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President, Watermeier Property Services, LLC, Ft. Myers, FL - Manager of a consulting and real estate resource firm providing market information development
consulting services and project feasibility analysis specializing in the Southwest Florida market.
Select clients include Lee County, Charlotte County, Mayor of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast
University, The News-Press, and numerous private investment, business and real estate
development clients. Major studies and presentations:
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE:
Director, Economic Development, Lee County, FL - 1996 to 2003
Responsible for the economic development programs in a community of 475,000 citizens and 12,500 businesses. Assisted 105 target industry expansions and locations producing 4,750 new jobs at 140% of county average wage with a $350+ million annual economic impact.
Vice President, WCI Communities, Inc., Bonita Springs, FL - 1989 to 1996 Responsible for Southwest Florida (Lee and Collier Counties) commercial operations for upscale community development subsidiary of Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Realtor, Coldwell Banker, Charlotte County, FL - 1987 to 1989
President and Director, Proprietary Schools, Virginia - 1979 to 1987
Manager, Stretch & Sew Fabric Center, Buffalo, NY - 1976 to 1979
Paralegal, Williams, Worrell, Kelly & Greer, Norfolk, VA - 1974 to 1976
EDUCATION:
Professional Courses, Classes and Seminars:
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Frank Rudd, CAE, CMP is Executive Director of the Florida Engineering Society (FES) and Executive Vice President of the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (a/k/a ACEC of Florida and Professional Engineers in Private Practice). Frank is a native Floridian with over 20 years of association management experience.
Since 2001, Frank Rudd has grown the statewide association of Professional Engineers (PE) to over 4,000 members through seven geographical regions and 20 chapters. A graduate from Florida State University, a certified association executive, and certified meeting professional, Frank has been working for FES and FICE to strengthen the engineering profession by promoting engineering licensure and ethics, enhancing the Professional Engineer image, advocating and protecting PEs' legal rights at the state level, providing continuing education opportunities, and publishing news of the profession.
Maryam Hosseini Ghyabi was born in Mashad, Iran. From an early age, her Grandfather knew she would not be someone to settle down as a housewife. Maryam, herself, also knew that someday she would run her own engineering company. She studied hard and after taking exams that only 3% of students ever passed, she was admitted to the National University where she excelled in her studies. Her future looked very bright. However, Iran became embroiled in revolution and her parents decided to send her to the United States, where her Brother was attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, to complete her college education.
Maryam H. Ghyabi is a graduate of UCF with a BS in Civil Engineering and a Masters Degree in Transportation Engineering. Ms. Ghyabi has taught as an adjunct Professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and worked as the Chief Transport Planner for Volusia County. She also served as a highway design engineer for the Florida Department of Transportation. Ms. Ghyabi is very active in the industry’s professional associations, holding membership in ITE – National and Florida, APA, FES, ASCE and ASHE.
In 1995, Maryam realized a childhood dream of starting her own company, and by the end of the year, formed Ghyabi & Associates, Inc. As President, she is responsible for all aspects of running the Company managing large engineering projects, marketing clients and directing staff.
Ms. Ghyabi works diligently to promote transportation and economic development for the Central Florida Region and is a firm believer in supporting regional connectivity, cooperation and comprehensive approach to resolving issues and concerns. As a tireless advocate of economic growth she has led many key efforts in transportation issues; spearheaded the revision of the I-4 Master Plan including a future extension of light rail transit through Volusia County to I-95, has served as the Chair and the driving force for the I-4 St. John’s River Bridge Coalition that worked to secure accelerated funding for the bridge replacement, Chaired the Volusia County Expressway Authority Coalition that recommended a study to determine toll road feasibility, was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Transportation Outreach Program (TOP) Advisory Board and elected Chair at the initial meeting, served for three (3) years as Chair of the Volusia County Area Responsible Development (VCARD), Central Florida Transportation Commission Task Force, Volusia County Women’s Network, Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce Board, Orlando Chamber/My Region, TEAMFL, THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES Advisors to the Nation on Science, Engineering and Medicine (National Cooperative Highway Research Program Project Panel 17-21), and is a Member of the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) Board. Maryam also served on the Volusia County Charter Issues Advisory Committee and has recently been appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the board of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council.
Her accomplished career is complemented with her active involvement in community service programs. Ms. Ghyabi has become a mentor to students interested in the Civil Engineering Industry. She also dedicates her time to various charity and leadership organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation- Race for the Cure, TEAM Florida Partnership and Volusia County Communitywide Traffic Safety Team just to name a few.
Maryam has been the recipient of many awards including:
Some of Maryam’s recent accomplishment include chairing a: Women in Business Symposium with Volusia County Economic Development to assist the women owned businesses in Volusia County and Flagler County to take their business to the next level. This was a very successful symposium that helped women in the counties come together to form a network between them. There were over 150 participants attend. The symposium had the Lt. Governor speak, it was broadcasted on the Marc Bernier Show, and there was a motivational speaker and breakout sessions. This will become an annual event and the plan would be to have this grow to be on a state level.
Maryam’s sprit has inspired many to achieve more and reach goals. She is currently using her influence to Chair a DBCC (Daytona Beach Community College) Women’s Center Advisory Board, where influential leaders of the community are getting together to raise funds for Women’s Center at the college. Every dollar that will be raised will be match 100% by the state. These funds will help the center have the items needed to support students who wish to get an education, but may not be as fortunate as most. Support would include, clothing for interviews, books to borrow for classes, helping find employment or daycare and the ultimate goal is housing.
Mr. Kusha is a graduate of University of Wisconsin – Madison with a Batchelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and has completed course work for a Masters of Science Degree in Transportation design.
Sia has 25 years of experience as a transportation engineer and manager and currently serves as a Vice President for his firm, HNTB Corporation, responsible for the firm’s Southeast Division Florida District.
Besides having served as the past chairman of the FICE Transportation Committee, as well as Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for Floridians for Better Transportation, he is the current Treasurer for the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers. He is a member of FES, ASCE, ITE, APWA and TRB and serves on the board of several charitable, non-profit organizations in Tampa. A recently selected member of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) College of Fellows, Sia is a registered Professional Engineer in Florida, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Minnesota and is currently pursuing his MBA.
Sia and his wife of 22 years, Judi, enjoy their two boys, Kayvan 18, a freshman at Florida Atlantic University, who is studying to become an attorney and Samuel 14, a freshman at Tampa Jesuit High School.
Sia’s family immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1968. Sia is a sailor, who enjoys SCUBA diving and golf and is an avid reader.
Thomas E. Conrecode is a vice president with Collier Enterprises, Ltd. He is responsible for the company's governmental affairs strategies at the local, state and federal levels, including legislative matters. He works closely with the management of all business units to coordinate a company-wide approach to governmental matters. Prior to joining Collier Enterprises, Tom also served as Public Works Administrator for Collier County. He has an extensive background in governmental affairs and has served in various capacities in the real estate development industry.
Mr. Conrecode is a past director of the Naples Area Chamber of Commerce, a member of the executive committee of the Southwest Florida Transportation Initiative and a member of the Leadership Florida Class XXII.
Mr. Conrecode is a licensed civil engineer, project management professional and general contractor. In 1983, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Youngstown State University and in 1986 earned a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California.
Mr. Conrecode served as the original transportation consultant for the Southwest Florida Transportation Initiative (SWFTI) when the public-private partnership was founded in 1998. Now as a member of the SWFTI Executive Committee, Mr. Conrecode helps to direct the organization's efforts and strategy for advancing transportation funding into Southwest Florida. During the past four years, SWFTI's efforts have helped to advance more than $1 billion in transportation funding into Southwest Florida. Mr. Conrecode has certainly played a key leadership role in the organization's success.
In 2000, Mr. Conrecode was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Transportation Outreach Program Advisory Council, serving as its chairman during the 2001-2002 cycle. The Advisory Council is a statewide committee charged with reviewing and recommending transportation projects for funding based on a competitive application and public hearing process. The Advisory Council recommended more than $200 million in project funding statewide during the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 cycles. Of the projects ultimately funded by the Legislature during those two years, Lee and Collier counties received more than $35 million for five priority projects.
Mr. Conrecode has also assisted in the development of transportation legislation designed to restore state dollars to the Transportation Trust Fund and to maximize available funding for transportation projects throughout the state.
Mr. Allard is the President and CEO of The Hubbard Group. A native of France, raised and educated in Paris, he graduated in 1973 from l'Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC), the top French business school.
Since he became CEO of Hubbard (which celebrates its 84th anniversary this year), the Group's revenue has more than quadrupled and should exceed $400 million in 2004. This growth is reflected in its ranking within the construction industry: in 2003, Hubbard was ranked as the 20th heavy contractor in the US and, by far, the first in Florida.
Mr. Allard is currently a director of SunTrust of Central Florida and on the Board of Directors of Enterprise Florida as well as several civic and charitable boards. He is a member of the Florida Council of 100, a member of the Corporate Council of the Economic Development Commission of Mid-Florida, a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of Floridians for Better Transportation and on the Board of Trustees of United Arts of Central Florida. Mr. Allard is also a member of the boards of the Florida Council on Economic Education, the UCF Foundation, the Crummer Graduate School of Business, Valencia Community College, and The National Conference for Community and Justice.
Fred, a native Central Floridian, attended the University of Florida where he received his undergraduate degree and law degree. After college he served two years as counsel to a Florida House of Representatives Committee which enacted legislation on growth management, energy and Public Service Commission issues. He returned to Central Florida and has been in private practice continuously. He is an equity shareholder, officer and director with GrayRobinson and serves as Chairman of the firm's Practice Development Committee and head of the firm's Government Law Group. Prior to joining the firm he was a partner with Holland & Knight.
Fred is a Florida Bar Board Certified Real Estate attorney. His experience includes dealing with government on behalf of private clients with particular emphasis on land acquisition, permitting, zoning, financing, development and utilities. He has significant background in state and local government law operational matters including procurement. Fred recently served on Governor Jeb Bush's Growth Management Study Commission and now serves as a member of the “Cost Benefit Analysis” Steering Committee.
Fred was the lead lawyer for the construction joint venture team, as well as the architectural team which are designing and building the expansion of the Orange County Convention Center.
Education:
University of Florida, B.A. (Psychology, 1971)
University of Florida, J.D. (1974)
Professional:
Civic:
Douglas J. Callaway is President of Floridians for Better Transportation (FBT), a statewide business and transportation association. Doug started as FBT President in January 2003.
Before agreeing to become President of FBT, Callaway was a transportation program manager with Carter & Burgess, a national architectural/engineering consulting and management firm based in Fort Worth, Texas. In that role, he was involved in national business development and marketing activities for the firm's Transportation Programs Division.
He is the author of a "how to" guide on being a Transportation Advocate in Washington, and a timely article on the reauthorization of the federal surface transportation law known as TEA-21.
Nationally recognized for his understanding of effective government relations techniques and his entertaining public speaking style, Callaway has been a guest speaker at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and before audiences from the Transportation Construction Coalition in Washington, D.C., the San Antonio Mobility Coalition, and numerous national & regional associations of state highway & transportation officials – AASHTO, SASHTO and WASHTO.
In January 2001, Callaway was named to the Transportation Advisory Committee for the transition effort of President George W. Bush.
Prior to joining Carter & Burgess, Callaway served as the Federal Programs Coordinator for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for 12 years, where he established a national reputation as a leader on federal transportation issues for both Florida and other so-called "donor states." During his tenure as the FDOT federal legislative "point man," Florida's level of federal transportation funding increased from $445 million annually to over $1.2 BILLION.
In the 1980s, Callaway was a Legislative Director for former Florida Congressman Tom Lewis (R-North Palm Beach) on Capitol Hill, and Organizational Director for Florida Congressman Clay Shaw's (R-Fort Lauderdale) 1982 Reelection Campaign.
Callaway graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 1980. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and was a member of the Faculty Scholars Program.
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