Breakout Speakers
Alyssa Lee
Alyssa Lee champions livable, people-centered cities with her deep grassroots campaign experience. As a leader of Strong SacTown - one of the largest Strong Towns Local Conversations - she’s grown its social media to 3,000+ followers in 2 years, earned recognition from city council, and cultivated dozens of volunteer leaders. For 9 years, she organized youth climate justice campaigns, coaching and training hundreds of students in facilitation, group-building, and campaign strategy skills. Growing up car-deficient in the California Central Valley and later discovering the joys of Boston’s walkable, mixed-use communities shaped her commitment to resilient urban environments. She now lives car-free in Sacramento, where she manages communications for the Caltrans Director’s Office of Sustainability.
Session: How to Activate Local Advocates–and Keep Them Engaged for the Long Haul
Horton Hobbs
Horton Hobbs has served as Vice President of Economic Development for the Partnership of Greater Springfield (formerly known as the Chamber of Greater Springfield) since January 2012. In his position, he works closely with local economic development partners to assist existing businesses, attract new businesses, develop real estate, and aggressively market the community. Since his arrival at the Partnership, he has coordinated efforts that have resulted in approximately 7,000 jobs created, 9,500 jobs retained, approximately $2.3 Billion in new investments, the development of a $9 Million-200 acre industrial park, and the location of Topre America Corporation, Silfex, Surati Sweet Mart, Gabe’s and 5C Datacenters to Springfield. In 2024, Hobbs led efforts to raise $6.6 Million locally to support economic and workforce development efforts in Clark County.
His previous work experience included positions as Development Officer for the Springfield Foundation, Executive Director of the Center City Association, Planning Director for the City of New Carlisle and Regional Planner for the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.
Session: Unity Under Pressure - Springfield’s Journey Through a Migrant Media Storm
Brandi Thompson
Brandi Thompson is one of the founders of Strong Towns Albuquerque, where she has been living and working as an emergency and flight nurse since 2020. She accidentally found herself as a community leader when she invited 4 people to the inaugural meeting of ST ABQ and 72 people showed up. She has been fumbling, learning, and sharing her experience since then, and has had help from a great team of volunteers. Prior to being a nurse, she was a rattlesnake wrangler, 8th grade science teacher, waitress at countless establishments, grant writer, and worked in non-profit healthcare administration. She is originally from Columbus, OH and has lived in 8 states.
Session: The Completely Unqualified Community Leader’s Survival Guide
Jon Shell
Jon Shell is a real estate developer, entrepreneur, and civic leader based in Pensacola, Florida. He leads The Shell Group, a residential real estate team under Levin Rinke Realty, and is the founder of Upward Intuition, a nonprofit dedicated to youth empowerment and placemaking. Through Upward Intuition, Jon has spearheaded transformative community projects such as the Blake Doyle Skatepark and the upcoming Safe Spot Skate Spot—initiatives that merge skate culture, public space design, and civic vision to create healthier, more connected communities.
Across his ventures, Jon’s work reflects a commitment to collaboration, creativity, and building places that inspire people. His belief that cities thrive when residents feel both empowered and connected drives his leadership and vision for Pensacola’s future.
Session: Crossroads and Concrete - Building Places That Tell a Bigger Story
Seth Young
Seth Young is the Executive Director of the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia, where he leads one of the nation’s premier folklife and traditional arts organizations. A 2023 Aspen Ideas Fellow and recipient of the 2023 West Virginia Governor’s Arts Award, Young is recognized for his innovative leadership at the intersection of culture, economic development, and community engagement.
In 2020, Augusta's Summer Workshops was named “Event of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association under his direction, and the team he leads was awarded the Vandalia Award, West Virginia’s highest folklife honor, for their work in traditional music preservation. He is currently redeveloping a 20,000-square-foot mixed-use cultural facility in the heart of downtown Elkins. The project leverages a diverse funding portfolio—including congressionally allocated spending, private philanthropy, state grants, and nonprofit technical assistance - to serve as a hub for arts programming, cultural education, and community-building.
A lifelong musician and arts advocate, Young brings a deep understanding of how cultural traditions can be a driver of creative placemaking and rural revitalization. His work bridges the past and future, building sustainable models that uplift local voices and create lasting impact..
Session: Culture at the Center: Reclaiming Space, Community, and Identity in Small Town Appalachia
Norm Van Eeden Petersman
Norm Van Eeden Petersman is the Director of Movement Building at Strong Towns. Norm has published articles on housing, transportation, faith, and culture and his writing appears regularly on the Strong Towns site. He is an energetic enthusiast for the work that Strong Towns members do around the world. Norm spent 10 years pastoring churches in Canada as a preacher, teacher, and leader. He’s worked in communications and stakeholder outreach for the Mayorof Surrey, BC and the federal Minister of Health in Ottawa, ON. Norm's been a tree planter and construction laborer. He grew up on a dairy farm in Alberta. Today he coaches soccer, promotes cycling, and advocates for better land use in his community of Delta, British Columbia as the leader of Deltans for People- Oriented Places.
Session: How Elected Leaders and Concerned Citizens Build Stronger Towns Together
Daniela de Castro
Daniela de Castro Sucre is a Venezuelan multimedia artist and designer based out of Pensacola, USA. She studied classic oil painting as a teenager, graduated with a Graphic Design bachelor’s in 2019, and began painting murals professionally in 2017. Her conceptual approach colors her diverse artist portfolio. Daniela has painted walls in Spain, Venezuela, England, and USA.
In 2024, Daniela expanded her large-scale art business and rebranded as Daniela de Castro Studio. Her studio brings together artists and experts in their field to create conceptual art installations that are closely tied to the brands and the spaces they inhabit.
Behind the scenes, Daniela pursues continued education in optics, color theory, and art history. She continues to work on her exploratory oil painting series started in 2020.
Session: Art as the Heart of Vibrant Communities
André Breaux
André Breaux is VP of Policy & Strategic Initiatives for One Acadiana, the regional economic development organization for Acadiana and local chamber of commerce for Lafayette. In this role, André oversees One Acadiana’s public policy advocacy and strategic initiatives to improve the competitiveness of the Acadiana region as a location for business and talent. Born and raised in Lafayette, André returned to Acadiana in October 2015 after a variety of experiences in other places, including teaching high school math through Teach For America, exploring ministry as a Jesuit novice, and serving as policy adviser to the Mayor of Sacramento.
Session: Campus, Community, and Civic Conversation - The Lafayette Story
Dr. Gretchen Vanicor
Dr. Gretchen Vanicor is Chief Sustainability Officer and Director of the Office of Sustainability and Community Engagement for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In this role, Gretchen leads campus-wide initiatives to improve the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of the university and strengthen “town and gown” relations with community partners. She holds a master’s degree in architecture and earned her Educational Doctorate in higher education administration and leadership. Gretchen lives in Youngsville, Louisiana, with her husband, David, and two young children, John-Thomas and Rosalie, where they enjoy family bike rides, volunteering with local organizations, and trying out every possible youth sport.
Session: Campus, Community, and Civic Conversation - The Lafayette Story
Celestino Ruffini
Celestino Ruffini is the CEO of Visit Beloit, the destination marketing and management organization for Beloit, Wisconsin and three other neighboring municipalities serving more than 500 tourism-related businesses. As the area’s tourism champion, his organization leverages their expertise to drive positive economic impact and they work towards creating a vibrant, thriving community for residents and visitors alike. He is a lifelong resident of the Midwest; fueling his passion for tourism in Illinois and Indiana, where he graduated from Purdue University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in hospitality and tourism management. After working in attractions, restaurants, and hotels, he served as the director of sales and marketing in Galena, Illinois. He joined the Visit Beloit team in 2015 as the CEO. He is thrilled to serve the Beloit region as the chief “people connector” – ensuring consumers have the Beloit region top-of-mind, strengthening business connections with a growing industry in our region, and pursuing excellence among staff and board members as we strive to be a leading destination in the Midwest. Most importantly, he is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that embraces the diverse identities and backgrounds of all who live, work, learn, and visit in the Greater Beloit region.
Session: The Beloit, WI Story
Christian Wagley
Christian Wagley is executive director of Bike Pensacola, a volunteer position advocating for a safer and more pleasant city for walking and bicycling. He also works for Healthy Gulf, engaging communities around issues of water, energy, land and climate issues along the coast of NW Florida and South Alabama. In 2018 he had the honor of selecting and recruiting speakers for CivicCon, which brought Chuck Marohn to Pensacola as its very first speaker. He previously worked on green building and development issues in both the public and private sector, and in 2022 served as Environment co-leader on Pensacola mayor D.C. Reeves’ Transition Team.
Christian holds a master’s degree in biology/coastal zone studies from the University of West Florida.
Session: Downtown Pensacola Walking Tour (Space is limited for this session, please RSVP at this link.)
Warwick Sabin
Warwick Sabin is the inaugural President and CEO of Deep South Today. He served three terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2013-19, and in 2014, he was among 24 national political leaders awarded the Rodel Fellowship by the Aspen Institute for his “outstanding ability to work responsibly across partisan divisions and bring greater civility to public discourse.” Before assuming his position at Deep South Today, Sabin was Chief Strategy Officer at Interfaith America, and previously he was the Executive Director of Strategic Engagement at the Aspen Institute. Earlier he was the Senior Director of U.S. Programs at Winrock International and the founding director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. From 2008-13 he was the publisher of the Oxford American magazine, and in 2009, he was named to the FOLIO:40, a list of the 40 most influential people in the national magazine industry. Sabin’s additional professional experience includes serving as Director of Development for the Clinton Foundation, as well as working on Capitol Hill, at the White House, the U.S. Embassy in London, and at Foreign Affairs magazine. He is a Marshall Scholar and a Truman Scholar, and he holds degrees from Oxford University and the University of Arkansas, where he graduated as valedictorian and was president of the student body.
Session: Building Trust With Local Media
Lisa Nellessen Savage
Lisa Nellessen Savage has been executive editor of the Pensacola News Journal since 2014. She has spent her entire career with the USA TODAY Network, serving as executive editor at newspapers in Wisconsin and Indiana prior to moving to Florida. She earned her bachelor’s of journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Lisa is a founding board member of CivicCon, a civic education program that aims to make our community a better place to live, play, work and invest through smart planning and civic engagement, starting with the premise that great communities begin with great dialogue.
Sessions: Building Trust With Local Media | CivicCon: Raising Pensacola’s Civic IQ
Tim Bolduc
Mr. Bolduc is a long-time resident of Okaloosa County and a devoted public servant. From 2019 to 2025 Tim served his community as the first City Manager for the City of Crestview and has now returned to the private sector as CEO of a regional sanitation company. Additionally, he is the Treasurer of the Hope City Community Church, the AETC Civic Leader for the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Honorary Commander of the 919th Special Operations Wing, Legislative Chair for the Northwest Florida League of Cities and serves on the CCB Community Bank Advisory Board. He is a past board member for the United Way of the Emerald Coast and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida and United Way Emerald Coast.
In 2007, Mr. Bolduc graduated from Troy University with honors receiving a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a focus in Public Administration and a minor in Business. Tim is also a Florida State Certified Public Manager. Prior to his time in public service, he was a small business owner. Tim was a licensed contractor who owned and operated a full-service construction company for over a decade, as well as several other small businesses. Tim is the founder of TBSpeaks, a leadership consulting agency and co-author of A Solution-Focused Culture.
Session: From the Inside Out - Building Community Engagement Through Organizational Culture
Jessica Leavins
Jessica Leavins serves as the City Manager for the City of Crestview. A lifetime Florida resident, she currently lives in Okaloosa County with her husband, Chance, and their two dogs, Apollo and Athena. Outside of work, Jessica is a passionate baker, avid reader ,and organizational development consultant with SFC Enterprises.
Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Psychology with a minor in Business Management from the University of West Florida, as well as a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Troy State University. She is a SHRM-certified Human Resources Professional and co-author of A Solution Focused Culture, a practical guide to leading organizational change.
With over a decade of experience in local government, Jessica is committed to building strong, people-centered organizations by empowering leaders and supporting essential workers. Her career began in behavioral health, where she spent over five years serving individuals facing mental health and substance abuse challenges an experience that shaped her deep understanding of human behavior and change management.
Jessica is also actively involved in her community, serving on the board of the United Way of the Emerald Coast and was recognized as a 2024 UWEC 40 Under 40 honoree.
Session: From the Inside Out - Building Community Engagement Through Organizational Culture
Dr. Jason Foland
Dr. Jason Foland is the President of Studer Family Children’s Hospital. He is responsible for all operations related to the care of children for Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola and provides support for all pediatric related issues across the Ascension Florida Market.
Dr. Foland previously served as the Chief Medical Officer for Studer Family Children’s Hospital for four years, starting right after the new facility opened in 2019. Immediately prior to taking on the role of President, he served for eight months as the regional CMO for Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, Sacred Heart Bay, and Sacred Heart Gulf.
Prior to transitioning to an administrative position at Studer Family Children’s Hospital in 2019, Dr. Foland practiced as a Pediatric Critical Care Physician in the community since 2004. During that time, he served in many clinical leadership roles including Medical Director of Pediatric Respiratory Therapy, Medical Director of Pediatric Transport, Medical Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Medical Director of the Pediatric Service Line, and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics.
Session: Healthcare’s Role as a Convener for Early Brain Development
Dr. Stephanie Montgomery
Stephanie Montgomery’s career began in the classroom, where she developed a zeal for improving educational outcomes and a passion for literacy and learning. She’s now turned her interest toward early brain development and is leveraging her experience to inform, equip, and support parents and caregivers across the U.S.
Stephanie has more than 25 years of experience in education across multiple states. Through her work with organizations like Ferst Readers, Get Georgia Reading, and Georgia Family Connections, she has developed expertise in early literacy skills and readiness gaps. Stephanie has cultivated valuable partnerships between community groups and education agencies to promote early learning. Her diverse experience has given her a strong ability to facilitate systems-level changes in education and healthcare.
Session: Healthcare’s Role as a Convener for Early Brain Development
Katie Ballard
Katie Ballard moved to Pensacola in 2016 from her hometown of Indianapolis, IN. She graduated from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy with a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and Master of Public Affairs in Nonprofit Management. Katie has a passion for nonprofit work and finding new ways to build and enrich the community. She brings her knowledge of establishing and enhancing funding for nonprofit organizations to the SCI team, starting in the role of Director of Development and Fundraising, before being elevated to Executive Director in 2023.
Session: Healthcare’s Role as a Convener for Early Brain Development
Jarah Jacquay
Jarah Jacquay is the Co-Founder and President of Bluffline Inc. and the Managing Principal of Virtuous Cycle LLC, a values-driven real estate and community development consultancy focused on building compact, convivial, and connected communities across the Gulf South. His work unites public health, transportation reform, urban design, and moral imagination to shape places where people and families can flourish.
Through Bluffline, Jarah leads a visionary greenway and active mobility initiative that reimagines Pensacola’s neglected infrastructure—from rail corridors to waterfront highways—into a regional trail network connecting underserved communities of West Pensacola to the University of West Florida (and beyond) via Downtown Pensacola. Through Virtuous Cycle, he works alongside civic leaders, public agencies, and mission-aligned investors to deliver catalytic projects that strengthen the social fabric, advance the common good, and promote long-term stewardship of place.
A husband, father of seven, and systems thinker by training and vocation, Jarah earned his BS from the University of Florida, his MS from the University of Pittsburgh, and is currently pursuing an MPA through Indiana University’s O’Neil School of Public and International Affairs. He brings over 15 years of interdisciplinary leadership experience across federal healthcare, nonprofit strategy, neighborhood development, and public-sector innovation. His initiatives have received support from the DOD, EPA, USDOT, FDOT, and local governments working to address chronic disease, traffic violence, and economic fragility through built environment solutions.
Session: From Grassroots to Grandeur
EB Brooks
Elizabeth "EB" Brooks is the owner of Civic Vision Consulting and stands as the force behind Moncus Park, a world-class 100-acre central park nestled in the heart of Lafayette, LA. As the founder and former executive director, she orchestrated grassroots initiatives to preserve the space from commercial development, and played a pivotal role in establishing and running the non-profit conservancy responsible for steering the park's planning, design, construction, fundraising, and ongoing operations. Brooks is renowned for her expertise in advising parks and non-profits on diverse facets such as fundraising, board management, community engagement, design and construction, with a track record of spearheading successful endeavors in placemaking, economic revitalization, open space advocacy, and enhancing overall quality of life.
Her impactful contributions have earned Brooks and Moncus Park recognition and accolades from esteemed organizations such as the American Planning Association-Louisiana, American Society of Landscape Architects-Louisiana, American Institute of Architects, US Green Building Council, and the Louisiana Recreation and Park Association.
Armed with master's degrees in Community & Regional Planning and Urban Design from the University of Texas at Austin, a certificate in Urban Park Executive Leadership from the City University of New York and the Central Park Conservancy, and bachelor's degrees in Sustainable Community Development and Spanish, Brooks continues to assist organizations in making lasting impacts on the landscape through community development and park management.
Session: From Grassroots to Grandeur
JP MacFadyen
JP MacFadyen is the Executive Director of Moncus Park in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he has led the organization since 2021. Under his leadership, the park has launched major amenities and become a vibrant public space for the region. Before stepping into the role of Executive Director, JP served as Operations Director, where he helped oversee construction and built the foundation for day-to-day operations.
A native of Pittsburgh, JP holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA in Operations from the University of Houston. Earlier in his career, he served as a space shuttle flight operations specialist at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, specializing in propulsion and de-orbit systems.
Today, JP brings a unique blend of engineering precision and public space management to his work, helping create a park that serves as a model for community-driven design and sustainability.
Session: From Grassroots to Grandeur
Will Dunaway
Will practices primarily in the area of environmental and land use law. He has experience in local, state, and federal land use planning and the associated environmental permitting. Will has negotiated environmental matters at the federal, state, and local governmental level. He represents clients before local government commissions, councils, and boards on land use and environmental issues. Will’s litigation training began in the military justice system where he served as a trial and defense counsel and ultimately a Military Judge. Following his retirement from the Navy, Will and his family moved back to Pensacola and the City they grew to love during several tours of duty. His wife, Beth, is a special education teacher in the Escambia County School District. At the University of Mississippi Law School, Will served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Mississippi Law Journal. While at The George Washington University Law School, Will interned at the Council on Environmental Quality, Executive Office of the President.
Will served as the 2018-19 President of Pensacola-Cordova Rotary. Will joined Rotary in April 2012 and became involved with leadership after attending RLI training. He is a graduate of RLI I, II, and III plus graduate Foundation and Discussion Leader training. He attended the RI Convention in Atlanta and served as a volunteer with the host committee. Will was designated a Paul Harris Fellow by the club in 2015. He became a Paul Harris Society member in 2017 and a Bequeath Society member in 2018 as part of the District Million Dollar Dinner. In 2018, Will was selected by the Combined Rotary Clubs of Greater Pensacola and the University of West Florida College of Business as their “Ethics in Business Award” recipient.
Session: CivicCon - Raising Pensacola’s Civic IQ
Chris Heaney
Chris grew up primarily in New England. After attending Vanderbilt University he spent his first career as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy, retiring with the rank of Captain. He has earned post graduate degrees in Diplomacy and Organizational Sciences. Chris is driven by operational excellence and process improvement. He is passionate about the Greater Pensacola community, its growth and sustainability. As the Director of Building Jobs, Chris will match his drive with his passions to energize SCI programs and share them with our ever-improving business environment..
Session: The SCI Venture Mentoring Service - Team Mentoring to Help Your Venture Grow
Jeff Ciabotti
Jeffrey Ciabotti is Toole Design’s Deputy Director of Planning for the Mid-Atlantic Region, and our Trails Practice Lead for projects across the country.
With 25 years of experience on projects throughout the U.S., Jeff is a recognized national leader in trails and active transportation. Jeff’s background as Vice President for Trail Development at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy gives him in-depth knowledge of the connection between land use, transportation and health. At RTC, he helped catalyze thousands of miles of trails through policy advocacy, expert technical assistance, training and leading the organization’s planning team. As a non-profit executive, Jeff has managed matrix organizations overseeing multiple field offices. Combining this national perspective with his on-the-ground project experience creates a balanced approach with each project and a keen awareness of the power of the public process. Jeff’s work includes launching RTC’s Urban Pathways Initiative, administering a national grants program and managing local and regional corridor inventory and assessment plans. He has presented numerous workshops, trainings, and keynote addresses domestically and internationally to share his enthusiasm for trails and active transportation.
Outside of work, Jeff gets his inspiration outdoors through gardening, riding, paddling or hiking all varieties of trails and experiencing nature with his adventurous family.
Session: America’s New Main Streets - Trails as Engines of Growth
Chandra Smiley
Chandra Smiley, MSW, is CEO of Community Health Northwest Florida. She joined Escambia Community Clinics in 2007 as a Social Worker and for the next seven years fulfilled leadership roles in social services, clinical services and business development. E
Chandra was named the organization’s Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director in November 2014. Since becoming CEO, Chandra’s leadership has taken form in expanding access to care by growing the number of employees, sites and types of services offered to patients and by joining forces on numerous important collaborations with community organizations who share a common mission to impact those in need.
In 2017, along with her leadership team, Chandra spearheaded the transformation and rebranding of Escambia Community Clinics into Community Health Northwest Florida. Holding true to the health center’s purpose and mission of providing affordable, quality healthcare for the underserved, underinsured and uninsured population, treating each person with respect, dignity, and compassion regardless of age, gender, race, religion, circumstances, or ability to pay, this new name better represents a commitment to the over 54,000 patients served annually.
Session: Beyond the Clinic - What Really Shapes Health
Mark Faulkner
Mark Faulkner is president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health Care. He joined Baptist in 1993 as an administrative resident. In 1999, Faulkner was named administrator of Jay Hospital and in 2004 became vice president of operations at Baptist Hospital. He became senior vice president of Baptist Health Care and president of Baptist Hospital in 2006. In 2010, he became executive vice president and chief operating officer of Baptist Health Care, the only locally owned, not-for-profit health care organization in northwest Florida and south Alabama. BHC comprises four hospitals, two medical parks, Baptist Manor, Baptist Leadership Group, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine, Lakeview Center, Baptist Medical Group and Cardiology Consultants. With more than 6,700 employees and employed physicians, Baptist Health Care is among the largest non-governmental employers in northwest Florida.
Session: Beyond the Clinic - What Really Shapes Health
Nicole Gislason
Nicole Gislason is the Executive Director of the University of West Florida Haas Center, part of UWF's Division of Academic Affairs. The center’s team supports communities with market research, workforce development and industrial innovation. The Haas Center’s information products and services are designed to inform strategic decision-making processes and enhance the region’s competitiveness. Her primary aptitude in higher education is an ability to communicate effectively with educators, business leaders, and government officials. This allows her to connect people who have common needs but different missions.
Session: Beyond the Clinic - What Really Shapes Health
Chloé Wiley
Chloé Wiley is the program officer of The Louisiana Blue Foundation.
Full bio coming soon!
Session: Beyond the Clinic - What Really Shapes Health
Chris Allen
Chris Allen is the Director of Events and Partnerships at Strong Towns. With a long career in operations, sales, and management, Chris brings a passion for collaborating around big ideas and seeing them through. He brings his enthusiasm for the built environment and community advocacy to our partners and supporters through the work of the Events and Partnerships team. Chris is proud to work out the Strong Towns principles with our partners and donors—encouraging flourishing for all to positively impact our communities.
Session: Want Incremental Development? Look to Your Community’s History.
Ross Pristera
Ross Pristera is the Historic Preservationist and Senior Director at the UWF Historic Trust in Pensacola. He has an undergraduate degree in Architecture from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University.
Since 2012, he has worked on a variety of preservation projects across Northwest Florida, including neighborhood surveys, building restorations, disaster response, preservation advocacy, grant writing, project management, and railroad history preservation. Several of his projects have received awards and are used as best practice examples. Ross engages with students and the community through workshops and classes as part of his employment with the University of West Florida. He currently serves as an advisor to the Pensacola Architectural Review Board, is a past president of the St. Michael’s Cemetery Foundation, President of the Chappie James Museum of Pensacola, and Vice-President of the America’s First Settlement Trail.
Session: Want Incremental Development? Look to Your Community’s History.
Peter Mougey
Peter Mougey oversees Levin Papantonio’s Securities and Business Litigation department and has dedicated his career to championing individuals’ rights against the world’s largest companies. Most recently, in the National Opiate Litigation, he was selected to serve as Co-Lead of the Distributor & Pharmacy cases in what has been called “the largest and most complex case in the history of juris prudence” by the Washington Post. He was credited as one of the key negotiators in the $57 billion settlement with opioid supply chain.
Mr. Mougey also dedicates his time and resources to our community, spearheading One Pensacola’s Food as Medicine project, Symphony Sparks & Stars, and the Palafox Beautification project along with serving on the boards of various local organizations.
Session: Food as Medicine - Nourishing Health Through Community Action