The Power of the Gator Nation in NYC

Wed., Aug. 31, 2016

Panel: 6:00-7:30 p.m.: CBS Black Rock Bldg., Studio 19: 51 West 52nd St., at 6th Ave.

Networking: 7:30-9:00 p.m.: Whiskey Trader: 71 W 55th St, at 6th Ave.

What Does It Take to be Gator Great in The Big Apple

Join some of our most successful Gators in NYC for a professional panel moderated by FOX 5 NY entertainment anchor (and Gator), Simone Boyce, and discover how to leverage your University of Florida degree for success in our great city.

Sponsored by

Panelists of UF alumni include: 

Joseph Hernandez, M.S., MBA, entrepreneur, chairman and founder of multiple biotechnology companies, including, Microlin Bio, Sydys Corp., Ember Therapeutics and Prolias Technologies.  Responsible for leading and launching entrepreneurial companies in cutting edge arenas, raising more than $150 million in venture capital and commercialized respective products.  Hernandez has launched and played key roles in paradigm shifting technologies such as COX2 inhibitors, microarrays, Human Papillomavirus diagnostics, biological sensors and personalized medicine.  He recently donated $10 million to enhance UF’s chemistry department for future chemists, making him the youngest donor in UF’s history to make a gift of this magnitude.  A new UF campus chemistry building is under construction and will be named Joseph Hernandez Hall in recognition of his generosity.  Hernandez earned three University of Florida degrees including a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a pair of master’s degrees, one in business administration and the other in medical sciences.  @jhernandez0980

Chris Linn, president of truTV, is responsible for leading the network’s strategic direction and core creative and business functions, including the development and production of original programs, oversight of all marketing and digital initiatives, and strategic planning. Under his direction, the new truTV was launched in 2014, and now includes a portfolio of talent-driven series including Adam Ruins Everything, Impractical Jokers, The Carbonaro Effect and Those Who Can't, among others. Previously, Linn held various positions at Nickelodeon and Spike TV and served as executive vice president of programming and head of production for MTV. Throughout his career, he has developed and overseen production of many iconic television series like Jersey Shore, Snooki & JWOWW, Catfish and more. He is a member of the executive board of the New York Television Festival and earned a bachelor's degree in theater arts from the University of Florida, College of Fine Arts.  @truTV

Flody Suarez, owner/executive producer, flodyco, currently consulting for TBS on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and in pre-production on The Cher Show, a Broadway musical written by Jersey Boy’s Rick Elice and co-produced by Hamilton’s Jeffrey Seller. Previous executive producer of NBC’s award winning, The Book of Daniel and served as executive producer of Disney/ABC’s People’s Choice award-winning, 8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter.  Former vice president of development for NBC and vice president of marketing for Miramax Films.  Suarez earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Florida, College of Journalism and Communications.  @flody101

 Keith Cutler, principle of KC Marketing Group and executive recruiter for MiCa Sports, an executive search and placement firm dedicated to servicing the sports, entertainment and digital/social media marketing industries. Cutler has a 25+ career of building a strong network of senior executives running professional/amateur sports leagues, teams, sports/entertainment venues, major events, managing athletes/entertainers and their corporate and brand partnerships.  Former co-founder and publisher of Gannett’s USA TODAY Baseball Weekly; senior vice president of national partnerships, LPGA; executive vice president sports marketing and sales, Turner Broadcasting (Time Warner); and director of sports and event marketing, USA TODAY.  Cutler earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Florida, College of Journalism and Communications.  @KeithCutler

Jonathan Lovitz, vice president of external affairs and spokesperson, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and executive director for NGLCCNY.  A regular commentator on MSNBC, CNBC, NPR, The Advocate, Out Magazine and frequent speaker/fundraiser for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, The Trevor Project, GLSEN, the Democratic party and more. Former director of communications and operations for StartOut, a national nonprofit empowering LGBT entrepreneurs; and media director and lead news anchor at NetworkGlobal.  Lovitz earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Florida, College of Fine Arts.  @jdlovitz

Moderated by:

Simone Boyce, entertainment anchor, FOX 5 NY, is an Emmy-nominated TV reporter and producer with more than four million views on YouTube.  She is executive producer and host of her own half-hour show, Simone in the City, which features things to do and see in New York City.  She also currently holds a recurring role as a news reporter on Netflix’s Emmy award-winning series, Orange is the New Black.  In addition to covering breaking entertainment news for FOX 5 NY’s nightly news and its nationally syndicated FOX affiliates, Boyce has anchored several live shows on FOX 5 including Good Day New York, Friday Night Live and New Year’s Eve in Times Square; and interviewed Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Bradley Cooper and Hugh Jackman, to name a few.  Previously, she was a national entertainment correspondent on EPIX, where she followed the cast of Star Trek: Into Darkness around the world and interviewed the cast of The Hunger Games trilogy.  Prior to that, Boyce was the face of GameStop, where she connected with gamers nationwide, reporting on news and hot releases.  Boyce earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunication from the University of Florida, College of Journalism and Communications.  @SimoneBoyce

Learn from some of New York’s most successful Gators on how to succeed in NYC and beyond.  Event benefits Gotham Gators scholarship program that supports New York students attending the University of Florida.

Tickets:

* $15 Gotham Gator members or recent UF graduates (class of 2015, 2016)

* $20 General Admission, Non-Members

Ticket price includes drink ticket for our post-panel happy hour at Whiskey Trader!

Purchase tickets here! http://bit.ly/nygatorspanel