CFDC’s 2026 Annual Meeting Celebrates Polk County’s Economic Progress and Opportunities Ahead
Two Polk County organizations were honored with the distinguished CFDC Success in Business Awards, recognizing their commitment to business growth, community impact, and economic development. The Chair’s Award recognized outstanding public service and leadership, while attendees heard from NASA’s Moon Base Transportation Office director about the future of lunar transportation.
On Thursday, September 24, the Central Florida Development Council hosted its 2026 annual meeting in the Skylight Hangar at the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus. Each year, the event provides an opportunity to celebrate Polk County’s economic prosperity, and this year was no different.
“At the heart of our work is a simple goal: create lasting economic opportunity for the people who call Polk County home. That means attracting new investment, supporting existing businesses, and creating quality jobs that strengthen our communities and our economy,” said Sean Malott, President and CEO of the Central Florida Development Council. “Over the past year, Polk has continued to see that vision take shape.”
Community members gathered for an evening of connection and celebration as CFDC’s investor members recognized outstanding Polk County businesses with the distinguished Success in Business awards. The organization’s highest honor, the Chair’s Award, celebrated the leadership and service of a dedicated public servant.
GMF Steel Group earned the 2026 George W. Harris Jr. Economic Development Award for Success in Large Business. Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) received the 2026 Jim Brantley Economic Development Award for Success in Small Business. The final award of the evening, the prestigious 2026 Chair’s Award, was presented by CFDC Chair Emery Smith of Ben Hill Griffin, Inc. to County Manager Bill Beasley.
Before distributing the awards, Malott recognized Commissioner Dr. Martha Santiago, Chair of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, for her meaningful service to the community.
“Throughout her time on the Commission, Dr. Santiago has been a champion for connecting workforce training and education with the needs of our local industries,” said Malott. “We are grateful for Dr. Santiago’s leadership, partnership and commitment to creating opportunity for the people of Polk County.”
Success in Small Business Award
The Jim Brantley Economic Development Award for Success in Small Business is named after Brantley, who served as the first director of the agency now known as the CFDC. It is given to a business, institution, or organization with fewer than 100 employees. The recipient champions growth, free enterprise, economic stability and community service.
Gene Conrad, President and CEO of Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) and SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, accepted the award with his team.
Conrad reminded attendees that the funds from SUN ‘n FUN go directly toward supporting programming for ACE, where they live by their mantra, “from cradle to career.” This serves as a reminder that the children whose love of aviation is fostered today through aviation education opportunities, scholarships, and events at ACE are the next generation of industry professionals who will take the sector to new heights.
“These kids you’re supporting by coming to SUN ‘n FUN every year are going to be those kids going to Mars one day,” said Conrad, as he thanked the community for the award and their ongoing support.
Other finalists were:
Success in Large Business Award
The Success in Large Business Award is given to companies with at least 100 employees. The award is named for George Harris, a former CFDC chairman and president of Citrus and Chemical Bank. Nominations were based on each business’s commitment to community service, business growth, economic stability and promotion of free enterprise.
Adam Norman, Chief Fabrication Officer and Principal of GMF Steel Group, accepted the award along with his team. As a fourth-generation Polk County native, he expressed personal pride in receiving the award. He then celebrated the efforts of the vast team of tradespeople that work every day to forge the infrastructure we see around us.
“Today, I am representing the almost 800 hands that help us develop skylines every day,” he said. He thanked the investors for the nomination and award and also acknowledged the tradesmen and professionals who make the group a strong and successful company.
Other finalists were:
Chair’s Award
Each year, the CFDC board chair selects an honoree whose leadership and service have contributed to Polk County’s economic prosperity. The honoree receives one of the agency’s most prestigious awards. This year, Emery Smith presented County Manager Bill Beasley with the award amid a standing ovation.
As Polk County’s chief administrative leader, Bill Beasley oversees the day-to-day operations of county government and works to carry out the policy direction established by the Board of County Commissioners.
Described by colleagues as an empowering leader, a thoughtful communicator and the right leader at the right time for Polk County, Mr. Beasley has consistently kept the needs of residents at the forefront of his work. He has worked closely with the County Commission to develop policies and strategies that thoughtfully align growth, financial resources, planning and services—helping position Polk County for continued success while keeping the community’s needs in focus.
“Mr. Beasley is truly a public servant. His leadership and commitment to our county have been significant,” said Smith.
Mr. Beasley accepted the award with a movie quote, a signature move of his, and expressed his gratitude for working with the CFDC for nearly 20 years. He also commended the workforce of Polk County.
“I’d put that workforce up against anyone in the country,” he said. On the note of his experience with the county coming to an end as he enters retirement, he shared: “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Keynote Speaker
This year’s keynote speaker was Mark D. Wiese, who serves as director of NASA’s Moon Base Transportation Office, leading the development and integration of transportation capabilities that will support America’s return to the Moon.
Wiese shared highlights coming out of the Moon Base Transportation Office and the John F. Kennedy Space Center, most notably the successful launch and return of the Artemis II mission. He expressed his delight in seeing the magnitude of efforts in supporting the Aviation, Aerospace, & Defense sector in Polk County, and shared the power of strategic partnerships and collaboration to foster a strong economic ecosystem.
Wiese shared his perspective that Central Florida is primed to be part of the aerospace pipeline that places us back on the moon, and encouraged attendees to rise to the challenge of seeking collaboration. “It will take all of us to collaborate to see change on a scale we haven’t seen before. This is a challenge I am willing to accept,” said Wiese. “We will be the epicenter of access to space.”
We will be the epicenter of access to space.
Mark D. Wiese
Director, NASA’s Moon Base Transportation Office
Changing of the Guard
During the meeting, Smith passed the chairmanship to Brandon Clark of The Ruthvens. Joining Clark on the executive committee are:
- Vice Chair Kyle Story, The Story Companies
- Secretary/Treasurer Steve Crisman, Citizens Bank & Trust
Rick Garcia, former Aviation Chair, and Dave Shepp, 2025 Board Chair, have concluded their terms of service with the Board of Directors. The Honorable Kelli Stargel joins as the newest Board Member.
26|27 Board of Directors
- Chair, Brandon Clark, The Ruthvens
- Vice Chair, Kyle Story, The Story Companies
- Secretary/Treasurer, Steve Crisman, Citizens Bank & Trust
- Immediate Past Chair, Emery Smith, Ben Hill Griffin, Inc.
- County Commissioner Designee, Commissioner Rick Wilson, Polk County BoCC
- County Manager, Bill Beasley, Polk County BoCC
- Aviation, Jeff Kincart, A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure
- Community Stakeholders, Peveeta Devi Samuel, Duke Energy
- Competitiveness & Advocacy, Brad Lunz, The Lunz Group
- Investor Relations, Jeremy Voss, Voss Construction Management
- Talent Pipeline, Dr. Amy Bratten, Polk State College
- Corey Allain, Nucor Steel Florida
- Dr. Jeremy Martin, Florida Southern College
- Patrick Phillips, Lakeland Regional Health
- The Honorable Kelli Stargel, Florida Polytechnic University
2026 Annual Meeting Sponsors
Finally, the CDFC extends its sincere appreciation to the sponsors who made the 2026 Annual Meeting possible. The following companies sponsored the event:
Presenting Sponsor: Cyndeo Wealth Partners
Catalyst Sponsor: Citizens Bank & Trust, bar host
AV Sponsor: MABE
Innovation Sponsors:
Aerospace Center for Excellence, AdventHealth, Bank of Central Florida, Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., Crews Bank & Trust, Duke Energy, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Southern College, GMF Steel Group, Intersect Development Group, Keiser University Lakeland, The Lunz Group, Marcobay Construction, Orlando Health, Polk State College, The Ruthvens, Saunders Real Estate, Southeastern University, The Southern Group, SouthState Bank, Springer Construction, Stonebridge, Suncoast Credit Union, TECO, Tracy Mouncey & Associates, United Way of Central Florida
Enterprise Sponsors:
A.O. Wagner Construction, Grace Design Studios, Lakeland Regional Health, Norlee Group, Rita Staffing, The Story Companies, Visit Central Florida
Meeting Sponsors:
CPS Investment Advisors, DCCM, FG+M Architecture, PulteGroup, Summit Broadband, W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc.
