Member News
Florida Chamber of Commerce member press releases/updates.
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Apr- 2026 -17 April
Wells Fargo Veteran and Florida Chamber Board Member Jim Themides to Retire
Wells Fargo announced that Leila Tooley has been named Florida Gulf Coast Market Executive for Commercial Banking, succeeding Jim Themides, who will retire at the end of 2026 after 40 years with the bank. Following many years of collaboration, Themides and Tooley will work hand in hand to ensure continuity for clients and support a smooth transition across Wells Fargo’s work in the West Florida community. Tooley will oversee a team of local bankers serving…
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16 April
Duke Energy Foundation Announces Grants to Support Local Parks and Community Green Spaces
Duke Energy, through the Duke Energy Foundation, has announced the first round of its America250 grant program, supporting community projects that will help revitalize public parks and enhance shared green spaces across its service areas. The initiative is part of a broader effort tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary and focuses on projects that strengthen civic engagement, preserve community spaces, and improve access to local outdoor areas. Funding will support nonprofit-led efforts that include park…
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16 April
Orlando Health Brings Employees Together for 407 Day of Service
Orlando Health recently united employees and community partners for its annual 407 Day of Service, a volunteer initiative focused on supporting organizations and families across Central Florida. Throughout the day, volunteers took part in multiple service projects at different sites, including assembling meal kits, preparing school supplies, and creating hygiene kits for local nonprofits. These efforts were designed to meet immediate community needs while supporting organizations that serve individuals and families throughout the region. Hundreds…
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16 April
Publix Recognizes Support Associate for Community Impact
Publix recently honored Publix Charities Executive Director John Doran with a 2026 Mr. George Community Service Award, recognizing his long-standing commitment to volunteerism and community engagement. The award highlights associates who reflect the company’s values of service and community involvement. Doran’s work has included extensive involvement with organizations such as Alliance for Independence, Lakeland Pigfest, and the Bullard Family Foundation, where he has supported programs focused on individuals with disabilities, youth development, and families in…
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16 April
Amgen Volunteers Help Provide Thousands of Meals Through Tampa Bay Service Day
Amgen employees recently came together with friends and family for the company’s Q2 Family and Friends Day of Service at Feeding Tampa Bay, supporting efforts to address food insecurity in the region. A total of 23 volunteers participated in a hands-on service project, spending time helping package 14,669 pounds of potatoes. The effort contributed to meals that will serve more than 12,000 people across the Tampa Bay community. The initiative is part of Amgen’s ongoing…
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9 April
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School Students Step Out in Style in New Athletic Sneakers Provided by Rita Case and Soles4Souls
Every student at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale has an extra spring in their step after receiving a new pair of name-brand athletic shoes, socks and books through the 4EveryKid initiative led by Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, and Soles4Souls. Volunteers from Rick Case Cares, Children’s Services Council of Broward County, Bealls, United Way of Broward County, UKG and Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office helped almost 300 students find…
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2 April
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Recognized for Regional Impact
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is celebrating a recent honor for its President and CEO, Heather Kasten, who was recognized at the Business Woman of the Year Awards hosted by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The accolade highlights her leadership, commitment to economic growth, and efforts to strengthen the region’s business community. The Chamber also acknowledged Michael Saunders, founder and CEO of Michael Saunders & Company, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the same…
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2 April
Orlando Health Expands Maternity Care Through New Mobile Clinic
Orlando Health has launched a new mobile maternity clinic designed to reach expectant mothers in Central Florida communities where prenatal care is limited or difficult to access. The clinic brings essential pregnancy services directly into neighborhoods, helping remove barriers that often prevent women from receiving consistent care. The mobile unit provides prenatal checkups, screenings, and health education that support healthy pregnancies and early intervention. By traveling to underserved areas, the clinic reduces the need for…
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1 April
Sunshine Health Awards $100,000 in Grants to Support Childcare and Transportation
Sunshine Health has awarded $100,000 in workforce access grants to help address barriers that working families often face, including childcare and transportation challenges. The funding will be distributed to organizations that support employees and job seekers in improving their stability and economic participation, particularly in areas where access to reliable care and transit can impact employment outcomes. Recipients of the grants include local partners that provide childcare resources and programs designed to make it easier…
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1 April
Florida Power & Light Employee Gives Back to Hospital That Helped Her Family
Florida Power & Light Company employee Shashayne Maxwell recently found a meaningful way to give back by volunteering at the 22nd annual Kiss Country Cares for Kids Radiothon at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. The event raised funds to support children’s healthcare across South Florida. For Maxwell, the experience was personal. Her son received care at the hospital after being diagnosed with diabetes just before his 12th birthday. Seeing the hospital staff’s compassion during that time…
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1 April
Duke Energy, Colleges Partner to Train Lineworkers in Florida
Duke Energy is investing in Florida’s future workforce through a new partnership with several state colleges focused on training the next generation of electrical lineworkers. With support from the Duke Energy Foundation, the initiative funds new equipment, curriculum improvements, and hands-on learning opportunities that help students develop practical, job-ready skills. Participating institutions include Lake-Sumter State College, Seminole State College of Florida, Valencia College, St. Petersburg College, and South Florida State College. These colleges offer specialized…
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Mar- 2026 -30 March
Florida Poly Giving Day Exceeds $100,000 Goal to Fuel STEM Education
Florida Polytechnic University’s annual Giving Day on March 11 soared past its $100,000 fundraising goal, securing $128,389 to support student success, hands-on learning, and the University’s singular STEM mission. The 24-hour effort united the entire University community in support of key priorities and programs, including academic affairs, student affairs, athletics and its alumni network. The day’s generous group of alumni, students, families, employees, and community partners fully funded the Student Affairs Campaign, which supports scholarships,…
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25 March
Florida Poly Researchers Develop Faster Microplastic Detection Technology
Plastic pollution has become a widespread global problem, with microscopic particles in the water that can slip into the human body without notice. For decades, scientists have struggled to detect these microplastics and nanoplastics quickly and affordably. Researchers at Florida Polytechnic University are working on a new approach that could change that. Dr. Ajeet Kaushik, an associate professor of chemistry, and students Riley Orr and Justin Sanchez Almirola developed a solution based on electrochemical sensing,…
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24 March
Suncoast Credit Union Foundation Invests $10,000 in Early Learning in Manatee County
The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation is strengthening early childhood education in Manatee County through a $10,000 contribution to the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County. The investment is expanding access to books and educational resources for young children and families throughout the community. The funding is being used to provide age-appropriate reading materials and learning tools through local programs and outreach efforts. By increasing access to these resources, the initiative supports early literacy, school readiness,…
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24 March
Holland & Knight Receives Outstanding Services Award from the ABA Military Pro Bono Project for 14th Consecutive Year
For the 14th consecutive year, Holland & Knight has been honored with the 2025 Outstanding Services Award by the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Military Pro Bono Project. Holland & Knight is the only law firm to receive the Outstanding Services Award every year since its inception in 2012. In addition, Holland & Knight Partners Terry Elling, Amy Fuentes, Nicholas Hasenfus, Frank Morreale and Rafe Petersen, Senior Counsel Nancy Anderson and Associates Michael Decembrino, Lindsey Grubbs,…
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