The Inweekly Power List is our annual ranking published in early February, highlighting the most influential people shaping Pensacola and Escambia County. The list seeks to quantify local influence and includes business leaders, philanthropists, activists, and community change agents whose decisions and initiatives have a measurable impact on the region.
History and Selection Process
The Power List originated in 2007 from an informal conversation about those in Pensacola who could make things happen with a single phone call. What began as a top ten list on a cocktail napkin quickly expanded into an influential annual feature.
The inaugural list sparked heated debate and quickly became a sought-after recognition, evolving into a rigorous selection process involving community input and careful evaluation. The list now includes 100 names rather than the initial handful.
Who’s Included
• The ranking tends to feature business leaders, philanthropists, nonprofit executives, and grassroots organizers rather than elected officials, whose power is considered inherent to their positions.
• Honorees are chosen for their real-world impact and visibility, with some individuals recognized for transformative potential rather than traditional power.
• Diverse leaders spanning sectors such as healthcare, media, and advocacy are celebrated, including both established figures and emerging voices in the community.
Notable Facts and Impact
• The top spot in 2025 was held by Belle Bear, co-founder of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay and a champion of multiple causes and nonprofits, recognized for her humble yet far-reaching influence. Bear was later named to the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.
Purpose and Community Role
• The Power List amplifies visibility of those driving change in the Pensacola area, from philanthropic leaders to advocates and organizers.
• It provides a snapshot of who shapes the present and future of the community each year, as determined by the editorial team at Inweekly with input from residents and stakeholders.
You Can Help
Send us your pick you pick to top the 2026 Inweekly Power List. Submit here https://form.jotform.com/253133379518158.
If you need some help, check out the 2025 Power List.
Who isn’t eligible?
When we created the first Inweekly Power List in 2007, we wanted it to be vibrant and ever-changing as influence and power evolved in our community. As roles shifted and greater Pensacola grew, we wanted the names and rankings to reflect what was happening. Therefore, those who are named #1 are no longer eligible for the Power List and are added to the Inweekly Hall of Fame.
Fred Levin (2007).
J. Collier Merrill (2008)
Lewis Bear Jr. (2009)
Quint Studer (2010)
Ashton Hayward (2011)
Dr. Judy Bense (2012)
David Morgan (2013)
Mike Papantonio (2014)
Stan Connally (2015)
Bentina Terry (2016)
Rishy Studer (2017)
James J. Reeves (2018)
Lumon May (2019)
Sue Straughn (2021)
Troy Rafferty (2022)
David Bear (2023)
Dr. Martha Saunders (2024)
Belle Bear (2025)
Can we throw Jeff Weeks (WUWF) on this list? If not for this year, moving forward? He does spectacular interviews with practically all the people you nominate. And much more. It took me a while to get used to his style when he was at WEAR. But if there was a streaming app of nothing other than Jeff Weeks interviews done since he began on BLAB and the local PBS, I’d binge watch it.
He has important local people on, cool characters who may be in town, etc. And he asks good, thoughtful questions as he is always more prepared than the interviewee expects. And that leads to fantastic answers that would not otherwise be said. He allows people to open up. Everyone else in journalism could learn a lot from this guy. I have never met Jeff Weeks and I doubt we’d have anything in common, But I respect his volume of work! The man is extraordinary with sit-down, give me your soul interviews. The dude knows how to get the best even if it is someone just promoting themself. He finds a way to push it to a better answer in the most polite way you will ever see. Love the dude! Learn from it.