BRIAN PHILPOT

CEO & PRINCIPAL OWNER, AGAMERICA, LAKELAND

Employing more than 140, AgAmerica is a financing company specializing in agricultural real estate. It provides financing that’s designed to meet the needs of farmers, ranchers and rural landowners. Along with other business leaders, Philpot created Lakeland Leads, a nonprofit that partners with the local school board and businesses to produce a skilled workforce.

EDUCATION: Florida State University (BS), University of Florida (JD)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: Transportation: The influx of new Floridians over the last five years has congested our roads and that directly impacts commerce and quality of life. We don’t just need a solution now, but we need to plan for many decades into the future.

MENTOR: My business partner, Gov. Jeb Bush. He is a man of experience and has vast wisdom of the world and many organizations. He has helped me think about leadership while growing AgAmerica.

LISTENING: Like a Farmer – A Podcast Celebrating Rural America

INSPIRATIONAL FLORIDIAN: George Jenkins. He built an amazing legacy. Publix continues to be a paragon of great culture in both customer service and business.