Leadership Pasco Newsletter - Summer 2023

Newsletter 

Summer 2023 

Congratulations 

Class of 2023!

To Our Leadership Pasco Family, 

The end of the program year is full of excitement 

as we celebrate graduations, award individuals 

who go above and beyond and express gratitude 

to the individuals and sponsors who make 

our program a success. We celebrated the 

graduation of the Class of 2023 in May. It is quite 

an experience to witness the development of 

relationships from orientation to graduation and 

this. Year's class was no different. To watch class 

members stand & cheer for their MVP, Mary Beth 

Isaacson '23, show the connection of this group. 

The class held a clay shoot to benefit the Sunrise 

of Pasco Domestic & Sexual Violence Center -specifically for a pet shelter on the premises. 

They learned some victims stay in their situation to avoid leaving pets behind. In addition, the 

class assisted on a Habitat for Humanity build as the sweat equity component of the class. 

Kudos Class of 2023 - thank you for your contribution and service to benefit our community. 

Welcome to the Leadership Pasco Alumni network. 

Congratulations to Tourism Day on winning Best Program Day this year. Special thanks to 

Captain Wendy Longman '15 and Adam Thomas '24 for spearheading the day. Be sure to 

take care of the trophy, but other program day leaders are coming for the title. The board 

honored Carla Armstrong '14 as a Director Emerita in recognition of her nine years of 

continued service. Thank you for your contributions to the board including serving as an Editor 

of the newsletter, co-chairing the Alumni committee and Healthcare day, amongst other roles 

during your tenure. Congratulations Carla! 

The Judith Rochelle Award is given annually to recognize an individual who exhibits 

extraordinary dedication and leadership to our organization. The recipient is a Director 

Emeritus who served on the board for nine years, co-chairs Criminal Justice Day, and is 

a member of many community organizations including Trinity Rotary, Youth & Family 

Alternatives, and the Republican Party of Pasco. Join me in congratulating the 2023 Judith 

Rochelle Award Recipient, Major James Mallo '12. We are blessed to have you as a member 

of our community and the Leadership Pasco family. 

Join me in welcoming our newest board members, Sam Rockwell '22 and Paul Conley, 

Vice President '23. We look forward to your involvement and service to Leadership Pasco. 

Welcome to the members of the Class of 2024. We hope your Leadership Pasco experience 

provides an insight into Pasco County as a great place to live, work and play. Finally, I am 

pleased to welcome the new Board President, Brendan Gorman '18. Our organization is in 

excellent hands moving forward. 

As I conclude this year as President, I want to thank the board for your trust in me. It has been 

my privilege and honor to have worked with all of you throughout the year. I hope I was able to 

lead with kindness, grace and, of course, some humor. I have learned from each of you what 

it means to be a leader amongst leaders. Thank you for your unwavering support this year. I 

hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer! 

Tara O'Connor, Class of 2016 

President, Leadership Pasco 

Managing Partner, O'Connor Law Group PA 

SUMMER 2023 NEWSLETTER 

Leadership 

Pasco 

Newsletter 

SINCE 1991, THE MISSION OF LEADERSHIP 

PASCO is to identify and recruit current or potential 

leaders of Pasco County, facilitate the development 

and interaction of those leaders, and to foster an issues-oriented 

learning environment for these leaders 

and the citizens of Pasco County in order to encourage 

an exchange of ideas and generate enthusiasm 

for community growth and development. 

The Leadership Pasco Newsletter is published quarterly. 

Please direct correspondence about this publication 

to Leadership Pasco, P.O. Box 695, Elfers, FL, 

34680. Readers also may reach staff by sending an 

email to administration@leadershippasco.com. 

Editorial Staff 

Amanda Hart '14 

Editor 

Tara O'Connor '16 

Editor 

Jason Longo '17 

Design 

Photo Credits 

J. David Wright '20 (Cover, Pages 4-6) 

Amanda VanMeter Burch/Avy Photography 

(Page 8-9 portraits) 

Board Members 

Don Anderson '16 

Chuck Anderson '20 

Carla Armstrong '14 

Gary Burden '19 

Angel Cook '18, Secretary 

Angie Gardner '11 

Brendan Gorman '18, President Elect 

Kim Hamm '15 

Amanda Hart '14 

Laura Knight '22 

William Labbancz '22 

Crystal Lazar '13 

Manny Long '16, 21-22 President, Treasurer 

Kathy Masucci '22 

Tara O'Connor '16, President 

Joseph Poblick '14 

Laura Raposa '19 

Kim Rymanowski '19 

Debbie Shackowski '20 

James Walters '15 

© Leadership Pasco. All rights reserved.

Features 

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Incoming Executive Board 

Best Program Day 2023 

Welcome New Board Members 

Paul Conley '23 and Sam Rockwell '22 

Class of 2023 Graduation 

Judith Rochelle Award Recipient 2023: 

Major James Mallo '12 

Sponsor Spotlight: Olympus Limo 

Carla Armstrong '14 Honored as Director 

Emerita 

Class of 2023 Habitat For Humanity Builds 

Meet the Class of 2024 

Celebrating Our Youth Leadership Pasco 

Scholarship Recipients 

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Sponsors 

4G Ranch, LLC 

Alfonso Hersch, P.A. 

Ba Da Boom Fireworks 

BankFlorida 

Bene's Career Academy 

Blackjack Media Group 

Coastal Bay Wealth Management 

Cerrone Enterprises 

Doggie Cakes - Dog Bakery and Boutique 

Duke Energy 

Graybar 

Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce 

Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce 

Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County 

Keller Williams Realty - Kelly's Home Team 

Kouwenhoven Enterprises, LLC 

Land O' Lakes High School Culinary Arts Program 

Laporte, Mulligan & Werner-Watkins, P.A. 

Merrell Bros., Inc. 

Micro Solutions 

Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Esq., Clerk & Comptroller 

O'Connor Law Group, P.A. 

Olga's Bakery 

Olympus Limo, Inc. 

Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller 

Pasco Economic Development Council 

Pasco Education Foundation 

Pasco County Sheriff's Office 

Pasco Hernando State College 

Photos By J. David Wright 

Phillips & Jordan, Inc. 

Pontlitz Asset Advisors 

Realty ONE Group Sunshine 

Sailwinds Realty 

Saint Leo University 

Simpson Lakes 

Sunshine Consulting Group 

TECO Energy, Inc. 

Time Trap Escape Room 

The Bank of Tampa 

United Way of Pasco County 

USF Federal Credit Union 

Leadership Pasco 

LEADERSHIPPASCO.COM 

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Congratulations To Our 

Incoming Executive Board 

President 

Brendan Gorman '18 

Associate Attorney 

Laporte, Mulligan & Werner- 

Watkins, P.A. 

President Elect 

Angel Cook '18 

Sales Agent 

Leaders Insurance Services 

2023 

Best Program Day 

Tourism Day 

The class of 2023 voted Tourism Day as the Best Program 

Day. In 2022, it's inaugural year it tied for Best Program 

Day with Criminal Justice Day. It is the first new program 

day in fifteen years. 

Captain Wendy Longman ‘15, CEO, Windsong Charters 

and Boat Rentals and Adam Thomas '24, Pasco County 

Tourism Director are the hard-working and creative team 

behind the day. 

In 2019, Pasco County was re-branded as Florida's Sports 

Coast, and participants of this day learn how tourism is 

funded, to what extent, and how tourism creates growth. 

The class members end their day with Island Paradise 

Charters. They cruise out to the famous and historic stilt 

houses, and with views of Anclote Key, and the sandbar. 

The class learns much of West Pasco involves fishing and 

the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. 

Congratulations Captain Wendy and Adam on your win! 

Secretary 

Laura Raposa '19 

Director of Dual Enrollment 

Pasco Hernando State College 

Treasurer 

Manny Long '16 

Chief Financial Officer 

First National Bank of Pasco 

SUMMER 2023 NEWSLETTER

Welcome New Board Members 

Paul Conley '23 and Sam Rockwell '22 

Paul Conley '23 

Executive Director 

Tampa Metro YMCA 

Paul is from Ohio but decided to ditch the cold for the beautiful 

Tampa weather. He and his fiancé Jenna recently bought a house 

in Tampa and they have a 2-year-old Golden Retriever, Champ. 

Paul loves sports and has loved them ever since he was a child, he 

typically is spending his time playing/watching sports, running, 

working out, spending time with family and friends, or reading/ 

listening to podcasts. 

Paul has worked with the YMCA in various roles since 2012 and 

has been an Executive Director since 2016 where he specializes 

in leadership, fundraising, and board development. In 2021 Paul 

became the District Executive Director overseeing the Plant City, 

East Pasco, and Dade City YMCA’s. In 2022 Paul started his own 

coaching business, Life Work Balance Coaching, where he specializes 

in Executive and Business Coaching for Young Professionals. 

In May 2023 he launched a Men’s Mastermind group called 

High Achievers where he helps men connect, grow personally and 

professionally, and develop new skills. 

Sam Rockwell '22 

Financial Advisor 

Raymond James & Associates, Inc. 

Sam Rockwell is a Financial Advisor with Raymond James. Based 

in Pasco, his team works with individuals, families, and business 

owners to provide guidance on various aspects of their financial 

journey. 

Armed with a vast array of resources, ranging from investment 

banking and Portfolio Managers, to Insurance and Trust Consultants, 

his team helps clients develop their unique financial plan to 

ensure personal and business finances are coordinated to meet 

their short and long term goals. 

Sam received his BA from Florida Gulf Coast University and his 

MBA from University of Florida. Raised in Pasco County, he is 

actively involved in the local community with Pasco Economic 

Development Council and Rotary Club of New Port Richey. Sam 

and his wife Sarah reside in Odessa with their daughter, Sienna. 



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Class of 2023 Graduation

n - Welcome New Alumni 

Visit us on Facebook for additional photos by J. David Wright '20 

Facebook.com/LeadershipPasco 



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Judith Rochelle Award Recipient 2023: 

Major James Mallo '12 

By Amanda Hart '14 

Club, exemplifying their commitment to the ideals of service 

above self. Serving as Chair of the Republican Party of Pasco. 

This person has demonstrated a passionate commitment to 

causes close to their heart and worked tirelessly to bring about 

positive change. 

But amidst their numerous commitments, their unwavering 

dedication to Leadership Pasco has remained steadfast. Their 

journey began as a program leader, even before becoming a 

class member in 2012. Since then, their commitment has only 

grown stronger. In 2013, they were elected to the Leadership 

Pasco board, further solidifying their role as an advocate for the 

organization. They have willingly taken on the responsibility of 

serving on both the Recruitment Committee and the Strategic 

Planning Committee. Moreover, their unwavering attendance 

record reflects their commitment. 

This member has been co-chair for Criminal Justice Day -their 

commitment to making Criminal Justice Day engaging extends 

beyond the event itself. They have continuously sought innovative 

ways to enhance the experience, incorporating new technologies, 

interactive simulations, and thought-provoking discussions to 

create a lasting impact on the participants. 

It is an absolute privilege to present this year's prestigious Judith 

Rochelle Award. This award recognizes an individual who has 

exhibited exceptional dedication, unwavering commitment, and 

outstanding leadership within Leadership Pasco and our beloved 

community of Pasco County. 

This remarkable person has selflessly dedicated their time, talents, 

and passion to the betterment of our community. 

This member has served as a dedicated Leadership Pasco board 

member for nine years, bringing invaluable insights, vision, and 

expertise. Their exceptional service was recognized when they 

were appointed Director Emeritus in July of 2022, a testament to 

the profound impact they have made. 

Their influence extends far beyond Leadership Pasco. This individual 

has extended their reach and made significant contributions 

to numerous organizations. Serving as Chair of Youth and 

Family Alternatives, Co-chair for the Big Blue BBQ, Rap River Run 

steering committee, a dedicated member of the Trinity Rotary 

We honor an individual who embodies the true spirit of servant 

leadership. Their tireless efforts have fostered growth, opportunity, 

and collaboration among diverse organizations, that inspires 

future generations to continue their noble work. 

Please help me congratulate Major James Mallo '12 as this year's 

recipient of the Judith Rochelle Award. 


Sponsor Spotlight: Olympus Limo 

By Amanda Hart '14 

If you have been a Leadership Pasco classmember, chances are you 

enjoyed a number of program days where Olympus Limo served as 

a safe, comfortable, and welcome mode of transportation. 

Olympus Limo has been setting the standard for luxury ground 

transportation in Tampa Bay since 1996. Started by Theodore and 

Katie Koutsos, Olympus recently celebrated its 27th anniversary 

while maintaining headquarters in Pasco County. Olympus is the 

largest privately owned luxury ground transportation company 

in Tampa Bay and caters to the needs of customers by offering 

vehicles ranging in size from Sedans and SUVs to 56-passenger 

luxury coach buses. Whether you need a ride to the airport; are 

planning a special event or have a celebrity VIP in town, Olympus 

Limo is here to help you with your transportation needs. 

Theodore and Katie Koutsos are both natives to Pasco County and 

also own The Spartan Manor. The Koutsos family has strong ties to 

Pasco County and they never turn their heads at an opportunity to 

give back to the community they call home. 

We appreciate their dedication to our organization, program days, 

and schedule of class destinations. If you would like to view their 

services for your use, visit www.olympuslimo.com. 



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Carla Armstrong '14 Honored as Director 

Emerita 

By Jason Longo '17 

Ballet Faculty member of Contempo School of Dance in Lutz – 

and I find the work for each very rewarding in different ways. 

How did you come to be a class member and then board 

member? 

I was a graduate of Leadership Tampa when I began working at 

Gulfside in 2011. I found that program to be extremely valuable 

so, when I wanted to learn about Pasco County and its leaders, 

it made perfect sense to start with Leadership Pasco’s program. 

Gulfside’s President & CEO, Linda Ward '05, had graduated 

from Leadership Pasco and she was very supportive of my participation 

as well. 

I joined the Leadership Pasco board immediately after graduation 

from the Class of 2014 – Focused To Do More! Serving as 

the Vice President of my class, I had the opportunity to attend 

the board meetings throughout my class year. There, I came to 

appreciate all of the work each board member contributed to 

shaping the year-long program. I wanted to be a part of that and 

it became quite the nine-year adventure! 

Tell us about some of the rewarding experiences as a board 

member or program day leader? 

Photo by Amanda VanMeter Burch/Avy Photography 

How did you find your way to where you are today? Share a 

little about your professional journey. 

My career path has been an unusual one in that I have always 

had two jobs – one in business and another in the arts. After 

graduating from The Juilliard School with a BFA in Dance, I 

danced professionally for 8 years in NYC. While performing, 

I also worked for a pointe shoe manufacturer called Gaynor 

Minden as their Operations Manager, and then later became the 

Associate Publisher of Stage Directions Magazine, a national 

B2B publication. 

When I moved to Florida in 2001, I retired from performing and 

began teaching dance in the New Tampa area. I then joined the 

Straz Center as their Director of Corporate Giving, which was my 

first fundraising job and later became a Certified Fund Raising 

Executive (CFRE) in 2014. Today, I still have two jobs – I am the 

Director of Philanthropy at Gulfside Healthcare Services and a 

I really enjoyed working on the LP newsletter from 2015 – 2017, 

which felt like reliving my days as a magazine publisher so many 

years ago. In 2017, I began co-chairing Healthcare Day with 

Kurt Conover '92 and continue this today with Mary Sommise 

'20. We have worked hard to expand the program into areas 

of healthcare that happen outside of hospitals, which proved 

helpful when the COVID pandemic hit in 2020. While the 2020 

Healthcare Day was cancelled, hospitals were still unable to 

host the day in 2021, so we adapted to focus on other areas of 

healthcare, such as public health, mental/behavioral health and 

legislation which affects how we all receive healthcare. 

Congratulations on being voted as a Director Emerita. How 

do you plan to stay engaged with the board and Leadership 

Pasco? 

I still plan to co-chair Healthcare Day each year. I’m look forward 

to creating a program that helps future classes better understand 

the complexities and challenges faced by healthcare providers in 

Pasco County, and how they can get involved to make a positive 

impact. 


What's something about you that not many people know? 

I’m proud to be a 6th generation Floridian married to my husband, 

Robert, for 21 years and we have two amazing children – 

Naomi, who is majoring in psychology at UCF, and Joshua – who 

will major in dance at The Juilliard School this fall. I also have 

a First Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and was a national 

champion at both the US Open for Martial Arts in 2012 and the 

Battle of Atlanta in 2013. 

Photo by Amanda VanMeter Burch/Avy Photography 



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Class of 2023 Habitat For Humanity Builds 

Robyn Liska '23, Regional Development Director, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties coordinated the class 

sweat equity project for Habitat for Humanity of West Pasco and Pinellas. The class did some primer painting at the affordable housing 

build on E. Martin Luther King Jr Drive in Tarpon Springs and has scheduled another project on Maine Avenue in Dade City. In addition, 

the class fundraiser, Clays for Sunrise raised $23,034 for Sunrise of Pasco County a domestic violence shelter in our community. 


Meet the Leadership Pasco Class of 2024 

Branford Adumuah Assistant County Administrator, Public Infrastructure Pasco County 

Alexander Alt Intergovernmental Affairs Officer Pasco Sheriff's Office 

Adolfo Alvarez President Bay to Bay Cleaning Solutions 

Thomas Barker Assistant Superintendent of Schools District School Board of Pasco County 

Ashley Breaux Marketing Specialist AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills 

Cristina Cordon Assistant Director Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources 

Alex Delgado Operations Director Tampa Metro YMCA 

Anthony DeSantis Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Saint Leo University 

Keith Diaz Project Director Pure Project Management 

Dr. Chris Dunning Principal Wendell Krinn Technical High 

Toby Fritz Chief Operating Officer YFA 

Connie Galietti Director, State Advocacy and Leadership American Psychological Association 

Jacques Hakim President Classic Crates LLC - dba - goSASS.com 

Timothy Hoyt Lead Pastor / Chairman Port Richey Living Faith Community Church 

Matthew Johnston Chief Operations Officer HCA Florida Trinity Hospital 

Traci Kanaan President / Owner Stand Up Eight Inc / Wings Hypnosis LLC 

Matthew Lazar Finance Director Office of Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Esq., Pasco County Clerk & 

Comptroller. 

Jennifer Lineburg Chief Human Resources Officer Premier Community HealthCare Group 

Greg Manning Owner Suncoast Clinical Research, Inc. 

Jenine Martin-Literski Clinical Manager BayCare Health System 

Daniel Mitchell SMARTstart Program Director Pasco Economic Development Council 

Christina Mitchell Regional Vice President, Pasco, Pinellas & Hillsborough Girl Scouts of West Central Florida 

J.J. Murphy Assistant County Administrator - Public Safety Pasco County 

Andres Nazario 

Independent Consultant--National Security/Defense, 

Training and Development and Foreign Affairs 

Benjamin Ortberg Program Director United Way of Pasco County 

Brian Peterson Project Executve Skanska 

Angela Pottinger Executive Director Florida Medical Clinic Foundation of Caring 

Debbie Proulx Executive Director NAMI Pasco 

Luke Roe Sales Agent Roe Insurance 

Samantha Stauffenberg Branch Manager MIDFLORIDA Credit Union 

Ashley Sullivan Owner/Broker Sullivan Insurance Agency 

Adam Thomas Executive Director Experience Florida's Sports Coast 

Karis Turner (Kaeser) Executive Director Van Gogh's Palette dba Vincent House 

Leona Wells Director of Development and Community Engagement Metroplitan Ministries 

Michael Wolf Senior Vice President Columnar Holdings (Board of County Commissioners)

Celebrating Our Youth Leadership Pasco 

Scholarship Recipients 

By Rob Aguis '01 

I attended the Pasco Education Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony, Saturday, May 6, to celebrate our Youth Leadership Pasco 

scholarship recipients. Over 160 seniors received scholarships this year from the foundation. As their names were called and they 

walked across the stage, they were met by Superintendent Kurt Browning '96 and Pasco Education Foundation Executive Director, 

Stacey Capogrosso '14 for photos. The students were very excited and appreciative to have received their scholarship awards from 

Leadership Pasco. Each student received $500 from Leadership Pasco. It was a rewarding morning for all of us. 

Arossa Adhikary 

Land O' Lakes High School 

Angelica Chirino 

Wesley Chapel High School 

Jackson Davis 

Wendell Krinn Technical High School 


Ava Mance 

J.W. Mitchell High School 

Xander Sore 

River Ridge High School

Leadership Pasco Newsletter - Summer 2023

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