Florida Board of Governors

UWF College of Business launches Executive Mentor Program

Source: Pensacola News Journal, 01/02/13
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By Erin Kourkounis

With a new year comes the launch of a new program designed to pair University of West Florida students up with local business leaders.

The College of Business’ Executive Mentor Program has matched its first class of 30 students with business leaders who will serve as mentors to initiate networking and career opportunities.

The program was started in conjunction with the grand opening of the new College of Business Education Center in October. Business leaders will share their personal and professional experience, knowledge and skills.

The one-on-one mentor relationship allows for individual attention to the student mentees’ career aspirations, professional development and networking needs. The access to local business leaders provides students with an inside track for full-time, post-graduate employment, according to a UWF news release.

College of Business Dean Ed Ranelli said the program will benefit more than just the students.

“For the mentoring business executives, the program provides an opportunity to pass on to the next generation the wisdom and experiences from their successful careers,” he said, in the news release.

The program is open to full-time juniors, seniors and graduate students studying in the College of Business. Students are selected for the competitive program based on their abilities to meet the eligibility requirements and maintain academic goals, campus and community services and prior academic leadership experience.

Mentors are:
» Pam Bilbrey, president of Bilbrey & Associates
» Carol Carlan, president of the Sacred Heart Foundation
» Dave Cleveland, senior vice president of Highpointe Hotel Corporation
» Kevin Doyle, president and publisher of the Pensacola News Journal
» Evon Emerson, past president and CEO of the Greater Pensacola Chamber
» Jennifer Grove, workforce development coordinator at Gulf Power Company
» Michael Hicks, president and CEO of Hixardt Technologies, Inc.
» Michael Holland, president and COO of Coastal Bank and Trust
» James Hosman, vice president of Florida First Capital Finance Corp. and CollegeFrog.com.
» John Hosman, partner at FS Advisors and CollegeFrog.com.
» Ron Jackson, president of Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund
» Ray Jones, president of Ray Jones & Co.
» Catherine Kelly, center director at Florida Blue
» Ted Kirchharr, vice president and COO of Landrum Human Resources
» Dale Knee, president and CEO of Covenant Hospice
» Bob Larkin, sole proprietor of Robert L. Larkin Jr. Consulting, LLC
» Jerry Maygarden, owner and senior consultant at J.L. Maygarden Co.
» Eleanor McGee, vice president of finance and controller at Baptist Health Care
» Steve Moorhead, attorney at McDonald, Fleming and Moorhead
» Bob Ozburn, owner of Ozburn, LLC
» John Peacock, financial advisor and CFP at Edward Jones
» Scott Ramsey, risk manager at State Farm Insurance
» Grace Resendez-McCaffery, CEO, general manager and president of Latino Media Gulf Coast
» Steve Riggs, partner at Carr, Riggs & Ingram
» Buzz Ritchie, CEO of Gulf Coast Community Bank
» Patrick Rooney, CEO and lead principal consultant at Coastal CXO Services
» Holly Smith, president and managing partner at H2 Performance Consulting
» Jim Stolhanske, firm administrator at Clark, Partington & Hart
» Bentina Terry, vice president of external affairs and corporation services at Gulf Power Co
» Mark Wise, senior sales specialist at Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceuticals

To see a complete list of requirements, as well as the Executive Mentor Program application, visit uwf.edu/executivementor.