Past Speakers
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May 15, 2023
Rhea Law, President, University of South Florida
Rhea Law became the University of South Florida’s eighth president in March 2022. A proud fifth-generation Floridian who is passionate about the success of the state, Law is actively involved in corporate, public policy, civic, and charitable work.
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May 8, 2023
Chad Chronister, Sheriff, Hillsborough County
A veteran law enforcement officer, Sheriff Chad Chronister has served with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for the past 28 years. He has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from St. Leo University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy's 260th Session.
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May 1, 2023
Vance Ontjes, Director of Sales and Customer Service, TRU Simulation + Training, a Textron company
Vance is an aviation professional with 20+ years of experience in the field. He is an FAA ATP licensed pilot with 5,000 hours of total flight time across a wide range of aircraft. He was employed by Republic Airways (formerly Chautauqua Airlines) from 2004-2008 as a captain on the Embraer 145 before transitioning to the pilot training industry.
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April 24, 2023
Brad Oleshansky, Founder and CEO, The Motor Enclave
Brad Oleshansky spent the first 12+ years of his career as an entertainment attorney in Los Angeles, CA, including roles at Virgin Records, The Walt Disney Company and a boutique Beverly Hills law firm. He built digital marketing firm Big Communications into a powerhouse serving the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, and then orchestrated its sale to a public company.
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April 17, 2023
Kevin Dorsey Chairperson – SCORE Chapter 203-Tampa, Florida
Kevin Dorsey has been Chairperson of SCORE Tampa since 2021. SCORE Tampa, a partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, has been active since 1966. SCORE mentors a full range of small businesses and non-profits, from start-ups to existing businesses, in all areas of business.
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April 10, 2023
Dr. Sarah Combs, University Area CDC, Executive Director & CEO
Dr. Sarah Combs is the Chief Executive Officer of University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc. She joined the organization in 2010 and under her senior leadership, University Area CDC has secured over 100 million dollars in community investment and more than tripled the number of adults and children they reach through education, health, workforce and cultural arts programming, among others. With more than 18 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Comb’s background spans nearly every facet of the organization, from program development to land banking and real estate.
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April 3, 2023
Chris Krimitsos, Chief Creative Officer, Podfest Multimedia Expo/ Speaker, Consultant and Producer
Chris Krimitsos has cemented his place in emerging technologies, as evidenced by his success with a global podcasting event that set back-to-back world records and a first of its kind blockchain event.
Time and again, Chris has solidified his reputation as a thought leader, whether as a speaker, an event organizer, or in the media. Along the way, his name twice became etched in the book of Guinness World Records™ as he championed the largest attendance for a virtual podcasting conference in one week, first in 2020, and then breaking it with a new mark one year later. -
March 27, 2023
Edward M. Kobel, President and COO, DeBartolo Development
As President and COO, Edward M. Kobel leads DeBartolo Development’s investment strategy, execution and capitalization. Backed by the DeBartolo family and major capital commitments he secured, DeBartolo Development has underwritten a real estate pipeline of over $4.6 billion since 2003. Prior to overseeing DeBartolo Development, Ed was a partner at Fortis Advisors in Scottsdale, an affiliate company of DeBartolo Property Group, where he managed more than $600 million in real estate projects. Before joining Fortis, he founded Trinity Development with offices in Colorado Springs, Denver, Phoenix and Chicago. Trinity Development was primarily engaged in new retail development as well as value-added shopping center renovation and completed over $300 million in retail development. Throughout his professional career, Ed has devoted his time and leadership to multiple non-profit organizations and was awarded the Outstanding Professional and Community Citizenship award from Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio.