Get Involved. Make a Difference.
Member Connect Committee
This committee is designed to ignite the Chamber with active new members and increase member engagement.
Chair: Ryan Quinty
Cyndeo Wealth Partners
Staff Lead: Candace Hulcher
VP of Business Development & Membership
chulcher@stpete.com
Hospitality & Tourism Committee
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
Ambassador Council
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: Doug Jackson
The Law Firm of Douglas G. Jackson, P.A.
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: Leslie Hafer
St. Petersburg College
Staff Lead: Candace Hulcher
VP of Business Development & Membership
chulcher@stpete.com
Signature Event Planning Committee
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
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: Chris Griffin
City of St. Petersburg
Staff Lead: Bianca Soler
VP - Marketing & Strategic
bsoler@stpete.com
Bay Area Chamber Foundation
The Foundation board is made up of members of the Chamber’s Executive Committee.
Meetings: Third Wednesday of the month either before or following Executive Committee depending on agenda.
Chair: Martha Boden
SPCA Tampa Bay
Public Policy Council
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
Vice Chair: Jay Miller
Square Realty & Development Corp.
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:Â Jessica Icerman
Stearns Weaver
Vice Chair: Chad Holman
CASK Construction
Legislative Committee
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
Co-Chair: John Learn
Baycare
Sustainability & Resiliency
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
Co-Chair:Â Danielle Bodalski
Philatimo HR Consulting
Co-Chair: Scott Pickens
Global Resilience Institute
The Downtown Waterfront Master Plan Task Force
The Downtown Waterfront Master Plan Task Force 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:Â Doug Homeyer
Benefits Plus Financials
The Future of Work Task Force
The Future of Work Task Force 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: Christian Hardigree
USF St. Petersburg
Co-Chair:Â Russ Williams
Power Design Inc.
Transportation + HLUD Committee
The Transportation + HLUD Committee is a combined meeting for the first time in 2023. The Transportation side is focused on both Regional Accessibility (Mass Transit and Interstates/Expressways) and Urban Mobility (micro-transit, Complete Streets, transit corridors).  These issues intersect with the development issues facing St. Petersburg including Workforce 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
Co-Chair: Tim Rankin
George F. Young, Inc.
Co-Chair: Tara Hubbard
Take MAR
Finance Committee
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
Staff Lead: Rachel Neumann
Controller
rneumann@stpete.com
Diversity & Inclusion Committee
The St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce values diversity and equality as core fundamentals of a healthy and vibrant community. Utilizing the skills, ideas and perspectives of a diverse workforce will make St. Petersburg a dynamic live-work-play environment and an increasingly competitive location for top companies, skilled professionals, and entrepreneurs.
Meetings: Third Tuesday of the month from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM, and location varies.
Open to all members.
Chair: Dr. Shameka Jones
Florida Blue
Staff Lead: Ronnell Montgomery
VP - Economic Inclusion & Business Growth
rmontgomery@stpete.com
Building Committee
Chair: Ryan Griffin
Johnson Pope
Staff Lead: Chris Steinocher
SPACC President & CEO
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: Scott Smith
St. Anthony's Hospital
Staff lead: Chris Steinocher, SPACC President & CEO
CEO@sptete.com
Greenhouse/Business Navigation & Growth Committee
The Greenhouse is St. Petersburg’s resource for business startup and growth, providing business owners and entrepreneurs with the education, resources, and assistance neces-sary to thrive in the local economy. Com-prised of an expert team from the City of St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, they are committed to the economic development and business growth of St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay region.
Meetings: Second Tuesday of the month, 4-5 PM at The St. Petersburg Chamber.
Chair: Roy Binger
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Staff Lead: Ronnell Montgomery
VP - Economic Inclusion & Business Growth
rmontgomery@stpete.com