Byron Sutton
Chairman/CEO/President
Mr. Sutton incorporated World Trade Center Orlando in 1990. World Trade Center Orlando is a Not for profit, private, membership organization that is affiliated worldwide with the World Trade Centers Association with offices in over 300 cities in 100 countries and having over one million member companies worldwide. Born in Indiana on November 18, 1940, Mr. Sutton is a graduate of Indiana University. For many years Mr. Sutton has been involved in real estate and commercial development. He is also President and CEO of the World Trade Center Development Corporation, a corporation with many commercial development projects, including the plan to build a major World Trade Center Building.
Norma Sutton
Vice President
Retired from SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, Inc, as Managing Director, Clinical Diagnostics and Clinical Trials Diagnostics Laboratory in the United Kingdom; retired Quest Diagnostics as Vice President Business Development; International Consultant for Laboratory Efficiency and Accreditations; Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker and Broker of Record for World Trade Center Realty; Owner Kissimmee Popcorn Company and Blue Max Tavern (dba) in Kissimmee, Florida; Elected Council for Town of Windermere, 2008 – 2012, Community Action Board Member , Orange County 2008-2012; Member Rotary Club of Windermere (Paul Harris Fellow *2 and Bequest Society Member)
John R. West - Vice President of Programs
As an international management consultant, John has been privileged to travel to all continents but Africa and Antarctica sharing award-winning business principles with the motive to make these practical and successful for others. John led FedEx to be the first Baldrige winner in the Service category - the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is the highest business award in the United States and was presented by the President of the United States. John had over 10 years of corporate headquarters management experience at FedEx and has over 15 years international management consulting experience for primarily large organizations. John was a member of the Board of World Trade Center Atlanta and also on the Board’s Executive Committee. He also was a member of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. In his off duty hours, John volunteers for The NASCAR Foundation (children’s charities) as an At Track Volunteer Leader. He was recognized by former President George H. W. Bush for his extensive volunteer efforts and is one of President Bush 41's 5000+ "Points of Light".
Cindy Bodine - Board of Directors
Cindy Bodine is the Vice President of Marketing and Human Resources for McCree General Contractors & Architects, responsible for the company’s communication and marketing strategy. In addition to her work with McCree Mrs. Bodine of numerous organizations, acting as the Vice Chair of the Associated Builders & Contractors Association (Central Florida), a Board Member for the Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce, and as a member for the National Association of Women in Construction and others.
Gregory Dungan
Board of Directors
Gregory Dungan is the owner and managing partner of HHCP Design International, an architectural company based in the USA, but with projects taking place internationally. Mr. Dungan possesses over 25 years of experience in the architectural and construction fields, at multiple levels of operation. He has been honored with awards such as the AIA Award of Design Excellence (2008) and multiple ARDA (American Resort Development Association) Awards.
Danny Gaekwad
Board of Directors
Danny Gaekwad is the president of NDS USA which specializes in delivering Microsoft Enterprise Solutions. Mr. Gaekwad also has extensive experience in the hospitality industry and owns ventures in Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and others. He also serves as a Board Member for Visit Florida Inc, and is an Executive Board Member of India Center Foundation.
Steven Hamel
Board of Directors
Steven Hamel is the Principal of the Hamel Group LLC which does business as the Kennaxions and The Franchise Mentor. A franchise consultant, Mr. Hamel has experience in cultivating entrepreneurship ventures as well as offering further consulting on business development.
Sherman Miller
Board of Directors
Sherman G. Miller is the Founder, President and CEO of Multicom, Inc. Mr. Miller was employed in the defense electronic and communications industry for more than two decades as an executive with General Electric Company and GTE Sylvania and is a Member of multiple societies and chambers within business and the telecommunications industry. He is currently continuing to increase Multicom’s expansion of its export efforts in Latin America and other markets and has founded Mconnect, Inc. to offer Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service to the Cable TV companies, businesses and residential customers.
Dr. Abraham Pizam
Board of Directors
Dr. Pizam is the Dean of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, and is also the Linda Chapin Eminent Scholar Chair. In addition to his career as a lecturer, administrator, consultant, and author, Dr. Pizam also serves on the Board of Directors of both Visit Florida and the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association. Memberships in professional societies include the Travel & Tourism Research Association, and the Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education, among others.
Simon Plumb
Board of Directors
Simon Plumb is the head of the United States division at Currencies Direct, a company of foreign exchange specialists that offers an integrated foreign exchange and international payment solution.
Dr. Peter Wolff
Board of Directors
Industrial Broad-spectrum Laser in Orlando, FL, is a private company categorized under Electric Equipment Manufacturers. Companies like Industrial Broad-spectrum Laser usually offer: Electronic Equipment, Used Electronic Equipment, Electronics Equipment, High Voltage Electrical Equipment and Electronic Equipment.
Rodney Gutierrez
Board of Directors
Rodney Gutierrez is the Director of Sales & Marketing | Sales and Marketing Division for the ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER. He began his career with the Orange County Convention Center in 2011 as a Senior Sales Manager handling the Northeast and West Coast Markets. In 2012, Rodney was promoted to oversee the OCCC sales team to offer and advise new and existing convention clients on all aspects of Orlando's convention offerings. Gutierrez has more than 20 years of hospitality and sales experience. Before coming to the OCCC, he was a meetings and events manager for BCD Travel handling the Darden Restaurant account in Orlando, FL. Prior to BCD Travel; Gutierrez worked for Tupperware as a corporate meeting planner and the Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau as a senior account executive. Rodney is a graduate from the University of Central Florida and holds a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Designation. He is an active member of Meeting Professionals International on a local and national level.
Ronald D. Mathis
Board of Directors
Executive Vice President Regulatory and Certification, Accessible DiagnosticsExecutive experience in various disciplines of strategic and tactical business development while serving on staff and board positions in multiple large corporations. Major accomplishments centered around updating my personal education with an objective of continuous improvement through additional training programs. Elevated concentration with emphasis on a deeper understanding utilizing Six Sigma where applicable through the Dartmouth Thayer Engineering College programs. Accomplished and proven success in the quality management industry with significant emphasis on the certification process working with various certified bodies (CB's). Recognized and recommended for developing marketing and sales programs including hiring, training and directing several large sales and auditor organizations. Representation on various advisory and or consulting positions.
Samantha Cornelius
Board of Directors
Samantha Cornelius joined the Canaveral Port Authority team in March 2017 and is the Director of Cargo Business Development. She is responsible for attracting new cargo investments to Port Canaveral and ensuring retention of existing business.Prior to handling trade development for Canaveral, she served as Senior Customer Service Manager Government Cargo for global shipping line Hapag Lloyd, where she managed the company’s premier customers including the U.S. Department of Defense. She has an extensive customer service back-ground and nearly two decades of experience in commercial shipping and trade logistics.Samantha has a degree from Hillsborough Community College and holds multiple certifications from Digital Marketer. She was previously a member of the National Defense Transportation Association and currently volunteers for The Propeller Club of Cape Canaveral.In her spare time she enjoys traveling, hiking, crafts and spending time with her family.
Roger R. Rezende
Board of Directors
Roger R. Rezende has 15 years of experience in corporate finance, specializing in business staging, mergers and acquisitions; he has also worked as an executive and CFO for companies in Brazil, the United States and Canada. As the co-founder of Wise Tree Solutions, a successful consulting firm, Roger has streamlined business operations and transformed under-performing companies around the world. Roger holds an MBA from Stetson University, with a focus in Finance & Strategic Management, and a BA in Economics from Rollins College. He is Six Sigma Certified by the Juran Institute and a member of the Toronto Chapter of Finance Executive International (FEI). Outside of business, Roger enjoys golf, deep sea fishing, hiking, and spending time with his wife and two daughters.
William Vickroy
Board of Directors
William Vickroy is the Director of International Business Development for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. Mr. Vickroy has nearly 15 years of experience with Lockheed Martin (30 years throughout his professional career), and his experience in International Business, Program Management, and Government Contracting among others, is a valuable asset. Executing on projects that value at over $1.6 billion Mr. Vickroy talents are constantly utilized and built upon as industry standards abroad change.
Bill Donegan
Board of Directors
Former Orange County Property Appraiser, Bill Donegan served as an Orange County commissioner from 1988-1996 before being appointed property appraiser by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2001.
Regina I. Hill
Board of Directors
Regina Hill is the Commissioner of District 5 for the City of Orlando. A nurse, she succeeded long-time incumbent Daisy Lynum in 2014's local election, and has been vocal about her desire to bring greater prosperity to one of Central Florida's most poverty-stricken areas.
Nat M. Turnbull
Mr. Turnbull specializes in governmental representation, advocacy and international communications and transportation consulting. Turnbull also has extensive knowledge of international affairs, business and economic development issues as well as long time personal and professional relationships at all levels of federal, state and local government, including the Florida business and professional community.
Ralph Armstead
Ralph Armstead Attorney in Orlando, FL, is a private company categorized under Lawyers and Attorneys. Ralph Armstead Attorney usually offers: IP Attorneys, Attorneys At Law, Intellectual Property Solicitors, Marital Law and General Practice Lawyers.
Edward Beshara
Edward Beshara is among Top 25 EB-5 Immigration Attorneys in the U.S. (EB5Investors Magazine). Recipient of IIUSA 2019 Award for Economic Advancement "Innovator Award".
BesharaPA Global Migration Law Firm for 37 years has been committed to offering approvable solutions to ensure a successful approach to obtaining U.S. Business and Family visas, and Citizenship and Residency by Investment.
Board Emeritus
Richard Asta, Usher Larry Brown, John Calamos, Robert Hendry, George Livingston, Ken Wright, Betty Wyman
