Top 20 Most Influential People In Florida | Social Media Handles 2023

Coercion or intimidation cannot be used to gain influence. It originates internally, from a person’s capacity to uplift and encourage those around them. Gaining the respect, assurance, and trust of others around you is the key to becoming an outstanding leader; titles are irrelevant.

It all comes down to how you interact with others and how your mission inspires support for you. Certain characteristics are exclusive to these natural leaders, yet it may seem difficult to pin down exactly what gives someone the ability to rule others.

Influential people can affect the roads you travel, the jobs you hold, the health care you receive, and the schools your kids attend.

In this post, we’ll be taking a look at the top 20 most influential people in Florida in 2022. We’ll also include their social media handles.

Make sure you read this post to the end as it promises to be captivating and informative.

Read: Top 20 Most Influential People In Utah | Social Media Handles 2023

Who Is An Influential Person?

A person who has a significant impact on public perceptions, events, or ideas is considered influential. Sometimes all it takes is one person’s approval for contracts to be signed or for ideas to be accepted. Depending on where their opinions are heard, various people become important in different ways and in different areas at different times.

You can find some oddities in the lives of powerful people. These consist of;

  • They value their opinions much.
  • Before concluding with their thoughts, they pay attention to those of others.
  • They put in an attempt for suggestions.
  • Their names are mentioned in respectable locations.
  • They project a polite public image, and wherever they go, people look up to them.

Top 20 Most Influential People In Florida

The top 20 most influential people in Florida are:

1. Benjamin Gibson

2. Ron DeSantis

3. Jacob Stuart

4. Bill Sublette

5. Clarence Otis

6. Frank Kruppenbacher

7. John Mica

8. Belvin Perry

9. Deirdre Macnab

10. Sandy Shugart

11. Jerry Demings

12. Yolanda Cash Jackson

13. Bill Nelson

14. George Kalogridis

15. Alan Grayson

16. Deborah German

17. Michael Corcoran

18. Tom Williams

19. Phil Rawlins

20. Craig Ustler

Read: Top 15 Most Influential People In Tennessee | Social Media Handles 2023

1. Benjamin Gibson

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Ben Gibson, one of the most influential people in Florida, is a partner and the vice-chair of the Appellate practice group of Shutts & Bowen LLP Tallahassee office. Ben represents clients in complex legal disputes at the nexus of commerce, politics, and the state. His statewide practice is concentrated on representing business, political, and governmental clients in administrative, judicial, and appellate proceedings. 

Ben frequently guides negotiating and abiding by the many federal, state, and local rules that regulate political activity to candidates for office, party committees, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

Before the Federal Election Commission, Florida Elections Commission, and Florida Commission on Ethics, he represents clients in administrative and enforcement matters. 

Twitter

2. Ron DeSantis

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Since 2019, American politician Ronald Dion DeSantis has presided as Florida’s 46th governor. DeSantis served as the 6th district representative for Florida in the US House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018 before becoming governor.

DeSantis, who was born in Jacksonville, lived in Dunedin for the majority of his formative years.

Most individuals stayed at home during the pandemic and those that didn’t probably move to Florida. Despite constant criticism, Governor Ron DeSantis made sure Florida’s economy remained open for business, kept schools open, and allowed people to choose their level of risk. His strategy succeeds.

DeSantis has additionally proven his environmental credentials by making significant expenditures to restore America’s Everglades, maintain and extend wildlife corridors, and safeguard Florida’s priceless waterways.

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Read: Top 20 Most Influential People in Vermont | Social Media Handles 2023

3. Jacob Stuart

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The president of the Central Florida Partnership is Jacob Stuart. One panelist referred to Jacobs as “dog-eared” but still one of the most influential people in Florida after spending over 30 years at the chamber of commerce and now its parent organization, the Central Florida Partnership.

Stuart frequently brings together local officials to discuss matters like rail and schools. Many local politicians follow his advice because he delivers financial support and business sponsorships.

Twitter 

4. Bill Sublette

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The head of the Orange County School Board is Bill Sublette. As the elected superintendent of Orange County schools, Sublette represents one of the biggest educational systems in the country as well as one of the biggest labor markets in the area.

There were bumps in the road this past year, including disputes over a new high school in west Orange County and continuous pay disputes between teachers and the administration.

The power-sharing arrangement with Superintendent Barbara Jenkins has been skillfully handled by Sublette, who is still regarded as a political realist. He is one of the most influential people in Florida.

LinkedIn

Read: Top 12 Most Influential People In Texas | Social Media Handles 2023

5. Clarence Otis

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Clarence Otis is the CEO of Darden Restaurants. The situation has improved at Darden, which has lately started discussing the sale of its renowned Red Lobster restaurant brand.

As the CEO of the sole Fortune 500 company in Orange County and the head of one of the area’s more charitable corporations, Otis still wields considerable power. Otis’ judgments have repercussions across Florida and the United States because of his staff.

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LinkedIn

6. Frank Kruppenbacher

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Frank Kruppenbacher is a Lawyer and the chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. One of the main economic drivers of this tourist area is Orlando International Airport. Not only because it attracts tourists, but also because it has billion-dollar expansion plans.

He specializes in children’s rights and government action. In March 2017, Kruppenbacher was appointed to the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, a 37-member commission that reviews and proposes changes to the Florida Constitution.

Kruppenbacher occasionally gives the impression that he would rather spend lavishly than prudently. (Twice, Sentinel investigations found that expansion plans were much more expensive than some building — and an airline — experts claimed was necessary.) Nevertheless, Kruppenbacher made revisions and forged forward — and is also a political ally of Governor Rick Scott.

LinkedIn

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7. John Mica

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John Mica is a U.S. House member. Previously, the head of the Central Florida congressional delegation was consistently included among the top 10. The Republican Party of Mica, however, lost power in Washington.

Additionally, he was on the losing side of some crucial votes this past year, including when Mica refused to support the bipartisan attempt to end the government shutdown.

Even so, he is the region’s transportation expert, making money while criticizing pork elsewhere and he is one of the most influential people in Florida.

LinkedIn

8. Belvin Perry 

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Belvin Perry is a Chief circuit judge. The most well-known judge in Central Florida influences outside of the courtroom. In Tallahassee, he campaigns for judicial reform and fights for the oppressed across Central Florida.

Perry also assisted in establishing a veterans court last year. This year, he dropped a little in the rankings, and one panelist questioned whether Perry was more eager to move from Orlando to Hollywood. Though he continues to command respect.

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9. Deirdre Macnab

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Deirdre Macnab is an American activist for voting rights and women’s rights. She was the League of Women Voters of Florida’s past president, and she currently serves on Florida’s Federal Judicial Nominating Commission.

One term that describes Macnab of Winter Park frequently is “fearless.” While some local officials hide in front of the most powerful lawmakers, Macnab has fought for voting rights and ethics reform on behalf of Floridians by taking on Tallahassee’s fraternity.

The League has roughly 30 chapters spread all across the state, so Macnab’s influence is only expanding.

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10. Sandy Shugart

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The president of Valencia College is Sandy Shugart. Shugart’s resolve was put to the test last year when he ran afoul of the head of his board of trustees. But Shugart triumphed by retaining his composure, and he then saw his chairman dismissed. Now that’s an influence.

Valencia is also essential to the local economy since it trains, in the words of one panelist, “a larger and larger share of Orlando’s future workforce.”

LinkedIn

Read: 15 Highest-Paid Person In Florida Government

11. Jerry Demings

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Mayor of Orange County Jerry Demings isn’t the most flamboyant man in town. But when it comes to law enforcement, he is admired and widely recognized as the area’s toughest boss.

One notable setback in the last year occurred when Demings’ office was forced to pay $450,000 to the family of a man who was shot 137 times by deputies in a shooting that a federal judge compared to an “execution.” The top cop in Central Florida is still Demings, though.

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12. Yolanda Cash Jackson 

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Yolanda Jackson is a thought leader. She has been referred to as one of the best female lobbyists and one of the best black lobbyists. All of which is true. But the real truth is that Yolanda Cash Jackson is one of the best lobbyists and one of the most influential people in Florida.

Yolanda is a take-no-prisoners advocate for her clients, but what makes her so special is her advocacy for our community. She likes to call herself ‘just a girl that grew up in Liberty City’ but she has never forgotten it. As a managing partner at Backer, she fights her cities and communities that many times don’t have the resources to fight for themselves

In 2019, she started the National Black Lobbyist Association to promote diversity and inclusion in the lobby in a call at the state capitol Linda Cash Jackson has left a legacy for all to follow.

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Read: 15 Highest Paid Doctors In Florida |2023

13. Bill Nelson

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Clarence William Nelson II is an American politician and attorney serving as the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Nelson previously served as the United States Senator from Florida from 2001 to 2019.

The senior senator from Florida is a popular and straightforwardly electable Democrat, a rarity in Florida.

The 71-year-old Orlando resident is such a lock that several Democrats wanted him to run for governor. Nelson nevertheless chose to remain in Washington and use his Senate position to advance President Barack Obama’s agenda.

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14. George Kalogridis

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George Anthony Kalogridis is an American corporate executive. Kalogridis is the former president of the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Kalogridis became president of Disney Segment Development and Enrichment for Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products in November 2019.

At Disney, a new top mouse has emerged. And Kalogridis is starting to establish himself. Recent Disney executives have been actively committed to causes outside of Cinderella Castle.

How much of that Kalogridis does will probably determine where he ranks on future lists. However, the Disney president will always be revered in the kingdom of Disney.

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LinkedIn

15. Alan Grayson

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Alan Grayson is a U.S. House member. The local politician with the most national profile is certainly Grayson. The outspoken Democrat isn’t afraid to argue with Republicans, President Obama, the media, or anyone else for that matter.

And Grayson has a fervent fan base. He was summed up by one panelist as follows: “He remains here. When he’s not talking bat-[expletive] crazy things, he’s also fairly wicked clever.”

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Read: 15 Highest Paid Car Technicians In Florida

16. Deborah German

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The Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Central Florida, Deborah German is one of the most influential people in Florida. Much of the hope for the future of Central Florida’s predominantly low-wage economy rests with “Dean Deb.” German has launched UCF’s medical school mainly without incident and continues to be active in activities off campus.

LinkedIn

17. Michael Corcoran 

Michael Corcoran is a lobbyist. For more than a decade, Michael Cochran has quarterbacked lobbying advocacy and government relations efforts across different companies. Over time he has become a trusted advisor and confidant.

Mark is straightforward, hardworking, and honorable. He shoots straight and operates with the highest level of integrity. His laser-focused intensity and strong character are key reasons he has been successful.

Mike has the best mind available when it comes to Florida politics. His political judgment is informed, nuanced and reliable and he knows the political process inside and out. 

LinkedIn

18. Tom Williams 

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Tom Williams is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Parks & Resorts (UPR). He also serves on the NBCU Executive Committee.

When it comes to tourism powerhouses in this city, Disney has traditionally dominated, leaving Universal in the dust. But Harry Potter announced the arrival of a new wizard to the public.

Williams hasn’t personally participated in as many community projects as some of the other people on this list. His park, though, is booming. As one speaker put it: “Disney better watch out after Universal adds another 10,000 hotel rooms.”

Read: 15 Highest Paid Lawyers In Florida

19. Phil Rawlins 

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Orlando City Soccer’s president is Phil Rawlins. Mr. Rawlins, welcome to the big leagues. Literally.

This relative novice showed his mettle by pleading with the community’s decision-makers to fork over more than $40 million for a new soccer stadium in exchange for the Major League Soccer status for his soccer team.

His clever plan involved making friends with the right people and staying out of trouble. Today, Rawlins is in charge of Orlando’s second major league team.

20. Craig Ustler

Ustler Development’s Craig Ustler is in charge of realizing Mayor Buddy Dyer’s plan to transform the region around the former Amway Arena into a cutting-edge “Creative Village.” And the panelists’ opinions of Ustler were unaffected by the fact that he hasn’t yet built much of anything in that quest. “I honestly feel that if he pulls off this Creative Village, it will revolutionize the look of downtown,” one speaker said. The word “if” is crucial.

LinkedIn 

Read: 15 Highest-Paid Law Enforcement Jobs in Florida| 2023

Conclusion

It is not easy to become influential. All the people on this list have something they have contributed to Florida.

We hope you found this post very informative. Kindly let us know what you think.

FAQs

Why should I visit Florida?

Florida has hundreds of miles of beaches, a wide range of well-known amusement parks and national parks, a bustling and active nightlife, and a large array of distinctive tourist attractions that make it a one-of-a-kind vacation destination.

Is Florida a wealthy or a poor state?

With a GDP of $1,111,614,000, Florida is the fourth and last state with a GDP above $1 trillion. At $59,227, Florida’s median household income is lower than the national average.

What has Florida been famous for?

Florida is well-known for its beach resorts, theme parks, warm, sunny climate, and nautical activities; tens of millions of tourists visit places like Walt Disney World, the Kennedy Space Center, and Miami Beach each year.

Who will be the most powerful person in the world in 2021?

In the 2021 list of Time’s most important individuals, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, is selected Person of the Year.

Where do most famous people reside in Florida?

In Naples and Marco Island on Florida’s Paradise Coast, a lot of famous people from the broadcast media, movies, business, music, books, and politics have houses. The region’s white-sand beaches have long-drawn stars.

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