Burke retires from tax collector’s office
Longtime customer service representative Cathy Burke, center, has retired from the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office. Burke has been with the office for 11 years, and ends a career that most recently included running the correspondence desk among other responsibilities. Burke was trained in all aspects of the office’s operation, and has played a key role in training new employees. Tax Collector Mike Fasano, left, and Dade City office manager Michelle VanCuren, honored her.
(Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office)
Martin to lead Saint Leo advisory council
Saint Leo University has launched a new Communication-Marketing-Multimedia Industry Advisory Council, with Summer Martin from the Pasco Economic Development Council, elected as chairwoman.
The council’s mission is to serve as an advisory body, working collaboratively with the instructional faculty and students by providing ideas and opinions on matters concerning the industry, and to help advance the department’s strategic plan.
“Talent is always No. 1 on a company’s wish list when choosing a location for its business,” said Martin, in a release. “This is a great opportunity for industry professionals to weigh in on the skills they would like to see future graduates have as it relates to their business and the field of marketing, communication and multimedia.”
Martin joined the PEDC in 2012, and has since helped the organization win four awards recognizing its marketing efforts. She also serves on the Tampa Bay Partnership’s Regional Marketing Council, and in 2012, participated as a member of the Communications Action Group for the Tampa Bay Host Committee.
“Saint Leo University is preparing students for future jobs, and we want to stay on the cutting edge,” said Michael Nastanski, dean of Saint Leo’s Donald R. Tapia School of Business, in a release. “We look forward to working with industry professionals to develop the Tampa Bay region’s talent.”
Pancake breakfast fundraiser
North East Tampa Women in Business will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser May 17 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Lexington Oaks Golf Club, 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
The cost is $10 per person, and includes raffles. Money raised will help fund two $500 scholarships the organization gives in December.
For information, email , or call (813) 451-8023.
More apartments coming to Zephyrhills
A developer that wanted to add another recreational vehicle park to State Road 54 just west of Zephyrhills, has been convinced to build a new apartment complex instead.
Terrace Investors LLC were scheduled to appear in front of the Pasco County Commission May 6 seeking a rezoning of a 14-acre piece of property on New River Road next to Terrace Park Mobile Home Park, so that it could build a 228-unit project.
Terrace Investors bought the vacant land in 1999 for $240,000, according to the Pasco County Property Appraiser. Steve McConihay owns the company, and in 2012 also proposed to replace a 138-lot RV park with a 230-unit apartment complex in Largo, according to published reports.
His new project there, called Boulevard Apartments, secured $30 million in financing just last month.
The commission’s decision on the rezoning request was not available by the time The Laker/Lutz News went to press.
Levent to speak at Women-n-Charge
Women-n-Charge will have its next meeting June 6 at 11:30 a.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa.
Guest speaker is business strategist and author Tammy Levent, who will talk about how to create successful strategic partnerships in this economy.
Cost is $15 for members, and $18 for guests, if purchased by Tuesday before the meeting.
To register, visit Women-n-Charge.com. For information, call (813) 600-9848.
Grandson to intern with Cessna
Joshua Cherok, the grandson of Leon and Shirley Cherok of Land O’ Lakes, has accepted a summer internship with Cessna Aircraft Co., in Wichita, Kansas.
He will work as a customer support representative with the engine events management team.
Cherok will graduate in December from Kent State University in Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics.
PEDC needs banquet sponsors
The Pasco Economic Development Council is seeking sponsors for its annual appreciation banquet.
The 28-year-old event allows the organization to recognize those who help keep the Pasco County economy strong and growing, and is typically attended by more than 600 business and community leaders each year, according to a release.
The banquet is set for Sept. 2 at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel.
Sponsorships range from $500 to $7,500.
For information, call (813) 926-0827, ext. 226, or email , by July 1.
More jobs coming to region
The Tampa Bay market gained 30,000 new jobs in March, while the unemployment rate locally dropped by 1 percentage point to 7.5 percent.
The numbers were released by Gov. Rick Scott’s office, and included gains in areas like professional and business services with 9,000 new jobs, and trade and transportation with 6,400 new jobs. Manufacturing had 4,100 new jobs.
The region was first among the state metropolitan areas when it came to online job demand with 41,076 openings. That included nearly 10,500 openings in science, technology, engineering and mathematics — STEM jobs that are considered high wage and high skill.
The unemployment rate statewide in March was 6.3 percent.
