Several business, legal, education, and nonprofit organizations across Hillsborough County announced leadership changes, expansions, mergers and investments this week.
Higher education and athletics
The Florida Board of Governors voted unanimously to designate the University of South Florida as a Preeminent State Research University, a move that brings $6.15M in additional funding to the institution.
USF also appointed Michael Kelly as vice president of athletics.
Real estate, finance and professional services
Taylor Morrison promoted Scott Himelhoch to vice president of land acquisition for its Tampa division.
Franklin Street added Alex Wright as a senior director in its Retail Landlord Services division and negotiated the sale of the former Hav-A-Tampa cigar company property in East Tampa at 3901 Riga Blvd. to Milani Property LLC.
GTE Financial named Susan Marlow vice president of talent and Frank Lee vice president of consumer lending.
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The credit union also received Aetna’s Workplace Wellness Award for its commitment to employee well-being.
Tampa’s Clegg Insurance Group and Advanced Insurance Brokerage merged their property and casualty portfolios.
Law firms and legal leadership
Gunster expanded its team, adding William J. Schifino Jr., John A. Schifino, Scott Brown, Daniel P. Dietrich and Iden Sinai as shareholders, Justin P. Bennett and Madison E.M. Gardiner as associates and William J. Schifino Sr. as of counsel.
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP merged with Broad and Cassel, a Florida-based law firm with offices in Tampa.
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J. Ryan Yant joined Carlton Fields’ Tampa office as an associate.
At Hill Ward Henderson, shareholder C. Howard Hunter was named 2018 Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates, while attorney Nathan Hatcher received the Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association’s 2018 President’s Award.
Shareholder John C. Connery was elected to the executive committee of the Association for Corporate Growth’s Global Board of Directors.
Nonprofits, education and community investment
Hillel Academy elected Seth Forman as president of its Board of Trustees.
The Florida Aquarium named Margo J. Wolanin as its new chief development officer.
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JPMorgan Chase & Co. committed $400K over three years to Metropolitan Ministries to support the development of 112 new affordable housing units across Tampa Bay.
Technology, marketing and workforce
Tampa-based staffing firm Kforce launched a new mission, vision, brand promise and tagline: “Uniting professionals to achieve success through lasting personal relationships.”
Newgentek expanded its North America headquarters in Tampa, adding 20 new jobs and investing $500K in the project.
Tampa marketing and public relations agency Eckley Media began operating as Crackerjack Media Inc., unveiling a new website, refreshed branding and expanded client roster.
