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Chamber Leadership

A Message from the Chair

Dear Valued Members,

Happy New Year! It is my honor to serve as the Chair of the Board for the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce, a respected organization with a legacy of supporting our business community. As we look toward our 100th anniversary, I am filled with optimism for the journey ahead and the opportunity to work alongside you to continue building on our remarkable achievements.

This year’s theme, "Making Waves," captures the energy, innovation, and collective impact that define our Chamber and community. Over the past 98 years, we have made incredible strides in driving economic growth, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the vitality of South Tampa. Like the waves in the ocean, our efforts have created ripples of progress that inspire entrepreneurship, forge partnerships, and strengthen our local economy.

Our success has always been rooted in the strength of our community. The collaboration between our members, volunteers, and community leaders has been the foundation of our achievements. Together, we have navigated challenges and seized opportunities, proving that when we work together, we can accomplish great things.

As we move into 2025, we will continue to drive innovation and champion initiatives that empower businesses, promote economic development, and position our region as a thriving hub of opportunity. The year ahead holds immense potential, and I am confident that we will make waves that extend far beyond our community.

Thank you for your ongoing support. It is truly an honor to serve as your Board Chair, and I am excited for the opportunities to collaborate in the year ahead. Here's to making waves in 2025 and beyond!

With gratitude and enthusiasm,
Tanya Cielo
2025 Chair of the Board
boardchair@southtampachamber.org

Tanya Cielo - STCOC Board Chair 2025 - Small
2025 Board of Directors - 1 - Small

2025 Executive Committee

2025 Chair of the Board
Tanya Cielo
Sky Strategic Marketing 

Chair-Elect
Blake Guthrie (2022-2024)
ReliaQuest Bowl

Immediate Past Chair
Tara Moody
Synergy Technology Solutions

Treasurer
Heather DeGrave
Walters Levine & DeGrave

Treasurer-Elect
Susan Nieland
CFO2U

Consulting Attorney
Megan McAteer
Kline McAteer Law

President & CEO
Kelly Flannery, FCCP
South Tampa Chamber

2025 Board of Directors

Chris Chambers
The Paratus Group

Opal Hudson
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office

Zahira Lehri
Yaqeen LLC, DBA Planet Smoothie

Elizabeth Montante
Zips Cleaners & Qdoba Mexican Eats 

Dean Akers
Adjunct.CEO

Elan Melamed
Tampa General Hospital 

Joel Brown
TECO / Tampa Electric / Peoples Gas

Juan Concheiro
Catering By The Family

Bobby Daniel
United Community

Kristin Davis
Hillsborough County Public Schools

Shae  Gee
Tampa International Airport

Brian Ramirez
Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority

South Tampa Chamber Board Chairs

Sam Young 1968-69

Willard Staples 1969-71

Charles Springer 1971-72

Charles Campbell 1972-74

John Rumbough 1974-76

Doris Crosby 1976-77

Ed Worley 1977-78

Richard Brown 1978-79

James Wisner 1979-80

Bob Hatton 1982-83

Larry Smith 1987-88

Sally Harris 1988-89

Bill Strickland 1989-90

Bob Alexander 1990-91

Anita Ramirez 1991-93

Debra Palmer 1993-94

Bill Wadsworth 1994-95

Cindy Maxie 1995-96

David Dowers 1996-97

Ron Gauszka 1997-98

Gail Moore 1998-99

Dave Gutcher 1999-00

Robert Rowen 2000-01

Leigh Humes 2001-02

Jerry Clark 2002-03

Joe Dascola 2003-04

David Jones 2004-05

Anita Ramirez 2005-06

Bob Graham 2006-07

Ron Sweet 2007-08

Dave Varrieur 2008-09

Dave Gutcher 2009-10

James Quinlan 2010-11

Dennis Meyers 2011-12

Carson Burke Bomar 2012-13

Starr Tyrka 2014

Samantha Dammer 2015

Bill Yanger 2016

Mike Jenkins 2017

Ed Siler 2018

Bill Yanger 2016

Connie Gage 2019-20

Chris Bentley 2021

Rebekah Nault 2022

Shane Smith 2023

Tara Moody 2024

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