New York Times Bestselling author and Tampa Bay Times reporter Craig Pittman is a celebrated journalist and storyteller in the sunshine state. A Florida native and graduate of Troy State University in Alabama, Pittman has won several awards, including the Waldo Proffitt Award for Distinguished Environmental Journalism in Florida four times, the top investigative reporting award from the Society of Environmental Journalists two times, as well as three first-place awards from the Florida Magazine Association. Pittman notes that his parents influenced his career aspirations. He states, “I always joked that my mom taught me to appreciate a good book and my dad taught me to appreciate a good story.”

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida Executive Director Howard Simon is a prominent fighter for American rights and freedoms. Simon began his work for the ACLU as the Executive Director of the organization’s Michigan affiliate. In 1997, he was appointed as the organization’s Executive Director of Florida and became responsible for the organization’s legal, public education, legislative lobbying, membership and fund-raising programs. Simon has a Ph.D. degree from the University of Minnesota in legal and political philosophy and social ethics and served as a philosophy professor at the University of Minnesota and the DePauw University in Indiana prior to working for the ACLU.

A prominent attorney and outspoken politician, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has a strong history of fighting for the progression of our Sunshine State through the legal system. A graduate of the University of Florida, as well as the Stetson Law School, Bondi has successfully worked her way up the leadership ladder. As the state’s attorney general, Bondi has fought to eradicate several notable public issues, including drug abuse and human trafficking. Additionally, Bondi has appeared on several cable news programs and worked for Fox News as a legal analyst. Bondi is the first woman Attorney General of the State of Florida.

Florida Chamber of Commerce Chair Syd Kitson is dedicated to creating a better business climate within the sunshine state. As the Chairman and CEO of real estate company Kitson & Partners, he developed Florida’s innovative and sustainable “city of the future”: Babcock Ranch. In addition to his revolutionary real estate endeavors and Florida Chamber of Commerce efforts, Kitson also serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, and the Grassy Waters Preserve.

Peter Schorsch is a man of many titles, including political reporter, blogger, consultant, and entrepreneur. He’s a celebrated web publisher, known for popular websites such as FloridaPolitics.com, serves as a political consultant to several large governmental affairs and public relations firms, and is the president of award-winning media publishing house Extensive Enterprises. Schorsch’s passion for politics was ignited early on and his shift from active political participation to political writing was influenced by his work with former Florida State University president Stan Marshall.