From the Corner Office

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, ...

Michael Corley worked in health care and human resources for some 10 years before starting his own leadership consulting business, The Corley Co., in 2009. The Corley Co. works with nonprofit and some for-profit leaders, in addition to nonprofit boards on topics like creating engaged board members; bringing clarity to roles and responsibilities; and developing strategic focus areas. On this episode Michael and Business Observer Man...

Erika Donalds was a COO and CFO for financial services firms before shifting gears to education, first as a mom and later as an elected Collier County School Board Member. She’s since led and supported several innovative educational models, including one of the world’s first virtual reality schools, Optima Academy Online. On this episode Erika and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talked about the why behind her career ...

Kaitlyn Perez launched her own business, KPC Strategies, in January 2024. Prior to that she was senior director of communications and marketing with the National Policing Institute and community affairs director for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for nearly seven years. On this episode Kaitlyn and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about her career change, in going from top law enforcement spokesperson to runn...

Chris Cunningham, owner of a True-Value hardware store in Tampa and a commercial real estate investor, started his career in lending and financial services. But he soon learned he wanted to do his own thing, and has spent the past 15 years building and buying complementary businesses. On this episode Chris and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about his mentors and how he learned about work ethic and how to treat p...

Helene Lotman has been in the nonprofit human services space for 40 years, and is currently CEO of JFCS of the Suncoast, which works with people in need in a variety of demographics in a non-dominational setting. Helene has worked in Kansas City, Palm Beach and other spots, in addition to an earlier stint in Sarasota. On this episode Helene and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about how she holds the staff account...

Justin Papadakis has spent his career in real estate development and soccer, with his most recent position being a bit of both: deputy CEO and chief real estate officer of the United Soccer League, based in Tampa. On this episode Justin and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about what he learned about leadership from playing soccer — he was a goalie — and the steps the USL is taking to build its brand.   

3 Takeawa...

Longtime Pinellas County resident Kevin Harrington has a stellar resume. Among the highlights: inventor of the infomercial, shark on the first year of the TV show “Shark Tank,” Fortune 100 investor, philanthropist and author. Kevin has launched over 1,000 products in 100 countries, creating some $6 billion in sales. On this episode Kevin and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about his rich history in the product sa...

Joe Dodd’s restaurant and hospitality career has taken a lot of twists and turns, overcoming some missteps, in locations and partnerships, among others. But now his award-winning King of the Coop, specializing in Nashville hot chicken, is a hit in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood. On this episode Joe and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon chatted about the keys to building a strong culture in hospitality — holidays ...