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Michael Allison crop

Michael R. Allison, J.D. | Chairman | Broward County

Michael grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from John Carroll...

Michael R. Allison, J.D.

Michael grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from John Carroll University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Michael was very active in campus life and served as Vice President of his class, President of the Legal Aid society, Vice President of Delta, Alpha, Theta fraternity and a member of the varsity football team.

Michael obtained his juris doctorate degree from The Ohio State University. He maintains his active law license in the state of Ohio.

He began his legal career as an associate counsel at BancOhio; later National City Bank after it acquired BancOhio. He specialized in labor and employment law where he prepared and presented cases before state and federal agencies and courts. He quickly moved up the ranks to Assistant Vice President/ Counsel, Vice President/ Counsel and Senior Vice President/ Senior Counsel.

Michael moved into Human Resources at the request of the CEO to integrate two financial institutions acquired by National City. He then moved to a larger financial institution, Bank One, where he led the HR organization for one of the largest affiliate banks.

After working on several integrations in the banking industry, Michael moved to Victoria’s Secret Direct where he led HR for the call centers as well as managed Compensation and Benefits. He was promoted to head of Human Resources where he was responsible for all aspects of the HR function with oversight of all operations in Columbus, Ohio and New York City.

Michael moved to south Florida to join Office Depot in search of an opportunity with a global organization. Michael was initially responsible for HR support for all corporate functions and was later promoted to Chief Human Resource Officer responsible for all aspects of HR in 52 countries at its peak.

Michael has always believed it’s important to give back to the community having served on the boards of the Columbus YMCA, the Dayton Boys and Girls club, the Dayton Urban League and the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. He served as President of the American Youth Football League in south Florida. In June 2019 he was appointed to the Florida Atlantic Research and Development Authority, and resides in south Florida with his wife.

Authority Term: 6/4/2019 – 6/2/2023

Sherry_Ambrose - Formal

Sherry Ambrose, MPA/URP | Vice Chair | Palm Beach County

Sherry joined FPL in July 2018 and oversees competitive economic...

Sherry Ambrose, MPA/URP

Sherry joined FPL in July 2018 and oversees competitive economic development projects and lead generation efforts. Sherry brings to the team over a decade of economic development experience in Florida, Texas, and Washington at the local, regional and state levels. She’s held marketing and business development leadership roles for Enterprise Florida and the Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. Sherry was named among Consultant Connect’s 2018 Top 50 Economic Developers in North America. She is also a director of the statewide boards of directors for Prospera and the Florida Economic Development Council.

Sherry holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Rollins College and a Master of Public Administration from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. A South Florida native, Sherry resides in Tequesta with her husband and two children.

Authority Term: 9/26/2020– 9/26/2024

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Bob Swindell
Broward County

Bob Swindell was named President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance...

Bob Swindell

Bob Swindell was named President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance CEO in November 2009. He joined the Alliance as the Senior Vice President, Business Development in 2003. Bob and his team assist local, national, and international companies already doing business here or those prospective companies considering a move to Greater Fort Lauderdale.

The Alliance is Broward County’s official public / private economic development partnership and brings together the County’s business community and 31 municipalities for the purposes of economic growth.

As a lifelong Broward resident, his background includes a history of community service and business leadership; he has been a business owner, angel investor, and senior manager in a professional career that spans more than 25 years. Prior to his position with The Alliance, Bob was President of Champion Manufacturing for 18 years; a Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale based industrial supply company serving the southeastern United States.

In 1992, during the impact of Hurricane Andrew and 1993, Bob Chaired the local Board of the American Red Cross. Florida Governors Martinez, Chiles, and Bush have appointed Bob to lead statewide regulatory boards.

He currently serves on several Executive Boards including NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association) and CareerSource Broward. In October of 2005 Bob was appointed by the Broward County Commission to serve as one of the County’s representatives on the Florida Atlantic Research & Development Authority, and he recently served as Chairman for 2 years.

Bob has also been appointed by the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Plantation and Oakland Park to advisory boards and is a 1986 alumnus of Leadership Broward – Class V.

Authority Term: 11/07/2017 – 11/07/2021

Fred Yentz crop

Fred Yentz, MBA
Palm Beach County

Bob Swindell was named President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance...

Fred Yentz, MBA

Fred C. Yentz, CEO, IoT Launch LLC. An experienced technology executive with proven success and strong global business development experience within the Internet of Things and Industrie 4.0 market sectors. Fred has successfully launched world class Industrial IoT software and cloud based IoT service platforms targeting customers from small innovator companies up to and including fortune 500 corporate customers. Fred brings both deep industry knowledge as well as a vast network of ecosystem partners and industry relationships which can be leveraged to solve the many challenges faced by companies on their digital journey.

Fred is the founder and CEO of IoT Launch LLC. Prior to IoT-Launch, Fred has served as President of Telit IoT Platforms, CEO of ILS Technology, VP and General Manager RadiSys Corp, Industrial and Telecom divisions as well several leadership positions with IBM’s Manufacturing System Products Division, IBM PC Company and IBM System Products Division.

Mr. Yentz is named as an inventor on two U.S. patents and has received IBM’s First Level Plateau Invention Achievement Award. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the IoT M2M Council and held prior Board of Director Roles with Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), National Science and Technology Education Program (NSTEP), and served as chairman of the Industry Advisory Board for Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering. Mr. Yentz holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Technological University (1988), a Master of Business Administration (1996) from the University of Miami, and a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (1997) from the University of Miami.

Authority Term - 06/07/2019 - 06/07/2023

Dr. Salazar crop

Francis E. Salazar D.O., M.P.H., M.S. | Broward County

A south Florida staple for more than 30 years, graduated from...

Francis E. Salazar D.O., M.P.H., M.S.

A south Florida staple for more than 30 years, graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science degree. Having a passion for health and science he was recruited for a research position with the University of Miami School of Medicine. He soon after matriculated to Barry University and subsequently received his Master of Science in Biomedical Science. After moving to Broward County and with his love for medicine and service his journey led to Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine earning both his Doctorate of Medicine and a Master of Public Health degrees. He considers one of his capstones his participation in The Ryan White Project for Broward County. Dr. Salazar entered the University of Illinois College of Medicine/ OSF Saint Francis Medical Center residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics as a faculty member in Pediatrics and completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Broward Regional Medical Center, Ft Lauderdale.

Dr Salazar has served as: “Doctor of the Day” for opening day of Florida’s 121st Legislative session in the Florida House of Representatives. The Secretary of the board for the Memorial Health Network. Broward County Medical Corps.

He is currently a practicing physician, in private practice at Hollywood Primary Care, a CAC member for South Florida Regional Transportation Authority on the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization and Volunteer physician at United Heritage Institute (Public Health Trust).

This awarded, compassionate, physician has received many accolades over his career; in clinical research, patient care and volunteer service; including multiple Patient Satisfaction Awards in internal Medicine and Pediatrics at OSF Saint Francis, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Award, and the Navy Achievement, Outstanding Volunteer Service and Meritorious Service Medals from the United States Navy. He also spends his time cherishing the biggest accomplishments of his life; his patients and colleagues in the healthcare community, who are his ‘extended family’, and most of all his nuclear family. He enjoys photography, cooking and gardening.

Authority Term: 9/17/2019 - 9/17/2023

Alex Price

Alex Price, MS
Palm Beach County

Alex is the National Director of Community Investment for the...

Alex Price, MS

Alex is the National Director of Community Investment for the Office Depot Corporation, leading the company’s efforts to support the communities it operates in nationwide. In this role Alex has launched and oversees the company’s #depotdifference philanthropic and volunteer initiatives engaging their nearly 50,000 associates, including signature programs like Start Proud!, Office Depot’s back-to-school philanthropy program and Depot Day of Service, their North American-wide day of community impact. In early 2021 Alex created and launched a new corporate foundation initiative for ODP, Elevate Together, in partnership with the National Urban League and U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, to accelerate the creation, growth and prosperity of Black and Hispanic small businesses. Alex also manages all community and government relationships for Office Depot. Prior to this appointment, he was Director of Government Relations & Community Investment for Comcast’s Florida team, and lead Community Relations for ADT Corporation, the security leader headquartered in Boca Raton. While at ADT Alex helped build the corporate affairs function and launched ADT Always Cares, a nation-wide community service program promoting volunteerism for their 22,000 employees.

Before the ADT spin-off, Alex managed media relations for ADT’s 2 billion Commercial business unit. Prior to re-locating with his wife Jessie from NYC, Alex began his career at some of NYC’s top ad agencies, including BBDO, one of the world’s most prestigious ad firms. Alex then transitioned to a role in Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration, and for three years served as Manager of Communications for the NYC Department of Education focused on promoting education reform.

While in New York, Alex launched a nonprofit organization nycTIES, to engage young professionals in critical local causes and promote life-long volunteerism and board service. It’s now one of the City’s strongest service organizations. He served as President for its first 4 years, and now advises the organization as a director on its board.

Since moving back to Florida, he has expanded his commitment to the community, serving as statewide Chairman of Connect Florida, a program of Leadership Florida® that operates as the premier organization for educating, engaging and inspiring the next generation of Florida’s leaders. He was also serves as an Executive Champion of Achieve Palm Beach County and is on the board of the YMCA of South Palm Beach County.

Hailing from Pensacola, Alex earned a BFA from Florida State University and a Masters Degree in Strategic Communications from Columbia, graduating with high honors distinction in 2008.

Alex and his wife Jessie enjoy living in east Boca Raton, Florida, raising daughters Olivia, Julia and Cecilia, and son Alex Jr.

Authority Term: 3/8/2022 - 6/6/2023

FAU President Stacy Volnick, Ph.D.

Stacy A. Volnick, Ph.D.
Florida Atlantic University

Interim President Stacy A. Volnick, Ph.D., is a longtime member...

Stacy A. Volnick, Ph.D.

Alex is the National Director of Community Investment for the Office Depot Corporation, leading the company’s efforts to support the communities it operates in nationwide. In this role Alex has launched and oversees the company’s #depotdifference philanthropic and volunteer initiatives engaging their nearly 50,000 associates, including signature programs like Start Proud!, Office Depot’s back-to-school philanthropy program and Depot Day of Service, their North American-wide day of community impact. In early 2021 Alex created and launched a new corporate foundation initiative for ODP, Elevate Together, in partnership with the National Urban League and U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, to accelerate the creation, growth and prosperity of Black and Hispanic small businesses. Alex also manages all community and government relationships for Office Depot. Prior to this appointment, he was Director of Government Relations & Community Investment for Comcast’s Florida team, and lead Community Relations for ADT Corporation, the security leader headquartered in Boca Raton. While at ADT Alex helped build the corporate affairs function and launched ADT Always Cares, a nation-wide community service program promoting volunteerism for their 22,000 employees.

Before the ADT spin-off, Alex managed media relations for ADT’s 2 billion Commercial business unit. Prior to re-locating with his wife Jessie from NYC, Alex began his career at some of NYC’s top ad agencies, including BBDO, one of the world’s most prestigious ad firms. Alex then transitioned to a role in Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration, and for three years served as Manager of Communications for the NYC Department of Education focused on promoting education reform.

While in New York, Alex launched a nonprofit organization nycTIES, to engage young professionals in critical local causes and promote life-long volunteerism and board service. It’s now one of the City’s strongest service organizations. He served as President for its first 4 years, and now advises the organization as a director on its board.

Since moving back to Florida, he has expanded his commitment to the community, serving as statewide Chairman of Connect Florida, a program of Leadership Florida® that operates as the premier organization for educating, engaging and inspiring the next generation of Florida’s leaders. He was also serves as an Executive Champion of Achieve Palm Beach County and is on the board of the YMCA of South Palm Beach County.

Hailing from Pensacola, Alex earned a BFA from Florida State University and a Masters Degree in Strategic Communications from Columbia, graduating with high honors distinction in 2008.

Alex and his wife Jessie enjoy living in east Boca Raton, Florida, raising daughters Olivia, Julia and Cecilia, and son Alex Jr.

Authority Term: 3/8/2022 - 6/6/2023

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