From the Corner Office

Dev Iglesias has been with FPL for nearly a decade, working her way up from a marketing and communications role. Well-known in the Sarasota-Bradenton community for being one of the faces of FPL’s storm and outage response teams, Dev got into this field after initially chasing a career in sports communications and marketing. On this episode of From the Corner Office, Dev and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talked about how she got into the customer service side of the power and energy business, her leadership mentors and how she keeps a positive outlook and attitude among what could be chaotic and confusing situations. 3 Takeaways: (11:20) When you speak 1:1, it lowers defenses (15:35) Empathy is the most important leadership skill (22:00) You can be uncertain, just be honest Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Dev Iglesias, Director of external affairs for Southwest Florida region, Florida Power & Light (07:15) Gut instinct or data? Winning or not losing? (09:00) Dev’s role at FPL (10:40) Dealing with negativity? (12:50) Growing up in a large, tight-knit family (15:20) Must-have leadership characteristic (16:15) Mentors (18:20) Hard to hear feedback (21:10) Leading in uncertain times (24:40) Preparing for an emergency (27:45) What is coming up? Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more. Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Lee Wetherington founded Lee Wetherington Homes in Sarasota in 1981. He has since moved the company, one of the largest-builders in the Sarasota-Manatee region, to Lakewood Ranch. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Lee talked about the ups and downs of being in the homebuilding business in Florida for more than 40 years, and the key decisions he had to make — in both good and bad times. They also talked about what he learned about leading from his time serving in combat in the Vietnam War. 3 Takeaways: (12:00) Be patient, give clear and concise commands (13:30) Build trust with transparency and truth (20:00) Always know your numbers Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Lee Wetherington, founder, Lee Wetherington Homes (03:05) What is Lee Wetherington Homes? (05:00) Starting Lee Wetherington Homes when interest rates were 18% (06:40) Restructuring the company in 2010 (10:40) Lessons from the recession (11:45) Lessons from the Marines in Vietnam (13:30) How do you build trust in teams? (16:20) Leading with certainty (18:30) Mentors (20:00) Advice to young entrepreneurs (21:00) Being involved in philanthropy (25:30) What are you looking forward to in 2026? Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more. Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Nicci Bucher was named CEO of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg in late 2025. Prior to this role, Nicci spent 20 years in the YMCA network, most recently as COO of the YMCA of Central Florida, where she oversaw a $51.6 million operational budget. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Nicci talked about her leadership styles and principles and how she creates a strong workplace culture through trust and transparency. They also talked about how she has overcome feelings of impostor syndrome, especially in the current stage of her career. 3 Takeaways: (08:45) Be authentic as a leader (12:00) Buy into your team, you are not above doing something in the business (17:30) Good workplace culture is trust and transparency Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Nicci Bucher, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg (05:45) What is the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg? (06:20) Starting her career at Department of Children and Families, and what did you learn from that time? (08:30) Leadership style (09:30) Leadership characteristic every leader should have (10:15) Leadership influences (12:50) Giving others autonomy (13:50) Leadership lessons Nicci wishes she knew early (15:40) Nicci’s transition to CEO role (17:20) What is good workplace culture? (18:30) Great leadership advice (19:34) Dealing with imposter syndrome (22:00) Growing in the role of CEO (23:40) Looking forward to 2026 Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more. Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Tom Hall is a longtime advertising executive, with work across Florida and the Southeast. In addition to Tucker | Hall, a strategic communications firm with offices in Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tallahassee, Tom launched Creative Seminars, a prominent speaker series, which Adweek magazine acquired. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Tom talk about the origins of the firm and how he and the team led it to national prominence. They also talked about Tom’s book, “Ruthless Focus" and the lessons he learned about leadership writing it. 3 Takeaways: (05:50) When in crisis, tell the truth, tell it all, and tell it right now (13:30) Ruthlessly focus on what you do extraordinarily well (15:10) Create an atmosphere where people can think their best Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Tom Hall, Chairman, Tucker | Hall (03:40) What is Tucker | Hall? (05:30) What do leaders need to do when in crisis? (06:40) Creative Seminars (09:00) What did you learn from Creative Seminars (11:55) Who does a good job advertising these days? (12:55) Learning from “Ruthless Focus” (14:30) Keys to leading a firm (16:15) Leadership mentors (19:15) How do you handle conflict as a leader? (20:30) Starting the Florida Aquarium (24:30) What is coming up in 2026? Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more. Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Ashley Ljesevic has led marketing, sales, and development initiatives for a variety of organizations over the past decade, working in sports, travel and nonprofits, among other fields. She also has a podcast, the Endurance Diaries, which interviews athletes, artists, entrepreneurs and others to share stories of resilience. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Ashley talked about striving for — and pivoting when necessary — for big goals and how she does that in her personal life. They also talked about the lessons she’s learned from Endurance Diaries guests. 3 Takeaways: (08:30) “Can you enter a process where there are no outcome goals attached?” (12:45) What we see on the surface is not the full story (17:30) When things are tough, focus on the next step Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Ashley Ljesevic, Host of Endurance Diaries podcast (04:50) Ashley’s 10x10 journey (07:45) What is Endurance Diaries Media? (11:45) Who have you learned from on Endurance Diaries? (14:45) What is endurance to you? (16:00) Overcoming adversity (18:20) What leadership characteristic does every leader need? (20:55) Imposter syndrome (24:30) Endurance Diaries Media in 2026 Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more. Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.