LYNDA L. WEATHERMAN

PRESIDENT & CEO, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF FLORIDA’S SPACE COAST, ROCKLEDGE

Weatherman has led the EDC of Florida's Space Coast since 1994. Her team led a successful economic renewal after the retirement of NASA’s space shuttle program, which has resulted in 17,000 new and retained jobs and $1.9 billion in capital investment.Accomplishments include attracting Boeing’s space and launch headquarters, Lockheed Martin Fleet ballistic missile headquarters, Blue Origin’s manufacturing facility for its New Glenn launch vehicle, and the expansions of Embraer and Northrop Grumman.

EDUCATION: University of South Florida (BA), University of Southern Mississippi (MA), University of Hong Kong (MA)

HOBBIES: I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my niece and nephews, including traveling with them. I enjoy gardening and continue to improve my skills in boating.

NONPROFIT PASSION: The future Bowen Aquarium project being built by the Brevard Zoo. It will provide marine life with a safe environment, will provide residents of Brevard County and beyond the opportunity to interact with marine life, and provide a unique destination for the tourism industry.

NOTABLE INDUSTRY TREND: Economic developers today must be master storytellers — translating local assets, workforce strengths and community character into compelling narratives that resonate. The ability to communicate what makes a region truly unique, beyond the statistics, is essential to stand out.