Issuu

RISING STARS 2022

Independent News | February 3, 2022 | Volume 23 | Number 5 | Photos by Wave Photo by Aislinn Kate

FREE ▶

winners & losers

outtakes

news 7

You just can’t beat the people here.

rising stars

buzz 8

GRAPHIC NOVELS

publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Tim Bednarczyk

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Gina Castro, Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Jeremy Morrison, Sydney Robinson, C.S. Satterwhite, Tom St. Myer

KIDS BOOKS

Congratulations

JORDAN MCKINNEY 909 N. 12th Avenue

pensacolapopcomics.com 22

and the entire 2022 Rising Star Class!

happenings 36

Independent News is published by Inweekly Media, Inc., P.O. Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591. (850)438-8115. All materials published in Independent News are copyrighted. © 2022 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

FIRST TIME HOME BUYER SPECIALIST

Voted Best Real Estate Agent

SIMONE SANDS, Realtor © cell 850-293-2292 ofﬁce 850-434-2244

inweekly.net

TERA ALI

ANNA WALL

Instructor, Health Sciences and Administration, Usha Kundu College of Health

Chief Curator, Pensacola Museum of Art

MAYRA HEITMAN Public Relations & Outreach, WUWF

KATHLEEN NORWOOD

KAY TAPPAN

Annual Giving Officer, University Advancement

Communications Manager, College of Education and Professional Studies

Our stars shine bright

AND FORGE NEW HORIZONS. The University of West Florida fosters bright, bold stars who dream bigger, imagine greater and believe in limitless possibilities. They illuminate new paths and lead the way, inspiring UWF’s spirited community of learners and transforming the community.

February 3, 2022

uwf.edu/NoLimits

winners & losers

CONGRATULATIONS BRIT TNEY BARNET T! Ron DeSantis / flgov.smugmug.com

winners RALLY FOUNDATION Florida Trend recently

highlighted the nonprofit's effort to help pediatric cancer patients and their families relieve some of the stress while their children undergo prolonged treatment periods. Thanks to a $101,820 grant from IMPACT 100, the Rally Foundation created a business-center style office space at the Studer Family Children's Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart. The Rally Resource Room will provide parents with a dedicated space to work, pay bills, check emails and conduct other day-to-day office needs without leaving the hospital.

RIS IN G STA R D I R E C TO R OF S U S TA I N A B ILIT Y Innisfree Hotels is a triple bottom line company, measuring success not only in profits but also through its impact on people and on the planet. To these ends, Innisfree strives to promote a culture of responsibility and service to humanity. A value-driven corporate culture enables the company to have a deeper understanding of the needs of its guests, partners and clients, resulting in service that ensures fun and memorable experiences.

INNISFREEHOTELS.COM | #FUNATINNISFREE 44

COMMUNITY HEALTH NORTHWEST FLORIDA Community Health was selected

for the first cohort of 200 health centers to receive antiviral medications to treat people with COVID-19. This comes as part of the Biden Administration's efforts to ensure that underserved communities and those disproportionately affected by COVID-19 have access to authorized and approved treatments. Patients need a prescription, have a positive COVID test, meet the criteria (high risk for hospitalization due to chronic health issues) and be able to start the treatment within five days of testing positive. Community Health is held to Federal Reporting requirements and will need to collect demographic information on patients. The medications will be at no cost to the patient.

UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA UWF

ranked 59th among 361 institutions for Best Online Bachelor's Programs and 35th for Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans in the rankings released on Jan. 25. The university received recognition in the following categories—Bachelor's, MBA, Master's Business (Non-MBA), Master's Computer Information Technology, Master's Education and Master's Nursing. UWF also was ranked 20th among Best Online Nursing Master's Program for Veterans and was the only Florida State University System institution included in the list.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY The county's Geographic Information System division, in partnership with Neighborhood and Human Services and Community and Media Relations, has launched the Neighborhood Cleanup Web App. The web app is an interactive map that displays the locations for all 2022 neighborhood cleanups.

losers RON DESANTIS Gov. Ron DeSantis doesn't like to share power. He has avoided calling Florida Cabinet meetings through his administration. The next meeting has been scheduled for March 29, just over six months after their last meeting. DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried last held a Cabinet meeting on Sept. 21. OSCEOLA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

School administrators in Osceola County canceled a seminar for history teachers on the U.S. civil rights movement by Michael Butler, a Flagler College history professor. The district was concerned Butler's presentation hadn't been reviewed to ensure it didn't include any critical race theory. Butler is the author of "Victory after the Fall," which is about Pensacola's civil rights icon, Rev. H.K. Matthews. The history professor told the media that his presentation had no reference to critical race theory.

HOUSE BILL 7 The Florida House Judiciary Committee passed the bill that limits what can be said and taught in workplace training sessions and public classrooms. Job training sessions would be deemed discriminatory if they lead employees to believe that they "(bear) responsibility for, or should be discriminated against" because of "actions committed in the past" by people of the same race or sex. The bill also prevents teachers from giving any instruction that promotes concepts such as any person being "inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously." TOWN OF CENTURY The Florida Depart-

ment of Environmental has fined the Town of Century for failing to follow Florida statutes and code regarding two fuel storage tanks. A February 2021 inspection found that leak detection gauges on two above-ground petroleum storage tanks at the town shop were damaged. Also, the town failed to conduct annual operability testing of the devices. Century officials didn't respond to the findings. FDEP initially proposed $3,000 in civil penalties plus $250 for costs and expenses but later reduced the penalties to $750. inweekly.net

PINE STREET— 0.34 ACRE LOT $80,000 | MLS #594527 ACT

NTR

CO DERthis Rare opportunityU toNown lot in Gulf Breeze near Oriole Beach! Lot Size Acres: 0.34 | Lot Size Square Feet: 14810 1709 ST MARYS BAY DR. • MILTON

outtakes

$720,000 | MLS #600352

By Rick Outzen

A PYP CELEBRATION The Pensacola Young Professionals is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. The actual anniversary was in 2021, but the coronavirus delayed the celebration. On Thursday, Jan. 27, I had the pleasure of sitting on a panel with former PYP presidents John Hosman and Jonathon Thompson to discuss the organization's history and its impact on Pensacola. PYP sprung out of dialogue I had with former Greater Pensacola Chamber CEO Evon Emerson over several months in 2005. The city was debating whether to build the Community Maritime Park. Baseball team owner Quint Studer, Naval Aviation Museum Foundation CEO Jack Fetterman and UWF President John Cavanaugh had agreed to a public-private venture to build a multi-use stadium, office building, maritime museum and conference center on the waterfront property across from Pensacola City Council. A group led by Councilman Marty Donovan and businessman Charles Fairchild had defeated an earlier plan for a festival park and auditorium on the site. They wanted to derail the new project by having voters reject a referendum vote. In all the public meetings about the Community Maritime Park proposal, people talked about the need to retain young talent in our community. However, I noticed that no young people were included in the discussions. My daughter Cat had recently graduated from the University of Florida and had complained how difficult it was to get involved in Pensacola. She and her friends were constantly being told to wait their turn. I voiced her concerns in an "Outtakes" column. Instead of arguing about it, Evon listened and asked how the chamber could help. We both recognized that the status quo had to change. We knew that a partnership between the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and Inweekly could serve as a catalyst. Together, we asked a small group of young leaders to meet and discuss the possibilities of organizing a group that would be a networking tool and would work for progress and help

voice their age group's opinions and ideas to the current community leadership. Their enthusiasm, intelligence and openness floored both Evon and me. Their candor, sincerity, thick skins and lack of hidden agendas were refreshing. Evon pledged the chamber's resources to help with the administrative side. Inweekly would help promote the new organization and be its biggest cheerleader. We agreed to meet again in two weeks. Those who were interested could return with ideas and a friend interested in being part of the movement. The group chose its name—Pensacola Young Professionals—and drafted a mission statement and charter. We launched PYP with a party and sign-up sheets on The Fish House deck in March 2006. Our cover story that week explained the expectations for the new organization. "We want to be the voice for the younger people who don't have a seat at the table," said Hosman, who worked then for O'Sullivan Creel Mortgage Solutions. "We're about making a difference, not just coming to meetings. We're striving for progress as a group and as a community." Ashley Hodge Harris was in public relations with Baptist Health Care at the time. She was optimistic about PYP's future. She said, "When the smoke and lights clear, there is going to be a group of us that will really help advocate for change in the areas of education, poverty, revitalization and economic development." Over 100 people showed up for the launch. In the following weeks, they elected a 10-member board and officers. They listened to presentations on the Community Maritime Park proposal and voted to work for the passage of the referendum. In September 2006, the referendum passed by 1,983 votes. PYP had its first significant victory, and the members and city leaders saw the value of having our young professionals engaged in community issues. And Pensacola began to change for the good. I can't wait to see their next 15 years. {in} rick@inweekly.net

Their enthusiasm, intelligence and openness floored both Evon and me. Their candor, sincerity, thick skins and lack of hidden agendas were refreshing.

February 3, 2022

Secluded waterfront community two-story home. 3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1 Partial Bath • 3,329 Sq. ft. • 37,026 Sq. ft. Lot

Call or text Cheryl Young at 850-712-4742 to see today!

SEVILLE SQUARE REALTY, LLC Cheryl Young Licensed Real Estate Broker

308 E. Government St. • Pensacola, Florida 32502

(850) 712-4742

Licensed in

www.sevillesquare.net • cheryl@sevillesquare.net Florida & Alabama

Practicing Since 1974 INJURED? (ALL TYPES OF ACCIDENTS)

ARRESTED? (ALL FEDERAL & STATE COURTS)

WHITE COLLAR CRIMES (HEALTH-CARE FRAUD • DRUG OFFENSES & D.U.I.s)

FREE CONSULTATION ON INJURY / DEATH CASES & CRIMINAL CASES NO RECOVERY - NO FEE / COST ON PERSONAL INJURY & WRONGFUL DEATH CASES

24 HOUR SERVICE

433-9922

304 E. GOVERNMENT STREET 5

FEBRUARY Events & Classes

FEBRUARY 7 • 6PM Creative Cooking: Building Healthier Habits in 2022! Join chef Jernigan Harris as he demonstrates how to cook creatively in the kitchen to help build healthier eating habits in 2022!

FEBRUARY 12 • 6PM Chérie Amour Wine Dinner: A Celebration of French & Italian Wines Surprise your Valentine with a candlelit wine dinner at Bodacious featuring French and Italian wines.

FEBRUARY 14 • 6PM A Bodacious Valentine Join us at a Bodacious for an intimate dinner by our wonderful chefs. A limited amount of tickets will be sold for this event.

FEBRUARY 15 • 6PM Hands-on Sushi with Chef Summer Our chef will guide you through the legendary process of making sushi rolls and the art of rolling sushi!

FEBRUARY 17 • 6PM Charcuterie Night Enjoy a demonstration that focuses on the art of preparing a charcuterie tray and serving it to guests. Each person will create their own charcuterie tray and customize it with various gourmet cheeses and accoutrements.

FEBRUARY 22 • 6PM Oyster Roast Demonstration Enjoy a demonstration that focuses on the classic art of shucking and roasting oysters with our wonderful Bodacious chefs!

FEBRUARY 24 • 6PM Sip & Slide: Wine Pairing & Gourmet Sliders Join us at Bodacious for a fun "Sip & Slide" event featuring various wines and gourmet sliders!

For more information visit BodaciousShops.com or call (850) 433-6505. 407 S. Palafox St.

BOD0660 INW 2/3 Full Page .indd 1

FEBRUARY 25 • 6PM & FEBRUARY 26 • 2PM Mardi Gras at Bodacious Join us as we celebrate Mardi Gras in style with private balcony access right on the parade route! We will be serving a classic New Orleans inspired menu. Event attendees will have access to the Palafox Balcony and the Events Kitchen at Bodacious.

inweekly.net

1/26/22 9:34 AM

ART OF THE DEAL five days from the time the physicians drew the blood. It's a game-changer." The patented process analyzes blood samples from late-stage, metastatic cancer patients. Mullin explained, "These tumors are growing, and then they're also dying; Scott Luth, Grover Robinson, Michael Mullin, Jeff Bergosh and Lumon May / Photo Courtesy of FloridaWest they're releasing genetic signals into the bloodstream. We attempt to pick those up and prepare them in a proprietary way when they come to our lab." Last month, FloridaWest welcomed PenHe continued, "We try to find areas within sacola's latest corporate addition, Circulocertain targeted genes that are mutating and gene, with an open house at the biotech's new driving the cancer. We give that information to downtown offices and lab. Headquartered in the oncologist very quickly at the front end of Birmingham, Ala., Circulogene is Northwest Florthe disease to help stop the mutation and, in a ida's first molecular diagnostics company. Cancer lot of cases, lessen the impact on the healthy patients worldwide will have their blood tested for cells in the body." specific cancer tumor markers that can help guide Luth shared with Inweekly the process to reoncologists with their treatment plans. cruit Circulogene to Pensacola. He explained that Inweekly recently interviewed Circulogene attracting business to our area is competitive. CEO Michael Mullen and FloridaWest CEO Scott "Prospective companies are always comparLuth on how the company made its decision to ing communities, not necessarily comparing one open an office and lab in Pensacola. building or piece of property to other facilities "We're the only liquid biopsy company that and sites," he said. "In this instance, what they has a blood-based immunotherapy test, where we were really doing was trying to figure out if this a can predict the cancers," Mullen said, explaincommunity where we can be successful." ing what Circulogene does. "We have outcomes The decision process can take anywhere data in lung cancer that shows we can predict the from a year and a half to up to six to seven years cancer patient's response to immunotherapy. The for larger companies. Luth explained, "It is a big most common immunotherapy is the drug Keydecision for these companies. They may only truda. We have a lot of data that shows survival in have one or two locations in their company hispatients that have our tests and receive Keytruda tory, and so for them, it's a big decision of where live much longer than chemo." can they be successful." He added, "I review almost every report after Mullen told Inweekly that his team had targetthey go out. And every time we got a targeted hit, ed Florida for its expansion and had been looking we were able to deliver that result within four or

By Rick Outzen

at cities in South Florida. He said, "Florida's the second largest state in terms of population and in terms of cancer, and it was strategically on our radar. Pensacola was a city that was clear to me that the leadership is committed to growing and creating high-paying jobs. In addition, it's three and a half hours from our Birmingham facility." Mullen contacted Mayor Grover Robinson, who set up a meeting with Luth and his team. For FloridaWest, the goal of the meeting was to gather as much information about Circulogene as possible and find out what the company needed to be successful. "With Mike, he's obviously looking for a good quality of life; that was very important to them," said Luth. "They wanted to be in a downtown setting. They wanted to be in a growing community." He continued, "And the primary reason for that is because they could set their lab up, and they could do testing anywhere. Mike needed to know if the community was going to allow Circulogene to have the quality of life to make it possible to retain and keep the talent that it needed." Fortunately, the University of West Florida had the program that graduates the medical technologists that Circulogene needed. Mullen said, "The state of Florida is pretty specific about requirements to do this type of testing. This is high complexity. They're five-year degrees, and they have a program in molecular biology that is important." He added that his company has already hired seven technologists. Mullen said, "The technologist salaries are going through the roof because of the supply. I hear a lot of young people going into their majors, and I actually was a medical technologist very early in my career. I can tell you, the salaries have almost tripled. Those jobs can pay anywhere from $60,000-$80,000 a year." The Pensacola airport was also a factor in the decision. Luth said, "They are going to be sourcing business all over the United States, all over the South. And so we had a long conversation about our airport and the number of direct flights that we have. His access back to Birmingham was important because, again, it was in that less than four-hour drive back to another part of where his company is."

One thing that FloridaWest could bring to the table was the University of West Florida Industry Resilience and Diversification Fund (IRDF) that was created to help diversify the economies of the eight counties disproportionally affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill—Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Wakulla. Luth pointed out that high-tech companies do not need property tax incentives since they aren't building multimillion-dollar manufacturing facilities—"so we really didn't reach out to the state for that." Neither did state grants for training programs make sense—"The type of talent that they're bringing in, some of our training programs weren't really the driver." However, UWF did have some remaining dollars in the IRDF that were available for companies with high-paying, high-tech jobs. Circulogene agreed to hire 70 people over the next three to five years. In return, the company would receive funds to help offset the costs to build out the lab and office space. Luth said, "It was just enough of a carrot or incentive for them to say, 'Hey, now Pensacola wants us. They've shown they want us. We've got a great quality of life. We know we can be successful here long term.'" Mullins told Inweekly that his company may hire more than 70 people in Pensacola. "For seven years, we have been in the fundraising business," he shared. "These companies are completely supported by capital investors, and I think we're very close to closing a larger round." He continued, "And at that point, we'll start to accelerate growth, expand into more real estate. That'll open up what types of positions we need. We still have in our company some holes to fill. And I think we're going to fill those in the administrative side in Pensacola." Mullen praised Mayor Robinson and FloridaWest for help with the decision. He said, "We see a bright future for the city of Pensacola. And the leadership in Pensacola put together incentives for the company to come and set up here when some of the other cities did not. And so we liked the feel of that, and we made the decision to come here." {in}

Congratulations to all the 2022 RISING STARS including our very own LATOYA

WADE!

Adoption • Paternity • Dependency/DCF Hearings Prenuptial Agreements • Postnuptial Agreements Divorce • Child Custody and Timesharing Child Support • Child Support Modifications Alimony • Collaborative Divorce • Divorce Mediation • Pre-Suit Family Law Mediation

wadecakesandweddings.com February 3, 2022

127 Palafox Place Suite 100 (850)466-3115 autumnbeckblackledge.com 7

be reported through the city of Pensacola 311.

SCOOTER REVISIONS COMING To curb inap-

Photo by Tim Bednarczyk

HELLO VEO The city now has an additional

scooter vendor, Veo. Unlike Bird, its scooters allow riders to sit down while riding. Veo currently operates e-scooters in more than 30 cities nationwide and will deploy up to 250 scooters in the franchise area for the remainder of the pilot program. The cost for a Veo ride is $1 to start and 39 cents per minute fee to ride. Riders can use the promo code VEOXPNS for a $10 riding credit during the initial launch period. Discounted fees are available to low-income users who qualify through the Veo Access Program. The electric scooters can be used on roads and in bike lanes and have a maximum speed of 15 mph. No riding on sidewalks is allowed. Scooters must be parked out of the way of pedestrians and never block driveways or accessibility ramps. Riders must be at least 18 years old to access the scooters. They are encouraged to wear a helmet on every ride and must obey all standard rules of the road. Mechanical issues, inappropriate parking and other questions or concerns can be reported through the Help Center in the VeoRide app at (855) 836-2256 or hello@veoride.com. Micromobility device ordinance compliance issues can also

propriate usage of electric rental scooters in the downtown area, the city of Pensacola may tighten up its regulations. At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Pensacola City Council gave its initial nod to several changes. Pensacola entered into a relationship with Bird rental scooters about six months ago and is currently in the middle of a year-long pilot program for officials to assess how the scooter can best integrate into the city's landscape. Several issues have arisen in recent months—questionable scooter usage, reports of inebriated riders and complaints from downtown business owners and patrons. There have also been accidents involving vehicles and scooters. "The desire with the scooters is to make the downtown more vibrant, but if it's not safe, then it's certainly not succeeding," Councilman Jared Moore told Inweekly after the meeting. "We looked at a lot of the data there; some of the peak months having 17,000 individual rides. So it's seeing good ridership, but sometimes they're not being ridden the right way. And so we concentrated on those areas." Changes to a municipal ordinance that the city will likely approve in February include banning the scooters from midnight-5 a.m. Thursday-Saturday and ending at 10 p.m. on other nights. Sidewalk usage may also be restricted. City council initially considered only applying this blackout period for a limited area, or "box" of downtown, a concept submitted by Bird. Mayor Grover Robinson described the suggested area as "insufficient" and pushed for "a little bit more comprehensive box." "I think we need to expand the box," Rob-

inson said, pointing out that the area recommended by the company left out spaces such as the Palafox Pier, an area the city considers to be a hotspot when it comes to issues with rental scooters. The city council also will likely ban the devices from operating on a handful of downtown streets, including Cervantes Street, North Ninth Avenue, Garden Street and Barrancas Avenue. Riders will probably be required to verify that they are 18 or older. Earlier this month, Bird added a feature on its app requiring riders to upload a photo of their driver's license to verify age.

FINALLY The Escambia County Commis-

sioners have filed a Complaint for Writ of Mandamus against County Clerk Pam Childers "ordering her to resume her ministerial duties and to comply with County ordinances and State law. Specifically, the County seeks to have the Clerk resume her longstanding practice of making payments of County money to the retirement plan the County established." Levin Papantonio Rafferty attorney Troy Rafferty represents the county in the complaint. He explained the writ, "It's basically an action to force the clerk to do what she has a ministerial duty to do, which is simply pay into the fund." The filing argues that Childers must do so by county ordinance, a binding contract between the County and the ICMA Retirement Corporation that has been in place since 1997, and Florida statute that establishes her as the Board's "clerk and accountant." The document states, "The Clerk's sole function with respect to the County's retirement plan is to issue checks on behalf of the County to the County's designated investment company." In June, Childers said she and her staff reviewed the plan for over a year. She began to make discounted contributions to the ICMA accounts of Commissioners Steven Barry, Robert Bender and Lumon May based on a formula she created. She repeatedly called the county's 401(a) retirement illegal for the county commissioners during June and July. Childers said, "I suggest

you get a good solid attorney opinion when you pick your rates, or we will be in court, sir." On July 22, Childers told the board, "The state has determined it is illegal to have a 401(a) for elected officials. They emailed me yesterday." The clerk failed to produce any such email, so she created one to herself that she gave to the daily newspaper. The commissioners did hire a "good attorney" and got two legal opinions that stated the ICMA plan was legal, but that didn't satisfy the clerk. On August 20, she announced that she didn't accept the legal opinions at a public meeting. "I still believe that the ICMA contribution plan for elected officials is outside general law," she said. "I cannot find any language that is permissive of it. I will conclude my research. I will provide formal writing. Those of you that are in the plan, I will give you plenty of time to decide what you want to do as a county or as an individual when the contributions cease." She refused to join the board in asking for an Attorney General opinion. Commissioner Robert Bender asked, "Pam, why can't we just jointly request the Attorney General's opinion?" Childers replied, "I have a feeling where we'll get stuck is how you present the issues and how I present the issues." The clerk continued to make partial payments until January, when she stopped paying into the commissioners' ICMA accounts, thus pushing the commissioner to seek remedy in court. Commissioner Jeff Bergosh told Inweekly that he didn't want to take this matter to court, but Childers left the board with no other choice. "We cannot allow someone who does not have the right to terminate contracts, or specify contracts, to come in and say that she doesn't like something and so, therefore, she's not going to pay it," said Bergosh. "That cannot be allowed to stand. It would set a very dangerous precedent." What's next? Rafferty said the clerk would have a chance to respond and make her arguments. He said, "There will be discovery. There will be depositions. We will find out what the true facts are and what's going on, and once we do, then the court will make the decision." {in}

MOST INVESTMENT LOSSES ARE FROM PRODUCTS WITH CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS PETER J. MOUGEY | Recovered $250 Million on Behalf of over 3,000 Investors SECURITIES & BUSINESS LITIGATION | HOLD YOUR STOCK BROKER ACCOUNTABLE

850.435.7000 | LEVINLAW.COM | PENSACOLA, FL 88

inweekly.net

Inweekly published the first version of what would become Rising Stars in 2005. It was a small special section, recognizing a handful of young leaders in the community. At the time, the Pensacola Business Journal—a monthly publication affiliated with the Pensacola News Journal—published a "40 under 40" feature. We felt their list was stacked toward established names, and almost everyone was approaching 40. Only three of their honorees had less than 30 candles on their birthday cakes. So we decided to shout out a few people under the age of 35 whom we thought they overlooked. It wasn't a large group, but this nucleus deserved to be recognized for the work they were doing. Plus, they formed the core group upon which the Pensacola Young Professionals was built.

The following year, we opened up the nomination process to readers, business owners, supervisors and community leaders. We received over 100 nominations. With that, Rising Stars was officially born. We've published this issue every winter since then. Over the past 15 years, Rising Stars has been a constant source of pride for this newspaper, the honorees, their companies and the community in general. Many of those selected have gone to do impressive things, such as opening small businesses and running for public office. With the 2022 class, we've recognized 823 up-and-coming leaders since 2005. These Rising Star, like their predecessors, will be game-changers. We can't wait to see what they do next.

Photos by Wave Photo by Aislinn Kate February 3, 2022

010 1

inweekly.net

RISING STARS 2022 BRETT ALDRIDGE

Senior Vice President, Baptist Hospital (Baptist Health Care)

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Control what you can, and what you can't, give to God.

What makes your job 'click' for you? The opportunity to be part of a team that saves lives, provides care and heals in the community where I grew up is incredibly meaningful. It's all about the people—team members, patients and community helping each other throughout life's journey.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Our new health campus on Brent Lane is the most rewarding and transformative project I've ever worked on. The impact it will have on our region for generations to come is unprecedented. Modern health care in Northwest Florida will be

completely transformed for the benefit of our entire community. What keeps you in Pensacola? My family, my Baptist Health Care family and our incredible community keep me in Pensacola. The growth and progress we have made as a community since my childhood and through the last 10 years is exciting and inspiring.

DR. TERA ALI

SYDNEY ALLEN

What makes your job 'click' for you? My primary responsibility is to ensure that the students who are enrolled in my courses develop the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to be successful within their future careers as health care administrators. Knowing that the courses I have developed will contribute to the advancement of health care is gratifying.

What makes your job 'click' for you? The root of marketing and social media is storytelling, and I have always been a storyteller. Whether it's through writing, photography, video or graphic art, there's a brand story to be told, and I have the incredibly fulfilling role of bringing it to life. What's the best advice you've ever been given? "If you don't see the book you want on the shelf, write it." This Beverly Cleary quote has acted as a metaphor for many things in my life and career. If an opportunity or idea doesn't exist, I know it's time to create it myself.

Health Sciences and Administration Faculty, University of West Florida

What's the best advice you've ever been given? "If you give up now, you'll always be in the same place," was advice from my mother. "Do what you have to do for you and don't feel bad about doing it," was advice from my father. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Being a part of the Greater Pensacola Chamber's greatest Leadership Pensacola class ever (c/o 2020). In partnership with onbikes Pensacola, we executed the project "Read to Ride." We volunteered at O.J. Semmes Elementary School, contributed to and observed student

BRITTNEY BARNETT

Director of Sustainability, Innisfree Hotels What makes your job 'click' for you? I feel so grateful that I am working within an organization that is people-centric and purpose-driven. When I accepted this position, I knew I wanted to be at an organization that aligned with my values of prioritizing people and was open to innovative ideas activating my creative side. What's the best advice you've ever been given? Years ago, I was working in an industry

February 3, 2022

Digital and Social Media Specialist, Pen Air Federal Credit Union

progress, and assembled and gifted 200-plus bikes for the students. What keeps you in Pensacola? Family. My mother was born and raised on the outskirts of the city. Therefore, we have a significant amount of relatives in the area. As an only child, who was also an "Army brat," having the opportunity to fellowship with family (often) means the world to me.

dominated by older men. Meetings were often daunting. A mentor told me, "The reality is, most people have no idea what they're doing." It was the empowerment I needed at that moment to speak up, trust my gut and voice my opinion. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I volunteered teaching English with an organization in Peru after graduation. Within six months of teaching, I had learned so much from my former students. They had this deep appreciation for

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I was part of a group of emerging leaders who developed a program called "NOW Financial Freedom" at Pen Air. NOW became a successful yearlong program in which three families compete for $5,000 by working with a Pen Air Financial Counselor to lower debt and increase savings to reach financial freedom.

What keeps you in Pensacola? Pensacola provides the best sense of community that I've ever experienced because its citizens truly rally for their passions and their people. It's admirable that such a diverse community can effortlessly come together in any hour of need. The compassion I have witnessed in our town is unmatched.

life and its simplicity that enriched my perspective on life. What keeps you in Pensacola? The people that choose to live here have done so for a reason—they are driven and share a passion to ensure Pensacola is thriving. It's inspiring and drives my passion of balancing preservation of Pensacola's beautiful natural environment while providing a sustainable community for the present and future generations.

discipline, dedication and experiences have made me a better photographer. Never putting the camera down means remaining dedicated to growth no matter the challenges. Years later, I've been able to mentor others, share my skill set and help others find their personal motivation.

KE'ANDRE BEASLEY Photographer/Cinematographer, Giant Productions CEO

What makes your job 'click' for you? What makes my job click for me is the ability to transform my clients' ideas and dreams into a reality. It's a pleasure to memorialize people's greatest moments and achievements, including graduations, weddings and maternity.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I captured on a national tour with a multi-platinum recording artist. The project pushed me to great limits and allowed me to tailor my talents in new ways. These skills have carried over into my local work to create new, unique ways to capture precious moments for Pensacola families. What keeps you in Pensacola? The family community and small-business friendly atmosphere in the panhandle encourages me to remain a Pensacola photographer. My family is a vital part of the Giant Productions team. Commercials I've captured for local businesses have grown their customer base, furthered their reach and carved out space for success in Pensacola.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Don't put the camera down. Consistent

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Not to sweat the small stuff. Once I learned to let trivial things go and not dwell on insignificant situations, my ability to focus on the critical aspects of my job soared. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. The most rewarding project I have worked on was a total website redesign completed in early 2021. It was a cumbersome project, and I had never worked on anything like it before. The final result was fantastic and has elevated the company's brand and messaging.

www.cleartitlenwfl.com

Congratulations to Zachary Noel and all of the 2022 Rising Stars for Your Commitment to Building a Better Community

212 1

KACIE BITTNER Marketing Manager, IRIS

What makes your job 'click' for you? The ability to be creative is essential to me. Managing the marketing efforts for IRIS allows me to exercise creativity for everything from strategy to designing social media content. Additionally, the company mission is admirable and easy to get behind and promote.

What keeps you in Pensacola? First and foremost, my job at IRIS. I moved to Pensacola in 2018 and was hired that year as well. Secondly are the connections and friendships I have developed throughout the last four years.

inweekly.net

RISING STARS 2022 MONIQUE BROWN

STEPHANIE CAMPBELL

What makes your job 'click' for you? Helping others is my happiness. My daily job is to help my team and everyone I work with to make their job a little bit easier every day. "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another."—Charles Dickens

What makes your job 'click' for you? Mergers and acquisitions can be both intimidating and challenging to navigate. I enjoy being able to support my clients and ensure all goes smoothly on the financial side and that the deal is successful.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Always go. A wise woman has always told me, "Go if you are invited. Get up, get dressed and always go. Life is short, eat the cake and enjoy every day."—Shelli Brown (Mom)

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Measure twice, cut once. While I'm admittedly tired of hearing my husband use the expression during our weekend projects, it has proven to be very valuable advice in my line of work. Above all else, our clients rely on the accuracy of our work to make sound investment decisions.

Administrative Manager, Emergency Care Partners

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. My job is a continuous loop of projects where each one is just as important and rewarding as the last. Currently, I'm leading a complete buildout for ECP's new corporate office on Palafox. This is one of my favorite projects because I'm

Transaction Advisory Services Manager, Warren Averett

curating a customized workspace for our corporate team. What keeps you in Pensacola? It is home for me. As soon as I moved to Pensacola, it felt like home. The community, my job, family and friends. Pensacola has my heart and I love waking up here every day.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Aside from advising clients on financial due diligence, I've volunteered with Covenant Care's MyWish program and have participated in a few truly remarkable experiences for their patients.

What keeps you in Pensacola? Growing up in Pensacola, it's always held a special place in my heart. We moved back a couple years ago and love being closer to our families. It's exciting to be part of a community that's grown so tremendously and still has such potential.

The Watson Firm Congratulates

ATTORNEY

CHELSIE GREEN on making the 2022 Rising Star List.

850 S. Palafox St., Suite 202 Pensacola, FL 32502 PH: (850) 607-2929 February 3, 2022

watsonfirm.com 13

RISING STARS 2022 What's the best advice you've ever been given? "Your business is only as healthy as you are." We are so inundated with this constant pressure to be more and do more at the expense of ourselves and our sanity. Prioritizing caring for yourself and your family over business is key to a solid work-life balance.

SARAH COLEMAN Owner and Photographer, Sarah Coleman Photography

What makes your job 'click' for you? Having the opportunity to take part in and document people's most cherished moments is easily the best part of what I do. Once I realized I had the ability to encourage others and show them how beautiful and unique they are through photos is when it really clicked for me.

414 1

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I've had the opportunity to document a friend of mine's family adopting two little boys, and nothing has resonated with me in the way photographing that adoption did. Seeing the raw emotion and joy and hope in that courtroom was unlike anything else. What keeps you in Pensacola? Although I left for a brief period of time for college, Pensacola has been and always will be home. You just can't beat the people here. The spirit of hospitality and encouragement from the arts community is unreal.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? The best advice I've been given is that I don't have to have everything figured out. It's OK to always be learning and growing while celebrating the progress you have made. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. In mid-2021, The Spring was able to attend Minority Business Expo. The opportunity to connect with minority-owned businesses in Pensacola and talk to them about their needs and how The Spring can meet those needs was so incredibly rewarding.

ARJUNA COLES

Operations Assistant, The Spring Entrepreneur Hub/Studer Community Institute What makes your job 'click' for you? At The Spring Entrepreneur Hub, it's our mission to serve entrepreneurs in the Pensacola area. Being surrounded by entrepreneurs and business leaders and seeing their passion is incredibly energizing.

What keeps you in Pensacola? Pensacola has an intimate atmosphere. I enjoy being a part of a community that values growth and finds ways to work together to create a better place to live.

inweekly.net

RISING STARS 2022 CJ DANCY

MarketPoint Sales Representative, Humana What makes your job 'click' for you? I get the chance to help people every day. When I lay my head down at night, I can feel confident that I did the right thing for the right reason. Helping people is what I was created to do. What's the best advice you've ever been given? The best advice I've been given is, read

two books and then write your own. Life is too short to live on other people's perspective. Trust in God and the rest will work itself out. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Coordinating food giveaways with a local church in Pensacola during the pandemic. The look of joy on an individual's face when his or her prayers are answered is priceless. Being an intricate part of the process is worth the long hours to see others smile.

RYAN DEDEAUX

JENNIFER DEMPS

Physician Assistant, Ascension Sacred Heart, Orthopedic Surgery

Owner, Signature Event Lounge

What makes your job 'click' for you? I love creating and connecting people. My job clicks for me because I am able to identify a niche in my community transform the space to support that need as well as use my venue to connect the client with other small business owners. What's the best advice you've ever been given? My family taught me there are two important words that give your name value more than any others—integrity and character. Be someone who people can rely on. Put quality and thought in everything you do.

What makes your job 'click' for you? I feel blessed to work in a field that I love alongside very experienced and passionate surgeons. The team of which I am a part of works cohesively to serve our patients, which is extremely fulfilling. What's the best advice you've ever been given? Show up early, be the hardest working person in the room and earn your spot at the table. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. During PA school, traveling with CMMSA alongside other allied health professions to serve on a medical mission trip to Peru. During our time in Peru, I was able to work in several clinics to serve rural populations without access to regular healthcare.

WILLIE DEMPS

Real Estate Agent/Owner and Leader, The Demps Team at Levin Rinke Realty What makes your job 'click' for you? I love seeing the smiles—sometimes the shocked faces—of satisfied clients. The homeownership journey can be scary, but helping others achieve those goals is worth everything you do to go the extra mile, to see those reactions on closing day.

February 3, 2022

What keeps you in Pensacola? Pensacola is home. I was born here, and I've had to opportunity to watch it grow over the years. Why not stay and help be part of the solution to make our city a better place for now and the foreseeable future?

What keeps you in Pensacola? After meeting my wife, who is a Pensacola native, in PA school, we came back to the area, and I felt instantly welcomed into her family. As our family grows, as well as my career, my hope is to be in Pensacola forever.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? My college football coach told us champions are made by how you deal with adversity. So every morning, get up and prepare yourself to meet every challenge with wisdom and determination. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. My team and I went out to volunteer this year at several different places. Volunteering at the There Is Hope Center really stuck out. We met some

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I had the privilege to create an event that not only brought women together in the beauty industry but also raised awareness about domestic violence in our area. A Night in Oz hair show was a platform for people to start the conversation about the early signs of domestic violence.

What keeps you in Pensacola? Pensacola is my home. I love driving around town to see what new business has opened its doors, especially a business that embraces arts, entertainment and culture. I never wanted to complain about what Pensacola doesn't have but instead continue to contribute to the growth of our city.

really great people and heard some amazing stories. Hopefully, we were a source of help and a positive influence of the community. What keeps you in Pensacola? My support system is in Pensacola. My family and friends help fuel my success. I love seeing the growth and development of Pensacola. The city is much more vibrant, with things to do and see. Pensacola is becoming a very attractive city, and many will want to call it home.

RISING STARS 2022 NATHAN DILLAHA

Design Director, Levin Rinke Realty; Fruit Drawing Pixel Daddy and Founding Member, Big Jerk Soda Co.; Product Designer and Founding Member, Neat Boutique What makes your job 'click' for you? Essentially, I just like to work on projects where I'm solving problems and coming up with ideas. Being creative across multiple disciplines is what really keeps me going.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? "Lean into the curve." Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. A few years ago, a friend came to me with an idea. I helped them name the product, created marketing materials for them and helped them make business decisions. I was instantly addicted. Since then, I've helped seven other start-ups, and I don't think I can stop.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Do not be afraid to ask questions. You learn more when you learn to listen rather than to speak.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? My mom has always been one of my biggest supporters. She engrained in me and my siblings to always push yourself. When I'm in a tough situation, I think back to her encouraging words, and it motivates me to be persistent, give my all and go the extra mile.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Creating a spreadsheet for all of the local elderly residents who had any debris or trash in their lawn or area to get their issues resolved. Getting people to their families for the holidays. What keeps you in Pensacola? I want to give back to the city that has given so much to me.

CHANCE DONALDSON

KATIE DOUGHTY

Management, Enterprise Escambia County Board of County Commissioners

Legislative Aide, State Representative Alex Andrade (Florida House of Representatives)

What makes your job 'click' for you? Making someone else's life easier in whatever way I can and being a reliable source for somebody in their time of need.

What makes your job 'click' for you? The relationships I've made through the community I serve brings me fulfillment. I'm fortunate enough to be in a position that allows me to learn about Pensacola and its residents. I love being able to improve the lives of the residents and help bolster the community of Pensacola.

LAUREN FENNELL-CUTTER Owner/Stylist, De NOVO Salon

What makes your job 'click' for you? Being raised in the industry, I have always had a love for doing hair and creating relationships with clients in our community. After 21 years of being in the industry, I have developed a huge passion for helping others become successful in our industry.

616 1

What keeps you in Pensacola? The people. This is where my friends and family are. The older I get, the more I realize the importance of being part of a community and growing it. That and Odd Colony.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff. You can't control the cards you are dealt with daily, but how you respond is what helps create success. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. De NOVO Salon started our annual Cut-a-thon five years ago. It is our opportunity to raise money for child abuse awareness. We donate the money we make to Gulf Coast Kid's House and Child

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. After the tragic NAS shooting, our office mailed 300 letters to first responders and various community members acknowledging their bravery and commitment. On the first anniversary, we coordinated with Governor DeSantis to provide signed, framed proclamations honoring the victims, their families and first responders for every victim and their families. What keeps you in Pensacola? The Pensacola community has a tight-knit feel that you do not experience in every area, from the authentic people to the lively events and the charming neighborhoods. I feel lucky to have moved to such a unique, desirable city, and I can confidently say that Pensacola is my forever home.

Help. The De NOVO team uses this opportunity to give back with our passion and skill. What keeps you in Pensacola? The constant growth and opportunities Pensacola creates professionally and the sense of community never cease to amaze me. I feel thankful as a mother raising children and inspired as a business owner to live in this city.

inweekly.net

RISING STARS 2022 JEFF FLETCHER

MONIQUE FOUNTAIN

What makes your job 'click' for you? I enjoy helping people to help people. We face new challenges every day at Lakeview, and being able to help team members problem solve and help others is great. I also enjoy making sure our team has all the tools it needs to succeed in our mission.

What makes your job 'click' for you? Being able to implement best practices for my department ensures the best possible care for our kiddos. Ensuring my team provides great customer service is always my top priority.

Director of Outpatient Services and Medical Operations, Lakeview Center

What's the best advice you've ever been given? My dad always told me, "Before making a decision, stop and consider all of the people that will be impacted by that decision. Always be fair and honest. It shouldn't take extra effort to be nice and treat people the way you want to be treated." Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I was part of the team that helped test and train team members on a new electronic health record system. The project impacts almost every team member and client. It is satisfying to see it in use now, helping us with our mission.

Supervisor of Pediatric Oncology, Ascension Sacred Heart

What keeps you in Pensacola? Saltwater brought me here, and my dream to live near the coast will likely keep me here for a long time. I have developed great friendships here, and now my brothers live close, too. The Pensacola area has a great culture and is a great place to raise my boys.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Being the director of the middle and high school program for the Pensacola Omega Lamplighters has been the most rewarding project for me. I'm able to mentor our future leaders of tomorrow and be a part of seeing young men transition from good to great.

What keeps you in Pensacola? My fiancé and I were born and raised in Pensacola. We believe in the motto that it takes a village to raise a child. We are surrounded by family and friends and raising our daughter in the place we call home.

Congratulations T O O U R RI S I N G S T A R CHEF CAROLYN ORE C he f de C u isi n e

6205 N 9th Avenue | Pensacola, Florida GeorgeBistroAndBar.com February 3, 2022

RISING STARS 2022 What's the best advice you've ever been given? "Life is not written in the stars. The pen is in your hands; the universe co-writes it with you."—CT

lessons that become opportunities to grow as a person, coach, mentor and professional. What's the best advice you've ever been given? Follow your curiosity. As we all evolve, we need to embrace what sparks our interests and keeps us going. The desire to be better and continue growing should always be refreshing and motivating.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. As part of the Engineers Without Borders Wish4Wash team, we focused on providing innovative solutions to global water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) problems, focusing on the benefits of self-cleaning compost toilets. The purpose of the project was to help numerous communities affected by the lack of access to proper hygiene.

KRISTINA GANDARA Environmental Engineer, Baskerville-Donovan, Inc.

What makes your job 'click' for you? Working at BDI has allowed me to integrate both my passions and skills to make high level impact in the community where I work in. Not only have I been able to grow at a professional level but also be part of an amazing group of people, the BDI family.

818 1

What keeps you in Pensacola? The past couple of months, I have come to learn Pensacola is so much more than sugar-white beaches and amazing weather. Pensacola has given me meaningful friendships, a start at my professional career and the opportunity to learn (and be a part) of lively traditions surrounding such a city.

PATI GANDOLFO Head Volleyball Coach, Pensacola State College

What makes your job 'click' for you? I am a believer in relationships, and this profession allows me to connect with the student-athletes by giving them guidance and mentorship while competing in a sport, and that brings me joy. The athletics world provides life

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. During my senior year playing college volleyball, our team organized a fundraiser to help the Global Orphan Fund (GOF) in Nicaragua. We spent a week in Nicaragua and visited several institutions in need. Aside from bringing funds to the GOF project, we also brought donation items for the local community. What keeps you in Pensacola? Aside from Pensacola being a beautiful place, the people here are what truly makes me happy. My wife and I have great jobs, and I love working at Pensacola State College. I'm surrounded by hardworking, driven people that have a great vision for the future of PSC and Pensacola.

inweekly.net

RISING STARS 2022 STEPHANA GAUDIN Learning Content Developer, Studer Community Institute

What makes your job 'click' for you? My job allows me to combine my skills in content development with my passion to help others. At SCI, we work every day to improve the quality of life for others, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of a team that is really making an impact. What's the best advice you've ever been given? What would you really like to do if

you knew you could not fail? Whatever that is should be what drives you because the most successful people are those that do what they love. Don't worry about failure; worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. The EntreCon Awards presented by Cox Business is my favorite event every year. Hearing a business owner's excitement (sometimes tears of joy) when we tell them they're being recognized

DALONTE GIBSON

Attorney, The Watson Firm

What makes your job 'click' for you? Knowing that I am serving the community and helping those who have been wronged ignites what feels like my purpose.

What makes your job 'click' for you? I enjoy helping people and networking to achieve a bigger result. I have the pleasure of working with a great company, Navy Federal Credit Union, as well as great business partners, Brandon Capehart and D'Andre Toler, which makes it easy for my job to click.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. The most important project I have worked on would be the opening of Pressure Footwear and Apparel retail store. It allowed me a chance to be part of something I am really passionate about, as well as provide a new business for the community.

DANA HALL

What's the best advice you've ever been given? I have been given some great advice through the years, but sometimes simplicity is best. The mantra, "I can do hard things," from my favorite Peloton instructor is my goto in tough moments.

What keeps you in Pensacola? What keeps me in Pensacola are the goals I have set for myself as well as my family. Following my sister, Michell Brooks, and brother-in-law, Tavaris Brooks, with Peaklife Medical Clinic, I plan on opening more businesses that give back to the community.

Development Manager, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research

What's the best advice you've ever been given? "When making decisions about your career and life's path, always follow your passion. If you do that, success will come."—My dad

What makes your job 'click' for you? I've always had a passion for serving the community and helping others, especially children. Rally is the perfect home for me. My role allows me to connect with members of the community and share that passion with them. It's an honor to garner support for such a meaningful mission.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. My first big project at Rally was to coordinate and lead the annual candlelight vigil that honors the children who have passed away from cancer. I've never felt more connected to a mission and

February 3, 2022

What keeps you in Pensacola? I truly love this community. The growth and progress we've achieved has been tremendous, and I'm grateful that I can be a part of it. My hope is that the work we're doing to make Pensacola a great place to live continues so that my own children have opportunities here.

CHELSIE GREEN

Fraud Investigation Specialist, Navy Federal Credit Union; Co-owner, Pressure Footwear and Apparel/The Sneaker Party

What's the best advice you've ever been given? "Not everything you face can be changed, but nothing can be changed until you face it."—James Baldwin

and honored for their contributions makes me proud of the work we do at SCI to support our business community.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Helping a young mother find answers for the wrongful death of a child has been one of the most rewarding projects in a very rare unique circumstance, but that is our job. People come to us (lawyers) during some of the most difficult times of their lives. Compassion is everything.

What keeps you in Pensacola? Some may feel that big cities bring more opportunities, but I am a firm believer that experiences are what you make them to be. This is my outlook on the Pensacola community as well. There is a culture here like no other; it just needs to be tapped into.

motivated to make a difference. It was such a moving experience, and I'll never forget it. What keeps you in Pensacola? When I came to Pensacola five years ago, I wasn't sure if I would stay. It didn't take long for me to realize how unique and special it is. Today, I'm making a difference in the community and blessed with so many meaningful relationships. I'm proud to call Pensacola home.

RISING STARS 2022 MAYRA HEITMAN

Public Relations and Outreach Coordinator, WUWF Public Media What makes your job 'click' for you? Being in a position that wears many different hats is where I tend to thrive. One day I am accomplishing tasks in the public relations area, and the next I am taking a deep dive into graphic design. I am a creative person, so this type of work inspires me.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? "Don't be afraid to fail." I challenge myself to take on projects that push me out of my comfort zone. That's when I find I can succeed at tasks, no matter how daunting they may seem. This was a huge lesson that helped me grow immensely, both personally and professionally. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. WUWF's 40th Anniversary Campaign. I enjoyed strategizing and finding the best way to represent the

to keep doing my small part to better serve our wonderful students, faculty and staff.

MADELINE HELLER

Coordinator/Administrative Support, Pensacola State College What makes your job 'click' for you? When I hear the success stories of our students, I am excited for them and their families because I know their education will lead them to greater achievements in life. I feel motivated

What keeps you in Pensacola? When I moved to Pensacola in 2014, I planned to stick around until I received my degree, but, thankfully, life had other plans, and I completely fell in love with the city. Pensacola is where I found my husband, friends that turned into family and a job that I love.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? "When you're not learning, you're not growing. When you're not growing, you're not improving. When you're not improving, you're not living."

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Find a mentor and do what they are doing. I have been blessed with amazing mentors and leaders, both professional and personal, who always make time to answer my questions, offer advice and encourage my growth.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Hurricane Sally hit and disrupted the community. The PSC administration formed a taskforce charged with contacting students to assess their needs during the challenging time. It was an opportunity to connect with students and ensure they had the resources needed to recover.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. My 8-yearold daughter and I coordinated an event to support a local third-grade girl who suffered from severe bullying at school. Several families gathered together to celebrate her strength and be a friend. The outpouring of love and support from total strangers was life changing for me.

What keeps you in Pensacola? I am grateful to have been born and raised in Pensacola. I appreciate the familiarity and love the spirit and innovation Pensacola has. Most importantly, I am surrounded by family and friends who make living here extra special.

KATE WALDO JONES

Owner, Kate Waldo + Co., Orchid Organizing, & Simplified Lux Life What makes your job 'click' for you? What drives me every day is being able to help people live easier, more enjoyable lives. Life is too short not to enjoy it while also making an impact. I am so grateful for the opportunity to help others create more impact while operating in their zone-of-genius.

020 2

station for this big milestone. My passion for branding and graphic design grew greatly while working on this project. That and being a part of the team's collaboration is what made the campaign so rewarding.

MICHELLE JACKSON

Accounting Director, Baptist Health Care What makes your job 'click' for you? There is something special about working for an organization that makes a difference in our community. But what sets Baptist apart for me, without a doubt, is the people. Our team is a family. Working with others who truly believe in and live our mission every day is so inspiring.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? "Give yourself grace." As an entrepreneur, we grind, push and hustle to "make it," yet we forget to give ourselves grace. We are human, we make mistakes, and we need breaks. Grace is the most important form of self-care. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Increasing one of my clients' revenue by $1.6 million has been one of my favorite and most rewarding experiences. By streamlining their processes

What keeps you in Pensacola? From the moment I moved here in 2006, I knew I was home. I love how Pensacola, while rich in history, has embraced growth, change and diversity. I love this community and can't imagine raising my children anywhere else.

and making their team more efficient at its core, we also gave the CEO and COO an opportunity to step away from daily operations to focus on growth. What keeps you in Pensacola? Like many people, I took time to reevaluate my situation during 2020 and chose to relocate my business headquarters to Pensacola permanently. The gorgeous beaches, collaborative entrepreneurial spirit and iced honey lattes literally make my new home feel like paradise.

inweekly.net

RISING STARS 2022 CHRISTOPHER KING

MEL KNOWLTON

Real Estate Agent, Keller Williams Realty Gulf Coast

Director of Brand and Client Experience, Aislinn Kate Weddings and Wave Photo

What makes your job 'click' for you? Helping families navigate and acquire the most important asset they will own is an important aspect. Also, I love to learn. Each encounter with a client is different and requires me to navigate the situation the way they understand best. It keeps me sharp.

What makes your job 'click' for you? For me, it is the people. From our amazing team to our clients, my job is constantly filled with incredibly kind and talented individuals. Even more, I have a huge role in making sure that someone's most memorable day becomes a cherished memory for the rest of their lives.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Everyone will have an opinion. Decide what type of person you want to be and take advice from people who have been where you want to go.

knowledge that was able to be passed down in day-to-day conversations.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. My biggest deal was $1.34 million, and it was rewarding to network with people purchasing an asset of that stature. I was able to soak in all the

What keeps you in Pensacola? I believe Pensacola is the perfect size. It has enough opportunity for you to make a name but not so much competition that you can't be noticed.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? While here with us on Earth, one of the greatest men I've ever known, my late father in-law, often said, "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." This advice pushes me to stay ready and approach each day with a proactive mindset and speaks to the devotion necessary for success. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I am lucky. Our clientele's most momentous life events and milestones begin with a phone call to our office. I immediately become invested in every single one of them from weddings,

babies, graduations, etc. When it's over, they can look back at that moment and remember how good it felt. What keeps you in Pensacola? After moving here in 2012, Pensacola quickly became home. At first, it was the Blue Angels and Gallery Nights. Then, it was meeting my husband to having our first child. In the past 10 years, this city has grown with my family. Pensacola is the greatest city in the world.

Congratulations to our 2022 Rising Stars! Monique Brown Administrative Manager

Jessica Ogden National Business Development Manager

An Emergency Care Partners Group

BANNER STATE EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS

Emergency Care Partners (ECP) is proud to call downtown Pensacola home to our national headquarters. ECP is a national emergency medicine physician group practice, treating more than 1 million patients annually. We provide our physician groups with the resources to thrive in today’s healthcare landscape. www.ecp.net | 40 S. Palafox St. 4th Floor | Pensacola, FL 32502 February 3, 2022

RISING STARS 2022 What's the best advice you've ever been given? Never forget how hard the game was to play.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? The Golden Rule—Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is something that my parents have instilled in me from a young age that I will always carry with me.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Taking over the worst NJCAA baseball program in the state and leading them to a conference championship a few years later.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Helping decide the chat vendor that would make online chat be available for all Gulf Winds members is the most rewarding project I have worked on to date. This has been a huge success for our organization and an honor to be a part of.

CHARLA LEE

Member Service Representative III, Gulf Winds Credit Union What makes your job 'click' for you? My job "clicks" knowing I get to do something each day that I am so passionate about. That passion I speak about is helping others determine their goals and then find ways to help them achieve those goals.

222 2

What keeps you in Pensacola? The people. The community. I have met some incredible people while working in Pensacola, and I have witnessed those same people come together to help others during a crisis.

What keeps you in Pensacola? Family, home and the unique opportunity to live in a place that offers so much for everyone and is poised for growth.

BRYAN LEWALLYN

Athletic Director/Head Baseball Coach, Pensacola State College What makes your job 'click' for you? I love working with young people, helping them develop, grow and mature into leaders and quality members of society.

inweekly.net

KRIS LONG

General Manager, Pensacola Lighting Professional Basketball Team/Owner Gulf Coast Hoops

Congratulations to Zachary Noel

What makes your job 'click' for you? Making decisions that ensure the long-term success of the team, both from a financial and on-court perspective. Being responsible for turning a profit, roster management, appointing personnel and making public appearances. Hosting tournaments and seeing the smiles on kids' faces at tournaments. Also meeting coaches from other states. What's the best advice you've ever been given? "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."—Martin Luther King, Jr. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I organized a peaceful protest with 400-plus people in attendance. At this protest, the mayor of

Milton, the chief of police of Milton, former county commissioner, an ER doctor and a pediatrician all spoke about police brutality and social injustice. What keeps you in Pensacola? My church, family and friends. I love Pensacola.

and all of the 2022 Rising Stars for Your Commitment to Building a Better Community PENSACOLA OFFICE 127 Palafox Place, Suite 200 Pensacola, FL 32502 850.202.8522

SANTA ROSA BEACH OFFICE 6757 US Hwy 98, Suite 102 Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 850.608.0112

www.moorheadlaw.com BUSINESS LITIGATION REAL ESTATE LAW

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS TRUSTS AND ESTATES

LIZBETH MABRY

Fund Development Coordinator, Florida Justice Association What makes your job 'click' for you? Working with the association's members and my team. We all work together so well and appreciate each other's efforts. What's the best advice you've ever been given? Just make a decision and make it the best decision you could have made. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. On a campaign, my employer was concerned about my former work alliances being a conflict of interest. By the end of the campaign, she and I built trust and friendship. When the campaign ended, she said, "You are a very determined woman," which is a compliment I still hold dear. What keeps you in Pensacola? My family and community. I grew up in Pensacola and moved away for college and the years after. Now that I'm back, I appreciate the area, people and culture here. It's a beautiful community to be a part of.

February 3, 2022

Congratulations to the Rising Stars of Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart What's the best advice you've ever been given? Stay true to your purpose. Regardless of circumstances and how they appear, if you are committed to your cause, you will be fulfilled.

Ryan Dedeaux, PA-C Physician Assistant, Orthopedics Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart

Monique Fountain Supervisor, Pediatric Oncology Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. The most rewarding project I've worked on was with my principal at Montclair Elementary and the assistant principal at Pensacola High School. Our task was to bring cultural awareness and reflecting on the necessity of equality to all Escambia County employees.

Anthony Porterfield Physician Recruiter Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart

BRIANA MCCREARY Teacher, Montclair Elementary

What makes your job 'click' for you? Inspiring, teaching, guiding, nurturing and supporting children truly brings me joy. The "click" comes directly from the students when they show they appreciate or have absorbed what I have poured in them.

What keeps you in Pensacola? I am a Pensacola native, and I want to pour power and positivity back into the city. Plus, you can't get any better than a family-oriented city with a beautiful beach.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? The best advice I've been given is to treat myself as I would my own best friend. Too often, as clinicians, we become so involved with helping those we serve that we forget to be kind to ourselves. Self-care is essential for us all.

SWENEDA MCDONALD Program Director, Medication Assisted Program at Lakeview Center

What makes your job 'click' for you? There's an indescribable feeling that comes along with being able to witness people overcoming the challenges of drug and alcohol dependence, trauma and emotional health issues. Collaborating with people to enhance their emotional hygiene and thrive in life is an inspiring and humbling experience.

424 2

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Training for and utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) into my clinical modality has been extremely rewarding. I have been able to help people overcome trauma they believed was otherwise impossible to resolve with use of EMDR. I'm simultaneously rewarded by witnessing the growth of others. What keeps you in Pensacola? Home, as they say, is where the heart is. I'm blessed to have a supportive environment in several areas. My family encourages me daily. My colleagues motivate me. My community inspires me. If I might add, I'm also partial to a good Blues Burger.

inweekly.net

RISING STARS 2022 JORDAN MCKINNEY

Teacher, Pensacola Beach Elementary School What makes your job 'click' for you? My students are certainly what make my job click for me. Every year, seeing the future of our community walk through my classroom doors and getting to pour into them is the greatest joy in my career. The love and compassion they show is unparalleled.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? The best advice I've been given is that if something doesn't sit right with you, or you believe it can be done in a more meaningful way, get on your feet and do it. Nothing positive in this world is created on the sidelines. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. The most rewarding project I have worked on is founding the local nonprofit Positively Pensacola. Getting to watch local women come together to serve the

community, as well as build connections and friendships, has truly been the greatest blessing. I cannot wait to see it continue to flourish. What keeps you in Pensacola? I was fortunate enough to have been born in the Pensacola area and have seen how far our city has come. However, even more so, I see all the potential of where we are heading. The people are positive, resilient and welcoming. They are the reason I love this city.

KATIE MEISTER

SEAN MULLINS

What makes your job 'click' for you? I love organizing and executing events, as well as being involved in creative strategy and execution. My job allows me to stretch my creative abilities in both areas.

What makes your job 'click' for you? I've always strived to make people happy, and Pensacola Vibes has been my outlet to do just that.

Marketing Manager, Cox Communications

Owner, Pensacola Vibes

What's the best advice you've ever been given? There's no mistakes, only happy accidents.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Do what you love and are passionate about, and you will never work a day in your life. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Each year, Cox participates in United Way Day of Caring, and a few years ago, I had the opportunity to participate at Capstone Academy in Pensacola. Being able to give back to the community and such an amazing organization was such a fulfilling experience.

ZACHARY NOEL

Business Development, Moorhead Law Group What makes your job 'click' for you? I am fortunate to work with a tight-knit team that achieves goals through intention and focus. We have built a culture of high performance, where people are valued and strengths are cultivated. I love working on many different projects to help our team reach new milestones.

February 3, 2022

What keeps you in Pensacola? I grew up in Pensacola, attended both undergraduate and graduate school at UWF, and knew this is where I wanted to grow my career and raise a family. We are surrounded by a great community of family and friends in a place that we are proud to call home.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? You are the average of the five people with whom you surround yourself. Choose wisely. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. In 2021, we expanded into new markets and added talented new members to our team. This entailed opening two new offices. My role was to oversee

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. My end-ofthe-year videos are always the most rewarding for me. Putting all the footage I've taken together really humbles me and makes me proud to live in this city. What keeps you in Pensacola? Well, ya know, it's a vibe.

the entirety of each project, and watching it all come to fruition was highly satisfying. What keeps you in Pensacola? My growing family, the wonderful people working tirelessly to improve our community and the beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico are many of the reasons I call Pensacola my home.

RISING STARS 2022 KATHLEEN NORWOOD Annual Giving Officer, University of West Florida

What makes your job 'click' for you? The opportunity to make a difference in someone's life by helping them receive financial support and resources so they can attain a degree and move on to their next goal in life. What's the best advice you've ever been given? One day I was trying to fix something

and started getting discouraged. I called my dad for help, and his response hasn't left my mind since. "Everyone puts on their pants the same way you do." He was right. If someone else can do it, I'm just as capable. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. In 2020, many UWF students experienced financial loss. I created an online fundraising campaign to specifically help students in urgent need. More than $20,000 was raised and awarded to

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Have courage and be kind to ourselves and each other. My first real boss was Hal Calisch, who whenever asked how he was doing would answer, "Great but getting better." Hal's daily demonstration of positivity, courage and kindness through action is a wisdom I seek to emulate.

JESSICA OGDEN

Business Development National Manager, Emergency Care Partners What makes your job 'click' for you? It's a privilege to work alongside an amazing team of talented, hardworking and passionate people at Emergency Care Partners. It's an honor to support the efforts of our emergency medicine physicians who are working

626 2

What keeps you in Pensacola? I love our emerald coast and sugar sand. It's a gift to live in a vacation destination. I enjoy Pensacola's history and the flourishing arts and food scene. I appreciate the diversity that comes with being a proud military community. The Blue Angels flying overhead will never not give me goosebumps.

What keeps you in Pensacola? Pensacola has become my home. Some of my family lives here, and I am blessed with an amazing community of friends. Plus, the beach is my absolute favorite.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? My mentor taught me to find joy in the small things. Life is hard and being an attorney is stressful, so whenever possible, make jokes, forgive yourself and others, tell stories, connect with people and make a point to have as much fun as you can along the way.

tirelessly to provide the best patient care to their communities during this unprecedented time in healthcare.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I've been fortunate in my career in health care to work at both a local small business and a thriving start-up. There's nothing more gratifying than seeing the results of your hard work demonstrated in the growth of a company you've poured your heart into. That sense of ownership is priceless.

Argos in need. The direct impact this campaign had and the response from supporters was truly incredible.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. As a real estate attorney, I correct title issues related to property. Sometimes a client has owned the property for decades before discovering the issue, and it's a very stressful situation for them. It is incredibly rewarding to fix the title issue and confirm our client's ownership of the property.

MICHELLE OLLIFF

Attorney, Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon What makes your job 'click' for you? I love that each day, my job looks different, with different projects to work on, different clients to work for and different learning opportunities to grow through. I also love the people with whom and for whom I get to work. My co-workers make even a bad day better.

CAROLYN ORE

Chef De Cuisine, George Bistro + Bar

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Be kind and work hard.

What makes your job 'click' for you? I love what I do and the team around me. Being in an amazing environment where people care and want to be better daily makes every moment exciting.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I've had many projects throughout my career, but I would say the day-to-day obstacles are the most rewarding.

What keeps you in Pensacola? Pensacola maintains the charm of a small town while offering the perks of living in a big city. There is something for everyone to do, whether it's volunteering with a local nonprofit, enjoying our beautiful beaches, frequenting breweries and restaurants, or cheering for one of our local sports teams.

What keeps you in Pensacola? My wife, family and career. I love how Pensacola is growing. A lot of things have changed over the years.

inweekly.net

Congratulations!

PATRICIA "PATI" GANDOLFO Women's Volleyball Coach

MADELINE HELLER

Coordinator Administrative Support, Academic and Student Affairs

DANIELA GONZALEZ-QUESADA Instructor, Humanities and Social Sciences

BRYAN LEWALLYN Director of Athletics

Pensacola State College Congratulates Our 2022

Rising Stars PensacolaState.edu #GoHereGetThere

February 3, 2022

60594_2022-RisingStars_InWeekly.indd 2

1/26/22 3:01 PM

Congratulations to our 2022 Rising Star,

Charla Lee!

GoGulf Winds.com Federally insured by NCUA. Equal housing opportunity.

LEADERCERTIFICATION Studer Community Institute’s Leader Certification program is designed for both individuals wanting to advance their careers and organizations looking to provide skill development and growth opportunities for employees.

M M U NITY IN

EARN

Earn 15 training credits over the course of 12 months through a combination of live training symposiums (3 credits) and on-demand courses (2 credits).

PRACTICE

Complete required assignments and upload them into your online portal.

STEP

D IE

CHOOSE

Choose a certification pathway based on your leadership experience and training needs: LEVEL 1 – ASPIRING/NEW | LEVEL 2 – ESTABLISHED | LEVEL 3 – SENIOR LEADERS/C-SUITE

LEA

STEP

STU

Comparable programs through universities and other leading organizations average around $3,500 per certification course. Earn your SCI Leadership Certificate for just $750!

HIP C ER

STEP

COMPLETE Upon approval, receive your official SCI Leadership Certificate!

STEP

MASTER

Utilize refresher videos and other resources to master content.

The Studer Community Institute is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contact Rachael Gillette at rgillette@studeri.org @studeri.org or 850.748.5656

BEGIN YOUR CERTIFICATION JOURNEY AT ONDEMAND.STUDERI.ORG 828 2

inweekly.net

RISING STARS 2022 MADELINE PENDLEY Attorney, Levin Papantonio Rafferty

What makes your job 'click' for you? I've always enjoyed a challenge, and being a mass tort attorney is certainly challenging. But this job also allows me to do something that is bigger than myself and help people on a large scale, which makes it all worth it.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? If you can't beat the fear, do it scared. It's a reminder to push yourself past your comfort zone and take every opportunity to make yourself better, even if it makes you uncomfortable. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. So far, it would be the case against the drug manufacturers of Valsartan. I'm currently working closely with

several clients, and it's so rewarding to see how our work impacts their lives for the better. What keeps you in Pensacola? I love everything about it. I'm from a small town in Georgia, and Pensacola reminds me of a bigger version of the town I grew up in. While I miss my friends and family, my husband and I have great jobs and relationships here that make Pensacola feel like home.

MORGAN PINDER

ANTHONY PORTERFIELD

What makes your job 'click' for you? Our mission at IRIS is to end preventable blindness, and we truly see that mission in action every day. It's a privilege to do such meaningful work on a daily basis.

What makes your job 'click' for you? The ability to share and represent our community. I am a native Pensacolian and spent 26 years of my life here. I am proud of our community and honored to represent us for others around the country.

Director of Client Success, Intelligent Retinal Imaging Systems

Physician Recruiter, Sacred Heart Medical Group

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Doing the right thing is always the right thing. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I helped to implement a program to screen patients for HIV retinopathy at a large infectious disease center in Atlanta. To our knowledge, this is the first HIV retinopathy screening program offered in the U.S. today. This breakthrough sets the groundwork for better health care for underserved patients living with HIV.

DANIELA GONZALEZ QUEZADA

Faculty in the Humanities and Social Sciences Department, Pensacola State College What makes your job 'click' for you? Working in education feels meaningful. Being part of my students' paths and having them in mine is rewarding. They show me how capable I am of caring for others by making me have the best interest at heart for more than 150 people every day when I wake up.

February 3, 2022

What keeps you in Pensacola? Pensacola is a hub for growth and innovation, which brings a lot of opportunity to our small city. Yet, despite how much our city grows, the community remains strong and creates an ideal place to raise a family.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? It is not a word of advice but a quote by Ram Dass—"I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion, and where it isn't, that's where my work lies." It is a reminder for everything I do and all of my interactions. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. At a young age, I worked as a researcher in the Department of Programs and Policies in Nutrition at the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico. I

What's the best advice you've ever been given? "The play doesn't care who makes it." It represents that life doesn't owe us anything, and if you want something, it's up to you to go get it. Also, if you see something that needs to be done, do it—no matter your rank or status. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. There are two. One is being able to be a part of the teams that brought FSU football back to national relevance (2009-2013). Two is being able to pay it forward with the knowledge I

received by sharing it with the youth football players in our area and seeing them grow. What keeps you in Pensacola? It's the house that built me. I grew up in the Myrtle Grove and Warrington area and love the community, the hardworking nature of the people and the bond we share. Having the best beaches in the world and being a great place to raise my kids doesn't hurt either.

was working on research projects that aimed to improve the nutritional status of the Mexican population. It felt meaningful and impactful. What keeps you in Pensacola? I am originally from Mexico, and I love to travel. But at the end of the day, I always come back. Pensacola is my home. It has been a place where I have found many opportunities, friends, family, community and awe-inspiring sunsets.

RISING STARS 2022 JOSEPH RANDOLPH

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Remember Joe, you are just as good as the next and always keep your head up.

What makes your job 'click' for you? The ability to serve the underserved and work with an incredible team that can help people heal and thrive.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. While extremely challenging but rewarding, operating a 35-bed COVID recovery unit and caring for more than 315 patients for the Pensacola area and surrounding communities during the height of the

Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Gulf Coast Health Care

joined the real estate team at Beggs & Lane during the fourth quarter.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? I'm always reminded of something my dad told me as a kid, "Stay in school, or you'll end up picking okra." Ultimately, I did stay in school, but there are still days it feels like I'm picking okra.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Always be an encourager.

Co-Owner/Brewer, Alga Beer Company What makes your job 'click' for you? When our team is able to take a vision and turn it into reality—whether it be in the brewhouse, at an event or just during daily operations. When it comes together, I usually have a

What keeps you in Pensacola? This is home now. My friends are here. My business is here. When my wife, Kayla, and I moved here in 2017, this city welcomed us with open arms, and now, I can't imagine living anywhere else.

BRADLEY SANDERS

030 3

What keeps you in Pensacola? I moved away for my career but quickly missed Pensacola and relocated back. Pensacola will always be home. There are many hidden gems around the city and the recent growth has been incredible, and I can't wait to see where our city will be in a few years.

moment of realization that we're really doing this.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Opening Alga is obviously at the top. We had setback after setback, but we continued to push forward. After 13 months of grueling work, we finally opened our doors. I look back at photos of our buildout from time to time, and I appreciate where we're at now.

BRETT REID

pandemic definitely makes it to the top of my list. I am thankful for my team and outcomes.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I cannot think of one specific project, but advocating on behalf of Florida's most vulnerable children as an attorney for the Department of Children and Families was probably the most rewarding experience of my career to date.

SUSAN SALAMONE

What keeps you in Pensacola? My family and my work, but I also love the vibe of the city.

Attorney, Beggs & Lane, RLLP

What makes your job 'click' for you? There are two things about my job that I truly enjoy—helping people and being challenged. I thrive in a fast-paced and challenging environment, which I learned quickly when I

Public Relations & Events Manager, Gulf Coast Kid's House

What's the best advice you've ever been given? You either learn how to swim with the sharks or you let them eat you. Get out of your comfort zone.

What makes your job 'click' for you? The mission of GCKH. I love knowing that the work I do is helping better the future and outcomes of children in our community. Also, I am constantly surrounded by like-minded individuals who just want the best for all aspects in our community.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Brunch & Bubbles 2021, a GCKH signature fundraiser hosted at Portofino Island Resort for 300 exclusive attendees and sponsors.

The event raised more than $200,000 for GCKH, surpassing the 2019 amount by more than $50,000. What keeps you in Pensacola? The community of people and growth of positive change here. I have seen Pensacola grow tremendously from when downtown used to be a ghost town. That is no longer the case. Pensacola still has a way to go, but our momentum is insane.

inweekly.net

Congratulations to all the

2022 RISING STARS

including our very own

DARLYNE ZOLTAK

•Homemade Pizza Dough & Sauces Made Daily• •Pizza, Wings, Salads, Calzones, Gluten Free Options & More• •Weekday Lunch & Happy Hour Specials• •Home of the #PizzaPayItForward Program•

WWW.EASTHILLPIZZA.COM 2030 N 12th Ave. | 850-857-9977

February 3, 2022

RISING STARS 2022 What's the best advice you've ever been given? "Drop the idea of becoming someone because you are already a masterpiece. You cannot be improved. You have only to come to it, to know it, to realize it."—Osho

What's the best advice you've ever been given? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." —Proverbs 3:5-6. "Nothing good happens after midnight."—Mom and dad

ALEX SIDES

Vice President of Sales, Pensacola Blue Wahoos What makes your job 'click' for you? First and foremost, being part of a company that's mission is to improve the quality of life in the community we serve. It's so much fun working with business leaders who align with our mission while putting together amazing marketing plans and helping their business grow through Blue Wahoos baseball.

232 3

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Working with Ascension Sacred Heart on its "Homerun For Life" promotion at Blue Wahoos Stadium. We host and help highlight a special family in our community who has endured challenging health issues and their road to recovery. It's always a special moment when they take their victory lap around the bases. What keeps you in Pensacola? The people and the progress we're making together. Pensacola has the charm of a small town with the amenities of a larger city. It's amazing to see the growth in such a short time with the vibrancy of downtown, business and entrepreneur ecosystem, CivicCon, early childhood brain development and more.

CHRISTINA SMITH

Educator, Escambia County School District What makes your job 'click' for you? I am passionate about knowledge. My job allows me to transform lives. Knowledge has extreme power. It allows the powerless to become powerful. Children are vulnerable. With knowledge, they become aware of the power they hold within.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. My most rewarding project is rediscovering myself, believing in myself and my own capabilities, turning inward and discovering my true nature and the beauty within. This is my greatest project because we often consider greatness outside of ourselves. In actuality, greatness is already within us. What keeps you in Pensacola? Relationships that I have established with my students and their accompanying families keep me deeply embedded in Pensacola's roots. Exhibiting social change and social justice often is initiated first in one's own community and later expands outward into neighboring communities. I'm committed to growing my own community, educationally and socially.

inweekly.net

RISING STARS 2022 CARL SPEER

Physician and CEO, Emerald Coast Foot and Ankle Center What makes your job 'click' for you? Seeing patients walk into the clinic with foot or ankle pain and leaving with less pain is extremely rewarding.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Nothing in life that is ever worth it is easy. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Starting my own foot and ankle medical practice. We opened the doors in August of 2021, seeing a

KAY TAPPAN

Head Baker/Owner, Wade Cakes What makes your job 'click' for you? While watching my mother and grandmother in the kitchen, I found my calling in life as a child, and I strive to share my passion with to-be weds.

What makes your job 'click' for you? Education is absolutely a mission I can get behind. I get to tell the stories of amazing students and faculty who are doing really important work. Every day is different. It's a challenge, and it's fun.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Presently, I am enjoying working with one of our education partners, Central Gulf Coast CDF Freedom Schools. I made a video for them last summer and spent a lot of time at the camp. I really fell

ALYVIA WAITE

Marketing Coordinator, Baskerville-Donovan, Inc. What makes your job 'click' for you? A large component of marketing in this industry is seeing the positive impact that projects have on our community. Being able to see the growth and improvements to the quality of life is worthwhile. With creative freedom, I'm able to promote these impacts and help people understand what we do.

February 3, 2022

What keeps you in Pensacola? Definitely my extended family. I always wanted to live where our children could grow up with family around.

LATOYA WADE

Communications Manager, University of West Florida College of Education and Professional Studies

What's the best advice you've ever been given? There is more to life than increasing its speed.

few patients a day, and are now busy throughout the day treating patients and performing surgeries.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? I had a co-worker that spoke these words to me while working an overnight shift, "If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life." in love with it. Seeing our mission in action is incredibly rewarding. What keeps you in Pensacola? I like the pace of Pensacola. It's a Goldilocks city—not too big, not too small. Plus, the usual suspects—family and the water.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Never sell yourself short. Always believe in yourself and your capabilities. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. While there are many rewarding project in this industry, the most gratifying one is to be a part of ADA compliant improvements. Additionally, improving the water quality and everyday function of life in Central America highly impacts the way we appreciate our own resources.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. My most rewarding project has been working with Icing Angels. I signed up to work with them and finally got a call to craft a dream cake for one of the children. I think that cake meant more to me than it did to the family that received it.

What keeps you in Pensacola? Pensacola is home. We have snow-white beaches, fresh seafood, great local businesses and a beautiful downtown area to hang out in. What more can you ask for?

What keeps you in Pensacola? I grew up in this area and it's where my family is and most of my close friends. Pensacola has so much to offer in so many aspects. I have met a lot of incredible people here and could not imagine being anywhere else.

RISING STARS 2022 ANNA WALL

Chief Curator, Pensacola Museum of Art What makes your job 'click' for you? I love seeing visitors' excitement when they connect with a work of art, working with artists to share their art with our community and using visual culture to tell stories that enhance our experience and understanding of the world around us.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? It's OK to be a B student. Basically, a variation of the quote—Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. It's better to try new things and put your work out into the world than to stress over perfection. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. I'm really proud of how the PMA team navigated the past two years and has continued to safely serve our

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Every person you meet is a potential door to a new opportunity, personally or professionally.

Project Manager, Jacobs Engineering Group What makes your job 'click' for you? Solving problems for clients and working with a team to see that vision come to fruition.

What keeps you in Pensacola? Family. Being born and raised here, it is great to experience Pensacola as an adult and with a family of my own.

DARLYNE ZOLTAK Owner, East Hill Pizza

What makes your job 'click' for you? Being able to spread happiness with delicious, homemade pizza—whether it be with our amazing customers who continue to come back or with our #pizzapayitforward project that spreads kindness throughout our community.

434 3

What keeps you in Pensacola? We moved to Pensacola to be close to family and for the promise of occasional babysitting. We've decided to stay in Pensacola because of the community, beaches and great downtown. Plus, the occasional babysitting really is fantastic.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? As a leader, you need to ask questions instead of giving direct orders. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. It brings me joy when I see the 2019 Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival poster hung in homes around town. Home decor is a personal form of self-expression, and it is exciting that locals identify with my painting of the shoreline.

Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. Leading my first project as a PM (three-story office building). It was great to deliver a great product to the client and know I can be confident in my abilities to lead a team/project across the finish line.

JOSHUA WALLACE

community. We worked together to pull off some really great exhibitions and shift our programming in exciting, new ways.

EMILY WOODSON

Director of Marketing, Levin Rinke Realty

What keeps you in Pensacola? I took Pensacola for granted growing up, but the natural beauty of this area is extremely meaningful. It's impossible to describe how the beach inspires me.

What makes your job 'click' for you? My job represents my love for my hometown. Each day, I get to focus on empowering my neighbors creatively.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? My late mother would tell me to always be thoughtful and kind. Give back to those who you can help. Tell us about the best/most rewarding project you've ever worked on. The most rewarding is our #pizzapayitforward project, which we set up to help spread kindness throughout our community. This project allows our customers to purchase discounted pay it

forward slices or pizzas for people in need. We have been able to provide food to the homeless, nonprofits, schools and many more. What keeps you in Pensacola? Pensacola is my hometown and will always be. Being part of an amazing community keeps my family and me here. Pensacola is the best place to raise our children; there is no other city that can compare. {in}

inweekly.net

“Honoring Our Military Veterans” Join Dr. Rameca Vincent Leary and her guests for a focus on the veterans of our community and the legacy of Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr.

NEW LOCAL SHOW Premieres 7pm Thurs, Feb 10

Watch on demand at video.wsre.org or via the PBS Video App. A PRESENTATION OF

60532-0122 CTC Inweekly ad.indd 1

February 3, 2022

BOD0661 Bubba's INW Half_Valentines.indd 1

1/28/22 10:13 AM

1/28/22 3:47 PM

a&e happenings to offer four grants of $30,000 each to Pensacola Bay Area 501(c)(3) nonprofits that place value on diversity, inclusion and equality. Grant applications are vetted by members, and winners are determined by the votes of members at an annual meeting in June of each year. The Sunday's Child mission is to promote equality and inspire inclusion across the community by awarding grants for significant charitable and economic initiatives with a vision of a fully accepting and inclusive Pensacola Bay area that embraces the LGBTQ+ citizens and their contributions to the community. Sunday's Child is now accepting letters of intent through Wednesday, Feb. 23. A nonprofit workshop will be held on Feb. 3 for all local nonprofits wishing to learn more about the grants process. Visit sundayschild.org for more information.

MARDI GRAS EVENTS

information or questions, please contact CoChairman Gregg Slawson at (850) 748-3222.

good food, good music, good friends and, of course, plenty of great drinks Saturday, Feb. 5, from 5-9 p.m. at Coastal County Brewing, located at 3041 E. Olive Road. Admission is free.

KIDS AND KRITTERS PARADE The 12th annual Kids and Kritters Parade is set for Saturday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. in the Casino Beach parking lot across from Sidelines on Pensacola Beach. There is no charge to attend. Visit pensacolabeachmardigras.com for more information.

COASTAL COUNTY BREWING MARDI GRAS MASQUERADE PARTY Celebrate

MILTON MARDI GRAS PARADE The Mil-

ton Mardi Gras Parade will be Saturday, Feb. 12, at 4 p.m. starting at Milton High School and then heading south on Stewart Street, left on Berryhill, right on Willing St., across Highway 90 and right on Pine Street before ending at Pine Street and Elmira Street. Visit kreweofairshippirates.com/milton-mardi-gras-2020 for more information.

NAVARRE MARDI GRAS PARADE The

Navarre Mardi Gras Parade will be Saturday, Feb. 19, on Navarre Beach. This year's theme is "Welcome Back." No vendors will be allowed this year. For more parade info, visit nkoj.org.

PIRATES OF LOST TREASURE MARDI GRAS FLOTILLA On Saturday, Feb. 19,

Pirates of Lost Treasure (PLT) will host their annual Mardi Gras Flotilla starting from the Holiday Harbor Marina at 10:45 a.m. Registration will be $50 per boat. For more information regarding future PLT Mardi Gras events, go to piratesoflosttreasure.org. For additional

636 3

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

JOIN THE PAW-RADE AND SUPPORT PENSACOLA HUMANE SOCIETY Join

Pensacola's Pawdi Gras event and support the Pensacola Humane Society. The pet parade is 2 p.m. on Feb. 13 located at Garden Street between Tarragona and Palafox. Floats can be created using wagons, carts, strollers, decorated leashes—anything with wheels that does not have a motor. Only the first 150 dogs to register for the parade will receive a goodie bag, so preregistering is recommended. There will be a $10 donation cost for each pup and up to four total human escorts. All proceeds will be donated to Pensacola Humane Society. The donation also gets your pup(s) into the pet costume contest to win some fun prizes. Visit pensacolahumane. org to learn more and pre-register.

SUNDAY'S CHILD SET TO AWARD $120,000 IN GRANTS IN 2022 For 2022,

Sunday's Child organization raised $120,000 among 178 members, allowing the organization

WUWF HOSTS STORYCORPS FOR LOCAL STORYTELLING OPPORTUNITIES Sto-

ryCorps, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving and sharing the stories of people from all backgrounds and beliefs, comes to Pensacola Feb. 17-March 11 to record interviews, in-person and virtually, as part of its Mobile Tour. Participants have the option of recording in-person or via StoryCorps' Virtual Recording Booth, a video-conferencing platform that can be accessed remotely using an internetconnected device. Participants can learn more about safety precautions for in-person recording at storycorps.org. Reservations to record will be available at 10 a.m. on Feb. 3 and can be made by calling StoryCorps' 24-hour toll-free reservation line at (800) 850-4406 or visiting storycorps. org or wuwf.org/storycorps.

CALL TO ARTISTS

ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITORS FOR JAZZFEST Jazz Pensacola is calling arts and

crafts exhibitors to submit applications for the 2022 Pensacola JazzFest, taking place 10 a.m.7 p.m. Saturday, April 2, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at Seville Square. Application form can be found at jazzpensacola.com/pdf/2022-JazzFest-Arts-CraftsApp.pdf. Only original art and handmade crafts will be accepted. No commercial/mass-produced

products will be accepted. Please read the complete contract, particularly concerning refunds. All entries are $200 for a 10-by-10 canopy or smaller. All fees go to support Pensacola JazzFest, a free event for the community.

ARTS & CULTURE

WHAT'S SHOWING AT PENSACOLA CINEMA ART Oscar-nominated short films

will be showing starting Feb. 25 on Fridays and Saturdays. All showtimes are at 1 p.m. PCA is located at 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are $10 cash only. Now streaming, "Hive," based on the true story of a wife whose husband goes missing during the war in Kosovo. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for more information. S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $14-$20. For tickets, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

NATE BARGATZE: THE RAINCHECK TOUR Comedian Nate Bargatze will bring his

clean and relatable comedy to the Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3. Tickets are $39.75-$69.75. For more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT STARTING YOUR SPRING GARDEN Join UF/IFAS

Extension Escambia Master Gardener volunteers to learn tips and tricks to getting a few of your favorite warm season edibles off to a good start Thursday, Feb. 3, from noon-1 p.m. at Tryon Library, 1200 Langley Ave. Attendees will also have the opportunity to "check out" seeds to start their own home garden. Registration will begin 30 minutes prior to the start of the program. Visit mywfpl.com for more information.

BLACK BUSINESS WEEKEND Bantucola.

com, the Gulf Coast Black Business Directory, presents Black Business Weekend, Friday, Feb. 4, and Saturday, Feb. 5, at JoJo's Beauty Supply, located at 312 E. Nine Mile Road, Ste. 18. For more information, visit bantucola.com/bbw.

THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE This

dark comedy will be brought to the Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., with showtimes Fridays, Feb. 4 and 11, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, Feb. 5 and 12, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays, Feb. 6 and 13, at 2:30 p.m. A Thursday performance will be Thursday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $27-$33 and $9 for students

inweekly.net

a&e happenings in select seats. For more information, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

IMPROVABLE CAUSE Watch Improvable Cause 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $10. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for more information. GOING SOLAR PRESENTATION FROM 350 PENSACOLA Join three local homeown-

ers as they share their stories of adding solar energy systems to their homes at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, at Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St. For more information, email 350pensacola@gmail.com.

REPRESENT! BLACK HISTORY MONTH MOVIE SHOWCASE Celebrate the impor-

tance of African American representation with a showing of Marvel's Black Panther at the Pensacola Library, located at 239 N. Spring St., from 3:30-6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11.

NEWCOMERS CLUB OF PENSACOLA: WINE DINNER Mingle and meet with the

Newcomers Club of Pensacola on Saturday, Feb. 12, from 6-9 p.m. at Bodacious Shops, located at 407-D S. Palafox. For more information on Newcomers Club, visit newcomersclubofpensacola.org.

SWEETHEARTS & SUCCULENTS Join Keep Pensacola Beautiful for a Succulent Planting Workshop at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox, on Saturday, Feb. 12, from 4-5 p.m. Cost is $25. To purchase tickets, visit linktr.ee/keeppensacolabeautiful.

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET Enjoy shopping

for a variety of handcrafted wares at Pensacola Arts Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 1401 W. Intendencia St. Enjoy art, espresso, vintage goods, baked treats, handcrafted unique gifts and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit facebook.com/pensacolaartsmarket.

EASY GOING GALLERY ART MARKET

Every Sunday, Easy Going Gallery and Carter J Studios present a weekly art market Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Easy Going Gallery, located at 701 N. V St. Enjoy art, espresso, vintage goods, baked treats, handcrafted unique gifts and more. Vendors can participate for a $20 fee. For more information, contact easygoinggalleryart@gmail.com.

YOUTH ART FOCUS AT PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART The Pensacola Museum

of Art, in partnership with the Escambia County School District, is proud to present the 68th Annual Youth Art Focus exhibition highlighting the best work from art students and educators from Escambia County Schools. On view through Feb. 27. Pensacola Museum of Art is located at 407 S. Jefferson St and open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday from noon-4 p.m. For more information about the Pensacola Museum of Art, call (850) 432-6247 or visit pensacolamuseum.org.

VISIONARY APONTE: ART AND BLACK FREEDOM Visionary Aponte: Art and Black February 3, 2022

Freedom is from creator José Antonio Aponte, a free black carpenter, artist and former soldier who was also the leader of an ambitious antislavery conspiracy in Cuba in 1812. The exhibit is on view at Pensacola Museum of Art through March 27. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for more information.

2000 MEN: BLACK POLITICIANS DURING RECONSTRUCTION A new exhibit at the Pensacola Museum of History shares the stories and histories of Black politicians during the Reconstruction period. The Pensacola Museum of History is located at 330 S. Jefferson St. For more information, visit historicpensacola.org.

UWF HISTORIC TRUST 9/11 EXHIBIT An exhibit honoring victims lost and others impacted by the tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001, is now on display on the second floor of the Pensacola Museum of History. The University of West Florida Historic Trust curated the exhibit, 9/11 Remembered, which runs through January, with items on loan from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York and the History Museum of Mobile. The gallery includes a section of the I-beam from one of the World Trade Center towers and a helmet and other items worn by first responders who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Visitors can also view a video of newsreels from 20 years ago on projectors and a video from NAS Pensacola that features military members who responded to the 9/11 attacks. For more information on UWF's Historic Trust, visit historicpensacola.org. FINDING 1821 Finding 1821 is part of the UWF

Historic Trust's Suddenly American exhibit. Using historic newspapers, maps and documents, it is possible to locate where businesses stood in the 1820s. From taverns to parasol shops, each site on the Finding 1821 trail reflects a local establishment that was near that location 200 years ago. Outside each business is a QR code that links to a corresponding advert from an early 1820s newspaper. Over a dozen sites have been identified so far. Take a stroll around town, visit local shops and explore the history of Pensacola through today's technology. Visit historicpensacola.org for more information.

SCRIPTEASERS WITH PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE Scripteasers, Studio 400's

and Pensacola Little Theatre's Script Reading Club invites you to monthly script readings at PLT, 400 S. Jefferson St. Want to bring your scripts for the group to read and discuss? Contact Pensacola Little Theatre to get in queue. The group reads prospective scripts for future seasons as well as new scripts that need a table read before the next edit. Not a playwright but love to read out loud? This is your easy, fun theatre night. Fascinated by the play selection process? Sit in for a listen and usually a lot of laughs. Visit facebook.com/pensacolalittletheatre for more information and the latest dates.

OPEN MIC AT THE GORDON Show off

your talents on the second Thursday of every month at The Gordon's Open Mic showcase from 7-10 p.m. Admission is free. The Gordon is located at 306 N. DeVilliers St. Visit thegordon.org for more information. 37

838 3

inweekly.net

a&e happenings OPEN MIC COMEDY AT BIG TOP BREWERY Try out some new jokes or enjoy some homegrown talent every Monday at 7 p.m. for Open Mic Comedy at Big Top Brewery, located at 21 W. Romano St. Everyone gets five minutes depending on the number of sign-ups. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.

NEW CLASSES AT MIXON MAGIC PERFORMING ARTS Mixon Magic Performing

Arts (MMPA), a boutique performing arts studio located at 1010 N. 12th Ave., Ste. 238, will be offering a limited class schedule this fall. MMPA offers professional dance, fitness and "Mommy and Me" instruction for all ages and skill levels with weekly classes including, but not limited to, Creative Movement, Ballet/ Jazz Combo, Broadway, Tap, Showstoppers, Acting and Voice. Classes will be provided for children as young as 2 years old (with a parent or guardian) through adult. MMPA is dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of all students and families and has implemented protocols based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Masks are required for entry into the building and studio. More information about Mixon Magic Performing Arts can be found at mixonmagic.com, by contacting hello@mixonmagic.com or emily@mixonmagic.com or by calling (850) 221-7438.

GENDER PORTRAITS Gender Portraits is

selected nonprofit for the season is the Santa Rosa Kids' House. Held at Jernigan's Landing, located at 5158 S. Willing St. in Milton on the west bank of Blackwater River, the Bands on the Blackwater Concert Series is held from 7-9 p.m. on Friday nights starting in April. THE SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS: •April 1 – The Six Piece Suits •April 8 – Ryan Dyer •April 15 – The HooDoos •April 22 – Stormfolk •April 29 – Rhonda Hart & the Hartstrings •May 6 – Nobius •May 13 – Erick Baker •May 20 – Kacy Moon •May 27 – 12Eleven •June 3 – Sons of Bocephus •June 10 – Horseshoe Kitty

SCHISM: TOOL TRIBUTE BAND Tool fans

unite for Schism at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 4, at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox. Tickets are $20-$40. For more information, visit vinylmusichall.com.

BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY The Black Jacket Symphony will perform The Beatles "White Album" at the Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4. Tickets are $30-$35. Visit pensacolasaenger.com for more information. CITIZEN COPE Citizen Cope will be performing at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox, at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Tickets are $46. For more information, visit vinylmusichall.com.

a project from artist Drew Riley of the Austin Creative Alliance. The nonprofit organization supports sex and gender minorities using art as a foundation for education, activism and advocacy. The exhibit is on view at Voices of Pensacola, located at 117 E. Government St., through January. For more information, visit historicpensacola.org.

FLOW TRIBE NOLA-based funk bank Flow Tribe will be performing at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox, on Saturday, Feb. 12. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at vinylmusichall.com.

BLACK CITIZENSHIP IN THE AGE OF JIM CROW "Black Citizenship in the Age of

PENSACOLA SYMPHONY PRESENTS: COME FLY WITH ME Multi-instrumentalist

CRAFT CLASSES AT STUDIO SOUTH ON NINE MILE Learn a new craft or meet up with

JOE BONAMASSA Grammy-nominated

Jim Crow," a traveling exhibition from the New York Historical Society Museum & Library with additions from the African American Heritage Society of Pensacola, is now on view at Artel Gallery. To learn more about it, visit africanamericanheritagesociety.org. Artel Gallery is located at 223 S. Palafox.

other makers at Studio South. Tuesday is Knit Night 4-7 p.m., and Sit & Stitch is Saturdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Both classes are free. For a full calendar of events, visit studiosouthon9mileroad.com. Studio South is located at 955 E. Nine Mile Road.

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS AT FIRST CITY ART First City Art Center offers a wide

range of classes and workshops for artists of all levels. Classes include glass blowing, ceramics, painting and drawing, kiln-forming, stained glass and more. For a complete list of classes and times, visit firstcityart.org.

LIVE MUSIC

BANDS ON THE BLACKWATER ANNOUNCES 2022 SCHEDULE The City

of Milton has announced the 2022 Spring Bands on the Blackwater Concert Series. The February 3, 2022

Gunhild Carling joins vocalist Michael Andrew, former headliner at the Rainbow Room, for an evening featuring favorites from Frank Sinatra and more with Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Tickets are $20-$83. Visit pensacolasaenger.com for more information.

blues musician Joe Bonamassa will perform at the Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. Tickets are $85-$255. Visit pensacolasaenger.com for more information.

MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE QUARTER Blues Society of Northwest Florida and Seville Quarter present Monday Night Blues, the longest running weekly Blues Jam in Florida, starting at 7 p.m. with an opening and followed by the Blues Jam at 9 p.m. Seville Quarter is located at 130 E. Government St. For more information, visit sevillequarter.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT RED FISH BLUE FISH PENSACOLA BEACH Head to Red Fish Blue Fish

for live performances from local bands all day on Fridays and Saturdays. For musician lineups, visit facebook.com/redfishbluefishpensacolabeach. 39

a&e happenings JOE OCCHIPINTI JAZZABOUTS Catch Joe Occhipinti and guests at Alice's Restaurant & Wine Bar, 1504 W. Intendencia St., Wednesdays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and at Calvert's Restaurant & Bar, 670 Scenic Highway, Sundays from noon-3 p.m. SAXOPHONIST JIM ANDREWS AT ALICE'S RESTAURANT Saxophonist Jim An-

drews will be performing at Alice's Restaurant, located at 1504 W. Intendencia St., on the first Friday of every month from 6-9:30 p.m.

JAZZ BY THE BOOK Join Joe Occhipinti and the Jazzabouts at the Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St., every Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. for classic jazz favorites.

RAY COLEY AT CAZADORES MEXICAN RESTAURANT Ray Coley performs oldies

mix with jazz and blues every weekend with keyboard, horn and flute. Fridays and Saturdays from 6-9 p.m. and a jazz set on Sundays from 12-3 p.m. on the patio at Cazadores Mexican restaurant, located at 8183 W. Fairfield Dr. Weather permitting.

CURT BOL JAZZ QUARTET Visit Five Sis-

ters Blues Café, located at 421 W. Belmont St., Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and listen to Curt Bol Jazz Quartet. Visit curtbolband.com for more information.

OPEN JAM AT ARTEL GALLERY Artel Gal-

lery is open from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays for open jam with Pensacola Folk Music Society. Feel free to visit and listen to music. Artel Gallery is located at 223 S. Palafox.

KARAOKE AT MUGS AND JUGS Sing your heart out Sundays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway, or just enjoy drinks friends with $4 Smirnoff and $6.50 domestic pitcher drink deals from 7 p.m.-3 a.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/mugsjugs. LIVE MUSIC AT HUB STACEY'S Sit back with good food and live music at Hub Stacey's, located at 312 E. Government St. For a full calendar of bands, check hubstaceys.com. MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE QUARTER Seville Quarter and the Blues Soci-

Stock Market Losses? Hire a lawyer who is a former Merril Lynch stock broker.

ety of Northwest Florida bring the "Blues" back to the Seville Quarter Entertainment District, located at 130 E. Government St. every Monday night in End O' the Alley starting at 7 p.m. For more information, visit sevillequarter.com.

TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE QUARTER Enjoy smooth jazz with Melodious

Allen and The Funk Heads every Tuesday night at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, located at 130 E. Government St. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.

FITNESS + RECREATION

11 East Romana Street | Pensacola, Fl 32502

genemitchell.org 040 4

PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS GAMES The Pensacola Ice Flyers home games are at Pensacola Bay Center, located at 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets start at $15. Purchase yours at pensacolabaycenter.com.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES: •7:05 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4 •7:05 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5

COMPUTING BASICS: INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET AND CYBERSECURITY

Learn the basics about computers, the internet and more from 10:30 a.m.-noon on Friday, Feb. 4, at the Pensacola Library, located at 239 N. Spring St. Feel free to bring your portable personal devices for a question-and-answer session at the end of the class. Computers will be provided for the class.

DOUBLE BRIDGE RUN The Pensacola Double Bridge Run is Saturday, Feb. 5, starting at 7:30 a.m. The 15K route begins in downtown Pensacola and goes through Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach. For more information, visit pensacolasports.org/doublebridgerun-2. FREE YOGA IN THE PARK SCHEDULE RELEASED FOR 2022 Breathe Yoga and Wellness

Center in partnership with the City of Pensacola will offer free one-hour yoga classes to citizens on the first Sunday of every month at 9:30 a.m. in Bayview Park, located at 2001 E. Lloyd St., and Community Maritime Park, located at 301 W. Main St. All ages and levels of experience are welcome. Participants must bring their own mat and other accessories they would like to use. Participants are asked to bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated, as water will not be provided. DATES: •Feb. 6: Bayview Park •March 6: Bayview Park •April 3: Bayview Park •May 1: Bayview Park •June 5: Community Maritime Park •July 3: Community Maritime Park •Aug. 7: Community Maritime Park •Sept. 4: Bayview Park •Oct. 2: Bayview Park •Nov. 6: Community Maritime Park •Dec. 4: Community Maritime Park

PUBLIC SKATING Pensacola Bay Center hosts public ice skating sessions through April. All public skate sessions last one hour. Sessions typically occur on the weekends and after Ice Flyers Home games. Capacity is limited for each session, so get your tickets early. Cost is $12 for adults and children including skate rental, $9 for children with no skate rental and $10 for adults and children in groups of 15 or more. UPCOMING DATES: •1:30, 3 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 BEACH HIKE WITH HEALTHY GULF Join Healthy Gulf for a beach ecology walk along the shifting sands and waters of Santa Rosa Island at Pensacola Beach on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 9 a.m. The hike is a total length of about 4 miles and will take about two hours to complete. Space is limited in order to ensure a quality experience, so to reserve a spot or for more information, please email christian@healthygulf. org or call (850) 687-9968. for more listings visit inweekly.net inweekly.net

free will astrology WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): Aries actor

Bette Davis said that if you want to improve your work, you should "attempt the impossible." That's perfect advice for you right now. I hope to see you hone your skills as you stretch yourself into the unknown. I will celebrate your forays into the frontiers, since doing so will make you even smarter than you already are. I will cheer you on as you transcend your expectations and exceed your limits, thereby enhancing your flair for self-love. Here's your mantra—"I now have the power to turn the impossible into the possible and boost my health and fortunes in the process."

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Ancient Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu wrote, "Opportunities multiply as they are seized." You'll be wise to make that your motto during the next five months, Taurus. Life will conspire to bring you more and more benefits and invitations as you take full advantage of the benefits and invitations that life brings. The abundance gathering in your vicinity may even start to seem ridiculously extravagant. Envious people could accuse you of being greedy, when in fact, you're simply harnessing a crucial rule in the game of life. To minimize envy and generate even more benefits and invitations, be generous in sharing your plenitude. GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): "'Because

there has been no one to stop me' has been one of the principles of my life," wrote Gemini author Joyce Carol Oates. "If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have got anywhere," said Gemini actor Marilyn Monroe. "Play the game. Never let the game play you." So advised Gemini rapper and actor Tupac Shakur. "Who I really am keeps surprising me," declared Gemini author Nikki Giovanni. I propose that we make the previous four quotes your wisdom teachings during the next four weeks.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Your animal

symbol is usually the crab. But I propose we temporarily change it to the tardigrade. It's a tiny, eight-legged creature that's among the most stalwart on planet Earth—able to live everywhere, from mountaintops to tropical rainforests to the deepest parts of the sea. In extreme temperatures, it thrives, as well as under extreme pressures. Since it emerged as a species half a billion years ago, it has survived all five mass extinctions. I believe you will be as hardy and adaptable and resolute as a tardigrade in the coming months, Cancerian. You will specialize in grit and resilience and determination. P.S. Tardigrades are regarded as a "pioneer species" because they take up residence in new and changed environments, paving the way for the arrival of other species. They help create novel ecosystems. Metaphorically speaking, you could be like that.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): I regularly ask

myself how I can become more open-minded. Have I stopped being receptive in any way? What new developments and fresh ideas am I ignorant of? Have my strong opinions blinded February 3, 2022

By Rob Brezsny

me to possibilities that don't fit my opinions? In accordance with astrological omens, Leo, I encourage you to adopt my attitude in the coming weeks. For inspiration, read these thoughts by philosopher Marc-Alain Ouaknin—"If things speak to us, it is because we are open to them, we perceive them, listen to them, and give them meaning. If things keep quiet, if they no longer speak to us, it is because we are closed."

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Like all the rest of us, Virgo, you have limitations. And it's important for you to identify them and take them into consideration. But I want to make sure you realize you also have fake limitations; you wrongly believe in the truth of some supposed limitations that are, in fact, mostly illusory or imaginary. Your job right now is to dismantle and dissolve those. For inspiration, here's advice from author Mignon McLaughlin—"Learning too soon our limitations, we never learn our powers." LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): "Develop

enough courage so that you can stand up for yourself and then stand up for somebody else," counseled poet and activist Maya Angelou. Author Toni Morrison said, "The function of freedom is to free someone else." Author and activist Nikki Giovanni wrote, "Everybody that loves freedom loves Harriet Tubman because she was determined not only to be free, but to make free as many people as she could." I hope the wisdom of these women will be among your guiding thoughts in the coming weeks. As your own power and freedom grow, you can supercharge them—render them even more potent—by using them to help others.

I believe 2022 will be a very favorable time to home in on your deepest, truest self—to ascertain and express more of your soul's code. SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): "Man,

sometimes it takes you a long time to sound like yourself," testified Miles Davis, one of the most unique and talented jazz trumpeters and composers who ever lived. Popular and successful author Anne Lamott expressed a similar sentiment: "I'm here to be me, which is taking a great deal longer than I had hoped." If those two geniuses found it a challenge to fully develop their special potentials, what chance do the rest of us have? I have good news in that regard, Scorpio. I believe 2022 will be a very favorable time to home in on your deepest, truest self—to ascertain and express more of your soul's code. And you're entering a phase when your instinct for making that happen will be at a peak.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): In the course of human history, three million

ships have sunk to the bottom of the Earth's seas. At one extreme have been huge vessels, like the Titanic and naval cruisers, while at the other extreme are small fishing boats. Many of these have carried money, gems, jewelry, gold and other precious items. Some people have made it their job to search for those treasures. I believe there could and should be a metaphorical resemblance between you and them in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. Now is a favorable time for you to hunt for valuable resources, ideas, memories, and yes, even treasures that may be tucked away in the depths, in hidden locations and in dark places.

An Official Florida Lottery Retailer Home of the

D.D.D.

(Downtown Day Drinkers)

Open: 11am-3am Every Day

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): "It is

astonishing what force, purity and wisdom it requires for a human being to keep clear of falsehoods," wrote author Margaret Fuller. That's the bad news. The good news is that your capacity for exposing and resisting falsehoods is now at a peak. Furthermore, you have a robust ability to ward off delusions, pretense, nonsense, inauthenticity and foolishness. Don't be shy about using your superpowers, Capricorn. Everyone you know will benefit as you zero in and focus on what's true and genuine. And you will benefit the most.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): "All things are inventions of holiness," wrote poet Mary Oliver. "Some more rascally than others." I agree. And I'll add that in the coming weeks, holiness is likely to be especially rascally as it crafts its inventions in your vicinity. Here are the shades of my meaning for the word "rascally"—unruly, experimental, mischievous, amusing, mercurial, buoyant, whimsical and kaleidoscopic. But don't forget that all of this will unfold under the guidance and influence of holiness. I suspect you'll encounter some of the most amusing and entertaining outbreaks of divine intervention ever.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): The year

1905 is referred to as Albert Einstein's "Year of Miracles." The Piscean physicist, who was 26 years old, produced three scientific papers that transformed the nature of physics and the way we understand the universe. Among his revolutionary ideas were the theory of special relativity, the concept that light was composed of particles, and the iconic equation E = mc2. With that information as a backdrop, I will make a bold prediction—that in 2022 you will experience your own personal version of a Year of Miracles. The process is already underway. Now it's time to accelerate it.

Facebook/NYN’sBADLANDS NYNBADLANDS.COM

23 PALAFOX PL. 850-43-BRUCE

NICK’S PICKS

TUESDAYS

6-8 PM CENTRAL ON RADIO

FREE PENSACOLA

THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: What is the wisest foolishness you could carry out right now? newsletter.freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology.com

streaming world wide www.radiofreepensacola.com 41

news of the weird WAIT, WHAT? Clive Jones, 66, a retired teacher in Derby, England, calls himself the "world's most prolific sperm donor," having fathered 129 children, with nine currently on the way. Jones has been donating his semen for nine years through Facebook, he told DerbyshireLive, because of the "happiness it brings" to donee families. But his wife of more than 40 years isn't so pleased; they now live apart. Jones explained that he drives to a park near the donee's home and collects the sample in the back of his van (complete with window curtains), then texts them to say he'll "be round in three minutes." England's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has issued a medical warning about Jones, saying, "If arrangements are made outside of the clinic environment, there can be medical and legal risks." INAPPROPRIATE Tourists and locals in Venice, Italy, got all judgy on Jan. 21 when a 30-year-old Czech woman stripped off her top and went for a swim near the Monument to the Partisan Woman, a bronze sculpture of a reclining woman that rests partly in and partly out of the water. After her dip, the unnamed woman climbed onto the monument and posed for pictures, CNN reported. "It's like going to Rome, leaping in the Trevi Fountain and then saying, 'What do you mean, you can't do this?'" said Mario Nason, who was walking by with his son at the time. "Why do people do these things in Venice that they wouldn't do elsewhere? They probably didn't know that the statue of the woman lying there was a dead partisan. But it's treating Venice like a beach." Police banned the woman from Venice for 48 hours and fined her $513. BRIGHT IDEAS Zachary Taylor Blood, 33, of Galveston, Texas, pleaded guilty on Jan. 25 to trying to smuggle two men into the United States in a flag-draped coffin, The New York Times reported. Blood showed up at a border patrol checkpoint near Encino, Texas, on Oct. 26, where he told the agent he was hauling a "Dead guy, Navy guy" when asked about his cargo. But the agent, who was a military veteran, noticed the "rusty and dented coffin" and saw that the flag had been "crudely taped" to it. Agents explored further and found two live men, cousins, inside the coffin. One man told agents that it had been hot and hard to breathe in the box, and he had agreed to pay $6,000 to be smuggled to San Antonio. Blood will be sentenced on May 11 and could receive up to five years in federal prison. •The Irish Times reported that on Jan. 21, two men carried Peader Doyle, 66, into a post office in Carlow, Ireland, and inquired about collecting his pension. Staff and other customers became concerned about Doyle, as he seemed unresponsive, and made efforts to resuscitate him, but he was already deceased. While an investigation showed there was no foul play in his death, the two men were detained by police on Jan. 26. One of the men had gone to the post office earlier that day to try to collect Doyle's pension, but he was told the person had to be

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

there. Both insisted that Doyle was alive but unwell when they left his home and that they helped him as he walked to the post office. They believe he died there. SOUNDS LIKE A SONG Danville, Pennsylvania, residents were warned to look out for three small monkeys run amok after a crash between two trucks on Jan. 21, The Daily Item reported. State Trooper Andrea Pelachick said a truck with 100 African monkeys on board was on its way to a laboratory when it collided with a dump truck. She tweeted that "a small number of monkeys may have fled the scene" after escaping from their carriers. The three escapees were later located and humanely euthanized. TEACHER OF THE YEAR Robin Hughes teaches special education students at SouthShore Academy in Tampa, Florida, where most of her kindergarten kids had never seen snow, United Press International reported. So Hughes got in touch with her sister, Amber Estes, who lives in Danville, Kentucky. "I said I want you to make me a snowman, and I want you to overnight him to me and see if he can make it to the school," Hughes said. "I want these children in Florida to see snow." Estes said she wrapped Lucky the snowman in foil and packed him with ice in Styrofoam, and "off he went to the local UPS Store." Hughes said her students had looks of "pure joy" on their faces when Lucky was unwrapped on Jan. 20. THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS With a snowstorm bearing down on New England, residents of five homes on Hampshire Street in Metheun, Massachusetts, have a real problem: The city will no longer remove snow from their street. Mayor Neil Perry sent a letter to homeowners alerting them to the change, which he attributed to the street being private property. He told NBC10 Boston that he received an anonymous tip about the property ownership. But neighbors are not having it: "There is a storm coming this weekend. Like, God forbid 911 needs to be called in," said Collette Maksou. Cornelia Illmann hoped the city would reconsider: "We pay taxes, just as any other resident of Methuen does." However, the assistant city solicitor is holding their ground. OOPS Diners eating on the deck at Flip Flops Dockside Eatery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, were plunged into the Intracoastal Waterway when the deck partially collapsed on Jan. 21. NBC6 South Florida reported that three people swam to a nearby boat, where they were pulled out of the water, and two of them went to the hospital with minor injuries. Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan said the dock had apparent signs of decay and areas that had visibly been recently repaired. {in}

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com 242 4

inweekly.net

Your Personal Injury Lawyers In Pensacola, Florida Since 1955 850-432-1111 | LevinLaw.com | Google Us February 3, 2022

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR

2022 RISING STARS!

Brett Aldridge

Michelle Jackson

Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Baptist Health Care Administrator, Baptist Hospital

Accounting Director Baptist Health Care

850.434.4080 / e BAPTISTHEALTHCARE.ORG

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RISING STARS

ARJUNA COLES Operations Assistant, The Spring Entrepreneur Hub

STEPHANA GAUDIN Learning Content Developer Studer Community Institute

Rising stars love opportunities to learn and grow.

ALEX SIDES Vice President of Sales Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Learn more about how to invest in them through training and mentorship at studeri.org/leadership Independent News | February 3, 2022 | inweekly.net