Center honors ‘climate champions’
SARASOTA – Community leaders, scientists, business executives and public officials gathered March 11 at Michael’s On East for the fourth annual Climate Champions Awards.
The Climate Adaptation Center honored three regional leaders helping Southwest Florida prepare for stronger storms, rising seas and other climate impacts.
The Beacon Award, the CAC’s highest honor for climate adaptation leadership, was presented to Sara Kane, sustainability and resilience manager for Sarasota County; Charlie Hunsicker, director of natural resources for Manatee County; and John LaCivita, president and CEO of Willis Smith Construction.
“This year’s Climate Champions represent exactly the kind of leadership our region needs,” said Bob Bunting, CEO of the Climate Adaptation Center. “They are turning climate risk into action and helping ensure the Suncoast remains a safe, thriving place to live and work.”
North Tampa Chamber names Leadership Fellows
WESLEY CHAPEL – The North Tampa Bay Chamber has announced its inaugural Leadership Fellows cohort.
The following leaders will participate in the eight-month leadership development program beginning April 2:
- Mariana Alvarez, Controller Works.
- Ryan Ward, Florida Blue.
- Natasha Faith Beckel, BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel.
- Tracy Burke, Inside Out Aesthetics and Wellness.
- Cassandra Garvey, CareerSource Pasco Hernando.
- Dustin Gothard, FiCare Federal Credit Union.
- Heather Hughes, Optimum Health & Wellness.
- Michael Berthelette, Platinum Salon.
- Don Copeland, The Copeland Team.
- Mae McKinney, Tampa Early College Academy.
- Natalie Oulton, McFarland, Gould, Lyons, Sullivan & Hogan, P.A.
- Casey Sumner, Orlando Health.
Companies support chamber golf tourney
WESLEY CHAPEL – AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has been named the presenting sponsor of the North Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation Scholarship Golf Tournament.
Additional sponsors include contest sponsors Slater | Grant Personal Injury + Trial Firm, Paul Davis Restoration, The Clubhouse and PopStroke; tee sponsors Boardwalk Wealth Solutions and Diamond Dogs Smart Vending; and beverage sponsors Pepin Distributors and Good Boy Vodka.
Proceeds from the tournament will support scholarships.
Organizers say additional sponsorship opportunities remain available.
Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details.
St. Petersburg Distillery names master distiller
- PETERSBURG – St. Petersburg Distillery has named Clara Robbins as its new master distiller.
Robbins, who made history in 2022 as the first woman in Florida to hold the title, will oversee all aspects of production, including ingredient selection, distillation and blending, while guiding the future of the brand’s spirits.
She previously spent four years with the distillery as a gin distiller and quality manager, contributing to products such as Tropical Gin.
“We are thrilled to welcome Clara back home to St. Petersburg Distillery as our master distiller,” said CEO Evan Brownstein. “Her creativity, combined with her strong scientific background and deep understanding of the craft, makes her an extraordinary talent.”
Robbins most recently led Good Liquid Distilling Company and has also appeared on the Discovery Channel series “Moonshiners: Master Distiller.”
Coastal Construction names new VP
TAMPA – Coastal Construction Group promoted Phillip Duame to vice president of field operations as the company expands across Tampa Bay and into North Florida.
Duame has spent 15 years with Coastal Construction, advancing from project engineer to project executive.
“Phillip has consistently stood out as a leader who works extremely hard to deliver best-in-class service and quality,” said Sean Murphy, co-president of Coastal Construction. “He embodies the integrity, transparency and disciplined execution that define Coastal.”
Duame has worked on major Tampa Bay projects including Heron at Water Street Tampa and the Ritz-Carlton Residences phases one and two on Bayshore Boulevard.
Tax collector goes through FBI training
TAMPA – Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan has graduated from the FBI Tampa Field Office’s Citizens Academy.
The seven-week program is designed to strengthen relationships between the FBI and community leaders.
The program provided an inside look at FBI operations, including efforts to combat violent crime, cybercrime, terrorism and white-collar crime. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises such as mock investigations and evidence collection, along with demonstrations by firearms and SWAT teams.
“Completing the FBI Citizens Academy has been one of the most eye-opening and meaningful professional experiences of my career,” Millan said. “The men and women of the FBI are extraordinary public servants.”
The Tax Collector’s Office partners with law enforcement agencies to address fraud, identity theft and other crimes affecting residents.
Greenlee earns post with The Florida Bar
TAMPA – Tampa attorney Paige A. Greenlee has been elected president-elect designate of The Florida Bar.
Greenlee will be sworn in as president-elect June 19 at the Annual Florida Bar Convention, when current President-elect Michael Fox Orr becomes president. Greenlee will serve as president for the 2027-28 Bar year.
Greenlee defeated Jeffrey Rynor with 7,244 votes to 4,583.
A sole practitioner with Greenlee Law PLLC, Greenlee has more than 20 years of professional service, including roles as president of the Bar’s Young Lawyers Division and the Hillsborough County Bar Association.
Her platform focuses on access to justice, court efficiency, professionalism, technology and support for small firms.
Groundbreaking marks start of apartment build
TAMPA – Hillsborough County and Blue Sky Communities celebrated the groundbreaking March 12 for Rio Palma Apartments, a 90-unit affordable housing community that will include nine apartments reserved for formerly homeless residents.
Half of the units will be rented at below-market rates for households earning 60% to 80% of the area median income, with the remaining units for those earning 30% to 50%.
The development, located at 7200 Causeway Blvd., will include 16 one-bedroom, 50 two-bedroom and 24 three-bedroom apartments. Five units will be fully accessible for people with disabilities. Amenities will include an exercise room, community center, playground and energy-efficient features.
North Tampa Bay events
LAND O’ LAKES – The North Tampa Bay Chamber will host Q1 Economic Development Briefing, Final Friday and a ribbon cutting.
- JD Porter, developer of Wiregrass Ranch, discusses ongoing development during the Q1 Economic Development Briefing from 9 to 10:30 a.m. March 26 at Fairfield Inn & Suites Tampa Wesley Chapel, 2650 Lajuana Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Members pay $20. Others pay $30. Register in advance.
- Members celebrate the opening of PureVida Primary Care & Wellness with a ribbon cutting from 4 to 6 p.m. March 26 at 2404 Creel Lane, Suite 102, Wesley Chapel. Register in advance.
- Members network during Final Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. March 27 at Top Shelf Sports Lounge, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Register in advance.
Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details about the chamber and events.
Greater Pasco events
NEW PORT RICHEY – The Greater Pasco Chamber will host the New Port Richey Business Exchange and Coffee Connections.
- Members trade company literature during the New Port Richey Business Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26 at Seafire Grill, 4927 U.S. 19, New Port Richey. Register in advance.
- The Young Professionals Group networks during Coffee Connections from 9:30 to 11 a.m. March 27 at Starkey Market, 3460 Starkey Blvd., Trinity.
Visit greaterpasco.com for details about the chamber and events.
East Pasco events
DADE CITY – The East Pasco Chamber will host Coffee & Networking.
- Members network during Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. March 27 at the Zephyrhills office (38550 5th Ave.) and from 8 to 9 a.m. March 31 at the Dade City office (14112 8th St.). Register in advance.
Visit eastpascochamber.org for details about the chamber and events.
