NEW PORT RICHEY – Commercial Asset Partners Realty has appointed economic development and electric utility veteran Danielle Ruiz as vice president.
Ruiz, who most recently served as director of economic development for Duke Energy Corporation, has over 20 years of economic development experience.
Ruiz supported the recruitment and expansion of a number of companies to the 34-county Florida service territory during her nearly 11 years at Duke Energy.
She also has held director and manager positions at the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation – now known as the Tampa Bay EDC – ConMed Corporation, Pinellas County Economic Development and the State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, now known as CareerSource Florida.
“Part of what Danielle brings to the table for our team is her executive-level experience and leadership in various public, private companies and economic development organizations throughout the state,” said Heidi Tuttle-Beisner, broker-owner at CAP Realty. “Her priorities align with mine, in that we want to see our communities grow and redevelop, and to really make a difference that goes beyond simply closing transactions.”
Ruiz will focus on commercial real estate brokerage services in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. The company says Ruiz’s relationships in other counties may help expand its service footprint.
While at Duke Energy Corporation, Ruiz was involved in many deals impacting the greater Tampa Bay area:
- MiTek, an international building supply company, announcing plans in 2024 to open a new, $77.6 million, 480,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and warehouse in Zephyrhills;
- Bauducco Foods, a Brazilian multinational company specializing in baked food products, purchasing 72 acres in Zephyrhills, in 2023 for a $200 million facility expected to create 600 new jobs;
- Attracting Nucor, North America’s largest steelmaker, to Polk County for its Frostproof steel mill, creating 250 jobs; and
- Relocation of San Diego-based life sciences defense contractor Amaratek to Dunedin in 2023, creating dozens of high-paying local jobs.
“I was seeking an opportunity to work with a company that shares my commitment of making an impact on the local economy while also understanding the community’s broader vision and collectively matching this with my clients’ needs,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz belongs to several organizations and has served in many leadership roles during her career. She has served on the boards of the Pasco Economic Development Council, the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation and Hernando Progress. She is also a founding advisory board member of IDEA Schools Tampa Bay.
“Danielle has been involved in real estate transactions in the greater Tampa Bay area and other parts of Florida for many years,” said Tuttle-Beisner. “In her new role with our firm, she’ll simply be looking at deals from a different angle and using her skills and knowledge to make deals happen from the brokerage standpoint.”
