Join us for a truly special evening dedicated to celebrating the vibrant spirit of innovation and remarkable growth flourishing within East Central Florida! The GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Finalist Recognition Event is an exclusive gathering, which offers a unique and invaluable opportunity to personally honor the outstanding achievements of our local finalists. These exceptional companies are not only demonstrating impressive business acumen but are also actively driving economic prosperity, fostering innovation, and creating vital job opportunities across the entire state of Florida. We invite you to come and network with an esteemed group of fellow business leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, and influential community members as we collectively shine a well-deserved spotlight on these dynamic companies, each poised for even greater success and continued impact.
Join us for a dynamic evening featuring insightful speakers, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and networking opportunities.
Featured Panel
Julie Holmes
President, JK2 Scenic2016 GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Honoree
Julie Holmes is the President of JK2 Scenic LLC, an architectural millwork and specialty construction company focused on bringing creative spaces to life. She joined the family-owned construction company in 2013, learning business and day-to-day operation strategies, and was responsible for the growth of the Scenic Division. JK2 Scenic spun-off into a separate company in 2017 and the company obtained Women-Owned Business certification in 2018. Prior to joining JK2, Julie spent 12 years a leader in the civil engineering and development industry, managing multiple projects for retail roll-out clients across the United States.
Olive Gaye
President & Chief Executive Officer, GenCare2017 GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Honoree
Olive Gaye is the founder and president of GenCare Resources and GenCare Kids, two healthcare organizations built on her personal mantra: “Treat all human beings with dignity and respect, regardless of their circumstances.” Olive has expanded GenCare from elder-focused home health services into a multi-faceted provider for medically fragile children. An MBA graduate of Rollins College and a former HR executive, Olive leads initiatives to recruit international nurses, uplift communities, and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs. Her work has been featured in regional and national media.
Edwin Sosa
President & Chief Visionary Officer, Embark Safety2020 GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Honoree
Edwin Sosa is the President & CVO of Embark Safety, a leading provider of continuous driver license monitoring software. His platform helps over 1,000 companies nationwide identify drivers with suspended licenses, recent violations, or accidents—enhancing fleet safety and compliance. Under his leadership, Embark Safety earned recognition on the INC 5000 list as one of America’s fastest-growing companies on four occasions since the pandemic. Edwin holds a B.A. from the University of Florida. His entrepreneurial vision has positioned Embark Safety as a trusted partner in risk-management across industries.
John Manning
Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer, KMI International2023 GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Honoree
John R. Manning is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of KMI International, where he has championed the firm’s transformation into a 100% employee-owned company. Under his leadership, KMI has become a national leader in construction consulting, known for its culture of accountability, ownership thinking, and long-term value creation. With decades of experience across real estate, engineering, development, and construction, John brings a comprehensive perspective to delivering programs valued up to $3 billion.
