CareerSource Tampa Bay hosts hiring events
TAMPA – CareerSource Tampa Bay is kicking off October with a series of hiring events.
These events will offer opportunities for on-the-spot interviews and a chance to learn more about available positions. Job seekers should dress professionally and bring several copies of their resume.
Events at the Tampa Center (9215 N. Florida Ave.) include:
- Collab First Hiring Event (telecommunications technician apprentice): 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 1.
- Hot Dogs Galore Hiring Event (general manager, assistant manager and crew members): 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 1.
Events at the South County Center (3420 8th Ave. S. St., Petersburg) include:
- Collab First Hiring Event (telecommunications technician apprentice): 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 8.
- People Ready Hiring Event (skilled trade positions, including second shift mechanic, press operator and CNC machinist): 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 8.
Events at the Gulf to Bay Center (2312 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater) include:
- Goodwill Hiring Event (life skills trainer): 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 1.
Register for events at https://careersourcetampabay.com/.
Jobs up in Tampa metro area
TAMPA – The Tampa metro area added 12,700 jobs (+0.9%) in the private sector over the year in August 2025, according to FloridaCommerce.
The area gained the third-highest number of private sector jobs over the year in August 2025 among all metro areas. The Tampa area led the metro areas in job gains over the year in August 2025 in the education and health services sector, adding 7,600 jobs; followed by 1,300 jobs in manufacturing and 600 jobs in information.
The Tampa area unemployment rate was 4.4% in August 2025, up 0.6 percentage point from the August 2024 rate of 3.8%. The area’s labor force was up 3,755 (+0.2%) over the year in August 2025.
Comfort Airz to bless families
NEW PORT RICHEY – Comfort Airz has launched its 2025 Christmas Blessing Campaign to support families in need.
Instead of toy drives, the family-owned HVAC company is taking a new approach. The campaign will help nominated families with essentials, such as groceries, clothing, children’s gifts and assistance with household bills.
The community can nominate a family, donate to the Comfort Christmas Angels Fund, adopt a family as a sponsor, or volunteer time to help wrap and deliver gifts.
Comfort Airz will match part of each donation to ensure contributions go even further.
“Our mission has always been to bring comfort to families,” co-owner Cat Macleish said. “This year, we want to extend that comfort beyond homes we service and into the lives of neighbors who need it most.”
Visit https://comfortairz.com/ to make nominations or donations.
CEO wins 2025 Apogee Award
TAMPA – Tampa Bay Business & Wealth magazine honored GTE Financial President and CEO Brian Best with a 2025 Apogee Award.
The Apogee Awards recognize C-Suite leaders across Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Best was the overall winner in the CEO Large Company category.
Best, who became president and CEO in 2016, has guided GTE through economic and industry challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic and historic storms. Through his leadership, GTE implemented financial relief programs, expanded member services and introduced employee benefits that prioritize wellness, resilience and professional growth.
Pinellas Park earns kudos
PINELLAS PARK – The City of Pinellas Park earned distinction for its workplace policies by Family Friendly Tampa Bay.
Pinellas Park becomes only the third city in the Tampa Bay region to earn the “Platinum Distinguished Leader” recognition of this award, joining the City of Clearwater and City of St. Petersburg.
“This is a high honor for our city and the people who serve the citizens of Pinellas Park every day,” City Manager Bart Diebold said. “We have created a family atmosphere that empowers our team members to tackle their tasks with great enthusiasm and provide the best customer service to the City of Pinellas Park. This award will help us attract and retain good people that embody the highest level of character and public service.”
Better Together hires COO
FORT MYERS – Kayla Palacios has been promoted to chief operating officer of Better Together, an organization that works to prevent the need for foster care by building strong families and communities.
Palacios has been a vital part of the nonprofit for the past three years, first serving as executive director of its North Central Florida region. She later stepped into the role of vice president of operations.
Before joining the organization, Palacios worked 12 years at Marion County Public Schools.
“Kayla brings a proven record of strengthening operations, building teams and driving impact,” CEO Megan Rose said.
Houck to lead downtown board
TAMPA – Jeff Houck will serve as chairman for the Tampa Downtown Partnership for 2025-26.
Houck serves as vice president of marketing for the 1905 Family of Restaurants, a hospitality group in Tampa that includes Columbia Restaurant, Ulele, Casa Santo Stefano, and Cha Cha Coconuts. He is also a board member for Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk, Friends of Tampa Union Station and the Ybor City Historical Society.
Other officers include:
- Vice Chairman: Rob Stern of Trenam Law
- Treasurer: Braxton Williams of PNC Bank
- Secretary: Christine Turner of ChappellRoberts
- Immediate Past Chairman: Stephen Panzarino of AECOM
North Tampa Bay events
LAND O’ LAKES – North Tampa Bay Chamber will host a business luncheon and women’s programming.
- Dr. Kyle Bowers, breast surgeon with AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, talks about Breast Cancer Awareness Month during the Leading Ladies Network luncheon from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 3 at USF Credit Union, 20610 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa. Admission costs $15. Register in advance.
- Lisa Richardson, vice president of advancement, innovation and strategic partnerships for Pasco-Hernando State College, serves as keynote speaker for the Business Breakfast from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 7 at PHSC’s Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Members pay $25. Others pay $30. Register in advance.
Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details about the chamber and events.
Greater Pasco events
NEW PORT RICHEY – Greater Pasco Chamber members will host a ribbon cutting, Medical Roundtable, Veterans Roundtable and Hudson Business & Brochure Exchange.
- A panel from Premier Community Healthcare, Cares Clinic and Good Samaritan Clinic discuss health topics during the Medical Roundtable from 8 to 9 a.m. Oct. 2 at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, 6600 Madison St., New Port Richey. Members get in free. Register in advance.
- Members exchange company literature during the Hudson Business & Brochure Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 2 at Vitality Living Baypoint Village, 7927 State Road 52, Hudson. Members get in free ($14 with taco bar lunch). Register in advance.
- Members celebrate the grand opening of Insurance Benefit Navigators from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 6 at 3436 U.S. 19, Holiday. A ribbon cutting starts at 11:30 a.m. Register in advance.
- The chamber holds its Veterans Roundtable from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Oct. 8 at The Collective at Escape, 14495 Trinity Blvd., Trinity. The event includes networking from 8 to 8:30 a.m. and a formal program from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Members get in free. Others pay $10. Register in advance.
Visit greaterpasco.com for details about the chamber and events.
East Pasco events
DADE CITY – East Pasco Chamber members will host a Coffee & Networking and a business workshop.
- Brian Orr, of Kenavin Coaching & Consulting, talks about Branding For Your Small Business from 8 to 10 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Zephyrhills office, 38550 5th Ave. Register in advance.
- Members meet up for Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. Oct. 7 at the chamber’s Dade City location, 14112 8th St. Register in advance.
Visit eastpascochamber.org for details about the chamber and events.
