Florida 500™: Florida's most influential business leaders

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Unprecedented in scope, the inaugural edition of the Florida 500 is the product of a year-long research initiative by the editors of Florida Trend resulting in a personal, engaging look at the state’s most influential business leaders across major industries.

The 500 executives were selected based on extensive contacts in regional business circles, hundreds of interviews and months of research, culminating in a highly selective biographical guide to the people who really run Florida.  A variety of sources were used to produce the lists, including input from executives of economic development organizations, professional associations and others who know their communities, industries and the state well.

Florida Trend Publisher Andy Corty says, "The first edition of the Florida 500 – in print and digitally – comes about as Florida Trend marks its 60^th anniversary, so we thought we should look forward and introduce something new.  This special issue is an excellent way to meet some Floridians who are making a difference in the state.”

“The collective picture of our Influentials is as diverse as the industries and companies in which they work. I’m pleased that we’ve been able to offer, in most cases, a revealing personal snapshot of our selections rather than just [dry] biographical data,” says Executive Editor Mark Howard.

Check out the full Florida 500 list, including the Living Legends, at https://floridatrend500.com.  Copies of the standalone publication are available for purchase.

About Florida Trend

Florida Trend business magazine is read by 250,000 influential business executives, civic leaders and government officials each month. Its award-winning reporting covers business news, executives, key industry sectors, regional news and lifestyle. Enewsletters cover breaking news, movers and influencers, real estate, health care, education and small business. Floridatrend.com attracts over 100,000 unique viewers monthly.