When Ed Ellsasser steps into his new role as chairman of CEO Council of Tampa Bay, in January, he will have his hands full.
After all, outgoing Chair Hugh Campbell, president of AC4S Technologies in Tampa, once said that leading active troops in the military was easier than leading a large group of type-A business leaders.
Ellsasser is currently president of Primegroup Insurance, in Tampa, but will take on the title of CEO as of January 1, 2022.
With a three-year operational plan in the works at the Council, which extends until 2023, and a realignment of its board of directors, Ellsasser says the exclusive c-suite group has some exciting things in store for the new year.
“We’re setting things up for the future of the CEO Council,” says Ellsasser. “I’m really excited to take over this year. We have an awesome board. Everyone is really committed to raising the bar for our members, so they have a world-class experience.”
A focus on diversity and inclusion, offering world-class programming and raising the bar in its speaker series, tops the lists of priorities. In addition, the council is putting a renewed emphasis on philanthropy and giving back to the Tampa Bay community.
He notes CEOs in School, an upcoming Habitat for Humanity build and working with Feeding Tampa Bay, to name a few initiatives.
One off the most exciting offerings in 2022 will include an event held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa, where Matt Higgins, co-founder and CEO of RSE Ventures and vice chairman for the Miami Dolphins, will address council members.
“We want to continue that ‘red-carpet’ experience for our members,” he says.
The Council added more than 50 members in 2021. Bridgette Bello, CEO and publisher of Tampa Bay Business and Wealth sits on the board of the CEO Council of Tampa Bay.
“If you want to be a part of a group of business leaders doing remarkable things in our community, we’d love to have you,” Ellsasser says. “We learn from each other’s wins and learn from each other’s mistakes.”
For more information on how to join the CEO Council of Tampa Bay, visit ceotampabay.com.
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