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Brian Butler, chief executive officer of Tampa-based Vistra Communications, joined Encore Bank’s board of directors. Butler is a combat decorated, retired career military officer. Prior to founding Vistra in 2007, he provided strategic communications counsel to senior leaders at U.S. Central Command and served as a policy director on the Homeland Security Council in the

Every Tampa resident anticipates the arrival of this time of the year in the city. There’s something special about Gasparilla, the third-largest parade in the United States also known as the “Parade of Pirates.” The annual celebration is attended by more than 300,000 onlookers, often dressed in pirate costumes. Gasparilla is an exciting event that

Rumbo, a cultural advertising agency in Tampa, has acquired Three Chairs Productions, a video production company that has operated in Tampa since 2013. “The decision was made to unite the two companies into a fully integrated powerhouse advertising agency offering creative, branding, media, strategy, digital and content production,” said George Zwierko, founder and chief executive

HealthAxis, a Tampa-based administrative processing services company for health care payers and organizations, received a growth investment from Revelstoke Capital Partners. McGuireWoods acted as legal counsel to Revelstoke. Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick acted as legal advisors to HealthAxis. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “HealthAxis and Revelstoke understand there is an urgent need

Marketopia, a marketing and lead generation company based in Pinellas Park, has acquired Continuity Marketing, a London-based marketing firm that serves managed service providers, vendors and technology companies. The acquisition will help Marketopia expand its presence in London and better serve clients in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The company opened an office in

Home Safety Solutions has named R. Troy Atlas president and chief executive officer. Home Safety Solutions is a provider of hurricane and storm protection products and has served the Tampa Bay and West Florida regions since 1986. With the arrival of Atlas, the Oldsmar-based company is poised to expand and innovate its operations in Florida,

When baseballs break windows someone gets in trouble. When Rachel Balkovec broke a glass ceiling it was cause for celebration. The Tampa Tarpons have tapped Balkovec to be manager of the team in the next baseball season, making her the first female everyday manager in minor league history. Balkovec previously was a hitting coach for

Kevin Shukur has been named West Florida Market president for First American Bank. Effective immediately, Shukur will lead the West Florida corporate banking team and provide full-service banking from the bank’s Tampa headquarters. Most recently, Shukur headed up BBVA USA’s West Florida Market, having founded it in 2013. BBVA was recently acquired by PNC. “I

The 44th annual St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show will be held at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater—Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park (next to the Dali Museum) from January 20 to 23. Florida residents who love boats, sailing enthusiasts and those in the market for a luxury vessel can anticipate

CR Fitness, Crunch Fitness’ largest franchisee, has named Tony Scrimale as its chief executive officer. Scrimale has more than 25 years of experience in the health and fitness industry. His experience includes club development, regional management, sales and operations. He started in the fitness industry by selling club memberships and cleaning gyms. In 1997, Scrimale

Action Zone, an entrepreneur support organization that serves military community members in establishing, or growing, their businesses, has named Kishima Garcia as its new executive director. Garcia is an entrepreneur, United States Air Force veteran and a military spouse. She previously was executive vice president of human capital and strategy at Quiet Professionals. “Inviting Kishima

ProVise Management Group named Eric Ebbert as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Ray Ferrara, who is the founder of ProVise and was the previous CEO, will remain as executive chair and chief compliance officer. Jon Brethauer will succeed Ebbert as ProVise’s president. “I look forward to setting the stage for our future growth as we