Future of Florida’s Defense Industry and Workforce Discussed at Military, Defense & Veterans Summit
Florida’s Workforce, Defense Industries and BRAC were Focus of Military, Defense & Veterans Opportunities Summit
The Florida Chamber Foundation recently hosted the 2016 Military, Defense & Veterans Opportunities Summit that attracted some of Florida’s most influential leaders to discuss the Future of Florida’s economy and the role our military and defense industries and veterans population play in securing Florida’s future. During the summit, participants heard from business, military and elected leaders from around Florida and discussed how to resolve some of today’s challenges and take advantage of future opportunities.
To illustrate the important economic impact of the defense industry and Florida’s veterans, the Florida Chamber Foundation released a new Florida Wins video. Florida’s military and defense industry helps employ nearly 775,000 Floridians to work each year and contributes almost $80 billion to our economy.
“The military and defense industry is a pillar of Florida’s economy, improving economic prosperity and providing jobs for thousands of Floridians,” said AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES COMMISSIONER ADAM PUTNAM, a keynote speaker at the Summit. “Florida continues to be at the forefront of new innovations and technology, attracting both the companies and talent needed to grow this industry.”
Jeffrey Cathey, Senior Military Affairs Executive for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, and Glen Sutphin, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs discussed how important veterans’ military experience is to closing the skills gap and building a trained workforce that can enhance Florida’s ability to attract businesses who are considering moving to or expanding into Florida.
Visit the Military, Defense & Veterans Opportunities webpage to view videos of portions of the Summit.
We will continue this discussion at the Future of Florida Forum, taking place September 28-30 in Orlando. Register today to join the conversation.
