I’m Billie Tucker Volpe
Billie Tucker has worked in the CEO world for more than 30 years and was the Chief Operating Officer of Vistage Florida, a think tank for CEOs. She started her own consulting practice, CEO Service Bureau, in 2001 and earned a reputation for her keen understanding of the motivations, challenges and goals of people and became a life-long student and teacher of leadership principles.
She craved anything leadership related and enjoyed being around the world of entrepreneurial CEOs. She watched as they made decisions; pondered how they would make payroll when cash flow was tight; and appreciated how they created career opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people. Because of her experiences, she has emerged as a key resource for the media and others who want to understand important insights about executives, management teams and board dynamics.
In 2008, Billie became discouraged as she watched some of her clients struggle with the political economic impacts on their businesses. The same CEOs who mortgaged their home and charged up their credit cards to make ends meet to build a business and keep others working, now watched as their government bailed out the big banks who had mismanaged their resources. She cringed as most of her clients laid off employees for the first time and she vowed she would help them… somehow…someway.
That somehow…someway showed up in the Tea Party Movement in America. She formed one of the largest tea party group’s in America (more than 9,000 members strong) and helped bring attention to America’s debt problem, out of control spending, over taxation and regulation strangulation on companies.
With her background in working with leaders and her influence in the political and leadership world, Billie has continued her dream to help CEOs navigate these troubling waters that permeate the world of capitalism in America.
She has been an active participant in the media as a guest on CNN, Fox News, Fox Business, Bott Family Network Radio and co-hosts a political/financial radio show in the Northeast Florida market entitled, Smart Money.
She was the first speaker at the House of Representatives Tea Party Caucus inaugural event and was invited by Heritage Foundation to speak at their prestigious annual Heritage Resource Bank, and on their National Security Panel live broadcasts.
She spoke at the Congressional Republican House Retreat in Pennsylvania in 2012. She was also the co-host and co-producer of the CNN Tea Party Express Debate in the 2012 Presidential Election.
She is a firm believer that America needs more entrepreneurs and more opportunities for people to use their God-given talents and passions to better themselves, their communities and America.
Her favorite quote has become her mission to help CEOs succeed:
“Vision without execution is hallucination.” – Thomas Edison
Lloyd "Scoop" Brown
Senior Editor
Lloyd was born in Jacksonville. Graduated from the University of North Florida. He spent nearly 50 years of his life in the newspaper business …beginning as a copy boy and retiring as editorial page editor for Florida Times Union. He has also been published in a number of national newspapers and magazines, as well as Internet sites. Married with children. Military Vet. Retired. Man of few words but the words are researched well, deeply considered and thoughtfully written.
Melissa Adair
Social Media/Lifestyle & Culture
Melissa’s vision is to create a world where communities become the catalyst for connection. Her background as a digital marketer, social influencer, social media marketer and community manager allows her to successfully identify opportunities for connection through lifestyle and cultural events in the digital world. Her unique talents in this field enable her to significantly increase social followings and brand awareness for companies and causes. Formerly the co-founder of multiple online startups, Melissa also has extensive knowledge of podcast productions, video productions, and community building that have contributed to her success as a social influencer. In addition to the accomplishments above, Melissa is married, a hip mom to two teens, a lover of the outdoors and a noted Bigfoot researcher/enthusiast.
Debbie Gonzales
Researcher and Writer
Debbie a native of New York became a resident of Jacksonville via the U.S. Navy. After separating from the navy she worked for both Grumman Aerospace and later Northrup-Grumman Aerospace.
After almost 20 years in the aviation industry, she went back to college to change professions. Going back to school as an adult that had lived all over the United States and abroad she had experience in culture and circumstance, which created an incongruity with the material being taught. At that point she began questioning the validity of the material and made the observation that to pass her courses she had to agree, at least on paper, with the material.
She graduated about the same time as the Wall Street crash of 2008 and jobs were now difficult to find. So, with time on her hand she began to look into other areas to see if the incongruity existed outside of the college curriculum as well. This is where her mission for the truth began.
Since then she has worked to get facts out to the public.
Joshua Warren
Guest Writer
Joshua was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and left at age 19 to join the US Air Force. After four years as an inventory research specialist, he reenlisted as an EOD Technician (Explosive Ordnance Disposal). He had the privilege of training and working in the field with members from every service branch and truly enjoyed that aspect of the job. Assignments took him to Thailand, several U.S. bases, and a six-year stint in West Germany. Following his Air Force career, Joshua moved his family to Kentucky and continued the important job of raising his children. Not satisfied with the condition of the public-school system, Joshua and his spouse decided to home-school their children. It wasn’t easy, but they made it work.
With his kids now grown, Joshua decided to pursue a career as an over-the-road trucker, something he’d wanted to do for years. However, after a few years, Joshua left the trucking industry and returned to college to pursue a degree in computer networking.
Joshua has also been active in local politics; joining the First Coast Tea Party to help alert the public concerning out of control spending by our “non”-leaders in Washington.
Joshua’s personal motto: “No matter how well it is currently being done, it can almost always be done better, faster, or more efficiently.”
Dailey Jackson
Guest Writer
Dailey Jackson was born and raised in Jacksonville and currently attends Bishop Kenny High School. She’s involved in multiple service clubs and organizations and is a Student Ambassador for the Holocaust Learning and Educational Fund. Among other activities, she also writes for the Kenny newspaper, The Shield, and plays in the Drumline. She’s entering her junior year and after graduating she plans to become a chemical engineer. As a high schooler, Dailey is very passionate about the issues teens face and how to address them. She’s looking forward to spreading awareness about current issues and concerns in the Jacksonville community.
Sonny B
Guest Writer
Sonny B is a proud Black American who states, “Like most black babies, I was born a Democrat but later in life I chose to become a Republican. My Vote. My Choice. ” His articles are his opinions – and we welcome his.
Diann Catlin
Guest Writer
Diann Catlin is a retired Etiquette Consultant from Jacksonville Florida, and former Editor of Jacksonville Lawyer Magazine, Orlando Lawyer Magazine and Jacksonville Home and Hospitality magazine. Her book, “WHATEVER HAPPENED TO NICE?” was published in 2009.
Diann loves politics, and frequently writes on the need for civility in the political world. She has been married to her best friend Bodie Catlin for 47 years, is the mother of two married and very well behaved sons, the cheerleader for her two lovely daughters in law, and the doting grandmother of four absolutely PERFECT if vivacious grandchildren.
She divides her time between Jacksonville and her cabin in North Carolina.
Rick Hartley
Guest Writer
Rick Hartley is a native of Jacksonville. He attended local schools and graduated from Jones College. He enlisted in the Navy following high school in 1969. Following his active duty enlistment he remained in the Naval Reserve, retiring after 30 years as a Master Chief. He loved the Navy and going to sea!
He has been involved in sales his entire life. He also has been involved as a volunteer in every election cycle since 1972 when he worked on Ander Crenshaw’s first run for the State Legislature. He served as Chairman of the Duval County Republican Party between 2012 – 2014. He has been married to the former Mary Luker for 42 years. They have 2 grown children and one wonderful granddaughter! Rick has always had a strong interest in local government. He served as a Waterways Commissioner for 2 years.
Melissa Adair
Social Media/Lifestyle & Culture
Melissa’s vision is to create a world where communities become the catalyst for connection. Her background as a digital marketer, social influencer, social media marketer and community manager allows her to successfully identify opportunities for connection through lifestyle and cultural events in the digital world. Her unique talents in this field enable her to significantly increase social followings and brand awareness for companies and causes. Formerly the co-founder of multiple online startups, Melissa also has extensive knowledge of podcast productions, video productions, and community building that have contributed to her success as a social influencer. In addition to the accomplishments above, Melissa is married, a hip mom to two teens, a lover of the outdoors and a noted Bigfoot researcher/enthusiast.