ABOVE: Photo by Dylan Todd.
TAMPA | The Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber held its annual Pride in Business luncheon June 30, welcoming business professionals, advocates and its new board to the Centre Club for networking and more.
The chamber has advanced business interests in Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties for decades. It represents more than 600 businesses, groups and individuals as an affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), which provides LGBT Business Enterprise certification while promoting equality for all.
“I’m so thankful to be here,” Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber President Justice Gennari shared. “I appreciate each and every one of you for the work that you do in the community to highlight LGBT business and equality in the workplace.”
Gennari then introduced Christie Hattersley, the outgoing chair for the chamber’s board of directors. The appointed body serves in staggered terms to ensure the continuity of institutional knowledge.
“I look back and I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish here in the Tampa Bay region,” Hattersley shared. “We had a brand new board when I started … and I take great pride in our partnership and ability to get through some of the most difficult times in this organization’s existence.”
The outgoing executive committee included Vice Chair Chad Daughtrey, Treasurer Bob Sanders and Directors Brandon Tydlaska-Dziedzic, KJ Summers, Luke Franchina and Skyler Hunt.
Hattersley noted that in addition to navigating COVID-19 during their tenure, the board and Gennari expanded its outreach, rebranded and hosted the NGLCC International Business and Leadership Conference. The four-day gathering had an estimated economic impact of nearly $7.8 million for the Tampa Bay region.
Gennari thanked them for their dedication before introducing the 2021-2022 board. Additions include Andrew Hall, Brian Liotta-DeVivo, Dustin Portillo, Lauren Reyes, Parker Homas, Ryan Niemeyer, Sam Samson and Trace Kingham. Daughtrey will now serve as the board’s president.
“I am extremely honored and excited to take on the role,” he shared afterwards. “This organization has served the LGBT and allied business community since 1983 and I couldn’t be more excited to lead our Board of Directors into 2022.
“Christie Hattersley served as Chair of this Board with the utmost integrity,” he continued, “and I intend to pick up where she left off alongside a group of professionals who have a wealth of knowledge and experience working throughout Tampa Bay.”
The luncheon also welcomed St Pete Pride President Nathan Bruemmer, Florida’s newly appointed LGBTQ Consumer Advocate, Project Pride President Jordan Letschert and Empowering Differences Founder Ashley Brundage. They joined Hattersley for a discussion about LGBTQ equality in and outside of the workplace.
Gennari closed the program by introducing GLSEN Tampa Bay, a longtime partner, and by awarding the President’s Award to Sanders. He said the former treasurer and senior vice president of Regions Bank showcased an “outstanding commitment to the business community” while advancing “common business interests, economic growth and equality in the workplace and society.”
“I’m incredibly honored to have been a part of this organization,” Sanders thanked him. “I can honestly say this organization has been one of the best things I’ve done since coming to Tampa and I challenge each of you, if you’re not involved with the chamber to do it and give back to the community.”
View our photos from the gathering below. Learn more about the chamber at TampaBayLGBTChamber.org.
Photos by Dylan Todd.
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