Orlando, Fla. – The state’s top emerging leaders recently graduated from Connect Florida’s Statewide Leadership Institute. Among the newest alumni of up-and-comers is Kyle Evans, CEO of REDCON Solutions Group, a professional service company in the UCF Business Incubator near downtown Orlando. 

The highly selective annual program helps educate, engage and inspire Florida’s emerging leaders. The Statewide Leadership Institute is designed to enhance leadership skills, provide practical experience in community service, and facilitate opportunities to interact with statewide leaders.

Over a period of 10 months, Evans and the 45 other participants from Class VII of the Connect Florida program traveled around the state to learn about and engage in key issues facing Florida.

“I am honored to have been part of such a dynamic group of young leaders,” said Evans. “This program has helped me develop personally and professionally and has given me the insights and connections to grow as leader in Florida.”

Evans, 34, who retired as a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant after being wounded during Operation Iraqi Freedom, founded REDCON Solutions Group in 2014. The Purple Heart recipient’s company provides a range of solutions to public and private entities, including security, training and risk management services.

Since 2015, Evans has been recognized multiple times for his leadership in the community, receiving the Hands of Mercy Award from the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness, the Service to the Armed Forces Award from the American Red Cross of Orlando, the Veterans of Influence Spirit of America Award, and the 40 Under 40 Award from the Orlando Business Journal.