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:

1. (11:20) When you speak 1:1, it lowers defenses
2. (15:35) Empathy is the most important leadership skill
3. (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.

Naomi Kent has been working helping senior executives and leaders find the right company boards to sit on, and then be engaged and productive board members while there. She’s worked overseas and in New York and Chicago, and is now based in Naples. On this episode of From the Corner Office, Naomi and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talked about the themes and patterns she has seen in working with top executives and leaders, and how leaders can position themselves to get on boards.

3 Takeaways:

1. (07:20) Boards like board members from other industries
2. (10:40) Most people join a board before they retire
3. (18:25) Great leaders hire great people

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Naomi Kent, Founder and CEO, The Boardroom Co.

(03:17) Leadership habits you refuse to comprise on

(05:10) What is The Boardroom Co.?

(07:00) Joining boards outside of your industry

(11:00) How did you get involved with boards?

(13:00) Do’s and don’ts of being a board member

(15:10) Curiosity and clarity

(18:00) What makes a successful CEO?

(20:10) How do you become a board member?

(24:30) What are you looking forward to for the rest of the year?

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.

Owen LaFave has been with The Bank of Tampa for 13 years and in the banking industry for more than 20 years. He also hosts The Bank of Tampa’s The Money Market Podcast. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Owen talked about how he got into banking, his key leadership lessons — they revolve around the three Hs: humor, humility and honesty — and why being a dependable leader matters to him, a lot. And listen for how Owen became known as the “banker with sign” guy.

3 Takeaways:

1. (08:50) Employees come first
2. (15:10) Leaders need humility, honesty, and humor
3. (15:45) You don’t always need to have the answer

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Owen LaFave, Pinellas County Market President, The Bank of Tampa

(05:30) What did you learn about leadership from team sports?

(06:10) Owen’s career path

(08:50) The Bank’s leadership philosophy

(10:25) Creation of “Banker with Sign”

(13:15) The success of The Money Market Podcast

(15:10) Leadership characteristics

(15:45) Leadership lessons you wish you knew

(16:30) How do you help employees make a decision?

(18:15) How do you lead with certainty?

(19:45) Best leadership advice

(22:30) Bank of Tampa 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.