FSU PC College of Entrepreneurship

Brian Baber
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Welcome to the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Lunch and Learn Podcast. I am Brian Baber, your host. In each episode, we'll dive into the lives of successful entrepreneurs. Get ready to be inspired as we embark on this journey together through the exciting world of entrepreneurship, where we'll uncover the stories behind their business success. https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship

  1. 21H AGO

    2025 November - Cramer

    For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship Join us for a special Lunch & Learn featuring Bill Cramer and his sons Will and Chris — the second and third generations of a family whose legacy of leadership and service has shaped business and community life across Bay County. Bill Cramer is the President and Owner of Bill Cramer Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC, one of the most respected family-owned dealerships in Northwest Florida. After earning a law degree from Harvard and clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals, Bill entered the automobile business in 1979 and became a Chevrolet dealer in 1986. Beyond business, he has dedicated decades to public service — serving on the Florida College System Foundation, the Gulf Coast State College Foundation, and the Florida Energy Commission, among others. His leadership helped grow local educational endowments from $1.6 million to over $25 million. Will Cramer, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bill Cramer Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC, has followed in his father’s footsteps with excellence in both business and civic life. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Phi Beta Kappa), Will has been deeply involved in community leadership — serving as Chair of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club President, and Vice Chair of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport Authority. He is also a co-owner of Cramer Marine & Outdoor and a partner in multiple real estate and redevelopment projects revitalizing downtown Panama City. Chris Cramer, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Bill Cramer Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC, brings energy and innovation to the family enterprise. After earning a degree from the University of Florida, Chris worked in every department of the dealership before taking on senior leadership. He co-founded Panama City Opportunity Fund, LLC and Harrison & Luverne, which have redeveloped homes and commercial properties across the Cove and downtown. In 2022, Chris and Will launched Cramer Marine & Outdoor, now expanding to a second on-water location. Chris and his wife Pam live in the Cove with their three boys — whom he proudly coaches in flag football. Together, the Cramers exemplify what it means to combine entrepreneurship, integrity, and community investment. Their story offers a rare inside look at how a multi-generational family business continues to evolve and thrive through faith, hard work, and shared purpose.

    1h 18m

  2. OCT 17

    2025 October - Kim Godwin

    For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship Brian Baber interviews Kim Godwin. Kim recently retired after an extraordinary 40-year career, making history as the first African American and first woman to lead a national broadcast news network. Under her leadership, ABC News remained America’s top network—home to Good Morning America, World News Tonight, 20/20, and The View. A seven-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, Godwin has held executive roles at ABC, CBS, and NBC, overseeing global news operations and championing diversity and inclusion in storytelling. A proud Florida A&M University alumna, she continues to mentor the next generation of journalists and leaders.

    1h 30m

  3. SEP 16

    2025 September - Edward San Juan

    For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship Brian Baber interviews Edward San Juan. Edward is the President and co-owner of E. F. San Juan, Inc., a third-generation, 120-person, custom millwork and cabinetry manufacturer located in Bay County, Florida.  Edward has lived in Bay County since 1976 and has worked with the company full-time since 1987 when he graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Business Administration.  Edward’s team subscribes to Gino Wickman’s Entrepreneurial Operating System of management as described in the book Traction.  Edward is a member of Vistage, the world’s largest coaching organization, and he serves on the foundation for Holy Nativity Episcopal School.  He and his wife, Mary Kathryn, who works as an accountant for E. F. San Juan, Inc., have three adult children, two of whom work in the family business and a third who attends FSU-Panama City.

    1h 24m

  4. APR 23

    2025 April - Mark McNees

    For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship Brian Baber interviews entrepreneur Mark McNees… Mark is the Founder & CEO of RedEye Coffee, Founder of Element3, and an active board member of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. His extensive experience spans both for-profit and non-profit ventures, where he has leveraged commerce, innovation, and social entrepreneurship to tackle global challenges such as poverty, economic injustice, and environmental sustainability. With a B.S. in Marketing (Minor in Finance & Merchandising), an M.A. in Religion, and a Doctorate in Leadership, Mark combines academic expertise with real-world experience to drive meaningful change. His entrepreneurial journey has earned him numerous accolades, including being named Tallahassee’s Most Influential Entrepreneur by Domi Station and leading RedEye Coffee to multiple business awards. Beyond business, Mark is an Ironman athlete, an Alcatraz-to-San Francisco swimmer, and an experienced public speaker, having delivered over 1,000 talks across five countries. His entrepreneurial journey started early—at just 10 years old, he was already running his first business renting video games to classmates.

    1h 16m

  5. MAR 26

    2025 March - Allan Bense

    For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship Brian Baber interviews Former Speaker of the House Allan Bense… Allan Bense, born on a farm in Panama City, Florida, exemplifies perseverance and hard work. After losing both parents at a young age, he was raised by his grandmother and worked numerous jobs to support himself through school. Allan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972 and an MBA in 1974 from Florida State University. During his last semester, he lived in his station wagon and worked nights cleaning bathrooms at the capitol. His career began in banking, where he turned around struggling institutions. Teaming up with his mentor, Charles Hilton, Allan helped build a diversified portfolio of businesses spanning real estate, construction, healthcare, and more. He was also a founding shareholder in Simply Healthcare Holdings, which sold for $1 billion in 2015. In public service, Allan was the first Republican to win his district’s seat in the Florida House of Representatives. He became Speaker of the House in 2004 and chose to step down after serving eight years, remaining true to his promise to prioritize his family and business. Allan’s leadership extends to numerous boards, including Florida State University, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and Triumph Gulf Coast. Locally, he has served on organizations such as the Bay County Tourist Development Council and HCA Gulf Coast Community Hospital. His accomplishments have been recognized with awards like the NAACP Appreciation Award and an Honorary Doctorate from FSU. Allan and his wife, Tonie, have been married since 1975. They have three grown children and six grandchildren. Allan’s life story is a testament to resilience, vision, and servant leadership.

    1h 11m

  6. FEB 14

    2025 February - Kevin Elliott

    For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship Brian Baber interviews Kevin Elliott… Kevin Elliott is co-founder and director of Wewa Films and Redfish Film Fest. He was also a professor at FSUPC for nearly a decade, where he taught professional communication classes. Kevin moved to Panama City in 1988, when he was 13 years old, and has been part of the local arts community since then. His goal is to help build world-class arts and culture in Panama City so young people can lead a creative life in their hometown.  https://wewafilms.com https://redfishfilmfest.com

    1h 17m

  7. 11/18/2024

    2024 November - Avery Adcock

    For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship Brian Baber interviews Avery Adcock, entrepreneur and owner of Dan's Pawn. Avery Adcock is a longtime resident of Panama City, having called it home for the last 34 years, though he originally hails from Mississippi and Texas. He earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and was a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.). During his 10-year career, he worked on infrastructure projects, building roads, bridges, and airfields. Avery has been involved in real estate since the age of 19 and currently owns a dozen investment properties. In 1995, he founded DANS PAWN in St. Andrews, which grew into three locations by the 2000s, employing over 35 people and offering a range of services including eBay sales, tax preparation, check cashing, and payday advances. Though one location was sold and another lost to a hurricane, the flagship St. Andrews store remains family-owned and operated to this day, having been rebuilt twice due to Hurricane Opal in 1995 and Hurricane Michael in 2018. All five members of the Adcock family have worked in the business over the years. In addition to his business ventures, Avery has been an active volunteer in Bay County for over three decades, serving on various boards and supporting numerous charitable organizations. One of his proudest achievements is his role in helping to establish the Bay Haven Charter Academy school system, where he served for over 17 years. Avery is also involved in the community through his participation in the Krewe of Dominique Youx, where he currently serves as Treasurer. He and his family are members of the Methodist Church and reside in Lynn Haven, Florida.

    1h 7m

  8. 10/10/2024

    2024 October - Wade Rinehart

    For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship Brian Baber interviews Wade Rinehart… Dr. Wade Rinehart was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and moved to Panama City, Florida, in 1981. He graduated from Mosley High School and Gulf Coast Community College with an AA degree before transferring to Florida State University, where he also graduated with the highest honors and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Fitness/Exercise Physiology.   He first received his Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy in 1999 and is a graduate of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. He later returned to earn his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2009 from the same University and graduated Summa Cum Laude.    Dr. Rinehart has spent his entire career in the outpatient orthopedic setting, opening the first of three clinics in 2002. His achievements include winning the 2007 Bay County Chamber of Commerce Jerry Mills Small Business of the Year award and the Best of Bay Award for seven consecutive years.     He is skilled and trained in Physical Therapy spinal manipulations and is state-certified in dry needling. His interests include Dry Needling, spinal manipulation, headaches, TMJ dysfunction, sports injury, and training.    Dr. Rinehart has also diversified his business interests and leveraged his 25 years of business acumen to own a medical billing company, medical/professional commercial leasing of a collective 75 thousand square feet, and a Hyperbaric medical specialty clinic. He is currently building new commercial space in Panama City Beach and Defuniak Springs, Florida.   He has been happily married to his high school sweetheart, Alicia, for 27 years and is the proud father of a second generation of Seminole Graduates, Marla and Makaela. He loves playing golf, pickleball, cooking and is a published singer/songwriter.

    1h 20m
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About

Welcome to the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Lunch and Learn Podcast. I am Brian Baber, your host. In each episode, we'll dive into the lives of successful entrepreneurs. Get ready to be inspired as we embark on this journey together through the exciting world of entrepreneurship, where we'll uncover the stories behind their business success. https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurship

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