These content area experts will help you better understand HB7071: Workforce Education, the "SAIL to 60" Initiative and why it matters to you:
Laurie Meggesin, Florida College Access Network
Laurie Meggesin joined FCAN in 2013 as its executive director to implement the organization’s first strategic plan. A longtime practicing attorney and partner with a national law firm prior to joining FCAN, Laurie started her career as an English teacher and job skills coach serving recent immigrants working to assimilate into the American workforce. A passionate believer in the power of collaboration, Laurie has also served as a community development manager with a major nonprofit organization to advance innovative multi-sector partnerships serving low-income youth. Laurie holds a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of South Florida and a B.A. in English from Columbia College Chicago. Outside of FCAN, Laurie loves exploring Florida’s natural wonders by camping, kayaking, and hiking with her husband and their dogs.
Nicole Washington, Washington Education Strategies
Nicole Washington, Principal, Washington Education Strategies is a national education policy advisor, based in Miami Beach, focused on integrating work and education to build a stronger talent pipeline in Florida and improving postsecondary education opportunities for all students. She served as the Vice-chair for the Education Subcommittee of the 2017-18 Constitution Revision Commission, sponsoring a successful Amendment 7 that increases college access and affordability for Florida’s students. Nicole provides advocacy and strategic policy support for national and state higher education organizations including Lumina Foundation and Florida College Access Network. She works with state and local organizations to create a more focused, comprehensive education policy and advocacy environment. Nicole has been committed to improving higher education in Florida for many years, serving in roles including the Florida A&M University and Miami Dade College board of trustees and the University of South Florida Consolidation Taskforce.
Ray Larsen, Heart of Florida United Way
Raymond Larsen is the Vice President for Collective Impact at the Heart of Florida United Way. Heart of Florida United Way’s Investing in Results goal is to create lasting, measurable change – not just for today, but for generations to come.
Ray Larsen received his master’s Degree at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. He has worked in the nonprofit sector in Central Florida for his entire career. Ray was co-author of the “Central Florida Regional Indicators Report: Legacy 2000”; and the “Central Florida Children and Youth Report”. He has published numerous articles including: “The Opportunity for Quality Child Care”; “A Strength-Based Approach to School Readiness”; and, “Incubated in Terror: The effects of Abuse and Neglect on Child Brain Development”.
Raymond has been recognized for his efforts in the community proudly receiving the Lawton Chiles State Child Advocacy Award; the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce Unsung Hero Award and the March of Dimes National Distinguished Volunteer Service Award. Ray is married to Mary Larsen and the is father of three sons.
Pam Nabors, CareerSource Central Florida
With over two decades of strategic and innovative leadership experience in workforce development, Pamela Nabors, President and CEO of CareerSource Central Florida, leads the second largest regional workforce board in Florida. Overseeing a budget of more than $30 million in federal workforce funds, Pamela delivers top-quality sector-focused resources including recruitment, training and career pathway services to Central Florida residents and businesses.
Pamela has over 20 years’ experience designing, managing, operating and evaluating workforce development initiatives that meet the needs of workers and businesses. Her accomplishments include creating innovative programs to identify talent for employers in growth sectors, boosting youth employment measures, retraining adult workers affected by the Great Recession to upskill and retain homeownership, and designing innovative approaches to address sector gaps in the workforce, such as the advanced manufacturing and STEM initiatives.
Expert Panelists will share real life examples of how "SAIL to 60" could make Central Florida the star region in Workforce Development, pairing business with education:
Representative Rene “Coach P” Plasencia
Rene Plasencia was born and raised in Orlando and is the son of a Cuban-born father and Puerto Rican mother. Growing up he was always reminded by his father the gift of living in a free and democratic country. His mother taught him the value of perseverance, never allowing him to quit anything he started. His parents taught him the virtues of integrity, hard work and dedication.
He graduated from Dr. Phillips High School where his strong work ethic and dedication earned him a track and field and cross country scholarship to the University of Central Florida. After graduating, he began teaching and coaching at Colonial HS, where he taught for over 15 years.
As a coach for the track and cross country programs, he created a culture of winning and success where there once was none. It was through his devotion and faith in those kids that he was able to accomplish what no other coach in that school's 53 year history could. In 2011 he led his boys team to Colonial High School's first-ever state title in any sport and, in 2012, they won their second state title.
Frustrated with the changes to our education system coupled with the deteriorating belief in our government, Coach P decided to run for the Florida House.
Now in his 3rd term in the house, Coach P has become a leader in education, healthcare and workforce development. He is vice chair of the Health Quality Subcommittee, chairman of Workforce Development and Tourism Subcommittee, a two time governor’s appointee to the Southern Regional Education Board and recently appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve on the statewide Talent Development Council.
With one term remaining in his service, Coach P is a statewide leader focusing on regional priorities like workforce development in aerospace, healthcare and touch labor. In addition to that, he will also continue his dedication to our education system.
Above all he is a devoted husband to his wife Marucci and loving father to his two girls Atti and Madeline.
Paul Moore, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Paul Moore is a Senior Manager of Operations Engineering at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando.
Paul has worked at Lockheed Martin for 35 years and has held positions of increasing responsibility in Production Operations, Engineering and Business Operations. He has received numerous awards for his expertise and performance within Lockheed Martin, as well as accolades for his contributions to the community. Paul serves on several steering committees and leadership councils for educational institutions in Central Florida. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Manufacturers Association of Florida.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Crummer School of Business at Rollins College.
Carolyn McMorran, Valencia College
Carolyn McMorran is the Assistant Vice President of Professional Continuing Education for Valencia College. Carolyn has spent 25 years in the field of learning and development and works as a performance consultant to many Orlando-based organizations. She holds numerous certifications in the learning and development field and a Doctorate degree in Management and Organizational Leadership.
Dr. Michael Armbruster, Orange Technical College
Dr. Michael Armbruster is in his 33rd year with Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), Florida, serving as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal and currently the Associate Superintendent for Career and Technical Education. As a principal, he served at three high schools over thirteen years, with populations varying from 2700-4400 students. He had the opportunity to serve at a well-established comprehensive high school, West Orange HS; plan, build and open another large comprehensive high school, Ocoee HS; and rebuild yet another one, University HS, all right here in OCPS, the eighth largest district in the nation with more than 213,000 students in K-12.
Recognitions over his career include a Governor’s appointment to the Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council (2017), the National Association of Women in Construction Central Florida Chapter Supporter of the Year (2016), the West Orange Chamber of Commerce George Bailey Award (2016), the Orange County Association of School Administrators Principal of the Year (2013), the Orange County PTSA High School Principal of the Year (2011), the Orange County Counselors Association Secondary Principal of the Year (2009), the Florida Association of Student Councils Principal of the Year (2008), Winter Garden Elk’s Lodge Outstanding Educator of the Year Award for 1998-1999, and the Westside Vocational Technical Center Teacher of the Year award way back in 1993.
He has been married to his wife Sandi for 35 years and they are the proud parents of their beautiful daughter Jennifer, who graduated from Georgia Tech in 2015 and is currently an industrial engineer with Mars, Incorporated in New Jersey.
Join us for breakout sessions on these critical topics:
Adult Learners - Meet with Zoé Colón from UCF, the Chair of UpliftED's Adult Learners Impact team. Take part in this interactive session and help Central Florida set next steps for this imperative work.
Career Connections - Ever wonder what the technical education landscape looks like in our region? Come to this session with Robin Oliver from Orange Technical College and engage in mapping our local stakeholders!
Scholarships & Financial Aid:-Learn about the latest in financial aid for non-traditional students from Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid and Veteran Affairs at Valencia college & FASFAA President, Daniel Barkowitz.
Policy - Spend a session with Kimberly Lent, Assistant Director for Research and Analytics at FCAN, and dive deep into higher education policy.