Kate Boney, Educator
Dr. Kathryn Boney, a product of Polk County Public Schools and Florida State University Systems, is dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes in her community. With 23 years of experience, she taught for 15 years at Polk County Public Schools and spent a decade in higher education as instructional and administrative faculty. Her work revolves around improving teacher professional knowledge for improved student learning. Dr. Boney has established partnerships with education stakeholders in central Florida, focusing on teacher pipelines, leadership development, and teacher professional learning. She founded the Wisdom of Practice Institute, a nonprofit offering high-quality teacher learning opportunities. Dr. Boney holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of South Florida and enjoys time at the beach and ice hockey rink with her husband and two sons.
Jeremiah Kossen, President | CEO of Publix Employees Federal Credit Union
Jeremiah Kossen is the President/CEO of Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) in Lakeland, Florida. PEFCU has assets of $1.4B with seven locations throughout Florida and Georgia. Before joining PEFCU in 2022, Jeremiah served as President/CEO at Town and Country Credit Union in Minot, North Dakota. Jeremiah previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Lake Michigan Credit Union in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He began his career with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Jeremiah’s education includes an MBA from Wayne State University and a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. He and his wife Beckie reside in Lakeland with their sons Sam and Zach.
Eric Crump, Executive Director of Aerospace Center for Excellence
Eric Crump always wanted to fly airplanes. From as early as anyone remembers, he was looking up at airplanes flying overheard and hounding his family members to take him to the airport to watch airplanes come and go. When Eric was 13 years old, he received an intro flight reward for making straight A’s, which only further sparked his desire to learn to fly and become a pilot. He soloed on his 16th birthday and completed his Private Pilot Certificate just after his high school graduation.
Eric is still just as much in love with aviation. He has worked as a corporate pilot, flight instructor, flight training administrator, and as a collegiate aviation department head. The only thing he loves more than flying is teaching others about the magic of aviation.
In June of 2022, Eric accepted the position of Executive Director of the Aerospace Center for Excellence, the parent company for the world-renowned Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo. His team works to build, enhance, and execute on all of the educational programming that ACE offers. Because aviation had such a huge impact on him as a young man, Eric is passionate about passing the experience and opportunity of aviation on to future generations.
Erica Lupercio, Brand Director | Partner of CPS Investment Advisors
As Brand Director and Partner at CPS, Erica takes pride in fostering better communication and elevating the client experience. Drawing on her previous hospitality management experience, she thrives in dynamic environments and oversees a wide range of operational areas, including strategic planning, marketing, and community outreach. She also spearheads event planning for all internal and external CPS events, including the Annual CPAlliance™ Executive Roundtable, Mid-Year Economic Update, philanthropic fundraisers, and all client events.
Combining the company’s emphasis on philanthropy with her own active role in the community, Erica helped the CPS team launch CPS Cares, a 501c3 that is focused on improving the lives of those in need through the support of numerous non-profits. Her passion for public education has led her to become the PTO president at Philip O'Brien Elementary School where she has since created a CPS initiative to provide the school with a truckload of school supplies at the beginning of each year. Additionally, Erica serves on the board of United Way of Central Florida (UWCF), is the current Chair of the UWCF’s Women United, is the immediate past Chair of the UWCF’s Young Leaders Society, is a member of the Junior League of Greater Lakeland, and is a past chair of EMERGE Lakeland. One of Erica's proudest moments includes leading the CPS team to raise record-breaking funds for Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine through their annual Swan Derby fundraiser and leading a successful fundraising campaign as the UWCF’s Tribute Book Chair, resulting in raising over $100,000 for the Success By 6 program.
