21 Intriguing Floridians
Florida Monthly spotlights 21 Floridians, excelling in fields from Public Service and Film to Technology and Health, who intrigue us. They mirror the unique demographic and cultural makeup of the Sunshine State.

TECHNOLOGY - NORMAN THAGARD

Marianna native, Norman Thagard, can claim a career that truly is out of this world. A combat aviator for the Marine Corps and later a space shuttle mission specialist, Thagard is one of Florida's premiere space scientists.

He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering from Florida State University, and his doctorate of medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.

In 1966, he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve. As a naval aviator in Vietnam, he flew 163 combat missions, flying an F-4 Phantom II, between 1969 and 1970. He logged more than 2,200 hours of flight time, and he received the Navy Commendation Medal, Marine Corps "E" Award, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

In January 1978, NASA selected Thagard as an astronaut candidate. He participated in five space flights, logging more than 140 days in space. On his last flight in 1995, he became the first American launched into space on board a Russian spacecraft, the Soyuz TM-21, and a cosmonaut/researcher aboard the Russian Mir-18 mission.

Today, Thagard is a professor at Tallahassee's Florida A&M University/Florida State University College of Engineering. He is the co-founder/executive director of the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee, a K-12 outreach program, using aerospace to interest children in math, science and technology. Thagard is an advisor for Space Adventures, Ltd., a company aspiring to make space tourism a reality.

BUSINESS - JONATHAN YOB

"Refurbish, Reuse and Recycle" is the motto of Jonathan Yob, president and CEO of Creative Recycling Systems, a company that provides companies, government and institutions with electronics recycling solutions as a viable economical alternative to landfill contamination.

Founded by Yob in 1994, CRS is at the forefront of electronics recycling, devising new and unique methods to dispose of obsolete equipment, such as computers, monitors and laptops. Recycling centers shred, sort, then separate electronics into their original components, then further refine and turn them into new products. CRS strives to create no waste whatsoever, claiming that of the thousands of tons of equipment that enters their facilities, less than 1 percent enters the waste stream and, of that percentage, there are no contaminants.

Yob is an expert in processing ferrous, non-ferrous and precious metals, as well as remarketing reusable electronics. He has more than 26 years experience in the recycling industry, managing operations that handle more than 250 million pounds of recyclable materials.

The Valrico resident was recently honored with the esteemed Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, which recognizes entrepreneurs who "build and sustain world-class businesses that are a testament to vision, leadership, achievement and social responsibility."

Yob and CRS have been featured several times on Fox News and the CBS Evening News. With facilities in Tampa, Miami and Tallahassee, Yob has created a greener solution for Florida.

AGRICULTURE - PETE CLEMMONS

A cowboy and true Florida Cracker, Pete Clemmons is one of the last of the state's real cattlemen. Born in 1927, Clemmons grew up working the cattle ranches of Osceola and Highlands counties. He put himself through the University of Florida by performing in rodeos, earning his bachelor's degree in 1950.

Clemmons loved the rodeo, and he would become a bona fide rodeo star, winning a record nine All-Around titles at Kissimmee's Silver Spurs Rodeo. In 1949, he traveled to Colorado for the National Jaycees Rodeo as Kissimmee's representative. Entering all 6 events, he stunned audiences by winning the All-Around title.

In 1961, Pete began his cattle career when he bought the Okeechobee Livestock Market. The ranch became Florida's largest cattle market and one of the highest-volume dealers east of the Mississippi. The market is still going strong and has entered the 21st century with one of the first Internet cattle auctions in the country.

Pete has served as Florida Beef Council chairman; board member and president of the Okeechobee County Cattlemen's Association; Florida Association of Livestock Markets president; and as an active member of the Animal Industry Technical Council. He was inducted into the Florida Department of Agriculture's 30th Hall of Fame this year for his notable achievements and tireless efforts to protect Florida's farming industry.

POLITICS - SPEAKER MARCO RUBIO

First elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000, Marco Rubio is a legislator who aims to make a difference. He has traveled around the state collecting ideas about how best to prepare Florida for the future. These ideas became a book, entitled, 100 Innovative Ideas for Florida's Future. The book reflects "the thoughts of thousands of Floridians who have taken the time to offer their personal insights into to what it will take to preserve the state's legacy of opportunity." Topics range from education reform to property taxes, and the book aims to show a vision of the future, as well as a helpful guide as to how every single person can help to make it better.

The Miami native attended the University of Florida for his undergraduate degree, and received his law degree from the University of Miami. He interned for State Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Rubio was elected to the house in 2000 and served as House Majority Leader—the first Cuban American to hold the position in Florida's history. The Miami Herald ranked Rubio second in effectiveness during the 2003 Legislative Session. Currently, he serves on the House Appropriations Council and House Rules and Calendar Council, and he is serving the last year of his term as Speaker of the House. Rubio also works as official counsel for Broad & Cassel law firm in the area of land use and environmental law, and he sits on the board of trustees for the United Way of Miami-Dade County.

TRAVEL - BUD NOCERA

VISIT FLORIDA's president and CEO, Bud Nocera, is at the forefront of Florida's travel industry. His focus lies primarly with developing strategic planning for visitor services, marketing, as well as domestic and international sales. With 36 years in the tourism industry, Nocera is highly skilled in destination marketing, as well as sales and public relations, and has significantly impacted Florida's promotion both at home and abroad.

Graduating with his bachelor's in communications from the University of South Florida, Nocera began his career becoming the first person to serve as a the director of tourism sales at the Jacksonville Convention Bureau. Three years later, he became the founding executive director of the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau. He served as the vice president of community services at Tampa's Florida Aquarium, and as the director of marketing and tourism for the city of Fort Myers. Nocera joined VISIT FLORIDA in 1997. With his leadership, the state led the nation with the quickest tourism recovery after September 11. New and groundbreaking programs, such as the Florida Dialogue Program have developed under his guide.

Nocera was awarded the State Tourism Director of the Year Award for 2007 last August.

RELIGION - DAVID LEFAVOR

Serving as chaplain for the Tampa Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, Dr. David Lefavor strives to help those injured in the line of duty, as well as assist their families during their troubling times.

Chaplain Lefavor,a retired U.S. Navy chaplain and currently serving as a chaplain for the Florida Army National Guard, received his Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling from the Trinity Theological Seminary. He is a board certified chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains, and a board certified trauma chaplain with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. His training, coupled with his earnest compassion for the injured, have more than prepared him for his present work as a vital member of Operation Helping Hand and Project Gratitude.

Operation Helping Hand, a religious and charitable organization, provides financial assistance to families of VA hospitalized service personnel during their stay in the Tampa area. Project Gratitude, started by Lefavor, is a program that offers respite to chaplains returning from overseas deployment. Chaplains and their families are treated to a complimentary three-day visit to Tampa, receiving free lodging, passes to Busch Gardens and Kennedy Space Center, local restaurant gift certificates, and money for automobile expenses. The program serves as a "thank you" to deployed chaplains for their service and sacrifices.

Recently, Governor Charlie Crist honored Lefavor with the Points of Light Award, recognizing him for outstanding volunteerism. "By honoring others, Chaplain Lefavor celebrates the hard work of the many men and women who have served their country," Crist said. Dr. Lefavor continues serving in several organizations, including American Legion Post 152, the Association of the United States Army, the Marine Corps League and the Civil Air Patrol. For information on Chaplain Lefavor's organizations, visit www.projectgratitude.net or www.moaatampa.com/operation_helping_hand.htm.

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