"Leadership, when it's done right, it's done from the heart." Commander Armatas

In this compelling episode, host Tim Kinsella sits down with Commander Alexander P. Armatas, the esteemed Flight Leader and Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels. With a career that spans over two decades, CDR Armatas brings a wealth of experience and insight into what it truly means to lead with passion and integrity.

Born and raised in Skaneateles, New York, CDR Armatas graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering. His journey as a Naval Aviator began at NAS Meridian, Mississippi, in 2005, and since then, he has served in various critical roles, including Schedules Officer, Weapons Training Officer, and Safety Officer, among others.

Throughout his illustrious career, CDR Armatas has completed multiple deployments in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. His leadership and dedication have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious George H. W. Bush Leadership Award and the Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award.

In this episode, CDR Armatas shares his experiences from his time with the "Eagles" of VFA-115, the "Tophatters" of VFA-14, and the "Pukin’ Dogs" of VFA-143, to his current role with the Blue Angels. He delves into the challenges and triumphs of leading elite teams in high-stakes environments and the importance of fostering a culture of excellence and trust.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the principles of effective leadership, the significance of mentorship, and the impact of leading with heart and authenticity. Whether you're a seasoned leader or aspiring to be one, this episode offers a unique perspective on the qualities that define true leadership.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with CDR Alexander P. Armatas, as we explore the heart of leadership and the journey of a remarkable Naval Aviator.

visit www.blueangels.navy.mil for more information on the Blue Angels

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During the annual Women in Leadership Conference, we captured snips from the event.

• Leah Kinsella, Founder, Coach, Leader of Meditation - https://leahkinsella.com/
• Emily Ley, Founder, Simplified - https://www.emilyley.com/
• Moderator: Dannon Byrd, Owner, Tap the Coast
• Jacey Cosentino, Wealth management advisor, Peacock Wealth Management at Edward Jones
• Katie Garrett, Owner/Founder, Old Hickory Whiskey Bar, The Kennedy and Onassis
• Stephanie Knight, Founder, Escape Wellness Spa
• Jessica Lee, General Manager and Vice President, Kia AutoSport
• Tia Robbins, Founder, Taste of Pensacola
• Erik Stolhanske, Actor, Writer, Producer - https://erikstolhanske.net/
• Moderator: Nicole Stacey, Vice President of Destination Development, Visit Pensacola
• Holly Benson, Founder and CEO, Screen Corps, LLC
• Jen Grove, Vice President of External Operations, Baptist Health Care
• Robin Reshard, Community Advocate, Kukua Institute
• Alicia Tappan, Founder and CEO, Tappan Consulting, Inc.
• Pamela Barnum, Former Undercover Police Officer and Federal Prosecuting Attorney - https://pamelabarnum.com/
• Laura Hussey, Morning Anchor, WEAR ABC Channel 3
• Carmela Cook, Baptist Health Care

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Martha Dunagin Saunders is the sixth president of the University of West Florida.

In her 30-plus years in higher education, Dr. Saunders has served in academic and leadership roles at universities in Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin and Mississippi. Her area of academic expertise is in public relations and crisis communication for which she has won numerous awards, including two coveted Silver Anvils from the Public Relations Society of America.

Under her leadership, the University of West Florida has transformed into a first-choice institution.

She led UWF to its status as a top-performing public university in the Florida Board of Governors performance-based funding metrics for three consecutive years. The University also ranked among the top 15 public regional institutions in the South in the 2020 and 2021 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges and was named a “Great College to Work For” by ModernThink and featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education.

She established the state’s first doctoral program in intelligent systems and robotics in partnership with the Florida Institute of Human Machine Cognition. She also oversaw the development of Florida’s first bachelor’s in cybersecurity degree program designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the National Security Agency and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

As provost and executive vice president for UWF, Dr. Saunders established the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Engagement and the Center for Cybersecurity. Equity and diversity initiatives launched under her guidance propelled the institution to receive the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine six times. She also led the reorganization of the institution’s colleges and guided the establishment of two new named colleges—the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health and the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering.

Dr. Saunders’ vision is for UWF to grow beyond its beginnings as a regional comprehensive university and receive recognition as a leader in innovation and cutting-edge academic programs.

As an entrepreneurial leader, Dr. Saunders is passionate about creating innovative solutions for the dynamic challenges facing higher education. As a change maker, she drives action behind these solutions, propelling higher education into the future.

Dr. Saunders earned a bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Southern Mississippi, a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and a doctorate in communication theory and research from Florida State University.

When Dr. Saunders is not attending to University needs, she and her husband, Joe Bailey, can be found walking, shelling, gardening, kayaking or fishing on her beloved Pensacola Beach.

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Dive into the wisdom of Ted Ent, a hospitality virtuoso with over three decades in the industry, who climbed the ladder from a pot washer at a state park to the CEO and President of Innisfree Hotels. Ted's philosophy "focus on the people first, and product will follow" resonates through his work, from his hands-on beginnings to executive roles in preeminent destinations. He's shaped experiences at renowned venues like Canyon Ranch and Hilton Worldwide, always with the belief that true hospitality can change lives. Join us as Ted shares insights from his illustrious career and his dedication to philanthropy, offering a blueprint for leadership that transcends business, emphasizing that by nurturing transformative moments in people, we craft a legacy of success.

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Brian Wyer is the President/CEO of the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce. He serves on several Boards; including United Way, Equality Project Alliance, Achieve Escambia, Baptist Health Care Inc., Mental Health Task Force, the Human Relations Commission and the Early Learning Coalition. Brian was on the City of Pensacola Mayor’s Transition Team, was selected to the 2019 US Global Leadership Florida Advisory Committee, and is the 2021 Pace Award Community Advocate of the Year. He has been married for 28 years to Harriett and has 3 children.




The views and opinions expressed on Leader to Leader are those of our guests and program participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or official policies of the College of Business or of the University of West Florida.

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Lisa Nellessen Savage is executive editor of the Pensacola News Journal, Northwest Florida Daily News and Panama City News Herald. She has been with Gannett and USA TODAY Network newspapers for 24 years including serving as the top editor at newspapers in Florida, Indiana and Wisconsin.

The views and opinions expressed on Leader to Leader are those of our guests and program participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or official policies of the College of Business or of the University of West Florida.

Theme music: "Beach Bum" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Source: https://filmmusic.io/song/3428-beach-bum
Artist: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

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Todd Thomson has over 25 years of experience in Florida government, politics, and business advocacy. Thomson is currently President/CEO of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, where he has worked since February 2015. He also produces the Greater Pensacola Chamber Toddcast.

Thomson previously was employed by BP to be its Government Relations Director for Florida following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In that role, Thomson was responsible for managing government relations on the local, state and federal level.

From 2004-2010, Thomson worked as a Vice President at Enwright Consulting Group in Tallahassee, Florida. While at Enwright Consulting, Thomson managed political and grassroots campaigns and lobbied for business interests.

Prior to that, Thomson served as the Staff Director for the Redistricting Committee in the Florida House of Representatives. Thomson began his professional career at the Republican Party of Florida, where he worked on campaigns for the House of Representatives.

Thomson has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Wofford College (1992) and a Masters of Arts in Teaching-History from The Citadel (1994).

Todd currently lives in Pensacola, Florida, with his three children.

The views and opinions expressed on Leader to Leader are those of our guests and program participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or official policies of the College of Business or of the University of West Florida.

Theme music: "Beach Bum" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Source: https://filmmusic.io/song/3428-beach-bum
Artist: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

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Dr. Richard Fountain is the Dean of the College of Business of University of West Florida and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance.

In 2009, he joined the Department of Accounting and Finance as an adjunct instructor, following a successful 30-year law career in Mississippi. He later served as chairman of the department. During his two years as chair, he focused on recruiting for the Master of Accountancy program, more than doubling the number of new students joining the program since 2017.

In addition to his academic leadership, Fountain has served on the UWF Development Foundation's board of directors and the UWF College of Business Advisory Council. He has been the faculty advisor for the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity. He has also served on the national board for the Cenikor Foundation, serving as chairman from 2010-2012.

Additionally, Dr. Fountain has strengthened and built new relationships with accounting firms and other related businesses in Pensacola to increase student internships and permanent job opportunities. He established the Accounting and Finance Advisory Council, comprised of 25 community business leaders who serve as guest lecturers and mentors and aid in recruiting efforts. He’s cultivated relationships with colleges and high schools to recruit more undergraduates, resulting in the completion of an articulation agreement with Pensacola State College, as well as the repurposing of eight scholarships targeting PSC students. A soon-to-be completed articulation agreement with Pensacola Christian College will draw over 200 possible accounting students and recent graduates to the department.

Prior to joining UWF, Dr. Fountain helmed the Law Offices of Richard M. Fountain, P.A., which he founded in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1987. He earned a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida, a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi, a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from UWF and an Associate in Arts from Pensacola Junior College.

Dr. Fountain’s published work includes publications on Legal and Tax Framework. He holds memberships to the Hinds County Bar Association and the Mississippi Bar Association, and he also supports Pensacola High School Athletics, serving as voluntary historian and publisher of Florida's Oldest High School Football Team and A History of Pensacola High School Softball.

As Dean, Dr. Fountain’s priority is to foster an increasingly strong relationship between UWF students and the local community. Dr. Fountain shares, “While I enjoyed practicing law, I love what I do at UWF—educating people and creating opportunities for them to thrive.”

The views and opinions expressed on Leader to Leader are those of our guests and program participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or official policies of the College of Business or of the University of West Florida.

Theme music: "Beach Bum" by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Source: https://filmmusic.io/song/3428-beach-bum
Artist: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/

uwf.edu/cfl