From the Corner Office

Chuck Wolfe has been CEO of the Chiles Group since 2018. The company oversees several assets, including the organic Gamble Creek Farms in Manatee County. The company previously owned and operated three waterfront restaurants in Manatee. Prior to hospitality, Chuck was in politics and strategic planning, including a 12-year stint as CEO for the Victory Fund, a national advocacy group supporting LGBTQ candidates. Chuck was also a sen...

Toni founded her fractional CEO firm, The C Society, in June 2025. One of her goals is to bring high-level leadership to restaurant and hospitality companies with the overhead. She was previously president of restaurant brand Perkins and managing director for Little Ceaser’s Pizza, Canada. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Toni talked about her career, both with large brands and now, leading a consu...

Jon Kaupla was appointed to run the Center for Executive and Leadership Education at the USF Muma College of Business last July. The center is designed to deliver practical, high-impact learning experiences for current and emerging leaders. Prior to USF, Jon spent nearly a decade leading the Center for Professional & Executive Development at the Wisconsin School of Business. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Ma...

Ronde is one of the most recognized professional athletes in Tampa Bay, having played 16 seasons for the Buccaneers in a Hall of Fame career that included a Super Bowl win. Ronde has remained active in the region’s sports and philanthropic communities since his 2012 retirement, and is general chairman of Copperhead Charities, which puts on the Valspar Championship PGA Tour event every March. On this episode, Business Observer Manag...

Craig Albernaz was named manager of the Baltimore Orioles — who host spring training in Sarasota — last October. Craig played college baseball at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg and then in the minor leagues for eight seasons, including seven with the Tampa Bay Rays. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Craig talked about his rise in baseball, from working in the minor leagues in the Tampa Bay Rays or...

Lee Wetherington founded Lee Wetherington Homes in Sarasota in 1981. He has since moved the company, one of the largest-builders in the Sarasota-Manatee region, to Lakewood Ranch. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Lee talked about the ups and downs of being in the homebuilding business in Florida for more than 40 years, and the key decisions he had to make — in both good and bad times. They also tal...

Debbie LaPinska has been chief people office of CabinetWorks Group, based in Michigan, since November 2024. Prior to CabinetWorks, she worked at Venice-based window and door manufacturer PGT Innovations for 31 years, rising to chief human resources officer, and after that, chief customer officer. She joined several other former PGT executives at CabinetWorks Group. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and ...

Nicci Bucher was named CEO of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg in late 2025. Prior to this role, Nicci spent 20 years in the YMCA network, most recently as COO of the YMCA of Central Florida, where she oversaw a $51.6 million operational budget. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Nicci talked about her leadership styles and principles and how she creates a strong workplace culture through trust and...

Jake Haulsic has some 15 years of experience in technology sales, with Velosio and Tribridge. He founded Trofeo, a fast-scaling cloud consultancy specializing in Microsoft Azure, in 2024. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Jake talk about how he built his company, not only around product and service, but culture. He also talked about some early decisions at Troefo that helped shape its trajectory, and...

Tom Hall is a longtime advertising executive, with work across Florida and the Southeast. In addition to Tucker | Hall, a strategic communications firm with offices in Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tallahassee, Tom launched Creative Seminars,  a prominent speaker series, which Adweek magazine acquired. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Tom talk about the origins of the firm and how he and the team...

Sinead Runyon runs  Express Employment of Sarasota, which she founded in 2020 along with her mom, Josephine Carr. In 2024, she and her husband, William Runyon, opened a Made in the Shade window treatment, blinds and shades franchise in Venice. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Sinead talk about her entrepreneurial mindset, what she learned from her mentors and how she resolves conflict as a leader. ...

Ashley Ljesevic has led marketing, sales, and development initiatives for a variety of organizations over the past decade, working in sports, travel and nonprofits, among other fields. She also has a podcast, the Endurance Diaries, which interviews athletes, artists, entrepreneurs and others to share stories of resilience. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Ashley talked about striving for — and pivot...

Dan is the CEO of Moorings Park, a nonprofit senior living organization with three campuses in Naples. He has been with the organization for nearly 20 years, first as CFO. Before that he ran his own packaged delivery service small business in Ohio. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Dan talked about how the concept of VUCA — leading through Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity — has helpe...

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...