From the Corner Office

Authentic leadership — morning and nights — hotel exec with Jessica Cain

Jessica is the general manager of the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. She has more than 20 years of experience in full-service hospitality, including sales, events and hotel operations. She’s been with the Hyatt brand since 2008. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Jessica talked about her start in hospitality — it includes answering a pay phone in her family’s upstate New York restaurant — and what motivates her to be a better leader. Jessica also talked about what’s influenced her leadership style, including things she aims to not do in building high-performing teams.  3 Takeaways: 1. (07:40) Hospitality is about making people feel like they belong 2. (10:50) Good leadership is creating an environment where people are valued 3. (19:20) Sometimes you have to fake it until you make it, have composure Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Jessica Cain, general manager, Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay    (05:50) What motivates you, winning or not losing? (06:55) Jessica’s hospitality career started from the beginning (09:15) About Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay (10:45) What is good leadership to you? (12:30) Developing better leaders from within (15:10) Leadership influences (17:00) Hard to hear feedback (18:20) Leading through uncertainty (22:45) What is coming up in 2026 for Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay? Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more. Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Counseling, Compassion, and Camaros with Rick Howell

Rick has been the Executive Director of Samaritan Counseling Services, based in Sarasota, since 1999. A native of Tampa, he earned a master’s in Divinity and a master’s in Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. He was ordained into the ministry in 1986. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Rick talked about how and why he got his start in counseling — it was a personal experience of high stress — and how that’s helped him be a better leader. They also talked about why he believes passion is a No. 1 leadership attribute and how looking out for teammates and employees as a leader is never time wasted. And listen for a cool story about his first car — and a teenage trip to London.   3 Takeaways: 1. (11:00) Passion sustains you through hard times 2. (14:30) You are not solely responsible for the success of your organization 3. (15:30) If you see a turtle on a fencepost, you know it didn’t get there itself Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Rick Howell, executive director, Samaritan Counseling Services (04:05) What is Samaritan Counseling Services? (06:00) How did you get into this line of work? (08:00) Day-to-day role (09:30) What trends are you seeing in your clients? (10:45) What characteristic does every leader need to have? (13:00) Listening versus speaking as a leader (14:10) What do you wish you knew earlier as a leader? (15:30) Who are some of your mentors and what did you learn from them? (17:45) Leading in uncertain times (19:50) What is coming up for Samaritan Counseling Services?  Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more. Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Real beer and real leadership with Matthew Rolnick

Matthew is a senior vice president of partnerships and events for The Real American Beer, based in Tampa. Prior to Real American Beer, he worked for several companies and brands, including Yaymaker, Groupon and CitySearch. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Matthew talked about the value of great storytelling in leadership and what truly makes for an authentic leader. They also talked about “attention currency” and why it’s important. And listen for Matthew’s advice and tips on how to grow your career to the C-suite level. 3 Takeaways: 1. (10:00) Leaders need to get information from all departments 2. (13:15) Be cautious and you can’t win everyone over 3. (17:00) People don’t want to be sold to, but they want to hear a story Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Matthew Rolnick, senior vice president, partnerships and events, Real American Beer (03:00) What is Real American Beer? (05:40) Matthew’s career trajectory (08:00) Lessons from working at Groupon (09:45) Leadership characteristics (12:55) Lesson you wish you knew earlier (15:10) Mark and Matthew’s connection (17:00) Storytelling in leadership (18:00) Cameo (20:20) Advice to a young person (22:10) 2026 with Real American Beer Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more. Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Leading with transparency and trust with Jeff Eslinger

Jeff has been a leader at two family-run homebuilding businesses in the Sarasota-Manatee market. The first was Eslinger Homes, which operated from 1991 to 2010. In 2017, he co-founded E/M Custom Homes. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Jeff talked about the leadership lessons learned in shutting down one company, when the housing market collapsed in 2008-2010 and launching a new one. He also talked about what he learned from his mentors in the business. 3 Takeaways: 1. (07:30) Patience and good listening are must-have leadership characteristics 2. (09:30) There is only one way to do things, the right way 3. (16:05) It’s not about you, it’s about who you surround yourself with Timestamps: (00:00) Introducing Jeff Eslinger, president, E/M Custom Homes (04:35) What is E/M Custom Homes? (05:40) An opportunity but no company (07:25) Must-have leadership characteristics (08:30) Balancing patience and decision making (10:10) Jeff’s leadership influences (12:15) Lessons from Jeff’s grandfather (13:40) Hard decisions (16:05) Best leadership advice (16:35) Hard feedback (18:00) What is coming up in 2026? Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more. Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Leading consistently and caringly with Jack Cox of Halfacre Construction

Jack Cox has been with Sarasota-based Halfacre Construction since 1985 and is now president and owner. He’s also chairman of the board at Lakewood Ranch based-FCCI Insurance. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Jack talked about Halfacre’s long history of projects in the Sarasota-Manatee region and his role in continuing the company’s legacy. He also talked about what he looks for in hiring and promoting leaders, and what he’s learned about leadership from being on community nonprofit boards 3 Takeaways: 1. (09:00) Leaders need consistency 2. (10:00) Set the vision by giving guardrails, let employees do the rest 3. (13:00) Learn from others and adapt your leadership approach Description: (00:00) Introducing Jack Cox, president and owner, Halfacre Construction (04:25) About Halfacre Construction (06:45) Landmark projects (08:00) Why be involved in nonprofits? (09:00) What does every leader need? (10:00) Setting the vision (13:00) Leadership approach (14:10) Accepting feedback (15:30) Making tough decisions (16:30) Leadership legacy (18:10) Halfacre Construction in 2026 Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more. Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.