Influence100 George Kalogridis and Adam Babington
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In September, Las Vegas Sands, one of the world’s largest gaming companies announced it was abandoning its efforts to build a destination resort casino in Florida. LVS, headed by mega-billionaire Sheldon Adelson, doesn’t lose many political fights, but in this case it did. Why? Because on the opposite side of it was The Walt Disney Co., the most powerful force in Florida politics. The tip of the spear of that power is George Kalogridis, the president of Walt Disney World Resorts, and Adam Babington, the manager of Disney’s extensive governmental relations efforts. Whether it’s helping to bankroll the powerful Florida Chamber of Commerce or drilling down to influence the outcomes of key elections, The Mouse truly holds sway over the Sunshine State.
Kalogridis
Peter Schorsch is president of Extensive Enterprises, which produces some of Florida’s most influential new media websites, including SaintPetersBlog.com, FloridaPolitics.com, ContextFlorida.com, and Sunburn, the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. Schorsch is also publisher of INFLUENCE Magazine.
John Morgan {titan} John Morgan has said some of the nicest things about me, in public and in private, that anyone has ever said. He’s also said some of the meanest, but he’s nice enough to keep those private (although you never know who he’s BCC-ing on emails). I love John Morgan. This space could be blank and no one would question John’s inclusion on the list of the 100 most influential Floridians. The man is simply a titan in our state: in politics, in business, in his community and in philanthropy. What makes John Morgan so special in my mind is that he, like no one I’ve ever met, actually lives his public persona. What you see is what you get, which is, of course: For the people! Anyone who thinks “For the People” is just a marketing gimmick hasn’t spent any time with John. This is a guy who really lives and breathes for the people, and despite his wealth and success, is one of “the people.” Go to a Carrabba’s or an Outback Steakhouse with him and you’ll see exactly what I mean. The proof of what I’m saying is that I promised Grady Judd would agree with every word.
PHOTOS: Courtesy J.C. Merrrill; Morgan (AP Photo/Alex Menendez); Kalogridis (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Images)
Ben Pollara is a political consultant and campaign manager for United for Care, the medical marijuana campaign that John Morgan chairs, and according to John, suffers from Asperger’s syndrome.
Collier Merrill {titan}
When presidents, governors, U.S. senators, congressmen, and state lawmakers come to Pensacola, they want to be seen at the Merrill brothers’ restaurant, The Fish House and eat its signature dish, Grits à Ya Ya. Former congressman Joe Scarborough has televised MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” from The Fish House deck. Mitt Romney and John McCain held campaign rallies at the same spot. Rick Scott and Charlie Crist held fundraisers there. Collier Merrill, the youngest of the three Merrill brothers, runs Great Southern Restaurant Group that also owns the Atlas Oyster House, Jackson’s Steakhouse and Five Sisters Blues Café. He is the grandson of lumber magnate Burney Henderson, who owned and developed the land that is now Destin. He has stayed close to his family roots. Merrill is also the president of Merrill Land Co., which specializes in condominium development along the Gulf Coast. Merrill has chaired every important board in the area—University of West Florida board of trustees, Greater Pensacola Chamber, Visit Pensacola, Community Maritime Park Associates, Naval Aviation Museum Foundation and Homebuilders Association of Northwest Florida. Respected and admired by all segments of the community, Merrill is the person to call to get something done. It’s no wonder that Jeb Bush tapped him to chair his presidential campaign in Northwest Florida. Rick Outzen is the publisher and owner of Independent News.
FALL 2015 INFLUENCE | 115