The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) has announced internal promotions to fill two key positions, according to a Pasco EDC news release.
Mike Bishop, previously director of stakeholder engagement, is now the economic development organization’s senior vice president.
Tom Ryan, previously director of business development, is now the vice president of business.
Bishop graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance, in 2006. He began his career as a financial advisor and then made a career shift, founding Big Storm Brewing in 2012, which was the first craft brewery in Pasco County.
Big Storm expanded its operations and garnered accolades, including being named the Best Beer in Florida in 2016, according to Pasco EDC news release, announcing his promotion. It also grew to 50 employees.
After selling his business, Bishop joined the Pasco EDC’s staff as director of stakeholder engagement.
In his new role, he will cultivate an internal culture of innovation, ensuring each team member is aligned, equipped, and continuously developed in keeping with the organization’s vision and objectives.
Bishop is highly engaged in the community, serving on the boards of the Pasco County Tourism Development Council, the Pasco Education Foundation and the United Way of Pasco. He also is a graduate of the Leadership Pasco Class of 2017 and the Pasco County Citizens Academy, and is a member of the Rotary Club of New Port Richey.
He lives in Land O’ Lakes with his wife, Erin, and three children — Angelo, Eric and Alessandra.
Ryan has had a hand in many of the big deals that have come Pasco County’s way.
He has more than 12 years of experience in economic development. His background in commercial real estate for 16 years provides him with invaluable tools to offer company executives, site consultants, real estate developers, and brokers when evaluating site specific needs of major companies considering upgrading and expanding their facilities.
His primary responsibilities include coordinating and implementing economic development strategies, confidential site analysis, regulatory assistance, compiling location data and qualifying projects for incentive programs designed to recruit new and expanding companies.
In 2021, Ryan achieved his goal of becoming a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council and was honored to be named one of ConsultantConnect’s North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers.
He has been involved in helping the county attract major projects, including:
Bauducco: This 403,000-square-foot bakery and distribution facility will create 600 new full-time jobs. It also represents $233 million in capital investment in building and machinery.
Gary Plastic Packaging Corp.: This 260,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is creating 555 new, full-time jobs resulting. It represents $66 million in capital investment in new building and machinery.
Santander Consumer, USA: This project will generate 875 new, full-time jobs and represents $22 million in capital investment. The project converted an 115,425-square-foot Target store into a professional office facility.
TouchPoint Medical, Inc.: This company located its 125,000-square-foot global headquarters and manufacturing facility in Pasco. The project resulted in the creation of 228 new executive, management, engineering and production jobs, and $23 million in capital investment for the building and machinery.
Mettler Toledo: This 250,000-square-foot office and manufacturing facility is producing 493 new, high-wage manufacturing and office support jobs, and generating $35 million in capital investment for the building and machinery.
TRU Simulation+Training: This 29,000-square-foot facility and simulator expansion is resulting in 212 new high-wage jobs and a capital investment of $40.8 million.
Ryan achieved his goal in 2021 of becoming a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) by the International Economic Development Council and was honored to be named one of ConsultantConnect’s North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers.
Ryan lives in Wesley Chapel with his wife of 27 years, Caitlin, and has two adult sons. He is a graduate of The University of Dayton.
Published January 17, 2024
