Melinda McManus is the chair of this year’s Heroes Gala – her third year chairing the event benefiting Operation New Uniform, a local charity that helps veterans make a successful transition to the civilian workforce. more

Jason Nettle has had a rich career in one of the most difficult professions to break into: the theatre. He has performed in major professional shows and has brought his talents to Northeast Florida. Today, he shares his dedication to the theatre with his students at Ponte Vedra High School. more

Stephanie Clarkson is president and chief executive officer of Vitis Energy, a St. Augustine-based independent power producer and clean energy solutions developer. As a woman owner/operator of a utility-scale IPP, she oversees all operations for the company, including project development, finance, engineering and operations. With a long family history as a Floridian, she currently lives in St. Augustine with her husband and four children. more

When Jeri Millard found herself unhappy with the health care she was receiving for her breast cancer several years ago, she moved from California to Northeast Florida. It was a decision she never regretted, calling this area a medical Mecca. Today, she runs In The Pink, an all-in-one Jacksonville Beach facility that caters to the needs of cancer patients and survivors. more

Jacksonville Symphony’s music director, Courtney Lewis, has made a name for himself as one of the most dynamic orchestral conductors of his generation. His approach to symphonic programming reaches across all socio-economic groups, making great music accessible to all. He has a commitment to new music and has worked with and commissioned many of the leading composers of today. He has been called “a passionate opera conductor” and will demonstrate it when he conducts his favorite Mozart opera, “The Magic Flute,” in 2023. He has appeared with many high-profile orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Vancouver Symphony and the RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. From 2008 to 2014, he served as the music director of Boston’s Discovery Ensemble. more

After having a career as a hair stylist for more than 20 years, Tracie Rampley began her own custom hat company in 2013, called Embellished Designs. She puts her own personal touch into each hat and takes pride in the fact that no hat is ever the same. She is also very active in the community and tries to give back every chance she gets ever since moving to Ponte Vedra Beach in 2011. more

David Leininger is on the planning committee for Caring Chefs, which benefits the Northeast Florida programs of The Children’s Home Society of Florida. As such, he plays an important role in bringing this Jacksonville tradition back after two years’ hiatus during the pandemic. Here, he tells The Recorder about the event and its importance. more

Kathleen Floryan is a real estate professional with eXp Realty and the incoming chair of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Ponte Vedra Beach Division. She grew up in New York and had a successful nursing career, eventually moving to Northeast Florida, where she established her real estate career in 2006. more

Shana Ryan is president and CEO of Conceptual HR Solutions, which helps small business owners with human resources and payroll needs. With a desk at the link, Ryan’s company serves Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra and the surrounding areas. more

Mark Bennett now calls Ponte Vedra home and has made a name for himself by posting his local nature photography on various community public Facebook groups. His love for photography began in high school and it has since blossomed into a creative avenue that he enjoys sharing with his fellow residents. The beauty of all the various animals he captures is what he enjoys most, and his goal is to share that beauty with the rest of the community. more

Maria Poole (@PonteVedraTravelGal) is a luxury travel advisor based in Ponte Vedra Beach. more

Becky Yanni is the executive director of the St. Johns County Council on Aging (COA). more

A resident of Neptune Beach, Pixie Larizza is a local artist, teacher at UNF and retired massage therapist. more

Tim Crosby is a strategic partnerships manager at K9s For Warriors and a longtime resident of Ponte Vedra Beach. more

Christy Waldenmaier is the executive vice president of First Choice Brokerage, a National Life Insurance Brokerage Firm with its home office located in Ponte Vedra Beach, where she works alongside her husband, Craig. more

Mark Farrell is the founder of Killashee Investments and the president of the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach. more

Tim Forson is the superintendent of the St. Johns County School District. more

Dr. Tom Tomlin is the founder of Ponte Vedra Medical Center, which was recently sold to St. Vincent’s, and a longtime resident of Ponte Vedra. more

A Ponte Vedra Beach native and resident, Tammy Barr is the founder of LASH on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville Beach. LASH is a high-end studio specializing in the application of eyelash extensions, full service facials, brow services (microblading and waxing) and permanent makeup, and a boutique filled with unique merchandise and skin care products. more

Charles Jantz, a resident of Deercreek Country Club, is the founder and volunteer chairman of the RITA Foundation, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that raises money for local breast cancer programs. The organization’s next event, the SenioRitas women’s 40+ doubles tennis tournament, is Oct. 19-21 at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach. more

Nancy Morrison is a co-chair of the 12th annual Pink Ribbon Golf Classic in Ponte Vedra Beach, which is taking place Thursday, Oct. 4 at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. The Classic and ensuing events support Mayo Clinic-Jacksonville and Baptist Medical Center Beaches in their mission to research and treat breast cancer. Morrison is chairing the events with Joanne Ghiloni. The two women have been co-chairs for the last two years. more

A Ponte Vedra Beach resident, Michael Linnington is the CEO of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). He brings 35 years of military experience and leadership to the Jacksonville-based organization. more

Brette Reiman is the founder of Hugs Across the County, an all-volunteer, 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides emergency assistance to St. Johns County children-in-need. more

Sherry Mahoney is the enterprise clinical nutrition manager at Mayo Clinic, where she was previously director of nutrition and dietetic internship for 17 years. more

A Savannah native and now a longtime Ponte Vedra resident, Allen Horne previously owned Manuel’s Deli and Wines. Now, he works at Coastal Wine Market & Tasting Room in Nocatee. more