Jo-Lynn Brown 
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James “Hammer” Hartsell has joined the Saint Leo University Board of Trustees, bringing with him not only a lifetime of military and public service, but also a deeply personal reason for doing so. Hartsell’s late son, Evin B. Hartsell, graduated from Saint Leo, in 2015, with a degree in … Read more
Area coaches, parents and high school students are invited to take part in a free safety event aimed at making youth sports safer. AdventHealth and the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl will co-host the 2025 Youth Sports Safety Summit on August 17, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa. The event … Read more
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has received a Cultural Impact Award from Casinos.com, recognizing its charitable work, disaster response and ongoing support for the Tampa Bay community. Voted Florida’s top tribal casino, by residents across four U.S. states and three Canadian provinces, the resort was one of just seven properties in North America … Read more
The University of South Florida raised a record-breaking $184.2 million in philanthropic support during the 2024–25 fiscal year. More than 59,700 donors contributed to the total, including nearly 15,000 first-time supporters. This marks the fourth consecutive year USF has surpassed $150 million in annual giving, with more than $660 million raised since 2021. “This record-breaking … Read more
Leadership Tampa Bay introduces the professionals selected for its Class of 2026.
Ryan Companies has completed the 30,000-square-foot IFF Global Citrus Innovation Center at Florida Polytechnic University, an R&D hub advancing citrus scent and flavor research. (Pictured above) Polk County approved a contract with Tri-County Human Services to expand case management and housing support for formerly incarcerated individuals through its HATCH Program, funded by a state grant. … Read more
Sandbar Seafood + Spirits, on Anna Maria Island, has unveiled a renovation featuring new concepts Beachside Bites and Sweet Willy’s, along with refreshed dining, event and retail spaces. Faith Baptist Church, in Sarasota, has sold 11 acres of its Fruitville Road property to charter school developer Red Apple Development for $3.5 million, with plans approved … Read more
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, in downtown St. Pete, opened its new signature restaurant, Elliott Aster, marking the first phase of a renovation under owners Bryan and Shanna Glazer. Construction Casualty Insurance, of St. Petersburg, partnered with Texas-based Higginbotham to scale its AI-powered risk management platform, CompCorrect, nationwide. Velera, a leading credit union service … Read more
July is often a time to reflect on freedom; the kind etched into history books and celebrated with fireworks and flags. The kind that many gave their life for and that makes this country great. With all that’s going on globally, and nationally, as I write this month’s note, it’s difficult not to feel a … Read more
Just in time for summer entertaining, PerfectDraft has launched in the Tampa Bay area, bringing the premium beer experience home. Developed by Anheuser-Busch and popular in Europe, this compact machine fits right on your countertop and pours a perfectly chilled pint at the touch of a button, no bar tab required. Think of it as … Read more
