Seedfunders, an investment group that backs startups with a minimum viable product but little or no revenue, announced that its portfolio company Intelligent Observation has been acquired by HID Global Corporation for $14 million, in cash. Founded by entrepreneur Seth Freedman, Intelligent Observation develops equipment and software that helps health care facilities monitor and manage … Read more
The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County has appointed Alison Fraga as its next chief executive officer. She will officially begin Sept. 29. Fraga currently serves as chief development officer for the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, one of the largest in the state. In that role, she oversees communications, branding, community engagement, strategic … Read more
The Raymond James Veterans Inclusion Network, known as Valor, will hold its seventh annual golf fundraiser on Nov. 1, at Innisbrook Golf Resort’s Copperhead Course, in Palm Harbor, with proceeds benefiting veterans, first responders and their families. Organizers expect more than 200 participants from the financial services industry and the military and first responder community. … Read more
University of South Florida Athletics has entered a multi-year radio partnership with Beasley Media Group to make Q105 FM the flagship station for Bulls football beginning with the 2025–26 season. The agreement, secured by Bulls Athletic Properties, also includes the launch of the first Spanish-language broadcasts of USF football on Playa 106.9 FM starting in … Read more
BankUnited has appointed Hope Perez as executive vice president and retail executive for the mid-Florida market. Based in Tampa, Perez will oversee the bank’s 23 branches across northern Palm Beach County and Florida’s central and west coast regions. She will be responsible for deposit and loan growth, as well as strategic and annual plan implementation. … Read more
Achieva Credit Union, based in Dunedin, has named Colin Lopez market president, overseeing branch operations in greater Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties, including Carrollwood, Land O’ Lakes, Trinity, New Port Richey and Mariner. Lopez has more than 15 years of banking experience, most recently with Wells Fargo, where he held leadership roles in Orlando and … Read more
Polk County Emergency Management received the 2025 Spirit of Leadership Polk Award for outstanding hurricane response and community collaboration. (Pictured above) Lakeland native TJ Wright, who grew up in the YMCA’s First Tee golf program, has been named chief executive officer of the YMCA of West Central Florida. Aircraft maintenance company FEAM Aero is bringing … Read more
As chief operating officer at Power Design, I lead our national operations with a focus on efficiency, innovation, and reliability. With more than 20 years of industry experience, predominantly on the electrical side, I’m passionate about helping communities stay prepared—especially when it comes to power and storm readiness. Last year, as Hurricane Helene became a … Read more
Frank Ghannadian, dean of the University of Tampa’s Sykes College of Business, will step down after nearly two decades of leadership at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. Ghannadian joined the university in 2007. During his tenure, student enrollment tripled from 1,700 to more than 5,000, and full-time faculty expanded from 57 to 150. … Read more
A century-old church in the heart of Tampa’s historic African American community will come alive with music, dance and storytelling next month when The Rooted Door’s “Secret Spaces” immersive arts series returns. Over three weekends in August, the former Greater New Salem Primitive Baptist Church, 1605 N. Nebraska Ave., will host site-specific performances exploring the … Read more
