NEBA March membership luncheon is gearing up to be a special event that you don’t want to miss! Members will hear from two Florida movers & shakers: Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Jerry Parrish, Chief Economist and Director of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation.
The Florida Chamber has its finger on the pulse on tourism, unemployment, minimum wage, lawsuits, Covid-19 impacts, and many other important issues that affect businesses and families across the state. Attendees will learn the latest “inside baseball” on Florida politics, public policy and state and regional economics.
Register today to reserve a seat at our Covid-friendly venue at the Capital City Country Club on Tuesday, March 23rd from 11:30am to 1:00pm. NEBA will also offer the presentation livestream via Facebook
Mark Wilson serves as president and chief executive officer of Florida’s largest and most influential business advocacy organization. Wilson leads the substantial political, lobbying, grassroots, and economic research operations of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The Florida Chamber focuses on making Florida more competitive by creating a business climate that generates prosperity and high-paying jobs.
Through his focus on unifying the business community, Wilson created the Florida Business Agenda and the Florida Chamber Grassroots Network, which mobilizes Florida’s business community on key jobs issues ranging from taxes and talent, to lawsuit abuse and regulatory. Wilson was also the first president of the Florida Justice Reform Institute, a Florida Chamber partner organization focused on reducing frivolous lawsuits.
In addition to his legislative successes, Wilson is also the architect of groundbreaking statewide political campaigns that safeguarded our economy through significant constitutional amendment reforms, as well as numerous legislative and issue campaigns. In addition to statewide political campaigns, the Chamber’s political efforts are making sure the right people are elected and unelected in the Florida legislature.
Wilson serves on the Board of Directors of Florida Association of Chamber Professionals, Enterprise Florida, Leadership Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Chamber Foundation, a regular participant in the Florida Council of 100, serves as the National Chair of the Council of State Chambers, and is an active member of the U.S. Chamber’s Committee of 100.
A native of Illinois, Wilson received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and has earned the national designation of Certified Chamber Executive (CCE). Prior to joining the Florida Chamber, Wilson served as vice president of the Chicagoland Chamber and previously served with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Jerry D. Parrish is the Chief Economist and the Director of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation. In that role, he is responsible for conducting in-depth analyses on the Florida economy and on solutions to help secure Florida’s future.
Dr. Parrish previously was the Chief Economist and Director of the Center for Competitive Florida at Florida TaxWatch. Prior to that position, he served as the Associate Director of the Center for Economic Forecasting & Analysis (CEFA) at Florida State University, and has many years of experience in the private sector in management roles at international manufacturing companies.
Dr. Parrish is currently an Adjunct Instructor in the Masters in Applied Economics Program at Florida State University. He earned a B.S. in Agricultural Business and Economics from Auburn University, an M.B.A. from Bellarmine University, an M.S. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Auburn University. He regularly publishes research reports and articles on the Florida economy and Florida’s competitiveness.
Online ticket sales have now closed. You may show up and pay at the door.
