Meet the Experts

Ted Ent

While working toward his BBA Degree in Management at Southwest Texas State University, Ted worked as an executive chef and ran his own catering business. Over the course of his distinguished career, Ted has worked in many preeminent destinations – as Corporate Director of Food and Beverage at Canyon Ranch Resorts and Health Spas, Director of Food and Beverage at the Hyatt Gainey Ranch Resort and in various properties and corporate positions with Hilton Worldwide, culminating as Vice President and Managing Director of Development. His diverse experience in the industry most recently led him to serve as president and COO of the Texas-based MH Hospitality.

He has been a guest lecturer at the University Nevada Las Vegas Hospitality School, Penn State University School of Hospitality and Conrad Hilton School of Hospitality at the University of Houston, as well as a regular panelist at the New York University Hotel Investment Conference, American Lodging Investment Summit, The Lodging Conference and many other hotel industry events.

Ted believes in the power of hospitality to change lives. His commitment to doing things that matter is not only professional, but also personal. Ted and his family give back through what they call the ‘Three Ts of Philanthropy’ – time, talent and treasure.

Donna Kirby

Raised in southern California, Donna Kirby relocated to Pensacola in January of 2009, and is proud to call Florida home. Prior to joining the Blue Wahoos' front office staff, Donna's career was mainly based in the entertainment industry working for such leaders as Warner Bros, NBC/Universal, and The Walt Disney Company. During her tenure with the Blue Wahoos, Donna has managed several departments including merchandise, community relations, promotions, non-traditional revenue, and stadium operations. In her role as Vice President of Operations, Donna manages an award-winning game day staff and oversees a robust surveying platform that has helped earn the Wahoos the title of #1 Fan Experience in Minor League Baseball.

Donna studied Economics at California State University, Long Beach. On her days away from the stadium, Donna enjoys spending time with her dog, Maggie, learning new recipes for vegan cooking and exploring all of the exciting things there are to do along the Florida Gulf Coast.

D.C. Reeves

D.C. Reeves, a Pensacola native, is the founder and CEO of Perfect Plain Brewing Company. He opened Perfect Plain in November 2017 and focused its mission on community building and the organic creation of an incredible craft beer experience.

D.C. Reeves also serves as the Chief Entrepreneurship Officer at The Spring, while also serving as the Chief of Staff for Quint Studer at the Studer Family of Companies. D.C. is also an entrepreneur himself. He opened Perfect Plain Brewing Company in downtown Pensacola in November 2017 and focused its mission on community building and the organic creation of an incredible craft beer experience. Perfect Plain quickly became one of the busiest taprooms in the state of Florida. D.C. recently authored a book, The Microbrewery Handbook, outlining Perfect Plain’s success.

Before joining Studer Family of Companies, D.C., an FSU graduate, spent a decade as a sports journalist, most recently covering the University of Alabama for the Pulitzer Prize-winning Tuscaloosa News from 2013 to 2015.

Patti Spaniola

Patti Spaniola serves as the Director of Conferences & Events at the University of West Florida. She is an enthusiastic hospitality executive with a diverse range of experience in customer service, sales, meeting planning, team building and event design. She specializes in participant engagement techniques and how to deliver meaningful content in a memorable way. Patti tirelessly attends educational webinars, technology demos and virtual events to ascertain what tools and resources are most effective for event planners. 

Teamwork and collaboration are Patti’s passion as she believes we achieve the best results together in a positive and safe space. She enjoys working with colleagues, volunteers, professionals, and students to help them experience the creative process together while achieving high value results for their events. 

While her brain is always actively thinking about how to bring people together, Mother Nature beckons Patti to come outdoors to walk, hike, go to the beach or sit on the patio and listen to the birds. She enjoys reading books from biographies and fiction to professional books that help her synthesize new ideas into action plans. 

Patti earned an M.B.A. from Regis University in Colorado Springs, CO and a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. 

She is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Certified Event Designer (CED). In June 2020, she became one of 5 Certified Event Design Online Facilitators in the world earning a CED+ certification.

Nicole Stacey

Nicole Stacey joined the Visit Pensacola team in 2016 as the director of marketing and communications. She is responsible for overseeing the organization's domestic and international marketing efforts, the organization's agency, Showcase Pensacola, grant allocations, public relations, brand identity, social media, and web design.

Prior to Visit Pensacola, Stacey was the executive director of the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce, where she was responsible for the day to day operations. She has over nine years of marketing and communications experience and has been in the tourism and hospitality industry for more than seventeen decades.

Nicole is a graduate of Leadership Pensacola's class of 2015, and she was named an InWeekly Rising Star in 2013. She holds a master's degree in strategic communications and leadership and a B.A. in public relations and marketing from the University of West Florida.