THE LEGADO COMPANY - Key Persons
Driven by a passion to succeed and become a successful entrepreneur, Courtney R. Powell founded AceApplications, LLC as a provider of top tier technology solutions including software, web and mobile application development and IT consulting and staffing services to businesses, schools, public and government agencies.
Prior to founding AceApplications, Powell served as director of technology for CNL Financial Group, Inc., an Orlando-based commercial real estate and financial services firm. Powell began his distinguished career as a software engineer in Lockheed Martin's Engineering Leadership Development Program.
In 2010, Powell was selected as one of "Orlando's Top 40 Business Executives Under the Age of 40," by the Orlando Business Journal. And in 2019, Powell was recognized by the US Small Business Administration, as the 2019 North Florida District and State of Florida Minority Small Business Person of the Year.
Powell serves as an appointed commissioner on the City of Orlando Mayor's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, as chair of the marketing committee. He is a member of the board of directors for Tech Sassy Girlz, and is a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Powell is also a graduate of Leadership Orlando Class ‘71 and served as class chair for Leadership Orlando Class ‘74.
Powell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Florida, a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an M.B.A. (specializing in Finance) from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College.
Courtney is excited to bring his years of entrepreneurial experience, drive, and business knowledge to The Legado Company.
Job Titles:
- Owner
- Partner
- President and CEO of Felicia Young Innovations
Dr. Felicia C. Young is the President and CEO of Felicia Young Innovations, LLC (FYI), a marketing consultant firm based in Orlando, FL. FYI offers a wide range of services, specializing in promoting companies through high-end proposals and presentations to company development. They strive to not only provide the best service available to their clients, but to also deliver high standards of work.
Dr. Young serves as Director of Marketing and Business Development at ACY Contractors, LLC (ACY) a general contractor and construction manager headquartered in Orlando, FL, and owned by her husband, Michael D. Young. Dr. Young has over 15 years of marketing experience, as well as 15 years in the construction industry. She is responsible for handling the marketing, advertising and promotional activities and events at ACY Contractors. Dr. Young manages the long-term marketing strategies as well as continue to brand ACY to become a "Rising Star" among small and diverse businesses throughout the Southeast region of the United States.
Dr. Young is a visiting professor at DeVry University, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate level marketing courses. She is also an assistant professor at Colorado Technical University, where she teaches undergraduate level marketing courses. She is a co-author of the book, titled "The Professional Black Woman," that focuses on career, relationships, and self-esteem. During Black history month - February 2020, she was featured in the Orlando Business Journal, as a guest writer, where her article discussed, "Why Felicia Young Believes in the Power of a Good Education."
Dr. Young holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) degree from the University of Phoenix, where she completed her dissertation research study on the topic: Gender and the Environmental Nexus Surrounding Success of Central Florida Women Entrepreneurs. Dr. Young also received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Phoenix and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree, where she double majored in Management and Marketing from The Florida State University. Dr. Young is a member of Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Service Sorority.
Dr. Young is married to the love of her life, Michael, and has three stepsons: Malachi, Gabriel, and Jordan. In February 2019, Dr. Young welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Olivia Simone. In her spare time, Dr. Young loves traveling to different Caribbean Islands, attending Florida State University football games (a die-hard alumni/fan), going to the movies, and shopping on Amazon.
As a founding member of Legado, Dr. Young welcomes the opportunity to serve as Executive Vice President of Investor Relations and Marketing. She will work to advance and lead all marketing efforts that will develop and execute new concepts, business models, channels, and partners to position Legado as an innovator and leader in the real estate investing industry.
Dr. Powell is the Founder and Executive Director of Tech Sassy Girlz, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring underrepresented girls in middle and high school to engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Taking on the challenge head-on of addressing the notable shortage of girls and women in STEM fields, Dr. Powell created the organization in 2012 to address the critical shortage of women and minorities being represented in high-tech STEM careers.
Dr. Powell has been recognized as one of Orlando Magazine's 2020 Women of the Year, a Community Champion by the Orlando Magic and WESH 2 News, featured on PBS and NPR, received the Eagle Award from the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, the Spirit of Collaboration award from i4 Business Magazine, the National Philanthropy Day Diversity and Inclusion Award, WTS Central Florida Chapter Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Deloris H. Oliver Service to Mankind Award and the Trailblazer Award from the University of Central Florida and a host of other community and professional awards.
In the community, Dr. Powell is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., serves on the board of WTS Central Florida Chapter, NAF IT and Engineering Academy and the Women's Business Center at Seminole State College.
Dr. Powell received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Florida, Master of Education from the Pennsylvania State University, Master of Science in Management from the University of Central Florida and her doctorate in Instructional Technology and Distance Education from Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. Powell is excited to bring her years of entrepreneurial experience, drive, and business knowledge to The Legado Company.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Co - Founder and Managing Partner of Virtus LLP
Hope Newsome, Esq. is co-founder and managing partner of Virtus LLP. Her practice includes providing legal and compliance counsel to entrepreneurs, broker-dealers, investment advisers, private funds, and issuers. Hope previously served as general counsel and chief compliance officer of a private equity firm responsible for more than 50 public and private funds with various offering amounts up to $250 million and more than $600 million deployed capital in the areas of real estate, energy, senior housing, hospitality and 1031 exchanges. An author and panelist on relevant regulatory topics within the financial services industry, Hope has significant experience providing counsel on the issuance, investment management and distribution of private equity and debt.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
CEO of Crossman and Company. John brings decades of real estate advisory experience. Crossman & Company is one of the largest retail leasing, management and investment sales firms focused on serving landlords throughout the Southeast.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Michael D. Young is a native of Pensacola, Florida, a conservative city in Florida's Panhandle. Growing up, Michael never considered himself to be a leader, however, other plans were in store for him. At an early age, Michael dreamed of owning and operating a business. Michael has inherited an entrepreneurial spirit as his grandfather was one of Pensacola's First African American lounge bar owners and operators. Michael's attractions to Architecture and Drafting in high school lead to his pursuit of additional education in Architecture and Construction industry at the University of Florida. After three years of Architectural studies, Michael completed his Bachelor of Science in Construction Management in December 1997.
Michael became a licensed Certified General Contractor as he passed the state examination in August of 2000. Michael currently qualifies ACY Contractors, LLC and HT Construction & Renovations, Inc. with his contractor's license. Michael also held a real estate associate license for several years. Michael owned and operated a full-service commercial construction firm, providing start-to-finish services since 2004. Michael has provided construction management, general contracting and trade construction services for K-12, Higher Education, Healthcare, Federal, Hospitality, and other niche markets. Michael's years of construction and real estate experience has ranged to projects over $200 million.
Michael has been employed by some of the most notable construction companies in the nation such as Hardin Construction, now known as DPR, and Skanska. He has worked for diverse types of companies ranging from small minority owned companies to large privately held organizations. Michael has over 20 years of experience in the A/E/C Industry, and currently sits on the board of the Central Florida Chapter of the National Association for Minority Contractors (NAMC) and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. Michael has received considerable recognition for leadership and is known in Central Florida as a recipient of the following awards:
2019 Gator100 Recipient (Fastest Growing Gator -Led Company)- Ranked #10 of 100
2018 Gator100 Recipient (Fastest Growing Gator -Led Company)- Ranked #1 of 100
2018 African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida - Eagle Award Winner
Michael is a leader in the marketplace and ministry. Michael functions as a satellite campus Pastor of The Kingdom Church. Michael began his ministerial call on May 21, 1995 and has coached hundreds of rising leaders. Michael is married to Dr. Felicia C. Young, and has four children, Malachi, Gabriel, Jordan, and Olivia, and one granddaughter, Chleo.
Job Titles:
- Owner
- Partner
- Executive VP of Real Estate & Property Management
Samuel Abraham graduated from Florida A&M University in 2007 with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration. After graduating, he worked several years as a senior manager for a major home improvement retailer.
Samuel has been working in the real estate industry since 2007. He has been recognized and named "one of Central Florida's top 5% realtors who provides the best service and advice" by Orlando Style Magazine. After several years working as a real estate agent, Samuel went on to attain his broker's license. He is the President and managing broker of Abraham Legacy Realty in Orlando, Florida. Abraham Legacy Realty is a firm in the business of helping people build legacies through the vehicle of real estate. The firm is home to over 40 agents, with many of them being multi-million-dollar producers.
Samuel is an experienced real estate investor with a broad portfolio, including, residential and vacation homes, commercial properties, rentals and buying flips.
Samuel also serves on the board of director of several major organizations in Central Florida area. He is married to Marialisa Abraham and has three children: Samaria, Samiya and Samuel II. He enjoys travelling, action movies, and wrestling.
As executive VP of Real estate & Property Management for The Legado Company, Samuel looks forward to sharing the vast knowledge he has gained through real estate, to assist others in their desire to invest in the industry.