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The Heart of Florida Regional Coalition promotes regional collaboration among Alachua, Marion and contiguous counties. The coalition is acutely aware that the assets of the region provide tremendous opportunity for business development and quality living. The region boasts of education through excellent K-12 schools, community colleges and the University of Florida. The region’s strength, in part, lies in its access to the legislative process, its progressive chambers of commerce, its forward thinking economic development, its attention to the area’s culture and arts, and its sense of community. The Coalition believes this region is second to none and through cooperation and collaboration, greater things can be accomplished.


Heart of Florida logoHeart of Florida
Regional Coalition
Coordinating Board

Organization

Representative

Organization

Representative
Ocala City Council Honorable Kent Guinn Marion Hospital – Ocala Regional Rex Etheredge
Alachua County Commission Honorable Lee Pinkoson Alachua Tourism Roland Loog
Marion County Commission Honorable Barbara Fitos Marion Tourism Ann Sternal
State House  Delegation Chair/Designee North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce Pam Whittle
State Senate Delegation Chair/Designee NFRCC Board Chair Darrell O’Neal
Alachua County Manager Randy Reid SBDC Dr. Phil Geist
Marion County Administrator Dr. Lee Niblock Alachua County Workforce Board Angela Pate
Gainesville Mayor Honorable Craig Lowe Marion County Workforce Board Rusty Skinner
Gainesville City Manager Russ Blackburn Alachua County School District Dr. Dan Boyd
Ocala Mayor Honorable Randy Ewers Key Business Leader - Manufacturing Keith Davis (MRMA)
Ocala City Manager Rick Horst Key Business Leader - Tech Dr. Richard Snyder
City Representative - Alachua Honorable Gib Coerper - Alachua Key Business Leader - Transportation Allan Penksa
Gainesville C of Commerce/GCEO Brent Christensen Key Business Leader – Art/Culture Dr. Michael Blachly
GACC Board Chair Eric Godet Key Business Leader – Martha Barnwell – Progress Energy
Ocala/Marion County C of Commerce Jaye Baillie Key Business Leader – Mike Giampietro - Cox Communications
OMCCC Board Chair Dave Fechtman Marion Cultural Alliance Nancy Ledding
Ocala/Marion County EDC Pete Tesch Gainesville Community Foundation Marilyn Tubb
OMC EDC Board Chair Elect Steve Purves SFCC Eastside Initiative Dr. Karen Cole-Smith
Santa Fe College Dr. Jackson Sasser Alachua Hospital - Shands Nicole Yucht
College of Central Florida Dr. Charles Dassance Alachua Hospital – NF Regional Matt Davis
University of Florida Susan Crowley Marion Hospital – Munroe Regional Steve Purves