Our Team | Institute4Enterprise

Team

Supporting the vision and business goals of our nation's young entrepreneurs takes the commitment and passion of many people. The Institute for Enterprise is privileged to to have many such people working with as mentors, advisors, directors, ambassadors and partners.

Directors

Our I4E Directors are committed to promoting the role of entrepreneurship and helping young scholars and business people achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. Our Directors are active in creating the educational and business partnerships, which are the heart of I4E, and work directly with young entrepreneurs and the community.

A graduate of Drexel University with a B.S. degree in accounting, Mr. Newton began his career as an accountant for Deloitte Touche, LLC, one of the top four accounting firms. For the last 40 years, Mr. Newton has been the owner of his own accounting firm, serving individual and business clients across the United States as well as internationally. In addition, Mr. Newton is the co-founder of the Fernandina Observer, an online news journal on Amelia Island, Florida.

Douglas M Newton

President, Chief Financial Officer & Co-Founder

A graduate of the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto, Mr. Elwell spent 37 years as an Executive in the North American lumber business. He worked for NYSE companies Rayonier, Plum Creek, MacMillan Bloedel, and Universal Forest, guiding the marketing efforts to retail giants Home Depot and Lowe’s as well as many other retail lumber companies. For the last several years Mr. Elwell has been the Managing Partner of the Elwell Advisory Group on Amelia Island, Florida as well as serving on the Board of the Boy’s and Girl’s Club Foundation of Nassau County, Florida.

John Campbell Elwell
Vice President, Chief Operations Officer & Co-Founder

A graduate of Lake Superior State University with an Associates degree in accounting, Ms. Wood also studied for her degree in Microbiology at the University of Michigan. She has spent over 15 years in the banking industry, most recently with First Federal Bank of Florida, and currently is employed by Amelia Underwriters in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Tonya N. Wood
Board Secretary, Treasurer

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati in marketing, Mr. Poynter has spent over 30 years as an entrepreneur in a variety of small business ventures. Currently he owns and operates several restaurants and a construction company in North Florida, has served on the Fernandina Beach City Commission and has recently been elected as a Director for the Boy's and Girl's Club Foundation of Nassau County, Florida.

Timothy M. Poynter
Director

Ms. Mitchell is currently the Director of Workforce Development for the Nassau County Economic Development Board where she works closely with the business community on workforce development needs. Prior to this role she spent seven years with the Jacksonville Jaguar organization and fourteen years as the Director of Finance for the First Coast Manufacturers Association.

Sherri Mitchell
Director

Ambassadors

Our I4E Ambassadors help with community outreach and bringing awareness to the mission of The Institute for Enterprise. Each Ambassador supports I4E by utilizing their skills and sharing the benefits of partnering with the Institute. They are people from all walks of life who are passionate about the role of entrepreneurship in today's society. If you a are young entrepreneur seeking to find out more about how I4E can help you reach your goals, our Ambassadors are available to answer any questions you may have regarding their experience with The Institute for Enterprise.

As owner of CCOM, a digital media production firm originating in Chicago, Stan works with clients nationwide ranging from the Fortune 500 to regional businesses from his base in Florida. His work has included projects for national clients such as 3com, AT&T, Anheuser-Busch, Carrier, Coca-Cola, Ford Motor Company, Humana, Kraft Foods, and Nestle, among many others. Stan’s educational projects are narrative dramatic programs distributed throughout school and institutional markets.

Stan Cottle

A graduate of Randolph College with a degree in economics, politics and religion, Taina has held various management positions in project management, finance and IT for over 25 years. She is a Registered Investment Advisor who holds both Series 7 and Series 66 licenses. As a Financial Advisor with First Command Financial Planning. her areas of focus include: comprehensive financial planning; education funding solutions; investment strategies; retirement income planning; asset allocation and management.

Taina Christner

Breanna is a recent graduate of The University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management in Orlando. She is a mentor in the UCF Outreach Mentoring Program and has served as the coordinator for the Boy’s & Girl’s Clubs Foundation of Nassau Co. Annual Fundraising Benefit for six years. Breanna was recently promoted to Operations Manager with Marriott International at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, FL.

Breanna Pajevic

Ali graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in Criminology and
Criminal Justice with a double minor in Political Science and Psychology. She
also chaired the FSU Student Conduct Board and the Criminology Student
Leadership Council. Currently Ali is a law student at Texas A&M University in Fort Worth,
TX.

Alexandra (Ali) Elwell

Katie graduated from the University of Florida with a Public Relations major and Philosophy minor. She is a Civic Scholar and has conducted various state-funded research projects for the university. Currently Katie is working in the Public Relations Field in Denver, Colorado.

Katie Sipes

Partners

Support from our partners is vital to I4E fulfilling it's mission of helping young entrepreneurs. We are appreciative of the input and effort that all of our partners provide the Institute and are always looking for new organizations and individuals with whom we can collaborate to help young entrepreneurs succeed. If you are interested in becoming a partner and supporting today's youth on their path the economic achievement, please contact us.