Vistra celebrates 15 years
Vistra Communications, a Lutz communications and marketing company, is celebrating its 15th anniversary and has been marking the occasion by giving back to the community.
The company was conceptualized and launched in the Lutz home of CEO and President Brian Butler, a U.S. Army Veteran.
Though Butler is a combat decorated career military officer, his communications career also began as he served his country, and then catapulted those skills into an award-winning, full-service integrated marketing, communications and consulting agency.
His early clients, including Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School and Positive Spin, a local nonprofit, were instrumental in helping the company get its start, according to a news release from Vistra.
It built on its early successes and now the agency has nearly 120 employees and serves nonprofits, small businesses and corporate clients, including some of the largest brands in the nation and more than a dozen federal agencies.
To mark its 15th anniversary, Vistra recently contributed $10,000 worth of books purchased through Diversify the Classroom and donated the books to the Hillsborough Education Foundation for schools most in need. The company also donated $15,000 to Mort Elementary School to provide each of the nearly 1,000 students with a $15 online shopping experience as a class project, via Walmart gift cards for school or household items. Contributions also are being made to the Laundry Project by Current and Positive Spin, two of Vistra’s initial clients.
“I owe much of Vistra’s success to the Tampa Bay community who entrusted me and my team to partner with their organizations and help tell their companies’ stories. We have always put our clients first and that has served all of us well,” Butler said, in the release. “We can’t just live in this community, it’s important for us to be a vital part of this community, and giving back is just part of our DNA.”
Walmart Health opens
Walmart Health, at 28500 State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel, had a grand opening on June 7 for its new neighborhood health destination. The location offers full-service primary, urgent and preventative health services. Those services include: primary care, labs, X-ray, behavioral health, optical, dental, hearing, community health and education.
Suffolk names general manager
Suffolk, a builder and real estate enterprise, has named Jim Scarpace as general manager of its Tampa operations. Scarpace brings more than three decades of experience to the role, including the management of large complex projects and start-up growth of offices in markets including New York, Florida, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi. Most recently, he served as senior vice president for Strategic Property Partners, the developer of the Water Street Tampa development.
Pasco EDC seeks nominations
The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., (Pasco EDC) is seeking nominations for its 34th annual awards.
The event is regarded as Pasco County’s premier business event, generally attracting more than 400 business and community leaders, including state legislators, county commissioners, city officials and business leaders.
The event includes Pasco EDC’s annual Industry Awards, which honor local companies that demonstrate exemplary growth in job creation, capital investment, technology, innovation and community service.
The economic development organization is looking for nominations in these categories: Innovation in Business; Economic Excellence Recognition; and, People’s Choice.
This year’s event is Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Instructional Performing Arts Center, at 8657 Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel.
To find out more about submitting a nomination, as well as the annual event, visit PascoEDC.com.
Zephyrhills chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its business breakfast for July 7 at 7 a.m., at the Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. There is a $10 admission. The guest speaker is Santa Scotty Claus.
PowerGals meeting
PowerGals of Zephyrhills meets on the first Friday of each month, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Shell’s Killer Bakery Inc., 5718 Sixth St., in Zephyrhills. The group’s chapter leader is Rosie Paulsen and its co-leader is Monica Young. This group is about empowering women in business, to help them thrive and to help each other.
SMARTstart programs
SMARTstart is the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.’s, capstone program, aimed at engaging entrepreneurs and creating job opportunities in Pasco County. It has a suite of programs intended to benefit benefits of all sizes, from start-up to existing local companies. It also has incubator and microloan programs. To find out more, visit SMARTSTARTPasco.com.
Free business advice
Pasco Hernando SCORE offers free individual, confidential small business mentoring. It also provides a wealth of free, practical help for businesses. To request a mentor or find out more, visit PascoHernando.score.org.
