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The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County has appointed Alison Fraga as its next chief executive officer. She will officially begin Sept. 29. Fraga currently serves as chief development officer for the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, one of the largest in the state. In that role, she oversees communications, branding, community engagement, strategic

University of South Florida Athletics has entered a multi-year radio partnership with Beasley Media Group to make Q105 FM the flagship station for Bulls football beginning with the 2025–26 season. The agreement, secured by Bulls Athletic Properties, also includes the launch of the first Spanish-language broadcasts of USF football on Playa 106.9 FM starting in

BankUnited has appointed Hope Perez as executive vice president and retail executive for the mid-Florida market. Based in Tampa, Perez will oversee the bank’s 23 branches across northern Palm Beach County and Florida’s central and west coast regions. She will be responsible for deposit and loan growth, as well as strategic and annual plan implementation.

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.

A century-old church in the heart of Tampa’s historic African American community will come alive with music, dance and storytelling next month when The Rooted Door’s “Secret Spaces” immersive arts series returns. Over three weekends in August, the former Greater New Salem Primitive Baptist Church, 1605 N. Nebraska Ave., will host site-specific performances exploring the

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