Orlando, Fla. – The Central Florida Political Leadership Institute (PLI) selected 23 participants for its upcoming 2019 class. The nonpartisan program prepares business-minded leaders who want to explore how they can make a difference in elected or appointed office and use their business experience, skills and talent to address critical issues. Since its inception in 2008, 21 PLI graduates have served in elected office in the Central Florida region.
A selection committee reviewed the strength of applications, conducted interviews and selected the participants, ensuring representation from a wide range of business, civic and community organizations across the Orlando region.
The 2019 PLI class includes:
| Yesnia (Jesi) Baron | National Criminal Justice Training Center |
| Daniel (Danny) Betancourt | Wyndham Destinations |
| Chan-Denise Budhoo | AmeriTeam Realty |
| Derrick Chacon | The Bid Coach |
| Christopher (Chris) Chambers | Serious Simulations, LLC |
| James Evans | Century 21 |
| Cliff Long | Orlando Regional Realtor Association |
| Dan Lopez | Legends Realty |
| Katy McGinnis | FL Dept. Of Business and Professional Regulation |
| Sean McQuade | CompuGroup Medical |
| Paul Norman | Wyndham Destinations |
| David Riccardi | Fifth Third Bank |
| Tiffany Sanders | JHT, Inc. |
| Steve Simpson | Central FL Property Management |
| Anjali Sivakumaran | Tezz, LLC |
| Lee Steinhauer | The Steinhauer Group, LLC |
| Jeff Swirsky | AD1 Global |
| Derick Thompson | Walter P. Moore |
| Pamela Tuscany | Universal Orlando Resort |
| Lito Valdivia | Leidos Engineering |
| Franz Reiner Valencia | Amerigas |
| Josh Wyche | Downtown Orlando Partnership |
| Elizabeth Yawman | Florida Capital Bank |
PLI’s public leadership school meets from April through September and includes a two-day bootcamp session, monthly half-day meetings and a final all-day gathering, highlighted by team presentations, before concluding with a graduation. Sessions feature local, state and national faculty who share their invaluable expertise on strategies to transition from private to public life, campaign for office, land an appointment and address important public-policy issues.
“The PLI class encourages new leaders within our Orlando region and teaches them new skills, provides important resources and helps them make the connections they need to launch their political careers,” says Sharon Smoley, Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at the Orlando Economic Partnership. “It is certainly a demanding job and PLI gives emerging leaders the opportunity to learn what it takes to become a successful elected or appointed official.”
There is no cost to apply or attend the program. PLI is made possible by the support of its sponsors including AT&T, CNL, Duke Energy, Florida Blue, AdventHealth, Full Sail University, University of Central Florida, Wyndham Destinations, Charter Communications, Lockheed Martin, Massey Services, Orlando Health, Orlando Magic, Suntrust, Tavistock Group, Hilton Grand Vacations, Tupperware Brands, Universal Orlando Resort, and Walt Disney World Resort.
For additional information, or to be notified when applications are available for the 2020 class, please contact Sharon Smoley, Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at 407.902.0201 or via email at Sharon.Smoley@orlando.org.