INFLUENCE
100 Gus CORBELLA
{THOUGHT LEADER}
Most know Gus Corbella as the super-cool chief of staff who worked for the late Senate President Jim King and later joined the behemoth international law firm of Greenberg Traurig. But many may not know the backstory that brought this NYC-loving, former Sting assistant to be a fixture in the Capital City. While most young people in this business expect to come out of college and get top billing inside government or the private sector, Gus started his climb to the top the old-fashioned way — with hard work and long hours. To this day, Gus is the only person to serve as both the staff director of the House and Senate Majority offices and then later becoming Senate Chief of Staff … all by the age of 30. Gus’ love of film and the arts is also a defining characteristic for this die-hard Gator fan, who can often be seen walking the red carpet at the Grammy Awards or dining at the latest hot spot in his beloved New York City. Serving as the chairman of Opening Nights at Florida State University and being a leading advocate for film and television as past-chairman for Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council, Corbella is consistently advocating for Florida cities to be home base for production companies and movie backdrops alike. Gus has also been an outspoken critic of local Tallahassee government and their lack of governing and was rumored to be courted to run for local office. If you ask Gus what he is most proud of he will undoubtedly say his “smoking-hot wife, Tanya” and his wildly intelligent son, Miles who too has been reading The New York Times since he could string two words together. But we all know that second to all of that is his ability to rock the no-sock look with pride and shimmy into skinny jeans with ease by always ordering a healthy salad for lunch ... with a side of steak fries. – Sarah Bascom, President Bascom Communications & Consulting
PHOTO: Mary Beth Tyson (Corbella, Corcoran, Cruz)
Michael CORCORAN {LOBBYIST}
Michael Corcoran is truly a self-made individual. Although he comes from a strong political family, he worked his way to the top of his profession by doing just that — working. He never traded in on one of the most powerful names in Tallahassee; instead, he climbed the ladder one rung at a time. Michael began his career in state politics as a legislative assistant and has built one of the most successful lobbying firms in the capital. Michael will do all he can to accomplish his clients’ goals. He is, however, a realist when it comes to what can and can’t be done. When he assesses the legislative landscape for those he represents he tells it like it is, not what he thinks his clients wish it to be. That is a rare quality to find in any lobbyist. In addition to his strong work ethic, Michael’s honesty and integrity have brought him as far as he has come. He is as good as his word, which is really the one asset that anyone in politics has. Michael enjoys a reputation that is well deserved and jealously guarded. Michael Corcoran truly deserves a place on any list of Florida’s most influential people. – Mike Fasano, Pasco County Tax Collector, former Florida House and Senate member 92 | INFLUENCE SUMMER 2018