Inweekly March 25 2021 Issue

2021

POWER LIST #1 Sue Straughn

Independent News | March 25, 2021 | Volume 22 | Number 12 | Sue Straughn/Photo Courtesy of WEAR ABC 3

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winners & losers

outtakes

4

buzz

5

7

I'm here by divine intervention.

power list 13

publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Tim Bednarczyk

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Jeremy Morrison, C.S. Satterwhite

contact us info@inweekly.net

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. © 2018 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Congratulations

Willie Kirkland Jr. from W C Kirkland Trucking Inc. &

For The Child Inc.

on being named to 2021 Inweekly Power List!

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inweekly.net

March 25, 2021

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winners & losers Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.

— JOHN MAXWELL

Chandra Smiley

Dr. Martha Saunders

Dr. P. Michelle Grier-Hall

CEO/Executive Director, Community Health Northwest Florida

President, University of West Florida

Director of Pediatrics, Community Health Northwest Florida

Miller Caldwell III

Sandra Donaldson

Scott Remington

Partner, Caldwell Associates

Chief Advocacy Officer, Community Health Northwest Florida

Managing Shareholder, Clark Partington

Pilot Club of Pensacola / Courtesy Photo

Rick Scott / rickscott.senate.gov

PILOT CLUB OF PENSACOLA The Pilot Club of Pensacola and Pilot International Founders Fund donated $10,500 to purchase equipment canopies and shade sails to provide protection from the sun for children who attend Escambia Westgate School. The joint venture was accomplished as part of the matching grant program with the Pilot International Founders Fund. Pilot's focus on helping people affected by brain-related disorders was adopted in 1992. Since then, approximately 50,000 adult and youth members of Pilot International have been working together to increase awareness and to raise funds for programs associated with this focus.

RICK SCOTT Gov. Ron DeSantis has no plans to follow Senator Scott's advice to return some of the federal stimulus to Washington. Scott, the former Florida governor, on March 10 sent a letter to governors and mayors across the country, urging them to reject and return funds that exceed federally reimbursable COVID-19 expenses.

DeSantis didn't want to do that because the Treasury secretary could reallocate the dollars to other states. He said at a presser, "I don't think that would make sense for Floridians, for us to be giving even more money for the blue states that are already getting such a big windfall in this bill. So it doesn't make any sense to do that."

winners

SALTMARSH, CLEAVELAND & GUND Dr. Kim LeDuff

Scott Luth

Chief Diversity Officer, University of West Florida

President/CEO, FloridaWest

Congratulations to all of the leaders included in the 2021 Power List. Thank you for your contributions to making our community a great place to live, work and grow.

Special kudos to these visionary leaders we have been privileged to work with over the years.

DR . MONA A. AMODE O F O UNDE R & CEO, IDG R OUP 2 0 2 1 POW E R LIST

Accounting Today has once again included Saltmarsh on its list of 2021 Gulf Coast Regional Leaders. The list is comprised of firms based in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi and was released as part of the publication's annual listing of the Top 100 Firms in the nation, which ranks of the largest practices in tax and accounting, both nationwide and in 10 major geographic regions, along with their growth strategies and a host of benchmarking data. This follows the firm's recent recognition as one of Forbes' Top Recommended U.S. Tax and Accounting Firms and its listing on INSIDE Public Accounting's Top 200 Firms.

SEVILLE ROTARY Gulf Coast Kid's House's (GCKH) newly re-released Know Child Abuse Training recently received $5,000 from Seville Rotary. GCKH was a recipient of idgroup's Brand on Us Campaign, which rebranded the previous Safe Kid Zone to Know Child Abuse.

Seville Rotary's donation allowed GCKH to edit the existing training and add a child sex trafficking component. Currently, Escambia County ranks No. 4 for reported child abuse cases in the state of Florida. GCKH has seen a 57.81% increase in new child abuse investigations by the Department of Children and Families from July-October 2020.

DANICA PHILLIPS Escambia County's

GROW BEYOND GOOD IDGROUPBRANDING.COM • MONAAMODEO.COM

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new media and public information manager served five years in the U.S. Navy as a mass communication specialist aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier. Phillips earned a Navy-wide award for Graphic Designer of the Year. She continues to serve as a Navy Reservist in Pensacola.

losers

TATE HIGH HOMECOMING SCANDAL

The biggest story coming of out Pensacola last week was the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's arrest of Bellview Elementary School Assistant Principal Laura Rose Carroll and her daughter Emily Rose Grover, a 17-year-old Tate High School student, for allegedly using Carroll's access to the student data system to cast fraudulent votes that helped Grover win homecoming queen (See "The Buzz" for details). Every major newspaper in the country has shared the story. We doubt former School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas would have ever called in FDLE to investigate the election fraud. He most likely would have done the investigation internally and buried the results. Kudos to Superintendent Dr. Timothy Smith for allowing FDLE to investigate.

BRIGHT FUTURES Its outlook isn't good, as Senate Republicans have targeted the popular scholarship that has benefitted over two million students who make good grades since 1997. Under a plan a Senate committee approved last week, GOP leaders want to cut scholarships for liberal arts degrees that they deem unlikely to lead to jobs. Lists of those degrees don't exist yet, but the "cancel culture" mentality of the Republicans is certain to go after the social sciences. In 2011, then-Gov. Rick Scott singled out anthropology as a lackluster career path. One of his daughters, incidentally, received a degree in anthropology but never pursued her major as a profession, which may have made Thanksgiving Dinner conversations awkward. inweekly.net

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

WIN-WIN Turning the other cheek is rare in the blood sport of local politics. And sadly, too many political discussions digress to win-lose scenarios with accusations, halftruths and insinuations.

The Community Maritime Park is a perfect example. The city fought over a referendum for the park with a stadium and a mix of offices, retail, housing and public space on Pensacola Bay for most of 2006. After the referendum passed, opponents threw so many obstacles in its path that the stadium didn't open until six years later.

Before referendum voted, naysayers argued that ECUA's Main Street Sewage Plant's odors would negatively impact attendance at the stadium's games. The plant was relocated to the Cantonment area two years before the maritime park opened.

Had the anti-park group gotten behind the maritime park after the referendum, downtown Pensacola's renaissance would have begun before 2010. The delays made financing more expensive and may have killed the plans for the UWF conference center and maritime museum.

Meanwhile, the Pensacola Chamber presented to the county commission and city council the concept of a downtown tech park next to the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition that would have had Avalex and Appriver as its anchors—another no-brainer that fell victim to city bureaucracy. When the city council had a chance to salvage it by selling the nearby Hawkshaw site to Avalex, leaders approved another proposal because it included residential.

The project never happened.

Former Mayor Ashton Hayward had chances to have the YMCA and the UWF Center for Entrepreneurship at the park but let the proposals die. The mayor and others hinted they had better offers coming. They didn't.

Unfortunately, no one in Pensacola measures lost opportunities, but maybe Pensacola is ready to look for more win-win situations.

The year-long debate over what the county should do with Outlying Landing Field 8 (OLF-8) has settled on a flexible hybrid plan that includes the amenities that

some residents in Nature Trail and other surrounding subdivisions desire but leaves room for commercial projects that take advantage of the site's proximity to Interstate 10 and creating high-paying jobs.

At times, it appeared the county commissioners, DPZ CoDesign and the daily newspaper's editorial board were speaking different languages. No side seemed to understand what the others were saying. Obviously, compromises needed to be made, and fortunately, Chairman Robert Bender made it happen.

But what is even more encouraging is all sides are supporting the hybrid plan. While no one got everything they wanted in the OLF-8 master plan, the compromise gives the county the flexibility to adjust as the market unfolds over the next 20-30 years.

We need to continue to look for common ground on issues and avoid the temptation to attack those who don't have the same view.

Once a decision is made, we need to work together to help it succeed.

In April, the Pensacola City Council will vote on the Silver Hills project that includes between 375 and 450 residential units, a parking garage and commercial space on two parcels at the maritime park currently used for surface parking and green space between the Blue Wahoos Stadium and Main Street.

The rhetoric has been heated, with insinuations made against parties on both sides. The proposal's facts may have gotten lost in the debate, as has happened in past council discussions.

The Community Maritime Park will not reach its potential as an economic catalyst without a parking garage. The Silver Hills plan builds the facility large enough to accommodate all the park's tenants without the city having to put up any money. The Southtowne apartment complex will be duplicated, bringing 500 more residents to downtown in exchange for a 10-year tax exemption. The influx of customers for downtown would have an exponential impact on the local economy.

If the focus stays on the facts, I'm confident the city council will make the right decision about the project, but this is Pensacola.

Stay tuned. {in} rick@inweekly.net

We need to continue to look for common ground on issues and avoid the temptation to attack those who don't have the same view.

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Thank you for making a difference in our community.

Congratulations!

From the Studer Family of Companies

Chandra Smiley, MSW CEO, Executive Director

P. Michelle Grier-Hall, MD, FAAP Director of Pediatrics

THERE'S POWER IN COMPASSION. Congratulations to our Power List honorees, who live and lead by our Mission each and every day.

Committed to assuring access to affordable, quality healthcare for the underserved, underinsuredand uninsured population, we treat each person with respect, dignity, and compassion regardless of age, gender, race, religion, circumstances or ability to pay.

Sandra Donaldson, MPA, MBA Chief Advocacy Officer 66

inweekly.net

IMPACT 100 / Courtesy Photo

THE IMPACT OF IMPACT IMPACT 100

Pensacola Bay Area, a local women's philanthropic organization, recently announced its 2021 Membership Drive has successfully concluded with a total of 1,120 members.

IMPACT 100 will give back $1,120,000 by awarding 11 transformative project grants of $101,820 each to nonprofit organizations serving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties on Oct. 17. This is the fourth consecutive year that IMPACT 100 has been able to award 11 grants to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Pensacola Bay Area.

"What a wonderful, giving community we live in. The spirit of philanthropy is alive and well among us, as demonstrated by the 1,120 women who have chosen to be a part

March 25, 2021

of IMPACT 100 in 2021," said Roz Leahy, president of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area. "The women of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area continue to help our nonprofit organizations launch truly transformative projects that benefit thousands of people, young and old, in our communities."

This is the 18th year IMPACT 100 will have awarded grants to local nonprofit organizations. After awarding the 2021 grants, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area will have funded 131 grants, totaling $13,950,000.

IMPACT 100 will award two grants in each of five focus areas—Arts, Culture and History; Education; Environment, Recreation and Preservation; Family; and Health & Wellness. Due to the overwhelming

response to the Membership Drive, one additional grant will be awarded in one of the five focus areas for a total of 11 transformative grants.

IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area will host a free nonprofit webinar for those considering applying for a grant on Tuesday, April 20, via Zoom from 9-11:30 a.m. with guest speaker Emily Ley. Her presentation will cover "Purpose, Plans & Pivots: Thriving During Crisis and Uncertainty."

For more information, visit impact100pensacola.org.

ABOLISHING CRC In 2017, Inweekly interviewed former Senate President Don Gaetz, who had been appointed to serve

on the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC). He was optimistic about the process that allows the voters to revisit the state's constitution every 20 years.

He shared, "We have the option of taking a clean sheet of paper out and starting out with 'We the people.' Or we can embroider some changes around the edges."

Gaetz pointed out that Florida is the only state that has a constitutional revision process like this. He said that the commission tries to update the state constitution and look ahead for the next 20 years.

Last week, the House Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee, in a 12-4 vote, backed a measure (HJR 1179) to ask voters in 2022 to eliminate the CRC. "There are other ways to amend the Constitution," bill sponsor Rep. Mike Beltran, R-Lithia, said. "This particular method does not yield good results for our constituents."

Beltran added the commission has inappropriately dealt with issues that should have been left to the Legislature.

The 37-member commission has been targeted after it put seven amendments on the 2018 ballot that were approved. That included high-profile measures designed to ban offshore oil drilling, prohibit vaping in enclosed indoor workspaces, bar elected officials from lobbying the first six years out of office and outlaw greyhound racing.

The commission drew at least in part because it bundled unrelated issues into single ballot proposals. For example, it tied together the bans on oil drilling and workplace vaping.

Critics argued such bundling was unfair to voters, who might support one issue in a ballot proposal and oppose another.

In voting against the proposed abolition of the commission, Rep. Ben Diamond, D-St. Petersburg, said the focus should be to prohibit future bundling of topics into single ballot issues.

"If they're going to propose an amendment, it should only address a single subject," Diamond said. "I have concerns of

7

doing away with the process of meeting once every 20 years to take a hard look at our state Constitution and think about how it can be improved."

Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said the proposal would limit avenues for the public to change the Constitution.

"I don't think it's in the best interests of the people of Florida for just the Legislature to have the most power in dictating what gets onto that constitutional ballot process," Eskamani said, referring to lawmakers' power to place proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot.

STIMULUS CHECKS Locals have begun receiving $1, 400 checks from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan signed by President Joe Biden earlier this month. How much will the checks help households in the greater Pensacola area? doxo, the all-in-one web and mobile bill pay service, recently released new doxoINSIGHTS data that reveals 90% of Americans believe that the $1,400 will help improve their financial health. The data also shows that most Americans (59%) plan to use the money to pay household bills, such as utilities, cable/internet and mobile phone.

According to doxo's data, residents in the Pensacola Metropolitan Statistical Area pay $1,082 on the eight most common household bills, excluding rent or mortgage. The largest monthly bill is utilities, an average of $353 per month.

UWF TRUSTEES APPOINTED Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced the appointment of Dr. Paul Hsu and the reappointment of Lewis Bear Jr. and Robert Jones to the University of West Florida Board of

Trustees. Bear and Jones have served on the board since 2010 and will return for a new five-year term with DeSantis' appointment. Hsu will fill a vacant position.

"Dr. Hsu's credentials are quite impressive, and the two reappointed trustees have been invaluable in positioning UWF as a top-ranked university," UWF President Martha D. Saunders said. "I look forward to working with them."

Hsu serves as founder and chairman of HSU Educational Foundation. His establishment of the HSU Educational Foundation Inc. led to the development of HSU Innovation Institutes of learning, hosting business-to-student initiatives that inspire and prepare tomorrow's workforce with high-demand STEM skills.

In 1984, Hsu founded Manufacturing Technology Inc., serving the Department of Defense in avionics and battlefield electronics. Following MTI, he built three successful businesses—Total Parts Plus Inc., an internet-based data content company providing electronic component obsolescence management and engineering services; ActiGraph LLC, an electronic

SERVANT LEADER ON A MISSION Guided by our Mission of helping people throughout life’s journey, Lakeview Center aims for miraculous moments each day to support people on their journeys toward wellbeing. Lakeview Center celebrates each day as an opportunity to learn something new and collaborate with dynamic leaders across the region to build on community resilience.

Allison Hill

President/CEO, Lakeview Center, Inc. Senior Vice President Baptist Health Care

eB A PT I ST H E A LT H C A R E . O R G 88

inweekly.net

medical device manufacturer of a product that collects biometric data; and Crestview Technology Air Park, an airport development providing infrastructure for aerospace and technology-driven solutions in Northwest Florida.

Hsu is currently serving a two-year appointment as chairman of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. He previously served in numerous presidential appointments and public service roles. The U.S. Department of Transportation secretary recently selected him to serve on the Federal Aviation Administration's Drone Advisory Committee.

Bear is the president and CEO of the Lewis Bear Company, a wholesale distribution business in Pensacola. He has served on the UWF Foundation Board of Directors, where he was campaign chair and was recently inducted as a Foundation Fellow. He's also been involved with the Florida Arts Council, Statewide Health Planning Council Board, Pensacola Museum of Art and the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. He earned a bachelor's degree from Troy University.

Jones is the CEO of Jones-Phillips & Associates Inc., an economic development consulting firm. He served in the Florida Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves for 28 years. Jones has served as a trustee of Chipola College and has been involved with Alpha Gamma Rho, the American Legion and the Vintage Triumph Register. He earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Florida and graduated with honors from the United States Army Command & General Staff College.

The UWF Board of Trustees is the 13-member governing body for the institution. The governor of Florida appoints six of the members who serve fi ve-year terms, and the Florida Board of Governors appoints fi ve of the members who also serve fi ve-year terms. The president of the Faculty Senate and the Student Government Association president fill the remaining two seats. The Senate must approve all appointments.

ELECTION FRAUD The Florida Depart-

ment of Law Enforcement has uncovered election fraud—not in the 2020 presidential election but the Tate High School homecoming queen race.

On Monday, March 15, FDLE agents arrested Laura Rose Carroll, 50, and her daughter, 17, of Pensacola on one count each of offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, criminal use of personally identifiable information and conspiracy to commit these offenses.

In October 2020, hundreds of votes for Tate High School's Homecoming Court voting were flagged as fraudulent, with 117 March 25, 2021

votes originating from the same IP address within a short period. The agents uncovered evidence of unauthorized access to FOCUS, the school district's student information system, linked to Carroll's cell phone as well as computers associated with their residence, with a total of 246 votes cast for the Homecoming Court.

Multiple students reported that the daughter described using her mother's FOCUS account to cast votes. The investigation also found that beginning August 2019, Carroll's FOCUS account accessed 372 high school records, and 339 of those were of Tate High School students.

NEIGHBORHOOD CHALLENGE GRANTS The City of Pensacola is now ac-

cepting applications for the spring cycle of the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Pensacola Neighborhood Challenge Grant Program, which is a matching grant program that provides the city's neighborhood associations with funding to complete neighborhood improvement projects.

Applications for the program will be available on the City of Pensacola website during the grant application cycle, which is open through 4 p.m. Friday, April 30.

Through the Pensacola Neighborhood Challenge Grant Program, funds can be used for various neighborhood initiatives, including beautification projects, signage, sidewalks, or other public property improvements. Funds can be matched by cash, in-kind contributions, volunteer labor or any combination of the three.

Each application must consist of a single project with a clearly defined goal that directly benefits the neighborhood and its residents. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to, family/home safety training, drug and fire prevention programs, cultural exhibit areas, after-school enrichment programs and youth literacy programs.

NOW APPLICATIONS Pen Air's NOW

Program is a seven-month-long program designed to guide three chosen families to the financial freedom they've been dreaming of. These families will be paired with a Certified Financial Counselor, or NOW Advisor, to lead them on a journey to lowered debt and increased savings.

NOW participants will finish this financial challenge with a better understanding of their income and expenses and how to foster healthier spending habits. On average, our participating NOW Teams have saved $12,381 and decreased their debt by $16,043.

Points will be awarded to each family for the percent increase in savings, percent decrease in debt, submitting blog and video content, attending Pen Air financial workshops, volunteering in the community and meeting with their NOW Advisor. After seven months, the NOW Team that earns

Beck Partners is pleased to congratulate all the 2021 Power List Honorees, including our own Justin Beck.

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the most points during the contest will be awarded $5,000.

The selected NOW Teams will be asked to document their journey via social media, video and blogs each month to inspire the community. Applications for Pen Air's 2021 NOW Program are being accepted now through April 15. Please visit penair.org/now to apply.

GAETZ GOSSIP Our Congressman

Matt Gaetz had another stellar week. On Wednesday, March 17, the Fort Walton Beach Republican was one of only a dozen representatives who voted against awarding three Congressional Gold Medals in honor of U.S. Capitol and District of Columbia police who defended the Capitol against an armed insurrection on Jan. 6. So much for supporting law enforcement.

Two days later, the House overwhelmingly approved a measure condemning the military coup in Myanmar that ousted the country's civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Gaetz joined 13 other GOP members who voted against it. Myanmar military seized control of the Southeast Asian country in a coup on Feb. 1, alleging widespread voter

fraud during the November 2020 general election, which gave Suu Kyi's party another overwhelming victory. Maybe the measure touched a nerve with Gaetz.

Gaetz also made jokes about Vice President Kamala Harris checking President Joe Biden's pulse whenever she shakes his hand and bet on Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, besting Biden in a debate. Guess the "America First" slogan no longer applies.

COVID MILESTONE With the addition of 5,105 reported cases Saturday, March 20, the state hit 2,004,362 confirmed cases since the pandemic started, according to the Florida Department of Health.

The milestone was another reminder of the toll that COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, has taken on the state, killing at least 32,713 Floridians and sickening countless others. Another 624 non-residents have died in the state.

During the past three months, the state has rushed to vaccinate people, with about 4.82 million receiving at least one dose—including more than 3.1 million seniors, who are particularly vulnerable to the virus. Gov. Ron DeSantis

has pinned his COVID-19 strategy on vaccinations, including allowing all people age 50 and older to get shots as of Monday, March 22.

"We'll see how it goes next week, but I think we will definitely be opening it up to everybody, certainly before May 1 and maybe much sooner than that. So stayed tuned there," he said during a news conference late last week.

But even with the vaccinations, Florida has added thousands of additional cases and dozens of additional deaths a day. The United States has had about 29.75 million confirmed cases and 541,000 deaths because of the virus, according to tracking data from Johns Hopkins University.

Escambia County has had 34,558 cases reported as of Saturday, March 20, of which 30,980 were Florida residents. FDOH reported Escambia has had 2,217 cases tied to long-term care facilities, about 7% of all cases. The state's percentage is 4%.

The county's death total was 657—285 since the end of December. About a third of the COVID-19 deaths, 227, were tied to nursing homes. COVID-19 only trails cancer in the causes of death locally.

Escambia County has had 61,887 vaccinated—34,389 have completed the dose series. The majority of those vaccinated are over the age of 55, 77.5%, and white, 58.8%.

Less than 12% of the Black community has received the shots.

PET ADOPTION EVENT Pensacola

Humane Society has teamed with North Shore Animal League America for Tour For Life 2021, the world's largest national cooperative, life-saving pet adoption event, in partnership with Purina®, for a weeklong celebration at their shelter. From 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, March 23-Saturday, March 27, adoption fees will be $25 for dogs and $10 for cats. Additionally, all approved adopters will receive giveaways provided by Purina.

Pensacola Humane Society is open to the public and will be enforcing social distancing. Only two people are allowed inside at a time. Once potential adopters have arrived, they're asked to please sign in on the clipboard, ring the doorbell and take a set on the large front porch until a staff member can assist them. To enter the building at 5 N. Q St., visitors must wear a mask. {in}

Congratulations Regions Bank is pleased to congratulate the 2021 Power List Honorees, including our own Scott Barrow.

Scott Barrow | Area Wealth Executive Pensacola-Fort Walton Beach City President

regions.com

© 2021 Regions Bank.

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inweekly.net

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INWEEKLY POWER LIST 2021

2021 POWER LIST — TOP 25 Also Voted BEST ATTORNEY

By Inweeky Readers

THANK YOU PENSACOLA 212 1

inweekly.net

2021 • inweekly

POWER

LIST

By Rick Outzen

O

ver the past two decades, we've learned that Pensacola loves lists— any kinds of lists, really, but especially ranked lists involving food or people.

Seriously, we get more angry emails when we publish lists about either of those things than when we endorse a candidate for president. You love it; we love it. So keep doing it.

This issue that you're holding right now is the biggest and most popular one we do all year where people are the topic. It's our annual Power List.

Since we created the inaugural Power List on a cocktail napkin over happy hour at the Atlas Oyster House in June 2007, ranking the most influential people in the Pensacola area has become a staple on our editorial calendar—which really surprised us because when it started, the very notion of ranking business owners, devel-

March 25, 2021

opers, corporate heads, attorneys, doctors and community leaders based on their influence was more than a little absurd.

The original list and its rankings were based on one simple question—who could get something done in Pensacola with only a few phone calls? But throughout the years, our staff has used this annual exercise as a way to examine, evolve and expand our personal definitions of "power." Thankfully, who has influence in our community isn't limited to politicians or people who sit on boards, and when we create this list, we try to make sure that the door is open as wide as possible to include all types of change-makers.

Activists who organize and use their voices to inspire others are powerful. So are small-business owners, educators and journalists.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we

chose not to publish a list last year, and when the planning began for this 2021 list, we thought about people who have has stepped up during this crisis and who have used their influence to help the community through it. One of the first names that came to mind was Sue Straughn, and we knew straight away that she was the best choice to top this year's list. Besides being a trusted local news source during a time when staying informed was critical, she continued to do what she has been doing for decades—advocating for the community and causes that matter off-camera too.

In addition to Straughn, who's the first media figure to top the list, the 2021 Power List has 30 new names, including a few in the top 25. The degrees of separation are slight, which makes the issue fun to write and debate. We hope you enjoy reading the 2021 Inweekly Power List.

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2021 inweekly POWER LIST

Sue Straughn / Photos Courtesy of WEAR ABC 3

#1 Sue Straughn

By Jennifer Leigh Most of us living in the western panhandle would be hard-pressed to remember a time when Sue Straughn wasn't on WEAR-TV. For over 40 years, Straughn has been a regular guest in living rooms—and now cell phones and tablets—sharing local news.

But becoming a news anchor wasn't her lifelong dream.

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"My lifelong goal was to be a social worker," she said.

Since she was a little girl, Straughn just wanted to help people. And what better way to help people than keeping them informed? Over the years, she's used her public platform to shine a light on the needs in the community.

"For a long time, I had felt I had not

fulfilled my purpose in life," Straughn said.

"But then, someone told me, 'You can do more social work where you are.' It changed my perspective. Maybe I can do something to help people on a broader scale."

"YOUNG AND DUMB" Working at a TV station was "not my plan," said Straughn. She fell into the job as

a typist (96 words per minute) in 1973. She hasn't worked anywhere else since.

"I'm here by divine intervention," she said.

After years of working at the station, she moved into the role of traffic manager scheduling programs and ads. When she noticed five minutes of available airtime, she decided to fill it with a program she created and hosted called "Dimensions." The segments were inweekly.net

dedicated to different nonprofits around the area. One of the first segments featured the American Cancer Society.

Straughn said it wasn't exactly a "Lean In" moment.

"I was young and dumb," she said with a laugh. "I knew nothing about being on TV, but I just put it on the air. The craziest thing about it was that I wasn't fired."

Turns out she did know something about being on TV, though, because "Dimensions" was so popular it ran five days a week. Viewers positively responded to Straughn's natural curiosity—"my mother said I was the nosiest child," she said. When a position opened on the anchor desk, Straughn was considered a frontrunner. A local survey showed she had a lot of community trust. But she declined the job offer.

"I was scared to death," she said. "I had no clue whatsoever about being a TV anchor."

She was eventually coaxed into the position with an offer that she could go back to her old job and still keep the salary raise if she didn't like anchoring.

"There wasn't too much for me to lose," she said.

"I WAS JUST A FACE" Straughn knew that heading to the anchor desk was a big deal—not just for her career, but for the community. Diversity in newsrooms has long been an issue. Even today. According to a 2018 article from Pew Research Center, newsroom employees are less diverse than U.S. workers overall with 77% of newsrooms employed by non-Hispanic whites.

March 25, 2021

While there were "a lot of people" who weren't happy about her new role, Straughn said she hopes she's changed their minds. Now in a senior position, she says she lends her voice to encourage positive steps forward.

"I love hearing diverse voices," she said.

"And when it comes to diversity, I think we need to cast a very wide net."

It's also not lost on Straughn what her daily presence might mean for young people of color and young women who are watching the news. It's a responsibility that comes with the job, she said.

"The viewers make me who I am, and I need to earn that trust every day," she said.

"For young women in particular, I hope I've left a trail they might walk down."

"The viewers make me who I am, and I need to earn that trust every day. For young women in particular, I hope I've left a trail they might walk down." Sue Straughn On the news team, Straughn had even more opportunities to highlight the good work in the community.

"I'm drawn to the positive, feel-good stories," she said. "I just want to be good and do something for somebody."

Straughn not only reports on good work,

Congratulations to President Ed Meadows 2021 InWeekly Power List Honoree!

Pensacola State College is proud of our seven decades of producing some of our area’s most powerful leaders.

Associate Degrees | Bachelor’s Degrees Career and Technical Programs Adult Education and GED prep Continuing Education

Go here. Get there.

PensacolaState.edu | 850.484.1000 Pensacola State College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender/sex, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information in its educational programs, activities, or employment. For inquiries regarding Title IX and the College’s nondiscrimination policies, contact the Executive Director of Institutional Diversity and Student Conduct at 850-484-1759, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola, Florida 32504.

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2021 inweekly POWER LIST

Power List Carroll Scarborough 2021.pdf 1 3/11/2021 9:22:19 PM

but she gets to be a part of it. She's one of the founding members of Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) and she's served on countless boards, including Covenant Hospice Foundation, Autism Pensacola, American Red Cross, Sacred Heart Hospital Advisory Board and more. She's also a longtime supporter of Arc Gateway.

And organizations have come to trust Straughn to be a voice for the community's needs both as a reporter and as a leader.

"Whenever there is a need in the community that has been ignored for too long, we call Sue Straughn," Josh Newby, marketing communications director for Council on Aging of West Florida, told Inweekly.

"If there is a senior who deserves to be spotlighted for their brave and selfless actions, we call Sue Straughn.

And whenever our agency or board needs support, Sue Straughn is there to

not only fulfill the need, but to go above and beyond. Council on Aging, Northwest Florida seniors, and our community as a whole are all lucky to have Sue. She could probably go anywhere in the country, but she chooses to be here, serving quietly most of the time, but raising a righteous ruckus when necessary."

One of Straughn's most ambitious—and longstanding—forms of outreach is Communities Caring at Christmas. The annual campaign raises thousands of dollars to provide a special holiday season for the area's most vulnerable children.

Straughn came up with the holiday campaign in 1979. And since then, it has helped countless children. But there's one in particular she'll never forget.

She was working an event at the Pensacola Civic Center when a young boy approached her.

"He grabbed me around the legs and said, 'Thank you for my coat,'" she recalled.

"He said, 'I didn't have no coat and it was cold and my grandmama said you bought me a coat.'"

It turns out he was a recipient of the holiday drive. But it was easier for his grandmother to explain to him that the familiar face on TV made it happen.

"I was just a face, but that correlation was humbling," said Straughn. "It will always stay with me."

"I DON'T HAVE ANY POWER" Even after decades of being on TV, Straughn is wary to admit she's any kind of local celebrity. She still gets surprised when someone notices her when she's out running errands.

"I'm one of the shiest you will ever meet," she said. "When someone goes out of their way to say hi to me, it's humbling.

It's another blessing (of the job) that they allow me in their living rooms every day."

She can get in front of a big crowd and emcee charity events. Still, Straughn said she's happiest just sweeping the floors once the party is over.

"I'm lucky to be afforded the opportunity to stand in front of the microphone, but I'm happier just doing the work—like stacking the chairs. That's my time."

TV is a powerful medium—and still the most popular platform for news—but Straughn said she doesn't feel powerful because she's in front of the camera.

"I don't have any power," she said. "What I think people see as my power is not me.

I just bring a face. When I emcee a charity event and it raises a lot of money, that's not me. I just get to make the ask. Every year, we go in front of Lowe's and report on seniors who need space heaters, and people go in a buy them and it feels wonderful. I feel like I've done something worthwhile."

"But the people are the power." {in}

CONGRATULATIONS

CARROLL

SCARBOROUGH

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inweekly.net

CONGRATULATIONS to Sunil Gupta, M.D.

VISIONARY CARE. VISIONARY LEADERSHIP. The team members at Retina Specialty Institute and IRIS: Intelligent Retinal Imaging Systems wish to congratulate visionary retinal surgeon, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Dr. Sunil Gupta for being featured in the

Top 10 on the Inweekly InWeekly2021 2018Power PowerList. list.

Dr. Gupta provides world-class retina care while utilizing the newest and best retina treatments available.

Dedicated to Making Our Community Stronger

Lead by his compassion and innovative nature, he has greatly impacted the healthcare industry, our community, and — most importantly — his patients’ lives.

Congratulations Cox Gulf Coast Market VP David Deliman on being named in the Top 10 of the 2021 InWeekly Power List!

Retina Specialty Institute and IRIS are proud to have Dr. Sunil Gupta championing the mission to eliminate preventable blindness!

Thank you for all you do in the community.

Find out more at cox.com

© 2020 Cox Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

March 25, 2021

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2021 POWER LIST

CHARLES LIBERIS DOWNTOWN TRAILBLAZER

A former aide to Congressman Bob Sikes, Charles has been a real estate attorney and developer for over 40 years with projects from Biloxi to the Florida Keys.

His more notable projects include Sabine Yacht & Racquet Club Condominium, Lafitte Cove Subdivision, Biloxi Beach Resort and Hernando Oaks Golf & Country Club.

With his launch of Olde City Development LLC in 2014, Charles has been a leader in residential development in Pensacola’s downtown urban core. He started buying infill lots and was a pioneer in building the cottage-style homes seen throughout downtown today.

When his first three homes on Intendencia Street sold before completion, Charles realized downtown Pensacola was on the verge of a renaissance. Moving forward, he assembled individual lots into groups starting at C and Government Streets and continued westward, building over 41 homes in the past six years.

CURRENT PROJECTS INCLUDE: COVINGTON PLACE LUXURY DOWNTOWN TOWNHOMES West Cervantes Street at Baylen Street RESIDENCES AT ROMANA Single-family detached high-end homes, Romana Street at E Street G STREET 102, 106, 110 & 114 South G Street MILLS LAKE ESTATES DEVELOPMENT Gated 48-lot subdivision Beulah Road at Nine Mile Road MALLORY MANOR Traditional North Hill Homes with an updated flair, Mallory Street at Baylen Street 101 BAYSHORE Luxury condominiums overlooking Pensacola Bay 101 Bayshore Drive YACHT HARBOR 17 Beach residences, all with boat slips Old River, Perdido Key

WWW.OLDECITYDEVELOPERS.COM 818 1

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2021 inweekly POWER LIST

2. Troy Rafferty Shareholder, Levin Papantonio Rafferty Rafferty is a former president of the Florida Justice Association and a recipient of the Perry Nichols Award, the highest award given by the organization. He has been honored with the Living the Dream Award and the HK Matthews Legacy Award for exemplifying the ideals of Dr. Mar-

tin Luther King Jr. He is also a fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, which limits membership to 500 fellows from the United States.

Rafferty also funds The Rafferty Scholarship/Award, which is awarded annually to two area high school athletes. Area high schools compete

for the Rafferty Cup for excellence in athletic achievement. Rafferty and his wife have also established a college scholarship fund supervised by the Southern Youth Sports Association for inner-city youth. In 2020, he was awarded the Sportsman of the Year by the Pensacola Sports Association.

3. Dr. Martha Saunders President, University of West Florida With Saunders at the helm, UWF's spirited community of learners has won top rankings in almost everything that matters. Over the past year, the university earned the highest scores in the employment of its graduates on the Florida Board

of Governors performance-based metrics. The UWF Center for Cybersecurity is holding strong nationally as an education and training powerhouse. Record enrollment, high ratings as a public regional university in U.S. News & World Report rankings,

national recognition for diversity, veteran support and being a great place to work added up to another excellent year for Pensacola's hometown university. President Saunders is showing no signs of slowing down.

4. Grover Robinson IV Mayor, City of Pensacola

The seventh-generation Pensacolian won the election in 2018 with 56% of the vote. Since taking office, he has fulfilled his campaign promise of holding weekly press conferences and monthly town halls. His transition team met in the Sunshine, which added another level of transparency. Before

March 25, 2021

taking office, Robinson served as Escambia County Commissioner for 12 years and was elected president of the Florida Association of Counties. After the BP oil spill, he served as chairman of the Florida Gulf Consortium for the RESTORE Act. He has won several awards for his service, including the Joe

Oldmixon Service Award, God in Government Award, Veterans Homeless Stand Down Award, Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Laureate and Grover Robinson III Pensacola Rotary Service Award. Also, he has Special Congressional Recognition Certificates from the Florida Senate and House.

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2021 inweekly POWER LIST

5. Dr. C. Edward Meadows President, Pensacola State College Since 2008, Dr. Meadows has served as PSC president and has been a champion for workforce development. Under his leadership, the college has expanded locations in South Santa Rosa and Century and recently was approved to open a site for truck driver training in Santa Rosa County. Associ-

ate degree programs in veterinary technology and health care management have been added as well as workforce bachelor degree programs in nursing, cybersecurity and business with concentrations in graphic design, law enforcement, health care and human resources management. Recently, PSC

was awarded the National Bellwether Award for its virtual tutoring program, which has been adopted by universities and community colleges across the nation and was a top 10 finalist for the National Bellwether Award for the workforce impact in Century with its mobile welding training program.

6. Mark Faulkner President/CEO, Baptist Health Care Faulkner told Inweekly that he measures success by the impact he has on other people. He says it's a privilege to lead Baptist Health Care's diverse community efforts for health and human services. Under his

leadership, Baptist impacts over 1.1 million patients and clients annually and is one of the area's largest employers. Faulkner currently chairs the Achieve Escambia Leadership Council among other roles. Florida

The power to inspire a new generation of leaders.

CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING NAMED TO THE 2021 POWER LIST.

DR. KIM LEDUFF

Vice President for Academic Engagement and Student Affairs, Chief Diversity Officer

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DR. MARTHA D. SAUNDERS UWF President

Trend recognized him as one of the top 500 most influential Floridians for four consecutive years. Faulkner considers himself a blessed individual and believes in using his blessings for good by serving others.

uwf.edu

MAMIE HIXON

Assistant Professor in the Department of English, Director of the UWF Writing Lab

inweekly.net

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2021 inweekly POWER LIST

7. David Bear VP, The Lewis Bear Company

Bear is part of the fifth generation of the Bear family to run The Lewis Bear Company's wholesale beverage company. He has been instrumental in expanding the company's portfolio from one supplier of beer to approxi-

mately 60 suppliers of nonalcoholic drinks, craft beers, craft distilled spirits and wine products. Bear founded both the Foo Foo Festival and Vacation Artfully campaigns. He now serves as chairman of the Escambia County

Tourist Development Council and vice chairman of FloridaWest EDA. As chairman of the TDC, he's ensuring proper spending of the tourist development tax to further diversify and grow tourism in the County.

8. Robert Rinke

Co-Owner/Broker of Levin Rinke Realty; Managing Partner of Levin Rinke Development Rinke moved to Pensacola Beach from California in 1991. He started Levin Rinke Realty with the late Allen Levin, selling over $3 billion in real estate over the last 30 years. He has made selling the Pensacola lifestyle his passion. Seeing a need for qual-

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ity inventory inspired Rinke and his partners to develop over 1,000 resort condominiums. Focusing on quality, all-concrete construction with a heavy emphasis on lifestyle amenities, Rinke helped to set a new standard for development along the Gulf Coast. For

over three decades, Rinke has worked with local leaders and the county to improve the quality of life for locals and tourists, advocating for change that will enrich lives, enhance the economy and make the area a vibrant destination to live, work and play.

inweekly.net

As you go through life, you’ll find you’re never sorry you were kind.

HERBERT PROCHNOW

Brought to you by the Studers March 25, 2021

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2021 inweekly POWER LIST

9. Sunil Gupta, MD Founder RSI, IRIS and USR

RSI has gained national prominence by participating as a development partner in surgical devices and next-generation pharmaceuticals for retinal disorders, including stem cell and gene therapies. IRIS has grown to

serve 660,000 patients and save over 91,000 undiagnosed patients with sight-threatening retinal disorders, primarily diabetic retinopathy. USR has become the largest commercial retinal organization, representing over 30% of the retina community

in distribution, data aggregation and clinical trial networks. Together, these three organizations will serve to help pave the way to achieve access and quality outcomes while optimizing value-based pathways for the future of retinal care in the United States.

10. David Deliman

Market Vice President, Gulf Coast, Cox Communications Deliman is responsible for Cox's operations in Northwest Florida, from Pensacola and Perdido Key to Sandestin. He oversees the company's local employee base and is an advocate for customers, employees and Cox in the

community. Deliman is actively involved in several nonprofit organizations and is the current chair of the Ronald McDonald House board of directors. He's also past chair of Achieve Escambia and serves on the board of the Greater Pen-

sacola Chamber. Deliman is in his 17th year at Cox, where he has held a variety of roles at both in the field and corporate offices. Before that, he worked in broadcast journalism as a reporter and managing editor at WEAR-TV.

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER

ON A MISSION

Guided by Baptist Health Care’s Mission of helping people throughout life’s journey, our organization exists to serve others.

Baptist celebrates the transformation of our community and its leaders who put people first to deliver care and services now and for generations to come.

Mark Faulkner

President/CEO Baptist Health Care

eB A PT I ST H E A LT H C A R E . O R G 424 2

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Congratulations to Nix and all the 2021 Power List honorees

2021 inweekly POWER LIST 11. Julian MacQueen Chairman & Founder, Innisfree Hotels

MacQueen founded Innisfree Hotels and built a portfolio of hotels along the Gulf Coast and beyond. He transitioned to board chairman in 2018.

MacQueen spearheaded the Escambia Children's Trust, serving as its founding chairman. In 2012, the Pensacola Chamber named him Business Leader of the Year. He received the 2016 Hotelier Hall of Fame Award and NAACP's 2019 Elvin McCorvey Education Award. MacQueen was named the 2020 Florida Trend 500's Most Influential Business Leader in Hospitality.

Attorneys & Community Partners Since 1883 BeggsLane.com

12. Sandy Sansing

President, Sandy Sansing Automotive

Sansing has been a pillar of Pensacola's business and philanthropic communities for more than five decades. Folks are as likely to recognize him for his name-bearing network of car dealerships as they are for his extensive charitable giving and leadership. Pensacolians of three generations know, if you need to get something done, "Sandy Sansing Can."

J. NIXON DANIEL, III Power List Honoree and Managing Partner

Beggs & Lane is a full-service law firm that provides legal advice and counsel to major corporations, businesses, and individuals. The firm has a diverse practice that offers the flexibility and resources to serve a variety of client needs.

13. Stephen R. Moorhead Founder, Moorhead Real Estate Law Group

Moorhead is a board-certified real estate attorney and is the founder of Moorhead Real Estate Law Group and Clear Title of Northwest Florida. He was selected to Florida Trend Legal Elite, rated AV Preeminent by MartindaleHubbell and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for 11 years. He is active in the community and serves on the boards of Achieve Escambia and the Greater Pensacola Chamber.

Driven by a passion to serve her clients and community, Cyndi Warren is an influencer at Warren Averett and throughout Pensacola.

Congratulations Cyndi and all of the 2021 Power List Honorees.

14. DeeDee Davis Owner/CEO, NAI Pensacola

Davis is the owner, CEO and broker of NAI Pensacola Commercial Real Estate, following a successful career in teaching. The former state representative has been heavily involved in our community for many years and has chaired and created successful fundraisers for local nonprofits, most notable the Rat Pack Reunion Gala for the Council on Aging. She currently serves on the UWF Foundation Board of Directors and is the immediate past chair of the Downtown Improvement Board.

15. Dawn Rudolph

President, Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola

Florida | Alabama | Georgia 626 2

| www.warrenaverett.com

Rudolph oversees the area's largest hospital that serves as the region's leading provider of specialized care for trauma, stroke, cancer, pediatrics, cardiology and obstetrics. Soon after her arrival in Pensacola in 2019, Rudolph stepped up as a community leader in the battle against COVID-19. She worked with elected officials and local health care leaders to coordinate an informed response to COVID-19. Rudolph guided the hospital as it provided compassionate care for thousands of patients sickened by the virus. inweekly.net

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TRUIST WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE INWEEKLY 2021 POWER LIST MEMBERS

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2021 inweekly POWER LIST 16. Cyndi Warren, CPA Office Managing Member, Warren Averett CPAs & Advisors

Driven by a passion for serving her clients and community, Warren is an influencer at Warren Averett and throughout Pensacola. She is a past president and member of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area. She currently serves on the board of directors for Impact 100 Global Council and is the Pensacola Campus Leader for Momentum Church and a mentor for the Escambia County School District.

17. Marcus Michles

Founder/Managing Partner, Michles and Booth, P.A

Michles is a leader in the Florida Justice Association and former chair of the Medical Malpractice Committee. As the son of a disabled Vietnam veteran and as a veteran himself, he is committed to military issues, including the creation of the Michles Family Freedom Foundation, a charitable foundation supporting military and first responders and their families.

18. Gay Nord

CEO, West Florida Healthcare

Nord is a transformational leader who has been aligning the culture and strategy for West Florida Healthcare's 2,000 employees since her arrival in September of 2019. She has played a key role in Northwest Florida's COVID-19 response by working together with our elected officials and community leaders to help guide our community through the pandemic. Currently, Nord is a member of First Place Partners and Downtown Rotary.

19. Aaron Watson Attorney, The Watson Firm, PLLC

Watson has built a high-powered personal injury law firm with locations in Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach. His brand is recognized on television, billboards, social media and other outlets throughout Northwest Florida. Since its inception in June 2016, Watson has recovered millions on behalf of his clients.

He has been named 2018 Entrepreneur of The Year by The Studer Community Institute, was honored with the 2019 UWF Trailblazer Award and was voted Best Attorney by Inweekly readers in Best of the Coast 2020.

20. Justin Beck

CEO, Beck Partners; Co-Founder Bayfront Capital

Beck leads a diversified real estate services firm headquartered in Pensacola with offices in Mobile, Tallahassee and Jacksonville. His company, Bayfront Capital Partners, is an active investor of multi-family and office properties across the region. He is the chair of the Pensacola Chamber and Sacred Heart Foundation Board.

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CON GRATU LATION S

CAROL CARLAN Congratulations to everyone on the 2021 Power List

Keep “Building” a Better Community 4400 Bayou Blvd., Suite 45 Pensacola, Florida 32503 850-476-0318 • www.westfloridabuilders.com 030 3

inweekly.net

2021 inweekly POWER LIST 21. Bruce Vredenburg

Regional President, Pensacola & Emerald Coast Markets, Hancock Whitney Bank

Vredenburg is a third-generation native who returned home to continue his banking career and be a part of his hometown's growth. He worked on Mayor Robinson's transition team. He also serves on the UWF Foundation, recently completed a two-year stint as board chairman for Florida's Great Northwest and is the current board chairman for West Florida Hospital. The Greater Pensacola Chamber named him Business Leader of the Year in 2017.

22. Scott Remington

President/Managing Shareholder, Clark Partington

An Okaloosa County native, Remington has been active in the community for over two decades. He is in his ninth and final year of service as president of Clark Partington. Remington also serves as General Counsel to Triumph Gulf Coast and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, is the Florida Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast and is a member of the Pensacola Citizens' Police Advisory Committee.

23. Fred Donovan Jr. Vice Chairman, Baskerville-Donovan

Donovan is a Pensacola native whose leadership has contributed to some of Northwest Florida's most transformational projects in the last 20 years. He is a steadfast advocate for local economic development initiatives and proudly contributes his time and tenacity to the Florida Chamber Political Institute and First Place Partners.

24. David Peaden

Executive Director, Home Builders of West Florida

CONGRATULATIONS

to everyone on the 2021 Inweekly Power List

Peaden is a Pensacola native who has provided extensive leadership and produced positive outcomes on numerous community initiatives.

He is currently board chair of Gulf Coast Kid's House and is a trustee for UWF Foundation and Rebuild Northwest Florida. Peaden served on Mayor Grover Robinson's Transition Team, and the Greater Pensacola Chamber named him Business Leader of the Year in 2019.

25. Mona Amodeo, Ph.D. Founder/CEO, idgroup

Amodeo is an author, teacher and advisor to leaders. She developed The Whole System Brand Model and Branding from the Core® process to support organizations in aligning purpose, perception and performance—ideas she shares in her book "Beyond Sizzle: The Next Evolution of Branding." As an advocate for the principles of Conscious Capitalism, she advances the responsibility of business to be a positive force in the world.

March 25, 2021

Thank you for your commitment to our community 5805 Saufley Field Road Pensacola, FL 32526 850-453-1253 | CGC-060045 31

2021 inweekly POWER LIST C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

To all those on the 2021 Power List and to the thousands who make a Positive Impact on Northwest Florida.

The Sandy Sansing Dealerships and family are proud to live and work in a community that values service to others, and shares the commitment to giving our time, talent, and resources to make Northwest Florida better.

We are proud of our long history of charitable giving and community involvement. The philanthropic tradition is continued today by David Sansing, who serves as President of

Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Board, and Stephanie Sansing White who serves on the UWF Board of Directors and as president of YMCA of Northwest Florida.

Our power is in our service to each other and our commitment to never stop improving the place we call home. We thank all those who contribute to this shared goal.

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THE LIST 1. Sue Straughn, Anchor, WEAR-TV 2. Troy Rafferty, Shareholder, Levin Papantonio Rafferty 3. Dr. Martha Saunders, President, University of West Florida 4. Grover Robinson, Mayor, City of Pensacola 5. Dr. C. Edward Meadows, President, Pensacola State College 6. Mark Faulkner, President/CEO, Baptist Health Care 7. David Bear, Vice President, The Lewis Bear Company 8. Robert Rinke, Developer, Levin Rinke Realty 9. Sunil Gupta, MD, Founder, RSI, IRIS and USR 10. David Deliman, Market VP Gulf Coast, Cox Communications 11. Julian MacQueen, Chairman & Founder, Innisfree Hotels 12. Sandy Sansing, President, Sandy Sansing Automotive 13. Stephen R. Moorhead, Founder, Moorhead Real Estate Law Group 14. DeeDee Davis, Owner/CEO, NAI Pensacola 15. Dawn Rudolph, President, Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola 16. Cyndi Warren, Office Managing Member, Warren Averett 17. Marcus Michles, Founder/ Managing Partner, Michles & Booth 18. Gay Nord, CEO, West Florida Hospital 19. Aaron Watson, Attorney, Watson Law Firm 20. Justin Beck, CEO, Beck Partners 21. Bruce Vredenburg, Regional President, Hancock Whitney Bank 22. Scott Remington, Managing Shareholder, Clark Partington 23. Fred Donovan Jr., Vice Chairman, Baskerville-Donovan 24. David Peaden, Executive Director, Home Builders of West Florida 25. Mona Amodeo, Founder/ President, idgroup 26. Ken Ford, CEO/Founder, IHMC 27. Kara Cardona, Senior Vice President, Navy Federal Credit Union

28. Lisa Nellessen Savage, Executive Editor, Pensacola News Journal 29. Dave Cleveland, Co-founder, Highpointe Hotel Corporation 30. Michael Spoor, Vice President, Gulf Power 31. Bill Wein, CEO/Co-founder, IMS ExpertServices, Inc. 32. Scott Luth, President/CEO, FloridaWest 33. Mark Proctor, President, Levin Papantonio Rafferty 34. Teri Levin, Co-owner, Levin Rinke Realty 35. Robert Emmanuel, Attorney, Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon 36. Carroll Scarborough, Interim President/CEO, Pen Air Federal Credit Union 37. Dr. Lonnie Wesley, Pastor, Greater Little Rock Baptist Church 38. Scott Barrow, Market President, Regions Bank 39. Bill Yarbrough, CEO, Emergency Care Partners 40. Hale Morrissette, North Florida Regional Organizer, Dream Defenders 41. Ted Ent, President/CEO, Innisfree Hotels 42. Tom Owens, Market PresidentFlorida Panhandle, Truist Financial 43. J. Nixon Daniel, Managing Partner, Beggs & Lane 44. Belle Bear, Co-founder, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area 45. Andy Marlette, Editorial Cartoonist, Pensacola News Journal 46. Lee Bell, President, Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund 47. Carol Carlan, President, Sacred Heart Foundation 48. Justin Witkin, Attorney, Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz 49. David Sansing, Vice President, Sandy Sansing Automotive Group 50. Joe Zarzaur, Attorney, Zarzaur Law, P.A. 51. Charles Liberis, Attorney/ Developer, Olde City Developers, LLC inweekly.net

2021 inweekly POWER LIST

THE LIST 52. Allison Hill, President/CEO, Lakeview Center 53. Bridgette Brooks, Past President, IMPACT 100 54. Johnnie Wright, Senior VP/ Market Leader, SmartBank 55. Chandra Smiley, CEO/ Executive Director, Community Health NWFL 56. Kim LeDuff, Chief Diversity Officer, University of West Florida 57. Rick Byars, Regional Manager Corporate External Affairs, Gulf Power 58. Harold Griffin Jr., Owner, ITL Solutions 59. Cheryl Howard, Co-founder/ CEO, African American Heritage Society 60. Dr. Tyler Hardeman, Senior Pastor, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church 61. Amir Fooladi, Owner, ParsCo, LLC 62. Bryan Freeman, Executive Director, Lamplighters, Inc. 63. Todd Stafford, President, Heaton Brothers Construction 64. Justin Labrato, COO, Ascension Sacred Heart 65. Teniadé Broughton, Pensacola City Council, District 5 66. Dr. P. Michelle Grier-Hall, Director of Pediatrics, Community Health NWFL 67. Kim Adams, Shareholder, Levin Papantonio Rafferty 68. William Reynolds, Creator, NorthEscambia.com 69. Robert Hill, Owner, WRNE 70. Will Hart, Market President, Trustmark Bank 71. Sandra Donaldson, Chief Advocacy Officer, Community Health NWFL 72. Cindi Bonner, Pensacola Director, Rally Foundation 73. Jerry McIntosh, Past President, Movement for Change 74. Mary & Dave Hoxeng, Owners, ADX Communications 75. Georgia Blackmon, Founder, Mother Wit 76. Caron Sjoberg, President/ CEO, Ideaworks March 25, 2021

77. Mark Lee, Broker, Levin Rinke Realty 78. Mamie Hixon, Creator/Director, University of West Florida Writing Lab 79. James Hosman, Market President, Centennial Bank 80. Dr. Joyce Hopson, Past President, National Coalition of 100 Black Women Pensacola Chapter 81. Josh Sitton, Owner, Bear Construction 82. Linda "Sonshine" Moorer, Program Director, Magic 106 83. Maria Goldberg, Marketing & Events Director, Great Southern Restaurants 84. Vanessa Phillips, Division Director, Florida Department of Health 85. John Peacock, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones 86. Fred & Tia Robbins, Founders, Mr. Robbins Neighborhood 87. Gary Michaels, Operations Manager, Levin Rinke Realty 88. Miller Caldwell III, Partner, Caldwell Associates 89. D.C. Reeves, Chief Entrepreneurial Officer, The Spring 90. Shirley Henderson, Deputy Executive Director, Escambia County HFA 91. Michelle Snow, Public Speaker, Former WNBA Star 92. Robin & Lloyd Reshard, Founders, Pensacola Network 93. Danny Zimmern, President, Pensacola Mardi Gras 94. Vin Durant, President, NAACP Pensacola Chapter 95. Nicole Dixon, Executive Director, Real Women Radio 96. Lauren Moore Cutter, President, Pete Moore Chevrolet 97. Willie Kirkland Jr., Owner, W C Kirkland Trucking 98. Caress Hudson, Owner, Henny Penny's Patisserie 99. Corbett Davis III, Owner, Jewelers Trade Shop 100. Ashley McDonald, Realtor, Key Impressions

CONGRATS, JULIAN & TED! Power List 2021 Innisfree Hotels is a triple bottom line company, passionately prioritizing people, planet, and profits everywhere we operate.

Our commitment to the community includes: Dixon School of Arts & Sciences From the Ground Up Community Garden Parent University Escambia Children’s Trust Take Stock in Children - Santa Rosa Equity Project Alliance The Bail Project Luna Fine Art Gallery University of West Florida Pensacola State College & More!

Our delicate and beautiful ecosystems are Pensacola’s greatest treasures, which is why Innisfree Hotels is also passionately involved with Oceana and Healthy Gulf.

JULIAN MACQUEEN

TED ENT

INNISFREEHOTELS.COM 33

Congratulations

Johnnie Wright FOR BEING NAMED A 2021

INWEEKLY POWER LIST

Johnnie Wright Senior Vice President Market Executive, Pensacola NMLS #1080961

HONOREE! 201 North Palafox Street 434 3

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www.smartbank.com inweekly.net

2021 inweekly POWER LIST

Power List Hall of Fame

Once you're named the most influential, you deserve a special place. Sue Straughn will join this group of movers and shakers who have each earned the number one spot on the Inweekly Power List over the past 14 years.

Fred Levin (2007)

The flamboyant Pensacola trial attorney helped rewrite legislation in 1993 that led to a $13.2 billion settlement by the tobacco industry with the state of Florida. Levin received the Perry Nichols Award in 1994, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. In 2009, Levin was inducted into the National Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. He passed away earlier this year, but he will be remem-

bered for his brilliance, showmanship and quick wit. Over the past decade, Levin donated over $30 million to education, health and charities.

Quote: "Everything I've gotten in life, I've had an awful lot of luck. Roy Jones fell in my lap. The tobacco legislation fell in my lap. Politics fell in my lap and everything else. I think I'm lucky."

J. Collier Merrill (2008)

Merrill runs Great Southern Restaurant Group that also owns the Atlas Oyster House, Jackson's Steakhouse, Five Sisters Blues Café and Angelena's. He is also the president of Merrill Land Company. Merrill has been named an Art Education Hero by the Florida

Cultural Alliance, Community Leader of the Year by the Greater Pensacola Chamber, Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser by the National Society of Fund Raising Volunteers, Fiesta of Five Flag's DeLuna LXV and UWF Distinguished Fellow. Merrill relishes the role of kingmaker.

Quote: "We've got to continue with the growth that we're having downtown, but we've got to do it in a way that 100 years from now people will be talking about how great it is."

Lewis Bear, Jr. (2009)

The president and CEO of the Lewis Bear Company, a wholesale beer distributorship that his great-grandfather

founded in 1876, Bear has played a significant role in the area's economic development over the past two decades— first with the Pensacola Chamber, then FloridaWest and currently the Pensacola-Escambia Economic Development Commission. Bear also has served on the Triumph Gulf Coast board. The Studer Family Children's Hospital at Sacred Heart's oncology unit is named the Bear Family Foundation Pediatric Oncology Center for Hope to honor his family's generosity.

Quote: "Whether they have been here all their lives or moved here, we have people who are committed to making this a better place to live. When I get committed to something, I can be pretty stubborn."

Congratulations TO THE 2021

Power List Honorees trustmark.com

March 25, 2021

Member FDIC

35

2021 inweekly POWER LIST Quint Studer (2010)

The founder of Studer Group has been the catalyst for Pensacola's renaissance— from championing the Community Maritime Park to bringing an MLB Double-A baseball team to Pensacola to building over $100 million on new office buildings and housing in downtown to donating tens of millions to local education, health care and charities. With the News Journal's help, Studer four years ago launched CivicCon and the Center of Civic Engagement, housed in the Studer Community Institute on Garden Street.

Quote: "We've got to go big. It's like three steps forward, two steps back, three steps forward, two steps back, and some of them aren't backward steps. They're solidifying things or getting better use out of something that you didn't maximize the first time."

Ashton Hayward (2011)

In 2010, the Pensacola native was elected mayor of Pensacola. Hayward oversaw the completion of the Community Maritime Park and Admiral Mason Park. He built the Theophalis May Resource Center and Woodland Heights

Resource Center and started the construction on the Bayview Community Center. He championed the effort to bring ST Aerospace Engineering to the Pensacola International Airport, helping to diversify our economy and create 400 jobs. Since leaving office, he served as the president of the Andrews Institute Research & Education Foundation.

Quote: "My power is to be able to reach out to the citizens of Pensacola and see how I can make their quality of life better, build our infrastructure better, to make sure we're looking at every detail of our city—whether it's our enterprises, downtown or neighborhoods."

Dr. Judy Bense (2012)

The founder of the UWF program of Anthropology/Archaeology became the fifth president of the University of West Florida in July 2008, after serving the university for 28 years. In December 2017, she stepped down as president but has stayed connected to the institution.

The University of West Florida board of trustees cemented her legacy by naming her president emeritus. In 2017, the Pensacola Chamber awarded Bense

its Pioneer award for her contributions to the community. She is the co-chair of Escambia County's 200th-anniversary commission.

Quote: "I'd always had the 'Lucille Ball' approach to life—don't mess with success; stick with what you're good at."

David Morgan (2013)

His defeat of a well-financed, two-term incumbent in 2008 is considered one of Escambia County politics' biggest upsets.

And many of the good old boys have never forgiven him but failed to defeat him during the re-election campaigns of 2012 and 2016. His decisive leadership, especially with the 2009 Billings murders and the 2010 BP Oil Spill, earned Morgan the reputation of being one of the top sheriffs in Florida.

He stepped down in 2020, choosing

not to seek a fourth term. However, the rumor is he might not be finished with politics. Stay tuned.

Quote: "It's important you stay grounded and never forget what got you where you are."

Congratulations Bruce!

Congratulations for being named a 2021 Inweekly Power List Nominee.

Bruce Vredenburg hancockwhitney.com Hancock Whitney Bank, Member FDIC.

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Pensacola and Emerald Coast Market President

inweekly.net

Mike Papantonio (2014)

Considered the nation's top trial attorney, Pensacola's Renaissance man is a regular commentator on the news networks and an author and musician. He has been awarded the Perry Nichols Award, Defender of Justice Award by the American Association for Justice, Temple University Beasley School of Law's Award for Social Justice and the Compassionate Gladiator Award from the Florida Justice Association. He has been featured in several award-winning documentaries, including "Jesus Camp" and "The Devil We Know." He has written three legal thrillers, starring attorney Deke Deketomis, and has a fourth that will be published later this year.

Quote: "When I think about everything that I have spent my time doing and drill right down to why—it's out of conviction."

Stan Connally (2015)

The president and CEO of Gulf Power Company worked up the Southern Company's ladder with steps at all its subsidiaries. He served as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and on the boards of Achieve Escambia, Capital City Bank Group, Florida Council of 100 and Enterprise Florida. Before Gulf Power's sale to NextEra Energy, he was named the executive vice president of operations for Southern Company and relocated to Atlanta.

Quote: "I've been on the record and very public talking about an outcome from good economic development must be diversifying our economy. By that, I mean increasing the impact of the innovation space."

Rishy Studer (2017)

She has created and runs five businesses as part of the Bodacious Shops that sparked vibrancy in Pensacola's downtown. Studer leases space to nearly a dozen companies at the corner of Palafox and Main Streets. She revived a historic corner in the heart of the Belmont-DeVilliers community with Five Sisters Blues Café. She's the one who drives the decisions and writes the checks for numerous nonprofits she and her husband support in her adopted hometown.

ECP has seen remarkable growth in our first few years - caring for more than 1 million patients annually. We look forward to building our company for the long term, and we know we have outstanding leadership in healthcare and healthcare management right here in Pensacola.

James J. Reeves (2018)

The veteran politician, banker, attorney, developer and entrepreneur has left a considerable mark on his hometown. He was elected to the Florida House and Pensacola City Council. He sponsored the bill that created the Historic Pensacola Preservation Board, which has evolved into the UWF Historic Trust. Reeves chartered two federal savings and loans, three banks and one bank that he took over, Liberty Bank, which became Hancock-Whitney Bank.

On Pensacola Beach, Reeves built the Tiki Motel, Howard Johnson Inn and the Mai Kai Motel, home to the Sandshaker Lounge. Lately, he has been the champion for tiny houses in Escambia County.

Bill Yarbrough Chief Executive Officer

ECP helps our physician shareholders and groups strengthen their health system relationships, while continuing to provide exceptional patient care in their communities.

Quote: "Nobody admits this, but the reason to charter a bank is like somebody said, 'Why do you rob banks?'

And I said, 'Well, that's where the money is.'"

Lumon May (2019)

In 2017, we lost Terry when she was promoted to be the senior vice president of the Metro Atlanta Region for Georgia Power. However, her decade of living in Pensacola had a profound impact on this community. She was the highest-ranking black woman at Gulf Power and served on the Community Maritime Park Associates and the University of West Florida boards.

She also worked to make the multicultural Voices of Pensacola a reality.

Quote: "We need to start a whole effort from cradle to career. We'll never grow as a community unless we improve the quality of our education."

Quote: "I've never considered myself to be someone on the Power List.

I've just wanted to be in a position of service my entire life."

March 25, 2021

Emergency Care Partners (ECP) is proud to call downtown Pensacola home to our national headquarters.

Quote: "Will this work in our town?

Can we do it? Can we try?"

The Pensacola native, general contractor and co-founder of the Southern Youth Sports Association (SYSA) won a third term on the Escambia County Commission last year. He has become one of the most popular and, at times, controversial commissioners for his speaking out for citizens who often get overlooked.

May fought for COVID testing and vaccinations in the Brownsville area, working closely with Community Health of Northwest Florida and the governor's office. He got water and ice for area residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally. He's also the sharpest dresser on the board.

Bentina Terry (2016)

Congratulations to Bill Yarbrough and the 2021 Power List Honorees.

An Emergency Care Partners Group

www.ecp.net 37

into something new A P R I L

FRIDAY, APRIL 2

MONDAY, APRIL 12

Stuffed Lobster Tails with Lobster Risotto & Lobster Bisque $65 We will demonstrate how to utilize whole lobsters to make a luxurious lobster risotto topped with stuffed lobster tails and a delicious lobster bisque!

Cast Iron Ribeye & Crab Cake $65 Learn how to master the art of cooking with a cast iron skillet! You will be a skilled surf and turf chef by the time the class has concluded!

MONDAY, APRIL 5

Curry Cooking Class (kebabs, thai & Indian curry entrée) $65 In this class, Chef Nick will be demonstrate different ways to cook Thai & Indian curry!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7

Morel Mushroom Cooking Class $65 Learn how to cook this decadent mushroom at home!

Spend an evening learning about the delectable and wild Morel mushrooms!

Our Chefs will be demonstrating how to create a gorgeous dish made of Morel mushrooms and how to highlight the mushrooms flavor.

Brunch Favorites Lunch & Learn $30 We will be demonstrating how to create a wonderful brunch spread ranging from French Toast to decadent bacon and eggs!

Hibachi Steak & Gulf Shrimp $65 Join us for our Steak & Shrimp Hibachi class and learn how to put on the best Hibachi menu from the comfort of your home kitchen!

FRIDAY, APRIL 9

Ramen Lunch & Learn $30 Join us for a special lunch class featuring homemade Ramen!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14

MONDAY, APRIL 19

bodaciousshops.com •

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21

“Don’t Tell Grandma” Southern Vegan L&L $30 In this class, Chef Jernigan will be showcasing how to make decadent and delicious vegan food, with a Southern twist!

MONDAY, APRIL 26

Carpaccio & Beef Wellington Class $65 The Chef’s at Bodacious are excited to demonstrate how to make this classic Beef Wellington at home!

We will also be featuring Carpaccio as our first course of this class!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28

Hungarian Cuisine Cooking Class $65 Chef Nick will be creating a three-course cooking class demonstration celebrating the cuisine of his heritage and showing you all how to make it from your own home!

/BodaciousShops

Your health and safety remain our TOP priority. At Bodacious, all cooking classes are demonstration style (hands off) at this time. Food and beverage staff are practicing the highest safety standards with daily temperature readings and wearing medical-grade face masks and gloves at all times. Guests will remain at recommended distances while enjoying a gourmet meal, a delicious glass of wine and a fresh Bodacious cooking experience. Due to limited product availability during COVID, our Chef may have to make menu substitutions based on the availability.

Cooking Class Cancellation Policy: Classes must meet a minimum of 10 reservations. We reserve the right to cancel and undersold classes will be rescheduled.

Reservation fees will be refunded within 24 hours. Full refund if cancellation is 48 hours before the date of the event. If cancellation is not 48 hours before the event, you can transfer your credit to an upcoming class. You cannot receive a full refund after the 48-hour mark. Thank you for your understanding!

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3/18/21 1:56 PM

a&e happenings Attending "normal" events might not be happening yet—but that doesn't mean local businesses and nonprofits aren't still keeping the community connected in creative ways.

EASTER DINNER AND EVENTS

CELEBRATE EASTER DINNER AT GREAT SOUTHERN RESTAURANTS All Great Southern Restaurants will be open Easter Sunday, April 4, with each restaurant offering special features as well as their standard menus. Seating will be limited. Reservations are required at each restaurant. For more information, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.

The Fish House Brunch service from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner service begins at 3 p.m. For reservations, call 470-0003.

Jackson's Steakhouse Brunch service from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dinner service from 5:30-10 p.m. For reservations, call 469-9898.

Five Sisters Blues Café Traditional Jazz Brunch from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For reservations, call 469-9898.

Angelena's Ristorante Italiano Brunch service from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For reservations, call 542-8398.

EASTER GRAB AND GO FROM FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ Enjoy a full Easter

dinner from Five Sisters Blues Café. The dinner includes smoked ham with apricot creole mustard glaze, roasted carrots, par-

•Director, Temple Beth El •Director, NWFL Gator Club •Multi-Time Past Champion, Team Superstars •Y Power, Captain & Shooting Guard, City-Wide Championship Basketball Team

March 25, 2021

mesan whipped potatoes, dinner rolls and homemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. The package is $65 and feeds six people. Orders can be placed until 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 31. To reserve your dinner, call Kady Reeves at 293-3148 or email kady@fivesistersbluescafe.com.

BELLVIEW'S OUTDOOR EASTER EGG HUNT All are welcomed to visit Bellview

United Methodist Church at 4945 Saufley Field Road for an Easter Egg Hunt, 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 27. A rain-out day is scheduled for April 3.

EVER'MARKET AND EGG HUNT

Ever'man on Nine Mile Road will host an Ever'Market with food, activities and live music and an Easter egg hunt in the afternoon on Saturday, March 27. Free admission.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ evermancoop.

EASTER BUNNY PHOTOS AT BRANDIE'S COTTAGE Get your Easter

Bunny photos at Brandies Cottage, located at 8830 N. Palafox, Saturday, March 27, from 10 a.m.-noon. Photos by BP Photography.

Cost is $5 per digital photo.

PENSACOLA COOK'S EASTER COOKING CLASS FOR KIDS This interactive,

kids-only cooking class will teach kids ages 6-8 to make sweet and savory Easter good-

ies. Class is 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, March 27, at Pensacola Cooks Kitchen, located at 3624 Barrancas Ave. Cost is $30 per child. To sign up, visit pensacolacooks.com.

COMMUNITY EGG HUNT Echo Life

Church, located at 1000 College Blvd., is hosting a community-wide egg hunt following Palm Sunday Service on March 28 with more than 10,000 eggs to hunt, food trucks and ice cream for all. Event begins at 10 a.m.

JELLY BEAN 5K Kick off Easter weekend

with the Jelly Bean 5K hosted by Trinity Presbyterian Church, located at 3400 Bayou Blvd. The race begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 3. Proceeds from registration benefit the church's summer mission trips to Lake Charles, La. Register at getmeregistered. com/jellybeanrun.

NONPROFITS + FUNDRAISERS

CAT AND KITTEN ADOPTIONS IN MARCH Animal Allies will be at Pet Super-

market at 6857 N. Ninth Avenue on Saturday, March 27, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Come by and find your fluffy BFF or talk to Animal Allies about opportunities to donate, foster or volunteer. All cats are up to date on shots, tested negative for leukemia, and adoption fee includes spay or neuter with microchip and flea pill. Minimum donation fees are $85 for kittens up to one year and $75 for adults.

For more information, visit aaflorida.org.

CALL TO ARTISTS

KEEP PENSACOLA BEAUTIFUL PIECES ADRIFT ART SHOW Pieces Adrift is a

community art exhibition and auction that educates viewers about the harmful effects marine litter has on our coastal ecosystem.

All pieces submitted to this show are made of at least 50% reclaimed waste material to inspire onlookers to rethink their trash in a creative way. Art that is donated will be open for public auction, and proceeds will benefit Keep Pensacola Beautiful's programming initiatives in 2022.

To participate in Keep Pensacola Beautiful's upcoming Pieces Adrift Art Show & Auction as an artist, visit facebook.com/keeppensacolabeautiful for a link to the signup form.

Artists of any level are welcome to join.

EMERALD COAST REVIEW SEEKS REGIONAL WRITER, ARTIST SUBMISSIONS The Emerald Coast Review is

collecting quality fiction, nonfiction, poetry, contemporary, emerging and experimental works along with the best of art, graphic design and photography. Residents from the following counties are encouraged to submit—Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Okaloosa and Bay (Florida); Mobile, Escambia and Baldwin (Alabama).

To view guidelines and submit work, visit wflf.org/ecr. Submissions close April 30. Accepted submissions will be announced and

•Board Member, Pensacola Little Theatre •Committee Member, City of Pensacola Parking & Traffic •Member, Irish Politician Club •Father to Hannah Zimmern

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a&e happenings writers will be notified that their piece(s) will be published in the ECR in Fall 2021.

VENDORS AND CRAFT EXHIBITORS FOR JAZZ PENSACOLA 2021 Jazz Pen-

sacola is calling arts and crafts exhibitors to submit applications for the 2021 Pensacola JazzFest planned for May 15-16 at Seville Square in historic downtown Pensacola.

Application forms can be downloaded at jazzpensacola.com. Only original art and handmade crafts will be accepted. No commercial/mass-produced products will be accepted.

All entries are $200 for a 10-by-10-foot canopy or smaller. All fees go to support Pensacola JazzFest, a free event for the community. For more information, call Jazz Pensacola administrator Alice Crann Good at (850) 433-8382, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., or visit jazzpensacola.com.

FOO FOO FEST GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN Pensacola's Foo Foo Festival officially announced its plans for its seventh annual events, taking place Nov. 4-15, 2021.

In 2021, the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival will once again fund top-scoring grant applicants, with the number of grants to be awarded contingent upon the number of submissions. This year, the Foo Foo Festival will provide up to $315,000 in grant funding, and grant applicants can apply for up to $100,000 in grant funding. All organizations, businesses

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and community partners are encouraged to participate as "Friends of Foo," receiving visibility at the 12-day event. To apply for this year's Foo Foo Festival, visit foofoofest.com.

The Foo Foo Fest team will continue to monitor developments surrounding COVID-19 leading up to November's events and will fully cooperate with any instructions heeded for Escambia County by local and state officials and the CDC. The Foo Foo Fest grant application is Friday, April 30, 2021. On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, there will be an announcement of the public grant scoring.

For more information, visit foofoofest.com.

ARTS & CULTURE

GALLERY 1060 MEMBERS' SHOW First City Art's annual Members Show will be on display through May 1 featuring works of art from past, present and future FCAC members and staff. A virtual reception will take place in April.

For more information, visit gallery1060.com.

A JOURNEY THROUGH SONG: THREE SONG CYCLES BY DEBUSSY, RAVEL AND MAHLER Pensacola Opera 2021 Art-

ists in Residence will perform three beloved song cycles—"Ariettes oubliées" by Claude Debussy, "Histoires naturelles" by Maurice Ravel and Gustav Mahler's powerful "Rückert-Lieder." Show begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 25. Capacity is limited at the Opera Center, and audience members will be so-

cially distanced and required to wear masks throughout the performance. Reserve your ticket at pensacolaopera.com.

OSCAR-NOMINATED FILMS SHOWING AT PENSACOLA CINEMA ART In addition

to virtual showings, you can check out a few Oscar-nominated films at Pensacola Cinema Art, located at 220 W. Garden St. "News of the World" will be showing at 1 p.m. Friday, March 26, and Saturday, March 27, and "Promising Young Woman" will be showing at 1 p.m.

Sunday, March 28. Admission is $8. Masks and social distancing are required. For more information, visit pensacolacinemaart.com.

SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE

PLT's night of short plays with big stories runs begins March 26. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on March 26-27 and April 1-3 and 3 p.m. on March 28 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $14-$20. For more information, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

BALLET & BOOKS STORYTIME Meet

Snow White characters and enjoy a brief dance presentation from Ballet Pensacola in anticipation of their upcoming ballet, "Snow White." Storytime will be at 4 p.m.

Saturday, March 27, and 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 28, at Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $20 for one child and parent. Reserve your spot at balletpensacola.org.

BALLET PENSACOLA PRESENTS: SNOW WHITE Ballet Pensacola will conclude its

2020-2021 season with "Snow White." Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, April 9 and 16, and Saturday, April 10 and 17, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 11 and 18, at the Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $28-$40.

For more information, visit balletpensacola.org.

STAND-UP COMEDY AT THE REX THEATRE Visit The REX Theatre every

Friday at 8 p.m. for national stand up acts.

Tickets are $26-$35 at the door. For more information, visit rexpensacola.com.

COMEDY MAGIC SHOW AT THE REX THEATRE Comedy magician Tom Coverly,

known as "The Illusionist," performs Saturday nights at The Rex Theatre, located at 18 N. Palafox. Shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10-$35. For more information, visit rexpensacola.com.

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 the number of sign-ups. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.

for more listings visit inweekly.net

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March 25, 2021

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free will astrology WEEK OF MARCH 25 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): In the

novel "House of Leaves," the hero Johnny Truant describes his friend Lude as wanting "more money, better parties and prettier girls." But Johnny wants something different.

What is it? He says, "I'm not even sure what to call it except I know it feels roomy and it's drenched in sunlight and it's weightless and I know it's not cheap." In my opinion, that declaration is far too imprecise! He'll never get what he wants until he gets clearer about it. But his fantasy is a good start. It shows that he knows what the fulfillment of his yearning feels like. I suggest you get inspired

by Truant's approximation to conjure up one of your own. Gaze ahead a few years and see if you can imagine what your best possible future feels like. Then describe it to yourself as precisely as possible.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): How distraught I was when I discovered that one of my favorite poets, Pablo Neruda, was an admirer of the murderous dictator Joseph Stalin. It broke my heart to know I could never again read his tender, lyrical poetry with unconditional appreciation. But that's life—Some of our heroes and teachers disappoint us, and then it's healthy to re-evaluate our relationships with them.

Or maybe our own maturation leads us to realize that once-nurturing influences are no longer nurturing. I recommend that sometime soon, you take a personal inventory with these thoughts in mind. I suspect there may be new sources of inspiration headed your way. Get ready for them.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Self-help

author Steve Maraboli has useful advice for you to consider in the coming weeks. I hope you'll meditate on what he says and take decisive action. He writes, "Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don't." To get started, Gemini, make a list of three things you do have power over and three things you wish you did but don't have power over.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

KIDS BOOKS

909 N. 12th Avenue

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By Rob Brezsny

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): While he was alive, Cancerian author Franz Kafka burned 90% of everything he wrote. In a note to a friend before he died, he gave instructions to burn all the writing he would leave behind. Luckily, his friend disobeyed, and that's why today we can read Kafka's last three novels and a lot more of his stuff. Was his attitude toward his creations caused by the self-doubt that so many of us Cancerians are shadowed by? Was he, like a lot of us Crabs, excessively shy about sharing personal details from his life? In accordance with astrological omens, I urge you to at least temporarily transcend any Kafka-like tendencies you have. It's time to shine brightly and boldly as you summon your full powers of self-expression.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): To create your horoscope, I've borrowed ideas from Leoborn author Cassiano Ricardo. He speaks of a longing "for all that is tall like pine trees, and all that is long like rivers, and all that is purple like dusk." I think yearnings like those will be healthy and wise for you to cultivate in the coming weeks. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you need expansive influences that stretch your imagination and push you beyond your limitations. You will benefit from meditations and experiences that inspire you to outgrow overly small expectations.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Virgo actor

and director Jean-Louis Barrault (1910– 1994) aspired to "wake up a virgin each morning." He wanted "to feel hungry for life," as if he had been reborn once again. In order to encourage that constant renewal, he regarded going to sleep every night as "a small death." I recommend his approach to you during the coming weeks. In my astrological opinion, the cosmic rhythms will be conspiring to regularly renew your desires— to render them pure, clean, raw and strong.

Cooperate with those cosmic rhythms!

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Is there any-

thing more gratifying than being listened to, understood, and seen for who you really are?

I urge you to seek out that pleasure in abun-

dance during the coming weeks. My reading of the astrological omens tells me you need the nurturing jolt that will come from being received and appreciated with extra potency.

I hope you have allies who can provide that for you. If you don't, search for allies who can. And in the meantime, consider engaging the services of a skillful psychotherapist or life coach or some other professional listener.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): "Blobs,

spots, specks, smudges, cracks, defects, mistakes, accidents, exceptions, and irregularities are the windows to other worlds," writes author Bob Miller. I would add that all those things, along with related phenomena like fissures, blemishes, stains, scars, blotches, muck, smears, dents and imperfections, are often windows to very interesting parts of this seemingly regular old ordinary world—parts that might remain closed off from us without the help of those blobs and defects. I suggest you take full advantage of the opportunities they bring your way in the coming weeks.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21):

Innovative psychologist Carl Jung had a nuanced understanding of the energies at work in our deep psyche. He said our unconscious minds are "not only dark but also light; not only bestial, semi-human, and demonic, but also superhuman, spiritual, and, in the classical sense of the word, 'divine.'"

I bring this to your attention, Sagittarius, because now is a favorable time to get better acquainted with and more appreciative of your unconscious mind. For best results, you must not judge it for being so paradoxical. Don't be annoyed that it's so unruly and non-rational. Have fun with its fertility and playfulness and weirdness.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): The

fantasy drama "Game of Thrones" appeared on TVs all over the world. But the audience that watched it in China got cheated out of a lot of essential action. Government censorship deleted many scenes that featured nudity and sex, fighting and violence, and appearances by dragons, which play a starring role in the story. As you can imagine, Chinese viewers had trouble following some

of the plot points. Telling you about this, Capricorn, is my way of nudging you to make sure you don't miss any of the developments going on in your own personal drama. Some may be hidden, as in China's version of "Game of Thrones." Others might be subtle or disguised or underestimated. Make it your crusade to know about everything.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): "Words

are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind," wrote author Rudyard Kipling. Yes, they are. I agree. They change minds, rouse passions, build identities, incite social change, inspire irrationality, and create worlds. This is always true, but it will be especially important for you to keep in mind during the coming weeks. The ways you use language will be key to your health and success. The language that you hear and read will also be key to your health and success. For best results, summon extra creativity and craftsmanship as you express yourself. Cultivate extra discernment as you choose what you absorb.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): Piscean linguist Anna Wierzbicka says the Russian expression "dusha naraspashku" means "unbuttoned soul." She continues, "The implication is that it is good, indeed wonderful, if a person's 'soul,' which is the seat of emotions, is flung open in a spontaneous, generous, expansive, impetuous gesture, expressing full trust in other people and an innocent readiness for communion with them." I wouldn't recommend that you keep your soul unbuttoned 24/7/365, but in the coming weeks, I hope you'll allocate more time than usual to keeping it unbuttoned.

THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: Send ideas for April Fool pranks that fulfill the following prescription—"Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." Truthrooster@gmail.com

freewillastrology.com

freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com Rob Brezsny © Copyright 2021

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news of the weird CAN'T HELP HERSELF Two weeks after a plea deal fell through in connection with a 2019 attempt to stowaway on a flight at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, Marilyn Hartman, 69, was arrested and charged with trespassing March 16 as she attempted to sneak onto another flight at O'Hare, the Associated Press reported. At the time of her 2019 arrest, Hartman was on probation after having bypassed security in January 2018 and boarded a flight from Chicago to London without a ticket. The Cook County Sheriff's Department says it plans to seek a felony escape charge for Hartman.

PERSPECTIVE In March, Einstein Cafe, an upscale dessert chain with outlets across the Gulf Arab states, started a fad by selling its thick, milky drinks in plastic baby bottles, complete with nipples. The Associated Press reported the cafe was inspired by photos of trendy bottles on social media, and the idea was an instant hit. People lined up at Einstein stores, they "took photos, they had fun, they remembered their childhood," said Younes Molla, CEO of the chain, but others "were so angry they said horrible things." In Dubai, Kuwait and Bahrain, the government cracked down on the new cafe offerings, saying the bottles violate the countries' customs and traditions; in Oman, citizens were asked to report sightings of the baby bottle confections to a consumer protection hotline.

RECURRING THEMES Laura Rose Carroll, 50, and her daughter, Emily Rose Grover, 17, were arrested in Pensacola, Florida, on March 16 after an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement found the duo had allegedly stuffed the ballot box with votes for Emily for homecoming queen last fall. Suspicions were raised when the Escambia County School District reported illegal accessing of hundreds of its students' digital accounts. Authorities said Carroll, an assistant elementary school principal, had access to the district student information system, and investigators traced unauthorized entries

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

into the system to Carroll's cellphone and computers, where nearly 250 votes were cast.

Fox News reported that investigators also said students reported being told by Grover about her mother's activity. Each of them was charged with offenses against computers and other cybercrimes, along with conspiracy.

•Raffaela Spone, 50, was arrested in early March in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, after prosecutors say she created "deepfake" videos and photographs of at least three girls on her daughter's cheerleading squad in an apparent attempt to embarrass them and force them off the team. Prosecutors said Spone allegedly sent the manipulated images to the girls—shown drinking, smoking and naked— anonymously and suggested they kill themselves, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Parents of one of recipients contacted police, and detectives traced the IP address where the messages originated to Spone's home.

Investigators believe Spone's daughter was unaware of what her mother was doing.

HOME SWEET HOME Vietnam veteran Tom Garvey, 78, of Ambler, Pennsylvania, has released a new memoir, not about his service in Southeast Asia, but about the "secret apartment" he maintained for two years in an empty concession stand in Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, once home to both the Phillies and the Eagles, reported The Philadelphia Inquirer.

From 1979 to 1981, Garvey lived in an "off-thewall South Philly version of the Phantom of the Opera," he said, furnishing the apartment with a bed, sink, refrigerator, stereo, coffeemaker, hot plate and seating for guests, who included players' wives waiting for their husbands after games. Leftover Astroturf served as the carpeting. Cousin Terry Nilon said being in Garvey's apartment, located literally in leftfield, felt like "Vet stadium was in his living room." {in} From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2021 Andrews McMeel

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