Although we post photos from North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting events pretty much every issue, the photos on this page are from the Chamber’s own ribbon-cutting event during the official Grand Opening Celebration at its office next to Dillard’s at The Shops at Wiregrass on June 26!
Yes, the office, which NTBC president & CEO Hope Kennedy says will be the Chamber’s last move for as long as she’s in charge, has been open for a few months, but Hope, office administrator Darlene Hill, Board chair Angelique Lenox and more than 100 people packed the Chamber office and enjoyed food from Chamber members Bubba’s 33, Texas Roadhouse, Jimmy John’s and 3 Natives. Dist. 2 Pasco Commissioner Seth Weightman talked about the days when the Chamber had a small office at the Brookside Prof. Park and Board past chair Roberto Hiller and Angelique gave Hope an award for her years of service and her impact on the Chamber and the community. — GN; some photos on this page by French Flare Photography
The North Tampa Bay Chamber continues to provide unique opportunities for its member businesses — and even the NTBC’s nonprofit business members also get their respective moments in the sun.
At the Chamber’s Business Breakfast at Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch on June 2, more than 100 attendees were treated to a roundtable featuring four NTBC-member nonprofit organizations — (seated l.-r. in top photo) The Thomas Promise Foundation (TheThomasPromise.org), the PTSD Foundation of America (PTSDUSA.org), the Wesley Chapel Theater Group (WesleyChapelTheaterGroup.org) and Pepin Academies (PepinAcademies.com).Â
The roundtable — which gave representatives from each nonprofit the chance to introduce themselves and their respective needs to the Chamber members — was hosted by NTBC Board member Chuck Sullivan (standing in top photo) of the law firm McFarland, Gould, Lyons, Sullivan & Hogan, P.A., and was the brainchild of NTBC Board chair Angelique Lenox, who promised that the Chamber will host more such events for nonprofits in the future. For more info, call (813) 994-8534 or visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com/Events. — GNÂ
The North Tampa Bay Chamber has had a busy week. On Tuesday, the Chamber introduced its new Board of Directors for 2025. President & CEO Hope Kennedy gave Board member Jamie Hess of Computer Emergency Room her President’s Award for “all of his help with events and finding the Chamber a new office, in addition to his regular Board duties.” And, outgoing Board chair Roberto Hiller of Signarama New Tampa gave Lisa Moore his “Chairman’s Award” for her “outstanding commitment to the Board.” Also introduced on Tuesday were new Board Chair Angelique Lenox of Tampa Family Health and her entire 2025 Board:
Chair Elect Ton Benge of Benge Development
Treasurer Jamie Hess of Computer Emergency Room
Vice-Chair of Economic Development Chad Emory of Emorys Rock Realty
Vice-Chair of Membership Lisa Moore of Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel
Vice-Chair of Governmental Affairs Jennifer Batchelor of Pasco County Schools
Immediate Past Chair Roberto Hiller of Signarama New Tampa
Will Atkins of Cinn-Credible Cinnamon Packets
Tye Fowler of SGD Communications
Ryan Fink of Volkswagen of Wesley Chapel
Dr. Davina Jones of Pasco Hernando State College-Porter Campus
Justin Keeney of Fifth Third Bank
Richrd Matte of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel
Jean Carlo Penaloza of Cat’s Meow Tampa Photography
Albert Verile of Sharpline Investigations
Ralph Sevelius of Boardwalk Wealth Solutions
Chuck Sullivan of McFarland Gould Law
Troy Stevenson of Tampa Bay Mobile Billboards
Then, on Thursday, the Chamber announced its Finalists for its 2024 Celebrating Excellence Awards:
Integrity Award — Main Event Wesley Chapel, Pepin Academies & Scenthound Lutz
Collaboration Award — San Antonio Federal Credit Union, New Tampa Family YMCA & Metropolitan Ministries
Inclusivity Award — Main Event Wesley Chapel, Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel & Turner Construction
The 2024 Chamber Award winners will be announced at the Chamber’s Celebrating Excellence Awards event on Tuesday, January 16, 2025, at the Pasco Hernando State College Performing Arts Center (8657 Old Pasco Rd., Wesley Chapel 33544). The cost to attend is $60 per person. For more info, call (813) 994-8534 or visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.
