2022-23 LEADERSHIP UPDATE: Dougherty Begins Term as President, Mears III Moves to Chairman
As Florida Citrus Sports kicked off its 2022-23 season on April 1, Ed Dougherty, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Massey Services, officially took over as the organization’s 45th president, while outgoing president Paul Mears III of Hello! Destination Management began his one-year term as chairman.
Dougherty will lead the day-to-day activities of the organization’s board of directors. In his role with Massey Services, Dougherty oversees all operations for the residential and commercial business in all six states that the company currently services. The Eastern Michigan alum maintains a strong role within the community, with involvement in Junior Achievement, Leadership Orlando and the American Heart Association.
As chairman, Paul Mears III will continue his role on the board’s executive committee and also oversee Florida Citrus Sports’ team selection committee. The Georgia Tech graduate served on the organization’s associate board and elected board before joining the executive committee in 2016. Starting out as a Checker Cab driver, the current President of Hello! Destination Management has gained experience in all aspects of the transportation business over his 28-year career. Highly regarded in his field, Paul has also served as Chairman of Visit Orlando (Orlando’s Convention & Visitors Bureau) and was appointed by the President of the Florida Senate to a Statewide Transportation Appropriations Committee.
Ken Robinson has completed his term as chairman but will remain a part of Florida Citrus Sports’ executive committee for two more years. Steve Castino of Vestal & Wiler has been named president-elect and will begin his term in April of 2023. Castino previously served as Treasurer on the executive committee.
Additionally, Brian Comes of Hyatt Regency, Sandy Hostetter of Truist and Jim Hunter of Marriott Vacations Worldwide have moved from the elected board to join the board’s executive committee as vice presidents.
Several new names were also added to the organization’s elected board of directors:
- Scott Cathcart, Truist
- Doug Gehret, Hilton
- Cliff Long, Orlando Realtors
- Wayne Sheffield, Isleworth