Building a Resilient Florida Summit
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Florida is strengthening emergency preparedness, disaster response, data security, and infrastructure protection. The Building a Resilient Florida Summit addresses how the state is improving early warnings, evacuation planning, and public awareness for natural disasters, while securing critical systems like power, water, transportation, and communications. Working with federal, local, and private partners, these efforts aim to build a more resilient and secure state.
Attend the Event
Location: The Celeste Hotel Orlando
4105 N. Alafaya Trail
Orlando, FL 32826
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 8:30AM - 12:00PM
For sponsorships or ticket information please contact aphillips@govexec.com.
Agenda
Times are subject to change.
Gray Rohrer
Executive EditorNews Service of Florida
Christine Angelini
Vice President, AdvisoryAECOM
Eddy Bouza
Chief Resilience OfficerState of Florida
Florida’s priorities include coastal resilience, disaster preparedness, water management, and environmental conservation. Discussions focus on how Florida is strengthening infrastructure against extreme weather, drawing lessons from Hurricane Ian. Speakers will explore flood control systems, storm-resistant construction, and the role of natural barriers such as the Everglades. The conversation also touches on protecting ecosystems while adapting to climate pressures.
Florida’s priorities include coastal resilience, disaster preparedness, water management, and environmental conservation. Discussions focus on how Florida is strengthening infrastructure against extreme weather, drawing lessons from Hurricane Ian. Speakers will explore flood control systems, storm-resistant construction, and the role of natural barriers such as the Everglades. The conversation also touches on protecting ecosystems while adapting to climate pressures.
Tara Mccue (moderator)
Executive DirectorEast Central Florida Regional Planning Council
Carley Fitzgerald
GIS ManagerHighlands County Board of County Commissioners
Suzannah Folsom
Executive DirectorWithlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority
Ron Petrus
Sr. Director - Transmission and Substation Engineering & OperationsTampa Electric Company
Cara Woods Serra
Planning Director/Deputy Executive DirectorTampa Bay Regional Planning Council
Underwriter
Reliable energy is foundational to public safety, economic stability, and emergency preparedness. University of Georgia Professor David Gattie explores how natural gas complements Florida's broader resilience efforts and helps ensure communities remain operational during times of disruption.
Reliable energy is foundational to public safety, economic stability, and emergency preparedness. University of Georgia Professor David Gattie explores how natural gas complements Florida's broader resilience efforts and helps ensure communities remain operational during times of disruption.
David Gattie
Associate Professor, Engineering; Senior Fellow, Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade & SecurityUniversity of Georgia
Panelists will explore strategies to align land use with transportation, reduce congestion, and invest in resilient infrastructure that can withstand environmental challenges. The conversation will highlight policy priorities, funding approaches, and collaborative efforts shaping Florida’s development, with an emphasis on transportation systems, smart city technology, and building modernization. The session also addresses funding strategies, policy decisions, and public-private partnerships that enable large-scale projects.
Panelists will explore strategies to align land use with transportation, reduce congestion, and invest in resilient infrastructure that can withstand environmental challenges. The conversation will highlight policy priorities, funding approaches, and collaborative efforts shaping Florida’s development, with an emphasis on transportation systems, smart city technology, and building modernization. The session also addresses funding strategies, policy decisions, and public-private partnerships that enable large-scale projects.
Ryan Gillespie (moderator)
ReporterOrlando Sentinel
Dale Calhoun
Executive DirectorFlorida Natural Gas Association
Corey F. Knight
Director of Public WorksCity of Orlando
Bach McClure
Stormwater Program AdministratorBrevard County Natural Resources Management Department
Benjamin J. Ziskal
Land Development DirectorPolk County Board of County Commissioners
Underwriter
This panel will highlight how power companies can partner with state and local governments to strengthen grid resiliency, enhance emergency preparedness, and improve community resilience. Panelists will discuss how year-round collaboration, coordinated storm response, and research-driven innovation help build a more reliable electric grid and better prepare Florida for future challenges.
This panel will highlight how power companies can partner with state and local governments to strengthen grid resiliency, enhance emergency preparedness, and improve community resilience. Panelists will discuss how year-round collaboration, coordinated storm response, and research-driven innovation help build a more reliable electric grid and better prepare Florida for future challenges.