Keith Norden including people like Preston Root, Bob Davis and so many more.”
Guthrie’ s involvement with the magazine went beyond support as a partner and has played a role in the evolution of the publication. He was integral in assembling an editorial advisory board comprised of area business leaders and organizations.
“ It was essential,” he said of the advisory board.“ Business leaders help shape jobs, investment and the culture of innovation that makes our community thrive. Their perspective kept EVOLVE grounded in real-world priorities and ensured the magazine would recognize results and leadership, not just talk.”
For Keith Norden, president and CEO at Team Volusia, the relationship with EVOLVE as one of the original founders was an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the business successes fueling the region’ s growth.
“ Partnering with EVOLVE has been beneficial and productive for Team Volusia EDC,” he said.“ Our organization sits on the Editorial Board, working alongside business leaders to identify and discuss relevant subject matter across leadership,
First launch of the digital newsletter The Rundown in July 2021
organizations and industries. Each year when Team Volusia hosts dozens of site visits by prospective companies exploring Volusia County locations, our site visit kits include the latest edition of EVOLVE magazine, promoting the vision and vibrancy of our welcoming business community.”
Norden said a public / private partnership, Team Volusia works with Volusia County and its municipalities along with private companies, utilities, area colleges and other organizations and getting the word out about the region helps attract new business development.
“ An important element in our business recruitment efforts is communicating what it’ s like to live and work here,” he said.“ Team Volusia regularly presents at municipal citizens academies and hosts the bi-monthly Practitioners Council, which convenes economic development professionals across the county, municipalities, utilities, education and workforce partners to give and get updates from Team Volusia and each other.”
With a measure of financial stability, EVOLVE underwent yet another evolution with the creation of EVOLVE News, a digital publication offering readers news and information about the local economy and businesses that was unavailable anywhere else.
“ There is a communication desert in these three counties, particularly with regards to business,” Holley said.“ But a magazine that ' s once a quarter isn ' t touching that community frequently enough to meet its needs.”
Launched first as a digital newsletter as“ The Rundown,” what would become EVOLVE News bolstered the coverage of important issues affecting businesses and the community.
For Guthrie, the creation of news publication was the next logical step in the evolution of the magazine.
“ Local government decisions shape the conditions for growth and many of the drivers of community health, from infrastructure to housing to public safety,” he said.“ The‘ Economic Watch’ feature created a regular place to track those decisions and encourage informed, constructive engagement. There was a vacuum of local and truly relevant business news that people need to know.”
EVOLVE managing editor Elesha Mavrommatis has been at the magazine’ s helm since 2017 and said the publication’ s tone and focus has changed over the past 10 years.
“ When I first started with the magazine, our goal was to connect with a broad audience,” she said.“ We created content for small and mid-sized business owners, as well as organizational leaders and middle managers. Over time, that focus became more defined. We narrowed our audience to serve industry and community leaders and entrepreneurs— those actively shaping the direction of our region. This shift was reflected
Elesha Mavrommatis in the evolution of our tagline,
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