About FloridaWest

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

Annie Rose

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, Envision Physician Services

City of Pensacola Appointee
Matt Davis
Hancock Whitney

City of Pensacola Appointee
Donnie McMahon
McMahon & Hadder

Members

Member
Verdell Hawkins
FPL

Member
Jim Waite
Baskerville-Donovan

Member
Don Palmer
ECUA

Investor Directors

Justin Beck, Stirling Properties

Kelvin Enfinger, Greenhut Construction 

Mike Morette, Morette Company

Mark Roy, ARCO Design/Build 

Charles Sherrill III, SouthState

Chris Plaeger, Bear General Contractors

Dr. Marcus McBride, CareerSource EscaRosa

Dr. Ed Meadows, Pensacola State College

K.C. Gartman, Baptist Health Care

Investors

Dave Taylor, Pegasus Labs

Charles F. Beall, Jr., Moore, Hill & Westmoreland

Bruce Vredenburg, Hancock Whitney

David Deliman, Cox

Will Condon, Ascension Sacred Heart

FloridaWest Board Materials 


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.