Local Buzz

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

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.

MarineMax, based in Clearwater, has promoted Collin Heimensen to national sales and brokerage director, expanding his leadership role across the company’s nationwide network. In the new position, Heimensen will oversee sales and brokerage operations, working with regional leaders to align sales practices, performance standards and training. He previously served as general manager of MarineMax Clearwater,

Spartan Contracting Corporation has promoted three members of its leadership team as the Tampa-based commercial construction company prepares for its next growth phase. Derrick Huden was named director of business development and pre-construction, Dwight “TJ” Mann was promoted to director of construction and Jay Brando was appointed project executive. Huden, who joined Spartan in July

The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg has named Lisa Vickers the recipient of its 2025 Chester James Award, recognizing her leadership, philanthropy and faith-driven service. A Florida native, Vickers helped grow the Home Shopping Network from a startup into a billion-dollar business, alongside her father, Roy Speer. She later co-founded Realty One Sunshine, in St.

Dunamis Premium Spirits has joined forces with Tampa-based Pepin Distributing to expand its retail presence across Florida. The partnership comes as the Zephyrhills company continues its national growth, with distribution already in nine states. Dunamis will also return to Texas on Aug. 18, for the Texas Bar & Nightclub Association Trade Show, in Dallas. The

After more than 30 years at St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, including a decade as its director, Thomas Jewsbury plans to retire Oct. 1. Jewsbury joined PIE in 1994 and was named airport director in 2015, leading the facility through a period of record passenger growth, expanded air service and $197 million in capital improvements. Projects

Gary Hartfield, a South Tampa entrepreneur inducted into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame in 2024, is weighing a bid for mayor. Hartfield, owner of Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting, has launched a political committee, Innovate Tampa, chaired by Valerie H. Goddard. “I’m looking at the mayor’s office because I believe Tampa is at

Spartan Contracting Corporation, a commercial contracting and construction management firm based in Tampa, announced its expansion into the Southwest U.S. and the opening of a new corporate headquarters in Oldsmar. To support regional growth, Spartan has relocated two team members to the Dallas–Fort Worth area and will focus, initially, on projects in Texas and Arizona,

ZMR Capital has secured $230 million in equity and debt financing to recapitalize a 1,600-unit multifamily portfolio with properties in Florida, Georgia and Arizona. The Tampa-based real estate investment firm partnered with an institutional joint venture and secured a five-year, fixed-rate loan from Fannie Mae to complete the transaction. The portfolio includes four apartment communities

It wasn’t a spreadsheet or a business plan that sealed the decision for Maryann Ferenc and Chef Marty Blitz. It was a feeling. Standing inside Casa Gomez, one of the historic buildings at the center of Ybor City’s revitalization, the two looked at each other—tears in their eyes. After nearly four decades building Mise en

Commercial Residential Aluminum, a Venice-based provider of outdoor aluminum products for residential and commercial use, has been acquired by Garden City Equity, the companies announced. Hyde Park Capital served as the exclusive investment banker on the deal. Founded in 1992, CRA operates three facilities across the state and produces patio enclosures, fencing, railings and other