Regents Park Dr. & Pebble Creek Dr. Resurfacing Nears Completion 

Research by Joel Provenzano 

A portion of Regents Park Dr. that has been resurfaced. 

For many months now, the residents of New Tampa’s Pebble Creek subdivision have had to deal with the ongoing resurfacing of the community’s two main thoroughfares — Regents Park Dr. and Pebble Creek Dr. 

The portion of Regents Park Dr. near BBD Blvd. where the Roadway Resurfacing signs are located are the only portions of the roadway not yet resurfaced. 

As of the last few weeks, however, all but about 0.2 miles of the 2.3-mile stretch of the circular Regents Park Dr. — from its northern Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. terminus to its southern BBD connection — have been resurfaced, with only about 0.1 mile at each terminus of the roadway closest to BBD now completed. 

Likewise, all but a couple of hundred feet — again, the portion closest to BBD — of Pebble Creek Dr. also has been completed. 

According to Chris Wilkerson, a senior media relations strategist with Hillsborough County, the Pebble Creek Roadway Resurfacing project represents 4.78 total lane miles of the county’s 285 total lane miles and $1.995 million of the $35-million Roadway Pavement Preservation plan of county-maintained roads approved by the county commissioners in 2021. 

Although most of the actual repaving has been completed, Wilkerson says the remaining work on this project includes paving entrances, stripping and signage, tree planting and the installation of traffic beacons and that the anticipated completion of everything, minus the traffic beacons, is early December 2023. 

The cones shown above are now gone & the patches shown are now covered 

“There is a long lead time on the traffic beacons,” he adds, however, “so final completion will be early spring 2024.” 

The project also includes brand new bike lanes in the sections of the roads that are wide enough. Public works officials say that in sections where there isn’t room, there may be shared road markings for bicyclists. 

Although it has taken a while, the county has done a great job of resurfacing these two main roadways in Pebble Creek. If it’s been a while since you visited the community, it’s worth taking a drive to check out how much better the two roads are now. 

For more information about this and other county projects, visit HillsboroughCounty.org. 

Shred360 Is Great, Both For Your Business & The Community! 

U.S. Army veteran Cam Caudle has been a franchise owner of Shred360 since 2015. (All photos provided by Shred360)

When Cam Caudle joined the U.S. Army after his college graduation in 1991, he didn’t want to be just an everyday soldier. He wanted to go above and beyond, so he set his goal high and became an Army Ranger. 

Now, as the franchise owner of Shred360, based in Wesley Chapel, he has been carrying that desire to reach higher into the business world. 

“We take a lot of pride in doing a great job for people and doing more than is expected of us,” Cam says. “People are happy to see us arrive, and my guys are phenomenal, so (our customers are) happy when we’re done, too.” 

Cam started his business in 2015 when his friends and fellow military veterans wanted to expand their South Carolina-based document-shredding business into Florida. He agreed to start a franchise in Wesley Chapel, where he lives. The franchise model hasn’t expanded, but Cam’s business surely has. 

Back then, his company was just him and one truck. Now, he has five trucks and a staff of three full-time drivers, a couple of part time drivers and a sales director, and the business covers the entire Tampa Bay area and then some — north to Gainesville, south to Port Charlotte, and east to Orlando. 

Shred360 provides primarily on-site document shredding and hard drive destruction for both businesses and individuals. 

Although Shred360 does have a drop-off option, Cam says, “Most of the time, we go to wherever the material is, whether that’s a home, business, or storage unit. From a security standpoint, it’s better that people can watch their documents be destroyed right in front of them.” He adds that although the destruction happens inside the truck, “it is visible on a screen.” 

When you utilize Shred360’s shredding service, your documents are loaded into a bin and the shredding machine allows you to see them destroyed. 

He also says that the alternatives to on-site shredding are far from ideal. You can either use a home office shredder, which is cumbersome and time consuming, or drop documents off at a store, where you’re often leaving them in a bin — for who knows how long and without any idea of who will have access to them until they are destroyed. 

Karen Wallace is practice administrator for Friendly Smiles Dental Care, with four locations in the Tampa area. She says she was one of Shred360’s first customers. 

“We needed an alternative to having shredders in our office,” Wallace says. “It was so loud and disruptive, and not really sufficient for the amount of paper we have to destroy, due to HIPAA regulations.” 

She adds that she’s continued to work with Shred360 because of Cam and the way he runs the company. 

“In business, it’s so refreshing to meet someone like him,” Karen says. “I’ve always been so impressed. If one of his guys is out for some reason, he comes out, driving the truck (himself).” 

She calls Cam the “consummate professional” and says everyone he hires follows in his footsteps. 

“When they come in, they’re quiet, they don’t interrupt any work, they say ‘hi’ politely and depart,” she says. “It’s like white glove service.” 

Medical offices such as Karen’s, along with law firms, credit unions, hospitals and other businesses with a lot of records that need to be destroyed, have ongoing service with Shred360, where documents are picked up on a regular basis, anywhere from once a week to once every twelve weeks. 

The other service is a one-time purge, although Cam says many of his clients purge again at a later date. 

Shred360 can accommodate everyone from residential customers with a few boxes to commercial customers with a full warehouse — and pretty much anything in between. 

“In the time it takes an employee to shred a box of documents at an office shredder,” Cam says, “we can do 250 pounds.” 

Before starting Shred360, Cam says he sold all kinds of things, from furniture to medical equipment, but he says none of those jobs were exactly the right fit. 

“I love what I do now,” he says. 

He appreciates the opportunity to make his customers happy — and you can’t argue with his results —of 630 Google reviews, 628 are five stars (out of five), and he insists that the two four-star reviews his business has received— from eight and five years ago, respectively — should have been five stars, too. 

Giving Back 
When Shred360 hosts a charity shredding event, you line up in your car, your documents are shredded and you make a donation to the event’s selected charity. 

Cam also sees his business as a way to both give back to the community and set an example for his children and stepchildren. He and Ines, his wife of three years, have five children between the two of them. 

Shred360 does a charitable event every month, where they set up like a drive through lane at a particular location. People pull up next to the truck, stay in their car, have their documents shredded while they wait, and then make a donation to the selected charity. 

In nine years, Cam says Shred360 has raised more than $70,000 for organizations that are doing good things in the community, including the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Community Food Pantry, and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. 

“These events are important for serving the community where I live,” he says, “We’re busy, so sometimes it’s hard to fit those in, but they’re important, so we still do them.” 

To find out about upcoming charity shredding events, visit Shred360.com/Tampa or “Shred360Tampa” on Facebook. 

Cam also has been a long-time member of the Rotary Club of New Tampa, which meets on Friday mornings at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, and in 2021, he was one of the co-founders (and is still a Board member) of the New Tampa Rotary’s After Hours Satellite Club. He says that Rotary gives him another outlet to volunteer, support the community, and show his kids the importance of serving others. 

It goes back to those early lessons he learned in the Army. He started active duty two weeks after graduating from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, in 1991 on a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship, and stayed in active duty until 1996. 

“I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now, if not for the Army,”Cam says. Not only is that where he met the owners of Shred360, but also because of the values that have carried over from that experience to his business. 

“Doing things with integrity, doing more than what’s expected,” he says, “My motto is. ‘When you think you’ve done enough, do more./” 

He’s proud that Shred360 has won “Business of the Year” through the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and that he has also been honored as its volunteer of the year. 

For a price quote on a one-time purge of documents for your home or business, or if you would like information about setting up ongoing service, call Shred360 at (813) 944- 2223, visit Shred360.com/Tampa. 

Tampa Fire Rescue Firefighters Teach Fire Safety To Primrose School Students 

Firefighters from Tampa Fire Rescue Station No. 20 captivated Primrose School at Tampa Palms students with their fire safety presentation during National Fire Prevention Week. (All photos provided by Primrose School at Tampa Palms)

In the U.S., National Fire Prevention Week was first proclaimed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1925, and nearly 100 years later, it’s still recognized and celebrated. 

Fire Prevention Week was the backdrop for preschoolers at the Primrose School of Tampa Palms to receive some of their first lessons in fire safety. 

The firefighters from Tampa Fire Rescue Station No. 20, located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. just south of I-75, visited the school to teach kids important lessons. 

The preschoolers learned what the Fire Rescue department does, what equipment firefighters use and the importance of their uniforms. The firefighters also demonstrated how to “stop, drop, and roll” in case of a fire. 

And, perhaps most fun of all for the kids was that they were able to hold the fire hose and even go inside the fire truck. 

The Tampa Fire Rescue Department provides education as an important part of its community services. 

If your school or community organization wants to request a presentation or visit a fire station, start online at Tampa.gov/fire-rescue-public-education/contact-us. 

Congratulations To Wesley Chapel’s Teacher Of The Year Nominees! 

For the 2023-24 school year, local schools have chosen nominees for the Pasco School District’s countywide awards. 

Three Teacher of the Year nominees — one each from the District’s elementary, middle and high schools — and one School Related Personnel (SRP) nominee will be surprised by Pasco school superintendent Kurt Browning with the announcement that they have been chosen as a countywide winner later this year. 

Each public and charter school throughout the District, including all of the schools in Wesley Chapel, nominated candidates for consideration. The people named on these pages were recognized by their peers on their respective campuses for their outstanding contributions to their schools. Congrats to all! 

Editor’s Note — We had not received the Teacher/SRP of the Year info for Union Park Academy or Innovation Prep at our press time. 

Double Branch Elementary 

Teacher of the Year: Debra Hodros, Kindergarten (photo) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Jill Galvis 

New River Elementary 

Teacher of the Year: Brianna Warren (photo) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Maria Zamora 

Quail Hollow Elementary 

Teacher of the Year: Robin Stead, Kindergarten (photo) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Wendy Bibbey, Instructional Assistant 

Sand Pine Elementary 

Teacher of the Year: Heather Forsman, 2nd Grade (right) 

SRP of the Year: Bailey Glover, ESE Instructional Assistant (left) 

Seven Oaks Elementary 

Teacher of the Year: Danielle Bullara, 3rd Grade (right) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Andrea Long, Kindergarten Instructional Assistant (left) 

Veterans Elementary 

Teacher of the Year: Bridget Aubuchont, 4th Grade, PLC Facilitator, New Teacher Leader 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Cristin Becker, Bookkeeper 

Watergrass Elementary 

Teachers of the Year: Pam Armstrong, 1st Grade (left) & Jenna Huetten, 3rd Grade (right ) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Tracy France, Instructional Assistant 

Wesley Chapel Elementary

Teacher of the Year: Aveon Moon (photo) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Beth Kurland 

Wiregrass Elementary 

Teacher of the Year: Heather Olds, 5th Grade STEM Teacher (left) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Jamie Zuzek, Guidance Secretary (right) 

Cypress Creek Middle School

Teacher of the Year: Justin Santiago, Language Arts, PLC Facilitator, New Teacher Liaison, Prof’l Development Coordinator (left in photo) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Tami Milner, Data Entry Operator 

John Long Middle School

Teacher of the Year: Porsche Alderman (photo) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Loretta Stephenson 

Thomas E. Weightman Middle School

Teacher of the Year: Adam Zondor, Art (photo) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Nadine Di Vittorio, Instructional Assistant 

Cypress Creek High 

Teacher of the Year: Warren Underwood, Theatre (left in photo) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Lorraine McKinney, Bookkeeper 

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation (Charter School) 

Teacher of the Year: Stephanie Bertig, Digital Media/Multimedia (photo) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Juan Garcia, Custodian 

Wesley Chapel High 

Teacher of the Year: Jennifer Salter, 9th Grade English (pictured with her family) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Denise Garcia, School Registrar 

Wiregrass Ranch High 

Teacher of the Year: Tammy Williams, Assessment Coordinator (photo) 

School-Related Personnel of the Year: Jessica Jackson, Front Office Secretary/Sub Coordinator 

Congratulations To New Tampa’s Teacher Of The Year Nominees! 

For the 2023-24 school year, the eleven public schools located in New Tampa have chosen their nominees for the Hillsborough County Schools/Hillsborough Education Foundation “Excellence in Education” awards. In the Spring of 2024, the winners of the following three awards will be announced at the School District’s annual awards gala. 

Each school nominated one candidate to be considered for the each of the three county-wide awards: Teacher of the Year, Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year, and Instructional Support Employee of the Year. 

Every person on this page was recognized by their peers for outstanding contributions to their respective schools. 

Congratulations to all of the worthy nominees for these awards at every New Tampa public school. (Note-Only the Teacher of the year nominees at each school are shown, except at Wharton High). 

Chiles Elementary 

Michael Zang

Teacher of the Year: Michael Zang, 3rd grade Math & Science; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Amie Adum Simmons; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Lauren Richardson 

Clark Elementary 

Christy Gupta

Teacher of the Year: Christy Gupta, Academically Gifted Program; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Donna Clark; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Shannon Ferreira 

Heritage Elementary 

Dona Marlatt

Teacher of the Year: Dona Marlatt, 5th grade English Language Arts; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Altemese Simard, Music; Instructional Support Employee: Vanessa Hernandez-Morales, cafeteria manager 

Hunter’s Green Elem. 

Danielle McGonagle

Teacher of the Year: Danielle McGonagle, 2nd grade; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Amanda Palmer; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Melissa Curtis 

Pride Elementary 

Crystal Camerino

Teacher of the Year: Crystal Camerino, 4th grade Math & Science; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Suzy Tkacik, Media Specialist; Instructional Support Employee: Diane Riley, Student Nutrition Services Manager 

Tampa Palms Elem. 

Kelly Sollenberger

Teacher of the Year: Kelly Sollenberger, 4th grade; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Cindy Sciandra; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Awilda Valentin 

Turner/Bartels K-8 

Chelsea Gonzalez- Panek

Teacher of the Year: Chelsea Gonzalez- Panek, Math; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Marelisa Moreno; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Jessica Ghoumari 

Benito Middle School 

Michelle Nolan

Teacher of the Year: Michelle Nolan, Math; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Patricia Brown- Denis; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Geraldo Mendoza 

Liberty Middle School 

Brianne Melvin

Teacher of the Year: Brianne Melvin, PE Coach; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Edwin Cadet; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Lori McNabb 

Freedom High 

Lonna Hernandez (center)

Teacher of the Year: Lonna Hernandez, Biology; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Cheryl Bernales, Varying Exceptionalities; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Malissa Nanns 

Wharton High 

Kristen Montgomery (center)

Teacher of the Year: Kristen Montgomery, Math (center) Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Markee Duncan (right); Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Jill Brown