November 28, 2023

Floridian of the Year 2023: Mark Wilson

Florida Trend's Floridian of the Year this year is Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Florida Icon: Hugh D. Hayes

"The goal of a judge should be to do both justice and law. If you are successful, they should be one and the same," says retired 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida judge Hugh D. Hayes.

Women in Leadership: When teachable moments become business advantages

Over the course of her 35-plus-year-career, Bridgette Heller says the best-performing teams she's worked with have been diverse ones.

Florida 500: Florida's Most Influential Business Leaders

Welcome to the 2023 edition of the Florida 500, a special publication that highlights the 500 most influential executives in different economic sectors throughout the state. This immense, year-long research initiative by the editors of Florida Trend has resulted in a personal, engaging look at the state’s most influential business leaders.

NextGen: Text support

Maria Barrera, left, and Melissa Pelochino, who is based in Oregon, share a passion for the intersection of education, teaching and mental health. The duo founded Clayful, a text-based coaching app.

Women in Leadership: Full circle

Madeline Pumariega came back to her alma mater, "the community's college," as its first woman president. "I am just that girl from Hialeah, I'm just one of you."

Women in Leadership: Change agents

Deborah Ellinger is a former CEO with 20 years of board experience. She's part of a group that cold-calls businesses to find boardroom opportunities for women.

Do you work with top talent at a great company? The 100 Best Companies To Work For In Florida will be recognized in the August 2024 issue of Florida Trend. Be one of the best! Register at www.BestCompaniesFLA.com. The deadline to register is fast-approaching: February 16, 2024.

Diabetes: How sweet it isn't

More than one in 10 Floridians has diabetes, and the numbers are growing. While doctors have more medications in their arsenal, many patients can reverse Type 2 diabetes — the more common form of the disease — by eating better and exercising.

In Memoriam: Buffett the businessman

The late Jimmy Buffett's recordings and tours were estimated to top more than $570 million.

Movers & Influencers

Personal promotions, transfers, board appointments, civic accomplishments and philanthropic activities for the week of November 22, 2023.

Women in Leadership: In her own league

When a new women's professional volleyball venture set out to build a premiere league, there was one person organizers needed to help set it up for success: former Florida State University coach Cecile Reynaud.

A nursing reboot

The number of jobs for RNs in Florida increased 14.78% between 2012 and 2021 to 187,920.

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Florida Business News

Lawmaker budget requests start to pile up

Florida lawmakers are championing hundreds of projects and seeking billions of dollars as they prepare for the start of the 2024 legislative session in January.

Florida expanding semiconductor manufacturing capabilities with $28M in grants

In another push to reduce reliance on China and other foreign entities, Florida is expanding its semiconductor manufacturing capability.

Savings to be thankful for: Why Florida drivers are feeling the cheer this holiday season

Christmas is coming early this year with some big-time savings at the pump. According to AAA, Thanksgiving 2023 saw the lowest gas prices for the holiday in three years, with gas hitting as low as $3.03 a gallon across Florida on average.

South Florida families are facing food insecurity at higher rates than the country overall

South Florida is facing a problem that only becomes more difficult during the holidays. Residents here are not getting enough to eat.

State seeks go-ahead for drag show law

Even after being rejected at the U.S. Supreme Court, attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis are trying to get a federal appeals court to allow a law that would prevent children from attending drag shows everywhere except at Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando.