June 2015 - the new Chamberocity

Leadership 2015-2016
Applications are now
available at the
Chamber office.
Chamber Connections ~ June 2015
The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, The City
of Plant City, and the Tampa-Hillsborough EDC joined
forces to showcase Plant City to developers, architects,
investors, commercial realtors, and contractors at the
recent Economic Development Forum held at the John
R. Trinkle Center on the campus of HCC-Plant City.
Special points of interest:
 Highlights from the 1st
Annual Economic
Development Forum
 Business After Hours will
be held on June 18th. For
more information see
Page 9
Mayor Rick Lott opened the Forum welcoming attendees
with a light breakfast and video of the Plant City area.
Presentations were made by many community and business leaders. To view the presentations as well as more
information about how the Plant City Economic Development Council is moving our community forward, visit
www.plantcityrightnow.com. We ARE Businesses Working for a Better Community.” See page 22 for more info.
 See the latest on Leadership 2015 on Page 14
Inside this issue:
President’s Message
2
Calendar
3
New Members
4
Anniversaries
5
Contact Breakfast
10
Business Spotlight
11
Thank You Corner
12
Ambassador Corner
15
Business After Hours 16
Ribbon Cuttings
18-19
New Teacher Coffee
22
Mark your calendar for
The 13th Anniversary of
BikeFest
On
October 3rd…
Bob Appleyard with Transcend
Development Corp.
Seth McKeel with Southern
Strategy Group of Tampa Bay and
Yvonne Fry from
Fryed Egg Productions
A panel discussion titled
“Agriculture as an Economic Driver” was held
with Gary Wishnatzki,
Ryan Keel, and Kenneth
Parker
“Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately
own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion. “ This is true of
the members of the Plant City Economic Development Council.
President’s Message
Dear Chamber Members,
It is hard to believe that June is upon us. Reflecting back,
the first six months at your Chamber have been productive and we hope that your business has done just as
well. Going forward, we have some great activities in
store, so now is the time to jump in and be an active
member if you so desire. There are a couple of committees that I would like to mention at this time.
CHAMBER STAFF
President
Marion Smith
Vice President
Amy Nizamoff
Hats off to the Contact Breakfast Committee that
has planned some excellent programs thus far this year.
For the next six months, we only have the November slot
to fill. Please mark your calendar for the second
Wednesday of each month (except for July—no breakfast). For August, we have the Agriculture Awards, September is our program featuring the 9/11 theme, in October, the CFO of Legoland will be here and in December,
MOSI will be the featured program. Many thanks, again,
to the Florida Strawberry Festival for allowing us to meet
at their facilities.
Membership Director
Tammy Mitchell
Communications Director
Evelyn Clay
The New Teacher Coffee Committee has started
their event meetings so if you would like to assist with
this endeavor, please give me or Amy a call. This is a
great way to start off the teacher’s school year with a
huge welcome from our area businesses. Also, our Community Expo Committee is exploring ways to enhance
this event. If you have some ideas, jump on board!
Congratulations also go to the Plant City Bike Fest
of one, new trophies for the bike show, and extended
hours. I am pleased to say that the crowd was im-
Have a great month- Marion
Executive Board
Chairman of the Board
Michael Cameron
Cameron Financial Management
Chairman-Elect
Brian West
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Immediate Past Chairman
Nate Kilton
Sedita Kilton Life & Wealth Management, LLC.
The Greater Plant City
Chamber of Commerce
shall work for its members
and be the leading force in
promoting the commercial,
industrial, agricultural, and
civic interests of Greater
Plant City and East
Hillsborough County.
Our Strawberry Classic Car Show Committee continues to put on this event monthly and we do appreciate
their dedication. The event continues to bring hundreds
to the downtown shopping district each month so we hope
everyone is taking advantage of the extra visitors coming to our community (as with Bike Fest!).
Your Chamber has a lot going on, so please use these
opportunities to meet new people and get connected.
Most of the committees listed above fall under our Community Programs Division which meets the first
Wednesday of the month at noon. Please call the Chamber and we will happily provide more information on how
you can get involved.
Committee who showed us how to “wow” the crowd at
Tourist Information
Coordinator/Office Manager our “bigger and better” May event (we are now four
Peggy Wilson
times per year, not twelve). We had two bands instead
Administrative Assistant
Joyce Nestor
pressed. They are now in the process of regrouping and
planning the Oct. 3rd show which will be the 13th Anniversary of Bike Fest! Thanks, again, gang!
Treasurer
Michael Watkins
V & R Insurance
Vice Chairman
Membership Division
Edwena Haney
Hopewell Funeral Home &
Memorial Gardens
Vice Chairman
Community Program Division
Verna McKelvin
Wells Memorial & Event Center
Vice Chairman
Economic Development Division
Phil Waldron
Waldron Consulting Services
Vice Chairman
Community & Governmental Affairs Division
Yvonne Fry
Lines of Communication
2
Board of Directors
Matt Buzza
Platinum Bank
Martyn Clay, Ed.D.
Hillsborough Community College
Paul Hackney
Sunshine Bank
Charles Harris
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
Bradley Herremans
Suncoast Community Health Centers Pediatrics
Larry Jimenez, Jr.
Star Distribution Systems.
Jason Jones
Advantage Restoration, Inc.
Karen Kerr
South Florida Baptist Hospital
Kenneth Parker,
Florida Strawberry Growers Association
Jim Scott
Jarrett-Scott Ford
Keith Smith
Trinkle, Redman, Swanson, Coton, Davis, &
Smith, P.A.
Darcy Stottlemyer
All A Bloom Florist
Carole Wright,
Myers & Wright, P.A.
Page 3
3
2015 Chamber Trustees
Chamber Connections ~ June 2015
Thank you for your
commitment to the
ACE Realty Advisors
2504 Walden Woods Drive
Suite 1
Plant City, FL 33566-7100
CITY PROPERTIES
Office: (813) 567-7198
COMPANY
John Haney, President
CONSOLIDATED ELECTRI- [email protected]
CAL DISTRIBUTORS
Www.acebid.com/realty
dba RAYBRO ELECTRIC
Real Estate
SUPPLIES
Chastain-Skillman, Inc.
FLORIDA STRAWBERRY
4705 Old Highway 37
FESTIVAL
P.O. Box 5710
Lakeland, FL 33807-5710
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & Office: (863) 646-1402
SUITES
Kaitlin Tucker, Communications
Coordinator
HOPEWELL FUNERAL
[email protected]
HOME & MEMORIAL
Www.chastainskillman.com
GARDENS
Engineering, Construction &
Management
IDEAS & INNOVATIONS,
INC.
(JENNIFER E. CLOSSHEY) Hakeem Investments Florida,
LLLP
JARRETT-SCOTT FORD
6800 North Dale Mabry Highway
Suite #248
MOSAIC-PLANT CITY
Tampa, FL 33614-3999
FACILITY
Office: (813) 932-9200
Asif Hakeem, CEO
SEDITA KILTON &
[email protected]
COMPANY
Www.hakeeminvestments.com
SOUTH FLORIDA
Real Estate Investments
BAPTIST HOSPITAL
Chamber of Commerce
SUNSHINE BANK
WELLS MEMORIAL &
EVENT CENTER
Milner Technologies, Inc.
3031 North Rocky Point Drive
Suite 195
Tampa, FL 33607-5826
Office: (813) 995-4827
Kayla Drawdy-Sherrard,
Technology Consultant
[email protected]
Www.milner.com
Technology
Scentsy
Plant City, FL
Office: (813) 365-8528
Mercy Martinez,
Independent Consultant
[email protected]
Www.mercymartinez.scentsy.us
Retail, Specialty Gifts
Walton Development &
Management Florida/Southeast
USA
8390 Champions Gate Boulevard
Suite 315
Champions Gate, FL 33896-8313
Office: (863) 280-0378
Chris Forbes, Planning &
Development Manager
[email protected]
Www.walton.com
Real Estate Development
To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and
your business in your heart. – Sr. Thomas Watson
Since 1964
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15-20 Years
OVER 60 YEARS!
Anniversaries
Hillsborough County FFA Federation
Pregnancy Care Center of Plant City
SUNSHINE BANK
10-14 Years
(61 YEARS)
Brewington’s Towing & Recovery
J.M. Stare Construction
Jewellco Roofing
Now Care Walk-In Clinic
Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club
Santa Sweets, Inc.
Westcoast Enterprises
(68 YEARS)
TECO
OVER 40 YEARS!
PARADISE, INC.
5-9 Years
Dairy Queen
Hi Performance Designs, Inc.
Plant City Community Church of the Nazarene
Plant It Earth
Toufayan Bakery of Plant City, Inc.
SOUTH FLORIDA
BAPTIST HOSPITAL
OVER 30 YEARS!
ONE BLOOD
SUPER SERVICE
TIRE & AUTO
1-4 Years
Alan’s Air Conditioning
American Veterans Post 44
BLI Biblical Leadership Institute
Broke & Poor Surplus, Inc. of Plant City
Continucare Medical Center
Greater New Hope Anointed Ministries
Hampton Inn & Suites
Dave Logue’s Plumbing, Inc.
Master Craft Memorials
RMInvesting LLC
Turkey Creek Animal Hospital
Wish Farms
OVER 20 YEARS!
FEOLA INSURANCE
AGENCY
GFWC WOMAN’S CLUB
OF PLANT CITY
“Hire character. Train skill.” – Peter Schutz
HAPPY RETIREMENT, JANE
JAMES HARDIE
BUILDING PRODUCTS,
INC.
SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
WETHERINGTON
TRACTOR SERVICE, INC.
The Staff, Board of Directors, and Members of the
Chamber wish to Congratulate Jane Gonzalez, Tourist
Information Coordinator, on
her retirement from the
Chamber after 16 years of
service. We greatly appreciate your hard work and
dedication. You will be so
missed.
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*Screen Enclosures * Carports
*Siding & Soffits * Vinyl Windows
5
FITLIFE FOODS EXPANDS WITH NEW CULINARY CENTER
OPERATIONS IN PLANT CITY
Expansion will generate 100+ new jobs and a multi-million
dollar capital investment
Tampa, Fla. – May 11, 2015 – Fitlife Foods, the leading Southeastern independent retailer of healthy, fresh-prepared
meals, has announced that it will expand its Culinary Center operations as part of a brand new 100,000 square foot facility in Central Florida Development’s County Line Commerce Center in Plant City. The expansion is expected to generate
over 100+ jobs and several million dollars in capital investment in eastern Hillsborough County over the next two years.
The jobs will fill a variety of roles in food production, administration, transportation, and operations.
“Plant City offers us the perfect combination of a central location and a quality workforce to fuel Fitlife Foods’ next stage
of growth,” said David Osterweil, founder and chief executive officer of Fitlife Foods. “We’re excited to build our state-ofthe-art Culinary Center in the County Line Commerce Center, and to have our culinary and operations teams working
together under one roof. We’ll have plenty of room to grow and look forward to hiring the local talent we’ll need to support us as we expand.”
The Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and CareerSource Tampa Bay will assist Fitlife Foods
with workforce recruiting, screening, and on-the-job training services as well as sales tax exemptions on machinery and
equipment for manufacturing companies.
Osterweil founded Fitlife Foods in Tampa in 2011 to help customers do more in their lives with high-quality, healthy prepared meals for busy, on-the-go, fitness-minded consumers. Osterweil took the guesswork out of the nutritional content
to maximize his customer’s energy by balancing low glycemic, high fiber carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fat, and
serving it in the right portion sizes.
The Fitlife team responded to their customers’ needs by offering selections for gluten-free, low-carb and paleo diets
while helping thousands of customers lose weight with small, medium and large meal options and wellness coaching in
Fitlife’s Project U program.
The full list of ingredients and calorie count of each item are visible on all packages – to help customers plan their total
daily calorie consumption. Finally, Osterweil wanted to break down the notion that healthy food does not have to equal
tofu and sprouts. Fitlife’s menu includes such fan favorites as: Chicken Enchilada, BBQ Beef with Mac n’ Cheese, Miso
Salmon, Chicken Tacos and more. There are over 60+ breakfast, meals and snacks in Fitlife’s refrigerated coolers. Fitlife
Foods currently operates seven retail locations and six kiosk spots across Tampa Bay and has plans for development into
a number of markets in the Southeast over the next several months.
“With our investment in the utility extension along County Line Road and new commercial and industrial buildings like
County Line Commerce Center going up in Plant City, we are seeing significant interest from high-growth companies like
Fitlife Foods to locate and expand here,” said Plant City Mayor Rick Lott. “These two developments have created unprecedented opportunities for manufacturing, distribution, and logistics operations in particular to secure a prime location
in the heart of central Florida’s booming I-4 corridor.”
Fitlife Foods joins a growing list of companies headquartered in Hillsborough County that have recently made the decision to expand their workforce here, including Cognizant, Xcelience, ReliaQuest, BluePearl Veterinary Partners,
Tribridge and Laser Spine Institute.
“Fitlife Foods offers a great example of how successful entrepreneurial companies identify a market need, create a better
solution to meet it, and build a loyal following by listening and responding to their customers,” said Dr. Ronald Vaughn,
Chair of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and President of the University of Tampa.
“Tampa’s startup community is flourishing, and the success of home-grown companies like Fitlife Foods is further proof
that Hillsborough County offers the talent and business support that entrepreneurial organizations need to thrive.”
Individuals interested in open job opportunities may refer to the company’s website at www.eatfitlifefoods.com.
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Lakehouse Luxury Apartment Homes is a
BRAND NEW Premier Community located
at 3003 South Frontage Road in Plant City, FL
We have 3 floor plans to choose from which
may be seen on our website at
www.lakehouseluxuryapartments.com
The Osprey—917 sqft, 1 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath
The Heron—1223 sqft, 2 bedroom, 2 bath
The King Fisher Town Home—2083 sqft,
3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath with attached 2 car garage
Whichever floor plan fits your needs, we know
you will feel pampered by the luxuries. You
will love the designer gourmet kitchen with
espresso wood cabinets, sleek black electric
appliances and a built in microwave. Our 1st
floor apartment homes have faux wood plank
flooring and a select few have stand up showers. Almost every apartment home will have a
beautiful lake view and all of them have a
screened lanai. We also have designated nonsmoking buildings.
In addition to living in a beautiful, BRAND
NEW, luxury apartment home, you will be
spoiled by the community amenities. For
those who enjoy working out, they will love the 24 hour fitness center
with free weights. After an intense workout, you can relax by the pool or
in the spa or enjoy reading a book on the sundeck overlooking the lake.
If you enjoy fishing, then you’ll love our fishing dock with fish cleaning
station. Your dog will even have fun and meet friends at the dog park.
There will be resident giving neighbors and staff an opportunity to mingle and create that sense of community.
We are within walking distance to Interstate 4 and only minutes to Lakeland or Tampa, allowing you to expand your realm for business and
pleasure.
We invite you to come and take a look for yourself. The leasing office is
open and we should have a model to show in late June. We look forward to seeing you then! For additional information, please contact
Brenda Rodriguez, Property Director at (813) 756-5800 or email her at
[email protected].
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on
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A special Thank You to Edwena Haney and Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial
Gardens for sponsoring the May Contact Breakfast. Mike Herr, City Manager for
Plant City, was our wonderful guest speaker. He updated the members on exciting economic news for the Plant City area. The City along with the Chamber
and the Economic Development Council are actively getting the word out to
developers, corporations, contractors in surrounding areas that Plant City is
OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Their goal is to bring more commerce to our area and
as of their recent EDC Forum, the inquiries are on an increase. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Mike, his team, the Chamber leadership, as well as the
Hillsborough EDC in making this a priority. For more information, visit
www.plantcityrightnow.com.
(l-r) Marsha Passmore, Edwena Haney,
and Mike Herr
Our Good Egg for May was presented to Tim Lopez, owner of Southside Western and Outdoor Wear, for his community involvement and Chamber dedication. We greatly appreciate all he does for the Plant City area.
With Tim’s help, Marion Smith attempted to give away the $200 Cashpot, but unfortunately
the members whose names were drawn (Elizabeth Manuel, Michael Becerra, Brian West,
Scott Buczek, and Megan Hobbs) were not in attendance. June’s cash prize will be $250, but
you can only win if you attend! Railroad and Industrial Federal Credit Union will be our
sponsor and Dr. Randy Avent, President of Florida Polytechnic University, will be out guest
speaker. Be sure to RSVP by June 5th. See you then!
Reverend Thomas Thoeni wins
a lovely spring arrangement
from Creative Flowers by Glenn
Vonda Fulwood (Farm Credit
of Central Florida) takes home
a door prize.
(l-r) Michael Lopez (son), Tim Lopez (Good Egg), Pam Lopez, and son T.J.
Tai Ishia Robinson from the
Boys & Girls Club takes
home a door prize from
Hopewell.
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Business Spotlight
Angel Miller and Natalie Sweet
The Sweet Team at Keller Williams Realty
Angel Miller and Natalie Sweet started The Sweet Team in 2007 to better provide and serve
their customers. The life of a real estate agent can be lonely and overwhelming, so liking each other’s business models and being able to blend their different personalities, Angel and Natalie created
a strong team structure and work well with each other. There is always someone available to take
care of their customer’s needs. Starting with two, The Sweet Team has now grown to a team of six.
Angel is a Plant City native. She loves design, and in fact designed and contracted her new kitchen.
Her love and talent for design really benefits customers because Angel can beautifully stage their
homes to sell. She’s also a huge movie buff who makes it a point to watch the entire Oscar nominated movie list each year. Natalie has been in Plant City for 26 years. She likes to bike, kayak, and go
on cruises. A Leadership Plant City 2012 graduate, Natalie learned much about her community and
is readily able to share this information with her customers.
Real estate fluctuates, that’s why it’s important to have an expert that knows today’s market. An
experienced and professional agent knows the community, can negotiate well, and can help people
make better decisions.
Being a member of the Plant City Chamber of Commerce has benefitted The Sweet Team immensely; from getting in front of a group of professionals, learning more about their community, and keeping up-to-date on what’s going on in the area. Angel Miller and Natalie Sweet of The Sweet Team
are able to share knowledge with other professionals and business owners. Plus... there is great
value in continually reconnecting to their community.
If you have are considering buying or selling a home, or have any general real estate questions, don’t
hesitate to contact The Sweet Team at 813-966-4304.
Angel Miller
Natalie Sweet
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Thank you to all service personnel who have served with grace, dignity, and courage and
paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
You are never forgotten.
We honor you and your memory on MEMORIAL DAY.
Photos credit: Amber Jurgensen, Managing Editor, Plant
City Observer
Thank you to Hopewell Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens and Edwena Haney for sponsoring the May Contact Breakfast and for the wonderful door prizes! Also, thank you to All A Bloom,
Creative Flowers by Glenn, and LeAnne’s Old Fashioned Cookies for providing lovely gifts.
The Business After Hours was sponsored by Wells Memorial and Event Center; thank you to
Verna McKelvin and her team for holding a terrific networking event for the members. We greatly
appreciate your generosity and commitment to the Chamber!
On behalf of the Chamber staff, Thank You, Edwena Haney and Hopewell Funeral Home &
Memorial Gardens for the fabulous basket of goodies from Tani’s for Dessert/Buttercream Bake
Shoppe.
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Leadership Plant City 2015 held their final class on May 12th. They toured the Plant City
Airport, Union Station Depot, the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, and the Henry B.
Plant Railroad Society and Model Railroad Exhibit. The tour of the 1914 PCHS Community
Center, Quintilla Geer Bruton Archives, and the East Hillsborough Historical Society Museums gave the group a look into simpler times of years past.
Thank you to Maribel Lorenzo, Kathleen Hall, and Lisa Solary for coordinating with the guest
speakers and tour guides. Thank you to Florida Representative Dan Raulerson, John Tiliacos,
Benny Lubrano, Shelby Bender, and Ed Verner for their presentations. We could not do this
program without your support and participation!
If you are interested in participating in the 2016 Leadership class, please contact the office at
(813) 754-3707 to sign up as seating is limited.
Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2015: Alice Bullard (OnPoint IT Solutions),
Kellie Carson (Raulerson, Castillo, Westlake & Company), Kimberly Hamilton (Plant City Photo Archives & History Center), Moses Jordan (South Florida Baptist Hospital), Cathy Kudlinski (Absolute Auto Repair), Danette Lee (South Florida Baptist Hospital), Thomas Pollock
(Platinum Bank), Marion Rowe (Myers Cleaners), Denise Samide (Hillsborough Community
College), and Derek Yates (Suncoast Credit Union).
Photos provided by Alice Bullard, OnPoint IT Solutions.
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Ambassador Team #1 led the May
luncheon which included a presentation by our new Bruton Memorial
Librarian, Tonda Morris. Thank
you to Pat Pogue, Mackensi Beers,
Angela Sessa, Christine Wynne,
and Sue Burt for orchestrating a
wonderful
program.
Thank you to Charlie Wells (Poppell
Insurance) and David Tomlin
(World Pay) for sponsoring the
May lunch.
Ambassador Team
May 2015
Team # 2
Karen Griggsby, Carter Metts,
Nancy Miller, and Frank Cummings
(not pictured: Maribel Lorenzo, Donna Cade,
Candace Downing, Linda Dunn, Jim Young, Lea
Sacco, and Jason Jones)
To join the Ambassador Team,
contact Tammy at
(813) 754-3707 or email her at
[email protected]
Ambassador of the Month
Lea Sacco
Returning Ambassador and
New Ambassador
(left-right)
Angela Sessa, Coldwell Banker
(Returning) and Christine Wynne,
Plant City Dining & Entertainment
Guide (New Ambassador)
Bruton Memorial Library Director
Tonda Morris
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(l-r) Nancy Lambert (First United Methodist Church) and Pat Pogue
(Plant City Civitan Club)
Christina Smith and Chris Deck
with 3 C’s Catering
Verna McKelvin, along with
her staff at Wells Memorial
& Event Center, held a
beautiful networking event
at their facility located at
1903 West Reynolds Street.
With floral arrangements,
food and wine, and an array
of other door prizes, this was
an over-the-top, elegant
event which truly showcased
not only the “Celebration of Life” programs but also other special
occasions Wells Event Center is able to accommodate.
With many businesses represented at the Business After Hours,
people were enjoying getting to know one another so business may
be passed around in an effort to grow local commerce. Generally
speaking, businesses do business with those who do business with
them. This is a great opportunity to establish new working relationships and Business After Hours accomplishes just that! Be sure to
attend June’s BAH when Focus 4 Beauty will be the setting for a
“blow-out” event.
Thank you again to Verna, her team, and Wells Memorial and
Event Center for a terrific event. You made everyone feel so comfortable. It was a truly wonderful evening.
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Pa
ge
Chamber Connections ~ June 2015
Dr. Andres Tobon
Dr. Ricardo Berrios
Plant City Dermatology
1502 South Alexander Street
Suite 103
Plant City, FL
May 5, 2015
Anamaria Gaffney, Director
Plant City Life Improvement Center
102 North Collins Street
Plant City, FL
May 12, 2015
Melissa Haskins, Financial Advisor
Edward Jones Investments
2501 Thonotosassa Road
Plant City, FL
May 14, 2015
Mike Griffin, Broker &
Diane Hickman-Griffin, Agent/Owner
Remax Real Estate Professionals
316 North Alexander Street
Plant City, FL
May 19, 2015
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Stephen Bonnell,
Human Resources Manager
James Hardie Building Products, Inc.
809 South Woodrow Wilson Street
Plant City, FL
May 19, 2015
Rachel May, Owner/Photographer
Rachel May’s Photography
Plant City, FL
May 26, 2015
SAVE THE DATES
UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS
JUNE 10TH
Contact Breakfast @ 7:15 AM
JUNE 4th
JUNE 18th
Bealls Outlet @ 9:00 AM
(1407 South Collins Street)
Business After Hours @ 5:15 PM
JUNE 9th
JUNE 20th
Milner Technologies, Inc.
(Chamber of Commerce)
Strawberry Classic Car Show
JUNE 27th
JUNE 23rd
Plant City Community Chorale presents
Sing! America! @ 7:30 PM
Simply Events @ 11:00 AM
(Chamber of Commerce)
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PLANT CITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM
Thank you to our committee members, presenters, and sponsors for
successfully showcasing Plant City
Presenters were:
Mayor Rick Lott
Gordon Gillette, President, Tampa Electric & Peoples Gas
Adam Myers, Business Development Manager,
Tampa Hillsborough EDC
Dr. Martyn Clay, President, HCC-Plant City
Mike Herr, City Manager, The City of Plant City
Steve Maxwell, CEO, Highland Packaging Solutions
Scott Monahan, Plant Manager, James Hardie Industries
Roy Peterson, Vice President-Sales, Toufayan Bakeries
John Dicks, Facilitator
Agriculture as an Economic Driver Panel
Gary Wishnatzki, President, Wish Farms
Ryan Keel, General Manager, Keel and Curly Winery
Kenneth Parker, Executive Director,
Florida Strawberry Growers Association
Bob Sebesta, General Manager,
Varrea Development
Todd Taylor, North Park Isles Developments
(Walton Development)
Special thanks to Yvonne Frye and her staff at Fryed Egg
Productions for their expertise and professionalism. Fryed
Egg Productions is responsible for the Plant.City,Right.Now
website and promotional video of Plant City.
Bob Appleyard, Transcend Development
Jeff Lucas, Central Florida Development
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