Alex Sink

Chair

Alex Sink served as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from 2007 to 2011 as one of four statewide elected officials. She managed over $15 billion in state treasury funds, was responsible for state accounting, and implemented reforms in contracting and transparency for citizens. Before elected office, Alex had a 26-year career with Bank of America. She retired as President of Florida operations in 2000, managing the state’s largest bank with $40 billion in deposits, leading 9000 employees in over 800 branches. From 2011 to 2013, she was Senior Advisor to Hyde Park Capital Advisors, a middle market boutique M&A firm. Alex founded Florida Next Foundation, a non-profit devoted to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in Florida. She subsequently joined the board of Tampa Wave in 2016 to continue her work in supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Florida. She is a Life Trustee at Wake Forest University, serves on the boards of the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, United Way Worldwide Leadership Council, United Way Suncoast, and Junior Achievement.

Linda Olson

President

As the current President and founder of Tampa Bay WaVE, Linda has grown this non-profit to over 100 early-stage technology ventures and over 250 entrepreneurs and techies in under 5 years. In 2012, she led a regional effort that was awarded a $1million federal grant from the US Department of Commerce to launch the FirstWaVE Accelerator program and an open innovation space in downtown Tampa called the FirstWaVE Venture Center. Since its launch in March 2013, companies in FirstWaVE have raised over $8.4 million in early stage investment capital and have created and retained over 200 jobs for the region.

Lance Raab

Secretary

Lance Raab is a veteran technology entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience. Lance is the founder of JazzMedia, LLC, a privately held company that owns, develops and invests in domain names and internet web ventures, and he is one of the original investors in Florida Funders. Previously, Lance was the founder and CEO of REPS Software. Under Lance’s leadership, REPS grew over the course of 20 years to become one of the leading publishers of software for the senior living industry, before it was acquired by MDI Achieve. Lance also founded IDEAL Consulting, a provider of ERP, CRM and Business Intelligence solutions, which he later sold to Tribridge. Prior to starting his businesses, Lance earned his Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of South Florida. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Lance is a volunteer with Junior Achievement, a mentor and investor in several startup technology companies, a Board Member for Tampa Bay WaVE and a landscape photographer. Lance resides in Tampa, Florida, with his wife and children.

Anita Camacho

Treasurer

Anita Camacho, CPA has over 25 years experience in financial accounting management, budgeting, forecasting, analytical review, long term planning, internal controls, cash management, audit management, inventory management, financial data review, customer billing, sales tax audit oversight, banking, staff development, payroll, human resources and risk management. Industry experience includes Advertising, Architecture, Communications, Construction, Distribution, Financial Services, Health and Fitness, Insurance, Interior Design, Legal Services, Manufacturing, Medical, Multi-Media, Plumbing, Publishing, Real Estate, Restaurant, Retail, Salon/Spa, Technology Services and Title Company Services. She began her accounting career as an auditor with Deloitte. Anita was a financial leader with major corporations; Controller with Anchor Glass Container Corporation, Director of Finance with the Home Shopping Network, and Director of Finance with New York Times Management Services. Anita was the CFO to local Tampa companies; Curts Gaines Hall Jones Architects and E Solutions Corporation. Currently she operates her accounting practice serving small to mid-sized businesses as a consulting CFO and offering additional accounting, tax and bookkeeping services with her staff.

Alfred Goldberg

Immediate Past Chair

Alfred Goldberg is the President of Absolute Marketing Solutions, a multi-award winning agency specializing in digital marketing, responsive website design, and application development. He is a preeminent voice on the topics of entrepreneurship, web design, mobile strategy, and digital marketing. His passion is helping visionary companies effectively develop successful digital strategies to accelerate their growth. Alfred is a dynamic and highly-sought after speaker who has presented at more than 100 industry events, including iSummit, TieCon FL, Gasparilla Interactive Festival, and the International Business Summit. He devotes a great deal of his time giving back to his community and has held leadership roles in a number of organizations that support technology entrepreneurship and the creative industries.

Nelson Castellano

Nelson Castellano is a Shareholder at Trenam Law and has been a member of the firm's Executive Board since 2013 and previously co-chaired the Business Transactions Practice Group. His practice focuses primarily on corporate and business matters, providing general business advice to emerging growth and middle market companies, capital raising transactions, including private placements of debt and equity and venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, and business formation and entity selection. His practice also includes venture capital transactions, purchase and sale transactions, compensation and equity arrangements, and securities law. In addition to being a Board Member of Tampa Bay WaVe, Nelson is also a Board Member of the Florida Venture Forum and sits on their Executive Committee, Board Member of Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay and sits on the Board of Trustees of Lowry Park Zoological Society. He is a member of the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, Vistage Group 2095, Association for Corporate Growth of Tampa Bay and Young Presidents Organization. He graduated from Florida State University in 1988 with a B.S. in Finance and then received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 1992.

David Eason

A results-driven business leader with almost 20 years experience in business development, partner development, strategy, solutions development, project management, sales and market management in the telecom infrastructure market. Successfully managed a telecommunication solutions company for 19 years driving revenue growth with smaller telecom carriers in rural USA and the Caribbean.

An entrepreneurial approach to business has developed the ability to continuously strive for optimal process improvement. Conducted business on every continent and in over 30 countries, and developed the aptitude for operating in a wide array of cultures. Started my career in 1986 at AT&T Bell Laboratories as an Engineer and subsequently worked in Product Management and Market Management. Possess a strong technical knowledge of telecommunication systems and a solid understanding of the business side of telecom. Education background includes a MS in Electrical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a MBA from Columbia University. Board member for CEO Council of Tampa, Tampa Bay WaVE, Computer Mentors Group and Caribbean American National Development Organization. Passionate about helping young people to develop the right business skills to enable them to become successful entrepreneurs.

Married to wife Susan Burrell with two children, Damani in college and Maya in high school.

David Etheredge

David brings more than 18 years of product development and business development experience with companies such as Disney Interactive, Hasbro Interactive and MicroProse Software to his role as Chief Executive Officer at SavvyCard. As CEO and evangelist for SavvyCard, David is primarily responsible for setting and guiding the strategic vision for the company and raising capital to finance the company’s growth. In addition, David is heavily involved in Research & Development for new products and tools and in building strategic relationships with key third party technology and service providers. David is very active in the Tampa Bay/ St. Petersburg entrepreneurial community as an angel investor, mentor and advocate. David sits on the advisory board for Priatek, the board of directors for Tampa Bay WaVE and is a founding member of Grow10.

Jim Gossett

Jim Gossett is currently a senior executive with an entrepreneurial risk mitigation company. As COO, his focus on business development, team-building, and cultivation of a customer-focused culture has resulted in service innovation, organic growth, and expansion into new markets. Jim’s leadership drove this transformation by rebuilding teams; producing scalable processes; and strengthening partner relationships. In his dual role as CIO, Jim bridges the implementation of business processes with Agile software development and cyber-security-risk management to support the enterprise and key customer initiatives. Leveraging his executive leadership experience in Fortune 1000 technology and business service organizations, Jim blends team optimization, product development, and marketing strategies to deliver rapid value in early stage, entrepreneurial, and M&A environments. In his role as VP, Product Development and Solutions Delivery for First Advantage, Jim was instrumental in building and leading a national professional services team which successfully integrated technologies and operations for key acquisitions. During the “dot-com” explosion, Jim worked with global technology start-ups deploying ecommerce solutions and service launch strategies as a Senior Director with Ariba, an SAP company. Jim completed a Bachelor’s in IS and Finance from UWM and MBA from USF. He holds CRISC, PMP, PMI-ACP, Six Sigma Black Belt certifications.

Joe Hodges

Joe Hodges is an entrepreneur who has created, grown and sold companies across the United States. He was Founder and President of Americlaim Solutions and INETICO, Inc. His most recent accomplishment is a new venture called CareValet aimed at solving the consumer healthcare access maze. As an industry pioneer in the healthcare field, Joe is fixed on creating viable consumer and industry solutions, as well as mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. Among other accomplishments Joe is a graduate of Florida State University, has attended Singularity University and is presently working towards his Doctorate in Business Administration at USF. Joe has served on the Board of Directors at MOSI (the Museum of Science and Industry), as a member on the Moffitt Cancer Center Corporate Partners Steering Committee, and was Knighted into the Order of Salvador. He also proudly serves as a member of the Advisory Council for the Dali Museum.

Lindsey Kimball

Ms. Kimball brings more than 16 years of experience in a diverse range of economic development activities and organizations. Developing new, innovative programs and, more importantly – implementing them – is a strong suite for Ms. Kimball who embraces creativity and a progressive, holistic approach. In her role as Director, she oversees all strategic and operational aspects of the Department of 27 which include Corporate Development, Entrepreneurial Services, Disadvantaged Minority and Small Business Development, Redevelopment, Competitive Sites, Agribusiness Development, Business Intelligence and Tourism Development. Prior to the County, she served as Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Infinity Global Solutions, Business Development Chief for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and Business Intelligence Officer for the Tampa Bay Partnership. Ms. Kimball is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) by the IEDC and holds an MBA from the University of South Florida and a B.A. in International Studies, both degrees with highest honors. Her work has been recognized by many organizations including the 2015 TiE "Titan of Entrepreneurship", National Association of Counties, the Northeast Florida Regional Council “Outstanding Regional Economic Development Professional”, “Top 20 under 40 in North America" by the CREW Network and a “40 under 40” by the JBJ.

Kailah Matyas

Kailah Matyas is the Managing Partner of Redwood Partners and has been with Redwood since shortly after the Company was founded. Kailah is responsible for global assignments, specifically covering Redwood’s European, US and Asia Pacific regions. Her years of experience working with international high-growth companies has made her expert at interpreting business goals into human capital needs and realizing the best people to build successful businesses. She has successfully built global executive teams for companies within the mobile, internet and digital media sectors and has particular expertise with cross border searches. Kailah opened Redwood’s London office and has been instrumental in developing the Company’s global Executive Search practice. She has been with Redwood for over twenty years and was previously with a start up where she was responsible for building and launching their web/eCommerce strategy. She has lived in New York City, London and Sydney. Kailah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from George Washington University.

Shane Needham

With over 15 years experience in advertising, production, and technology, Shane has blended his experience and enthusiasm for making great things to produce campaigns for clients such as Publix, Buffalo Wild Wings, Shoe Carnival, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dollar Rent-A-Car, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Everbank, Lincoln Financial and Jackson Hewitt. Shane currently leads the production team at 22squared and is an active member of the tech, creative, and entrepreneurship community on both sides of the bay.

Chuck Papageorgiou

Chuck is the co-founder and CEO of International Screening Solutions, a global "Know Your Customer" risk management company, and the co-creator of its www.worldwatchplus.com platform. He is also the Managing Partner of www.ideasphere.com, providing executive consulting on strategy, operations, technology deployment, and M&A. He brings his global experience in Technology, Operations, and Sales Operations, both as an entrepreneur, a consultant, and an executive to actively guide management teams of companies he invests in, as well as advise client companies. Chuck has founded, funded, and launched multiple companies, raising over 15M in startup capital. He has directly managed organizations ranging from five person startups to 10,000+ employee global operations. He has lead, or acted as a Sr. Advisor, on completed M&A and restructuring transactions worth over 9 billion dollars. He supports a number of local initiatives focused on the development of entrepreneurs and startup companies and is actively involved with the Tampa Bay entrepreneurship ecosystem. Chuck also serves as an Entrepreneur In Residence (EIR) and is a member of the Operating Committee of the Advisory Board of the Lowth Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Tampa, and an EIR with the Moffitt Cancer Research Center.