Who We Are
Leadership
Capital Trust Authority is led by an experienced staff and governed by a community-minded board drawn from finance, healthcare, education, and civic leadership.
DM
Denis has served as Executive Director since 2020, leading both the Capital Trust Agency — an interlocal agency established in 1999 — and the Capital Trust Authority, which was created in 2022 as a separate and distinct conduit bond issuer. Under his leadership, the Authority has grown to over $1.78 billion in tax-exempt bond issuances across charter schools, healthcare, housing, and other qualified sectors. A graduate of Florida State University with a degree in Finance and an MBA from the University of West Florida, Denis brings deep expertise in municipal finance and community development.
Denis is actively engaged in the community, serving as Vice Chair of the Pensacola Region of Children's Home Society, Secretary/Treasurer of the Echo Life Church Board of Trustees, and as a member of the UWF Foundation Board of Directors. He and his wife Jordan are proud parents of four children.
Denis is actively engaged in the community, serving as Vice Chair of the Pensacola Region of Children's Home Society, Secretary/Treasurer of the Echo Life Church Board of Trustees, and as a member of the UWF Foundation Board of Directors. He and his wife Jordan are proud parents of four children.
MJ
Mark brings an exceptional depth of public service experience to Capital Trust Authority. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Mark served in Afghanistan alongside his wife Heyling, who also served in the Corps. After leaving the military, Mark joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, followed by a tenure with the City of Pensacola and the U.S. Department of Energy before joining CTA.
Mark, Heyling, and their two children have called the Gulf Breeze area home since 2021. His background spanning military service, federal engineering, municipal government, and energy policy brings a rare combination of discipline and public sector expertise to the authority's operations.
Mark, Heyling, and their two children have called the Gulf Breeze area home since 2021. His background spanning military service, federal engineering, municipal government, and energy policy brings a rare combination of discipline and public sector expertise to the authority's operations.
CB
Connie serves as Office Administrator for Capital Trust Authority, providing the operational backbone that keeps the authority running smoothly. A graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Marketing, Connie has been part of the CTA family for over 15 years, having joined the Capital Trust Agency — a separate interlocal agency established in 1999 — before transitioning to the Capital Trust Authority when it was created in 2022. Her deep institutional knowledge and continuity make her an invaluable resource for borrowers, bond counsel, and all parties working with CTA.
CK
Chair
Chris Kemp
Chris is a finance professional with Industrial Finance Group, bringing expertise in financial markets and capital structures to the CTA board. He also serves on the Finance Committee at St. Ann's Catholic Church.
CL
Vice Chair
Christy Larkins
Christy is a nurse practitioner and entrepreneur, and the owner of The Lark in Gulf Breeze. She serves on the Board of Trustees at Echo Life Church and brings a healthcare and small business perspective to the authority's governance.
CF
Secretary
Cherry Fitch
Cherry is a distinguished educator and civic leader. A former teacher, guidance counselor, and principal of Gulf Breeze High School, she was named Florida Principal of the Year. She served as Mayor of Gulf Breeze from 2019 to 2024 and is currently a realtor with the Mark Lee Team at Levin Rinke Realty.
DR
Assistant Secretary
Deborah Roche
Deborah and her husband are former owners of Lifeguard and are well known for their philanthropic contributions to the Gulf Breeze community. She brings a strong commitment to public service and community investment to the CTA board.
JS
Board Member
J.B. Schluter
J.B. is the owner of Innerlight Surf Shop and currently serves as Mayor of Gulf Breeze. His dual perspective as a local business owner and elected official provides valuable insight into community needs and economic development.
BP
Board Member
Bobby Potomski
Bobby is an administrator at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, bringing healthcare operations and institutional finance expertise to the board. His background is particularly valuable as CTA continues to expand its healthcare financing portfolio.
HW
Board Member & Former Chair
Harrison Wilder
Harrison is an entrepreneur and former Chair of the Capital Trust Authority board. His leadership during CTA's formative years helped establish the foundation for the authority's growth and success.
BS
Board Member & Former Chair
Rupert "Burt" Snooks
Burt is a former chemical engineer at Monsanto and a former Chair of the Capital Trust Authority board. His technical and analytical background brings a rigorous, detail-oriented perspective to the authority's oversight.