Edgar Campa-Palafox serves as Vice President of Business Development for the

Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. He joined the

organization in August 2020. In his current role, he leads strategic efforts to attract,

retain, and grow high-impact industries across the Space Coast, with a focus on

aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies. Edgar

collaborates closely with company executives, site selectors, elected officials,

public-sector partners, and state and workforce agencies to drive investment,

strengthen supply chains, and expand high-skilled job opportunities.

With nearly two decades of experience in economic development, Edgar has

worked across Arizona, Texas, and Florida—partnering with local governments, public-private partnerships, and industry leaders to unlock regional potential, foster high-value job creation, and build economic resilience. His expertise spans the full spectrum of the profession, including incentive policy, economic research, business attraction, business retention and expansion, and community relations and engagement. He also brings hands

on experience in supplier development, industrial and real estate development, and the cultivation of entrepreneurial innovation ecosystems.

Edgar earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a double major in Business Economics and Entrepreneurship from the University of Arizona. He also completed coursework in business and economics at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain.

Committed to lifelong learning, Edgar has earned several professional industry designations, including the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC); the Master Economic Development Practitioner designation through the Advanced Economic Development Leadership (AEDL) program—a consortium of universities; and a Business Incubation Management Certificate from the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA).

As Senior Vice President / Division Manager of Kast’s South Florida Business Unit and Partner in the firm, Mike leads the Business in our region and is based at the company’s West Palm Beach corporate headquarters.

Mike has 30 years’ experience as a General Contractor in the South Florida Market and has been with KAST for ten of those years. His experience and expertise include the successful pursuit, construction, and delivery of Luxury High-rise Condo, Hospitality, and Multi-Family projects. “We are proud to build our business based on highly valued relationships and uncompromising standards. I am driven by an exciting Culture, accountability, and results.”

Mike is a ULI member and serves on the Multi-Family Council. In the community Mike is proud of his charitable work benefiting such organizations as, Project Lift, American Heart Association, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Quantum House. Mike and his wife Lisa reside in Jupiter, and he is a proud girl dad to two beautiful daughters.

Mike’s vision for KAST along with his partners in the firm is to lead the organization into the next generation of the company building on the solid foundation that exists today. With their exceptional leadership KAST is strategically positioned to serve and succeed with our clients. Kast exists to make visions become reality. We build people, lead teams, and execute our mission focused on collective success.

Katie joined Florida Power & Light Company in 2022 and serves as manager of economic development. In this role, she works to diversify Florida’s economy by facilitating business attraction and expansion efforts with a focus on supporting the state’s aerospace & defense sectors. Katie assists businesses in the identification of sites and buildings, electric and infrastructure assessments, incentives and clean energy programs.

Prior to joining FPL, Katie supported economic development efforts in Florida at the state and local levels. She previously served as the state of Florida’s economic development representative for the aviation/aerospace & defense/homeland security sectors at the state’s principal economic development agency. Katie also held roles at FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance and the Mississippi Defense Initiative.

Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies and a Master of Science Degree in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi.