strengthening the next generation of public leaders
Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow
The Central Florida Political Leadership Institute (PLI) is a program that was developed by business leaders in Central Florida and is managed through the Orlando Economic Partnership. This unique nonpartisan, regional initiative was designed to prepare and strengthen the next generation of public leaders before they formally choose to run for an office or seek an appointment to a government board or commission.
If you would like to be notified when the application process opens for the next PLI session, complete the form below.
“PLI is one of most unique and successful public leadership programs of its kind anywhere in the nation. Since its inception in 2008, 29 leaders have emerged to serve in elected office…”
– Mark R. Mills
President, Mills Strategic Communications, Inc.,
Why Central FLorida Political Leadership Institute
Powerful Connections
PLI is a six-month program that features a mandatory two-day political leadership school, four ongoing classes, important networking opportunities and a final mandatory one-day class that concludes with a graduation. It features local, state and national speakers who share their invaluable expertise on campaigning for office or an appointment and leading once elected.
Exclusive Participation
A limited number of emerging leaders from throughout the Central Florida business community are given the opportunity to participate in this ground-breaking program. Participants are selected based on the strength of their applications and personal interviews with a screening committee.
Participants represent a diverse range of business experience, backgrounds and community involvement. In order to be selected for PLI, applicants must not be a declared candidate .
PLI Sponsors
AdventHealth
Company: AdventHealth
Industry: Education and Health Services
Key Contact: Shannon Gravitte – Vice President, Governmental Advocacy
Phone: (407) 357-1000
Address: 550 E. Rollins St. Suite 103 Orlando, FL 32803
Investor Status: Champions for Broad-based Prosperity
Visit WebsiteCharter Communications
Company: Charter Communications
Industry: Information
Key Contact: Marva Johnson – Group Vice President
Phone: (407) 210-3188
Address: 2251 Lucien Way Suite 320 Maitland, FL 32751
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteCNL Financial Group
Company: CNL Financial Group
Industry: Financial Activities
Key Contact: Stephen Mauldin – Group President, Real Estate Investments
Phone: (407) 650-1000
Address: 420 S. Orange Ave. Suite 950 Orlando, FL 32801
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteDuke Energy
Company: Duke Energy
Industry: Utilities
Key Contact: Marc Hoenstine – Director, Economic Development
Phone: (407) 905-3429
Address: 452 E. Crown Point Road Winter Garden, FL 34787
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteFlorida Blue
Company: Florida Blue
Industry: Financial Activities
Key Contact: Tony Jenkins – Market President, Central Florida
Phone: (407) 833-7773
Address: 610 Crescent Executive Court Suite 600 Lake Mary, FL 32746
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteFull Sail University
Company: Full Sail University
Industry: Education and Health Services
Key Contact: Garry Jones – President
Phone: (407) 679-0100
Address: 3300 University Blvd. Winter Park, FL 32792
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteLockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
Company: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
Industry: Manufacturing
Key Contact: Jacey Poppell – Community Relations Manager
Phone: (407) 356-1000
Address: 5600 Sand Lake Road MP-100 Orlando, FL 32819-8907
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteMassey Services, Inc.
Company: Massey Services, Inc.
Industry: Professional and Business Services
Key Contact: Tony Massey – President
Phone: (407) 645-2500
Address: 315 Groveland St. Orlando, FL 32804
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteOrlando Health
Company: Orlando Health
Industry: Education and Health Services
Key Contact: Andy Gardiner – Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Community Relations
Phone: (321) 843-7000
Address: 1414 Kuhl Ave. MP 56 Orlando, FL 32806
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteOrlando Magic
Company: Orlando Magic
Industry: Leisure and Hospitality
Key Contact: Jim Fritz – Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (407) 916-2400
Address: 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd. Orlando, FL 32810
Investor Status: Champions for Broad-based Prosperity
Visit WebsiteOrlando Regional REALTOR Association
Company: Orlando Regional REALTOR Association
Industry: Education and Health Services
Key Contact: Cliff Long – CEO
Phone: (407) 253-3580
Address: 1330 Lee Road Orlando, FL 32810
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteOUC – The Reliable One
Company: OUC – The Reliable One
Industry: Utilities
Key Contact: Linda Ferrone – Chief Customer Officer
Phone: (407) 423-9100
Address: 100 West Anderson St. P.O. Box 3193 Orlando, FL 32802
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteTavistock Group
Company: Tavistock Group
Industry: Financial Activities
Key Contact: Rasesh Thakkar – Senior Managing Director
Phone: (407) 909-9000
Address: 9350 Conroy Windermere Rd. Windermere, FL 34786
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteTECO Peoples Gas Company
Company: TECO Peoples Gas Company
Industry: Utilities
Key Contact: Josh Wyche – Regional Manager, External Affairs – Central Florida
Address: 600 W. Robinson St Orlando, FL 32801
Investor Status: Director
Visit WebsiteTravel + Leisure Co. (formerly Wyndham Destinations)
Company: Travel + Leisure Co. (formerly Wyndham Destinations)
Industry: Leisure and Hospitality
Key Contact: Kim Marshall – Chief Human Resources Officer
Phone: (407) 626-5200
Address: 6277 Sea Harbor Drive Orlando, FL 32821
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteTruist Financial Corp
Company: Truist Financial Corp
Industry: Financial Activities
Key Contact: Sandy Hostetter – Central Florida Regional President
Phone: (407) 237-5778
Address: 333 S. Garland Ave. 15th Floor Orlando, FL 32801
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteUniversal Orlando Resort
Company: Universal Orlando Resort
Industry: Leisure and Hospitality
Key Contact: Tracey Stockwell – EVP/CFO
Phone: (407) 363-8000
Address: 1000 Universal Studios Plaza Orlando, FL 32819
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteUniversity of Central Florida
Company: University of Central Florida
Industry: Education and Health Services
Key Contact: Fred Kittinger – Senior Associate Vice President, University Relations
Phone: (407) 823-2000
Address: 12443 Research Parkway Suite 301 Orlando, FL 32826
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteVisit Orlando
Company: Visit Orlando
Industry: Professional and Business Services
Key Contact: Kristen Darby – Sr. Vice President of Membership & Support Services
Phone: (407) 363-5800
Address: 6277 Sea Harbor Drive Suite 400 Orlando, Fl 32821
Investor Status: Governors Council
Visit WebsiteWalt Disney Parks & Resorts
Company: Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
Industry: Leisure and Hospitality
Key Contact: Rena Langley – SVP, Public Affairs & Worldwide Government & Industry Relations
Phone: (407) 828-2474
Address: P.O. Box 10000 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000
Investor Status: Champions for Broad-based Prosperity
Visit WebsiteNonpartisan, Unbiased Curriculum
Typically, campaign schools are operated by political parties and are designed for declared candidates and current officeholders. PLI takes a truly innovative approach by offering a nonpartisan program to better equip business and civic leaders who have expressed an interest in becoming political candidates and government leaders. It exposes prospective elected or appointed leaders to the political process, regardless of their political affiliation.
Many new faces are entering the political arena without a track record or knowledge of how to run a successful campaign. They are turning to business leaders for support and an orientation on critical regional issues. PLI was designed to address these concerns, while identifying and encouraging new leaders, within the Central Florida region, who may emerge outside of the normal political party channels.
Your Political Career Starts Here
If you’re interested in learning what it takes to wage a winning campaign and become a successful elected or appointed official, PLI can provide you with the comprehensive skills, resources and connections you need to launch your political career.
For more information about the program, contact pli@orlando.org.
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Political Leadership Institute
If you would like to be notified when the application process opens for the next Political Leadership Institute session, complete the short form.