Meet the UCF Incubation Program Advisory Board

Previously, Eric worked at the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission where he was the Director of Life Sciences and focused on the growth of the Biotechnology industry in the Central Florida region. In that role, he was also the Director of bioOrlando, which serves as the Central Florida Chapter of BioFlorida. Prior to his foucs on Life Sciences, Eric was the Director of Technology Industry Development where he was responsible for the Modeling, Simulation & Training and Optics/Photonics industry sectors. He was also project manager with clients in the Clean Tech, IT and Manufacturing industries. During his tenure at the Metro Orlando EDC, Eric served on the Board of Directors for the National Center for Simulation, Team Orlando and the Florida Photonics Cluster.

Kim C. King currently serves as Business Growth and Development Coordinator for the City of Orlando Economic Development Department. In this role, Ms. King works with existing and prospective business owners and developers to ensure that businesses in our community have every opportunity to succeed. Ms. King specifically provides assistance with items related to planning, permitting, and business tax receipts; assists business owners to utilize appropriate financial resources; and provides avenues and opportunities for businesses to achieve success through programs and partnerships. Ms. King also championed the 16-member Concept Team that provided recommendations to Mayor Dyer and the Orlando City Council for the Creative Village mixed-use project. In addition, Ms. King served as Interim Business Development Division Manager during transition.

Commissioner Antonio “Tony” Ortiz is a resident of Florida since 1984, and has lived in the City of Orlando since 1989.

Rob Ehrhardt has been the Economic Development Manager with Volusia County’s Economic Development group since May 2012, and a member of that division since August 2008. The Economic Development division is focused on Business Expansion and Retention initiatives, and in supporting the Team Volusia EDC and the CEO Business Alliance.

Richard Anderson serves as the City of Apopka’s Chief Administrative Officer, where he is responsible for managing the entirety of Apopka’s operations. Anderson began his career with the City of Apopka in 1974 as a member of the City's Fire Department. As a graduate of the first class of certified Paramedics in Orange County, Anderson quickly established his reputation as a leader.

Mayor Borders was born and raised in Central Florida. She has been a St. Cloud resident since 1970 and is a St. Cloud High School graduate.

Randy Berridge has held the position of president of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council since its formation in 1996. He also currently serves as president of the Berridge Consulting Group, Inc., and Advisory Board Member of SunTrust Bank, N.A.

In 1993, after four years at South Atlantic Capital Corporation, Randy founded Antares Capital Corporation in the belief that there was a need for a venture capital/private equity firm comprised of individuals with substantial leadership experience in small, rapidly-growing companies.

Michael J. O’Donnell, Sr. is the Executive Director of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Universality of Central Florida. He participates in business coaching, program development, all aspect of business commercialization, trade missions, speaks on entrepreneurship topics, and formed the Florida Angel Nexus, an organization with a mission to provide funding and advising for select statewide emerging growth businesses. He is also an instructor in the College of Business Administration, Department of Management, teaching advanced courses in Entrepreneurship.

Rick Karl is the airport director of the Daytona Beach International Airport, and the Director of Aviation and Economic Resources for Volusia County, Florida. He is one of seven county department heads, and he oversees the airport division and the economic development division. Rick is an “av” rated attorney with over 32 years of high level business management and law practice experience in both the public and private sectors.

Jeff Jones is the Strategic Initiatives Director for Osceola County. In this capacity he currently serves as the Acting Director for the Osceola County Expressway Authority.

Ms. Vargas is a shareholder at Cobb Cole and has been practicing intellectual property law in the community since 2000. Her intellectual property practice centers on registration, licensing, administrative dispute proceedings, and litigation for trademark and copyright matters. She also advises clients in connection with website, e-commerce, and technology law issues, including compliance with federal privacy, anti-spam, and copyright infringement laws. Ms. Vargas has written several articles about intellectual property issues for local publications and regularly presents to community and business groups about intellectual property protection and enforcement. Ms. Vargas is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in intellectual property law, and is AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating possible.

Charles Lacey is a long-time Floridian, having grown up in southern Florida and a graduate of Florida State University with a degree in Finance. He and his wife, Sandi, are eighteen-year residents of Central Florida. They have two daughters and two grandchildren who live in the area. Charles and Sandi have been active members of Northland Church for fourteen years.

Belinda Ortiz Kirkegard assumed the role of Economic Development Director in December 2009.

Terry Brennan is the managing partner of the BRENNAN LEGAL GROUP PLLC which is a business and intellectual property transactions firm that focuses on working with entrepreneurs, investors, emerging and mid-size businesses to commercialize innovation and reward capital risk. The firm offers cost efficient, practical and creative legal advice to many technology, digital media, simulation, manufacturing, health information systems and energy-related companies in general business, mergers and acquisitions, entity formation, shareholder and partnership matters, joint ventures, financing, securities, intellectual property, entertainment and private equity transactions.