ADELE announces veteran communications and marketing advisor Valerie Wickboldt as Chief Strategy Officer. Serving two decades in the private and public sectors, she brings a proven record of guiding organizations through complex challenges, managing reputational risks, leading impactful campaigns, and driving strategies that strengthen brands and deliver results.

Shutts & Bowen LLP is pleased to announce that Germán Morales has joined the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office as a Partner in the Business Litigation Practice Group. With more than 28 years of experience, Germán is a seasoned litigator who has handled numerous high-stakes commercial disputes and is licensed to practice law in both Colombia and Florida.

Shumaker has appointed Rodney L. Eason, Jr. as the firm’s first-ever Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). A transformational leader with more than 25 years of experience in human capital strategy, talent management, employee engagement, and leadership development, Rodney brings a dynamic and strategic approach to shaping the future of the firm’s people and culture. 

For a third consecutive year, Chambers and Partners has once again ranked Megan Paquin as one of the nation's top crisis communications and litigation PR consultants. As Founder and CEO of Paquin Public Relations, Megan leads a world-class team of strategic communicators. Chambers recognized Megan's deep experience in complex litigation and issues management as strengths.

rbb, a national integrated communications firm, acquired San Francisco-based UPRAISE Marketing + Public Relations for its B2B technology and financial services expertise and named President Tim Johnson an equity partner. rbb VPs Jennifer Valdes and Julie Jimenez-Padron were also recently elevated to equity shareholders, reinforcing the firm’s people-first culture.

Conrad & Scherer Trial Lawyers proudly announces that Chief Judge Jack Tuter, Retired Judge, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, the second largest in the State of Florida, has joined the firm as a Senior Partner. Judge Tuter brings decades of legal expertise and judicial leadership to the powerhouse litigation firm, nationally recognized for its success in complex, high-profile cases. 

The Junior League of Daytona Beach announces Veronika “Roni” PeGee as its new President—the first Black woman to hold the role in the League’s 90-year history. A member since 2014, PeGee brings a faith-driven commitment to service. Her top priorities: advancing the mission, fostering inclusion, and ensuring sustainability through strong partnerships.

Romy Seals has been appointed Vice President of Finance for Comcast’s Florida Region. In this role, she will lead financial strategy and operations, supporting growth and customer experience initiatives across a highly competitive footprint. Seals will oversee teams managing customer experience, project management, business operations, and financial reporting. Seals joined Comcast in 2012 and has held leadership roles including Director of Business Operations in the Central Division and VP of Business Operations for Comcast Business. Since joining the Florida Region in 2023 as Senior Director of Project Management, Seals has led key initiatives including Xfinity Communities, market expansion, network enhancements and hurricane recovery.

Dr. Jun Kim, Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering at Florida Polytechnic University, proudly represented both the university and the Korean-American community at the 2025 Future Leaders’ Conference in Seoul, South Korea. Chosen by the South Korean Consulate, Kim was one of only 60 professionals selected worldwide to share his impactful water treatment research on the global stage.

Shumaker Advisors Executive Vice President and Principal of the U.S. Cities Practice and former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was recently honored with the 2025 Leadership Florida Chair’s Award. The prestigious award was presented by Ron Christaldi, Chair of the Leadership Florida Board of Directors and President and CEO of Shumaker Advisors, during Leadership Florida’s Annual Meeting. 

GrayRobinson welcomes Shareholder Roger Handberg to its Orlando office. As former U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, recognized as the second largest and one of the busiest in the nation, he brings 20+ years of prosecutorial and litigation experience to the firm’s high-stakes white-collar defense, government investigations, and complex litigation practice.

GreenPointe Holdings is pleased to announce the promotion of Brad Odom to Development Director, North Florida Region. Odom will help lead the planning and execution of residential and commercial development projects including GreenPointe’s recent acquisition in northeast Tallahassee. He will continue to lead GreenPointe’s land acquisition efforts in North Florida.

Talisha Faber has joined Suncoast’s Economic Development team, serving Southwest Florida and beyond. Her experience driving economic growth and client success will be instrumental in supporting Suncoast’s mission of building inclusive, financially empowered communities by creating and strengthening relationships with community organizations, leaders, and stakeholders.

Charley Brooks has joined Suncoast's Economic Development team, serving Central Florida and beyond. She will advance Suncoast’s mission of fostering thriving, resilient communities by creating strategic alliances that promote financial wellness, increase access to affordable financial services and support initiatives around workforce development and small business growth.

The Florida College System Council of Presidents (COP) selected Seminole State College President Dr. Georgia Lorenz as Chair. Under Dr. Lorenz’s leadership, Seminole State was named among the top 10 community and state colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute. Her dedication to education and transformative leadership continues to inspire colleagues and students alike.

LLW is excited to announce Julia Lomonico has joined the firm as Of Counsel. Julia is an accomplished environmental and administrative law attorney with over a decade of experience in water policy, permitting, and litigation. She previously served in various roles at the South Florida Water Management District, including Interim General Counsel. Learn more at LLW-LAW.com.

Priority Marketing's Media Relations Manager, Noelani Fender, APR, recently earned her professional public relations accreditation and received the designation of Accredited in Public Relations (APR) from the Florida Public Relations Association’s (FPRA) Southwest Florida Chapter. Fender crafts strategic communication plans, develops compelling storylines, and leads PR efforts for nonprofits, small businesses and local franchises.

Diamond Custom Homes welcomes Diego Carvajal as Architectural Designer. With over 20 years of creative and technical experience, Carvajal has worked on residential and commercial projects in New York and independently. He also spent 12 years teaching architectural drafting. In his new role, he collaborates to deliver innovative, sustainable designs that meet client goals and budgets.

First Commerce Credit Union named Tallahassee native Symone Thompson as its 2025 MyWay Scholarship recipient. A student at Spelman College, Thompson is pursuing political science with a minor in economics and is active in groups like Future Business Leaders of Spelman and the Spelman-Morehouse Pre-Law Society. She expects to graduate in 2027.

The Board of Directors of Capital City Bank Group announces Bethany Corum has been named President of Capital City Bank. This historic appointment marks a significant milestone as Corum becomes the first female president in the Bank's history. She assumes this role with extensive experience and a deep commitment to championing the mission and continued success of Capital City Bank.