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OVERVIEW


ABOUT US


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STAFF


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STAFF

Driven by the zeal to make Tampa and Hillsborough County the most desirable
destination for fast-growing companies and talented people, the EDC team shows
up every day ready to help move our community forward.

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Team

Executive


CRAIG J. RICHARD, CECD, FM


CRAIG J. RICHARD, CECD, FM



President and CEO

crichard@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2620





Read Bio

Craig J. Richard is a certified economic developer with over two decades of
economic development leadership experience in major markets such as Dallas,
Houston and Atlanta. Career highlights include more than 308 successful projects
representing more than 126,246 jobs and $9.3 billion in capital investment.

Craig has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International
Economic Development Council (IEDC) and currently serves on the boards of the
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Film Tampa Bay, Visit Tampa Bay and the
Downtown Tampa Partnership. He was recognized as one of Florida’s 500 Most
Influential Business Leaders by Florida Trend and one of North America’s Top 50
Economic Developers by Consultant Connect. Craig was also designated a “Fellow
Member” by IEDC for his contributions to the economic development profession.

Craig earned his Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree, with a
concentration in economic development, from Virginia Commonwealth University and
a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston. He is also a graduate of the
Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.

Craig and his wife Verna have two boys. In his spare time, he enjoys golf,
fishing and hunting.



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GINA BENOIST


GINA BENOIST



Executive Administrator & Board Liaison 

gbenoist@tampabayedc.com

813-518-2622





Read Bio

Executive Administrator & Board Liaison  gbenoist@tampabayedc.com 813-518-2622



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Finance and Administration


NEALY WHEAT, CAE, SPHR


NEALY WHEAT, CAE, SPHR



Chief Financial Officer

nwheat@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2624





Read Bio

An association and nonprofit executive with over 15 years of experience, Nealy
Wheat is the Chief Financial Officer of the Tampa Bay Economic Development
Council.
Her professional experiences include statewide trade and professional
organizations, international, charitable foundations and chambers of commerce.
In her current role with the Tampa Bay EDC, Nealy oversees all financial,
accounting, administrative and human resources compliances and practices. Nealy
earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2008 and
graduated from The University of West Georgia with a Bachelor of Business
Administration in Accounting and Management. She earned a Master of Public
Administration in Nonprofit Administration from Kennesaw State University. Nealy
has presented at national and state conferences on best practices in
association/non-profit financial and organizational management. She earned the
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation in 2020.

Nealy was honored as a CFO of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in
2019. She is a graduate of Leadership Tampa and serves on the board of directors
of the Florida Society of Association Executives, Friends of the Riverwalk and
The Orenda Foundation. Nealy lives in Tampa with her husband and their rescue
dog.



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ALISON GELBAUGH


ALISON GELBAUGH



Director of Investor Relations 

agelbaugh@tampabayedc.com

813-518-2656





Read Bio

In March 2021, Alison Gelbaugh joined the Tampa Bay EDC team as Economic
Development Manager. In this role, she will work to maximize economic impact
through new business recruitment as well as retention and expansion throughout
Hillsborough County.

A graduate of the University of West Florida with a B.S.B.A in Marketing & Sales
Management, Alison brings more than nine years of professional experience.
Alison comes to the EDC after serving as AVP Business Consultant with Bank of
America, where she established new client relationships and provided
comprehensive merchant services to the small business sector. She also served as
VP of Corporate Partnerships and Marketing at Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas
and West Pasco Counties.

Alison resides in the Channelside area of Downtown Tampa with her husband and
enjoys exploring all the city of Tampa has to offer.



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Economic Development


TONY T. BROWN


TONY T. BROWN



Vice President of Community Development  

tbrown@tampabayedc.com

813.518.2632





Read Bio

Tony has dedicated his life’s work to transforming neighborhoods by helping
communities and businesses secure capital to finance real estate development
projects and create jobs across America. Tony’s capital solutions have resulted
in over $10 billion in private capital, to flow into underserved areas across
America.

As the previous Director of the Community Development Financial Institutions
(CDFI) Fund- United States Department of Treasury, Tony successfully implemented
the New Markets Tax Credit Program. In this role he supervised the first $6
billion in tax credit authority allocated. He provided regulatory oversight of
billions in CDFI Fund assets and measured the impact of the nation’s investments
in community development entities and financial institutions. Tony was honored
by then Secretary of Treasury, John Snow, for his “Contributions to the
effective and efficient operations of the Department of Treasury.”

As a teenager, Tony experienced the disparate impact of grocery store closings
that result in food deserts. He often carried his family’s grocery bags for
several miles to have fresh meats and vegetables. Years later, our nation’s
largest traditional grocer, Kroger Co., entrusted Tony to design and implement
their Healthy Food Initiative for low-income communities.

Tony began his career in banking where he joined Bank of America in Florida
through the acquisition of Barnett Banks, Inc.; and led the bank’s community
development banking group. His past accomplishments include serving as executive
director of the Riviera Beach CRA; and as the founding President & CEO of the
Uptown Consortium in his hometown of Cincinnati.

Tony earned both his Bachelor and Master Degree in Business
Administration/Finance from Xavier University (Ohio). Tony spends his weekends
golfing and enjoying a good movie.



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ADAM MYERS


ADAM MYERS



Interim Vice President, Economic Development

AMyers@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2660





Read Bio

As Director, Business Development, Adam Myers works with businesses to help
bring new jobs and investment to the community through retention, expansion and
recruitment of target sector industries. Adam has had the pleasure of working
with companies like IRONMAN®, North American Roofing Services, United Airlines,
Velocity Resource Group, and Greenway Health to locate and expand in Tampa.

Adam is a graduate of the University of West Florida, receiving a BA in
Communications, specializing in film and television production. Prior to
starting a career in Economic Development, Adam spent three years working in
film production doing script consulting and on set production work for
independent production companies.

Recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development
Institute, Adam is currently studying to become a Certified Economic Developer.
Outside of work, Adam is a major movie enthusiast and never misses a Tampa Bay
Rays game.



Close


DAVID ROBINSON


DAVID ROBINSON



Economic Development Manager 

drobinson@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2654





Read Bio

Dave Robinson is a Business Development Manager who helps local businesses, new
businesses and startups grow, by introducing companies to community resources in
the Tampa Bay market.

Before starting as Business Development Manager, Dave spent three years as a
Supervisor of 911 Technicians and, prior to that, three years as a Business
Services Lead for CareerSource Tampa Bay.

After a successful career helping small and large businesses with their work
force needs, Dave now works to retain and attract businesses to the Tampa Bay
market.

When not working, Dave enjoys the Florida lifestyle with such activities as
beach trip and water sports.



Close


BRETT SIMONS


BRETT SIMONS



International Business Manager

BSimons@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2668





Read Bio

In January 2022, Brett Simons joined the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council
as International Business Manager. In this role, he works to increase foreign
direct investment, new business recruitment, and increase exports for companies
in Tampa Bay.

A graduate of Carroll College in Helena, Montana with a bachelor’s degree in
International Relations, Brett brings to the team 4 years of Federal and State
government experience. Brett recently moved down to Florida with his fiancé
after serving in the Montana Governor’s Office of Economic Development where he
handled FDI inquiries and acted as the Governor’s International Affairs advisor.

Brett resides in Bradenton with his fiancé and their old cat Clementine. He
enjoys seeing all the new and exciting opportunities that Florida has to offer.



Close


FRANCESCA GONZALEZ-ROEL


FRANCESCA GONZALEZ-ROEL



Economic Development Manager 

FGonzalezroel@tampabayedc.com

813-518-2642





Read Bio

Francesca joined the Tampa Bay EDC in November of 2022 as Economic Development
Manager. In this role, she will work with new and existing companies in the
Tampa Bay area focusing on recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts.

For the last 9 years, she has worked in the technology industry in various
business functions including sales, customer success, operations, and human
resources. She received her B.A. and M.A. from Florida State University where
she studied Theater Arts in her undergraduate studies and Integrated Marketing
Communications and Management in her graduate studies.

She lives in Seminole Heights with her dog, Daisy, and her cat, Rosie, and
enjoys exploring all of Tampa has to offer.



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Marketing


MICHELLE BAUER, CECD


MICHELLE BAUER, CECD



Chief Operating Officer

MBauer@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2644





Read Bio

As Chief Operating Officer, Michelle Bauer provides strategic leadership and
operational oversight for the EDC. She leads the investor relations and
award-winning marketing and research teams. Michelle is responsible for
directing the marketing, media relations, research, and special events
initiatives that are positioning Tampa and Hillsborough County as one of the top
business destinations in North America.

Prior to joining the EDC in November 2014, Michelle was the president of Common
Language, a strategic communications firm in St. Petersburg, Florida. She holds
graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of South Florida and is a
proud supporter of her alma mater. Go Bulls!



Close


LAURA FONTANILLS


LAURA FONTANILLS



Marketing and
Communications Director

lfontanills@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2648





Read Bio

Laura Fontanills joined the Tampa Bay EDC as Marketing and Communications
Director in May 2018. In this role, she is responsible for generating content,
managing events, and engaging with local, national and international business
media to gain positive coverage for Tampa and Hillsborough County and the
economic development initiatives of the EDC.

Laura brings more than 10 years of public relations agency experience to the
organization. Most recently, Laura served as an account manager at B2
Communications, managing public relations activities for such clients as Valley
Bank, Feld Entertainment, Ybor City Development Corporation, Community
Foundation of Tampa Bay and SPCA Tampa Bay. Prior to B2, Laura was account
director at Common Language, a boutique PR firm in St. Petersburg, where she
secured coverage for clients in top tier business and consumer media including
the New York Times and Washington Post.

Highly engaged in the local community, Laura is a board member and past
president of Ekhos, a group of professional female leaders who support one
another personally and professionally; a member of PRSA Tampa Bay; and a
graduate of Leadership Tampa Bay’s Class of 2008. She also serves on the
strategic communications committee for LEAP Tampa Bay. Laura earned her
bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of South Florida
and earned her Accreditation in Public Relations through the Public Relations
Society of America.

Laura enjoys the urban life in downtown Tampa with her boyfriend and their
adorable Cavalier Spaniel.



Close


ROBIN DISALVO


ROBIN DISALVO



Market Research Analyst

rdisalvo@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2652





Read Bio

Robin joined the EDC as the Market Research Analyst in July 2015. She works
closely with the marketing and business development teams to provide statistical
data about the Tampa Bay region, manage data content from workforce and industry
trends, and lead quarterly data collection for the cost of living. She is also
the database administrator for several research tools; e.g. GIS WebTech, C2ER,
D&B Hoovers, and Esri ArcGIS Online.

Prior to the EDC, Robin worked in the media industry, including the research
departments at local newspapers and broadcast companies. Her research included
comprehensive competitive and consumer behavioral analysis for local and
national advertising. Robin graduated from Saint Leo University with a
bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in marketing.

Robin enjoys spending her spare time with her husband Vince and their PC cats
(Tiger and Blue), as well as reading, cooking, and cheering on her favorite
sports teams.



Close


CHRISTOPHER TURNER


CHRISTOPHER TURNER



Digital Marketing Manager

CTurner@tampabayedc.com

(813) 518-2650





Read Bio

In January 2022, Chris Turner joined the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council
as Digital Marketing Manager. In this role, he works to grow the EDC’s presence
and enhance Tampa’s reputation as a top business destination across digital
channels.

A graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with
a Business Marketing concentration, Chris brings to the team 3 years of
non-profit Marketing and Communications experience. He recently moved to Tampa
from Tallahassee, where he previously served as Director of Development and
Communications with 2-1-1 Big Bend.

Outside of work, Chris is a major sports enthusiast and enjoys trying new
restaurants around the Tampa Bay area.



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Tampa Bay Economic Development Council 101 East Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1750,
Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 218-3300



Tampa Bay Economic Development Council 101 East Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1750,
Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 218-3300



The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council exists because of the generous
support of more than 100 corporations, the Board of County Commissioners of
Hillsborough County, and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace.
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