Member News
Florida Chamber of Commerce member press releases/updates.
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Sep- 2025 -4 September
Florida Power and Light Awards $20K Scholarship to Wellington Student
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) surprised Wellington resident Umair Kazi with a $20,000 FIRST Robotics Scholarship at his home in the Black Diamond neighborhood. The award supports Kazi’s pursuit of a computer engineering degree at Georgia Tech. On July 18, FPL representatives, including Steve Pitts, presented Kazi with the scholarship check and Georgia Tech merchandise, celebrating his achievements in robotics. The event was attended by Kazi’s family and friends, marking a significant milestone in…
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3 September
Joby and L3Harris Collaborate on Autonomous Hybrid VTOL Aircraft for Defense Applications
Joby Aviation and L3Harris Technologies have announced a collaboration to develop a new class of aircraft tailored for defense applications. This partnership aims to create a gas turbine hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft designed for low-altitude missions, offering the versatility of both crewed and fully autonomous operations. The envisioned aircraft will be based on Joby’s existing S4 platform, modified to include a gas turbine hybrid propulsion system. This design allows for vertical take-off…
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3 September
GuideWell Harnesses AI to Transform Healthcare Access and Efficiency
GuideWell is leading the way in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the healthcare experience. Through innovative applications, the company aims to streamline processes, improve patient outcomes, and support healthcare providers. Their commitment to responsible AI development ensures that technology serves the best interests of patients and providers alike. Since 2021, Florida Blue, a GuideWell subsidiary, has implemented an AI-powered digital assistant to assist members with tasks such as viewing insurance cards, making payments, and…
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3 September
Three Shumaker Attorneys Achieve Florida Bar Board Certification in Construction and Real Estate Law
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, is proud to announce that three of its attorneys—Michele Leo Hintson, Andrew J. Oppenheim, and Steven D. Solowsky—have earned Florida Bar Board Certification, placing them among an elite group of lawyers who represent only seven percent of all Florida Bar members. A Partner and Management Committee Member at Shumaker, Michele has over two decades of experience representing real estate developers, contractors, sureties, manufacturers, and healthcare-related entities in complex commercial litigation.…
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3 September
ILA Local 1408 Scholarship Fund Celebrates 30 Years with Record $80K in Awards
The ILA Local 1408 Scholarship Fund commemorated its 30th anniversary by awarding a record $80,000 in scholarships to 34 local high school seniors and college students during a ceremony at Edward Waters University. Founded in 1995 by Jacksonville native Charles Spencer, the Fund has awarded over 1,000 scholarships totaling more than $1 million, many to first-generation college students. This year marks the largest single-year award in the Fund’s history, with $80,000 distributed among 34 recipients.…
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Aug- 2025 -28 August
CITY Furniture Marks Sarasota Grand Opening as Catalyst for Tampa Region Growth
CITY Furniture, Florida’s leading home furnishings retailer, celebrated the successful grand opening of its new Sarasota showroom, marking an exciting milestone in the company’s expansion across the Tampa Region. The 120,000-square-foot showroom opened with a ribbon-cutting on July 17, followed by a four-day celebration featuring $70,000 in giveaways, live DJs, food trucks, and exclusive in-store experiences. The event drew thousands of guests eager to explore the store’s inspiring spaces, including a Custom Design Gallery, Home…
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28 August
IRSC Plans Nation’s First Community College Medical School At Port St. Lucie Campus
Port St. Lucie, FL — Indian River State College (IRSC) and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) have announced plans to establish a new medical school at IRSC’s Pruitt Campus in Port St. Lucie. This collaboration aims to address the growing need for healthcare professionals in Florida, particularly in underserved rural areas. The partnership was formalized during a signing ceremony attended by leaders from both institutions, as well as representatives from Cleveland Clinic…
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28 August
Florida Poly Strengthens STEM Mission With Historic Growth
Florida Polytechnic University has launched the new academic year with a record-breaking enrollment of more than 1,900 students, marking a more than 10% increase from last year and the second consecutive year of growth. The milestone reflects rising demand for the University’s rigorous STEM-focused programs and highlights Florida Poly’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation, research, and career readiness. Leaders say the momentum signals steady progress toward the institution’s long-term vision of becoming a…
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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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