PALM BEACH GARDENS — Student ACES, a 501 c3 organization with the mission to create CHAMPIONS was honored to host a group of executives from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) for a dynamic roundtable discussion with senior student-athletes at The Student ACES Center (The SAC) in Belle Glade. The event, held May 20, offered a unique opportunity for students to engage in candid conversations about workforce development, education, and the energy field.

Moderated by Buck Martinez, co-founder and chair of the board of Student ACES who was a FPL executive for more than 30 years, the discussion featured a  panel of FPL leaders, including Mariota Theodoris – FPL STEM project manager, Juliet Roulhac, FPL director of external affairs for the Broward and Southwest regions and NextEra Energy director of corporate philanthropy , and Kate Cotner – FPL director of community engagement. The FPL team shared valuable insights into their careers, the path to success, and the evolving role of energy professionals. The conversation covered a range of topics, from the importance of education to the many opportunities in the energy sector.

The event kicked off with an icebreaker featuring Spot, FPL’s well-known drone dog. Spot’s appearance sparked light-hearted and engaging conversations among students, setting a relaxed and open tone for the discussions that followed.

After the roundtable, the group had the chance to visit the solar panels, generously donated by FPL, which power the Student ACES Center. The solar installation was a key topic during the visit, and the group continued their conversation about sustainability, renewable energy, and the future of energy innovation.

"We are incredibly grateful to FPL for taking the time to engage with our students and share their knowledge and experiences," said Krissy Webb, Co-founder an Executive Director for Student ACES. "This event not only provided valuable insights into career opportunities within the energy sector but also helped reinforce the importance of education and workforce development. We look forward to continuing these types of collaborations and empowering the next generation of leaders."

The roundtable is part of Student ACES' ongoing commitment to providing students with access to industry professionals, offering them real-world perspectives on career pathways, and helping them build the skills necessary for success in their future endeavors.

"We're proud to support Student ACES and the important work they to do to prepare the next generation of skilled, workforce-ready individuals,” said Juliet Roulhac, FPL director of external affairs for the Broward and Southwest regions and NextEra Energy director of corporate philanthropy. “Their programs, such as the Passport Program, align with the workforce initiatives that we actively seek. This roundtable provides an opportunity to strengthen these connections and ensure that we are collectively preparing a workforce that qualified and capable of meeting the demands of tomorrow. "FPL has been a supporter of Student ACES programming since the organization’s inception in 2013. Not only is the organization supporting of events and initiatives, but they are a constant in terms of guidance with Pam Rauch, Vice President of External Affairs and Economic Development, serving on the board.