SAIL to 60: A Post-Session Look at Connecting Education & Business Amid COVID-19
IT’S BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR SINCE HB7071 WAS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR — UPDATES FROM PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD OF WORKFORCE EDUCATION AND THE ‘SAIL TO 60’ INITIATIVE:
CHANCELLOR HENRY MACK (III), FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Henry Mack currently serves as the Chancellor for Career, Technical and Adult Education at the Florida Department of Education, a position he has held since November of 2019. As Chancellor, he helps oversee all workforce education programs and economic development initiatives for the department. Prior to serving as Chancellor, he was the associate vice president for workforce education and innovation at Broward College, overseeing all of the college’s career and technical education programs, its innovation and entrepreneurship hub, and a variety of other economic development related initiatives. He also served as an associate dean of academic affairs at Broward College, and held various positions at Florida International University and the University of Miami as a visiting professor. He served as host of South Florida PBS Viewpoint and Issues, two weekly television shows dedicated to exploring issues in public policy, ethics, and religion.
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.
MELANIE STEFANOWICZ, ORANGE county public schools
Melanie Stefanowicz is the Associate Superintendent of Career and Technical Education for Orange County Public Schools. In her capacity, she oversees all secondary career and technical education (CTE) programs and Orange Technical College. She is passionate about workforce and talent pipeline development and works closely with her team, as well as with business and industry, to ensure all programs are aligned to workforce needs and that students have every opportunity to graduate with the skills needed to enter high skill, high wage employment. Prior to her role with Orange County Public Schools, Mrs. Stefanowicz held the positions of Executive Director of Secondary and Postsecondary Education for the School District of Osceola County and Director of Adult, Alternative, and Career Education for the Monroe County School District. She received her bachelor’s degree in Communications and Theatre from Goucher College in Maryland, a master’s degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University, a Certificate of Educational Leadership from Florida State University, and a Certificate in Administration of Adult Education from Florida Atlantic University. She is currently working on her doctoral degree with the American College of Education.
Andrew Cole, East Orlando Chamber of commerce
Andrew Cole is the President/CEO of the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce. Andrew joined the East Orlando Chamber team in 2013 as the Director of Events. During his tenure, he has played an integral role in establishing a sound foundation for the Chamber’s future. He has a passion for our Members and the East Orlando Business Community and is dedicated to leading the way for the Chamber’s growth and relevance in Central Florida as a connector for the region. Since becoming the leader of the Chamber, he has implemented a Health Benefit plan for the members and their employees. He has implemented and created new industry specific councils including the Connect Four for Real Estate Professionals, Healthcare Council Collaborative, OPTIC, (Orlando’s Professional Technology & Innovation Collaborative), and Non-Profit Roundtable council. His leadership has also led to the creation of the East Orlando Chamber Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. These innovative ideas have created new value adds to attract new and retain current members. Andrew has a diverse work background which allows him to understand business. He was the first manager hired by TGI Friday’s with no prior restaurant experience. During his 11 years, he worked his way up to General Manager receiving numerous accolades including the esteemed Presidential Award for best profitable restaurant company wide and recognized for running the lowest employee turnover in the system, two Vice President Gold Stars, and numerous Regional Director Silver Stars. His creative thinking led to a culture change on how corporate would shut down underperforming restaurants. He also was a corporate executive trainer, regional food safety & alcohol service testing proctor and oversaw a test kitchen for new menu items. His passion for events allowed him to coordinate several regional bartender championships raising over $10,000 at each event for the Children’s Miracle Network, taking the winners to Las Vegas for the finals. Andrew was a Purchasing Agent for the second largest nursing home in South Florida where he reduced costs, saving the company over $25,000 in his first year. His continued success included streamlining inventory implementing and reducing labor and negotiating favorable terms without sacrificing but improving the quality of the products. He created a product review board and set up systems to capture patient charges. Before his purchasing career, Andrew was a groundskeeper at the historic Orange Bowl Stadium in Miami, FL, where he painted the field for numerous college and national championship football games, soccer games and various other events. He graduated from Maryville College with a BA in Sports Management where he created the Student Programing Board and wrote a thesis and manual for planning campus events.
charleita m. richardson, florida college access network
Charleita M. Richardson joined FCAN in 2020 to lead the organization as it works towards the statewide SAIL to 60 goal. Prior to joining FCAN, Charleita served for 14 years as President and CEO of Partnership for the Future (PFF), a direct college access and success service provider in the metropolitan Richmond, Virginia area. She previously worked for the City of Richmond establishing a workforce training program for area high school students, as well as the Capital Area Workforce Investment Board as its Youth Programs Manager for the seven counties surrounding Richmond. Charleita holds a B.A. in Accounting from Randolph-Macon College, where she was the first black female in the history of the college to serve as the class commencement speaker. She also holds an MBA in Management from Strayer University, as well as a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Virginia Commonwealth University. Charleita is excited about being able to walk her dogs in a new area and sightsee with her mother, who is also relocating to the Tampa area.
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.
our expert panelists will be moderated by:
KIMBERLY LENT, FLORIDA COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK
Kimberly Lent joined FCAN in 2016. Her research work focuses on K-12 and higher education data and policy analysis, while also providing data technical assistance to FCAN partners. She has experience in community-based participatory research and program evaluation in public health and K-12 education settings. Kimberly holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a certificate in public affairs and nonprofit management from University of Florida, a master’s degree in public health from University of South Florida, and is currently earning a doctorate in measurement and evaluation from University of South Florida’s College of Education.
parker antoine, orange county public schools
Parker Antoine currently holds the title of Senior Administrator of Marketing for Orange Technical College and the Career & Technical Education Department of Orange County Public Schools - the 7th largest school district in the country located in Orlando, FL. Parker holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the Florida State University, and has been in educational marketing, communications and advertising for over 10 years. He has spoken at numerous education conferences throughout the country, sharing best practices in marketing and branding, while sharing fresh perspectives on where and how to reach students in the digital age. Parker is a passionate advocate of the power of career and technical education, and broadening opportunities for students via career or college pathways.
topics to be covered include:
ALICE and UpliftED – A look at the newest ALICE report and understanding the social-economic context of Central Florida, and how education and workforce development plays a part.
Talent Strong Florida – Welcome to the new FCAN campaign from its newest Executive Director.
Policy – Updates on policy concerning education and workforce development.
Talent Development Council – Hear from Chancellor Henry Mack and Representative Plasencia on their strategic plan.
Sneak-peeks! – Chancellor Mack will give a glimpse into a new campaign coming from Florida officials.
. . . & more!