Zack Farr

Zack Farr is a multi generational citrus farmer who has been in the sustainability industry since 2020, when he and Jeff Williams were the first hemp cultivators in the central Florida region. He has built multiple companies focusing on providing environmental solutions through commercial application. His mission is to support farming industries in rural communities by providing them with alternative crops to grow, and then create opportunities for the crop’s waste to turn into sustainable products. 

Jared Gold

Jared Gold is an agricultural engineer & scale-up chemist focused on pilot plant development and the commercial production of specialized chemicals, pharmaceuticals, materials, fuels & food. As owner of Apical, a chemical engineering firm, he retains a proof-of-concept laboratory in Versailles, KY that is licensed & certified for cGMP production of hemp food products, general cosmetics and APIs. Jared has a Bachelor's in English from the University of Florida and a Master's degree in Agroecology from UNC-A. This focus on academic rigor, efficient engineering & management of greenhouses provides a natural intuition when optimizing chemical processes and businesses. And, with over a decade of field experience, Jared’s education is reinforced by >10,000 hours operating advanced chemical equipment for inorganic & organic chemistry. As Chief Science Officer of BAR, Jared continues to seek honest innovation, develop quality technologies and secure partnerships intended to serve the global economy & community.

https://www.apical.info/

JT Clark

JT Clark is an innovative and performance-driven Chief Executive Officer with a deep passion for

technology and business. Experienced in managing all aspects of business development with an intensive Navy training background in Nuclear, Chemical, and Mechanical Engineering. He is an entrepreneurial business professional with 10 years’ experience possessing a strong emphasis in real estate acquisitions, master development, construction, property management, sales, client-

vendor relations, business start-up and development, and ability to quickly implement specific and timely service programs to maximize sales all while ensuring compliance. Mr. Clark has years of experience in the multi-family, commercial, and residential construction field. 

Thomas Hobbs

Thomas Hobbs has over 18 years experience building relationships with legislators, regulators, agencies, industry partners, and other stakeholders and initiating and managing a range of high-level government relations and advocacy projects to favorably influence the public policy environment in support of client's business objectives. Thomas is currently the Chief of Staff for the Port of Tampa.

Juan Lopez

Juan Lopez, a seasoned government contractor and entrepreneur with over fifteen years of experience working in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives on and off the Hill. We are establishing a Joint Venture with Crane & Associates to create an in-house construction company focused on airport infrastructure.

Ted Everett

Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced the appointment of Chipley resident Ted Everett to Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD).

Ted, who is Executive Director of the Washington County Economic Development Commission, also serves as the Chairman for Opportunity Florida and as a board member for Northwest Florida Community Hospital. He also served many years as Executive Director of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Ted earned his associate degree in forestry from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and his bachelor’s degree in political science from Augusta University

Jeff Williams

Jeff Williams is a 4th generation Floridian and citrus farmer, owning the third oldest citrus nursery in the state. In 2020, Jeff became the first licensed hemp farmer in the region and has been an advocate for innovating agriculture cultivars ever since. Jeff contributed to a permitted project with South Florida State College to test how industrial hemp absorbed nitrogen and phosphorus out of the water with astounding results. In 2023, Jeff was awarded the Highlands County Agricultural Man of the Year because of his dedication to the agricultural community he serves. Jeff also is a part time sheriff for the Highlands County Sheriff’s office, a proud parent, and grandparent of two. 

Michael D. Powell C.M., ACE

A seasoned and qualified airport management executive with experience interfacing with the FAA and successfully managing several airports concurrently. Michael is responsible to interface with the FAA and maintain oversight of all airport activities during construction and operation. Michael has a Bachelor’s of Science in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a minor in Aviation Safety, he has a Master’s of Science in Aeronautical Science, graduate studies specialization in Aviation/Aerospace Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, along with over 20 years experience in airport management. Lastly, he has his commercial pilot’s license, single and multi engine land instrument airplane ratings. 

FAM has several sister companies which share the same ownership and Board of Directors, established specifically with the intention of bringing together components for self-performing worthy projects in airport infrastructure and the bioeconomy. Michael Powell is on the Board of Directors. 

Chad Bessignano

Chad attended the University of Michigan for undergraduate studies receiving a BBA focused on accounting, and while working with GE Capital, received his MBA from DePaul University in Chicago. He has 25 years of experience with financial analysis in operations, which he attained during his time at respected companies such as the Clorox Company (Oakland, CA), H&M (Chicago, IL), and MV Transportation (Chicago, IL). He enjoys collaborating with people from other departments within a

company, and finding ways to streamline operations so that everyone can focus on revenue generating ideas. His approach to work is team oriented, and believes everyone has important ideas to contribute to the overall mission. The fact that the ROCI Group and Biotech Applied Research are passionately focused on environmental issues is just one of the many reasons he enjoys working with such an esteemed group.

Santiago Fernandez

Mr. Fernandez has more than 33 years of experience in architectural design and planning. His background includes conceptual development for cities, universities, convention centers, airports, spaceports, and military installations including numerous projects for the Orlando International

Airport, University of Florida, NASA at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Air force Station under the command of the 45th Space Wing, and Port Canaveral. He has had a significant role in master planning, conceptual development, space needs assessment, and project scope documentation for large campus public facilities, concessions tenant space, as well as general interior and exterior design. He approaches planning conscious of the community’s vision and how occupants or visitors will use and move throughout campuses and facilities.