Exclusive: The incoming chair for the Tampa Bay Chamber shares his vision for the next year

Andy Mayts is in the process of officially starting his tenure as chair of the Tampa Bay Chamber.

“As we start off the new chamber year, we’re going to be committed to several different initiatives that are in works,” Mayts says.

Leadership development, supporting active military, spouses of military and veterans, were a few of the Chamber’s initiatives he spoke about.

“I think there is a real niche for the chamber to not only support transitioning military members, but to support military spouses that come to town and help connect them to good jobs and employment opportunities,” Mayts said. “Often military spouses can get overlooked because employers know they’re going to be here for a brief period. But we need to encourage our community to embrace and support them because they’re dedicated professionals with a spouse serving.”

Another place where Mayts wants to home in on is collaborating with other local entities.

“We’re going to be all in on regional collaboration. I think when you look from the outside at our area, we’re defined as Tampa Bay, and the Bay defines us as a region yet, I think at times locally, that Bay can separate and divide us,” Mayts says. “We want to work with other chambers. We don’t want to do their job for them. We’re not trying to be the one and only chamber but we want to work regionally and collaborate on issues that have to be looked at and tackled through the lens of regionalism, like transportation.”

His message to the Tampa Bay community is to spend some time with the Chamber and learn about how to get involved.

“Come check us out. If you want to be part of our team, we’ll find a spot for you,” he says. “Feel free to reach out to me because we’re a membership-based organization and we’re only as good as, and as strong as, the collective power of all of our members. Get involved.”

Mayts is a partner at Tampa law firm Shumaker, where he focuses on banking and finance, construction-related litigation, as well as cybersecurity prevention and response.

You May Also Like

Tampa’s CoreX Legal joins with New York firm

Tampa’s CoreX Legal has joined with Bochner, an international law firm based in New York City. Bochner serves startups to Fortune 500 companies, both nationally and globally. This move expands

Thomas Financial and Johnson, Kendall & Johnson announce partnership

Thomas Financial and Johnson, Kendall & Johnson have entered into partnership to bring personal and commercial property and casualty services to the Tampa Bay area under the umbrella of Thomas

Richard Gonzmart and Andrea Gonzmart Williams to be honored as 2024 Persons of Vision

Preserve Vision Florida will honor Richard Gonzmart and Andrea Gonzmart Williams as its 2024 Persons of Vision, in recognition of their leadership in Tampa Bay. The 45th Annual Person of

Author Update: Edward Valaitis launches audiobook for Exit Like A Winner

Edward Valaitis, founder and managing partner of Edison Avenue, in Tampa, launched his book, Exit Like a Winner, in May of 2022. The book is now available as an audiobook,

Other Posts

Franklin Street names Garet Marr as Tampa regional managing director

Franklin Street has named Garet Marr as regional managing director of the firm’s headquarters, in Tampa. Marr will join Patrick Kelly, regional managing director, in overseeing and growing the firm’s

University Area CDC names new chief operating officer

University Area Community Development Corp. has named LaTiecea Hailey-Brown, former principal of Mort Elementary Community School, as chief operating officer. “LaTiecea truly has a proven track record of success and

Dow Technologies expands partnership with Kicker

Dow Technologies, an independently owned technology distributor, in Tampa, has expanded its partnership with Kicker as its new authorized distributor, in Florida. Dow currently distributes Kicker in Alabama, Georgia and

Brian Kornfeld and Dan Greco launch mental performance platform for youth athletes

Two Tampa Bay serial entrepreneurs have launched a new platform designed to support the mental health side of youth athletics. Co-founders Brian Kornfeld, the previous chief executive officer of Synapse,