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
Chris Platé
Chief Executive Officer
850.898.2201
Danita Andrews
Chief Business Development Officer
850.503.0907
Patrick Rooney
Dir. 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
Past President
Rick Byars
FPL
Members
K.C. Gartman, Baptist Health Care
Dr. Marcus McBride, Careersource Escarosa
Dr. Ed Meadows, Pensacola State College
Don Palmer, ECUA
Jim Waite, Baskerville Donovan
Investors
Charles F. Beall, Jr., Moore, Hill & Westmoreland
Justin Beck, Stirling Properties
Will Condon, Ascension Sacred Heart
David Deliman, Cox Communications
Kendrick Doidge, HCA Florida West
Kelvin Enfinger, Greenhut Construction
Mike Morette, Morette Company
Eddie Norris, Synovus
Chris Plaeger, Bear General Contractors
Mark Roy, ARCO Design/Build
Charles Sherrill III, SouthState
Dave Taylor, Pegasus Labs
Bruce Vredenburg, Hancock Whitney
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.
