Movers & Shakers: January 2024

January 1, 2024

Posted By: Jennie Kroeger in Movers & Shakers,

John Horne
Cornerstone Class 28
Calusa Region
Lifetime Member

Amanda Horne
Education Class 4
Calusa Region
Lifetime Member

John and Amanda Horne with Oysters Rock Hospitality received the 2023 SRQ Good Hero Philanthropic Award, presented by SRQ Magazine. John was also elected to the board of the National Restaurant Association for a three-year term starting January 1st, 2024. He is currently the 2023 and 2024 chairman of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.

Jen McDonald
Connect Class 9
West Central Region
Lifetime Member

Jen McDonald was elected secretary of the Board of Directors for Commercial Real Estate Women Tampa Bay for 2024. Read more.

Darnell Smith
Cornerstone Class 33
Northeast Region

Darnell Smith began a new role with the City of Jacksonville as chief of staff for Mayor Donna Deegan. Read more.

Hong Potomski
Connect Class 6
Northwest Region

Hong Potomski was promoted to market leader for the Pensacola region at Florida Blue. She previously served as senior director for regional business development.

Grasford Smith
Cornerstone Class 40
Gulfstream Region
Lifetime Member

Grasford Smith was elected to The Florida Bar's Board of Governors. He represents the 15th Circuit, Seat 1 and will be installed during The Florida Bar’s annual convention in June. He currently serves as a litigation partner at Akerman.

Three Connect Class 12 members in the West Central Region, Lauren Albaum, Paige Geers, and Albie Kaminsky, were recognized in the Tampa Bay Business Journal's recent 40 under 40 list. Read more.

Michelle Alban
Cornerstone Class 39
East Central Region
Lifetime Member

Michelle Alban recently joined the board of directors of Aging Matters in Brevard. She currently serves as VP of communications and social impact at Paramount.

Jamie Flynn
Connect Class 11
Southwest Region

Jamie Flynn was appointed to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Advisory Council. She is currently the director of housing for the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Amy Hecht Macchio
Cornerstone Class 40
Northwest Region
Lifetime Member

Amy Hecht Macchio received both the Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean and the Pillar of the Profession Award from Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA). She is the vice president of student affairs at Florida State University. Read more.

Five Leadership Florida members were named to the News Service of Florida’s inaugural 40 Under 40: Rising Stars list, which recognizes young leaders who are shaping Florida politics and policies:

Giovanni Castro
College Class 15 & Connect Class 12
Southeast Region
Lifetime Member

Kevin Craig
Connect Class 12
Northeast Region

Chris Dawson
Connect Class 6
East Central Region

Paige Geers
Connect Class 12
West Central Region

Michael Nachef
College Class 11
Southwest Region

Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly appointed three Leadership Florida members (below) to the first SelectFlorida Board of Directors. SelectFlorida was formed in 2023 to lead Florida's international commerce functions and serve as a catalyst for economic development. Read more.

Beth Kigel, vice president, HNTB Corporation
Cornerstone Class 29,
Southeast Region
Lifetime Member