Officers
Chairperson – Doug Walters
Vice Chairs – Pete Skokos / Maribeth Phillips
Treasurer – Chad Campbell
Secretary – Pete Petersen
Directors
Patrick Del Medico
CJ Fishman
Vladimir Ljesevic
Jason Metnick
Stewart Moon
Hilary Rogers
Dr. Dave Smith
Andrew Stultz
Doug is the Managing Shareholder of Walters & Associates, CPAs, a tax, audit, and accounting firm founded in 1999 with offices in Bradenton, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg. Doug has over 27 years of experience as a Florida licensed Certified Public Accountant. This experience includes working as a manager in one of the “Big Four” accounting firms and serving as Director of Internal Audit and Corporate Compliance for a multi-hospital system.
Peter Z. Skokos is a Partner and a member of the Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos Real Estate Practice Group. He practices primarily in the area of real estate, banking and business transactions. He represents developers and landowners in connection with the acquisition, development, leasing and sale of commercial, industrial, condominium and residential properties. He also represents national, regional and local lenders in preparing loan documentation and closing commercial and residential loan transactions as well as assisting lenders with loan workouts including the preparation of settlement agreements, deed in lieu of foreclosures and forbearance agreements.
He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Florida State University in 1982 where he was a member of the Beta Alpha Psi Honorary Accounting Fraternity. He received his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Florida in 1986. Prior to attending Law school, Mr. Skokos worked with the accounting firm of KPMG Peat Marwick and obtained his Certified Public Accounting Certificate in 1984. Mr. Skokos has an AV Rating* by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest Peer Review Rating attainable.
Maribeth is the President & CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, serving since 2012. Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee includes numerous health and human services programs in our County, such as Home Delivered Meals, The Food Bank of Manatee, Daybreak Adult Day Services, Friendship Dining Centers, and the Enrichment Center at Renaissance on 9th. Reporting to the Board of Directors, Maribeth oversees: program strategy and operations housed in five separate buildings in Manatee; several government and private funding sources, donor relations, marketing/PR, and manages over 50 staff members.
In 2009, Maribeth was invited to join the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels Plus, where she served as the Human Resources Chair, and briefly on the Executive Board as Secretary. She resigned from the Board in 2012 to apply for the CEO position.
Prior to joining Meals on Wheels Plus, Maribeth’s career was centered on human resources leadership. She was the Vice President of Human Resources for a number of large companies both up North and here in Florida, including: Philips Medical Systems, Diageo North America, Gevity (now TriNet), and Phoenix Ink. Maribeth also secured a real estate license, and worked as a Sales Associate for Neal Communities after moving to Florida.
Maribeth serves on the Board of Directors for the Gulf Coast CEO Forum as Secretary and Governance Chair; the Board of Directors for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance as Executive Academy Chair; and was named the 2017 Goodwill Community Ambassador of the Year.
Maribeth is originally from Connecticut, and has lived in Lakewood Ranch for 15 years, where she raised her son and her daughter.
Chad Campbell is the Florida President for Sunwest Bank. With over 20 years of commercial and middle market banking experience, Chad and his team have continued to deepen relationships in their community and have acted as advisors to clients, matching services and products to help customers reach their financial objectives. Chad is on several boards and committees in Florida including the Gulf Coast CEO Forum, the Van Wezel Foundation, and the Florida Bankers Association. He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of South Florida majoring in Marketing and Accounting.
Pete Petersen is the CEO and Managing Partner of Dealers United, a Facebook Marketing Partner and AdTech company located in Sarasota, Florida focused on the automotive vertical.
Pete sold his first company at 23 and helped grow S1 Holdings/LexJet to over $100M in revenue in under 10 years. Petersen was responsible for aligning technology, operations, and growth for all S-One companies including Hewlett Packard, Kodak, and LexJet brands globally.
Pete has been featured by the Business Observer, AutoNews, and Inc. Magazine for his out-of-the box thinking and community involvement.
Petersen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. He is also holds a Master Certificate in IS/IT Project Management from Villanova University.
Pete is the father to two energetic boys (Kai & Landon), a beautiful girl (Raine) and husband to Kristin Petersen. When Pete is not working, boating, or hanging with his family, he is pursues his lifelong commitment of education. You can find Pete listening to Podcasts, Audible books, or attending virtual classes.
Patrick Del Medico | Executive Partner, Owner and the Chief Operating Officer of Shepherd Insurance During his 30+ years of documented success in sales, marketing, training, product development and performance management Patrick has spent time in executive leadership roles both nationally and internationally. His diverse expertise and strategic business planning has helped him to consistently improve business processes and create winning teams for large Fortune 500 Companies ranging from Proctor & Gamble, Stryker Corporation and Baxter Healthcare to start-up entities to family-owned businesses.
Patrick oversees the daily operations of the organization and provides the leadership, management and vision necessary to effectively grow the organization and to ensure financial strength and operating efficiency.
Patrick earned his BA in Communications from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He is extremely active in the local community and dedicates a great deal of his time to both multiple charities and business organizations. His passion is helping children reach their full potential and he has focused much of his volunteer efforts toward supporting causes and organizations like Girls Inc., Girl Scouts, Boy and Girls Club and Cardinal Mooney High School. He is currently on the Board of Directors for Girls Inc. of Sarasota County and the Gulf Coast CEO Forum. He also sits on the USF Risk Management & Insurance Industry Board and on the Advisory Board for Cardinal Mooney High School.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Ohio Northern University YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 41 FOUNDED FISHMAN & ASSOCIATES, INC. IN 1986
C.J. Fishman entered the Commercial Food Service field at the age of thirteen, working in his family restaurant design and equipment company. Mr. Fishman graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. In 1980 he returned to Cleveland to work in his family’s expanded Food Service Equipment Company. From 1980 to 1982 Mr. Fishman’s area of concentration was focused in the design and layout department with additional time spent in all other areas of the business. In 1982 he left the family business and moved to Venice, Florida. He joined a small commercial refrigeration company in Sarasota and expanded it into a restaurant equipment company with major emphasis on design and layout of commercial kitchens. In 1986 he opened Fishman & Associates, Inc., an independent commercial food service equipment design, layout, sales and consulting organization which is located in Venice, Florida. Fishman & Associates, Inc. currently does work throughout the state of Florida, nationally and internationally.
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Gulf Coast Builders Exchange
NISSCO Restaurant Dealer Group
Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County
Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance
2020 Chairman of the Board, Gulf Coast CEO Forum
AWARDS:
- 2011 Goodwill Foundation Ambassador of the Year
- 2011 Sarasota County Outstanding Leadership Award
- 2007 Boundary Crosser Award, SCOPE (Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence)
- 2001 City of Venice Pillar of the Community Award for extraordinary service to the citizens of Venice
- 1999 Charles ‘Doc’ Matson Award, Venice-Nokomis Rotary Club for Community Service & Leadership
- 1996 Distinguished Leader Award, Sarasota County Leadership Alumni Association
- 1990 Small Business Person of the Year Award, Venice Area Chamber of Commerce
CIVIC AFFILIATIONS:
Community Foundation of Sarasota County – Board Member
Boys and Girls Club of Venice – Past Chairman
Founder Leadership Venice
Advisory Board Member of the USF School of Hotel & Restaurant Management Venice Area Chamber of Commerce – Past President 1995
Vlad Ljesevic is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Compose (CMPSE Inc.), a technology consulting and software development company headquartered in Sarasota that partners with startup-, small- and mid-market companies across the United States. Prior to founding his first company, Vlad cut his teeth in the world of law and multi-family real estate development.
Vlad is focused on community needs. He co-founded Sarasota.Tech, a not-for-profit organization that brings together and nurtures entrepreneurs, investors and the local tech community. He also serves on the board of Tickets for Kids, a national not-for-profit organization that provides equitable access for our most vulnerable youth to experiences that inspire hope, dreams, and achievements for a lifetime.
Vlad holds a Bachelor of Laws and Economics degree from the University of Salzburg, Austria. During his days as a basketball player he had the honor to represent Austria’s National Team (his country of origin) at two European Championships.
As a passionate and curious entrepreneur, Vlad thrives on exploring new possibilities and pushing boundaries. He strongly believes in fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaborative growth and work life success.
Jason Metnick is a seasoned business leader and strategic thinker with a proven track record organizing, growing, and managing a highly profitable and visible business. He has driven bottom line growth while increasing shareholder value, as shown by S-One’s organic and acquisition-driven growth over the past 24 years from $6 million in revenues to more than $180 million.
As one of the first 7 employees of the company Jason has been trained and participated in all major disciplines. Currently Jason serves as COO of S-One Corporation. Since 2006 Mr. Metnick has served as S-One’s lead for Strategic Partnerships and M&A. Vetting Ilford Imaging in 2006, Big Systems in 2007 and the purchase of Sone Systems in 2007. He lead the team in negotiations to be awarded the HP Worldwide brand licensing agreement and transition the business while building S-One’s global infrastructure. Most recently Jason was named Chief Operating Officer for S-One Holdings.
Educated at the University of Tampa with a B.S. in Management and Minor in Economics. He has also completed coursework in International Communications and International Business at Webster University, The Netherlands. Active professionally and in his community, Mr. Metnick is a past member of the G-Wiz Children’s Museum, past member of Mote Marine Laboratory and has been a past volunteer and/or board member for organizations including UCP Sarasota, The American Cancer Society, the Smith Center for Therapeutic Riding, Planned Parenthood, Gulf Coast CEO Forum, and the SRQ Club.
Specialties: A strategically oriented business leader, strategic thinker, consummate multi-tasker, and expert in operational management, acquisitions strategy, and strategic partnerships.
A proven track record increasing shareholder value with organic and acquisition-driven strategies that have spurred a consumable product sales company’s growth.
coming soon...
NOW CFO is a “roll-up our sleeves” full-service consulting firm with a singular focus on outsourced CFO, Controller, accounting, and finance needs.
NOW CFO has built a reputation as talented management consultants and financial analysts with an entrepreneurial spirit and focus. We bring these qualities to our clients to help create continued success and growth. Our advisors partner with our clients to create this success. This team mentality has created bonds with our clients, who are widely valued throughout the business world.
Since our beginnings, NOW CFO has believed that our growth and success are dependent on the achievements of our people. Creating a welcoming and diverse culture empowers our employees to take ownership, act with integrity, and deliver their best to our customers. We are committed to organizational efforts that promote respect, dignity, and equality. At NOW CFO, we are determined to create an inclusive environment that encourages, supports, and celebrates our differences.
Dr. Smith is a 1988 graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, Dr. Smith began his career in South Florida. He was the managing partner of a group of veterinary emergency centers in the Fort Lauderdale area and owned and worked at several daytime veterinary clinics as well. He also did consulting work for several local veterinarians on how to manage and grow their practices through an emphasis on preventative medicine, exceptional care, and outstanding customer service. Dr. Smith was very active in the veterinary community in Fort Lauderdale as the president of the Broward County Veterinary Medical Association. His goal was to bring local veterinarians together by hosting social events and promoting continuing education.
After 19 years of practicing in Southeast Florida, Dr. Dave wanted to start a family and decided he needed a change of pace. After searching the state of Florida he and his wife decided that Sarasota was the perfect place to raise a family. He moved to Sarasota in July 2006 with his wife, Leyla and their two Labrador Retrievers and Ernie the kitty. Dr. Dave became the owner of Sarasota Veterinary Center and his family has grown to include 3 dogs, 2 cats and his daughter, Anise.
Dr. Dave’s philosophy has always been about practicing excellent medicine with a strong emphasis on preventative medicine for pets of all ages and geriatric medicine for aging pets since the human/animal bond is growing stronger and pets are living longer. His vast experience in veterinary emergency medicine has led to his emphasis on how preventative care is the key to your pet’s well being. Dr. Dave is a firm believer in the importance of client education. A large percentage of his day is spent on explaining things and answering questions so pet owners can make better-informed decisions for their pet’s health and well being.
Another important aspect of Dr. Dave’s practice philosophy is an emphasis on extraordinary customer service. He likes to surround himself with staff members whose love of animals and compassion is obvious to all who enter his hospital. Nothing is more gratifying than hearing a pet owner say that their pet actually likes to come to our pet hospital. It all fits in with another of Dr. Smith’s longstanding beliefs that Pets Are Family Too!
T. Andrew Stultz, is President/Owner of Atlas Building Company of Florida. Prior to forming Atlas at the end of 2015, the LEED Accredited Professional was with another area construction firm, where he rose quickly through the ranks from project manager to project executive and then vice president of business development.
Stultz earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana and worked for GE Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati, before entering the real estate development industry in 2001. Five years later, he sold the business and moved to Venice where he transitioned into commercial construction.
Leveraging the corporate Six Sigma training he received at GE, he employs the tools and techniques in his day-to-day business to bring efficiency and quality to all of Atlas client’s projects.
Andy resides in Venice with his wife Victoria and daughter Andrea, who is a graduate of Furman University. He enjoys a good round of golf, flying his Piper Cherokee Six, and cheering on the Furman Paladins.
As an active member in both professional and civic organizations, Mr. Stultz is serving (or has served) in the following organizations:
• Sarasota Planning Commission, Board Member 2015 - Present
• Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, Board Secretary, Board Member 2016 – Present
• Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Board Treasurer, Board Member 2017- Present
• Enterprise Charlotte Economic Council –Member/Past President, Founding Board Member 2009 - Present
• GCBX (Gulf Coast Builders Exchange), Member 2016 – Present
.png){kind=logo}
