Black Cap Technologies Presents...

Careers Exposed: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Sky is host for WUSF, primarily for the station's daily podcast 'The Bay Blend'. It’s a fun time, giving you the news, culture and events going on in the Tampa Bay area while telling a couple jokes on the way. Sky is also the back-up host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered. 

After graduating from the University of Florida, Sky got his public radio start in Jacksonville working as a reporter for WJCT News. He started there at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of the topics he covered had to do with its influences on nearly every aspect of life.

Following his time in Jacksonville, Sky returned to UF and worked as the Morning Edition newscaster and a multimedia producer for their local NPR affiliate, WUFT-FM. He launched a few student-run podcasts, worked on long-form reporting, and even taught a couple of classes, while also being on-air every weekday morning.

Sky grew up in Hollywood in Broward County, but has now lived across different cities in the state for about 10 years now. Florida just can’t get rid of him. When he's not reporting or hosting, you can catch him broadcasting college athletics for a few schools across the state. 

​Valérie Fleming is a senior member of CDK Global’s Legal Department where she handles governmental and legislative affairs, marketing, data services, and integration matters. Valérie is the lead legal support to the OEM, Fortellis and CVR business units.

Before joining CDK Global in April 2023, Valérie was Senior Corporate Counsel at AAR CORP. where she handled transactional matters, all matters related to the company’s global corporate governance program, and data privacy and security matters. Valérie also serves as a member of the Privacy and Compliance Governance Committee.

Prior to AAR CORP. Valérie advised various divisions throughout her 12 years career at Caterpillar Inc., both in the United States and in Belgium, covering activities in the US, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia.

Prior to becoming an in-house counsel, Valérie provided transactional and regulatory support for corporate clients in the insurance and financial services industries at Sidley Austin and in the financial and brokerage industries at Foley Lardner in Chicago.

Valérie graduated from the Université Catholique de Louvain with a Licence en Droit and received her L.L.M. and J.D. from the University of Illinois - College of Law.

Alex Breland is Associate General Counsel for CDK Global LLC, responsible for litigation, primarily employment and commercial disputes. His practice also extends to the oversight of CDK’s ethics, workers compensation, auto collision, bankruptcy, and
third-party collection portfolios. He is a member of CDK’s Benefits Committee, Ethics Committee, and DEI Council, and was a leader of CDK’s COVID Response Team.

Alex has over 16 years of experience as an attorney. Prior to joining CDK, he practiced in both the private and public sectors, working at an AM Law 200 firm, the State of Illinois, and a leading provider of transportation services to counties and school districts
in North America. For the last 10 years he’s honed his practice in corporate legal departments, creatively merging legal knowledge, sound judgment, practicality, and training to deliver solid business outcomes for CDK and its customers. He earned his
JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law and his BA from the University of Pennsylvania.

Alex is married with children and calls Chicago home. He is an avid reader, girls’ softball coach, boxing and chess enthusiast, and active community member. Currently he is a member of the selection committee for the IMPACT Leadership Development Program at the Chicago Urban League and the founder of Visible Man Review. His past civic activities include board service for Open Books (Early Literacy), the State of Illinois
Athletics Board (Safety in Combat Sports), and Cabrini Green Legal Aid (Criminal Legal Services).

Clanae’ Dionne Bivins is a seasoned legal professional and faith leader with more than three decades of distinguished service in the legal and nonprofit communities. A graduate of Southern Institute College of Birmingham, she earned her Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies and has since built an exceptional career grounded in integrity, excellence, and dedication.

She currently serves as a Legal Assistant Coordinator at Baker Donelson, a prominent corporate law firm in Birmingham, Alabama, where she has faithfully contributed for 14 years. Throughout her tenure, she has been instrumental in supporting attorneys in complex litigation matters, helping to facilitate favorable settlements and successful case outcomes. Her professionalism, organizational expertise, and deep understanding of legal processes have earned her respect and recognition within the legal community.

In addition to her legal accomplishments, Mrs. Bivins is deeply committed to her faith and theological scholarship. She holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree in Christian Theology, reflecting her lifelong devotion to spiritual growth, leadership, and service.

Beyond her professional career, she is actively involved in community outreach and nonprofit work. She has supported organizations such as First Light Women’s and Children’s Center and has faithfully served as a Pastor with New Wineskins Ministries International for over 24 years. Through both her legal career and ministry, she continues to impact lives with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering commitment.

Clanae Dionne Bivins exemplifies leadership, service, and excellence—balancing professional achievement with heartfelt community and spiritual dedication.

​Kiron Reese, MBA is a Digital Product Manager at Simply Business, currently located in Atlanta. After graduating from the University of Florida, he went on to accumulate over a decade of experience in Digital Product Development, half of which came from the tech start-up space. Prior to pivoting into the corporate world, he launched a film production company followed by a tech company focused in high school athletics. In addition to an MBA, Kiron also holds master-level degrees in Human Resources, Leadership, and Public Administration.

Xavier Collier is an experienced finance and payments professional with more than ten years of experience across financial services, fintech, and risk operations. He currently serves as the Debit Fee Manager at Fiserv, where he is responsible for managing debit network fee initiatives, interpreting network rules, and partnering with operations, technology, and compliance teams to ensure accurate and compliant implementation of fee changes.

Xavier obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Marketing from Alabama A&M University. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, where he focused on strategy, consulting, and financial services and served as Director of Community and Alumni Relations for the Banking and Consulting Society.

Throughout his career, Xavier has held roles spanning payments, credit risk, fraud operations, and consulting, including positions at Fiserv, Infosys Consulting, and Priority Payment Systems. His experience includes leading teams, supporting enterprise clients, managing complex operational processes, and driving scalable improvements within highly regulated environments.

Xavier is particularly passionate about translating strategic frameworks into practical execution and mitigating risk while implementing new initiatives. During his free time, Xavier enjoys discovering new food recipes, watching anime, and traveling to new places. He currently resides in Marietta, Georgia with his wife, Shenika, and two-year-old “fur-baby,” Basil.

Tracie is a Graduate Academic Advisor and Adjunct Business Writing Professor in the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida. 

She fosters intellectual and personal development by assisting students in making informed choices that align with their interests, skills, and values.  Tracie specifically advises graduate students in the STEM-accredited Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations Management and Business Analytics program at the University of Florida. 

As an Adjunct Business Writing Professor, Tracie teaches undergraduate business students to familiarize themselves with the tools and techniques necessary to become effective business communicators, with a special emphasis on business writing competencies and critical thinking. 

She is a proud University of Florida Alumna and earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Education (2004), a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University (2006), and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of West Florida (2020).  

After 14 years in the mental health field, she decided to transition to Higher Education by joining the Hough Graduate School (Warrington College of Business) in 2021. As a mental health advocate, her extensive experience and knowledge in human behavior and motivation make her current career roles a great transition.  Tracie loves working with diverse populations which include international, transfer, and first-generation students.  Her goal as an academic advisor and instructor is to empower students to achieve their academic, career, and personal goals by creating tailored, actionable, and sustainable educational plans.  Ultimately, she facilitates student success by fostering independence, guiding academic decision-making, providing support through challenges, and ensuring timely, informed progress toward graduation.

With two decades of focused experience in trucking and transportation insurance, Toni Jones has become a recognized leader in transportation risk management, carrier negotiation, and market strategy. Her insurance career began in 2006 after completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business at Troy University.

In 2025, Toni transitioned into a national leadership position with Alliant Insurance Services, serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Brokering Officer for the firm’s transportation vertical. She oversees brokering strategy, carrier relationships, and placement leadership across the country. In this role, she drives Alliant’s national carrier-engagement initiatives, ensures consistency in underwriting narratives, and develops specialized market solutions for all trucking and transportation segments. 

Toni’s leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to the trucking industry with an innate ability to navigate volatile market cycles with clarity and discipline. She has built long-standing relationships with carriers, brokers, and underwriters nationwide, enabling her to advocate effectively for clients of all sizes.  

Beyond her organizational leadership, Toni is an active contributor to the broader insurance industry. She has served in multiple roles within the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents Association (AIIA), including Young Agents Chair and board member. She also completed a four-year term on the national Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) in 2023. Notably, her peers have recognized her contributions with top honors, including AIIA’s Insurer of the Year in 2021 and Young Agent of the Year in 2024. Most recently, in 2025, she became a founding member of the Alabama chapter of the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA), where she serves on the board as Emerging Leaders Chair.

Laura is the International Sales Manager for the Alabama Tourism Department. With over twenty years of experience in marketing and a dedicated focus on tourism, Laura plays a pivotal role in assisting international tour operators and travel agencies in bringing groups to experience the vibrant offerings of Alabama.

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Laura’s background includes the creation of a digital marketing agency aimed at serving tourism organizations which has equipped her with valuable insights into the travel industry. Her expertise in multi-channel marketing strategies is instrumental in promoting Alabama as a premier travel destination for international travelers.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Laura has been a Professor of Marketing at Troy University, specializing in marketing and public relations. She holds an MBA from Auburn University at Montgomery and earned her Senior Practitioner designation from the Southern Public Relations Federation. Laura’s passion for education and innovation greatly enhances her contributions to the Alabama Tourism Department.

Jawanza is an alumnus of the prestigious University of Florida who is currently based in New York City. Originally from Miami, he relocated to New York five years ago where he has worked to grow his career, interests, and expertise. He has touched different industries within the realm of communications and marketing including healthcare, creative advertising, social media, and radio. Jawanza now works as a Senior Content Specialist at Meta with an amazing and supportive team. 

Kalisha is an Emmy® award-winning journalist and three-time Telly Award-winning digital storyteller who knows how to captivate audiences and create content that lasts. She has covered a range of stories from the United States 2008 historical presidential election, to one of America’s deadliest storm systems in 2011, as well as the 50th commemoration of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham. Her news reports afforded her the opportunity to be a vital member of an Emmy®, Edward R. Murrow, and the Alabama Broadcasters Association award-winning team.

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Kalisha also brings her storytelling expertise to global spaces. She has facilitated two storytelling boot camps with USAID in Ghana and Togo, equipping participants with practical tools to communicate impact and inspire change.

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She has received several Associated Press awards and has been nominated for two additional Emmy® awards. Her stories have been featured on NBC Universal, FOX, CBS, ABC, and CNN-affiliated platforms.

Kalisha completed her undergraduate studies at Florida A&M University and earned her Master of Science in Journalism, specializing in documentary studies, at Columbia University. She currently serves as Associate-In and Senior TV News Manager at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.

Ryan is the news director for WWNO and WRKF and the Managing Editor for the Gulf States Newsroom. He has an 18 year career in public broadcasting with stops at Alabama Public Radio, where he was a reporter and host, and WUFT in Gainesville, Fla., where he was multimedia news manager, audio and led a largely-student newsroom. 

He's been an instructor and professor in journalism for 14 years at the University of Alabama, University of Florida, and Louisiana State University.  Vasquez serves on the diversity, equity and inclusion committee for the Public Media Journalists Association and the safety committee for the Radio Television Digital News Association.

Vasquez has a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and a master's degree from the University of Alabama.

Trimmel is a veteran journalist and trusted voice in strategic communications, with more than two decades of experience across radio, television, podcasting, and public affairs. He began his career as a radio and television newsman, earning his stripes covering stories for outlets like NPR, PBS, and ABC. His work has taken him across the globe, spotlighting critical issues and amplifying unheard voices.

As President of Gomes Media Strategies, Trimmel leads a boutique communications firm specializing in media relations, brand development, and public affairs consulting. He has advised nonprofit organizations, foundations, and corporations on executive visibility, ESG communications, and stakeholder engagement. He also served as Chairman of the First Amendment Foundation, leading efforts to protect press freedom and government transparency.

Trimmel frequently moderates high-level panel discussions and on occasion contributes reporting to various media outlets.

He holds a master’s degree in Communications and Digital Media Studies from Florida State University, where he also earned a graduate certificate in Multicultural Marketing Communications.

Rachel Bicker is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology before relocating to Tennessee to complete her Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Lincoln Memorial University (Class of 2022).

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With nearly three years of clinical experience in Austin, Texas, Rachel practices in post-acute rehabilitation, where she focuses on chronic disease management, neurorehabilitation, and supporting functional recovery in medically complex patients. She is known for her collaborative, patient-centered approach to care and her ability to work closely with interdisciplinary teams.

Rachel is passionate about mentorship and professional development. She frequently hosts pre-PA students for shadowing and hands-on learning, offering guidance and support to those preparing to enter the field. As Director of Membership for the Central Texas PA Society, she is committed to building meaningful connections and promoting engagement within the PA community.

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Outside of medicine, Rachel is affectionately known as a “hobby collector.” She enjoys exploring new interests — currently ice skating, boxing, and painting — and values creativity, movement, and lifelong learning. She aspires to eventually transition into PA education, where she can combine her clinical experience with her love for teaching and mentorship.

Daneila is a Physician Assistant specializing in Neurosurgery at HCA Houston Healthcare in Kingwood, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, in 2015, and later completed her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, in 2021.

Following graduation, she began her career in primary care, gaining valuable experience in family medicine. Her previous roles include serving as a Physician Assistant at Village Medical and Fairway Medical Clinic in Pearland, TX. Driven by a strong interest in surgical practice, she transitioned into neurosurgery in February 2025, where she continues to provide comprehensive care to patients with complex neurological conditions.

Major Kristen Osterrieder is a board-certified Physician Assistant with more than 15 years of clinical and leadership experience spanning endocrinology, family medicine, and military medicine. She currently serves as a Physician Assistant with the 46th Civil Support Team, Weapons of Mass Destruction (CST-WMD) in Montgomery, Alabama, where she integrates medical expertise into national defense, emergency preparedness, and response operations.

In addition to her military role, Major Osterrieder practices with East Alabama Endocrinology in Auburn, Alabama, providing comprehensive endocrine care and serving as a preceptor for future medical professionals. Her career has also included service as
Command Surgeon with the 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Kuwait and extensive clinical experience in both acute and chronic disease management.

Major Osterrieder earned her Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Nova Southeastern University, graduating with honors, and holds a Master of Education in Secondary Science (Biology) from the University of South Alabama. She is NCCPA-certified and licensed in Alabama and Georgia.

An active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Alabama Society of Physician Assistants, Major Osterrieder brings a unique blend of clinical expertise, operational readiness, and patient-centered care to her work. Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time on her farm, riding her horses, and caring for her three dogs.