Local Buzz

Leadership Tampa Bay has named its incoming class members for 2021. For more than 30 years, Leadership Tampa Bay’s mission has been to engage its members with businesses and community leaders to enhance knowledge of regional assets and issues. The program is designed to identify the Tampa Bay area’s regional strengths and to delve into

Sal Y Mar Rooftop Bar, a rooftop lounge, is coming to the dual-branded Aloft and Element Hotel opening in Midtown Tampa January 2021. The bar, which will have 360-degree views of the Tampa, Westshore and St. Petersburg skylines, was inspired by the Riviera Maya town of Tulum. Sal Y Mar will be accessible from a

Thanksgiving will look a little different for many people this year. If your typical large gathering has been nixed due to COVID, maybe take the day off and do takeout instead. You can socially distance, do less work and support your local restaurants, all in one shot. It’s a win all around! Here are five

Former University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft received the Outstanding Floridian Award from the Florida Council of 100. This is the first year the Outstanding Floridian Award has been given by the Council of 100, a nonpartisan organization of business leaders that exists to promote the economic growth of Florida. The Council of 100

CliftonLarson Allen, a wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax and consulting services firm in Tampa, has announced a number of promotions including Gretchen Whalen as the firm’s managing principal. In addition to Whalen’s promotion, other CLA team members also received new titles and responsibilities. Jeff Bonick will be chief practice officer of CLA’s Sunbelt Region.  

Lissette Campos has been named senior regional communications lead for the West Florida region of Florida Blue, the Blue Cross Blue Shield plan in Florida. Campos previously was director of community affairs at WFTS – A Scripps Media Company, in Tampa. “I’m thrilled to join the team of Florida Blue and look forward to learning

GuideWell Mutual Holding Corp., the parent company of Florida Blue, acquired New Directions Behavioral Health, a managed behavioral health organization headquartered in Kansas City. GuideWell is currently a minority shareholder of New Directions. Through this transaction, GuideWell will acquire all interests from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City and Blue Cross Blue Shield of

Breweries, in more than 30 states, across the United States have partnered for the second year of Brewing Funds the Cure, an initiative created to help raise funds for the Tampa-based National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. In October, craft brewers worked to create the signature craft beer Rising Hope, an IPA that will be sold on

Michael Saunders & Co., a leading Sarasota brokerage, named Randall Graham as its new chief marketing officer. Graham brings more than 25 years’ experience to the firm in traditional, and digital, media. He previously was vice president of marketing for The Ebby Halliday Companies in Dallas. Ebby Halliday is one of the country’s largest brokers

TypTap Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Tampa-based HCI Group (NYSE: HCI), is preparing to launch the first phase of a planned nationwide homeowner’s insurance expansion, which was announced in August. The first phase includes applying to state insurance regulators in 20 states outside of Florida, including Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts,

If you follow Vick Tipnes, CEO of Blackstone Medical Services, on social media, it’s evident he goes to great lengths to share his personal story and obstacles to help enlighten and inspire. His first book, Did You Sell Your Soul? It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Story, which premiered in August, focuses on how

Clearwater Marine Aquarium showed off more completed parts of its $80 million expansion Friday, including a food court, retail area and above water viewing deck. This addition is part of the $80 million expansion which began with the unveiling of the new 1.5 million gallon dolphin habitat in July. “We’re proud to be a community