As Partner, President & COO of the Moore Agency, Terrie leads the strategic direction of The Moore Agency, including key initiatives, partnerships and client and business development. With a passion for collaboration and culture building, Terrie oversees the Moore Team, boasting a 92% retention rate.
Terrie is a specialist in corporate positioning and branding with a keen focus on strategy and creativity. Her expertise includes crisis communications, communications strategy and employee relations. Through Terrie’s leadership, the agency has achieved a 98% client retention rate and is ranked a top 50 agency nationally and top 200 globally. Terrie has been recognized by Florida Trend as one of the top 500 most influential leaders. She is a recipient of the Florida Public Relations Association Stanley Tait Award for Leadership, the American Advertising Federation Silver Medal for outstanding industry contributions and recognized by PR News as a Top Changemaker in the nation.
Terrie is an active community volunteer and was appointed in 2023 as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce in its landmark 100th year anniversary. She also serves on the Hancock Whitney Bank Advisory Board, Lively Technical College Advisory Board, the Talent Development Council and is Chair of the Tallahassee Chamber Foundation.
I am a transplant from Atlanta. I moved to Tallahassee in 2005 to play football at Florida State. Met my wife Jessica in 2006. We have been married for 15 years and have three boys.
I have worked at Synchros for 8 years in Sales and have seen our company grow from a small regional payroll processor, to a national payroll and HR solution.
In my time away from the office, I enjoy coaching my sons’ sports teams, traveling and spending time with my family.
Rob Clarke is a shareholder and member of the Management Committee of Ausley McMullen and also recently served as the 2024 Chair of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber’s Board of Directors. As a board-certified attorney in Business Litigation by The Florida Bar, he is renowned for his exceptional representation in civil litigation.
Specializing in diverse cases, Rob serves as lead trial counsel for complex business disputes, wrongful death claims, personal injury cases, class actions, and other regulatory matters. His clients range from national corporations to state and local governments, with a track record of securing multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Recognized by Best Lawyers for “Bet-the-Company” Litigation, Rob is acclaimed for his legal acumen and strategic thinking.
Beyond his litigation practice, Rob contributes to Florida’s legal landscape through his service on The Florida Bar Civil Procedure Rules Committee. A leader in civil procedure, he has argued before the Florida Supreme Court and is a sought-after lecturer on court procedure, including e-discovery.
For over 15 years, Rob has also been an Adjunct Professor of Law at The Florida State University College of Law, teaching courses on Florida Civil Procedure, Trial Practice, and Electronic Discovery and Digital Evidence. His distinguished career includes four years of active duty in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2004 after serving in the Army Reserves. During his Reserve tenure, Rob held roles as a Reserve Forces Officer and Commander assigned to the Selective Service System for the Northern District of Florida.
Rob serves as lead trial counsel in a broad array of cases including complex business disputes, significant wrongful death and personal injury claims, class actions, and other litigation and regulatory matters. His litigation clients include national corporations, state and local governments, construction companies, estates, partnerships, and individuals with complex and comprehensive litigation requirements.
Rob has successfully litigated cases resulting in multi-million-dollar jury verdicts and settlements for his clients in many types of civil cases. Additionally, he has successfully defended clients facing significant exposure in state and federal courts. In this regard, he has been recognized by Best Lawyers in the area of “Bet-the-Company” Litigation, and is recognized for his keen legal analysis, strategic thinking and singular focus on results.
Rob’s experience with and knowledge of Florida courts is also enhanced by his service on The Florida Bar Civil Procedure Rules Committee. He was a member of the Civil Procedure Rules Committee for many years and served as Chair in 2005. Rob is recognized by his peers as a leader in the field of civil procedure and has argued before the Florida Supreme Court relating to matters involving court rules. Additionally, he is a frequent lecturer on court procedure including teaching Bar Examination preparation classes and topics on e-discovery.
In addition to his litigation practice, Rob has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at The Florida State University College of Law for over 15 years, where he teaches Florida Civil Procedure, Trial Practice, and Electronic Discovery and Digital Evidence.
Prior to entering the practice of law, Rob served on active duty for four years as an officer in the United States Army and continued to serve in the United States Army Reserves during his practice, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2004. While in the Reserves, Rob served for ten years as a Reserve Forces Officer and Commander assigned to the Selective Service System for the Northern District of Florida.
Tom Derzypolski, BowStern Communications
Bio coming soon!
With more than 20 years of experience managing multi-million-dollar enterprise technology projects, Eduardo “Eddie” Gonzalez Loumiet is an award-winning technology expert, mentor, and recognized speaker. He currently serves as the Senior Advisor for Informatics Strategy at the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), where he is leading efforts to modernize critical public heal infrastructure through the AIMS (APHL Informatics Messaging Services) platform. This initiative aims to enhance data integration and resilience across the national health landscape. Eddie also remains an owner and Chairman of the Board of Ruvos, a leading company specializing in data, security, and cloud computing.
In addition to his work in public health, Eddie serves as the Chair-elect of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. In this role, he is advancing regional economic development by spearheading initiatives like industry councils, fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth across key sectors in the region.
A Cuban-American born in Miami, Florida, Eddie earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Computer Information Systems from Loyola University in New Orleans and completed his Executive MBA from the University of Miami in 2007. Fluent in English and Spanish, with a working knowledge of Portuguese, he has traveled to over 20 countries for business. Passionate about community impact, Eddie is an advocate for Early Childhood Education and the Small Business community. He frequently shares his expertise on entrepreneurship, technology, and leadership at industry events. He has also served as an adjunct professor at both Florida A&M University and Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health.
Recognized as one of Florida’s top entrepreneurs under 40, Eddie has been profiled in Hispanic Executive magazine for his contributions to healthcare technology. He resides in Tallahassee with his wife, Jessica, who works in Admissions at Maclay School, and their children, Raquel (14) and Meyer (10).
Scott Higginbotham, Prime Meridian Bank
Scott Higginbotham, currently serving as the Vice President and Business Development Officer at Prime Meridian Bank, boasts a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the automotive and power sports industry. As an accomplished President, Scott has demonstrated his leadership prowess throughout his career.
His skill set encompasses a broad range of expertise, including sales, merchandising, entrepreneurship, strategic planning, team building, and management. This diverse skill portfolio underlines his ability to navigate and excel in dynamic business environments.
In addition to his position with Prime Meridian, Scott is also an investor with Analytical AI, and Alabama-based artificial intelligence technology company. With a reputation as a strong business development professional, Scott Higginbotham continues to make significant contributions to Prime Meridian Bank, leveraging his skills and experience to drive success in the financial industry while staying at the forefront of technological advancements through his investments in Analytical AI.
Dan McGrew, Senior Advisor for TSG Advisors – Education, has over 25 years of experience in education and career development. He has held leadership roles such as Sr. Vice President at CareerSource Florida, Regional Director for Dynamic Workforce Solutions, College Director of ITT Technical Institute, and various positions at Kaplan, Inc. Dan’s expertise spans federal workforce development, higher education, national operations, marketing, and program development.
Committed to community service, he serves on the Board of Governors for Leadership Tallahassee, the Leon County Sheriff’s Advisory Council, and the Leon High School Foundation. A Florida State University graduate with a B.S. in Biological Sciences, Dan lives in Florida with his wife Jessica and their four children.
Ana Melendez is the CEO and owner of A&E Wholesale, which is a distribution company that provides over 3,000 items in the categories of beverages, candy, chocolate, medicine, cigars, automotive supplies, and paper products to over 1,200 convenience stores in North Florida and South Georgia.
Under A&E’s new leadership, Ana has been able to reinvent the company within the last 7 years. They now operate with an Oracle ERP system that empowers the company to streamline operations, enables them to improve order accuracy, manages inventory turn targets, and ensures the highest standards of government compliance. This provides higher service levels to locally owned convenience stores, as well as large chains such as Family Dollar and Dollar General.
During her time in Tallahassee, Ana has won the 2017 and 2022 TAN Awards for her lobbying contributions in the Florida Senate and House of Representatives. In 2017 she was invited by the DBPR to be a panel leader for the “Celebrating Women in Business” event held at FSU. In 2018, she won the Golden ACE Award in recognition of her leadership and commitment to Authentic Community Engagement. She has made contributions to AMI Kids, Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Legal Aid Foundation, Seminole Boosters, and The Kearney Center/CESC. Additionally, she currently serves as the President of the Florida Association of Wholesale Distributors Board of Directors, as the Treasurer for the CESC (Kearney Center) Board, and a Board member of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Second Harvest of the Big Bend, North Florida Community Foundation, and the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra.
Ana holds a BSBA in Marketing and an MBA from The Ohio State University. She was also one of 60 Latino CEOs around the country that were accepted into the Stanford Business Scaling Program in 2017 and graduated from FSU’s Jim Moran Institute SBEP program in 2022. Her interests include painting, performing on alto saxophone, car racing, sports, and traveling. Originally from Mexico City, Ana currently resides in Tallahassee, Florida with her husband Michael and her son Addison.
Chris Mills is the Market President for the Tallahassee Region with Truist Bank. Chris has a combined 20 years of consumer, commercial, and corporate banking experience. Prior to being appointed as Tallahassee Market President in 2019, Chris was as a Middle Market, Commercial Banking Advisor for SunTrust’s Commercial Group serving the Florida Panhandle, South Georgia, and South Alabama markets. Prior to SunTrust, Chris was the Senior Commercial Leader for Regions Bank over the Tallahassee Area. Chris is Certified in Risk Management Lending by the Risk Management Association. Chris is married to Melinda and they have three children, Christopher (19), Lexie (15), and Hazel Grace (6).
Chris is active in the community as a member of The Rotary Club of Tallahassee, the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, and a Class 34 Graduate of Leadership Tallahassee. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Florida State University College of Business, United Way of the Big Bend (Treasurer Elect), and Junior Achievement Big Bend (Past Chairman, Vice Chair, and Treasurer).
Chris received a BS in Business Administration in Finance from the College of Business at the University of West Florida. Chris is also a graduate of multiple Dale Carnegie Leadership curriculums.
Gloria Pugh, AMWAT Moving Warehousing Storage
Since 2005, Gloria has served as the Chief Executive Officer of AMWAT Moving Warehousing Storage, guiding the company’s strategic direction, fostering a strong corporate culture, ensuring financial stability, and serving as the brand’s ambassador.
As a co-founder of AMWAT, Gloria has transformed what began as a regional moving company into a globally recognized relocation enterprise. Under her leadership, AMWAT has expanded its services beyond moving to include specialized warehousing solutions such as receiving, distribution, and installation of Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FFE). This strategic diversification has positioned AMWAT as a trusted partner in industries including interior design, healthcare, hospitality, and retail.
A recognized expert in the moving and logistics industry, Gloria is a trusted advisor to U.S. News & World Report and has served as President of the Professional Movers Association of Florida since 2021—making history as the first woman to lead Florida’s moving industry.
Beyond her business success, Gloria is deeply committed to community service, actively supporting local nonprofits including Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Junior League of Tallahassee, Tallahassee State College Foundation, LeMoyne Chain of Parks, Opening Nights, and many more. She also serves on the Tallahassee Chamber Board of Directors, Florida’s Consumer Council, Professional Movers Association of Florida, and Florida Business & Education Council.
In her free time, Gloria enjoys traveling with her family, reading, and spending time outdoors—whether on the water or gardening with her husband, Dean. She also shares her home with Gigi, her spirited Jack Russell Terrier.
Cari Thro, Tallahassee Democrat/Tallahassee Media Group
Cari Thro is a seasoned Advertising Director with a proven track record in the dynamic realm of the advertising industry. Her professional journey reflects a wealth of experience and expertise in key areas such as Digital Strategy, Advertising Sales, Sales, and Media Relations.
Armed with a Bachelor of Science degree focused on Fashion Merchandising/Marketing from Bowling Green State University, Cari brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking to her role. Her academic foundation, coupled with hands-on experience, positions her as a strong marketing professional who understands the intricacies of the ever-evolving advertising landscape.
Throughout her career, Cari has demonstrated proficiency in navigating digital strategies, driving advertising sales, and fostering effective media relations. Her skill set underscores her ability to not only understand market dynamics but also to capitalize on emerging trends and technologies in the advertising domain.
As an Advertising Director, Cari Thro continues to make significant contributions to the industry, utilizing her skills to craft compelling campaigns and drive results. Her dedication to excellence and continuous adaptation to industry changes mark her as a standout professional in the competitive world of advertising.
Becky Tolnay is a professional facilitator and the Chair of Vistage in Tallahassee. With 30 years of experience in Performance Improvement at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, she has gained valuable insights into the culture, processes, and strategies necessary for individuals and teams to achieve exceptional results and drive continuous improvement.
During her tenure at The Ritz-Carlton, Becky discovered that delivering superior customer service requires more than just ticking off items on a checklist. To engage customers and employees, it is crucial to have a deeper understanding of what is happening. The obstacles to excellence are not always apparent. She learned that asking questions, gathering diverse viewpoints, and digging deeper to comprehend what’s truly happening are all essential to continuous improvement.
When Becky was introduced to a Vistage peer advisory group, where CEOs from different, non-competing businesses come together one day per month to work on their businesses, she recognized an opportunity to utilize her expertise to support business leaders in the Tallahassee region.
As the facilitator of the Vistage peer advisory group, Becky’s focus is to help the group’s members support each other in becoming better leaders, making better decisions, and achieving better results. She brings all her experience to aid them in working together and enhancing their business performance and personal lives through collaboration, peer learning, and continuous improvement.
Denise Wilson, Capital City Bank
Denise Wilson serves as the Chief Culture Officer at Capital City Bank, where she has proudly worked for 25 years. She is a card-carrying extrovert and loves people. Her happy place is anywhere she can positively impact others and inspire people to learn and grow. She brings creativity, energy, and fun in the classroom, on a webinar, or from the stage! Denise is energized when she works with organizations to improve performance and create a positive culture. She is passionate about helping others reach their full potential. The quote she lives by is, “Work made fun gets done.”
Denise has worked for over 27 years in workplace learning and performance and is a designated CPTD – Certified Professional in Training and Development through the Association of Talent Development.