Leadership Florida Connect
November 2017 Report
Leadership Florida Update
Leadership Florida’s fall season is well underway with the execution of new class sessions, creation of the 2018 Leadership Florida Directory, and reaching out to members requesting an investment through annual dues. If you have not done so, we ask that you consider investing in Leadership Florida through a payment of your annual dues by clicking HERE . 

Remember, attendance to the Annual Meeting scheduled for June 14-17, 2018 at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, is limited to dues paying members and their guests. This year's Annual Meeting is going to be one for the books, and we would hate for you to miss out. Also remember that only dues paying members are included in the official 2018 Leadership Florida Directory and all other regular communications. Thanks in advance for your investment in Leadership Florida programs!

Happy Thanksgiving from your Leadership Florida family!
Member Spotlight
Matt Leopold
Connect VII, #FirstClass

Can you tell us a little about your new role at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?  
I have been nominated by the President to be the General Counsel of the EPA. I have had my confirmation hearing and am currently awaiting a vote by the Senate. If confirmed, I would be the chief legal advisor for the EPA overseeing the Office of General Counsel, which has about 400 employees, mostly lawyers. The office gives counsel on regulatory actions and lawsuits the EPA is engaged in, which are many!

What is your personal leadership philosophy?
Set high standards for your team, ask them to meet them, and then hold them accountable. People will rise to the occasion. Never be afraid to take risks and to fail. “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again . . . if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” -Teddy Roosevelt

How do you define success?  
Success is living up to your highest and best ideals. That can and should include material success. But we must also always ask if everyone in the world were to live their lives as I am, is that a world I would want to live in? For me, that means leaving a legacy of faith and finding satisfaction in helping others achieve. 

Any recommendations to the newest Connect class?  
Lean in hard to this year, you won’t regret it. And always keep it classy.
Catching Up With Leadership Florida Connect Class VIII
Leadership Florida Connect Class VIII met last week in Pensacola for its second session. During the session class members witnessed amazing speakers; engaged in a downtown photo scavenger hunt; celebrated veterans and learned about Pensacola as they toured the National Naval Aviation Museum and the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Museum. Click HERE for a fun video recap!
Speakers Included:
  • Tony Carvajal, Executive Vice President, Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation (Class XXVI)
  • Quint Studer, Businessman & Entrepreneur, Founder, Studer Community Institute
  • Dr. Judy Bense, President Emeritus and Professor, University of West Florida
  • Mayor Ashton Hayward, City of Pensacola (Cornerstone XXXVI)
  • Jennifer Allen McFarren, Community Development, Gulf Power (Connect VI)
  • Jennifer Grove, Community Development, Gulf Power (Cornerstone XXXIII)
  • Kim Krupa, Director, Achieve Escambia
  • Stan Connally (Executive VIII), President & CEO, Gulf Power
  • Dr. Ed Meadows, President, Pensacola State College
  • Mark Faulkner, President & CEO, Baptist Health Care (Executive VIII)
  • Lonnie Wesley, Pastor, Greater Little Rock Baptist Church
  • Doug Brown, Executive Director, Community Action Program Committee, Inc.
  • Captain Sterling Gilliam, USN (Ret) | Director, National Naval Aviation Museum
  • Julie Sheppard, General Counsel, Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (Cornerstone XXV)
  • Judge Amy Broderson, First Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
  • Wendy Spencer, Leadership Florida President and CEO (Cornerstone XXIV)

Upcoming Connect Session Dates:
  • Tallahassee—Hotel Duval, February 8-10, 2018
  • Miami—The Conrad, April 12-14, 2018
  • Sarasota—Ritz Carlton (Annual Meeting), June 14-17, 2018
Mark Your Calendars!
  • November 15-17, 2017: Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class XXXVI Opening Session: Naples, Inn On Fifth

  • November 29, 2017: West Central Region Presents: Days of Service with Onbikes (Click HERE to view invitation)

  • December 6-8, 2017: Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class XXXVI Second Session: Howey-in-the-Hills, Mission Inn

  • December 8, 2017: Calusa Holiday Party (Details coming soon...)

  • December 9, 2017: West Central Region Presents: Day of Service 7th Annual Winter Wonder Ride with Onbikes (Details coming soon...)

  • December 12, 2017: Northeast Region Lunch and Learn (Details coming soon...)
Thank You Sponsors!