I Would Have Paid to Learn That

Michael (“Mike”) E. Griffin is a Market Leader and Executive Managing Director for Savills, a worldwide company known for its consistent delivery of a full range of integrated real estate services across the globe. Mike joined Savills in 2015 upon its acquisition of Vertical Integration, the startup Florida-based real estate solutions firm that Mike joined upon his graduation with a Business Administration, B.S. degree from the University of South Florida in 2003. Through his consultative, client-centric approach to occupier representation, particularly for multi-market accounts, during his career, Mike has completed commercial real estate transactions totaling more than 9.1 million square feet across the globe in more than 18 states and 15 countries.  Mike and his team represent several occupier clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to multiple public sector entities, including some of the largest users of space in the Southeastern US.  Mike has also provided advisory services on over 220 million square feet of leased and owned facilities.

Complementing his professional experience, Mike is well-known for his civic endeavors. In 2017, Mike served as Chairman of the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (formerly known as the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce) and was recognized as it’s youngest Chairman in the more than 130-year history of the organization.  He began his involvement with the Chamber when he served as a charter Co-Chair of Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay (formerly known as Emerge Tampa). He also chaired it’s Government Efficiency Caucus, charged with identifying cost-saving opportunities within local government, after having graduated from Leadership Tampa (Class of 2004).

Beyond his Chamber service, Mike has made his mark at his alma mater, initially serving two terms as Student Body President and as the charter student member of USF’s Board of Trustees. Mike returned to the USF Board of Trustees in 2019 after his appointment by the Florida Board of Governors where he serves as Vice Chairman of the BOT and Chairman of the Finance Committee. As an alumnus, Mike has served as the founding Chairman of USF’s Financing Corporation that oversees the bond financing for USF system projects. Under Mike’s leadership, financing transactions valuing more than $1.2 billion closed, resulting in more than 1.8 million square feet of projects, ranging from residence halls to sophisticated medical research buildings and office space. Thereafter, Mike chaired the USF Alumni Association Board of Directors and served on the Board of Directors for both the USF Foundation and INTO-USF Board of Directors, a Public-Private-Partnership (P3) focused on the strategic recruitment of international students to USF. In 2018, Mike was appointed to serve on the USF Consolidation Task Force – where he served as its Chairman – which was focused on providing implementation recommendations to consolidate USF’s three campuses. 

Transcending his servant leadership to the GTCC and USF, Mike, an Eagle Scout, serves on the Junior Achievement Board of Directors. Mike and his wife Melanie are the Chairs of the 2022 American Heart Association Heart Ball.  He is a graduate of Leadership Florida (Cornerstone XXVI), and in 2017, was appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the Tampa Port Authority/Port Tampa Bay Governing Board. Mike has received commendations from Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa and Howard University, and is a recipient of the Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University. Additionally, he is the inaugural recipient of the Tampa Bay Chamber’s Deanne Dewey Roberts Emerging Leader Award, and in 2007, was USF’s Young Alumnus of the Year. Mike was also one of the youngest named in Florida Trend’s 50th Anniversary Issue as one of Florida’s 50 World Changers, and recently, was recognized by the Tampa Bay Times as one of the top 25 most influential business leaders in Tampa Bay, a Power 100 by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, a Maverick PAC Future 40 national leader in business and public policy and was named one of Top 100 most influential people in Florida by Influence Magazine.  

Above all, Mike cherishes spending time with his wife Melanie, son Maverick and Golden Lab Molly.

Mr. Mai has more than 45 years’ experience in civil engineering field and over 40 years of experience in Florida encompassing land/site development, land planning, comprehensive plan development/amendment, development regional impact study, master development plan, infrastructure planning (roadway, stormwater, water supply, wastewater and solid waste), water resources planning and design, location hydraulic reports, bridge hydraulic and scour analysis reports, roadway drainage design, and watershed management. His experience includes comprehensive analysis of all aspect of land development and planning including mixed used development, residential, office, school, commercial and industrial projects including surface water hydrology/hydraulics, computer modeling, and design of stormwater management features for watershed management, roadway, land excavation and large scale land development projects. His experience includes comprehensive environmental analysis of water quality, waste load allocation, mixing zone, bridge and pier scour analysis, computer modeling and design of water quality improvements for water body. He has extensive experience in environmental and jurisdictional surveys, feasibility/impact studies and wetland mitigation plan for variety of projects throughout the State of Florida. His experience with environmental permitting and regulatory agencies has included involvement with the South, Southwest, St. John River and Suwannee River Water Management District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Environmental Protection, Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, and numerous local regulatory agencies.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, the eldest of three sons, Buckhorn grew up in Falls Church, Virginia. He graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor's Degree in political science from Pennsylvania State University, where he was on the college lacrosse team and awarded the 2019 Outstanding Alumni Award in the College of Liberal Arts, Department of Political Science.

Buckhorn was elected to the Tampa City Council in 1995 and re-elected in 1999.  Buckhorn elected mayor in 2011.  In 2015, Buckhorn was elected to a second term and served as mayor until May 2019.

Under Buckhorn's leadership, the city of Tampa also successfully hosted the Republican National Convention in 2012.

During his tenure, Tampa was recognized as the best city in the southeast (Money magazine) one of the hottest cities for startups (Fortune), one of the fastest growing metro areas[ ithe country (U.S. Census) and a Top 50 city for business (Inc.).

James L. Ferman, Jr., CEO & President Ferman Motor Car Company, Inc.

James L. Ferman, Jr., serves as CEO and President of Ferman Motor Car Company, Inc. and its affiliated automobile dealerships, headquartered in Tampa. Founded in 1895 by his grandfather, W. Frederick Ferman, the Ferman family business is ranked one of the largest dealership groups in Florida and in the United States, with more than 1,300 employees and annual sales of over $900 million.

His civic and community involvement includes past Chairman and Campaign Chairman of The United Way of Hillsborough County and past Director of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. He is past Chairman of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and its Committee of 100, past Chairman of The Tampa Museum of Art, past Chairman of The Florida Aquarium, and a past member of the Board of Directors of the Ocean Conservancy. 

A 1965 graduate of Emory University, he is a Trustee Emeritus at Emory University where both he and his wife, Celia, received the Emory Medal for distinguished Alumni Achievement Award in 1999. In 1997 he received the Tampa Citizen of the Year award from both the Civitan Club of Tampa and the Rotary Club of Tampa. In 2001 he was a Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame inductee, and received the Florida Family Business of the Year Award from the John H. Sykes College of Business at The University of Tampa. In 2010, he was presented with the Distinguished Citizen Award by the Gulf Ridge Council Boy Scouts of America, and in 2012 he was the recipient of the H. L. Culbreath Profile in Leadership Award, presented by Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

He is a Director and Chairman of the Tampa Bay Banking Company and The Bank of Tampa, a former Director of TECO Energy, Inc. and Tampa Electric Company, and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the University of Tampa.

Born in Tampa in 1943, Mr. Ferman was an Eagle Scout and served in the U. S. Coast Guard. He is married to the former Cecelia Davis, and they have two daughters, Laura Farrior and Janice Straske, and six grandchildren. They reside in his native Tampa where they are members of Hyde Park United Methodist Church.

Sandy has a long history of serving the community in which she lives. She served as Hillsborough County Commissioner, District 1 from 2010 to 2020. Recognized as a true leader, Sandy was elected by her fellow commissioners as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for 2014-2015 and 2017-2018.
As Hillsborough County Commissioner, Sandy remained focused on economic development for small businesses and creating jobs as a public policy leader; transportation, where she worked with local leaders to craft future effective transportation policy; ending homelessness in the county; fighting the opioid crisis locally; tackling human trafficking through awareness and education; addressing mental health and substance issues through a successful Jail Diversion Program; and providing high-quality critical children’s services in the county through her creation of a Blue Ribbon Committee for Child Safety.
Prior to joining the County Commission, Sandy served eight years as a member of the Florida House of Representatives and was the first Republican woman to hold the position of Speaker Pro-Tempore.
Sandy has been directly involved in more than 30 organizations that support our community and enhance the lives of children and families.

Troy Deland, Founder / Chief Executive Officer – Mansfield Group LLC Responsibilities

Proven change leader with over 24 years of service in the Department of Defense. Leading expert in developing and motivating high performing teams. 

Retired Survival Evasion Resistance Escape Specialist. He served 24 years in the Air Force and has multiple deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other operations in the middle east, south east Asia and South America. Troy was the first SERE Specialist to help form the newly resurrected 38th Rescue Squadron in May of 2001 months before 9/11. He has been decorated with an Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medals and a multitude of foreign and joint medals.

Troy is the President of the Special Operations Memorial Foundation and a Chair for the Special Operations Transition Assistance Resource (STAR) in Tampa Florida. Currently advises on leadership and growth strategy with small to mid-cap companies.

Joe Lurz, Currently the Vice President of Corporate Store Operations for AAMCO transmission and total Car Care.:

Born in Baltimore Maryland in 1980

Joined the United States Marine Corps in 1998

Served as an electrical equipment repair specialist until 2003

Attended Basic Recon Course in 2004 and went on to serve at 1st Force Recon Company and 3rd Recon Battalion

In 2006 became part of Marine Special Operations Company Alpha, this was the first West Coast based Marine Special Operations Unit after Detachment 1 was decommissioned

Served in Marine Special Operations From 2006 until retirement in 2018.

Silver Star, Purple Heart, Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device x 2, Navy achievement Medal with Combat distinguishing device x 3, MARSOC Operator of the Year (2010), National Defense Industry / SOCOM Operator of the year 2011.

Iraq x2

Afghanistan x 4

Other places x a couple

Dr. Denise P. Federer is a speaker, consultant, coach and psychologist in Tampa, Florida. She

 brings over thirty years of experience to her work with individuals, executives and

 corporations providing consulting and performance coaching. She helps clients realize their

 extraordinary potential and make a significant behavioral change. Her unique perspective as

 both a clinician and researcher influences her method of assessment, intervention and

 evaluative feedback on outcome success that she offers to her clients. 

Paul Avery is the current CEO and President of World of Beer Bar & Kitchen, a growing

 national brand serving craft beer & food, fun experiences and good times with friends.  He

 is also a partner in Mandola’s Italian Kitchen – Florida.  Mandola’s is a fast-

casual restaurant concept delivering fresh house-made Italian favorites.

Prior to joining the World of Beer team, Paul was with OSI Restaurant

 Partners (now Bloomin Brands).  Paul was with OSI for 22 years and helped grow the small

 local restaurant group to a multi-billion dollar internationally known brand.

Mr. Dutkowsky joined Tech Data in 2006 as CEO and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. In June 2017, he was elected Chairman.  Mr. Dutkowsky has more than 40 years of experience in the Information Technology industry, including senior executive positions in sales, marketing and channel distribution with leading manufacturers and software publishers IBM, EMC, and J.D. Edwards.

Mr. Dutkowsky serves on the boards of directors of Raymond James Financial, Inc., Pitney Bowes Inc., US Foods Holding Corp., United Way Suncoast and the Moffitt Research Committee, as well as the advisory board of the University of South Florida Business School.

Erika Meinhardt is Executive Vice President for Fidelity National Financial, the largest title insurance company in the United States and ranked among the Fortune 500. . In 2005 she was named President of Fidelity National Financial’s Agency Operations, a position she held until her semi-retirement at the end of 2017. In her role as Division President she was responsible for over 1400 team members, 5000 customers and annual revenue in excess of $2 billion. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Cannae Holdings, Inc. and Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp II, both publicly traded companies and is a Trustee on the Georgia State University Foundation Board. She received her Masters of Business Administration degree through Georgia State University’s Executive MBA program in 1998. Erika currently resides in Atlanta, Jacksonville, Florida and Montana. In her free-time she enjoys exploring the world.