Marc Farron Consultant, Florida SBDC at FGCU - Fort Myers Featured Speaker for April 27th Meeting: After over thirty years of working in the technology sector, Marc joined the Florida SBDC at FGCU as a business consultant specializing in Information Technology. The focus of his assistance to start-ups and small businesses is perennially around website design, search engine optimization, and digital marketing. He often helps mid-size firms with their IT infrastructure. "Being a consultant at the Florida SBDC has been the most rewarding work I've done. The thrill of helping small businesses save money, implement best practices and grow their business is priceless. The positive feedback from clients is priceless. It's a genuine honor to be part of the Florida Small Business Development Center." Marc Barron

Frank Mann District 5 Commissioner Featured Speaker for April 20th Meeting: Commissioner Frank Mann is a lifelong resident of Lee County and received his degree in political science from Vanderbilt University in 1964. He has spent 45 years in the business community and was the founder of his own insurance agency in 1967. Frank’s career in public service began in 1974. He served eight years in the Florida House of Representatives and four years in the Florida Senate, representing Lee, Charlotte, and Collier counties. In 1986 he was his party’s nominee for Lt. Governor of Florida. During his 14 years of service on the Commission, he has served as chairman of the Lee County Commission, the Lee County Port Authority, and the Tourist Development Council. His priority during his career in public service has been preserving our quality of life in the face of almost overwhelming growth. On June 1, 2021, Frank and [...]

Michael C. Maibach “The Founders’ Electoral College & How Other Republics Choose Their Head of Government” Featured Speaker for April 13th Meeting: Michael Maibach is a seasoned professional in global business diplomacy, advisor to non-profit organizations, and a supporter of vital civic causes. From 2003 to 2012 he was President & CEO of the European-American Business Council, a group of 75 multinational companies.From 1983 to 2001 Mr. Maibach was Vice President of Global Government Affairs for the Intel Corporation. He worked closely with its four founders, Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, Andy Grove and Les Vadasz. At Intel he built a global team of 150 professionals advancing the company’s commercial policies. From 1976 to 1983 he was a Government Affairs Manager at Caterpillar, Inc. in Illinois, California, and Washington DC. His initial job at CAT was as a machine shop foreman in their East Peoria tractor factory. Today he is a Distinguished Fellow on American Federalism at [...]

Bob LeSage Club Assembly Featured Speaker for April 6th Meeting: Dr. Robert G. LeSage received his B.A. from Florida State University. He received his B.S. and O.D. degrees from the University of Houston. Dr. LeSage is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry which adds FAAO to his name. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and was raised in Sarasota, Florida. He is married to Bonnie, and together they have two children and three grandchildren. He is active in many church and community activities, including past president of the Cape Coral and Sanibel Rotary Clubs.

Robert W. Fisher, Ph.D. Fisher Consulting Partners From Idea to Success! The story of the successful brand launch of Molson/Coors' Cold Activated Can. (Yes. There will be samples) Dr. Robert W. Fisher is an innovative, results-oriented, technical leader with strong scientific and business experience within the food and agricultural industries. He received his Ph.D. in Food Science from Rutgers – The State University of NJ. Bob has had a successful track record in creating innovations for customers that have generated growth for businesses within the corporate and nonprofit arena of over $2 billion. He has forty years of domestic and international experience within consumer goods companies, developing science, businesses, people, and products. He was a Senior Executive at Campbell Soup Company, John I. Haas, Inc (largest worldwide hop grower, processor & trader), Tate & Lyle, PLC (a food ingredient company - Splenda), and Molson Coors Brewing Company. He has worked worldwide in Australia, Belgium, [...]

Kelly Smith Founder Trove Talent Kelly Smith Experience As a member of the new field of Model Governance in Health Services, bias is top of mind to me. Our goal is to ensure that everyone has access to necessary medical services by removing bias from the artificial intelligence that makes health care decisions. When I started to think through hiring practices from personal experience on both sides of the table, I realized I had an opportunity to fill a gap in the market and help companies find talent they may overlook due to unconscious bias. The Beginnings of Trove One night while out to dinner with some acquaintances, a woman was telling a story about a new customer she was signing up for one of her products. Her husband walked into the room while she was verifying the lady's information. He heard his wife say, ‘so let me confirm the spelling of your name… [...]

Col. Robert Bogart Air Force - Logistics Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Robert Bogart is the Command Surgeon, Headquarters Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. He delivers seamless support to Combatant Commander Ground Medical requirements in support of Global Force Management and Ground Medical capability. He organizes, trains, equips and sustains combat-ready medical forces for rapid deployment and employment. He is responsible to the ACC Commander for the wartime readiness of over 94,000 active duty and civilian personnel located at eleven ACC installations, AFCENT locations and more than 300 operating locations worldwide. He is also responsible for the oversight and delivery of $617 million in Ground Medical War Reserve Materiel and $84 million in worldwide Installation Medical All Hazards Response materiel as well as training and equipping 40,000 personnel in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives defense. Additionally, as the Assistant Surgeon General for Dental Services, he provides policy and operational advice to the [...]

Featured Speaker for March 2nd Meeting: Bryon Wilfert Canada Day Wilfert has Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Toronto and a degree in public administration from St. Lawrence College in Kingston. In addition, he is an Accredited Municipal Clerk. He taught history and political science at Havergal College in Toronto from 1977 to 1997. The Honourable Bryon Wilfert has served more than ten years as the Chair and other Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (CJIG) posts. He has contributed significantly to enhancing the relationship and promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Canada through interaction between both countries' inter-parliamentary groups. In June 2011, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, Japan's second-highest honor, by Emperor Akihito to recognize these outstanding contributions officially. [...]

Featured Speaker for February 23rd Meeting: Quinton & Char Willis Boxing and Bridging the Gap Bridging the Gap of SWFL is a non profit organization that helps young adult men from the 10 yrs to 18 yrs of age. It specializes in leadership and mentorship in a positive and effective way. Team Willis Boxing is focused on helping the local community live a healthy lifestyle and provides innovative methods to help our youth fight the obesity epidemic.