LAKELAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Steve is serving in his 25th year with the Lakeland Economic Development Council.  He received his B.S Degree from Troy State University in Troy, Alabama and his Masters Degree in Economic Development at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Steve is a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and is married to Tammy and they have three children.

LAKELAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

In 2001, Laura received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, with an outside concentration in Agriculture and Marketing. She joined the LEDC as Assistant Director in 2005.  Her position focuses on the administration, marketing and operations of the LEDC.

LAKELAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Claudia joined the Lakeland Economic Development Council in 2002.  She is responsible for managing leads, business recruitment and promoting Lakeland. In addition she works with local real estate professionals on marketing their available product. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Florida State University.

LAKELAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Meg graduated from Florida Southern College with a degree in Communication Advertising in 2008. She interned twice at the LEDC before coming on full-time as the Special Programs Coordinator in 2011. Her position primarily focuses on Ylakeland, the Lakeland Council for Entrepreneurial Development and the High Skill Initiative.

CROWE HORWATH

Ira Anderson has over 22 years of experience conducting audits and providing other financial advisory services to a wide array of privately held clients in the wholesale and retail inventory-based operations, construction real estate development, and construction industries. He attended Florida Southern College where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration. 

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Publix, a Fortune 100 company, is headquartered in Lakeland with over 3,000,000 sq ft of space including office, manufacturing and distribution and is Florida’s largest private employer. Jeff is responsible for the strategy required to successfully grow Publix Super Markets through new stores, new markets and acquisition. Jeff serves as Vice President of Real Estate and currently serving as the 2011-2012 LEDC Chairman.

LAND SOUTH GROUP

Land South Group “LSG” is a group of companies specializing in opportunistic real estate investment, real estate lending, and real estate management.  LSG has purchased, repositioned and sold more than 330,000 acres of real estate since its inception.  Brian received his B.S. in Finance, cum laude with honors in investments from Florida State University. He earned a JD from the University of Florida. 

GRAYROBINSON

David focuses his legal practice on corporate and business transactions including general corporate and business representation, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, tax, health care law, banking and wealth protection planning.  Founded in 1970, GrayRobinson is a full-service law firm providing legal assistance across the state of Florida, with more than 230 attorneys and 10 offices.

QGIV

Todd Baylis is Founder/President of Qgiv, a Lakeland based company which provides organizations throughout the US with online donation, event registration, kiosk and mobile giving tools. He is also President of Cipher Integrations, an IT/network services provider. He received his M.S. in IT Management, from Carnegie Mellon University, and a B.S. in Computer/Information Sciences from Florida State University.