Manufacturers Association of Central Florida Appoints Candy Cole as Executive Director.
Orlando, FL – October 1, 2025 – The Manufacturers Association of Central Florida (MACF) is proud to announce the appointment of Candy Cole as its new Executive Director. In this role, she will also serve as the Central Florida Regional Hub Director for FloridaMakes, the state’s official Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
Cole brings extensive leadership experience in business and community development, most recently serving as Executive Director of the Lake Nona Regional Chamber of Commerce. In her now role, she will lead MACF’s mission to enhance the performance of manufacturers in Central Florida through education, collaboration, awareness, and advocacy.
"Candy brings a strong background in the nonprofit and association sectors, with extensive experience serving as an Executive Director for several Central Florida organizations. She is passionate about both people and manufacturing, and we are confident her leadership will be a tremendous asset as MACF continues advancing its mission and supporting Central Florida’s manufacturing community." - Adrian Little, JE Technology Solution and Board President for MACF
"I am honored to lead MACF, an organization with such a strong legacy of supporting our region’s manufacturing community. Together with our members and partners, we will continue to champion workforce development, foster innovation, and strengthen the industry that continues to be a cornerstone of Central Florida's growth." - Candy Cole
About the Manufacturers Association of Central Florida (MACF)
The Manufacturers Association of Central Florida (MACF) has proudly served the region’s manufacturing community since 1992. As a non-profit trade organization, we are dedicated to strengthening and advancing Central Florida’s manufacturing sector by supporting legislative advocacy efforts, workforce development initiatives, business development opportunities, and fostering collaboration across industries.
Initially serving Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, Sumter, Brevard, and Volusia counties, MACF’s footprint has grown rapidly in recent years. We now extend our services to surrounding counties, reflecting our commitment to supporting the full spectrum of manufacturers across Central Florida. As the region’s manufacturing needs evolve, so does our ability to connect, advocate for, and provide value to local businesses throughout this expanding area.
For more information, visit www.macf.biz.
FloridaMakes is a public-private partnership dedicated to strengthening and advancing Florida’s manufacturing economy. Its goal is to deliver objective, unbiased advice, and technical assistance to help manufacturers grow and become more profitable. The FloridaMakes team of manufacturing experts serves as trusted advisors, helping manufacturers navigate the public and private resources available to support their success. FloridaMakes is the official representative of the MEP National Network and NIST MEP in the state of Florida. For more information, visit FloridaMakes.com.