Leadership

Jack Pladdys President - Leadership

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Dr. Jack Pladdys serves as the President and CEO of Junior Achievement of the Space Coast (JASC), where he is committed to empowering students with the skills and mindsets to thrive in an ever-evolving world. With over 15 years of leadership experience in non-profit and for-profit organizations, Jack brings a visionary approach to strategic planning, operational excellence, and transformational leadership.

Before joining JASC, Jack founded Gabriel Coaching and Consulting, where he provided strategic guidance to CEOs and boards, fostering sustainable growth and innovation. His career also includes extensive leadership roles within The Christian and Missionary Alliance, where he contributed to organizational development and mission-driven success.

Jack holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University, a Master of Divinity from Wesley Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science from Crown College. His academic achievements and professional experience have made him a sought-after speaker and an advocate for leadership development and community impact. Jack is the husband of Amanda, and they have three amazing daughters.

Under his leadership, JASC continues to inspire and prepare young people to achieve their dreams by connecting education and workforce readiness with real-world opportunities.

 

Candice Hodge Vice President of Education - Leadership

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Candice Hodge joined Junior Achievement of the Space Coast in 2011 as Operations Specialist. With a background in corporate management, Candice applies her considerable organizational and planning skills to matching almost 300 volunteers with Brevard classrooms each year to create the best learning potential possible. Dedicated to JA’s mission of enabling youth to own his or her own economic future, Candice is working every day to better Brevard.

 

"It’s a way to expand our curriculum without having to put out more resources. That’s a win for everyone."

Amy Kneesey, Vice Chairman of the Brevard County School Board

"JA is relevant to my school, more so now than ever."

Beth Westfall, Assistant Principal West Side Elementary School

"Junior Achievement is an outstanding, motivating program for our elementary students. Several of [our teachers] had JA volunteers last year and all had great praise for the program"

Hilah R. Mercer, Principal Cambridge Elementary Magnet School

"I have long believed that this JA experience is so valuable for our UCF students and that actually it is a rare win for all experience, the UCF students, the school teachers, the school students, the UCF Education Profs, and the JA sponsors."

Michael Johnson, PhD, UCF Professor, College of Education

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