Leadership

Laura DiBella serves as the Deputy Secretary of Commerce at Enterprise Florida, the chief economic development agency charged with retaining and recruiting high impact industries to the dynamic state's 67 counties.

A certified Maritime Port Executive, from November 2019 to July 2022, Laura served as the first-ever, full-time Executive Director of the Florida Harbor Pilots Association, the statewide organization that represents the ~100 most highly skilled mariners that navigate nearly all vessel traffic in and out of Florida's seaports. Charged to represent and further their mission as the “first responders of Florida’s Blue Economy”, she helped ensure the uninterrupted flow of commerce through Florida's 14 operating deepwater seaports while the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent supply chain crisis ravaged the world.

Previous to the Pilots, from 2014-2019, Laura served as the Executive Director of the Nassau County (Florida) Economic Development Board, as well as, Port Director for the Port of Fernandina, Ocean Highway and Port Authority of Nassau County (2017-2019). While serving both roles she oversaw a number of high-profile recruitment and expansion projects encompassing manufacturing, corporate headquarters, healthcare, and logistics, coupled with many millions in grant funding awards. She was also instrumental in the Federal Marine Highway designation awarded to the Port of Fernandina in 2019.

Laura’s earlier career expands across numerous industries, from manufacturing to marketing, in addition to being a Florida licensed Real Estate Broker for over 20 years – collectively of which delivers extensive experience that has helped her excel in her diverse roles and responsibilities to date.

Tyler Russell serves as Chief of Staff for Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI). Prior to joining EFI, Tyler served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Management Services, overseeing the Legislative Affairs, Communications, and External Affairs offices, along with administering the Florida Cybersecurity Advisory Council. At the beginning of the DeSantis Administration, Tyler served as a Deputy Policy Director on the Governor’s Transition Team and then as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs in the Executive Office of the Governor. Tyler has many years of experience working on local, state, and federal policy and political campaigns, along with private sector consulting. Tyler is a graduate of Florida State University.

Natalie McElwee is Senior Vice President of Communications for Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI). Natalie joined in 2021 and supports the organization through its communication, marketing and advertising efforts. Prior to joining EFI, Natalie worked in communications at the Florida Department of Transportation. She is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism.

As President of the Florida Sports Foundation, Angela Adams Suggs brings a wealth of experience and leadership energy to the organization as it continues working to support Florida’s $57 billion sports industry. Suggs leads the organization’s efforts to assist communities with securing, hosting and retaining sporting events and sports related business through the Foundation’s grant programs; provide participation opportunities in the Sunshine State Games and Florida Senior Games; serve as Florida’s leading resource for sport tourism research and facts; assist in the promotion of targeted leisure sports industries in Florida; and assist national and state governing bodies to promote amateur sport development.

Matt Swanson serves as Senior Vice President of Administration for Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI). His experience spans public and private organizations, including small business, start-ups, higher education administration, and teaching. He has a consistent record of aligning resources with strategies and opportunities in a manner that positions organizations to continuously move forward, adapt, and achieve results. Most recently, Matt served in key leadership positions with Bravado Health and Jacksonville University. Prior to JU, he served as the CFO for Fletcher Technical Community College in Louisiana. He also brings volunteer experience in nonprofit governance, community boards, and affordable housing. Matt has undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate degrees in business administration and is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.

TJ Villamil is the Sr. Vice President of the International Trade and Development unit at Enterprise Florida, Inc. The International Trade and Development (ITD) unit is headquartered in Miami and maintains offices/representation in six Florida cities as well as twenty cities around the world. EFI’s ITD division is widely considered one of the best statewide international economic development organizations in the United States. EFI’s ITD program focuses on 1) assisting Florida companies (most of which are manufacturers) in export sales and export promotion, 2) recruiting international companies to invest and grow in Florida (Foreign Direct Investment), and 3) supporting the Executive Office of the Governor of Florida on international business mission trips. TJ is a proud double graduate from the University of Florida with a undergraduate degree in communications and a masters degree in Entrepreneurship from the business school.

Destin Wells is Senior Vice President of Business Development for Enterprise Florida (EFI) based in Orlando. Destin worked for EFI as the Director of Aviation/Aerospace in Business Development from 2015-2017. He most recently served as the Vice President of Business Development Services for the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. He is a graduate of UCF where he earned BA and MBA degrees.