THE DUGOUT BOYS KRIS DEHNERT & RANDALL THOMPSON
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Q&A: DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA A DE N TAL BO U TIQ U E W ITH A MI SSI ON
DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO H E LP PE TS
PROFILE ON JONATHAN MOORE CE O CO N N E CT W ITH GRE G CEL ESTA N,
PRESIDENT OF INVISION ADVISORS CE O O F CE LE STAR C ORP.
1
TBBWMAG.COM
AD
THE
J U N E 2 0 2 1 | T B B W M A G . C O M | $ 7. 9 5
DUGOUT
BOYS
KRIS DEHNERT &
RANDALL THOMPSON
JUNE 2021
2
TBBWMAG.COM
JUNE 2021
JUNE 2021
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IN THIS ISSUE
4
22
COVER STORY
TBBWMAG.COM
Randall
Thompson &
Kris Dehnert
12 One Liners
30 Sports: USF Athletics
32 Q&A with Jared Moskowitz
38 Real Estate Profile:
Jonathan Moore
42 Philanthropy
44 Great Places and Spaces
45 Mansions on the Market
48 20 Questions
50 The Privileged Palate
52 The Good Life
55 On the Scene
64 The Experts
ON THE COVER From TBBW
6 Letter from the
Dugout Mugs
founder, Randall Managing Editor
Thompson, and 56 CEO Connect with
Kris Dehnert, CEO,
at George M. Greg Celestan
Steinbrenner Field. 60 Wrestling with Wealth
JUNE 2021
PRIDE
ALLIES OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
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LETTER FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR
The Best Summer Ever
h, to be in Florida in the summer. Warm sun, cool game. Just go live and go wild! Wear sunscreen and
water, boat days and sipping frozen drinks by the stay hydrated, but, seriously, go out and play—the
pool. What’s not to love? governor said so.
I mean, aside from the muggy hot air and That’s it. Go have fun. Not a bad assignment, eh?
mosquitos. But, again, pools. I know we are all sick of talking about it, and
Now last summer, we all probably spent more time hearing about it, and Lord knows we’re tired of
than we ever wanted to at our homes, in our pools or worrying about it, but the pandemic meant the large
in our backyards. But this year look out, Tampa Bay, majority of us worked ourselves to the bone. If I have
because we are leaving the house. Seriously, I don’t to do one more Zoom conference … just saying.
want to be there anymore. The average workday grew longer. People weren’t
I gave Bridgette Bello, CEO and publisher, a break taking breaks. We weren’t socializing. We had to
on this page this month because I have an assignment remind each other to eat. People stopped using PTO
for you. days and taking vacations because—what was the
As managing editor, it is my job to find story ideas, point? We can work anywhere and everywhere now.
6 All of that leads to burnout and a lack of
write content and manage the flow of the magazine
each month. There are a few other, minor, tasks productivity. All work and no play … you know the
TBBWMAG.COM
I also contribute to the TBBW team, but the print rest of the story.
magazine, email newsletter and website are really The only thing I ask of you is the next time I see
my top priorities. you; I want to hear all about it. I want you to share
I often get asked how I find stories. It’s a with me what you did “last summer” … which was
combination of me stumbling over things I think basically the entire year of 2020.
are interesting, people reaching out and directing You never know, I might even get a
my attention to something and Bridgette asking me, story idea out of it. People make
“Why haven’t we covered this yet?” a lot. She’s so great stories, and people
connected to the community and finds some of the like to read about people.
best story ideas by chatting with you, our readers— And if people aren’t
and the leaders of Tampa Bay. experiencing anything
With that being said, sometimes I just have some what is there, really, to
off-the-wall ideas. Shocking, I know. write about?
Nine times out of 10, when I bring one of these So go out and play
ideas to Bridgette and Jason Baker, vice president, for a bit. It’s good for
associate publisher and partner at TBBW, they tell you.
me to go forth and be crazy, and I love them for it. Really.
My job is fun. What can I say?
This brings me back to your assignment for the Stay cool this
summer. summer,
Remember the first day back to school in the Jo-Lynn Brown
fall, when the teacher didn’t really know what to do Managing Editor
with us and we would have to stand up and give an
awkward spiel about ourselves and our summer?
You’d go over, in your head, what you wanted to
say but sometimes nonsense would roll out of your
mouth instead when you spoke? Just me? Cool.
I’m not making you do that. You’re welcome.
But I do want you to complete the assignment
below before I see you again in the fall.
Go out. Have fun. Travel again. Visit the beach.
Charter a boat. Go kayaking. Attend a baseball
JUNE 2021
Bayfront condos and villas available from $1.6MM
Schedule your appointment today
7
TBBWMAG.COM
Welcome to an oasis of sophistication
TheResidencesTampa.com
(813) 261-3865
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Tampa are not owned, developed or sold by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.
Tampa Bay Oaks Condo, LLC uses The Ritz-Carlton marks under license from The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.
ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR
LESSEE. This Condominium is developed by TAMPA BAY OAKS CONDO, LLC ("Developer") and this offering is made only by the Developer’s Prospectus for the Condominium. This offering is not directed to any resident of a jurisdiction in which this offering is prohibited by law. Developer, pursuant to license or marketing agreements
with each, has a right to use the trade names, marks, and logos of: The Related Group and of Marriott International, Inc., both of which are Licensors only and neither of which is the Developer. Consult the Prospectus for all terms, conditions, and unit specifications and to learn what is included with purchase. This condominium is not
oceanfront; the sight line of the tower depicted is conceptual and situated with frontage along Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa. This ad is summary in nature generally depicting The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Tampa and Developer’s contemplated features and amenities, all of which is subject to change or modification by Developer. The
Ritz-Carlton® is the registered trademark of Marriott International, Inc. 2021© Tampa Bay Oaks, Condo, LLC with all rights reserved. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Tampa are not owned, developed or sold by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. or its affiliates (“Ritz-Carlton”). Tampa Bay Oaks Condo, LLC uses The Ritz-Carlton marks
under a license from Marriott International, Inc. which has not confirmed the accuracy of any of the statements or representations made herein.
JUNE 2021
CEO AND PUBLISHER Bridgette Bello bbello@tbbwmag.com
VICE-PRESIDENT/ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Jason Baker jbaker@tbbwmag.com
MANAGING EDITOR Jo-Lynn Brown jbrown@tbbwmag.com
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COPY EDITOR Jason Davis
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Creative
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Melanie Smit
ART DIRECTORS Alexander Hernandez, Frank Papandrea, Evelyn Suarez
Writers
Amy Hammond, Tom Layberger, Drew Limsky,
Kim Linton, Debbie Lundberg, Jim Marshall, Michael Mikuliza
Photographers
Ryan Gautier, Michael McCoy, Michael Mikuliza
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Monica St. Omer monica@lmgfl.com
MARKETING COORDINATOR Stephanie Muniz smuniz@lmgfl.com
CHAIRMAN Gary Press gpress@sfbwmag.com
TBBW Magazine
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©2018 TBBW magazine is published by Lifestyle Media Group, all rights reserved. TBBW is a monthly advertising magazine. All contents are protected by copyright and
may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. The advertiser is solely responsible for ad content and holds publisher harmless from any error.
JUNE 2021
JUNE 2021
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SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION
SUSAN MAURER
TAMPA BAY MARKET PRESIDENT
10 AXIOM BANK
WHAT COMES NEXT, TAMPA BAY?
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A year ago, phones in Axiom Bank’s commercial lending department started • Make sure you have a sustainable emergency plan to continue the
ringing off the hook – and they haven’t stopped. On the other end are business business. So many businesses had to scramble last year because they
owners, and entrepreneurs, hoping to talk to someone – anyone - who can help were caught off guard and had not put together a true, well-rounded,
them with pandemic-induced concerns, and challenges, and provide information emergency plan.
about government relief programs. We also saw several new clients looking • Build your business cash reserves up so that you have anywhere from
to grow their businesses, or portfolios, and wanting assistance from a well- 6 to 9 months of cash reserves. And leave it alone, until an emergency
seasoned team that was still doing new business. happens.
Axiom Bank worked around the clock to help those that needed it and to • Ensure optimal efficiencies by reviewing each of your departments,
provide immediate answers. Besides just helping with the PPP relief program, no less than once a year.
which was over $70 million in financial aid, we helped many businesses get • Lastly, investigate whether business interruption insurance is
back on their feet with a quick response and quick relief. We also saw new something that can assist you in an emergency.
relationships grow with the bank and build up the Tampa Bay economy.
Now, with widespread vaccinations, easing economic conditions and rising The Tampa Bay area is seeing a surge of tourist bookings for the spring
consumer confidence there still won’t be a quick fix that will take us all back to and summer months. Many local hotels, and rental car companies, are already
pre-pandemic levels, but the Tampa Bay market is one of the number one areas reporting that their months ahead are sold out.
of growth in the United States. Houses are flying off the market in less than 24-hours of listing. Our
As it grows, attracting new talent, better infrastructure and fertile soil for new downtown, on both sides of the Bay, is booming and vibrant and full of cranes,
enterprise, there will be ample opportunities for businesses to recover. building. Economic development in our region abounds.
Even though the uncertainty of the pandemic left people unsettled, for the So “What comes Next, Tampa Bay?” The new normal is right around the
most part of 2020, only a small amount of the businesses qualified for the PPP corner. Hugs can be more than a virtual gif sent through a text, people can once
2.0. This means that the businesses not only survived but didn’t lose 25%, again have the one-on-one conversations that we all crave and the business
or greater, in their gross revenues in 2020 compared to 2019. We also saw world is getting back to full steam.
residential properties in the Tampa Bay area market increase in value. And when that happens Axiom Bank is here for you.
Yes, there were several empty storefronts, but in some cases, this was due
to businesses looking hard at their expenses and where they could cut the Susan Maurer is the Tampa Bay Market President for Axiom Bank. At Axiom,
extra “fat.” Bringing business in house, when so many people have turned to we pride ourselves in our concierge service levels; we bring banking to you.
the internet for shopping, just made more sense in a lot of cases. The gloom From cutting edge deposit and mobile products to a commercial suite of lending
and doom that was portrayed by the media doesn’t necessarily depict what it services designed for businesses of all sizes and in all stages of company life
is like in the Tampa Bay area. While we start to return to this new normal, here cycles, Axiom is all about maximizing your potential. By providing high-touch
are some things you can do, as a business owner, to prepare for the next time value and convenience to our consumer and business clients alike, we live up
the unexpected occurs: to our tagline: We Make Life Easier.
JUNE 2021THE LOCAL BANK
11
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FOR LOCAL BUSINESS
Find out how Axiom Bank
can make your life easier
www.axiombanking.com
Toll Free 1-800-584-0015
JUNE 2021oneliners PINELLAS
► Climate First Bank, a community lender
being formed in St. Petersburg, named ► DocuPhase, a Clearwater-based
Michele Glorie as chief financial officer company, acquired Clearwater Payments,
and chief operating officer, and Valarie an electronic billing and payment company
Nussbaum-Harris was named executive vice based in Dallas.
president of the bank’s Tampa Bay region
and a government-guaranteed lending ► Lingr, a new restaurant from local chef
executive. and former Top Chef contestant Jeffrey Jew,
was expected to open in May at 400 Sixth St.
► Mainsail Lodging & Development named S., St. Petersburg.
Michael “Mickey” Melendez to be the
general manager of the Fenway Hotel in ► The Florida Department of
Dunedin. Transportation named Forward Pinellas the
2020 Planning Organization of the Year.
► CodeBoxx, a web, app and software-
► AmeriLife Group, an insurance developer training company, moved its
company in Clearwater, promoted Kelly headquarters from San Francisco to 136
Atkinson to senior vice president for brand Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg.
management and creative services.
► Eckerd Connects, a St. Petersburg-based
► PostcardMania, a marketing company nonprofit organization, named Oliver Bell,
12 in Clearwater, was honored as a winner of founder and CEO of Oliver Bell; Amelia
Energage’s first national Top Workplaces Wright Brewer, executive director at
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Woman-Led Culture Excellence Award. JPMorgan Chase; and Holly Kortright,
executive vice president and chief human
► Stoneweg US, a real estate investment resources officer for Navy Federal Credit
firm in St. Petersburg, announced its official Union; to its board of directors.
partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation,
a nonprofit organization dedicated to planting ► First Citrus Bank is planning to open at
trees across the country and around the world. 300 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg.
► The construction of Aravilla Clearwater, ► The Breakthrough, a black women-owned
a partnership between Autumn Senior business that offers business coaching,
Living, Cleveland Construction and Small training and coworking space, opened at
Brothers, received a certificate of occupancy 12360 66th St. N., Largo. ► Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital,
for the assisted living for Memory Care in St. Petersburg, welcomed Brea, a
Community. ► TeBella Tea Co. plans to open at 1445 2-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever and
Central Ave., St. Petersburg. the hospital’s first facility dog.
► Nicole Peterson, vice president and mortgage loan officer with BB&T, now Truist, joined the Valor Capital team as a preferred lender for Serena by the Sea, a
condominium development in Clearwater.
JUNE 2021ARE YOU REACHING FOR
THE NEXT LEVEL?
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Our integrated marketing and communications
approach delivers results.
Public Relations I Marketing I Graphic Design I Digital I Consulting
Executive Counsel I Crisis I Animation I Media Training I Video
Media Relations I Research I Reputation Management
(813) 961-1077
ConsultVistra.com
JUNE 2021oneliners HILLSBOROUGH
the more than 2,400 youth
mentoring relationships across
the Tampa Bay community.
► JoAnn Aubry and Chris Smith
opened Fasthire Staffing at ► Hillsborough County
6704 E. Fowler Ave., Temple commissioners Les Miller Jr.
Terrace. and Sandy Murman will be
joining Shumaker Advisors
► Skidata, a parking access Florida.
and revenue management
company, was selected to create
“frictionless” parking suites for development at 3473 Aegean Sea
three parking garages owned by Way, Building 3409, Seffner.
Strategic Property Partners in
14 ► The U.S. government awarded
Water Street Tampa.
Entropy Technology Design,
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► Fit Bowl Co. Superfood Bar a Tampa woman-owned small
opened at Sparkman Wharf, in business, a contract to further
Tampa. research, and develop, their
technology for the detection,
► Blue Sky Communities and identification, tracking and
Metropolitan Ministries celebrated non-lethal disablement of small
the grand opening of SabalPlace, unmanned serial systems for the
a 112-unit affordable housing Defense Department.
► Engel & Völkers Florida expanded in the region with Engel & Völkers South Tampa, with
Cherie Pattishall and Michael Wyckoff acquiring the territory and leading the new brokerage
as license partners.
► The Port Tampa Bay board ► BRP Group, a Tampa-based
of commissioners approved insurance distribution and
an agreement with Celadon related services firm, named
Development Corp. to lease David Smith president and
37 acres for the construction executive operating officer of its
and operation of a paper fiber guided solutions division.
manufacturing plant.
► Terrence Wright joined
► The University of South Moffitt Cancer Center as
Florida announced a $1.4 vice president of facilities and
million gift from Helios support services.
Education Foundation to
benefit the Florida College ► Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Access Network, a statewide Tampa Bay and Aussie Grill,
organization hosted at USF with a fast-casual food concept,
a mission that supports student announced a multiyear ► Bank OZK (Nasdaq: OZK) launched its professional practice
success. partnership that will support group with Tampa Bay attorney Diane Morton serving as executive
vice president.
JUNE 2021► Katz Acquisition Corp., a
Tampa-based bank holding
company, acquired Camp Grove
Bancorp, the parent company
of Camp Grove State Bank in
Camp Grove, Illinois.
► DataLink Software, in Tampa,
named Todd DeWeese as a
senior vice president of provider
transformation.
► Memorial Hospital of Tampa,
an HCA West Florida facility,
appointed Chris Conn its new ► Vernon Ellinger was honored at a Tampa Bay Lightning game as the latest Lightning Community Hero.
chief financial officer. 15
► Santosh Mohan joined Moffitt
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► Tampa property owner, and Cancer Center as the new vice
operator, Milhaus, named Dave president of digital.
Brackett as senior vice president
of property operations. ► Terrence Cook was promoted
to regional vice president for
► TLR Group, a Tampa real Coldwell Banker Realty’s west
estate investment company, central region.
purchased the GTE Tower at
601 N., Ashley Drive, Tampa, for ► Coca-Cola Beverages, in
$20.055 million. Tampa, promoted Thomas
Benford to president and chief
operating officer.
► Tanner Bailey joined the
Skyway Capital Markets
managing broker dealer
Sslutions team, in Tampa, as
regional vice president for
the Southeast markets with
a primary focus on leading
the growth of distribution for
Skyway’s Registered Investment
Advisors practice.
► Lissette Gonzalez was
named senior vice president
at Bloomin’ Brands and will
oversee the company’s global
supply chain.
► Senior architectural designer David ► Fifth Third Bank promoted Tampa-based Esther Marshall to community
Behrens returned to API(plus), an development and social responsibility market manager for the southeast United
architecture firm in Tampa. States.
JUNE 2021oneliners S A R A S OTA
► The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods, an independent and assisted living community in Sarasota, completed a nearly $150,000 renovation of its independent living
community.
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► Construction on the ► Firmo Construction, based at Cortez, a 92-unit apartment
TBBWMAG.COM
Metropolitan, a 200-unit in Sarasota, completed the complex in central Bradenton,
apartment community on the site ground-up construction of the for $12.05 million.
of the former Manatee Inns, in three-story Tru by Hilton by
Bradenton, by developer Pearl Interstate 75 and State Road 70 ► The Forestar Group started
Homes, is expected to begin in in Bradenton. construction of Star Farms, at
the second half of 2021. Lakewood Ranch, a 700-acre
► Earth’s Ally, a Sarasota-based gated neighborhood.
► Southwest Airlines added company that sells a natural line
nonstop services between of organic gardening products, ► New College of Florida
Sarasota Bradenton began a retail partnership with named Patricia Okker, a dean at
International Airport and Dallas Lowe’s. the University of Missouri since
Love Field Airport and Gerald 2017, as its president-elect.
R. Ford International Airport, in ► Pedcor Cos., based in Carmel, ► Children First named Andrea Johnson,
Grand Rapids, Michigan. Indiana, acquired The Palms ► The Community Foundation vice president, IT architect for JPMorgan
of Sarasota County named Chase, to its board of directors through a
Ranata Reeder as vice president new partnership with BoardLead Tampa
of knowledge and equity. Bay.
► Jewish Family and Children’s Service of the Suncoast appointed Christa ► Architecture firm CMSA Scholz, Oswald & Shaffer moved to its new
Mannarino as chief development officer. corporate headquarters at 2724 Fruitville Road, Suite 102, Sarasota.
JUNE 202117 TBBWMAG.COM
oneliners POLK
► Ohio-based coworking company CoHatch is opening at 211 E. Main St. in downtown Lakeland.
18
► Polk County Fire Rescue is ► Florida Polytechnic
TBBWMAG.COM
building four new fire stations University will offer the
this year, with the recent state’s first bachelor’s degree
approval of four more by the end in cybersecurity engineering
of 2022. beginning in the fall 2021
semester. The degree was
► Trez Capital, a private real recently approved by the State
estate lender, funded a $5.55 University System’s Board of
million development loan for a Governors.
new residential community in
Eagle Lake, a town located off
U.S. Highway 17 near Lakeland.
► Cushman & Wakefield arranged the sale of a 710,962-square-foot
distribution center located at 8100 State Road 33, in Lakeland. ► Watson Clinic added
Michnitza Brutus as a nurse
► Brightway, the Charlene practitioner at 1600 Lakeland
Rodriguez Agency, an insurance Hills Blvd. in Lakeland.
firm, moved to 231 N. Kentucky
Ave., Suite 216, Lakeland. ► The Lakeland Chamber of
Commerce named Shannon
► Citrus Connection, a public Powers director of events and
transit provider in Polk County, programs.
is partnering with FlixBus USA
to expand bus travel between ► Blackton, a Central Florida
Lakeland and points south in supplier of wholesale materials
Florida. and supplies to the home
building industry, was awarded
► Dean Saunders, founder, managing ► After a brief closure, the a contract from D.R. Horton
director and senior adviser of SVN/ military gallery at the Polk to provide flooring for 112
Saunders Ralston Dantzler in Lakeland, County History Center townhomes including models ► The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
received the Realtors Land Institute’s reopened with a new look and planned at Atria at Ridgewood named Emily Mort as director of
Apex 2020 top national producer honor. new displays. Lakes in Davenport. marketing and communications.
JUNE 2021Mise
En FOOD SO
Scene EXOTICALLY
DELICIOUS,YOU
SETTING THE STAGE FOR BUSINESS FEEL LIKE YOU’RE
Hospitality is a part of every business, and I love the business of
hospitality. Here are questions and answers from over 34 years...
and an occasional good story.
ON VACATION.
–Maryann Ferenc of Mise en Place Hospitality
TRAVEL WITH US.
SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVIN IS EASY!
We could all use a little easy this summer so here are some
frequently asked questions and answers about making
entertaining easy this summer.
Q: What’s your favorite wine for summer?
A: Cold wine. Seriously - I’m not a cold beverage person
but during the summer I want my wine to be super chilled.
Summer whites should be crisp and racy. Albariño, Vinho
Verde and Sancerre are great examples. Rosés from Spain or
the south of France are ideal for summer. Red should not be
complicated or heavy. Chilled Beaujolais is a favorite. There
are lots of reds from Portugal that are perfect in summer.
Q: How do you plan a summer menu for a gathering?
A: As with any time of year, you think about the purpose of
the gathering first. Is food the main dish of the gathering or
is there a program or an agenda that needs to be addressed?
Fresh and healthy food is always going to play better in the
summer because it appeals not only to our eyes but to our
bodies. That’s what our metabolism is seeking. I think the
best summer menu is three or four colorful, light starters or
side dishes and one main item that satiates the appetite.
Plus a sweet icy finish!
Q: Give us one essential piece of advice for
summer entertaining.
A: Have a rain plan! Summer weather in Florida does not
have to ruin your party if you have a back up plan. Let
go of the stress that it won’t be the same party and make a WHAT CAN MISE EN PLACE DO FOR YOU?
solid plan. Some of the best parties we’ve thrown were
Plan B. Like watching the pouring rain from a garage that 442 W. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa
was decked out like a garden. 813-254-5373 | miseonline.comSPECIAL MARKETING SECTION
BILL HEINZ
VICE PRESIDENT AND CO-OWNER,
PBX-CHANGE
TO SMART OR NOT TO SMART IS THE QUESTION IN 2021?
20 Is it a realistic for consumers, be they business or residential, to expect that Area. With a “Smart Park” type solution, customers/subscribers get access to
quality reliable Internet be available like other utilities? Is it time we considered high speed, reliable, quality internet, without having to wait months for fiber
TBBWMAG.COM
the Internet as a utility just like power and water? build outs, if they are approved and can be funded.
These are the questions that service providers, developers and management There is an alternative. By utilizing an Enterprise-Level solution consisting
companies are asking themselves these days as quality internet access is an of access to existing buried underground fiber pathways and wireless
absolute necessity for virtually everyone today; be it at home or at work. mmWave technology, PBX-Change has been able to provide quality, reliable
A SMART PARK could be business complex, condominium, hotel or and affordable Internet access, both in the “retro fit” model and in new
residential area with ubiquitous WiFi for all common areas, where businesses/ developments.
residents could activate their individual Internet over the phone at the start of PBX-Change’s July 2020 roll out to Tempo at Encore!, Tampa Housing
a tenancy because the locations were constructed with pre-wiring for internet Authority’s development in downtown Tampa, is a perfect example of what
access ports. With a Smart Park type solution, customers, and subscribers, get can be done in a short period of time by a locally owned and operated provider
access to high speed, reliable, quality internet, without having to wait months that is willing to think outside the box This single philanthropic idea and action
for fiber build outs, if they are approved and can be funded. has created an entirely new line of business opportunities. For more on this,
For new buildings, it would seem obvious to take advantage of improved please see https://www.pbx-change.com/our-tempo-internet-install-strikes-
technology and provide the best solution for your tenants or customers, the-right-chord/ .
instead of the handshake deals that benefit developers and “mega service Utilizing a 5Gbps feed to the property via mmWave gear from Siklu - ultra-
providers.”With a bulk agreement, even older buildings can be retrofitted into fast, reliable and installed at the mixed-use apartment complex in just a couple
a “Smart Park” type environment, resulting in a far lower per user cost, than weeks - PBX-Change was able to provide service to 203 units, and common
what the subscribers are typically paying per month. areas. The service has been active for almost 12 months and is easily meeting
The Senate passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan COVID-19 aid five nines, 99.999% up time standards.
bill on March 6, which will allot another $17 billion for broadband investment. In the fast-moving, technology aware Tampa Bay marketplace, both
This is the largest, single federal investment in broadband infrastructure and subscribers and service providers are beginning to look beyond what was
affordability to date. previously deemed as the “acceptable reliability, quality and deployment time
As part of this bill, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will line.” Instead, they expect that Internet access be treated as a utility that is
set up an E-rate Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), which will go towards readily and seamlessly available, in any location of their choice.
paying the total cost of equipment, including computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, Schools, business parks, condominium complexes, mobile home parks,
modems, routers, and connected devices and communications services HOA environments are all ideal candidates for this type of ‘Smart Park’
deployed at eligible schools and libraries, for both in-building and remote use. deployment. The key is a bulk subscriber agreement. With enough momentum
In the greater Tampa Bay Area we are seeing some “Smart Park” type (and local users), PBX-Change can install a rock solid network, at an extremely
office buildings, and housing developments, but they are still far from affordable cost per user, which allows developers, property managers and
the norm. What options do local developers or property managers have? business owners the opportunity to offer quality, reliable Internet access as a
Traditionally they would have turned to one of the “mega service providers” utility to their end users.
that have deep pockets and access to Federal, State or local county funding, Bill Heinz has spent 20 years in the telecommunications industry. Bill is
but those wheels turn very slowly. Nor does this approach gel with the rapid Vice President, and co-owner, of PBX-Change and has been with the company
increase in entrepreneurial, high-tech growth we are seeing in the Tampa Bay since 1999. Reach Bill: billh@pbx-change.com
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21
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TBBWMAG.COM
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JUNE 202122
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JUNE 202123
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DUGOUT MUGS
HITS A HOME RUN
THIS WINTER HAVEN-BASED COMPANY HAS SEEN
MAJOR GROWTH THROUGH E-COMMERCE
B Y J O - LY N N B R O W N
PHOTOS BY MICHAEL MCCOY
PHOTO SESSION HOST - GEORGE M. STEINBRENNER FIELD
JUNE 2021andall Thompson owes a lot of his major life and pleaded with me. He brought out a a yellow legal
moments to a baseball field. pad of notes, sat me at the dinner table and gave me all
Born and raised in Orlando, Thompson grew up the reasons why he thought that I should go and take
near a field, an intentional decision on his father’s at least one semester of playing college baseball.”
part. He wanted his son to play ball. Thompson finally relented and called the coach
Once he stepped onto the field, he realized that it to accept the offer. “I’ve never seen my dad so
was where he would spend his free time up until, and emotional,” he says.
into, his adult years. It was for the best.
Thompson, president and founder of Dugout Mugs “I’m better in simpler, and smaller, environments.
and the mastermind behind the wildly successful When I got to this smaller college and I got to be a
product of the same name, came up with the idea part of this team, I felt much more at home,” he says.
while coaching at Florida Institute of Technology. By the time Thompson was a sophomore in college,
His career as a professional baseball player had run he started getting attention from scouts. As a junior, it
its course and he saw a baseball bat cut in half. was expected for him to be a higher draft pick. But the
The rest, is Dugout Mugs history. pressure got to him and he, admittedly, didn’t handle
The company made about $60,000 in its first six it well.
months. After Thompson brought Kris Dehnert on “My draft stock plummeted,” he says.
board in 2017 as chief executive officer and partial He went undrafted his junior year. Two weeks after
24 the senior draft, in which Thompson was not picked
owner, revenue skyrocketed. The company made $1.1
million that year and $2.2 million the next year, this up again, he received a phone call from the Toronto
TBBWMAG.COM
year it has the goal of $22 million, but Dehnert is Blue Jays where he played for 1 1/2 seasons.
confident it will hit the $25 million mark. He laughs when asked what led to him being
Now with a new line of “aluminum” mugs, the released. He admits, ultimately, he thought he just
company is ready for another home run. wasn’t that good. But he also recalls an, rather
hilarious, incident on a bus and a rap song he wrote
A BASEBALL DIAMOND and delivered.
Thompson grew up on a baseball field. “I can speculate and say that my freestyle rap
“We moved into a new home when I was about got me released. But ultimately, I just wasn’t good
four years old. And the story goes that the house was enough,” Thompson admits.
picked because it was right around the corner from a In 2012, after his release from the Blue Jays, he
baseball field,” Thompson says. “That was the field held a few jobs but ended up coaching in 2014 at his
that I ended up growing up and playing baseball on. alma mater, the Florida Institute of Technology.
His parents divorced at an early age and Thompson “The hitting coach was cutting baseball bats in half
says he and his sister were raised by a single dad. in the dugout, creating his own training tool, and I
His dad later remarried. saw loose barrels in the dugout. I thought to myself,
“His story is that when they would do a draft for I could probably turn that into a pretty cool drinking
Little League, he would always draft kids whose mug,” he says.
parent checked “single” and was a mom. He would In 2015, he brought the vision to life.
prospect the single moms. I think that’s where I got
a little bit of my genius from,” Thompson says and A PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS
laughs. “They’ve been together for 20 years. They got Dehnert, born in Winter Haven and raised in
married on the baseball field in which they met.” Central Florida, has been a hustler since elementary
Thompson went on to play baseball in Little League school he says.
and then high school. He ended up playing ball at the “I would drive down to AT&T and get the old wire,
Florida Institute of Technology, in Melbourne, after go home and strip it, and take out all the color while
graduation. rolling it up to sell to girls for $1 a piece to make
It was a decision that he and his father had different bracelets,” he says. “I would talk my mom into letting
ideas about. me go with her to Sam’s Club so I could get bulk
“I fought my dad over that. I wanted to quit pencils and then go sell them for a quarter apiece at
baseball. I didn’t want to go play at Florida Tech. I school. I would buy candy in bulk and sell it for 50
wanted to go to a big college and have a big college cents a piece.”
experience,” Thompson recalls. “He pleaded with me While earning high academic marks, Dehnert did
JUNE 202125
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not quite fit in with the college setting. He lasted a denominator across all the ventures I’ve had,”
little over a semester. Dehnert says. “After that, I had a lot of fan pages,
He ended up working at a Gold’s Gym, where he where I sold apparel online. We did a little over $20
met his first mentor, Dave Gurnsey. million in sales of t-shirts through Facebook.”
“We’re still very close to this day. He always hates He established his own agency, Dehnert Media
when I say he was my mentor because he feels like we Group, allowing him the freedom to really flex
learn a lot from each other,” Dehnert says. his media muscles. “If there’s even a glimmer of
Dehnert quickly rose in the industry, through social A WINNING TEAM opportunity, I snatch it,” he says. “I ran some of the
media and gamification. He thought outside the box Randall Thompson largest, unofficial pages for Duck Dynasty (Sadie and
and created marketing strategies that resonated with and Kris Dehnert Uncle Si) because I knew how to scale pages through
the gym’s customer base. hang out in a gamification. My media agency managed social
“I brought dump trucks into the gym and dumped suite at George M. media for a number of large companies in the MLM
sand to build a beach and put a tiki bar up where Steinbrenner Field, in space, real estate and reality show stars.”
girls in bikinis were giving away protein shakes for Tampa. Dehnert was in the midst of his hustle game when
member appreciation days,” he says. “Everything I life came abruptly to a halt.
do. I just make sure it’s memorable. It’s not who you “I had to have this meeting. On the way there, I
know, it’s who knows, and remembers, you.” ruptured my appendix,” he says. “I decided to go
Dehnert had moved up as much as he could at the to the meeting anyway and not go to the hospital.
gym, so he moved on to real estate, which he did for Because that was what was most important. I was
a while. But his true talents were evident in sales and so busy being so busy. And then on the way home,
communication, notably using the new platform, at it became so bad that I ended up on the floor of the
that time — Facebook. Starbucks bathroom.”
“I realized that I could do what I do best, which When Dehnert starts this story, he’s a little comical
is interaction communication, belly-to-belly sales, in his delivery. And then his eyes tear up and, despite
relationships, one to many. I started leaning heavily his jovial demeanor, it’s apparent this was a real, life
into that. And social media, that’s kind of a common changing moment for him.
JUNE 2021THE DUGOUT BOYS’
FAVORITES
Charities and giving back: Dugout Mugs
26 donates $1,000 each month, through
Cheers to Charity, an initiative that has
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helped numerous foundations and
organizations in the baseball community
including the David Ortiz Children’s
“So I thought to myself that the more Fund, Mariano Rivera Foundation, Lance a Facebook group for former minor and
important thing was to go to this meeting McCullers Jr. Foundation, Negro Leagues major league baseball players.
and then the Stanley Cup [game] the next Baseball Museum and more. “We also run “Somehow, [Dehnert] is always where
day. My 6-month-old was at home. I hadn’t a mug for the month, of which its profits he needs to be,” Thompson says. “I saw
even seen her walk,” he adds. “I think it’s go toward the charity,” Dehnert says. The that he’d been in business. I saw that he
the best thing that’s ever happened to me. company has donated more than $40,000 was in Tampa. And so that’s how I ended
And it really changed my perspective on to charities in the past 12 months. up searching his background. I was trying
things.” Thompson also looks for opportunities to sell [the Dugout Mugs] online in a
He had all these deals going on and to to support children in the sport. “I keep my much bigger way.”
him, none of it mattered anymore. Not eyes wide open for opportunities to help Thompson wanted to pick Dehnert’s
the money, not the people, not the fancy people out,” he says. brain on expanding Dugout Mugs sales in
cars. He had a new outlook on life. He Things to do: “I collect experiences, not the online space.
wanted to find something, a person or an things,” Dehnert says. He enjoys fishing, “I’m right in the middle of saying ‘no’
opportunity, that deserved what he had to boating and shooting — for sport. Where to everybody, right? And I said, ‘No,
offer. And he wanted to focus on putting he does indulge is travel. “I’ve had the dude, not going to happen.’ He’s like, ‘I’m
family first. To make every moment count. opportunity to see a lot of the world.” Italy driving through St. Pete.’ I was sitting in
But as he said earlier in the conversation, was his favorite. His dream is to own a tiki a St. Pete bar on a break. And he’s like,
“It’s not who you know, but who knows bar where he can play guitar on the beach. let me just pop in there. And I said, bring
you.” “I’m a beach guy. I told my wife, me one of these mugs. So he brought me
Thanks to social media. A former my vision of making it is I have my two one, it’s still on my desk,” Dehnert says. “I
baseball player, and coach, knew Dehnert. daughters, Giuliana and Isabella, and thought it was a weird idea but he told me
And he had a venture that would spark his a tiki bar. And I’m drunk on the beach to carry one and to tell him what people
interest. playing a guitar. And they can’t tell me not thought about it. So I did that. And I got
to because I bought the damn thing. So I a really good response. We circled back
A DIAMOND-IN-THE-ROUGH IDEA get to play music and hang out with my around maybe four, or five, days, later, and
Thompson was looking around for help daughters. And then I can fish and chill,” started the conversation.”
in the ecommerce space. Somehow, some he says as he laughs. The company, according to Dehnert,
way, neither Thompson or Dehnert recall, Not bad Kris, save us a seat. needed to be capitalized, but the timing
Dehnert had found himself mentioned on was off for Dehnert as he had just lost
JUNE 2021ABOUT GEORGE
M. STEINBRENNER
FIELD
George M. Steinbrenner Field
is the spring home of the New
York Yankees and home of the
Class A Tampa Tarpons.
For more information
regarding premium seating
at George M. Steinbrenner
Field, please contact
Jennifer Magliocchetti
at 813.673.3026 or
jmagliocchetti@yankees.com
27
TBBWMAG.COM
everything. He had a restaurant that closed steel mugs that Dehnert says,
and he had lost a lot of investment in the will open its venture into a
cannabis space, in Denver. whole new market.
“I was all over the place, as you The unlikely duo of
could imagine. And I said, ‘I don’t have Dehnert and Thompson has
[capital]. But I have time. And I have a succeeded in the business
very particular set of skills,” Dehnert says. and there doesn’t seem to be
plans of them slowing down
A SIMPLE PLAN anytime soon.
Dugout Mugs has had collaborations “Chris and I, we’ve grown a
with Budweiser, Fox Sports, DraftKings great relationship over the past five years,”
and Bodyarmour Sports Thompson says.
Drinks. One of its most Spending an afternoon with
successful verticals is COPYRIGHT NOTE: the two “Dugout Boys” proves
corporate gifting. The New York it’s a business match made in
The company has turned Yankees’ trademarks heaven.
down offers to carry its and copyrights are “If you’re good at profit,
patented mugs in box retail used with permission that’s the easy part, right?
stores. On the day of the on the New York That’s what it’s like with us.
TBBW interview, Dugout Yankees. I mean, there’ll be triple digit
Mugs launched on Zulily. growth five years in a row,
“We’re probably crushing it through a pandemic, and no
right now,” Dehnert says as he reaches for baseball going on. We did it. Because
his phone, then puts it back down on the we’re us,” Dehnert says. “We create a
table. place that our tribe, and our people, want
In July, it launches a line of stainless to be. We are authentic.” ♦
JUNE 2021SPECIAL MARKETING SECTION
JENNIFER MURPHY, LL.M.
OLDER LUNDY ALVAREZ & KOCH
ENFORCEABILITY OF PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS
Congratulations, you have survived the dating the other party, (ii) did not voluntarily and expressly bliss and tranquility, so get it done as early as possible.
phase of your life (hopefully forever) and you are now waive, in writing, the right to disclosure beyond what Anyone getting married should consider entering
engaged! Whether your blessed union is the result of an was provided, and (iii) did not have (or reasonably into a prenuptial agreement. If the steps described
28 awkward set up by your mother, or a well-intentioned could not have had) an adequate knowledge of the above are followed, the risk of a successful challenge
friend, that has blossomed into true love; or the result of property or financial condition of the other party. by the less wealthy party is significantly lower.
TBBWMAG.COM
a rare but successful foray into the soulmate-promising FL Stat. § 61.079(7)(a) (2020). In addition, following Divorce is emotional, and often expensive, but can
dating app world; or even the result of a good old- certain formalities can increase the likelihood of an be less contentious if these matters have been
fashioned, often frowned upon – especially by the agreement’s enforceability. For example, each party agreed upon before the marriage when both parties
H.R. director – office romance, you, my friend, should should be represented by independent legal counsel, are in love and more inclined to act reasonably
consider entering into a prenuptial agreement before which may counter an argument that the challenging with respect to the other party. In addition, the
you get married. party did not understand what they were signing. negotiation of the agreement itself will tell you a lot
A prenuptial agreement (referred to as a In addition, each party should pay his or her own about your spouse-to-be. Entering into a prenuptial
“premarital” agreement under Florida law) is “an attorney’s fees. However, the two most important agreement and agreeing on the significant terms
agreement between prospective spouses made in factors to bolster an agreement’s enforceability are that are often heavily litigated during a divorce can
contemplation of marriage and to be effective upon proper disclosure and time. result in a less expensive, faster, and less emotionally
marriage.” FL Stat. § 61.079(2)(a) (2020). Unlike a Each party should provide a full and frank disclosure charged divorce proceeding, down the road, should
normal contract, no consideration (such as money or an of his or her assets and financial condition to the that unfortunate situation occur. But hopefully that day
exchange of promises) is necessary for the agreement other party, with enough time for each party to ask never comes and you and your spouse live happily
to be enforceable other than the marriage itself. Like questions and understand the full scope of the other ever after.
most contracts, however, it can be specifically tailored party’s financial situation. In addition, each party should
to meet the needs of the parties under their particular provide copies of their two or three most recent tax ABOUT THE FIRM:
circumstances. Common issues addressed in a returns. The goal is to avoid the argument by the OLDER LUNDY ALVAREZ & KOCH, founded in
prenuptial agreement include: division of marital assets challenging party that if he or she had known what 2003, is a full-service law firm with offices in Tampa,
and liabilities in the event of divorce, alimony and rights the other person really had, they would have never Clearwater, Dade City, Trinity and Wesley Chapel.
to assets, or a share of the other party’s estate, upon accepted or waived what they did in the agreement. OLA&K attorneys offer a fresh and innovative
death. The only thing that cannot be covered in a As to the time factor, the goal is to avoid or reduce the approach to the practice of law, with their skills and
prenuptial agreement is child support or child custody possibility of an argument that the challenging party interdisciplinary expertise, they deliver extraordinary
as these provisions are not enforceable and the court signed under duress or coercion. The parties should service and results. No matter what the issue is,
will always consider what is in the best interest of the negotiate and execute the agreement well in advance OLA&K attorneys will have a precise understanding of
child(ren) at the time of divorce. of the wedding. How much time is necessary? It the client’s needs and will deliver customized solutions.
A premarital agreement will be enforceable in depends on the circumstances, but ideally, before ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Florida unless the challenging party can prove that: (a) any wedding invitations go out or deposits are paid. Jennifer Murphy, LL.M. is an attorney at OLA&K
he or she did not enter into the agreement voluntarily; The more difficult it would be to cancel the wedding with significant experience expertise in contract law,
(b) it was the product of fraud, duress, coercion or (because of financial or emotional impediments), the including pre and post nuptial agreements, providing
overreaching; or (c) it was unconscionable when it duress or coercion argument increases. As you can business and tax advice and structuring martial
was executed and, before execution, the challenging imagine, negotiating the terms of your hypothetical settlement agreements. She has won numerous
party (i) was not provided a fair and reasonable divorce with your betrothed in the weeks leading up awards for her superior representation. Contact Ms.
disclosure of the property or financial condition of to the wedding is not necessarily conducive to marital Murphy at 813.254.8998 or visit OLALAW.com
JUNE 202129
TBBWMAG.COM
JUNE 2021sports
BY TOM LAYBERGER
RENDERING: COURTESY OF USF ATHLETICS
30
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USF is on a mission to
u
cultivate a strong sense of
community through athletics
niversity of South Florida President Steven the importance of cultivating a strong quickly in that conversation that President
Currall made it clear on December 11, 2019, sense of community through athletics. Currall and Michael Kelly were committed
the day Jeff Scott was introduced as the Perhaps not surprisingly, Currall’s to seeing these projects through.”
Bulls’ new football coach, that he wanted name was referenced several times by USF lacks an indoor football facility,
athletics to be an area of emphasis. Kelly and Scott during a Feb. 24 video something that has been problematic
Currall, who took office only five months conference discussing renovations to when it comes to thunderstorms that
earlier, worked closely with athletics the 17-year-old Lee Roy Selmon Athletics disrupt practice. Even after the rain has
director Michael Kelly in bringing Scott on Center and what will be a new indoor passed, wet fields pose an injury risk
board, including accompanying Kelly in performance facility. and limit what a coaching staff can do.
visiting the former Clemson co-offensive The projects have a combined cost of Moving inside to a gym to conduct a
coordinator at his South Carolina home. $25 million and will be financed entirely walkthrough hardly replicates being on
His remarks, during the introductory by private funds. They also represent the the gridiron. Hence, an indoor football
news conference, left no doubt as to his first of a two-phase plan of improvements facility is crucial.
level of excitement, and fervor, when it and new facilities. The indoor performance facility will
comes to athletics. “When Michael and President Currall cost $22 million and benefit the entire
“I firmly believe a strong intercollegiate came up to visit with me in December athletic program, as well as host non-
athletics program holds an essential role 2019, one of the questions I had was athletic university events. A football
in the advancement of a strong university,” about facilities and plans for facilities in field will be included within the
he said that day, when he also spoke about the future,” Scott says. “I could tell very building’s 88,000 square feet. Work is
JUNE 202131
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slated to commence at the end of this Kelly indicated that a football operations new feature for USF athletics,” Kelly says.
summer with the expectation it will center will be part of the second phase, That meant a phased approach. It also
be completed by the time the 2022 fall with a date yet to be determined. Such a meant getting started on a couple of
athletic seasons begin. project was initially revealed to the public projects without additional delay.
St. Louis-based architectural firm in November 2017. However, only about “The urgency of wanting to make
HOK, which designed USF Health’s half of its projected cost of $40 million something of the here-and-now for our
Morsani College of Medicine in had been raised by the time Scott was current student-athletes, particularly
downtown Tampa, was brought on hired. Shortly thereafter, the pandemic, coming out of the pandemic, became
board to design the indoor facility. RR and its resulting uncertainty, hit. that much more important,” Kelly says.
Simmons Construction, which has While there was a pause in on-field “That is why we revised the plan to have
an office two miles from USF and has athletic activity the first few months of it go in phases.”
worked with the university on several the pandemic, the wheels were turning During the conference call, Kelly
projects over the years, will handle the off the field with Kelly, his staff and reiterated something he has said in the
construction. Scott preparing for the initial phase. past, that he is a believer when it comes
Renovations to the Lee Roy Selmon “We had a focus not only to endure to having an on-campus stadium. That
Athletics Center began in April. The work the hard times that all of us have dealt is not a priority at this time, however.
will cost $3 million and greatly benefit the with but position ourselves to emerge Upgrading and constructing facilities for
football program in the form of meeting from it with renewed vision, energy, football, and other sports, is what needs
rooms, a new locker room and a lounge. momentum and ready to take on a great to be addressed. ♦
JUNE 2021young man in a perpetual hurry, Ron DeSantis—an unlikely ally
Jared Moskowitz has been in pub- from across the political aisle.
lic life for 15 years, and he’s only Soon after COVID-19 struck, the
40. Politics has always been in his new Emergency Management di-
HURRY
man in a
blood. rector made some bold moves: For
Born in Coral Springs, Mos- example, he took to task the pow-
kowitz grew up in a political erful 3M company for rerouting
household—his father was a big its N95 masks—masks that had
fundraiser for the Democratic been designated for Florida—to
party—and he remembers that higher-paying foreign countries.
Jesse Jackson was the first politi- Moskowitz’s intrepid, indepen-
cian he ever met, and that Bill and dent streak earned even greater
Hillary Clinton and Joe visibility once the vac-
Biden were in his fami- cines became available,
ly’s home. COVID STRATEGY when he bucked guide-
Moskowitz, a gradu- After COVID-19 lines from the Centers
FRESH OFF HIS TENURE AS DIRECTOR OF ate of Marjory Stoneman struck, the new for Disease Control and
32 Douglas High School, Emergency Prevention in order to
FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY earned his bachelor’s de- Management prioritize seniors in the
TBBWMAG.COM
MANAGEMENT, JARED MOSKOWITZ gree in political science director made retiree-heavy state.
at George Washington some bold moves. When South Flori-
OPENS UP ABOUT A YEAR OF CRISIS and his law degree from da Business & Wealth,
AND CONSIDERS HIS FUTURE Nova Southeastern. He a sister publication to
soon jumped into the political TBBW, caught up with him, he
waters, interning for Vice Pres- didn’t hold back.
BY DREW LIMSKY ident Al Gore and serving as an
elector for then-candidate Barack
Obama in 2008. A six-year tenure
on the Parkland City Commission
came next, and then Moskowitz
won his seat in Florida’s House of
Representatives, which he held
from 2012 to 2019. He resigned
in order to be appointed to
his Emergency Manage-
ment role under Gov.
JUNE 2021You can also read
