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Board & Goals

 

Since 1985 the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce has been a force in the SouthShore Business Community.  Our over 200 members represent every type and size of SouthShore business from major corporations serving Tampa and the world to entrepreneurs beginning their own enterprise.

Our goals are simple:

  Promote and advance a favorable business climate in our area for our
   membership

  Interact with other organizations to develop positive methods for taking
   action on issues of local interest

  Provide business leadership recognizing the social, political and cultural needs
    of the Greater Apollo Beach Area.

Our Board of Directors is made up of members recognized as leaders in our community.  Our Executive Board develops the Chamber’s strategies for the future.  Our Executive Director is the nexus of the Chamber, working daily with member needs, assembling important networking events, consulting with our Boards, and overseeing our largest undertaking, the annual Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts.

Executive Board

Jody Whitmyer, President
whitbio@earthlink.net

 

During the past thirty-five years, Mr. Whitmyer has done extensive work in the area of design and fabrication of devices for individuals with severe disabilities. His company, Whitmyer Biomechanix (an Inc. 500 company)was acquired five years ago by Sunrise Medical. He’s helped countless persons with disabilities from around the world, including the late Christopher Reed. In 1998, Whitmyer relocated to Apollo Beach, Florida to open a product development facility, and in 2001 was honored as “Business Person of the Year”, by the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce.

That began his association with the Chamber of Commerce. Since that time, he has served as a Director, and in previous years has served on the Executive Board as Secretary. Mr. Whitmyer is most recognizable for arranging the monthly Business After Hours events, an opportunity for members to network and meet new friends in the community. Whitmyer has served on numerous committees and had an active roll in various events ranging from the Manatee Arts Festival to the Christmas Decorating Contest. He has assisted in web site and newsletter improvements, and has a true love for Apollo Beach.

His current endeavors are associated with product design and manufacturing, as well as property management in Apollo Beach. He can be reached by calling (813) 508-2355 or by e-mail at whitbio@earthlink.net .

 

John Wilson, Vice-President
john.wilson279@verizon.net

John Wilson is a Licensed Real Estate Broker, Mortgage Broker, and Co-Owner of Commerce Realty Services and its affiliates.  He earned his BA in Business at Murray State University.  From there he moved to South Florida before relocating to Apollo Beach where he met his wife Robin.  He has lived in Apollo Beach for the past 13 years.  He and his wife Robin have a son, Alec, who attends Apollo Beach Elementary.

John served 3 years as Treasurer of the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce where he has been a Member since 1997.  He is also a member of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Ruskin where he served on the vestry as well as being a member of the "Dolphin Dads" at Apollo Beach Elementary.  Most of all he enjoys supporting all of his son Alec's activities.

Bonnie Denney, Secretary
bonnie_denney@colonialbank.com

Bonnie is Manager of the Apollo Beach Branch of Colonial Bank.  She started her banking career with First Ruskin Bank and has been in banking for over 40 years, most of which have been in the South County area.  She grew up in Riverview and has lived in South County most of her life.  Bonnie is a new member of the Board and is very excited about the opportunity to work with the business leaders in the community and to be a part of such a great group that really cares about Apollo Beach.  She has served on numerous committees over the past couple of years including The Manatee Arts Festival and Silent Auction.  Bonnie was voted "Business Person of the Year" in 2007 and has served as a Chamber Ambassador for several years.  Colonial Bank has hosted several Business After Hours and supports the community through numerous sponsorships and donations.  Bonnie has been involved in numerous charity events such as The American Heart Association Heart Walk and The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.  Bonnie has 2 children and 4 grandchildren. 

Jim Martin, Treasurer
apollobeachair@hotmail.com

Jim Martin is a native of Buffalo, New York who became a transplant to Florida in 1989.  Jim moved to Apollo Beach in 2000 and became one of our local entrepreneurs in April 2004 when he opened Apollo Beach Air, a local air conditioning/heating specialist company.

Jim has served on the Apollo Beach Chamber Board for the past four years and has been very active with the Chamber.  Apollo Beach Air has been a major sponsor of the Apollo Beach Manatee Arts Festival and Silent Auction. He has been Chairperson for the Honorary Mayor's Race and Business Person of the Year as well as being active in other committees.

Jim served on the Board for the Bahia Beach Yacht Club and Island Walk Homeowners Association.  He has been a supporter for community groups such as the Tampa Sailing Squadron, Civic Association, and the Beautification Committee.

Board of Directors

Peggy Boris
sunpointtravel@aol.com

Peggy Boris is Vice President of Marketing for TCH Restaurant Group who is the  franchise owner for local Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  Prior to her current position, Peggy spent 30 years in the corporate world working for IBM and AT&T as the manager of Worldwide Market Research. 

Peggy graduated with honors from the University of Tampa with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics and has an MBA from the University of South Florida.

Peggy is very active in the community.  She is Vice President of Community Service for the Krewe of the South Shore Marauders.  She is also a member of the University Of Tampa Board Of Counselors, the South Shore Business Association, University of South Florida Alumni Association, Tampa Alpha (University of Tampa Alumni Association), and the Ruskin Chamber of Commerce.    In addition to working at various chamber events such as the Manatee Festival of the Arts and the annual golf tournament, Peggy with her husband Jim also chaired the Krewe of the South Shore Marauders golf tournament.  On behalf of the Krewe, they also organized and worked at the annual Coastal Clean Up, Toys for Tots and Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools.  

Peggy has two daughters, Melissa and Kristin and one grandson, Chris.  She is also the daughter of long time Chamber members Nick and Dolores Gagliardi.

Isabel Darcy

Isabel Darcy was born and raised in Puerto Rico.  She graduated from UCLA with a Finance Degree and a minor in Public Relations.  Ms. Darcy began her business career managing travel agencies.  She moved to New York in 1983 and began working as a financial consultant with Prudential Bache.  She holds certification as CLU and LUTCF. She served as Vice President of the Professional Women's Association of the LUTCF of New York City.  Ms. Darcy moved to Florida in 1990 and lived in Gainesville for 9 years.  she served as President of the PTA for St. Patrick's School as well as leading various women's groups and parish committees.

The Darcy's moved to Apollo Beach in 2001.  She helped develop the MOM group at Nativity Church in Brandon, served as chairperson of the Adult Social, Architectural, and Security Committees of her home owners association.  Ms. Darcy has been active in the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce since 2004 and has held the position of Ambassador.  Her service has included the Honorary Mayor's Race, Silent Auction, assisting in relocating the Chamber office, Stars Ambassador dinner, Patron of the Arts of the Apollo Beach Manatee Arts Festival and very active in recruiting new businesses and promoting the Chamber.

Isabel and her husband, Stephen, have owned and operated the Apollo Beach Physical Therapy Clinic in Apollo Beach for the past two years.  They live in Apollo Beach with their two sons, Paolo and Marcos.  Their family enjoys sailing in Tampa Bay and are members of the Tampa Sailing Squadron and are active in the Youth Sailing Program.

Terry Faulds

Terry has been a member of the Apollo Beach Chamber since 2004. Terry started his advertising business, AON, Inc. in 2002 which has become a leader in the South Shore area.

Terry has been active and has served on all Chamber committees in various capacities. He has co-chaired the signage committee for the Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts, volunteered for the Silent Auction, Golf Classic, Ambassador committee and Nominating Committee. He is also active in South Shore Business Association.

Grace Guinto
grace_guinto@hotmailcom

Gracie Guinto is currently employed by Trustco Bank, as Branch Manager of Apollo Beach Branch. She has over 19 years of experience in all facets of banking. Prior to this she was in the hotel business as a Business Development Manager for 3 years working around Tampa area. She was an active member of the Brandon Chamber before she joined Apollo Beach Chamber. She is also a member and ambassador of Ruskin Chamber and active member of the SouthShore Business Association. Gracie has served as a volunteer tutor in different Schools  and has been involved in numerous charity events in Hillsborough County.  
 
Gracie was born and raised in Manila Philippines. Graduated with a Degree in Bachelor of Science in Education. Gracie and Rod (husband of 21 years) lives in Riverview since 1993 (15years), blessed with 2 sons 19 and 17 years old.
 
Gracie is one of the newest members of the board and very happy to work with the Professional business groups in Apollo Beach. 
Jill Canavan
jill@jillcanavan.com

Jill Caravan – Owner Cherry’s Bar & Grill of Apollo Beach. Jill was born in upstate New York, but has lived in Hillsborough County since the age of 2.  That is as close to being a native as you can get.  She graduated from USF.    She is a die-hard football fan, both college and NFL.   Her mother is a Pinellas County school teacher and her father is a Hillsborough County psychologist. Her brother attends Florida State.

Ron Kobosky 
ron.kobosky@mosaicco.com

Ron Kobosky is currently employed by Mosaic Phosphates Company in Gibsonton, FL as Terminal Manager of the Big Bend Marine Terminal.  As a 1971 graduate of North Dakota State University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a B.S. in Mining Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1980, Ron has over 26 years with the phosphate industry holding various managerial positions within the company.

Ron and his wife Barbara have been residents of Apollo Beach since 1990.  Ron has been actively involved with the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce as a Board Director and various corporate sponsorships of the Manatee Arts Festival, Golf Tournament Fundraisers and Silent Auction Fundraiser.  Ron is also involved in several organizations in the Tampa area which includes the Local Emergency Planning Commission, Tampa Bay Harbor Safety & Security Committee and the Propeller Club of Tampa, where he is a Board Member and presently Vice-President of Programs.  He is also active in the United Way of Tampa and has served as past chairman for the Mosaic campaign.

Becky Grant         
becky.grant@bankmercantile.com

Becky is the manager of the Mercantile Bank branch

located in Apollo Beach.

 

 

Judy Woodrum
C21judy@tampabay.rr.com

Judy is currently working as a real estate agent for Century 21 Beggins Enterprises here in Apollo Beach. She is one of their top ranked agents and she was honored in 2003/2004 for attaining the rank of Centurion. In 2005, she was winner of the most prestigious award of Grand Centurion by accomplishing over $19 million in sales. Prior to her career in real estate she spent 25 years in the corporate world working for Blackhawk Financial Group handling mergers and acquisitions for large tracts of land. Judy originally was born and raised in the countryside outside of Cincinnati, Ohio and has lived in Apollo Beach with her husband, Bob since the late 1970's. Her son, brother and mother also live within the Apollo Beach area.

Over the years, Judy has served as a volunteer for many of our events including the Apollo Beach Manatee Festival of the Arts. She is always there if you need donations or door prizes. She truly is a top notch Sales Agent in every aspect of life. Judy is now serving her second term on the Board, after taking the one year required sabatical.

Don Pearson, Past President
pearsoncapital@aol.com


Don is a very active member of the Apollo Beach Community. As president of Pearson Capital, Inc. (PCI), Don uses his business acumen and associations to help support and promote the growth of the South Shore area. Besides his position on the Board of Directors of the AB Chamber of Commerce, Don, along with his wife, Sandra Alberti, contributes much time and effort to many local events and charities. The Manatee Arts Festival, the Toys for Tots Campaign, the Ruskin VFW and the Youth group at the SCC United Methodist Church are only a few of the projects in his community portfolio. Don has recently provided his time and talents to the revamping of the Apollo Beach Chamber’s monthly newsletter, an important source for growth of business in our area. He is also a member of the South Shore Business Association.

Don’s company, PCI, has been in business for over 50 years, 30 of which has been spent focusing on growing the wealth in the Tampa Bay area through truly personalized portfolio management. As a unique, private money management firm with many years of investment experience, PCI has proven to its’ clients that hard work and dedication are the road to success. Don’s business success is only overshadowed by his role of father and grandfather to Jeff and Kim Pearson, their three children; Griffin, Monet & Silas and Rene-Alexander Alberti.

Greg Conley, Board Member

gconley@tsieda.com

Greg is the president and co-owner of Technical Systems Integrators (TSI – tsieda.com).  TSI sells electronic design automation and product lifecycle management software to electronic design and manufacturing companies in the Southeast.  TSI is in their 22nd year of business and has been an Apollo Beach Chamber member for 12 of those years.  Prior to TSI, Greg worked for Hewlett-Packard in the test and measurement group and also owned a service station in Temple Terrace that had a successful auto repair business.

Greg grew up in Riverview and has lived in Apollo Beach since 1984.   He went to East Bay High School and graduated from USF (Go Bulls!) with a degree in electrical engineering.  Greg and his wife Patti have been active in many Chamber events over the years.  They support other local events and fundraisers as well.

Since Patti’s retirement from Media General (The Tampa Tribune) Greg and Patti try to spend as much time as they can cruising on either their boat or their RV.  Together they have 5 children and 11 grandchildren.

 

 

 

Ron Seagren, Board Member

rseagren@sm24hr.com

Ron Seagren is owner of Service Master of Tampa, a disaster recovery company serving the South Eastern United States.

 

Top

Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce
Joanne C. Gadek, Executive Director
Gina Hebert, Administrative Assistant

223 Flamingo Drive
P.O. Box 3686

Apollo Beach, FL  33572

Phone:  813-645-1366
Fax:  813-641-2612
Email:  abeachcham@verizon.net


The Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce is open
from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.

New resident?  Thinking about moving to the area?
Or just need an update of what's going on in town?
Drop in and pick up one of our Chamber Discovery Packets!

 


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