Local Buzz
Latest coverage, analysis and business news from Tampa Bay Business and Wealth.
Nancy Walker, founder and president of Walker Brands, a Tampa-based real estate development branding firm, has stepped down, following the acquisition of the firm from two long-time employees. Tara Robinson and Matt McEachern, who have worked with Walker for decades, will be equal partners in the business. “Tara and Matt were logical choices to continue … Read more
The South Tampa Chamber announced its 2024 board of directors. This year’s board will lead the chamber through the second year of a five-year strategic plan. This year’s goals include growing membership through recruitment, and retention, increasing advocacy efforts with the introduction of a new legislative agenda, expanding the chamber’s educational and young professionals programming. … Read more
The South Tampa Chamber hosted its 2023 Annual Meeting and Awards, at the Centre Club. Chamber members were recognized during the event with an awards ceremony, including: Member of the Year: Tara Moody, Synergy Technology Solutions Impact Award: Cheryl Jones, Old Republic National Title Insurance Company Volunteer of the Year: Elizabeth Montante, ZIPS Cleaners & … Read more
Valerie and Jeremy Lavin, the founders of Luminary Global, a St. Petersburg-based, veteran-owned and operated company that provides emergency products to citizens, first responders, safety professionals and the military, have entered into a new venture with four former United States Army Green Berets to form a new company called ViTAC Solutions, which officially launches in … Read more
The International Franchise Association has named Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman, co-founders of College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk and Moving, the 2023 Entrepreneurs of the Year. One of the highest honors bestowed by IFA, Friedman and Soliman were recognized for their vision, which started with one beat-up van, to become the largest and fastest-growing junk removal … Read more
Angel Gonzalez has been promoted to West Florida division president at SouthState Bank. Gonzalez previously was the Hillsborough market president for SouthState Bank. He has been with CenterState, now SouthState, since 2007, when he began his career as a management trainee. He’s served as the Hillsborough market president since April 2017. “West Florida boasts one … Read more
ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS), added four new executives in the West Central Florida Region. ServisFirst Bank Tampa added Kaela Lerner as senior vice president, treasury management sales, and Tiffany Rodriguez as vice president, commercial banking officer. George Nicolopoulos joins ServisFirst Bank Sarasota as vice president, commercial banking. Philip de Freitas joins … Read more
The CI Group, a seller of interior and industrial products, has made two promotions in its leadership team, in Tampa. Gilbert Broco (pictured above) has been named president and Lauren Menendez has been named vice president – Tampa market. In his new role, Broco will manage the company’s day-to-day operations across all seven locations and … Read more
Michelle A. Turman, vice president of Shumaker Advisors, in Tampa, has been named to three positions at the University of South Florida. Turman was appointed to the USF Foundation Board of Directors Finance and Fundraising Committee, to the Search Advisory Committee for the new Dean of the USF College of Arts and Sciences and was … Read more
Bochner, an international law firm, based in New York City, and Stanton IP Law Firm, a Tampa Bay area patent and intellectual property law firm, have merged. Founded by area tech entrepreneur, and lawyer, Thomas Stanton, Stanton IP focuses on protecting, enforcing and monetizing intellectual property rights for their clients by obtaining patents both in … Read more
