CHRISTOPHER BARNETT

FOUNDER & CEO, ABA CENTERS, FORT LAUDERDALE

Founded in 2020, ABA Centers provides applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy services to children with autism through a play-based approach rooted in positive reinforcement. Designed to disrupt the autism care industry by demolishing wait times traditionally experienced by those in search of an autism diagnosis or treatment, the company provides care through its behavioral care centers, as well as in-home and in-school services. With more than 1,400 employees, ABA Centers currently operates in 28 markets in nine states. “We are dedicated corporate citizens and our leadership team sits on many charitable boards and engages with civic leaders on how to better the communities we serve,” Barnett says.

EDUCATION: Temple University (BA), Nova Southeastern University (JD)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: My priority would be to ensure all children with autism are able to receive the diagnosis and then the treatment that they deserve.

READING: A book that I always recommend is The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. This book sums up the principles I apply in my life that have fostered our success. I stock 10-20 copies and give them away regularly.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: I’ve learned that profitability and benevolence aren’t mutually exclusive. You can run a business while being of service to others — in fact, that is what all of the best businesses do.