Saint Leo University Welcomes Seven New Trustees

Saint Leo University announced the appointment of seven new members to its Board of Trustees, with their terms beginning July 1. The new trustees are Pete Biscardi ’70, Laurie Koblegard, Georg Olowson, Felix Stubbs, Kevin Sullivan ’13, Thomas Sullivan, and Sabria Thompson-Murphy ’18, ’21.

The Board of Trustees serves as the university's governing body, responsible for overseeing the university's strategic direction, financial stewardship, and long-term sustainability while supporting Saint Leo's Catholic, Benedictine mission.

"Our Board of Trustees plays a vital role in guiding the future of Saint Leo University," said Dr. Jim Burkee, president of Saint Leo University. "We are pleased to welcome these accomplished leaders, whose diverse experience and commitment to service will help strengthen Saint Leo as we continue expanding opportunities for our students and advancing our mission."

Additional background information about each of the new trustees is provided below:

Pete Biscardi ’70

Pete Biscardi earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Saint Leo College and went on to hold management positions in the automotive industry, including roles with Hertz Corporation and National Auto Care Corp., where he served as president and later as a partner. He also served as city manager at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. 

An avid sports fan, Biscardi remains a loyal supporter of Saint Leo Lions Athletics. In 2025, Saint Leo University named its baseball field Pete Biscardi Field at Thomas B. Southard Stadium and its basketball court Pete & Linda Biscardi Court.

Since retiring, he has remained active as a business consultant and volunteer with local charities. He and his wife, Linda, live in Bonita Springs, Florida, and maintain part-time residences in New York City and Dublin, Ohio. They have two adult children and one grandson.

Laurie Koblegard

Laurie Koblegard retired after a career in the financial services industry, where she held senior executive positions with global investment management companies. She and her husband raised their family in Westchester County, New York, where she was active at St. Patrick Parish in Bedford.

After returning to Florida, Koblegard joined the Saint Leo University Board of Trustees, where she chaired the Investment Committee and the Academic Affairs Committee. She now returns to the board for another term.

She volunteers with the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County and is active in community organizations, including the Garden Club of Indian River County and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. In her free time, she enjoys spending time on the water and in the woods.

Georg Olowson

Georg M. V. Olowson is a technology entrepreneur and leader in responsible artificial intelligence. He is the founder and CEO of Phylax Intelligence, a company developing AI for safety and crisis operations that helps communities and critical infrastructure anticipate hazards, detect threats and respond more quickly. Before founding Phylax, Olowson spent seven years at IBM, most recently as AI governance leader for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, working across teams in Germany, New York, and Switzerland. He advised leading European enterprises and governments on AI transformation and earned multiple awards for his contributions.

Olowson is a recognized speaker on Europe's AI landscape, focusing on trustworthy AI, resilience and the ethical deployment of advanced technologies. He earned a degree in digital business from DHBW and studied at the Athens University of Economics and Business.

Beyond his professional work, Olowson serves on the boards of the World Council of Cretans and the Pancretan Association of Europe, promoting culture, education and heritage.

Felix Stubbs

Felix Stubbs is a business and civic leader dedicated to advancing The Bahamas through leadership on government, nonprofit, civic and charitable boards and committees. He previously chaired the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, helping strengthen workforce training, and led Junior Achievement Bahamas for 19 years. He currently serves as chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Bahamas Feeding Network, Doctors Hospital, BAF Financial, Cable Bahamas, and the National Development Plan Steering Committee.

His distinguished service has earned numerous honors, including appointment as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1996, the Salvation Army's William Booth Award in 2023, and the national honor Order of Distinction, Commander, in 2025. He also earned the Chartered Director (C.Dir.) designation from the Caribbean Governance Training Institute in 2020.

A dedicated Rotarian, Stubbs has held leadership positions at the club, district, and zone levels and has received multiple humanitarian and service awards. He and his wife, Madam Justice Carla Card-Stubbs, have three children.

Kevin Sullivan ’13

Kevin Sullivan earned a bachelor's degree in business management, graduating cum laude from the Honors Program at Saint Leo University, before earning his Juris Doctor from Ave Maria School of Law. While at Saint Leo, he served as a resident assistant, vice president of finance for the Student Government Union, and a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He became the first undergraduate in the fraternity's history to receive the Key Leader Award.

Sullivan is a partner and shareholder at LeavenLaw, where he represents clients in personal injury cases, including automobile, motorcycle, and slip-and-fall accidents. Known for the slogan "Accident? Call Kevin," he is active in the Tampa Bay community, community supporting local chambers and his alma mater, Saint Leo University.

He lives in Tampa with his wife and their two children. In his free time, he enjoys attending car shows and working out.

Thomas Sullivan

Thomas Sullivan is senior vice president for small business policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. His advocacy career includes founding the legal center at the National Federation of Independent Business, serving as general counsel for the Bipartisan Policy Center, and helping establish the Innovative Lending Platform Association.

Sullivan was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as chief counsel for advocacy at the U.S. Small Business Administration during the administration of President George W. Bush, and he remains active in the Bush-Cheney alumni network.

In addition to becoming a member of the Saint Leo University Board of Trustees, he serves on the board of directors of the Global Entrepreneurship Network. Sullivan is also a graduate of the U.S. Chamber's Institute for Organization Management credential program. He and his wife live in Virginia and have two sons.

Sabria Thompson-Murphy ’18, ’21

Sabria Thompson Murphy is a distinguished accounting professional and entrepreneur whose career reflects a steady rise through tax, audit, and business leadership. She earned a bachelor's degree in accounting with a minor in economics from Saint Leo University in 2018 and a Master of Accountancy in 2021. Her academic foundation supported a career trajectory that began in tax specialization and grew into audit-focused work. Today, she also leads entrepreneurial ventures that reflect her broad business interests and commitment to impact.

Thompson Murphy began her professional career at PricewaterhouseCoopers as a tax specialist, focusing on partnership and corporate taxation. She later transitioned into audit work, specializing in nonprofit organizations with an emphasis on higher education institutions.

In addition to her accounting career, Thompson Murphy owns and operates businesses across multiple industries. In 2025, she established two scholarships at Saint Leo University to support Bahamian students pursuing degrees in business and accounting. She also invests in international learning opportunities and philanthropic initiatives that expand access to education and promote cultural enrichment for young men and women.