Sarasota/Manatee 40 under 40

Sarasota/Manatee 40 under 40

Mike Speigl, 28

General Sales Manager

Cox Automotive Group,

Bradenton

Mike Speigl should be used to working in environments where he sticks out like a Hummer at a hybrid car convention.

His first job after graduating from the University of Michigan six years ago, for example, required him to move to South Bend, Ind. For a sports fanatic and devoted alum like Speigl, who grew up outside Grand Rapids, going from Wolverine Nation to the den of the Fightin' Irish was a big test.

But the blending in skills Speigl learned at that job, as a finance manager for a company that wrote sales plans for auto dealerships, served him well. So well that now Speigl is succeeding as the general sales manager of Bradenton-based Cox Automotive Group - at an age where he is young enough to be the son of many of his employees.

Speigl, 28, has been in his current position with the $40-million, fourth-generation family-run Chevrolet and Mazda car dealership for more than a year. He's just about through with the proving himself stage, something other Cox employees say he's accomplished through an unfettered ability to focus and work harder than anyone else.

Indeed, when Speigl was first promoted to his current role last year he worried he didn't know enough about the department's outside sales. So he came in on his days off to learn the ins and outs of the service department, working 105 straight days at one point.

And Speigl read just about every book and article he could find on management. Now, when he goes to the nationwide meetings of other Chevrolet and Mazda sales managers, he's not as much of an outcast.

"I did find that I had something to prove," Speigl says of those initial meetings, with what's known as his 20-Group. "But once you open your mouth and show that you can talk shop just as well as they can, it gets better."

Speigl's dad wanted his son to have a better life than he had, so it was an unwritten rule that the younger Speigl wasn't going to be allowed to work for the family bowling lane resurfacing business in suburban Grand Rapids. Speigl proceeded to pay his way through college, working as a waiter, a ski instructor and a part-time librarian along the way.

Even considering his lofty accomplishments, Speigl's so-far proudest moment was that he had completely paid off all of his college loans, with no help from his parents, by the time he was 26.

Speigl's latest challenge is figuring out how to increase profit margins at Cox in the midst of a crippling auto sales slump. Speigl recognizes that not many people are breaking down doors to buy Chevy trucks and SUVs these days. So he's been focusing on cutting costs in any place he can without disrupting the dealership's folksy customer service approach.

"I always want to get better," Speigl says. "I'm never satisfied with the results I have."

Jake Keiser, 34

Founder

Keiser & Co., Sarasota

Jake Keiser enjoyed her first corporate America job as a marketing director for Boston-based publishing firm Jones & Bartlett so much she ended up doing a lot of work at home after hours. Sometimes she would get home and immediately continue working.

The only problem was the passion she showed for her clients in giving a little extra wasn't resulting in anything extra for the wallet. The work she was doing, while fun, was free to all.

Keiser ultimately decided to branch out on her own, so she could actually get paid for her work. The result of that initial decision, several years later, is Keiser & Co., a Sarasota-based marketing and public relations firm. "It was really scary," Keiser says about going from a steady paycheck to a steady dose of fending for herself. "But it was also wonderful to know that I'm totally self-sustaining."

In a crowded and competitive field, the company, still basically in startup mode, is making a name for itself by refusing to be narrowed down into one type of client, both in terms of industry and geography. Current and recent clients include Arkema, a $7 billion French energy and chemical conglomerate with offices in Philadelphia; Odor-Tech, a natural gas odorant company based in Louisiana; the National Traffic Safety Institute's Orlando office; the RE/MAX Alliance Group real estate office in Sarasota-Bradenton; and the Sarasota Young Republicans Club.

Keiser & Co., which Keiser founded last October, has nine employees, most of whom work on a freelance project basis. Clients and revenues have doubled just about every month, as the company has been on the positive end of the economic downturn. Many big companies are shredding internal marketing and public relations departments and instead seeking outside help in that area. Says Keiser: "This economy is what's helping me take off."

The company has been growing so fast that Keiser, an admitted Type A, is in the early stages of learning a valuable entrepreneurial lesson: Empowering others. "The business is coming along," she says, "and if I'm going to be a control freak, I'm not going to grow."

Keiser recently took her first baby steps in the letting-go direction when she hired a bookkeeper and an accountant. She has also recognized the value of retaining good employees. Her advice to other budding entrepreneurs: Pay well and often, to build loyalty.

Keiser, whose first name is Julie Ann - it morphed into Jake by combining her initials with the first two letters of her last name - was born in Mississippi. But thanks to a stepfather in the U.S. Army, she grew up everywhere from Kentucky to Guam to the Philippines. Hence, her self-given nickname: The Asian Cajun.

With a background as geographically diverse as that, it's little surprise Keiser's latest project revolves around maps. Along with a business partner, Candice Mutschler, Keiser formed a new company earlier this year to produce colorful illustration maps of the shops and cafes of downtown Sarasota.

The duo calls the project MingleMaps - a necessity they discovered one day while mingling around downtown and constantly seeing new businesses pop up. The illustrations are a play off the artsy character of downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods.

Even though the Sarasota MingleMaps haven't been published yet, Keiser says the response has been so positive that she and Mutschler are looking into maps for other small tourist-laden downtowns, such as St. Augustine. "There's a lot of communities that just aren't represented well," says Keiser. "This just seems like a no-brainer."

John Neal, 33

Land acquisition and development, Neal Communities, Lakewood Ranch

As a rising mortgage company executive in Virginia, John Neal was enjoying life just fine in April 2004 when he flew to Bradenton for an annual family and friends reunion.

That's when Frank Cassata, a local homebuilder and close friend of John Neal's father, fellow homebuilder Pat Neal, leveled with the younger Neal. Up until then, John Neal had stayed close to the industry but he had resisted the lure of the family business.

But Cassata changed all that with some blunt talk. "Are you an idiot?" was what Cassata essentially asked Neal, wondering what he was waiting for to come work for Neal Communities, one of the largest landowners and homebuilders in Manatee County.

"It had never been for me," John Neal says, citing the patience and persistence it takes to make it in homebuilding. "The day you open [a new project] is the worst day. It's also the best day."

It was the latter belief, the satisfaction in opening a new community, that ultimately swayed Neal. Now he's a top executive and land development specialist with the company, which has 75 employees and reported $76.6 million in 2007 revenues. John Neal's projects include Wisteria Park and Forest Creek in north Manatee County and Rivers Reach, on the banks of the Manatee River. He also recently bought Pat Neal's 50% interest in University Park Golf & Country Club in Sarasota, a few miles west of Interstate 75.

The challenges have been twofold for Neal in his four years with the company. First, there's the blessing and the curse of following one of the area's most well-known and respected homebuilders. "Being the son of a real estate developer is fun and difficult," says John Neal, who shares some of his dad's mannerisms and fast-moving style. Despite the looming shadow Pat Neal brings, the son leans on the side of fun. "I couldn't model myself off anyone better," John Neal adds.

The son also shares the father's obsessive attention to detail, which has been a key component in facing the second challenge - selling homes in a down market. For example, the front entrance to Wisteria Park underwent extensive, and expensive, upgrades before opening. "Developments don't get better over time," John Neal says. "They have to start out beautiful to end beautiful."

The University Park project is especially exciting for John Neal because he not only gets to sell real estate, but he now runs a restaurant and a golf course, too. That's opened a new world for Neal, where his tasks have included taste-testing hot dogs and bidding contracts for companies to provide golf course maintenance.

What's more, the golf course, says Neal has been "a good hedge against the slowing market."

Two questions linger for Neal: One, will he ever take over the business that Pat Neal founded in 1970? And two, will he ever follow Pat Neal, who served two terms in the Florida state senate in the 1970s and 1980s, into politics and run for public office?

On the former question, Neal is politely political, saying only that his current plan is to keep getting better at what he's currently doing. On the latter, while he stops short of saying never, he comes real close.

"I'm not very interested in running for public office," John Neal says, citing the open-door lifestyle it requires. "That would have to be the next hardest thing to being a real estate developer."

SARASOTA/MANATEE

John M. Anderson, 38

Cortez Heating and Air Conditioning

Vice president of sales and marketing

Education: AA from Manatee Community College

Hometown: Sarasota

First job: Stock boy at K-Mart

Years on Gulf Coast: 22

Marital status: Divorced

Hero: Jerry Garcia

Business person you most admire: Mark Anderson, owner, Cortez Heating & Air Conditioning

Favorite book, why?: Sun Tzu and the Art of Business. I enjoy this book for its blend of philosophy, history and application to the modern business world.

Most inspirational book: The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People by Stephen Covey

Favorite movie: Blade Runner

Best place to network: Golf tournaments

I can't live without: My 12-year-old son Sky

Best way to relax and let off steam: Instructing high-speed driving with the Suncoast Porsche Club at Sebring International Raceway

Three most useful Web sites for work: Google.com, Wikipedia.com, TheEconomist.com

Three favorite Web sites: Google.com, Wikipedia.com, UrbanDictionary.com

Type of cell phone: iPhone and Motorola Razr

Community group you're most involved with: Gulf Coast Builders Exchange

Two most important issues affecting the Gulf Coast: Affordable housing and fuel prices

Three words that describe you: Generous, happy, thoughtful

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Make more magic wands and share them.

Favorite lunch spot: Tommy Bahamas

Javi Suarez, 35

The ADP Group

Architect

Education: Master of Architecture, University of California, Los Angeles; Bachelor of Architectural Design, University of Florida

Hometown: Sarasota

First job: Bag boy at Publix Supermarkets

Years on Gulf Coast: 15 years

Marital status: Married

Hero: My Father, Javier Suarez

Business person you most admire: My father, Javier Suarez

Favorite book, why?: Da Vinci Code - I could not put it down

Most inspirational book: "Basquait: A Quick Killing in Art" by Phoebe Hoban

Favorite movie: Crash / The Matrix

Best place to network: Informal social events such as barbeques, baseball games and golf.

I can't live without: My wife and children

Best way to relax and let off steam: Artistic painting

Three most useful Web sites for work: MSNBC, CNN, Google

Three favorite Web sites: Google, ESPN, Wired

Type of cell phone: Motorola Q

Community group you're most involved with: Planned Parenthood

Two most important issues affecting the Gulf Coast: Foreclosures and Gulf drilling

Three words that describe you: Artistic, motivated, fun

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Cure my uncle of his cancer

Favorite lunch spot: Home cooking at the office

Rob Morris, 37

Ramar Group Companies Inc.

Executive Vice President

Education: BA Economics, Rollins College

Hometown: Sarasota, FL

First job: I worked on a yard maintenance crew when I was 10. It was probably the most physically demanding job I ever had. That job was a good early lesson in life to work hard in school because I sure didn't want to have to do that for the rest of my life.

Years on Gulf Coast: 37, although three were spent in Washington D.C. working on Sen. Connie Mack's staff.

Marital status: Married, two kids

Hero: Any U.S. Soldier. I know freedom isn't free and these soldiers lay their lives on the line every day to protect our country and our freedoms. That's the definition of a true hero to me.

Business person you most admire: Warren Buffett. Even if he weren't the richest person in the world, I would still admire him most because of his belief in value creation, not speculation. Speculators come and go, but value creators improve people's lives and stick around for a long time.

Favorite book, why?: Psycho Cybernetics. Simply, it is the best book for setting your mind straight. The tools in this book can apply to everything you do, no matter what you do.

Most inspirational book: Think and Grow Rich.

Favorite movie: The Godfather

Best place to network: Argus meetings.

I can't live without: Chocolate and Guinness

Best way to relax and let off steam: Boating

Three most useful Web sites for work: Google, MLS, Sarasota GIS

Three favorite Web sites: PhillippiLandings.com, Swapalease, Forbes.com

Type of cell phone: Motorola Q, but getting the new iphone!

Community group you're most involved with: Sarasota Tree Advisory Council

Two most important issues affecting the Gulf Coast: 1. The anti-growth movement: If you're not growing, you're going the other direction. There's no such thing as the status quo. The anti-growth people don't get this and they want to pull up the ladder after they got on the boat. 2. Government taxing and spending: At all levels, government has spent more money than we can afford. The more government taxes, the less money residents have to put back into the local economy. The last two years have demonstrated what our area's economy looks like when you stop growth and keep taxes high.

Three words that describe you: Futuristic, focused, competitive.

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Make everybody rich and happy.

Favorite lunch spot: Demetrios

Taylor M. Tollerton, 23

Professional Benefits Inc.

Group benefits disability specialist

Education: Bachelors in Risk Management/Insurance from Florida State University

Hometown: Sarasota native

First job: Externship at Lloyds of London in London, England.

Years on Gulf Coast: Lifetime

Marital status: Single

Hero: My younger sister Michael, who is a cadet at West Point, which is quite amazing, but also her commitment to doing something for our nation truly inspires me.

Business person you most admire: My father Jim Tollerton, another lifelong resident of Sarasota. He built Professional Benefits, Inc. over the last 30 years by finding a niche of disability insurance to professionals all over the nation. Jim was successful in both is business as well as his family life. What I admire most about Jim in his business life is that he is genuinely interested in doing what is in the client's best interest. One thing he also taught me by way of example is to give back to the Sarasota community. My favorite quote of his is: "Put a little sugar back in the bowl".

Favorite book, why? Free to Choose by Milton Friedman, because it gives real examples of how the free-enterprise system works and why it is such a success. Powerful book.

Most inspirational book: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Favorite movie: I don't have a favorite but if I'm going to pay money to be entertained it needs to either make me think or make me laugh.

Best place to network: Young Professionals Group

I can't live without: My family

Best way to relax and let off steam: Visit my boyfriend in England. He forces me to turn off my "crackberry" and just live in the moment.

Three most useful Web sites for work: The Treasury Department's Web site on the rules for Health Savings Accounts, National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) Web site and the Young Professionals Group Web site.

Three favorite Web sites: www.facebook.com, www.google.com, www.wsj.com.

Type of cell phone: Blackberry

Community group you're most involved with: Young Professionals Group Membership Committee, United Way of Sarasota County Healthcare Co-Chair, Gulf coast Health Underwriters, Church of the Redeemer.

Two most important issues affecting the Gulf Coast: Cost of health care. As a health-insurance agent I hear opinions from both sides. Both have very valid arguments. Oil Prices - We have this comic hanging in our office about how the government is requesting options and they are given three or four valid choices: Nuclear power, offshore drilling, clean coal, or drilling in Anwar and the people reject all four.

Three words that describe you: My father calls me "fearless". My boyfriend calls me "faithful". Last but not least I'd have to say "driven".

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Soften the hearts of our enemies.

Favorite lunch spot: Main Bar, best sandwiches in town!

Matt Robinson, 35

Environmental Biotech Intl.

Vice President of Operations and Product Development

Education: SUNY Buffalo – Industrial Engineering and Technology

Hometown: Hamburg, NY

First job: Landscaper

Years on Gulf Coast: 12

Marital status: Single

Hero: My Dad

Business person you most admire: Bill Hadley (former owner of EB Inc.) / Aziz Tejpar (present owner of EB International)

Favorite book, why?: Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil

Most inspirational book: Seven Habits of Highly Successful People

Favorite movie: Airplane

Best place to network: Starbucks

I can't live without: Coffee

Best way to relax and let off steam: Read a good book

Three most useful Web sites for work: www.weftec.com, www.epa.gov, www.google.com

Three favorite Web sites: www.cnn.com, www.espn.com, www.foxsports.com

Type of cell phone: Blackberry

Community group you're most involved with: Deep Roots

Two most important issues affecting the Gulf Coast: Water conservation and homeowners insurance

Three words that describe you: Dedicated, determined, and passionate

If I had a magic wand, I'd: End the Iraq War

Favorite lunch spot: Thai Spice

April Ranceful, 37

Monkey Paws ice cream and coffee house

Owner

Education: B.S. in Psychology and M.A. in organizational management

Hometown: Yorktown, Indiana

First job: Worked in a flower kiosk at the Muncie Mall

Years on Gulf Coast: 6

Marital status: Happily married 11 years

Hero: My husband. He has survived many things in his life that would have shut a lesser man down. He served two years in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom and treats everyday as a day to live life.

Business person you most admire: Oprah Winfrey. She takes everything and anything and makes it an opportunity to create or generate business. She also "gives back" and that is truly admirable.

Favorite book, why?: I Know This Much is True, by Wally Lamb. The book speaks to the raw reactions and actions that people have and take towards those they love, even the ones that make us not so nice. It also shows the capacity for compassion that almost everyone has for forgiveness and understanding.

Most inspirational book: The Kite Runner. It inspired me to work a little harder at most things. That includes my business, my family and myself.

Favorite movie: Fight Club. I love that movie! It's raw, dark and hilarious.

Best place to network: The gym

I can't live without: Ice cream or my dog Goliath

Best way to relax and let off steam: Workout

Three most useful Web sites for work: SunTrust bank, CNN, MSN (they usually have interesting stories about how not to fail in business...)

Three favorite Web sites: active.com; espn.com; cleveland browns Web site

Type of cell phone: Verizon Samsung something...not very fancy but affordable. I would like to afford a good ringtone one day.

Community group you're most involved with: Manatee Chamber of Commerce. It is initially a link with other businesses but it really does "connect" you with your neighbors in the community through other avenues.

Two most important issues affecting the Gulf Coast: The economy and housing, just like the rest of the country. We moved here from Hawaii and the economy here in Florida was wonderful compared to the islands. That was then. It is downright scary in the marketplace for everything. It is hard for Floridians to think about buying anything when the economy is in the current state, especially if you are struggling to keep your house.

Three words that describe you: Happy, determined, loyal

If I had a magic wand, I'd: I know I sound like a tree hugger but I would end the war. My generation had little to no idea of the impact that war has on humanity until recently. It is always difficult to see stories on the news but it never really hits until you watch the news holding your breath because someone you love is really there. It becomes less about that poor family in such and such state and more about "how is this happening to my husband or brother or niece or father".

Favorite lunch spot: Atlanta Bread Company

Paula M. Dumas, 35

The Legacy Advisory Team of Raymond James & Associates

Financial advisor, wealth management specialist

Education: Completed all Coursework toward Doctorate of Philosophy Curriculum & Instruction; University of Nebraska Lincoln, Neb.; Master of Education in Leadership Concentration - Higher Education; Rhode Island College, Providence, R.I., December, 1999; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, Conn., May, 1995

Hometown: Plainfield, Conn.

First job: Waitress at a banquet hall

Years on Gulf Coast: 8

Marital status: Single

Hero: My daughter Katie. She teaches me everyday how to be a better person.

Business person you most admire: I am surrounded by amazing business people. On a global scale I would say Warren Buffet for staying true to who he is and his philanthropic nature and Walt Disney - for his creativity and vision.

Favorite book, why?: The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo - It is a story of a boy in search of his personal legend who faces many challenges along his journey. With faith and openness to the universe providing him the desires of his heart he finds his treasure.

Most inspirational book: Work - The Energy of Money by Maria Nemeth; Self - Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Favorite movie: As Good as it Gets

Best place to network: Chamber functions and non-profit fundraising events

I can't live without: Deeper meaning in my life

Best way to relax and let off steam: Sunset on the Gulf, yoga/meditation, being on the water, golfing

Three most useful Web sites for work: Yahoo Finance; Morningstar; AARP

Three favorite Web sites: www.soulfulliving.com; www.positivechange.net; www.forbes.com

Type of cell phone: Motorola KRAZR

Community group you're most involved with: Sarasota County Human Services Advisory Council, Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, Sertoma Club of Venice, Girl's Inc.

Two most important issues affecting the Gulf Coast: Economic vitality and sustainability

Three words that describe you: Passionate, loving, committed

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Share it. Each day I would spend my time sharing it with people who are truly making a difference and let them create the magic of their heart's desire.

Favorite lunch spot: Venice - Bella Luna Cafe

Amy Royall, 36

Riverside Speech & Language LLC

Owner, speech and language pathologist

Education: Master of Sciences in Speech-Language and Communication Disorders, Nova Southeastern University; Bachelor of Sciences in Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Florida

Hometown: Bradenton

First job: Mowing neighborhood lawns at the age of 10

Years on Gulf Coast: 36

Marital status: Married to Mark

Hero: Jesus

Business person you most admire: My husband, Mark, for his hard work, determination, motivation, encouragement and success.

Favorite book, why?: The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. It is a story of how precious true love is.

Most inspirational book: The Bible

Favorite movie: I love all the Bourne movies; the Bourne Ultimatum is probably my favorite.

Best place to network: I have two kids and a private practice. Who has time to network? Most of my clients come from referrals, be it pediatricians, previous clients or teachers and administrators. Schools, school functions, parent groups and physician's offices are primary sources.

I can't live without: My family; My husband, Mark, and my two sons

Best way to relax and let off steam: I love to run. Training for and running marathons and half marathons is my outlet. I also enjoy being on the water with my family; diving, boating, wakeboarding, fishing.

Three most useful Web sites for work: www.ASHA.org, www.speechpathology.com, www.apraxia-kids.org

Three favorite Web sites: www.runnersworld.com, www.tripadvisor.com, www.operationsmile.org

Type of cell phone: Blackberry

Community group you're most involved with: First Baptist Church of Bradenton's youth group

Two most important issues affecting the Gulf Coast: 1. A broader range of healthcare options. I see so many children and families in need who have no access to medical and therapeutic services because their household income is either too much or too little to qualify for or afford healthcare. 2) Our education system. All too often, I see students fail because they have not been taught how to work. It seems students today expect to be granted grades, privileges, and opportunities with minimal involvement. They are our future society and we need to actively invest in their growth and learning both educationally and as a community.

Three words that describe you: Sacrificial, compassionate, determined

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Find a cure for Autism

Favorite lunch spot: The patio at Mangrove Grill

Chad Goble, 38

SouthTech Solutions Inc.

Shareholder and vice president of infrastructure solutions

Education: Graduated from Bayshore High School in Bradenton, 1988. Associates degree from Manatee Community College

Hometown: I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana but my parents moved to Bradenton when I was three years old, so I consider Bradenton to be my hometown.

First job: Bagging groceries at Publix Supermarkets

Years on Gulf Coast: 35

Marital status: Married to my beautiful wife Stephanie

Hero: Jesus Christ

Business person you most admire: My father. Growing up and watching him I learned a lot about hard work, loyalty and integrity.

Favorite book, why?: The Bible. It is the inspired word of God and my instruction manual for life. Any question I have I can find the answer for in the Bible.

Most inspirational book: Lately I have read Tony Dungy's book, Quiet Strength. I really enjoy reading about how he keeps such strong faith while working in such a high-pressure environment and while going through difficult struggles.

Favorite movie: The Princess Bride. It is such a fun movie and it had one of my childhood idols in it, Andre the Giant.

Best place to network: The Gym

I can't live without: Peanut butter

Best way to relax and let off steam: Riding my bike

Three most useful Web sites for work: www.google.com, www.microsoft.com, www.dell.com (I am a computer geek after all)

Three favorite Web sites: www.cyclingnews.com, maps.google.com, www.weather.com

Type of cell phone: Samsung i760 PDA

Community group you're most involved with: My local church

Two most important issues affecting the Gulf Coast: Presently, the housing market has had a significant impact on just about everyone in the Gulf Coast. The decline in the housing market has reverberated throughout the rest of the local economy. Rising fuel costs have also seemed to change the way many people commute, do business and even live. In our house we traded in one of our cars for more fuel-efficient one and we try to be more resourceful when we drive. In our business we have adopted many tools to be able to do a lot of our work remotely without ever having to leave the office.

Three words that describe you: Loyal, trustworthy, reverent

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Cure cancer

Favorite lunch spot: The hot dog stand at the Venice inlet. My wife and I had our first date there.

Bradlee Roffers, 35

Clear Channel Radio

National Sales Manager

Education: B.S Natural Resource Management-Conservation Biology, Colorado State University. Degree in Culinary Arts, New York Institite of Culinary Education

Hometown: Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J.

First job: Environmental educator, New York Parks & Recreation

Years on Gulf Coast: 6

Marital status: Married with two daughters, Stella, 2 ½, and Eloise, 1 ½.

Hero: My Mom

Business person you most admire: My Husband, Chad Roffers

Favorite book, why?: My most recent read is called "Loving Frank", by Nancy Horan, because it is the only book I have been able to finish since I had kids!

Most inspirational book: Ten Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Went Out Into The Real World, Maria Shriver

Favorite movie: Love Actually

Best place to network: Online social networking; MySpace, Facebook, etc.

I can't live without: Date night with my husband

Best way to relax and let off steam: Spending time at our summer home on Summerland Island in Upstate N.Y.

Three most useful Web sites for work: www.wsj.com, http://www.radioandrecords.com, www.yahoo.com

Three favorite Web sites: www.youtube.com, http://www.cookiemag.com, www.kodakgallery.com

Type of cell phone: T-Mobile Blackberry Pearl

Community group you're most involved with: Mote Marine Labratory and KidsWithGive.org

Two most important issues affecting the Gulf Coast: The impact of a slow economy on our real estate market and the lack of proper funding for public education

Three words that describe you: Multi Tasking Queen!

If I had a magic wand, I'd: Make the world more empathetic

Favorite lunch spot: Simons