Pensacola Magazine July 2015

July 2015

P e n s a c o l a • Yo u r C i t y • Yo u r M a g a z i n e

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July 2015

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editor’s note > my two cents on the subject Kelly Oden

As the mother of a very precious seven year old, I have to remind myself daily that her moments of extreme bossiness are really just the early signs of what will surely become her finely honed leadership skills. At least that’s what helps me sleep at night. If any true correlation can be made between a child’s precocious nature and their future ability to lead, the parents of the six women we profiled in this issue of Pensacola Magazine must have had their hands full! And, they must be insanely proud of their truly remarkable offspring. There can be no doubt that the Pensacola community fosters an abundance of great leaders and a remarkable number of them are women.

I am inspired by their accomplishments, their leadership skills and their approach to both work and life. I hope you will be too.

Executive Editor

In addition, Josh Newby’s article on women in STEM (cleverly titled STEMinists!) takes an inside look at the local efforts to attract more women to the sciences. Learn about some really great initiatives and programs from Pensacola State College, IHMC, the Mess Hall and more.

Speaking of cool women, I’m sad to say that Ballinger’s resident cool woman is moving on after nearly seven years at the company. We’ve watched Emily Echevarria grow into an extremely competent editor and a unique and gifted writer over those years and we will miss her quirky sense of humor and her impressive skillset. However, I wish her the very best in her next chapter.

Happy trails, Emily!

Subscription Expiration Date is printed on the address label. Renew your subscription now online at www.ballingerpublishing.com: One year $14.95 and two years $22.75.

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July 2015

Also in this issue, you’ll find articles and information on Pensacola’s best summer pastime—Red, White and Blues weekend. Go early and claim your spot for this must see event! Also, for those of you who have precocious daughters like me, be sure to check out the ultimate precocious little girl at Pensacola Little Theatre’s production of Pippi Longstocking. It’s sure to be a blast for the whole family. And finally, our good friends over at Ever’man Cooperative Grocery and Cafe bring you some delicious recipes for cool summer drinks, so be sure to try them at your next gathering or lazy Sunday afternoon.

ontents C Leading Ladies p26

STEMinists p22

Blue Angels Airshow p11

p14

Change is Coming to Pensacola Para Con p14 Pippi Longstocking p16 Cool Concoctions p18 Play, Live, Give p40 Pensacola Scene p44

p16

A Thank you letter from Maria Davis p46

Northwest Florida’s Business Climate Magazine Special Section p49 p11 8

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On the Cover: Bentina Terry Photographed by Guy Stevens

July

2015

Publisher Malcolm Ballinger • malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com Pm Editor Kelly Oden • kelly@ballingerpublishing.com Art Director Rita Laymon • rita@ballingerpublishing.com Graphic Designer & Advertising Coordinator Guy Stevens • guy@ballingerpublishing.com Editor Josh Newby • Josh@ballingerpublishing.com Editorial Interns Alina Newman Kaitlyn Peacock Sales & Marketing Jennifer Bullock, Account Executive ext. 21 jennifer@ballingerpublishing.com

Owners Malcolm & Glenys Ballinger Publisher Malcolm Ballinger • malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com Executive Editor Kelly Oden •kelly@ballingerpublishing.com Art Director Rita Laymon • rita@ballingerpublishing.com Graphic Designer & Advertising Coordinator Guy Stevens • guy@ballingerpublishing.com Editor Josh Newby •Josh@ballingerpublishing.com Sales & Marketing Jennifer Bullock, Account Executive ext. 21 jennifer@ballingerpublishing.com Website: www.ballingerpublishing.com Editorial Offices 41 North Jefferson Street, Suite 402 Pensacola, Florida 32502 850-433-1166 • Fax 850-435-9174

Published by Ballinger Publishing:

Member of:

NW Florida’s Business Climate Magazine and Pensacola Magazine is locally owned and operated. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents herein is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts.

All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser.

Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. © 2015

July 2015

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Blue Angels Airshow

PENSACOLA, Fla. The U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, perform a practice flight demonstration over Pensacola Beach.

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Johnson/ Released)

While you soak up the hot sun and bathe in the shimmering emerald waves on a cloudless summer day on Pensacola Beach, relaxation is on the brain…but wait, what’s that sound? It’s a low pitched rumbling and then a full-fledged growl until finally it’s an air-tearing roar. A fighter jet nosedives through the air and then another dives after it, both turning and flipping in synchronization. Before there’s time to blink, a whole squadron is flying together in unison, carving their way through the big blue in a diamond formation to the awe of the crowd of thousands below.

With death-defying speeds, furious loops and sharp turns the Blue Angels are set to strut their sky prowess over the sugary sands of Pensacola Beach in their 69th annual air show July 11.

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The Air Show is a two-day event that starts July 10 and will take place directly on Pensacola Beach, allowing hundreds of thousands of spectators to bear witness to the daredevil performance provided by the U.S. Navy. The 45-minute show will begin in the early afternoon.

What might appear to on-lookers as a dangerous ploy is actually a stunning visual demonstration of the skill and vigorous training of the Blue Angels Flying Squadron.

Flying in action since 1946, their maneuvers rely on both the skill of the pilots and the hours of training they undergo before each performance.

“A lot of people don’t know that the Blue Angels spend 300 days on the road and that they train six days a week both practicing and performing,” said Amber Lynn Daniel, the public affairs officer for the Blue Angels. “They strive to maintain proficiency. Thursday they do circle and arrivals, where they spot their check-points and fly through them so they know where they are. After is the first performance practice, where they establish visual aids.

Friday is a practice performance. Saturday is really exciting because we get to show our hometown how hard we’ve been working.”

This year the Blue Angels are working on perfecting their signature diamond formation and solo performances. They plan to perform their Delta formation that involves six of their jets, and plan to alternate their height stunts based on the visibility over the beach. The maneuvers range from extremely fast to as slow as the aircrafts can physically fly. Their solo performances will also vary between their usual maneuvers and older ones to keep the audience both guessing and dazzled.

The Hornets will perform the diamond, flying a daring 18 inches apart from wing tip to wing tip. At 160 miles per hour, the Blue Angels will span the sea together before splitting apart. They will also perform a heart-wrenching solo that requires two jets to engage in a game of chicken at 400 miles per hour. The C-130, also known as Fat Albert, will also be set to open this year’s Blue Angel’s performance at 2 pm.

It will be flown by Capt. Katie Higgins, the first woman pilot to ever fly in the Blue Angels. Also new to the squadron is a new Commanding Officer and team leader, 12

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PENSACOLA, Fla. - U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, pilots fly in a delta formation over Pensacola Beach in Pensacola, Fla., during a training flight. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Terrence Siren)

PENSACOLA, Fla., U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, fly a Blue Angel F/A-18 Hornet inverted while performing the “Double Farvel” maneuver during a practice flight demonstration over Pensacola Beach. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Johnson/ Released)

PENSACOLA, Fla. U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, perform a high-speed pass in front of a crowd on Pensacola Beach at a practice demonstration. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Andrea Perez/Released)

Cmdr. Ryan Bernacchi, who will be the leader of the Blue Angels next year.

“Being selected as the boss of the Blue Angels is a very big deal,” Daniel explained. “He will not be reporting to the team till the fall, but we are very focused on this 2015 season. We’re super excited to be performing in Pensacola; it’s our hometown, our family. Pensacola is our home.”

Before the Blue Angels fly at 2 pm, five to six civilian aircraft will perform their own stunts at noon. Also available for the enjoyment of beach-goers will be souvenir booths, military recruiting stations accompanied by attention-drawing assets such as a static display of jets, music hosted by various local radio stations, and booths providing food and refreshments.

To make the most of this event, keep in mind the large crowd that will accompany it and the intense heat that will follow several hours out in the sun interspersed with few chances to actually get into the ocean’s water.

“There is no designated parking after 9 am particularly,” said Katie King, a representative of the Pensacola Beach Publicity.

“Parking is wherever you can find it and traffic will back up over two bridges the longer you wait. You should arrive before 8 am and make sure you stay hydrated.”

For those planning to enjoy the afternoon in the hot sun, here are some tips from the Pensacola Beach Publicity on how to keep you and your family safe from heatstroke and other sun-related dangers:

• B ring an umbrella or other form of shade to block the sun.

• B ring something to sit/lay on and wear the appropriate footwear while walking on the hot sand.

• S tay hydrated. Bring plenty of fluids (about a gallon per person) and a cooler to keep them cold.

• B ring your own food for the afternoon so that fighting crowded restaurants is not your only option.

• Bring protective eyewear (hats, glasses, visors, etc) • Bring earplugs for those with sensitive ears. The jets are extremely loud and it’s a good idea to provide children, the elderly and even healthy adults with a way to muffle the sound.

“Last year was our biggest year ever because it was the return of the Blue Angels,” said Robbie Schrock, a representative of Santa Rosa Island Authority. “We encourage people to get here early.”

Fun Facts: • T he air show is the largest annual event in Northwest Florida.

• Enterprise is donating cars for the civilian pilots to drive as well as two vans and drivers for the transportation of the Blue Angels crew.

• S hare a Coke will have a machine where patrons can purchase a coke bottle with their name on it.

• A irWare will be providing the unofficial souvenir booths.

• S ocial Media of the Blue Angels – follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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All photos by Travis Patterson

Cis hange Coming to

Pensacola Para Con

By Kaitlyn Peacock

Walking through Pensacola Fair Grounds in August, one can see a crowd of people dressed in fantastical costumes and make up, people talking with celebrities and booths showcasing unique trinkets and apparel. For the past five years, Pensacola Para Con has given its guests a thrilling look into the world of the paranormal, comics and movies. This year, it returns as Pensacola Comic Convention, offering new opportunities to meet celebrities, events such as the Generation X Dance and Costume Party at the Vinyl Music Hall and a wrestling ring set up for guests to show off the moves they learned from Street Fighter. With exciting new events and an ever-growing list of celebrity guests, Pensacola Comic Convention is on its way to its biggest year yet.

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Coming from very humble beginnings, Pensacola Para Con was first created in 2010 by Ericka Boussarhane, who continues to run the convention every year. Her love of ghost hunting and of Pensacola’s haunted history encouraged her to first start the convention. “We didn’t have anything here in Pensacola like Para Con,” she said, “and Pensacola is famously known for its haunted locations, so I wanted to organize an event to bring tourists to these locations.” With this idea in mind and with only help from her family, she began Pensacola’s very own paranormal convention.

Since its first year, Para Con has continued to expand and evolve to include subjects beyond the paranormal, such as comics, movies and anime. The evolution of the convention’s name represents the diversity of Pensacola Comic Convention, as well as Boussarhane’s intentions of continuing to change. “I see us growing,” Boussarhane said, “We’ve grown every year and I’m very appreciative of it.”

One goal that has never changed for Para Con has been to highlight and assist the community of Pensacola. This year, Pensacola Comic Convention has partnered with the EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless (ECOH), the Special Olympics, Arc Gateway, the American Cancer Society and the Ronald McDonald House. In the past, Para Con has sponsored events for these charities, including sending celebrity guests to surprise families and children at the Ronald McDonald House.

Along with assisting local charities, Boussarhane intends to award members of Pensacola’s emergency services and military personnel. “We wanted to highlight the community heroes, especially law enforcement, EMS and the military,” she said.

“People forget their sacrifices and that they are heroes.” This is the first time Pensacola Comic Convention will be giving out awards to service members. The awards ceremony will be held during the convention in honor of Pensacola’s heroes.

Every year, Para Con has hosted a number of guest celebrities, but this year already boasts one of the best lineups for the convention. Guests will be able to shake hands with Jerrad Vunovich, take a picture with Karyn Parsons and meet Randy Couture, among many others. All celebrity guests are available for all guests to interact with, free of charge. Boussarhane said that it was a requirement she asks of her guests, to help keep the convention cost effective.

Her goal is to provide an open space for guests to enjoy themselves with minimal cost, keeping the convention open to everyone who wants to attend.

Excited about the event? About to press “buy tickets” on the website? That is, until you hear a shriek from the living room and realize, yes you indeed still have three children to look after and spending a weekend away is not an option. Not to worry.

There will be a Kids Con at the convention just for children, with costume contests, face painting, activities and more. There will be plenty of things to keep your little ones safe and happy while you arm wrestle with Rocky Johnson.

Pensacola Comic Convention is set to be August 8 and 9, as always at the Pensacola Fair Grounds. Tickets will be priced at $10 for a daily pass and $20 for a weekend. Children ages seven and down will be free. Ericka Boussarhane is still looking for volunteers passionate about Pensacola and the world of Pensacola Comic Convention to join in the action. For more information www.pensacolaparacon.com.

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P i P i P

Longstocking

By Alina Newman

It’s no secret what children desire most. They want to stay up late, eat junk food, watch endless cartoons, never go to school and go wherever their imaginations lead them. While it might not have been possible in real life to grow up getting everything you wanted, ever wonder what it would be like if you had? For one iconic girl with red pigtails, exuberant blue eyes, and mismatched stockings, the dream is all too real in Pensacola Little Theatre’s performance of Pippi Longstocking.

A classic tale brought to life by a young child’s imagination, Pensacola Little Theatre’s version of the play, written by Samuel French, will be performed July 10-11 and also 17-19 as an Acorn production. The story is a captivating, playful, and highspirited play about a young girl named Pippilotta-DelicatessaWindowshade-MackrelmintEphraim who finds herself involved in all sorts of fun with a twist. She 16

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owns a monkey and a horse, runs the house as she sees fit, doesn’t attend school and loves to dance; oh, and her father’s a pirate!

If the silliness isn’t enough for an entertaining time, the production is also a musical number and audience interactive. “ A c o r n productions are made to introduce young children to the theater whether they are in the audience or in the actual

July 2015

show,” s a i d Caroline Bond, the director of the show.

Bond is a senior in high school and one of the youngest directors to ever run a show at the Pensacola Little Theatre. “Pippi is different because it is a larger production, being a musical.

When we chose the show we were looking through all of our options, and we came upon the Pippi Longstocking musical.

When I was little I used to read Pippi Longstocking all the time. It was one of my favorite books so we

thought, ‘well, this is perfect!’”

Auditions for the cast took place May 11 and 12 and callbacks occurred the next day. The directors were astonished by the turn-out. Around a hundred adults and children lined up both days to audition, the largest crowd for a children’s performance in Pensacola, making the decision of who would play Pippi a challenging one requiring extra monologues, songs, and Pippi’s signature dance to narrow down the competition.

“We had so many people we couldn’t figure out who to put where,” Bond said. “We had to have call-backs the next night on Wednesday, especially for the people who were trying out for Pippi. We had them read one of Pippi’s monologues that perfectly shows who she is. When we read that one monologue Zas Pitre, who was cast as Pippi, was the only one who nailed it with all the three parts. Her dancing was really funny because Pippi’s not really a choreographed dancer, she’s just

crazy and she nailed that. When she sang she was really good, and when she did that monologue it was a perfect fit. It was exactly what I pictured in my head.”

Zas Pitre is an eight-year-old girl who already has a passion for acting and the theater.

Her father Stephen Pitre is also acting as the character Constable, making the musical even more special.

“I think it’s a good experience. I’m doing a lot of things that I’ve never done before,” said Zas. “We’ve never been on the stage together, it’s our first time and we’re really excited.”

On stage, Pippi and the Constable are constantly at odds with each other and that’s where the relationship of father-daughter becomes a source that the two actors can draw on during the performance. “There’s one scene where the Constable and Pippi are in a big disagreement where he says, do what I say and Pippi does not want to do what he says.

It’s a tug-of-war so to speak, a battle of wills.

In some ways the father-daughter relationship does help us get into character,” said Stephen.

Stephen and Zas Pitre are not the only family-duo to be involved in the performance of Pippi. Bond and her mother Lisa Bond are also a dynamic duo behind the stage, as Lisa is one of her daughter’s assistant directors.

“My mother’s been a huge help!” said Bond. “She’s performed many tasks in the process of making the show happen, so for her to do this was really special. She blocked her scenes that she was assigned already and they look really good. In fact she’s doing great with the artistic side as well as the actual logistics of the play. She and Holly Busse, our other assistant director, have worked very well together. I couldn’t have done it without them!”

This month the directors, cast and crew have been working hard to prepare for the show. Costume design, set production and scene practices are well underway but there is still much to be done before opening night.

Sketches for both the costumes and the set have been made and are beginning to take shape in reality. Jeannie Atwell, the costume designer for the show, with the help of Mindy Iverson, has already done the measurements and chosen the appropriate fabrics for each character and is now in the process of putting the pieces together. The set is being designed

by Katelyn Geri with the help of Kayla Bartlett, but their task is limited for now due to having a stage shared with other performances. It won’t be until closer to the show that they can actually begin building all that they have planned, but one unique attribute already in place is the periactoids, which are pyramid structures that turn and are used together to set the background.

As for the cast, Bond has high hopes for their performance. “A lot of people that we cast, especially the children, this is the first show they have ever been in. I can’t wait to see how they do in front of a real audience and how it changes them to become even better performers and team players.”

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“Have Courage, Go Forward, Make Noise!”

-Pope Francis

SJS K4 - 8th St. John’s is great preparation for success in high school and beyond! Our rigorous, interactive, and exciting “H curriculum is specifically designed to fit the needsave Courage, Go Forward, of each and every student who seeks an education here. The Catholic environment at St. John’s provides a strong foundation in faith, love, and life-long learning. Our caring and accommodating staff will ensure that the difficult pre-teen years are full of great memories, creating a solid foundation for life. We will ensure that your son or daughter’s childhood and adolescence are full of great memories.

New K3 Program!

New gifted Pull-out Program!

Extra-curricular Clubs and Sports All in the time-honored Catholic tradition of St. John the evangelist catholic School

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New K3 Pro New Gifted Pull-o extra-curricular clu all in the time-honore d of St. John the Evange li ! te si ec k ou t ou r web

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325 South Navy BLvD, PeNSacoLa, FL 32507 • (850) 456-5218 • StJohNPeNSacoLa.coM ceLeBratiNg 140 yearS oF eDucatiNg StuDeNtS oF the MiLitary!

rdinator, Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & ucation Coo d E , Ca f e n a m r o G Recipes by Jenny

Coo l Concoc t i ons Photography by Guy Stevens

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great cool drinks for a hot summer

The heat is on in Pensacola, but don’t let the high temperatures bring you down. Our friends over at Ever’man Cooperative Grocery and Cafe created some cool, tasty and healthy summer beverages to help you stay refreshed and hydrated all summer long. From the floral colored lavender lemonade and the Thai infused iced tea to the Latin inspired horchata and the Indian themed mango lassi, you’re sure keep the heat at bay with any or all of these delicious concoctions.

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lavender lemonade Ingredients:

2 cups water 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup agave nectar (or honey) 3 Tbsp. dried lavender 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice 4 cups water 1 lemon, sliced (for garnish)

Directions:

Over medium heat, combine two cups of water and sugar, bringing to a boil until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in agave nectar and dried lavender. Cover for about 15 minutes, allowing mixture to steep.

Strain lavender, making sure to release all juices and syrup.

In a large pitcher, combine freshly squeezed lemon juice, lavender mixture and water. Feel free to add a drop of blue coloring and a drop of red to mixture to give it a lovely purple color. Chill for at least 2 hours and serve over ice.

Facts!

Lavender is an incredible herb that can help reduce your summertime worries. It is often used for combating restlessness, anxiety, nervousness, and depression. Take a sip of this sweet hydrator and enjoy these hot days.

Thai Iced tea Ingredients:

5 cups water 6 bags black tea or red Thai tea, or 1 1/2 tablespoons loose tea 2 star anise 3 whole cloves 2 tablespoons sugar Ice 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove the pan from the heat. Place the tea bags, star anise, and cloves in the water, and make sure they are completely submerged.

Steep for 10 minutes.

Use a large spoon or a strainer to remove the tea bags, star anise, and cloves. Add the sugar and stir until it’s completely dissolved. Let the tea cool to room temperature.

Use tall glasses and fill each with ice cubes. Fill each glass 3/4 of the way full with tea. Add one tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk to each glass, and stir to combine. Drink immediately.

Facts!

The black tea used to create this refreshing drink is widely known as an antioxidant. These particular antioxidants act as Catechins that can help reduce the risk of multiple types of cancer.

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Horchata Mango Lassi Ingredients:

2 heaping cups Mangoes, peeled and chopped 2 cups Yogurt 1/2 cup Chilled Water (optional) 1/4 cup Sugar 1/4 tsp Green Cardamom Powder

Directions:

Peel the mangoes with the help of a sharp knife or peeler.

Chop the pulp into large chunks and place them in a blender or food processor. Once all the pulp and juice is removed, discard the stone.

Blitz the mango pieces to smooth paste without adding any water. If you find the mixture is too thick, add 1/2 cup chilled water.

Once the mangoes are pureed, add yogurt, sugar and cardamom powder to the blender and blend them all well for 2 minutes.

Chill in a refrigerator before serving.

Facts!

Summer is in full swing, making for prime mango picking!

Not only are they delicious and refreshing, but mango also contains over 20 different vitamins and minerals. Stock up on this super fruit and reduce your risk of muscular degeneration and improve your skin, hair, and bone health.

Ingredients:

1 cup long grain white rice 3/4 cup blanched almonds 5 cups water, divided 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk 1 stick cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon vanilla Ice for serving Ground cinnamon for garnish

Directions:

Place the rice, cinnamon and almonds into a bowl. Cover with 4 cups of hot (but not boiling) water. Cover the bowl and refrigerate at least 2 hours but preferably overnight.

Using a stick or regular blender, blend the mixture until it is as smooth as possible. This can take as long as 2 to 3 minutes. (The cinnamon will soften as it sits and does not need to be removed before blending.)

Pour the mixture into a strainer set over a pitcher. Strain out as much liquid as possible, pushing on the solids with a spatula or spoon.

Stir in the remaining cup of water, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Taste and add more sweetener or water as needed.

Add ice to the pitcher, stir again, and serve in glasses, garnished with the ground cinnamon. Enjoy!

Facts!

Besides helping to cool you off on those humid days, this small drink packs a big punch in terms of vitamins, minerals and health benefits. Full of potassium and calcium, horchata can help keep your body strong. Plus, the cinnamon garnish can help keep your blood pressure low!

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STEMinists

I

n an increasingly diverse and gender-equal workforce, more women than ever are starting to take jobs once reserved for men and in some cases are becoming their family’s primary breadwinner. It has therefore become

important to ensure competitive wages and job security for these relatively new members of the professional labor force. But in a world buzzing with computer science and built on the principles of engineering and math, some women are facing systemic obstacles and having to settle for the jobs of yesterday instead of tomorrow.

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Women’s participation—or lack thereof—in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields has been widely reported and is the focus of a number of federal, state, local educational and workforce programs. According to the most recent census data, women make up about 48 percent of the workforce, but only 24 percent of STEM workers.

{by Josh Newby}

This underrepresentation has continued even as the female share of the collegeeducated workforce has increased. Even the women who do have STEM jobs can usually be found in physical and life sciences, as opposed to the engineering industries that most often feature the highest wages and greatest demand for measurable skill.

As with most gender-based disparities, this one has huge, far-reaching consequences.

For example, STEM jobs pay more—a lot more, according to the Department of

Labor. And those who don’t have those jobs find themselves routinely making less than those who do. In this case, that inequity is largely along gender lines and is a big contributor to the oft-cited 75 percent wage gap. As women continue to fall into average-paying careers like education and nurse-level healthcare, and as men continue to fill more technical vocations, the wage gap will likely increase. This leads to less financial independence, less resources for further education and so on. Women in STEM is a crucial aspect of the larger systemic problem of female viability and marketability in the workforce.

If women are just as capable as men at understanding complex equations and solving quantitative problems, which they are, why then don’t they simply enter those disciplines? According to a 2011 study by the Department of Commerce, the answer is multivariate.

First, there are social and family issues in play. Gender norms over the years have created very traditional market demands— trucks and computers for boys, dolls and kitchens for girls.

From a young age, it is impressed upon our psyche that we more naturally fit in one role over another. Later in life, young women have fewer role models that are engaged in the sciences with whom they can identify.

Even women who clear those obstacles will find job-based roadblocks. STEM career paths are less accommodating to people cycling in and out of work to raise a family. An issue that seems to transcend all female age groups, according to the National Center for Women and Information Technology, is a lack of confidence. Despite actual achievement levels being similar for boys and girls, young women often report lower confidence in themselves to tackle these more difficult subjects.

In Pensacola, we have the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, nationally recognized programs at the University of West Florida and Pensacola State College, and forthcoming projects with Space Florida.

The city is poised to become an engineering and computer science hub in the Panhandle, and with that upward trajectory comes the

responsibility of ensuring that women who want to participate feel welcome to. We also need to make sure that our city’s future generations of women know, even from an early age, that math and science is not just for the boys.

Combating these social and economic issues is a huge undertaking. Thankfully, there are powerful women and effective programs in our region that are doing just that, solving systemic problems, breaking down barriers, and serving as role models to young women everywhere.

Alexis Janosik is a professor and department advisor at the University of West Florida. She holds a doctoral degree in marine biology and regularly advises young women in pursuit of a higher education STEM degree. Recently, she said, she has seen more and more women interested in and engaged in the sciences.

“I think recently there’s been less of a focus on women staying home and doing traditional things we expect them to do,” said Janosik.

While in pursuit of her degree, she had to go to exotic locales and intensely hot and cold climates to conduct research. She was surrounded by men and sometimes heard whispers that she may be unable to perform some of the more strenuous work.

“I just told myself that I can do this,” said Janosik. “I taught them not to judge a book nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 5

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“Don’t let anything, gender or otherwise, stop you from driving yourself to be more successful.”

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by its cover.”

Nowadays, Janosik happily reported, her male colleagues and superiors are very supportive and encouraging of all her endeavors and very much view her as the equal she is. She is optimistic about the future of women in STEM, because the job characteristics that women value are slowly becoming more mainstream.

“Women value a work-life balance and support from their employer,” said Janosik.

“You’re seeing that more nowadays.”

Education for women has changed, too, according to Janosik, and she sees that making a positive impact for girls in the future.

“We combat some of the bias women may feel with exciting, high-impact, experiential learning,” said Janosik.

Elsewhere at UWF, Erica Jordan teaches development psychology to undergrad and graduate students. While the student

population is largely female, she said, those in the faculty are still mostly men. She talks often with minority women students about overcoming the obstacles they face to pursue their scientific dreams.

“Guys are often more confident, I think,” said Jordan. “They often just deal with things.

Women prize mentors, and I’ve been lucky to have mentors in my life that help me when I doubt myself.”

Actively pursuing and fostering women in the sciences is not just about a female presence, though. Studies have shown that diversity in any vocation, especially engineering and the like, bring about new ideas and fresh approaches to age-old problems.

“Diverse ideas are the best ideas when it comes to science,” said Jordan. “Years ago, the studies that were published were only applicable to men because they only studied men. There’s a huge gap in our research

when it comes to women and minorities.

We need to have different races, sexual orientations and cultures represented.”

Often, women pursuing STEM degrees will experience the imposter syndrome, a psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments. Instead of believing that they are successful because of their own grit, they assume they are only there because of luck.

teachers who encourage and praise them.

One such program is called PEGASUS (Play, Engage, Grow, Achieve…Summer of Uplifting Science), an all-girls science and technology camp at Pensacola State College. Physics and biology faculty at the college started the series of courses in 2014 to encourage young women to pursue educational and career tracks in STEM. Combining arts, crafts and creativity, the girls make functioning telescopes, realistic

“They feel they don’t genuinely belong,” said Jordan. “We need to talk about those issues and build trust so that women know that they belong in the classroom or in the lab as much as men.”

Higher education is not the only place where mentors for young women can be found. At various organizations throughout our region, programs are being enacted that make science and math fun for young girls, with projects tailored to their interests and

skeletons and more. In its first year, the program cost just $250,000 to put on, which included salaries, supplies, facilities and more, a small price to pay for the future of our workforce.

“Last year we had 30 participants and we hope to get more funding and expand more in the future,” said Matthew Drum, department head of biology at Pensacola State College. “We’re hoping to demystify the sciences for young girls. They are underrepresented right now but completely capable. Without them, we are missing out on a great asset.”

Programs like these are important to offsetting the national trend of female underrepresentation in the sciences, and are slowly popping up around the country as part of initiatives like the National Girls Collaborative Project, PBS’s SciGirls, and

Pathways to Science. The Department of Labor estimates that there will be 1.4 million computing-related job openings by 2020.

At current rates, we can only fill about 30 percent of those with trending bachelor’s degrees. These projects hope to fill that gap with a largely female population.

“I think we can start a positive trend of women in STEM if we encourage girls to stick with the harder subjects the same way we do boys,” said Drum. “Right now they have to jump through a lot more hoops than men. We need to change that. With PEGASUS, I think we started to change that.

You could see their eyes light up. We got a lot of letters from parents saying that their kids registered for a science class of their own free will for the first time.”

Other programs help kids who are even younger all year around. The MESS (Math, Engineering, Science and Stuff) Hall in downtown Pensacola is a hands-on museum where kids get into the nitty-gritty of science, learning through experience how light bulbs are powered, helicopters fly, soil is eroded and more. It is here, where fun and learning intersect, that girls can truly begin to gain an appreciation for STEM without even realizing it.

“We offer a lot of programs for a variety of ages,” said MESS Hall founder Megan Pratt. “We do Science Friday Night, which we’re doing in conjunction with Gallery Night so parents can drop their kids off to learn and have fun while they go to dinner.

We also have special programs for middleschoolers such as game nights so older kids can have something different to do.”

With these strong programs and even stronger women leading the way for young girls to be interested in the sciences, it is fair to say that the future of technology Pensacola will be in very capable hands.

“No matter what you do, there are going to be hurdles,” said Janosik. ”So don’t let anything, gender or otherwise, stop you from driving yourself to be more successful.”

nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 7

Pensacola Magazine 25

Leading Ladies Written by Kelly Oden, Josh Newby & Emily Echevarria Photography by Guy Stevens

Pensacola is represented by a wide array of diverse industries-education, technology, tourism, healthcare and more. The region also boasts an equally impressive host of women who lead those businesses fearlessly and with great resolve. Pensacola Magazine was fortunate enough to sit down with six women who exemplify the best of our great city’s increasingly diverse workforce.

Bentina Terry of Gulf Power, Judy Bense of UWF, Susan Davis of Sacred Heart Health System, Debbie Calder of Navy Federal Credit Union, Debbie Ritchie of Studer Group and Tina Morrison of the Perdido Key Chamber: you will find insightful questions and inspiring answers for all on the next several pages.

Join us in celebrating Pensacola’s gender diversity and learn more about our region and these powerful women in the process.

Pensacola Magazine 27

Where did you get your drive to succeed or what drives you to succeed?

Undoubtedly my drive to succeed came from our mother, Bette A. Bense. She instilled in me and my two younger brothers, Chris and Allan, to aim at being the best at whatever we do in life and to be doggedly persistent in achieving it. Anyone can start on a lofty goal, but most quit when the going gets tough or after failed attempts, but the three of us never got away with quitting. Basically, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and figure out how to succeed. We always have a Plan A, B, C, etc.

Success is the best satisfaction. We started with nothing, got our education in public schools and universities, knew what we wanted, and focused on those goals.

How was it for you to transition from the academic/instructional side of the university to the administrative side?

The transition to senior/executive administration was a total surprise, abrupt, and one of the biggest challenges of my life. However, I have had such challenges before in my archaeological career and understand what it takes to jump in the deep end of a shark-infested pool. The stakes were high; I could have ruined my career and reputation if I blew it. With that as motivation, success was the only option. I can say that the transition was one of the most difficult of my life, but certainly not the first or worst.

You’re big on collaboration—be it with other educational institutions, businesses, communities and students. Tell me how you view the value of collaboration and how you have put it to positive use in your role as president.

When you start with nothing, as I did when I “walked on” to UWF in 1980 –no permanent position, no Anthropology/Archaeology program, armed with only a government contract, while very large, that would eventually be spent, I quickly learned that collaboration was one of the key ingredients of success. Since my goal was to build a nationally recognized and respected Anthropology/Archaeology program from the ground up at a place that was rich in archaeological resources and a University that would give me a chance to spread my wings, collaboration was essential.

I learned how to share, how to be a reliable partner, and to take risks. I began to have the reputation as a “finisher,” one who would not desert the ship in rough seas, but would figure out how to reach the finish line and produce a high quality product. Collaboration is the key to being a successful university president. We have a myriad of new academic and business partnerships with other universities, businesses, and local and state governments that did not

exist before. These partnerships are one of the keys to our growth and ability to provide the citizens of northwest Florida with programs that prepare them for productive and exciting careers such as the new Doctorate of Nursing Practice (UF), Doctorate of Physical Therapy (USF), and 3+3 law programs (FSU and Stetson).

I believe you are one of a few female presidents in the state university system. How does being a woman inform what you do?

When I compare myself as a professional, I try not to focus on gender. I don’t worry about whether I am a women, or if all of my bosses are men, I’ve always worried about getting to the top. I appreciate the role that the activist women played and the openings that they made for me. I was in the wave of the first women to do things, and that’s amazing. I will say that I think being a woman has helped me to be a better partner. On the other hand, I was held back when I first entered my career, because I had to learn to fight like a man for what I deserved. I remember the first time that I did that – it was unpleasant, but I knew that it was necessary for me to succeed.

What advice do you have for young women who want to make a positive impact in Pensacola?

My advice for young women is simple: Go for it!

Don’t pay attention to the odds against women, just make a major decision and be confident that you have a good shot at being successful.

What unique challenges and/or advantages do you believe women face in Pensacola?

I don’t necessarily think that Pensacola is any different than other areas of the world in terms of gender. Pensacola is a medium size area, with a medium size growing and ever-increasingly relevant university. I believe that what you have to do, as a woman, is adapt to where you are.

“When I compare myself as a professional, I try not to focus on gender.

I don’t worry about whether I am a woman, or if all of my bosses are men, I’ve always worried about getting to the top.”

Judy Bense President, University of West Florida Dr. Judith Bense, having served at University of West Florida (UWF) for 28 years, became the fifth president of the institution on July 1, 2008.

Since taking office, President Bense has focused on growth, visibility, enhancing the student “collegiate” experience, and partnerships with the goal of making UWF a first choice university. She has built a solid network of community partners, identified regional workforce needs, increased student residents and athletics and strengthened academic programs so that students are prepared for future leadership.

She founded the UWF program of Anthropology/Archaeology in 1980, becoming the first academic chair in 2001. This program is one of the most robust in the country and focuses on Northwest Florida and includes a strong shipwreck program. Dr. Bense also established the Archaeology Institute in 1980 and served as its director for 20 years. She was awarded more than 75 grants and contracts totaling more than $6 million. In 2006, she founded the statewide Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN), which is headquartered at UWF.

Pensacola Magazine 29

What drew you to politics and what is something you learned about leadership during that experience?

I was intrigued by politics even as a teenager. A bit odd I realize, but true. My first level of fascination was around the politics of legislative service. I enjoyed watching and learning about the art and science of getting something done. It was later that I realized I was equally interested in policy. A state representative that I worked with right after college (Joe Allen) was a mentor and role modeled servant leadership.

He had integrity; was focused on the needs of others instead of what was politically expedient for him; was respectful of others’ input and collaborative. I was fortunate to have exposure to that type of leadership early in my career and learned a great deal about the leadership traits I admired and wanted to emulate.

What is a cause or charity project that you’ve been involved with that has made you most proud?

There have been many non-profits that I’ve worked with and I admire what all of them are doing; so this is a tough question to answer.

That said, if I had to pick one, it would be IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area.

IMPACT has changed our community in a profound way. That’s happening because so many women commit their time and donate their money each year to make a difference.

It’s all volunteer/ collective giving; high impact to five focus areas of need in our community. It’s a powerful example of what can happen when we work together. I’m so grateful for the women who believed in the beginning and for those who have joined one year or multiple years. It’s a testament to the heart of those who get involved and to our community. It’s a real success story and I’m proud to have been a part of it.

job growth alone demonstrates impact to our economy. However, it’s not just the number of jobs we’ve created. It’s also about the quality of those jobs. Studer Group pays well, which is important, and we develop talent. Don’t underestimate the significant impact of that.

Our vision is to maximize human potential and that’s not just for those we serve. We do that in our company too. Not only are we growing the skill set of our team members, we’re taking that out into the community. For example, we do a lot of training for emerging business and community leaders; our team is volunteering their time in business and nonprofit initiatives; and when appropriate, we see our talent shift to other advancement opportunities for them and the community.

I’m proud to work for a mission and valuesdriven organization and proud also that we’re making a difference in Northwest Florida.

What advice do you have for young women who want to make a positive impact in Pensacola?

Find something you’re passionate about and get involved. There are many needs and many ways that you can make a difference. Take ownership for your personal and professional development. If you don’t have a mentor, find one that will help you advance the skill or knowledge you seek to develop. I find that when I get involved with nonprofits or when I am helping someone individually, what I get back is far greater than what I’ve given. It’s rewarding and fulfilling; just do it.

“I find that when I get involved with non-profits or when I am helping someone individually, what I get back is far greater than what I’ve given.

What unique challenges and/or advantages do you believe women face in Pensacola?

The people and leaders in this community are truly caring and giving. There’s also an abundance of opportunity here.

That’s an advantage for all of us.

We have the advantage of having some dynamic and powerful women business and community leaders in Pensacola. I want to see women support each other by mentoring each other; supporting each other in advancement opportunities and community initiatives. We should take advantage of the talent and character in our community and make it better for everyone.

Debbie Ritchie COO, Studer Group As the chief operating officer for Studer Group, Debbie Ritchie oversees the company’s coaching division, operational support services, human resources, and software solutions.

She’s well known for her commitment to the local community where she serves on several boards such as the Gulf Coast Kid’s House and the University of West Florida Foundation, as well as being a founding member of the local IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area. Her work experience also includes serving in the Florida House of Representatives.

What role does Studer Group play in the betterment of Northwest Florida?

Studer Group is playing a pivotal role. I joined the company in 2006 and at that time we had about 100 employees. Today, we have over 250 employees and we continue to grow. The Pensacola Magazine 31

Navy Federal is well known for its positive culture. How do you encourage buy in from employees who may have come from organizations with a less positive culture?

Getting buy in is pretty easy because we have such an honorable mission to serve those who serve in uniform. Also, we hire for “Fit” first. Our culture of taking great care of our members and each other is felt immediately by our new team members in training and continues throughout their careers. It has always felt like family to me.

become adaptable, resilient and resourceful.

I also learned, at an early age, how to develop new relationships. So, for me, I think that experience has helped me have a good understanding of people, what our military families go through and gave me the confidence to stretch myself.

You have spent nearly 25 years at Navy Federal and moved up the ranks to your current position.

The company is well known for its 90 percent rate of promoting from within. Tell me about the value of promoting from within.

Providing our team members with career development, diverse work experiences and promotional opportunities is a big part of our “secret sauce.” I think there is a certain level of trust that you gain with your team members when they know you have been where they are. Also, it instills confidence in them that they know they can accomplish anything they put their minds to if they give their very best in every role. Lastly, the value of having different work experiences within the same organization provides you with a very unique perspective.

What unique challenges and/ or advantages do you believe women face in Pensacola?

From my experience over the past eight years in Pensacola, I think professional women are very supported in this community and there are many examples of strong women in leadership in this community who also take the time to give back such as Judy Bense, Susan Davis, Bentina Terry, Carol Carlan, Debbie Ritchie, Stacy Kostevicki, just to name a few.

You are director of operation for the Pensacola region with thousands of employees under your direction. How do you keep from getting overwhelmed and stay on task?

It’s a team effort and always has been. I have an enormously talented leadership team in Pensacola and great partnerships with my colleagues at headquarters.

As a woman in a leadership position, can you give me an example of how being a woman has informed or influenced your work?

I don’t really think that way. But, I think one of the major things that has influenced me was growing up as a military brat.

My dad was a career army officer and my greatest mentor. He had two tours of duty in Vietnam and one in Korea, We moved all over the world and I went to 11 different schools. That experience helped me to

What advice do you have for young women who want to make a positive impact in Pensacola?

Be genuine, be approachable and engaging.

Stretch yourself out of your comfort zone - you will learn invaluable things about yourself and your capabilities.

“Be genuine, be approachable and engaging.

Stretch yourself out of your comfort zone you will learn invaluable things about yourself and your capabilities.”

Debbie Calder Executive Vice President of Greater Pensacola Operations for Navy Federal Credit Union As Executive Vice President of Greater Pensacola Operations for Navy Federal Credit Union, Debbie Calder is responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of over 4,000 team members. Debbie has been with Navy Federal for over 23 years and has managed several different business operations during her Navy Federal career.

Prior to relocating to Pensacola in 2007, Debbie was Vice President of Consumer and Credit Card Lending at Navy Federal’s headquarters in Vienna, Virginia. Other previous positions include: Vice President, Collections; Vice President, Call Center Operations; and Assistant Vice President, Credit Cards. She also served on the Board of Managers for Navy Federal Settlement Services. Debbie serves as a board member for Gulf Power Company, Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola, Florida, the Greater Pensacola Chamber Foundation Board, and serves on the Board of Governors for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Debbie studied business administration at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia and attended Executive Education programs at University of Virginia and University of Michigan.

Pensacola Magazine 33

A lot of people probably don’t know you’re a lawyer.

Tell me about your law career.

I’m a recovering lawyer. I practiced for the first five years of my career, but I wasn’t confined. Eventually an opportunity presented itself that had a nexus of legal work but wasn’t traditional legal work, so I went after it.

I know you and Gulf Power are involved with economic development. Tell me more about that passion.

Well, it’s two things. First, when you think of economic development, a lot of people think new buildings or businesses or expansion. That stuff is important, but I think of it as people. To me, it’s making sure the people you love can live here. Without some sort of development, they can’t live here. I talk to lots of parents who want their kids to stay here. They want their children to have more children and enjoy their grandkids, but they can’t because there’s no opportunity here. So economic development allows us to give opportunity to those we love.

Gulf Power’s commitment to economic development involves the fact that this is our community. We’re not going to get up and move.

The health of this community is the health of Gulf Power. So it’s important for our business model that we live in a vibrant community, but it’s not just that.

The communities are why we exist, so everything we can do to make this place better to live and play is important.

Second, we have a lot of customers who are commercial and industrial.

So economic development for them is about their growth—their ability to add another line or another client.

Whatever we can do to help them grow and help them keep their doors open, it’s important for us to do.

is about. How do they have a better experience or have the newest electric technology?

What is it about your attitude that gives Gulf Power that unique customer service advantage?

Well we’ve got a business model that puts the customer at the center of everything we do. We call it the circle of life. We say it, we reinforce it, we believe it. What that customer wants is important to you. The other thing we reinforce is that we are citizens. You’re talking to your neighbor on the phone. Someone you see on a Gulf Power truck is someone you see at the grocery stores or your kids play with their kids.

They matter and they live in our circle.

What do you perceive as some unique challenges or advantages women face in the area?

I’ve never really thought about that. I try to figure out the root of an obstacle—and there have been very few that I can identify as existing because I’m a women, though that does of course happen—and I believe that most people I interact with know me as an individual. Now, if you’ve never dealt with a strong woman leader and I walk in the room, it could be problematic.

But you are more likely reacting to the strength I display than just the fact that I’m a woman. It’s a whole package; it’s me.

I try to figure out what it is I can do to make people feel more comfortable. I just move through stuff. If someone is struggling with me, I try to figure out why and develop the relationship. If you look for stuff, you’ll see it.

The bigger problem with me is that I don’t hunt or fish. Men do those a lot, though, so I do miss out on some of the more social work activities. But I’m also really open. I went fishing recently with some customers, and it was important for me to bond with them, so you have to be open to new opportunities. You just have to bond in different ways. Chat in the office. It’s a fallacy to believe that there are only some ways to make a connection.

“I try to figure out what it is I can do to make people feel more comfortable.”

Tell me about your history at Gulf Power.

I came in as the vice president of external affairs and corporate services. Currently I’m over customer sales and service. Before, the external affairs piece of the business had a lot to do with lobbyists and work over in Tallahassee, whether that was regulators or legislators. I spent a lot of time doing what people associate with being a lawyer.

My new job is much more customer-based.

I’m responsible for our call center and local business offices. I’m responsible for marketing representatives who talk to customers about how to be more energy-efficient. I also have community and economic development. What excites me about my job now is that it involves the part of our business that is responsible for our revenue and it’s fun. It’s fun to think about how to help customers, and that’s really what my job

How do you feel about the role of minority women in science?

That’s very important. When you encounter a bunch of engineers at Gulf Power, it should be diverse. You should see men, women, AfricanAmericans, Asian-Americans and more. You should see a cross-section of society. We do a lot starting with young people and young girls in a program called I Love Science. We spend a lot of effort trying to get kids interested in science and make absolutely sure they are diverse. Females need to be in engineering. When we go talk to people, we bring a female engineer so they can be a role model what they actually see.

Bentina Terry Vice President of Customer Sales and Service, Gulf Power Bentina Terry, vice president of customer sales and service for Gulf Power, is one of the most active and engaged members of the community in Pensacola. After practicing law for several years in North Carolina, she joined Southern Company in 2001 and quickly progressed through leadership roles thanks to her ethics, high work standards and ability to deliver measurable results in an industry traditionally dominated by men.

She has served on the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation board, worked with Leadership Florida, the University of West Florida, and countless educational and cultural movements across the state. She is strong, tenacious, smart and an inspiration not only to minority women in the area, but also to anyone who seeks to have a positive impact in their community.

Pensacola Magazine 35

What first interested you in healthcare administration?

My first interest in healthcare was being a nurse. Caring for patients is an honor and I wanted to be a great nurse who made a difference in the lives of my patients. They taught me a lot about caring and compassion.

I was fortunate throughout my career to have great mentors who taught me the importance of being a servant leader, mentors who challenged me to move from my comfort zone and try new things. They helped me believe that as a nurse, I could make a difference in a leadership role.

You are relatively new to Northwest Florida. What do you see as the area’s biggest strength?

It was clear to me from the beginning that the strength of Northwest Florida was the dedication of the people and the vision of our leaders of improving the quality of life for people in our communities. Just look at the improvements that have taken place in our downtown. The downtown area is alive with options for everyone. We have access to the arts, sporting events and activities for families to participate in together. Our beaches are magnificent. This is our strength and it is built on the commitment of many.

You have worked in other nonprofit medical fields. Tell me about the importance of medical care to the disadvantaged?

My experience with non-profits has been either as a volunteer or as a hospital employee. Medical care for the disadvantaged is very important for their well-being. It starts with education about healthy life styles, making healthy choices about smoking, activity, food and alcohol intake.

But it is more than knowing about healthy choices. It is about having access to good health care. People need access to preventive care and consistent treatment to ensure that the underserved are treated early, before their problems become a crisis.

What role does Sacred Heart play in the betterment of Northwest Florida?

Sacred Heart’s mission is built on the 100-year commitment of our founders, the Daughters of Charity, to care for the poor and vulnerable.

The legacy of the Daughters is built on improving access to care and services for all people. A healthy community is vital for its growth and economic development.

As the hospital nears its 100th anniversary, what do you see for the future of the organization?

Our first priority is to the safety of our patients and creating an exceptional experience regardless of where the care is provided. Sacred Heart is uniquely positioned to be the provider of the most advanced, specialized services in our region. We are committed to growing and expanding our Children’s Hospital, Women’s Services, Cardiology, Oncology, Transplant and Neurology/Neurosurgery across the continuum of care.

What advice do you have for young women who want to make a positive impact in Pensacola?

For anyone who wants to have a positive impact in Pensacola, I would say get involved! There are many organizations that can benefit from your expertise and your time. Know that by being involved, you can make a difference...just do it!

What unique challenges and/or advantages do you believe women face in Pensacola?

There are many advantages women have in this community. We all need mentors and role models to help us grow and provide guidance.

There are many exceptional leaders in this community that are willing to be that person.

“We all need mentors and role models to help us grow and provide guidance.

There are many exceptional leaders in this community that are willing to be that person.”

Susan Davis CEO, Sacred Heart Health System Susan Davis stays busy helping the less fortunate in our community and other regions throughout the country. She is the CEO of Sacred Heart Health System, as well as CEO of St. Vincent’s Health Services in Connecticut. She began her career in the healthcare field when she became a nurse in New York before quickly moving up the ranks and serving in leadership roles at various medical centers.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s in nursing administration and a doctor of education degree. She is very active in the Pensacola community, despite just recently locating here. Her passion for others, as well as her meek and comforting presence, are immediately apparent to all who meet her, and her business acumen and ambition for Sacred Heart is unmatched.

Pensacola Magazine 37

What is something you’ve achieved with the Chamber that has made you most proud?

I love Perdido Key and all it has to offer and that makes it very, very easy to promote it. On the visitors side of our business, I am very proud and eager to share this beautiful place which I call home to both new visitors experiencing it for the first time and with those visitors who faithfully return year after year. On the Chamber side of business, it gives me great pride knowing that we are helping to promote prudent commerce in the Perdido Key area and that thanks to the sincere, professional relationships I have made with the business members, they trust that I and all of the staff and Board here have their best business interests in mind. We also were awarded a tourism promotional grant for almost $1 million from the Deepwater settlement, which we used to host and sponsor over 60 festivals and events during the past three years. We also allocated some of this funding to create a new educational exhibit inside the Perdido Key Visitors Center.

The 403-gallon pirate ship shaped fish tank, which was featured on Animal Planet Channel’s TANKED show, has become a major new tourist attraction and thanks to the worldwide media coverage, it has been responsible for an almost 100 percent increase in visitors in its first year alone. Seeing the ecstatic smiling faces of families coming in to learn about the fish makes me very proud day after day.

What is on the horizon for the Chamber?

With our unique geographic position in the county and in the state, being only two short miles from the Alabama state line, we are the Western Gate to the Sunshine State for visitors entering from the West. We have a very passionate and energetic staff who enjoy living and working in Perdido Key. Between 2011-2014, our contribution to the Escambia County Tourism Development Tax (32506 and 32507) has increased from $980,000 to $1.6 million. Our 15 member Volunteer Chamber Board is working to help promote the Perdido Key area and was directly responsible for raising awareness to our local beach, Rosamond Johnson Beach, which is of great cultural and historical significance. We worked with officials to have the first Saturday of every May designated as Rosamond Johnson Day. What advice do you have for young women who want to make a positive impact in Pensacola?

One of the best pieces of advice I received about being a Director shortly after I took the job, was from a woman, who was the head of the Pensacola Chamber at the time: Evon Emerson. She told me, “When you are looking to build your team, hire the attitude. You can always train them to do the job if they have the right attitude.” One of the best things you can do as a young woman to make an impact is build a great team to help you succeed and build a network of powerful women as your friends and colleagues as you climb your way up the corporate ladder.

“Never try to change who you are or what you believe in to fit into a male scenario.”

What is the greatest challenge you’ve faced as director of the Perdido Key Chamber?

While being the director of a nonprofit has many challenges in itself, the greatest challenge I have faced as director is the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. It occurred a very short six weeks after I took the director position and I was forced to deal with a tourism and commerce disaster while still learning the vast intricacies of my newfound responsibilities. I had never even done a TV interview and I now had CNN landing a helicopter in our parking lot!

Media was using B-roll of an oil-soaked heron every time they mentioned the Gulf Coast and our phones were ringing constantly with questions on how we were weathering this disaster. Perdido Key fortunately wasn’t affected as dramatically as some of our neighboring beaches and I started a “Coast is Clear” campaign. The staff and I walked across the street to the beach and filmed a short video of the water and the beach each and every day and posted it to our website.

What unique challenges and/or advantages do you believe women face in Pensacola?

I think that doing business as a female leader is a bit more challenging than it is for men based on old school standards and beliefs, especially here in the South. I think that sometimes female leaders’ passion is mistaken for being emotional, but you should never try to change who you are or what you believe in to fit into a male scenario. One of the other things women are challenged with is trying to overextend themselves and the be caretakers for everyone from work to home. It is very important to stay connected to what makes you happy and balanced so you can recharge and keep your momentum going in all aspects of your life.

Some of the advantages of being a woman in a leadership role is that we are passionate and curious and compassionate and that is the basis for building great relationships. And we all know that relationships are the foundation for great business success.

Tina Morrison Director, Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce Tina Morrison has deep roots in the Gulf Coast area,

starting

northern ton

with

Alabama

farming

the cot-

community

where she was born and landing her at the top of the tourism ladder in the beachside

paradise

she

now calls home. Morrison spent time working in a variety of industries including medical, engineering and customer service and she traveled and worked around the world in places like London, Australia and Mexico. She attributes her time traveling to bolstering her knowledge of the tourism

industry,

which

has

served her well in her current position. She’s called Perdido Key home for the last decade and started with the Chamber seven years ago as the director’s executive

assistant

be-

fore becoming the interim director for three months and then being promoted to director.

Pensacola Magazine 39

PLAY•LIVE•give Through Aug. 9 PMA Presents The Lure of the Ocean: Original Works by Guy Harvey This exhibition features original paintings, watercolors, mixed media and pen-and-ink drawings by celebrated artist Guy Harvey.

Recognized today as the world’s finest marine wildlife artist, Guy Harvey relies on his talents as a marine biologist, diver, photographer, and angler to visually represent the authentic underwater wildlife displayed within The Lure of the Ocean. Explore additional interactive areas within the galleries to inspire and educate children and adults of all ages.

Create your own sea creature to place upon a digital underwater world created by museum goers. Capture a lasting memory in a Guy Harvey themed photo booth. Discover Sea Monsters through Mote Marine Laboratory’s hands-on learning components. Learn the fascinating “monster” characteristics within underwater environments. Conservation, creativity and interaction comprise this unique blend of visual arts and marine science. Dive into the arts this summer at the PMA! For more information visit pensacolamuseum.org.

Through Aug. 22 PMA Presents Annual Members’ Juried Exhibition The Pensacola Museum of Art (PMA) is pleased to present the 61st Annual Members’ Juried Exhibition, on display through Aug. 22. This year’s juror is Donan Klooz, curator of exhibitions at the Mobile Museum of Art, where he has served in this position for 12 years. Klooz earned his BFA from the University of South Alabama and his MLA from Spring Hill College. Throughout the exhibition visitors to the Museum will be able to cast their vote for People’s Choice and this award will be determined upon closing of the exhibition. The PMA takes this opportunity each year to highlight talented members and showcase their works on the Museum walls.

The Museum is very proud to continue this beloved tradition, which continues to delight visitors every year. For more information please visit pensacolamuseum.org.

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July 8-11 Red, White and Blues Week The Blue Angels are back in action for Red, White and Blues week to celebrate the independence of our country. There will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy their daredevil performances throughout the week, ending with their big all-out performance on Saturday over Pensacola Beach. For more information contact 932.2257.

July 8: Breakfast with the Blues starting at 8 am July 9: Blues Practice Flight Demonstration starting at 2 pm July 10: P ensacola Beach Show Dress wRehearsal beginning at 12 pm with the Blues at 2 pm.

July 11: P ensacola Beach Air Show beginning at 12 pm with Blues at 2pm.

July 1-4, 8-11, 15-18, 22-25, 29- Aug. 1

July 1-3, 8-11, 15-18, 22-25, 29-31

Dueling Piano Show Come out to Seville Quarter for some musical entertainment provided throughout July by four of the most talented piano players, singers and showmen in the south.

All performances begin at 8 pm. For more information contact 434.6211.

Free Historic Walking Tours Learn tales of legends, natural disasters, celebrity chefs, epidemics and the haunted past along with some of Emerald Coast Tours’ favorite spots for lunches, dinners and drinks. The Free Walking Tour is held at 10:30 am and is the quickest and most affordable way to get a local’s perspective of Historic Downtown Pensacola. This tour is free to take and you decide what the tour is worth when it’s over. A name-your-own-price tour is a tour for anyone’s budget. Call 417.9292 to reserve a spot. If tours are canceled due to weather, participants will be contacted an hour before the tour starts.

Blue Wahoos Home Games The fourth season of Blue Wahoos baseball continues this month! Take yourself out to the ballgame to cheer on Pensacola’s newest home team, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, at the glorious Maritime Park baseball field.

Home games for this month are listed below.

For more information and time for games, check out bluewahoos.com.

July 1-3 vs. Jacksonville Suns July 9-13 vs. Montgomery Biscuits July 20-21 vs. Jacksonville Suns July 22-26 vs. Biloxi Shuckers

Thursdays Evenings in Olde Seville Square Grab a blanket and a picnic basket for the free summer concert series filled with memorable, musical evenings every Thursday from 7 to 9 pm. For more information visit eveningsinoldsevillesquare.com.

July 2: Sugarcane Jane July 9: Swinging Dick Tracys July 16: Mass Kunfuzion July 23: Reunion Band July 30: Modern Eldorados

fireworks will be available at the Lee House on July 4 starting at 6 pm. Admission is $55 per person. For more information contact 912.8770.

July 4 The Fish House’s 4th of July Wine Dinner The Fish House will be having a 4th of July wine dinner that will include live music, fireworks, and a performance by The Whiskey Kiss Band. For reservations call 433.0003.

July 4 July 5 Sertoma’s Independence Day Celebration Celebrate July 4 with friends and family in Seville Square from 11 am to 9 pm with the Gulf Coast’s largest fireworks display over Pensacola Bay. The event marks the 26th year of Sertoma’s involvement and will include family-appropriate entertainment such as free children’s activities, music from Cat Country FM 98.7 and Banana Republic, a hot dog eating contest and a variety of craft and food vendors. Admission is free. For more information contact 434.1234.

July 4 Independence Day Fireworks on Casino Beach Beginning at 8:30 pm there will be 4th of July fireworks over the Santa Rosa Sound over Quietwater Beach and Portofino Boardwalk.

For more information contact 932.1500.

Elvis – A Concert Experience at the Pensacola Little Theatre On July 5 at 2:30 pm, the legacy of Elvis Presley continues as the Pensacola Little Theatre proudly welcomes Jim Jinelli in ELVIS: A Concert Experience. This production will turn back the clock and you will witness the aura of “The King” come alive. Jim Jinelli is a professional musician and has created a mesmerizing tribute concert memorializing Elvis Presley. With his powerful, commanding voice, remarkable vocal range and natural vibrato, Jim captures that unique “Elvis” sound, seizing the passion of every song, evoking the magic of the phenomenon known as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Come delight in the experience of a reproduction of Elvis’ music and stage presence so accurate that all of us may suspend belief, as the saying goes, that Elvis has left the building. Tickets are $14, $20, $24 or $30. For tickets and more information visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

Pensacola Beach. The best way to enjoy the outside concert is to bring your own seating and beverages. Free admission. For more information contact 932.2257.

July 7: Johnny Earthquake and The Moondogs July 14: Reddog & Friends July 21: Mass Kunfuzion July 28: The Astronauts July 10-12; 17-19 PLT Presents Pippi Longstocking Pensacola Little Theatre’s Acorn Productions present Pippi Longstocking July 10-12 and 17-19. The play tells the story of the beloved pigtailed character and her whimsical life in a ramshackle house where she makes her own rules. This musical performance will bring silly fun with a serious twist. Saturday performances are at 10 am and 2:30 pm and Sunday performances are at 2:30 pm.

Tickets are $12 general admission and $6 for children 12 and under. For tickets and more information visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

July 11 Improvable Cause Improvable Cause is Pensacola’s best 0(and only) improvisational comedy troupe performing at 10:30 pm in the M.C. Blanchard Courtroom Theatre at the Pensacola Little Theatre. Improv is unscripted theatre where dialogue is created instantaneously. Tickets are $7 available at the PLT box office prior to shows. For more information visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

July 15, 21, 23, 25, 28

Ronald McDonald Firecracker 5K The Firecracker 5K race takes place on July 4 this year kicking off the Independence Day festivities Downtown. Wear your red, white and blue and join this patriotic event in historic Downtown Pensacola and benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida. Expo and packet pickup are July 3 from 12 to 6:30 pm at Running Wild and the race kicks off July 4 at 7:30 am. Cool off in the misting tents and visit the vendor fair after you finish. Enjoy food and stick around for awards in beautiful Plaza Ferdinand Park. For more information visit rmhc-nwfl.org.

Blues Angel Music Blues on the Bay Concert Series 2015 Lineup The Community Maritime Park Associates, Blues Angel Music, and the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department are excited to announce the 2015 Blues Angel Music Blues on the Bay Summer Concert Series Lineup. All concerts are held at the park on Sundays when the Wahoos are not playing.

They begin at 6 pm and are free and open to the public thanks to sponsors. Please do not bring pets or glass containers into the park.

For more information, call 436.5670 or visit pensacolacommunitymaritimepark.com.

July 5: Knee Deep Band July 19: Downbeat Jazz Orchestra

July 4

Every Tuesday

Beer, Barbecue and Boom A barbecue buffet, unlimited draft beer and non-alcoholic beverages, full cash bar and front frow seating on the front lawn for

Bands on the Beach Bands on the Beach is a weekly Tuesday night series that features regional musical artists from 7 to 9 pm at the Gulfside Pavillion on

July 4

Vinyl Music Hall Performances Vinyl Musical Hall will be hosting a variety of musical performances throughout July all beginning at 7 pm. General admission is standing room only. An additional cash surcharge is charged at the door those under 21 and attendees under 16 must be accompanied by an adult guardian who has purchased a ticket. For more information call 607.6758.

July 15: Morgan Heritage Jemere Morgan, Rhythm Intervention ($20 admission) July 21: Leon Russell w/ Greg Hester ($2560 admission) July 23: Unknown Hinson Bear With Me, Nik Flagstar & His Dirty Mangy Dogs ($15 admission) July 25: Chris Thomas King- King of 21st Century Blues ($10-12 admission) July 28: Dirty Heads ($25-27 admission)

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July 18 Red Trolley Tours Hop aboard a blood-red trolley at 6:30 pm July 18 for a family-oriented tour of pirates, swashbucklers and other characters from Pensacola’s maritime history. The Red Trolley Tour, aimed at children, spoofs history as narrators lead the way on a treasure hunt through Downtown Pensacola. The evening begins with a choice of appetizers – “bloody finger” food, minty maggots and chocolate-covered insects – and a selection of eye patches and other pirate regalia for the children. Leading the tours is the Red Trolley Troupe, a group of local actors who conduct the lighthearted events each summer. The tours, which take about 90 minutes, begin at 6:30 pm July 18. Tours begin and end at the Visitor Information Center at the foot of the Pensacola Bay Bridge. Tickets cost $5 for children, $20 for adults. The tours are part of Winterfest of Pensacola, a non-profit group that holds a children’s parade the day after Thanksgiving and other holiday events at Christmas. For information or tickets for the pirate tour, visit piratetrolley.com or call (850) 417-7321.

July 18 Pensacola Beach Craft Beer Festival Beer, Beach & Bikini’s is hosting their second annual Craft Beer Festival on Casino Beach at 2 Via De Luna Drive. Attendees will be able to sample a variety of local, regional and national craft beers beside the Gulf. Special summer seasonal beers will also be available for tasting as well as beers from microbreweries and specialty-bottled beers. VIP tickets are $35 in advance with a 2-3 pm sampling time. General admission is $45 at the gate with a sampling time from 3-7 pm. For more information visit pensacolacraftbeer.com.

July 20 Brit Floyd – The Pink Floyd Concert Experience at the Saenger Theatre The Pink Floyd event of the year comes to the Saenger Theatre July 20 at 7:30 pm with Brit Floyd - The Pink Floyd Concert Experience.

The Space & Time World Tour is Brit Floyd’s most ambitious show to date, with a spectacular new light show and an even bigger stage production. Celebrating five decades of Pink Floyd; from their inception in 1965 right through to the release of their brand new final album, “The Endless River.” This amazing new show includes performances from all Pink Floyd’s biggest selling albums, including The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall. Tickets are $42.50, $52:50 and $58.50. Tickets and more information are available at pensacolasaenger.com.

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July 16-18 Running of the Bulls Seville Quarter presents the fifth annual Fiesta de San Fermin en Pensacola! It’s a free family event open to all ages that will blend Spanish culture, music, food and drink, and Ernest Hemingway in a thrilling, semi-life threatening experience. For more information contact 434.6211.

July 20 Sip Savor Talk at Five Sisters Blues Cafe Come to Five Sisters Blues Café for Sip Savor Talk, the culinary networking event, on July 20 at 5 pm. For this month, it’s the heat of the summer and hosts will be talking all things cold cream—exploring ice cream and icing, butter and butter cakes – all with liquor. It might be hot outside, but you’ll be cool when you come and experience what the spirits can do for your cuisine. Raymond Forte with Southern Wines and Spirits and guest chef and baker Gladys Philyaw will lead the talk and participants will take home some homemade butter. Tickets are $10 in advance and can be purchased at sipsavortalk.com.

July 23-Aug. 31 Quayside Gallery Featured Artist Show: A Retrospective Quayside Gallery’s latest Featured Artist Show is A Retrospective, featuring the paintings of Marian Guthrie on display at the gallery from July 23 to Aug. 31. One person’s journey in painting reflects Marian Guthrie’s muse of a lifetime. “I would like to think this show will inspire a person to paint. Perhaps recognize painting as a serious vocation/ avocation.” Marian returned to Pensacola in

1985. First on her agenda was to jury into Quayside. “Joining with a body of painters for camaraderie and instruction as well as having the opportunity for an on-going public exhibit is most enjoyable,” Marian explains.

A student, painter, teacher and active member of our community. A reception will be held July 23. Quayside is located at 1517 Zarragossa St. For more information visit quaysidegallery.com.

July 24-26, 31 and Aug. 1-2 SETSCE presents Hamlet SETSCE version of Hamlet will be performed on July 24-26 and 31 as well as Aug. 1-2. The classic Shakespearean play is being presented by the Southeastern Teen Shakespeare Company at PLT and is the 10th anniversary production. It will be directed by Michelle Hancock and tickets are available online for $15 at pensacolalittletheatre.com.

July 31 Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales If you’re looking for something fun to do with your family for an evening, check out Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales at the Pensacola Bay Center. Presented by Stonyfield Yokids Organic Yogurt, join Mickey, Minnie, Donald

and Goofy as they bring to life the Disney classics Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in a dynamic story-telling adventure that features award winning music, glittering costumes and special-effects, and magical humor. There at two shows, one at 4 pm and one at 7:30 pm. For more information and ticket orders, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

July 31 Heroes Among Us – Veterans Speakers Series Join members of the community for the Heroes Among Us Veterans Speaker Series, a series of talks given by veterans at the Veteran Memorial Park and Wall South monument throughout the summer. On July 31 the special guests will be from the United States Coast Guard. Events begin at 6 pm.

Call 290.7561 for more information.

never be bored www.downtowncrowd.com

July 31 Hill Kelly Drive-In Movie Series at Maritime Park Due to the construction on the west side of the Community Maritime Park, all remaining shows in the 2015 Hill-Kelly Drive-In Movie Series will be held at the Hunter Amphitheater instead of the exhibition field.

The next movie event will be held Friday, July 31. There will be grass seating only, so be sure to bring blankets and chairs to spread out on the amphitheater lawn and watch the movie underneath the stars. The movies will begin at 8:15 pm and parking begins at 6 pm. Concessions will be available but picnic baskets are always welcome. No pets or glass containers please. Movies are family-friendly and suitable for all ages. For more information such as movie titles and special announcements visit pensacolacommunitymaritimepark.com.

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Pensacola Scene

At Council on Aging of West Florida unveiling of 10th Anniversary Issue of Coming Of Age Magazine

Jeff Nall, Caron Sjöberg, Rachael Cox and John Clark

Rachael Cox and Brandi Welk unveil 10th anniversary issue

Malcolm Ballinger, Jeff Nall, Rachael Cox, Brandi Welk, John Clark and Caron Sjöberg

Navy League ‘Fish Fry’ for the crew of the Elcano

The Crew of the Juan Sebastian de Elcano

Kathy and Mike Denkler

Kathleen Nowak Tucci shows off her art at PSC’s Anna Lamar Switzer Visual Arts Gallery

Molly McGuire Culinary Arts Endowment Scholarship Dedication at PSC

McGuire Martin signs check assisted by Jim Reeves 44

pensacolamagazine.com July 2015

Members of the Molly McGuire family and PSC Foundation trustees and friends

At Life Is A Dance, to benefit Covenant Hospice

Tony Dovolani and Sharna Burgess

Brent Lane and Candy Ruddy

Iveta Lukosiute and Dawn Westberry

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Thanks for making the Elcano visit a success

From L-R, Maria Davis, Honorary Vice Consul of Spain; Commanding Officer of JS Elcano, Captain Cristobal Colon, Duke of Veragua, direct descendant of Christopher Columbus; Captain J. Fauste, Spanish Naval Attache on board the J.S Elcano in 1981 during its 2nd visit to Pensacola, Florida and the Bicentennial of the Battle of Pensacola in 1781.

A letter from Maria Davis

I would like to thank the many people who made possible the extremely successful visit of the Spanish Naval Academy training ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano honoring General Bernardo de Galvez, hero of the Battle of Pensacola and the American War for Independence.

Thanks very much to everyone on the Elcano Committee and my co-chair Collier Merrill for his overwhelming graciousness and generosity: thank you for a job well done!

Thanks to Mayor of Pensacola, the Honorable Ashton Hayward for his warm welcome, the US Navy and Rear Admiral and Mrs. Michael White for being such a gracious hosts and to Capt. Keith Hoskins, Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola for his invaluable help arranging the very moving and emotional Wreath Laying Ceremony at Fort George and also to Captain Tom Frosch, Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels for their spectacular fly-over salute of the Juan Sebastian de Elcano.

Many thanks to the Ambassador of Spain, the Honorable Ramon Gil Casares for a wonderful ceremony at Fort George.

You made us feel so proud of our illustrious history. Thanks also to the Consul General of Spain, Cristina Barrios for her guidance and encouragement.

Thanks to President of the Fiesta of Five Flags Deborah Caldwell and Executive Director Adelene Lovelace and all of the Fiesta office for all their hard work. It could not have been done without their help.

A very special thanks to our sponsors: BBVA Compass Bank and its president, Stephen Welling, for his generosity and 46

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July 2015

sponsorship; to the president of the Navy League, Capt. Bill Cuilik, USN Retired; to Yacht Club Commodore Alan McMillan, to Joe Gilchrist of the Flora-Bama and Buck Mitchell of Seville Quarter, to Theresa and John Brannan, Phillip Morris and Fred Levin and Michael Papantonio for their gracious hospitality and the use of their lovely yachts.

Thanks to the boat captains: of the Nyhaven, Captain Bumann; of the Triple Crown, Captain Todd Pallin and of the Private Island, Captain Brandon Hall.

Thanks to Dr. Judy Bense, president of the University of West Florida and Robert Overton, director of the TT Wentworth Museum for a great ceremony at the Museum and the first official call to the City of Pensacola by Ambassador of Spain Ramon Gil Casares, the Commanding Officer of the Juan Sebastian de Elcano, Enrique Torres Piñyero, the Defense Attaché, Brigadier General Angel Varcarcel and Naval Attaché, Captain Jose Maria Martinez Nuñez.

Everyone admired the beautiful portrait of General Bernardo de Galvez, painted by illustrious local artist Nina Fritz.

Our appreciation goes to the Most Reverend Bishop Parkes of Pensacola and Tallahassee, Father Lambert, and Father Callipare for a wonderfully moving prayer service at the beautiful basilica of St. Michael’s Church.

Thanks to Allison McCrory of Bella Magazine. Thanks also to Malcolm Ballinger and Kelly Oden of Ballinger Publishing and Pensacola Magazine.

Thanks to the Pensacola News Journal, its executive editor Lisa Nellessen-Lara, Troy

Moon, Marketta Davis, Allison McCrory, and Mark Abramson for their fantastic local news coverage; and to WEAR-TV Channel 3 for all of their news coverage and for a great live show on board the Elcano.

Thanks to Nan Harper, President of Sister Cities International, to Ellen Vinson and Sherri Weeks and to all of the winners and their teachers for participating in the Galvez Essay Contest whose award ceremony was held aboard the Juan Sebastian de Elcano and awarded by Captain Enrique Torres Piñyero.

Our appreciation and thanks go to the many volunteers and “amigos de España” who made this historic visit possible, including my son Lipo for his support, hard work and enthusiasm.

Thanks to the Spanish Naval Attaché Jose Maria Martinez Nuñez, and very especially to the Commanding Officer of the Juan Sebastian de Elcano, Captain Enrique Torres Piñyero and his crew for his graciousness and hospitality above and beyond the call of duty. Over 10,000 people visited the Juan Sebastian de Elcano – a veritable floating Embassy of Spain during her stay in Pensacola.

Thanks finally to the great city of Pensacola. As the late Mayor of Pensacola Vince Whibbs would say, “Pensacola is the western gate to the Sunshine State – where thousands live as millions wish they could.”

Maria Davis, Honorary Vice Consul of Spain Chairman, Galvez Celebration Pensacola 100 Ingalls Drive Pensacola, FL 32506 (850) 455-5360

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Too Much Stuff?

List your stuff in a Gosport Classified.

Rates are $9 for the first ten words and fifty cents for each additional word. Over 25,000 people see the Gosport every week. Classified ads are free for the Military. Go online to www. gosportpensacola. com or call 4331166 ext. 24 to place your ad today.

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SPECIAL SECTION

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90 WORKS

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THE HUMAN RACE

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RUNNING MAN

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BIG DREAM 路 SMALL BUSINESS

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AROUND THE REGION nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 49

to getting back on their feet. When that happens, various federal, state and local programs are there to help, but the individual may be unaware of the assistance or unable to reach out. Thankfully, 90Works, formerly Families Count, is there to coordinate a variety of resources to help people secure employment, get housing, find a healthcare provider, and move away from dangerous situations, all within just 90 days.

“90Works created a social service model that has the vision to help customers move from in-crisis and thriving to safe, stable and thriving,” said Cate Jordan, executive director of the non-profit organization. “And, 90Works values everything it takes to be self-sufficient: housing, income/ employment, transportation, health, safety and support.”

The outreach’s setup is unique: leveraging their social workers’ ties to the community, 90Works is a collaborative model that gives its employees a degree of autonomy to weave together solutions from different agencies in the community.

“So,

our

partners

include

the

EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless, the Veterans Administration (HUDVASH), Area Housing Commission, CEII, Escambia Community Clinic, and Department of Corrections,” said Jordan.

90Works boasts a 90 percent success rate of getting people self-sufficient within three months. The team also collects data on clients six months and a year after completion of the program, to ensure they are still doing well and turning their life around.

90 Works

One of the main reasons for When

members

of the community fall on difficult times, the trauma of losing a job, a house or unexpected medical bills can often leave them feeling lost

50 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com 50 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

and

unable

the

steps

to

take

necessary

by Josh Newby

90Works’ success is their self-sufficiency model, which takes a holistic approach and focuses on all areas of an individual’s wellbeing, including employment/income,

transportation,

health, safety, support, and housing, which Jordan considers to be the most challenging problem facing the disadvantaged.

“The 90Works’ model is a housing first approach because we believe that

Business Climate SPECIAL SECTION

without a roof, no one can be expected to be self-sufficient,” said Jordan. “Housing requires an income, and without a shower

HOUSING

and a place to stay organized, no one can get HEALTH

up everyday and be present and productive at work.”

According to most banking and lending organizations, housing expenses like rent or mortgage should account for about 30 percent of household income. Therefore,

SUPPORT

for someone making around $12,000 or

90 Works

$13,000 a year, they can afford just $315 per month for housing. It is next to impossible to find apartments to rent for even double that amount. For the extremely poor in Escambia Country, the only option is public housing

SAFETY

via the Area Housing Commission, but there is a two-year wait for that.

“This leads to serial homelessness because when too much of the income is spent on rent and utilities, households are forced to

TRANSPORTATION

use emergency assistance repeatedly, don’t have enough money for transportation and

The Self-Sufficiency Model

INCOME

work related expenses and even worse, cannot provide for their children, which leads to foster care,” said Jordan.

Through relationships with landlords in the community, 90Works to able to convince management in housing complexes and apartment buildings to go out on a limb for the poor among us. 90Works also helps with first month’s rent and deposit.

To qualify for this assistance, there are some eligibility requirements. Individuals must be at 30 percent or below the annual median income in Escambia County, which is $42,000. Therefore, a household must make $12,600 or less to qualify. This often includes homeless veterans, high-risk pregnant women and families involved in the child welfare system.

Once they have a home, they are able to find work, the next step in the self-sufficiency model.

“We work with area employers to often get people hired within a day,” said Rachel Reust, marketing director for 90Works.

“These employers can put any one of a dozen skills to use.”

When customers are housed and have a decent-paying, sustainable job, they attend budgeting life skills classes with counselors who help them spend their money wisely, use proper expense percentages on various

needs, and even save up to improve their

Marketplace (part of the Patient Protection

future lives.

and Affordable Care Act, also known as the

After they have a job, 90Works helps customers find reliable transportation needed to

ACA or Obamacare), Florida KidCare and Access Florida.

get to and from work. The organization was

“We help people understand what plan

recently given a grant for bicycle packages,

would work best for them, combined with

which includes a brand-new bike, vest, hel-

what we know about what disability or social

met and pump. 90Works also distributes bus

security benefits they qualify for,” said Reust.

passes in Escambia County.

90Works also recently added a personal

“The bikes are a great asset because

trainer to their social work team to improve

Pensacola is getting more bike-friendly and

self-esteem and self-awareness via fitness

it’s even becoming a thing that those who

and physical activity for parents and youth.

have cars choose to do,” said Reust. “It helps

“The personal trainer will actually go

keep you healthy, active and moving, and of

into customers’ homes and teach them how

course for our clients gets them where they

to eat healthy on a budget,” said Reust. “All

need to go.”

this health and fitness helps with anxiety and

At this point, many clients are back on

stress. For mental health issues, our social

their feet and enjoying their new, modest

workers have counterparts in those fields

lifestyles. But to ensure they do not fall back

and speed up facilitation of that process.”

into poverty or depression, 90Works contin-

For individuals who have been living in

ues working with them so that unexpected

unsafe or violent situations, 90Works coordi-

costs do not crop up.

nates with Gulf Coast Kid’s House to provide

For example, the staff at 90Works under-

advocacy in court. Some parents are at risk of

stands that customers must be healthy in

losing their children not because of violence,

order to work and take care of their fami-

but because the home in which they reside

lies. Therefore, the organization provides

is unsafe. 90Works works with contractors

advocacy and enrollment in the Florida

to do minor repairs and educate people on nwflbusinessclimate.com nwflbusinessclimate.com| |Business BusinessClimate Climate| |5151

“90WORKS GAVE ME THE STRENGTH AND RESOURCES I NEEDED TO GET UP ON MY OWN AGAIN.” proper home maintenance. They also offer

came with her to all appointments and asked

by purchasing and renovating very low-

pest control and infestation treatment. The

questions that she would have never thought

income housing in needy neighborhoods for

Home Depot Foundation provides financial

to ask.

affordable housing for families that want to

assistance for structural renovations, as well.

“They provide good support behind you,”

become self-sufficient,” said Jordan. “In fact,

As time goes on and clients grow more

said White. “They push you because they

we dream about homelessness to home own-

and more independent, case managers sup-

believe in you. They were a greater encour-

ership so in our rental houses, if families pay

port them while teaching them to become

agement to me than I was to myself some-

rent on time for three years and improve their

fully autonomous. They follow up, collect

times.”

credit profiles, 90Works will sell the property

data, and follow up some more.

That was almost a year ago now, and

to the renter and reinvest both the rent and

Tranessa White is a former client of

White said she is happy in her job, her home,

sales proceeds in more affordable housing for

90Works and found them to be a great advo-

and how her son is coming along. She is just

Escambia County.”

cate in her time of need. Her seven-year-old

one of thousands of clients that 90Works

Escambia County is one of the poorest in

son was battling behavioral issues even as

has helped. In fact, the organization helps

the state, with many systemic educational,

she was about to lose her place of residence.

about 2,500 families a year in 11 counties in

racial and economic issues that need to be

She did not have any transportation and had

Northwest Florida.

addressed. For those who fall victim to the

no clue what to do. That is when 90Works stepped in.

90Works operates through federal and

cyclic downturn that it is so easy to get caught

state funding, grants and some private dona-

in, it is good that organizations like 90Works

“I was a single, first-time mom,” said

tions. They are very careful, though, with the

are there to lend a helpful, non-judgmental

White. “I didn’t know about the resources

money they are given. Just .6 percent of their

hand.

out there. 90Works gave me the strength

annual budget is from private donations.

and resources I needed to get up on my own

In the future, Jordan would like to

again. They gave me bus passes, put me on a

focus even more on the housing troubles of

voucher program and put my son in a good

Northwest Florida, an issue of huge concern

position for medical help.”

to her.

White also reported that her social worker

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THE HUMAN RACE IN A CONVERSATION ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND RACE RELATIONS WITH ESCAMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF DAVID MORGAN, PENSACOLA ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE DAVID ALEXANDER AND REVEREND LUTIMOTHY MAY, WE LEARN THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE IS QUITE GRAY.

BY JOSH NEWBY · PHOTO BY DEREK GAVEY

W

ith racially charged violent events like those in Ferguson, Charleston, New York and other cities occurring with seemingly more frequency, a national conversation has started about the role of race in our daily lives and what we can do to improve relations between those of color and law enforcement. There are strong opinions on both sides of the debate, but as we will learn, the issue is far more complex and nuanced than we realize. Thanks to the Tiger Bay Club, Northwest Florida Business Climate was able to have a discussion with three community leaders—two police and one clergy—that shed some light on our torrid past and the possibility of a brighter future.

54 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

Tell me about your opinion on the relationship between race and law enforcement.

Reverend LuTimothy May: Well I want to start by saying that by no means do I vocalize the sentiments of the black community. I am an individual who has life experience that brings perspective to this subject matter. This is a long overdue issue in our community.

Sheriff David Morgan: There is nothing more tragic than what occurred in South Carolina. Even mass national disasters, these particular violent events bring violence to the forefront. We want to reject these events and these people, but we can’t when it’s placed on our doorstep. When I was in the military and I grew up in the height of

the nuclear age, I never feared the bomb. I feared others who might take the steps to launch that bomb.

I feared greatly losing my country without firing a shot. I fear losing the truth in our institutions, in our politics, press and churches. I fear becoming untethered from faith, family, community and nation. I fear that today because today, in our rush to symbolism over substance, I see truth nowhere in that equation many times. We have so many self-styled experts and truth is the last item on the agenda. So I ask for truth in these times. Words matter. We can drive an uneducated individual with hate in their heart to do the most horrific things, and rhetoric matters. In our dialogue, society as a whole bears a burden and we saw that in South Carolina.

So we need to pray for our country.

Assistant Chief of Police David Alexander: In light of all that has transpired from Ferguson to South Carolina, dialogue has been continuous and ongoing for a long time.

But this dialogue means we have to make decisions and commitments as a community and a nation.

When we looked at DUIs and said as a nation that it was no longer acceptable to drive and drink, then the attitudes and behaviors of people changed. When we looked at domestic violence, we decided we would not tolerate any acts of domestic violence. When we look at where we are, it has to become a unified stand that we will not tolerate race being a determining factor on whether a person is treated right

Business Climate SPECIAL SECTION or feels safe in this country. Our country is in a position where we have been a super power for a long time, but when we fail to make decisions that are critical to remaining that super power, we put that status in jeopardy. Let’s continue the dialogue but not hesitate to take the appropriate actions.

In your own community, what one or more issues would you change to enhance the relationship between law enforcement and the community?

Sheriff David Morgan: What is true not only in the military but also in law enforcement is that it’s easy to develop a siege mentality.

What I mean by that is, because of the nature of the work, you literally slide into this “us against them” mentality. People don’t understand the long hours and the moments of sheer terror. You never get a compliment. No one’s going to thank you for giving you a traffic citation.

It’s always a confrontation situation. Young officers will get very calloused and very thick-skinned very quickly. So that separates you from your client base and from the people you serve. So you begin to hang out with other law enforcement people. You have your own dialogue.

Keeping that connection to the community through the newly started Coffee with a Cop programs and expanded neighborhood watches is important. Breaking down those barriers as heads of agencies is one of the primary jobs that I have. You have to ensure that wall never gets constructed. You have to stay open with your client base. We exist for you, not the reverse. Our training is constantly changing in response to the needs.

One of our big things is discussions with young people. I can’t sit and talk to teenagers because if you’re over a certain age group there’s no connection with them.

They have their own language, music, and style of dress. We went through some of that too, though I think it’s more pronounced today.

So that’s another barrier that we must overcome in our interactions with young people. I invest heavily on the front end of this problem with Big Brothers Big Sisters. We partnered with Pastor May for the AA Dixon School, an alternative school for young folks. I believe in prevention and the answer is solving the problem upfront.

The short version of the answer is to find the right dialogue and people to carry that dialogue, and continue to invest in those programs to pay dividends long-term.

It will take many years to correct this. We need to start today.

Assistant Chief of Police David Alexander: The practice of accountability has to be 360 degrees. There has to be personal, public and systemic accountability.

One of the things in law enforcement is you have to deal with a lot of the failures in other systems. When those systems fail, there’s always a blame game. Those failures aren’t the cause of the crime, but they are mitigating factors. When you can’t breathe, you’re going to strain and struggle. If you need to be violent to breathe, to break free, you’re going to do that. We need to look at accountability all the way around.

A lot of times, citizens are miseducated. We all have a part of this.

We need to use this dialogue to see what we can do on a personal level.

A lot of crises we’re facing would be solved by that accountability.

Let’s stop pointing the finger at everyone else and look at ourselves.

How would you assess the relationship between law enforcement and the black community in Northwest Florida?

Assistant Chief of Police David Alexander: I would say it’s strained and fatigued. In the 30 years I’ve been in law enforcement, I’ve been involved in so much dialogue and attended so many meetings that I can’t even keep track of them all. Each series of meetings comes to a point where you have to make a commitment to an action.

I’ve heard a lot about calls to action. I think Pensacola has been blessed over the years to not experience things that have happened in other places. So that doesn’t mean things aren’t going good for us, but it also doesn’t mean we don’t have anything we need to work on. If we continue to have dialogue that’s not followed by action, we could easily become one of those places we hear about.

When you study causation of crime, you find that when people become strained, they become desperate. Desperation makes you overreact either deliberately or as a means of survival. Crime is not predicated by race. We’ve become a society that when you hear about a crime, you want to know what color the person was. It doesn’t matter.

I like to go out and see real people face to face and see a smile and see that we have some mutual trust. That’s what keeps people safe. Regardless of your race or economic situation, we both have something at stake and that’s a mutual trust and safety.

We need to be proactive and

Reverend LuTimothy May: We need to have a lens of transparency and honesty. A bunch of what you may or may not hear may be difficult to digest. You can’t have a truth from the perspective of those who don’t dig deep enough for that truth. You can never arrive at true liberation if you don’t start with truth.

The truth is sometimes more ugly than we ever dreamed it to be.

Not just in my community and the law enforcement community, truth goes beyond all that. When you ask this question, I believe the answer is truth and realizing the aggressive truth. You can look at the onion, but you have to peel back the layers.

You have to look past the uniform. When you look at a 21-year-old person, you have to know there’s something deeper that’s embedded. Some of the greatest truths we have are greater than surface value.

We have to take an honest look at where we are.

We need to go beyond the symptoms and look at the truth of where we lie, and then each individual and system needs to assume the Photo: Fibonacci Blue responsibility of that truth.

take steps to ensure that we do whatever we can. In those areas where they have poor relationships, then the rest of the world gets to judge. When a tragedy does happen, people of all colors and background come together. That’s what we need to encourage beforehand.

This shouldn’t be about politics; this is a matter of public safety for everyone in our community and our country.

Reverend LuTimothy May: I think when we look at relationships between law enforcement and minority communities, we make too many assumptions. We assume.

I’ve looked down the barrel of the Pensacola Police Department when I haven’t done anything wrong.

And that was because the police assumed something about me. The assumption that every young black man in an area is there to do something wrong makes them believe that that population needs to be eradicated.

Sometimes our experiences inform our biases. I could make the argument that everyone is biased in some type of way. But when you let your bias bleed over into injustice, that’s when we get into trouble. You can’t help if someone mistreats you, but you can’t let that permanently impact your opinion of everyone.

We have some good law enforcement officers and some that aren’t good. We have some good people and some who aren’t. We cannot let our assumptions force people into the wrong category. Young black people are filling prisons by the droves. I can’t wrap my mind around teenagers in McKinney, Texas at a pool party getting an officer’s knee in their backs while

nwflbusinessclimate.com nwflbusinessclimate.com||Business BusinessClimate Climate||55 55

they’re begging for their moms. It has to be something systemically flawed when we have 51 percent of people graduating but 90 percent going to prison. Let’s not make the assumption that a child who has cultural tendencies is bad because they are outgoing or outspoken.

Terms like “thug” are offensive and they’re based on assumptions, and we all need to stop making them.

Sheriff David Morgan: Let me speak both as law enforcement and as a member of the community. You have to control the message with the truth. That’s how race relations is supposed to be. Problems begin when you shut off the flow of information. When you do that, you give the power to the fear-mongers and those who want to think the worst of everyone. You can never do that as the head of an agency. You have to disclose as much as possible as soon as possible so that community leaders can then convey it to their people.

What concerns me the most is the collective schizophrenia of the white community. We are confused. I talk to young officers about this all the time. Why is it that in music, films and more, the most hateful, degrading, divisive and demeaning words can be uttered by minority members and not by anyone else? Why is that we have terms for words like “thug?” That is collective schizophrenia. Those

the finger at law enforcement.

It’s also easy for law enforcement to say, “It’s their fault.”

You have to bring in education, as well. Education has become a pipeline to prison. It’s easy to shift the blame to parents or children or law enforcement.

We want to be clear.

We want to say, “They’re killing each other.”

I believe that if we continue to play the blame game, the stats will continue to escalate.

We cannot blame the whole department for one policeman. We need to take some responsibility.

We need to stop blaming everyone else for where we are and start looking at ourselves.

What is your opinion on crime between races and within races?

Assistant Chief of Police David Alexander: Well numbers can tell you one thing, but you can walk outside and see something different. The black community has to see crime as an important thing to deal with. Any problem that involves more than yourself, you

“

This shouldn’t be politics; this is a matter of public safety for everyone in our community and our country. words are not used in my home or with my family. I don’t tolerate those terms. You can call it artistry or freedom of speech, but it’s demeaning. When it’s uttered by anyone it is hateful, but when it is allowed to be uttered by a select group, they are no longer hateful words; they are privileged words.

People are confused by that. That shuts down the dialogue.

What are your thoughts on the blame game that is often played after a display of racial tension occurs?

Reverend LuTimothy May: It’s easy to blame others. It’s an assumed behavior from childhood. It’s so easy to push it and it’s easy for the community to point 56 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

first have to take ownership. That’s why I like the idea of 360 degrees of accountability. What are you doing to address the problem from your side?

I don’t like the idea of someone from outside your neighborhood coming in and telling you what the problem is. You need to get involved. There are monumental stories of success where citizens have gotten involved and addressed the problems in their communities, and that change is sustainable. Every time I pass by Belmont-Devilliers, I see sustained accomplishments that came from police-community partnerships.

Sheriff David Morgan: The numbers are alarming, and we have to deal with it because you live

by stats. You may not like it, but you do. That’s just the reality, and the numbers are alarming. Ninetythree percent of black homicides are black on black. About 6 to 7 percent involve Hispanics. About 1 percent is white on black. Those are numbers we need to know when addressing what our problems are.

When we hear those numbers, we want to back up and point fingers. But this is a community problem. This is not a black or white problem.

In the United States, we make approximately a million arrests a year with all the agencies, local, state and federal. Of those million, 1 percent involve any use of force, other than putting handcuffs on someone. That includes openhand techniques: a weapon, tasers, pepper spray, etc. That’s a pretty good average, but what you see in the news repeatedly is that 1 percent. Dealing with those numbers, you don’t say that you’re doing a good job, though, because it only takes one Charleston. You have a thousand great interactions, but people will only talk about the one mistake.

What one thing as citizens or as a community can we take on this issue?

Reverend LuTimothy May: We have to own up to our own responsibility. When we leave here, we all have our various lives. So have a dialogue and be aware of your own behavior at work, at home, in school, etc.

Sheriff David Morgan: You are either a part of the solution or a part of the problem. You set the standard. We are a mirror of our

community. We set the acceptable level of interaction.

Assistant Chief of Police David Alexander: You have to continue to build trust and respect. The quality of your relationship determines how you resolve your crises.

When trust is low, the cost is high.

What steps can law enforcement take to rebuild trust with minority communities after events like Ferguson and so on?

Sheriff David Morgan: The problem today is social media, and there’s no controlling that. The message can’t be defined by the truth because you’re competing with everyone. Young people with Facebook and the grape vine take over. We work so many cases that we will roll out with something of “this is what happened” and the public dialogue is the opposite. So we want to get out there quickly with the facts that we know with the case to get in control of that.

What occurred in Ferguson is a great example. “Hands up, don’t shoot” never happened. But that is now a mantra throughout the United States, especially with black people. That’s morphed into “black lives matter.” Well whoever said that they didn’t matter? But the message spins out of control and now they are in control of the message. Then you spend all your time cleaning up the mess they have created.

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nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 57

RUNNING MAN THE FUTURE OF ROBOTICS takes

finished the competition after

900 four-wheeler, exiting the

its last step up to a

completing all eight tasks, one

vehicle, opening a door, turn-

small platform, where

of only three robots to do so, in

ing a valve, cutting a hole

it turns to the crowd, raises

50 minutes. The accomplish-

through a section of drywall,

its hand, and waves, claiming

ments of IHMC and the other

a random task, walking over

second place in the DARPA

competitors prove that inno-

rubble, and walking up a stair-

Robotics Competition (DRC)

vations have and can be made

case. The random task on day

for

Institute

to program robots such as

one of the competition was to

Machine

Running Man to one day assist

push a lever down to shut off

Cognition (IHMC) on June

in emergency situations where

a power box and on day two

6. Team members congratu-

human lives may be at risk.

was to unplug a cord from an

R

for

unning

Man

Pensacola’s Human

and

teams

electric outlet, then plug it into

of hard work paid off as the

from all over the world to pro-

another nearby outlet. The

crowd cheers them on, amazed

gram a robot to perform eight

most difficult tasks, according

to see Running Man achieve

tasks that may be needed in

to IHMC team manager Peter

a comeback from a poten-

an emergency situation where

Neuhaus, was exiting the vehi-

tially disastrous first day of

humans would not be safe

cle and walking up the stairs.

competition. The Atlas robot

entering. These tasks included

The robots had to move around

nicknamed

driving a Polaris Ranger XP

the environment with their

late each other on two years

BY KAITLYN PEACOCK PHOTOS BY WILLIAM HOWELL | BusinessClimate Climate| nwflbusinessclimate.com | nwflbusinessclimate.com 5858| Business

“Running

Man”

The

DRC

invited

Business Climate SPECIAL SECTION

“

In addition to it being about the research and development of walking manipulation, we had all the infrastructure to talk to the robot, then actually attend the finals.

”

operator(s) in a garage away

worried about what this meant

upon egress (exiting vehicle),

from the competition grounds

going forward.

one of the hardest maneuvers of the competition,” he said.

and without a tether, mean-

“It was tough to watch and

ing that there was interference

we had no idea if Atlas would

“Stepping

from distance and walls block-

survive a fall,” Neuhaus said.

vehicle was a huge relief and

ing signals from the robots

“It’s never fallen in our lab.

showed just how robust all of

and operator(s) and that the

We survived the fall but things

our walking algorithms are.

robots could potentially fall if

weren’t exactly right.”

While I still had to take it very

down

from

the

not stabilized properly while

Despite being unsure of how

slowly because of the extensive

walking or performing tasks.

Running Man would perform

damage, once I was out of the

A fall resulted in a 10-minute

the next day, the team contin-

car I knew we were in a good

time penalty.

ued on and after minor tweaks

position for placing top three.”

After

stomping

through

On day one of the compe-

to the software and operator

tition, Running Man faltered

interface, Running Man was

the course, taking things just

twice, resulting in two falls,

ready for day two of the DRC.

a little slower than they had

one on the rubble course and

Tension ran high as the com-

the previous day, team IHMC

the second on the stairs, knock-

petition started on Saturday.

guided their robot up to the

ing team IHMC out of the time

No one knew how well, or how

winning platform and into a

limit of one hour and resulting

badly, Running Man would

second place win.

in them only earning seven

perform. Team member John

points for the day. During the

Carff, who was the sole opera-

step

falls, Running Man was dam-

tor of Running Man, steered

arena, the team went through

aged. Boston Dynamics, who

the robot carefully through the

nearly two years of developing

had originally built the Atlas

driving course, then prepared

and testing software that gave

robot, attempted to repair the

to exit the vehicle.

the robot life. There were two

robot before the competition

“With the state the robot

the next day but team members

was in, I fully expected it to fall

Before Running Man could into

the

competition

major components to making Running Man move. nwflbusinessclimate.com nwflbusinessclimate.com| Business | BusinessClimate Climate| 59 | 59

“The control of balancing

“Running Man was a good fit

a bipedal robot and the other

for this goal, and also gave

area was the operator inter-

competition, similar to the

change the movement. the

DRC, that will be hosted by

us new expectations to work

robot was the final key to

NASA that they hope to work

face,” Neuhaus said. “How

toward, all of which we were

the success of Running Man.

with. IHMC’s focus for that

to talk to the robot and have

able to achieve in the two

“There’s a ton of data com-

competition will be the walk-

good communication, how

years we’ve had him. Except

ing back in various forms and

ing software for the robots in

to control it in a way that

running and jumping.”

at various rates,” Neuhaus

the competition.

you get what you expect out

The second part of the

The

operation

of

said. “You could overload

Most of team IHMC is on a

and know when things aren’t

software, the user interface,

the operator and some teams

well-deserved vacation after

going right and provide the

focused on the communica-

had six operators and tons

their second-place win at the

right information.”

tion between robot and oper-

of screens.” For team IHMC,

DRC.

ator, in this case John Carff.

they had Carff, a co-pilot, and

“It was a huge effort for

one screen with which they

our lab,” Neuhaus said. “In

controlled Running Man.

addition to it being about the

Only when both the movement of the robot and the

“So besides operating the

the

robot, my main job [was]

robot worked together was

figuring out the best way to:

Running Man able to perform

a) communicate to the robot

operating

Man,

of walking manipulation, we

the tasks assigned to it for the

what I want it to do, b) find

Carff said, “It was a pretty

had all the infrastructure to

DRC.

the best way to visualize

exciting experience. Though

communication

with

Describing his experience Running

research and development

Walking wasn’t as simple

and understand the robot’s

a little stressful, it was mostly

as putting one foot in front of

intentions, and c) put those

fun and a bit of an adrenaline

the other. Running Man had

features into the interface to

rush. I work very well under

to have dynamic movements

allow anyone operating the

pressure, which is probably

that adapted to the task at

robot to easily tell it what to

why I am so good at operat-

hand, whether it be simply

do, and then the robot can

ing the robot.”

walking

turning,

easily tell the operator what it

The future of IHMC looks

stepping out of the vehicle or

is about to do,” he said. The AI

bright as they turn to new

walking over uneven terrain.

developed for Running Man

projects, as well as a pos-

“When we first started the

allowed it to communicate

sible opportunity to continue

talk to the robot, then actu-

project, we were working on

with Carff, and anyone else

working with Running Man.

ally attend the finals.” They

making something that was

operating it, where and how

The main focus of the team

plan to return to work in early

very robust to walking on

it was going to move, allow-

is to continue to improve the

July, ready to tackle new or

various terrains,” Carff said.

ing its operator to approve or

walking movement of the

old projects.

forward,

To find out more about

robot.

“We hope to do more dynamic

walking,

more

reliable locomotion, until the robot can walk around without a safety tether and us not cringe,” Neuhaus said.

Neuhaus

also

said

that there will be another

60 60| Business | BusinessClimate Climate| nwflbusinessclimate.com | nwflbusinessclimate.com

IHMC and its team, visit their website at www.ihmc.us

competitive. committed. connected.

www.portofpensacola.com • 850.436.5070 nwflbusinessclimate.com | Business Climate | 61

BISHOP’S COFFEE AND TEA

BIG DREAMS SMALL BUSINESS

BY JOSH NEWBY photos by guy stevens 6262| Business | BusinessClimate Climate| nwflbusinessclimate.com | nwflbusinessclimate.com

Starting a small business is a daunting task for anyone, even those who have business experience or have started one before. An independently owned and operated business is usually an expression of oneself, almost an artistic endeavor, but it is also fraught with legal hurdles, tax decisions, financing obstacles, and complex decisions like location, marketing, target demographics, business plans and more. If you are considering going into business for yourself, you are not alone. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Northwest Florida sees hundreds of clients a year and provides each and every one of them with the tools and resources they need to bring their dreams to life.

Most important to any small business, as with any life decision, is a plan. That plan eventually includes securing a loan, deciding on what type of business to be legally filed as, where to locate, whom to serve, how long it will take to make a profit and more.

Fortunately, most of those issues are down the road but it is important to be mindful of them. The SBDC offers workshops at the beginning of each month for aspiring business-owners so they can understand basic planning steps, as well as licensing and taxes.

These classes cover how to write a business plan and assess feasibility, which are among the very first

things to worry about. You will be given a checklist of paperwork that will eventually need to be completed, but the core idea at the beginning is putting the concept on paper. That concept can be just one page long, but should include a basic assessment of future goals and current resources.

Once that is done, you should make a free appointment with one of the SBDC’s consultants to build on that concept and eventually turn it into a business plan that you can present to a lender for startup capital.

“We have experts ready and willing to help with a variety of needs,” said Sharon Triplett, a consultant with Florida’s SBDC. “We offer these services free in order to help build a healthy economy.”

Triplett said that once the concept plan is done, individuals should officially file their company with the County Tax Collector, Department of Revenue, and the IRS. It might be helpful at this point in the process to meet with an attorney so that you understand the legal guidelines of the particular business you are filing as. An attorney can also help create your articles of incorporation.

“We also recommend operating agreements and an exit strategy, especially if you have partners, so that everyone understands their role,” said Triplett.

Business Climate SPECIAL SECTION While having an exit strategy so early in the process may seem like putting the cart before the horse, experts recommend it so that plans do not change to inconsiderately favor one person above another once the company is up and running. Everyone should be on the same page.

At this point, you should also open a business account at your local bank so that you can keep track of all expenses for both tax purposes and financial projections. It is that financial projections portion, Triplett said, that is crucial to securing your loan.

“Bottom line, lenders want to know how operations will lead to cash flow,” said Triplett.

For at least the first few months of your business, you should expect to not get paid, or even break even. It will take a little while for your revenue to exceed your expenses, so take that into consideration.

“As a general rule, the larger the scope, the longer it takes to plan and typically to see a return,” said Triplett.

While all this paperwork and behind-thescenes action is taking place, you will want to learn as much about your industry and your target market as possible. The process can proceed as slowly or as quickly as you feel comfortable, but nothing should be rushed.

“Know the details of the industry,” said Triplett. “Understand the entire process from sales to marketing to the tangible goods, including logistics of delivery.”

By now, probably a month or two into the process, you are likely getting pretty excited.

You’re confident in your financial projections, so you will want to create the much-rumored-about and much-feared business plan.

A business plan is basically a aggregation of everything you have done and plan to do, and should include an executive summary, company description, product or service description, market analysis, competitive analysis, marketing/sales strategy, and management details. Check out sba.gov for more details on finessing this important step.

Now, your new business just needs money and a location, and of course lots of time, resources and a strategic attitude toward risk.

“You can reduce risk through planning, understanding the industry and

having the capabilities to actually run the company,” said Triplett.

Of course, all along the way, the SBDC provides classes from experts concerning how to successfully navigate these waters.

It is time to apply for a business loan. This is where the rubber hits the road. On the application, you will find such questions as: how will loan proceeds be used?; what assets need to be purchased, and who are your suppliers?; what debt do you have and who are your creditors?; and who are the members of your management team? You should also be prepared to turn over personal income tax returns from the last three years, a statement of the business’s current financial standing, details on collateral, and legal documents like articles of incorporation, business licenses, franchise agreements, etc.

If your loan goes through, congratulations.

Now it is time to spend some of that money. First and foremost, assuming you are not aiming to operate a home-based business, you will need a building. Leasing commercial space and can be different than residential real estate. Commercial leases often vary regarding maintenance and repair costs, sublease availability, co-tenancy and so on. It is recommended that you negotiate a one- or two-year agreement with option to renew. You will also want to work with your realtor to find the best location/cost balance and ensure you are falling in line with zoning laws.

If need be, work with local, BBB-trusted contractors to make customizations to the space.

You will want to make sure the flow of customers

is easy, that payment stations make sense, tables and chairs are in places that make sense, and that there is a clearly marked entrance and exit. If the entrance is the same as the exit, make sure that area is clutter-free and welcoming.

So, now you have your location. All that is left is to buy the equipment, hire some employees and start making money, right? Wrong. “If you build it, they will come” does not apply here.

“Most new businesses forget to market themselves,” said Triplett. “Sometimes marketing is seen as optional, but it absolutely is not. Work with our SBDC consultants for free to identify your market and target them. Your customers don’t find you; you need to find your customers.”

If you decide to hire employees, you will want to be aware of the required employment benefits and the optional employment benefits. You may wish to work with a staffing agency that can handle the human relations and background portions so that you can focus on what you do best.

Then, without any further ado, it is time to open your business. Partner up with a local chamber of commerce to host a ribbon cutting and drive free traffic to your company.

Throughout the life of the company, the SBDC will be there to help, so Triplett said to not be a stranger.

“It is often not realistic or feasible to have a CFO or marketing person on staff,” said Triplett.

“So we offer a free auxiliary to that. I’ve had some of the same clients for 10 years. We’re here for them throughout their small business’s life.”

MOONFLOWER SALON

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around the region

Pensacola Chief of Police Simmons to retire; Alexander to be nominated as next Chief Pensacola Chief of Police Chip Simmons plans to retire in August after 29 years of service with the Pensacola Police Department.

Hayward also announced on June 12 that he will nominate David Alexander III to serve as Pensacola’s next Chief of Police. As a department head, Alexander’s appointment is subject to the approval of the City Council. Alexander will become the first AfricanAmerican Chief of Police in the 194-year history of the Pensacola Police Department.

Foo Foo Fest grant recipients announced Art, Culture and Entertainment, (ACE), Inc. announced on June 11 the recipients of $250,000 in grant funding for the second annual Foo Foo Festival (Foo Foo Fest), the upcoming fall festival of arts and cultural events to be held November 5-16, 2015.

Foo Foo Fest, the tourism marketing program of ACE, promises to be bigger and better in 2015 as the area works to attract cultural tourists to Escambia County, Fla. Foo Foo Fest, a 12-day celebration of the arts, acts as a “marketing umbrella” for the period of time to help leverage the breadth and depth of the overall selection of events, which are comprised of programming provided by 21 grant recipients and many more pre-existing events. Full list of grant recipients: • Pensacola Opera • Vinyl Music Hall • Ballet Pensacola • Pensacola Museum of Art • SOAR Pensacola • Legal Services of N. Fla. • Pensacola Civic Band • Japan-America Society of NW. Fla. • Pensacola Choral Society • African-American Society

• Frank Brown Int’l Songwriters Festival • First City Alliance • Pensacola Symphony Orchestra • Pensacola EggFest • Truth for Youth • Pensacola Jazz Society • 350 Pensacola • Pensacola MESS Hall • UWF Historic Trust • Pensacola Bay Concert Band

Local financial expert places on national list Rodney L. Rich, President of Rodney Rich & Company, was recently listed with the Financial Times as an elite member of The Financial Times Top 401 Retirement Plan Advisors. The list recognizes the top financial advisors who specialize in serving defined contribution (DC) retirement plans.

The Financial Times Top 401 Retirement Plan Advisors is an independent listing produced by the Financial Times. The FT 401 is based on data gathered from financial advisors, firms, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. The listing reflects each advisor’s performance in eight primary areas, including: DC plan assets under management; DC plan assets as a percentage of overall AUM; growth in DC plan AUM; growth in DC plans advised; DC plan employee participation; professional designations; experience; and compliance record. Neither the brokerages nor the advisors pay a fee to The Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in the FT 401.

UWF to help veterans get back to school The University of West Florida’s Military and Veterans Resource Center, in collaboration with Complete Florida Military, helps active duty service members, veterans and their families return to college.

Recent funding from the Florida Defense Support Task Force has enabled Complete Florida Military – a new State of Florida initiative – to offer scholarships and support for Florida military, veterans and dependents of up to $2,000 for those with at least a 2.0 GPA.

850.429.0002 | info@nwfl.bbb.org 64 | Business Climate | nwflbusinessclimate.com

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TEAM MINDSET

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BOLDLY GO, KNOWING WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK When clients work with Warren Averett, they’re a client of the entire Firm. That means more people with more experience looking out for them. This talent sharing mindset means clients work with the Warren Averett team member who can make the most valuable contribution at the right time. Whether clients need industry expertise, technical proficiency or business know-how, our team will be there when they need us.

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