New Leadership Installed at the 129th Annual Meeting
The
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce marked the 129th anniversary of its Annual Meeting today
at
the Tampa Convention Center. More than 750 attendees came together to celebrate the Chamber's 2014 achievements. 2014 Chamber Chair Robin DeLaVergne of Tampa General Hospital passed the gavel to 2015 Chair Ronald A. Christaldi, Esq., of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. This year's theme was PROSPERITY!, inspired by classic game show JEOPARDY!
Christaldi offered a preview of the Chamber's priorities in 2015, including continuing to be a leader in the discussion on transportation issues affecting Tampa Bay; building on the past year's successful launch of Education Connection, with a commitment to bridge the gap between local businesses and Tampa's academic community; and focusing on arts and culture as a vital part of our local economy.
Christaldi introduced the Chamber's 2015 Executive Committee Members, including:
Chair-Elect:
Guy King, III, M.E. Wilson Co., Inc.
Treasurer:
Mike Griffin, Vertical Integration, Inc.
Finance Committee Co-Chairs:
Sandra W. Callahan, TECO Energy, Inc.
Corey Neil, The Bank of Tampa
Community Development Co-Chairs:
Scott DeThomas, GTE Financial
Bemetra Simmons, BB&T
Innovation Leadership Co-Chairs:
Doug Pace, Bayshore Solutions
Susan Stackhouse, Stellar Partners, Inc.
Marketing Committee Co-Chairs:
Lauren Key, Florida Hospital
Christine Turner, ChappellRoberts
Membership Development Co-Chairs:
Vincent J. Cassidy, Majesty Title Services, LLC
Joseph Meterchick, PNC Bank
Military Council Co-Chairs:
Brian Murphy, ReliaQuest, LLC
Chase Stockon, Panther International, LLC
Program Co-Chairs:
Bruce Faulmann, Tampa Bay Times
Jamie Harden, Creative Sign Designs
Public Policy Co-Chairs:
Patrick Baskette, EFP Now
Steven Bernstein, Esq., Fisher & Phillips, LLP
Legal Counsel:
Lee Nelson, Shutts & Bowen LLP
The Chamber also presented the 2014 H.L. Culbreath Jr. Profile in Leadership Award to
Dick Beard. The award, established in 1997 by
Leadership Tampa Alumni, a committee of the Chamber, is presented annually in recognition of an individual whose leadership has made a positive impact within the greater Tampa community.
In the face of difficult economic times, Beard was the leader behind the development of several downtown Tampa projects including 100 North Tampa Street and Bank of America Plaza, considered by most to be two of the most prominent buildings in the southeast United States. His community involvement includes having served as Chair of the University of South Florida Board of Trustees, Vice-Chair of the 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee for the Republican National Convention, 2009 Chair of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Tampa General Hospital. Beard currently serves on the State University System of the Florida Board of Governors and the Council of 100.The event also featured guest speakers Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik who discussed his vision for the future of downtown Tampa and invited residents to do the same by participating in
Tampa Waterfront 20/20, America's first crowdsourced neighborhood.
In addition, the Chamber announced its 2015 class of Startup Scholars which include
Arcturus, Hannah's Shoebox, LilyPad, No Mo Nausea and PikMyKid. We also announced the speakers for our largest and most highly anticipated event each year, the Women of Influence Luncheon. This year's speakers are Emily Nunez Cavness and Betsy Nunez, co-founders of Sword & Plough, a fashion company that works with veterans to make fashionable and durable bags from recycled military fabrics. Mark your calendars now for April 2. Tickets will go on sale in 2015. Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Please email Staci Fraser for sponsorship details. Thank you to all of our attendees, Chamber members, elected officials and the Tampa Bay community for making 2014 another excellent year for the Chamber. We look forward to what 2015 has in store!
the Bob Cutler Volunteer Award and the Business Partner of the Year Award. To nominate a person or business for one of the following categories, please complete each section of the nomination form. Any endorsements the nominator feels will help the selection committee in its deliberations are welcome. All community activities during 2014 should be mentioned. 
