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.

Mark R Mills

“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

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

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Charter Communications

Charter 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

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CNL Financial Group

CNL 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

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Duke Energy

Duke 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

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Florida Blue

Florida 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

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Full Sail University

Full 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

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Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control

Lockheed 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

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Massey Services, Inc.

Massey 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

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Orlando Health

Orlando 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

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Orlando Magic

Orlando 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

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Orlando Regional REALTOR Association

Orlando 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

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OUC – The Reliable One

OUC – 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

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Tavistock Group

Tavistock 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

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TECO Peoples Gas Company

TECO 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

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Travel + Leisure Co. (formerly Wyndham Destinations)

Travel + 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

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Truist Financial Corp

Truist 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

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Universal Orlando Resort

Universal 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

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University of Central Florida

University 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

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Visit Orlando

Visit 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

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Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

Walt 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

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PLI Class 2018 63
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PLI Graduates

Graduates are contributing through service on government boards and commissions or impacting public policy and politics.

Chris Anderson 65
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Elected PLI Alumni

Since its inception in 2008, 29 graduates from the Central Florida Political Leadership Institute have served in public office in our region.

Nonpartisan, 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.

Kobb PPT 67
Rachael Kobb
Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications

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