GrowFL Announces 2026/2027 Board of Directors and Leadership Team
GrowFL has announced its 2026/2027 Board of Directors and leadership team. This new roster includes five incoming board members who are joining the organization to help guide its work with Florida’s second-stage companies.
As a statewide nonprofit focused on helping growth-stage businesses scale, GrowFL connects CEOs and their teams to practical education, peer learning, leadership networks, and trusted advisors who help companies navigate growth with confidence.
New Board Members for 2026/2027 The following individuals have joined the board of directors for the 2026/2027 fiscal year:
- Matt Rose, CXO, Tech Rage IT
- Christopher Swink, Senior Wealth Strategist, Northern Trust
- Coley Jones, Senior Vice President, Market Executive, Bank of America
- David Hartmann, Founder & CEO, The SilverLogic
- McKenzie Reed, President, CLN of South Florida, Inc.
Together, they bring experience in technology, financial services, strategic growth, and executive leadership that will strengthen GrowFL’s statewide reach and deepen its ability to support second-stage business leaders across Florida.
Strategic Focus for 2026/2027 In 2026/2027, GrowFL will focus on:
- Expanding CEO membership across Florida.
- Deepening engagement opportunities for second-stage business leaders.
- Strengthening the role trusted advisors play in helping companies solve growth challenges.
- Growing the impact of signature programs such as Florida Companies to Watch, the Leadership Institute, and Connect.
- Building stronger regional pathways for peer connection and strategic support.
“CEO membership remains central to GrowFL’s mission because second-stage leaders gain the most when they have a place to learn from peers, test ideas, and access trusted guidance from people who understand the realities of growth,” said Robert Newland, chair of the GrowFL Board of Directors. “GrowFL is building that kind of leadership community across Florida so more companies can grow stronger and lead with greater confidence”.
“As a CEO, I know that growth can feel isolating, especially when the decisions are complex and the stakes are high,” said Tara Lordi, vice chair of the GrowFL Board of Directors and CEO of Weedoo Greenboat Inc. “GrowFL gives business leaders access to relationships, insight, and real-world perspective that can help them navigate challenges more effectively, and I am prepared to help broaden that impact in the year ahead”.
2026/2027 Board and Leadership Roster
Executive Committee
- Robert Newland, Chair — Chief Growth Advisor, Newland Growth Advisors
- Tara Lordi, Vice Chair — CEO, Weedoo Greenboat Inc
- Pete Previte, Immediate Past Chair — Business Advisor, South Florida Manufacturers Association
- Kenneth Theriot, Secretary — CEO, TheRiot Agency
- Maria Morales, Treasurer — Assurance Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
- Tammie Sweet, Executive Director, GrowFL
Directors
- Sean Flannery — SVP, Commercial Banking Manager, Synovus Financial Corp.
- David Hartmann — Founder & CEO, The SilverLogic
- Coley Jones — Senior Vice President, Market Executive, Bank of America
- Karl LaPan — Director, UF Innovate @ The Hub
- Julie Negrete-Anderson — COO, JNA Advisors
- Tom O’Neal — GrowFL Founder, University of Central Florida
- McKenzie Reed — President, CLN of South Florida, Inc.
- Matt Rose — CXO, Tech Rage IT
- Paul Sohl — Chief Executive Officer, The Florida High Tech Corridor
- Christopher Swink — Senior Wealth Strategist, Northern Trust
“This year’s board and leadership team position GrowFL to expand our reach, deepen engagement with second-stage business leaders, and strengthen the programs and connections that help CEOs grow,” said Tammie Sweet, executive director of GrowFL. “We are focused on creating more opportunities for leaders across Florida to learn from one another, access strategic support, and build stronger companies”.
