For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship

Brian Baber interviews entrepreneur Mark McNees…

Mark is the Founder & CEO of RedEye Coffee, Founder of Element3, and an active board member of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. His extensive experience spans both for-profit and non-profit ventures, where he has leveraged commerce, innovation, and social entrepreneurship to tackle global challenges such as poverty, economic injustice, and environmental sustainability.

With a B.S. in Marketing (Minor in Finance & Merchandising), an M.A. in Religion, and a Doctorate in Leadership, Mark combines academic expertise with real-world experience to drive meaningful change. His entrepreneurial journey has earned him numerous accolades, including being named Tallahassee’s Most Influential Entrepreneur by Domi Station and leading RedEye Coffee to multiple business awards.

Beyond business, Mark is an Ironman athlete, an Alcatraz-to-San Francisco swimmer, and an experienced public speaker, having delivered over 1,000 talks across five countries. His entrepreneurial journey started early—at just 10 years old, he was already running his first business renting video games to classmates.

For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship

Brian Baber interviews Former Speaker of the House Allan Bense…

Allan Bense, born on a farm in Panama City, Florida, exemplifies perseverance and hard work. After losing both parents at a young age, he was raised by his grandmother and worked numerous jobs to support himself through school. Allan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972 and an MBA in 1974 from Florida State University. During his last semester, he lived in his station wagon and worked nights cleaning bathrooms at the capitol.

His career began in banking, where he turned around struggling institutions. Teaming up with his mentor, Charles Hilton, Allan helped build a diversified portfolio of businesses spanning real estate, construction, healthcare, and more. He was also a founding shareholder in Simply Healthcare Holdings, which sold for $1 billion in 2015.

In public service, Allan was the first Republican to win his district’s seat in the Florida House of Representatives. He became Speaker of the House in 2004 and chose to step down after serving eight years, remaining true to his promise to prioritize his family and business.

Allan’s leadership extends to numerous boards, including Florida State University, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and Triumph Gulf Coast. Locally, he has served on organizations such as the Bay County Tourist Development Council and HCA Gulf Coast Community Hospital. His accomplishments have been recognized with awards like the NAACP Appreciation Award and an Honorary Doctorate from FSU.

Allan and his wife, Tonie, have been married since 1975. They have three grown children and six grandchildren. Allan’s life story is a testament to resilience, vision, and servant leadership.

For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship

Brian Baber interviews Kevin Elliott…

Kevin Elliott is co-founder and director of Wewa Films and Redfish Film Fest. He was also a professor at FSUPC for nearly a decade, where he taught professional communication classes. Kevin moved to Panama City in 1988, when he was 13 years old, and has been part of the local arts community since then. His goal is to help build world-class arts and culture in Panama City so young people can lead a creative life in their hometown. 

https://wewafilms.com

https://redfishfilmfest.com

For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship

Brian Baber interviews Avery Adcock, entrepreneur and owner of Dan's Pawn. Avery Adcock is a longtime resident of Panama City, having called it home for the last 34 years, though he originally hails from Mississippi and Texas. He earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and was a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.). During his 10-year career, he worked on infrastructure projects, building roads, bridges, and airfields.

Avery has been involved in real estate since the age of 19 and currently owns a dozen investment properties. In 1995, he founded DANS PAWN in St. Andrews, which grew into three locations by the 2000s, employing over 35 people and offering a range of services including eBay sales, tax preparation, check cashing, and payday advances. Though one location was sold and another lost to a hurricane, the flagship St. Andrews store remains family-owned and operated to this day, having been rebuilt twice due to Hurricane Opal in 1995 and Hurricane Michael in 2018. All five members of the Adcock family have worked in the business over the years.

In addition to his business ventures, Avery has been an active volunteer in Bay County for over three decades, serving on various boards and supporting numerous charitable organizations. One of his proudest achievements is his role in helping to establish the Bay Haven Charter Academy school system, where he served for over 17 years.

Avery is also involved in the community through his participation in the Krewe of Dominique Youx, where he currently serves as Treasurer. He and his family are members of the Methodist Church and reside in Lynn Haven, Florida.

For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship

Brian Baber interviews Wade Rinehart…

Dr. Wade Rinehart was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and moved to Panama City, Florida, in 1981. He graduated from Mosley High School and Gulf Coast Community College with an AA degree before transferring to Florida State University, where he also graduated with the highest honors and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Fitness/Exercise Physiology.

He first received his Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy in 1999 and is a graduate of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. He later returned to earn his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2009 from the same University and graduated Summa Cum Laude. 

Dr. Rinehart has spent his entire career in the outpatient orthopedic setting, opening the first of three clinics in 2002. His achievements include winning the 2007 Bay County Chamber of Commerce Jerry Mills Small Business of the Year award and the Best of Bay Award for seven consecutive years.  

He is skilled and trained in Physical Therapy spinal manipulations and is state-certified in dry needling. His interests include Dry Needling, spinal manipulation, headaches, TMJ dysfunction, sports injury, and training. 

Dr. Rinehart has also diversified his business interests and leveraged his 25 years of business acumen to own a medical billing company, medical/professional commercial leasing of a collective 75 thousand square feet, and a Hyperbaric medical specialty clinic. He is currently building new commercial space in Panama City Beach and Defuniak Springs, Florida.

He has been happily married to his high school sweetheart, Alicia, for 27 years and is the proud father of a second generation of Seminole Graduates, Marla and Makaela. He loves playing golf, pickleball, cooking and is a published singer/songwriter.

For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship

Brian Baber interviews Victoria Williams with VPA Design. Victoria Williams is the owner of VBA Design an Architecture firm with two offices located in Panama City, Florida and Fairhope, Alabama. She has over twenty-four years of experience in architectural design, construction, and contract administration. She has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Tennessee, is LEED AP BD+C Certified and a registered and licensed architect in the States of Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and is a certified woman business owner by the National Women Business Owners Corporation.Victoria has a strong belief in providing a positive and innovative environment for our community; she shares this passion through her involvement in numerous community service boards including: The Airport Authority, Bay County Chamber of Commerce, FSU Panama City, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement, Club 360, United Way and many others. She has been the recipient of a variety of awards, including the 2009 NW Florida AIACommunity Service, the 2010 Bay County Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year, the 2010 Florida American Institute of Architects Silver Medal, the 2014 Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Leadership Award and in 2015 & 2019 received the Citizen Architecture Award. In addition, in 2023-2024 she received the honor to be an Honorary Commander at Tyndall Air Force Base.

For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship

Join us for an Entrepreneurship Lunch and Learn at FSU PC, where I have the privilege of interviewing Bob Amin. This session promises to be an insightful exploration of Bob's journey from managing a single convenience store to becoming a multi-faceted entrepreneur, along with the lessons he has learned and the wisdom he has to share.

Bob Amin is a distinguished entrepreneur with a rich background in business. A graduate of Georgia State University with a degree in Computer Science, Bob's career trajectory took a pivotal turn when he ventured into the convenience store industry.  This experience laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial journey, leading him to acquire his first convenience store in late 2003. Over the years, Bob's dedication and business acumen have enabled him to expand his portfolio to an impressive 17 convenience stores.

Bob's entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop with convenience stores. He has diversified his business interests into the restaurant industry as a franchisee owner of well-known brands such as Tijuana Flats, Fazoli's, Subway, Marco's Pizza, and Checkers.  In addition to his ventures in the retail and food service sectors, Bob has also built a portfolio residential homes.

Despite the demands of being self-employed, Bob places a high value on family time and maintains a strong family orientation. He enjoys being around people and has a passion for cricket—an homage to his Indian heritage—as well as follows the NFL whenever possible. Bob's entire career has been underpinned by a commitment to customer service, a field he has been involved in since his first job. With only three jobs over his lifetime, Bob's story is one of steadfast dedication and entrepreneurial growth.

For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship

Will Owen is the Founder & President of JetBoatPilot, a multi-dimensional marine products brand headquartered in Panama City, Florida. Will is a 9 times patented designer, Author and Social Media Influencer and is widely acknowledged as a leader within the recreational boating community. As an engineer and product innovator, Will possesses a unique ability to dissect and analyze problems and create simple solutions that benefit boaters around the world. Many of the products Will has designed are manufactured in Panama City, Florida and are shipped around the globe to through JetBoatPilot's dealer network and direct to consumer. With great emphasis on quality, innovation and customer care JetBoatPilot is widely regarded as one of the best places on the internet to buy boating accessories.

Visit Jet Boat Pilot: https://jetboatpilot.com/

For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship

Zack Sanchez, a born and raised in Panama City, was raised by his native Puerto Rican parents, Ruben and Iris Sanchez. Rooted in a foundation of strong values—centered on faith, hard work, and love—Zack's character took shape as he observed his parents tirelessly managing their beloved local restaurant. This establishment not only became the backdrop for Zack's lessons in business ownership but also instilled in him a profound and passionate work ethic.A Florida State University graduate with a Bachelor's in Business Administration, Zack began his real estate journey at 15, building a successful career that led to co-owning Think Real Estate, C & G Sporting Goods, and Think Capital.In addition to a background in banking and insurance, Zack serves on the Boards of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, Bay County Chamber of Commerce, and the Be the Light Family Foundation. His achievements include being a Top 1% Agent, earning the Broker of the Year Award in 2022, and receiving the Notable Nole Award in 2023. Zack, happily married to Olivia, is a dedicated father to Vivian, Violet, and John-Crosby, and is passionate about making a positive impact in the world.

For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program visit: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship

Dr. James “Jim” Dever is a senior lecturer in both the Dr. Persis E. Rockwood School of Marketing and the Department of Management at Florida State University’s College of Business. His areas of expertise are marketing solutions, strategic management and entrepreneurship. In 2006, Dever was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship and now serves on the FSU Fulbright committee.  Following a 20-year entrepreneurial career, Dr. Dever returned to college to fulfill a missed opportunity of graduating from college.  Dever received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and MBA from Florida State University. His Ph.D. in entrepreneurship is from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.