CHAMPIONING REGIONAL PRIORITIES

Advocacy & Public Policy

Supporting efforts that further
broad-based prosperity

Championing Regional Priorities

Before and during the Florida Legislative Session, the Partnership’s Advocacy and Public Policy Council, made up of Partnership investor companies, works closely with education, local government and industry trade association partners to drive home the importance of generating high-wage jobs throughout our region and the state.

View The Partnership’s 2021 Legislative Priorities

Workforce Development
Funding for Central Florida Initiatives
Affordable Housing
Transportation
Economic Development Issues

ADVOCATING FOR THE ORLANDO REGION

Public Policy & Advocacy Council

The Advocacy and Public Policy Council helps ensure that our Members of Congress and State Legislators understand the programs and funding mechanisms necessary to build and diversify Florida’s economy, creating a world-class business location.

With input from our local, regional and state partners, the Advocacy and Public Policy Council meets regularly to discuss and review potential issues and their impact on our region. A proposed Legislative Agenda is developed annually and sent to the Partnership Executive Committee. Once the agenda has been revised and approved by the Executive Committee, it is sent to the Partnership Board of Directors for final revisions and approval. After this, the Partnership and partners work to advance the agenda.

View 2021 Florida Legislative Session Preview

“Our legislative agenda is critical to the continued success of the Orlando region’s economy. Our legislative focus is to champion initiatives that effectively increase access, mobility and broad-based prosperity….”

– Tim Giuliani

President and CEO at Orlando Economic Partnership

Aligning and educating regional leaders

Policy Programs

In addition to the ongoing advocacy for our region, the Partnership is training the next generation of elected leaders through the Central Florida Political Leadership Institute and aligning regional transportation leaders through the Alliance for Regional Transportation (ART).

Central Florida Political Leadership Institute
If you are interested in elected office, the Central Florida Political Leadership Institute is a unique, nonpartisan, regional initiative designed to prepare and strengthen the next generation of elected leaders before they formally choose to run for a specific office.

Alliance for Regional Transportation
Supports private and public projects that help to build more vibrant and sustainable communities, contribute to our global competitiveness, create high wage jobs and increase prosperity for all families living, working and learning in the Orlando region.

advocacy & public policy

Policy Council

Linda Landman Gonzalez
Chair
VP, Community Relations & Government Affairs
Orlando Magic

Adam Babington
VP, External Affairs
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

Courtney Barnard
State & Local Government Affairs Public Policy, Law & Security
Verizon Orlando

Wendy Brandon
CEO, UCF Lake Nona Medical Center
HCA Healthcare – UCF Lake Nona Medical Center

Kari Conley
Director , Community Relations
Duke Energy

Glenton Gilzean
President
Central Florida Urban League

Tim Giuliani
President & CEO
Orlando Economic Partnership

Frank Goeckel
SVP, Strategy, Integration and Acquisitions
Travel + Leisure Co.

Elisha González
VP, Community Relations & Government Affairs, ED Fairwinds Foundation
Fairwinds Credit Union

Shannon Gravitte
VP, Public Affairs Central Region
AdventHealth

Amanda Grimmer
Senior Director, Government Affairs
Darden Restaurants, Inc.

Tony Jenkins
Market President, Central Florida
Florida Blue

Rachael Kobb
Senior Director, Advocacy and Public Policy
Orlando Economic Partnership

Chadwick Loar
Regional President – West and Central Florida
PNC

Cliff Long
CEO
Orlando Regional Realtor Association

Georgia Lorenz
President
Seminole State College of Florida

John McReynolds
SVP, External Affairs
Universal Orlando Resort

Sharon Smoley
VP, Advocacy & Public Policy
Orlando Economic Partnership

Michelle Strenth
Director, Government Relations
Orlando Health

Rasesh Thakkar
Senior Managing Director
Tavistock Group

Josh Wyche
Regional Manager, External Affairs – Central Florida
TECO Peoples Gas Company

Advocacy & Public Policy StafF

Connect With Us

To learn more about the Partnership’s advocacy and public policy efforts or the Central Florida Political Leadership Institute, please contact Christine Aponte.