• Meet Our Speakers

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    Larry Loftis

    Larry Loftis is the New York Times and international bestselling author of the nonfiction spy thrillers The Princess Spy: The True Story of World War II Spy Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones; Code Name: Lise – The True Story of the Woman Who Became WWII’s Most Highly Decorated Spy; and Into the Lion’s Mouth: The True Story of Dusko Popov – World War II Spy, Patriot, and the Real-Life Inspiration for James Bond, which have been published around the world in multiple languages. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Mr. Loftis was a corporate attorney and adjunct professor of law. He can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at LarryLoftis.com.

     

    Angela Katsur

    Angela is the owner of Angela Katsur Events, and has 20-plus years of experience planning various types of events and brings her eye for design and sense of style to each. She has planned, designed and executed weddings, rehearsal dinners, office client parties, holiday parties, large black-tie galas, family gatherings, business seminars, non-profit fundraisers, concerts, celebrations of life, fashion shows and baby showers.

    When designing an event, if she can’t find something in the stores or on the internet, she counts on her creativity and love of planning, coordinating and executing events - always under budget.

    She grew to love sports events management and was one of few event planners chosen nationwide to go backstage for the 2018 NFL Draft.

    She is active in her community and a believer in giving back. She has used her talents to execute events for the local Pop Warner league, her church, her children’s schools and many local civic and non-profit organizations.

    She is the Programs Manager for the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, coordinating the Youth Leaders, Young Professionals, Leadership Winter Park and Relaunch programs.

     

    Cathy Cascio

    Cathy Cascio is an entrepreneur and designer with more than 20 years of experience in interior decor, garden design, floral arranging, events and retail.

    Prior to launching The Tiny Orchid Co. in 2019, Cathy worked at Winter Park's Appenberry's, where she first developed a passion for orchids. She later started her own firm, CC Design, designing and decorating homes for private clients from Kansas City to New York. In its first year, The Tiny Orchid Co. was invited to participate in The Orlando Museum of Art's inaugural Art in Bloom: Festival of Fine Arts and Flowers and is currently featured on the cover of Florida Design magazine, showcasing Z Properties.

    In developing The Tiny Orchid Co., Cathy reunited with her friend and former colleague from Appenberry's, Joanie Stoddard, to create a more personalized, intimate approach to custom floral arrangements while also expanding into a broader audience of orchid clients through their partnership with Winter Park's The Grove.

    Cathy and Joanie's mission at The Tiny Orchid Co. is to treat their clients as dear friends, providing inspired and beautiful arrangements that bring a bit of joy into their clients' homes or places of business.

    Cathy resides in Winter Park with her husband, John.

     

    Jane McLean

    Jane McLean is the Wedding Specialist & Director of Social Catering at The Alfond Inn at Rollins College in Winter Park. Jane has been with the Alfond since 2013 and was part of the pre-opening team.

    Prior to The Alfond Inn, she was the Director of Social Events at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando/Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. She moved to Central Florida after College to open the Walt Disney World Swan, where she spent 10 years in Banquet Operations and Catering/Convention Services.

    Jane has an AOS in Culinary Arts from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park New York, a BS in Hospitality Management from Florida International University and completed Hyatt Hotels Corporate Management Training Program.

    She is a member of the National Association of Catering and Events, and past Alumni Board Member of the Culinary Institute of America.

    Her biggest accomplishment is her 25-year-old identical twins, Katherine and Elizabeth. She resides in Maitland with her fabulous husband of 27 years, Larry.

     

    Pam Brandon

    Pam is managing editor for Edible Orlando, a quarterly magazine celebrating Central Florida’s local chefs, artisans, fishers and farmers. She is also co-author of two award-winning Florida cookbooks: “Field to Feast, Recipes Celebrating Florida Farmers, Chefs and Artisans” and “Good Catch, Recipes & Stories Celebrating the Best of Florida’s Waters,” both published by University Press of Florida.

    Pam started her career in newsrooms and joined the Disney Public Relations team in 1987. She was the first food writer for the Disney Parks Blog and has authored 22 cookbooks for Disney Publishing.

    She is a former freelance travel writer and food columnist for OrlandoSentinel.com and the Palm Beach Post.