Incepture’s success is derived from the hard work and passion of our group of professionals. The team is supported by the vision and guidance of our executive management group. With over 85 years of experience in leadership roles, the management group serves as a model of diversity and expertise, reflecting our core values, strengths and dedication to delivering solid, sustainable results.
Our management group’s years of experience in project management, health care, information technology, sales, business operations, human resources, finance, legal and marketing are the foundation for our accomplishments of today and the future.
Earnie Franklin
President and CEO
In his role as president and CEO of Incepture, Earnie is responsible for strategic direction and successful execution of the company’s objectives. Earnie has significant leadership experience and has spent more than 20 years in the IT field. Most recently, he served as the chief information officer of TriServ Alliance, LLC. Prior to that, he held various leadership roles within the IT organization at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. Throughout his career, Earnie has been active in several professional and civic organizations. He is a member of the IT advisory board for Jacksonville University and an active member of the Association of Information Technology Professionals, previously serving as the president of the Jacksonville Chapter and Southeast Region. He also serves on the board of directors of IT Florida, a technology-focused non-profit organization formed to enhance information technology as a key element of economic development within the state of Florida. Earnie is an active member of the United Way of Northeast Florida and a member of the Tocqueville Society.
Earnie completed undergraduate studies in business and computer science at Samford University and Jacksonville University and holds a Master’s degree in business administration from Jacksonville University.
Favorite Quote: "Find something you love to do, and you will never work another day in your life.” Confucius
What is one thing you’d like to do, but haven’t? Be a Food Network Star.
What is your favorite word? Love
Amy Ruth
Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff
Amy serves as Incepture’s Vice President of Operations and is responsible for all aspects of staffing operations and human resource management including compensation and benefits, employee relations and policy and procedures. Amy is a seasoned human resource professional with over 20 years of experience. Before joining Incepture, Amy was the executive director of total rewards for TriServ Alliance, LLC. Prior to that role, Amy held several leadership positions with InterContinental Hotels Group. She also has experience working for Towers Watson and SunTrust Banks.
Amy received a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from Kennesaw State University.
What is your favorite quote? "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is your guilty pleasure? Captain Crunch with Crunch Berries
What was your first car? 1978 white Volkswagen Rabbit with a tan interior and a rebuilt engine that made that car faster than all of my friends' cars.
Kathy Young
Director of Staffing Operations
Serving as Incepture’s Staffing Operations Director, Kathy provides leadership for recruiting, major account management, partner program management and consultant relations. She has accountability for developing and executing staffing strategies to improve market share and reach revenue growth goals. Kathy is a seasoned staffing industry professional with a proven track record and over 15 years of experience. Prior to joining Incepture, she held various management positions with Idea Information Security, Technology Service Partners, The King Companies and Qualitech Systems.
Kathy received a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
What is your guilty pleasure? Potato chips and French onion dip
If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be? My grandfather- never met him. I would love to have known the man that was the father to my father.
What is your favorite word? Synergy
Mike Otwell
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of IT
Mike Otwell serves as Incepture’s Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of IT. In this role, Mike is responsible for the organization’s financial operations as well as its IT infrastructure. He brings with him more than 15 years of finance experience, most recently as director, controller with First Coast Service Options. Prior to that, Mike held senior management positions with several high growth companies, including public accounting firm, Ernst & Young.
Mike is a certified public accountant and holds a Master’s degree in business administration from Stetson University and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Auburn University.
What is one thing you’d like to do, but haven’t? Travel the world
What is your guilty pleasure? Dark chocolate
What was your first car? 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback
Robin Merricks
Director of Sales
Robin serves as Incepture’s Director of Sales. Robin brings with her more than 16 years of sales and business development experience, primarily in the staffing industry. She has direct experience with staffing solutions and outsourcing, recruitment process outsourcing and managed services. Prior to joining Incepture, Robin held sales leadership roles with firms such as WorkRecords, Adecco, Veritude, Spherion and Pro Staff Personnel.
Robin holds a Bachelors Degree in Design from Virginia Wesleyan College.
Matt Tuohy
Director of the Avalon Vendor Management Business Unit
In this role, he is responsible for all operational aspects of the business unit. Matt also has oversight for Incepture’s InVet program which focuses on providing job related resources and employment services to our military men and women coming out of active duty. This is a fitting role as Matt had a 27-year naval career; most as a Naval Flight Officer, flying the S3 Viking in numerous squadron and staff assignments.
He served as the Commanding Officer of Sea Control Squadron 32 (VS-32) onboard the USS AMERICA (CV-66), and commanded the helicopter carrier/ Mine Counter Measures Command ship, USS INCHON (MCS-12). And he was the 28th Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier, USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63).
Active in the community, he is the Past President of the Jacksonville Council of the Navy League and is a member of the Board of Governors of the Florida Yacht Club. He presently serves as the President of the Jacksonville University Alumni Board of Governors and as a member of the JU Board of Trustees.
Matt has a Bachelor’s degree from JU and he is a graduate of the College of Naval Command and Staff and the Armed Forces Staff College. He also holds Masters Degrees from Salve Regina, The Newport College and The Naval War College and in 2003 he completed a Masters of Business Administration degree at JU.
What is your favorite quote? “It doesn’t matter if the pancakes are cold, if the syrup is hot, the troops know you care.”
What was your first car? 1974 Porsche 914
What is your favorite word? Daddy
Ted Hagan
Sr. Director of Incepture Print Solutions
In this capacity, Ted has responsibility for all aspects of the commercial print and mail facility and its operations. Prior to joining Incepture, Ted spent 27 years at BCBSFL. He began his career with progressive responsibilities within the finance discipline for Government Programs. His IT career began with similar responsibilities within the IT space progressing to leadership responsibility for Capacity Planning, Technical Services and IT Service Delivery. He also led the software development organization and the new data center design/migration and Software Development Life Cycle implementation.
Ted has a Masters degree in Music Composition & Theory and an MBA with emphasis in Finance from Florida State University.
What is your favorite quote? “Never make excuses. Your friends don’t need them and your foes won’t believe them.” John Wooden
What is your favorite word? Lovely
If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be? Mozart