This year’s 21 graduates bring decades of experience to the Partnership’s growing network of PLI alumni since the program’s inception in 2008.
Orlando, Fla. – A diverse group of professionals spanning the public, private, and non-profit sectors are now prepared to represent the Orlando region in public office after completing the Orlando Economic Partnership’s (the Partnership) Central Florida Political Leadership Institute (PLI), presented by TECO Peoples Gas.
PLI is a unique, nonpartisan regional program developed to prepare and strengthen the next generation of public leaders before they formally choose to run for elected office or commit to serving on a government board or commission. Program participants are selected through a highly competitive application process each year, with no cost to apply and participate in the program – through the support of PLI sponsors.
PLI Class of 2024 Graduates:
| Arian L. Bryant | University of Central Florida |
| Jerry Breckenridge | Truist |
| Kait Doulou | Build Ventures |
| Christopher Durant | Dueling Dragons of Orlando |
| Daniel Elliott | Florida House of Representatives |
| Daila Espeut-Jones | ZelTech, LLC |
| Johnmichael Fernandez | Florida Apartment Association |
| Quibulah Graham | Orlando Health |
| Hugh Gravitt | Advent Health |
| Abraham Hanze | Sedgwick |
| Charlene Hotaling | Seacoast Bank |
| Amanda Kalantzis | Sustainability Advisory Board of Maitland |
| Kevin Kendrick | The Kendrick Team at EXP Realty |
| Barron Mills | Florida Photonics Cluster |
| Holton Mills | Addition Financial |
| Maria “Rocki” Sanchez | JPAR Coast to Coast |
| Kaley Slattery | The Southern Group |
| Rodney Thompson | Fastsigns North-Orlando |
| Kimberly Walker | Seminole County Property Appraiser |
| Michael Weinbaum | Martin Aquatic Design and Engineering |
| Ryleigh Wogoman-Sackos | United States Senate |
Since its inception in 2008, PLI has prepared and strengthened the next generation of public leaders and has seen over 30 graduates elected or appointed to serve in public office.
I’m confident that the hard work and dedication our graduates put into the process has prepared them to successfully run for elected office or seek an appointment to a local government board or commission and be an effective public servant
Mark R. Mills,
PLI consultant and president of Mills Strategic Communications, Inc.
PLI students explore topics relating to campaigning, appointments, public issues, and leadership strategies as they learn from local, state, and federal speakers who share their invaluable expertise on how to lead once elected.
The 2024 graduation ceremony featured words of encouragement from Regional Manager of External Affairs at TECO Peoples Gas, Spencer Pylant, and PLI consultant, Mark R. Mills, as family members, friends, and colleagues celebrated the incredible accomplishment of this year’s cohort of future public leaders.
Later this summer, the Partnership will begin seeking applications from potential participants for its 2025 PLI class. Anyone interested can find more information here.
PLI is made possible by the support of its sponsors including AdventHealth, CNL, Florida Blue, Full Sail University, Lockheed Martin, Massey Services, Orlando Health, Orlando Magic, the Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA), OUC – The Reliable One, Tavistock Group, TECO Peoples Gas, Travel + Leisure Co., Truist Financial Corp., Universal Orlando Resort, University of Central Florida, Walt Disney World Resort, and Visit Orlando.
For additional information, or to be notified when applications are available for the 2025 PLI class, please send an email to pli@orlando.org.
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About Orlando Economic Partnership
Winner of the National Chamber of the Year award, the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) is an economic and community development organization that is seizing the moment to advance Broad-based Prosperity® and create a more prosperous economy for all. Through the power of partnerships, we grow the economy, attract growing companies, boost job creation, drive investment, improve competitiveness and fuel regional leadership. Learn why opportunity in Orlando is Unbelievably Real™ at InvestOrlando.org.