative-

(Orlando, FL) – The Central Florida Political Leadership Institute (PLI) today announced members of its 2015 class that were accepted into the innovative, groundbreaking initiative designed to strengthen and equip the region’s future leaders with training prior to their decision to run for public office. Twenty-one (21) finalists were chosen from the seven-county Central Florida region, which includes Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia.

“The Central Florida Political Leadership Institute allows the opportunity for those considering a bid for public office to learn more about the process and the issues impacting Central Florida,” said Craig Swygert, chair of BusinessForce. “We are thrilled with the selected applicants and look forward to their thoughtful determination if elected office is part of their future,” continued Swygert, President of Clear Channel Outdoor Orlando and a corporate sponsor of PLI.

A Selection Committee consisting of Investors and Members of BusinessForce reviewed the strength of applications, conducted interviews and selected the twenty-one (21) participants, ensuring representation from a wide range of business, civic and community organizations across the seven-county Central Florida region. They include:

Steven Alexander PFM Asset Management, LLC; Board Member, Orlando Inc.; graduate, Leadership Orlando Class 85
Roberto Baptiste U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Robert Clements Florida Office of Attorney General
Michelle Ertel Florida Strategic Advisors, Inc.
James P. Gleason City of Mascotte; graduate, Leadership Orlando Class 42
Susan Hammerling Florida Dermatology Associates
Jerry Lee Hanbery Invitation Homes
Shay Harold SunTrust Bank, Central Florida
Wendy Hatton Accelerated Learning Systems, Inc.
Ava Henderson Parquet Public Affairs, LLC
Andria R. Herr Hylant Group; graduate, Leadership Orlando Class 35
Charles T. Keen, III Rockwell Collins; Leadership Orlando Class 89
Jared Maltbie Incentive Properties, LLP
Yogesh Melwani Align Commercial Real Estate
Rob Panepinto Florentine Strategies; Incoming Chair, Orlando Inc.
Bruno Portigliati Florida Christian University
Latif Qadri The Best Direct Marketing Group
Mauricio Reale Amerex Capital LLC
Danny Rivera Orange County Government; Member, Central Florida Young Professionals Advisory Council (YPAC)
Jennifer Spath CBC of Central Florida
Codeye J. Woody Orange County Public Schools

 

The 2015 Institute sessions will be held Thursday, October 8 through Saturday, October 10, 2015 on the campus of the Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College in Winter Park. During the course of the bipartisan two and one half day session, Institute participants will hear from prominent state and national experts discussing a broad range of topics – government, media, campaigning, fundraising, ethics and key public policy issues. Already, 14 members from the first six PLI classes have been successfully elected or appointed to state and local public office in Central Florida.

There is no cost to apply or attend.  PLI is made possible by the support of its sponsors including AT&T, Bright House Networks, Central Florida Partnership, Clear Channel Outdoor, Orlando Magic, Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College, and Universal Orlando Resort.

For additional information, please contact Mike Ketchum, President of BusinessForce at 407.835.2464 or via email at mike.ketchum@orlando.org, or Christina Johnson, Director of the Central Florida Political Leadership Institute at 850.391.5040 or via email at Christina@on3pr.com.

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