Member News
Florida Chamber of Commerce member press releases/updates.
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Jul- 2025 -31 July
Shumaker Advisors Gino Casanova Selected for Leadership Tampa Class of 2026
TAMPA, FL —Gino Casanova, Chief Operating Officer of Shumaker Advisors Florida, has been selected to the Leadership Tampa Class of 2026, continuing the firm’s longstanding commitment to cultivating leadership and civic engagement within the Tampa Bay community. Leadership Tampa, an initiative of the Tampa Bay Chamber and the third-oldest program of its kind in the nation, brings together a diverse group of mid- to upper-level professionals each year for an immersive experience focused on key…
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31 July
Amazon Opens High-Capacity Satellite Processing Facility to Accelerate Project Kuiper Deployment
Amazon has opened a new 100,000-square-foot satellite processing facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida—marking a major step forward for Project Kuiper, the company’s low Earth orbit satellite network designed to deliver global broadband access. The state-of-the-art facility became operational ahead of the first satellite deployments in April 2025. At full capacity, it will be capable of processing more than 100 satellites per month and supporting three simultaneous launch campaigns, streamlining operations between satellite…
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31 July
Ron Christaldi of Shumaker Advisors Florida Honored as a 2025 Tampa Bay Titan 100 Leader
Shumaker Advisors Florida President and CEO Ron Christaldi has been named to the 2025 Tampa Bay Titan 100 — an annual list recognizing the region’s top CEOs and C-suite leaders for their vision, influence and industry impact. A nationally renowned business attorney, Christaldi leads a practice that encompasses complex transactions, high-stakes litigation and public policy. He’s trusted by CEOs, Boards and entrepreneurs to navigate transformative deals, resolve high-conflict disputes, and deliver results that last. A…
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30 July
Florida Poly and OCOM Launch Groundbreaking 6-Year Fast Track to Medical Degree
LAKELAND, Fla. – In a bold move to address physician shortages and expand access to high-quality medical training, Florida Polytechnic University and the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) announced a new program that will allow students to earn both Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees in just six years. The program will create a direct and seamless pathway from undergraduate STEM education at Florida Poly to professional medical training at…
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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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