2026 Leadership and Ethics Conference

Join Us for Sarasota’s First Leadership & Ethics Conference

We are excited to welcome rising high school sophomores to an exclusive opportunity designed to inspire, challenge, and empower. This transformative workshop—led by experienced military men and women—will provide hands-on leadership development, real-world ethical discussions, and valuable networking connections.

Our mission is simple: to cultivate the next generation of leaders by equipping students with the confidence, character, and skills needed to make an impact in their schools, communities, and beyond.

For more information to join, please contact your school counselor or email HSInfo@oursma.org.

Our Guest Speaker: General William Scott Wallace, USA (Retired)

General William “Scott” Wallace is a retired four-star U.S. Army general who commanded V Corps during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and later led TRADOC in modernizing Army doctrine and training. Over nearly 40 years of service, he earned top honors including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, and Bronze Star.

Read Full Biography Here

Panelists

Our panel brings together an extraordinary breadth of military experience, duties, ranks, and service roles. Each panelist offers a unique journey that reflects the many paths available both within and beyond military life. Together, they provide invaluable insight into leadership, ethics, and the diverse opportunities that unfold after service.

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Brent Bogart Bio

Brent Bogart Bio

Raised in St. Augustine, FL and a graduate of the University of Florida, Brent is a former Navy SEAL officer, who served from 1997-2004. While on active duty he served at SEAL Team Two, Special Boat Unit Twenty and SEAL Team TEN and conducted 3 overseas deployments.

After leaving the Navy Brent, founded and continues to lead an electronic device & cyber security training and consulting company. He currently resides in Sarasota, FL with his wife, daughter, and son.

A smiling man in a military uniform stands in front of an American flag backdrop.

Raphael Fabyanic Bio

Raphael Fabyanic Bio

Cadet Raphael R. Fabyanic is a Cow (junior) at West Point from Sarasota, FL. He graduated from Sarasota Military Academy as Cadet of the Year in 2023.

He majors in Systems and Decision Sciences with a minor in Military History and is a Sea to Shining Sea Fellow. He is a member of the Vanguard Initiative, which consists of a select group of cadets that conduct additional advanced military training during the academic year in order to pursue tactical proficiency.

Additionally, he is the cadet company commander of the Cadet Ambassador Program, a senior leadership position in the program that seeks to train and develop
the cadets who represent West Point. Cadet Fabyanic hosts a Japanese Semester Exchange Roommate and is an active member of Knights of Colombus and the Catholic community.

He also partakes in the Finance Club, Domestic Affairs Forum, American Society of Engineering Management, Wargames Committee, and more. Upon
Commissioning, CDT Fabyanic wants to branch infantry and become a capable leader positively impacting those around him.

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Katherine Fichtner Bio

Katherine Fichtner Bio

As Director of Transformation at APi Group, I lead initiatives that improve efficiency, optimize operations, and drive sustainable results across the organization. With experience in operations, IT, and business transformation, I specialize in program management, software implementation, M&A, and change management that supports long-term growth.

I previously served as a Field Artillery officer in the U.S. Army from 2009-2017, holding roles such as Platoon Leader, Battery Executive Officer, and Division Staff Officer at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. I also contributed to integrating women into Ranger School with the first female ranger class in 2015 and later served as a Battalion Fire Support Officer at Fort Campbell.

A West Point graduate, I hold an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and am currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Baylor University. Based in Tulsa, I enjoy reading, fitness, and the outdoors. I'm an avid competitive skeet shooter, serve on national and state skeet shooting boards, and mentor youth and women shooters to support growth and inclusivity in the sport.

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Erica Gregory Bio

Erica Gregory Bio

A senior executive with 25 years of leadership experience, I have worked with and for General Officers and CEOs across the military, private sector, and nonprofit community. As an energetic and compassionate leader, I am passionate about people, performance, and results. I have a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams dedicated to achieving their goals.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the United States Air Force Academy and two Master of Arts degrees—one in Political Science from Texas State University and another in Military Operational Art & Sciences from Air Command and Staff College. My career includes key military roles such as Secretary of the Joint Staff with U.S. Forces in Iraq, where I oversaw the advising and training mission for Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, and Director of Staff with the Joint Special Operations Air Component in England, managing operational support for special operations air assets across Europe.

With a deep passion for Sarasota Military Academy and its mission, I am eager to serve as a director on the board and help guide SMA into the next 20 years, ensuring its continued success and growth as a premier institution.

Mike Martino Bio

Mike Martino Bio

Mike Martino grew up in the Sarasota/Bradenton area and graduated from Sarasota Military Academy in 2010 before attending The United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in military history and received a commission as an active-duty infantry officer in the Army.

He served for ten years in a variety of assignments, ultimately attaining the rank of major. In 2024, he transitioned to the Army Reserve and relocated to Bradenton with his wife Sarah.

Mike is currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration at UCF while serving as a firefighter with City of Bradenton Fire Rescue.

MG Tracy Smith Bio

MG Tracy Smith Bio

63rd Readiness Division - Command Leadership

MG Tracy L. Smith, Commanding General

Major General Tracy L. Smith was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps through the ROTC program at the University of Guam, graduating with a BBA in 1987. She earned an MBA from Troy State University in 2002 and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in 2007. Her military education includes AMEDD Basic and Advanced Courses, Army Force Management, CGSC, and the Army Management Staff College’s Sustaining Base Leadership Program.

MG Smith currently commands the 63d Readiness Division. Previous assignments include Deputy Surgeon General for Readiness, Mobilization, and Reserve Affairs; Commanding General of the 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support); Deputy Commanding General, 807th Medical Command; Chief of Staff, AR-MEDCOM; and first AGR Commander of the 865th Combat Support Hospital. She has extensive experience in operations, human resources, and disaster management, with deployments supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Bright Star Egypt, and Task Force Kout Men Haiti, as well as humanitarian responses including Montana wildfires and COVID-19.

Her awards include the Legion of Merit (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (with four Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation and Achievement Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Expert Field Medical Badge, and German Armed Forces Military Proficiency Badge. She has also earned the 9A Medical Proficiency Designator and the Order of Military Medical Merit.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Agenda

Morning Session

7:00 – 8:00 Check-In and Continental Breakfast (Ice breaker activity)

8:00 – 8:15 Conference Overview and Admin (Introduce SMA Team)

8:15 – 8:25 Welcome from New College

8:25 – 9:00 Keynote Speaker: General William S. Wallace

9:00 – 9:10 ----- BREAK -----

9:10 – 9:15 Training Introduction

9:15 – 10:25 Discussion – Test of Character

9:15 – 11:15 Faculty Group Discussion

10:25 – 10:40 ----- BREAK -----

10:40 – 11:30 Discussion – Sum of Integrity (Part 1)

11:30 LUNCH (working Lunch activity)

Afternoon Session

12:15 – 12:50 Discussion – Sum of Integrity (Part 2)

12:15 – 12:50 Faculty-WPS

Ambassador Discussion

12:50 – 1:05 ----- BREAK -----

1:05 – 2:30 Leader Panel Question/Answer

2:30 – 2:45 Surveys

2:45 – 3:00 Recognition and Closing

3:00pm Conference Ends

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