Councils & Committees
Investor Connect
This committee is designed to ignite the Chamber with active new investors and increase their engagement.
Chair: Scott Smith
St. Anthony's Hospital
Staff Lead: Candace Hulcher
VP of Business Development & Membership
chulcher@stpete.com
Hospitality & Tourism
This committee strategizes on how to enhance awareness of St. Petersburg and how to drive more visitors and tourism.
Chair: Rosie Meyer
Harvey's 4th Street Grill
Staff Lead: Shelli Hemans
Visitors Center Manager
shemans@stpete.com
Tech Founders
The Tech Founders Committee is a collaborative group of local entrepreneurs, innovators, and ecosystem builders working to strengthen St. Pete’s tech community. Focused on expanding funding, mentorship, partnerships, and talent development, the committee aims to make St. Petersburg a place where tech companies can start, grow, and thrive.
Chair: Osama Sabbah
Bedrock
Staff Lead: Jose Cid
Small Business Engagement Coordinator
jcid@stpete.com
Ambassadors
Chamber Ambassadors are an informed select group of highly motivated , enthusiastic and articulate business professional who serve as the backbone of the Chamber’s membership engagement program. Ambassadors serve as liaisons between Chamber staff and the members as well as representing the Chamber at a variety of events.
Meetings: Second Wednesday of every month at 8:00 AM. Open to all businesses who have been members for at least six months.
Chair: Gregg Potter
Legacy Venture Group
Staff Lead: Lynn Cissna
Member Relations Rockstar
lcissna@stpete.com
Leadership St. Pete (LSP)
As one of the oldest leadership programs in America and a division of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership St. Pete® seeks to identify, recruit and develop leaders who represent the diversity of our local community.
Meetings and project dates run from December through May.
Applications become available online at the end of the summer for the following year.
Chair: Jenna Stock Wunsch
Raymond James
Staff Lead: Christie Bruner
VP of Advocacy
cbruner@stpete.com
Signature Events
Advise, assist, and support the Chamber staff in providing a diversified selection of member benefits, specifically the offering of an award show focused on bringing recognition and notoriety to businesses in the community.
Meetings: As necessary starting in February or March each year.
Open to all members.
Staff Lead: Bianca Soler
VP - Marketing & Strategic Communications
bsoler@stpete.com
St. Pete Young Professionals (SPYP)
Attract and identify the next generation of community leaders. Connect young professionals with the surrounding community through unique opportunities in the areas of service, leadership and advocacy. Engage young professionals in local corporate, community, and cultural settings.
Meetings: monthly council meeting, Connect Happy Hour, quarterly Leadership Roundtable and monthly service project.
Open to all members.
Chair: Ryan Adelberg
City of St. Petersburg
Staff Lead: Christie Bruner
VP of Advocacy
cbruner@stpete.com
Public Policy
The Public Policy Council is focused on building and supporting the relationship between the busi- ness community and the public sector. The council reviews and recommends action on such issues as infrastructure, policy and business climate. The purpose of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s advocacy efforts is to become the au- thoritative voice advocating for issues which affect the economic growth and community vitality of St. Petersburg and our members. All Chamber mem- bers are invited to participate the Public Policy Council meetings however only Voting Members may vote on issues.
Meetings: Fourth Tuesday of the month at 8:00 AM
Chair: Patrick Causey
Trenam Law
Chair: Jessica Icerman
Stearns Weaver Miller
Housing & Land Use Development (HLUD)
The HLUD Committee focuses on the development issues facing St. Petersburg.
Housing, Infrastructure, Zoning and Development are all key parts to ensuring St. Pete continues to “Grow Smarter” in the years to come.
Meetings: Second Tuesday of every month at 8:00 AM
Chair: Chad Holman
CASK Construction
Vice Chair: Eric Garduño
Bay Area Apartments Association
Legislative
The St. Petersburg Chamber’s legislative and policy priorities are developed by its Legisla- tive Committee. The Legislative Agenda, which is published annually, articulates the underlying principles that shape Chamber public policy statements and determine our legislative priorities. The Legislative Committee meets as necessary.
Meetings: Third Friday of every month at 9:00 AM
Chair: John Learn
Baycare
Vice-Chair: David Garcia
Spectrum
Sustainability & Resilience
The Sustainability & Resiliency works with local stakeholders to amplify and advance an equitable clean energy economy, while highlighting business leadership in the areas of clean energy, climate action, and resilience.
Meetings: Third Thursday of every month at 4:00 PM
Sustainability Chair: Alexis Egozcue
The Law Offices of Douglas G. Jackson
Resilience Chair: Scott Pickens
Global Resilience Institute
Transportation
The Transportation Committee is focused on both Regional Accessibility (Mass Transit and Interstates/Expressways) and Urban Mobility (micro-transit, Complete Streets, transit corridors).
Meetings: Second Tuesday of every month at 8:00 AM
Chair: Tara Hubbard
Hubbard's Marina
Vice Chair: Joe Crozier
Kimley-Horn
Downtown Waterfront
The Downtown Waterfront Committee tracks projects and reviews the master plan updates which involve both private and public entities. This committee works to maximize the potential of these plans while protecting the aspects that make St. Pete special.
Meetings: Fourth Monday of every month at 4:00 PM
Chair: Ross Preville
St. Pete Wealth Management Group of Raymond James
Vice Chair: Doug Homeyer
Benefits Plus Financials
Workforce & Talent
The Workforce & Talent Committee focuses on the need for adequate resources to help recruit, develop and retain talent in St. Petersburg. Strong schools have strong economic impact, and a focus on workforce development benefits both the students & business community.
Meetings: Third Tuesday of every quarter at 4:00 PM
Chair: Russ Williams
Power Design
Vice Chair: OPEN
Finance
The mission of the Finance Committee is to build the necessary financial and staffing models for organizational sustainability.
Meetings: Unless otherwise noted, fourth Wednesday of the month at 8:30 AM
Open to all members.
Chair: Patricia Clynes
YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg
Vice Chair: Michelle Detweiler
Parc Center for Disabilities
Building
Chair: Ryan Griffin
Johnson Pope
Staff Lead: Chris Steinocher
CEO@sptete.com
Chamber NEXT
First convened in 2019, this strategic planning committee was established by the Chamber Governing Board to review the current plan and recommend the program of work for the decade ahead.
Chair: Christian Hardigree
USF St. Petersburg
Staff lead: Chris Steinocher
CEO@sptete.com