Leadership Monroe Class XIX Graduates

A group of people standing in front of a crowd posing for the camera - Social group
Southernmost Hotel Collection Controller Teresa Ross, Raymond James financial adviser Francess Strauss, Montessori Village School principal Kelly Astin, Josie Koler, Island Breeze Realty’s Jo Grego, Monroe County court administrator Holly Elomina, and Edward Jones financial adviser Sarah Cizmas. Middle Row: Robin Neville, Monroe County planning commission coordinator Barabara Bauman, FKAA marketing director Colleen Tagle, KCB city commissioner John DeNeale, Baptist Health Ministries’ Dr. Pam Feeser, and First State Bank corporate loan officer Lori Bailey. Back Row: MCSO Captain Gene Thompson, CBT Construction and Gotta Luv It Outdoors CEO Chris Trentine, Paver Dave contractor John Keller, Fishermen Hospital’s Lynn Mauk, podiatrist Bridget Smith, AHEC director of professional education Keith Harris, deputy county administrator Debbie Frederick, county health department director Bob Eadie, Islamorada city manager Ed Kokonis, chief assistant county attorney Bob Shilliger, retired restaurateur Henry Rosenthal, and Mariner Hospital’s Rick Freeburg.

Southernmost Hotel Collection Controller Teresa Ross, Raymond James financial adviser Francess Strauss, Montessori Village School principal Kelly Astin, Josie Koler, Island Breeze Realty’s Jo Grego, Monroe County court administrator Holly Elomina, and Edward Jones financial adviser Sarah Cizmas. Middle Row: Robin Neville, Monroe County planning commission coordinator Barabara Bauman, FKAA marketing director Colleen Tagle, KCB city commissioner John DeNeale, Baptist Health Ministries’ Dr. Pam Feeser, and First State Bank corporate loan officer Lori Bailey. Back Row: MCSO Captain Gene Thompson, CBT Construction and Gotta Luv It Outdoors CEO Chris Trentine, Paver Dave contractor John Keller, Fishermen Hospital’s Lynn Mauk, podiatrist Bridget Smith, AHEC director of professional education Keith Harris, deputy county administrator Debbie Frederick, county health department director Bob Eadie, Islamorada city manager Ed Kokonis, chief assistant county attorney Bob Shilliger, retired restaurateur Henry Rosenthal, and Mariner Hospital’s Rick Freeburg.

The lastest group of community leaders have earned their stripes following a seven month submersion of learning everything and anything about Monroe County, including everything and anything about each other!

This is the way Leadership Monroe works.

Leaders, who serve on numerous boards, and regularly give back to the island in a philanthropic manner are identified in their respective professions. These ladies and gentlemen have the right connections to get business done and propel the Keys into the future. Following a lengthy essay application a selection committee chooses the privileged 25.

Classes start in October with a submersion into tourism and how the Keys are marketed to the world. Expeditions follow to remote places such as the Everglades, Florida Bay, Ocean Reef Club, and other excursions. Tours of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority’s desalination plant in Florida City, Mariner’s Hospital, the old Monroe County jail, the new Monroe County jail on Stock Island, and other key components are granted and classmates given access to high-ranking decision makers such as NASKW Captain Pat DeQuattro and Sheriff Bob Peryam. This Saturday the class graduated, opening up the doors for everyone else to start vying for a coveted spot in class XX. Chances to apply will be this summer.