Angelica "Angel" Langston-Balikos, 34

South Florida CEO, March, 2005

Current Position: President, The Apple Organization

Background: "I waitressed, owned a restaurant, worked in retail--a little bit of everything," Langston-Balikos says. But the communications industry always interested her. In her mid-20s, she went back to school to study public relations at Florida International University. Langston-Balikos joined Apple five years ago, after graduating from FIU. "I started as an assistant account executive and then moved on up the ranks. I was named president about a year ago." She is a regular guest lecturer at local colleges and coordinates pro-bono charitable events as well.

The Future: Langston-Balikos hopes to continue to grow the company. "I'd like to diversify a little but real estate is our focus right now and it's hot. I don't think it's a bad industry to specialize in especially in South Florida." She is heir apparent to public relations maven Phyllis Apple, who launched the firm 25 years ago.

An Opportunity Grabbed: "I think it was really timing: I had gone back to college later, I worked hard to make up for lost time, and then key positions opened up."

People with her cell phone number: "In this profession, you work with the media and they are on deadlines. We are expected to be available."

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