Member News
Florida Chamber of Commerce member press releases/updates.
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Jul- 2025 -25 July
UF Health Researchers Make Breakthrough Discovery Toward Universal Cancer Vaccine
A team of scientists at UF Health and the University of Florida has uncovered a surprising immune system interaction that could lay the foundation for a universal cancer vaccine—potentially transforming the future of cancer treatment. Published in Nature Communications, the research reveals that certain naturally occurring fats, or lipids, can trigger a strong T-cell immune response, a finding that challenges long-held beliefs in cancer immunology. This breakthrough suggests that lipids may be used to stimulate…
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17 July
Tampa Electric CEO Recognized Among Tampa Bay’s Most Admired Executives
Archie Collins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tampa Electric, and member of the Florida Chamber Board of Directors, has been named one of the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2025 Most Admired CEOs. This annual recognition honors top executives across the Tampa Bay region who demonstrate outstanding leadership, vision, and commitment to their organizations and communities. Honorees are selected based on their ability to foster innovation, drive performance, and inspire those around them. Since becoming…
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15 July
Gregory C. Yadley Awarded Florida Bar Business Law Section’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Shumaker Partner Gregory C. Yadley was awarded the Michael G. Williamson Lifetime Achievement Award by The Florida Bar Business Law Section (BLS) at its Annual Meeting. This is only the second time the prestigious award has been presented, honoring an individual whose extraordinary contributions have left a lasting impact on the legal profession and the BLS. “Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Business Law Section is profoundly meaningful to me, not only because of…
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15 July
Promising spacewalk solution engineered by Florida Poly students
Performing maintenance outside the International Space Station is a complex and risky task that requires astronauts to wear bulky space suits and conduct spacewalks to repair vital components like the station’s protective multi-layer insulation. To improve safety and efficiency, NASA continually seeks innovative solutions to support this critical work. Now, a team of mechanical engineering students from Florida Polytechnic University has stepped up with a promising new idea. The group of rising seniors designed a…
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14 July
Polk State and Polk County Public Schools launch Teacher Apprenticeship Program
Polk State College and Polk County Public Schools formally announced the launch of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program during a celebration on the College’s Lakeland Campus on Tuesday. The program is made possible by a Pathway to Career Opportunities Grant (PCOG) of more than $281,000 from the Florida Department of Education. The grant, approved in December 2024, will cover tuition, books, transportation, and supplies. Students will complete the program at no cost to them. “Today has…
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10 July
Florida Poly, Fulbright Hungary partner for international STEM impact
Florida Polytechnic University is deepening its global reach through a new partnership with the Hungarian-American Fulbright Commission, paving the way for dynamic student exchanges focused on advanced research and STEM education. The agreement means Florida Poly will welcome top Hungarian talent to pursue advanced studies at the state’s only university dedicated exclusively to science, technology, engineering, and math. “This collaboration reflects Florida Poly’s commitment to building global alliances that enrich the academic experience and accelerate…
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9 July
Bill Daubmann Selected Top 10 Dynamic Leaders to Watch in 2025
Bill Daubmann has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Dynamic Leaders to Watch in 2025. The article discusses the challenges companies face as they expand, such as increased reliance on third-party vendors, which can lead to production delays, higher costs, and inconsistent quality. These issues often necessitate bringing key processes in-house to align operations with customer expectations and project timelines. This was a challenge Bill Daubmann encountered and strategically addressed. Read the Executive…
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8 July
Polk State’s three collegiate high schools earn A grades for 2024-2025
For the first time in Polk State College history, all three of its collegiate high schools have simultaneously achieved A grades from the Florida Department of Education, and not for a lack of academic achievement in the past. Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School traditionally received a school improvement rating due to differences in its charter and mission. In 2023-2024, Gateway updated its charter and began receiving school grades with its first…
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7 July
Phoenix Racing, Florida Polytechnic University’s competition solar racing team, finished in third place going against top collegiate teams at the national Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix in Bowling Green, Kentucky
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University’s Phoenix Racing clinched an impressive third place at the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix this weekend, an elite collegiate endurance race held in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The team’s strong performance marked an outstanding climb from its seventh-place debut in 2024. The three-day race, held from July 3-5, challenged university teams to complete the highest number of laps on a closed track. Florida Poly recorded a total of 175 laps,…
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Jun- 2025 -25 June
Brown & Brown, Inc. enters into agreement to acquire Accession Risk Management Group
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — J. Scott Penny, chief acquisitions officer of Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO), and John Mina, chief executive officer of Accession Risk Management Group, Inc. (“Accession”), today announced that Brown & Brown has entered into an agreement to acquire RSC Topco, Inc. (“RSC”), the holding company for Accession. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and…
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25 June
Investing in Florida’s Talent Pipeline
Florida’s ability to compete and grow depends on a skilled workforce. CareerSource Florida was a proud partner of the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Learners to Earners Workforce Solution Summit this month—where business leaders, workforce professionals, and policymakers explored solutions to strengthen Florida’s talent pipeline. “We are proud to collaborate with partners across the state to ensure Florida’s workforce system remains aligned with the evolving needs of business,” said Adrienne Johnston, President & CEO of CareerSource…
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25 June
City of Winter Springs, Victoria K. Bruce Graduates from Institute for Elected Municipal Officials Course
Winter Springs, FL – The City of Winter Springs announced today that City Commission, Victoria K. Bruce, recently graduated from the Institute for Elected Municipal Officials (IEMO), a course from the Florida League of Cities’ premier educational program designed specifically for Florida’s elected municipal officials. Bruce completed the first level of IEMO training, which is specially designed for newly elected officials and those with less than one term in office. The comprehensive 16-hour course provides…
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25 June
Shumaker’s Ronald A. Christaldi and Mark Wagoner Recognized as Global Leaders in Crisis Management by Lawdragon
TAMPA, FL – Shumaker Partners Ronald A. Christaldi and Mark Wagoner have been recognized as global leaders in Lawdragon’s inaugural 500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management Guide. This prestigious honor highlights their work in litigation, public policy, and government affairs. The Lawdragon 500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management Guide highlights attorneys and communications consultants who guide clients through complex and high-stakes situations. From former prosecutors and seasoned Beltway insiders to influential policymakers and high-profile litigators,…
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24 June
Florida Poly professor spotlights U.S. innovation at South Korean summit
LAKELAND, Fla. – Dr. Jun Kim, assistant professor of environmental engineering at Florida Polytechnic University, represented both the University and the Korean-American community on the international stage at the prestigious 2025 Future Leaders’ Conference in Seoul, South Korea. His participation elevated Florida Poly’s visibility on the global scene and reinforced the institution’s growing role in innovative research. Selected by the Consulate General of South Korea, Kim was one of only 60 professionals worldwide invited to…
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19 June
Transformative state investment ignites Florida Poly’s new era of growth
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is set to accelerate its bold growth plans following the Florida Legislature’s approval of $22 million in the state’s 2025-2026 budget. The new funding significantly advances the University’s efforts to increase enrollment, expand in-demand academic programs and drive campus infrastructure growth. The allocation will boost progress on the new Student Achievement Center (StAC), a state-of-the-art student support facility, and fuel the University’s strategic initiatives to grow both academically and…
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