‘Star’ performers celebrated
The Pasco County Commission has adopted a resolution commending the county’s 2023 Star Performer, Star Leader and Star Team of the Year.
Sarah Sukhram was selected as the county’s Star Performer; Ben Diel was selected as its Star Leader; and a long list of employees was selected as the Star Team of the Year for their work in helping the county assume operations of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus.
Sukhram, is volunteer and foster coordinator with Pasco County Animal Services, “Sarah has worked to create one of the finest volunteer programs in the country, validated by Points of Light and the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) as a Service Enterprise organization for standards of excellence in volunteer engagement,” according to a Pasco County news release. “She routinely goes above and beyond – making a difference in not only people’s lives, but animals’ lives as well,” the release adds.
Diel is the county’s training and development manager, who has worked for Pasco for nearly three decades. He “has provided outstanding service to team members and leaders across the organization – making him a top role model for all,” the release adds.
The county’s 2023 Star Team of the Year award goes to the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus (WRSC) Transition Team, the release says.
“They overcame a huge obstacle,” according to the release. “In a mere 45 days, the team took over operations of WRSC from an outside agency. Dozens of team members from all facets of Pasco County Government played an important role in the transition. These devoted employees offered their services, assistance and guidance to successfully complete this monumental task.”
Members of the Star Team of the Year are: Mathew Abenojar, John Alland, Doug Anderson, Erik Anderson, Louise Anderson, Lorraine Atwater, Todd Babinsack, Shelly Bandy, Nicolas Barr, Andrew Baxter, Todd Bayley, Jesse Bednarik, Elizabeth Blair, Chad Blaz, Earle Burch, Troy Casten, Matthew Christian, David Conlin, Chuck Cordon, Cristina Cordon, Elva Correa, Carolyn Creamer, Todd Curci, Anthony DeFeo, Anita Derks, John Digeon, Connor Donovan, Kyle Endriss, Monica Ewalt, Amielee Farrell, Alex Fasano, Danny Ferns, Denise Forman, Joe Fox, Curtis Franklin, Kayla Getz, David Goldstein, Audomaro Gomez, Samantha Grahn, Peter Grayling, Art Greif, Ashley Grindstaff, Sharaya Hairston, Michael Hall, Laura Hayhurst, Eli Hazen, Margery Helton, Roy Hernandez Rivera, Louis Hite, Barbara Hitzemann, Greg Hodges, Carolina Howard, Faridah Huller, Ben Isaacs, Lindsay Janssen, Schello Jean-Louis, Tom Johnson, Tambrey Laine, Emilee Leathers, Ryan Lewis, Karen Lloyd, Marivette Maldonado-Figueroa, Michael Maloy, Jeffrey Manion, Anthony Martin, Matthew McDonough, Lawrence Miller, John Morrell, Timothy Myrick, Brenda Nardi, Raul Nardi, Jeffrey Nealey, Kathie O’Neill, Ronnie Outen, Gail Parnell, Sarah Phinney, TJ Pyche, Matthew Raffaelli, Carrie Roberts, Consuelo Sanchez, Shawn Sanders, Shannon Saracena, Nina Scherach, Christopher Sharrer, Bryan Shaw, Robert Shipley, James Sikes, Isaiah Smallwood, Michael Smith, Kathy Spinks, Doug Steiger, Terrence Stewart, Cindy Szappan, Brian Taylor and Jennifer Tellarini.
Chamber Lunch ‘n Learn
The North Tampa Bay Chamber will host a Lunch ‘n Learn focusing on the topic of Pasco County Libraries. The event will be on Feb. 15 at 11:30 a.m. To find out more, go to NorthTampaBayChamber.com.
Showcase of opportunities
The construction of Orlando Health Hospital in Wesley Chapel is creating new opportunities for local businesses. The North Tampa Bay Chamber, Turner Construction, trade partners and community leaders are planning a day of networking, procurement opportunities and an informational panel.
The event will be on Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Porter Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The event will include a tabletop expo and trade partner networking, lunch and a panel discussion with community partners.
Cost is $25, which includes lunch. Visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com for more information.
GROW Pasco
Take advantage of the opportunity to learn about a wide array of business topics at Grow Pasco, which is set for March 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Saint Leo University Wellness Center, 12338 Priory Circle, in San Antonio. Grow Pasco features 15 breakout sessions, led by some of the best business minds in the area. Go to the Pasco Economic Development Council’s website, PascoEDC.com, to find out more about the topics, the speakers and how to register.
Pasco County Day at the Capitol
Join the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s public policy committee for its “Pasco County Day” at the Capitol. Those taking the trip will have the opportunity to visit with our local representatives serving in the Florida Legislature, and to provide advocacy for your business and/or industry. The trip is open to all, not just chamber members. The cost is $40 and this is what you can expect:
* Arrival at Center for Innovation where refreshments will be served
* Break
* Legislative speakers
* Complimentary lunch with legislative speakers
* Senate Chamber with more legislative speakers
* Tour of Old Capitol and/or 22nd floor Capitol Observatory Gallery visit
* End the evening with a social at Proof Brewing Company with complimentary heavy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments
* Bus ride back to Pasco
The chartered bus will be departing from Pasco County at 6:15 a.m., on Feb. 13 and will be returning by 11 p.m., the same day. To reserve your seat or for additional information, call 727-842-7651, or visit the chamber’s website at GreaterPasco.com.
International Tourism & Trade Day
Registration is open for Pasco County International Tourism & Trade Day. The event will bring together Pasco County business leaders, international resource partners and exporters. It offers opportunities to learn about resources available to help Pasco businesses expand their business through exporting.
There will be a panel discussion featuring Pasco County businesses who have participated in trade missions and with resource partners who made that possible. There also will be opportunities to meet resource partners to assist with international business development, and information will be shared about an upcoming trade mission to Canada.
The event is set for Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Florida Avenue Brewing Company, 2029 Arrowgrass Drive, in Wesley Chapel.
Seating is limited and a complimentary lunch will be provided. For more information, reach out to .
Pasco/Hernando SCORE Mentoring
Pasco Hernando SCORE offers free confidential small business mentoring. Volunteer business experts will provide free assistance to small business owners to help solve their problems and grow their business. To request a mentor, visit SCORE.org/pascohernando .
