Tampa Bay Business News and Top Stories

The Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting CEO has built companies, advocated for community change and says he’s exploring a run for Tampa mayor in 2027.

Truist Financial Corp. has named Ryan Booher as its new Tampa Bay market president and elevated Orlando-based executive Steve Fisher to a broader commercial sales role. Booher, who has over 20 years of experience in corporate, middle-market and government banking, will lead Truist’s efforts to expand relationships with clients and raise the company’s profile in

Chris Chatterton, president of Bay Food Brokerage and a 2005 graduate of Jesuit High School, has been appointed to the Jesuit High School Foundation. Founded in 1960, the Foundation is an independent advisory group of alumni, parents and friends that supports the growth and long-term vision of Jesuit High School. Members are nominated, vetted by

For fifty years, The Melting Pot has been more than a fondue restaurant — it’s been the backdrop to first dates, anniversaries and unforgettable celebrations. But don’t mistake longevity for complacency. Under newly appointed Chief Executive Officer John “JC” Crawford, the iconic brand is stepping into a bold new chapter — and it’s doing so

The Tampa Bay History Center has named Audrey Chapuis as its next president and CEO following a global search.

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

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

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

Buligo Capital has purchased the Sarasota Industrial Business Center, a 187,000-square-foot industrial portfolio, for $27.4 million. The complex, located about two miles east of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, consists of five shallow-bay industrial buildings totaling more than 186,650 square feet, along with 1.12 acres of outdoor storage and laydown yard space. The properties, at 2387,

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,