Managing partner named
Amanda B. Buffinton has been named managing partner of Shutts & Bowen LLP’s Tampa office.
Shutts & Bowen is a full-service business law firm with approximately 270 lawyers and with eight offices across Florida.
“We are excited to welcome Amanda as Tampa Office Managing Partner,” Firmwide Managing Partner Jack C. McElroy, said in a news release. “Her passion for the firm, combined with her knowledge of the Tampa community, is the ideal combination we look for in a leader. We are certain that under her leadership, the Tampa office will continue to grow and thrive.”
The firm’s Tampa office had previously been led by R. Alan Higbee, who is stepping aside after 17 years in this role in order to devote more time to his leadership position on Shutts & Bowen’s firmwide Executive Committee.
Buffinton, a partner in the Construction Litigation Practice Group, is board certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar and focuses her practice on the litigation and arbitration of complex construction claims on behalf of owners, contractors and design professionals.
“It is a privilege to step into the Tampa Office Managing Partner role,” Buffinton said, in the news release. “I look forward to continuing Alan’s tremendous work in establishing and expanding the Tampa office for the past 17 years. We have an amazing group of lawyers and staff members and I am excited to be at the helm while we continue to grow into the future.”
Committee members announced
The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) has announced the 2024 executive committee for its board of directors. They are: Michele Hintson, chair, Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick; Staceyann Jibbison, vice chair, Rasmussen University; Paul Manuel, secretary/treasurer, Coastal Design Consultants; and Mike Ross, immediate past chair, Ardurra Group, according to a Pasco EDC news release.
The executive committee meets throughout the year to provide guidance and support to the Pasco EDC, which has the mission of stimulating balanced and diversified business growth.
Pasco EDC has 85 investors and 33 board members.
East Pasco Networking Group
Madonna Wise will be the featured speaker for the next East Pasco Networking Group (EPNG) meeting on Nov. 14 at 7:30 a.m., at the IHOP, at 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. Wise is a local author and retired educator. For information contact Nils Lenz, at 813-782-9491, 813-997-3903 or .
Land O’ Lakes brochure exchange
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a Land O’ Lakes Brochure Exchange on Oct. 12 from 11:30 to 1 p.m., at New Beginnings, 18935 Michigan Lane. The venue is one-fourth mile north of State Road 52, along U.S. 41.
Admission is free (plus the cost of food) for chamber members and $10 (plus the cost of food) for non-members.
If you are not a member but would like to give the event a try, call the chamber office to arrange a one-time free entry. Call 727-842-7651 or 813-909-2722.
GeoPoint ribbon-cutting
GeoPoint Surveying has set its ribbon-cutting event for Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the ribbon-cutting scheduled for noon. The event will take place at 6735 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
Professional Women in Business
The October meeting of Professional Women in Business is set for Oct. 18 from 11:30 to 1 p.m., at HCA Florida Trinity Hospital, 9330 State Road 54 in Trinity. The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month.
Trinity Brochure Exchange
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its Trinity Brochure Exchange on Oct. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Seven Springs Golf & Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., in New Port Richey. The cost is $13 for lunch. Registration is free for Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce members and $10 for non-members. The event happens on the third Thursday of each month.
If you are not a member but would like to give the event a try, call the chamber office to arrange a one-time free entry. Call 727-842-7651 or 813-909-2722.
Emergency bridge loans
The office of Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced that more than $6.4 million in emergency bridge loans have been awarded to small businesses in Florida that were affected by Hurricane Idalia.
The state’s announcement says that 161 businesses were approved to receive the funds to bridge the gap while waiting for other long-term funding such as insurance or FEMA funding.
More applications are being approved every day, the state news release says.
The program, administered by FloridaCommerce, provides short-term, no-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Idalia. Interested applicants can apply now through Oct. 25, or until all available funds are expended.
Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more and to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.
Business owners needing more information can call 833-832-4494 Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
