How I Got Here with Dave Fiore

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Ashlee Fontes, the owner and CEO of Tallahassee Reckoning, the region’s first pre-professional women’s soccer team. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the second annual Access Tallahassee YP Summit at the FSU Conference Center. Ashlee is a former Florida State soccer player, professional player and coach, a serial entrepreneur and one of the most important voices in women’s soccer in the world. She shares about overcoming obstacles, nearly blowing her chance to play big-time college soccer and her passion to provide young female players in Tallahassee an opportunity to train, compete and pursue their dream to play the game they love.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Alan Hanstein, the executive director of the Challenger Learning Center in downtown Tallahassee. Alan is living out a dream that includes a lifelong passion for science and space and giving back to the community. His programs serve more than 50,000 K-12 students every year and they host popular events and activities for kids of all ages. The post Episode 61: Alan Hanstein appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Anita Bushnyakova, chief financial officer at Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Anita experienced very different sets of challenges as a child. First, it was enduring the turbulent years of the Eastern European country’s shift from communist rule to fledgling democracy and then assimilation into American culture as a 13-year-old who didn’t speak English – at all. The post Episode 60: Anita Bushnyakova appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Charlie Strickland, CEO and co-owner of Talon Training Group. A native of nearby Marianna, Charlie shares his journey from the FSU Police Department and working on the family farm to building a reputation as the MacGyver of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. While climbing the ranks at LCSO, he earned an MBA from Florida State to bolster his resume for a high-ranking administrative position that he would be passed over for, but he turned that disappointment into a life-changing opportunity that continues to evolve today. The post Episode 59: Charlie Strickland appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Chef Leon Brunson, owner of Leon’s at Lake Ella. His journey to owning a restaurant has included working the line at his hometown Waffle House in Panama City, refining his skills at fine dining restaurants, being a private chef, and time at Kool Beanz Café, where he says he really learned to cook.   The post Episode 58: Chef Leon Brunson appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Gloria Pugh, the president and CEO of AMWAT Moving, Warehousing and Storage. Gloria was born in New York City and spent time in Columbia as an infant before moving to Miami with her mother and siblings at age 8. The post Episode 57: Gloria Pugh appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Jeri Desloge, the owner of Jeri’s Midtown Café, Jeri’s Love on a Plate and Simply Entertaining by Jeri. The post Episode 56: Jeri Desloge appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Warren Cave, the founder of The Clean Start Initiative, a non-profit ministry to help those previously incarcerated and their families. The post Episode 55: Warren Cave appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Jeff Culhane, the director of broadcasting for Learfield’s Seminole Sports Properties and the voice for Florida State football and men’s basketball. The post Episode 54: Jeff Culhane appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

This special episode of the How I Got Here podcast was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2023 Tallahassee Chamber Annual Community Conference in Amelia Island. The breakout session focused on women entrepreneurs and featured guests Kristi Kreitlow, founder and president of Quick and Clean; and Marina Lickson, Tallahassee programs manager at the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship and former owner of Honeytree Natural Foods. The post Episode 53: Kristi Kreitlow and Marina Lickson appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore is at the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event at the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship in downtown Tallahassee. JMI Tallahassee Program Manager Marina Lickson invited past participants of JMI programs to showcase their business or organization, and as a graduate of the Small Business Executive Program Class II, Dave was honored to use the opportunity to record an episode of How I Got Here. The post Episode 52: 28 Guests Share Business Insight appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Chris Petley, founder and president of the Tallahassee Soccer Club and communications manager at Leon County Schools. In 2009, Chris focused on planting roots in Tallahassee with his growing family and started with Leon County Schools, but he never gave up his soccer dreams. After reading an article about a local club in New York, he wondered, “Why not here?” Now in year five, the Tallahassee Soccer Club has built a strong community of players, fans and supporters who loves the other “football” and our Battle Lions. The post Episode 51: Chris Petley appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Michelle Dean, the executive director of the Popes Museum and Farm in nearby Cairo, Georgia. Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, Michelle survived a childhood of abuse, poverty and instability saved by the generosity of strangers and a strong faith in God. She worked her way through college, sometimes sleeping in her car, before becoming a teacher and school administrator in Tampa. The post Episode 50: Michelle Dean appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

This special episode of the How I Got Here podcast was recorded in front of a live audience at the inaugural Access Tallahassee YP Summit held at the FSU Conference Center in April. In the opening session, Doug Ramos (aka Junk Man Doug), founder of Picked, and Bryce Brown, founder of Tribe Vintage, shared their personal stories, their business journeys and their love of vintage apparel. The post Episode 49: Doug Ramos & Bryce Brown appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Ryan Sprague, area director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, whose life was eternally changed playing for legendary coach Bobby Bowden at Florida State University. The post Episode 48: Ryan Sprague appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Dr. Judy Mandrell – pastor, community builder and popular radio host. Raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Judy has been on a lifelong mission to use every available resource to impact those around her. The post Episode 47: Dr. Judy Mandrell appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Dr. Jim Murdaugh, president of Tallahassee Community College. Dr. Murdaugh grew up in Orlando and followed a girlfriend to Tallahassee where he joined the Air Force ROTC at Florida State University and earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in criminology. The post Episode 46: Dr. Jim Murdaugh appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Jennifer Young, founder and owner of TC Bakery. What started with a request for a single pound cake has exploded into a thriving business with her signature cakes and pies available throughout Tallahassee and shipped around the country. The post Episode 45: Jennifer Young appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Eric Holman, who is currently the chief marketing officer for Barton Nutrition but is best known as the creator of Socially Loved and the Local Lovebook. The post Episode 44: Eric Holman appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Erica Thaler, chief marketing officer at RB Oppenheim Associates and former communications and marketing manager at the Council on Culture & Arts. Erica grew up in San Diego, where she raced catamarans and was a self-proclaimed horse girl who loved being an ‘80s kid because it included trips to Mexico to “practice her Spanish.” The post Episode 43: Erica Thaler appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Mindy Perkins, CEO of VR Systems, a Tallahassee-based elections technology company focused on voter registration. The post Episode 42: Mindy Perkins appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Mark McNees, the social entrepreneur in residence in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University. The post Episode 41: Mark McNees appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Ely Rosario, business manager at Jackson Properties. Ely’s story is one of rising above circumstances and obstacles to achieve her dreams – no matter how unlikely they seemed at the time. The post Episode 40: Ely Rosario appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Sherman Rosier, owner of Fit and Functional, a personal fitness and wellness studio. Sherman’s interest in fitness was born as a runner at Cobb Middle School, where he had the chance to train with the Lincoln High cross country team. He would go on to study physical therapy at Florida A&M University and become a personal trainer – developing a hybrid approach to wellness that focuses on general fitness and also helps those with limitations. The post Episode 39: Sherman Rosier appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Robin Hassler Thompson, the executive director of the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center. STAC provides direct support for victims of human trafficking and focuses on community education. Robin says she has always loved learning, but when she got bored with high school in 1976 she jumped into politics – not running for class president – but as a volunteer chair for Jimmy Carter’s successful presidential campaign. The post Episode 38: Robin Hassler Thompson appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Dave Westberry, the “Voice” of the Florida State University Marching Chiefs for the last 42 years. Dave won the job as the band’s announcer at an open audition the year after he graduated and calls it the best volunteer job you could ever have. The post Episode 37: Dave Westberry appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Alan Keesee, CEO of HCA Florida Capital Hospital. Alan is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and earned a Master of Health Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduating, he launched his career at the HCA regional office in Reston as director of business operations where he was involved in strategic planning for 12 area hospitals. The post Episode 36: Alan Keesee appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Alix Miller, president and CEO of the Florida Trucking Association. If being a woman in this role was not unexpected enough, Alix holds a doctorate in interdisciplinary humanities, was a college professor, plays the oboe and was a world-class ballet dancer. The post Episode 35: Alix Miller appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Christic Henry, co-owner and managing broker at Kingdom First Realty, who is probably best known for her passionate advocacy for the Southside of Tallahassee. The post Episode 34: Christic Henry appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Madison Zabala, owner of Tallahassee Picnic, a luxury pop-up picnic service she bought with her twin sister, Makenzie, just after graduating from Leon High School. The Tallahassee native with strong roots in nearby Hosford also works as a bank teller, is a college student and just celebrated her one-year wedding anniversary with husband, Ish. The post Episode 33: Madison Zabala appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Dr. Dennis Fiorini of Fiorini Chiropractic Center, a practice he founded with his wife, Kim, in 1992. Dennis grew up in Detroit, the youngest of five children, and learned to love sports and music, playing the trumpet in jazz bands with dreams of studying music in college. The post Episode 32: Dr. Dennis Fiorini appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

On this holiday mini-episode of How I Got Here, host Dave Fiore speaks with none other than the man in the big red suit, Santa Claus. Santa was kind enough to spend a few minutes discussing his plans as he prepares for the big day, which is coming up fast. The post Episode 31: Santa Claus appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

On this holiday mini-episode of How I Got Here, host Dave Fiore speaks with none other than the man in the big red suit, Santa Claus. Santa was kind enough to spend a few minutes discussing his plans as he prepares for the big day, which is coming up fast. The post Episode 31: Santa Claus appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Royle King, the founder and executive director of Omega Lamplighters, a mentoring program for minority young men that now has 20 chapters across the country. Royle is also the volunteer services manager for Leon County, a job he started in March 2020. The post Episode 30: Royle King appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Eddie Gonzalez Loumiet, the CEO of Ruvos, a leading provider of healthcare IT services that is having impact worldwide. A Cuban-American born and raised in Miami, Eddie is passionate about being a voice for, and empowering Latinos in technology-related fields. After graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans, he took a job in the Caribbean at an international private bank. While on the island, he met his wife, Jessica, and earned an MBA from the University of Miami by making a most unusual commute on the weekends. The post Episode 29: Eddie Gonzalez Loumiet appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Sha’Ron James, government affairs consultant, of counsel, at the Gunster Law Firm. Sha’Ron is a tireless advocate for women and girls, specifically working to provide opportunities and bridging gaps of inequity. As a child, she saw first-hand the difference education can make growing up in two worlds – one stable, middle-class home and an emotionally supportive, but financially vulnerable home. This duality stirred a passion and empathy for the community that has driven her professional and volunteer life as an adult.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Sha’Ron James, government affairs consultant, of counsel, at the Gunster Law Firm. Sha’Ron is a tireless advocate for women and girls, specifically working to provide opportunities and bridging gaps of inequity. As a child, she saw first-hand the difference education can make growing up in two worlds – one stable, middle-class home and an emotionally supportive, but financially vulnerable home. This duality stirred a passion and empathy for the community that has driven her professional and volunteer life as an adult. The post Episode 28: Sha’Ron James appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with community leader, business consultant and innovator Christopher Campbell. Raised in Trinidad, Christopher was educated in an English prep school before the family moved to the United States when he was 16. He says the transition to a new country and culture was made a little easier by having a British accent and a Beatles haircut -- very popular in 1966. The post Episode 27: Christopher Campbell appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Ashley Guy, owner and founder of Tallulah CBD and Juicebar. A native of Olympia, Wash., Ashley learned about hard work and dealing with stress at an early age as an accomplished ballerina winning leading roles and traveling the country at prestigious summer camps.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Shawn Roberts, president and CEO of Mad Dog Construction. While he now enjoys great success in his business and finds joy and fulfillment in his personal life, the husband and father has experienced tremendous loss and disappointment. While at Auburn, Shawn lost his chance to be an Air Force pilot, then saw a promising construction business fall apart during the Great Recession and endured the devastating loss of a child.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Marsha Doll, one of the most recognizable and sought-after personalities in Tallahassee – and throughout the modeling world. The Perry native started her modeling career on a trip to Atlanta as a buyer for her grandfather’s clothing store at age 14. She would go on to work at influential modeling agencies throughout Florida before launching the iconic Marsha Doll Models in 1990. She has mentored thousands of aspiring women and men, many of whom have landed on billboards in Times Square and on runways and magazine covers around the world.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Kim Moore, Vice President of Workforce Innovation at Tallahassee Community College. The native of nearby Greenville dreamed of being a CEO since she was 14 years old, and achieved that goal when she was selected to lead Workforce Plus, the regional economic and workforce development body now known as CareerSource Capital Region. Her success there led to her current position where she is creating new programs to ensure employers have the workers they need so we all have a brighter future.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Dale White. Dale is president and CEO of Reentry Solutions Network, the reentry program director for Good News Outreach and the founder of The Living Harvest.

In this episode of the podcast, host Dave Fiore speaks with Mike Goldstein, owner of Capital City Pedicabs and supporter of all things Tallahassee.

In this episode of the podcast, host Dave Fiore speaks with Lisa Davis, owner of Image by Lisa, successful entrepreneur and three-time national sales leader for one of the most popular beauty companies in the world.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Skip Foster, former publisher of the Tallahassee Democrat, popular weather hobbyist and creator of The Fanatical Middle news blog. He is a longtime journalist, husband and father of three who values respectful and nuanced discourse, which makes him a popular and trusted facilitator of important community discussions.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Shacafrica Simmons, better known as Chef Shac. Born in South Florida and the oldest of 11 total siblings, she is an entrepreneur at heart with multiple brands under her Chef Shac, LLC, umbrella. Before earning two degrees from culinary school, she tried her hand at barbering school and midwifery after a challenging pregnancy. But it was food and how to use it to lift spirits and create opportunity for others that turned out to be her true passion.

In this podcast episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Tom Derzypolski, co-founder and president of BowStern, an award-winning integrated communications firm. Tom is a father of three, proud grandfather and husband to Stephanie Derzypolski, vice president and chief communications officer at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. He was named Leadership Tallahassee’s Leader of the Year in 2019 and was one of the recipients of the Tallahassee Democrat’s 2018 Person of the Year (along with Stephanie and others) for his tireless volunteer work in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Blountstown and surrounding areas. The Navy veteran believes in family, hard work and that living out his faith is the best way to make a lasting impact.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Talethia Edwards, the founder and president of the Greater Bond Neighborhood Association who has already secured more than $6 million for community revitalization. The Miami native came to Tallahassee as a freshman at Florida A&M University where she met her husband Harold. The couple has seven children and are currently caring for two more they hope to formally adopt in the near future.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore speaks with Rachel Pienta, the 4-H Youth Development Program Director at the University of Florida’s Extension Office in Wakulla County. A native of upstate New York, Rachel finished high school in rural central Florida, where she says she felt a little like Kevin Bacon in Footloose. She earned a Ph.D. from Florida State University, has led organizations, run local political machines and is a long-time educator. Rachel, along with her husband, David, whom she met at a speed-dating event, gives back in many ways, including hosting exchange students from around the world.