50 Most Powerful People of 2023: Business
Orlando’s economy has evolved far beyond its reputation solely as a tourist destination. While tourism and hospitality remain crucial components of the local economy, the city and its surrounding districts and suburbs has diversified its industries and experienced growth in various sectors.
Orlando has become a hub for technology companies, particularly in fields like simulation, aerospace, defense, and modeling. The presence of institutions like the Central Florida Research Park and the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Partnership II Building has fostered research and innovation in these areas. The area is often referred to as the “Silicon Valley of Simulation” due to its concentration of companies in the simulation and training industry.
Orlando has seen growth in its healthcare and biotechnology sectors, with medical research and advanced healthcare services becoming significant contributors to the local economy. Institutions like the UCF College of Medicine and the Lake Nona Medical City have played a key role in attracting healthcare and biotech companies to the region.
Principal Photography by Roberto Gonzalez
1. Randy Haffner |President & CEO, Adventhealth Florida
Randy Haffner is president and CEO of AdventHealth Florida, which encompasses 30 hospitals and 42 emergency departments stretching from Tampa Bay to the Atlantic, centered in the vibrant metro Orlando area. This expansive healthcare network, renowned for its world-class facilities, operates in synergy with an all-encompassing outpatient care framework, culminating in a staggering annual count of more than 4.8 million patient visits.
AdventHealth’s dedication to service is evidenced by its extensive community investment, an impressive annual figure exceeding $1.1 billion statewide. The organization’s influence radiates further, underpinning nearly a fifth of Central Florida’s thriving economy and underscoring its role as a cornerstone of the region’s prosperity.
Haffner’s unwavering commitment to AdventHealth stretches back to 1989, during which time he has donned various senior leadership mantles within the organization. In his role as President and CEO of the multistate division, he orchestrated AdventHealth’s ventures beyond the Sunshine State, overseeing a constellation of 20 campuses sprawling across eight states. His storied career also encompasses the position of CEO at Colorado’s Porter Adventist Hospital and an administratorship at AdventHealth Orlando.
Haffner’s academic achievements are as noteworthy as his professional accomplishments. A graduate of Walla Walla College, he ascended to higher academic echelons, securing a graduate degree from the Roy E. Crummer
Graduate School of Business at Rollins College, culminating in a doctorate in leadership studies from Andrews University.
His influence transcends the medical realm, extending to roles within the Florida Hospital Association Board and the Orlando Economic Partnership’s prestigious Governor’s Council.
Photo Courtesy of Adventhealth
2. David Strong |President & Ceo, Orlando Health
David Strong took on the role of President and CEO at Orlando Health in 2015. Orlando Health, a prominent private not-for-profit healthcare organization in Florida, manages assets worth $9.2 billion, and more importantly, provides health care services to millions of Central Florida residents.
In 2022, Orlando Health managed 155,000+ in-patient visits, along with 3.9 million ER and outpatient visits. They employ over 28,000 people currently; a far cry from their single hospital beginnings a century ago.
The Orlando Health organization encompasses more than 450 facilities, including 29 hospitals, emergency departments, rehabilitation services, cancer centers, imaging and laboratory services, wound care centers, and physician offices for adults and pediatrics, along with urgent care centers.
Orlando Health continues to earn esteemed national healthcare honors with Strong at the helm, including Best Hospital awards by U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, and Modern Healthcare magazines. Forbes recognized it as a top employer, and The Leapfrog Group granted Top Hospital awards for patient safety. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses bestowed Beacon Awards for bedside care excellence. Orlando Health also operates Orlando Health Strategic Innovations, which involves a corporate venture fund investing in promising early-stage healthcare companies globally.
3. Tim Giuliani | President & CEO, Orlando Economic Partnership
Giuliani is heading into his seventh year as head of the public-private partnership, whose goal is to spread the word that the Orlando area is a great place to do business, while advocating for economic development, public policy and transportation solutions that will draw high-wage companies. Under the OEP’s umbrella are groups ranging from the Orlando Tech Community to the Orlando Film Commission to Leadership Orlando, which helps business people connect with their peers. The partnership takes in seven Central Florida counties, and the board members are a who’s who of movers and shakers (including many on our 50 Most Powerful list). Highlighting the impact of his six years of OEP economic development work, the Partnership supported a total of 160 business projects, which are expected to create 21,500 new direct jobs with average annual wages of $73,600, significantly higher than even the current regional average of $57,400, as well as $2.5 billion in annual payroll and involve $2.5 billion in capital investment.
In the last ten months alone, Giuliani has won the National Chamber of the Year award; unveiled the First-of-its-Kind Orlando Regional Digital Twin – The 3D technology platform maps 800 square miles of the region and recreates 40 square miles in high-
fidelity, including Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.
4. Craig Ustler | Owner & President, Ustler Development, Inc.
Craig Ustler is the Owner and President of Ustler Development, Inc., a real estate development company, and Vice President of Ustler Properties, Inc., a commercial real estate brokerage company. Ustler is deeply involved in property ownership, investment, development, and brokerage across various sectors including multifamily residential, student housing, hotels, offices, restaurants, retail, and mixed-use.
With over two decades of experience, Ustler specializes in land sales, urban planning, and highest and best use analysis. His focus aligns with the “new urbanism” planning movement, with projects concentrated in Downtown Orlando neighborhoods such as Creative Village, Health Village, North Quarter, Thornton Park, and the Central Business District.
Ustler’s projects prioritize quality of life and urban design. His notable endeavors encompass diverse real estate ventures including Alta at Health Village Apartments, Marriott’s Residence Inn – Downtown Orlando, and mixed-use developments like Thornton Park Central. His current centerpiece is the Creative Village master development, a joint venture between Banc of America Community Development Corporation and a local entity led by Ustler. This initiative transforms a former Amway Arena site into a 68-acre urban Innovation District, housing the UCF/Valencia Downtown Campus.
Ustler is renowned for his contributions to the downtown dining scene. He co-founded Urban Life Management Restaurant Group (ULM) and is a principal in restaurants like Soco Restaurant, Reyes Mezcaleria, and The Monroe.
5. John Morgan | President & Partner, Morgan & Morgan
John Morgan, a prominent figure in the legal world, founded his career on personal injury law due to his brother’s paralysis incident during a heroic lifeguarding effort. With his “For the People” brand and relentless advertising through various mediums, he has ascended to the apex of the legal domain from his Orlando base. Morgan’s battles against corporate giants, advocating for the underdog, have been marked by a 3,000-strong workforce including 488 lawyers across 60 offices. His success, amassing around $500 million or more, led him to support and fundraise for Democratic leaders, as well as collaborate with Republican politicians.
Morgan’s motivation remains grounded in aiding his paralyzed brother, inspiring his advocacy for medical marijuana legalization and curbing opioid misuse. He initiated a ballot initiative in 2013 to allow medical marijuana in Florida, ultimately succeeding in 2016. Despite legal disputes over cannabis smoking, political efforts resulted in its approval.
Despite his wealth, he remains low-key about charitable contributions and emphasizes philanthropy over financial success. Morgan is passionate about kids and community, with charities like Boys Town USA, which offers access to foster homes and guidance for at-risk youth, Harbor House, which provides help for abused women and children, The Miami Project, which conducts neuromuscular and spinal injury research and testing, and United Cerebral Palsy.
6. Pamela Nabors President & CEO, Careersource Central Florida
Pamela Nabors is a driving force behind positive change in workforce development at local, state, and national levels. Nabors leads the region’s official workforce development board, managing a budget exceeding $40 million and a staff of 250. Their team serves 2.8 million residents across five counties: Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Sumter. Nabors’ dedication to this field spans decades. Her achievements encompass transformative moments, including pioneering inventive programs that identify talent sources in high-growth sectors and bridge gaps in areas like advanced manufacturing and STEM, scaling up workforce support during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and most recently, aiding employers in navigating historically tough times marked by record-low unemployment, the Great Resignation, and a post-pandemic workforce mindset shift.
Through her visionary and transparent leadership, Nabors has transformed CareerSource Central Florida into a high-performance workforce board renowned as an economic development leader and community partner. Her guidance has modernized regional programs, enhanced value for business partners, and expanded investments addressing high-demand professions like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and construction. Nabors has been instrumental in engaging CareerSource Central Florida with the Victory Cup initiative by being a major sponsor for the past several years.
7. Chuck Whittall | President, Unicorp National Developments
Chuck Whittall, a multifaceted personality hailing from Orlando, is renowned for his roles as a visionary developer, inspirational speaker, dedicated philanthropist, and devoted father. His impact is deeply etched into the landscape of the Sunshine State and beyond. At the helm of Unicorp National Developments, a company he founded and currently leads, Whittall’s journey is a testament to the power of ambition, determination, and ethical business practices.
Whittall’s journey commenced with humble origins, where he embarked on the path of entrepreneurship during his formative years. A remarkable display of his enterprising spirit was seen as he managed a flourishing lawn care business at the tender age of 12. This early success paved the way for even greater achievements.
Following his innate passion for construction and real estate development, Whittall plunged into the dynamic world of property development. Under his astute leadership, Unicorp flourished, becoming synonymous with innovation and progress. The company rapidly expanded its footprint through transformative projects, encompassing vibrant retail developments, bustling town centers, and luxurious apartment complexes. Next, Whitthall has his sights set on the 30+ million dollar redevelopment of Restaurant Row and the construction of up to four new apartment projects by year’s end.
Reflecting on his journey, Whittall shared, “I remember my first business cutting grass. At age 12, I had a philosophy to do it right and cut every lawn as if it’s my own. So no matter what you do, do it right – and as if it’s your own – then, the results will come.”
8. Inez Long President & CE0, BBIF Florida
Inez Long serves as the President/CEO of BBIF Florida, a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) established in 1987. BBIF’s primary focus is offering capital to underserved small businesses, particularly those owned by Black and minority entrepreneurs. The organization’s mission revolves around fostering Black business enterprises through education, training, loans, and advocacy.
Under Long’s leadership, BBIF achieved several significant milestones. The organization obtained certification as a CDFI by the US Department of the Treasury in 1994. It expanded its loan services statewide, managing an $8.5 million loan fund in 2009. Additionally, it became an SBA Community Advantage lender in 2011 and received substantial federal New Markets Tax Credits allocation awards totaling $93.5 million between 2014 and 2019. BBIF also created $12 million in New Markets Tax Credits loan pools dedicated to minority businesses. Notably, BBIF was chosen as one of the first three CDFIs to receive a $1 million Wells Fargo Bank Diverse Community Capital grant.
Since October 2022, Long has successfully developed a new affiliate organization, the Community Development Corporation. This organization will focus on developing local community facilities and assets. The hope is that these buildings will bring makerspaces and incubators that will accelerate the development of small businesses and improve the work skills of people in underserved communities. Long has also raised capital and added a Developer’s Loan Fund that allows the BBIF to provide capital and business development services to Black Indigenous and People of Color.
9. Gaby Ortigoni | President & CEO, Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce
With a rich blend of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Floridian heritage, Gaby Ortigoni has dedicated two decades to serving the Hispanic community of Central Florida. As the President of HCCMO (Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando), her role entails ensuring the Chamber dutifully meets its obligations to its members. Ortigoni’s professional journey has been marked by unwavering commitments spanning business development, strategic relationship cultivation, economic growth, international trade, government affairs, and holistic community progress.
Ortigoni’s illustrious journey has garnered a cascade of accolades. Notable among them are the Orlando Business Journal’s prestigious awards—40 Under 40 and Women Who Mean Business. La Prensa honored her with the Hispanic Women Who Make the Difference Award, while the Orange County Sheriff’s Office recognized her with the Community Service Award.
10. Martha McGill | President, Nemours Children’s Hospital
Martha McGill, President of Central Florida Region and a member of Nemours’ Florida Executive Cabinet, has been part of Nemours since 2015. Beyond overseeing hospital operations, she spearheads the establishment and integration of Nemours’ practice sites and partnerships throughout Florida. McGill manages a range of sectors, including Florida’s Network Operations Chief Medical Officer, Service Delivery and Innovation, Strategy and Business Development, Physician and Patient Network Operations, and Practice Administration.
With over 30 years of experience in clinical operations and executive leadership, McGill excels in areas such as program growth, margin improvement, physician enterprise management, and government relations. She previously served as executive vice president and COO at Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH), where she developed service lines, established physician leadership structures, and facilitated business modernization.
McGill drove continuous improvement at MCH, which gained recognition as the sole Florida children’s hospital ranked in all 10 pediatric subspecialty categories by U.S. News & World Report.