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Shannon Ogletree, Director

Shannon Ogletree has worked in economic development on the Gulf Coast since 2000 and in Santa Rosa County since 2003. He has worked with a wide range of industries, from aviation/defense companies to Internet security to renewable energy manufacturing to call centers. Experience has taught him that growing a successful local economy is driven by investing in the businesses you have, engaging the community, and developing industry diversity.

He earned a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) from the University of West Florida and has completed training with the International Economic Development Council to become a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD).

Karen Spayd, Grants Manager

Karen Spayd serves as the Grants Manager for the Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office, where she oversees financial reporting, operational audits, and project management for key county initiatives. These include the Milton Interchange Park, Santa Rosa Industrial Park East, I-10 Industrial Park, Whiting Aviation Park, and the new Bagdad Distribution Center.

With over a decade of experience in economic development, Karen plays a key role in managing infrastructure funding through Triumph Gulf Coast and maintaining project databases to support the county’s long-term growth.

A graduate of the University of West Florida with a degree in Communications, Karen also brings a technical background from her earlier career in drafting and engineering. Her organizational skills and attention to detail help ensure that Santa Rosa County’s industrial projects stay on track and aligned with broader economic development goals.

Bridgette Price, Economic Development Project Manager

Bridgette Price joins us as the new Economic Development Project Manager with an impressive background and a passion for driving economic growth and prosperity in Northwest Florida.

A Pensacola native, Bridgette earned a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Florida. Her rich professional history includes roles at companies such as Frito-Lay, UPS, and Dana Automotive. Bridgette brings a wealth of manufacturing, logistics, and distribution expertise to our team.

Her professional growth in economic development, spurred by the events of 9/11, reflects her commitment to positively impacting her community. As a former Assistant VP of Entrepreneurial Development at the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, Bridgette played a pivotal role in founding key initiatives there, including iTenWired. 

Bridgette's leadership, along with her deep-rooted connection to Pensacola and her extensive experience in workforce development, makes her an incredibly valuable asset to our team.