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Up and Comers
Aiming High
14 young Floridians who are already experienced businesspeople.
Mike Whaling, 28
Daytona Beach
› Partner with InfiniSys Electronic Architects, a Daytona Beach consulting and designing company that wires condos for high-tech devices and designs networks. Whaling works with telecommunication service providers such as Verizon, DirecTV and TimeWarner in order to give residents access to the latest technologies. He was integral in making InfiniSys the first company in its market to introduce the iPod-ready Home Media Station as an amenity. Whaling is an active member of the Urban Land Institute’s Young Leaders program and the National Association of Home Builders.
Matt Greer, 29
Miami
› Job: COO of Carlisle Development Group in Miami, a developer of affordable housing. He is responsible for development strategy and management of Carlisle’s various operating units, including finance, development and construction. He also oversees a property management division that includes more than 6,000 apartments.
› Grew up in: Miami
› Education: Bachelor’s in history from Columbia University in New York City and master’s from Columbia University School of Architecture
› First job: At 15, started a company that created computer networks for doctors’ offices. “My first employee there was someone I work with now at my current company. I had a real desire to be an entrepreneur, to take that risk. It didn’t really go anywhere, but it was a great educational experience.”
› Community involvement: Involved in Our Kids, a foster-care organization in south Florida.
› Turning point: “We’d done two deals that year (2004), and we wanted to grow significantly. I worked hand in hand with the CEO to revise the corporate structure to put more authority in the hands of the younger people.”
› Advice for young professionals: “Have a vision for what you want. Make sure you also do things you enjoy along the way, such as volunteering. I think the worst mistake people make is to go for status. They spend five years hating it, and they don’t achieve what they want."
› First job: At 15, started a company that created computer networks for doctors’ offices.
