The Florida Council of 100 (FC100), a coalition of Florida’s top business leaders who come together under the mission of making Florida a better place for all Floridians, has identified three strategic priorities for 2025-2026: Economic Competitiveness, Resilience and Infrastructure. These focus areas build on Florida’s recent growth and position the state for long-term success through both policy leadership and direct execution of high-impact initiatives.

“We don’t just put forward policy recommendations—we execute on them,” said George LeMieux, Chair of the Florida Council of 100 and Chairman of Gunster. “Our focus areas reflect Florida’s most pressing challenges, and our members—CEOs leading some of the largest and most innovative companies in the state—are committed to driving measurable results that will strengthen our economy and enhance quality of life for all Floridians.”

For over 60 years, the Florida Council of 100 has worked alongside state leaders to shape policies that foster business growth, economic opportunity, and resilience. The Council’s 2025-2026 agenda reflects an expanded commitment to implementing real-world solutions, forging public-private partnerships, and launching new initiatives that translate strategy into impact.

“Our membership consists of not just Florida’s best thought leaders, but also doers who care about making life better for the people of our state,” said Rodney Barreto, Vice Chair of the Florida Council of 100 and President & CEO of Barreto Group.

Economic Competitiveness: Driving Growth Through Execution

Economic Competitiveness Committee:

• Chair: Joe York, President – Florida and Gulf States, AT&T

• Vice Chair: Will Weatherford, Managing Partner, Weatherford Capital

Florida’s economy has outpaced national trends, but sustaining its competitive edge requires action beyond traditional policy advocacy. The Economic Competitiveness Committee will lead multiple new initiatives, including:

• Statewide Industry Acceleration: Identifying and scaling high-growth industries through targeted investment strategies.

• Florida Business Climate Index: A data-driven initiative tracking economic conditions in Florida from a unique CEO perspective.

• Innovation and Capital Expansion: Strengthening Florida’s position as a top market for business formation, investment, and entrepreneurship.

These efforts build on the Council’s landmark Beyond Sunshine economic competitiveness report, ensuring Florida remains a national leader in job creation, investment, and business expansion.

Resilience: Strengthening Florida’s Economic and Environmental Preparedness

Resilience Committee:

• Chair: Eric Silagy, Chairman, President & CEO (Retired), Florida Power & Light

• Vice Chair: Greg Spencer, CEO, Timbers Resorts

Recent hurricanes and flooding events have reinforced the need for proactive strategies to protect Florida’s residents and economy. The Resilience Committee will lead efforts to:

• Develop a statewide resilience strategy for businesses, infrastructure, and communities.

• Drive investment into climate adaptation and risk mitigation initiatives.

• Ensure long-term economic stability in disaster-prone regions.

Infrastructure: Delivering Solutions for Florida’s Growth

Infrastructure Committee:

• Chair: Shane Strum, President & CEO, Broward Health

• Vice Chair: Chris Corr, President, Raydient; Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development, Rayonier

Florida’s rapid growth requires forward-thinking infrastructure solutions to sustain its economy and quality of life. The Infrastructure Committee will focus on three critical areas—housing, transportation, and water —by directly implementing new strategies and partnerships.

Key Infrastructure Initiatives

Attainable Housing Subcommittee:

• Chair: Ana-Marie Codina, CEO, Codina Partners

• Vice Chair: Stephen Ross, CEO & Chairman, Related Ross

Florida’s workforce is increasingly priced out of the housing market, putting pressure on employers and communities. The Attainable Housing Subcommittee will work to:

• Advance private-sector housing solutions that complement state initiatives.

• Unlock capital for workforce housing investment and development.

• Modernize zoning and land-use policies to increase housing supply.

Transportation Subcommittee:

• Chair: Al Dotson, CEO & Managing Partner, Bilzin Sumberg

• Vice Chair: Lisa Holland, Owner & President, Sheltair

Congestion and limited transit options threaten Florida’s economic productivity. The Transportation Subcommittee will lead a public-private innovation initiative to:

• Develop next-generation mobility solutions, including mass transit and smart infrastructure.

• Expand public-private funding models to accelerate key projects.

• Improve freight and logistics efficiency to keep Florida’s supply chains competitive.

Water Subcommittee:

• Chair: Bobby Stein, President, The Regency Group

• Vice Chairs: Todd Jones, Executive Chairman, Publix Super Markets, and Susan Story, CEO (Retired), American Water

Florida’s water demand is projected to rise by 14% by 2040, underscoring the need for sustainable management. The Water Subcommittee will take a hands-on approach to execution by

• Establishing the first-of-its-kind university-based Water Center for research, data analysis, and policy innovation.

• Developing new methods to increase water conservation as a cost-effective approach to water supply management.

• Enhancing ways to capitalize on wastewater as a potential means of addressing the long-term water needs of a growing population.

Execution and Impact

“By bringing together Florida’s top CEOs around these focus areas, we are not just proposing ideas—we are delivering solutions,” said Michael Simas, President & CEO of the Florida Council of 100. “Our members are committed to implementing real-world initiatives that will strengthen Florida’s economy, improve infrastructure, and ensure long-term resilience.”

For more information about the Florida Council of 100, visit fc100.org.

About the Florida Council of 100

The Florida Council of 100 is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of business leaders dedicated to improving Florida’s quality of life and economic well-being. Founded in 1961 at the request of Governor Farris Bryant, the Council serves as a trusted advisor to Florida’s elected officials and policymakers. Its membership represents over 200 companies employing more than 1.3 million Floridians, collectively shaping the state’s future through business-driven policy solutions and direct economic impact initiatives.