Profiles
Profiles of executives, founders, companies and leaders shaping business across Tampa Bay.
In late 2019, the Tampa Bay Business and Wealth team sat down to hear Robert Hessel’s story for the first time. It was touching and introduced us to a wonderful partner and advertiser, and then we learned that there was more to the story than we initially thought. These things can happen in this media … Read more
When Phil Lee stepped into the role of market president for Florida Blue’s West Florida region, just over a year ago, he wasn’t just filling a high-profile executive position. He was inheriting a legacy left by the late David Pizzo, a beloved and influential leader who helped shape the region’s health care landscape for over … Read more
For more than a decade, Jim Shimberg was known as one of Tampa Bay’s most influential developers, playing a key role in shaping the city’s skyline through transformative projects like Water Street Tampa. But in the past year, Shimberg has embarked on a new chapter—one that brings together his extensive real estate expertise, legal acumen … Read more
Tim Marks never imagined he would become the chief executive officer of Metropolitan Ministries. An electrical engineer by trade and a corporate sales director by success, he spent the first half of his career far removed from the world of nonprofits. “Anyone can make a difference in a nonprofit,” Marks says during a candid interview, … Read more
Danny Persaud is always a busy guy. He often has his business, and philanthropic, eyes on varying different projects and causes. With the racing his mind is often doing, it’s no surprise he also has a passion for race horsing. After attending the Kentucky Derby, his interest grew and now, it’s another project he’s excited … Read more
On February 9, David Pizzo, market president of West Florida for Florida Blue, a Tampa Bay community leader and our friend, passed away, after silently battling pancreatic cancer. Pizzo was with Florida Blue for 27 years. He was also known locally for his significant work, in the community, in the realm of economic development, nonprofits, … Read more
Over the last decade, Erica Dhawan, a best-selling author, founder and chief executive officer of Cotential, a global business consultancy, has built an international reputation as an expert in connectional intelligence and digital communication – but at heart, she’s truly an insightful listener. Recently named as one of the top 50 Management Thinkers in the … Read more
For Kristina Lavallee, life keeps getting sweeter. Founder and namesake of local dessert company, The Cake Girl, Lavallee’s rise to success is already a sweet tale. She first dreamed of owning her own cake company as a little girl, growing up in Puerto Rico and baking with her mother, a chef and caterer, specializing in … Read more
When Jessica Barnes joined Vote Run Lead in 2021, she thought it was for only a few months. Two years later, she says she can’t imagine being anywhere else. And she won’t be anytime soon. She was recently appointed as project manager for the St. Petersburg group. “Vote Run Lead is an organization that trains … Read more
Ernest Carrera is well suited behind his desk, as a wealth advisor at Carrera Financial, but he’s also comfortable steering planes high in the sky. Both of those businesses are more complementary than one might think, he says. Carrera is a fourth-generation Tampa native. His parents met in Ybor City, both were born in Ybor … Read more
