Maximizing Economic Potential
Located in the city of Pensacola and Escambia County, FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the community’s economic development organization with the mission of building, growing and sustaining economic potential and prosperity for all.
We are maximizing Northwest Florida’s economic potential through
» Leveraging our military strength in aviation and cybersecurity
» Creative solutions aimed at attracting and recruiting new businesses and industry
» Partnering with existing businesses to drive expansion
» Investing in technology and talent development to spur innovation and better jobs
» Nurturing the global contributions of local entrepreneurs
» Developing community assets to position our area as a rich and fertile location for individual, community and corporate growth that is sustainable
Learn more about Economic Development and it improves our economic well-being and quality of life
FloridaWest Staff
Rick Byars
Interim Chief Executive Officer
850.898.2201
Danita Andrews
Chief Business Development Officer
850.503.0907
Patrick Rooney
Director of Entrepreneurial Development
850.497.3794
Open Position
CO:LAB Office Manager
850.696.1314
Tabitha Lee
Operations Manager
850.898.2201
Board of Directors
President
David Bear
The Lewis Bear Company
Vice President
Ryan Tilley
Escambia County Representative, IHMC
Secretary
Dr. Charletha Powell
Escambia County Representative, Educator & Entrepreneur
Treasurer
Olevia McNally
Escambia County Appointee
City of Pensacola Appointee
Matt Davis
Hancock Whitney
City of Pensacola Appointee
Donnie McMahon
McMahon & Hadder
Member
Marcus McBride
CareerSource EscaRosa
Member
K.C. Gartman
Baptist Health Care
Member
Jim Waite
Baskerville-Donovan
Member
Ed Meadows
Pensacola State College
Member
Don Palmer
ECUA
Member
Dave Taylor
Pegasus Labs
Investors
Justin Beck, Stirling Properties
Charles F. Beall, Jr., Moore, Hill & Westmoreland
Doug Bert, FBB Insurance
Kelvin Enfinger, Greenhut Construction
Rick Johnson, Trustmark Bank
Mike Morette, Morette Company
Mark Roy, ARCO Design/Build
Charles Sherrill III, SouthState
Dave Taylor, Pegasus Labs
Chris Plaeger, Bear General Contractors
An Alliance of Success
Through active partnership, collaboration and cooperation, we are helping to bridge connections, explore new possibilities and expand horizons. We are an alliance of more than a hundred public and private entities, and we understand that in business, you’re only as strong as the company you keep. Here are a few of ours.
