Thirty-Five Prominent Tallahassee Business Leaders Selected for 2024 Florida 500 List Published by Florida Trend Magazine 

We’re thrilled to announce that 35 business leaders from Tallahassee have been named to the 2024 Florida 500 list by Florida Trend magazine! This annual publication highlights the 500 most influential figures in different economic sectors throughout the state. The presence of Tallahassee executives on the Florida 500 list underscores our growing impact on Florida’s economy while highlighting the talent, innovation, and vision driving our community forward.  

OEV extends its warmest congratulations to all honorees—thank you for your commitment to making Tallahassee-Leon County a thriving place for business and innovation. We look forward to seeing the continued impact these leaders will make in the years to come. Keep an eye out for more stories and spotlights on these exceptional individuals who are shaping the future of our region. 

All Tallahassee honorees are listed below by category. For the full “Florida 500” list, visit the Florida Trend 500 website. 

Agriculture 

• Ernie Barnett: Executive Director, Florida Land Council 

Education 

• Bob Boyd: President & CEO, Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida 

• Richard McCullough: President, Florida State University 

• Jim Murdaugh: President, Tallahassee State College 

• Ray Rodrigues: Chancellor, State University System of Florida  

Energy 

• Mike Bjorklund: Executive Vice President and General Manager, Florida Electric Cooperatives Association 

• Lila A. Jaber: President, LilaJaber Consulting 

• Amy Zubaly: Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association 

Finance/Insurance 

• Brittany Birken: Community and Economic Development Director and Principal Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta  

• William G. Smith Jr.: Chairman, President & CEO, Capital City Bank Group

Health/Life Sciences 

• Mary C. Mayhew: President & CEO, Florida Hospital Association 

• Mark O’Bryant: President & CEO, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. O’Bryant also serves on OEV’s Economic Vitality Leadership Council (EVLC).

• Emmett Reed: CEO, Florida Healthcare Association 

Law 

• Dean Cannon: President & CEO, GrayRobinson 

• Sean Pittman: CEO & Managing Partner, Pittman Law Group 

Logistics/Transportation 

• Alix Miller: President & CEO, Florida Trucking Association 

• Ananth Prasad: President, Florida Transportation Builders Association 

• Mike Rubin: President & CEO, Florida Ports Council 

Philanthropy/Nonprofits 

• Kurt Kelly: CEO & President, Florida Coalition for Children 

• Robert McClure: President & CEO, James Madison Institute  

• Wendy Spencer: President & CEO, Leadership Florida 

Professional Services 

• Terrie Ard: President & Partner, The Moore Agency 

• Sarah Bascom: President, Bascom Communications 

• Beth Cicchetti: Executive Director, Florida Economic Development Council 

• Rachel Cone: Managing Partner, The Southern Group 

• Michael Corcoran: Founding Partner & CEO, Corcoran Partners 

• Brett Doster: President & Executive Producer, Front Line Agency 

• Chris Dudley: Partner, The Southern Group 

• Jeff Hendry: Director for the Florida Institute of Government, Florida State University and Executive Director, North Florida Economic Development Partnership  

• Bill Herrle: Florida Executive Director, National Federation of Independant Business 

• Bennett Napier: President & CEO, Partners in Association Management 

• Gray Swoope: President & CEO, VisionFirst Advisors 

Retail/Wholesale 

• Kim Rivers: Founder, Chairman & CEO, Trulieve 

Tourism/Hospitality 

• Carol Dover: President & CEO, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association 

Legends 

• Brian Ballard: President, Ballard Partners