Advisory Board

Dr. Jerry Osteryoung is a consultant to businesses – he has directly assisted over 3,000 firms. He is the Jim Moran Professor of Entrepreneurship (Emeritus) and Professor of Finance (Emeritus) at Florida State University. Jerry Osteryoung’s articles have been published in the business section of the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper since March 2001. These articles cover a wide range of topics designed to assist entrepreneurs. His newest book co-authored with Tim O'Brien, "If You Have Employees, You Really Need This Book," is an Amazon.com bestseller. Osteryoung's business advice columns appears every Monday on Florida Trend's Afternoon Pulse email and also on FloridaSmallBusiness.com.

Author Lance Long is that literary rarity who knows how mechanical things work and can fix almost anything. He can operate a bulldozer, fly a plane or navigate a vessel to any safe harbor. Working his way through a Ph.D. in English as a carpenter, painter, and mason, he taught at the Merchant Marine Academy before abandoning academia for a rural North Florida beach where he could surf every day. From handyman, to contractor, to builder—over the following twenty years he became a licensed general contractor, real estate broker, and mortgage broker, and operated a very successful land development business.

Over the past eleven years Lance has researched and written numerous industry studies and marketing plans on alternative fuels, solar energy, aquaculture, electric vehicles, and wastewater bio-mitigation. As a public speaker, he has promoted federal government programs against bio-terrorism in Canada and Mexico.

Navy Chief Petty Officer Brian C. Dubose, a Santee, S.C. native and outstanding Sailor serving in the United States Navy. He has made significant contributions to his community and country, culminating in him being named the 2012 Station Lead Petty Officer of the Year.

The Navy’s Recruiter of the Year awards recognize the most accomplished and successful recruiters across the country. The winners are those who recruit the best men and women for America’s Navy so that this Global Force for Good can fulfill today’s missions and meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Driven by a love of history and global culture, NC1 Dubose yearned to explore life outside of his small town. Following his high school graduation, NC1 Dubose discovered that serving in the U.S. Navy could provide him not only the opportunity to see the world, but the ability to learn valuable skills and give him the privilege of serving his country.

Petty Officer Dubose first joined the Navy as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate in 1995. He has served on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Harry S. Truman CVN 75), and USS Enterprise (CVB 65), conducting missions as part of Operation Dessert Fox, Operation Enduring Freedom, and more. While immersing himself in the cultures of more than 20 countries, Petty Officer Dubose has had the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles, including plane captain, aviation mechanic, aircraft troubleshooter, and mid-check corrosion control supervisor.

However, he will tell you that his most rewarding experience overseas came in the form of the people he met. Truly embodying the Navy’s motto, “A Global Force for Good,” Petty Officer Dubose helped underprivileged children in Egypt and Turkey on a humanitarian mission that resulted in building new shelters and donating food, in an effort to help bring about a better quality of life for the children.

All of these experiences only ignited a stronger passion for the Navy, inspiring NC1 Dubose to become a recruiter. As the LPO of Navy Recruiting Station (NRS) Pensacola, NC1 Dubose enjoys the opportunity to not only recruit well-rounded Sailors, but build unique relationships with these individuals as they embark on their career in the Navy.

As a role model to his command and Pensacola community, NC1 Dubose is heavily involved in efforts to raise money and awareness for Sickle Cell Anemia, a genetic blood disorder affecting both of his stepdaughters. He has also been involved in Habitat for Humanity, Cub Scouts, and coaching basketball for the YMCA.

For his extraordinary performance, NC1 Dubose has been awarded the Navy’s prestigious 2012 Recruiter of the Year Award for Station Lead Petty Officer of the Year.

  • His Recruiter of the Year Award honor and stories of success with the Navy
  • The Navy’s culture and what it means to him
  • His community service involvement

His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2003), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal x 4, 30 Gold Wreath Awards, 5 Admiral Accelerator Awards and various campaign awards.