Honoring Excellence

Image caption: 48th Annual Hall of Fame Honorees pictured left to right: Carolyn Fennell, Thad Seymour, Jr, Bill Yeargin, and Craig Ustler

JACF is grateful for these individuals’ contributions and the impact they have made in our community. It is an honor to recognize and celebrate their achievements. We hope you can join us and that their success and experiences inspire you as much as they inspire us.

Their lifetime of business success inspires others to follow in their footsteps. As an organization that recognizes their contributions to the region's economic development and commitment to business excellence, we at Junior Achievement of Central Florida are honored to celebrate these Hall of Fame Honorees and award winners.Not only are they role models for their peers, but they are also an inspiration to the K-12 students that Junior Achievement serves. Their experiences and successes provide a shining example of what can be achieved with dedication and hard work. They are an embodiment of excellence, leadership, innovation, and community support. We are honored to recognize them as outstanding contributors to the free enterprise system.

It is our honor to introduce these extraordinary leaders named as the 2025 Junior Achievement of Central Florida Hall of Fame.

Laureate Honoree, Thad Seymour, Jr.,
Former Interim President of UCF and Retired Executive 

Thad Seymour played a pivotal role in the development of UCF’s Downtown Campus, a project that significantly reshaped urban education in Central Florida. His ability to unite key partners – including the City of Orlando, Valencia College, and private industry – was instrumental in bringing the ambitious initiative to life. Today, the campus serves more than 8,000 students and stands as a hub for experiential learning, community engagement, and economic revitalization, reflecting his leadership and vision.

Raised in an academic environment—his father, Thaddeus Seymour Sr., served as dean of Dartmouth College and president of Wabash College—Seymour found education to be a natural path. He contributed to the University of Central Florida in multiple capacities. Before serving as interim president from February 2019 to April 2020, he led the development of the university’s previous strategic plan and was appointed vice president for partnerships and chief innovation officer.

Seymour holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Dartmouth College, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees in history from the University of Wisconsin. He also earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Over the course of three decades, Seymour built a distinguished career as a business executive in the technology and healthcare industries. He served as vice president of marketing and strategy at Curascript, a subsidiary of Express Scripts, following its acquisition of Priority Healthcare, where he had overseen the $1.3 billion transaction as vice president of corporate development.Drawing on his expertise and talent for building partnerships, Seymour helped drive major growth in Central Florida. As senior vice president of Tavistock Development Company, he led strategy and business development efforts that brought more than $3 billion to Lake Nona Medical City. He founded and served as the first president of the Lake Nona Institute, which hosts the renowned annual Lake Nona Impact Forum on health innovation. He was also a key figure in bringing the United States Tennis Association to Lake Nona, resulting in the creation of the nation’s largest tennis complex.

His community involvement has included board service with the Orlando Economic Partnership, Visit Orlando, BioFlorida, and Innovate Orlando. He is a past chair of the Florida Research Consortium, StarterStudio, and Shepherd’s Hope, the latter of which provides free medical care to more than 20,000 uninsured patients in Central Florida each year.

Now retired, Seymour and his wife, Katie, continue to give back as active volunteers, including training puppies for Canine Companions, a national nonprofit that provides service dogs free of charge to those in need.

Laureate Honoree Carolyn Fennell
Former Senior Vice President Public Affairs and Community Relations-Greater Orlando Aviation Authority: Orlando International (MCO) and Executive (ORL) Airports

Carolyn Fennell is an experienced business executive and community leader in Central Florida. Her professional experience includes over four decades as an executive in Public Affairs and Community Relations at Orlando International Airport where she was responsible for the airport's highly recognized public art collection program and community engagement events. In addition, her leadership role included media relations, crisis communications and external information. She also initiated an annual poetry showcase exhibit program at the airport.

Her professional journey spans being a publicist at Walt Disney World, working in production at ABC News in London, and holding board community leadership roles across Central Florida in cultural and community organizations.Her activities in business and the community include serving as former Chair of the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League, the Federal Reserve Bank Board, Jacksonville Branch and board membership in several art, hospitality and cultural organizations.

Following her goal to advocate, mentor, and support personal and community development and success, Fennell is the recipient of diverse community and industry awards, including the Central Florida Boy Scouts Whitney Young in 2024, Airport Council International Dean Emerita of Airport Communications, Winter Park Chamber Woman of Influence, Central Florida Hotel Lodging Association's Charles Andrew Memorial Award, Orlando Business Journal Business Woman of the Year and Central Florida Association of Black Journalists Global Achievement Award. She is a frequently requested public speaker for civic, conference, and community events.

With extensive international experience, Fennell has lived in the United Kingdom, Asia, and the South Pacific and continues to pursue international travel adventures. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Florida A&M University and has undertaken further studies at Queen’s University, Northern Ireland.

Spirit of Achievement Honoree Bill Yeargin
CEO, Correct Craft

Bill Yeargin is a thought leader, CEO, board member, global traveler (110 countries), and culture evangelist. He has authored six books including the best seller, Education of a CEO, and has shared his leadership insights through innumerable articles. He has also been a popular speaker at hundreds of events on six continents.

Correct Craft, where Bill serves as CEO, is a 100-year-old company with global operations. Correct Craft’s subsidiaries include multiple boat brands, engine brands, water sports parks and entities devoted solely to vertical integration and innovation. The company has manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and distributes into dozens of countries.

Under Bill’s leadership, Correct Craft has developed a unique culture of “Making Life Better.” They have won all their industry’s major awards and were recognized as Florida’s “Manufacturer of the Year.” Correct Craft has also been identified as the boating industry’s "Most Innovative Company."

A passionate lifelong learner, Bill has earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an MBA. He has completed post-graduate studies at Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT, and the London School of Economics. Bill is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

Palm Beach State College recognized Bill as an outstanding alum with its Emerald Torch Award. Nova Southeastern University awarded Bill a Doctorate of Humane Letters in recognition of his "contribution to the lives of others and the betterment of humanity."

Bill has served on numerous for-profit and non-profit boards and earned Certificates in Corporate Governance from both Cornell University and Columbia University. He has also earned both a Certificate in Risk Governance and a Qualified Risk Director® credential from the DCRO Institute. Currently Bill serves on the multiple boards, and is board Chair of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

Bill served both the Obama and Trump administrations on cabinet-level advisory councils and has been invited to the White House nine times, by three different presidents. Bill was appointed by Florida’s Governor to serve on the University of Central Florida board of trustees.

Bill has been recognized with many of the marine industry’s top awards including Boating Industry's “Mover and Shaker of the Year.” Florida Trend magazine has recognized Bill as one of “Florida’s Most Influential Business Leaders” and he is an Orlando Business Journal “CEO of the Year.” Bill was also presented the “Governor’s Business Ambassador Medal” by the Governor of Florida.

Entrepreneurial Vanguard Honoree Craig Ustler
Owner & President, Ustler Development

Craig Ustler, MAI, CCIM is the Owner and President of Ustler Development, Inc., a real estate development company, and President of Ustler Properties, Inc., a commercial real estate brokerage company. Ustler is an owner, investor, developer and broker of various property types including multifamily residential, student housing, hotel, office, restaurant, retail and mixed-use. He has extensive experience in land sales, urban planning and highest and best use analysis. For over twenty-five years, Ustler has focused on urban infill projects as advocated by the “new urbanism” planning movement. In particular, projects have been concentrated in Downtown Orlando neighborhoods including Creative Village, Health Village, North Quarter, Thornton Park and the Central Business District.

Quality of life issues and focus on urban design are trademarks of Ustler projects. Notable real estate projects include: Alta at Health Village Apartments, Residence Inn by Marriott – Downtown Orlando, 800 North Orange, The Ivy – Residences at Health Village Apartments, GAI Building, 801 North Orange, Thornton Park Central, Eola South Condominiums and Osceola Brownstones. Ustler is currently focused on master development at Creative Village, which is a joint venture between Banc of America Community Development Corporation and a local development entity led by Ustler. The team, in partnership with the City of Orlando, is serving as master developer of a 68-acre urban Innovation District at the former Amway Arena site in Downtown Orlando. The UCF/Valencia Downtown Campus at Creative Village opened in August 2019 with over 7,000 students. Ustler is President and principal of Creative Village Orlando, LLC, which is the local entity and partner in Creative Village Development, LLC. Ustler is the developer or co-developer of several vertical development projects at Creative Village including the $105 million UnionWest student housing project that opened in August 2019, The Julian Apartments valued at approximately $108 million that opened in August 2020, and the $62 million Electronic Arts Orlando Studio that was completed in October 2021.
Collectively, Ustler’s real estate projects represent more than $450 million in development activity.

Ustler was President and a founding principal of Urban Life Management Restaurant Group, which was formed in 1999 and developed, owned and operated several successful restaurants in Downtown Orlando for many years. ULM Restaurant Group evolved into various related restaurants. Ustler is currently a principal of Reyes Mezcaleria and The Monroe. Ustler and ULM Restaurant Group were founding principals of the groundbreaking HUE Restaurant as well as Kres Chophouse. Ustler was also a partner in the critically acclaimed and longstanding restaurant Soco Thornton Park. Collectively, Ustler restaurants are widely credited with reviving the downtown dining scene and have received numerous culinary and design awards.

Ustler received the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute and holds the CCIM designation from the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute. His educational background includes a Master of Real Estate and Urban Analysis from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, with a major in Urban Economics and a minor in Business Administration, from the University of Florida. Ustler is a Licensed Real Estate Broker, having been a Realtor for 36 years.

Ustler has served on the board of the Downtown Orlando Partnership, Downtown Arts District and City of Orlando Board of Zoning Adjustment. Other professional involvement includes the Urban Land Institute, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, International Downtown Association, Congress for the New Urbanism, Seaside Institute, International Council of Shopping Centers, Central Florida Commercial Real Estate Society and Leadership Orlando. Ustler is a noted speaker, guest lecturer and researcher for various professional and educational organizations including the Congress for the New Urbanism, International Downtown Association, Urban Land Institute, University of Miami School of Architecture, University of Florida, New York University, Columbia University, Rollins College and University of Central Florida.

Ustler has received numerous awards and recognition for business excellence and community involvement including: “Best Commercial Real Estate Developer” by Orlando Magazine in 2024, “Downtowner of the Year” by the Downtown Orlando Partnership in 2023, CFCAR Hallmark Awards – Wilbur Strickland Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, NAIOP Central Florida Developer of the Year in 2022, “John Nolen Medal for Contributions to Urbanism in Florida” by Congress for the New Urbanism Florida in 2021, “Developer of the Year” by Orlando Business Journal in 2019, ”Florida 500 List of Most Influential Floridians” by Florida Trend Magazine annually since 2018, Orlando Magazine’s “50 Most Powerful People in Orlando” annually since 2004, Orlando Sentinel’s “Central Florida’s 25 Most Powerful” annually since 2010, Orlando Business Journal 2011 Most Influential Businessmen – Real Estate, NAIOP Central Florida Developer of the Year in 2010, Orlando Magazine’s “Real Estate’s Best – The Hot 100” from 2006 - 2009, Orlando Magazine’s “Best Corporate Citizen” and “Local Hero” in 2006, Orlando Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in 2005, “Downtowner of the Year” by the Downtown Orlando Partnership in 2002 and Orlando Magazine’s “Best Realtor in Orlando” in 2002.

Ustler is active in several community organizations. He currently serves on the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Board and its Executive Committee as well as the Urban Land Institute Central Florida Advisory Board. For many years Ustler was the Co-Chairman of the Urban Think Foundation Board. He served on the Executive Advisory Committee for Project DTO. Ustler is the founder and past president of the Downtown Orlando Foundation and has served on the board of the Historical Society of Central Florida. Ustler is a third-generation Orlando resident.

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Junior Achievement of Central Florida 48th Annual Business Hall of Fame presented by JPMorgan Chase & Co

48th Annual Business Hall of Fame Event

Date: November 20, 2025

Time: 5:00 pm

Location: Rosen Shingle Creek Resort