Meet our speakers

Chief Venues Officer
Orlando Venues

Since 2004, Allen has served as CVO of the City of Orlando's Venue Dept. which includes the Kia Center (formerly Amway Center), Camping World Stadium, Tinker Field, Harry P. Leu Gardens and the Mennello Museum of American Art, as well as the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre (2004-2014) and the Expo Center (2004-2005).

Professor
University of Central Florida, Santa Fe College and University of Florida

Until 2019, Bill was co-founder and CEO of ClearSky Technologies, a pioneer in the delivery of hosted services to the cellular industry. In 1992, he co-founded Cerulean Technology, a developer of mobile data software for law enforcement.  

He currently teaches multiple courses at UCF and Santa Fe College and the University of Florida, ranging from Microeconomics to Entrepreneurial Marketing to Applied Business Strategy.

Chief Financial Officer
Tavistock Group

Ben is the CFO of Tavistock group, a dedicated investment firm for an institutional single-family office. He is also a member of the firm's Executive Committee and serves as a Senior Managing Director of the firm. 

Principal, Advisory & Tax Services
Rehmann

Brett’s primary goal is to provide pro-active, future-focused advice to individuals and closely held businesses in a broad range of industries. By developing an in-depth knowledge of his clients’ operations and thinking strategically from their perspective, Brett delivers fresh, relevant ideas to clients that help them maintain solid business practices while enhancing their profitability. When serving clients, Brett’s approach is simple – be responsive, be available and be proactive.

Brett plays a key role in driving growth and expanding Rehmann’s services into the Florida marketplace. He also serves as Managing Principal of the Southwest Florida offices.

Director of HR Solutions
Rehmann

As a strategist and thought leader, Elizabeth collaborates with Rehmann leaders, drives the growth of the HR solutions practice, leads Rehmann’s team of consultants and impacts her client organizations through progressive human capital strategies.

Senior Manager, Finance and Accounting Solutions
Rehmann

Diana works across several industries, including retail, franchise, hospitality and construction. Her focus is always on her client’s success – by gaining knowledge of their needs, Diana brings a fresh perspective and helps them achieve their goals.

Principal, Wealth Management
Rehmann

Gerald develops creative strategies that help clients work toward meeting their financial and succession planning goals, integrating retirement plan design, consulting, administration and investment advisory services with overall business and financial plans. He works with a cross-functional Rehmann team to proactively guide each client, considering tax law and efficiencies, estate planning, and accounting needs along the way.

Principal
Rehmann

James oversees the digital transformation strategic initiative. He works with a team to define, develop and manage a diverse digital project portfolio. He is responsible for coordinating and managing comprehensive changes that address everything from updating  existing business models to building out entirely new service lines.

Co-founder and Executive Director
1858 Capital Partners

Jay is a Co-Founder and Executive Director at 1858 Capital Partners, a boutique M&A Advisory firm for middle-market companies located in Winter Park, FL. He is an experienced professional with over 20 years of M&A and private equity experience. Prior to his tenure at 1858 Capital Partners, Jay has Co-Founded and advised companies with their capital strategy and business planning.

Director of Rehmann Technology Solutions
Rehmann

A principal in the technology solutions department, Jim’s primary focus is on serving business professionals by applying technology to business needs to improve efficiency and create value. As the Director of Rehmann Technology Services, he leads the business growth, service delivery and profitability of the technology solutions department.

Principal, Valuation Services
Rehmann

With a focus on closely-held, middle market companies, John provides valuation services, specializing in business valuations for financial reporting and estate & gift tax purposes. John also performs mergers & acquisition due diligence services for both buy-side and sell-side projects.

President and CEO
Dr. Phillips, Inc. and The Dr. Phillips Foundation

Ken serves as President and CEO for Dr. Phillips, Inc. and The Dr. Phillips Foundation. In his role, Ken oversees the Dr. Phillips real estate operations, an extensive disciplined investment portfolio and one of Central Florida’s largest grant making organization.  To date Dr. Phillips Charities has gifted in excess of $240,000,000, almost all of which has remained in Central Florida to establish a greater impact.  Ken’s primary goal at Dr. Phillips is to uphold the values, legacy and Donor Intent of the Phillips Family.

Chief Marketing Officer
Florida Citrus Sports

Matt leads the Integrated Marketing & Communications (IMC) department, which includes the nonprofit’s public relations, advertising, creative production, and digital and social media.

Principal, Wealth Management
Rehmann

Mark develops creative strategies that help clients work toward meeting their financial goals, integrating asset management, family CFO, and succession planning services with overall business and financial plans. He works with a cross-functional Rehmann team to proactively guide each client, considering tax law and efficiencies, estate planning and accounting needs along the way.

Dean
UCF College of Business 

Dr. Paul Jarley began serving as Dean of UCF College of Business in July 2012 and in that time has led a culture change of engagement at the college. He believes the best education occurs when students get a chance to sit and have a conversation with someone who has something interesting to say. As part of this mission, he established a student ambassador group, corporate partnership program and The EXCHANGE, a Ted-Talk style event space that hosts industry and business pioneers, thought leaders and faculty, executives and entrepreneurs in a daily discussion with students. 

Senior Manager, Advisory & Tax Services
Rehmann

Paul is a Research and Development (“R&D”) specialist with a focus on federal and state research tax credits. He has extensive expertise in performing R&D tax credit analysis for qualifying companies of all sizes and in various industries to identify R&D activities and expenses that qualify for these tax credits on their federal income tax returns.

Principal, Valuation Services
Rehmann

Sladjana performs valuations for financial reporting and tax purposes, focusing on purchase price allocations, intangible asset valuations, impairment testing and fresh start accounting. She also performs valuations of businesses related to interests for estate and gift tax purposes, tax restructuring, corporate planning, stock-based compensation, conversion from C corporation to S corporation tax status and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) planning purposes.